“I don’t believe Bobby has pneumonia, but he does have a temperature of 104. Your son has influenza, Mrs. Kidd. They’re calling it the Spanish flu. Send Jack to my office later today and I will have medication prepared.”
As the doctor left the sickroom, he said, “I don’t mean to alarm you, Mrs. Kidd, but if he starts to cough blood, bring him to the hospital immediately. We don’t want to fool around with this. It is a particularly virulent disease. Five people in Blackspruce Bay died on the same day last week. Those poor people are trying to live the old ways by hunting and trapping. It’s a hard life and losing so many to influenza makes it harder. It’s good that you have Bobby in here, separate from your other children. Send Jack to me, if Bobby gets worse. Good luck and good day to you, Mrs. Kidd.”
Bobby was seriously ill for several days, but he did not develop pneumonia, and to Annie’s relief, he slowly began to recover. By the following Sunday, Annie felt that her eldest was well enough that she could leave him for a couple of hours. She left Jack at home with Bobby and took her younger sons with her to church. After the church service, she sought out Bobby’s supervisor from the mill. The man was in his sixties and had a weathered face and a head of thick white hair.
“Thank you for sending Bobby home when you did. He was quite ill for a while, but thankfully he did not get pneumonia and is now recovering.”
“He’s a good lad, Mrs. Kidd, and a reliable worker. I’m glad he’s on the mend. It’s a nasty bug, that one. Don’t let him worry about his job. We’ll see him when he’s well again.”
As Annie was saying goodbye, the school principal approached her. “Mrs. Kidd, how is Bobby? I heard he had the flu.”
Annie assured him that although he had been quite ill, Bobby was recovering now.
“That’s good to hear. He’s a fine boy. That’s a wicked illness that’s going around. I heard that thirty-seven people died in Gold Creek. I’m sure you heard about Lars Nilsen.”
Annie froze. “What do you mean?”
“He died. I’m sorry, I thought you knew.”
“You must be mistaken. I just had a letter from him last week!”
“I’m afraid it is true. I’m sorry to be the bearer of sad news. I know that he has been considerably helpful to you in your search for your mother. The poor man died of pneumonia. His family’s in Norway and he died alone. Dreadful!”
“I- I can’t believe that he’s gone,” Annie stammered. “What a terrible shame.” Flustered, she muttered, “I must get my children home, and see to Bobby. Good afternoon.”
She quickly turned away as her eyes filled with tears. She was sorry for the death of the young man, but she felt a rush of guilt; perhaps if she hadn’t invited Lars Nilsen to her home, Bobby would not have caught the Spanish flu.
The flu left Bobby weaker and thinner, but eventually he felt well enough to return to work. When he came home after his first day back at work, he told his mother that the Spanish flu had spread throughout the town.
“There are over two hundred cases in town and all the schools and churches in the North will be closed to prevent it from spreading further. Apparently there are so many deaths in the North that there’s a shortage of coffins. Victims are being buried in trenches in the cemeteries.”
Annie was sure he was thinking the same as she. It could have been him buried in a trench.
Annie shook her head. “Haven’t we been punished enough? People here are still mourning for family lost in the fire, and now this. It was frightening when you were so sick, Bobby. We are fortunate that you are healthy again. Dr. Miller says that since you’ve had the Spanish flu, you won’t get sick with it again. At least that’s comforting.”
Chapter Fifty-Two
Unfortunately, a week later, Jack and Georgie fell ill. Both boys had severe headaches and high fevers. Bobby helped Annie bring two mattresses down to the empty dining room and she once again set up a sick-room. She was exhausted caring for her two rambunctious little boys and now seeing to Jack and Georgie’s needs. When Bobby went to work that next day, she was on her own and overwhelmed. In spite of the fee, Annie did not hesitate to arrange to have the doctor come again.
At one o’clock, there was a loud knock at Annie’s door. When she answered, a tall young man introduced himself as Dr. Hughes.
“I’ve just moved to the North, Mrs. Kidd, and I’m in partnership with Dr. Miller. I understand that you have two lads who are ill.”
“Welcome to town, Dr. Hughes. Thank you for coming. I do have two very sick sons. I’ve kept them separate from my younger children. Follow me.”
She led the doctor to her sick-room and watched as he examined fourteen-year-old Jack. The doctor then turned to examine Georgie, and when he listened to Georgie’s chest, he swore in Welsh. Annie anxiously asked the doctor, in Welsh, what was wrong. Dr. Hughes’ face grew red.
“I apologize, Mrs. Kidd. I’ve been reprimanded for swearing in the past, so now I use my childhood language. Until now, I’ve been undetected. I’m sorry to say, George has pneumonia. We must watch him carefully. Both boys have influenza. I’ll stop by tomorrow to check on them. Here is some medication for them and the instructions.” He handed her the bottle and a scrap of paper.
Leaving the sick-room, the doctor noticed Hal and Henry playing on the floor.
“You have your hands full with two sick boys and two very young children. I know of a fine girl who could help you with your little boys while you’re caring for Jack and George.”
“Is that so?” Annie had never thought of hiring help, but she loved the idea.
“She’s from a large family and has considerable experience in caring for youngsters. I believe that she’s fourteen or fifteen years old. She wouldn’t require much payment if you give her a couple of meals each day. Would you like me to stop by her home and ask her to come over?”
“Oh, yes, Dr. Hughes, thank you. I’m weary to the bone. I could really use an extra pair of hands.”
“Very well then, I’ll speak to her. Her name is Yvonne.” He paused awkwardly, blinking his kind grey eyes. “And I apologize again for my language. You taught me a good lesson to not make assumptions. Are you Welsh?”
“No, but I attended school in Cardiff when I was a young girl. Don’t worry.” She smiled. “You reminded me of a time when I thought I was swearing undetected, but I got caught, too. I thought I had forgotten my Welsh over the years, but apparently I remembered some words!”
“Well, I’d best be on my way. I shall see you tomorrow.”
“Dr. Hughes, before you go, I have a question. Ever since Bobby became so ill, and now that Jack and Georgie are sick, I’ve been worrying that I brought this sickness into my house. I invited someone from Gold Creek here, and that person died last month.”
“Oh no, dear woman, this Spanish influenza spreads much quicker than that. Your eldest son likely caught it at the mill. The pulp and paper mill has people in and out from many parts of Canada and America, as well as men returning from overseas. It could have come from anywhere. Ease your mind. You could not have brought it home.”
Two hours later, there was a tentative knock at the door. Annie opened it to the pale face and thin frame of a young girl. Annie immediately felt pity for her; obviously the child did not get enough to eat. She had a thick wave of black hair and large green eyes fringed with long lashes. Annie thought she would be a beauty, if she gained some weight.
“You must be Yvonne. Come in.”
The girl answered in a soft voice, “Hello, Mrs. Kidd. Dr. Hughes said you needed someone to take care of your youngsters.” Yvonne looked as though she were ready to run away or burst into tears.
The girl was painfully shy, and Annie worried that the arrangement wouldn’t work. She changed her mind quickly, though, when she introduced Yvonne to Hal and Henry. Yvonne knelt down to speak to the little boys. Henry, who was normally leery of strangers, allowed her to pick him up.
“Yvonne, there’s soup on the stove and a
fresh loaf of bread on the counter. There’s also a block of cheese in the ice box. Give Henry and Hal their lunch and help yourself. Henry still needs some help feeding, especially with the soup. I’ll just be in the next room with Jack and Georgie.”
Annie went back to the sick-room but peeked into the kitchen now and then. Yvonne was efficient and patient with the children, with a ready smile on her face. After she fed the little boys, she demolished her own bowl of soup in seconds.
Annie returned to the kitchen. “I made too much soup and Jack and Georgie have lost their appetites with this flu. Have another bowl, dear, and help yourself to the bread and cheese. It’s a fine day outside. After your lunch, you can take the boys out to play in the sand by the garden or take them for a wagon ride.”
“Thank you Mrs. Kidd, but I can clean or do anything else for you, too.”
“No, dear, I just need you to watch my little boys while Jack and Georgie are sick. I really appreciate you taking care of them. I’ll call you in when I have dinner ready.”
Yvonne’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry. I’m not upset. You and Dr. Hughes are very kind to me. I promise to take good care of Hal and Henry.”
While Yvonne and the little boys were outside, both Jack’s and Georgie’s temperatures spiked. Annie could feel the heat radiating off of them. She recalled her desperation and anxiety those many years ago, when Maggie was fevered. Annie cooled their foreheads with wet flannels and tried to get them to drink a little water. Georgie’s cough worsened and he complained of chest pain. His breathing was laboured. He was eleven years old now and although he was tall for his age, he still had a cherubic face. His hair was light blond and his nose was spattered with freckles. She pressed her hand affectionately to his flushed cheek.
Bobby came home from work at his usual time. The room was filled with the tantalizing aroma of a chicken baking in the oven. The two little boys were at the table with Yvonne contentedly eating apple slices. Annie introduced Bobby to Yvonne, explaining how she had come to be helping them. Bobby blushed and nodded to Yvonne, then went upstairs to change out of his work clothes.
As Yvonne washed Hal and Henry’s faces and hands after their snack, she offered, “Next time, Mrs. Kidd, I’d be happy to make dinner while I watch your boys.”
“Yes, I think that would be better. Georgie seems to be getting much worse now.”
When Hal and Henry were asleep for the night, Yvonne set out to leave for home. Annie hugged the young girl.
“Thank you so much, Yvonne. You’ve been a great help to me today. You are so good with the children. I’ll see you tomorrow morning about eight o’clock then.”
Yvonne’s whole face lit up. “I’ve had a wonderful day, Mrs. Kidd. See you tomorrow.”
Annie smiled to herself as she watched Yvonne almost skip down the street. When she returned to the sickroom, Bobby offered to sit with Jack and Georgie for a few hours.
“I’m not tired, Ma. You go up and have a nap. I’ll wake you if either one gets worse.”
Exhausted, Annie whispered, “Thank you, son.”
Once upstairs, she fell onto her bed fully dressed. She was asleep in seconds and slept for three hours. She awoke to the worrisome bark of continuous coughing from downstairs.
She wearily stood up and checked Hal and Henry. Henry was sucking his thumb. His chubby cheeks were pink from his outside play. Hal was snuggled beside his brother and breathing heavily in a deep sleep. Annie adjusted their blankets; how angelic her two little boys looked while sleeping. Then she braced herself to return to the sick-room.
Jack was sleeping soundly, but Bobby had Georgie sitting up, and was patting his back. Bobby looked at his mother relieved.
“Poor Georgie’s having trouble breathing.”
“I’ll take over now, son. You have work tomorrow. I had a lovely rest, so don’t worry. You go up to bed.”
After Bobby left, Annie checked Jack to be assured he was sleeping peacefully. Jack looks so much like Bobby, Annie thought; he’s the mirror image of his older brother at fourteen. She adjusted his blanket, then turned her attention to Georgie.
Annie was alarmed by how much his illness had progressed. She sat on the edge of his bed, and ran her fingers through his hair. He looked at her with tears in his eyes and asked in a hoarse voice, “Am I going to die, Mummy?”
She fought to stop her own tears, and said in as calm a voice as she could muster. “No, Georgie, of course not! You just try to rest and I’ll stay right here beside you.”
Georgie’s fever remained high throughout the night, as he coughed and struggled to breathe. Annie tried to push aside memories of Maggie’s illness as she nursed her two sons. She was so frightened that her hands shook and her eyes repeatedly filled with tears. Feeling helpless, she stood up often and paced the room. Through her tears Annie spoke silently to her father. Oh, Pappa, I can’t lose another child. This illness is so frightening!
Eventually, she felt calmer. Georgie was still gasping for breath, but Annie felt the strength and support of her father’s love. She rolled up a blanket to prop Georgie up and help him breathe easier, and then she went over to Jack’s bed to check on him. He opened his eyes and Annie whispered to him.
“How are you feeling now, Jack?”
“My headache is gone but I’m hungry, Ma. Can I have some soup?”
“I’ll warm up some for you right away,” Annie replied with great relief. “Why don’t I fill the tub and put some fresh sheets on your bed while you have a bath. That will make you feel better.”
“Thanks, Ma. How’s Georgie?” Jack looked over at his brother.
“I think his pneumonia is worse, Dr. Hughes is coming in the morning, thank God. I’m so relieved that you’re feeling better, Jack. I’ll come to help you walk to the bathroom when I have the tub full. You’ll still be feeling weak for a while yet.”
The next morning, Yvonne arrived at seven-thirty. She brought Hal and Henry downstairs and made breakfast for them. Bobby came into the kitchen, ate his breakfast quietly, and made his lunch. He tiptoed into the sick-room and looked relieved when he saw Jack sleeping peacefully. Georgie still looked very ill and Bobby glanced anxiously at his mother.
“Poor Georgie, is he coughing up blood?”
Annie nodded and whispered back, “I’ll be glad to see Dr. Hughes this morning. At least Jack seems to have improved.”
Annie saw how worried Bobby was when he said goodbye and left for work. She stayed with Jack and Georgie, and listened to the cheerful banter between Yvonne and Hal in the kitchen. Later, she heard the door open and close, when Yvonne took the little boys outside after breakfast.
Dr. Hughes had arrived at about nine o’clock. He examined both boys and shook his head when he listened to Georgie’s chest. Back in the kitchen he quietly spoke to Annie.
“Jack has improved. He’ll be a little weak yet. Just make sure he gets plenty of liquids. But Mrs. Kidd, I’m going to take George to the hospital. His pneumonia is much worse and I’m quite concerned. I’ll take him in my car right now. I’ll make sure the nurses let you see him any time.”
Dr. Hughes went back to Georgie’s bed and lifted the boy into his arms. Annie grabbed a pillow and blanket and followed the doctor to his car. She placed the pillow on the back seat and cried as the doctor gently laid Georgie down. Annie covered Georgie with the blanket and kissed his cheek.
“I’ll come to the hospital, son, as soon as I can. You are going to get better now, Georgie. Dr. Hughes will take good care of you.” Georgie looked frightened; his eyes filled with tears. Annie closed the car door and watched as the car pulled away and disappeared down the road. She stood frozen on the same spot for several minutes trying to compose herself. A hot summer breeze blew around her and she wondered how the sun could shine on such a dreadful day. She heard Yvonne’s steps in the gravel road and she turned around. Yvonne was holding the boys’ hands.
“Mrs. Kidd, I can take care of Jack and still watch Hal and Henry. I�
��m used to caring for my brothers and sisters. You should go to the hospital. I’ll even stay overnight if you want.”
Annie wiped away her tears with her apron and replied in a broken voice, “Thank you, Yvonne. You’re right. Maybe if I’m with him, he’ll fight harder. If I lost my Georgie, Yvonne, I just couldn’t bear it.”
“Don’t worry about anything here. I’ll take care of your boys until Bobby gets home. If he wants me to stay over to watch Jack tonight, I will. I can just run back home to let my parents know. If they’re concerned about me being alone in a house of boys, I’ll bring my sister or brother back with me.”
“You’ve thought of everything, dear. I’m so grateful that Dr. Hughes sent you to me. Bobby will probably want to come to the hospital too, when he gets home. I’ve plenty of eggs and bacon in the icebox and you’ll find cans of food in the cupboard over the counter.” She impulsively gave the girl a warm hug. “Thank you, Yvonne.”
Annie quickly changed her clothes. She gave Henry a quick hug and kneeled down to kiss Hal goodbye. Neither little boy fussed as she left; they were happy under Yvonne’s care. She briskly walked the mile to the school, which had been converted to an influenza hospital. By the time she reached the building she was overheated from her walk in the summer sunshine. She climbed the concrete stairs and pulled open the heavy wooden door at the entrance and was greeted by a volunteer, who handed her a mask and directed her to the largest classroom on the next floor. Annie’s shoes clicked on the hardwood floor as she walked down the long hallway. She slowly climbed the stairs to the second floor. It was odd to see beds filling rooms of blackboards and bookshelves. She passed through the doorway of Georgie’s ward and saw many cots arranged in rows; every bed held a sick child. The nurses had set up a station in the cloakroom and filled it with bedding and supplies. Annie searched the room and finally found Georgie in a bed in the middle-row. A nurse was taking his temperature when Annie introduced herself.
“Dr. Hughes said I could stay with Georgie. If there’s anything I can do to help with his care, just tell me.”
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