Through the Darkness

by B C Yancey

  Or perhaps her reluctance to speak of it came from the desire to try and get used to the idea herself before sharing the news with him?

  Either way, the secret sat heavy between them, only eased by the slight reprieve from nausea that had beset her all day every day for the past ten weeks.

  After packing their lunch, she slipped on her winter coat, scarf, and gloves, and left for the school through the back door.

  "Afternoon, Elyria," Marcus greeted her with a happy tone.

  She smiled. "Hello, Marcus."

  "Pretty chilly day we're having. You on your way over to the school?"

  She held up her basket of food, "I am."

  "I can give you a ride over there if you like."

  Shaking her head, she walked down the steps, "Thank you for the offer, but I'm more than prepared for the cold, and the fresh air will do me good."

  Marcus cleared his throat. "Heard there's a good chance for a few inches of snow later today."

  "I appreciate the warning."

  "There's a letter for you, from Washington DC."

  "Oh! Thank you," she murmured, holding out her gloved hand, "I'll have Everett read it to me, I'm on my way to see him for lunch."

  "Well," Marcus said with a cluck of his tongue, "I better be on my way. You have a good rest of your day, tell Cap I said hello."

  She nodded and waved, waiting until he got back in his mail truck and drove away before she headed out toward the school.

  A brisk wind picked up halfway there, whipping her hair into her face until she was sure she'd end up with welts across her cheeks from the frozen strands.

  The intense cold made it difficult to breathe, and by the time she arrived at the school, frost had formed on her eyelashes and dusted her cheeks with every blink.

  Opening the main door, she entered Everett's classroom and waited at the back until he excused everyone for lunch. The students clamored for their coats and lunch pails in their hurry to play outside.

  Everett heaved a sigh and walked down to meet her, "How was your walk? You look half frozen."

  She grinned and gave him the basket, "Why didn't you tell me we live in the arctic?"

  He laughed, a deep contagious one that warmed her heart and launched a flurry of butterflies in her stomach. The smile slipped from her lips at realizing how long it had been since she last heard the sound.

  Everett pressed a kiss to her cheek and walked with her back to his desk. "You look well…does that mean you're feeling better?"

  "It does," she murmured with a smile, pulling her chair up beside him before handing him the letter. "Marcus dropped this off on my way over; I hoped you might read it to me."

  "I'd love to." He took it and kissed her quick, then unpacked the basket. "Looks like it's from Daphne…mind if I eat first?"

  She shook her head. "Sounds good to me; I packed a smaller portion for myself, it should be there at the bottom."

  He opened the container and handed it over. "It's nice to share meals with you again. I've missed it."

  "I have too," she said softly. "It's nice to finally be feeling better."

  They ate the remainder of their meal in silence until Everett opened the letter, then cleared his throat and began reading.

  Dearest El and Everett,

  I have glorious news! Do you hear the angels singing? Simon has finally agreed, after much coaxing on my part, and clever little hints by Anne (it's almost scary how quickly she's picked up and adopted my talents of persuasion), we shall visit you for the holidays this year!

  Train tickets have been bought to ensure Simon won't back out and change his mind. We are to arrive Monday, November 17, around 2:00, but we all know trains—especially around the holidays—tend to run late we shall see.

  I'm giddy with excitement at the thought of seeing you once again, my dear sweet Elyria (you too Everett). I've missed you dreadfully. I swear if it weren't for my current condition of being seven months pregnant, I'd have insisted our trip out there would be permanent.

  Simon seems to be warming to the idea of moving to Idaho; for years, he's mentioned that a quiet life in a small town appeals to him; so fingers crossed this trip to Malad proves magical enough to sway him.

  I better run; I've just heard a crash come from the kitchen. It's either squirrels raiding the pantry or Anne; regardless, they're in trouble.

  Much love to you and Everett, my dearest friend,

  Daph

  "I can't believe it," Elyria gasped, "they'll be here in less than two weeks."

  Everett grunted.

  Elyria frowned, "You don't want them to visit?"

  "I do…it'll be nice seeing them." He folded the letter and handed it back to her, "Will you hate me if I admit that I was looking forward to having it just be the two of us?"

  She smiled, "No."

  Everett packed the basket with their empty lunch containers, then sat back with a sigh. "I'd like your opinion on a matter, unrelated to Daphne's letter."

  "What is it?" She quietly asked, giving him her full attention.

  He fell silent and drummed his fingers against the top of his desk before saying, "I believe one of my students is being abused at home, has been since at least the start of school this year. And I'm certain it's the father behind it." He paused, his chair creaking when he turned to face her and held her hand. "Would it be ill-advised of me to visit this student's home?"

  Elyria shook her head. "What do you hope to accomplish with this visit?"

  Everett let out a heavy sigh. "That's a good question." He paused, then said, "I worry if I confront Bertrand, I'll only make things worse for Carson, but then it could get worse even if I don't say or do something."

  She nodded.

  "All I know is every time I look at Carson with his new bruises on top of faded ones, I see myself in his place and remember how no one ever did anything to stop it for me."

  Elyria pursed her lips and thought the matter over before saying, "Perhaps it would do some good for Mr. Wagner to be introduced to Captain Rattlesnake. Carson too, let him know he has you for a champion."

  "Have I told you today that I love you?" He whispered.

  She smiled and blinked back tears, her heart bursting with joy at the emotion in his voice. "I love you too. I'm sorry I haven't done a very good job lately of showing it."

  Leaning forward, he kissed her but pulled back when children began scrambling back inside the classroom. "I'll be home late tonight."

  "You're going over to…"

  "It can't wait," he whispered, pulling her closer, "Carson hasn't been to school the past three days. My gut is telling me it's bad. I worry if I wait…"

  Elyria pressed a kiss to his cheek, "Then go. Just be safe."

  He nodded and squeezed her fingers before handing her the basket. "I love you."

  "I love you," she smiled, kissing him one last time. "I'll see you tonight."

  Thirty-Nine

  Everett sat at his desk watching the clock, the burning, twisting sensation in his gut intensifying with each passing minute. He glanced toward his students; their heads bent studiously over their papers even though most of them sat doodling.

  It was apparent none of them wanted to be here right now, including him. Concentration on anything other than what every nerve in his body screamed for him to do, was impossible.

  He bit his cheek and looked to the clock once more, then made up his mind. Standing so fast that his chair fell backward with a loud clatter, he smiled when everyone's heads snapped up at attention. "Due to the colder weather and our lack of firewood for the heater-"

  "But there's a giant stack of it right there, Mr. Monterose," ten-year-old Ginny Tadlock blurted out, pointing to the mound of firewood in question.

  "Shhhh," twelve-year-old Mikey Mickelson hissed from the desk behind her, "don't you know he doesn't see real good?"

  Everett bit back a grin, "Mikey is correct, Ginny, my vision's not what it used to be." He lowered his voice to a loud whispe
r, "but I do still have excellent hearing."

  The students gasped and giggled, and Everett continued at his normal level, "Class is dismissed for the day."

  Cheers erupted.

  "Quiet…I trust each of you will be eager and ready to learn tomorrow?" He gave each of them an expectant look, waiting until they nodded in agreement. "Excellent, now should your parents question why you are home three hours earlier than normal, feel free to tell them this is an exercise in rewards and consequences. Tomorrow, should you continue to doodle on your papers—Andrew—there will be consequences since I am rewarding you today with early release." Passing his gaze over them once more, he smiled, "I see we understand one another. Have a good afternoon. You may go."

  They bolted from their seats and scrambled to collect their belongings before racing out the door. Everett laughed and put his coat on, then let out a deep sigh at the thought of what lay before him.

  He could no longer make excuses for putting off this visit; if he did, the chances of something serious happening to Carson only escalated. He knew that much from experience.

  The whole ride over to the Wagner house, a modest two-story cottage at the end of Main Street toward the North end of town, Everett rehearsed what he planned to say.

  His heart hammered, and his hands shook as he parked the car along the curb. Taking a calming breath, he reached for his cane and made his way up to the front door.

  He knocked, shivering from the cold and waited. Several minutes passed before Carson's mother, Belinda, came to the door.

  She opened it a crack, just enough for her to see who he was, then opened it further with a timid smile that ended with a wince when it opened her bruised and split lower lip.

  Her posture held a defeated and broken quality that reminded him of his mother, but she also possessed a quiet strength in her pale blue gaze he couldn't help but admire.

  Everett offered a smile in return, struggling to keep it in place after taking in her battered face. "Afternoon, Mrs. Wagner…thought I'd stop by and see how Carson is doing since he hasn't been to school the past few days."

  Casting a quick look past Everett, Belinda motioned him inside. "He's been ill."

  Everett nodded, seeing the half-truth for what it hid. "Is Mr. Wagner at home?"

  Her face hardened, and she shook her head, "No, and if he dares step foot here again, I'll kill him with my bare hands." Fire burst to life within her gaze, and heated emotion filled her voice.

  Everett's eyes widened, "Is it all right with you if I see Carson?"

  Belinda swallowed, hesitating before she finally gave a curt nod and led him through the house to Carson's room. Opening the door, she smiled; her tone and eyes softened when she said gently, "You've got a visitor Carce, Mr. Monterose is here to see you."

  Everett entered the room, his eyes falling to the battered and broken little boy lying on the bed, and fought the urge to hunt Mr. Wagner down to teach him a lesson.

  Carson's body was covered in black and blue bruises, complete with two black eyes, his left one swollen shut with the upper lid cut. Splints and bandages covered his right arm, more bandaging wrapped around his upper torso.

  "Hello, Mr. Monterose," Carson mumbled, averting his one-eyed gaze.

  "Afternoon, Carson," he said softly, "I've missed seeing you in class the past few days."

  Carson turned back to face Everett, studying him in silence. Slowly his shoulders relaxed against his bed, "Sorry I wasn't able to turn in my state report like you asked. It's in my bag though if you want to take it."

  Everett bent his lips in a sad smile, "Let's not worry about school work right now. There'll be plenty of that to focus on when you're feeling better."

  Carson coughed, then clutched a hand to his ribs and winced.

  "I'll let you rest," Everett murmured, "would it be okay with you if I visited again?"

  Carson cautiously nodded with a grimace. "Will you bring me my assignments so I don't get behind in class?"

  Everett swallowed the lump of emotion clogging his throat, before saying, "You bet I will."

  Sighing, Carson closed his eyes and Belinda ushered Everett out of the room, closing the door gently behind them.

  "What'd Doc Gilbert say about his condition?" Everett quietly asked once they stood in the hall.

  Belinda crossed her arms over her chest and clutched her sweater. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears; she pressed her trembling lips together. After a moment, she cleared her throat and said hoarsely, "He'll heal physically, but it'll take time before we know the extent of any other damage done."

  Everett's left hand curled into a tight fist; his right clenched his cane so hard his knuckles popped. He wanted to hunt Bertrand down, make him pay for what he'd done to his little boy. "How can I help? Do you need food or anything?"

  Her tears fell unchecked down her cheeks, her voice thick with emotion as she said, "I appreciate the offer, but we'll be fine."

  He sighed, knowing by her rigid posture she'd never relent. He'd have to find another way to help them—and he knew just the thing. "Any idea where Bert is right now?"

  A low growl escaped her throat at her husband's name. She studied Everett, her eyes narrowing for several silent moments before she looked at a point beyond his shoulder, then met and held his gaze. "Why?"

  Everett's lips curled in a predatory smile. "Because there's someone I want to introduce him to."

  Forty

  Elyria's eyes snapped open, her heart hammering in her chest from being startled awake. Rubbing her eyes, she covered a yawn and pushed herself up into a sitting position on the couch to the sound of keys jingling in the lock.

  Seconds later, Everett muttered a string of curses and stumbled in through the back door. "Pegleg?"

  "How did it go?"

  He grunted and flicked the light on, filling the room with the quiet hum of electricity. Limping over to sit beside her on the plush sofa, he let out a weary groan and rubbed his right thigh. "I need a new cane."

  "Why?"

  Everett hesitated before murmuring, "Because Bert Wagner broke my old one with his face."

  "I have a strong suspicion there's more to the story than that." She arched a brow at him.

  Everett shrugged, his arm rubbing against hers with the motion. "He tried to hit me with a stool."

  "A…stool?"

  "Mrs. Wagner kicked him out, so I went to the Iron Door Tavern to have a few words with him."

  A moment of silence, then Elyria nudged him, "And?"

  Everett cleared his throat. "And…he took exception to the ones I chose."

  She bit back a grin and ran her fingers through the hair at his right temple, making him hiss in pain. "Full-blown Captain Rattlesnake?"

  "You did give me your permission to introduce them." He chuckled, taking her hand in his to press a kiss to her palm, "I simply made sure I left a lasting impression."

  The smile slipped from Elyria's face, and her brow lowered with concern. "How's Carson? Was it just as you feared it would be?"

  Everett let go of her hand and sat forward. When she thought he would speak, instead he held quiet, the silence speaking louder than any accounting of injuries the boy suffered. At last, he said softly, "He's alive, but…" he blew out a breath and set his spectacles on the coffee table with a soft clatter. "For the life of me, I'll never understand how someone can hurt their flesh and blood that way…makes my blood boil."

  Elyria rested her head on his shoulder, smoothing her hand up and down his back to ease his tension. "Do you think Bert will leave them alone now?"

  He turned and pressed a kiss to her brow. "Men like him don't stop until someone ends up in a grave."

  "Then let's hope it doesn't come to that for any of us."

  Everett fell silent again for a moment, then shook his head. "I doubt we'll get off that easy." He turned to face her and tucked a lock of her hair behind her right ear. "Did I wake you from a nap?"

  She shrugged and smiled. "I don't min
d."

  "Are you feeling sick again? Maybe you ought to go see Doc-"

  "I already have," she whispered, her heart suddenly leaping to her throat, "a couple of weeks ago."

  "You did?"

  She nodded.

  "Well, what'd he say?"

  Elyria swallowed convulsively; this wasn't at all the way she'd pictured telling him. She wanted to make it special, cook him a nice dinner, and tell him in some romantic way he would always remember.

  But she'd kept the news from him long enough; he deserved to know; especially now that her belly had a gentle slope to it that she could no longer hide.

  Her stomach twisted in a knot of nerves, and her mouth suddenly became parched. What would be the best way to say it? There were two options before her. Either she could keep the admission subtle and test the waters, or come right out and throw the news at him.

  Delicately clearing her throat, she smoothed her right hand against her skirt and decided for the more subtle, gentle approach. "He said I should be better in about five months or so."

  "Five MONTHS?" Everett muttered several curses and stood, limping over to his reading nook, then back toward her on the couch. "To think I always thought him to be a good doctor. I'm gonna take you somewhere for a second opinion. Five months. What kind of birdbrained disease is that?"

  Elyria rolled her eyes. So much for subtlety. "The kind that gives you a tiny human at the end."

  He came to a sudden stop two feet to her right. Deafening silence descended, and then like tiny gears clicking into place, he slowly said, "A tiny—are you saying…what I think you're saying?"

  "Yes," she laughed, covering her mouth with her hands. She chewed on her bottom lip and blinked back tears. "We're going to have a baby."

  Everett dropped beside her on the couch and took both her hands in his. "A baby?"

  She nodded.

  "That's why you've been feeling so poorly?" He cradled her right cheek in his hand and threaded his fingers through her hair behind her ear. "Doc's sure you're not sick with something else?"

  "Yes," she whispered, leaning into his touch, "he said all my symptoms point to this."