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Morgan was up and awake this morning earlier than any other morning he could remember. Hell, he was awake when the farm's [url=https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ZaptEMdBrUGS_zK_Q_i_brc1xoN9bpz-MPbP6BYJP0_E3AZ1omuQ01hF0x5SnltT=s1200]dodo[/url] crowed to alert them that it was the crack of dawn. For someone who was about to live-out their lifelong dream, he had an awful lot of butterflies in his stomach. The farmboy paced across his room a number of times as he ran a hand through his hair before taking a deep breath and releasing it with an even quicker exhale. [color=orangered]"C'mon Morgan, yer a big boy. Bein a yellah belly sittin in tha dark an doin nothin ain't yer style...no ifs or buts."[/color] The large man tells himself as he shakes his whole body in an attempt to remove the feeling of fear, doubt, and anxiety. He felt a little braver now but his heart still hammered in his chest. With a determined look on his face, he grabs his favorite hat and scarf from the wooden end table beside his tidied bed and dons them. Now he felt a lot better now he had them on his person. Taking his pack, the redheaded farmer headed down the second floor of the farmhouse. 

Much to his surprise, his family was already up and about. His mother and sister-in-law were finishing whipping up some breakfast. His older brother and father were setting the table. And his niece and baby sister were playing with Bobo the [url=https://res.cloudinary.com/dk-find-out/image/upload/q_80,w_1920,f_auto/MA_00824390_qw4dp5.jpg]Microraptor[/url], the family's house pet. All of them paused what they were doing when they saw Morgan. [color=orangered]"What's everyone doin up so early?"[/color] His father was the one to speak up and answer his question. [b]"Well, we can't say goodbye ta ya if we didn't, now can we?"[/b] Morgan was moved. Only a couple of nights ago they were arguing and yelling at each other regarding the letter but now they were acting as if nothing happened. He could feel his eyes water a little as he kept going down the flight of stairs before setting down his pack beside his usual spot at the table and taking a seat. His family followed in suit. They had prepared his favorite foods for his farewell breakfast as this may as well be the very last time he would be sharing a meal with him for a [i][b]very[/b][/i] long time. They would share stories, memories, and laughter that would soon devolve into barely held back sobs and whimpers as they finished their meals. 

With a heavy heart, Morgan grabbed his pack and stood up from the table. His mother was wailing into his father's shoulder as he tried his best to console her through his own tears. His brother was keeping a convincing brave face but he could see a tear or two running down ol' Henry's face. His niece and baby sister, however, were bawling their eyes out and clinging onto Morgan for what seemed for dear life. They would be the straw that would break the proverbial camel's back as Morgan broke down into a blubbering mess as he hugged them both tightly and promising that he'd send letters as much as he can while traveling Westward. The rest of the Whittaker clan failed to resist giving the youngest son and brother one last hug and followed in suit to join the messy noisy goodbye. So much for him steeling himself to make things a clean and quiet exit...he was almost sure they'd wake up the dead with all the racket they caused. The initial plan of leaving before his family knew he was gone crashed and burned magnificently in a mess of tears, wailing, good food, and near incoherent goodbyes, well wishes, and words of affection. 

The farmer may have left a little later and a lot more disheveled than he would like to admit, but he also left feeling more confident than ever and even more driven to succeed in his endeavor to the West. 

He felt like he could take on the world and actually win.