10 years ago - 1867, May - Albert accident

[Annabelle Rose Emerson]

Annabelle: Albert? I thought you'll never back!

The woman walked toward her husband and huge him - this last weeks were very busy at his work and she didn't saw him a lot.

Annabelle: The twins played in the garden this afternoon. If you only saw your mother when she found them all dirty.

Albert: I knew it for experience it myself in the past.

He smiled to his wife while open the drink closet door and pour a glass of porto.

Albert: I will left tomorow a nine o'clock, for New York. Mr. Cavendish is agreed to sign in our last investment.

Annabelle: That is a godo new. I... I''m happy that you are there this evening. I received a letter from my cousin Eileen.

Albert rose an eyebrows, he noticed some worries in her face.

Annabelle: Well, Nanny wrote it for her.

She smiled to Albert while thought to her cousin - when they were young, people thought that they were sisters, more than her own brother!

Annabelle: She is in process of divorce. She... Michael asked to her to decide beteween him and Eric.

Albert: And she choose Eric?

The woman nodded. She was catholic and the divorce wasn't something that she was agreed, but this time, she was behind her cousin - a mother hearth was stronger than anything else.



Annabelle: Of course, how could you ask to someone to take a such choice?

Albert: Yes, but now what she will doing? I presume that Michael will have plan eerything for keep all the money?

Annabelle: Yes. By chance Nanny wanted to stay with her in despite Eileen can paid her at this time. It will help Eileen, she can't take acre of her baby alone.

The woman thought to her cousin and wished she could have better luck in her life. First she was blind and now would be alone with a few month baby after been agressed during a indian raid at Austin.

Annabelle: Due that you are often away for your work this days, I wondered if she could come here, only the time for few time?

Albert: Here? In Boston?

Annabelle: Yes, she is my only family, I can't let her in the street like that.

Albert: That is not the question Anna, but you know...

Annabelle: I know what? Because the baby is illegitimate?

Albert: No, not exactly, but that is not the place for him here.



Annabelle: That is you you here in Boston. You Northerner don't stop to be on the Sourtherner about free the black people. At the plantation, the workers were like a part of our familly, our friends. But when it is time for you there to open the door to a color person. If peopel are white of black, that isn't a problem, but if indian or partial indian, the beautiful speech of freedom and egality between the men is no more valuable?

She thought a deep breath, trying to not talk loudly for not awake the children.

Albert: That isn't was I said Anna. Seriously. We could help your cousin but try to think to Eric. He wouldn't be welcome by other people around.

Annabelle: Sure, how could you explain that to your partners in business?

Albert: Please, that isn't what I said, but we could certainly find a better solution for your cousin and her baby. Let me some time for think about something, ok?

Annabelle: Some time? And where she will go now?

Albert: Tomorow morning I will transfert money for her, she would be able to stay at the hotel before we can find something.

She couldn't believe what she heard - but she should knew it, it was so businessman thinking!

Annabelle: Money? You think that money is the solution of everything? Look at me and told me Albert. If it would happen to Laura, do you will reject her like you do with my cousin?

Albert: That isn't the question Anna. Please, calm down.

Annabelle was upset toward Albert attitude and Albert wasn't able to said something which could comfort his wife.

Annabelle: I let you work on your affair now, I will go sleeping now, I think that is the best for now.



Albert: If you think. so good night.

She turned back to her husband, and left the room always upset without said a good night, nor a kiss or cuddle like it was usually. Albert didn't liked see her like that, but he knew that it could certainly have a better solution - for everyone.

* * *

[Annabelle Rose Emerson]

The tomorow morning, Annabelle woke up at 7 am. When she down the stair to the dining room, she noticed that Albert was already left to his work.

She sighed to herself, annoying that he was more and more absent of the home, but also about not be able to talk with him after the evening discussion.

She heard some steps coming from the alway - it was Victoria, followed by the three years old twins. She walked to the kitchen for pick up the breakfast prepared by the cook.

After the kids finished to eat, she go helped Victoria to brush her long blond hair - she wasn't able to eat anything this morning.

Around 10 o'clock, she received the visit of her mother-in-law - again. Well, she wasn't really alone when Albert was away - maybe he was comfort Albert that she wasn,t alone too, but she must admit that her mother-in-law was more often trying to told her how to educate her children and it often annoyed Annabelle.

Mrs. Emerson: I was talking with Mrs. Hadigan the other day about Margaret. You know, she talked about a doctor which could maybe examine her.

Annabelle: Meg is alright Mrs. Emerson. No worries about, she is just a little shy, but that isn't a problem.

Mrs. Emerson: She told me that her nephew had-



Annabelle: Maybe, but no thank you. I know what I want for my kid and she is fine.

Always upset from her discussion of theevening with Albert, Annabelle didn't believe that she replied like that to Albert's mother - and her mother-in-law seem surprised on how upset the young woman replied.

Mrs. Emerson: How I want to do is help you. Albert is my son, and your kids are my grandchildren and-

Annabelle: And they are my kids too! Since the borth, and before her birth, you try to decide abotu what I should do for them. Do you really think I wouldn't be able to take care of them? Maybe we aren't so sophisticated in New-Orlean, but we are able to raise children too!

Mrs. Emerson stood up, but she didn't had time to reply when a servant came in the living room, trying to not show her nervosity.

Servant: Mrs. Emerson.

Both women replyed at the same time: What Sarah?

Servant: There is someone which want to talk to you in the main hall.

* * *

[Annabelle Rose Emerson]

Annabelle and Mrs. Emerson were at the general hospital, waiting for some news. But unfrotunatly, they only knew that the wounded people from the train aws sent here, they didn't were able to see Albert, nor to have more news about how hurt he was.

Annabelle was sit in the hallway, few people walking on all direction - new patient arrived here and here. Mrs. Emerson left to the main hall for try to get more information. All Annabelel was able to know was from Mrs. Carrison which said that Albert was in the second wagon where the most injuried people was.



She stood up when she noteic a doctor coming.

Annabelle: Doctor? I-

But the man passed side on her, rushing to another room.

The woman tried to stay calm, but was more and more anxious to not be able to know more information about her husband.

[Preston A. Lodge III]

Down the hallway a man rushed in deep concern. It was Preston who had gotten word of a train accident. Having been informed of the possibility of businessmen being among the wounded, Preston feared for his friend Albert and had to get word in the matter.



When he arrived in the waiting room he caught site of Annabelle sitting nervous on one of the chairs. He walked towards her without hiding his concern - his worst fears were now realty.

Preston: Annabelle! I had hoped to not find you here. Is it Albert?

He looked at her and knew that it was. He only hoped there was hope.

[Annabelle Rose Emerson]

Annabelle stood up, not able to hide her worries.

Annabelle: I don't know where he is, but they said that he was in the second wagon, which was the most damaged. They brought the wounded people here but I'm not able to get information at this time.

Tears was in her eyes, she would like to be with her husband for he know that she was concern for him. agaisnt him.

Annabelle: When he left this morning... We had a disput yesterday and I was very angry agaisnt him, and he left this morning, but I'm not more angry, he must know it.

She try to not sob, but wasn't able.

[Preston A. Lodge III]

Preston moved closer to Annabelle, reaching out to her, placing one hand on her shoulder.

Preston: Annabelle Listen. Albert cares for you more than anything and this small dispute earlier is surly nothing you should have the concern for. Albert will pull through this, that I’m certain.

He looked at Annabelle with a strong sense of belief, but couldn’t help but think what reality might lie ahead.

Preston: Everything will be alright.

[Laura Emerson Lodge]

Laura turned in the hall and noticed Annabelle. She rush toward her sister-in-law and stopped when she noticed Preston there. She couldn't hide her mistrust. What is he doing here?

She took a deep breath and walked toward Annabelle and Preston.

Laura: Annabelle?

She noticed her distress and wasn't able to hide her worries. Laura glanced to Preston askance then turned back to Annabelle for huge her in her arm - she remember when Richard was wounded after a battle, the most difficult was that she had no one for comfort her until the sad news came from the doctor.

Laura: It would be fine, Albert is strongh...

She didn't like lied, but she didn't knwo what to said else - she was waiting for information herself too.

Mrs. Emerson came back toward them, the face pale.



Laura: Mother?

The lady put her hand on her daughter shoulder, while trying to hide some tears.

Mrs. Emerson: The doctor is actually operate a surgery on your brother. He was hurt seriously during the accident to the chest and the chance aren't on his side.

[Preston A. Lodge III]

Preston stood forward and moved towards Mrs. Emerson with compassion and grief in his eyes.



Preston: I’m sorry Mrs. Emerson, but I believe that with our prayers your son will survive this.

He noticed Laura’s glance and felt discomfort, while a strong sorrow filled him inside with the news of his best friend.

[Annabelle Rose Emerson]

Mrs. Emerson nodded lightly to Preston, then sat down on a chair. In despite that she was affected by the event, her glance was empty of emotion trying to keep the head-high - the two young women was already fully distraught that they not needed more panic.

Laura, the face devasted by the news sat side of her mother, her arm around her shoulder trying to search some comfort.

Annabelle collapse in tears on Preston, while trying to retrieve her breath. While she was wet his vest, she was more and more panicking when she remember about the last time Preston comfort her in a similar situation was when her brother was killed.

Annabelle: No Albert, please Lord, no Albert.

[Preston A. Lodge III]

It was hard for Preston to keep his feelings of grief hidden, with Annabelle showing her feelings in such a real and true way. He didn’t want to do anything improper, so he gently just put one arm around Annabelle.

Preston: He’ll be fine Annabelle, we must believe.

[Laura Emerson Lodge]

Laura glance wasn't more friendly toward Preston - if it wasn't of her mother presence, she wouldtold him what she thought of his presence here - he wasn't present for his own brother and he want to make thembeleive that he was caring for Albert?

Laura bring back her thought on the present - it wasn't time to think about the Lodge in despite it wasn,t easy with oen of them there, but it was time to put all our focus on Albert and pray for him.

* * *

Near the end of the afternoon, a doctor finally walked toward Mrs. Emerson.

Dr. Cavendish: I presume you are the family of Mr. Albert Emerson?

Laura nodded stood up when she heard the name, while Annabelle glanced to the doctor.

Dr. Cavendish: The surgery is completed. Mr. Emerson will need to rest for few day. I prefer that only one person stay with him, just in case he awaken this evenign or night. Having a familiar face is always welcome after a such accident. But...

He paused andnoticed that no one said a word, waiting for the next.

Dr. Cavendish: I must said that everything will now depend on the next days. The surgery was very difficult, I did everything it can be done. Now, he shouldn't move until we are sure that eerything is fine or it could be worse... He seem a strongt man, so I don't doubt of his recovery.

[Preston A. Lodge III]

With happiness Preston took a deep breath, relieved that Albert had survived the operation. He glanced to Annabelle and spoke quietly with a soft voice.



Preston: It would be best if you were to stay with Albert when he is to awaken.

While giving his suggestion to Annabelle, he looked up at the doctor, wanting to shake his hand and thank him for saving his friend’s life, but it was not appropriate he thought and therefore remained in his seat.

[Laura Emerson Lodge]

Annabelle nodded and followed the doctor in the room. Laura noticed Preston, which was not moving. The woman walked toward her mother and softly talked.

Laura: Mother, all of this was exhausting. Now we received good news for Albert, you should return to home, the children would worries about not saw none of their parents.

Laura helped her mother to stood up when this last turned toward Preston.

Mrs. Emerson: Thank you for your presence Preston. I'm sure Albert would appreciate that you take from your precious time for come here.

Laura tried to keep her calm by thinking the opposite of her mother - for what she saw all this years from their neighboor was about that they only do the things which could bring some benefit income.

Laura: Mother. Soon we will haev more news, I will send someone notice you.

While said goodbye to her mother, Laura sat on a chair, ignoring Preston presence. She try to only put her thought on Albert and hope that everything would be fine for him.

[Preston A. Lodge III]

Preston watched as Mrs. Emerson left the hospital and made a discrete glance towards Laura who was sitting a great distends from him, behaving like her regular self.



He took another deep breath, but this time because of being alone in the presence of her - Laura. He despised every second, but he felt he just had to wait a bit longer. It was like he felt more news was soon on the way.

[Laura Emerson Lodge]

Without aid a word, Laura waited on her side, while said silent prayers for her brothet.

Time passed, around 2 hours later Ananbelle left the room in rush, yelling for a doctor. A nurse came immediatly to the room and while waiting the doctor, asled to the blond woman what hapenned.

Annabelle: He... He... open his eyes and he... he... was to said something when his eyes rolled back and... and... now he isn't moving.

The nurse tried to calm down Annabelle without success when the doctor arrived. He asked to Annabelle to stay outside while he examined Alebrt with the nurse.

Annabelle was in tears and Laura put her arms around her shoulders while looking at the room door.

Few minutes later - which sound an eternity for Annabelle, Laura ans Preston - the doctor came toward them.

Laura: How is Albert doctor?

Dr. Cavendish: Mr. Emerson lost lot of blood before and with the surgery, he needs a transfusion...

Laura and Annabelle looked at the doctor dazed.

Dr. Cavendish: I know that the success of this is not garantued, but if we not do it, he wouldn't be able to survive the days to come.