It was November and cold. With the cold brought on sickness, with children in particular.
One morning, Travis, who incidentally was part of the school board, stopped by Jack and Elizabeth's home.
"Uncle Travis!"
"Hey Carlie. Can you get your parents for me?"
"Sure." He stepped inside the home, warming his hands by the fire.
"Morning, Travis. What's going on?" Jack wondered.
"I need to see Elizabeth as well."
"She'll be down in a moment." Travis seemed quite concerned about something.
"Morning Elizabeth," he greeted when she joined them, smiling at Kylie who was smiling back at him. "We have an issue that affects all the families in town. It's very serious." Seeing that he had their attention he spoke again. "Have any of your children been in contact with Trey Franklin?"
"Trey? Yeah, he and Drew are good friends, why?"
"Elizabeth, he has scarlet fever." She gasped. "So, needless to say, school will be closed for the foreseeable future. If Drew or anyone gets a sore throat or a rash, take them immediately to the doc."
"Thank you, Travis."
Elizabeth knew scarlet fever could be mild or it had the potential to wipe out many children. She couldn't lose any more babies, she just couldn't.
"Honey?" Jack touched her arm.
"I can't lose them, Jack. I'm so scared."
'We're not losing anyone. I won't let it happen. Was Drew the only one who was around Trey?"
"I'm sure Will was too."
"I'm taking the twins to the doc and then to stay at Mom and Dad's. It will keep everyone safe." She set almost one year old Kylie on the floor and wrapped her self around Jack. "Trust me, babe." She nodded and then kissed him.
A few minutes later, Drew and Will carried their bags downstairs. "Mama! We don't want to go!" Will said loudly, ever the twin's spokesman.
"Did your Dad explain why?"
"Yes, but we're not sick, Trey is."
"Honey, in case you get sick, it would be better for the rest of the kids not to be around you."
"Mama, please." Drew started crying. "I'm scared and if I get sick, I don't want to be by myself." She pulled him close and hugged him.
"Drew, you won't be by yourself. Will is with you, and your Dad, and Papa and Grandma."
"Not you."
"I will visit. Hopefully, in a week or two, everything will be back to normal. I love you."
"Boys, let's go." He carried his own bag downstairs, intending to stay with them. He kissed the rest of the kids and Elizabeth. "Love you."
Elizabeth walked into the kitchen, trying to get control of her emotions.
"Ma?" Maddie walked in and saw her crying. "Are you scared?"
Elizabeth turned and nodded. "Yes."
"Is Trey going to die?"
"I don't know, honey."
"It's a possibility?"
"Scarlet fever can be dangerous, yes. Some kids have it worse than others."
All Elizabeth could think about was baby Hanna and how losing another child would literally break her heart. "Oh my goodness." She bent over the sink, letting her tears overtake her.
"Mama?" Maddie walked over and held her, like she had done for Maddie countless times. "Lets pray."
Maddie held her Mom's hands and they bowed their heads. She asked for strength in getting through whatever might happen and for strength for the Franklin family as well. She asked for comfort and endurance and also expressed her thankfulness for everything that God had provided.
IN TOWN
"How are they, Doc?" Jack asked.
"So far so good. No rashes and their throats and tongues look normal. Temperatures normal as well. I think it was wise to get them into town."
"Ok. Thanks Doc." He felt a weight lift slightly from his shoulders.
"Ok, boys, let's go see Papa and Grandma."
"Can't we go home? I want Mama," Drew said, his eyes filled with tears.
"Not yet, bud. She will come visit you though."
"Doc, we'll come see you in a week to make sure we can go home."
"Ok, Jack. Bye boys."
They walked to the boarding house. Jack watched Drew. He seemed scared but something else too. When they got to their destination, Will went in the kitchen and Jack pulled Drew over to the fireplace and sat on the couch. "Drew, what's going on?"
"I'm scared." His eyes filled with tears again. Drew had always been the most sensitive of the boys, always knowing when others needed comfort, but he didn't cry much himself.
"What are you scared of?"
"I don't want to die. I want Mama!"
Jack picked his eleven year old son up and put him on his lap. "Drew, listen to me." Drew buried his face in Jack's chest. "Are you listening? I'm going to tell you something very important. You are not going to die. I won't let that happen."
"I heard Maddie and Em whispering. Em said she heard about scarlet fever. Kids die from it."
"Kids who are not as strong as you and Will might get sicker than you would."
"Is Trey gonna die?"
"I don't know how sick he is, bud. Its very important that you and Will tell me the moment your throat hurts, Ok? If that happens, I will get the doctor here as fast as I can."
DEAR NATE,
THINGS ARE HARD HERE. ONE OF THE KIDS THAT DREW AND WILL PLAY WITH, CAME DOWN WITH SCARLET FEVER SO THEY CLOSED THE SCHOOL. DAD TOOK DREW AND WILL TO THE BOARDING HOUSE SO IF THEY WERE CONTAGIOUS, THE REST OF US WOULD BE SAFE.
I'VE NEVER SEEN MAMA THE WAY SHE WAS TODAY. SHE WAS SCARED AND CRYING SO HARD, IT WAS AS IF HER HEART WAS BREAKING. I WISH DAD HAD BEEN HERE. I JUST HELD HER AND PRAYED WITH HER, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO.
I MISS YOU SO MUCH. I COULD REALLY USE A HUG. YOUR HUGS ALWAYS MAKE ME FEEL BETTER. I GUESS, I'LL SEE YOU IN ABOUT SIX WEEKS, BUT I NEED YOU NOW.
ALL MY LOVE,
MADDIE
The next day, Maddie and Em watched the kids so Elizabeth could go see the twins. She bundled up to protect herself from the wind, saddled Storm, and rode to town.
She left the horse with Mr. Becker at the livery, and walked to the boarding house.
She walked in the door, removing her hat, scarf, gloves, and coat.
"Mama!" Drew ran over to her and hugged her around the waist. "I'm so glad you're here."
"Me too. How are you and your brother feeling?"
"Fine. We're not sick."
"That's good."
"Grandma made cookies. Want some?"
"No, thank you. Can you send your Dad in here?"
"I'm here," he said, walking down the stairs.
Drew walked out of the room and Jack walked over to Elizabeth. "Hi, babe."
She walked into his arms, seeking comfort.
"Are you ok?" he asked.
"Hold me, please. I need you to just hold me." He wrapped his arms around her, letting his cane drop to the floor. She kept tightening her hold on him, so he did the same.
"Honey, the doctor checked them out yesterday. He said they're fine right now."
"Good."
"There's something else, Elizabeth."
She pulled back and looked at his face. "What?"
"There are two more kids that came down with it. Trey's sister and their cousin. I asked the boys and they said they are quite young. They don't come to school yet."
Elizabeth stepped away and stared at the fire. "Is Trey going to recover?"
"I don't know. He's pretty sick right now."
"The moment I heard what the disease was, I panicked. All I could think of was losing Hanna and how badly my heart would break if.. "
"Hey, look at me." He turned her gently and wiped her tears. "We are going to be ok. You have to believe that."
She reached up and kissed him, looking for assurance. She wanted to believe everything would be ok, but there was a nagging doubt. As their kiss continued, she pulled him in deeper, as if she would find the answer within him. He pulled back to catch his breath. "Please, Jack." She needed him.
"Hang on, babe," he said between kisses. "I need to breathe." He placed his hands on her cheeks, and then kissed her forehead. After a moment, he moved his mouth back over hers, feeling her relax and kiss him back.
"Oh, sorry!" Jake apologized when he stepped in the room and walked to the kitchen.
Jack laughed and kissed her quickly. "Are you ok, now?"
"If I say no, will you kiss me again?" The man's lips were magical.
THREE DAYS LATER
"Dad!" Drew moved Jack's shoulder to wake him.
"What Drew?"
"Will says his throat hurts." Jack sat up and dressed in record time and then went to see Will.
"Will? Your throat hurts?"
Will nodded and coughed when his voice came out dry and raspy. "My head too." Jack felt his head and it was slightly warm.
"Drew, you need to stay in my room, away from Will. I don't want you to get sick too. I'm going to get the doc."
On his way downstairs, Jack knocked on Jake and Charlotte's room.
"Jack? Son, what is it?"
"It's Will. His throat and head hurt. I'm getting the doc. Can you please make him some tea?"
"I'll get the doc," Jake said from the bed. "It snowed and it'll be easier if I go."
"Thanks, Dad." Jack sighed.
"He'll be ok. Trey is on the mend and Will is a strong boy." Charlotte kissed his cheek and walked downstairs to make tea.
Jack went back to Will and found Drew sitting next to him. "Drew, you need to go to my room."
"Dad, please! He's my brother and my best friend. I don't want to leave him."
"I don't want you sick, Drew."
"I'll be fine. I was around Trey at the same time he was and I'm not sick. I want to stay."
In the end, Jack let him stay, mostly because he already had been with him the entire time, but also because the boys had a bond and he didn't feel right keeping them apart.
Jake rode to the doctor's home and then made his way to see Elizabeth. She needed to be told.
He knocked and then walked in. "Hi, Papa!"
"Hey, Carlie. Is your Mama up?"
"Yeah. She's feeding Kylie." He nodded and walked up to her bedroom and knocked.
"Come in."
"Beth, it's me."
"Come in, Dad." She was sitting in the rocking chair with a blanket over herself.
"I'm sorry, I know it's early."
"That's ok. What's going on?"
"Will woke up with a sore throat this morning."
She stopped rocking. "Will? Oh no, please no. Dad, how bad?"
"Honey, it's a sore throat right now." He could see she was starting to panic. He walked over and touched her face. "The doc is on his way over to see him. I'll stay with the kids if you want to go too. Bella is outside for you."
"I would like to go. Thank you." He turned a moment so she could adjust her nightgown. "Can you take her while I dress?"
Kylie was asleep so he took her and walked out the door. "Papa!" Jay and Abbie saw him and ran up to him.
"Hi. You need to be quieter, Kylie is asleep."
"Papa, I slept in the boys room by myself," Jay told him. "I wasn't scared." Normally he had the twins, but he had been sleeping by himself.
"I'm proud of you, Jay. You're getting so big."
"I'm almost five!" He held out his hand, showing five fingers. "Mama teached me how to write my name, J.T."
"Did she?"
"Yeah, but my real name is Daddy's name. I don't know how to write that."
"Patience, son. Soon you will know so many words you won't know what to do with all of them."
"Promise?"
"Yes, I promise." He smiled, sporting his Daddy's dimples too, and knocked on the girls door.
"Me Me. I come in?"
"May I come in?" she responded.
"You are in. I'm out here." Maddie giggled and opened the door.
"Oh Jay. What am I going to do with you?"
"You can make me eggs. And bacon. And milk. Please?"
"Ok, but I think I might tickle you first."
"No! No tickle!" Jake shook his head and smiled. He walked carefully down the stairs with Kylie in his arms and Abbie right behind him.
APARTMENT ABOVE THE BANK
Theresa Jackson sat at her kitchen table sipping her coffee and smiling. Her husband of all of two weeks was still sleeping in bed, looking amazingly adorable.
She couldn't remember ever being this happy. Except maybe the day they married.
It was two weeks before and the weather was perfect. The sky was bright blue, the sun was shining, and red and orange leaves littered the ground. Late fall was her favorite time of year. It was absolutely beautiful and that was why she suggested getting married then.
The ceremony was by the stream, where they spent so many evenings. Frank, Abigail, and Carrie were present, of course, and since Ben didn't have any family, Charlotte and Jake filled in. The pastor from Deer Falls performed the ceremony.
Frank walked her down to the stream, giving her away. Her dress was ivory satin covered in lace, with long sleeves and a short train. She curled her brown hair, letting half of it float down her back, just like Ben preferred.
"Honey? You're up early," Ben said, kissing her soft lips, snapping her out of her daydream.
"Hi." She watched him go make himself a cup of coffee and sit down next to her. She smiled, blushing. "I was just thinking."
"About what?"
"Our wedding day." He winked at her and grabbed her hand.
"It was perfect, Terri. You took my breath away."
"Thank you, sweetie." She got up and started the egg and sausage recipe she had just learned from one of her French books. "Quiche Lorraine" was a big hit at the restaurant, so she thought she'd try it on Ben.
She grabbed the milk, cheese, and eggs from the icebox and started chopping up onion and sausage.
A few moments later, she poured the mixture into her pan and slipped it into the oven.
While she was cooking, Ben had slipped out to their bedroom to dress for work. It was his first day back since their wedding.
"Good grief, husband. You look way too handsome to leave the apartment." She grabbed his hand and pulled him into the bedroom. "This will never do. Let me help you pick something more appropriate."
"Oh no, freeze, Mrs. Jackson. I need to be to work shortly. We don't have time for your kind of help."
He tied his tie and smiled at his wife. "You have an hour, Ben. Plus, breakfast won't be ready for about thirty minutes." As she said the words, she kissed his ear, giving him a very good reason to dawdle and be late for work.
THE AVERY HOUSE
"Well, my boy, you seemed to have gone and gotten yourself sick," the doctor mentioned.
Will nodded, a glass thermometer sticking out of his mouth.
"Ok, this is what we'll do." He took the thermometer and read the numbers. 101. "Not horrible. You stay in bed, drink tea and water and the soup your Grandma made you. Your Dad can keep a cool rag on your head and Drew can read to you."
"Tom Sawyer!" Drew said, climbing up next to him. "We are on chapter five."
"I will return after lunch to see how you're doing."
Elizabeth walked in the room. "Ma!" Will said, his voice raspy.
"Hi, baby. How are you feeling?"
"My throat hurts and my head."
"How is he, Doctor?"
"Not too bad right now. He needs to rest and drink lots of fluid and keep his temperature from climbing too much more. How are the rest of the children?"
"They're just fine." She sighed and felt a bit better now that she could see him. She sat down on the bed and he immediately snuggled up to her.
"Can you stay with me, Mama?"
"For a while. I will need to get home after lunch."
"Why?"
"To feed your sister. She still needs me, babe."
"I need you too."
"I know, that's why I'm here. She's much smaller than you and I still need to feed her."
"But…"
"No buts, Will. Now shush. You heard the doctor. You need to rest."
"Yes, ma'am."
Jack followed the doctor downstairs and into the parlor. "Doc? What are the chances that Drew will catch this?"
"Honestly, he could still, but he may not because he's been around Will and Trey and hasn't shown any symptoms yet. We just have to wait and see."
Jack nodded. "We'll come get you if anything changes."
"I'll be back in a few hours anyway."
Jack wandered into the kitchen. "Hey, Ma."
"Hi, Jack." Her sat down next to her at the table. "How's Will?"
"Ok for now. I just hope he doesn't get worse."
"He'll be just fine."
"How do you know?"
Charlotte slipped her hand inside Jack's and put her head on his shoulder. "I've seen this before."
"You have?"
"Yes. My brother passed away from scarlet fever."
"You had a brother?"
"Yes. I was ten and he was five. I got it first and then when he got it, it was terrible. I remember hearing him coughing and moaning. His temperature got so high that it ended up damaging his heart."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Will has a mild case, from what I can tell. He will be fine. I'm telling you because I don't want you to worry too much."
"What was your brother's name, Ma?"
"Jack. I named you after him."
