Blue Thunder

by Spangaloo Publishing

  He laughed and gave her a big hug. “What’s new among the women’s gossip, today?” Seth asked, winking.

  She hated being teased about tales she brought back to her family and swatted at her son.

  “Now you stop joshing your mom, Seth,” she scolded with a smile. She was proud of her son, he was a good boy. She sighed; he looked just like his pa. Only seventeen, but he was as tall as her husband. His body was muscular and strong from all the hard work he had done on the farm they had left behind. Years of back breaking work and what for? The last drought ruined their crop and they couldn’t finance another year. They left that dried-up land and headed west for a new life. She prayed the new land would be fertile because her husband insisted on farming again. Once a sod-buster, always a sod-buster, her husband claimed.

  Vida’s reverie was interrupted when a dead thing was thrust into her hands. She jerked opened her eyes and gasped. “Pa, you startled me!” she snapped, but she made sure her voice lacked any anger in its tone. How could she be angry with her husband, she shouldn’t be woolgathering.

  “Sorry woman, but that’s all I could catch.” Her husband kissed her cheek, lovingly.

  “This is fine, Boris,” she fibbed, but it was only a little one so not to hurt his feelings. “I’m beginning to get the hang of making a good squirrel stew.”

  “That’s my girl,” he patted her backside.

  That night as her son and her husband sat eating their meal, Vida mentioned the pretty girl she had met at the lake. “That woman has suffered and seen pain; I can see it in her sad eyes. She was a lady, I could tell by her small, soft but firm hands. She’s done some work but not hard labor. She’s southern, there’s no mistaking that accent, and schooling. Yes, I bet she was one of those rich southern bells. Not spoiled though, and she doesn’t put on airs. I like her.”

  “Why don’t you invite her to supper one night?” asked Seth, showing interest in meeting the young lady.

  Vida, seeing the mischief in her son’s eyes, waved a finger under his nose. “Now don’t go

  26

  getting any fancy ideas, young man. She’s a lady and older than you. I don’t want a love-sick boy moping around the rest of the trip!”

  Her husband chuckled and she rewarded him with a cold stare. Boris quickly wiped the smile from his face and added, “You mind your ma, boy.” He chuckled again, and then he walked over to the men already sitting around the fire.

  “Effie,” Melissa said, sitting up front. She was driving the team as Sam was napping. Effie was rocking Daphne in her arms with a soothing song. She stopped humming when Melissa called again. “Effie, I don’t know what to do? Vida, the woman I told you about, invited me to eat supper with them tomorrow night.”

  “Whut’s yo’ problem chil’? Go!”

  “You know I don’t dare leave Daphne for any length of time.” After a moment of silence she cried, “Effie!”

  “Ah done heah yo’ honey. Ah ain’t deaf likes mah Sam. Ah tol’ yo’ t’ go an’ brings yore sister with yo’. It do her good bein’ wid people. She’ll neva fin’ her mind bein’ cooped up hea’ all de time.”

  She hashed over the servant’s words most of the day, still uneasy about introducing Daphne to strangers. How would her sister take to them? Since the hellish day, Daphne had

  stayed cooped up in the wagon with only her, and Sam and Effie. She slapped the reins. “Get!” she yelled at the smelly animals. They were slow but they were strong and were capable of pulling the wagon over rutted and sometimes muddy trails. After much deliberation and probing from Effie, she made her decision.

  The next day Melissa accepted the invitation and gave Vida one of the rabbits Sam caught that day. She could see Vida was delighted. That night Adam’s family greeted her and Daphne warmly; she liked Boris and Seth right away. Boris was a big man and his son was just as tall and both men were good looking. Seth’s eyes were dark like his mother’s, while his hair was red like his father’s. Melissa figured. the boy was young, around Daphne’s age. She wished the circum-stances were different, this lad would have been just right for her sister. He smiled when he

  27

  handed Melissa a plate of stew. She returned the smile, although it was a smile that made her a little uncomfortable under his gaze. The boy studied her short time when she noticed his gaze wander over to Daphne.

  “The dinner was delicious, Vida,” exclaimed Melissa. “Best stew I’ve ever tasted.” She hugged Vida. “You must tell me your secret. Although, I don’t think Effie would like me to change her recipe. She prides herself on being the best cook in the south and no one would dare tell her differently. Her meals were the best, I have to admit.”

  Vida’s laugh sounded more like a snort, as if her comment was debatable.

  She shook Boris and Seth’s hand then took Daphne by her arm and led the silent child home. A couple of minutes later, as she neared the wagon, the sound of footsteps startled her.

  Seeing it was Vida’s boy, she let out a relieved breath. “Seth!” she gasped, putting her hand to her heart. “You frightened me.”

  Seth looked ashamed and nervously stubbed his booted toe in the dirt. “Sorry, ma’am, I didn’t mean to startle you, it’s just.., Um, I want t-to ask you s-something.”

  He stammered. She sensed the boy’s uneasiness and placed her hand softly on his arm. “What is it?”

  “I know about…about your brother’s, err, problem.” He fidgeted, looking so awkward. I have a delicate subject that I want to ask but I hope it won’t insult you. Um, maybe I shouldn’t have bothered you.”

  “Please, Seth. We’re friends. What’s on your mind?” she coaxed, smiling warmly.

  Seth swallowed audibly, looking sheepishly at Daphne. “Well, ma’am… I---”

  “Call me Melissa,” she interrupted. “Ma’am, make me feel so old. My mother was a ma’am and there isn’t much difference in our ages.”

  He nodded nervously. “Melissa, I was just… err, just wondering if it would be all right to spend some time with your brother.”

  Melissa knew her surprise showed on her face. She was so sure he was interested in her, the way he had studied her before. But, Daphne? Somewhat relieved, her emotions were coupled with uneasiness and she wasn’t sure what to make of his request. Should she let her sister be with this young man? Effie’s words filled her head.

  28

  Daphne needed to be away from smothering surroundings. “I’ll think about it,” she promised.

  Seth nodded. Thank you ma… err… Melissa.”

  Seth walked back to the wagon whistling recalling earlier. He thought Melissa was very beautiful but he couldn’t take his eyes off her younger brother, David, for some strange reason. He was small for a boy his age and his clothes were big, baggy. When Melissa had removed the boy’s hat, his brown hair was cropped short but curly. Seth marveled at how the shy lad looked so much like his sister and was sure nature made a mistake. David would have made a beautiful girl, he mused, but was instead a sissy-looking boy.

  He hoped that the other boys here would never see David up close lest they tease and torment the kid. He couldn’t understand why he was drawn to the lad. Was it because he was sorry for him? His mother explained earlier that the boy was a mute but that didn’t mean the kid had to say cooped in the wagon all day. All boys his age needed some fun. Maybe if he offered to spend some time with the youth, David might come out of his shell. It was worth a try.

  That night while preparing Daphne for bed, Melissa talked about Seth’s offer. She wasn’t sure if Daphne understood but she had seen her sister glance in the boy’s direction a few times. When she spoke his name again did she see a glimmer of light in those, otherwise, lifeless eyes? Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to try.

  The next day clouds rumbled in drenching the wagon train with a long, soaking downpour. Sam insisted she stay covered while he drove but Melissa stuck her hands and face out of the canvas, greeting the cool water with delight. After the soaking rai
ns relented, she walked ahead to the Adams wagon. Seth was also walking and she joined him.

  “I think it would be all right,” she blurted out before Seth had a chance to speak or for her to change her mind. “I’m not too sure David will stay with you. You’re a stranger but maybe we could walk together a few times and if, um, David gets used to having you around, he might trust you. It’s worth a try and I thank you for showing kindness to my sis… brother.”

  Melissa still had a hard time remembering Daphne was suppose to be a boy. “Thank you,” the boy replied and then he shook her hand quickly and awkwardly.

  29

  The next few weeks were a delight to Melissa. She and Seth sat with Daphne every night before darkness surrounded them. Seth brought a few books from home and loved to read about the west. He informed her that he wanted to be a teacher and hoped things would be better when they reached California. He would like to go back to school, like he did before hard times befell his family.

  Melissa didn’t know if the stories were being heard by her sister but she did notice that Daphne’s chocolate eyes looked a few times in Seth’s direction. She was sure she saw a glint of awareness. After a while she left the two of them alone and Daphne didn’t whimper or fret when she returned later.

  “Dat boy is sho’ good fo’ dat girl,” stated Effie.

  “You may be right.” Melissa hugged her.

  The days were getting hotter and water was becoming scarcer, they had to ration their supplies carefully. Even after Melissa urged Sam to take his share, many times he refused a drink so the women would have more.

  “Sam,” she scolded, “we’ll be up duck’s creek of you lose your strength. We not only need you to drive the wagon, but to track down our meals every night.” Sam would only shrug and take a sip once in a while, leaving Melissa feeling totally frustrated. Daphne was spending a lot of her time with Seth and she loved the boy for being so patient. She wondered if one day she could trust him with the truth, it was something to consider.

  As the wagon train neared Phoenix, there were many casualties due to fever, starvation, and careless accidents. Melissa never realized the hardship people went through to get to the Promised Land. Was it worth it? Many thought it was, but she wasn’t sure. When an axle broke a child was thrown from a wagon, hitting her head on a rock. Another child died with the mother in childbirth. The distraught husband killed himself two days later. They lost several men when they were attacked by a band of Indians passing through Long Valley. She thought Effie would die of fright. Sam took an arrow in the thigh, so Melissa had to do all the driving for a while. She prayed they would make it to California without another incident.

  Daphne was improving, much to Melissa’s surprise and delight. She still didn’t speak but the girl’s eyes were becoming more alive; she didn’t have that far away look anymore. Her sister

  30

  now did things for herself and seemed to brighten when Seth came to take her for rides or to read. Melissa had stayed in the shadows one night and watched the two. She wondered if now would be a good time to tell him the truth, noticing how tender he was with her. Then she wondered if maybe she had waited too long and if the boy might think she played him for a fool. At the end of the trip they would split up and probably never see each other again. Leave well enough alone, she told herself as she returned to the wagon.

  31

  EIGHT

  Seth was feeling strange sensations in the pit of his stomach and elsewhere when he sat near the youth. He couldn’t quite put a finger on why he was so unnatural around David. A few times he caught his friend’s eyes on him, making him feel as if the boy was looking into his soul. That night, Seth lay awake, seeing the boy’s face before him. Earlier, he found himself looking at David’s perfectly carved mouth, wondering what those lips would feel like. He turned and pounded his bed roll. Was there something wrong with him? He knew about men who preferred other men or boys to women; was he one of them? Should he talk to his father about this? No! He chided himself; his parents would be horrified. He fell into a restless sleep, remembering dark haunting eyes. The next day he decided to help David overcome his fear of horses.

  “See, he won’t hurt you.” Seth took David’s hand and placed it over the animal’s muzzle. “See how soft the skin is.” He let the trembling hand go and was relieved when the boy didn’t remove his palm and petted the horse. He had a terrible urge to protect the adolescent but he was somewhat nervous, fearing that sooner or later his parents would notice his abnormal attachment to his friend. He had come to the conclusion awhile back, that if this was the way it would be, he’d no longer fight it. It was unnerving and once he stayed away three days faking illness, but he missed the youth so much; the loneliness had driven him crazier than his unsettling conscience.

  Now, standing behind David, he had the uncontrollable urge to feel that soft curly hair. Slowly, with trembling hands, he reached up and fingered the reddish locks. He was right, they were velvety soft. The kid took that moment to step back and the small derriere rubbed against his manhood, causing it to swell. He dropped the hair and quickly jumped back. His breath labored when David turned around and looked into his eyes. It was then he lost all control of his senses and kissed the unsuspecting lips. It was a chaste kiss but, nevertheless, one that sent tingles clearly to his toes.

  “Oh God, forgive me,” he gasped, and then blinked. It was the first time he saw his friend

  32

  smile. Beautiful white teeth sparkled in the grayness of the night. Shaken, he froze. David came forward and hugged him and he stood rigidly, hoping no one saw them. He was sweating profusely and wanted to shove the clinging warm body from him but he couldn’t. Slowly, he wrapped his arms around and cursed everyone who might see them. At that moment he knew that this person would always be a part of his life.

  Daphne’s emotions were jumbled. Things had been happening to her lately that were causing strange images in her mind. Before, flashbacks haunted her every day. But, lately her head would ache and she knew that something horrible had happened. Nightmarish images continued to drift in and out of her subconscious mind. Some dreams would cause her to call out until warm arms surrounded her and she drifted back to sleep. Now new faces were mingling with the old, since that dark veil began lifting. For a long time now there was only one new face she let into her thoughts and it was there before her. When his lips touched hers, she felt a warm

  sensation flowed all over her body. It replaced the coolness her body had been feeling for quite a while. Daphne liked that sensation; it didn’t scare her like the other emotions.

  They had been traveling for six months. Melissa noticed that Daphne’s pants were getting hard to button and had noticed the girl was putting on weight. At first she was happy, her sister was too thin, but then, they were all malnourished. She wondered if Seth had been feeding her his share of food. It was possible; the boy watched over Daphne like a mother hen. Well, she didn’t mind if he could spare the food.

  She stared at her sister’s round, extended stomach and slowly it all fell into place. The morning sickness Daphne had experienced three months ago. Melissa thought then it was just the illness that was going around. But now she recalled that her sister didn’t run a fever like the others and at the time she had been grateful. Although, Daphne never got her monthly flow, Melissa just believed it was due to the shock. She never suspected anything else, until now. Dear Lord! Daphne was carrying a child!

  Melissa was worried also about Daphne’s health. She was a frail girl and she wondered if she’d be strong enough to deliver. She sighed, thinking that this wasn’t her only worry. It won’t

  33

  be easy to hide the fact that her sibling was a girl. Daphne would have to be kept in the wagon from now on. She didn’t want anyone else to know, but she decided that she owed Vida and Seth the truth. She had her chance the following day as she and Vida walked a safe distance from any ears that might overhear her story. Vida li
stened with undivided attention and Mellissa saw pity on her new friend’s eye. Her already slumped shoulder seemed to slouch more.

  ” I feel shame for all the complaining I had done to God for my life. You had gone through so much more in so short of a time. I knew you had suffered pain but I had no idea the extent of it.” She gave Melissa a hug that meant more to her than she could say. Vida added, “I promise not to tell a soul,” and wiped her teary eyes on the hem of her dress. “I’d be happy to give you one of my old dresses. It’s faded, but clean.”

  “Thank you,” Melissa sniffled. “I appreciate anything. I’m sure the dress will do fine. I’m glad I have you for a friend,” she rasped, her voice cracked with emotion.

  “But you know we have another problem,” Vida said. Melissa knitted her brows together. “Seth,” she whispered. “What are you going to say to my boy? What are you going to tell him?”

  Melissa sighed as if a mountain was on her shoulders. “Yes, he’s going to be a problem. Your boy has helped Dav- Daphne so much. I don’t know what to do. I’m afraid he might not understand.”

  “I think you should tell him the truth.”

  She saw Vita’s eyes mist again.

  “My boy is strong. I’ve been watching him lately and something is wrong. He’s very moody when David, err, Daphne is not around. They are attached and sometimes I feel just a little too close for boys. But my Seth has a good heart; he won’t let you down.”

  Melissa saw a concerned frown on the other’s woman’s face. She believed Vida was right; she hoped the truth wouldn’t make things worse.

  ***

  Seth and David were scouting the woods for supper when his friend tripped and fell. The boy screamed when he landed on his side but Seth was too concerned to notice that he had uttered a sound. The boy sat holding his side in pain when Seth pulled David’s hand away