The Clash Between the Minds

by Nann Dunne

  His other hand reached toward Sarah's chest.

  The oil lamp soared through the air. It hit the braggart's side and fell to the ground. The chimney and font broke, spewing a burning puddle of oil. Sarah rolled quickly away. The man's white sheet burst into fire like dry tinder. He shrieked. The pillowcase on his head ignited into a torch.

  Already feeling queasy from the hard blow to her head, Sarah almost vomited from the awful smell of burning hair and flesh. She blinked her eyes against the acrid smoke. The second Klansman shouted and ran out of the cave. The first man, now engulfed in flames, staggered after him, screaming.

  The blazing puddle on the floor brightened the cave. Consumed by rage, it took Sarah a moment to register the horror of what had happened.

  "Benjamin, are you all right?"

  "I k-kicked the oil lamp. I wanted him to leave you alone. I didn't mean to—" Benjamin sobbed.

  "You did the right thing. He would have hurt me, and you stopped him." Sarah's hammering heart slowed down. Almost at once, she heard more voices. Her body tensed, and her heart sped back up.

  "Sheriff Schmidt," she cried when he entered the cave. "Thank God it's you."

  "You're all right now, Miss Sarah." With a grunt, he picked her up and carried her outside. Deputy Turner carried Benjamin. They laid them on the ground and cut their bonds. Schmidt stayed squatting next to them. "Turner, go help Bartell."

  Sarah sat up and looked toward the smell of burning flesh. The white-robed figure had turned into a blackened heap. "Is he still alive?" she asked.

  "Not by much," Schmidt said.

  "Who is it?"

  Schmidt looked down then lifted his gaze to Sarah. He spoke in measured tones. "Hiram Blanton. We caught Roscoe Fields running out of the cave and shouting like the devil was chasing him. Then this burning, screaming torch appeared, and I have to admit that for a second he scared me. Roscoe told us you were inside."

  Repulsion at what had happened constricted Sarah's throat. "They kidnapped us," she whispered. "Two schoolboys." Schmidt undipped the canteen from his belt and held it for her to take a drink. Then he handed it to Benjamin, who gulped at it, his eyes wide and shot with red streaks. Tears left tracks on his soot-stained cheeks.

  After he drank, Benjamin stared toward Hiram. Deputies Turner and Bartell were loading him into a wagon next to Roscoe. Benjamin buried his head in his arms. "I kicked the oil lamp. I burned him."

  Schmidt patted his shoulder. "Not your fault, son. Those two are the criminals here." He looked back to Sarah. "We'll get the whole story out of Roscoe when he calms down. Meantime, you and Benjamin have nothing to worry about."

  Sarah's headache, which had disappeared during the commotion, returned. She splayed her fingers through her hair and rubbed her head with both hands. "Can someone take us home, now?"

  As they approached the house, Sarah could see Faith coming down the front steps of the porch. Benjamin leaped down before the wagon came to a full stop and ran to her. She engulfed him in her arms and bent her head next to his. When the wagon stopped, Sarah got out. "Thanks, Deputy Turner." He nodded and went back the way he came.

  Sarah joined Faith and Benjamin. Faith looked up, let go of Benjamin with one arm, and raised it toward her. Sarah stepped into the embrace and threw her arms around Faith and Benjamin. The three stood there clinging to each other, in various stages of crying. After a few moments, Faith sniffled and said, "Let's go inside. I want to hear what happened to you."

  Sarah showed Faith her cruddy hands. "First, we have to wash up." Faith joined them, and all three cleaned up at the yard pump.

  They trooped into the lamp-lit kitchen. Faith had already prepared tea and set three places. Sarah gestured toward the settings and said, "You trusted we would return."

  "I had to, or I would have gone crazy. I was imagining all sorts of things."

  She filled each cup and sat down between Sarah and Benjamin. "Tell me what happened." Benjamin crossed his arms on the tabletop and rested his head on them.

  Sarah held one of Faith's hands while she recounted their traumatic encounter with the would-be Klansmen. She ended with the part she knew would cut Faith's heart—the identities of the two kidnappers and what had happened to Hiram Blanton.

  Faith's expression crumpled, and she moved her head slowly back and forth. Her fingers tangled with Sarah's. "I can't believe two of my students would do this. They're just boys. Is Hiram dead?"

  Sarah squeezed Faith's hand. "Close to it, I think. He was still alive, but he got burned badly."

  "And Roscoe?"

  "He's all right. Just scared nigh to death, I expect."

  "Why did they do this? Do you think some real Klansmen put them up to it?"

  Sarah picked up her cup of tea and wiggled it. "Do you have any headache salts down here? If Benjamin's head feels anything like mine, we both could use some."

  "You should have said something right away." Faith jumped up and looked glad for something to do. She reached into the top of one cupboard and pulled down a small sack. With a clean spoon from the silverware drawer, she put two teaspoons of the salts into Sarah's and Benjamin's cups. She set the bag back into the cupboard and the spoon in the sink. "Do either of you want ice for your heads?"

  "No, ma'am," Benjamin mumbled.

  "Not right now," Sarah said. "Sit down with us."

  Sarah drank the whole cup of tea at once. She closed her eyes briefly, willing the salts to take effect even though she knew it was too soon. "Who can say for sure why they did it? But I don't think anyone put them up to it. From the few words I overheard, I'd guess they had some idea of presenting us to the Klan to make the Klan acknowledge them."

  "Like the newspaper reported," Faith said.

  "Exactly."

  Faith shivered and rubbed her arms. "Sarah, there'll be repercussions from this. And you'll be right in the middle of it."

  "Probably."

  Faith tilted her head and frowned. "That doesn't worry you?"

  Sarah leaned her head on the chair back. "I can't even think straight right now. My skull feels like it's full of ten different boulders that keep slamming together. But what's the use of worrying? What's done is done. I can't undo it."

  Faith's tone shifted. Her words sounded like an accusation. "You've been involved in an awful lot of violence lately. And once again children have got caught up in it."

  Benjamin had emptied his teacup and rested his head again on his folded arms. Now he lifted up and looked at Faith. "I was the violent one, Mama, not Aunt Sarah." His voice shook as he continued. "I caught Hiram on fire." Tears spilled over onto his cheeks, and he tried to dry them with the palms of his hands.

  Faith put her arm around him, and Sarah reached behind Faith and grabbed his shoulder. "Benjamin," Sarah said, "Hiram threatened me with something that no woman should have to suffer. If he had gone through with it..." She couldn't finish the words. "You saved me, Benjamin. I said that earlier, and I'm serious about it. Thank you." There was something that she couldn't say to Benjamin. If Hiram had succeeded, Sarah might have killed him herself. In her mind, such actions deserved killing, and the law seldom did anything about it.

  Faith touched her head to Benjamin's. "You wouldn't even have been there if you hadn't followed Aunt Sarah. Hiram's injuries are not your fault."

  Sarah's insides jerked. Faith had as much as said that Sarah was to blame for what happened. Her voice sounded flat and raspy. "And they're not my fault either."

  "I doubt you'll get that consideration from the townspeople."

  But I expected it from you. Sarah shoved back the chair and stood. "The hell with the townspeople." She threw together an ice compress and held it to her head. She strode from the room and went to bed. When Faith joined her later, they lay back to back. Neither made any overtures to change that.

  Phillip and Leah stopped at Sarah's home for a short visit and expressed their gratitude that Sarah and Benjamin had returned safely.

  Leah said, "Did t
hose boys blacken your eye?"

  "No, Benjamin and I were boxing, and I forgot to duck." Sarah touched the bruise. "Seems like a month since that happened, but it was only a couple of days ago."

  "You've had a lot going on since then," Phillip said. He told Sarah and Faith that a few people spoke harshly of Sarah's part in Hiram Blanton's injuries. "Doesn't seem to matter to them that the boys kidnapped you and Benjamin. They say that a woman who dresses like a man confuses a boy like Hiram, and you were asking for trouble."

  Sarah bristled. "I never did one thing to hurt anyone here. I never even ever spoke to Hiram. Why can't they just leave me alone?"

  Leah snorted. "Some so-called proper folks don't like anyone who's different. I can vouch for that. Back in Cranston, some people crossed the street when they saw me coming."

  "I never did," Faith said.

  "You sure didn't, and I know women that you helped with your doctoring of them. God bless you for that."

  "Thank you." Faith looked toward Phillip. "I don't think too many people object to Sarah's outfit, although they probably use that as an excuse. I suspect they're more appalled by all the violence that's been going on, with Sarah in the thick of it."

  Sarah glanced sideways at Faith. "I didn't ask to be in the middle of it."

  "I know that," Faith said, her tone sharp, "but it seems to be following you, whether you want it to or not."

  Sarah got up and walked out of the room.

  Leah followed her out onto the porch. "Sarah..."

  Sarah swung around to face her. She lifted her arms and let them drop. "Why is she blaming me for everything? I didn't start any of this."

  "Yes, you did, even though you didn't mean to. When you befriended Noah's family, the bigots here took a greater disliking to you. I'm saying 'greater,' because they already were leery of you dressing like a man."

  Sarah shoved her hands in her pockets. "That's none of their business."

  Leah tapped her shoulder. "That's never stopped gossips before. And they had the additional reason to criticize you because your lover teaches their children."

  Sarah grinned wryly. "So Faith's partly to blame, too."

  "Nice try, darlin'." Leah stepped forward and wrapped her fingers around Sarah's arm. "Faith's been hit hard by finding that two of her students tried to hurt you. And Benjamin got caught up in it, too." Leah muttered almost as an aside, "I can't believe I'm sticking up for her." The words brought a puff of laughter from Sarah. "Anyway," Leah said, "try to understand how distraught she must be. You know she has a temper. She's going to say and do things she wouldn't otherwise."

  Sarah turned and put her hands on the porch rail. "I have a temper, too," she said in a rough voice.

  Leah stepped alongside her and slipped an arm around her waist. "I know you do, but Faith isn't the one who's been in danger. You and Benjamin have been. The two people she loves most. And she can't protect you. That's tearing her up." Leah gave Sarah a squeeze. "Try to be mindful of that when she snarls at you.

  "Snarls is a good word for Faith's temper."

  "I know. I've heard her a few times. Wanted to smack her butt, but she's bigger than I am."

  Sarah's mood lightened at the picture Leah's words brought to mind. She put her arm over Leah's shoulder, bent down, and kissed her cheek. "Thank you. I love you, you know."

  "I love you, too, darlin'." She looked up at Sarah. "Ready to go back inside?"

  "Do I have to?" Sarah said in a teasing voice.

  "Sooner or later. Besides, Phillip might need rescuing."

  "Guess it better be sooner."

  Hiram lasted three days in a coma and died on the third night with his parents by his side. The whole town of Bonneforte seemed to be in mourning. School had been closed as soon as Hiram had been put in the hospital, and it remained closed for a week. Sarah and Faith were barely speaking to each other.

  No one in their household went near town until Faith and Benjamin had to return to school. Sarah continued to avoid entering town. Two weeks after Hiram's funeral, a messenger came with a request that Faith appear at the next public meeting of the town council. She showed the letter to Sarah, but neither one commented on it.

  Morton Blanton called the meeting to order.

  Sarah sized him up. He looked older, almost wizened. Even his rapping of the gavel seemed muted. She and Faith sat side by side, but to Sarah, a ravine separated them. She was angry with Faith for not supporting her in her claim of innocence in Hiram's death, and Faith was angry with Sarah, for what? The violence she kept harping on? In spite of what Leah had said, was any of that really Sarah's fault? Maybe Faith just needed someone to blame for her constant worrying about Benjamin. If so, Sarah would just wait her out. Eventually, Faith's sense of fairness should show itself. But what if it didn't? Sarah pushed that thought away. She couldn't cope with it right now.

  The council finished all the regular business. Morton Blanton banged the gavel and said, "A major activity on the agenda has to do with the schoolteacher." Sarah snapped her mind back to attention. She felt rather than saw Faith stir.

  "After much discussion," Blanton said, "the council has decided to propose a rule that any unmarried teacher in this school district must live in the house provided for her or him, and only close family members can live there, too. Therefore, I'll entertain a motion that such a rule be passed."

  "I make the motion," one man said.

  "I second the motion," another one said.

  "All in favor say 'aye.'" After a slight hesitation, the ayes sounded.

  "All opposed, say 'nay.'" Only a few nays were heard.

  Blanton slammed the gavel. "The ayes have it."

  He stopped and looked everywhere but directly at Faith. "Since Mrs. Pruitt is our current schoolteacher, the council grants her two days to move into the schoolteacher's abode, with only her son, or her contract will be rescinded. If she decides not to fulfill this obligation, school will close until another teacher can be found."

  He put a finger on some notes lying in front of him. "Furthermore, we'd like to point out that the teacher's contract states that a teacher is expected to act in a way that brings no scandal upon her or the school. That includes not consorting with individuals who have been engaged in unlawful activities or any that might border on being unlawful, such as shooting a neighbor, harboring a fugitive, and," Blanton's voice quivered as he said, "causing grievous harm."

  He rapped the gavel with more strength, quieting the murmur that arose. "Next order of business."

  Sarah left the room and heard Faith trailing behind her. The townspeople's stares followed them out. When Sarah reached the outer door of the building, she realized Faith wasn't with her. She looked down the corridor and saw her involved in a discussion with Joel Litchfield, the town doctor. Sarah continued on out to the wagon to wait. She took a sulfur match from her pocket, struck it with her thumbnail, and lit the oil lamp that dangled from the side of the wagon.

  "Faith," Joel said, "it sounds as though you're being told to stay away from Miss Sarah altogether."

  Faith stared at him. "I care for Sarah. She and I are making a life together."

  "Perhaps you need to rethink that," Joel said. "Some people in this town have a grudge against her. They might cause trouble for her, and if you and Benjamin continue to stay close to her, you both could get hurt, too."

  "You've heard talk about Sarah?"

  "Yes. She's getting blamed for Hiram Blanton's death."

  "Hiram Blanton started all that. Sarah's not to blame." Faith turned away to walk toward the door.

  Joel slipped his arm in hers and walked with her. "There's no convincing them, and I'll bet money they mean to harm her."

  "I'll tell her that. She should be warned."

  "Faith, wait." Outside, Joel tried to hold Faith back, but she pulled him along with her.

  Sarah heard them coming. Doc Litchfield let go of Faith's arm and held her hand as she got into the wagon. He tipped his hat. "Remember
what I said. Good night, Faith, Miss Sarah."

  Sarah nodded and Faith said, "Good night."

  Sarah clucked to Drummer and they started home. "Did the doctor have anything important to say?" She kicked herself for not being able to pretend she had ignored Faith and the doctor talking.

  Faith turned in the wagon seat and looked directly at Sarah. We’s afraid some people are after you."

  "For what?"

  "Because of Hiram. They blame you for that."

  "Do you?"

  In the dim light, Sarah could see that Faith looked disturbed, but all she said was, "Of course not."

  "Then don't let it bother you. I doubt anyone will do me bodily harm. I'm more upset by this separation the council's trying to force on us."

  Faith wrung her hands. "Let's talk about that later." Feeling snubbed, Sarah didn't say anything else on the journey home.

  After she unhitched Drummer and took care of his needs, she blew out the oil lamp. She left the barn and entered the back door. Faith sat at the kitchen table with a cup of tea. "May I join you?" Sarah asked. After the mood Faith had been in for what seemed forever, Sarah didn't want to take anything for granted. But they needed to talk about the town council meeting. Thank goodness Benjamin was already in bed.

  Faith stood up. "Of course." She collected another cup and saucer and silverware and set them on the table across from her seat. She poured Sarah a cup of tea and laid a napkin next to the spoon. "Do you want something to eat?"

  "No, thanks. I don't feel very hungry." She fixed her tea and took a deep breath. "Will you talk to me now about what the town council decided?"

  Faith nodded. Sarah saw her fingers curl into a tight fist, and her heart plummeted. "What," Sarah said, "do you intend to do about this...edict?"

  "I've been giving it a lot of thought for the last few days."

  Sarah's eyes widened. "You knew about it?"

  "Joel has a close friend on the council, and he warned me that it was under discussion."

  "Oh, it's 'Joel' now, is it?" Sarah asked in a gruff voice. She took a gulp of tea, consuming half of it, and slammed the cup into the saucer.