The Mountain Girl Ch.(19)

The Mountain Girl Chapter 19
Angel finds out the Reeds secrets.
Written By: Neet,
Dated: 5-10-02

The Letter

Jay asked, "Where did Jess run off to"? Angel, we have so much to do
here. I
wonder, what we should do with Will? Angel said, "Jay, I have no
ideal"! He
replied, "we just can't leave him in the barn"! Angel muttered, "honey
surely Dolly
will return soon"!

Jay said, "I am worn out Angel"! We need to go home so we can rest.
Angel
replied," I know how you feel Jay, I miss my own bed, and I too am
tired".

"I'm sorry honey, and I know you're not well either," Jay, stated!
How's your arm
Angel? She slid the bandage off, and said, "much better". I can say one
thing, "that
Will was a fine doctor". Yes, I agree with you honey he was at that!
Jay I wonder,
"Why him, and his brother Sal didn't get along"? "Angel, your guess is
as good as
mine", Jay said.

*********

Beth came bouncing in through the door, and said pa, "I nailed the last
peg on the
shutter for you"! Jay muttered, "thank you sweetie"! He told her, "You
deserve a
big hug, and a kiss for all that work".

Beth mumbled, "Ouch, that hurts pa"! Jay rubbed his beard, and said,
"yes I guess
it does". I suppose, I had better shave soon, or both of my gals are
going to leave
me. Beth told him, "Pa, we would never leave you"! Jay smiled, and
replied, "I
know you wouldn't honey".

Angel asked Beth, "where is Stinky? "The last time I saw him he was
following
Jess down the road mama", she, answered.

*******

Dolly told Jess, "Where, she would like Will buried"! He said, "Dolly,
pa, and I will
see to it".

Jess, would you please tell your maw, I will be waiting for her in the
garden"? Jess
replied, "Yes, I will do that now". Dolly, I think you will need this
as he handed her
the letter.

Jess walked through the door into the kitchen. He said, "Mama, Dolly
would like to
speak with you, she in the garden". Angel asked, "How is she son"? "She
is much
better" Jess, responded!

Jay asked, "Did she ever say where she wanted her husband put to rest"?
Jess said,
"Yes, up on a hill above her cabin, pa". "Her cabin" Jay, said with a
puzzled look
on his face. "It's a long story pa" Jess, muttered. Well, let's you,
and I go dig him a
grave Jess; and you can tell me all about it, Jay, stated. "Pa! This
isn't her house,
this is our house", Jess, responded.

Jay stopped dead in his tracks, "what are you talking about son"? Jess
said, "come
on pa, I will explain everything".

Angel asked, "Dolly are you alright, setting down next to her"? Dolly
replied, "I'm
fine honey"! Angel, I have got some things I need to tell you"! A
concerned look
came across Angel's face. She was getting worried about Dolly. She
asked, "What
is it"?

Dolly muttered, "I should have told you this from the very beginning."
But, Angel,
I want you to know, I never had anything for years. I know that is a
poor excuse for
being a selfish person. Please, don't hold it against me Angel!

"I am so confused! What are you talking about Dolly", Angel,
asked?
Dolly said, "I think you need to read this, as she handed her the
letter".

Angel stared at the letter, and looked at Dolly. Dolly nodded her head;
read it
honey. Angel carefully unfolded the letter. "I don't understand", she,
stuttered
looking down at the letter.

Dolly said, "it's all yours honey, Sal left it all to you"! Angel
asked, "but why?
None of this makes any sense to me"!

Dolly said Angel, "that's not all"! Angel's mouth dropped open, "as she
listened to
Dolly rattled on about her mama, and the Reed family".

Angel asked, "You mean that lady in the picture is my mama"? I wonder,
"Why my
folks never told me"! I wish I had an answer for you honey. But, I have
no ideal,"
Dolly, responded.

Dolly told her, "I suppose your pa never cared for the Reeds. But,
don't get me
wrong, your mama was a good person she loved your pa! The Potters were
fine
folks, every one of them!

Angel said Dolly, "Why didn't Sal just leave all this to Will, he was
his brother"?
Dolly replied, "he split it with Will." Besides honey, "Sal knew Will
had a drinking
problem". He knew advent ally he would sell it all to pay for some
gambling debt.
She muttered, "Angel, Sal tried to take care of Will"! He even sent him
through
school, to become a doctor. But, he became a bum!

Dolly looked down at her feet, and said, "I'm sorry Angel, I never told
you all this
before. I hope you want hold it against me"!

Angel put her arm around her, and said, "Dolly Reed, I would never do
that. In fact
I don't know what, I would have done if I had been in your
shoes".

Dolly said between tears Angel, "you are the last of the Reed family"!
Angel
smiled, and replied, "Nope, we are"!