Frank followed. “How much farther?”
“Not far. We will start seeing homes soon. I have a couple of people I would like you to see today, but I am sure just about anywhere we stop you could find someone to treat.”
Frank felt sad. He had put off meeting the needs of these people far too long. He came here to help whenever and however he was needed, and right now, he was only treating part of the population. He knew that had to change, today. He would need to earn these people’s trust and after hearing what others like him had done, he was concerned that might be harder than he first thought.
“Have you been able to convert many?” Figuring out their beliefs and honoring those would be a good start on building trust.
“Some, yes. There are several, though, that refuse to give up some of their beliefs… such as keeping multiple wives. Changing one’s ways is a difficult thing to do for anyone. Taking a whole culture and trying to turn it towards the Lord is a task that will take many more years, if ever, to accomplish. Meeting the needs, where they are now, is all we can hope for. Educating the young is helping with the future generations, though. It does make for some conflict in some families, but we have had the most success with the youth.”
Frank knew the difficulty in changing. “Everyone has their own path and way to God. Some never make it and others do. The most successful ones seem to be the ones who move on God’s time and not man’s, though.”
Sister looked up curiously at him, “And how did you come to learn this?”
“Being a doctor gives me a personal inside view of many. People tend to share honestly when they feel safe and feel you can help them. A listening ear and some words of advice sometimes are all that’s needed to heal the afflicted. You would be surprised how many physical ailments stem from heartache or stresses. Financial troubles, major life events and changes, big decisions that need made can cause headaches, heart palpitations, and stomach issues. Sometimes being a doctor means being a friend.”
“I think you are going to be a good fit for these people. I hope they allow you in and give you a chance. Speaking of, the first house I would like to visit is just up the road on the right. Let me introduce you. Only some speak English and I will act as your interpreter.”
The home she was referencing didn’t look like what he anticipated. He shouldn’t have formed any ideas of what he would see, though, as he knew these people lived a different way from him. Frank agreed and together they began working towards earning trust.
CHAPTER 34
Allie had no idea when Frank would be back. He didn’t take anything with him that would indicate a lengthy stay, so she decided to plan for his return later in the evening. She knew as a doctor though, his plans and ideas could change at a moment’s notice.
She moved through her day quickly. The days were long and hot which meant the garden work was done early morning and late evening, leaving the inside work to be completed during the hottest point in the day. The house upkeep didn’t take much time at all. She kept up on the dust, but work in the garden and the kitchen took most of her time.
With the heat scorching down on them, watering the garden quickly became the biggest task, much as it had been on her parent’s farm. It especially took more effort since Frank requested that the water they used for the edibles be boiled first. Allie had begun boiling pots of water the night before, so she could get a head start on how much was needed each day.
The hottest portion of the days coincided with the time she felt she needed to rest a bit. She had begun taking her ma’s journal to bed with her and reading at least one passage before taking a nap.
Frank was always busy with his practice in the middle of the afternoon, and as long as she woke early enough to prepare supper, he was clueless to how much she was sleeping. She was told that grief overtook your life, but until she lived it, she didn’t fully understand. It drained her energy and she was still dealing with mood swings. She continued to pray that the worst would be over soon, and she would feel normal again. She knew her ma wouldn’t want her overly fussing and carrying on for her. She was at peace and pain free and Allie should be feeling grateful for that. She missed her ma though. Allie ran a finger over the wings of the butterfly on the cover, then opened the journal and began the next entry.
June ninth, eighteen hundred eighty-four,
The weather continues to warm, and life is in full bloom. The land is gorgeous, and I am finding the area very welcoming. There are still more men in this area, but I am making friends with the few women. We are coming together regularly for coffee and started bringing our sewing and darning projects along to work on while we converse.
One of the women brings her embroidery work. She is expecting and said her family has a tradition of making the patch-work for each baby blanket. It makes that blanket special and unique, just like the baby.
I love this idea and have decided to include a version of this history for my own children. Instead of a patch that would then need to be fixed onto another piece of cloth for the blanket, I am thinking of doing a quilt square. What to embroider is still a work in progress, but I am finding that I love the idea the more I think on it. And, since I should be a mother by Christmas time, I need to get a move on. I haven’t said anything to anyone yet, given the loss we had last year, but figuring I’m somewhere around three months, I think it should be fairly safe now. Maybe I’ll do a Christmas square since the babe should arrive around then. Whatever I decide, I’m sure the blanket will be lovely.
Allie was confused again. She crawled out from under the covers of her bed where she was reading and pulled out the quilt squares from her ma that she had stored under her bed. She sifted through them, but there was no Christmas one in the bunch. They were all just seasons. She grabbed the journal and skimmed the next couple of entries, but all that was there was the daily goings on and the mention of her ma’s continued pregnancy. She flipped the page and read further to find a one-line entry dated July second, eighteen hundred eighty-four.
We have lost a second child and I am beside myself in grief.
Allie’s heart broke again for her parents. Losing one was hard enough, but now the second must have felt unbearable. She was tired but hated leaving off on this sad part of her parents’ lives, so she pushed on with the reading.
July ninth, eighteen hundred eighty-four,
I met with the women’s group early today and had to tell them of the loss. I couldn’t keep my excitement in at the last meeting and told them we were expecting. They were all warm and comforting. A few even attempted to reassure me that losing babes was very common and it didn’t mean anything was wrong. They don’t know about the first before, though, and I keep thinking I’m a failure, the problem. I feel so bad for Allen. Both times telling him, I could see the hope and excitement in his eyes. He longs to be a father and I keep failing. He isn’t ready to lose hope and says I shouldn’t either. I told the women of my version of the embroidery patch and they have encouraged me to still make one for this babe. They think it might be therapeutic for me. I have decided that is something I can do for my lost children and will move ahead with this project. Since the first was due in summer and this second would have come at the end of fall I have decided to make season squares.
That meant that two of those handful of squares were accounted for, but Allie was still curious to know if the others were made up ahead of time like Pa said or each one was for a special baby that never came.
Allie looked down at the squares and noted the winter and summer ones. There were two winter ones and three summer ones made up. One fall and two springs she set aside. Allie stared at the ones in front of her wondering which ones were for those two children. She felt sad looking at the squares and hoped that the making of them gave her ma some closure and comfort. She laid back down and read on.
July twenty first, eighteen hundred eighty-four,
Allen packed a picnic lunch and took me to the river. I have been so melancholy, an
d I think he was trying to find a way to cheer me up. It was very sweet of him. Work has him away for periods of time, and the time we do have together is short. We make the most of what we have and long for more when he is gone. I know I will pull out of this sadness at some point. Losing one was hard but losing the second just about broke me. I need to learn how to guard my heart for the future.
Allie was sad to read that. She knew her ma was tough, but she never thought that characteristic may have come from deep sadness. She always assumed it just came from living as a farmer’s wife in the rugged Montana countryside. Thinking that made Allie realize she had no idea how her pa came to be a farmer. According to the journal, he was working on the railroad in the early years of their marriage.
Allie had never known about his work with the railroad before reading. She had always known him as a farmer. There was so much yet to learn about her parents and she just hoped that her ma had written it all down. She was too tired to continue on for the day, so she tucked the squares away back under the bed and put the journal on the desk before slipping back under the covers and letting sleep carry her away.
CHAPTER 35
Frank had arrived home late that night. He had worked all afternoon and into the evening on the reservation. So much was left to do, and he knew he needed to pack a bag and stay there for a while. He also knew that Allie needed him at home, which was why he didn’t stay this first night. He knew he needed to get home and make sure she was and would be fine while he was away for an extended period of time. While home, he would assemble all necessary supplies to take along with him.
The house was quiet when he entered, and before going up to see Allie he rummaged through the kitchen to find a sandwich made and left for him. He gobbled it down and would properly thank Allie for thinking of him in a bit.
He ladled some of the pre-boiled water for the morning’s garden into a mug and took a long swallow. The Indians didn’t know and didn’t practice boiling water. He refused to drink all evening and was quite parched. Making a mental note to pack some water with him when he left tomorrow, he cleaned up his supper and made his way up to Allie.
He found Allie sound asleep and decided he didn’t want to disturb her. They could talk in the morning. He made himself comfortable and gently, so not to wake her, he crawled into bed. He was successful, and Allie continued to sleep. Frank found falling asleep easy after the work from the day.
Allie woke the next morning looking at her husband. She didn’t know when he’d gotten home but was happy to see him beside her. She decided to let him sleep and went downstairs to prepare breakfast. She began frying up some bacon and knew once that smell made it upstairs he would be up and ready to eat. The smell of bacon cooking could bring him home from a mile away.
Just as she assumed, Frank made his way down and wrapped his arms around her middle while she was cooking. It didn’t take long for him to release her and step back, though, rubbing his arms where the bacon grease splattered on them.
Allie grabbed a towel to wipe off his arms, “I’m sorry. Are you all right?”
“Yes, I’ll be fine. Bacon is one food that does find a way to get back at you for eating it.”
They both laughed at that. Allie went back to cooking and Frank grabbed a cup of coffee and sat at the table.
“I didn’t hear you come in last night. I was tired,” Allie commented as she continued cooking.
“It’s ok, I was pretty late,” he said through sips.
“How did it go?”
Frank sighed. “Not good. There are a few with Typhoid and some, I think, it’s too late for help. I should have stayed, but I wanted to get back to you. I had to make sure you were alright.”
Allie turned to face him, mouth agape, “You shouldn’t have. Frank if they need a doctor, you should go. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine here.”
Frank grinned, walked to her, and gave her a long, strong hug.
“Allie, I love you. I’m planning on heading out after breakfast. I’ll be gone for a while and don’t know when I’ll be able to return. That’s why I came home last night. I wanted to let you know before I just up and disappeared on you.”
“I do appreciate that, but I would have assumed duty called if you didn’t return.”
Allie plated the bacon and Frank snatched a piece before the plate made it to the table. She quickly fried four eggs and placed those with the plate of bacon that appeared to have more pieces gone from it.
“Would you like some eggs with your bacon dear?”
Frank grinned at her, “Yes, please.”
Allie rolled her eyes at him, to which he then made sure to say thank you.
She sat down and plated her own breakfast, making sure to take more bacon than she thought she wanted. She didn’t need to finish it, but if she didn’t take it now, she might not have the opportunity when she would be ready.
“I can’t let you leave without providing some provisions to take with you.”
Frank took a sip of coffee to help swallow his bite.
“Thanks, yes. I thought a bit about that. They haven’t been boiling water. I was hoping I could take some with me.”
“Of course, you can. And I have a few other things made up that I can send. I can make more for myself.”
Frank finished and wiped his mouth.
“You don’t need to do that. I’m sure I’ll figure out something. Sister will be with me. Maybe she can help in that regard.”
Allie shook her head.
“Nonsense. It’s not a big deal to do that. Why don’t you get a start on watering the garden for me while I put some things together?”
“Sure thing. I’ll get on that right now.”
“Thank you and I’ll start preparing your things.”
Frank kissed her forehead and made his way outside carrying the first bowl of water. The garden was small, but Allie was faithful with the watering. He could see that all the plants were strong and healthy instead of withered and brown like some of the native vegetation.
Soon canning season would come, and Frank remembered how much work that was when his ma did it. He didn’t want Allie having that task all by herself. He figured by the looks of the vegetables they had a few weeks yet, and he was thankful the timing of him being away would work out, so he could help. He ran back in quickly to return the empty bowl and grab the next. Allie had already begun packing a basket.
“I’ll grab the pot and fill it from the well, so you can start boiling, too.”
“Okay, thanks, but I won’t boil until tonight. I need to let that fire die down for now. If I try to do that after already cooking breakfast this house will be so hot, I’ll need to sleep outside this afternoon.”
Frank’s brows drew together. “This afternoon? Are you still taking regular naps?”
Allie cringed inside. She didn’t want Frank to worry about her. He had enough on his hands. “Yes, but I’m ok. I really am feeling better. The exhaustion has continued, but I’m not as weepy lately. I really think I’m getting better and with some time, this will improve, too.”
Frank put his hand on her cheek. “You’re sure? You don’t feel sick anywhere?”
Allie nodded. “Positive.”
“I hate to leave you when you aren’t your full self yet. Are you sure you’ll be fine?”
Allie put her hand flat on his chest and gave him a gentle shove.
“I am fine. You do what you need to do and I’ll be here waiting when you have saved the day and all their lives.”
Frank closed his eyes. “I’m not so sure I’ll be saving all their lives, but maybe I can save a few.”
“Then you must go. I’ll finish up in here and you finish up out there and then you can be on your way.” Allie kept a smile on her face, though she felt lonely every time he left.
Frank set his bowl down and hugged Allie tight. “I love you so.”
Allie wiped a tear trailing down her cheek and onto his shoulder. “I love you, too. Now, back to
work, or you’ll never get out of here.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Frank agreed and picked up the bowl and continued with his work.
He was saying his last goodbyes and headed to his wagon less than an hour later. Allie watched him go before heading back inside to start on her chores. Having the watering completed for the day was a big burden lifted from her shoulders, and that meant she would have more reading time later. She just hoped as she read more that she would see that her parents’ lives turned for the better.
Knowing that she was the oldest and was only reading about the year eighty-four, she feared there was more disappointment ahead, though.
CHAPTER 36
Frank drove the wagon back the way he came. Sister stayed on the reservation over night and was following Frank’s instructions on how to care for the typhoid patients. The reservation was huge, and Frank knew he was only visiting a very small portion of it. He hoped that didn’t mean that there were other groups scattered around just as sick. Frank stopped at the first house where they had begun yesterday.
The house itself was made of earth. Part had been dug away and dirt had been mounded up to make the home. Frank did see the genius in this knowing that the dirt would help keep the house cool in the summer and warm in the winter. A family group lived here. There was a grandmother, the parents, and a few little kids. Not speaking the language and only relying on Sister meant he didn’t have much information. He knew the basics and that was enough for now.
Sister greeted him as he climbed down from the wagon. She looked tired.
“I assumed you would stop here first on your way through, so I made my rounds making this my last stop during the night.”
In His Time (Carried Through Chaos Book 2) Page 16