Journey's End

by Deatri King Bey

  “Then I’ll stay until one of them arrives or tell me how to find them, and I will.”

  “You are my best friend, Samson, but tomorrow you’re returning to Lucas. I’ll come and see you next summer.”

  Samson looked down the east side of the mountain. It looked treacherous at best. “How far away is it?”

  Joy shook her head at him. “It’s dangerous when you know where you’re going, Samson. There’s no way you could make it. If I had the wolves, they could lead the way, but I don’t. Please just leave, Samson. I’ll be fine. I promise. I’ll have Wolf post a letter for me once he comes to let you know they came for me.”

  Shaking his head, he paced about. “You are too stubborn, Joy. How can you hunt? Look at you.” It was early August and no one from the Miwok village had come by. Frustrated and fed up with her stubbornness, he stalked off in a huff. “I’m going hunting.”

  Samson was so angry he could spit. How could anyone be so stubborn? She put her own stubbornness in front of her child’s safety. He loved Joy, but dealing with her stubborn side made him see she was right in not marrying him. They would have never gotten along. He continued stalking though the woods, not to hunt but to vent some of his anger before returning to Joy.

  Jared had been watching Joy and Samson since they arrived at the cabin. It killed him knowing Samson was being a father to his child and a husband to his wife. He resented Samson, but admired him for taking on Joy and a white man’s child. It couldn’t have been easy for him to accept the baby.

  It took Jared weeks to come to terms with what he needed to do. He’d stayed with Roaring Thunder and let him know what happened. Raven convinced him to fight for Joy if he loved her. Joy needed someone who wouldn’t give up on her as soon as the going got tough.

  Thinking of all Joy went through, he knew Raven was correct. Joy needed to be shown that no matter what, he would not abandon her.

  As Samson approached, Jared stepped out, not meaning to startle.

  “Hello, Samson.”

  Samson lifted his rifle.

  Jared lifted his hands saying, “Don’t shoot. This is just the first chance I’ve had to speak with you alone.”

  Joy returned to the cabin and lay down in her bed, crying. Where was her family? She needed a new plan for her and the baby. She couldn’t stay at the cabin by herself, and she wouldn’t allow Samson to stay with her.

  Knowing what must be done, she readied for Samson’s return. She barely had time to saddle a horse when Samson walked into the barn.

  “I know you aren’t going riding, are you?”

  She looked at him through slanted eyes, then changed her mind and decided not to say what was on it. Instead, she led the horse out of the barn.

  He followed. “I’m sorry. I know you wouldn’t go riding. What are you doing?”

  Joy stood tall, chin up, shoulders back, chest high, and belly poking out. “I love you, but you have to return to Lucas now.” She held up her hands when it looked like he would protest. “Let me finish. I know you love me and don’t want to leave because you think I can’t make it on my own. Well, you are right. I thought one of my brothers would be here by now, but they haven’t come.”

  To prevent becoming overemotional, she paused. She needed to be a warrior now. “I want to stay for a few days, alone. I have a week’s worth of food to keep me, and the baby isn’t due for another month or so. I just need some time alone before I go to town in the wagon and stay until summer. Then I’ll visit my best friend in the whole wide world and show him my baby.”

  “Are you sure about this, Joy?”

  “More than sure. Someone from the village is bound to show up in town eventually for supplies. Hopefully, before the baby comes. Please try not to worry about me. This is something I have to do.”

  He hesitated, then hugged her. “I love you, Joy, forever and always.”

  Joy returned his hug, then watched him mount. It put her back in mind to when she was ten and Lucas left her for the first time. Those same fears and betrayals returned to her in a rush as he rode away. Just as she hadn’t wanted Lucas to leave, she didn’t want Samson to leave.

  Alone again, she realized that she was wrong when she was ten and she was wrong now. This time things would be different. She ran after Samson yelling, but her side cramped and she had to stop. Everything became still and there was no sound. Under her breath she uttered, “He left me.”

  Torn down and dejected, Joy tried to keep her composure. Feeling numb, she walked without thinking where she was headed. He left me, rambled through her mind over and over again. Before she knew it, she stood at the east side of the mountain where she fell to the ground crying out in pain. “He left me.”

  Watching Joy fall apart killed Jared slowly. He wanted to comfort her more than he needed to breathe, but couldn’t. It wasn’t time yet. He could see her as a child crying for her uncle, her parents, her loss. How would he help her recover?

  After she returned to the cabin, he returned to her hunting cave. He sat beside the wolves and brushed their coats. “First, I need to send you to your mistress and let her know she’s not all alone. I know you miss her, don’t you?” He finished brushing them both, fed them and sent them home.

  He lay back on his palate and thought about his days on the plantation. Never in his wildest imagination could he have dreamt he’d be living in a cave, have pet wolves, a Negro wife, and an Indian family. He laughed. Roger used to tease him, saying he’d marry a Negro some day. It was all so inconceivable then.

  Roger shook Jared gently. “Jared, wake up.”

  Jared opened his eyes slowly. “Roger?”

  Roger stood over his twin with a big grin on his face. “In the flesh.” He held open his arms.

  Jared rose to his brother and they embraced. He’d missed his twin so much. Jared shook his head. “You’re dead; how can you be here?”

  Roger sat on the floor of the cave next to the fire. “That’s not what I’m here to discuss. I’m here to discuss my nephew.”

  Jared’s heart leapt for joy. “You mean we’re having a boy?” He stood, unable to sit still from the happiness trying to burst out. “I’m having a son. My first child is a boy.” He sat across from Roger. “Can I see him?”

  “If he’s born, you will see him.”

  Jared’s face along with his mood became solemn. “What do you mean ‘if?’ ”

  Roger began doodling on the dirt floor in front of him. “Allow me to rephrase. When he is born, you will see him.”

  “Stop playing games, Roger. What’s wrong with the baby?”

  “He’s a perfectly healthy child. Just remember to put the baby first. Not Joy, but the baby.” He paused. “I guess what I’m trying to say is my nephew needs two parents. I’ve missed you. I’m glad you found Joy.”

  Jared didn’t want to stop talking about the baby, but he knew Roger wouldn’t tell him anything else on that topic. “I am in love with her, Roger. I’m not giving up on us.”

  “That’s the spirit. I have to leave you now.”

  “No, you just arrived. Stay a little longer. Please.”

  “I wish I could.” He stood up to leave. “Just take care of Joy and the baby.” He smiled at Jared, then turned and walked out of the cave. “I love you, Jared,” he said over his shoulder.

  Jared woke in a cold sweat, crying out for Roger not to leave him. He drew in a deep breath. “It was only a dream.” He looked at where Roger had been sitting and noticed something on the floor. Upon closer inspection, he saw the name Roger Montgomery written in the dirt. He traced his brother’s scroll, knowing he would win his family back. For once he’d be more stubborn than Joy.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Joy woke to the sound of wolves scratching at the front door. She hurried to the door and flung it open. “Roaring Thunder!” Though happy to see Night and Day, a part of her was disappointed her brothers hadn’t shown

  She let the wolves in, hugging and petting both. “I’ve missed
you. I thought for sure you’d gone down to the village to stay.” She looked around the cabin for their brush. “You look good, but I know how you like you a nice brushing.” She couldn’t find the brush anywhere, so she settled for rubbing their fur. The wolves were ecstatic to see their mistress and wouldn’t allow her to go two feet without them.

  Joy sat on the couch and stared at her swelling ankles. Night found his toy rope and started tug-of-war with Day. She enjoyed their play, but her mind was worried. “How will I feed you two?” They continued their play while Joy went into the kitchen to prepare supper. She’d need to hunt for the wolves, but in her present condition, that was ludicrous. “I’ll send them down the mountain for my brothers.”

  The next morning, Joy walked the wolves to the east side of the mountain. “Go get Wolf,” she commanded. The wolves tore down the mountain for the Indian village. If they kept up their pace, they’d be there in a few hours. She’d thought out her plan and would give her brothers one more day before she left for town. She’d leave a note for them in the cabin in case she missed them.

  Joy rubbed her aching lower back. Three days of pain. Little baby, while you’re in there would you please fix whatever’s causing this pain. She waddled into the cabin. “God how I miss Samson’s massages.”

  Once in the cabin, she gathered her pouch. She’d need to check her snares one last time before she left for town. She sat on the stoop to give herself a few minutes to recuperate. She drew in a deep breath, enjoying the fresh mountain air then slowly stood to leave. This would be her last day on the mountain until next summer.

  Glad to find most of the snares empty, Joy continued working. She groaned each time she bent and found herself almost stuck in the squat position several times. She would have left the snares behind, but thought it wrong to snare an animal for no reason. Thus, she had to make sure all of the snares were removed.

  The walking seemed to ease the pain, so after gathering the snares, she continued to walk through the woods. She’d gone through the woods thousands of times, and marveled how she could always find areas she hadn’t been to. She turned and headed back to her cabin.

  Jared stared at the pile of snares, fuming. How could she be out hunting in her condition? She’d gone too far this time. He grabbed the snares and took them back to the cabin, then returned to find Joy. He knew she’d show up eventually, and when she did, he would let her have it. This must have been what Roger was talking about when he said put the baby first and not Joy.

  He followed her trail, praying for calm before they crossed paths, but that wasn’t happening. The further into the woods he went, the angrier he became. Not because she was in the woods, but because she’d gone so far away from the cabin. What if she became tired? She couldn’t sleep outside, and she’d sent the wolves away. He shook his head in disbelief, remembering seeing her send them away. He’d sent them to her for protection.

  “Aaarrrg!” Joy screamed.

  Jared’s heart stopped and terror replaced the blood in his veins. He turned in the direction the sound came from. “Joy!”

  “Jared, help me!”

  “I’m coming.” He ran toward her voice at full speed. He jumped over fallen trees, and slashed through the thick undergrowth to have the straightest path to her. He knew he was close, but couldn’t pinpoint her location. “Joy, say something.”

  “Jared…” she whimpered so softly he barely heard her.

  He turned to her voice and saw her arm on a log. He rushed to her, jumping over the log and Joy, so he could see what was wrong. She was lying unconscious. He knelt and patted her hand. “Joy.” She wouldn’t wake, so he placed his arms below her knees and behind her back to lift her.

  He lifted and discovered her real problem. He gasped when he saw her leg caught in a steel trap. The jaws of the trap had easily torn threw her leg. Now glad she’d fainted, he opened the trap. He gently lifted her leg up and out of the trap, the lower portion of her leg turned in an unnatural way. He picked her up and carried her back the two miles to the cabin. Not an easy trip in her unconscious, extremely pregnant state, but he eventually made it.

  Once at the cabin, he set her on the swing out front and readied the wagon for the trip to town. The whole time he fussed about how her stubbornness almost got her killed. He pulled the wagon out to the front of the house and found Joy awake, crying on the bench. He could tell she was in severe pain.

  “I’m sorry, Jared.”

  He continued past her into the house, ignoring what she’d said. He was sorry to see her hurt, but still too angry to speak. He returned a few seconds later with blankets. He made a palate in the back of the wagon and returned to her side. “Put your arms around my neck,” he barked.

  He lifted and carried her to the wagon bed.

  She released his neck with one arm to rub the bottom of her belly. “It hurts. I’m afraid I’m losing the baby.” She cried softly.

  Anger replaced by fear, he set her on the palate and covered her with a blanket. He kissed her forehead. “It will be all right, love. I promise.” He rounded the wagon. “Try to relax. I’m taking you to the doctor.” Please, God, don’t let me lose them.

  Joy slipped in and out of consciousness on the way into town. When she’d first woke, she’d thought she’d dreamed Jared rescued her, but it was real, as real as his anger. She didn’t blame him. She’d endangered their baby, and if he hadn’t of come along, they both would have died.

  Yet she’d still been taken aback by his tone. Gone was her joking, carefree Jared. She’d gazed into his eyes, wanting to beg his forgiveness for being so foolish. If she lost the baby, she couldn’t live with herself.

  The pain in her hips and back returned with a vengeance. She’d been in pain all morning and should have known better than to walk off into the woods. She should have gone directly to town and left a note for her brothers. She slipped out of consciousness again.

  Jared didn’t think they’d ever arrive in town, but they did. Joy lay in the back of the wagon in a semi-state of consciousness.

  “Stay with me, love.” He stopped in front of the doctor’s office and ran in. He saw the doctor sitting at his desk and released a sigh of relief. “I need your help. My wife’s leg was broken in a steel trap, and I think she’s having our baby now. I have her outside in the wagon.” He pulled on the doctor’s sleeve.

  The doctor raised his hands. “Calm down, son.” He pointed to the examining room. “If your wife’s leg was in a steel trap, she might have broken it, and with her pregnancy she may be in shock. This will make things more challenging, but I love a challenge. I’ll clean myself up. You take her into the back for me.” He smiled at Jared. “Then we’ll have us a baby.”

  Jared rushed out to the wagon, carried Joy into the examining room, laid her on the bed and took her hand into his. “Hold on for me, Joy. Hold on for the baby.”

  Dr. Smith stepped in a few minutes later. “I’m sorry, but you will have to wait out front.”

  Jared turned to Dr. Smith to argue, but thought better of it. He kissed Joy on the lips and she woke slightly. Her skin felt cool and clammy. “I’ll be right out front.” He stepped away to leave.

  “Let me see what we have…” Dr. Smith trailed off as he neared. He stopped Jared in his tracks. “Take her with you, I don’t treat her kind.” The older man walked back to the door and held it open.

  Jared couldn’t believe his ears. This old goat had told him he’d allow Joy to bleed to death and would allow the baby to die within her. He shook his head as if to shake off the rage. Jared stalked out past him without Joy.

  “Hey, come back here. Take her with you,” the doctor spewed.

  Jared did return, but with his rifle. He pointed it at the doctor’s head. “If my wife or son die, you die. Now get to doctoring.”

  The few hairs on the doctor’s head that weren’t gray turned gray at the sight of the barrel in his face. In that instant, he decided he did treat Joy’s type.

  Four hours lat
er, Jared was the proud papa of a bouncing baby boy. Joy had indeed broken her leg. The doctor cleaned and set a splint, so she shouldn’t have any complications. Jared had never seen anything so amazing as when his baby came into the world. He was a small little thing, but had powerful lungs. Jared laughed, thinking Roaring Thunder could probably hear him at the village.

  The doctor cleaned, weighed and wrapped the baby, then handed him to Jared. “He’s a six pounder.”

  “Thank you.” Jared watched his son, too proud to care he’d had to force the doctor to deliver him. He took the baby over to Joy, who looked past exhausted, and placed him in her arms. He burned the image of Joy holding their son in his mind to draw later. It would be his best work yet. “I love you, Joy Montgomery, even if you are more stubborn than a mule.” He kissed her lightly.

  The doctor cleared his throat and motioned for him to follow him into the office. “We need to discuss payment and you will have to leave. Women usually have their babies at home.”

  Jared stared down at the doctor, praying he’d never have to use the man’s services again. He pulled out a few dollars and dropped them on the table. He knew it was much more than what the doctor would ask, but he felt he needed to show off a little. “Is there a hotel in town? My wife needs to rest a few days before we return home.”

  The doctor counted the bills. “At the far north end of town there’s a boarding house. Mrs. Edna will set you up right nice and she loves babies. About before, I apologize. I was just shocked to see your wife is…” he trailed off.

  “So beautiful,” Jared finished, daring the man to contradict him. “We will be out of your hair momentarily. I just need to prepare the wagon.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three