“Circumstances have changed a bit, Ennis. Eli is now courting me so I don’t think Ma will allow me to just wander over to Eli’s house any old time I want,” Teagan said. She then suddenly realized how the situation really had changed and her mood became a bit somber.
“Aw, that’s too bad.”
“Yes, I guess it is,” said Teagan as she took Ennis’ hand and began leading him back toward the house.
Teagan realized as with all weekdays, her father and Connell were climbing aboard the carriage to town. Without having Eli to run the fields with or go fishing with her, her day may be empty of interesting prospects. She took off as fast as she could to catch her father just as he and Connell were about to pull into the road.
“DA!”
“Whoa!” said Owen as he pulled Big Joe to a stop. “What is it Teagan? I’ve got to get going.”
“Da…” Teagan said short of breath, “Can I come with you today?”
“Teagan, yer not dressed proper this mornin’ and besides, what would ya’ do all day?”
Teagan looked down and realized as usual, she was dressed in her brother’s trousers and shirt, which was yellowed from years of wear by at least three Whelan children.
“All right, Da. Maybe tomorrow but after dinner tonight, I have something important I need to speak with you about,” Teagan frowned.
“Okay, my girl. Give yer da a kiss and I’ll see you tonight,” said Owen as Teagan hurled herself up onto the carriage and gave Owen a kiss on the cheek.
Connell was still giving her a look of suspicion as she jumped from the wagon and waved goodbye. As he looked back at her, she became slightly nervous but thought, what business is this of Connell’s anyway? The only reason he’s sitting on the wagon next to Owen was because he was born a boy. She kicked a rock in the road hard and watched it skip across the dry dirt and into the grass. Just as she was thinking it hadn’t rained in days, she noticed the dark clouds coming up over the hills to the west.
“This looks like a gooder,” she said to herself as she turned and ran to the house, meeting Brogan at the door.
“Brogan, let me in,” she said trying to pull on the screen door to open it.
“Not so fast, Teagan.”
“What on earth, Brogan? Let go!” she said, as she tried to pull the door again.
“I wanted to ask your help with something.”
“Well you sure do have a peculiar way of asking,” Teagan said as she backed away from the door and folded her arms.
“I think I’ve decided what I want to be when I grow up and I want you to tell me what you think,” Brogan said as he opened the door and joined Teagan on the front porch.
“Why all of the sudden do you care what I think? Half the time you don’t even care we share the same house,” Teagan said, pacing back and forth.
“I know, I know. I just think I need an opinion and you’ll tell me straight,” he replied, pulling a handful of papers from behind his back.
“What do you have there?”
“I’ve been writing stories. You know, like stories to put in a book.”
“Really? What about? Are they about pirates and treasure? Kings and queens?” she said, holding out her hands to take the papers from Brogan.
“Well, not exactly, Teagan. This one is about animals who can talk.”
“Animals. Animals that talk,” Teagan said sounding a bit disappointed. "Well, all right so you’d like me to read this and tell you if I like it?” she asked.
“Yes, please?” Brogan said handing her the papers. Brogans fingers were stained black with ink and there were a least ten pages in her hand. Teagan wasn’t an avid reader but Brogan knew she had a great imagination like him. Since she had nothing else to do, Teagan figured she would sit down here on the porch and read Brogan’s story.
“Brogan, go tell Ma there’s a storm comin.’ She’ll probably have you close all of the shutters and that should keep you out of my hair until I’m through,” said Teagan as she sat down in her father’s chair.
“Thanks Teagan!” Brogan shouted and he bolted into the house.
Teagan read the story in less than five minutes but was distracted by her own thoughts several times and had to keep starting over or rereading parts of it. She thought perhaps if she read it aloud to Ennis, she could keep her mind focused enough to give Brogan an honest opinion. She could also measure the story’s merit based on Ennis’ reaction to it.
She could now smell the rain and the first of many bright flashes of lightning and bursts of thunder made their presence known. In the distance, the curtains of hard rain were now visible and Teagan felt it best if she headed into the house to find Ennis.
Sarah and Ennis had just finished pouring the batter for his cake and she was placing it in the oven. Ennis was already seated in his usual chair at the table with a dish and spoon set neatly in front of him.
“Hello, Ma. Hello, Ennis, how about a story while you wait for your cake?”
“Oh yes, Teagan. I’d love a story. Ma said this could take a while.”
“It’s getting very dark. I hope Patrick got all of the animals inta’ the barn,” said Sarah, as she watched from the kitchen window.
Just then, she saw Patrick running up from the barn through the rain, which was now pouring heavily over the county. Sarah was hoping Owen and Connell had managed to find shelter from the storm on their way to town and that Fagan had made it to work at the Wilburs’ horse ranch before the storm hit. Poor Patrick, soaked to his skin, stood dripping by the back door.
“You wait right there!” Sarah called as she rushed to grab something to dry him with.
She pushed open the back door and draped a blanket around him. She patted him off as best she could before coming into the house and he was careful to remove his muddy boots first.
“What’s that smell?!” shouted Patrick, still dripping a bit.
“That’s my cake!” replied Ennis with joy.
“Your cake? Ma said that was my cake!” Patrick teased.
A frown covered Ennis’ smiling face and Patrick began to giggle as always and ran through the kitchen to go to his room for dry clothes, pausing to ask Teagan what she was doing.
“I’m about to read this story to Ennis.”
“Oh wait! I’ll be right back. I want to hear it too!” he squealed.
Before long, all of the Whelan children save for Fagan, Connell, and Brogan were seated in their usual places at the table and even Sarah made a cup of tea and joined them. Teagan, however, took her da’s seat at the head and commanded everyone’s attention as she read. They were all hanging on every word. Brogan was too shy to sit and hear his own story so he stood around the corner behind the doorway waiting patiently for the end so he could hear their responses. He was a little perturbed with Teagan for sharing it this way but decided if he wanted to be a writer someday, sooner or later he’d have to let people read what he wrote or as in this case, listen.
“….and so the cow told the farmer it was the wise old barn owl who had told them they could talk all along but they only lacked the courage to speak. The poor farmer hadn’t slept in days for fear someone would find out his animals could talk and would try to come and steal them away. Now, he only feared the owl would be taken. After all, who wouldn’t want to ask their animals if they were having a fine day?”
“The farmer told the owl he was so tired but he didn’t know what to do. The old barn owl who was so very wise told the farmer, ‘Don’t worry for me and get some sleep. If anyone tries to catch me, I’ll just fly away. After all, I’m sure there are plenty of animals all over the world who want to talk and they just need a wise old owl like me to show them they can.’ That night, the old farmer slept and the animals were all happy. The End.” said Teagan.
Everyone at the table gave Brogan’s story a huge amount of applause and he smiled from ear to ear. Ennis’ cake smelled delicious and Sarah took it from the oven in the nick of time, as she was enjoying the story and had fo
rgotten to check it.
“This is the best rainy day ever,” said Ennis. Sarah was overjoyed.
Brogan finally walked into the room and rushed to his seat at the table.
“Brogan! You missed the story! Where have you been?” asked Patrick.
“You didn’t tell them?” Brogan turned to Teagan.
“No, I did not. I wanted them to be honest and they were.”
“Thank you so much, Teagan,” Brogan replied, smiling shyly at his sister.
“Brogan, did you write that story?” asked Liffey.
“Yes I did. Thank you everyone for liking it,” Brogan blushed.
They all once again broke into applause for Brogan while Sarah lit some candles. It was becoming as dark as midnight in the house.
“So everyone, what shall we do next?” asked Patrick.
“Eat cake!” Ennis exclaimed.
Perhaps it was their applause or the thunder but none of them heard the loud pounding on the front door. They did however hear Eli’s voice calling as it flew open.
“Dr. Whelan? Teagan? Miss Sarah? Anyone!?” cried Eli from the parlor.
All at once they flew from the table and rushed into the room, where Eli stood soaking wet and shaking with fear.
“Eli what is it?” Sarah shouted nervously.
“It’s Willie. Has Dr. Whelan gone to town already?”
“Well of course son, he’s been gone fer hours.”
“What can we do Eli?” Teagan said, rushing to his side.
“Come with me – and bring Ennis,” he said turning toward the door.
“I’ll take Molly and head to town to get Da!” said Brogan on his way out the door.
Teagan turned to Ennis and took his hand and started for the door behind Eli.
“Wait! What are you doing Teagan?” shouted Sarah.
“Ma, I’m going to the house with Eli,” Teagan replied putting on her hat.
“Ennis’ is stayin’ here!”
“Ma, Ennis has to come with me. I can’t explain it to you right now but please, let him come,” Teagan pleaded.
“It’s okay Ma,” said Ennis. “I’ll be fine.”
“We better get goin’ then I don’t have time to argue!” Sarah said as she tied on her bonnet.
Eli was already waiting in the Morgans’ wagon as they all climbed in and headed down the road in the downpour covered with tarp. Teagan thought to herself that they’d have saved time if they’d have just run through the East Meadow but the horse picked up speed a bit as the rain began to lighten when they reached the big dead stump which marked the halfway point. The mud had still unfortunately slowed their journey by precious minutes.
Teagan was holding Eli’s hand and squeezing it tight although neither of them spoke for the entire ride. Eli glanced over at her a time or two and he looked gravely worried, and rightfully so. Willie was only two years old and he’d been unable to recover from the influenza that had afflicted the entire Morgan family for several weeks, along with many other families in the valley. Eli had bounced back quickly, as had his father, but unfortunately, Mrs. Morgan and Willie had not. The worst of the two, poor little Willie, was having trouble breathing and had slipped into a deep darkness of sleep in the early morning hours. He’d awoken just briefly before passing out again. This time his fever had returned with a vengeance and Margaret Morgan feared the worst.
Eli pulled the wagon up the road to the front of the house and leaped to the ground. He held out his arms and Teagan jumped down into them with Ennis right behind her. Sarah had climbed down by herself and they all headed quickly into the house to find Eli’s mother cradling Willie in her arms in the rocking chair. She was singing a soft song and seemed oblivious that anyone had entered the room at all. She looked miles away in her eyes.
“Ma?” said Eli. “I’ve sent for Doctor Whelan and Miss Sarah and Teagan are here to help.”
“Eli, fetch me a large bowl of cool water from outside and bring me some cloth to bathe him with and pull the fever. Here Ma’garet, give him to me,” Sarah said leaning over Margaret to take the limp, nearly lifeless cherub from her arms. His golden curls were soaked with perspiration and his breathing was shallow and wheezy.
Teagan fought back tears and asked, “Ma, please what can I do?”
“Pray.”
Ennis reached over and held Teagan’s hand and whispered to her, “We need a coincidence.”
Teagan nodded to her brother and walked toward her mother as she stood rocking back and forth, her arms cradling little Willie.
“Where is Eli with that water?” she spoke softly but with great concern in her eyes, looking down at Willie.
“Ma? May I hold him?”
“Ennis, now is not the time. This child is for the grave and you should be prayin’ with yer’ sister.”
Teagan was on her knees on the floor. Her hands were clenched together and pressed against her forehead.
“It’s alright, Teagan. The angel is already here,” Ennis said softly as he walked to his mother’s side and reached out to take Willie’s small hand, as it dangled lifelessly from Sarah’s arms.
Eli rushed into the room with the bowl of water and placed it on the floor next to Sarah as she moved to the sofa and sat with Willie in her lap. Margaret was still rocking in the rocking chair humming. Eli turned his attention to her and tried to bring her back to reality by speaking to her and waving his hand in front of her lowered eyes.
Ennis never let go of Willie’s hand as he climbed on the sofa next to his mother.
“Ennis, dip these cloths for me and hand them to me one by one until I tell ya’ to stop,” said Sarah. However, Ennis didn’t budge. He took his hand and placed it softly on Willie’s forehead and ran it over his damp curls several times. Seeing this, Teagan quickly began to wet the cloths and hand them to her mother and she bathed Willie from head to toe. Ennis continued to stroke Willie’s head simultaneously. After about the third time, Willie’s eyes flew open. They stared straight up at the ceiling and Sarah feared they were too late and worried Willie was about seize due to the extremely high fever.
He didn’t seize. He took in a profound amount of breath and his chest rose up and then he slowly exhaled. Teagan sat silently on the floor in front of her mother, still holding the wet cloths as Ennis now sat with both of his hands on Willie’s forehead and slowly slid them back over his hair once more and then let go.
“There.”
“Dear God in Heaven,” Sarah whispered.
Willie’s eyes closed and he seemed to drift into a deep sleep and he turned his body in toward Sarah and curled into ball. This limp, enflamed child was now rigid and cool. He was sleeping peacefully and his breathing had returned to normal.
“Is…he dead?” asked Eli. His voice shook as he stood holding his mother’s hands, still trying to rouse her back into reality.
“No. He’s fine. He’s sleeping,” Sarah replied mechanically, not quite believing her own words. She’d never seen such a miraculous recovery and had certainly never seen a child in such grave condition recover in a matter of moments.
“My baby. My sweet Willie,” said Margaret as she finally came out of her trance and stood up. She rushed toward Sarah as she sat holding the cool and comfortable toddler in her arms.
“Here Ma’gret. Sit here,” said Sarah as she motioned for Ennis to move and let Margaret sit beside her on the sofa. “He’s going to be just fine.”
“But how…can this be?” Margaret asked as Sarah gently placed the child in her arms.
“We do not question God’s will, Ma’gret. If God saw it to be so that Willie be well, then praise be to Him that your son is now restored to you.”
“It was Ennis again,” said Eli. “He’s like an angel or something.”
“Eli, don’t,” said Teagan, rising to her feet.
“Please Eli, do tell us whatcha’ mean?” asked Sarah, trying not to frighten him.
“Ma, please. We can talk about this at home,” Teagan
pleaded.
“Ennis, do you think that ya’ saved this child?” Sarah asked.
“Not me, the angel saved him. She just told me what to do and I done it.”
Sarah’s heart was pounding because of her fears that her baby had somehow been touched in the mind. She’d often worried that due to his difficult entry into this world and the length of time it took before he drew his first breath that perhaps something could have been amiss in him. She pulled her thoughts together and confronted him anyway, regardless of his answer. He was and always would be her sweet Ennis and no matter his answer, she would protect him and love him.
“Ennis, what did the angel tell you to do?” Sarah asked, pulling Ennis by the hand to her lap.
Ennis became uneasy as he could feel all of their eyes upon him waiting for an answer but he was afraid his answer would be met with scorn or laughter. He knew Teagan had believed for days that he was the one “fixing” things but since his own brush with death, he now accepted that even though he knew it wasn’t actually him who was performing these miracles, the angel who was coming to him was using him to do it.
Ennis glanced around the room at all of the faces now awaiting his answer and he paused briefly looking at Teagan. She nodded her head at him lightly as if to tell him it was permissible to speak the truth and that it was beyond time to say the words. The witnesses already knew mere water and cotton cloth did not relieve this child’s fever and pull him from death’s door.
“She…she said only to place my hands on his head,” said Ennis, still holding Teagan’s gaze. “She put her hand on my shoulder and blew a cool breath in my hair. That was all, Ma,” Ennis said, finally turning to look into his mother’s worried face. “Didn’t you see her? Didn’t anyone see her?” Ennis asked, again looking at the now blank, expressionless faces.
“Thank you, Ennis,” said Eli as he walked over and stood behind his mother and stroked Willie’s soft dry curls.
“Ma’gret, are you going to be alright now dear?” Sarah asked, placing a trembling hand on Margaret’s shoulder, now she herself feeling unwell.
“I’ll be fine. I’ll just sit here with Willie a while now,” she replied, looking down at the sleeping miracle in her arms. Sarah wondered if Margaret heard a word Ennis had said.
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