He moved to sit on the chair next to her. “Fire away.”
“I understand pre-civil war slaves were given no opportunity for education, and I wondered, since you are relatively new to the land of the free, how you are able to speak such good English?”
“You can thank Daniel McAlister for that. As children, he would not hear tell of me peppering my language with a tongue that would give my position away as anything less than the friend I was. See, we always had this dream that someday, the whites would come to their senses and let the black man go free. Of course, we never expected it to come at the cost of this bloody war.” He looked down at his plate. “And I never expected my friend to cave-in to his father’s demands and join the Confederate Army. Spent my entire time on the field fearful I’d face Daniel on the battlefield. It never happened, thank the Good Lord, but the war changed everything. Daniel and me…well, we’re just has-beens. Now that it’s possible for us to openly walk the plantation together, he doesn’t even know me.”
“It is rather ironic,” Gwen said. “It sounds like you have many pleasant memories to share, and I’m eager to hear all the antics you two dreamed up to keep the place humming with gossip.”
He grinned. “You’re right there. We were wild characters. What one couldn’t think of, the other did. Don’t surprise me none, same blood running…” he stopped abruptly and scooped a large helping of pie nervously into his mouth.
“You were saying?” Gwen asked.
“Not for me to say. Just got me blabbering nonsense is all.”
Gwen examined the man closer. She saw the same dark set of his eyes and his hair laid flat, except for the telltale cowlick that told his secret. “I did warn you that I read people well, right?”
He nodded but continued to shovel the dessert into his mouth. She figured he had a fast exit on his mind.
“I might wager a guess that you are related to Daniel, perhaps a second son for Mr. McAlister?” She watched his countenance droop as he put his plate onto the tray. “Has no one ever made the connection, Arthur? Take the color away, and you and Daniel have a distinct likeness.”
“Mama told me the story when I was ten-years-old, just before she drew her final breath. After her husband died, the master had the nerve to come in the darkness of night and defile my mother while she cried bitterly for her first love, not even in his grave yet. I was her only boy, because the man she’d married was unable to father children. That’s how we know for sure that I belong to the man at the big house. Mama was relieved when I came out black, because the life of a creamy is difficult for folks on both sides. Everyone in the row houses rejoiced, believing that God had blessed her husband’s final seed to make his passing easier for Mama. Her and me kept the secret, but Daniel guessed it. Some bonds just can’t be denied.”
“Oh, Arthur, don’t worry a minute about me knowing. I will keep your secret, but don’t you see how we can use it in our favor, perhaps to ignite fond memories in Daniel’s mind; give him his identity back?”
“Not much sense stirring the pot with the McAlisters. It’s not like Daniel hasn’t seen me, Miss, but there’s no recognition on his part these days.”
“Have you taken him to old haunts?”
“It’s not my place. He’s angry and taking it out on everyone who crosses his path. I don’t want to risk getting fired.”
“So, is that why you stay—because of Daniel?”
“Only family I got is on this here plantation. Mama and her man are buried over yonder, and besides Ma’s family, Daniel’s all I have left. But I don’t count on Mr. McAlister fessing up to his dirty deed, even now.”
Gwen was speechless. She’d heard of life on plantations, but her father was a city man, and they had lived in a nice home just outside the county line. Their house workers had always been paid a fair wage, for Mr. Peters would not succumb to the pressures of easy help at the cost of slavery. She’d been grateful for that and sheltered from the disappointment of losing that lifestyle after the war.
“Would you care for another drink, Arthur?”
“No, thanks. Should be getting home. Boss expects me up at the house early.” He started toward the steps. “If you’d like someday, order the carriage, and I will take you to a nearby lake where Daniel and I fished, skipped stones, and swam as youngsters. Lots of devilment was planned on those shores – it might trigger a memory—hopefully, a good one.”
She reached out for his hand. “Thank you, Arthur. You’ve given me a ray of hope tonight, for I do want to try my best to reach Daniel, and if the Good Lord and I can return him to you whole, his faithful friend, my mission will be complete.”
Arthur nodded his head slightly and smiled. “Beholding to you, Nurse Gwen. Good night.”
Gwen watched him walk down the laneway with the same gait she’d seen in Daniel when he’d forgotten about his limp and walked naturally. She suspected his slowness of recovery was a head-trick, and the key to releasing the flow might be found in his half-brother and childhood friend.
A movement caught the corner of her eye, and she was startled to see Daniel standing on his verandah, watching Arthur disappear from his view.
Chapter 4
The next morning, Gwen fried strips of bacon and flipped the eggs over easy in the skillet before transferring it to her plate. Bread and jam with a cup of coffee completed the meal. She cleaned up the mess quickly and headed next door to start day one at her new job. They hadn’t discussed Daniel’s routine, so she hoped they would accomplish that before she went to the big house for the lunch meeting. Knowing the expectations on both sides would help her put a plan into effect.
Gwen knocked on the door twice, then turned the knob. It was unlocked, and she peeked in. “Daniel, are you up?”
She heard his response and the lousy attitude that accompanied it from an adjoining room. Perhaps he did not favor mornings.
“I’m ignoring you in the hope you will go away,” he said.
She sucked in a deep breath of nerve and marched in to confront the opposition. Daniel lay stretched in a large, overstuffed chair with his feet resting on a footstool. He wore a housecoat, and his hair suffered from bed-head.
Gwen stared in disbelief. “It is after nine o’clock, sir,” she said. “Do you plan on slouching about all day?”
“I gave it some consideration, but knew that, eventually, you’d be here to rain on my party.”
“You mean your pity party, and I’ll have none of it. The sun is shining, and I thought we could walk a bit and discuss our future endeavors together.”
“Let me save you some time—we have no future.”
“Curt and to the point. Usually I find that refreshing but not in your case.” She took his legs, swung them off the footstool, watched the anger rise in his face, and felt certain that if she’d have been a man, Daniel would have most likely flattened her where she stood. It seemed the man did possess a small amount of manners, after all.
“You could have injured me, twisting my leg like that.”
“Cry on someone else’s shoulder, Mr. McAlister. How long will it take you to dress?” When his shoulders shrugged noncommittally, she continued, “Have you eaten? I assume you join your family for meals?”
“Only when the royal decree is sent. I prefer to stay here alone.” He emphasized the final word, but Gwen let it roll off her back.
“I’m afraid that alone is not on the schedule anymore,” she said, holding eye contact without blinking. “I suggest you go and dress, and I will rustle you up something to eat. You need food to keep up your strength.”
“And I need to be strong for…?” His brows arched as if it were a sensible question, deserving an answer.
Her patience grew thin, and she hadn’t been in his presence but for a few minutes. “Life!” she responded. “As long as the Lord gives you air to breathe, you will make yourself available to do his bidding. Every morning, in the future, I will arrive at eight, prepare your breakfast, and then we shall
walk.”
“And I have no say?” The man stood. Venom seemed to shoot from his lips, not six inches from her face.
“None whatsoever. The sooner you realize I am in charge of your full recovery and bringing you back into a state of usefulness, the easier this alliance will be.” She spun on her heels and headed for the kitchen. “Fifteen minutes, Daniel.” She’d emphasized his preferred name to gain back a touch of favor, seeing as how they were off to a bad start.
Gwen found meager fixings in his pantry and decided to run next door for fresh eggs and bread that was not molding. While she was there, she figured it just as easy to prepare his plate at her place. The stove was still hot, and there was coffee in the pot.
She filled a tray with a breakfast feast that resembled the one she had eaten earlier, then made her way back to the chalet. Gwen tried the knob, but it didn’t turn. She placed the tray on the verandah table and attempted to gain access to Daniel’s house again. She stood back and stared at the barred entrance.
Yelling, while pounding on the solid wood door, made her angry. “Are you a child who needs a spanking? Open this door before I have the entire workforce wondering what their spoiled young master is up to this morning.” She paused. “Do you hear me, Daniel McAlister?”
Gwen heard the deadbolt pull back, and a fully dressed man greeted her with a stupid grin plastered on his face.
“Do you actually think this little stunt is a victory?” Gwen asked.
“It made you fuming mad, so I think I’ve made headway.”
“You did nothing of the kind. All you did was allow your breakfast to get cold.” She picked up the tray and pushed past him. “And you will eat every bite, even if I have to jam it down your throat.”
While he ate, she stayed out of sight in the kitchen, afraid of what she might say to the man.
It was Daniel who broke the ice between them. “All right. I’m sorry. Do you hear me in there?” he shouted. “It was a crummy joke.”
She walked into view, not willing to let his temper tantrum go unchallenged. “You did not intend it as a joke, sir. You are rebelling because you don’t know how to handle someone with the guts to confront your nonsense.”
“Got used to everyone tip-toeing around me like I might break. Even though I’m sick of their well-meaning charity; I, on the other hand, don’t know what to do with you,” he said.
“Good—you need a challenge. Meanwhile, appreciate my efforts to make you well, for I will not kowtow to your bullying or facilitate your fanciful notion of rolling over and dying. I will fight for you Daniel McAlister, since you appear to have forgotten how to do it for yourself.”
He stared at her. Gwen thought the room quiet enough to hear a pin drop. In their inspection of each other, they seemed to come to a silent compromise, for she watched his countenance change before her, and she reacted similarly, in relief.
“The breakfast was good, Nurse Gwen,” he said. “Did you have a destination in mind for our morning jaunt?”
“I was hoping you’d give me a tour of the slaves’ quarters, or what used to be labeled as such. What does your father call the area where the employees live now?”
“Shacks. They’re the same houses they have always lived in. Heard some of them are fixing them up a bit, trying to make them feel homier.” He picked up his plate and walked toward her. “Why would you want to see that place when the plantation has grand spectacles elsewhere? Would it have anything to do with Arthur’s visit to your cottage last night?”
“You noticed that I had company? What a shame you didn’t come and join us. He is a delightful man who has lived on these grounds his entire life.”
“Yes, I was told that. He seems pleasant enough.”
“Do you spend time with the hired men? I mean, you are heir to this place, and one day it might benefit you all if you shared a good relationship.”
“I have told father that I am not interested in owning his place.”
“Shall he leave the McAlister plantation to the Negroes then?” she asked glibly. “What a wonderful idea—they work so hard.”
This time, Daniel roared with laughter, and she could not stop the smile from flitting at the edges of her lips. Daniel’s laugh was melodious, and the more he let loose, the harder it became for him to stop his outburst.
He calmed eventually, sat again, placed his elbows on his knees, and fanned his fingers through his mass of wheat-colored hair while he fought to gain control.
Gwen brought his dishes over to the wooden counter and placed them on the tray, ready to take back to her cottage. She felt him come up behind her.
“Have you met my father, Nurse Gwen?” His voice was somber now.
She turned and nearly bumped into him—mere inches from his face. She muttered, “I’ve been invited for a lunch meeting.”
Daniel studied her closely. “Well, I hope you have a better approach than demanding your way at the big house. The master of the plantation thinks that women should be seen and not heard.”
“I will speak freely as the Lord gives me the words—carefully and disciplined, but not watered down for the sake of appeasing his ego.” She smiled when Daniel nodded his approval. “I am a career woman, and I feel certain Mr. McAlister has dealt with businesswomen in the workforce.”
“Just warning you.”
“Warning appreciated,” she said. “Will you be joining us for lunch?”
“If you need support, I suppose I could endure another meal with the folks.”
“It can’t be that bad. You realize that God only gave us one set of parents.”
“And they have been terrific,” Daniel said. “It’s just awkward. They obviously love the son of the past, but I don’t know who that is.”
“I see your dilemma.”
“We’d best be leaving for that walk or it will be past lunch before we get back.”
“Yes,” she said. “It’s nice to know you have a pleasant side, Daniel McAlister.”
“Likewise, I’m sure.”
The couple strolled down a well-worn path, winding in and around a growth of trees whose new spring leaves were colored bright and fresh.
Gwen felt the need to break the silence that had fallen between them. “Do you visit the row houses often?”
“Don’t recall ever being there,” Daniel said.
“So, how do you know the way?”
“I’ve seen smoke from chimneys in this direction and the workers use this path. The big house is in the opposite direction, so by process of elimination, we must be headed on the right course.”
“Well, it’s a lovely day for a walk. Is your leg feeling all right?”
“The leg is fine.”
“Just wondered because I’ve noticed you often favor the right side. If you don’t learn to distribute your weight evenly, it will cause future health problems.”
“Is there anything you don’t notice?”
“Oh my, yes. I am far from perfect.”
“You can say that again,” Daniel muttered.
“Although my hearing is quite good,” she said, a grin sweeping across her face.
They rounded the corner, and Gwen stopped mid-stride and put a hand to her mouth to muffle her gasp.
“What’s the matter?”
“It’s terrible,” she said. “How can your father allow his employees to live like this?”
“I suppose it was the slave’s quarters, and most plantations I’m told have left the free workers to do their own fixing.” He scanned the area. “Doesn’t look like they care much.”
“Or they can’t afford it,” Gwen suggested.
“Guess they’re used to living that way, leastways the ones who stayed on.”
“Do you have employees that come in from town?”
“The whites do. Wouldn’t think of living in the row houses.”
“I can see why,” she said her nose scrunching her disapproval. “And do you think it’s humane to have families living in such povert
y?”
“Some get paid cash, and others share the profits from the crops they raise. It’s their choice how they spend the money.”
Gwen noticed a woman hanging clothes outside and marched in her direction. “Excuse me—my name is Gwen Peters, Daniel’s nurse. I wanted to introduce myself.” She held out her hand and the woman took it gingerly.
The surprised look on her face told the story—no one usually dropped by the row houses for a casual visit. “Mighty fine to meet you, miss.”
“Do you work for the McAlister family?” It was a stupid question—she wouldn’t live here if she didn’t.
“I do the laundry up at the big house, but this morning, I have some free time to tackle my own. It seems to mount up faster than I can tend to it.”
Children’s clothes blew from the line in the morning breeze. “I see you have youngsters.”
“Oh, yes. I have five. The oldest is Bessy, and she minds the little ones when I work.”
Gwen noticed the small house. “And you all squeeze in there?”
“We’re used to tight quarters. Would you care for some tea so the young master can rest some?”
“That’s very kind of you.” She glanced at Daniel for confirmation, but he offered none. Curiosity got the better of her. She wanted to see inside. A plan stirred in her mind. “Yes, tea would be nice—if it’s no trouble.”
“Oh, no. Be right pleased to have grown up folks to talk to. The young’uns have near drove me plumb crazy.”
Inside was everything Gwen feared, and she glanced over to see Daniel’s initial reaction. His face was ashen, and she rushed to his side. “Sit here: You look pale.”
The lady of the house ran to pour a cup of tea and passed it to Daniel. “Here you go. Boil my own tea leaves from healing herbs. It’ll take that woozy feeling away shortly.”
“Thank you,” he said as he sipped the hot liquid. “It’s tasty.” His hollowed cheeks and watery eyes implied the opposite.
“It’s an old recipe passed down from my great grandma. She lived in this house, same as my Ma did and now me and my family. Holds a special place in my heart.”
A Nurse for Daniel Page 3