by S A Ison
Mary was sitting in the warm kitchen talking with Cookie and Mary Beth when Ida walked in, her enormous belly leading the way. Mary turned and saw that her daughter had a peculiar look on her face. Looking down, she saw that the front of Ida’s smock was wet. A wide smile wreathed her face, Ida’s water had broken, it was time.
Mary sent for Ginny and Ellen, telling Cookie as she left, that she needed a basin of warm water. Mary Beth went to get Sue, knowing she could be useful. Mary took Ida by the arm and led her to the master bedroom and began to strip the bed. Going to the linen closet, she pulled old sheets out and bundles of clean rags. Ida stripped down, putting on a soft worn birthing smock. Crawling into the large bed, Ida plumped up the pillows, her hands shaking. Mary saw them and walked over, taking her daughter’s hands in her own.
“All will be well, my heart.” Mary said softly and squeezed her daughter’s hands. Ida had been present when Mary Beth delivered. Mary Beth had screamed in writhing agony. It had terrified the stoic Ida.
Late into the night, Drake was pacing back and forth in the study, his father, Victor and Henry kept him company. He looked haggard, his hair spiked with sweat and constant pulling. Theo’s mouth trembled as he watched his son. He remembered Rachel’s birth, it had nearly drove him mad.
A primal scream rent the air and reverberated through the house. Drake faltered in step and nearly went to his knees. Victor caught him and walked him over to a chair. Victor could feel the trembling in his brother-in-law’s body. He well understood how Drake was feeling, it had nearly unmanned him when Alex had come.
Theo choked, his nervous hiccup turned into a nervous giggle, then a nervous laugh. It swept across the room and Henry coughed and choked, his laughter added to Theo’s. Victor looked up and his lips trembled suspiciously and he caved in and joined in the hilarity. Drake, thoroughly offended. He looked into the tear-filled eyes of his family, seeing that it wasn’t humor that caused them to laugh, it was a need to release. Drake lent his laughter to the rest, tears coming down unashamed. His fear so great for his wife, his laughter soon turned to tears. Cookie came into the room, a strange look on her face. Their hilarity escalated when they saw her, each man helplessly laughing like loons. Cookie looked to the heavens for help and left the men to their nonsense.
Mary heard the eruption of laughter and knew that Drake must have fainted. She remembered Henry when she had delivered Ida and a gentle smile curled her lips. Ida delivered a healthy baby boy and Ellen was cleaning the baby. Mary was cleaning Ida when she shouted for Ginny to help her, there was another baby. Ida was having twins, and this one was coming fast.
Ellen swatted the boy and he gave a wavering howl. Sucking in his breath, he let out a powerful wail. The laughter stopped abruptly downstairs and a moment later they could hear foot steps pounding on the stairs. Drake burst into the room, wild eyed, looking for his baby and his wife. Sue hollered for him to leave the room immediately. She was shoving him out when Drake caught sight of another child being pulled from his wife. Drake hit the floor like a stone, all color gone from his face. Sue gave an indignant cry, calling the men to get Drake out of the doorway. Henry and Theo followed Victor up the stairs and ran to the room. Theo looked into the room, seeing both babies. He gave a whop of excitement and helped the other men take his son to Joshua’s room. Joshua was standing at his door, his face pale, the freckles standing out like spattered paint, his eyes large in his head. He had been hiding in his room, the screaming had scared the hell out of him.
Nathan Allen and Patina Marie were born healthy and lively on the 14th February 1881. Drake was enthralled by the twins, wanting to carry them about the house. To say Theo was thrilled over his grandchildren was an understatement. Mary and Henry were as proud as any grandparent ever were. Patina looked like Rachel had when she was a baby and Nathan was darker, closer to his grandmother Patina’s hue. Both children had dark brown eyes and soft wavy hair. They were beautiful and sweet and Mary couldn’t get enough of them. She and Ida spend hours playing with them, Alex curiously watching his cousins. He rocked back and forth on a quilt, babbling merrily.
Drake was hard-pressed to leave his children when spring planting came. But everyone was needed. Drake had taken over the farm for his father. He had hired several young men to help, and had put them up in the bachelor quarters. Lil Theo had taken over Tall Tom’s job, taking on more responsibilities. Henry and Mary were proud of their youngest. He was growing into hardworking and responsible young man.
Mary Beth was expecting again and was due in October. Victor moved back to the Anderson farm permanently. Theo let him take over an out building to start his own furniture business. Victor was gaining a name for fine furniture. He received orders from as far away as New York. With his growing family, he wanted to be closer to home. Theo allotted him five acres of land and with the men’s help, they built a house for Victor and Mary Beth.
Sadness fell over the house once more, Cookie died in her sleep, in late May. Mary was heartbroken once more; she had loved the woman dearly. Mary Beth took over as head cook and Pearl Miller was hired as her assistant. With Mary Beth’s ever-growing girth, Pearl took on more kitchen responsibilities.
The rhythm of the farm once again flowed smoothly. Mary kept the house with Ida’s help. They kept the children while Mary Beth was busy in the kitchen. Alex had started walking and was a handful, running naked about the yard, chasing chickens. There were several chickens devoid of tail feathers, their beady eyes watching Alex wearily.
Joshua had been offered a teaching position in Savannah in the summer of 1881. He went to Theo and asked for Rachel’s hand in marriage. Joshua and Rachel were married in Savannah, in September, 1881. It was a small wedding, the immediate family in attendance. Ida stood beside Rachel as her matron of honor. Theo gave her away, while Mary cried softly at the beautiful girl. The reverend looked on nervously, it was an unusual family gathering.
Calvin was welcomed into the world on October 8th 1881, his lively yowl rang out in Victor’s new home. Drake was with Victor in the work shed when new came of the birth. It had been a quick birth, much to Mary Beth’s relief. Alex wasn’t sure what to make of his new brother and hung on to his Granny Mary’s skirts. Grandma Ellen took the new baby, grinning broadly at Mary. Another healthy baby, they were truly blessed.
With the new year came wonderful news, Ida was expecting once more. Drake had turned pale at the news and shot a dirty look to his father, when Theo had laughed at his son. He still hadn’t lived it down when he had fainted at Patina Marie’s birth. Victor ribbed him unmercifully. The house was full of laughter and children, Mary wished her mother were there to see it all. From humble beginnings, Mary and her family had thrived and grown, through the trials and tribulations of life. Theo seemed to enjoy all the noise, the haunted look that was ever present, had gone from his eyes, replaced with joy of family. Mary knew the house hadn’t seen such laughter and happiness for a long time.
Lil Theo was in his element, he loved the farm as much as Drake, loving the warm loamy soil in his large hands. He had surpassed his older brother and father in height. He had taken after his paternal grandfather, whom he had never met, Big John Grover. He stood an impressive six foot seven. Lil Theo had an easy smile and was putty in his mother’s hands. He was her baby and let her pet on him, ignoring his brother’s teasing. Lil Theo simply smiled and enjoyed his mother’s love. He was a devoted uncle, playing with the children. He and Drake had become close, their love of the land a shared kinship.
Mary noticed that Lil Theo’s eyes were straying to Pearl, the assistant cook. She shook her head, her baby would be finding his own way soon, because Pearl gave Lil Theo the come-hither look when she thought no one was looking. She was a petit round woman, her ample hips and breasts testified for her gift in the culinary arts. Good, thought Mary, Lil Theo had an appetite that out did Victor’s and Henry’s combined. Lil Theo was as massive as he was tall, Mary marveled that he had been so small at one time. He w
ould always be her baby. When the whole family got together, the rafters shook in the main house.
In October, 1882, Ida gave birth to a daughter, Drake named her Sally May. He did much better with this birth, though he still paled when Ida’s screams shook the house. He didn’t go upstairs until Mary called him; he didn’t want a repeat of the last birth. His ego and his head couldn’t take the battering.
In October of 1883, news came from Savannah, Rachel gave Joshua healthy baby boy, Elliot Benton Clement. Theo went up to Savannah to meet his new grandson. He spent several weeks there with his daughter and son-in-law. He told Mary later, that Joshua was doing well at his teaching post and that Rachel had placed several of her paintings in a local gallery.
For Mary, the years tumbled and flowed. Each day a blessing, each hurdle, a triumph. Lil Theo married Pearl on May 9th 1885. A home was built on the fifty acres Theo had given him. Lil Theo cleared part of the land, planting his own crops. He had to hire several hands to help. His small farm prospered with his loving hand. Lil Theo worked his land and oversaw the main property. He was a happy man with his short wife, who kept him well fed. It was hard not to laugh when you saw them together, Lil Theo towered over Pearl, but Pearl had the command the situation, she was the queen bee in that house and Lil Theo loved her for it. Pearl delivered him a daughter the following year, in March, 1886. They named her Beth and added her to the growing gaggle of grandchildren for Mary.
By then, Ida had delivered a son, Joseph, in May of 1884 and Mary Beth had delivered two more children, Molly in 1884 and Hannah in 1885, who had died shortly after birth. It had been a sad time indeed. Rachel had another son, Taylor Theodore, born in June, 1885. Rachel and Joshua had come to the farm during the summer break, bringing both boys.
Mary loved all her grandchildren and doted on all equally. The children were shuttled between homes, spending time with each grandparent. They were never left alone, someone was always hugging and kissing them, feeding them treats. Some of the children helped Mary in the flower garden, as she had done when she was a child. Ida was by her mother’s side, pruning the roses, with help from her children.
Late one September afternoon, Theo was out in the yard, he was talking with Dark Henry when his face paled and he staggered back. Henry caught Theo and eased him to the ground. Mary had been sitting on the porch and came down into the yard. Her worn hands touched his pale face, looking up at Henry, tears began to fill her eyes. Theo was dead, it had been that fast and no warning. Henry sent Alex to get one of the men, to go fetch Drake from the field.
Henry gently lifted Theo in his arms and carried him into the house, he sobbed all the way. Taking a rag from his pocket, he wiped the tears from his face. Drake came sometime later, his face drawn and pale. Ida was rocking Joseph, crying, her grief reaffirming the truth, that his father was dead. The funeral for Theodore Drake Anderson was impressive, he was laid to rest beside the graves of his parents and sister. The whole farm population attending, their sorrow palatable. Drake was hardest hit; Theo had been his idol as well as his father. It was a sad time for all.
Mary’s life picked up speed, it seemed like time was passing her by at an extraordinary pace. The home that she and Henry shared was never quiet, grandchildren running in and out. By 1895, the homes had swelled with more children. Victor and Mary Beth had added Rebecca to their family, she was the last, Mary Beth declared.
Ida and Drake had another set of twins, Martha and Sarah in November of 1897. Lil Theo and Pearl had Ethan in May of 1898, Philip in January of 1900 and April-Ann in April of 1901. April-Ann died three years later, she had fallen into the creek and drowned. Pearl was devastated, and Lil Theo could not speak for weeks, his heart torn out.
In July of 1903 Malcolm was born, he was the last child for Mary Beth and Victor. Mary Beth had almost died giving birth to him, he was a large baby, nearly twelve pounds. Mary Beth said if she got pregnant again, she would take a skillet to Victor. Sue gave her sister gave her herbs to ensure she wouldn’t get pregnant again.
Sue had become a talented healer, and the farm’s inhabitants went to her for all their aches and pains. Sue married Willy and had three boys. One of her boys, the oldest, would eventually go on to college and become a physician, Terrance Anderson MD.
A new century had come and with it came new marvels. In 1910, electricity and the electric light were brought into the main house, and all marveled at it. Mary lived to hear of men flying in machines, though she still didn’t believe it. A war broke out over in Europe and Mary feared it might come to Georgia. She remembered vividly sorrow and pain of the Civil War and didn’t quite understand.
Drake bought a new automobile; it was shiny and went fast. Though it made a great deal of noise and smelled terrible, Mary enjoyed riding in the thing. It didn’t jar her as much as the wagons did and the seats were vastly superior to the wooden planks in a wagon. Drake taught Ida to drive, and Ida nearly ran Drake over while they were out on a jaunt.
Mary marveled at all the new things that trickled into the home. Ida sent away for a washing machine from the Sears and Roebuck. It made laundry day easier, though with all the children, that wasn’t saying too much. Henry had turned the majority of the blacksmithing to Willy. Henry didn’t have the strength to wheel the heavy hammer. More and more, he spent his time with Mary and the grandchildren. Mary worried about Henry, he seemed to be losing weight, though not alarmingly. She watched him closely and ensured that he ate well.
On August 30th 1917, Dark Henry Anderson lost his battle with cancer and died. He died in Mary’s arms, as she sang to him and loved him. His wasted body a fraction of his former self. Victor carried his father to the fields on Lil Theo’s land. There, they laid him to rest in their small family cemetery. Henry had requested that no coffin be constructed, he didn’t want to be confined in a box for eternity.
Lil Theo and Victor gently lowered their father into the grave, covering him in a beautiful quilt that Ida had made. Henry’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren held Mary up, their tears turning the earth to mud. Mary thought she might die then and there and follow Henry into the grave. She had known him all her life, he had been her husband, her friend and her companion.
Lil Theo lifted his mother and carried her into his home, he took her up to his room. Pearl kept the children out, while Ida and Victor sat with their mother as Lil Theo rocked Mary. His large hand gentled her hair, while Ida kissed her hands, her tears falling onto her mother’s fingers. Mary was seventy-two and she had loved Henry for seventy of those years. How would she ever go on, she did not know.
It was difficult, but Mary struggled through the next few years. She lived with Lil Theo, for he had built her a room, with a large bay window, so she could sit in the sun on cold mornings. She was surrounded by her great grandchildren and was kept busy with them. Pearl hovered, making sure Mary had plenty to eat and was always comfortable.
On February 9th 1930, Ida succumb to a cold and died. Drake was inconsolable. He died three days later, leaving Nathan command of the farm. Victor and Lil Theo were devastated as well and clung to Mary, who felt she would drown in sorrow. She should have died by now; she should not have experienced her child’s death. It was doubly tragic, for she had loved Drake as her own.
In the spring of 1938, Victor passed away in his sleep. Mary had seen it coming. His gnarled hands shook terribly with palsy and he had gone blind with cataracts. Mary had spent the winter with him before he had died, she had rubbed his hands, the heat from her easing his pain. They spoke of old times and of the future. It was a precious time for Mary, for she knew her son was dying.
Pearl was next to die, it was December of 1938, Ethan and his wife Ella, put their mother to rest in the family cemetery. Lil Theo was crushed and only Mary could ease his sorrow. He lay at his mother’s feet, his large head in her lap. Mary petted his gray grizzled white hair; he was in his early seventies and Mary was ninety-three. Her hands were bent with age, but their tender care was ti
meless.
Lil Theo died four years later in 1942, and Mary wept bitterly, she was burying her last child. She was nearing 100 years and she had seen all her children and their father to the grave. She thought about old Bitsy and now understood the perpetual sadness that had always been there. It was terrible to die, but it was intolerable to die so old.
She spent her days with the children, telling stories and singing songs. All told, there were fifty-seven progeny that had come from Dark Henry and Mary. Mary had lived in the time of slavery and had come to live in a new era, a new century. Her progeny had become doctors, lawyers, teachers, farmers and craftsmen. Had anyone told her what her future would have been, she would have laughed in their faces. Many things were so new and so incredible, that Mary hardly believed them. Her great, great grandchildren had taken her to the picture show and she was awed at the moving pictures. She listened to music on a box. Who would have thought?
Mary lay in her bed, her breathing shallow, it was October 15th 1947, she was one hundred and two years old. Her great granddaughter Marline, who was Lil Theo’s granddaughter, held her hand. Marline reminded Mary of Ida, she had the same bone structure, but not as dark as Ida had been. She smiled at her and told her so. Marline brought Mary’s hand to her cheek, then kissed it.
Mary had triumphed over life and she now looked forward to death. She could hear her name being called by someone familiar, she looked across the room and she saw her Henry, he was young and handsome, as the day she had married him. Beside him were Ida, Victor, Drake, Lil Theo, Nan, Theo and Patina, her mother, Liza and all the other people she loved. Their smiles warmed her old heart and she held her hand out to them.
Dark Henry stepped forward taking her hand, he went down on one knee as he had years ago, when he had proposed to her. He kissed her hand, looking into her golden-brown eyes. A tear of joy slid down her face and she smiled. Henry helped her off the bed and drew her to her family. They all gathered around her, hugging her and holding her, their joyous laughter like music to her ears. There were several children holding on to her skirt and she saw her grandchildren, who had died too soon.