SECRET IN THE CELLAR

by Ruby Jackson

  “Me and Pa are fine,” Danny said as he rubbed Ole Blue. “We’re getting along just fine, the two of us.”

  Linda turned to Cecil and bit her lip.

  “Cecil, I….”

  “It’s okay. Everything’s okay.”

  Linda smiled and hugged her brother.

  Catherine Bryan opened the screened door.

  “You two are a sight for sore eyes. Git up here and give Granny a big hug!”

  Laughing, the threesome moved to the open screen. Ole Blue barked and trotted through the moving bodies.

  “Granny, it’s so nice to be here,” Cecil said, giving his grandmother a big hug. “It seems like forever.”

  “I understand, Cecil. I understand,” she answered with a tear. “But you look fine for all the wear and tear. Come in. Come in, out of this cold weather.”

  “Thought I might leave Danny with you in the morning when I go into town. I need quite a few things and it might tire him out. Besides, I think he might enjoy someone’s company besides mine for a change,” Cecil said as he sat down in a chair with a deep blue doily on the back. Scratching his head, he looked at everything but the women.

  “That would be lovely,” Catherine answered, smiling at the boy. “He can help me kill a chicken for chicken and dumplings. You think you could do that, Danny?”

  “Yes, ma’am! Maybe you’d make a cake or pie to go with it?” Danny squealed wide-eyed.

  “I thought you’d say that,” she answered laughing. “As a matter of fact, your aunt Linda is going to stay overnight and fix your favorite pie. How does that sound?”

  Danny ran to Linda and hugged her. “Thank you! No one makes my pie better’n you!”

  Cecil was up by daylight, but his grandmother already had coffee ready and breakfast was being placed on the table. Linda and Danny were nowhere in sight.

  “Thought I’d catch you before you left for town,” Catherine said, placing a cup of hot coffee in front of Cecil. “How is everything going?”

  “Fine, Granny. Danny has surprised me. He’s working hard to help keep the house and chores done. It’s been a struggle, I admit, but we’re making it.”

  “I knew you would. It just takes time, my boy. You’ll see. It will get easier and easier.”

  “Granny, the breakfast was delicious, but I’ve got to get on the road if I intend to get everything done and be back for supper.”

  “You go on, now. I’ll take care of Danny. Don’t you worry.”

  “I never worry about Danny when he’s with you,” Cecil said, placing a kiss on Catherine’s forehead.

  Catherine and Linda laughed as Danny chased chickens around the yard.

  “Danny, if we’re going to have chicken and dumplings, you’re going to have to do better than that!” shouted Linda.

  Danny sighed loudly and dropped to the ground. After a moment the chickens had settled down and were scratching at the ground.

  “Granny, where’s the feed?”

  Smiling, Catherine pointed to the shed.

  After a few minutes, Danny had two fat hens in his grasp. Running to the women, he held them out.

  “Will these do?” he asked.

  “Those will do fine, my boy. Now let me have one,” Catherine answered.

  With one quick jerk, the chicken’s neck was broken. The second followed in a matter of minutes. Soon, after they were plucked and cleaned, both were in a pot of hot water cooking.

  Danny played on the kitchen floor while Catherine punched down homemade bread dough. Dividing it in half, she rolled one part out with her rollingpin.

  “Danny, would you like to punch the rolls out with the cutter?”

  “Can I, Granny?”

  “Sure, just push a chair up here. I’ll cut the first one and then you can do the rest. Here you go.”

  “Granny, this is fun!” Danny squealed as he cut the dough. Some rolls were perfectly round while others were missing little moon shapes. As he finished the last one, he wiped flour from his hands and apron. He moved to the table to watch Linda.

  Linda made dough for pie crusts. The peaches were mixed with sugar and a little flour and were waiting to be placed in the crust.

  “I wish you weren’t mad at Pa,” Danny said quietly, as he watched her roll the dough as he had seen his grandma do.

  Linda stopped for a moment. The pit of her stomach ached. She had hurt Danny with her selfishness, not just Cecil.

  “I’m glad you come by the house and baked for us and did the wash, but I wish you would of stayed for us to see you,” Danny continued.

  Linda wiped her hands and looked from her grandmother to Danny.

  “What do you mean, Danny?”

  “Well, I was happy when I saw the peach pie you had baked and the bread, but you could have stayed and said happy birthday. And, on the days you do the wash, you could wait for the bus to get home before you leave. I miss seeing you.”

  “But, Danny, I---.” Linda let the words trail off. Bewilderment framed her face. “You know what, I think you have time to gather the eggs for Granny and then wash up good before your pa gets here. Why don’t you go on and do that.”

  Danny turned around and grabbed the egg basket. Soon, he was out the door.

  “Granny, I don’t know what he’s talking about. I haven’t been out there in almost a month! What should I do?” Linda said as she sat down.

  “I think you need to talk to Cecil,” Catherine answered, as she placed the risen bread into the oven. “Maybe he has somebody coming by and just hasn’t told Danny. You know, maybe a neighbor. Or, maybe Danny’s just wishing you would come out.”

  Linda wasn’t sure. It wasn’t like Cecil to ask for help outside the family. And, he wasn’t asking for help from them. She had never known Danny to make such a remark either.

  With a nod, Linda began to set the table.

  Chapter 6

  Church service had lasted longer than Cecil had expected. He didn’t wait for dinner. He and Danny needed to head home. The weather was getting worse as the day went on. He hated they had stayed a day longer than planned. Now, the weather might give him problems.

  “I made sandwiches for you boys. If you don’t want to take time to eat with us, you’ll have to eat on the road. Here’s a jar of lemonade for Danny and hot coffee for you,” Catherine said as Linda handed the items to Cecil. “You be careful now. Don’t take any chances.”

  “I’m so glad I was here to visit,” Cecil answered. “It may be a while before we come back. I bought a good supply.”

  “Well, we’ll expect you for Thanksgiving,” Catherine told him.

  “I may be out to bring you some things if the weatherman on the radio says the weather might change. We don’t want you out there without plenty to eat,” Linda chimed in. She hugged Danny, then Cecil and stepped back.

  Cecil could barely see the road when dark approached. Ice was forming on the sides of the windshield. Unusual for fall.

  Early winter storm at the end of October. Sleet and snow mixed to form icy patches on the road. Scrawny tree limbs began to ice and bend. Grass lay over with an icy covering. No birds ventured out. No rabbits crossed the road. The only sound was the pickup.

  Cecil was glad he had put Ole Blue in the cab with them. Both, he and the boy, were covered with a quilt and wool blanket. Only his long blue spotted tail could be seen.

  Truck lights reflected off the house as Cecil pulled into the yard. The house was dark. It would be cold inside.

  Leaving the truck running, Cecil ran into the house to kindle the old wood heater. It wouldn’t take long for it to warm the front room, but it would be a while before the rest of the house would warm.

  Opening the door, he was surprised the house wasn’t as cold as he expected. Grabbing pieces of wood from the box on the porch, he opened the side of the old stove. To his surprise a spark flickered as he churned the ashes. Placing the wood inside, he soon had a fire blazing.

  Running back to the truck, he turned off the k
ey and closed the door. Going to the other side, he opened the door and reached in for the sleeping boy.

  Ole Blue jumped from the truck and ran for the front door. With one push of his nose he had the screen open and was pushing his way into the front room. Cecil was close behind.

  Sammie sat in the cold cellar. The kerosene lamp gave out a little heat but not enough. She had opened the dusty quilts that were at the end of the bed, and shook them earlier in the day. There had been one wool blanket among them. Wrapped in it, she felt much warmer.

  “Not much worse than at home,” she mumbled to herself, “especially on the nights when I had to hide. It might be even better than some of those nights.”

  Sammie shuddered. Fear returned for a moment. Her mind drifted to those nights when she could hear her mother laughing and calling her name from the living room. She saw the leering smiles of the men sitting in the room when she responded to her mother’s call. She felt the hands of the men as she ran past and escaped into the night.

  The worst was how Frank would ask her to sit on his lap and her mother would say nothing. He would rub her bare leg and kiss her ear. She hated it.

  Sammie shook her head and let a sigh escape. She had to get her mind off the past. Looking around, she reminded herself of her surroundings.

  Huddling close to the covers, she wondered if Cecil had returned or if he would wait for the storm to pass.

  Shivers ran through Sammie’s body when she awakened. It was bone chilling cold. Too cold to get up, but nature called.

  Slowly, Sammie felt life come back into her limbs as she moved around the small room. It wasn’t so bad once she got her blood pumping.

  Cracking the door, she looked out at a white wonderland. Cold air hit her in the face. Lowering the door, she felt dismal. There would be no going out today. If it didn’t warm up, she could be stuck in the cellar for a while.

  Luck was on Sammie’s side, however. The next morning blue skies and warmer temperatures greeted her as she peered out her little crack. Puddles of ice rimmed water stood in the yard. She could hear the rattle of the old bus on the road.

  Must be around seven-thirty, she mused. Tuesday morning. Danny would be gone for the day. If Cecil left she could get out and stretch.

  Sammie heard the back screen slam. Peering out, she could hear Cecil’s footsteps as he made his way toward the barn. Waiting, she finally caught sight of him. He was carrying something in a burlap sack.

  A few minutes later, Sammie heard the whir of the tractor’s motor. She sighed. He was leaving on the tractor.

  Looking all around, Sammie saw no life. The chickens were in their pen with the door closed. The milk cow was quiet. Slowly she made her way to the outside pump. Filling the canteen, she watched the water gush around her hand and into the container.

  “How long have you been here?” Cecil asked, sternly.

  Sammie jumped and dropped the canteen.

  “Who are you?” Cecil demanded.

  Sammie was stung. Her tongue wouldn’t work. She couldn’t swallow.

  “I think you better speak up before I take you to the sheriff.”

  “Please, please, don’t do that! I’ll repay you for everything I’ve taken. I promise!” Sammie answered in a whisper.

  Tears flooded. They wouldn’t stop. There was no control.

  Cecil stood helpless. Finally, his mouth opened.

  “Come inside. We need to talk.”

  Taking Sammie’s arm, he pulled her inside the back door. Pushing her into a chair, he stared at her.

  “Who are you?” he repeated.

  “My name…my name…is Sammie,” Sammie finally got out. Her body shuttered.

  “Why are you here?” Cecil asked, sitting down in a chair.

  “I have nowhere else to go.”

  “You’re a runaway.” Cecil shook his head. They were miles from town. It would be weeks before he went back. And, he had a runaway on his hands.

  “Were you in the truck when I came back day before yesterday?”

  “No.”

  “How long have you been here? Wait…wait,” Cecil waved his arms in the air, got up, and walked around the room. “You’ve been here since the funeral, haven’t you?”

  Sammie looked at him.

  “You’re Lydia’s…. Granny and Linda told me about the girl who looked so much like Lydia,” Cecil stared at her. “Why didn’t you leave and go back home?”

  “I told you. I have nowhere else to go.”

  “You’re the one who’s been cooking and cleaning,” Cecil said. There was no question. “Linda told me it wasn’t her.”

  “I…I did it to repay you for what I was eating and…and a place to sleep.”

  “Sleep?” Cecil looked at her. He hadn’t thought about that or food.

  Sammie answered before he could ask. “I’ve been sleeping in the cellar. The canned food on the shelves has helped me.”

  “The cellar? That’s why I can smell the lamp when I go down there. You’ve had the lamp burning. You were hiding down there whenever I went down? How did I not see you?”

  “I hid behind the bed in the dark,” Sammie stammered.

  “It must be freezing down there,” Cecil said. He thought of the last two days. Cold went through him.

  “Not really. That’s why Lydia stored food there. It keeps it cool enough not to ruin, but warm enough not to freeze.”

  Cecil grimaced. “What now?”

  “Please don’t send me away. I have nowhere to go. I can’t go back where I’m from,” Sammie pleaded. “I’ll clean and cook and do the wash. I’ll even continue living in the cellar, but please don’t make me leave.”

  Cecil rubbed his neck. Winter was on them. He did need someone to clean and do the wash. Linda said so. Although he could cook, it wasn’t the same as having someone make bread and desserts. Danny needed that.

  Biting his lip, he looked back at her. Her face was pale. Her hair tangled. She looked so forlorn and abandoned. And, she did resemble---.

  Shaking his head, Cecil took his eyes off the girl.

  “All right, I’ll let you stay a few days while I think about this situation. But if I say you have to go, you’ll have to go.”

  “Thank you! I promise you won’t regret it!” Sammie said, flinging herself into his arms. Red-faced, both stepped back. “I’m sorry! It won’t happen again!”

  Danny stared at Sammie while he ate his supper. He thought he remembered seeing her face somewhere, but he wasn’t sure.

  “Now, who is she and why is she here?” he asked for the second time.

  “Danny, I told you. Her name is Sammie and she’s here to help with the cleaning and cooking,” Cecil answered again. Cecil sat quiet for a moment, then added, “Danny, when we thought it was Linda coming over and doing things for us, it was Sammie.”

  “Oh,” Danny said as he took a big bite of ham. “Then, that’s okay. She cooks and cleans good, so she can stay.”

  Sammie smiled. Danny had accepted her.

  Placing the last plate in the safe, Sammie put the dishtowel on the drying rack.

  “I guess I’ll go now,” she said.

  “Where you going?” Danny asked as he finished his cup of hot chocolate.

  “Well, I….” How could she tell him she was going to the cellar?

  Cecil looked up from the magazine he was reading. Where was she going? Suddenly, it dawned on him.

  “Sammie is going to get her things. You will be moving into my room with me, and she will be moving into your room.”

  Sammie stared wide-eyed. He was going to let her stay in the house?

  “I don’t mind….”

  “I know you don’t mind, but it’s cold out there. It’s supposed to freeze tonight. You can have Danny’s room for now.”

  “Thank you,” Sammie said, looking at the floor.

  “That’s what housekeepers are s’posed to do,” Danny said.

  “Now, how do you know that?” Cecil asked.

&nbs
p; “When Margaret’s momma…you know,” Danny started, “a housekeeper moved in to take care of her and her three brothers. So, that’s why Sammie is s’pose to move in with us.”

  Cecil nodded and looked at Sammie.

  “I guess that settles that for now,” he said. “You heard Danny. You’re supposed to stay in the house if you’re going to be the housekeeper.”

  “Thank you,” Sammie said again.

  Chapter 7

  Biscuits and gravy were on the table when Cecil and Danny emerged from their bedroom. Coffee was piping hot and a cold glass of milk waited.

  “Wow, it smells good in here!” Danny shouted, running into the room.

  “I thought you might like a nice warm breakfast before you leave for school,” Sammie said, smiling.

  Handing Cecil coffee, she motioned to the table.

  “I hope you like biscuits and gravy. There were no eggs yesterday, so I couldn’t cook any.”

  “Biscuits and gravy are fine,” Cecil answered as he took the cup.

  “I like biscuits and gravy,” Danny said, climbing into his chair. “Pa usually makes lumpy oats. But, I like that, too, because he tried to cook good.”

  Patting Danny’s head, Cecil sat down by his son.

  “Now you tell me! I could have fixed something else,” Cecil said as he put Danny’s hand in his. Turning, he looked at Sammie. “Aren’t you going to join us?”

  “I…are you sure? I don’t want to intrude.”

  “Aw, come on, Sammie. You’re the housekeeper. You’re s’posed to eat with us.”

  “Well, if it’s all right with your pa, then okay.”

  Cecil grimaced. “I asked, didn’t I?”

  Sammie nodded and took a chair. Danny reached for her hand.

  “You’re s’posed to hold mine and Pa’s hands to pray.”

  Sammie looked embarrassed. She hadn’t prayed with other people before.

  Cecil reached his hand across the table. A tingle went up his arm. It wasn’t what he had expected.

  Clearing his throat, he looked down then closed his eyes.

  “Thank you, Lord, for this day. Bless all we do in it and bless the food we eat. Amen.”