The Last, Long Night
Page 14
Georgia reached down to pull something from under her pillow. “I reckon I have a wedding gift for you,” she said shyly.
Carrie grinned, knowing what was coming. “You’ve been so excited about your wedding that you’ve missed a few things,” she teased.
Janie cocked her head and eyed the book Georgia was holding. “Like what?” she demanded. “Is that a book I’ve wanted to read?”
“Like you’re going to have time to read for a while,” Carrie snorted.
Georgia laughed and then opened the book. “This here was written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.” She cleared her throat and began to read.
How do I love thee?
Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right.
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
Not a sound was made when Georgia finished reading; her words hung in the air and then swirled with the breeze, dancing joyfully through the room. “I reckon you love Clifford that way,” Georgia finished.
Janie struggled for words while tears streamed down her cheeks and a smile as bright as the sun illuminated her face. “You’re reading,” she finally managed to say. “And reading beautifully!” she cried as her voice returned all the way. Jumping up, she embraced Georgia in an affectionate hug. “Thank you so much. What a wonderful wedding present!”
Janie took the book and read the passage again. “Elizabeth Barrett Browning is one of my favorite poets, and I’ve always dreamed of having a husband I could feel this way about. I finally do,” she whispered, her face glowing. She glanced up at Georgia. “I’m so proud of you.”
Georgia flushed bright red, but nothing could dim the glow of pride on her face. “Once you get the hang of it, reading is right easy.” She said modestly, but then shook her head with frustration. “It’s the talking thing I’ll have to work on some more. If I could just read everything I say I wouldn’t have to worry about whether I sound right.”
“Oh, Georgia, you’ve come so far,” Carrie replied. “I told you in the beginning that it wouldn’t take you long to learn because you’re so smart. Anyone intelligent enough to fool the army for as long as you have can do anything. You just remember that.”
May entered the room with a breakfast tray. “You two girls get out of dis here room,” she scolded. “Your breakfast gettin’ cold down on the table and Miss Janie needin’ pamperin’ time.”
Georgia turned to leave, but then turned back around, “You know how to read, May?”
May stared at her in astonishment. “Where I gonna learn how to do a thing like dat?” she demanded.
“I’ve been learning,” Georgia said eagerly. “I reckon it will be a few more weeks before I get cleared to go back to fighting. I could teach you how,” she offered.
May’s eyes lit up, but then she shook her head. “Can’t be doin’ nothin’ like dat,” she muttered, not meeting Carrie’s eyes.
“Of course, you can,” Carrie said firmly. “It’s just a matter of time before you’re free, May. Those stupid laws about slaves not reading are just that – stupid! You need to know how to read to live in this new world.”
Then she turned to Georgia. “It would be wonderful for you to teach May everything you’re learning. She’ll have plenty of time in between household chores.”
May just stared at Carrie with something approaching awe. “Thank ya, Miss Carrie. I reckon readin’ be a mighty fine thing.” She paused and then smiled slightly. “I suppose it be okay for me to teach Miles what I learn?”
Carrie laughed and nodded. “That would be perfect!” She was no longer concerned about her father objecting, and she knew both May and Miles would not let it get in the way of their work.
She grabbed Georgia’s hand and pulled her toward the door. “Let’s go while Janie’s food is still hot, and while there is still any food on the table for us!”
Laughing, they made their way to the dining room.
Pastor Anthony arrived shortly after the noon meal. “Is Janie still determined to get married in the hospital ward?”
Carrie nodded, alarmed at the pasty pallor of his skin and the dullness in his eyes. She pulled him forward to sit down in a chair and then sent May to bring a cold drink and some cornbread. “Are you okay, Pastor Anthony?” she asked, leaning down to put a practiced hand on his forehead.
“I’m just fine,” he insisted, his voice no longer strong and robust.
Carrie’s thoughts flew to the concern Jeremy had expressed a couple months before. The few times she had made it to the hospital, Pastor Anthony hadn’t been there. She opened her mouth to ask more questions, but he waved them away.
“She’s still determined to get married in the hospital?”
Carrie nodded. “She wants her patients to be a part of it. So does Clifford. He’s going to be released today, but all his fellow soldiers have watched the romance between him and Janie. He doesn’t want to cheat them out of the actual wedding.”
Pastor Anthony nodded. “Those patients need all the good moments they can get, and they need to see that sometimes love wins.” Then he seemed to think back. “Haven’t you already taken part in one hospital wedding?”
“Yes. My childhood friend, Louisa Blackwell, married Perry Appleton.” Carrie smiled as she remembered. “We almost lost Perry, but he pulled through. I’m convinced Louisa’s care for him played a big part in it.”
“They moved down around Atlanta?”
“Yes,” Carrie said with a frown. “I’m worried about them.”
“You should be. Sherman’s men have Atlanta under siege.”
Heaviness seemed to blow in the window. Carrie shook her head firmly. “There is nothing I can do about that right now. What I can do is make sure Janie has a wonderful day. That’s what I intend to do.”
“Still determined to hold on to the good things,” Pastor Anthony said lightly.
Carrie stared into his eyes and was disturbed by the dullness she saw there; she silently berated herself that she hadn’t taken Jeremy’s concern more seriously. Pastor Anthony was not well; something was sapping his spirit.
“More determined than ever,” she replied. “I’m learning it’s my choice how I live my life, but it’s also my choice how I see my life. I’m doing everything I can to choose to live each day looking for all the joy I can. Sometimes I have to look pretty hard, but I always find something to be grateful for.”
Pastor Anthony stared at her, a brief spark igniting in his eyes. “Choice,” he murmured. “Yes, I suppose all of life is about choice.”
Carrie moved to the door as Spencer pulled the carriage up to the house, and then she went up to get Janie. Carrie found the bride-to-be whirling in front of the mirror, her arms spread wide with a glorious smile on her face. Now was certainly not the time to share her concerns about Pastor Anthony.
Carrie clapped her hands as she moved into the room. “You look absolutely beautiful!” She took Janie’s hands in her own and gazed at her lovingly. “You’re radiant. Clifford Saunders is a very lucky man.”
Janie grinned. “I’m the lucky one. I still can’t believe he loves me.”
Carrie snorted. “Every man in your ward is in love with you. Clifford just got lucky.” She pulled Janie toward the door. “Your magic carriage awaits you, Miss Winthrop. When you return in it, you will have another name.”
“Kind? He knows I would have never forgiven him if you had to leave this house,” she said with a laugh. “He was simply being wise!” She sobered and then pushed aside the thought of Janie’s eventual departure at the end of the war. Today was a day for joy. It was a day for choosing….
Laughing, the two friends went down the stairs. Carrie gave a cry of delight when her father stepped in the front door. “You’re home! I thought you wouldn’t be able to make it!”
Thomas smiled and pulled Janie into a hug. “I told the State Department they would have to do without me because my beautiful, second daughter is getting married and I need to give her away.”
Janie brushed at the tears in her eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered. “It means so much…”
Thomas tucked her hand into the crook of his arm, and led her out to the carriage. Carrie, a broad smile wreathing her face, followed with Pastor Anthony.
Cheers and congratulations rang inside the hospital as Pastor Anthony announced Clifford and Janie man and wife.
“You finally got her, old man!” one patient yelled.
“I can’t believe she was crazy enough to take your name!” another recuperating soldier teased.
“When you get tired of that ugly mutt, I’ll be here waiting,” a young man promised Janie with a laugh.
When the newlyweds reached the door of the tent and Clifford turned around, the men suddenly stopped talking. An awkward silence fell over the building. Clifford stood still, his deep brown eyes sweeping over every man in the building. “Thank you,” he finally said. “I wouldn’t have made it through these last months without all of you.”
Carrie gazed around the room and watched emotions play over the faces of every man there.
One man finally broke through the emotion. “Yeah, well, you just remember that when I need a lawyer after the war and come knocking on your door!”
“Yeah! I figure we at least deserve family rates,” another shouted, bringing a fresh wave of laughter.
Clifford and Janie, laughing and waving, moved out to the carriage and headed back for the house. Privacy for newlyweds was an unheard of luxury in crowded Richmond, but at least the two would have several hours in their wing of the house before the rest of the boarders came home from work, and then there was a plan in place to keep those men in the parlor as long as possible. Carrie had done all she could do to give the couple some time.
Carrie took her father’s arm and then reached over to put her other hand through Pastor Anthony’s arm. “I’ll have the two best escorts in town to take me back to the house,” she said lightly. She had been about to say she would like to swing by her ward to check on her patients, but the strained look and the sheen of sweat on Pastor Anthony’s face, in spite of a cool breeze, forced the words back. Her concern flared up anew for him.
“I must head back to the church,” Pastor Anthony replied. “I have much to do.”
“And it won’t wait for you to have some lunch?” Carrie asked lightly. When he opened his mouth to protest, she stopped in the middle of the road and put both hands on her hips. “This is not a matter for discussion, Pastor. I am the doctor at your hospital. Right now I am giving you doctor’s orders. You are not going anywhere until you have some food. If you get sick, everyone in your congregation will suffer.”
“I’m fine,” Pastor Anthony protested, but tucked her hand back in his arm, and continued to walk down the hill toward the house. “I suppose I can eat some lunch.”
Carrie exchanged a long look with her father. She could tell he was as concerned as she was - that he was remembering what Jeremy had said.
May bustled around the kitchen and came out with a tray of fresh collard greens, cornbread, and sliced tomatoes. Carrie was so grateful for the large garden she had created in the backyard. Everyone took turns in the garden, and they also took great pride in it. It was going a long way in providing healthy food for the many people in their house. Any extras were sent to the black hospital.
Last year there had not been enough for canning. The garden was now twice as big, and May had already set aside a large supply of filled canning jars for the winter. Carrie sensed it was going to be a hard winter. More than that; Old Sarah had taught her to read the signs at the same time she’d taught her how to use the herbs and plants. The husks on the corn were thicker than usual, and the dogwoods were heavier with berries than she had seen in a long time. Both of those things indicated a long, cold winter. She would do the best she could to prepare for it.
“Thank you, May,” Pastor Anthony said, his eyes lighting up when he bit into the juicy tomato.
“You welcome, Pastor,” May responded. “Does a body good to see her food et. You do right good work down at dat church. I be honored to feed you.”
Pastor Anthony smiled warmly and cut into another piece of cornbread.
Silence reigned over the table while the food was enjoyed. Sounds of trains, carriages, and wagons rolled in through the windows, but there was also peace.
Thomas was the first to speak. “Will I be shot if I speak of war news?”
Carrie smiled, knowing the question was directed at her. “Janie is married and with her new husband. You have my permission to talk about anything you want.”
“I fear for Atlanta,” Thomas said heavily.
Pastor Anthony finished the last of his tomatoes and looked up. “I had heard the Confederate cavalry was holding Sherman’s army back.”
“So far,” Thomas agreed. “Now Sherman has changed his tactics. He seems to know he can’t take the city in a direct assault, so he has taken his entire army and is swinging them in a broad flanking maneuver to the west.”
“For what purpose?” Carrie asked, renewed concern for Louisa and Perry sharpening her tone.
Thomas gazed out the window for a long moment. “No one will really know until he actually does it, but there is speculation he is heading for the railroad tracks around Macon. Once Hood’s supply lines are completely severed, our troops will be forced to leave the city.” His voice sharpened. “They simply must hold it. Atlanta is an important rail hub and industrial center for the Confederacy. If we lose it…”
Carrie reached out to take her father’s hand when his voice trailed off, though she remained silent. There was nothing she could say. There was no need to say she was certain the war was coming to an end and that it would mean defeat for the South. Let her father hold on to hope. Reality would come soon enough.
“Any word from the Shenandoah?” Pastor Anthony asked.
Thomas frowned again. “General Early has been holding his own since he brought his troops back from Maryland.” Then he scowled darkly. “Our troops that burned Chambersburg were ambushed by Union cavalry and badly defeated. Everyone is back in Virginia now.”
Carrie barely listened. She had lost all interest in the war or its battles unless they directly involved Robert. She knew he had not been with the cavalry that destroyed Chambersburg. She was confident he was safer than if he was behind the lines in Petersburg trying to hold off Grant. She would have to content herself with that.
“I’ve heard Grant is replacing General Hunter up in the Shenandoah with General Sheridan.”
There was something in her father’s voice that caught Carrie’s attention. “What does that mean?”
Her father avoided her eyes as he looked out the window again. He seemed to choose his words carefully. “Sheridan has the reputation for being very aggressive. He was the one who led the raid that resulted in the death of J.E.B. Stuart.” Thomas paused, “Grant has chosen him because he intends to destroy the Shenandoah Valley,” his voice quiet with controlled anger.
“You believe that?” Pastor Anthony asked sharply.
Thomas nodded heavily. “I believe he’ll move slowly because Lincoln has not been re-el
ected yet, but it’s going to be a brutal campaign.”
“Lincoln was nominated by his party,” Pastor Anthony pointed out.
“Yes, but the North is still sick of the war. It’s our only hope….”
“That Lincoln won’t be re-elected?” Carrie said, thinking about something Robert had said earlier in the spring.
“Yes. It’s just possible that if we can hold on through the fall, and if the North refuses to elect Lincoln again, that they’ll just decide the cost is too high and give us our freedom.”
Thomas’s words hung heavily in the air as the three contemplated what it might mean.
Carrie was happy to have an evening free to go to the black hospital. She was grateful for this year’s thriving vegetable gardens that kept most sickness at bay. She had most of the volunteer nursing staff canning vegetables from the garden, and teaching others throughout the community to do the same thing. She knew what a hard winter would do if the people were also hungry.
Just a handful of patients needed her help tonight. She smiled easily as she dispensed herbs and listened to their talk.
“Miss Carrie! Miss Carrie!”
Carrie looked up in alarm as Bella, one of the volunteer nurses, ran into the hospital, her eyes wide with alarm. “What’s wrong?” she asked instantly, taking her arm.
Bella gulped, leaned double and fought to get her breath before finally straightening. “It’s Pastor Anthony. Somethin’ be real wrong. Jeremy sent me for you.”
Carrie grabbed her bag and headed out the door. “Come with me, Bella.”
Spencer was already in the carriage waiting for her. “I heard ‘bout Pastor Anthony. We’ll be at his house in just a couple minutes.”
Carrie swung out of the carriage and ran up the walk before it had even stopped.
Jeremy met her at the door. “I’m not usually home during the day, but something…” He looked into the bedroom where a simple bed was the only piece of furniture. “My father is very sick. He has a burning fever and is having trouble breathing.”