Whatever Tomorrow Brings

by Lori Wick

  She’d checked her register that morning to find out Joey’s age. He was 11 and was seated behind Marcail. Sean was a little further forward than he should have been. The desk at the front of his row was empty so Kate had Sean stand while everyone shifted down. His new seat put him where he was supposed to be.

  “I’ve written my name on the blackboard for anyone who can’t remember it. It’s Miss Donovan. You have probably noticed that there are also two new students in school today. Their names are Sean and Marcail Donovan and I hope you’ll make them feel welcome.” There was no need to have them stand—it was obvious to all who they were.

  “How many of you know where Hawaii is?” Kate surprised most of them with the sudden question.

  Nate, Sean and Marcail’s hand went up but Kate called on an older girl in the back row. She answered correctly and the class was given the chance to ask many questions concerning their teacher’s background. It took most of the morning.

  Kaitlin told them they could go to lunch a little early and then had to bite her lip to keep from laughing when one very snippy ten-year-old informed her that it was too early.

  “Thank you for telling me, Leslie, but I’m hungry right now. If you’re not, you could always eat your lunch during our afternoon break.” She winked at the little girl and caught Sean grinning like a fool.

  It was very clear to Kate that most of the students had never considered that a teacher would experience hunger. So no one would see her smile, she turned to the board to write the time she expected them back in their seats.

  After lunch she again caught the students off guard when she called on them, one-by-one, to come forward and tell what they did during the four weeks without school. She had listened to six reports when Leslie raised her hand almost frantically.

  “Yes Leslie?”

  “You’re writing something down. Are we being graded on this Miss Donovan?”

  A few of the children snickered over this question and the class was given its first taste of disapproval from Miss Donovan. She stood up and scanned the room with a very stern look. No words were necessary, but a few of the older children looked to Sean, who was giving Kaitlin his complete attention. His look told them she would brook no disobedience.

  “No, Leslie, you’re not.” She spoke when she was sure her point had been taken. “I’m just trying to get to know all of you a little bit better.”

  The little girl looked so relieved that Kate knew she had an over-achiever on her hands. She smiled at her before calling the next name, which happened to be Joey Parker.

  Joey, Kaitlin noted, refused to look at the class. His hands were stuffed in his pockets and his head was bowed. When, after a full minute he didn’t speak, she coaxed him in a quiet voice.

  “You don’t need to give us a long speech, Joey, just share a few things that you did.”

  “I went to the creek and I hung around town.” The boy beat a hasty retreat back to his desk and Kate thanked him as if he’d just shared great pearls of wisdom.

  The remainder of the day flew by and Kate could hardly believe it when it was time to dismiss. Nathan and Sean went to get the wagon; Marcail tagged along. Katie was straightening her desk when Rigg walked in.

  “How did it go?”

  “Oh, it was wonderful. They’re all so bright and respectful and fun. I mean we really had fun.”

  Rigg had never heard her talk so fast and was sure she didn’t know that she was switching back and forth between Hawaiian and English so fast that he could hardly keep up.

  “I take it you had a good day?” Rigg smiled and asked when she came to a breathless halt. He noticed her eyes were sparkling with joy and knew it was a waste of time to hope that the intensity of his feelings for her would abate.

  At that moment he found it hard to believe he’d only known her a few days. It just didn’t seem possible that he wanted to marry this girl who was almost a stranger. But he did want to marry her and maybe, just maybe, Lord willing, someday he’d be able to tell her.

  “Oh, I wanted to tell you,” Kate spoke, as though she’d just thought of it, “Marcail and I are going to move back to the little house tomorrow. I’m ready, and if we have to do without a few things, well, I don’t think we’ll notice.”

  “You know there’s no hurry. My folks meant it when they said you were welcome for as long as you like.” Rigg said the words almost casually but he was feeling a little alarmed. Knowing that Kate was at his folks gave him tremendous security. Not that he expected something to happen, it was just nice to know.

  “Oh, I know we could stay and it’s comforting to know that they’re there for us, but my mind’s made up. And to tell you the truth,” she whispered, “I’m a little excited about it. It’s such a cute little place, and we’ll be much closer to the school and to Sean.”

  Rigg’s smile was very tender. She was flying high all right, and was probably going to be exhausted later. He didn’t stay any longer but told her that he’d invited himself out to supper at the folks and that he’d see her then.

  thirty

  Rigg’s prediction had certainly been correct. Kaitlin fell sound asleep in the Taylors’ living room after supper. Nathan and Marcail had already gone to bed and it was a few moments before anyone noticed that Kate was no longer with them.

  She was in the rocking chair by the fire and Rigg moved toward her when her body began to slide forward. Surprised that she didn’t wake up when he touched her, Rigg looked to his mother for help.

  “Lift her gently Rigg, and I’ll follow you upstairs.”

  Rigg did as he was told and expected Kate to wake at any moment, disoriented and upset over being carried to bed. But it didn’t happen.

  Marcail was already asleep and Rigg gently laid Kate on the bed. He exited quickly, and his mother shut the door behind him. He and Sean, who needed to get to bed himself, waited until May returned to the living room before getting ready to leave.

  “Did she ever wake up?” Rigg asked.

  “No.” Sean supplied the answer before May could. “Once they’re asleep, my sisters are like dead people. I’ve actually held Marcail upside down before and had her sleep through the whole thing.” Everyone laughed at the idea. Sean and Rigg bid everyone good night and left a few minutes later.

  Kate woke in the morning, refreshed and ready for the day. She didn’t remember falling asleep in the living room so she made no inquiries about how she got to bed or why she’d slept in her shift and not her nightgown.

  They left a little earlier for school that day so that Kate and Marcail could take their things back to the house. Nate helped them unload and then they were off to the schoolhouse.

  The day flew by in a flurry of lessons and recitations. Kate promised a special treat the next day if the weather was nice. Right after school, Kate, Marcail and Sean, who was scheduled to work at the mercantile, made their way in that direction to buy supplies for their house.

  Rigg was upstairs in his office which resembled a large indoor balcony at the back of the store. A railing allowed him to look out on the entire floor. When sitting at his desk, which was situated in such a way that he had a clear view of the front door, he could, if he were looking, see anyone who entered the mercantile.

  To his great delight he saw Kaitlin enter. He was able to watch her for a time without leaving his desk. When she stepped out of his view, he moved to the railing. He noticed that Marcail stayed right at her side. Kate appeared to be a careful shopper and it was a few minutes before Marcail looked up and noticed him. She waved and Rigg signaled to her to come up.

  He watched and listened as Marcail asked, and then as Kate looked up at him. She looked very surprised to see him standing above her, but she gave Marcail permission to go and Rigg watched her skip toward the stairs.

  He was back at his desk when she arrived, so she took a chair near him and they talked like old friends.

  “Did Kaitlin show you my doll?”

  “Yes, she did. She’s ver
y pretty.”

  “I think so, too. Want to know what I named her?”

  “Yes.”

  “Charity.”

  “That’s very pretty.”

  “Aunt Maureen has dolls. Nice ones. She has a big house too, in San Francisco. We don’t live with her anymore because cousin Percy tried to hug Katie.” The nine-year-old’s hand went to her mouth in surprise. “I’m not suppose to tell anyone that.”

  “It’s all right Marcail, I won’t tell anyone.” Rigg was thankful that he already knew the details.

  “What are you doing?” Marcail was looking at the books in front of Rigg now.

  “These are the accounts for the store. I have to keep records of all the things I sell.” His voice told her he didn’t enjoy it.

  “This line is wrong.”

  “What!” Marcail had been looking at the figures as he spoke and now Rigg spun the book around to check. He was flabbergasted when he rechecked the column to see that she was right.

  “Katie’s even better in math than me. You should ask her to do it.”

  “Ask me to do what?” Kate had come quietly up the stairs behind Rigg, carrying her supplies.

  “Mr. Riggs doesn’t like to do math and I told him you were good.”

  “Thank you, Marcail. Did you also tell him how well you do in math?”

  “It’s my best subject,” Marcail told him. “Are we going now, Katie?”

  “Yes. I have everything we need. We just need to pay.”

  “Where are the rest of your things?” Rigg finally said.

  “This is everything.”

  Rigg didn’t say anything but Kate could see his mind working.

  “You don’t think this will be enough?”

  “I think the supplies will last you a while, but you’re going to get a little tired of biscuits, beans and rice.” Rigg noted that all of the items were the most inexpensive he carried.

  He also noticed that Kate was looking very unsure of herself. He was torn between a desire to hold her and another to scold her for leaving the protective care of his parents. He opted for something in between.

  “Come here Katie, and sit down.” She obeyed him without question. He watched her put her few selections on the edge of his desk. Reaching for paper and a pencil he asked Kate how much money she had. She drew her coin purse from her pocket and emptied it on the desk. Rigg did a quick count and then began to write.

  4 packages Garland-brand yeast cakes

  14¢

  1 one-pound can Garland-brand baking powder

  21¢

  1 8-oz. bottle Iris-brand vanilla

  30¢

  1 five-pound box Thompson seedless raisins

  44¢

  1 five-pound sack Matoma-brand rice

  33¢

  2 cans red kidney beans

  47¢

  1 five-pound box Garland-brand soda crakers

  35¢

  4 bars Garland family soap

  14¢

  1 three-pound package Garland-brand washing powder

  36¢

  Kaitlin watched Rigg write swiftly and was surprised at how complete the list was when he handed it to her. He only gave her time to read through half of it. There was everything from yeast to soap. Of course this was his business.

  “Okay, I think this will help. It’s a list of items and what they cost. Head back down and pick up all of these. You have more than enough money and don’t forget that Sean will be paid Saturday.”

  Kate searched for the right words to express her thanks but before she could open her mouth Rigg pushed a large woven basket into her hands and headed her down the stairs. When he sat down again at the desk, Marcail spoke.

  “You like Katie, don’t you?”

  “I like all of you.”

  Marcail looked almost insulted and Rigg knew he’d underestimated her again.

  “Does it bother you that I like Katie?”

  “No, there’s always someone who does, but I think I like you better than the others.”

  Rigg wondered how many more there had been besides the young man in Hawaii and cousin Percy. “How did you know, Marcail, that I liked Katie?”

  “Sometimes you look at her the way Father used to look at Mother.”

  Rigg pushed his desk chair back and reached for Marcail’s hand. He pulled her out of her chair and into his lap.

  “You think I’m a baby, don’t you?” The little girl was obviously disappointed.

  “No, I don’t. I just wanted to hold you.”

  Marcail let herself be snuggled against him then and Rigg kissed her brow. They were still cuddled together talking when Kate came back up with all the things on the list. Rigg walked them out of the store and they were even able to wave to Sean who was dusting shelves.

  “I’ll bring the basket right back to you, as soon as I unload it.”

  “Just keep it for now.”

  “If you insist, and thank you, Mr. Riggs.”

  He watched them until they were out of sight and then went in to see the clerk who had taken care of their sale.

  “Do me a favor, would you, Cal? Before you leave, fill a sack with the same things the Donovans just purchased. Oh, and, put in a few special things too. Just leave it under the counter there and I’ll get it later.”

  Cal exchanged a look with the other man who clerked for Rigg. It had taken a while, but it finally looked as though the boss had found someone special.

  thirty-one

  “How is it?”

  “I think I like poi better.” Marcail phrased it as delicately as possible, by referring to one of the native Hawaiian dishes she’d grown up on. The result however, was the same—supper tasted awful.

  The rice was no longer in tiny individual grains but had congealed into one slimy, tasteless mass. The potatoes were hard as rocks and ice cold. It actually hurt Marcail’s teeth to bite into a biscuit. Kaitlin watched her nibble on the edge of one.

  Kaitlin didn’t know what was the matter with her. She cooked fairly well, although always with her mother. Maybe tonight she was just a bit panicked. Her mother had handled so much of the meal preparation, giving her and Marcail the job of preparing the fish, which they had practically lived on. Kaitlin could serve fish every night for a week and never fix it the same way twice.

  “Oh, well,” was all she said as she reached for her coffee, remembering as she did, that her mother had always prepared that too. She guessed she’d had worse.

  That night both girls slept soundly in their warm bed. In fact, they were almost late for school in the morning.

  “Is it almost ready Katie? We’re going to be late.”

  “Almost.” Kate was trying her hand at a big pot of cereal like the one Rigg had made them. She decided she must have added too much water because the stuff refused to thicken.

  “What will we eat for lunch, Katie?”

  “Oh, no!” Kate spun from the stove in dismay. “I completely forgot that I have to pack us a lunch. Look at the cans on the shelves Marcail. See if anything looks good.”

  Kate had not taken time to make bread and the cheese at Rigg’s store had been too costly. If it had been a weekend, Kate would have tried for a regular meal.

  She saw Marcail putting things into an old flour sack as she dished cereal into the bowls. The cereal had done a complete turnabout in the pot, going from watery to something so thick it would not come off the spoon.

  Watching Marcail grimace over the taste, Kate spread some sugar on the cereal. After so little to eat last night, they couldn’t possibly go until lunch with nothing in their stomachs.

  “Do you have the lunch?” Kate asked, as she slipped into her sweater.

  “All set.”

  They headed out the door and Kaitlin gave a prayer of thanks that Rigg was taking care of Sean. He’d surely waste away on her cooking.

  “That was fine reading, Thomas. You may take your seat. We’ll break for lunch now and afterward go for that walk I promised you
.”

  As the students dispersed, Marcail came forward and sat on the front bench. Katie pulled their lunch sack out from under her desk and joined her. The first thing she pulled out was a package of yeast cakes.

  “Marc, don’t you know what these are?”

  “Little cakes.”

  “Yeast cakes. They’re used for baking.”

  “Oh. Sorry.”

  “That’s all right we won’t starve.” Next came a can of molasses.

  “I didn’t know what that was either, but the man on the front looked so happy I figured it must taste pretty good.” Kaitlin dissolved into helpless laughter while she tried to explain what was in the can. The last item in the bag was a huge package of raisins. Kate didn’t even say grace before she began to tear it open.

  Marcail’s little hand shook as she raised a fistful to her mouth. They ate in silence until Kate laughed again about the molasses and choked on her raisins. Every so often she would go to the door or window and check on the children, but most were eating with no time for mischief.

  Sean wandered in when he’d had his fill of what was in his lunch tin and asked the girls if either one of them wanted his last piece of fried chicken. Kate found herself grabbing for his tin like a woman starved, and then remembered that some of her class were eating at their desks.

  “You eat it Marc.” Kaitlin stood then and took a big drink from the dipper at the water bucket. When she sat on the bench again Marcail was waiting for her. She hadn’t touched the chicken.

  “We’ll share this.”

  “Thanks Marc,” Kate said gratefully, and had to stop herself from swallowing before chewing.