Choosing One Moment

by Marja McGraw

  We sat on the edge of her bed after she checked to be sure there were no more snakes and no more notes.

  “Papa made me tell him the whole story. I made him promise he wouldn’t tell Mama. He agreed, as long as I keep him in the loop. Uh, I’m pretty sure he’s going to watch us closely. He’s drafted Daniel to be on the lookout, too. Nathaniel was there, and needless to say, Papa is drafting him, too, because of him being a police officer before coming to Little Creek.”

  “It doesn’t sound like our lives are going to be our own from here on out.” I wasn’t sure if I liked that or not.

  We were, after all, independent women.

  “It’s stuffy up here.” Elsbeth waved her hand in front of her face. “Let’s go out on the porch and talk.”

  We sat for a while and listened to the frogs. In my time I very seldom heard the sound because of traffic and other outside noises. I had to admit, it was a peaceful sound. I heard a goose honk, but the sound didn’t break the peace. It added to it.

  I glanced across the street and, to my surprise, saw the McGee brothers standing in the shadows, watching us.

  I nudged Elsbeth. “Do you see – “

  “I saw them. I’m sure this is Papa’s doing.”

  My aunt lifted her hand to wave, but I grabbed her arm and pulled it down.

  “Don’t give them away,” I said.

  The front door opened and Papa stepped outside. He picked up one of the chairs and set it in the shadows at the end of the porch. Reaching inside the house, he pulled out a rifle.

  He sat in the chair with the gun across his lap. I saw him nod at the brothers, who casually turned and walked away.

  I turned to my aunt. “Are you taking any of this in?”

  “All of it. Things were going okay until Nathaniel told Papa about me being attacked. Then it all fell apart. I’d told Daniel I didn’t want Papa to know that part of the story, but apparently Nathaniel figured he knew better than me. My suspicion is that one of the men will always have our backs from here on out.”

  “Doesn’t Papa have to get up early to go to work?” I asked.

  “Yes, but he doesn’t go to work. He makes a living from all the fruit trees. He ships the fruit to Oregon and California. He’s a forward thinking man, too. He says that Washington has the best apples and fruit and that he’s going to make his fortune off the trees.”

  “What does Mama think?”

  “She says he knows what he’s doing.”

  “I’m ready for some sleep.” I yawned. “I’m going upstairs.”

  “It’s been a long day, hasn’t it?” The yawn was catching and my aunt did the same thing.

  “Watch this,” she said.

  She walked over to Papa and gave him a peck on the cheek. He shook his head and stared at her while she walked into the house.

  “Night, Papa,” I said, following her example and kissing his cheek.

  I heard him say, “Huh!” as I left his side.

  Elsbeth and I gave Mama a hug and headed upstairs.

  “Papa can’t understand us showing him affection, can he?” I asked.

  “No, he’s not used to it, except for Tess’ hugs. This must be driving him nuts. Everything around him is changing.”

  “Is Mama affectionate toward him?” It was none of my business, but as a pro tem daughter, I couldn’t help but wonder.

  “Yes, but not publicly. Well, she does put her hand on his arm when they walk. She’s always been affectionate toward us girls, though.”

  I found a clean nightgown crumpled up in a bureau drawer and after taking off my clothes, pulled it over my head. Carrie really wasn’t much of a fashionista. I went through the wardrobe and rehung some of the clothes, hoping the wrinkles would fall out. I wasn’t going to hold my breath.

  I knew we had an old-fashioned washing machine, because I’d seen it. At least we didn’t have to bang our clothes on a rock in the creek. I might wash some of the clothing, but of course, then I had to iron all of it. Wrinkle free cloth? I didn’t think it was a twinkle in anyone’s eye yet.

  Remembering the cell phone, I thought about rehiding it. No, it could wait until morning.

  I climbed under the covers and pulled the sheet over my head. As interesting as the day had been, I wanted to hide from it for the night. I also wanted to block out the sounds of the frogs for a while.

  Changing my mind, I climbed out of bed and opened the window. Maybe the frogs would sing me to sleep.

  I heard Mama’s soft voice coming from outside, where she’d joined Papa. I wondered if he’d fess up about what was happening to her daughters.

  ~ * ~

  Early the next morning, I awoke to the sound of Mama knocking on the door singing, “Rise and shine, sleepyhead.”

  Instead of being annoyed, which is what my latter day reaction would have been, I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and sat for a moment, wondering what the new day would bring.

  I hoped it would be a normal day without threatening notes or any so-called accidents. I wanted to take a long hot shower, but I knew from talking to my aunt that in 1909 people didn’t bath or wash their hair every day. That would be an adjustment for me.

  Lifting my arm, I sniffed and nodded happily. Old Carrie must have bathed on Saturday. I ran my fingers through my hair, realizing there were no hair products and no hairspray. I’d have to ask my aunt how often I could get away with bathing and washing my hair.

  I smelled frying bacon and my stomach rumbled. A cup of coffee would be appreciated, too. Hurrying, I descended the stairs.

  “Good morning, Mama. Bacon and eggs for breakfast?”

  “Of course. What else would your father want?”

  I replied with, “May I have a cup of coffee?”

  Mama turned with surprise on her face. “No, you’ll have your regular cup of tea. I just don’t understand what’s gotten into you.” She shook her head while turning back to the bacon.

  I was really screwing this up, royally. “I’m sorry, Mama. I just think I need to grow up and try new things.”

  “You’re not arguing with me, you’re trying new things, and you’re happy.” She mumbled something before adding softly, “I sure hope this side of you stays for a while.”

  I decided to surprise her again. “Can I do anything to help?”

  Her shoulders tightened before she relaxed. She didn’t seem to know how to take my new attitude.

  “Would you please get the butter out of the ice box? And maybe you could set the table. Tess usually does it, but I think you’d be a good one for that job this morning. She’s outside with your Papa.”

  “Why me?” I asked angrily. “I’m trying to be good and you just won’t let me.” Of course, I wasn’t angry at all, but I didn’t want to change too much. Who knew what old Carrie would be like when she and I traded places again?

  “Ah, there’s the Carrie I know and love,” Elsbeth said from the doorway.

  I glanced at Mama and her shoulders had tightened again.

  “You get the butter and I’ll set the table,” Elsbeth said. “Why don’t you go upstairs and let me and Mama talk?”

  I lifted a bowl with butter in it out of the ice box and slammed it on the table, but not hard enough to break it.

  Knowing I had to make a bad impression, I stormed to the spot where we’d all left our shoes and put mine on, then stomped through the kitchen and up the stairs.

  “Carrie,” Mama called out threateningly.

  I ignored her.

  I finally remembered that I wanted to put the cell phone where it wouldn’t be found. Kids can be nosey, and Tess was nine. She also knew I’d had something in my pocket, and I had a feeling she didn’t believe it was a rock. I wouldn’t have believed that story.

  I closed my bedroom door, as old Carrie always did, and lifted the edge of the mattress, reaching under. I had to feel around because I couldn’t remember exactly where I’d put the phone.

  I found the cell phone, but my hand slid
off of it and touched something else – a piece of paper.

  “What…?”

  I pulled both items out and set the phone on the bed while I read what turned out to be a note.

  “You can’t get away from me so easily, girlie. Watch your back. There won’t always be someone around to save you.”

  Was this intended for Elsbeth or Carrie?

  Chapter Thirteen

  Elsbeth followed me upstairs after she set the table. “Are you nuts? No, you’re smart. You’re finally beginning to understand what Carrie can be like.” She laughed softly with her hand over her mouth so she wouldn’t be heard.

  “I’ll bet Carrie has hormone problems.” I knew women with problems like hers, and in 1909 you wouldn’t be able to drive to the pharmacy and pick up hormone pills. I wasn’t sure if they even recognized PMS. I was pretty sure a doctor would look at you like you were out of your mind if you told him you thought you had premenstrual syndrome.

  “You might be right. By the way, have you ever had milk straight from the cow?”

  I shook my head.

  “You’re in for a treat. The butter will taste different, too.”

  “Forget the milk. Look what I found.” I handed the note to my aunt.

  She read it and set it carefully on the bed. “This is bad. Real bad. It tells me that Carrie has had more happen to her than she’s admitted. That might account for some of her moodiness, too.”

  “I don’t know how it ended up in Carrie’s room, but it could be meant for you. Maybe she found it and decided it would upset you. I mean, you were the one who was attacked.”

  My aunt rolled her eyes. “If you consider Carrie’s cantankerous side, she could have decided to hide it until she felt the time was right, like if she was ticked off at me. She’s always ticked off at someone, after all.”

  “You know, I’m really glad I’m not her. At least I’m easy to get along with, and my bad moods are rare. Little by little, I’m going to let the family see her calm down. I tried acting like her when I was downstairs, but I didn’t like the way it made me feel.”

  My aunt gave me a hug. “You have to remember that the two of you will be trading places again, and I doubt if she’ll have changed much. Keep up the charade. It won’t be for long.”

  I sighed. “I guess you’re right, but I don’t like it.”

  Elsbeth picked up the note and read it again.

  “Do you recognize the handwriting?” I asked.

  “No.”

  “It looks like someone took great care to disguise the way they write. When I write something in a hurry it’s barely legible. This is almost too legible.” Sometimes my handwriting looked like chicken scratching. “Although, I have to admit that your squarish writing looks like you take your time with it.”

  My aunt folded the note and stuck it in a pocket. “I’d show this to Papa, but I think it would push him over the edge. I’m not even sure if I’ll show it to Daniel. Oh, and my handwriting? It’s the way Original Elsbeth wrote so I took pains to write like her since I’ll be staying here.”

  “So you’ve been writing like her for years.” I held my hand out. “Give me the note. I’m going to take it to Nathaniel. Maybe he’ll have some ideas.”

  She hesitated before pulling the note out of her pocket and handing it to me, and then she winked. “You just want an excuse to see Nathaniel.”

  I chuckled. She’d always been big on winking.

  “You told me that with Daniel, it was love at first sight. I’m not feeling that with Nathaniel. It’s more like friendship at first sight.”

  “Uh huh.”

  “Truly, Auntie.” I glanced toward the bedroom door in the hopes no one was around to have heard me. “Oops. I meant to say Elsbeth.”

  Papa hollered from the bottom of the stairs. “Are you two coming down for breakfast?”

  “We’re on our way,” Elsbeth yelled back, heading for the door.

  “I’ll be right down,” I said. “I’ve got to hide the cell phone.”

  “Oh, just put in anywhere. No one would dare bother old Carrie’s belongings.”

  “Just the same…” I shoved the phone back under the mattress, knowing I wouldn’t feel comfortable until I found a good place for it. Maybe I should keep it on my person all the time. Who knew when I’d be traveling again? I retrieved it and shoved it in the pocket of my skirt.

  Mama and Tess talked over breakfast, but the rest of us were quiet. Papa barely looked up from his plate. Elsbeth started to speak a few times, but her voice seemed to trail off. Mama narrowed her eyes at my aunt, but she didn’t comment.

  I took a drink of the straight-from-the-cow milk and lowered my head so no one would see my mouth pucker up. I missed my homogenized, pasteurized, organic milk. I sighed softly and forced myself to drink it.

  My aunt witnessed my reaction and put her head down so no one would notice her grinning.

  Papa carried his plate to the sink at the same time there as a knock on the front door.

  “That must be Daniel. I think you should come out to the barn with us, Beth, to spend a little time with your young man.”

  Mama was at the sink and looked over her shoulder, surprise on her face, but once again she didn’t say anything.

  Tess rose and picked up a book. “Gotta go to school. Miss Tremaine loaned me this book and I need to return it to her.”

  “What book is that?” Mama asked.

  “The Road to Oz by L. Frank Baum. It’s new and the teacher trusted me to take care of it.”

  “You must be a good reader,” I said.

  “Silly. You know I love to read, just like Mama and Papa.” Tess waved and left by the back door.

  There was another knock at the front door and Papa left the kitchen to answer it.

  Mama turned to Elsbeth. “Your father is right. You spend some time with Daniel today.” She grinned. “And then we’re going to plan a wedding. Have you discussed dates yet?”

  “No, Mama, but we will today. I promise.” Elsbeth followed her father out of the room.

  Mama turned back to the sink. “Come help me with the dishes, Carrie. Would you dry for me?”

  I stepped forward and picked up a towel, without arguing. I made a point of scowling instead.

  “I heard you spent some time with Daniel’s brother. Could that account for your better mood lately?”

  “Mama! Don’t be silly. What do Nathaniel and I have in common?”

  “Probably a lot, little girl. He’d be a good catch, and you’re not getting any younger.” Her head whipped around like she expected me to snap at her.

  I didn’t. “We’re just friends, Mama.”

  “Friendships grow. Wait and see.”

  I finished drying the dishes and folded the towel, laying it on the sink. At least Mama had given me an excuse to be nicer to people.

  “Mama, I’m going across the street to talk to Mother Possum again. Do you want me to take her anything?”

  “You’re just full of surprises lately. Why don’t you take her a few of the biscuits I made? She’ll like those with some marmalade on them.”

  I nodded and placed some biscuits on a plate, covering them with a towel. “I’ll be back in a while.”

  “Don’t forget you have chores to do,” she called to my back.

  “Okay.”

  I opened the front door and walked straight into Nathaniel’s arms. He steadied me before speaking. “I was just about to knock.”

  I laughed and stepped back. I figured decorum was important in 1909, even if he did know who I really was. Having the neighbors see me in his arms probably wouldn’t go over well.

  “I’m on my way over to visit Mother Possum again. Want to go with me?”

  “Funny, but I was about to suggest a trip to her house. I’ve been reading books about Sherlock Holmes, and I think I’ve learned a bit about questioning people from him. Mr. Doyle wrote the stories and he was a smart fellow. Are your stories like those?”

&nbs
p; “Not at all, but mysteries are about solving a puzzle. Finding the right pieces and making sure they fit together. That’s what we’re setting out to do before my aunt comes to harm.”

  “I see.”

  I wasn’t sure he truly understood. In fact, I suddenly wondered about my own skills. We sat down on the porch steps and I set the plate next to me.

  “Daniel and I came back for a spell last night. There was somebody hiding behind a tree at the place next to Mother Possum’s house. I tried to sneak up on him, but he heard me and ran. I couldn’t catch him. I saw his side view though, and I think it might have been that actor fellow. He was looking up, maybe watching the bedroom windows. You heard about him – Eugene Hoover. Those actors are a strange lot.”

  “He was too fast for you?”

  “No. He heard me coming and got a good lead. I prob’ly could have caught him if I’d tried harder. This might make me sound less manly, but I tripped over a bush in the dark.”

  I chuckled. “Of course it doesn’t make you sound less manly. I probably would have tripped over it, too.”

  “Well, I’m going to look that fellow up and let him know, if I catch him around here again, I’ll give him a good punch on his nose.”

  “I believe you would, but if he’s the one who’s been leaving notes, it might not do any good. I understand you were a police officer before moving here. Why didn’t you get back into that work here?”

  “Daniel and I did carpenter work when I wasn’t chasing criminals or walking the streets. I liked it. We’ve started our own business here. We build furniture, too, and people from as far away as Vancouver give us orders.”

  “Vancouver, Canada?” I asked.

  “No. Vancouver, Washington. Even in your day there must be a local Vancouver.”

  “You’re right. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  I stood, reaching for Nathaniel’s hand. “Let’s go for a walk before we visit Mother Possum.”

  I reached into my pocket, pushing the cell phone aside and grasping the paper.

  “I found another note in the house.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Nathaniel’s face looked like a storm front had moved in.