New Beginnings
Chapter 36: Worries
Walking out the front of the church, Joseph sees Ben slumped over against the railing of the steps. Irritated by his younger brother's behavior of running out and not returning, Joseph says his name sharply.
"BEN!"
When Ben doesn't even look up, Joseph walks down the steps to confront him face to face. "Pa's not at all happy with your behavior and you are in for a spanking or worse!" Joseph scolds as he walks in front of his brother. Getting a good look at Ben's face and seeing the boy shivering, Joseph reaches out to feel for a fever. Ben's forehead is so hot he can feel the heat before his hand touches.
"I'm taking you to Dr. Amy, Ben! Can you stand up?"
When he gets no response at all, Joseph leans over and lifts Ben to carry him.
"You're much heavier than you used to be, Ben. I can hardly hold you. You need to stop eating so many cookies." Joseph says trying to get Ben to say something. Worried when he gets no response again, he hurries across the road and down the boardwalk to the clinic. Bursting in the door he calls "Dr. Amy! Ben's really sick! Please help me!"
"Hello young man. The doctor is on a call right now. She'll be here as soon as she can. I'm Delphie. What seems to be wrong with the little boy?" a slender dark eyed woman asks walking out of the examining area.
"I don't know what's wrong with him! That's why I brought him in here! When is Dr. Amy going to be back? What were you doing back there in her clinic?"
"Ah, I see. You are a suspicious young man protecting your turf. No need to worry. Let's take your burden into the examining room. He can rest on the cot there."
"My brother is not a burden! I don't trust you! Why are you here?" Joseph answers angrily.
"Joseph! What are you doing here? I told you to wait at the wagon, not come bother the Doctor! Someone told me they saw you and Ben come to the clinic" They both hear as Ethan comes into the room, having heard his son's voice before entering.
"I brought Ben here, Pa. This Daffy lady is invading Dr. Amy's clinic! She could be a criminal for all we know!"
"JOSEPH!" Ethan scolds. "Mind your manners young man! Have you lost all sense? You don't go around calling people crazy or a criminal! You and I are overdue for a lesson in manners, it seems! Apologize! Right NOW!" Ethan commands the boy who is protesting his innocence.
"I apologize, Ma'am." Joseph responds, blushing at the public scolding.
"Sir, I don't believe the boy meant to call me crazy. I think he was trying to call me by the name I gave him. He remembered it as Daffy, which I see you know is a rude word people use to mean crazy. My name is Delphie and I'm Americus' sister. I'm here to be her nurse."
"What kind of name is Delphie?" Joseph asks before yelping with surprise at Ethan's solid smack to his backside.
"Yoww! Pa, it was just a question! You didn't have to smack me!" Joseph complains, blushing and rubbing the sting in the seat of his pants.
"I told you to mind your manners and I meant it! Where is Ben?" Ethan asks sternly.
"He's asleep on the cot in the examining room, sir. I had him sip some ice water for his fever. Your boy is ill with a fever and doesn't seem to be waking up. I'll watch over him until Americus comes. As to my name, Joseph. My mother named me Delphinium after her favorite dark blue flower. I call myself Delphie."
"It's my pleasure to meet you Ma'am. My name is Joseph Cord." Joseph tells her, hoping to show his Pa, he does remember his manners.
"Joseph, go meet Rob and the others at the wagon. Tell them to go home without me. I'm going to stay until we find out how Ben is and I'll be home soon."
"Yessir. Do you want me or Rob to come back with the wagon later? How are you going to get Ben home?"
"I'll take care of that when we find out how he is. I can borrow a horse if I need to. Now, go to your brothers and sister. I'm sure they are wondering what happened to all of us."
"Yes sir. Bye Ma'am"
As Joseph reaches the wagon, Claire asks "Where are Pa and Ben, aren't they coming?"
"Ben is sick and Dr. Amy isn't there yet. Pa is going to stay with him until she checks him over. He said to go home and he'll come later."
As the children ride home, Joseph tells them "I met Dr. Amy's sister. She's come to be a nurse with Dr. Amy. Her name is Delphie."
"Delphie? Unusual name." Rob replies grinning at Joseph.
"Her name is Delphinium but Delphie for short."
"Americus and Delphinium. That's quite a mouthful. My! I wonder what their parents were thinking!" Rob says, chuckling.
"I, for one, think those are beautiful names! You two boys just don't have any inspiration or taste in names!" Claire tells her brothers.
Ignoring her, Joseph tells Rob "If they have a brother, his name is probably France or Apple Tree! Those fit with countries and plants!"
"Joseph! That isn't polite and it isn't funny either! Rob! Joseph! It's not funny!" Claire tells her chuckling brothers.
Listening, George thinks those sound like pretty good guesses to him.
One hour later, Dr. Amy is examining Ben while Ethan watches anxiously.
"Well, what is it?"
"How long has he been having this red throat and fever, Ethan? It has to have been longer than just today."
"He seemed quieter than he usually is and more well behaved also, for the last few days. I just took it as he was behaving. He never said anything to me or to Claire about feeling ill. She would have started treating him if he had. Come to think of it, that is probably why he never mentioned being ill. Ben can not accept, when he is ill, he must take medicine to make him feel better. What do you feel this is?"
"I'm hoping it's just a terrible infection in his throat. His throat is very red and swollen. That is one reason he's breathing the way he is. I will know more tomorrow. Tonight, I'll keep him here and keep watch on him. You don't need to stay. When you return tomorrow, I'd appreciate it if you'd bring something he treasures and some clean undergarments also. He can't control himself right now. The fever is keeping him in a deep sleep." Amy tells him.
"That I can do. I'll be back first thing in the morning. If he wakes, tell him that for me." Ethan replies, stroking Ben's sweat soaked hair.
"Ben? It's Pa. Be nice to Dr. Amy and do what she says tonight. You get to stay over with her to sleep. I'll see you in the morning." Ethan whispers to the sleeping child.
After he leaves to walk to the ranch, Delphie asks "What do you really think this is, Amy? You never answered him so you know it's more than a sore throat."
"I don't know for certain, I'm hoping I'm wrong. I was up at the mining camp this morning. Three children are ill with a high fever,extremely red throat, chills, vomiting and a deep red rash on their body. Delphie, it looks as if this may be ... I don't even want to say it aloud. We just need to pray that these children get better and not worse. We need to get Ben's fever down. Would you go to the mercantile and ask Mr. Axelrod for two feedsacks full of ice? Tell him it's for Ben Cord and that I sent you."
Arriving at the ranch, Ethan finds everyone but George in the house. Rob tells him George is in the barn.
"I'll go get him and then I'll answer your questions about Ben." Ethan tells his older three children.
"What are you doing out here Sprout?" He asks, using Mitch's nickname for the boy.
"I'm waiting for you. Didn't Ben come home with you, Papa?"
"No, George. Let's go back inside and I'll tell you everything I know."
Once inside, Ethan gathers the children in the front room.
"I know you are wondering about your brother. Dr. Amy feels it would be best to let him stay with her. He has a very high fever and is asleep. Doctor Amy mentioned he has a very red throat. She asked me if he had been talking about feeling ill lately. I told her he had not mentioned it to me. Has he said anything to any of you about feeling sick?"
"No, not me. I know he's been more subdued and much less talkative the past few days. I was hoping that meant he was growing out of his annoying stage." Joseph replies, snickering.
"Joseph! That isn't funny. Your brother is very sick right now." Ethan scolds.
"He never mentioned feeling sick to me, Pa." Rob answers looking at Claire.
"I noticed how quiet he's been, too. I didn't see anything to make me think he was feeling ill. Ben won't tell me if he feels badly because he hates medicine." Claire answers.
"Yeah! He really hates that castor oil you have. He only likes the lemon and honey cough syrup you make when we have coughs." George tells her.
"I know he likes that, George. The last time he did have a cold, he kept pretending to cough for days just to have the honey/lemon mixture!" Claire answers, smiling.
"Well, I'm going to rest until supper is ready. I'm going back after supper to check on him. You boys help Claire with the supper when she's ready."
"Yes sir. We have the chores done so may we play until supper?" George asks.
"Yes son, just be sure to stop when Claire asks for help with the meal."
As the children were eating and Ethan was mostly toying with his supper, George asks:
"Papa? Does Dr. Amy have a brother too?" George asks, thinking about the new lady Joseph told them was with Dr. Amy. The children had just been talking about her arrival.
"I'm not aware of it, if she does. Why do you ask?"
"Joseph said if she had a brother he should be named France or Apple Tree to go with Americus and Delphinium. I wanted to know what his name might be."
"Well George, let's put it this way, we will not ask that question using those names. That is very ill mannered to make fun of someone's name. I do not want to even think one of my children would be so impolite as to behave that way. You will refrain from mentioning this again!" Ethan tells the boy staring at him with huge eyes.
"Yes Papa, I'm sorry." George whispers, blinking away tears at the harsh scolding he just received.
"Apology accepted, George. Don't repeat things that other people say if they are unkind, son. It just makes trouble for you. As for you young man, come with me!" Ethan says, now looking at Joseph.
In the barn, Ethan just looks at Joseph, for what to Joseph seems a very long time.
Ducking his head to avoid the stern gaze leveled on him, Joseph whispers "I'm sorry! I only meant it as a joke! I wasn't trying to be impolite, Pa. Honest!"
"Whether or not you were trying to be impolite isn't the issue here. The issue we are facing is your lack of manners lately. You were rude to Claire last week when you complained about helping her, and then again last night at supper when you complained about the meal. You have been disrespectful to Rob by continuing to tease about the picnic accident. I've heard you giving George a riding over his sleeping with a teddy bear. You need to leave him alone. He's still young. At the clinic today you were disrespectful to Miss. Delphinium. Now I here you were disrespectful to Dr. Americus and Miss. Delphinium by making fun of their names! George is too young to realize you were only attempting to be funny. He thinks you meant what you said."
"I realize that now. I'll watch what I say around him. I didn't mean to hurt his feelings about the bear. He'd given up sleeping with Brown Bear and just started in again. I was only funning, Pa." Joseph nods agreeing.
"That would be a good start. You also need to remember to speak and act politely. Other people don't think of it as "funning" as you call it! I'm going to give you a reminder right now. You seem to need to be reminded of the polite way to speak and act. Come here Joseph." Ethan replies as he sits on a bale.
"Pa... I don't need a reminder... I will remember... Honest! Please Pa! Don't you think almost fourteen is too old?" Joseph replies attempting to talk his way out of the situation he's now in. Not moving forward as he is well aware of what his Pa has in mind, he waits anxiously for Ethan's reply.
If you are going to behave as an ill mannered child, you must be prepared to accept the consequences. I warned you last week and earlier today to watch your manners, you failed to heed my warning. You won't be fourteen for four months, not that your age changes anything. Now come here. Don't make me tell you this again!
Moving next to the hay bale, Joseph tries once more "Please, Pa? I will remember to watch what I say, I will. I don't need you to give me any help to remember! I'll accept consequences, sir! I just don't want them on my backside!"
"Joseph, you and I have discussed your lack of manners and glib tongue several times in the past two weeks. I warned you the last time, you would face unpleasant consequences if you didn't curb your tongue. Remember?"
"Yes sir. I didn't mean to speak disrespectfully, I was just joshing with Rob. I would not say such things in front of the ladies! Honest, I wouldn't! I was trying to keep myself from being too worried about Ben. He's really sick this time. I haven't seen him that pale or that quiet, ever."
Closing his eyes briefly and letting out a sigh, Ethan thinks about the boy's answer. "All right Joseph, I can tell you are being sincere. Your worry over your brother caused your behavior. Your punishment will be this: You are to write a paper for me. I want you to write on the topic: Showing Respect. Explain to me why people need to respect each other and what problems occur when they don't. This will be three pages. Also you are to do all of Ben's chores while he is ill or recuperating from the illness, without complaint. I do hope this helps you remember to watch what you say, and to behave politely. If we have to have another talk about your being impolite, I will be using a more, let's call it, personal method of issuing a reminder to be polite. Do you understand what I'm telling you, Joseph?"
Joseph answers "Yes sir. I won't need you to use that method, Pa."
"I sincerely hope I won't. Now, you are to go to your room until morning. Go inside." Ethan replies.
Just as Joseph is nearing sleep, his bedroom door opens and George walks in.
"George. What are you doing here?"
"I can't sleep in my room all alone, Joseph. I'm scared and I miss Ben. Can I sleep here?"
"George, there's nothing in your room. You don't need to be scared." Joseph tells his teary eyed little brother.
"I know there isn't anything in my room! I'm in here and Ben's in the clinic. Can I stay? I won't kick or take your covers, I promise."
"Fine. You better not wet on me either! You do and I'll wallop your backside!"
"I haven't wet since we put up the water closet! Joseph? When is Ben coming home?"
"I don't know, I guess when he gets better. Now hush before Pa comes in! We'd both be in trouble for not going to sleep if he catches us talking!"
"One more thing. Did you get a whipping tonight out at the barn? You were red in the face when you came in, just like you'd been crying." George whispers.
"No, he didn't whip me. I nearly got my backside walloped though! He scolded me badly and it stung my feelings! I have to do Ben's chores and write an essay as punishment for being rude. He said I was not behaving politely.I'm sorry I teased you about Brown Bear last week. You can go get him now if you want."
"I don't need to. I have you instead. Why did Papa get mad at me at supper? I didn't mean to make him mad."
George, he's been really cross since Ben got sick. I think he's worried about him. He's snapped at me a lot today. Try to keep out of his way or you'll get scolded again!" Joseph whispers back.
Four days later, Ethan is having a family meeting with the children.
"As you know, I've been going to check on Ben for several days. Dr. Amy informed me this morning of what she feels this illness is. She believes it is Scarlet Fever. He has all the signs of the disease. He is wakeful at times when I'm talking to him but he never really awakens. His fever is not staying as high as it was, but he now has a red rash all over his body. Dr. Amy has moved him to the Fire Barn along with four other children. She is placing the children in quarantine so only their parents may visit if they have had this illness. I know you all want to visit, but that isn't possible. The illness can spread so we are keeping all other people away. Please remember Dr. Amy is doing all she knows to do to bring Ben out of this."
Rob and Claire both jerk their gaze to Ethan's face at this last sentence. The words 'Scarlet Fever' are enough to have Claire in tears. They realize what he is not saying aloud. Ben may not get well. Joseph too, has recognized what his Pa is saying. Tears are gathering in his eyes and he has to brush them away quickly. George is too young to catch the meaning of his Pa's words.
"Papa? How long will it be before Ben comes home? It's been a long time already! I want to go talk to him."
"I don't know how long it will be, George. We will just have to trust Dr. Amy to help Ben get well. I'm not going to allow you to visit, George. When someone is under quarantine, it means they are very ill and contagious. What they have can make a visitor sick too. You will not go to town, any of you! You will all stay on the ranch until I tell you differently! This is not open for discussion, this is an order! I do not want you to come in contact with anyone who might have the illness. Do you all hear and understand what I said?"
"Yes, Sir." The older children answer.
"But Papa! If we can't go to Ben, how is he going to know we want him to get well? I need to talk to him to tell him I miss him and want him to come home. I've tried to talk with our special connection but he won't answer me! I guess he's mad at me for something."
"George, Ben is not angry at you, he's very sick and needs his rest. Now listen to me, you are not to leave the ranch. That's final! You may draw pictures, write notes, and make Ben cards. I will take them, tell him you miss him and want him to get well." Seeing the stubborn look on his youngest child's face makes Ethan's tone turn stern. "Mind me, George and stay home! If I hear of any of you defying this order, you will be punished! Understand me?"
"Yes sir." George answers with his brothers and sister this time.
Following Ethan out to the corral where he left Lightning, Rob asks "Is there still hope Pa? Scarlet Fever is deadly. I remember hearing Uncle Vernon talk about his two youngest brothers who caught it and died in a week. It's been almost a week..." He has to stop because of the huge lump in his throat. Ben is his little brother in all ways that matter to him.
"Rob, I never give up hope. Ben is better in that the fever isn't as high as it was. He just isn't coming out of the deep sleep. We can keep faith he will be alright and trust Dr. Amy to do all she knows to do to help him. If you can help keep George distracted this morning, I'd appreciate it. I saw how Joseph and Claire reacted to this news and they need some time alone to come to grips with it. George doesn't know anything about Scarlet Fever and I'd like to keep it that way. I don't want him to know how dangerous this illness is. At his age, it's just too much to try to understand. Knowing his brother is very ill is all he needs to know. Will you be able to help me with this task?"
"Yes sir. I'll keep George occupied. I'll try to help calm Claire and Joseph too. When you see Ben, tell him I love him and want him to come home. We have a fishing competition to finish. He challenged me to one and I aim to win!"
"I'll tell him, son. Thank you for helping, Rob. I can't be here to soothe and comfort when Ben needs me with him."
"You're welcome. I do understand, Pa."
After the emotional day, the children and Ethan all go to bed early that evening. Joseph is having trouble relaxing enough to sleep. His mind is on Ben and the news his Pa told them earlier. He, Rob and Claire have tried to continue on as they normally would so as to not upset George.
Trying to close his mind off so he can sleep, Joseph rolls over on his stomach and pulls the pillow over his head. Even with a pillow covering his ears, he can hear the sound of his bedroom door open and footsteps coming closer to the bed.
"Joseph? Are you awake? I need to talk." George whispers right next to where he thinks his brother's ear might be.
"What is it now, George? More things going bump in your room? You have to get used to sleeping alone. You sleeping with me just isn't working." Joseph answers after rolling on to his back.
"Joseph, hush up and listen to me! I've got important news!" George answers impatiently.
"Yes Sir Your Majesty! What is your important news?"
"Mama came to see me again. Just like she did when Claire was going to be hurt in the fire. She told me to tell you and for you to do what I tell you."
"So now you are going to boss me around? I don't think so, George. Even using Mama's name isn't going to make me do as you say! I don't answer to nine year olds! Go back to bed! It was just a dream."
"Really? Just a dream huh? Then explain to me how I have this." George replies opening his hand to show his brother.
"That's Mama's ring! Where'd you find Mama's ring, George? She never took it off, ever. Her Mama gave that to her when she turned thirteen."
"I know. Mama said my Grandmother Melissa gave it to her when she had her birthday. Grandmother told Mama it was given to the eldest girl on her thirteenth birthday so she gave the ring to her. She told me she didn't get a chance to pass it down to Claire. I'm to give the ring to her after we finish using it. Mama gave it to me to show you. She said you wouldn't believe she really came to see me otherwise. Now will you listen to what she said for us to do?"
"What did she say, George?"
"Mama says to go find John Taylor. He's a Medicine Man and can help cure Ben. She told me we have to hurry because Ben is really sick. Dr. Amy does not know some of the Indian medicine John Taylor knows. She said you were to take me to the canyon to find him tomorrow. We are to show him the ring and tell him about Ben."
"I thought you were to give it to Claire." Joseph tells him
"AFTER we show John Taylor, Mama said! Don't you listen?" George says forgetting to whisper.
"Alright, SHHH, don't wake Pa! We'll go as soon as Pa goes into town in the morning. You do know, we will get in trouble for this, right? You heard him today. We are NOT to leave the ranch!"
"I think helping Ben is more important than minding Papa. Don't you? He'll forgive us once we get Ben well again."
"My mind says yes, but my backside is worried!" Joseph whispers back, grinning at George. "Come on, climb on up and be still. Maybe together we can go to sleep. We'll need all the sleep we can get to carry out this plan tomorrow."
Waking the next morning, Joseph is relieved to find Ethan already gone for the day.
"Did Pa have some special job today? Is that why he left early?" Joseph asks Rob, who is busy cooking breakfast.
"He did say he had to go out to the mining camp today. That's all he said. Go bring in some bacon will you? There's also some buttermilk in the well, Claire likes it, so get a pitcherful on the way in."
"Yes Sir. Any other orders Sir? May I polish your crown King Rob?" Joseph replies smirking.
"Just help me out, alright? I don't feel up to sparring with you today. I've got the hotcakes ready and the eggs are ready to start. I didn't do biscuits so we'll let you toast some bread too."
"I'm going before you have me doing more of the work!" Joseph answers, walking out.
After eating, helping with the clean up, and the barn chores. George says "Joseph and I want to go to the fishing pond alone. Can we go Rob?"
"Alright but, Joseph, you must stay there. You can't go anywhere other than the pond and home. If someone else comes to the pond you two must come home."
"We'll do as you say. The pond and home. Let's get our bait, George." Joseph answers moving towards the door.
Following him out, George whispers "Why do we need bait? We aren't really going fishing."
"We are going to take bait and poles and walk off towards the pond. We'll stash the things and go to town. We can't go to town from here, we'd be seen!"
Walking the back way through pastures to get to town, Joseph helps George climb over the last split rail fence before the boys enter the town.
"Stop here a minute George. We need to talk. This is what I have planned. I'll go to the front doors of the Fire Barn and distract whoever comes to the door. You run around back and sneak in the back door. You better move fast and get back out before you are seen. If we get caught... I don't even want to think about that! Just get in, speak to Ben, and get out! I can't hold them at the front door forever!"
"Won't you get in trouble though? You'll be talking to someone and they might tell Papa. We aren't to be in town, remember?"
"Of course I remember! I just said we'd be in trouble if we are caught! Maybe no one will think about me being here if I ask about Ben. They shouldn't be suspicious. It seems I would come ask about him."
"Okay. When we get through here are we going to go to John Taylor? Mama said to go find him. You have to do what Mama says, Joseph."
"We will, George. I just want to get one part done at a time. You wanted to see Ben so I'm bringing you. Then we'll go find John Taylor. Alright?" Joseph asks trying hard to be patient with his little brother.
"Alright. Let's go." George answers moving away from the fence.
Checking the area for signs of Chris, Mitch or their Pa, Joseph and George dart behind trees until they come to the back of the Fire Barn.
"Remember now, you have to be quick. Ben isn't going to talk to you, he's too sick. Just tell him what you want him to know and get out. If you hear someone coming, run! You can't get caught inside. Being outside is risky enough when Pa said to stay away. Promise me you will do as I say."
"I promise, Joseph. I'll be quiet just like a cat and quick like one too. You keep Dr. Amy talking at the door long enough for me to see Ben."
"I'm going to do the best I can. Are you ready?"
"Yeah."
"Okay, let me see if I can ease the door open enough for you to slip inside. You must hide until you hear me knock on the front door and there's no one in the room with Ben."
"I understand the plan, Joseph. You've only told me about ten times already!"
"Go in brat and BE CAREFUL!" Joseph whispers as he eases the back door open enough for George to squeeze in. He sees George crouch behind some large wooden crates. Closing the door quietly, Joseph hurries around the side of the barn. Checking the area once more for his Pa or honorary uncles, he knocks on the front door.
"Coming!" He hears someone call.
"Well, hello there. Let's see you are Joseph, correct? I'm Delphie, remember?"
"Yes Ma'am. Miss. Delphie, I came to town today to ask about my brother. I brought him in to the clinic last week. We're all really worried and wish to know how he is. Can I come in and see him, please?"
"No, Joseph. This barn is under quarantine. Do you know what that means?"
"Not really. Does it mean it's only for the sick kids not the well ones?" Joseph answers stalling for time.
"Well, in a way, I guess that could be a meaning of the word. It really means the place is off limits to anyone except the ones caring for the sick. This disease could be something you could catch so we take precautions to keep others from getting sick by limiting who can visit."
"Yes Ma'am. Ma'am, how is Ben? George is really missing him. He's my youngest brother and he and Ben are very close. Is Ben going to be going home tomorrow?"
"No, Joseph. Not tomorrow. He's been sleeping mostly and isn't well enough to leave quarantine yet. Maybe soon though. Dr. Americus is working with new ideas and sent to Boston for treatment. It will take time to get the medicine however."
Just then they hear Dr. Amy's voice scolding "George Cord! You march yourself right back out of here this instant! How did you slip in anyway? Delphie!"
"Thank you Ma'am. I've got to run now." Joseph says running off towards the woods behind the barn.
Reaching her sister back in the area where the sick patients are stretched out on feed sacks and blankets, Delphie says "I was just talking to Joseph Cord at the door. He came by to check on his young brother. I didn't see another child slip in."
"Those two! This was a planned event. That boy lured you away and kept you talking so his brother could sneak in. George and Ben are extremely close. I do admire their loyalty to each other. Nonetheless, Ethan must be told his two boys may have been exposed to the illness. That is just what we need, more children ill! These children are in desperate need of medication. Those we have are holding there own, for now. But, Delphie, I'm worried if we don't get some help soon, we may lose some or all of these children. I am out of ideas and running out of supplies to treat the symptoms."
A quick note to the readers who do not have a fan fiction account.
Since I can not thank you individually, I'll do it publicly.
Thank you for taking the time to read the story and for the supportive comments. Thanks to everyone who takes the time to leave comments. Writers love to know how the readers feel.