January 23, 1935
It was Wednesday night. Mary Ellen, Ben, Jim Bob, and Elizabeth were downstairs with their parents listening to the radio. John-Boy and Jason were in John-Boy's room talking and Erin was resting in her room.
Erin began to cough uncontrollably. She was having chills.
John-Boy and Jason rushed into Erin's room.
"Honey, we're here." John-Boy put his hands on Erin's shoulders.
She just kept coughing.
"Mama, Daddy, come quick!" John-Boy called.
They ran upstairs.
"Erin," John picked up his daughter. "Liv, we're gonna have to take her to Dr. Vance. Grab some blankets and her jacket."
"I'll start the truck." Zeb said.
"I'll stay with the children." Esther added.
John picked up Erin and carried her out to the truck. Zeb rode in the back. Olivia bundled up Erin and sat next to her in the cab while John drove.
Elizabeth began to cry.
"Don't cry, Honey." Mary Ellen stroked Elizabeth's hair and gave her a hug.
"Is she really sick?" Jim Bob asked.
"No sense worrying, children. Let's come inside. It's too cold and snowy to be outside anyway. Why don't we make some hot chocolate?"
While the children would have normally perked up at that, tonight they only sighed and followed their grandmother into the house.
After making hot chocolate, the children sat at the table with their grandmother.
"Mary Ellen, Elizabeth, will you help me with the dishes?"
"I'm sorry Grandma, but I just want to go to bed." Elizabeth said quietly.
Normally Esther would try to reprimand the child, but considering the circumstances, she just nodded and smiled.
"Mary Ellen, which of your brothers will you wrangle into helping with the dishes?"
"John-Boy, will you help?" Mary Ellen asked, near tears.
"Sure Honey." Seeing his sister was becoming emotional, John-Boy acted quickly on his feet. "Jason, can you help me?"
"Sure." He smiled.
"Why don't you go to bed, Mary Ellen?" John-Boy smiled kindly.
"I think I will." Mary Ellen said, voice cracking.
"Are you all right?"
Mary Ellen bit her lip. "It's just been a long day. I'm tired, worried, and scared." A tear slipped down her cheek.
John-Boy gave her a little squeeze. This was enough to make her sob.
The room fell silent.
"I'm sorry, John-Boy." Mary Ellen said through sobs.
"Just let it out, Sweetheart. You're worried about your sister. You've been strong all day for Elizabeth. Now it's time someone be strong for you." John-Boy replied gently.
Within a few minutes, Mary Ellen composed herself.
"Let's go to bed, Honey." Esther said to her eldest granddaughter.
Mary Ellen nodded.
"I'll be down in a minute, boys." Grandma said to John-Boy and Jason.
"That's fine." Jason smiled slightly.
After Mary Ellen and Esther went upstairs, Jim Bob asked, "Is Mary Ellen gonna be okay?"
"I think so." John-Boy replied. "She's had a pretty rough day. I'm sure she's worried. She and Erin act like they hate each other, but they really do love each other and are each other's best friend."
"It's difficult to stay strong for all of us as well. She's kept calm for Grandpa, Grandma, Daddy, Mama, and Elizabeth all day." Jason added.
"Are you all right, Ben? You're pretty quiet." John-Boy asked.
Ben nodded.
"Talk to us, Ben. Don't keep it inside." John-Boy persuaded.
Ben sighed. "I guess I'm just worried about Erin. I know we fight all the time, but…" he paused to collect his thoughts. "She's my sister." He whispered. "I love her."
"I know you do." John-Boy spoke softly.
Ben nodded. "I do. When she gets home, I'm gonna try to show it better."
John-Boy gently rested his hand on Ben's shoulder. "You're growin' up, Ben." He smiled at his nearly 12-year old brother.
Ben just stared into space.
"Ben," John-Boy spoke gently.
"Yes John-Boy,"
"I love you."
"I love you too, John-Boy." Ben paused, and then he fiercely hugged his oldest brother.
"We'll get through this, Ben."
Ben smiled. "Yeah, we will."
"We'll stick together through this, won't be brothers?" John-Boy asked.
"Yeah we will." All four brothers agreed.