One Came Home

On June 7, 1871, Georgie attends her older sister Agatha’s funeral. She doesn’t truly believe that Agatha is dead, saying that she is remembering the date only because “it [is] the day of [her] sister’s first funeral and [she knows] it [isn’t] her last” (1). The week before, Agatha ran off with some pigeon hunters. The sheriff chased the group and returned with what he claimed was Agatha’s body—which was shot in the face and was wearing Agatha’s dress. However, Georgie is certain it isn’t Agatha’s body. She begs her grandfather (who is an expert tracker) to go find the real Agatha, but he refuses.

To Georgie, the strangest sight at the funeral is the seeming closeness of the two men who’d been vying for Agatha’s affection. One is Mr. Benjamin Olmstead, owner of the local hotel, and the other is Billy McCabe, the sheriff’s handsome son. Despite recently being involved with Mr. Olmstead, Georgie had seen Agatha kiss Billy. When she told Mr. Olmstead about this, a feud erupted. Now, Mr. Olmstead stands stoically while Billy cries, and Georgie wonders how much of Billy’s grief is real.