Chapter 4

Chapter 4

 

Will, looked down at horse blanket and bloody quilt and rags now piled in the corner. “Ma, if you would like. I can take them out?” He asked.

“Its ok son, I need you here with me and your Pa. Can you please have Robert come in and have him remove these things? There not worth washing or minding, the smell could scare fish a mile away. It might be a good idea just to burn them if you know what I mean.” Ma said turning to Pa. “Did he have any other clothing with him?” She asked.

“No dear, just these overalls and what remains of this shirt that we fished out of the creek,” he said.

Not daring to hold them close to her nose, she instead put hand to her nose and mouth in disgust. “You can burn those to, their not even fit for a burial, put them on the burn pile,” Ma said.

Ma leaned down towards the sleeping boy, covered him with another clean sheet then leaned back into the chair. “I think we all need break.” She said as she looked down at sleeping boy. “Tell Julie to bring my tea and make it extra strong. Then come straight back dear.”

Pa left the room seeing Robert helping Julie in the kitchen asked. “Where's Sam and Anna?”

“Helping with their chores, she figured that's best way she could help at the moment,” Julie said.

“You've got too hand to your sister she always thoughtful, never asking what needs to be done, she takes after you and your Ma you know.”

“Thanks Pa, you need something?” She asked putting the last of the dishes away.

“Ma's ready for her tea now.”

“I know, and she wants it extra strong. I know Pa,” she said.

“That's just what I mean, the spiting image. Robert, Ma needs you take the old bedding and clothing out to the burn pile and burn it straight away.”

“But her quilt?” Robert asked.

“Never mind that, I'll get her a new one, just do it!” Pa said.

“Yes Pa.”

Julie entered the room carrying the tea like she was asked. “Here's your tea Ma, I made it extra strong just the way you like it.” Julie said as she looked down at the sleeping boy.  “How's he's doing Ma?” She asked. “He looks real bad and very sick.”

“I think he’s going to make it. He’s going to be here with us awhile I am afraid. The wounds are nasty and he has a bad fever, we’re going have to watch him very closely,” she said.

“Mind if I sit with you a while? I have more water heating on the stove for you and plate of food when you are ready for it.”

“Thanks dear, I would love to have your company.”

Robert walked in the door. “Pa says you wanted me to take the old bedding out behind the barn and burn it, is the right Ma?”

“Yes that's right son, after that I want you clean yourself up really good, we don't need you kids getting sick either. I think I'll have enough to do with watching after this poor boy then having to worry about all of you,” she said.

“Ma, will help you with him,” Julie replied.

“I know you will. In fact I am counting on it.”

Robert gathered the old bedding and clothing into an old gunny sack as Julie visited with Ma as they watched the sleeping boy, “Ok I believe that's everything. Come on Julie? Ma got work to do,” he said.

“Julie, will you be a dear go and find Will and Pa?” Ma asked. “I need to finish and it is getting late.”

Will and Pa entered the room as they sat down the fresh supplies of water and sheets Ma once more knelt bedside the boy then reached over and wiped the boy's forehead with a cool cloth and lightly brushes his mossy brown hair with her hand. Then without a pause leaned over and kissed his warm cheek.

As they watched, it brought a tear to Pa and Will’s, eyes.  Pa turned to Ma and put a hand on her shoulder trying to control his own tears from strolling down his cheek.  Pa; turned to his son, “its ok son if you want to cry. Just let it out. It’s too hard to just to hold it in son and is it not meant too as we look down upon the savior son.” Pa said and they both embraces as the tears flowed down with love for each other and for their Ma’s tender care.

Ma with chocked voice.” We still have work head of us and this poor boy is waiting on us.” They removed the blanket as Ma settled into her work, gently washed and stitched the tares of his skin. “Ok boys let's turn him over so I can finish please, watch his head now.”

Ma seeing boys back is almost bad as the front. She doesn't dare ask any more, but just goes on about her work. Pulling the bits of glass and the remains of the old shirt she carefully stops the bleeding and stitches up the cuts. She turned and faced Pa and Will. “Ok let’s turn him back round and sit him up.”

EJ moaned with each movement, she just whispers, “shush now its ok lad, were almost done, go back to sleep.” Taking the sheet, she rips it into thirds and binds it around his body tight and carefully pins it in the front. Then laid the boy gentle back down and gently put the blanket back over him and propped up his head on the pillow. With her right hand she brings it to her face and wiped her brow, looks down at her self then turns to Pa and Will, “I am a bloody mess,” she said. Then turned too the nearby chair by the boy. “Mind turning down the bed for me why I catch my breath?” She asked.

They smile as they looked at her. “Of course, and by the way Ma you look like angel to us and we love you just the same,” Will replies.

With a tired smile Ma said. “Thanks, I think. I will feel much better when he is in that bed and were all asleep.” Pa and Will turned down the bed then lifted EJ gently into Wills bed, “Careful now, I don't want you two ripping out his stitches.”

“Yes Ma,” they said.

Ma put the blanket around the boy and lovingly tucked him in. Then leaned over with a gentle kiss on the cheek and stroked his hair, Whispered in his ear. “Now sleep my little one. Sleep. I'll keep you safe my dear sweet angel son.”

Reviews

[Lane Craver]

This chapter brought tears to my eyes.... so cool!

[Shep]

told you needed hanky to blow your nose.