October 2, 1936
During the day, Esther and Zeb discovered that their bedroom wasn't much worse for the wear. In fact, they got it cleaned up enough that they were once again able to sleep in their own bed.
That evening, the children once again climbed into the tent. Joy still was with John-Boy, Jenny, and Jen.
That night, the rain came POURING down.
"I'm cold." Elizabeth said.
"Here Elizabeth, you can crawl into bed with me." Mary Ellen said.
Elizabeth did so.
Everyone heard an umbrella open.
"Who's got the umbrella?" Jim Bob asked.
"Not me." Jason said. "Ben, is that you?"
"Always come prepared." The 13-year old replied with a smile.
"Just be careful with that thing, you could poke a hole in the roof." Mary Ellen cautioned.
"I'll be careful, I'll be careful. No need to worry."
Erin coughed.
"You okay, Erin?" Mary Ellen asked.
"Yeah." Erin said. But she began to cough more. After a couple minutes, it was hard for her to stop coughing at all.
"Mary Ellen, go get Daddy please." Jason said told the oldest of his sisters. Then he turned to Erin. "It's okay, Honey. Daddy's coming. Just hang on a minute."
Erin continued to cough. She wasn't getting any better. "Who are you?" she asked through coughs.
"Who am I? I'm your brother Jason."
"I don't have any brothers. Or sisters for that matter. I'm an only child." The girl coughed.
Jason gripped his sister's arms. "Erin, it's me."
"What did you call me?"
"Erin, that's your name."
"My name is Laura Ann, not Erin."
John entered.
"What happened, Son?" John asked when he arrived in the tent.
"She just started coughing and can't seem to stop." Jason said. "And Daddy, she's confused. Really confused. I'm starting to get scared."
"I'm wondering if it's after-effects of the smoke inhalation from last night. I'm gonna take her into town. Will you come with me Jason?"
Jason nodded. "You're in charge, Mary Ellen."
Mary Ellen nodded. "I hope she gets better."
"Me too." Jason said, exiting the tent after his father who was carrying Erin.
"Why didn't Erin know who she was?" Jim Bob asked.
"Sometimes confusion is a side effect from smoke inhalation." Mary Ellen said. She was currently studying nursing at the University of Virginia.
Olivia lay in the tent next to the children's tent, crying. She felt guilty having a 'pity party,' but couldn't help it. This was not the Fall she was expecting to have.
She was hoping to have fun carving pumpkins with her children. She'd even give anything to have John take the kids out on Halloween. Sure, she didn't approve of it, but it meant that they had a house.
Stop it, Olivia. You still have a house. Your house could have been burned to the ground. At this point, it looks like the house will be livable again eventually. You are more blessed than some. The Wilkinson place burned to the ground last Summer. You should count your blessings. The 37-year old told herself.
"I'm scared for Erin." Jim Bob said in the tent next-door.
"Me too." Elizabeth said.
"So am I." Ben agreed.
"It's okay to be scared. It's hard to not be there with them. But we just have to have faith that Erin is going to be okay."
Elizabeth crawled into bed with Mary Ellen. Mary Ellen hugged her.
Soon the four children, plus their mother in the other tent, drifted off to sleep.
At the hospital, Dr. Carter examined Erin. "She's having some after effects from the smoke inhalation. I'll need to keep her here for a few days, probably about a week, to get her lungs cleared out."
"Will she be all right?"
"After a week's time, she should be very close to her normal self if not completely normal. It's not unusual for the after effects of the smoke inhalation to recur." Dr. Carter paused. "I know it's hard Mr. Walton, but this is really the best pace for your daughter right now."
"I know it is." John said. "Take good care of her, okay?"
"I promise I will." Dr. Carter said.
"One of us will be by tomorrow and bring the things she'll need for a week by."
"Wait Daddy," Jason said. "What if I'd stay here with Erin? Just overnight. She might be afraid if she's here all by herself."
"Doctor?"
"I think that can be arranged." Dr. Carter said.
"We'll pick you up tomorrow Son when we come by and see Erin."
"Okay. See you then."
"See you Son. Have a good night. Take care of your sister."
"I will." The 18-year old promised.
