"What happened, George?" She squeezed his hand.
"Comanche…that’s what. I was out tendin’ the few head of cattle we had and they was in the house. Next thing I heard was screams. By the time I got to the house, it was too late. They killed my wife, left her naked on the steps and took her scalp, my kids…they took ‘em."
Josey noticed the tears falling on his cheek, but he didn't raise a hand to wipe them away this time.
"Oh my God…George, I never knew…I am so sorry. Ya didn’t find the kids?"
George hung his head. "I tried. I nearly went crazy, seein’ my wife lying there like that. I guess I was out of it a while. By the time I came back to reality, it was a month later. Too late. There was no trace, even though I spent the better part of five years lookin’. I never even got close…" George was crying aloud now and her mother came to hold him close to her and cried with him.
She shook her head glancing at her girls who stood nearby listening to his story, and as she started toward her bed she spoke over her shoulder. "Is there no end to the brutality of man?"
The look in George’s eyes spoke for him.
Chapter Eleven
Josey reflected on the latest events and wrote them in her journal. The winter of ‘63 had been a hard one, but one that went on.
However, something had changed. Now her sister was ailing. She even put on weight. She got up later, was sick at her stomach a lot and easy to cry. Josey didn’t know what to do with her. She’d promised her mama to take care of her, and she did as well as she could, but there were days she felt Rose was playing at being sick to get out of the work, because her chores had increased.
Rose shook her head. "I’m not sick. I’m just under the weather is all."
Josey went to her mother. "I know there is something wrong with Rose."
"She ain’t sick, child."
"Then what is wrong with her Mama? She ain’t the same and there don’t seem to be a reason."
Her mother, who was so weak she took to her bed in the daylight, shook her head and sank further into her bed, her color paled on her face, and Josey wished she hadn’t asked. She hated depending so much on her, but she couldn’t stop.
"I feared this would happen, I guess the Lord took care of her for as long as he could. But our Rose is with child," her mother declared.
"With child? Oh, Mama…are you sure? How could this happen?" Josey wailed.
"The way things like this always happens child. It was bound to happen, she pushed too far. But the deed's done and there is nothing to do but own up to the mistake and take care of it," her mother informed her.
"Hank’s?" Josey frowned.
"I don’t know child…I’m not sure she knows." Her mother frowned.
"Oh God, Mama…what are we gonna do?"
"Do? She’s with child. Ain’t nothin’ to do. She’ll have to figure out who she thinks the father is and see if he’ll do the right thing about her. If he won’t, they can’t be blamed…Rose asked fer this, Josey."
Josey shook her head. "But…"
"No child, this is her problem. However, bein’ with child don’t excuse her from chores. She’s healthy as a horse, there is no reason she can’t do her share, don’t go easy on her. I worked right alongside your daddy while I carried both of you. Picked cotton, and withstood the heat of day too."
Josey listened carefully as tears gathered in her mother’s eyes. Was this what her mama worried about all along? With child!
"Please don’t cry Mama. I’ll take care of her. She’ll be fine." Josey vowed not knowing what she would do with her sister. Even Rose probably didn’t realize what was wrong. She’d have to tell her. That would make her angry enough to get her out of the bed.
"I don’t have long…darlin’."
Fear shot through Josey as her mother grabbed her hand and held on tight.
"I feel this—cancer creeping up on me. I have for some time. I’ve written this letter. I want you to take it to town and have Mr. Lloyd come out here when I pass on. He’ll explain everything to you and I want you to promise me…you’ll see to your sister."
"Of course I will, Mama. You know I will. I’d do anything for you." Josey promised, not realizing just how detailed that could be.
"Good, now I can die in peace. Just remember…how much… I-I love you… Josey…and Rose…and the others too. I took Jacob in when he was just a little boy, cryin’ for his mammy, he’s been as good as any son could have been to me. And George, he’s had no one for so long, I told him he was part of our family too. You must always treat them as such. They are our true family and we must always remember that. Bury me near your Pa, and God be with you and Rose as these are trying times."
"I will Mama. I love you too…Mama." She tried to squeeze her hand for reassurance as her mama's hold went limp. "Oh Mama…Mama," she screamed. "Don’t leave me."
Then, like a chilling whisper, she was gone. Josey looked down at her, saw the peaceful face of her mother, and realized how easy she had passed. It was as though God himself had taken her hand. Even though she already mourned her mother's death, she had peace that her mother was with God.
Josey sat in the room alone until darkness surrounded her. She couldn’t move. Couldn’t think. Then all of a sudden she stiffened her spine and came out. Her Mama made this farm a success, even after her daddy died. Josey would take up where she left off. She closed the door and Hank came in.
"Somethin’ wrong Miss Josey?" he asked as he stared at her.
"Hank, I need your help." She said bravely before the tears began to fall grabbing the back of a chair for support. "Mama is gone…" She barely got the words out, trying to be strong.
"Oh my God…I’m sorry Miss Josey, truly I am." Hank came to take her in his arms to comfort her. Josey let him, as she needed a shoulder to cry on. She was lost without Mama. Her tears poured freely.
Josey heard Rose's door open, and turned her head. "What’s goin’ on in here? What you doin’ in Hank’s arms." Rose protested, her lips curling into a mutinous frown.
"I’m sorry." Josey batted the tears from her face, moving out of Hank’s arms and turning to look at her sister with tears in her eyes.
"Hank, can you get George to build a casket. Tomorrow I must go into town and have Mr. Lloyd come out. He’ll be reading the will to us."
Hank bowed his head, and nodded. "She was one fine lady…your mama." Hank wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. "She treated me good."
She looked to Hank for just a second more, his face mirrored sadness. "Of course she did, you are family. She said so herself. Dinner will be a little late…tonight."
Josey headed for her sister’s bedroom now, as she pulled Rose with her by the hand, she sat on the edge of her bed with her as Rose waited for her to say something.
But Josey couldn’t be still. She had to learn how to be strong like her mother had been for so long.
"Honestly Josey, I told you I’m ill." Rose complained. "But that don’t mean you can go makin’ eyes at Hank too. I knowed you been flashin' your eyes at Leroy...but Hank?"
"Shut up Rose. Did you hear what I said to Hank?"
"Well I…something about…a…casket." Rose's eyes stormed with some new emotion, as though she heard, but she didn't accept the news. "Whatever would you need one for?" she blurted. "I’m not dying, I’m just sick."
"You're not sick….I know what’s wrong with you." Josey sat beside her and pulled her by the shoulders to look into her eyes. Rose had such beautiful eyes, like a child, almost innocent. And in that instant Josey began to understand her sister and her plight.
"Oh, have you suddenly become a doctor too?" Rose snapped.
"No Rose, Mama has." Josey smiled sadly at her sister.
"What are you jabbering about?" Rose fluffed her pillow and sat up. "Honestly, Josey, I don’t even understand you anymore."
"You’re with child…" Josey blurted.
Rose looked at her sister and flushed. Her eyes widened for a minu
te, and then her brows drew together. "What? What are you saying?"
"You heard me…you’re gonna have a baby." Josey said.
"No, you are crazy." Rose nearly screamed. "Oh no…I just can’t be." Rose looked at her sister, astonishment lining her face. "But I…I…don’t…"
"I know…you’re not sure who the father is…are you?" Josey asked not looking directly at her.
"Well…I presume Hank…" Rose bit her lip, and she no longer looked Josey in the eye.
Josey saw Rose's mind flittering about, trying to make sense of what Josey told her.
"Naturally, it has to be Hank's…even you know that. Is that why he was holding you, you told him?"
Josey took a hold of her by the arms. "No, that’s not why he was comforting me, honey." She paused and drew breath, deciding to just come out with it. "Look, Rose, I don’t want you to fret about this. We’ll handle all of this, together. I won’t leave you."
"You won’t?" Rose’s eyes filled with tears of regrets.
"No, I will be with you and help you through this, Rose. I will never leave you. Do you understand?"
"Oh…Josey, you mean that?" Rose grabbed Josey and tried to smile through her tears.
"Of course I do, you’re my sister, and I love you.” Josey admitted realizing it was the truth. “But Rose, you must sit down because I’ve got some shocking news and I want you to be okay."
"What…what’s wrong?" Rose looked up into Josey's face, perplexed. "What else could be wrong?"
"It's Mama, Rose. You see…Mama died today…" Josey sobbed aloud unable to keep the tears from falling any longer.
Rose gently took hold of her and hugged her tight. "Dear God…oh dear God." Rose rocked Josey back and forth. Rose rocked and rocked. Tears ran down her cheek like a flood and they cradled each other. "What will we ever do without Mama?"
~*~
Rose felt like a piece of wood, as though she were no longer real. So many worries, so much sorrow. She couldn't believe that her and Josey had prepared their mother for viewing for her friends. They had prepared her themselves, dressing her in her best Sunday dress, folding her arms at her waist, fixing her hair like she liked to wear it in a tight bun at the back of her head.
It felt surreal.
Neighbors came from all over the area to pay their respects. Three days she lay in the living room, Rose still couldn't believe she was gone. Surely she'd get up any time now and start fixing supper as always. But she didn't. Three days that Josey, Rose, and the men of the Anderson farm would never forget.
George cried when he saw Mrs. Anderson in the casket. Hank wiped his eyes continually, but Jacob pulled a chair up beside the coffin and talked to her as though she were still there.
Rose came to stand beside him.
"Don't she look pretty?" Rose cried.
Jacob turned his tear stained eyes on Rose and nodded. He was so choked up he couldn't speak.
As the people filed in to get a look at their mother, Rose listened to old stories passed about the room, trying to cheer the family up, but there was no cheer on the day of burying. The funeral was miserably cold and rainy and it was all Rose could do to stay warm while the preacher read the pretty words over Mama. Josey and Rose huddled together that day, unable to cope alone. Rose pulled Josey tight against her several times, reassuring herself she would still be there. She saw the men standing beside them, ready to help in any way, for everyone loved Ruby Anderson.
Rose knew they both looked forlorn and lost as they stood near the graveside. Silent tears ran down their cheeks.
Rose acknowledged that her mother had a lot of friends over the years, but swollen creeks kept some of the neighbors from attending the funeral. Somehow that made the funeral sadder, Rose thought. Her Mama loved her friends, and for them not to be here was tragic. It was just too muddy for words. Fortunately, the preacher lived on this side of the creek, Rose was glad of that. He brought his entire family and a few close neighbors came to pay their respects to the family, shaking their head.
"She was one strong woman." One lady in her sewing circle stopped and squeezed Rose's hand. “She’d stand up to Abe Lincoln, I reckon.”
The girls took comfort in the stories people would tell of her.
After the funeral was over and the burying seen to, everyone came inside, Rose noticed most of the people preparing to get home before more bad weather settled in.
Rose could hardly function though; and she knew Josey felt the same. She sadly realized that nothing was the same without Mama. Their house was silent that night. And the men were still. It was a day for mourning, and all of them felt the same.
But when the company left, Josey gathered everyone around the table.
"Mama's last words were of all of you and how much you'd come to mean to her. She wanted us to go on as a family. This place belongs to all of us now. And we'll work it together, and celebrate together and take care of the place. She loved you all. You were all a part of her. She wanted you to know that."
"God bless her heart." Jacob cried now, and Rose went to comfort him.
Hank sat in the chair and didn't even realize that tears rolled down his cheek.
George nodded. "That's right, we are family…"
~*~
Mr. Lloyd, a small, tidy man came out to the farm a few days later after the creek went down, with a satchel of papers, and read the will to all of them. Everyone gathered in the parlor as he adjusted his glasses and glanced about at them.
It took him only a few minutes to read the will, as Ruby was usually short and sweet with words. Rose didn’t seem upset that Josey got the farm, for Mama stipulated that Rose must be cared for always.
"Now, there is something that will be of interest to you, Jacob." Mr. Lloyd said as he was finishing up the will.
"Yes, suh?" Jacob answered.
"Well…the will states that Mr. Anderson bought you about twelve years ago. You were still just a kid. In addition, you’ve been a faithful servant to them all those years. Mrs. Anderson herself called you son. Mrs. Anderson saw fit to release you and give you your freedom. It just makes it official. She writes that she realizes the Yankees done set you free, but that this paper would also do the same and help you understand how very much you were loved. In her words here she states, You were not a Negro in our home, Jacob, you were a son." Mr. Lloyd cleared his throat. "I have her hand on this and that sets you free as of today. According to her you can stay or you can go, now you have a choice though."
Jacob’s eyes widened as more tears ran down his cheek. He shook his head and he smiled through those tears. "I’m free? But I never felt any other way. Mrs. Anderson never treated me no different than any other man." Everyone turned to look at Jacob now.
"Yes sir, you are free. But she also states, you are family." Mr. Lloyd smiled.
"You mean I can just walk out that door and go anywhere I want?" Jacob asked.
"That’s right…you can." Mr. Lloyd smiled at him again. "And this is the paper that says so. You hang on to that for sure."
"Thank you, suh."
Mr. Lloyd nodded. "That’s all that I have. The hands are welcome to stay on as their salaries have been accounted for in the will, by Mrs. Anderson herself. She saved so she could do that for you all, because again in her own words, You are all family.’"
George and Hank nodded and smiled at each other.
~*~
Rose watched Jacob head for the door and realized she needed to speak to him. Panic rose in her throat. How could she ask him to stay when he was free at last? Would he run off now that he was free? However, what if this was his child?
The notion scared her witless. She was pulled in several directions at once. She had to talk to him.
"Jacob…wait…please." Rose called through the blinding rain as she followed him out the door.
"Yes ma’am." His look was one of sadness, regrets and love as he stared at her. Rose saw all of that in his gaze and she wanted to cry. For this man truly l
oved her, and she him.
"Can I speak with you a moment?" Rose asked her voice low, her hands shaking as she touched his arm.
"I reckon so." Jacob looked around. "We could go in the barn?"
"Let’s go." Rose insisted. The depressing cold and rain made them rush into the barn. As she took her shawl off, she shook it in the air. The musty smell made her grab her roiling belly. Jacob watched from a short distance.
"You okay, Miss Rose?"
"Oh…yes, yes, I’m okay. Just a little sick at my stomach."
"Yes ma’am." Jacob nodded his hat in his hand.
Rose was nervous and fumbling with her handkerchief. It was the very first time she didn't know what to say to a man. How could she talk to him about this? What could she say? She’d been foolish and she knew it now, but there was nothing but to blurt it out. She stared up into his handsome face, trying to read his expression.
"Is something wrong, Miss Rose?" He asked coming closer, his concern genuine.
"Jacob, there is no delicate way to put this…" Rose turned away, trying to find the right words. Her cheeks felt hot even with the rain. "I’m with child."
Her voice was soft, like a mewing cat. The words seemed to hang in the air.
He turned around and stared at her, from head to toe. "Yes, ma’am. I guess you are. You're more beautiful today than any day I've looked on you."
He seemed to stumble for words, unsure of how to react. He stared for a long time.
She finally sobbed aloud. "Jacob…it could be your baby."
Jacob’s mouth flew open and he paced in front of her for a minute. Like a hushed whisper, his voice drifted against her. "I never thought this might happen, but I reckon you are right, it could." There was a long silence as his face passed from one emotion to another. What was he thinking? Did he feel trapped? She didn’t want him to feel trapped. She just wanted him to know.
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