“You’re right about that, but every time I ask her, Hannah says things are all right. I think she might be afraid of what Aunt Verbena will do if she tells me the whole truth.”
“Do you think your sister is being mistreated?”
“The only thing she’s ever confessed to me is that when Aunt Verbena gets mad at her, she sends her to her room, but keeps her wheelchair downstairs so she can’t even get to the window to look out. She also told me once that when she was little she was often spanked, but that ended when our dear Auntie figured out Hannah could sew. She’s turned into a wonderful seamstress. I think this made Aunt Verbena ease up on her a lot. Because our aunt wants to always impress her friends, she keeps Hannah busy sewing expensive-looking dresses for her and many of the women she socializes with. Of course, Hannah isn’t allowed to sew a dress for herself except every year or so, and she isn’t allowed to sew anywhere in the house except her room. Verbena doesn’t want the mess downstairs. When the women come to try on their outfits, our aunt does have Hannah down in the parlor to fit them. I’m sure it’s because she doesn’t want her friends to see Hannah’s room.”
“Is sewing the only thing Hannah likes to do?”
“She loves to read, but because of all the sewing, she hardly has time to indulge something for her own pleasure.”
“How about her education?”
“Aunt Verbena was like our mother. She insisted on the three of us getting as much education as we could. But our aunt wouldn’t permit Hannah to attend school. She said the other children would make fun of her, and nobody had time to push her wheelchair there and back daily. She did have tutors come in and teach her. Of course, her reading has broadened her education a lot. She’s read all the classics from our aunt’s extensive library because that’s what she’s allowed to read. I do slip her in a romance novel now and then. She hides them because our aunt would never permit her to read what she thinks is nothing but trash. She doesn’t complain when she reads Shakespeare as long as it doesn’t interfere with her sewing.”
Jarrett hadn’t seen any books in the room, but that didn’t mean they weren’t hidden there somewhere. He changed the subject. “What do you think of the way Hannah’s room is furnished?”
She grinned. “When did you see her room?”
Jarrett explained how he’d carried Hannah to her room over Verbena’s protests.
Lydia laughed out loud. “You are a sly one, Mr. MacMichael. I bet the straight-laced Verbena had a fit.”
“Please, call me Jarrett, and I think the lady calmed down when I escorted her downstairs and had an after supper brandy with her.” He smiled. “Though there’s a sizable difference in our ages, I got the strange feeling she likes me.”
Lydia laughed again. “I can’t think of Aunt Verbena liking any man, but because you’re able to charm her, I think I like you, Jarrett. And that means you should call me Lydia.”
“Thank you, I will. Now, can I count on you to help me find out what’s going on in the Wedington house?”
“Yes, you absolutely can. What do you want me to do?”
“First of all, tell me when and why Hannah went to live with your aunt.”
“I’m not positive, but I think our mama had something to do with it.”
“Oh?”
“Mama was sick for a long time, and I think she somehow knew she wasn’t going to live to see any of us grow up, but because of Hannah’s withered foot, she was mostly concerned about her. When Hannah was about six months, Aunt Verbena came for a visit. Mama sent Drina and me outside, and the two of them had a long discussion. I was about seven and Drina was four. Mama lived almost two years, but she couldn’t do much around the house. I began to help her with the work and Drina helped look after Hannah. When Mama died, Aunt Verbena told us at the funeral that she would be taking Hannah to live with her one day. Pa told her to get out of our lives because he’d take care of his little girls himself. At the time, I think he really meant to do so, but things changed. Though he’d always been hard on us, he’d never been mean until Mama died. After that, he grew resentful of the fact that his little daughters couldn’t keep the house and everything up like our mama did, though we tried. We were just too young. A year or so later, Aunt Verbena made another trip to the farm and they had a long talk. Again, I don’t know what transpired, but she left without Hannah.”
She took a deep breath and when he didn’t comment, she went on, “Things got worse after that. I was trying to do the cooking and some of the cleaning, and Drina did what she could, but she was so young…and it was mostly her responsibility to look after Hannah, who was still a baby and wasn’t able to do anything. Pa kept saying she’d be walking soon and she could help with the chores, too. As you know, that never happened. When she was four, Aunt Verbena made her third trip to the farm. That time, she left with Hannah—and we saw very little of our sister after that. When we’d go into town with Pa, which wasn’t often, he’d sometimes drop us at Aunt Verbena’s and we’d visit until he came to get us. We loved those times, and so did Hannah. Of course, Aunt Verbena probably didn’t enjoy them very much.”
“I’m surprised your aunt let you visit like that.”
“I know. She never seemed to like us coming, but she hasn’t once refused to let us visit Hannah in all the years our sister has lived there. On her birthday, she even lets us take Hannah out on the veranda if the weather is nice.”
“When is the next birthday?”
“In a few weeks. Since it’s a special birthday, I plan to take her out to a restaurant if I can convince Aunt Verbena to let me do so.”
“One should be allowed special consideration on their birthday.” Jarrett turned his head and thought a minute. “Do you think the reason she’s never prevented you and your sister from visiting Hannah has something to do with the talks your aunt had with your mother and father?”
She shrugged. “I’ve never thought about it that way, but it could be.”
“One more question, Lydia. Does Hannah ever visit you?”
Shaking her head she said, “Aunt Verbena would never allow her to come to a saloon, and she never visited Drina at the farm before she left for Arizona, either.” She thought a minute, then added, “When Hannah was small, our aunt would dress her up and take her to church and on outings, but when she grew bigger and Aunt Verbena couldn’t pick her up any longer, our sister was confined to the house. She hasn’t left that house except maybe to sit on the veranda a few times since she was about eight or nine years old.”
He looked stunned. “You’re kidding.”
“No, I’m not. It’s the gospel truth. I’ve tried several times to get Aunt Verbena to let me take her for a carriage ride at least, but the answer is always that it wouldn’t be suitable for Hannah to be seen with a woman who works in a saloon.”
“Is there anything else you can tell me that you think I should be aware of?”
“I don’t know if it’ll help you or not, but one time I tried to get Hannah away from Aunt Verbena so she could come live with me. Of course, the judge agreed with my aunt that I wasn’t a fitting influence on my sister. I haven’t tried since, because I knew it would be useless.”
He nodded. “I’ll check those court records and see what all was said.” He then picked up his hat from the extra chair and stood. “In the meantime, I’m going to do some searching around. It looks to me like the answers to all our questions goes back to the conversations your aunt had with your mother and father. I’m going to see what I can dig up.”
As he started to the door, Lydia said, “I just thought of something else, Jarrett.” He looked at her and she went on. “This will help you understand a little about how devious Aunt Verbena can be. I got a letter from Drina. She asked me to find out why Hannah hadn’t answered any of the letters she’d sent her. When I asked, Hannah said she hadn’t heard from Drina, but she’d written our sister three times and had given the letters to our aunt to post. I took the last letter she wrote an
d posted it myself so I know it will get to Drina.”
“Hannah said something about that, but I could tell your aunt wasn’t pleased, so I changed the subject. I’m glad you said something about it again. It does give me an insight to Verbena’s thinking. I’ll make sure I don’t let anything slip that she could use against Hannah.” He put on his hat. “If you like, I’ll report back to you about anything I can dig up.”
“I’d appreciate that very much, Jarrett.”
Lydia sat at her desk after he closed the door. She thought about all the things she and Jarrett had talked about. At last, she thought, somebody who will see that Hannah is really taken care of, since my hands are tied.
She stood and went to the door. “Ramon!”
The huge man appeared from the end of the hall. “Yes, Miz Lydia.”
“The man who was here is Jarrett MacMichael. It turns out that he’s a friend of the family. When he returns, make sure he gets any information he wants and then send him to me immediately. He’s doing an important job for my family.”
“I sure will, Miz Lydia.”
“Thank you, Ramon. You can go back downstairs now. If I need you again I’ll let you know.”
He nodded and headed for the stairs.
Lydia closed the door and again sat at her desk. Though she was deeply concerned about Hannah, she had a responsibility here. She had to clear her mind of family and get back to those account books. Something wasn’t adding up right and so far she hadn’t been able to find where the missing money had been spent.
♥♥♥
Hannah sat on the side of her bed. It looked like a beautiful day outside from what she could see. She’d have liked to spend the afternoon looking from her window. She thought about trying to hop over to the chair, but she was afraid to do it. The last time she’d been brave enough to attempt it, she’d fallen. Hearing the fall downstairs, her aunt had come up to the room and told her she didn’t appreciate the jumping over her head and she was not to do it again. She’d then stared at Hannah as she lay in the floor and said, “So you’ll remember not to try that silly jumping on one foot again, you’re going to lay there until I decided to send Tobias up to help you get up.”
After her aunt left, Hannah tried several times to get herself up. She finally made it by pulling herself by her elbows to the bed, but she was exhausted. At supper time, Tobias arrived with a tray containing her food. He said he’d also been told to help her get up if she was still in the floor.
“I’m so sorry, Miss Hannah. If I’d knowed you’d fell, I’d have come up here and got you out of the floor afore you got so tired, no matter what Miz Wedington said. She didn’t tell me till a little while ago that you had fell. I can’t believe that woman would do this to you. It’s cold in here, and I bet you’re about to freeze.”
That day, her aunt had been mad because Hannah had the audacity to tell one of the older woman’s friends that she had two dresses to sew and couldn’t get around to another one for at least a week. Because her aunt said she had to get the dress done, Hannah ended up working night and day to finish it.
Today, her aunt had banished her to her room because she’d asked if she could make a new dress for herself. “I’ve outgrown the last one I made and the one I made over is faded and ill-fitting. At this moment, I don’t have one to sew for you or someone else,” Hannah explained in a soft voice she hoped wouldn’t sound demanding.
Undoubtedly, her aunt thought differently, because she said, “The dress of mine that I gave you to make over last winter is still good and fits you well enough.”
“What if Mr. MacMichael visits again? Since he’s seen it, I think it would be nice if I had a different one to wear.”
Her aunt glared at her. “How dare you argue with me, Hannah? I said you don’t need a dress.” She then turned and left without saying anything else.
In minutes, Tobias came to the room and confiscated the wheelchair. He shook his head at Hannah and whispered, “Sorry, miss. You know I wouldn’t do this if’n I weren’t told to do it.”
“Don’t be sorry, Tobias. I know you have to follow orders. She might fire you if you don’t do what she says.”
That had all taken place over two hours ago, and Hannah had read parts of one of the romance books she kept hidden under her mattress. She pulled out the other one hidden there, but for some reason, she didn’t want to read any more. She slipped it back in its hiding place and rubbed her eyes. Oh, how she wished she could change her life! Having supper with Mr. MacMichael last night had shown her how often she wished for something different. He had been so charming, and he was kind and polite to her. And what a thrill it had been to be carried upstairs in his big, strong arms. She’d actually dreamed about him last night. But when she woke up to her real life, she almost wished he hadn’t visited. Before she met him she was not happy, but was accepting of her fate. Now, she hated being here as much as she did when she was a little girl. But unfortunately, she figured living here was what her future would always be. She couldn’t help it…for the first time in a long time, she cried because she felt sorry for herself.
A light tap sounded on her door and she quickly dried her eyes and thought, If it’s Aunt Verbena she’ll have a fit if I’m crying. But she knew there would be no way to hide her red eyes.
Taking a deep breath she said, “Come in.”
Minerva came through the door. “I brought you a little something to eat, Miss Hannah.” She sat a tray which contained a glass of milk and a little bread cake on Hannah’s writing table.
“Oh, Minerva, that’s sweet of you, but I don’t want you to get in trouble with Aunt Verbena because of something you did for me. She’s in a bad mood today.”
“She won’t never know I brung you this ’cause she ain’t here.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Somebody died, and I had to make a cake for her to take to the house. She said she’d have to stay a respectful time and wouldn’t be back till supper.”
“Did Tobias take her?”
“No, he didn’t. We was both surprised when she said she wanted to take her buggy herself.” She smiled at Hannah. “Now, dry your pretty little eyes and eat up. I had extra batter, so I made you a special little cake.”
“Oh, I’m so excited. You know I’m not allowed to have many sweets and I do love the ones you make so much.”
“I know. That’s why I made a little extra batter. It’s all just for you.”
Hannah took the little round cake Minerva handed her and bit into it. With her mouth full, she said, “It’s heavenly. I’m so glad you made it for me.”
“I know I don’t have to ask you not to tell your aunt?” Minerva eyed her.
“You should know I’d never do that.”
“That’s right, I shouldn’t have said nothing.” Minerva looked around the room. “I would’ve brought your chair up, but I was afraid your aunt would punish you more if I did.”
“You’re right. She would have.” Hannah ate more of her cake and accepted the glass of milk Minerva held out to her. “I feel like a princess.”
“You should be treated like a princess, but I’m afraid as long as you’re in this house you won’t be.”
Hannah sighed. “I’m afraid you’re right, but I can always wish for something to happen to change things for me.”
Minerva reached out and patted her shoulder. “Don’t you ever give up your wishes, child.” She gave Hannah a big smile and patted her shoulder. “Just remember, if and when you ever leave this house, me and Tobias are going to go with you.”
“Oh, Minerva. That’s such a sweet thing to say.”
“Me and him have done talked it over. Ain’t no way we’ll stay here with you gone. We’s couldn’t stand it.”
Hannah swallowed her last bite of cake and drank the milk. She handed the empty glass to Minerva. “Then let’s all agree to wish on the first star we see tonight that we can leave this house together someday soon.”
“When he g
ets back, I’ll tell Tobias to let me know when a nice bright star is out and we’ll shore wish that very thing on it with you.”
“That will be wonderful…but I thought you said he didn’t take Aunt Verbena.”
“He didn’t, but he went somewhere as soon as she left. He didn’t tell me when he’d be back, but I’m sure he’ll probably beat her home.” She picked up the tray. “Now, I better get back in the kitchen and wash this afore your aunt catches me. I’ll be back with you some supper later, and if she’ll let him, Tobias will bring you your chair.”
“Thank you, Minerva. You and Tobias are special, and I love the both of you.”
“We love you, too, Miss Hannah.” She hurried out the door.
Chapter 5
Tobias Johnson stood in the lobby of the hotel with his hat in his hand. He knew he had to wait until the desk clerk acknowledged him. Though it made him feel less than human, he knew, though he was now free, a Negro man in Savannah, Georgia in this day and age still had to be careful of what he said or did or he could land in jail for looking at somebody crooked. It hadn’t been that long since every person of his race had been a slave in this town, and many people thought they still should be.
Finally, the thin man behind the counter glanced at him. “Did you want something?”
Tobias nodded. “Mrs. Verbena Wedington sent me to speak to Mr. Jarrett MacMichael.” It was a lie, but he hoped he’d get away with it.
The clerk glared at him. “Mr. MacMichael is in the restaurant having his dinner. Stand outside the door, and when he comes through, I’ll tell him you’re here. He can come out if he thinks your message is worthwhile.”
Tobias bit his lip to push down his temper. “Yes, sir,” he muttered through clenched teeth, and went out the door.
Hannah's Wishes Page 5