TUESDAY TALES - BRACELET IS THE PROMPT - MORE OF MAGGIE'S STORY

Welcome! This week the prompt is "bracelet". We have more of "Maggie's Story". Thanks for stopping by. Scroll down to return to Tuesday Tales. 

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Resigned to her father’s decision, Maggie packed her bag. She prayed the relatives would be kind and not know about her troubles. Her friends took her out for a few pints as a farewell. Some insisted she’d be back one day, but she knew different. A disgraced daughter isn’t welcome to return in the Chadwick family. So she gathered her possessions into one small bag and threw it in the boot.

Her mother and grandmother drove her to the boat because her dad had to work, or that’s what he said. Now Maggie was headed to New York City, to bunk in with a cousin she’d met once. Embarrassing daughter problem eliminated. Terrified of planes, Maggie had a room on board a ship. It pulled out of the dock and headed East.

Grandma Evans took Maggie aside. She slipped something shiny out of her pocket and fastened it around Maggie's wrist. 

"This is mine, from your grandpa. Give to me on our first anniversary. It's solid gold. Don't lose it, 'cause it's worth money."

"Grandma, you don't have to..."

"Hush. This will keep you safe. And remind you you're an Evans. Keep your head up, dearie. You're mighty fine. My favorite, but don't tell your mother."

"Thank you."

Maggie hugged the small woman and touched the bracelet. It was engraved with their names and a lovely design on the outside.

"Touch it when you need guidance."

"I will."

Every penny her mum and dad had put away for holiday went to pay for her passage. She assuaged her feelings of guilt with the fact that she’d cost them their last worry. The ticket said “one way”. She was not expected to return. People milled about, but loneliness surrounded her like a cloak. With no family to help, she’d have to clean up her own messes from now on.

When they docked in Manhattan, Gladys, a large woman in a loud dress accosted her.

“There you are, dearie! Good to see you, Mags.” The woman slapped her on the back.

“Gladys?”

“Come on, lovey. This way.”

After days of being alone, Maggie was happy to see a friendly face. She took a deep breath, then descended into the hot New York City subway, half scared, half curious. 

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