TITLE: "FOLLOW ME HOME 1: Forks In the Road" [Continuation of The Road Home] Author: Rose Maureen e-mail: irish_rose71@yahoo.com Disclaimer: Catherine Marshall's beautiful story of Christy is owned by the LeSourd Family. I am in no way seeking profit or credit for her story. I am merely continuing the story of Christy for my own amusement only. Any additions to the storyline were invented by me. Acknowledgement: I thank God for Catherine Marshall and her story of "Christy", for it has meant a great deal to me and others. And I thank the LeSourd family for their patience with those of us who refuse to find "The End" to "Christy". Chapter 1 It seemed as if the whole world held its breath while waiting for her answer. No wind stirred leaves. No birds called out in song. David, waiting patiently beside her for the answer he was confident would come, was quiet. Neil, sitting atop his horse, hadn't said a word but just watched solemnly, hands nervously fidgeting with the reins. Even the children stood silent as statues. All were waiting as Christy gazed at the diamond ring cradled in her trembling hands. Her thoughts spun in a flurry. *I really should consider David's proposal. He is a good and godly man. I love his beautiful eyes. I enjoy it when he is attentive to me or flatters me with a compliment. He would make a wonderful Christian husband and a kind, loving father. Yes, I should marry the preacher, like Margaret said. Everyone expects it.* But when Christy envisioned herself married to David, her own heart was still and quiet. If this was a true and lasting love, shouldn't she be bursting with joy? Shouldn't she want to shout to the hills that she was loved by David? Shouldn't just hearing his name bring her heart to a swelling fullness? No. When she pictured herself married to David the only thing she felt inside was emptiness. She stared into the sparkling, clear facets of the diamond. And then her blues eyes widened in shocking surprise. A vision of a face came to her mind, and with the vision came the knowledge. It was as if she had been seeing everything through a veil that finally dropped to reveal her heart in crystal clarity. She knew the sweet melody that her heart longed to sing. She knew the tender words of love that she longed to shout to the hills and sky. She knew the precious name that she longed to speak aloud, but could only whisper in her secret heart of hearts. And the name was not ‘David'. Chapter 2 After what seemed like hours Christy finally turned to David with tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry. I just can't. It wouldn't be fair to you, David. I love you...but not as a wife and soul mate. You deserve someone who will love you totally and completely. That ‘someone' just can't be me," she whispered in sorrow as she snapped the ring box closed and placed it into his hand. David's voice broke, "Please, Christy! I'll wait. I'll give you as much time as you need. I'm sorry. It was wrong for me to pressure you, just don't..." David was frantic, and pleaded with the woman he loved. "David," Christy spoke with determination in her voice, "No. I'm so very, very sorry." Then, with one final, longing gaze at Neil, she captured for her heart the way the sun glinted off the reddish-golden hair that curled around his ears, the breadth of his shoulders, the straightness of his back as he sat in the saddle, the strong line of his jaw, the clear blue of his eyes. Tears clung to her lashes and finally spilled from her huge blue eyes as Christy turned and ran to safe haven in the mission house. David spun around, facing Neil, and spat out the words, "Well, I hope you're happy! You have destroyed Christy's life and her only hope at happiness!" "Do not give yourself so much importance, Reverend. You aren't her ‘only' hope for happiness. ‘I' can make her happy." Neil shot back. "Oh really? And just how can you do that, Doctor...when you're already married?" David turned and bounded up the steps, ushering the confused children into the schoolroom, then slammed the door behind him. Neil remained frozen on his horse as David's final words sunk in. His heart and hopes plunged as he realized the truth in David's reply. Chapter 3 Cursing, Neil turned his horse with a jerk, and with a kick, galloped away. He rode wildly through the woods, taking no care for his horse or himself. He rode to escape the desperation he felt, but there was no escaping it. Finally, slowing Charlie to a walk, Neil rode awhile in order to cool off the sweating horse. Thoughts invaded his mind. *I know she cares for me. I saw it in her eyes. Please, God. No! There is no God! No God would be so cruel to create a love such as this, only to crush it!* Then his thoughts turned to Margaret. *'She' is the cause of this mess. If she hadn't led everyone to believe she had died...if she hadn't come back. But there's no changing that now. I am condemned to a life with a woman I detest, all because of an empty vow, but a vow nonetheless.* As a husband and as a doctor Neil knew there was an unbroken bond between Margaret and himself. His wife may not value that bond, but, because of the kind of man he was, Neil couldn't help but value it. The bond was ‘honor'. Neil knew what he must do, though he dreaded even the thought of it. He turned the horse towards home. Each step of the horse took him closer to his cabin. Each step felt like a step taken towards a hangman's noose. *I am dying. Dying to all that I desire.* When he reached his cabin, Neil spotted Margaret sitting on the steps of his porch, smoking a cigarette. She blew smoke out a corner of her mouth as she watched him slowly dismount and drape the reins over a post. "I told you she was going to marry the preacher. I can see by your face that you've lost her. Poor Mac!" She exaggerated a frown, then laughed wildly until she saw the fury building on his face. "I'm getting packed. Then we're leaving. But don't push me too far, woman, or I'll leave you at the first ‘teahouse' I can find!" Chapter 4 Christy flew up the porch steps and into the mission house. She slammed and locked the door behind her. She didn't need David following to plead his case with her. Not now. She ran upstairs to her bedroom, closing that door behind her, also, as if it was a guarantee that no one would intrude. Throwing herself onto the bed she wept, muffling her cries in the pillow. It seemed as if the sobs would never stop. Eventually the sobs turned to tears, and then tears turned to sniffles. Finally Christy heaved a great sigh and turned over to look out her window. The serenity of the view of the surrounding mountains never ceased to sooth her soul. In troubled times past - Bessie's false accusation, her father's stroke, the scarlet fever epidemic - she had turned to this view and her heavenly Father had filled her with his comfort and peace. "Don't desert me now, Father, when I need you the most," she whispered. As she gazed on the tree-topped peaks, a quiet stole into her heart. He hadn't deserted her. "Oh, thank you, Lord God." She rose from the bed and stepped towards the window. Gazing at the summits, Christy continued to pour out her heart to the Father, even her most recent realization that she loved Neil McNeill, that she had loved him for a long time. Also, she expected that he loved her, as well. "How could I have not seen? How did I not know my own heart for such a long time? And I know now, Neil loves me, too. He followed me home. I saw his love shining in his eyes. What am I to do, Lord? I believe you gave me this love for Neil. Now what am I to do with it?" In quiet union with God, Christy heard her answer. She was to remain at Cutter Gap, teaching the children, befriending their parents, serving the families of the cove anyway that she could serve. And being a friend to Neil. A true friend, but no more than that. He was not a believer. He was married. What more could she be to him? Her life would go on. By herself she was weak, but God would give her the strength to do what he had asked of her. She was firmly confident of that. Christy turned from the window and made her way to the washbasin. She freshened and dried her face. She brushed out her tangled hair and re-pinned it. She traded her wrinkled skirt and blouse for fresh ones. Then she opened her bedroom door, took a deep breath, and stepped into the rest of her life. Chapter 5 Later that evening, Alice stepped out onto the porch to glory in the sight of a thousand stars in the clear night sky. It had been quite a day. Ruby Mae hadn't wasted any time spilling the entire story of the proposal and refusal to Alice. Her heart was heavy for all three involved, Christy, David and Neil. Alice had been quietly praying for each one for the rest of the day. How would this all come untangled? Only God in His wisdom knew. She heard a sound from the gazebo and noticed the outline of a tall solitary figure there. "David," she whispered. Closing her eyes for a moment to gain strength from her Lord, Alice decided to approach David. She carefully made her way down the steps in the dark, then across the yard to the gazebo. David, hearing someone approach, turned towards the person, hoping it was Christy. Maybe if he had one more chance to explain to her, maybe if Neil wasn't standing right there to confuse her, maybe then her answer would be different. Then David saw that it was Alice who was approaching. He quickly wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, and tried to compose his shaky voice, "Alice. I see you had the same idea as I did, to find solace in the evening sky." "And has thee found thy peace, David?" She gently touched his arm as she stepped into the gazebo. His voice broke. "Alice! I don't know how I can go on! I had convinced myself that Christy felt the same way I did, and that tonight I would be celebrating our engagement. This has completely broken me! I cannot bear this burden of sorrow. It is too great!" Her voice, gentle but convicted, came out of the darkness like a beacon of hope for the young minister. "Thee does not have to bear this burden alone, David. There is one who would bear it for thee. Indeed, He has already born a burden far greater than this for thee, the burden of a cross. He does not mean for thee to be alone in thy grief. Seek faith, David." And with a loving touch to his cheek, she was gone. David spent the next few hours in the gazebo thinking about Alice's words. He prayed long and hard, unburdening his heart to God. Gradually, a change came over his heart. He still felt disappointment in Christy's decision. He knew he would still wish things had worked out differently every time he looked at her, but the unbearable sorrow was no longer residing in hie heart. As the first pale blue light of the sunrise began to peek over the eastern range, David Grantland celebrated the gift of peace. Chapter 6 Rising early the next day, a Saturday, Christy set about doing her chores. She and Ruby Mae worked on kneading the dough for the bread. They planned to wash the mission house windows while the dough was rising. Miss Alice had warned Ruby Mae not to question Christy about the events of the previous day. She loved her teacher, and wouldn't hurt Christy for all Rob Allen's poems. But as soon as Miss Alice left on her horse for Cataleechie, the poor girl was about to explode. In fact, the horse and rider were still barely in sight when the outburst came. "Why won't ya marry Preacher? Don't ya love him? Didn' t ya think that ring was perdy enough?" The words rushed out before Ruby Mae could bite her tongue. The poor girl's hands flew to her mouth, as if she could put back the hurtful questions. Ruby Mae looked as if she were about to cry. Christy, surprised that Ruby Mae had remained silent on the subject for so long, recognized this as a life-teaching moment. She made a quick decision. "Ruby Mae, I want to answer your questions, but it's not as easy as, ‘Why not?' What do you think of our taking a break? The dough is rising and won't need to go into the oven for at least an hour. The dirty windows will still be here later. Why don't we pack a snack and take a little walk?" Christy's smile widened when Ruby Mae beamed her agreement. "I'll wrap up some cookies in a napkin and you fill this little jug with water." The two walked in silence for awhile, then found a cozy spot under some pine trees. Christy sat down, arranging her skirts around her. Ruby Mae watched Christy carefully, then imitated her teacher by smoothing her own skirt. They nibbled on cookies for a few minutes. After a drink of the cool water, Christy began, "Ruby Mae, it isn't that I don't love David. I do. But there are many kinds of love. I love Miss Alice, for her goodness and wisdom. I love all of my schoolchildren. I love my parents and my brother, George. I love baby Iris, for her sweet innocence. I love Fairlight and Jeb, for they have taken me into their hearts and family." Christy reached for Ruby Mae's hand and gave it a squeeze. "And I love you, too Ruby Mae, in a very special way." Tears of appreciation filled the young girl's eyes. Christy plucked a pine needle off her skirt as she quietly said, "I do love David. But, you see, there are many different ways we love people. Just think of the people you love, Ruby Mae." The girl was thoughtful, then said slowly, "I see whatcha mean, Miz Christy. I love ya heaps, an' Miz Alice, too, tho' she duz scare the beejebis out of me sometimes. I love Bessie. She's ma best friend. And I do love Rob Allen." Ruby Mae's face took on a dreamy look. Christy smiled. "You see what I mean? I love David, but not with the love a husband deserves from his wife. If I married David without that special love, just think how awful that would be for him." Ruby Mae slowly nodded as she began to understand. "‘Specially if his true love come along after ya already married him, and he couldn't marry her cuz he was already married ta ya." Christy looked away towards the mountains so that Ruby Mae wouldn't see the tears forming in her eyes. She would never, ever, let Ruby Mae know the pain that those last words brought her. They finished the last of the cookies and water, then made their way home to the mission. As they came out of the trees into the meadow, Christy and Ruby Mae noticed a few people milling around the schoolyard. Bessie turned from the group and spotted Christy and Ruby Mae. She ran down the hill towards them calling, "Have ya heard? Oh Lordy! Doc and Miz MacNeill up and left! Ther cabin's empty. Ther just gone!" Chapter 7 Once they had arrived in Atlanta, Neil lost no time in having Margaret admitted to a tuberculosis treatment center. At the beginning of their train ride Margaret had argued furiously with Neil. "I am not going to Atlanta to be committed to some kind of asylum, even if it is one for tuberculosis patients. You know me, Mac. I need activity! I need fun! I need life! I'll die if I'm cooped up in a..." Then she had realized what she just said. She had turned to look out the window and was silent for the rest of the trip. Margaret's health had deteriorated in the weeks since they had arrived in Atlanta. The disease was more advanced than anyone had realized, even Margaret herself. It had only taken a few short weeks for the doctors, as well as Neil and Margaret, to come to realize that there would be no remission this time. For the umteenth time, Neil made the walk from his hotel room to the hospital. The days were all running together. Thoughts swirled in his mind. *Has it been five weeks since we left the cove? No, six weeks. I wonder how Dan Scott's doing? It wasn't right, my leaving only a note to ask him to cover the patients and emergencies. But it couldn't be helped. What must Alice have thought after reading the note I left for those at the mission? And Christy...I wonder how she felt.* As he walked, Neil reached one hand into his pocket to finger a bit of satin, a blue hair ribbon that had belonged to Christy. He carried it his pocket at all times. It brought a strange sense of comfort when he found himself stroking it at different moments...in times of stress or insecurity over a patient's condition...in times of exhaustion, after long days and nights tending to the ill without even a thought of sleep for himself...in thoughtful, solitary moments in his cabin or by the river. Here in Atlanta, it seemed that Neil kept his hand in his pocket holding the ribbon almost constantly. The ribbon calmed Neil's unsettled spirit by bringing him thoughts of it's sweet owner. He entered the hospital and trudged up the steps to the second floor, down a seemingly endless hall, and turned into the room at the end. He gazed at the sleeping woman in the bed. If he didn't know the figure was Margaret he would have never recognized her. The endless coughing had taken it's toll. Never a robust woman, now Margaret's skin seemed to be stretched over her bones without any muscle tissue in between. He hair had become dull and lifeless. Yesterday the nurse had decided it was too painful for Margaret to have the heavy tresses brushed each day, so they had cut her hair. Now little dark ringlets curled around her face. Oddly, it did look better, almost childlike. The heavy masses of curls had overpowered the thin face. Neil quietly walked past Margaret's sleeping form to stand at the window. He watched people walk along the street...doctors and nurses coming to work, mothers walking their children to school or pushing prams in a nearby park. He chuckled as he saw a little boy in shorts run ahead of his mother towards a fountain and begin to climb up. *Ahh...there...she is scolding him. Poor lad. He's just inquisitive, like Sam Houston. Neil, stop! Don't begin that trip to Cutter Gap in your mind. You'll only end up at the mission, thinking of her. Now is not the time to think of...* "Mac," a hoarse whisper called from behind him, an intrusion of the face that had been forming in his mind. Neil turned to see Margaret watching him. Green eyes, now seeming too huge for the pale, thin face, focused on her husband. She coughed violently, and Neil hurried over to the bedside to help her sit up. Sometimes that position helped clear out the fluid. "Mac, please send for Mother," Margaret managed to gasp. Chapter 8 Christy plopped down into the chair in the parlor. *Just one minute's rest, Lord. Then I'll get up and finish preparing dinner.* It had been a long six weeks. Dan Scott had done his best, and amazingly, the people of the cove had grudgingly begun to accept him. It had taken a week or two for most to realize that Dr. MacNeill was truly gone. If they wanted medical attention then Dan was the only one there who could give it. Certainly, there were still some who begrudged his race, but most were beginning to trust Dan's treatment. But they were all reaching the breaking point. Miss Alice was helping Dan with some of the follow-up calls, which meant she had less time to travel to the other missions. So David covered those, in addition to his own responsibilities at their mission, so he had no time for the few classes he taught at the school. So Christy taught full-time, plus helped in the kitchen, since Fairlight had three children down with the grippe. If only they had had some time to plan ahead and arrange for some help from Dr. Ferrand. But Neil had left so suddenly, that had been impossible. Christy thought back to the day they had heard the news of Neil's leaving. She remembered hearing from Bessie that Dan Scott had ridden to Neil's cabin for his medical lesson, where he found the two letters on Neil's table. After reading his own, he immediately rode to the mission to deliver Alice's note. And, true to the cove ways, the news had traveled from there. Christy's thoughts turned to David. Things had been strained in their relationship for a few days, until Christy had asked to speak with David privately. They had talked in the gazebo for over an hour. Each had revealed their innermost thoughts to the other. David had come to realize that Christy's refusal was permanent and final, and had accepted her decision. And then they had joined hands and prayed together. The one who gives perfect peace had come to David and Christy. From that moment on it seemed that their relationship had strengthened into a deeper friendship. Christy was still amazed by the acceptance and peace in David. Even in her greatest moments of faith she hadn't hoped things would turn out as well as they had. God had done a miracle in David Grantland. The minute in the chair turned into much longer, as Christy drifted off to sleep. She was awakened by the sound of the front door opening. "Oh, Ruby Mae, I'm sorry. I only meant to sit for a minute and..." Christy turned, expecting to see Ruby Mae, but it was Dr. Ferrand. "Christy. Don't get up. You look all tuckered out. Alice informed me of everything that has happened here at the mission and thought I'd come to help out. How is Alice doing, concerning Margaret's sudden departure?" Dr. Ferrand removed his coat and hung it on a hook on the wall. He lowered himself into the chair across from Christy. She filled in Dr. Ferrand as best she could. Soon David and Miss Alice arrived for dinner. Both were glad to see Dr, Ferrand. He went to Alice to take both of her hands in his. "Dear friend, is there anything I can do to ease your pain?" Alice, tears forming in her eyes, was about to speak when the telephone rang. She smiled at Dr. Ferrand and raised one finger to him as an indication for him to wait. Alice picked up the telephone receiver. Her face paled as she listened to the caller. "Yes. I understand. I will leave as soon as possible. Thee must be strong. Tell her I am coming." Then she replaced the receiver. Slowly she turned to the others who were quietly waiting for the news. Tears running down her cheeks, Alice whispered, "I must travel to Atlanta. Margaret is dying." And then Alice Henderson crumpled into a heap on the floor. Chapter 9 Neil met Alice at the Atlanta train station and took the satchel from her hand. "I'm sorry you had to travel all this way, Alice. I had thought that if I took Margaret to a bigger city such as Atlanta, the doctors here would be more skillful in treating her disease, and she would have a better chance for a cure. But, alas, I was wrong. There is nothing more the doctors can do for her. Frankly, as a physician, I don't know how Margaret has held on these last two days. I think she has been waiting for you to come, Alice. But I warn you. You must be prepared to see a different Margaret than as you last saw her." "That doesn't matter, Neil. Just take me to Margaret. No, not to the hotel. I don't need to freshen up. I need to see my daughter," Alice insisted. Thirty minutes later they approached Margaret's room. Neil paused outside the door. "I will wait out here, Alice. You and Margaret need time alone. I'll be at the window over there. You can summon me later, when you've finished with your private moments." *God, give me thy strength,* Alice prayed as she entered the room. She was horrified when she saw the skeletal figure of her daughter. *Oh, my dearest Margaret!* Alice summoned every ounce of her inner strength as she approached the bed. "Margaret. Child, I am here." Green eyes barely opened. "Mother?" Alice sat at Margaret's side, stroking her arm, smoothing back her hair, speaking soothing words to her daughter. "Mother...I am sorry. If I could go back....if I could take back the cruel things I said...." "Hush, now. There is no need for thee to worry. I love thee, Margaret. I forgive thee." Mother and daughter held hands as they spoke. After years of estrangement they were finally able to express and receive each other's love. "Mother, I know I don't have much time. No, please. We both know that I don't. I need to do one more thing. Mac is unable to help me with this, but you can." "Yes, child. Whatever I can do for thee..." "Mother. How do I...can God still touch me? I am not afraid of dying anymore, only of dying without knowing Him." Tears welled in Alice's eyes. She led Margaret in prayer to the throne of the Father. Her heart was full of thankfulness that God had answered her most fervent prayer, that Margaret would someday come to know God as her Father, and that he would heal the pain in her life caused by the situation with her earthly father. Later, Alice summoned Neil from the hallway. "She wants to say something to thee, Neil. The end is very near." Her voice broke. Neil went to Margaret's bedside and took his wife's hand in his. The long talk with Alice had taken most of the last reserve of Margaret's energy. Even though her body was wasted Margaret's eyes were shining. She whispered an apology to her husband, "So very sorry, Neil." She raised his hand to her lips to kiss it. Those were the last words Margaret Henderson MacNeill ever spoke. Her frail hand remained in Neil's. Alice, on the other side of the bed, took Margaret's other hand. No other words were spoken. Alice's eyes were closed as her lips moved, praying silently for her daughter. *Dear Lord, Thee knows that I prayed Margaret into this world when I was in labor with her. Now I have the great honor of praying her out of this world and into thy heavenly kingdom.* Neil sat silently. His eyes, too, were closed, except for the few times he glanced at Alice. He was amazed at the strength of the older woman. As hard as it was for him to watch Margaret die, it had to be infinitely more difficult for a parent to watch their only child die. Late in the evening Margaret's eyes opened. She looked at her mother for long moments. She had no strength left to speak. Alice squeezed her daughter's hand and both women had tears in their eyes. No words were needed. Then Margaret turned her head so that she could see Neil. At first he refused to look at her, knowing this would most likely be the last time. And then, as a final act of forgiveness, Neil turned his eyes to Margaret's. Green eyes met blue, and spoke a wordless goodbye. Her eyes closed, never again to open. Margaret's body finally succumbed to the disease before morning's pale light touched the sky. Chapter 10 The two travelers were quiet on the train ride home, lost in their own thoughts. Alice Henderson had buried her daughter in Atlanta. Margaret had always detested Cutter Gap, so it made no sense to take her body to the cove for burial. Alice was silently prayerful. She mourned the passing of her daughter, as any mother would. However, her heart was overwhelmed with thanksgiving that Margaret had, at last, found her Savior. Neil's thoughts were not so tranquil. He was grateful that Margaret had found some peace at the end of her life. He wondered if this had something to do with God. Of course, Alice would have tried one last time to get her daughter ‘saved' before she died. And there was no arguing that there had been a change in Margaret at the very end. "No, I don't believe in any of that." Neil was unaware he had spoken aloud. "Neil?" Alice thought he'd spoken to her. "‘Tis nothing." He turned away from her to look out the window of the train. Then his thoughts changed to another subject, but were no more peaceful. Somewhere along the journey, Neil convinced himself that the problems in his marriage with Margaret were due solely to his own inability to properly love and care for a woman. The seeds of self-doubt that Margaret had sown in Neil over the years germinated and wrapped their choking vines to strangle his self-confidence. *Tis all my fault. Margaret was right all along. If I had been there for her...if I hadn't been so busy with my medical practice...if we had remained in the city...* The thoughts went on and on. Neil flogged himself, and blamed himself for everything that had happened. During those final few miles of the train ride into El Pano Neil made a painful decision. *Alas, I do not have it in me to love a woman as she should be loved. Margaret is evidence of my failure. I cannot do to Christy what I did to Margaret. I cannot! Christy, more than anyone I know, deserves a man who can give her the love and affection she needs, every day. I would only ruin her life, just as I ruined Margaret's.* Neil couldn't bring himself to make his same mistakes all over again, this time with Christy...for her own sake. So Neil MacNeill buried his feelings for the young schoolteacher, locked them away deep in his heart, never intending to reclaim them. Upon their return to Cutter Gap, Neil said good-bye to Alice as she made the turn off to the mission. She slowed her horse so that she could speak to the obviously troubled doctor. Neil had said as few words as possible on the ride from El Pano, and Alice was concerned for him. She observed that the closer they got to Cutter Gap, the more exhausted Neil looked. His shoulders slumped and his face was full of fatigue, dark circles under his eyes, furrow lines deep across his forehead. Something was deeply troubling him. "Neil, thee must..." "Alice. I'm sorry. Not now, please. I really can't talk about her now. Every ounce of my strength went into supporting her those last weeks in Atlanta. I do not have the energy to speak of her with you. Please." His words were a plea, and Alice nodded her head solemnly. She would respect Neil's wishes, but she would continue to pray for him. She watched him disappear into the trees as he rode away, then turned her horse towards the mission. Once back home, after stabling the horse, Neil slowly trudged up the steps into his cabin. He lit a fire to take chase away the chilly air and musty odor from the rooms. Neil's next act was one of great sorrow. He pulled from his pocket the blue satin ribbon. He spent a minute looking at the ribbon, stroking it, remembering the day he'd tugged it out of Christy's honey brown hair. Then Neil rolled the ribbon into a little bundle. He reached up to his mantle for a small wooden box with a carved lid. Neil emptied the matches from the box, then gently placed the hair ribbon into it, closed the lid and replaced the box on the mantle. With all the determination he could muster, Neil turned his back on the carved box, as well as on his most fervent hopes. "It is ended." "Follow Me Home" = "Follow Me Home 1: Forks in the Road" Author's note: Over the weekend I decided to change the title of this fanfic to "Follow Me Home 1: Forks in the Road". Ypu remember that it's a continuation of "The Road Home". I thought "Forks in the Road" was appropriate because David, Christy, Neil & even Margaret [God rest her soul] all took different 'forks in the road' that caused them to all go in separate [not necessarily physical] ways, be it due to their own choice or someone else's. Just a refresher now from "FMH1: "Forks in the Road"... Once back home, after stabling the horse, Neil slowly trudged up the steps into his cabin. He lit a fire to chase away the chilly air and musty odor from the rooms. Neil's next act was one of great sorrow. He pulled from his pocket the blue satin ribbon. He spent a minute looking at the ribbon, stroking it, remembering the day he'd tugged it out of Christy's honey brown hair. Then Neil rolled the ribbon into a little bundle. He reached up to his mantle for a small wooden box with a carved lid. Neil emptied the matches from the box, then gently placed the hair ribbon into it, closed the lid and replaced the box on the mantle. With all the determination he could muster, Neil turned his back on the carved box, as well as on his most fervent hopes. "It is ended." To Be Continued in "Follow Me Home 2: The Journey". [Coming very soon...I promise!] [PS to Kellie - I promised you and it WILL come soon!]