A Place of Refuge

by Janet Lee Barton

  It was obvious the Heatons put helping others at the top of their priority list and Kathleen was a grateful recipient of their generosity.

  After playing charades for a while, they were served hot cocoa before going back out into the cool night.

  “Spring is right around the corner,” Michael said, “but it’s been hard to tell the last few weeks.”

  “I’m looking forward to picnicking in Central Park,” Julia said. “It won’t be long before we can.”

  Kathleen glanced at Luke to find him gazing at her. She’d love to go to Central Park—and she’d love to run into her sister and the boys. But with them came Clancy and he was someone she never hoped to see again.

  Once they were back in the omnibus, with Luke by her side once more, he turned to her and spoke quietly. “You know, when we can go to the park again, I don’t want you to worry about running into your brother-in-law. He won’t hurt you again, Kathleen. I won’t leave your side—not for a moment. I promise you that.”

  “Thank you, Luke.”

  No wonder she felt safest around this man. Somehow he’d appointed himself her guardian and for that she could only be thankful.

  Chapter Six

  The next few weeks were some of the best Kathleen could ever remember as she settled in more at Heaton House. Her rib hurt less each day and she no longer came home from work totally exhausted.

  Evenings were always enjoyable and she along with the other women had gone on several outings to Ladies’ Mile, to browse and see what would be in fashion that spring. So far she’d never come home with anything, but she at least was learning how to accessorize the clothes Elizabeth, Julia and even Violet had given her. She particularly liked browsing at Macy’s and Lord & Taylor.

  She and the other girls from Heaton House enjoyed window-shopping as much as anything, watching the wealthy come out of stores with their servants trailing behind, carrying their purchases.

  Kathleen had never really had good women friends except for her sister and she greatly enjoyed getting to know the women of Heaton House.

  She’d learned that Violet and Michael had been neighbors back in Virginia where they both were from, but it wasn’t until Violet came to the city to try to pay off the mortgage to her family home that they’d fallen in love.

  “I’m so glad you’ve found true love, but I’m not sure I can ever give my heart to a man,” Kathleen said one Saturday afternoon when they were having tea at a small café along Ladies’ Mile.

  “Oh, Kathleen, don’t think that way. There are good men out there.”

  “But how does one know they’ll remain good? My sister Colleen thought Clancy was a good man when she first met him. But it didn’t take long after they married for her to find out otherwise. Only by then she loved him and thought she could change him.” Kathleen shook her head. “She’s been miserable ever since they married.”

  “I’m sorry about that, Kathleen. But you can’t let yourself believe that all men are like your brother-in-law. They aren’t. You already know that. Look at my Michael and then of course there’s Luke.”

  Luke. He did seem to be the exception of—

  “And there’s John and Ben,” Mrs. Heaton added. “They’re all good Christian men, Kathleen.”

  “They seem to be.” Kathleen sighed. “But how does one ever know if they’ll change when they marry or if they are only on their best behavior during the courting stage? Living in the tenements, I’ve seen some good men who treat their wives right. But I’ve seen so much more of the opposite kind of men. I’m just not sure I’ll ever be able to trust my heart to anyone.”

  “I’m going to pray you change your mind, dear,” Mrs. Heaton said. “A loving man and a good marriage are a true blessing. Just let the Lord guide you—” her gaze took in Kathleen, Elizabeth and Julia “—all of you—in your choice of a husband. Listen to your heart and the Lord and you won’t go wrong.”

  Her words gave Kathleen something to think about as they started back to Heaton House, but still she didn’t see marriage in her future. It had to be easier not to depend on a man for either your livelihood or your happiness. It certainly hadn’t been for her sister.

  When they returned there was a letter waiting for her from Colleen and she hurried upstairs to read it in private. She settled down in the comfortable chair by the window and slit the letter open with the beautiful letter opener Mrs. Heaton had given her.

  Dear Kathleen,

  It is always so good to hear from you. I’m glad to know that you are recovering and beginning a new life out of this place. Thank you for the money you sent. It has come in very handy this week as Clancy lost yet another job. He’s been in one of those moods and I’m glad you aren’t here to see it.

  The boys say to tell you they love you and thank you for the penny candy you provided through the money you sent. Of course you know that I love you, too. I’m so thankful that we can at least keep in touch by letter. I hope to report that Clancy has a new job next time. Pray for us, won’t you?

  Love always, your sister Colleen

  Clancy without a job was not a good thing. Kathleen bowed her head and whispered a prayer. “Dear Lord, please watch over Colleen and the boys, please keep them safe and keep Clancy from hurting any of them. Please let him find a job soon. In Jesus’s name I pray, Amen.”

  She brushed at the tears just thinking of her nephews and her sister brought about. She wasn’t there. She couldn’t do anything other than leave it all in the Lord’s hands—and trust that He’d watch over her loved ones.

  Kathleen sighed and pushed herself out of the chair, her side giving a small twinge as she did. She freshened up and changed for dinner. She’d write Colleen tonight when she came back up and tell her she never stopped praying for them.

  * * *

  That evening, Michael and Violet joined them for dinner and everyone was in high spirits as they discussed going to the symphony the next week. Kathleen had never been before and was very excited about it.

  Just as Kathleen and Violet were heading to the parlor with the others after dinner, a knock came on the door. Kathleen had learned that a visitor this time of evening was rare, and they stopped to see who was at the door Gretchen opened.

  Kathleen felt a sliver of apprehension seeing one of the policemen who’d been at the park the day Luke had come to her defense.

  “Evening, ma’am,” he said to Gretchen. “I’m Officer O’Malley and I’d like to speak to Kathleen O’Bryan, if I may.”

  Dread flooded Kathleen’s heart as she stepped forward. “I’m Kathleen O’Bryan, Officer. What do you need to talk to me about?”

  She was barely aware that Luke stood by her, if for nothing else but support, as did Violet and Michael who moved to stand on the other side of her.

  “Miss O’Bryan, there is no easy way to say this. I’m sorry to report that your sister has been shot and is in the hospital, ma’am.”

  “No!” If not for Luke’s quick grasp of her arm, Kathleen was sure she would have crumpled at his feet. “Is she—”

  “The doctors say she will be all right. But she is asking for you.”

  “I must go to her.” Trying to gather her thoughts, Kathleen turned away then back again. “Yes. I must go now. The children. Where are they?”

  “They’re with a neighbor. I believe her name is Mrs. Walsh.”

  “Good.” Kathleen nodded and released a deep breath before asking, “And Clancy? Colleen’s husband?”

  “He is dead,
ma’am.”

  Kathleen felt herself begin to slump for a moment but again Luke was there to hold her up. She pulled herself together, let out a deep breath and stood straight once more. “What hospital is my sister in, Officer?”

  “Bellevue. We can take you—”

  “I’ll take her, Officer. I have a hack on the way now,” Luke said.

  Kathleen assumed that he’d had someone call for one and was proved right when Michael came back to say the cab would be right there.

  “We’ll be going with you,” Michael stated.

  “All right, then.” The officer nodded. “As long as she’s not by herself. The neighbor said not to worry about the children, ma’am. She’ll take care of them until you can get there.”

  “Thank you, Officer.”

  “I’m sorry to bring such news. I’ll see you at the hospital.”

  The hack arrived and Luke helped her out to it. The ride to the hospital was one of silence, no one knowing what to say. Kathleen did the only thing she knew would help. She prayed silently and continually.

  When they arrived at the hospital, they were taken to a room on the second floor and led through a row of beds on each side of the room. They passed other patients, some moaning and groaning in pain, others just lying there staring out into the room, and still others curled up and seeming to be asleep.

  They stopped about midway down the aisle and Kathleen could no longer keep her composure as she saw her sister, her face black and blue from what must have been a beating, but with a huge bandage over her shoulder and part of her chest. She couldn’t hold back a deep sob.

  A nurse was with her and she turned to Kathleen. “Are you her sister?”

  Kathleen nodded, wiping at her eyes. “Is she...is she going to be all right?”

  “Yes. But—” The nurse shook her head and leaned closer to whisper, “I am sorry to tell you that she lost the baby.”

  Kathleen closed her eyes, but the only sound that came out of her mouth was a small moan as the nurse continued, “She just drifted off, but she’s been waiting for you. I’ll see if I can find a doctor...and here comes Officer O’Malley. He can tell you what happened before she came here. Perhaps you’d like to talk in the hallway?”

  Kathleen hesitated while the officer stood by her side.

  “I promise she’s going to be all right, but it will take time to heal and get over the sorrow,” the nurse said.

  With a short nod, Kathleen and the officer headed toward the hallway with Luke, Michael and Violet following behind.

  Officer O’Malley led Kathleen to a bench and sat down beside her. “You may get more information from your sister when she can talk more easily, or from her neighbors, but this is what I know. About five o’clock, one of the neighbors alerted us that there was a huge ruckus going on in your sister’s apartment. They’d heard her screaming and the children crying.”

  Violet brushed at the tears that seemed to flow of their own accord.

  “When we got there, we had to break down the door. Your brother-in-law had a gun in his hand and from the looks of her face, that’s what he beat her with,” Officer O’Malley continued. “Soon as we yelled for him to stop, a shot when off and, well, that’s when he shot your sister. He turned, we told him to drop the gun and he shot again. I don’t know whose shot killed him but both my partner and I pulled our triggers about the same time.”

  Kathleen closed her eyes and began to rock to and fro. Violet quickly sat down on the other side of her and put an arm around her.

  “I’m sorry, ma’am. I hate this part of my job.” The look in the officer’s eyes said he was telling the truth.

  “Oh, no. Please...” Kathleen paused, shaking her head. “Thank you for saving my sister’s life. If you hadn’t been there, she might not be here right now.”

  From the corner of her eye Kathleen saw a youngish man come up to them. “Miss O’Bryan?”

  “Yes.” She turned to him.

  “I’m Doctor Addison. I just wanted to let you know that your sister will be all right.”

  Kathleen sighed with relief and swallowed around the knot in her throat.

  “She’s very lucky. If that bullet had hit her a little lower, she’d be gone. As it is, she’ll be very sore for a while and won’t be able to lift much, but she’ll recover. It may take longer for her to get over the losses she’s suffered tonight, but in time, she will. She’ll be here a few more days before she can be released, but she seems to be worried about her children and kept calling for you.”

  “I’ll try to set her mind at ease,” Kathleen said. “Is she awake yet?”

  “Let’s go see.”

  Kathleen stood and followed the doctor back to her sister’s bed. She sat down and reached out for Colleen’s hand. Thank you, Lord, for bringing her through. Please heal her completely and quickly. Please help me to know how to help her now.

  * * *

  “I have to get back to write up the report,” Officer O’Malley said. “Please tell Miss O’Bryan that I’ll be checking on her and that if she has any questions before then to contact me.”

  “We will,” Luke said. “Thank you, Officer O’Malley.”

  The policeman inclined his head and headed down the hall.

  Restless, Luke got up and went to the door of the hospital room. He watched as Kathleen pulled up a chair to sit by her sister. His heart broke as he saw the expression on her face when she reached over to take her sister’s hand.

  He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose as he sent up a prayer asking for the Lord to heal Kathleen’s sister and be with her and her family.

  Michael came up behind him and nudged his arm as he looked at Kathleen once more. “Come on, Luke. It could be a while. Let’s take a seat.”

  Luke nodded and the three of them sat on the bench Kathleen had vacated earlier. He turned to Michael and Violet. “I want to give her all the time she needs. You two can go on home. I’ll get her to her nephews or wherever she wants to go when she’s ready.”

  “We’ll wait awhile. We probably should go with you. No telling what the apartment looks like. If there’s blood—” Violet stopped and shuddered.

  Michael put an arm around his wife and pulled her close. “At least she won’t have to worry about that brother-in-law taking his rage out on her family or her anymore.”

  Or about me getting hold of him one day. Luke began to pace the floor. He wanted to be by her side, should she need him, but she hadn’t asked him to go with her and he didn’t have the right to impose himself on her at this time. He couldn’t help but wonder what Kathleen would do now that her sister’s husband was no longer a threat to her or her sister and nephews. Would she go back to live with them? He didn’t want her to leave Heaton House.

  Luke continued to pace for what seemed like hours. In reality it was probably less than one before Kathleen joined them again.

  “She seems to be sleeping peacefully now. And I promised her I’d go home to the children. I’m sure they’re quite frightened and I need to get to them and assure them their mama is all right.”

  Her eyes were bright with unshed tears and she shook her head. “I don’t know what to tell them about their papa.” She looked around. “Is Officer O’Malley still here? I’ll get him to take me home.”

  “He had to go, but he said he’d be checking on you,” Luke said. “I’m going to take you wherever you need to go.”

  “We’re all going with you,” Violet
said.

  “Violet, I’m not sure that’s a good idea, you—”

  “Kathleen, your sister’s children need you now. I want to help.” Violet put an arm around her friend. “Let’s get you to them.”

  Kathleen looked at Luke and then Michael.

  “But—”

  Michael shook his head. “No sense in arguing with her, Kathleen. Violet has her mind made up. And she’s right. You don’t know what you’re facing when you get there and we want to help.”

  Finally, she nodded. “All right. Let’s go.”

  It didn’t take as long as Luke feared to procure a hack to take them to Kathleen’s sister’s building. As the driver pulled up to the tenement, there was no little amount of curiosity about the arrival of a hired vehicle from those still on their stoops and the street outside.

  Luke and Michael helped the women out of the hack and Kathleen led the way inside. Several people recognized her and asked about her sister. No one expressed condolences about her brother-in-law, which told Luke the man wouldn’t have many mourning his demise.

  He followed Kathleen up the stairs. The hall was dark and dingy, stuffy and smelling of everything imaginable, and Luke didn’t want her to move back here. Ever.

  Chapter Seven

  Luke could tell that Kathleen was distressed that they were seeing where she’d lived by the way her back stiffened as he followed her up the narrow staircase. With each flight he tried to ignore the heat that rose with them, the aromas that assailed them. When they reached the fifth-floor landing they started down the dark hallway. Somewhere a baby needed a diaper change and someone else must have cooked cabbage. He could hear a couple arguing as they passed one door.

  Kathleen seemed to hold her back even straighter as they continued on. Midway down the hall she stopped and knocked on a door. The door creaked open only an inch or so and a man peeked out. Luke recognized him as the man who’d brought her to Heaton House. Once he saw Kathleen, he opened it a bit wider. “Sorry about your sister, Kathleen. I’ll get Rose.”