The Hancock Letters

By Sunita Shastry

After the loss of her mother, Mary Rose Shipley sets out for Hancock, PA, as requested by her mother. There she befriends Lily, who is dealing with her own health crisis. As the women help each other with their respective situations, they delve deeper into their past, revealing mysteries hitherto unknown and culminating in a surprising revelation that will change both of their lives forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jun 13, 2019
• ISBN: 9781728309507

Sunita Shastry

This is the second novel by Sunita Shastry, occasional writer and “closet” poet. As she promised, this novel has a few characters from the previous novel. She is a special educator by training and runs a not-for-profit that supports a school for children with special needs in India. An avid reader especially of murder mysteries, she wanted to write “a mystery with no murders.” She lives in Washington, IL with her husband, tending her home which has a large, sprawling yard which occupies her. She has a son and daughter-in-law living close-by and a grandson who has enhanced her life immeasurably. Check out her website at www.sunitashastry.com

Book preview

Chapter 1

Mary Rose reached Hancock on a fine September morning. As she checked into the hotel, she wondered what the day would bring. Why her mother directed her to this city in Pennsylvania she did not know. But she was ready for a new adventure. A hot bath was refreshing after the airplane journey. After enjoying a quick breakfast at the hotel breakfast buffet, she drove her rental car to St Mark’s hospital. It was not hard to find. At the front desk, the receptionist directed her to the fourth floor of the hospital. At the nurse’s station, she showed the name that her mother had given her and was relieved when the nurse said she thought there was a person who might be able to help her.

If you’ll just have a seat, I will ask her if she can see you, she said.

Mary Rose walked to the lounge area, and had just seated herself when she looked up at the television and could not stop herself from making a startled exclamation. The only other woman in the lounge looked at her and said:

I know, they keep showing it over and over again, on every anniversary of 9/11.

Mary Rose said, It does not get easier with time – it’s been a few years. Then she added, I’m sorry to have reacted like that. I was there …

You mean at the World Trade Center? the lady asked, startled.

Mary Rose nodded, In New York. I’d rather not talk about it, if you don’t mind.

The woman said. I’m sorry, I’m just trying to distract myself while waiting for my test results.

The distressed look left Mary Rose’s face as she looked at the other lady with interest. She was a woman in her thirties like her with long chestnut hair flowing past her shoulders.

The lady said, Sorry for unloading on you – I am Lily. We don’t have many New Yorkers visit us – are you here to visit someone?

Mary Rose said, No, actually, I’m here because of my mother – she wanted me to come here. I guess she lived here many years ago. I’m Mary Rose Shipley, she was Anne Shipley.

Really? That’s neat. Welcome to Hancock. I hope you have a good visit. As the Mayor’s daughter, I offer you a special welcome. What does your mother do? Lily asked.

Mary Rose sighed, No she passed away-early Alzheimer’s. It has been a long, tough year.

I’m sorry to hear that. I lost my mother when I was a teenager, to breast cancer, Lily volunteered.

Just then the receptionist told Mary Rose that the nurse she wanted to meet was ready to see her.

Mary Rose stood up immediately and said to Lily, It’s nice to meet you. I hope you get good news.

It’s nice meeting you – I hope you find what you are looking for, Lily said.

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Mary Rose did not know what to expect as she approached the middle-aged woman sitting at the desk in the nurse’s station. She walked up to her and introduced herself.

I’m Mary Rose Shipley. I understand you knew my mother, Anne Shipley, she said.

The nurse took off her glasses, set them on the table and shook her hand, Yes, I’m Katherine Summers. It’s been a long time indeed –yes I worked with your mother. She studied the young woman in front of her. She saw a tall, slim woman in her thirties with green-hazel eyes, a nose that tipped upwards and blond hair with dark highlights. She said, You don’t look like her.

Mary Rose smiled and said, Yes, I’ve been told that many times.

So how is your mother? the nurse asked.

She passed away a month ago, Mary Rose said looking down. Then she added, Early Alzheimer’s.

I’m sorry to hear that. Nurse Summers said with a sympathetic look. Then she continued, But what can I do for you?

The reason I’m here is that when my mother passed away and I looked through her papers, I found this sealed letter. She handed a letter to the Nurse.

Nurse Katherine read through it and said. I don’t know what to add – your mother worked here for two years. Then she was on maternity leave and after that she never returned to the hospital.

She delivered in this hospital, you know that for sure? Mary Rose asked.

Nurse Katherine nodded, I would expect she did - she would surely have had health insurance with the hospital. Frankly, I was surprised that she did not bring you to show us – she just sort of disappeared. I just presumed she had family somewhere else so she left this area. But we never saw her after that.

Mary Rose said, Well, I’m still happy to meet you and hear about all this. My mother never talked about that chapter in her life. I still do not know why she wanted me to come here, she continued with a puzzled look. But I want to thank you for agreeing to talk to me. If you can think of anything else – can you please call me? I would really appreciate that. Mary Rose handed her a business card with her phone number.

Nurse Katherine took the card that was proffered to her and said, It’s nice meeting you – I will call if I remember anything else.

Mary Rose was still mulling over what the nurse had said as she left the room and almost collided into another woman.

I’m sorry, the woman muttered as she turned away.

Why, it’s you, Lily! Mary Rose said in an astonished voice. She looked at Lily’s clearly distressed face. Here steady, are you ok? Lily’s shook her head. Mary Rose took her hand and led her to the lounge area.

Come on, let’s sit down. After they were seated, she continued, Now tell me what’s the matter?

Lily face crumpled and the tears started streaming down. It’s the scan results. It’s positive for breast cancer.

Mary Rose reached over and held Lily as she started sobbing. She held her close until her sobs subsided then reached over and handed her a napkin from the box lying on the table.

It’s just something I did not expect and then I started thinking, Oh God my daughter is going to go through the same nightmare. Lily sniffed, as she wiped her face.

You have a daughter? Mary Rose asked.

Lily looked up and gave a little smile. Yes, Milly, she’s 9 years old.

Can I call somebody for you? Your husband? Mary Rose asked gently.

Frank – my ex, no he is not in the country. I would call my sister, but she’s in Iraq. This is awful – if only she was here, she lamented.

How about your father? Mary Rose asked.

Who? Lily asked.

The Mayor, your father, you said he was the Mayor? Mary Rose reminded her gently.

No, no he’ll just freak out. And he’s not in town either, Lily said in an agitated voice. There is Mama Preston, but she has to be home when Milly comes from school. She’s Franks mother and she takes care of Milly after school.

Lily, I’m not going to leave you here by yourself. Have you eaten anything? Mary Rose asked.

No – I had some coffee before I left home. I was getting late… she answered sheepishly.

Well, its lunch time and you need to eat something right away. I noticed that the hospital cafeteria is on the second floor. Mary Rose led Lily to the elevator door.

Lily was trying to compose herself, so Mary Rose continued to take charge as they walked into the cafeteria. She placed a soup and sandwich on Lily’s tray and helped herself to a salad, bread and some fruit. She picked up two bottles of water. She led them both through the cashier and then to an empty table.

Lily tasted her soup gingerly, This is good – I didn’t realize how hungry I was.

Well, cancer will have to wait for two women to sate their appetites, Mary Rose replied firmly.

Lily gave a little giggle, You say the funniest things.

Well, it’s true – I don’t know about you but I don’t really think very well on an empty stomach, Mary Rose continued.

True. That’s a very practical viewpoint. Just like my mother. Lily said.

Well, that’s very flattering but I’m not your mother, Mary Rose said, sipping her water.

Lily continued enjoying her soup and then asked, What happened to your quest? Did you get some answers?

Mary Rose paused, between mouthfuls of salad. Well, the mystery deepens as it were. I need to find out more stuff about my mother.

The best place to start I would say is the library, Lily said. The librarian, Mrs. Lipinski, she’s been here forever. She knows everything there is to know about folks in Hancock.

Well, it’s worth a try. I’ll go meet her tomorrow. But tell me, she continued, What’s the next step? Mary Rose asked.

For me? Lily asked. I’ve got to call the oncologist.

Why not now? Mary Rose asked her. You won’t let me call anyone – at least I’ll be here to hold your hand.

Lily pulled out the folder she had been given and checked the number. Her hand trembled slightly as she punched in the number on her cell phone. She looked at Mary Rose and smiled. Mary Rose reached out and squeezed her other hand. After a brief conversation, she said, They want me to come tomorrow morning at 11.00.

In this hospital? Mary Rose asked.

Yes, it’s on the third floor, Lily said, putting away her phone in her handbag.

I’ll meet you here, Mary Rose said immediately.

I don’t mean to impose on your time, Lily protested.

Listen girl, you are not imposing. I will check out the library first thing and then meet you here – it’s not like I know anyone else here.

Not in a hurry for some boyfriend pining away for you in New York? Lily asked, quizzically.

I wish. No really. Right now, I need to get back to the hotel and contact the real estate agent. I’ve got my Mom’s house on the market – it’s not a big house, but it might be a good starter home for a young couple, I’m hoping. Mary Rose said, as they both got to the elevator to leave the hospital.

Chapter 2

Mrs. Lipinski, the librarian was not very helpful, when Mary Rose first approached her. A tall woman, with her salt and pepper hair held together in a neat bun, she looked in complete command of her library. But when she realized what connections Mary Rose had to Hancock, she was more forthcoming. She directed her to a section which contained publications about Hancock. Mary Rose decided to start from the year of her birth and work backwards. She was soon engrossed in the minutiae of life in this town. She made notes on the notepad she had brought with her. After a while, she checked the clock on the wall. She had just enough time to get to the hospital to meet Lily there. She quickly grabbed her things and headed for the hospital.

Lily was sitting in the reception area, drumming her fingers nervously on the arm rest. She gave a little smile when she saw Mary Rose and said, Thanks for coming.

Mary Rose replied, Sure. I just spent an hour in the library. I learned a lot about the citizens of your fine city.

Lily laughed, No Nobel Prize winners or anything like that in our city, population 33,000. Did you find what you were looking for? she asked.

Well, I did find a mention of Timberlake Manor, mentioned by my mother, Mary Rose replied.

Lily nodded. That was a hostel for working girls at the east end of town. I was told my grandmother, Rosemary Carter was active there, my mother told me. It was later converted into a Bed and Breakfast. I haven’t been there.

I guess my mother stayed there when she was attending nursing school. I don’t know how she originally got to Hancock. She is not from here, mused Mary Rose.

Just then the nurse called on Lily. As she stood up, you could see her square her shoulders resolutely. It was time to face the future.

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Mary Rose had her work cut out for her that