Second Chance

LHOP inspired fiction by Cheryl C. Malandrinos

Part 3

Charles had put in half a day's work at the mill and then began to walk the dusty road home. Mr. Hanson had told him the mill was going to close after this last order was complete. He paid Charles his final wages and wished him well. Hard times had fallen on the little town of Walnut Grove. Many of the townspeople talked of moving on. Charles couldn't believe what was happening to the place his family called home for so many years.

But the financial hardship befalling Walnut Grove was the lowest item on his growing list of concerns. Mary's eyesight worsened. The family expected the doctor's horrible prediction to come true at any time. And the return of John Jr. came with more unexpected problems. The weight on Charles' shoulders was overpowering. What would they do if Mary went blind? Could he ever trust John Jr. to take care of Mary after what happened in Chicago? And, with things so uncertain, would he need to leave his family to go miles away to find work?

When Charles reached home he saw Mary and John by the creek. He decided not to interrupt them and made his way into the house. He found Caroline making dinner. She greeted him as he washed up.

"You're just in time Charles. I'm about ready to put dinner on the table."

"Good, I'm starving." He paused to dry off his hands. "We finished the last order at the mill today. I'm not sure when it will open again."

"Are you going away to find work?"

"I don't know yet. I don't want to leave when we're so unsure about Mary…but I might not have any choice."

Caroline nodded and gave him a small smile. "Why don't you sit down and eat while it's hot."

Charles sat down at the head of the table. "When did John Jr. get here?"

"Right after the girls left for school."

"And they've been talking all this time?"

"Yes. I was going to call Mary in for dinner, but I didn't want to interrupt them."

"I wonder if that's a good sign or a bad one."

"Well I guess it would depend upon how you want it to end up," Caroline quipped.

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"Mary, I know my return has been a shock to you. And I know that it has come at perhaps the worst possible time, but I hope you will at least think about what I have said."

"I will John, but I need time to figure out this nonsense with my eyes."

"I'm not going anywhere. Take all the time you need."

"I should go back to the house and see if Ma needs some help. It's past dinner time and I saw Pa go by a few minutes ago."

"Can I walk you to the door?"

"Sure."

Mary and John said their goodbyes at the front door and then Mary went inside. She greeted her parents but did not mention John's name. She wasn't ready to talk to them yet.

"You must be hungry," Ma said. "Can I get you some dinner?"

"I can get it myself," Mary responded in an almost defiant tone.

"I know you can, but I thought you might be tired."

"Well I'm not, and I would appreciate it if you would stop treating me like I'm helpless!"

"Mary," Pa interjected in a harsh tone. "Don't talk to your mother that way."

Mary's mood soften and she broke into tears. She ran to her mother and hugged her. "I'm sorry Ma. It's just all this nonsense with my eyes and now John Jr."

"Don't worry about it dear; I understand." Caroline wiped a tear from Mary's face.

"Why don't you wash up and I'll get you a plate if you like."

"Thanks Ma."

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Laura and Carrie walked home after school. When they entered the house, Mary was sitting in Ma's rocking chair. Usually when she sat there Mary would sew, but her eyes couldn't focus on such fine work these days.

"Hi Mary. Hi Ma." Laura gave her mother a kiss and then knelt beside the rocking chair.

"Mary, it's such a nice day, after I finish my chores I thought we could take a walk to the lake."

"No thanks." Laura looked over at Ma.

"I could do some fishing and you could bring a book if you like."

"I don't feel much like reading right now Laura. Besides, that magnifying lens is too heavy to carry all the way to the lake. It might rip my pocket."

"Are you sure? You could just put your feet in the water for a while."

"I don't want to go to the lake! Now leave me alone Laura!" Mary got off the rocking chair and climbed up the ladder to the loft.

Ma walked over to Laura. "Thank you for trying to help Laura. I'm sorry that Mary yelled at you that way. She's just upset right now."

"I know. I wish I could do something. I feel so sorry for her."

"Laura, she doesn't need your pity. She needs your prayers. When she loses her sight, she'll need all the strength that God and our love can give her. Now why don't you get started on those chores. And thank you for doing your share and Mary's too. It's been a big help to your Pa and me."

"Can I still go out to the lake for a while?"

"As long as you catch us a few good fish for supper."

"I will Ma."

Laura left the house and walked out to the barn to start her chores. As she worked, she thought about Mary. For years she had been so jealous of her. Mary was always prettier and smarter than her. She had an easier time making friends too, especially boyfriends. Seth came to mind. He hadn't been out to see Mary in quite a while. She didn't even know if he had heard about Mary's latest visit to the doctor. If he loved Mary so much, where was he?

----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----

Charles and Caroline sat in bed. Charles smoked his pipe and read the newspaper while Caroline tried to find a Bible passage to help her worried heart. "Did she say anything to you?" Charles asked his wife.

"No… it worries me. I thought she would at least have come to me to talk about it."

"Well, maybe she's already made her decision."

"Maybe, but it's not like her to be so secretive. I'm worried about her. The way she spoke to me today and then to Laura… She's shutting us out. I don't like it."

"It's understandable I suppose."

"She's trying to deny what's happening to her. She talks about this "nonsense" with her eyes, like she's going to be just fine tomorrow. What are we going to do Charles?"

"The same thing we have been doing…pray."

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John Jr. wrote some thoughts down in his journal. The light from the oil lamp grew dim. He thought about his talk with Mary as he stretched out on the bed. Their walk by the creek today reminded him of all the walks they took before he went away to Chicago. Sometimes they talked about their future, other times he recited poetry to her, and then there were the quiet times where they just enjoyed one another's company. He missed that. He didn't realize how much until today.

He blew out the lamp and laid down in the darkness. He folded his arms behind his head and looked up at the ceiling, but couldn't see anything yet. John wondered if Mary's doctor was right. Would those beautiful blue eyes wake up one morning to a sea of darkness that surrounded her, choked her, and left her gasping for breath? He felt that his fate somehow rested on the answer to that single question.