Seth

by Lynn Donovan

  Honor stood. She turned to Adam and said something, then walked toward the door. “No. You don’t.” She left.

  Seth stared at the empty doorway, then turned to Adam. “What did she say to you?”

  Adam grimaced. “She-she said this is what she meant about a long hard row to hoe.”

  Seth seethed with anger. He gritted his teeth and grabbed his water glass off the table and threw it at the door, but hit the frame. The glass shattered and scattered on the floor. “Take me home!” He growled.

  “I can’t.”

  “Yes, you can. Take me home! Purity will get me some laudanum. She won’t make me suffer. Mother’s lost her mind!”

  Adam frowned. “No. Purity can’t lift you and take care of you. You need to learn to lift yourself out of this bed and into a wheelchair. Momma says you barely even try! You’ve gotta be a man! Get your own self out this bed and learn to move around. All you do is lie here and stay doped up on that stuff. Momma’s right. You need to learn to live without it. You’ve got so much more to live for than that opium.” Adam’s lip trembled. “Besides. Purity needs you, home and whole. I need you. I can’t imagine standing at my wedding without you beside me! Come on, Seth. Be a man and do the honorable thing. Do what you gotta do to heal! This gunshot wound doesn’t have to be the end of your productive life! What would Dad think of you acting like this?”

  “Shut up!” Seth threw the lantern beside his bed at Adam. Adam ducked and then stood, glaring at his brother. “Stop acting like a spoiled rotten little boy. Grow up and be the man your wife needs you to be. We’re all here to help you, Seth, but you’ve gotta help yourself first.”

  Adam turned and walked out of the room.

  Seth lay in the starkly silent room, anger roiling in his gut. He looked over at the wheelchair beside his bed. Mocking him. He rolled himself onto his side and pulled the chair up against his bed. He grabbed the armrest and wiggled it until it came loose, then threw it across the room. Spit flew from his mouth with the effort.

  He pushed himself up and took ahold of his legs, swinging them off the side of the bed. Panting. It took all his strength. Seth pushed his hands into the mattress and lifted his body, scooting over inch by inch until he was halfway between the bed and the chair. Exhaustion raked his body. This was so hard and his back burned. He put his hand on the other armrest and pushed up a few more times until he was in the chair. He pushed the chair toward the door, his feet dragging the floor, found the armrest he had thrown, and put it into its slot. He hammered it into place with his fist, then reached down and put his feet on the leg rests. He huffed and panted. God he was so tired.

  Turning the wheels, he maneuvered himself out of the room, banging into the doorframe and then the plastered wall. He turned, nicking more plaster, and rolled down the hall, scraping his knuckles and making them bleed against the walls to bring the chair back to center in the hall. Determined to find that idiot brother of his.

  Adam and Honor stood near the entry door, talking about Seth, no less. He rolled into the parlor. “There you are! How dare you walk away from me!”

  Adam stared at Seth slack jawed and wide eyed. “Seth. You did it!”

  Anger clouded his hearing. Did what? What was Adam talking about? “I came after you. You can’t talk to me like that!”

  Adam looked at their mother and appeared to be suppressing a smile. Anger festered in Seth’s gut. He wanted to stand and slam his fist into Adam’s smug face. He pushed his chair forward and tried to ram into Adam, but he and Momma jumped out of the way. He hit the cabinet beside the door, instead. “Hold still.”

  Adam laughed. “Seth. Stop.”

  “No. You can’t tell me Dad would not like the way I’m acting and just walk away!”

  Momma gasped. “Adam! You didn’t.”

  Adam shrugged. “Seemed to work. He’s out here, isn’t he?”

  She turned back to Seth as if he were a specimen under glass. “True.”

  “What are you two looking at?” Slobber spilled from Seth’s mouth. He sucked it back from his lip. “What?”

  Adam stepped toward him. “Seth. You got out of bed, by yourself, and into the wheelchair, by yourself, and came all the way out here, by—”

  “By myself. Yeah, I know. So what?” Seth seethed.

  Honor touched his hand. He jerked it back and glared at her.

  “Darling. This is what we’ve all been waiting for. You to show some determination to get better.”

  “Meee?” Seth cocked his head back. “What does my determination have to do with anything?”

  “Everything.” Honor and Adam said at once, and then laughed at themselves.

  The anger in Seth’s chest eased, like a tornado spinning down to a dust devil. He breathed intentionally, and felt a calmness settle in his heart. He stared at these two, his mother and oldest brother. The two people he loved more than life itself. With only one exception: Purity. She meant everything to him. And the baby. He looked at his legs, flopped over willy-nilly, against the leg rest. “I-I understand.”

  Tears filled his eyes. He looked up at Adam and his mother. “I want to walk.”

  His mother choked on her emotions. “I know you do son. And that could still happen. But we have to work on it. Until then you have to build up your strength and learn to use this chair.”

  Seth looked down at the chair. A tear slowly rolled down his cheek and fell into the cotton of his nightshirt. He gritted his teeth and looked up at her.

  “I’m not making any promises.” His eyes slid over to Adam. “But…” He swallowed. “I’ll try.”

  Chapter Seven

  Jacob Featherstone tapped on Purity’s door. “Oh, hello, Jacob.” She stepped back to let her brother-in-law into her home. “What brings you here today?”

  “Purity, I was wondering, if I gave you the name of a book, could you order it for the Community Library?”

  Purity laughed. “Jacob, I should have known you had a book to order. I do declare, your thirst for books is bigger than a camel coming out of the Sahara desert. Of course, I— well, probably. I guess it depends on the book. Cousin Faith has seen to it that the city set up a fund to improve our collection, as long as it’s not too expensive, I’m sure we can get it. What do you have in mind?”

  Jacob smiled and handed her a slip of paper. “Harvard University has this. It’s a text book, really. But I think I’d like to read it and the cost is written below.”

  Purity looked at the title and the cost with a furrowed brow. “Hmm. Thinking of following your momma in medicine?”

  “Something like that.” Jacob shrugged with a reddening blush brightening his cheeks. “Can you let me know when it’s in?”

  “Of course.”

  Jacob left and Purity sat down to write to the Boston university requesting the book Jacob wanted. He had meticulously included the university’s address as well. She walked down to the bank and had the teller prepare a banknote, then walked to the general store and asked Mrs. Drucker to be sure it went out on the next eastbound train.

  Getting out for more than just a quick trip to the clinic felt good. She inhaled and exhaled the fresh air. The baby had her insides all messed up. She felt great of a morning, but sick to her stomach of an evening. So much for morning sickness.

  Fall was in the air and trees were beginning to turn. She wished Seth could come out and see all the pretty golds and reds before they dropped. She went to the clinic to sit with Seth for a spell. He had been resistant to getting in the chair or going anywhere but back to bed. But ever since Adam came by that last time, Seth had seemed to make a big turnaround. Maybe he was accepting his plight.

  “Seth.” She entered his room. “How would you like to get in your wheelchair and come see the autumn leaves?”

  Seth looked at her like she had said something ridiculous. “I can’t go outside!”

  Purity’s spirits plummeted. She had really hoped he would come with her.

  “I ain’t got no clot
hes.” Seth smiled.

  Purity lifted her head and looked at her husband. “If I brought your clothes, would you want to go?”

  “You know what? I would. Maybe you could slap together some sandwiches and we could have a picnic in the park.”

  “I’ll do that, too.” She jumped up and kissed him. He grabbed her head and pulled her deeper into the kiss and he kissed her back. A fire blazed between them. One she hadn’t felt in a long time. She leaned back from him and searched his eyes. “Seth?”

  He shrugged and a mischievous smile crossed his mouth. She tilted her head and giggled. “I’ll be right back, you.” She touched his nose and left the room.

  She nearly skipped home, gathered a set of his clothes, and made four sliced ham sandwiches. She wrapped each one in waxed paper and took down a tin of cookies. All this she placed in a basket and held it over her arm as she headed back to the clinic. What a beautiful day this was.

  Evelyn Graham had to help Seth put on his clothes. But soon he was dressed and in the wheelchair. Purity put the basket in his lap and pushed him down the boardwalk to the park across from the courthouse.

  People stopped to greet them and shake Seth’s hand. It seemed like all of Lantern was thrilled to see he was out of that clinic at last. Purity was proud as punch to watch the people thank him for stopping the bank robbers and express their joy to see he was better. Seth got real quiet by the time they reached the park. She laid out a blanket for herself to sit on and took the basket out of his lap. “What’s got you so quiet, Seth?”

  He looked deep into her eyes. “I really did not stop those bank robbers, Purity.” His eyes darted to a place across the park. “They put dynamite on the safe and when it blew, all it did was blow debris around the bank. The safe was dynamite proof. I was a fool to step in there and yell ‘Hey’ at them.” Seth swallowed hard. He turned to look at Purity. “I’m no hero.”

  Purity smiled. “You’re a hero to me. You survived that bullet and you’re up and in a wheelchair. You kicked that laudanum.”

  His eyes jerked and sadness filled his face.

  “I know that wasn’t easy. And…” She touched her midsection. “You made this baby. You’ll always be a hero to him… or her.”

  Seth pursed his lips. “I have to be honest with you. I think about taking that laudanum every day. But-but I don’t. It is really hard.” He lifted his eyes to meet hers. He loved her so much. “Come here.” He put out his arms and leaned forward. She jumped into his embrace and held him tight.

  “I love you, Seth Featherstone!”

  “I love you so much, Purity. You make me want to be a better man… for you, and this baby.” His eyes dropped to his lap. “Purity, I’m sorry I told you I wanted a divorce. I don’t… I didn’t really, it’s just that I-I thought it would be best for you. But—“

  “I understand. It’s all forgiven. I knew you were thinking something mixed up like that.” She leaned back with a sweet smile. “Here, eat your sandwich and maybe I”ll let you have a cookie, too.” She giggled.

  “Oh, you will, will you?” He laughed.

  She sat on the blanket and ate half a sandwich. The baby turned her tummy over and she suddenly felt sick. She set the sandwich back in the wax paper and tried to breathe deeply to calm the nausea.

  “You all right?” Seth leaned toward her.

  She shook her head. “It’s the baby.” She tried to smile. “She’s not liking the ham sandwich.”

  “She!” Seth teased.

  “It could be a daughter. We don’t know.” Purity furrowed her brow. “You won’t be disappointed if it’s a girl, will you, Seth.”

  He shook his head. “Darling, this baby feels like a miracle to me. Another miracle in a long list of miracles we’ve been given lately. I won’t be disappointed, I promise!” A tear filled his eye. “I just hope she or he won’t be disappointed in me.”

  “Why would you think that?” Purity rolled over onto her knees and held his hands.

  “B-because I’m a cripple.”

  “Oh, Seth Featherstone. Our child will love you no matter what. And just because you’re in a wheelchair…” Purity slapped her hand over her mouth and went down to all fours. She gagged.

  “Sweetheart. What can I do?” Seth touched her back.

  She lifted one finger and heaved. “There’s…” She heaved again. “There’s nothing you can do. You’ve done enough.” She tried to smile and sat back on her heels. “Maybe I should get you back to the clinic.”

  “Yes, of course. And maybe Momma can give you something to settle your stomach.”

  “Yeah, sure.” Purity rose to her feet and gathered their things. She piled it all in the basket and placed it in Seth’s lap. “Here, hold this and I’ll push you back to the clinic.”

  “No.” He twisted in his chair to hook the baskets on the back. “Come here and sit on my lap. I’ll take you to the clinic.”

  She looked at him questioningly, then gingerly sat in his lap. It was a struggle, but he wheeled them back down to the clinic. “Momma!” He yelled as he managed the chair inside. “Momma! Purity is sick!”

  Honor and Evelyn rushed out of the back with wide, concerned eyes. Purity climbed out of Seth’s lap and ran for a flower pot and wretched.

  “Oh dear.” Honor took Purity by the shoulders and turned to Evelyn. “Put on a pot of water, let’s make her some tea.” She guided Purity into one of the examination rooms and handed her a pan. “Try to lie down.” Seth rolled to the door and waited. Worry covered his face.

  “I’ll just go to the garden and gather some herbs.” Honor left.

  When she came back, she handed a cup to Purity. “Here, drink this slowly. It should help.”

  Purity opened her eyes and sat up. “What is it?” She gagged, but gained control and sipped the tea.

  “Ginger root, spearmint, chamomile, some orange peel, and a teaspoon of sugar. Drink up, but slowly.” She chuckled.

  Soon Purity felt better. “That worked.”

  Honor smiled. “I’ll send some home with you.”

  “Thank you.” Purity turned to see Seth in the doorway. “Do you need help getting back into bed?”

  “No. I’m fine.” He glanced at his mother. “Is she all right?”

  “She will be fine.” Honor turned to Purity. “You know. I think it’s time your husband came home. I’ll ask Evelyn to show you a few tricks of the trade and then we’ll pack up his things and send him home.” She turned to face Seth. “If that’s all right with you, son.”

  His eyes went wide. “Yes! Yes ma’am. Oh, Momma, thank you!” He pushed himself back and rolled down to his room. “Woohoo!” Echoed down the hall.

  Purity looked at her mother-in-law. “I think you just made him a very happy man.”

  They laughed.

  Chapter Eight

  Purity put four pumpkin and four pecan pies in the window to cool and was about to move to baking some cornbread for the Thanksgiving dressing when a tap came to the front door. Charlie jumped up from the floor and trotted to see who it was. Purity wiped her hands on her apron. “Wait for me, boy.”

  She looked down the hall on her way to the door. Seth was working on getting himself dressed and had not come out yet.

  She preferred to help him, but he would get frustrated, claiming she was treating him like a baby. So she left it up to him, no matter how long it took. Patience was not her virtue! That gift belonged to the sheriff.

  When she opened the door, Jacob stood clutching a book and grinning from ear to ear. “Oh, Jacob! Welcome. Where’s Charlene?”

  Purity stepped aside to let him in. Charlie, her dog, sat up and pawed the air. Jacob shook his paw and patted his head. He went back to all fours. “She’s with Charity and Hezekiah. They’ll be along soon.”

  “Aren’t you going to Uncle Harrison’s for Thanksgiving?”

  “Yeah, of course. Charley’s meeting me there.” Jacob looked around. “By the way, don’t call her Charlene in front of the fam
ily. She is really putting her foot down about that.”

  Purity giggled. “All right. It’s easier to call her Charley than Charlene anyway, it’s what I’ve known her by all her life. I just thought with the two of you being grown—”

  “Where’s Seth?” Jacob glanced down the hall.

  “Um, he’s in the bedroom. Shall I get him for you?”

  Jacob walked toward the hall. “No thanks. I’d rather talk to him in there.”

  “What’s that book?” Purity’s curiosity was piqued.

  “Cousin Faith told me it was in. It’s exactly what I’d hoped it would be. I’m gonna show Seth.”

  She stopped following Jacob and stared at him as he slipped into their bedroom. “What on earth…?”

  She shrugged and returned to her baking. Charlie’s toenails clicked on the floor as he followed her into the kitchen. The dressing wouldn’t make itself and the family was counting on her to bring her grandmother’s famous recipe.

  Whatever Jacob was up to, apparently it wasn’t her business. And her husband could use some brother-time. Something about men spending time with men, it was good for them, especially Seth. He hated being in the wheelchair, but it was better than lying around in the bed. At least with the chair, he could get outside. If he’d go outside. He really hated all the attention he got when they did.

  Seth’s youngest brother, Benjamin, had built a ramp for Seth’s chair at the church and at the homes of those family members who would be having Seth and Purity over. Seemed Benjamin had quite a knack for carpentry work.

  Seth yelled something at Jacob. Purity paused from her work to listen, but couldn’t make out what was being said. Jacob’s voice remained consistently calm and very hard for Purity to hear from the kitchen. She wanted to go to the bedroom and ask what was going on, but something in her heart told her to stay put. She sharpened her knife and began dicing the onions.

  Whatever Jacob was showing Seth in that book seemed to rile Seth, but with Jacob’s determination, Seth must have settled down because the room was quiet again. Purity smiled as she wiped her eyes. The onions from her garden were strong and made her eyes tear up. She hadn’t been able to water her garden as much as she would have liked. God provided enough rain to keep the vegetables alive, but it produced strong onions with a lot of bite. Great for the flavor, hard on her eyes.