After a year of traveling to all sorts of places , I was ready to return home . Aunt Ruth was planning on extending her stay with us to help mamma . Aunt Ruth had much more money then us and for my 17th birthday , she bought me a dapple-grey horse named Moonrose . Ruth drove the cart on the way home with the goods we brought back for mamma and Tatia . Our boat had brought us back into the new world and from then on we had to drive the rest of the way by cart . When we arrived home , I was not suprised to see our cottage still full of women for fittings . Just like before , I thought with a smile . As soon as she heard the cart , mamma ran out of the house , calling my name .
" ANNA ! ANYA ! MY LITTLE ANASTASIA ! MY LITTLE ROSE ! " she wept with happiness .
I jumped off the cart and ran to her .
" MAMMA ! OH MAMMA ! " I yelped and ran into my mother's tender arms .
She held me and pulled me tight as if this would be the last time .
Two beautiful blonde women walked out of our cottage to see mamma and I embracing eachother. They smiled and I saw that one of the girls was around my age .
" Mamma , where is Tatia ? " I asked .
" She's in town . " Mamma said .
I smiled .
" Oh ! Esther , Rebeka ! I'm sorry , how rude of me . Anna , come meet my new friends . They moved here shortly after you left on your voyage . " mamma said , pulling me toward the blondes .
The older one looked me up and down and smiled at me .
" Hello , you must be your mother's dearest Anna . We've heard so much about you . I'm Esther . " the oldest woman said .
" I'm Rebeka . Wow , you're even more beautiful then I thought . I can't wait for us to become great friends . " The younger blonde said .
" It's a pleasure . " I said .
My mother ran a hand through my long dark hair that fell down the front of my skirt in lose waves .
" Darling , your hair . It's so long . " she gawked.
" I smiled .
" Aunt Ruth says it's getting darker everyday . " I said .
My mother smiled .
" You know , Anna , you don't mind if I call you Anna do you ? " Esther asked .
" Not at all , Miss Esther . " I said warmly .
She smiled .
" Well you and your mother and your sister should all come to dinner tonight . " Esther said .
Rebeka's smile widened .
" That's a great idea , mother ! " Rebeka said cheerfully .
" Yes , you see , Rebeka has five brothers and she never gets to associtate with girls her age . It will be fun . " Esther coaxed .
My mother smiled .
" It sounds like fun , Anya . And it's perfect for your present . I can't believe my little girl is 17 ! " she gushed .
I smiled .
" It's just a year , mamma . " I said .
Just then I heard the fimilar sound of barefeet on a dusty path . I whirled around as fast as my legs would allow to see Tatiana .
" Tatiana ! " I yelled .
" Anastasia ! " She replied and we ran to eachother , pulling eachother close .
I heard my mother and Esther laugh .
" I see they are really close . " Esther commented .
My mother nodded .
Aunt Ruth walked up to my mother and introduced herself to Esther .