The Shunning Page #5

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she came back.

She wanted to

meet the daughter

she gave away

all those years ago

and to ask for

your forgiveness.

I know you can't speak to me, but I

was hoping you might just listen.

You're just

in time for tea.

Thank you for talking to me, Ella Mae.

Breaking the ban, I mean.

Half the folks

in this community

think I'm as

senile as a loon anyway.

They'll think I forgot

there even was a ban.

Besides,

there are times

the human heart

needs more than the

old ways can give it.

My mam also talked to me.

She told me everything.

Thought she might.

The reason Laura Mayfield

came looking for me

after all these years is

she's dying.

She wanted to see me

while there's still time.

Then I guess you've

got a decision to make.

If I don't go now, Ella Mae,

I might never get to see her.

I might never find

out who I really am.

Who you really are?

That's a peculiar

thing to say.

What do you mean?

Well, I know who you are.

You're that

little girl who loved

picking flowers

of every color.

Squabbling with

her ornery brother.

Listening to her

mama's stories.

And always at

her father's feet.

Taking late-night buggy rides

with Daniel Fisher.

All of that, child.

That's who you are.

If you need to go

see Laura Mayfield,

then go.

Or if you just need

to discover the world,

then go.

And God be with you.

But don't go thinking you're

gonna find something out there

that you ain't

already found right here.

The miracle

ain't the life

you missed, Katie,

it's the life you've got.

Twenty years ago,

love brought you

to Hickory Hollow

and if you're gonna leave,

let it be that same love

that sends you off.

When are you leaving?

There's a bus out of

Lancaster later today.

You're going to see her then?

Yeah. I'm going to try.

But even if I don't,

I have questions I need

answered for myself out there.

If you do find her,

what will you say to her?

I'll say thank you.

Maybe she regrets

giving me away,

but I'm grateful

that she did.

Because she gave me to the best

parents a child could hope for.

She gave me

to my true family.

How will we know you're

all right out there?

I have money saved

up from housekeeping.

And I'll write you.

Katie, I'm so sorry

if we hurt you.

I'm sorry for

all the secrets.

Can you forgive me?

Mama, I already have.

No matter how far you go,

or how long you're gone,

we'll always be right here.

And when you're ready to

come back, we'll be waiting.

I love you, Mama.

I love you, too, Katie-girl.

Never far away.

Never far away.

I suppose if I was

going away on a journey,

a little extra

cash might help.

Dat.

MAN ON PA:
Attention, passengers

for Buffalo, New York.

All passengers

for Buffalo, New York.

The bus will now

begin boarding.

Katie!

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