Alberta was so happy to have her sister back home with her. They spent many hours catching up around the dining room table.
Ida was quickly enamored with her aunt. Alberta found that the toddler was following her around like a puppy, always intrigued by what the young woman was doing. She found it endearing and was pleased that she was able to spend plenty of time with her young niece.
Even Daniel, who Alberta had never been close to, found ways to bond with the teen. He set up his woodworking table in the garden, near her outdoor easel. They didn't have long, emotional conversations, but they found camaraderie in working side by side like this.
It wasn't long after the death of their father Clyde that the Evans' mother, Anna, also passed. Virginia returned home, once again in funeral black, to comfort her sister. The young Alberta was despondent, completely unaware of what to do now that she was all alone.
Sitting together on Alberta's bed, Virginia had an idea. "What if we moved in with you, here? Daniel and Ida and I?" She asked. "There's land in the back of the property that Daniel could set up a farm on, room for animals too." Alberta looked intrigued by the proposal, so Virginia continued. "This large house will be so empty with just you in it, my dear. It pains me to imagine you all alone here, wandering these halls. Please do consider the offer."
It didn't take long for Alberta to nod enthusiastically. "Oh, Virginia, would you really come back?" She asked. When her sister began to nod, Alberta threw her arms around her.
"Thank you, my dearest sister," she cried, though now her tears were a mix of joy and sadness. "I look forward to your return."
After Malcolm's visit, Virginia sat her younger sister down to give her opinion on the man. She'd never been one to hide her true feelings, so Alberta wasn't surprised, but she was upset.
"Why are you telling me this?", Alberta retorted. "We're to be married very soon..."
"I just don't want you to marry a terrible man!" Virginia insisted.
"Our marriage has been planned and prepared for years!" Alberta was furious with her sister. Why couldn't she just be happy for her?
"That doesn't mean you have to go through with it!"
"Perhaps I want to go through with it, Virginia! Would that be so atrocious? Perhaps I truly do want to marry Malcolm!"
Stunned into silence, Virginia could only sit on the couch as her sister stormed off. Never in her life had she seen her younger sister so angry.
The next day, Virginia found her sister in the kitchen and apologized. She remembered how she had felt just before she'd married Daniel. She'd been so excited, but her parents had disapproved. They changed their tune later on, but Virginia would never forget how it had stung to see their cold faces as she excitedly announced her engagement. She didn't want her sister's engagement to be tinged with the same bad memories.
Alberta happily accepted the apology. She'd known Malcolm for many years, she knew he was a bit hard to like at first. She didn't blame her sister for not getting along with him at first. The two sisters hugged, happy to be back in each others good graces.
Now that they were both of age, Alberta's betrothed, Malcolm Landgraab, came to see her. The Evanses and the Landgraabs had come to an agreement about Alberta and Malcolm's marriage some years ago, before Alberta's parents passed.
Virginia had heard about, but not met, her sister's future husband. She was eager to greet this young man!
Almost immediately, the two did not get along. Virginia found Malcolm smug and rude, while Malcolm found Virginia homely and unladylike.
But Malcolm and Alberta seemed to get along well. Perhaps there was something to this union...
Being a busy woman who liked to be worn down at the end of the day, Virginia barely noticed as a pregnancy developed. It wasn't until her stomach was too big to ignore and her morning sickness came in full swing that she took the time to recognize what was happening.
Of course, the first thing she did was run outside and inform Daniel. They were both just as excited as they were when she was pregnant with Ida. They both wanted to have a big, happy family and Daniel was secretly hoping he might get a child who wanted to help out on the farm a little more than Ida did.
Alberta was taking a walk around the grounds as Virginia was informing her husband, so her sister informed her next. Overcome with excitement for her sister, Alberta embraced her.
Finally, Virginia went back inside to tell Ida that she was getting a younger sibling soon. Unlike the other members of the household, Ida wasn't exactly excited. She didn't understand what it meant to have a younger sibling and wasn't sure why everyone was so happy about it.
It is with the heaviest of hearts that I must write this note to inform you that your father has passed away. It was a peaceful death, in his sleep. Please do come by to pay your respects whenever you are able.
Sorrowfully yours,
Anna Evans
Virginia went home as soon as she got the letter, tears in her eyes. Despite their differences, she had loved her father dearly and would miss him.
It was her younger sister who let her in. It was almost shocking to see her, how much she'd grown and changed. The girl was almost taller than Virginia at this point. She realized she didn't see her family enough, guilt settling in alongside the sadness.
Alberta showed her sister upstairs to see their mother, who was more emotional than Virginia had ever seen her.
"Mother... I received your letter... I am so sorry..."
Anna opened her mouth to respond, but couldn't. She just bowed her head and began to weep. Virginia doesn't think she's ever seen her mother cry in her entire life.
jBy the time Virginia returned to her home, she was exhausted, emotionally and physically. Daniel greeted her at the door.
"I'll just need a quick rest, Daniel, then I will be right back to work," she tried to assure him.
"Absolutely not, my love," he countered. "I do not need any more help today, especially not from someone as tired and upset as you. You have had a day filled with sorrow. Please, just go to bed."
She didn't want to listen to him, but as soon as she got beneath the covers, she was out like a light.
