Orphan Trains

Three siblings stood among a cluster of forty-eight other children and two chaperones. Fifty-two tired people milled about on the platform, waiting for the next train at the crack of dawn.

Bella, a girl of 14 years, gripped the hand of her older brother like a lifeline. Her five-year-old little sister, Eliza, was doing much the same to her with her pudgy fingers. Bella glanced up at their big brother, Aiden. His face was like stone, jaw clenched. His usually warm green eyes were cold as he watched the adults. There were mainly minors, ages 3-15, but Aiden was a year above the norm and was able to glare at the chaperones with his height of 6’4.

Eliza tugged her sister’s arm, whispering, “Bella?”

Looking down at the soft face, Bella smiled warmly, “Hm?”

“Where are we going?”

The question was innocent and harmless, but it felt like a thousand pounds to Bella. She could only imagine how Aiden felt, having to be the one to watch over them, keep them together, and try to get them into a safe home. They had heard rumors at the orphanage, about how many children of the Orphan Trains would get sent to unfair homes, where love was bare and they were treated like servants, neglected and abused, malnourished… The list went on and twisted Bella’s stomach.

“A new home.” The words felt bitter on her tongue.

“What was wrong with our old home? Why haven’t we seen Papa? Are we leaving him? Is that why you and Aiden are so sad? Why’re we leaving? I don’t want to leave.” Eliza’s questions were like rapid fire and with everyone, Bella’s panic was growing. The five-year-old didn’t deserve to be weighted down with the heartbreaking reality that their father couldn’t care for them.

Too many people, not enough jobs. Not enough jobs and people get fired. Their father was one of the unlucky many to get laid off. Forced to perform laborious odd jobs here and there, with petty pay. Not enough to take care of three growing children, even with the help of the two eldest.

Reacting to Eliza’s panicked stupor, Aiden let go of Bella’s hand and knelt before Eliza, a comforting smile on his lips as he cupped her face. “Don’t worry. Everything’s going to be okay. We’re gonna see Papa again. Okay?”

Eliza nodded through his hold, big cheeks squeezing her goofy smile, “Okay,”

“Good.” Standing, he ruffled her hair.

He held her free hand and Bella tried to suppress the bubbling jealousy at not having his comforting hold as well. Her heart was hammering as if it was going to jump out of her chest any second. Her palms were sweaty and she felt on the verge of tears. Despite her anxiousness, she bit the inside of her cheeks and followed the line as they were led to board the train.

Sometime later, after being pushed around and nearly losing each other, they were sitting in the cramped space of one of the freight cars. The passenger cars had been taken up by more important people and younger children. Aiden had barely managed to snatch Bella and Eliza away before leading them to his designated car. Apparently, the adults were sympathetic or didn’t care all that much, because no one said a word or spared a second glance, let alone made a move to separate them.

Bella’s gaze wandered over the dark interior of the freight car: older kids had to stand to make room for a hundred more in a car that was meant for only 80, should a case of overpopulation occur. They were lucky to be squished in the corner, where they could sit. Eliza had fallen asleep between Bella’s legs, head resting in the crook of her elbow. Looking to Adian, she noticed his hand stuffed into the pocket of his jacket, fingers twitching under the fabric. In the darkness, she recognized it to be a piece of blue paper, a postage stamp at the corner.

A letter.

“Is that from Papa?” Bella’s voice was barely above a whisper.

His head lolled to the side, raven hair sticky to his forehead by sweat. He looked down at her and she looked up at him. His eyes were glassy.

“Ya,”

Bella wished she could comfort him. He sounded so helpless.

Bella dozed, blinking back into consciousness every time someone coughed or shifted enough for it to affect her. It felt like minutes had passed, but was hours in reality.

She knew there was a big chance of not seeing their father for a long time. They didn’t know where they were going. There was a possibility of them being separated…The thoughts pestered her. She settled for leaning her shoulder against his arm, trying to compensate with her presence.

Bella was given a brush and previously hot towel, though they had already been used by other children. She quickly freshened herself the best she could, before handing them to Aiden so he could clean himself and Eliza. They had stopped at an old station and were led to a decrepit church.

Bella carried her little sister against her. Eliza’s head was tucked into the crook of her neck, legs wrapped around Bella’s middle. The older sister’s ratty coat had been given to the tired girl as a better insulator for heat. Upon exiting the car, they had been given cards to hang around their necks with numbers on them.

Aiden was number 26, Bella number 27, and Eliza number 28.

They stood side-by-side in line as adults, candidates for caretakers, milled before them, eyeing them like cattle. Many times someone would come up to Aiden and feel his arms, check his teeth, and consult the chaperones for his overall health.

Bella felt sick, watching some of the children dance or sing. As if whose hands their future was in depended on how well they could entertain. Dread was settling into her stomach. But everything came to a halting stop when a gray, bushy-faced man wearing tatty overalls examined Aiden and Eliza before speaking, “I’ll take these two.”

Bella’s nails dug into her palm while Eliza clutched her wrist fearfully.

“You can’t separate us.” Aiden’s voice was steady as looked the man dead-on. But for all intents and purposes, Bella could see so very clearly the fear and anxiety that swirled in his eyes.

The man raised a bushy brow, his smirk going unseen under his beard. “Oh, I can’t, now can I, boy?”

“Isaiah,” The voice was feminine and warm, though with a tone of warning.

Aiden didn’t look away from the man, but Bella and Eliza did. They found a plump, graying woman with bright eyes. She wore a soft smile and pale blue dress. She radiated motherliness. The man, Isaiah, grunted and looked away from Aiden to his, presumably, wife.

“These three are obviously family, Isaiah. Quit acting so criminal. Imagine, they’ve been taken from their parents and friends… Their entire world is gone, Isaiah.” She spoke softly, speech refined, as she cupped Eliza’s cheek. The little girl beamed, forgetting about the danger of them being separated. Miriam laughed softly at Eliza, amused by her silly smile, proudly showing the gap of her missing tooth.

“We can barely take care a’ two, Miriam, let ‘lone three.” Isaiah protested, though his mouth twitched at Eliza’s bright expression.

Desperate for something to cling to, Bella spoke up, “I’ll work for my keep! I-I… I’ll do the chores an-and make the food! I’m a really, really good cook.” Her eyes were wide and pleading.

“That’s what Miriam’s fer, girl and ‘ur sister’s hers. ‘Ur brother here is ta do the labor I can’t no more.” Isaiah said gruffly, not looking her in the face.

“I’ll do the dirty work. Everything you don’t want to do. Just please,” Tears were welling in her eyes as her voice cracked, “Please, don’t separate us.”

“Oh, Isaiah, look at the poor child. We’ll manage, we always have, with the help of the Father. Come now, girl. You too, little one. And you, boy. Hurry. We have to sign the paperwork. And then we’ll take you home.” Miriam ushered the trio towards the pew near the entrance of the church.

The siblings returned their cards. They were still shocked that they were not about to be separated, likely not to see each other until late in life.

They boarded the couples’ creaky wagon, Isaiah muttering curses under his breath as he helped his wife up before going around and hauling himself into the wooden seat. The man fwipped the reins with a kissing sound, and the wagon jerked, creaking over the dips in the gravel path as it went forward, the chapel getting smaller.

Bella leaned against Aiden, with Eliza between her legs. Aiden’s hand was in his pocket, fingering the letter. No matter the road ahead, they were together. And that made everything alright.