After both Helen and I heard an ear full, she immediately went straight to my mother informing her. Allen followed Helen and I home. Mother was livid. I, of course, already knew she would be, which was why I wished to keep this secret.
During her ranting and raving she let slip that her hopes were for me to marry William, the Richardson’s son. Everyone was shocked upon hearing that, and mother was left stammering.
Mrs. Richardson’s jaw dropped before quickly putting mother in her place. Her son would not marry below him, leaving my mother visibly much smaller than usual.
Allen had remained against the wall, trying to blend in to the surroundings as much as possible, until this moment when he appeared beside me and linked his hand with mine. That moment was when my whole world changed. Allen spoke up and proclaimed his love for me. He asked me to marry him, which I accepted, and that sent my mother into another round of fits.
Mrs. Richardson intervened and spoke up for me. She put mother in her place like only she could. Mother turned from livid to outright rage. I have never seen her so angry. She spit through clinched teeth that if Allen was what I wanted, to do it, but to do it quickly.
I didn’t hesitate. I ran to my room, gathered what I could fit into a trunk and Allen carried it out of the house into his wagon. Mother left to her room and refused to see me leave. I climbed into the wagon, instead of a coach that mother would have preferred, and into my new life. I can’t help but feel torn between my mother and Allen, but this man seems to offer more love in this moment.
Allie was stunned. She now knew why she never knew much of her grandparents on Ma’s side. She also knew why Ma rarely mentioned anything about them and kept it fairly vague when she did. Allie was saddened by learning these details. Closing the door on everything and everyone you knew must have been terrifying. Allie wasn’t sure she could have done the same.
Then a thought struck her. She had done something somewhat similar. Her parents didn’t turn against her, but she made a rash decision and married someone she barely knew. Ma was concerned about it, but she didn’t stand in Allie’s way. It now made perfect sense why Ma let her go.
Allie was glad that she had a home to go back to when the realization of the mistake she made became branded all over her body. She knew the outcome of Ma’s choice. She and Pa were happy and had a wonderful life.
Then again, Allie began wondering how wonderful it really was. Ma kept all of this from her and that made her wonder if there was more left hidden. She didn’t have the energy to keep reading tonight. Allie was drained once again and decided since it was just her, she would skip dinner and just go straight to bed. She hoped someday soon her energy would return and her emotions would settle. She knew why she was a wreck, but couldn’t control it despite knowing the cause. She had been taken over by grief and was being manipulated by it and was just too tired to fight it.
CHAPTER 30
Frank had no clue what day it was. He had lost track many days ago. It was looking like Alex was pulling through, and the whole house’s nervous excitement was palpable. No one else had developed any symptoms for which Frank silently gave thanks. Alex’s fever was down, and he was hungry. Emma kept a steady stream of hot food at the ready for him to enjoy.
“Emma, I think it’s safe to say you may go see your son,” Frank happily announced. He was thrilled he could say those words to her instead of the alternate of how this could have played out.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” Emma beamed. “I really don’t know how to show you how thankful I am, Frank!”
Emma gleefully wrapped her arms around him and Roger cleared his throat. Emma released Frank and he could see her rosy complexion return to a once worrisome face. She then went and stood by Roger and held his hand.
“I agree with Emma. What can we do for you?” Roger shook Frank’s hand with a firm grip.
Frank sighed, he was tired.
“Nothing. This is my job and Alex’s recovery is enough for me.”
“You are a good man, Frank, but I will think of something. You have to make a living doing this, too.” One of their roosters out back crowed. “Ah, that gives me an idea. I think a small flock might be in order.”
Frank laughed. “Well, fresh eggs are sure nice, but I’m not sure where we would keep them.” He said his goodbyes and reassured that he would come back every day for the next few days to make sure Alex kept improving. Then it was time to head home to Allie.
He dragged his heels all the way back to Wiley City. He was tired enough he could have curled up on the way and slept for a while, but knew he needed to get home. He reached his house after what seemed like hours of walking, plopped into a chair in the living room, and immediately fell into slumber.
Allie was headed home from grabbing the mail. A letter from Blinne came and she was excited to read it. Not willing to wait until she was home, she ripped the envelope open and began reading as she strolled home.
Dearest Allie,
I hope this letter finds you well and rested. I didn’t say anything when you were here, but I did worry about you. Often times the caregiver in the end needs more care than the patient. You worked yourself too hard, but I can’t say that I blame you. I would have done the same. I miss you even though I am glad to know that you are home and able to focus on yourself.
I miss your Ma. I have been to the farm a few times to check on your Pa and Drew, always bringing some food with me as my reason for stopping in. I know Pa enjoys what I bring. He is sad, but the farm seems to be running fine. The house itself isn’t running as smoothly as it would have been, but they seem to be managing. It’s nothing too bad, but there were some unwashed dishes on the counter and the floor hadn’t been swept recently. I am sure that in time they will settle into a good solid routine and the upkeep will improve.
Your brother is the same ole Drew. He talks to me more now than he did before. He is proud of what he is doing to help Pa and has grabbed my hand a time or two to lead me around and show me his work. I am not concerned about him at all. He is going to be just fine. I’m not really concerned about Pa, either, but I know that he is hurting and it’s going to take time to find joy again. I will continue to drop in and make sure things keep improving.
I have grown larger since the last time you saw me. I’m ready for this to be done. My feet are swelling, and I have to rest frequently. I don’t remember being this large with Lena. Doc is telling me that everything is looking good. He is encouraging me to sit often and put my feet up. He says the swelling is from water retention and if I elevate I can help it drain. George has made a routine of nightly foot rubs. They are heavenly. Lena is continuing to grow like a weed. She is crawling everywhere and getting into everything. Simple things amuse her and her laugh is adorable.
I am sending my love with this letter. Please take care of yourself and I look forward to hearing back from you.
Love you,
Blinne
Allie stuffed the letter back in the envelope and wiped a tear off her cheek. She hadn’t realized until after she’d finished reading that she was crying or that she was nearly home. Pa’s sadness increased her own, and Allie was tired of being sad. Knowing that Drew was doing fine helped, though.
Allie made her way up the front steps and walked through the door. She spotted Frank slumped back, arms folded loosely on his chest, sleeping in the chair. Frank being home made her wonder what that meant for Alex. She hoped it was good. She grabbed a lap quilt and draped it over him. He woke with the touch, somewhat startled but still in a daze.
“Hi,” Allie greeted, placing her lips on his forehead.
Frank stretched and grabbed the back of his neck with a moan.
“Hi. Sleeping here sure gave me a kink in my neck. I’m surprised I made it this far and didn’t doze in the entry,” Frank joked.
“Why don’t you go upstairs then and get some quality sleep?”
Frank nodded. “I just might.” His stomach rumbled and he patted it. �
��It seems I’m a tad hungry.”
“Well, that I can take care of. Follow me.”
She pulled him up out of the chair and headed to the kitchen, motioning for Frank to sit. She cut off a slice of bread she had made the day before and slathered some butter on it before handing it to him. Frank ate about half of it before she asked about Alex.
“Since you are home, that must mean that Alex didn’t need your complete attention anymore?” She was hopeful while trying to prepare for bad news.
Frank nodded and swallowed.
“Yes, he is doing much better and no one else has shown any symptoms. I did tell them that I would stop in daily to continue checking progress.”
“That is wonderful news! I bet Emma is beside herself with joy. I tried to help her when she was here, but I can’t imagine what she was going through. Well, I suppose I can somewhat relate.” Allie said as she folded a dish cloth.
“How were things around here?” Frank got up and fetched himself a glass of water.
Allie returned focus to the conversation and took a seat opposite Frank’s chair as he made his way back to the table.
“Mostly boring, except when Emma was here, and when I was telling patients that you were away for a while.”
“Were there many?”
“A few, but nothing seemed serious. I would have told them where to find you if I thought any of them needed immediate attention.”
“Spoken like a true doctor’s wife. Already triaging.”
Allie blushed. “Oh, Frank, it wasn’t that big of a deal. I do need to talk to you about something Emma asked me, and I did get a letter from Blinne. That’s what I was doing just now.”
Frank leaned back in his chair waiting for the news. “And?”
“Which one, Emma or the letter?”
“The letter. I’m curious to know how your family is doing back home.”
“It’s all alright. She says that Pa is sad, but Drew seems just fine.”
Frank looked at her a minute trying to gauge how Allie was doing. He hadn’t seen her in days and hoped that she had improved. He couldn’t decide and thought his exhaustion might be the cause.
“That’s to be expected for Pa, and I am happy to hear Drew is doing well.”
“The letter didn’t really give me any information that I wasn’t expecting so that is good.”
Frank nodded.
“That’s great news. I’m glad that they are moving on and living. So, what did Emma want? I know she was beside herself the entire time she couldn’t be with Alex.”
Emma took a deep breath and began.
“Yes, she really wasn’t herself. I’m relieved to know that things are better. She needed them to be. I was concerned the whole time for her unborn with all her fretting and worrying. I don’t think she got much sleep.”
“No, she didn’t,” Frank confirmed. “What did she want, though? If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were stalling.”
Emma smirked. “Well, I think Alex being so sick scared her.”
“Of course it scared her, but you still haven’t told me what she discussed with you,” Frank pursued, raising his eyebrows and pursing his lips.
Allie fidgeted with her hands.
“She asked if we would take their children and raise them as ours if anything should happen to her and Roger. And, I sort of said yes without thinking to ask you first.” She looked at Frank with a concerned look not sure how he would take that.
Frank folded his hands. “I see. Why wouldn’t she want them with family?”
Allie stood and paced.
“I asked that as well. She said there was no family close enough and she didn’t want the kids removed from the only environment they know while dealing with that kind of loss.”
Frank walked to her and gently grabbed her shoulder to halt her pacing.
“Allie, you will wear a whole in the floor if you keep this up.”
Allie stopped walking but looked down at the floor, too nervous to see his expression.
Frank lifted her chin to look into her eyes.
“Of course, we will take them. You were right to tell her yes.”
Allie released a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding and a smile crossed her face.
“Oh Frank, I’m so glad you said that. Of course I told her she was talking nonsense and nothing would come of it, but I was worried you wouldn’t want the potential of others’ children being our responsibility.”
Frank chuckled a bit.
“Allie, I’m a doctor. Others’ kids from time to time are my responsibility. The only difference with this would be I wouldn’t transfer that duty back when they were healthy. I truly am happy you said yes. We haven’t known them long, but those kids are growing on me.” Frank rubbed his eyes. “No, of course, it will never come to that, but my answer will always be yes should the unimaginable happen.”
Allie squeezed him. “Thank you for agreeing and not being upset with me.”
“I could never be upset with you, my dear,” he yawned mid-sentence.
“You look tired. Why don’t you go to bed?”
“So do you. Why don’t you come to bed with me?”
“Alright. Let me clean up in here first, and I’ll meet you up there.”
Frank nodded and headed upstairs. By the time Allie made it up, Frank was sound asleep. Allie smiled sweetly. She pulled the covers back on her side and slipped carefully into bed so as not to wake him. She felt at peace knowing that her family was doing as expected and Frank was home. She drifted into a much needed slumber.
CHAPTER 31
During the next few days life for Frank and Allie returned to normal, or at least what the new normal was after Ma died. Frank thought Allie seemed to be getting worse instead of better, but he wasn’t ready to say anything to her. She was still taking naps throughout the day and her mood swings were all over the place.
Frank would wake in the morning to one Allie and by lunch she would be a different version. Little things could bring on tears or anger. Sometimes, something he said would trigger it, or if something in the day didn’t go as planned, she would break down, unable to handle it. Frank hoped this was all just due to him being gone and Allie dealing with the worry for Alex on top of the passing of her Ma.
Knowing all of this made today difficult. Frank left Allie alone while he went to North Yakima to pass along the latest typhoid case and he hoped he would hear progress on discovering the cause of this epidemic.
He would love to meet with Mr. Lumsden, but Dr. Green would suffice, if he was the only one available. Mr. Lumsden was on a mission and had a big task. Frank knew his time was precious as it should be. The sooner the cause could be discovered, the more lives could be saved.
He took the trolley from Wiley City and would walk through town. He wanted to get a better view and feel of the city. There were clues to be found, he just needed to be observant to catch them.
He stepped off the trolley and straight into the rush of the daily crowd. As he made his way through town he saw many opportunities of where typhoid could have spread. The local dairies brought their cows through and around town. Their droppings left behind for whomever to step in were a perfect breeding ground for disease. Flies were also thick in many places.
Frank was curious about the city’s water supply. If it was anywhere near any of the dairies that could explain the typhoid spread. Of course, an establishment with unsanitary conditions could be the culprit, but that wouldn’t explain Alex getting it. All those cases would be connected and traceable. Unless perhaps contracted through contact with the sick. He rounded the corner and walked through Dr. Green’s office door. He quickly surmised that no one was around by the stillness in the room. Frank sighed, not sure what to do next. He stepped back out on the street and almost ran straight into Dr. Green himself.
“Hello, Dr. Green,” Frank held out his hand.
“Hi Frank. It’s Henry. Here we’re equals,” The men shook hands, �
��Follow me, let’s get out of the street so we can talk.”
They made their way back into Henry’s office. He offered Frank a glass of water. Summer was always warm in this country and Henry kept water at the ready. Frank thanked him and took a good long drink.
“What brings you by today, Frank?”
“Well, I was hoping to get some information on the latest of the epidemic. Also, I wanted to inform you of a typhoid patient I treated.”
Henry pulled his glasses off, fogged them with a breath, and cleaned them on his shirt. He motioned for Frank to take a seat and sat with him.
“I’m beginning to lose my patience with this epidemic. I just came from checking on a few patients with typhoid myself. Tell me about your patient.”
“Luckily, my patient lives.”
Henry nodded at Frank’s words and looked visibly relieved.
“Alex is a little two-year-old boy. I stayed at his house, along with his father. We worked around the clock, taking turns to treat him.”
Henry’s eyes shot up.
“That is dedication and probably what saved him. Between the fever and the bowel issues it’s a wonder any of them can be saved.”
“I wouldn’t have done anything different. This particular boy’s parents are friends of mine and my missus.”
“Well, in that case, I’m even happier to hear of the positive outcome,” Henry stated and moved to his files. He pulled out a folder and handed it to Frank. “These here are the cases I have treated as of late.”
Frank felt the weight of the folder before opening it to the many pages it held. “This is impressive, but not in a good way.”
Henry rubbed his neck. “Trust me, I know. Several of those people are no longer with us.”
Frank scanned the pages and continued asking questions.
“Has Mr. Lumsden been able to connect any dots? Have you, through these?
“Nothing significant, yet. We are both working towards an answer. I want you to write your case down to add to this. I need everything, so we can compare them all.”
In His Time (Carried Through Chaos Book 2) Page 14