I stare out, seeing many women dressed in finer clothes than the ones I believe to have known. Carriages were rarely spotted in the streets; automobiles drove people to and from their destinations.

How different everything was!

My kind friend Charlotte Brail, helped me secure a job at a country house. She lived just three miles from it.

“They are very kind people, Elizabeth,” Charlotte said while we boarded a carriage. “It is good they found you not guilty and dropped all charges against you.”

I nodded my head, still not quite at peace with what had just occurred.

I was found not guilty of a crime they convicted me of when I was just 16 years of age.

As a young girl, with no parents and just a poor maid, I didn’t know who to trust.

I was framed for a murder I surely did not commit and was sentenced to life in prison.

Just two weeks ago, a kind family that was on my side for the time of 20 years proved I was innocent.

I’ve just been released today.

On the ride to my new home, I studied the landscape. Everything seems as it was just taller and aged.

The green glow of the foliage has seemed to dim into an almost muddy greenish gray.

The sun does not shine as it used to and the blue sky seems more gray than blue.

Wildflowers are a rare sight in the golden brown fields.

I remember when I was just a girl how these fields were filled with blue, pink, yellow, and orange flowers.

How things have changed!

“Now Mrs. Pecker is a good woman, she understands your story, so no need to worry about her. And her husband, Mr. Pecker, he’s a fine man with much respect. They’ll love you, I’m sure of it Elizabeth,” Charlotte said with gleam on her face.

The carriage stopped at a big, white manor, flowers covered the front porch and Mr. And Mrs. Pecker were standing to greet us.

Mr. Pecker was a tall man with graying hair. Mrs. Pecker was a short, stout woman with a sweet smile.

“My dear Elizabeth, how we’ve waited for your arrival!” Mrs. Pecker said with happiness.

Mrs. Pecker invited us all for tea. We talked of my freedom and the thankfulness the Peckers feel for my presence.

Looking out at the new world I came to the conclusion that maybe life could finally be worth living.