Chapter 6

Chapter 6

 

 

“Anna. You and Sam mind playing in living room for few minutes while me and Julie go check on the boy to give him some more of this broth.” Ma said as she placed the cup of broth on the tray.

“Ok Ma, come on Sam.” Anna said.

“Julie, while we’re at it put some more water on for some tea, I’m expecting company soon,” she said.

“Yes Ma.”

“Now let’s go check on that boy, and bring some more that broth.”

“Ma, what's that sound?” Anna asked.

“What sound Anna?” Ma asked.

“That loud rumbling sound outside?”

“I hear too?” Julie replied.

“So do I,” Sam said.

Anna and Sam ran to the window. “What the world is that Ma? Somebody's coming and I don't who it is!” Anna said.

Ma walked over to the window to take a look, seeing someone on a motorbike contraption “I don't know who it is either! Well, it's not polite to stare, move away from the window kids.” Ma said as she went over and answered the door. “Hello, can I help you?” She asked.

“I am not sure. I am looking for a Martha Downing!” Grandma Stuart said.

“Yes, that's me and you are?”

Grandma took off her gloves fold them up and placed them in her back pocket. “Believe or not, I am EJ's Grandma Stuart,” she replied.

“Oh please come in.” Ma said about to close the door when she looked up the road for brief moment and saw their truck driving fast, barreling down the road. It pulls in and up to the porch.

She heard Robert calling. “Ma, Ma, come quick!”

The first thought that went through her mind was, another boy down. “Oh no!”  But saw Robert then Will. “Where's Wayne? Not him. No I can't bare it.”  Ma not turning too face Grandma Stuart as if in a daze. “Could you please excuse me?”  Martha said paying no attention to her new guest. Grandma Stuart turned to see what all the fuss was about as Martha ran out of the house towards the pickup. Ma turned to Robert, “Where's your Pa?” she asked.

Wayne yelled “I’ m right here Martha, it's the boy!” He said.

“It's the what?” Martha replied taken back with surprise.

Wayne jumped out of the truck. With one sweep he picked up the boy and carried him in his arms. He turned to Martha, “I don't know how he did it? And I don't know why? He’s burning up Martha.”

Martha was taken back. Even more mystified as she looked at the boy in Pa’s arms. “How on earth?” all she could get out.

Grandma Stuart came strolling back out of the house. “I am his Grandma. By the look of things, this is no time for pleasantries neither, let’s get this poor boy into the house,” she said.

With Pa leading the way back to Wills room they gently lay him on the bed. “What a mess this boy has gotten ourselves into. Ok boys clear the room. Your Ma and me have some work to do.” Grandma said as she removed her jacket and gloves then tossed them to the nearby chair in the room... “But before you go? You boy what's your name?” She asked as she pointed to Will.

“Will, ma’am,” he replies.

“You can call me Grandma, everyone else does. I want you to run a cold bath? Can you do that son?” She asked.

“Yes ma’am.” He said making a dash for the door.

“You girl what's your name?” Grandma asked as she pointed to Anna.

“Anna,” she replied.

“Fine name, call me Grandma too, go find some ice and put it in the tub. Pa I want you to take everyone else and clear the room. Pa before you go I want to have your strapping young boys if they wouldn't mind bring my bags in. It looks like I'll be stayin awhile, then get back here pronto, now go! Well, what ya standin around fer catching flies for Martha? This boy needs to be cooled were going to do the coolin. I hope your boy's not too particular about these because their history when I get done.”

Grandma pulled out her knife out of her boot. “Well grab your scissors; oh don't worry about me. I’m tamer than an old bobcat and we will have him cleaned up slicker then a whistle. I was a nurse back in the day, learned a few tricks that’s all,” Grandma said.

Martha's just little taken back as she watched Grandma work. Grandma looked at Martha and laughed as she began to cut. “Don't fret so much dear. These Stuart boys are stubborn, as an ox's sometimes, but also tough as nails. This child here, I think he might be a part of different stock all its own, reminds me a lot of my late husband. Well I do declare look at that, you were not a kidding, looks like Grandma is going to be staying awhile dear if don't mind me saying, he is a mess. I've some questions of my own and Grandma knows exactly where to start. I do have to admire your handy work Martha, I'll you give that,” she said as Pa walked in the door. Grandma turned to him. “Is everyone clear?” She asked. Pa nodded his head.

“I don't wona expose him to just anyone you know and you can call me Grandma to everyone else does, let’s go.” She said as Pa picked up the boy in his arms and carried him quickly down the hall, he placed him gently in the tub. “Ok Pa stand back, I got unwrap some those bandages and see what this boys has done to your mother's handy work.” She said undoing the bandages around edges of his waist, Grandma shook her head and mumbled under her breath.

With Ma's sewing kit and thread, she stitched him back up. Then leaned back to look over her handy work and tightened the knot with her teeth. “I believe that’s last of them.” Then turned to Martha; “Martha when this kid wakes up. I’m going to give him loving kiss and a piece my mind.” She said, as she looked them straight in the eye. “No I think you know what mean.”

They both looked into her sweat loving face as she gave them a wink. They perfectly well knew what she meant. “With that being said, I believe we can dry him off and put him back to bed where he belongs,” she said after she rubbed the hair on is head. “Why we are doing that...You mind having your oldest girl... I am sorry I didn't ask her name?” Grandma asked.

“Julie.” Martha said, Grandma looked at Martha with new pair of eyes.

“She is the spitting image of you, what a doll. Anyway think she mind changing the bed and turning it down?” She asked.

“Then we’ll put him to bed then I think nice hot cup tea would surely be in order while we all get reacquainted.” She said as she smiled and shook her head at the boy. “You stubborn ox, stupid, fool headed boy; just like my husband and just like some boys that I know.” She said gently rubbing his cheek with back of her hand as to test his temperature and temperament. “Just about right,” she said as she nods.

Pa enters the kitchen and finds all the children visiting among themselves talking about all that has transpired, seeing Pa, they all try to ask at once; “what's going on?  Is she really EJ’s grandmother? What's going to happen to him now? Is he all right?” They all asked.

“Yes, she is and I will answer your questions later, but first they need to get him back to bed were he belongs.” Then he turned to Julie. “Would please go change Wills bed? I am afraid we made mess in there dear, Anna you can help if you would like,” he said.

“Yes Pa, I am glad he'll be ok,” Julie said.

Pa looked outside the window, “Oh I complete forgot,” he said.

“Forgot what Pa?” Robert asked.

“The supplies we brought back from town.”

“We already put those away, we figured you had enough to do and all,” they said.

“Thanks boys, what would I ever do without you?” He said as he put his arms around them.

“We put all the things from the drugstore on the table,” Will said.

“Thanks again boys. I better get back to your Ma. Would ya mind bring EJ's Grandma Stuart things in? It looks like she going to be staying awhile,” he asked leaving them.
 

“Well we are all finished here, just in time. Let's get him back to bed Pa. Before the Doc gets here.” Ma said.

“Doctor, Martha, we have done more doctoring to this boy then he will do in his entire lifetime,” Grandma said.

“I know Grandma Stuart,” she said.

“Just call me Grandma please child.”

“As I was telling my husband before all this started; what I was thinking was that was before I called you... Anyway it seems like lot has happened since then,” she said.

“It does get that way sometime doesn't it? Go on didn't mean to interrupt,” Grandma said.

“Anyway I was thinking since I was doing all his work and, since he was coming out this way anyway. Why not have him look at all the children and my husband, that way, he at least errand his pay,” she said.

“You know Martha, I really like you. Are you sure that you don't have any Stuart blood in you? Martha who is this Doctor that's coming out?” She asked as she wrapped the towel round EJ.

“Doctor Hatfield.”

“That wouldn't be Doctor Richard Hatfield would it?” Grandma asked.

“Why Grandma Stuart?”

“Please just you call me Grandma everyone else does.”

“Ok, Grandma ...Why yes?”

“Him and I used serve together. I was one of his nurses, nice fellow. When he gets here you tell him that’s my grandson in there and I'll be checking in on him. Ok Martha?”

“But I thought you were staying?” Martha said confused.

“Oh I am… There’s a storm comin dear and after you tell me what's this boys been up to. Grandma got a little business to take care of and then she will be back here sure as shootin, plus 1.”

Pa entered the bathroom. “The girls tell me that they have changed the bed and they have the tea ready. Julie says the broth is still warm for EJ if you still want to give it to him.” Wayne announce as he walked in the door.

“What broth is he refereeing to Martha?” Grandma asked.

“It's my mothers recipe, too give for pain and plus put some nourishment down him. But it also supposed to keep him drowsy to.” She said still amazed on how this boy pulled it off.

Grandma rested EJ’s head on her shoulder. “Remember dear, I told not to fret any. Mind if I have look at that recipe dear?” She asked.

“Sure Grandma,” she said still stupefied.

Pa turned around. “Actually I am not saying anything. So far I seen him do some amazing things,” he said shaking his head.

Grandma lifted up her head towards Pa.  “And I can't wait to hear them, so let's get him back into bed before he catches cold,” she said.

Pa picked up EJ carefully carried him back to bed. “Be careful Pa, don't ya dare tare out our stitches; he won't have any skin left to stitch up at this rate.” Martha replied.

Grandma laughed. “Not to worry Martha, if I have to we will bolt the sheets down to floor and the nail door shut too so he can’t go anywhere without us knowing about it first. But I have a feeling he won't try it again, after a good old hug and kiss for me.”  Grandma said as Pa laid EJ gently on the bed and watched his Grandma tuck him in.

“Now my darlings, before that Doctor gets her sit down and join me and have a cup of tea and tell me about my grandson? But I already fear the worst, but tell me anyway. Because there's a storm coming and old Grandma Stuart here, she is the wind and the storm? Oh that's much better,” she said after taking a couple of sips of tea.

“Martha I have to hand it to ya, now that's a fine cup of tea. Sit, come on the both of ya. I might look little rough round the edges, but I am no fool. Well, then maybe, I might have been. To look of things,” she said as she looked at her grandson sleeping in the bed. “Now tell me Pa, what is you name son? I can't keep calling ya Pa now can I? You are not old enough for me,” she smiled.

“Wayne, Grandma Stuart,” he said as he as laughed.

“Please dear call me Grandma everyone else does,” she replied.

“Ok Grandma it is.”

“Here is that recipe Grandma Stuart, sorry, Grandma.” Martha said handing over the recipe.

“That's better dear. Just add little more of this and you'll be just fine. I think the problem was not the recipe dear, but I'll tell you why in minute,” she said.

Martha tells her about how she found EJ's IOU and how she sent the boys after her missing sheet. Wayne, tells her about how they found EJ to the point they are now.

“Well, that's quite story I have to say. When that boy wakes up, he’s got a story of his own tell I bet. Grandma here is going go right to the source and believe me child questions are going to be asked and answers I am going get. Now for as that recipe is concerned dear.  Nothing wrong with it; except for fear, courage, heart of lion and stubborn determination of a Stuart. I think after he wakes up and he realizes he is safe and with a hug and kiss from me of course. He will stay in that bed. Now give him that broth, I need to meet all your sweet children before I go, because my sisters are waiting for me.” she said as she stood with another look at EJ.

“You dear have Doctor to see, but I'll be back in awhile after I have taken care of some business in town. There are some little packages I have to pick up and one I have to bring back with me. One of those little packages is for him to see. Then after that, I'll leave him in your care. I really think that's best for now. You see dear, Grandma is not a fool, its plain as day. They might think she was, but that's until they played with the wind and made it look like a fool. Now then let's go meet those children of yours,” she said waiting for Wayne by the door.

Reviews

[Lane Craver]

Love it!

[Layla J Omorose]

I freaking love EJ's grandmother. She is awesome and definitely adds some old school spunk to the story. A great chapter. I couldn't stop reading. With that being said I found some errors here and there:

"I am not sure, I am looking for a Martha Downing!" Grandma Stuart said." The problem that I had with this was that the reader doesn't know if she is off the bike or on it. So maybe if you add a little bit to the sentence such as "Grandma Stuart shouted as she pulled up to the house."

"Grandma took off her gloves fold them up and placed them in her back pocket" it would be better is the sentence read "Turning off the engine Grandma got off her bike. She took off her gloves..." it lets the reader know what is going on besides the talking between the two characters.

"Oh please come in' Ma said about to close the door when she looked..." this sentence is missing a little something. Maybe if it read like this "Oh please come in' Ma said as she stepped aside to let EJ's grandma in. She was about to close the door..."

There were other minor mistakes but nothing another once over later couldn't fix. There is a lot of great dialogue in this chapter but not enough happening in between the characters speaking. Such as when did the grandmother get off the bike? How is she moving as she talking to Ma and Pa? Other than that it was a great chapter and I move on to the next one.