Where the Tracks Go

Chapter Nine

Ann had enjoyed Katelyn and Landon's visit.  She was happy that they had come with Davey.  She enjoyed being a grandmother.  She was happy that she had the opportunity to see her great grandchild come into the world.  As she sat there thinking about being a grandmother it made her think of the Andersons.

The Andersons were good freinds of Great Aunt Flora's.  Great Aunt Flora used to let Ann stay with the Andersons.  They became so fond of Ann that they asked her to call them Grandma and Grandaddy.  They never had children of thier own.  They were in their fifties. Ann loved staying there with them.  They treated her like a princess.  Truth be told, they spoiled her.

One time Ann had been staying with the Andersons because Great Aunt Flora and Great Uncle Phil had gone somewhere.  When the Andersons took Ann home she found a surprise waiting for her.  Great Aunt Flora had a baby. Great Aunt Flora and Great Uncle Phil had decided to start a family. Afterall, Great Aunt Flora was still only in her thirties. Betty and Ellen belonged to Great Aunt Flora but Great Uncle Phil was their stepfather and wanted children of his own now that Betty and Ellen were out on their own.

Back in those days adults did not talk about being pregnant in front of children.  Ann had not noticed that Great Aunt Flora's stomach had gotten big. Even if she had, she would not have said anything. It would be rude to say so.  Ann had been raised with manners and that meant she had to be polite.  Ann was quiet because she had also been raised that children were to be seen and not heard. 

A year went by and baby Lisa was growing and walking.  Great Aunt Flora and Great Uncle Phil decided it was time for them to buy a new home.   They had found a house for sale in the same neighborhood.  It was only a few blocks away.  They would go on to raise three daughters in this home. Sadly, Ann would not grow up in this home. 

The new home was very nice. It was bigger on the inside than their old house had been.  The yard was big with lots of play area.  They were close enough to the ship yard and  rail yard that she could hear the sounds coming from the yards. She would lay in bed at night and listen to the little league ball games that were up the road from the house.  Ann wished she could go to the games but Great Uncle Phil only took two year old Lisa with him.  Some things were beginning to change.  

She was not sure how much time went by but a new baby had arrived. Ann did not even recall the event. It seemed like Laura just showed up one day.  Ann loved Lisa and Laura.  She liked playing with them.  She thought they were her sisters.

Ann went to the table and put her scrapbook pages together.  She would need a nap before Davey came for his daily visit.