A Million Tears by Paul Henke

‘Megan, you can’t,’ she wailed. ‘You can’t just go off to the other side of the world like that. What’ll I do without you? You’re the only flesh and blood I have except for Olive. What’ll I do without you?’ she repeated.
    ‘Don’t cry, Mam.’ Mam kneeled at her mother’s side and took her hand. ‘We’ll write often and who knows? Once we’re settled perhaps you could come and visit us, even live with us.’
    ‘What?’ Grandmother pulled her hand away in horror. ‘And who will look after your father’s grave? Why,’ the thought dawned on her, ‘who’s to look after Sian’s? You can’t just leave your daughter’s grave unattended,’ she said, hurtfully.
    The others joined in the protest. They did not want to see the family split up.
    ‘Are you serious?’ asked Uncle David. ‘Do you mean you’re really going?’
    ‘But what will you do there?’ asked Aunt Maud, David’s wife. ‘How will you support yourselves?’
    ‘We aren’t sure yet,’ replied Da, ‘but I can always work in the mines in Philadelphia or somewhere, if I have to.’
    ‘What about the boys’ schooling? Dai is going to grammar school next year. At least,’ amended Uncle Albert, ‘he ought to get there with all the help you’ve given him, Meg.’
    ‘I’m sure he would,’ said Mam, ‘and that was probably the hardest decision to make. We think there’ll be good schools in America. In the meantime I can keep them on top of their work. After the effort we’ve put in and all the saving we’ve done to pay for their education it was heart breaking to decide to go to but after all that’s happened . . .’
    ‘But where will you live?’ asked Uncle David. ‘Where will you go? Do you know yet?’
    Da shook his head. ‘We’ve a few places in mind but we’re keeping it sort of open for now, look you. We’ll decide later.’ He shrugged his shoulders.
    ‘I’ve never heard such rot,’ said Grandmother Osborne furiously. ‘I absolutely forbid it, Megan, do you hear? Absolutely forbid it. You can’t just go off and leave me like that. What on earth will your poor father think?’ Her comment was greeted with silence and then Grandad spoke.
    ‘Never mind what he’ll think,’ he said brusquely. ‘He’s dead. It’s the living we have to concern ourselves with. I guess your mind is made up, son?’
    Da nodded. ‘Yes, Dad. I’m sorry, Mam, but we both feel that it’s the best thing for us and the boys.’
    Grandma gave a tremulous smile. ‘I understand, Evan, both of us do. We’ll be heart broken to see you go but you must do what you think’s best for Meg and the boys.’
    ‘That’s right son, what your Mam says. We don’t want you to go, not for all the tea in China but we certainly won’t try and stop you.’ Grandad was quick to accept the plan.
    Grandma blew her nose. ‘It’s come as a bit of a shock, that’s all,’ she forced a smile.
    ‘When do you intend leaving?’ asked Uncle William.
    ‘Not until the spring,’ replied Mam. ‘That’ll give us plenty of time to find a place before the winter settles in.’
    ‘You’ve obviously thought a lot about it and I can’t say I’m exactly surprised,’ said Uncle Huw. ‘Not after all the nagging Dai’s done to emigrate. All I can say is “good luck”. Great good luck.’
    The others nodded except Grandmother and great Aunt Olive. In the silence Sion put his head around the door. ‘Come and play, Dai,’ he said.
    ‘Hey, little brother,’ I replied, ‘we’re going to America.’
    ‘Eh? What are you on about, Dai?’ he asked exasperated.
    ‘Like I said. We’re going to America in the spring.’ The news still left me with a sense of shock. After all the dreaming it seemed wrong somehow that it should happen just like that.
    Shortly afterwards everybody went home. The exodus was started by Grandmother Osborne and Great Aunt Olive who as usual had said nothing worth noting.
    We were washing and clearing up when Sion said: