Christy's Toothache Part 2
The next day, Christy began to pack for her trip. As she put
her large valise on her bed, she started to daydream about seeing
her parents and brother, and about buying some new summer dresses
and hats in Asheville.
Soon Christy's daydreams were interrupted by Ruby Mae, who burst
into the room. Ruby Mae gave Christy an enthusiastic hug.
"Miz Christy!" shouted the redheaded, freckle faced teenager.
"Miz Christy... didya tell the preacher yes? Did ya?"
"Ruby Mae!" exclaimed Christy. "Calm down. I have to think about it.
Marriage is such an important decision."
"Miz Christy, iffen ya love the preacher, you'd a just tell him yes.
It'd be written on your heart. Iffen Rob Allen woulda ask me, it'd
be right there on my heart, I wooden a have to think. I'd shout,
"Yes! Rob Allen, yes" faster than you could find a possum and cook
it up for supper."
Christy stared at Ruby Mae for a few minutes.
"Thanks for that insight, Ruby Mae, now help me find my slippers so
I can put them in my valise." ordered Christy.
Ruby Mae handed Christy the blue slippers.
"I'm a gonna miss you, Miz Christy." the teenager exclaimed. "You're
like my big sistah. Can I come with you, Miz Christy? I've never
been to Asheville! It'd a be my first trip! Please, Miz Christy."
she whined.
"Not this time, Ruby Mae." explained Christy. "Now go down to the
kitchen and do your chores so I can finish packing. I will bring
you something soft and pretty." promised Christy.
"Do ya promise?" asked Ruby Mae.
"I promise. Hurry and get that possum primavera ready; it is the
reverend's favorite dinner!" laughed Christy. Ruby Mae left.
The next day, Christy and David stood waiting for the train. Christy
absentmindedly rubbed her aching jaw. David put his arm
around Christy. He kissed her cheek.
"Poor Christy. I'll miss you. Have a wonderful time and don't forget
to see the dentist." worried David.
Christy tried to laugh. As if she could forget her throbbing jaw.
"Will you ever stop worrying about me, David?" Christy teased.
David looked down into Christy's big, round, bluer than the sky eyes.
"Christy, I'd like to worry about you every day for the rest of our
lives." said David as he pulled Christy close and kissed her,
softly as first, then with growing need.
"All aboard! All aboard for Asheville!" shouted the conductor.
David had to release Christy from the embrace.
"I guess this is it, Christy. I love you. Have a safe trip."
whispered David huskily.
Christy looked up at him. She picked up her valise and ran to the
train.
"I'll see you in a few weeks, David." she yelled as boarded the
train."
Christy walked into the train. She found a seat near the window.
Christy sat down. As the train started its long journey to Asheville,
Christy leaned back. She thought about what Ruby Mae said to her.
Iffen I love David... wait a minute, Christy Huddleston, she scolded
herself, since when do I say "iffen." I have been in Cutter Gap
too long, Christy thought. It's time to spend some time at home!
With that thought, Christy laughed out loud. She was on her way home.
Christy's Toothache Part 3
"Last stop, Asheville!" bellowed the conductor. "Asheville, North
Carolina."
Christy awoke with a start. She was having that dream about
riding horseback with Neil. In her dream, she rode behind him, her
arms around his waist, her body pressed close to his. She looked
out on the platform and saw her father! Mr. Huddleston still walked
with uncertain steps; he was recovering from the stroke he had had
while he visited Christy before Thanksgiving. Thank G-d for Neil,
Christy thought gratefully. She chided herself immediately.
Christy, she said to herself, you have to stop thinking of Neil. He
is a married man, you have to stop this! But truth be told, Neil
was never far from her mind and her heart. Out of sight, out of
mind, I hope, said Christy to herself.
Christy left the train. She rushed toward her father.
"Daddy! Daddy!" Christy called. "How wonderful you look! The color
in your cheeks is back, your eyes are bright! Oh, Daddy!" rejoiced
Christy.
William Huddleston gazed down at his daughter, his eyes filled
with happy tears.
"And look at you, girlie. Look at my lovely daughter! Are you
too grown up to give your father a big hug?"
Christy hugged and kissed her father.
"Oh, Daddy." she said softly.
"Wait until your mother sees you. And your ornery brother, too. The
entire Huddleston family will be together again." whispered
Mr. Huddleston.
Mr. Huddleston and Christy drove to the Huddleston abode. Needless
to say, Julia Huddleston and George welcomed Christy with open
arms.
"Christy, look at your father!" exclaimed Mrs. Huddleston when she
finally finished hugging Christy. "Thanks to your Doctor MacNeill,
William is like a new man!"
"I see, Mother... and I'm so happy." said Christy, rubbing her
jaw.
"Christy, you are my child and I see sadness in your eyes. What's
wrong, darling." worried Julia.
"It's nothing, Mother, I am just tired and this toothache is
wearing me, too." replied Christy.
"Dr. Myers will see you first thing Monday morning, Christy." said
Julia. "He'll see what's wrong and he'll fix you right up."
"Thank you, mother. Dinner was delicious. It's been a very long
day. I am going to take a bath and get ready for bed." answered
Christy.
Later that night, Christy stood at her bedroom window. Her father
knocked softly on the door.
"Christy, I came to say goodnight. What's wrong, girlie? You
know you can tell your daddy." William said. "Is it about Doctor
MacNeill?"
"Daddy...I don't want to worry you." insisted Christy.
"I am more worried not knowing exactly what is bothering you." explained Mr.
Huddleston.
"Daddy...Neil's wife has returned from the dead. I mean, she was
faking her death, and now she has returned and she wants to reclaim
her marriage." stuttered Christy. "I told Neil that he should
be with his wife."
"Shouldn't Neil make that decision, Christy?" asked William.
William Huddleston put his arms around his sobbing daughter. He
looked up at the heavens and struggled for the right words to
comfort his heartbroken daughter.
"Christy, I've heard that when G-d closes a door, He opens a
window. Don't lose heart, daughter." Mr. Huddleston counseled.
Christy looked at her father. She wiped tears from her beautiful
blue eyes.
"Thank you, Daddy. I love you so much." Christy whispered.
PART 4 MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE MISSION
"Allus! Allus! Are yew there?" shouted Neil MacNeill.
Alice Henderson, David and Ruby Mae sat at the dinner table enjoying
their possum cordon bleu.
"That man has no manners." remarked David.
Alice walked to the door. She opened the door and stood in the
doorway.
"Neil, what in the world is wrong? Is it Margaret? Has something
happened to Margaret?" she obsessed.
"Nothing has happened to Margaret. Your daughter is visiting with a
gentleman caller from the teahouse. Allus, is Miss Huddleston here?
I have some ideas about science lessons for the schoolchildren to
discuss with her." said Neil.
"Doctor, Miss Huddleston left for Asheville to spend some time with
her family. She promised to return before the fall term." explained
Alice Henderson.
"Allus, the fall term is months away." sighed Neil.
David joined them at the door.
"What do you want, Doctor?" he said angrily. "Or shall I say who
do you want? Go... back... to... your...wife, doctor." spoke David
in angry, staccato measures.
"Allus..." said Neil.
"Doctor," added David, "I kissed Christy at the train station, and
when she returns, she will be my bride."
"The school term is months away." repeated Neil.
"She will return, Neil." said Alice.
Ruby Mae joined the group, unwilling to sit at the table alone.
"And Miz Christy promised to bring me something soft and pretty to
wear... I cant a wait to see what she chooses." chimed Ruby Mae,
hopefully.
Neil turned to leave.
"She did not even say good-bye." Neil muttered as he stomped
off the porch.
Alice, David and Ruby Mae returned to their possum cordon bleu
dinner, each one missing Miss Ida's cooking.
Neil jumped on Charlie the horse.
"She did not even say good-bye to me." he said aloud to the horse.
"Christy!" he groaned sadly.
The horse knew the way back to the MacNeill cabin.
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