The Orphan Collector

by Ellen Marie Wiseman

  Having Cooper in the house also gave Pia hope that Ollie and Max, if they were still alive, had found a family to take care of them too. She told herself that was the case anyway, and it helped loosen the black chains around her heart. Except as she feared, once the Hudsons decided to keep the baby, Nurse Wallis stopped coming. Pia hated herself for not having the courage to tell the Hudsons about her brothers before the nurse left for good, but she still worried they wouldn’t understand or forgive her. Especially because their grief over Leo was still so fresh. And what she’d done was so horrible.

  Then one day, out of the blue, Nurse Wallis came back.

  It was a Thursday and Pia was in the nursery, getting Elizabeth up from her nap. As usual, Elizabeth rolled over and grinned, her eyes bleary, her lips wet with drool. She was a happy child who rarely cried or fussed, and that day she acted no different. Pia changed her diaper as she lay in the crib, then put her back in her dress, leggings, white sweater, shoes, and crocheted bonnet. When Pia was finished, Elizabeth stood, wrapped her arms around Pia’s neck, and pressed her cheek to hers, waiting to be picked up. It was their usual routine, and Pia always said “upsy-daisy” to make her laugh. This time, though, when their faces touched, pain exploded in Pia’s ear and traveled down her jaw. She untangled Elizabeth’s arms from around her neck and set her back down in the crib. The second she let go, the pain stopped. Brushing Elizabeth’s soft blond hair out of the way with gentle fingers, Pia examined her ear. The skin looked normal and healthy. Elizabeth giggled and bunched up her shoulders as if being tickled. She seemed perfectly fine. Still, worry settled like a stone in Pia’s stomach.

  “What’s wrong with you, little one?” she said. “Please tell me you’re not getting sick.”

  “’Eo,” Elizabeth said. “Want ’eo. And ’arget.” She grinned and wrapped her arms around Pia’s neck again.

  Trying to ignore the throbbing ache in her ear and jaw, Pia picked her up, set her on her hip, and started out of the nursery. “Margaret’s in the playroom with Sophie,” she said. “And Leo’s not here anymore, remember? You want to see Cooper?”

  “’Eo,” Elizabeth said, grinning.

  With dread building in her chest, Pia carried her toward the staircase. She didn’t look forward to telling Mrs. Hudson something was wrong with Elizabeth. Halfway down the hall, she heard female voices drifting up from downstairs and stopped to peer over the railing, wondering who was there. Mrs. Hudson and Nurse Wallis stood on the first floor next to the steps, speaking in hushed tones. Mrs. Hudson sounded angry. Pia had never heard her talk like that. Even from above, her shoulders looked bunched, her face pinched. Then she handed Nurse Wallis what looked like a large sum of money.

  “My husband can’t know anything about this,” Mrs. Hudson said.

  Nurse Wallis put the money in her bag. “I understand,” she said. “You have my word. And you’ll have the rest for me next month?”

  “Yes, but I still can’t fathom why you didn’t tell me sooner. It seems to me that you forgot on purpose.”

  “Would it have affected your decision?”

  “Of course not,” Mrs. Hudson said. “But you should have been honest with me from the beginning. And I certainly don’t appreciate being threatened.”

  Pia straightened, her heart suddenly pounding. Hopefully, the women hadn’t seen or heard her. She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop. Not this time, anyway. She wanted to keep listening, to figure out what was going on, but she couldn’t chance getting caught. Then, before she could stop her, Elizabeth grabbed the railing with her chubby hands and peered over it, nearly pulling herself from Pia’s arms.

  “Mommy,” she shouted. “Want ’eo.”

  Pia pried Elizabeth’s hands from the railing and turned back toward the nursery.

  “Pia?” Mrs. Hudson called up the steps.

  Pia stopped in her tracks, her stomach knotting. “Yes, ma’am?”

  “Come to the top of the stairs, please,” Mrs. Hudson said.

  Pia did as she was told, Elizabeth squirming in her arms. Mrs. Hudson and Nurse Wallis looked up at her from the bottom of the staircase.

  “Were you eavesdropping, Miss Lange?” Nurse Wallis said.

  Mrs. Hudson gave the nurse an irritated look. “With all due respect, Nurse Wallis, this is my house and I’ll handle Pia the way I see fit.”

  “But she was listening to our conversation,” Nurse Wallis said.

  Mrs. Hudson ignored her and looked up the stairs again. “Is everything all right, Pia? Do you need something?”

  “I was bringing Elizabeth down to see you, ma’am.”

  “Take her to the playroom with the other girls,” Mrs. Hudson said. “I’ll be up shortly.”

  “I’m afraid this can’t wait, ma’am.”

  “Why? What is it?” Mrs. Hudson said.

  “I’m not sure, ma’am,” Pia said. “I’m worried she might be getting sick.”

  Mrs. Hudson grasped the banister, anxiety instantly creasing her brow. “Bring her to me, please.”

  Pia carried Elizabeth to the bottom of the staircase, avoiding Nurse Wallis’s penetrating glare. Mrs. Hudson put a gentle hand on Elizabeth’s forehead and cheeks.

  “She doesn’t feel feverish,” she said. “What do you think is wrong?”

  Pia swallowed. She wasn’t sure what was wrong and she couldn’t say what she felt in front of Nurse Wallis, but she had to tell Mrs. Hudson what was happening, for Elizabeth’s sake. “She acts like her ear is bothering her, tugging on it and such.”

  Mrs. Hudson gathered Elizabeth into her arms. “Does your ear hurt, baby doll?”

  Elizabeth grinned and shook her head, her wispy blond curls bouncing back and forth.

  “What about your throat?” Mrs. Hudson said, touching her daughter’s small neck. “Does it feel sore or scratchy?”

  Elizabeth bunched her shoulders and giggled, then tickled her mother’s ears as if they were playing a game.

  “She seems perfectly fine to me,” Nurse Wallis said. She scowled at Pia. “Are you sure you’re not using her as an excuse to hide the fact that you were caught eavesdropping?”

  Mrs. Hudson shot the nurse another cross look. “Pia would never do such a thing. She’s a good girl.”

  “Are you sure about that?” Nurse Wallis said.

  Pia kept her eyes locked on Elizabeth, her mind racing. What was Nurse Wallis trying to do? Why was she trying to cause trouble?

  “Of course I’m sure,” Mrs. Hudson said. “She always has my children’s best interest at heart, no matter what. If she thinks something is wrong with Elizabeth, I believe her.”

  Nurse Wallis let out a frustrated sigh. “Well, maybe the child has a new tooth coming in. Do you have any of Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup?”

  Mrs. Hudson’s eyes went wide and she clutched Elizabeth to her chest as if someone were trying to snatch her away “Goodness, no,” she said. “Dr. Hudson says that so-called medicine is nothing but poison that kills babies! I’d think you’d know better, being a nurse and all. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to take Elizabeth over to my husband’s office right away.”

  “Do you mean to tell me you’re taking this lying German’s word over mine?” Nurse Wallis said. “She was spying on us!”

  Pia went rigid, her fingernails digging into her palms. Her head suddenly felt like it weighed a hundred pounds. Why did Nurse Wallis hate her so much?

  Mrs. Hudson started to say something else, then stopped and gave the nurse a puzzled look. “What makes you think Pia is German? You don’t even know her. And come to think of it, how did you know her last name? As I recall, you thought she was my daughter the first time you were here.”

  Panic flickered behind Nurse Wallis’s eyes and she glanced at the floor. Then she regarded Pia, her temples moving in and out. Pia held her breath. How did Nurse Wallis know her last name? And how did she know she was German?

  “The head nun at St. Vincent’s told me,” Nurse Wallis said.

  �
�So you knew all along who she was,” Mrs. Hudson said. “You knew all along she was an orphan.”

  Nurse Wallis shook her head a little too vigorously. “Not at first,” she said. “When I mentioned your situation to Mother Joe while searching for a home for Cooper, she told me about sending Pia here.”

  “Why would she do that?” Mrs. Hudson said. “What concern is it of yours?”

  Nurse Wallis shrugged. “I don’t know. I wondered the same thing.”

  “I see,” Mrs. Hudson said. She directed her attention back to Pia, her brow creased.

  Pia could hardly look at her, waiting to be asked why she’d been dishonest about being German. At the same time, she was amazed at how quickly Nurse Wallis told lies. Between that and the money in her bag, what else was she hiding? Had she looked for her brothers at all? It was hard to believe, especially now that she’d admitted to hating Germans. Except, except... calling the nurse a liar was like the pot calling the kettle black. She’d done nothing but lie since she arrived at the Hudsons’. Right then and there she made up her mind that as soon as possible, she would tell Mrs. Hudson everything.

  After what felt like forever, Mrs. Hudson’s eyes softened and she turned to Nurse Wallis again. “Well, regardless of how you found out,” she said, “I don’t appreciate you calling Pia a liar. I truly don’t care if she’s German, and I’m sorry I said anything to make her think otherwise.” She gazed tenderly at Pia. “My children love her, and my husband and I appreciate everything she’s done for our family. We’re extremely grateful to have her here, and this is her home now.”

  Relief loosened Pia’s shoulders and her eyes flooded with gratitude. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. One of her secrets was out of the way, and Mrs. Hudson didn’t care.

  “She didn’t tell you, did she?” Nurse Wallis said with a satisfied smirk. “See? You can’t trust Germans. They lie about everything. She’s even trying to make you think your daughter is sick to cover up the fact that she was listening to our conversation. I wasn’t going to tell you this, but she tried to steal from me once, while you and I were visiting in the parlor.”

  “That’s not true!” Pia said.

  “Stop lying,” Nurse Wallis snarled at Pia. “It was the day before I brought Cooper here.” She turned to Mrs. Hudson again. “Remember that time we heard a noise out in the hall? It was her, trying to get money out of my bag.”

  Hurt and confusion lined Mrs. Hudson’s face. She held Elizabeth even tighter, making her squirm.

  “That’s not what I was doing,” Pia said to her. “I swear on my life, ma’am. I wasn’t trying to steal anything. I was trying to look at her ledger because...” She twisted her fingers together, trying to gather her courage. Her mouth felt dry as dust. She had to tell her about Ollie and Max. Now. There was no other choice. “I was trying to look in her ledger because my baby brothers disappeared after my mother died of the flu. When I saw Nurse Wallis at St. Vincent’s, I asked her to look for them, but I don’t think she did. I know she doesn’t like me because I’m German and because I upset her the first time we met, but there’s nothing I can do about that except apologize. I needed her help, but she acted like she didn’t care. I was hoping the ledger had a list of the orphanages and other nurses in the city. That’s the only reason I was looking in her bag.”

  Mrs. Hudson went pale, her eyes wide. “Oh, Pia,” she said. “You poor thing. Why didn’t you tell me about your brothers?”

  “Because it’s a long...” Pia paused, not sure how much more she should say in front of Nurse Wallis. “It’s a long story and I was afraid you wouldn’t understand.” She held her breath and waited for more questions, but thankfully, Mrs. Hudson turned to Nurse Wallis again.

  “Can’t you help her?” she said.

  Nurse Wallis stared at Pia for what seemed like forever, her pitiless eyes boring into her as if trying to read her mind. It was hard to tell if she was angry or trying to come up with another lie. She rubbed her right temple with her fingers, like she had a headache or was thinking too hard. When she finally spoke, her face was unreadable. “Were your brothers sent to St. Vincent’s with you?”

  Pia shook her head. “You know they weren’t.”

  “Why not?” Nurse Wallis said.

  Pia’s face grew hot. Why would she ask her that? And what difference did it make? “I don’t know. I got sick and when I was released from the hospital, they were gone.”

  “So your mother passed while you were ill?” Nurse Wallis said.

  Pia swallowed and nodded, praying they couldn’t read the truth in her eyes. She’d tell Mrs. Hudson the rest of what happened. But not here. Not now. Not in front of Nurse Wallis.

  “Did you go to the police?” Mrs. Hudson said.

  Pia shook her head. “I never got the chance because the nuns sent me to St. Vincent’s.”

  Mrs. Hudson gaped at her, stunned. “How dreadful,” she said. “I’m so sorry, Pia.”

  “I’m sorry too,” Nurse Wallis said. “But I’m afraid I can’t help you. Thousands of children have been orphaned by the flu. Trying to find your brothers would be like looking for a needle in a haystack.”

  “But you helped the babies at St. Vincent’s,” Pia said.

  “And Cooper,” Mrs. Hudson said.

  “That’s different,” Nurse Wallis said. “I’m not a detective and I don’t have time to be one. I’m sorry.” She picked up her bag, getting ready to start for the door.

  “Please,” Pia said. “I’ll do anything. Someone has to know something, even if . . .” She nearly choked on the growing lump in her throat. “Even if... they’re dead.”

  Nurse Wallis turned to face her again, her features dark and intimidating. “Like I said, I can’t help you. Especially when you’re still lying. If your brothers are anything like you, it’s just further proof that the world is better off without more Germans, anyway.” She spat the words out with contempt.

  Mrs. Hudson gasped. Then her face went hard and she glared at Nurse Wallis. “How dare you say such a horrible thing to Pia, or anyone else, for that matter.” She repositioned Elizabeth onto her hip, marched over to the door, and yanked it open. “Please leave before I say something I shouldn’t.”

  “After everything I’ve done for you?” Nurse Wallis said. “This is how you treat me?”

  “I’ll keep up my end of our agreement,” Mrs. Hudson said. “But I won’t have you insulting Pia and her family, especially her poor little brothers. I’m shocked you would even think such a thing, let alone say it. I have to say, it’s been an enormous disappointment to learn you’re not the person I thought you were.”

  “Me?” Nurse Wallis said. “Pia’s the one who didn’t tell you the truth about herself.”

  “And you said you didn’t know her,” Mrs. Hudson said. “So you weren’t being honest either.”

  “But I—”

  “I’ve heard quite enough for today, Nurse Wallis,” Mrs. Hudson said, holding the door open. “Good day.”

  Nurse Wallis shot Pia one last disgusted glance, then lowered her head and left.

  When she was gone, Mrs. Hudson shut the door and leaned against it, breathing hard and pressing Elizabeth’s head protectively to her chest. Pia stood frozen at the bottom of the stairs, not knowing what to do or say. If Nurse Wallis had no intention of helping, why had she asked when Pia’s mother died? Why had she asked if her brothers were sent to St. Vincent’s? More importantly, how did she know she was lying? Did she know something she wasn’t telling her? And what did Mrs. Hudson think after everything she’d just heard? She looked at her, waiting for the questions to start.

  Mrs. Hudson straightened and opened her mouth to say something.

  Then Elizabeth started to cough.

  * * *

  Standing opposite Mrs. Hudson on the other side of the examining table, Pia put one hand on the back of Elizabeth’s leg, the other on her small shoulder blade. Elizabeth lay on her belly wearing only a diaper, whimpering and try
ing to get up. Her face was red and covered with tears and snot, and with every cry, she choked and coughed, a hollow, barking sound that sent shivers up Pia’s spine. Somehow, she’d gotten worse in only a few minutes, from the time Nurse Wallis left until Dr. Hudson was finished with his previous patient. Pia could feel the congestion in her lungs, the pain in her ears, and rawness in her throat. Dr. Hudson said she had a double ear infection and a bad chest cold. Pia prayed that was all it was.

  “Get down,” Elizabeth sobbed. “I done. I doooone.”

  “Just a little while longer, sweetheart,” Mrs. Hudson said, trying to soothe her. “Daddy’s almost finished. Then you can have a cookie and I’ll read you a book.” She looked up at Pia with flooding eyes, then glanced over at Sophie and Margaret, who were standing in the doorway with their arms around each other, watching with frightened faces. Cooper was in a cradle in the waiting room behind them, thankfully asleep. “Everything’s going to be all right, girls. Don’t worry.”

  Dr. Hudson held a glass cup upside down over the burning, alcohol-soaked cotton balls on the metal table next to him, then quickly placed the cup upside down on Elizabeth’s bare back. Her skin pulled and puckered, drawn into the glass by some unseen force, and making her howl. It was the last of six cups on her back, lined up like spikes on a caterpillar.

  “That’s it,” Dr. Hudson said. “Now we just need to keep her still for about ten minutes.”

  “Her skin is starting to bruise,” Mrs. Hudson said, misery and fear shaking her voice.

  “It’s the sickness leaving her body,” Dr. Hudson said.

  “Do you think it’s going to help?” his wife said.

  Dr. Hudson nodded. “I believe so, otherwise I wouldn’t put her through it.” He patted his wife’s arm. “Try not to worry, darling. She’s young and strong.”

  “Daaaaddyyyyy,” Elizabeth cried. “Owie. Ooowieeeeee.”