Waiting For Lily Bloom

by Jericha Kingston

  James shook hands with Uncle Ned, and Aunt Charity set a plate of biscuits on the kitchen table.

  The girls wiped the dinner plates and turned them upside down.

  Aunt Charity rushed to the sink and washed her hands. “I can’t think of a better day to enjoy these figs.” Her words lilted as she pulled a cloth-wrapped jar from a sack.

  A mere glance at the syrupy preserves made Lily salivate.

  “Happy Easter, girls.” Uncle Ned patted the girls on the head and gave them each a stick of chewing gum.

  “A whole piece?” Elsa whispered.

  “We don’t have to sh-share?” Ava wondered.

  “Of course you do.” Uncle Ned hitched his thumbs on his suspenders. “At all times. Except when it comes to combs. And this here gum. But if you shared a piece today, you’d have the other piece for tomorrow.”

  The girls looked at their gum, and then at each other. What would they choose?

  “Mind you don’t open that until after dinner.” Aunt Charity stirred the beans on the stove, mumbling something about men’s poor timing.

  The house was now a hive of activity, swarming with words that gladdened Lily’s heart.

  The girls giggled, placing their sticks of gum on the table beside their plates.

  Aunt Charity filled cups with water and shared how one of her chickens was found alive.

  Ned and James discussed the sermon and how blessed the town was to call Reverend Cox their pastor.

  Sunlight shone through the windows. Lily glanced outside, where dust blew across the field. Desolate as it was beyond the front door, peace ruled within their home. At various times throughout the week, it had become clear that James was proving a true friend, and the girls were a delight. Her home was an oasis, and like a seed sprouting after the deluge, her heart was taking root in Paul’s Valley.

  “Glory be, did you hear me?” Aunt Charity placed her hand on Lily’s sleeve.

  Lily’s face warmed as she shook her head.

  “Let’s eat!”

  Ned smacked his hands together. “Hot diggity.”

  James’s dimples surfaced.

  Everyone sat at the table and joined hands.

  “Let’s pray.” James held her hand, brushing his fingers over her knuckles.

  Her breath hitched. She coughed to disguise it.

  “Father, thank You for Jesus and His resurrection. For this fine meal, we give thanks. Bless our family, Lord. Be with us in the days ahead. Thank You for guidance, and for bein’ so faithful to us. I thank You for my wife, and the children You’ve blessed us with.”

  Stars above!

  “Watch over Henry and lead him to work. We humbly ask for rain.” He squeezed Lily’s hand. “In Jesus’s Name, amen.”

  “Amen.” Even Elsa chimed in.

  Everyone flipped their plates over. Lily passed the biscuits and figs, and Aunt Charity served the beans.

  “Got any salt?” Uncle Ned held a fork in one hand and a spoon in the other.

  Lily jumped up and retrieved the bowl of salt before Aunt Charity could.

  “Thank you.” He smiled at her and sprinkled the salt over his food.

  Lily sat and sipped her water.

  “How’s married life?” Uncle Ned asked.

  She choked, truly coughing now.

  James patted her on the back, eyebrows raised and eyes twinkling. “You all right?”

  She wiped her mouth and nodded.

  “Goin’ fine.” James answered. “We’ve had a few surprises, but we’re learnin’ to roll with the punches.”

  Ava giggled.

  Lily smiled at Uncle Ned and kicked James under the table.

  James cleared his throat and shifted. “As long as you give selfishness the boot, you’ll have a happy marriage.”

  She couldn’t reach him this time.

  Aunt Charity squeezed Lily’s hand. “I told you he was a good man.”

  Yes, her very own Saint James.

  A knock sounded at the door.

  James’s fork was halfway to his mouth. He placed it on his plate and stood. “Who could that be?”

  He walked to the door and opened it.

  “I’m looking for Ned Driggers. Would you—”

  Papa?

  “Will?” Uncle Ned stood, blinking. “How on earth—?”

  Papa! Lily jumped up and ran to the door. She passed James and rushed into Papa’s arms.

  He clung to her. “Lily…oh, my Lily. I’m sorry I couldn’t get here any sooner, child.”

  “Mr. Driggers, please come in.” James closed the door behind him. “I’m James Bloom. Pleased to meet you.” James extended his hand.

  Papa ignored it. “My automobile.” He breathed heavily. “It’s broken down.”

  Lily pulled herself away, pumped a glass of water, and brought it to him.

  Aunt Charity leapt into action. “William, come and sit. Have a bite to eat before you pass out.”

  “But my automobile—”

  “Will be fine.” Uncle Ned stood and cleared his place. “Get over here and eat.”

  Lily walked Papa to the chair. He sat and drank the water as Aunt Charity fixed a plate for him. Uncle Ned and Aunt Charity fired questions at him.

  “When did you leave?”

  “When was the last time you ate?”

  “How much damage did you pass?”

  “Why didn’t you call us?”

  “You might’ve died and no one would’ve known!”

  “Stop this ridiculous interrogation at once. It bears no import whatsoever. And I’ll not tarry a moment longer than I must, of that you can be sure.”

  “But you just arrived,” James blurted. “You can’t leave yet. Lily is thrilled to see you.”

  “Of course she is. And I’m not leaving alone. I’m taking my daughter with me.”

  8

  James’s fists clenched. “No sir, you’re not.”

  William’s face turned red. He pushed back from the table and stood.

  Charity wrung her hands.

  Lily gaped.

  Ned frowned and stepped in front of James.

  “Will, Lily is a married woman.” He looked at Charity and motioned with his head.

  “Children, come with me. Bring your gum.” The woman gathered the girls like chicks under her arms.

  James inhaled. “Lily, why don’t you show Aunt Charity to the bedroom.”

  Lily nodded.

  “My daughter is not to be ordered about like a servant.”

  Lily froze and looked from James to her father.

  “Lily, honey, which room?” Aunt Charity grabbed her sleeve.

  Lily turned and walked down the hall with Charity. The bedroom door closed.

  James ground his teeth. “Mr. Driggers, Lily isn’t my servant. She’s my wife.”

  “A problem which will soon be rectified. I’m having the marriage annulled.”

  Ned blanched. “Will.”

  “No, sir. You’re not.” James swallowed words he hadn’t used for a very long time. He was half a second from grabbing Lily’s father by his shirt and tossing him out the door. “Lily is my wife, and I have the witnesses to prove it. Ned, you were there. Tell him.”

  Ned nodded. “It’s true. They married Monday, nearly a week ago.”

  “And has the marriage been consummated?” Red splotches appeared on William’s face, spread into James’s peripheral vision, and soon a red haze covered the entire room.

  James gripped the back of the chair, squeezing it until he heard a cracking sound.

  “Well?” The man’s tone couldn’t have been more condescending.

  “I’ll be outside.” Ned grabbed his hat and exited.

  “That’s none of your business.”

  “From your response, I surmise the answer is no. May I ask, when the nuptials were given, did Lily say ‘I do’?”

  James stepped forward, answering through clenched teeth. “You know she didn’t.”

  “There you hav
e it. No court in a civilized state would hear my case and not annul this farce of a marriage. Now, fetch my daughter. We’re leaving.”

  His grip on the chair tightened. “You do whatever you want. But my wife isn’t goin’ anywhere.”

  A vein throbbed in William’s forehead. He inhaled deeply and approached James. “Mr. Bloom.” He glanced at his fingernails. “Perhaps you’ve noticed that my daughter is different from the ladies in this part of the country.”

  “I have.” Just one of the reasons why he loved her.

  “Lily was brought up in a more…genteel fashion than this part of the country allows.” He glanced around the room and sneered. “Do you truly think you can provide for my daughter’s welfare, much less her happiness?”

  “No, I don’t. But the Lord can. And I trust Him to take care of us.”

  William’s eye twitched. “Oh.” He stretched out the word. “A religious man. How admirable. But what about Lily’s needs? How will you even communicate with her?”

  “We’ve been doin’ fine.”

  “Really?” William’s cold green eyes pierced James. “Do you know that in Savannah, Lily had tutors for her education? She plays piano and studies art. She has friends and parties. In fact, her life is exemplary. She wants for nothing, and she never lacks for companionship. Can you give those things to my daughter?”

  “Of course not.”

  He stepped closer, until James could see the pores in his skin. “Mr. Bloom, why would you rob a widower of his only daughter?”

  He spoke through clenched teeth. “She’s my wife.”

  “But she doesn’t have to be. I’m offering you a way out, man! Surely, there are women here more suited to the role of a farmer’s wife. Before Lily came west, she had servants of her own. She isn’t used to this way of living. You can find a normal wife. Someone who can talk to you. Someone who can talk to your children.” He paused emphatically. “Who knows if Lily will even be able to bear a child? Her mother died in childbirth. What if the child is mute? Your child? Then what will you do?”

  He’d love the child as much as he loved Lily, that’s what. She flashed in his thoughts, in all of her glorious anger on Palm Sunday. Lily, courageous, takin’ her vows with him on Monday…Lily, sweepin’ until blisters formed on her hands…helpin’ him throughout the week…listenin’ to him…carin’ for the girls when no one else would. Who could ever take her place? She was a lily among the thorns.

  William glared at him. “You’re in love with my daughter.”

  He raised his chin. “I am.”

  “Prove it. Drop your pride and selfishness and do what’s best for Lily.”

  ****

  Aunt Charity stroked Lily’s hand. “It’ll be all right. You’ll see. James will explain everything to your Papa.”

  Lily nodded, holding Ava and Elsa close to her. Why was this happening? Surely, Papa would speak with James and discover that he was kind and good.

  “Can you imagine your father, riding across the country in the dust?” Aunt Charity giggled, and then sighed. “He loves you. In his way.”

  It was true. Papa would do anything for her happiness. There were stories of people who sent away their mute children. Papa hadn’t. He’d cared for her and given her all he could. She’d lived a life of privilege, even in troubled times. Papa was reasonable. He’d understand. In time, he’d come to love James, too.

  She bolted upright, displacing the girls.

  “Lily? Mercy, you’re white as a sheet!”

  “Are y-you OK, M-Miss Lily?”

  Lily raised one hand to her forehead, and placed the other on her stomach.

  “What’s wrong?” Aunt Charity’s outline wavered as Lily’s eyes filled with tears. She walked to the dresser and wrote in the dust with her finger. I love James.

  Aunt Charity gasped and gathered Lily into her arms. “I’m so happy for you. So happy.”

  Someone knocked on the door, and the ladies drew apart.

  The door opened, and James looked into the room, grim-faced. “We’re done.” He walked back to the living room.

  Lily and Charity followed, the girls close behind.

  Papa sat in a chair beside Uncle Ned.

  James faced Lily. “Your father wants to annul our marriage and take you back to Savannah. Is that what you want?”

  What? No! How could Papa consider such a thing? She stepped toward James and shook her head.

  “Ridiculous,” Papa cried. “As if she has a choice in the matter!”

  “She has a choice.” James looked at her. “You have a choice, Lily.”

  “She doesn’t know what she’s doing. She’s only been here a week—”

  “A week is all it takes.” Uncle Ned spoke up. “Especially this week. She knows, Will. If Lily can be happy here, she found out this week. Give her some credit. It has to be her decision.”

  “What kind of brother are you, taking sides with this…this farmer?”

  “I’m a farmer, too.” Uncle Ned ground out. “And you should thank the Lord for it.”

  “Enough.” James stared at Lily. “You have a choice to make.”

  There was really no choice at all. There hadn’t been one since she’d made her vow before God, and certainly not since she’d cried out to Him this morning in faith and repentance. She’d not turn back now. Whatever the future held, she was Mrs. James Bloom.

  “D-Don’t leave, M-Miss Lily. We need you.” Ava wrapped her arms around Lily’s waist.

  “Stay, Miss Lily.” Elsa approached from the other side, hugging her as well.

  It would be easier to remove a limb than to leave the girls. She knelt down and hugged both of the children, kissing them on their heads. She tapped the end of their noses and stood. She walked to James and reached out to him.

  “Choose wisely,” Papa said. “I’ll not be coming back.”

  Oh, Papa. If only he could understand.

  She squeezed James’s hands and then walked to Papa to tell him goodbye. As she hugged him, James stormed out the front door.

  ****

  “Ha! I knew you’d come to your senses.”

  Papa’s hug was strangely cold. It lacked the warmth, the scent, and the joy that Lily had grown to love. She leaned back and looked into Papa’s eyes. How she loved him! She kissed his cheek and shook her head.

  His eyes bulged and his mouth fell open. “Lily?”

  How could she tell him that James was everything to her? Whether he lived in a mansion or a hovel, her place was by his side. If they were parted, she’d miss him until he returned. There would be no leaving.

  “You love him.” Papa’s words were incredulous. His eyes filled with tears. “I’ve lost you.”

  She shook her head, kissed her palm, and placed it on his chest.

  He grabbed her hand and clung to it, and then he drew his kerchief from his pocket and wiped his nose. “I should leave.” His voice strengthened. He lifted his chin and released her hand.

  “No need. Stay with us a few days.” Uncle Ned insisted. “I could use the help.”

  Papa turned to Uncle Ned, a tick developing under his right eye. After a moment, he spoke. “Excellent. You could tell me your thoughts on these dust storms.” He looked back to Lily. “And I’d get to see my Lily again.”

  She grabbed Papa’s hand and kissed it. Then she went in search of James.

  ****

  James squinted as dust blew all around him. The sun blazed, scorching his head. A tumbleweed rolled east. Where would it stop? It might even beat Lily back to Savannah. Was his entire life meant to be barren? Barren fields, barren pockets. Barren heart. But not a barren soul. He inhaled a dusty breath.

  The Lord was his portion.

  He’d prayed for Lily, loved her, and could only release her if she didn’t love him back. His heart ached. It was empty. Swept clean. Just like the land before him. He should return. He’d thrown a fit of temper and left guests in his home. Maybe he was as selfish and prideful as the old man said.
He faced his home.

  Someone approached, running across the field. He raised his hand to shield his eyes.

  It was Lily. Coming to say goodbye, no doubt.

  He drank in the sight, recording the image of her running to him for the years to come. Help me, Lord.

  She stopped before him, breathing heavy. Her eyes were alight, the love for her father shining through.

  “I’m sorry I stormed out.” Shame filled him. “Selfishness, I guess.”

  Lily shook her head, taking his hand.

  “I’ll miss you, Lily. I will.”

  She wiped her eyes. The wind gusted, blowing locks of her hair across her face.

  He pushed them behind her ear and placed his hands on her cheeks. “I love you.” He’d never regret telling her. He’d waited so long for her, his beautiful Lily. And now she’d leave, taking his heart with her. Why? Why was this happening? His gut twisted as she nodded, her chin quivering.

  She pointed to herself, drew a heart on her chest with her index fingers, and then touched his chest.

  He swallowed, his heart leaping inside his chest. “You…you love me?” It was too much to hope for, here in the land where dreams died.

  Her eyes filled as she nodded. She placed her hands on his face, leaned forward, and kissed him.

  ****

  “Open it, Miss Lily, open it!”

  Papa left with Uncle Ned and Aunt Charity.

  The girls dragged Lily to her rocking chair and she sat.

  Elsa dropped a newspaper-wrapped gift on her lap.

  Lily placed her hand on her chest and raised her eyebrows.

  “Y-Yes, it’s for y-you. Hurry, open it!” Ava clasped her hands together.

  How blessed she was, surrounded by these precious ones. She’d come to visit her aunt and uncle and gained an entire family. How could love have found her so quickly?

  James stood beside the girls, a dimple appearing on his cheek. “You heard the ladies. Get crackin’.”

  She smiled and peeled away the paper, revealing a slate and two pieces of chalk.

  “N-now you can teach me l-letters.” Ava stroked the slate.

  “And numbers,” Elsa added.