A day for smiles, A day for tears

Jacob looked at her stunned.

"Brandy? Where in BG is she?"

Petra smiled, "Come with me."

She led him out behind the stables.

Two graves lie beneath a tree.

A woman stood, her hat down low.

A gentle breeze caused her blonde hair to blow.

Jacob's heart could be heard in his ears,

To see his little sister after all these years!

Brandy looked up, rather annoyed.

"I thought I told you any company I'd like to avoid."

Petra just smiled tolerantly,

"I thought you'd make an exception...you see."

Jacob stepped forward,

only one word made it past his lips, "Brandy?"

Brandy's heart leaped at the word.

Never was it to be heard.

"Jacob?" No, it must be another.

There's no way this was her brother!

Last she knew of him,

He was twelve with a mischievous grin.

This man was lean and tall.

But it was her brother's face she saw.

Those grey-blue eyes,

And rounded chin.

Now with some stubble growing in.

He had gotten so handsome.

"Jacob! Oh my God!"

She expected herself to sob.

But that part of herself seemed closed off

"There's just no way you're here," she scoffed.

"Brandy you can believe it's true."

He joined her at the grave of Lou.

She pulled him into her embrace,

The years between them suddenly erased.

Brandy held on, she didn't dare let go.

Petra who left them but a moment ago,

Said, "Wait, there's someone else you may know?"

Petra stood there with a young girl.

"No," said Brandy, "This can't be?

Tell me this isn't our little Josie?"

"I am Josephine.

And I am almost thirteen.

I don't mean to be rude.

But who the heck are you?"

Brandy gave a grin,

And closed the distance between them.

"I'm your sister Brandy.

Holy Cow

You are so big now!

And beautiful too

You remind me of Lou."

Josie took the news in stride.

Looked at Jacob with wide eyes.

"So you found her here in BG?

After all this time! That amazing!"

Jacob returned her smile,

"Yes Josie girl, isn't it wild?

"Brandy, you grew into a real beauty after all.

I had my doubts when you were small.

You look like Mom and Polly too.

You were a pain in my ass,

But God I missed you!

You always followed me around."

Brandy laughed as she remembered the past.

"That is not what I recall.

I never liked to play your games at all.

You liked to chase me with spiders the most.

But Tom was always the worst.

I see you are still a wise-ass, Jake.

It's nice some things stay the same.

But it really is nice to see you again.

Even though little Will was always my favorite brother.

Together you and I got into the most trouble."

Jacob was swarmed with memories.

Carrying her home from the stream,

After she had fallen and skinned both her knees.

Threatening to throw Brandy's doll down the well.

He sure had given his sister's hell.

Scaring her silly with grisly tales late at night,

While Louise was always harder to give such a fright.

Josie felt a bit left out.

But she decided now was not the time to pout.

She was almost a teen after all,

No longer a little girl or small.

"I'm sorry. I do not remember you.

I was only two.

But Jake told me lots about you and Lou."

Brandy stooped down to meet Josie's eyes.

"Did he now? Why am I not surprised?

Tell me what did he have to say?"

Brandy looked at Jacob with eyebrows raised.

She noticed his up to no good grin hadn't changed.

He laughed and gave her a shrug.

As Josie pulled Brandy into a hug.

"I'll tell you all about it later when Jake ain't around.

I am so glad you've been found.

I always wanted a sister to talk to.

About most things, Jake doesn't have a clue!"

Brandy and Jacob chuckled.

"Young lady, you're in trouble!"

Josie gave him a smug look.

He always let her off the hook.

She kept her grip around Brandy's waist.

Then the smile fell off her face.

"Tell me why we are at this place?"

The cheery mood dissipated.

Jacob knew Josie's curiosity needed to be sated.

She had the right to know, or it wasn't fair.

Brandy began to stroke Josie's hair.

Jacob kneeled down real close.

Held his youngest sister's eyes as he spoke.

"Josie, I have some news. It's about Lou.

I'm sorry to say, we came to visit her grave today.

A short while ago, she passed away."

Josie fell quiet and looked at the grave.

The resting place of Lou.

The sister she never even knew.

Except through the stories of Polly and Jake.

She looked at him and her heart began to break.

Jake was never one to shed tears.

He was always there to calm her fears.

"Is that why you cried?

Because you found out Lou died?"

Josie asked with tears forming in her blue eyes.

Jacob nodded and conjured a sad smile.

While Brandy looked at the grave quietly for a long while.

Brandy scolded herself on the inside.

I'm at my sister's grave and I still haven't cried!

I just found Josie and Jake after all these years,

And I cannot even produce some happy tears?

Not even a token, am I broken?

Jacob was never one much to cry.

And now tears are clouding his eyes.

And Josie didn't know Lou at all, but now she is about to bawl.

God, what the hell is the matter with me?

Why don't I feel the sting?

Why don't feel anything?

Brandy was left to wonder.

And ponder,

While Jake and Josie,

Grieved for Lou,

Something Brandy just couldn't do.

After a good while,

Jake wiped his eyes and found another smile.

"Hey Josie girl, I do say,

We go get some flowers to lay on Lou's grave."

Josie perked up right away.

"There's a field of wildflowers,

I passed on my way into town today.

I can go pick some up lickety-split.

And you and Brandy can talk for a bit.

You can tell her all about Polly too!

It's time for some good news."

"That's a good girl Josie,

And thoughtful of you,

Meet us back by the grave of Lou.

Be careful and stay out of trouble too."

Josie's dimples showed through.

"Jake, I think you have me confused with you."

"Oh God Jake, she's becoming just like you.

Poor Josie.

It'll be good for her to be around me too."

"I think, all things considered, I turned out just fine.

After Josie returns, how about we all have lunch,

at the hotel on my dime?"

Jacob also wanted to see if Rue was doin' well.

Last night she seemed to do some kind of spell.

Not that it scared him or anything.

But her energy did seem to be drained.

Living with the circus for all these years,

Had opened his mind and calmed some of his fears.

Much to his shame these days,

At first, he had been disgusted and afraid.

Of the unique performers in the show.

He hated the term freaks.

They were like family and friends.

The bearded lady Bea had even been,

Like a second mother to him.

He pulled himself from his thoughts.

Josie had skipped off.

And now he and Brandy needed to talk.

Brandy began, "So what do you know about Lou?"

"Not much, just bits and pieces. I have some questions for you."

"I'm sure you do. But first please tell me,

About our sister Polly."

"She became a seamstress.

In Great Falls she did thrive,

Caught the eye of merchant name Byron Clyde.

A few years back, when the circus was near enough,

I rode into Great Falls to see if I could look her up.

I was able to track Pollyanna down,

Married to the richest man in town.

Her home was such a sight to see.

I considered having her raise Josie.

I figured she could give our Josephine,

Well, everything.

The best education and stable life,

Turn her into a lady, and someday a proper wife.

But Polly informed me,

She was about to move overseas.

So Josie and I stayed in town for a bit.

Until Polly and her husband boarded the ship.

She offered to send for Josie,

Once she got settled.

But when the time came, I couldn't bear to part.

It would've been like losing another piece of my heart.

But I have Polly's address if you want to write.

I know she would love to get a letter from you.

But if you want, I can tell her about Lou."

It was good news that Polly had done so well indeed.

The oldest, she had been only seventeen.

It had broken Polly's heart, as her family was split apart.

Her parents dead and buried.

The burden of her younger siblings, too much to carry.

"I'm glad to hear it, and Jacob I see,

You kept your promise to Tommy.

Josie looks healthy and happy."

Jacob sighed and briefly closed his eyes.

"But Brandy, I certainly failed you and Lou.

I've heard some things which make me sick.

About how you and Lou were forced to turn tricks.

I am so sorry about what happened to you both.

I failed to do my duty by you.

I should have protected you and Lou."

Jacob looked at her with shame and bitter tears in his eyes,

But Brandy still felt numb inside.

That was a time in her life,

She certainly did not want to recall.

She was surprised she had survived it at all.

And if not for Lou,

Brandy knew,

She would be dead or still abused.

"Jacob, you were only a child.

I don't blame you.

For what happened to me and Lou.

What could you have done anyway?

When Tom, Lou, Will and I were put on that train.

How were you to know that Lou and I,

Would be taken in by a couple with a secret to hide?

They sold  Lou to Madame Grey.

Then me for debts they had to repay."

Brandy placed a hand on his arm.

She was glad he and Josie hadn't experienced such harm.

She was eager to know,

Where they had been and where they would go.

"I should not have run away,

I should have boarded the train that day.

Then maybe I could have made a fuss,

That they wouldn't separate us.

At least made sure you girls didn't go alone.

Into a stranger's home."

Brandy kissed her brother's cheek.

"Jacob, that is really sweet.

But Tom tried to accomplish that feat.

He was picked in the first town.

Folks wanted a strong farm boy around.

He was able to get them to agree,

To also take Will, but not Lou and me.

They had no place for girls they said.

Tom cursed and saw red.

The sheriff threatened to lock him up for the night.

If he didn't calm down and give up the fight.

Lou told Tom at least that way,

With Will, he could stay.

To look out for me, Lou promised him.

And that one day we would all be together again."

Jacob felt a surge of hope in his despair.

Tom and Will had stayed together,

And perhaps Brandy knew where.

"Brandy, do you remember the name of the town?

The one where our brothers might have settled down?"

Brandy gave him a smile

"Of course I do.

I would be happy to tell you.

But first dear brother, let me tell you all about Lou."