Part of Chapter 1

              Delilah waited by the exit of the train station as Jim loaded their luggage into the car. She shifted Magnolia’s weight on her hip. The child was fast asleep and getting heavy. Nola-Mae could hardly stand on her little legs and was leaning against Delilah’s. Now that the girls were three they were too big for Delilah to carry both of the girls at the same time. Jim finally returned to them and lifted Nola-Mae into his arms. He held the door open for Delilah as she exited the station. She was blasted by a gust of freezing wind. Moving to New York during their coldest month may not have been her best plan, she thought as she hurried to the car. She climbed in the backseat, securing Magnolia in her lap. Jim then placed Nola next to her. He wrapped a blanket across them to help protect them from the cold. Jim then climbed into the driver’s seat and proceeded to drive them to Manhattan to their new home on the Upper East Side on 5^th Avenue.

                Delilah watched the city go by as they made their way uptown. The night sky was black with very little light on the street and ground was covered with snow. They didn’t get much snow down in Texas. She found it beautiful, almost peaceful. She was hopeful this was the right move for her and the girls.

                A few months back her best friend, Anna Collins who was a professor of English at New York University helped her to secure a part time position teaching a few classes in Poetry. Delilah, herself, was an accomplished poet and writer. This job was the perfect opportunity to get out of Texas and she was happy to be starting off 1927 in a new place. She appreciated having such a wonderful friend like Anna.

                Her father was not so keen on the idea of her moving here. He was the type of man who always got what he wanted. She hated to take the girls away from him, but this move was necessary. As a compromise she agreed to have Jim come along. He was the only one of her father’s men that she actually had a close relationship with. He hopefully would not be too over baring. He had been sent ahead, along with their housekeeper to get the house prepared for their arrival.

                Delilah was so lost in thought that she hadn’t realize the car had stopped. Jim already had the rear door open and grabbing Nola by the time she snapped out of it. He extended a hand to help her out of the car, which she accepted, keeping a firm grip on Magnolia. Delilah looked up at their new home, a four story brownstone. It was a lovely building, connected to neighbors on either side. She heard Jeanne’s voice as the front door opened. Jeanne was technically her housekeeper, but she was so much more than that. She was the closest thing to a mother for Delilah, who lost her own at eight years old. Delilah loved the gray haired woman, and didn’t know what she would do without her. Jeanne greeted them and they kissed as Jeanne took Magnolia into her arms. Delilah followed Jeanne into the house with Jim close behind.

                Delilah and Jeanne tucked the girls into bed while Jim unpacked the car and took the bags up to Delilah’s room. Jeanne gave her a quick tour of the house. Delilah was happy to see that most items were unpacked and in their proper place. They finally made it up to her bedroom. Jeanne offered to unpack her bags, but Delilah figured it could wait till the morning. She was exhausted and just wanted to pass out. Jeanne said good night and left Delilah alone.

                Her limps were heavy like bags of sand as she moved about her room and tried to undress. She considered digging through her trunk to find a nightgown, but instead opted to just sleep in her undergarments. She climbed in bed, pulling the quilt up to her chin. She sighed feeling relief at both finally making it to New York and lying in this comfortable bed. After closing her eyes it took only a moment for her to drift off to sleep.

Author's Note

This is just the beginning of chapter 1