Melinda and the Wild West

by Linda Weaver Clarke

  During the week, Billy had caught a spider, tied a string tightly around its body, and then tied the string to a stick. He brought it to school and hid it in his desk. When the class was silently reading, he pulled it out and hung the stick over Peggy’s head, dangling the spider in front of her face. When Peggy saw something wiggling in front of her, she lifted her eyes from her book and let out a shrill scream, frightening a few of the students as they jumped from their seats.

  Billy quickly hid his stick in his desk, hoping Peggy would think the spider had come down from the ceiling. He could not help the euphoria he felt when she screamed and he instantly put his hand over his mouth to conceal his laughter. Then he looked at his book as if he were innocently reading. Melinda, however, had witnessed the whole thing.

  She told Billy that he could help her sweep the floor of the classroom and wash the blackboard for her after school was over. He accepted his duties without any argument.

  One day, Melinda peacefully stood at the doorway of the school, as the children played during recess. She was thinking about Gilbert. She had not seen him since the Valentine’s Dance, but since their conversation that night she had realized what had been bothering him. He had blamed himself for his wife’s death and felt that his wife could not handle the West. Melinda adored him and hoped she would be able to help him through his frustrations. She knew that their differences were causing him much concern.

  As she leaned against the doorframe, she listened to the prattle of the children. Mark was only a few feet from her. He was a slim young man with sky-blue eyes, auburn hair, and freckles that covered his face. He was always cheerful and had a smile for anyone passing. Mark was telling Billy about the problem he had with skunks getting into his chicken coop and eating the eggs.

  “So, do you know what Pa did, Billy? He went out in the dark with his rifle and just sat by the chicken coop waiting. Pretty soon the skunk showed up and Pa shot him. Boy, the smell from that skunk was disgusting.”

  “How big was he, Mark?”

  “About as big as a cat with the purtiest white stripe right down its back. So, do you want to know what I did?”

  “What?”

  “When Pa told me to bury him in the morning, I drained the skunk oil from his glands first and put it in a little bottle.”

  “You did? I’d sure like to see it, Mark.”

  “Really? Come with me to my desk and I’ll show you.”

  Mark and Billy walked past Melinda just as a fight broke out in the yard. Melinda ran to see what all the commotion was about. The first thing that came to her mind was Jenny, but it had been months since she had been in a fight with a boy. As Melinda ran toward the fight, she could hear shouting and cheering. The children were circled around the two fighting boys and were cheering them on. Melinda was so frustrated by this sort of behavior.

  “Boys, stop this fighting right now.”

  The firmness in her voice did not hinder the boys one bit. They ignored her. When she tried to separate them, one of the boys stepped back onto her foot with all of his weight. She let out a gasp as she instantly let go of the boy and backed up, limping in pain. Her foot was throbbing and bruised and she had no way of separating them.

  Why were they so angry with one another? She looked around and saw Jenny smiling from ear to ear. Why was Jenny so happy? Had she done something to provoke this behavior?

  Melinda knelt down beside Jenny and asked, “Do you know anything about this, Jenny?”

  “Yup.” Jenny grinned.

  “Why are these boys fighting?”

  Jenny looked into Melinda’s eyes and said proudly, “They’re fighting over me. Tom gave me a valentine and so did Sam. When Tom found out, he got furious and told Sam that I was his girl and Sam said that I wasn’t and that he could give a valentine to any girl he pleased.”

  Melinda’s eyes widened in disbelief. This was something new to her. Then she yelled to the boys, “If you don’t stop fighting this instant, then you will go home and you won’t come back to school for a week.”

  Without hesitation, the boys stopped. She knew the last thing they wanted was to be barred from school. What would their parents think? Then she told them that they would stay after school to wash all the desks.

  “Okay, children. Recess is over. Time to go in,” Melinda announced.

  As she walked toward the school, she began to worry that she would run out of jobs for the children to do if they continued with this kind of behavior. Why were children so restless when spring approached? Was it the warm air? For these boys, it was infatuation.

  Then she thought of Gilbert and began to wonder if he would actually fight for her. Gilbert knew that Henry had been dating her. Hadn’t he cared at all? Would he fight for her love as these two young boys had fought for love’s sake? Oh, how she wished Gilbert would fight for her!

  As the children piled in, Melinda walked to her desk and sat down. She put her elbows on her desk and rested her face in the palm of her hands to relieve the tension. Just then the sound of a broken bottle splattered on the floor. Instantly the room filled with the most putrid, foul, detestable odor that Melinda had ever breathed in. The smell was so nauseating and repulsive that it could not be described in words.

  The children moaned, “O-o-o-oh yuck! Disgusting!” Then they instantly held their noses with their fingers.

  Melinda’s stomach turned over a couple of times before she yelled out, “Children, out of this room quickly before we suffocate from this stench.”

  The children did not have to process what their teacher told them. It was an instant reflex to jump out of their seats and run out the door for fresh air. Melinda followed the children with her fingers holding tightly to her nose. It seemed as if no one could run fast enough as the children stumbled over one another, racing toward the door.

  Melinda gasped in the fresh air as soon as she stepped outside and the nauseating feeling gradually began to leave. The last thing she wanted to see was what she had eaten for breakfast.

  After everyone settled down and had taken in some fresh air, Melinda asked, “What was that foul stench?”

  Mark looked up at his teacher with embarrassment and said shyly, “It was a bottle of skunk oil, Miss Gamble.”

  Melinda saw his embarrassment in his reddened face and did not have the heart to scold him when she saw Mark’s pleading eyes.

  Billy beamed from ear to ear and said, “Whoa! Miss Gamble, wasn’t that something how fast we ran outside after the bottle broke?”

  Melinda tried not to laugh, but she saw the sense of humor in the whole incident. “Well, class, we won’t be having school for the rest of the day. I’m going to find Henry so he can clean up inside. My only problem is that I left my purse in the room and I’m not about to go back inside to get it. My stomach couldn’t handle it.”

  Mark looked up at Melinda as if he wanted to be reprieved from his deed. “Miss Gamble, I can hold my breath longer than anyone else. I’ll go in to get it for you.”

  Then he quickly disappeared, running at top speed into the school and back out again. As he came to a stop, he let out a big puff of air. After getting his breath back, he smiled broadly and said, “You see, Miss Gamble, I held my breath the whole time.”

  Melinda burst out laughing at the funny situation they were all in. This wouldn’t have happened in Boston. That was certain! Why hadn’t she been aware of what the boys were doing?

  She smiled at the humor of it and yelled, “Class dismissed.”

  A cheer rose to high heaven as everyone headed home for the day. Melinda started in the direction of Henry’s office. He was in charge of the school grounds and the cleaning of the school. When Melinda brought Henry back to the schoolroom, he became annoyed when he smelled the foul odor from the doorway. The room reeked, to say the least.

  “Melinda, it’s beyond me what children have in their minds when they bring such things to school. Why don’t their parents know what they’re doing, anyway?”

>   “Henry, when you think about it, it’s really quite funny. We ran outside faster than a dog chasing a cat.” She giggled at the memory of everyone holding their noses and escaping outside, almost stumbling over one another.

  “Remember, Melinda, I’ll be picking you up at 6:45 tonight. The dance starts at 7:00. Don’t be late, all right?”

  She smiled. “I’ll be ready.”

  Melinda decided that having a day off was not so bad after all. She needed it desperately. Climbing into the carriage, she took off down the road to the Paris Tabernacle. She had been planning to give a spring recital in April and the Tabernacle had the best acoustics.

  Melinda climbed from her carriage and began walking around the outside of this magnificent edifice and stood in awe of the hard work it had taken for the pioneers to build it.

  “Beautiful, isn’t it, Melinda?”

  Melinda recognized that warm deep voice and her spirits soared. She whipped around quickly with a broad smile.

  “Gilbert.”

  Seeing her beautiful smile accelerated Gilbert’s heartbeat. He had thought about the things Melinda had told him and he realized she was right. He also realized that he must go on with life. He could not remain in the past. He knew that their differences could complement their relationship. Her determined attitude helped him to realize that a person should not give up his dreams. Dreams were important in life, and she was his dream. He knew he was in love with Melinda and he realized that he might lose her to Henry if he did not act quickly. He needed to start courting her right away.

  “Melinda, I thought you were at school.”

  “I was until an accident permeated the room. A young boy brought skunk oil to class and you can guess the rest.”

  “Oh, no.” Gilbert cringed. “So you have now been exposed to that despicable odor.” He chuckled. It was a low, pleasant sounding chuckle, the kind that would warm a person’s soul. “I can’t believe it. I’m so sorry for you. How did you fare?”

  Melinda noticed how amused he was at her predicament and that made her smile. “My stomach turned over a few times before I realized what was happening.”

  Gilbert chuckled again. “So, what punishment do you have planned for the little culprit?”

  “It was an accident. He didn’t have it planned to sabotage the school. I could see in his eyes that he felt bad. So, I just dismissed school for the day until Henry could clean up the mess.”

  “You’re such an understanding teacher, Melinda,” he said, and then grinned devilishly. “And that’s a good job for Henry to do, too. It fits him perfectly.”

  Melinda looked at Gilbert questioningly as he grinned.

  “I heard that you’re giving a recital here next month.”

  Melinda nodded.

  “I’ll be there for sure.” He paused. “I thought I would come by to visit you tonight. Is that all right?”

  “Henry’s taking me to the dance tonight, Gilbert.”

  “Oh.” A twinge of jealousy shot through him and he tried to ignore it. “How about tomorrow night?”

  “I’ve got a pile of tests that need to be corrected. I planned on correcting them tomorrow night because I had other plans tonight. I’m swamped right now. I’m really sorry, Gilbert.”

  “How about Saturday, then?”

  “Henry is taking me to dinner in Montpelier.”

  Gilbert through up his hands in frustration. “Melinda, how far in advance do I need to ask to see you?”

  Melinda laughed. “Well, next week I’m practicing with my pianist every night so we can perfect the songs. But you’re invited over for Sunday dinner, I’m sure of it. Aunt Martha loves having you over.”

  “Okay, I’ll plan on it,” he said with disappointment.

  Gilbert felt frustrated. He had been so worried about their differences that he had ignored the fact that Melinda was desirable to men other than himself. He had been doing a lot of thinking about her and now he was done thinking. Now it was time for action.

  Chapter 23

  GILBERT’S DARE

  Sunday afternoon came around and Melinda was elated. She reflected upon a visit from Mark’s mother earlier that week. Melinda had been surprised to see her when she showed up at the school.

  “Miss Gamble, I want to thank you for not punishing my son for the skunk oil incident. He had gotten into trouble many times with his former teacher just because he doesn’t think first. He doesn’t mean any harm to others. You’re the first teacher who seems to understand him. Thank you. This means a lot to me.”

  Melinda needed that little boost. She had been wondering if she had made a difference in anyone’s life yet. But as she thought about it, she finally realized that it was the people here who had made a difference in her life. The Wild West and its inhabitants had changed her and she was a much stronger person than she had been since the first day she arrived. She felt more alive. The people were genuine and accepted her without question. Melinda knew she was a part of this beautiful country now and she could never leave.

  As she contemplated the past week, she decided it had been a rewarding week after all. The songs for the recital were coming along quite well and she was feeling satisfied with her accomplishments.

  When Melinda heard Aunt Martha call her down for Sunday dinner, she quickly descended the stairs, knowing that Gilbert was going to be their guest.

  Everyone was seated at the table when Aunt Martha said, “Our guests have arrived, Melinda. It seems that Sunday is the only time we get to spend time with you nowadays. Between teaching school and practicing in the evenings, you’ve been like a stranger here.”

  “I’m sorry, Aunt Martha, but it comes to an end this week. Thank goodness.”

  Melinda cordially greeted Gilbert and Jenny and sat down across from him. Both Gilbert and Melinda knew that even though this was Gilbert’s third week in a row at Sunday dinner, they hadn’t spent a moment of private time together. Everyone would sit in the living room and talk together and if Gilbert took Melinda for a walk, then Jenny was always tagging along.

  Gilbert was the first to speak after the prayer was said and everyone settled down. “Melinda, I saw you a couple times in town during the past week, but you were so busy and intent upon what you were doing that you didn’t even notice me. Usually you were headed out of town.”

  “I’m sorry, Gilbert. My mind seems to be elsewhere nowadays with this recital and all.”

  Gilbert smiled. “Your recital is coming up this weekend. What songs are you singing?”

  Melinda passed him the potatoes as she answered, “I’m doing a variety of songs. Some Italian, Spanish, and Irish. I can’t leave out my heritage, you know.”

  Gilbert grinned and said teasingly, “That’s right. How could I ever forget you’re Irish?” Then he chuckled warmly.

  Everyone looked at Gilbert and then turned to Melinda. When she noticed everyone was staring at her, she felt warmth creep into her cheeks. Aunt Martha had been teasing her lately about Gilbert and that comment brought about more curiosity.

  Gilbert noticed her rosy glow and said, “It’s sort of a private joke.” Then he quickly changed the subject. “Melinda, want to go for a walk after dinner? It’s such a beautiful day.”

  Jenny spoke up excitedly, “Yeah. Let’s go.”

  “That sounds wonderful,” said Martha. “You two go along and we’ll do the dishes later.”

  Melinda gave him a grateful smile for changing the subject.

  As the three of them strolled in the meadow, Gilbert walked next to Melinda and slipped his hand in hers. She did not seem to mind one bit, and her hand was so warm and soft to the touch.

  He stopped, bent down and picked a wild flower, then turned to Melinda and tucked it behind her ear. She laughed and he thought she looked so lovely in her lavender dress. It fit snug to the bodice and hung gracefully about her figure. She had the most delightful laugh and she intrigued him to no end. He noticed how comfortable he felt around her and he just wanted to tak
e her in his arms and hold her, but Jenny was trailing after them and they had no privacy whatsoever. So, he just took her hand in his once again and led her to a stream of water.

  Gilbert chuckled and teased her by inviting her to take off her shoes and go wading as she had the first time he met her.

  “What did you say, Gilbert?” she asked.

  “Do you want to go wading?” He chuckled merrily.

  Melinda narrowed her eyes at him. She knew he was daring her in a teasing manner and she was not sure how to respond. When she saw Jenny sitting at the bank and pulling her shoes and socks off, she thought a while and then decided to take the dare after all.

  Melinda pulled her hand away from his grasp, headed for the stream, and sat down on the bank, slipping off her shoes.

  When Gilbert saw what she was doing, he asked, “Are you really going to do it?”

  “What do you think, Gilbert?”

  “Yeah, Pa,” Jenny chimed in with her two cents worth.

  When Melinda pulled her stocking off her leg, Gilbert quickly turned around to give her some privacy. He was surprised that she had taken his dare and he burst into laughter. He was learning more and more about this woman and decided that each thing he learned was absolutely charming.

  When she noticed his jovial attitude, she asked, “What are you laughing at?”

  Gilbert’s back was to her as he answered, “You took my dare.”

  After a few seconds, Melinda called out to him, “Ready.”

  He turned around and she was already stepping into the water alongside Jenny.

  “Come in the water, Gilbert. It feels refreshing.”

  “Yeah, Pa. Come in.”

  Gilbert shook his head vigorously as he sat down on the bank to relax and watched her intently. He picked a few blades of grass and twirled them between his fingers and stuck another one between his lips. As he watched the two of them walking and talking side by side in the bubbling stream, it brought a smile to Gilbert’s lips. Melinda was a child at heart, free and unfettered from the world. He had never met anyone quite like her.

  “Hey, Melinda! Do you have plans this week? Can I drop by to see you?”