Freddy has never been in love before and he wanted to someday.While Emma had fallen in love before, she has never felt the significance of it.Her mother, mentor and dearest friend got Emma a job at the Charleston School for the Blind as an English and Braille Teacher.
The train to Charleston was treacherous and exhausting.Emma was nervous to start her new life in a new town.She has never left North Carolina before, and she hated to leave a place she was just getting used to.When she got on the train, men, young, old and in-between whooped and jeered and one man even slapped her behind.
“Hey!That is my daughter you slapped! Asshole” Emma’s mother said to him.
“Ma when are we going to get there?I’m tired of this town!”Emma said as she felt her way to her seat.
“Soon my love.This new town is supposed to not have as many men like these scoundrels.”She hissed the last part at the men who were jeering at her daughter.
Emma sat down in her seat, and since the window was open, her long blond hair fluttered in the wind.She shuddered because she was nervous for the long train ride ahead.The stench of sweat was unbearable. Some woman was smoking tobacco somewhere in the train.The woman behind her, had twins and both of them were crying.Emma pursed her red lips and wiped sweat from her white brow.
Two hours later, Emma’s mother asked her “You might meet someone in this town.Charleston is supposed to be a great place to raise a family…”
Emma slapped her mother’s hand“Mother!You know perfectly well that I am NEVER getting married!You are like my brother; bless his soul.Now let us get to Charleston in one piece, please.”
Freddy was putting on his coat and he called out to his mother,” Ma, Why do I have to go and get this woman?Can she not come here by her self?”
He grabbed a piece of bread and his mother looked at him rather cruelly, ”You know perfectly well why this woman can not come here by herself!She is blind Fredrick Timothy VanHallsen!”
Freddy knew that tone:she was angry with him.“Sorry ma.Se you later.”
Freddy was a lanky man with thick black hair.He had a five-minute shadow, or repulsive shave, on his thin face.His deep voice frightened most women and small children.He lived with his mother and half-sister in a school for the blind in Charleston, West Virginia in 1865.
He had a hard childhood.He moved from town to town with his mother and father. His father died five years ago and that was very difficult for Freddy’s mother.He never had many friends because he moved constantly; same with girlfriends.His mother remarried and she had a daughter with her new husband.The next year, he was killed.Devastated, Mrs. VanHallsen and her brood left for her hometown of Charleston.They then found out that little Becky was blind.She was sickly for three months and the next year they discovered that she was blind.
But today, he was excited to not have to teach anymore, because the new teacher is on her way.When Freddy got up to the train depot he was looking for a shrewd and ugly woman with thick glasses and a big mole on her face, but when he saw Emma his heart stopped.
“Are you Mr. Fredrick VanHallsen?”Emma’s mother said.
“Yes, you must be the new schoolteacher.”He shook her hand as she quietly chuckled.
“No, my daughter is the new teacher.Emma this is your co-worker, Freddy.”
Emma smiled and took out her hand ”Hello, Sir.Pleased to make your acquaintance.”
“Ohm…”Freddy tried to compose himself and shook her hand.“Good day Miss…or Mrs.?”
Emma laughed,“Miss is fine. Now may I go ma?I am anxious to meet my students.”
“How old are you Mr. VanHallsen?”Emma tilted her head towards Freddy.
“First off, please feel free to call me Freddy.Second, I am 25.How about you Miss Hudson.”
Mimicking him she said “First off, Freddy, call me Emma.Second I am 21 and I hate to say this but you r hands are sweating like crazy!Are you sick?”
Emma dropped the question when he did not answer.
“Hey look everyone!The loser is walking with a pretty lady!Hey are you that blind witch that was gonna teach my sister at Charleston?”
”Yes Sir I am that women.And you may be?”Emma said, rather disgusted at this man’s comment.
”Yes Sir I am that women.And you may be?”Emma said, rather disgusted at this man’s comment.
“I may be Jimmy Lewis, Katie Lewis’ older brother.Now I warn ya…Katie is a pistol.Yep ya don’ want ta get on her dark side, if ya know what I mean.”Jimmy whispered this into Emma’s ear and Freddy took her away and the men laughed as they walked away.
“That bastard!I am so sorry Emma.He is the town’s bully and he just wants to make you mad.Watch out for the steps, they are rather steep.’’
“Thanks Freddy.Am I going to teach today?”Emma said as she held onto Freddy’s arm and squeezed it so much that he winced.
“No.It is still summer for the students.Next week you will start teaching.”Emma was embarrassed because she knew it was still summer.“Ma, were here.”Freddy yelled as he put Emma’s luggage down and led Emma into her knew home.
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