Away From Home: Part One

Author's Note: Walnut Grove was never blown up.

Chapter One

Nels and Harrison Brown, Rachel's father, were chatting at the mercantile when they heard footsteps.

They turned and saw Rachel's petite figure enter the storeroom.

"How was your visit with Doc Baker?" asked Harrison.

"I'm as fit as a fiddle," she replied, coming over to kiss her father on the cheek.

"That's good…" said Harrison slowly. "But-"

"But what?" said Rachel, her hazel eyes teasing. "You weren't hopin' I was sick were you?"

"Course not," he replied. "But I was hopin' that sickness you had this mornin' was something else."

Rachel looked confused for a moment before her face turned red. "Oh Pa!" she cried.

"Well, I'm not gettin' any younger," said Harrison. "I'd like to be a Grandpa while I can still enjoy it."

"I know you would," replied Rachel.

"It is a wonderful thing, being a grandparent," said Nels. "I hope you'll get to experience it, Harrison."

Rachel turned and walked out of the mercantile, blushing furiously.

"Oh, Nellie. I'm so sorry darling."

Harriet was at the restaurant, talking on the telephone with her eldest daughter. Nellie's husband Percival and his mother Edna had taken ill, and according to the doctor it could be a long recovery. "Please send them my best wishes, and say hello to the children for me. I do miss them, so," said Harriet.

"I know you do," said Nellie. "Maybe we'll come visit once Percival and Mother Cohen recover."

"That would be lovely," said Harriet. But she was troubled. She could hear fear in her daughter's voice. Fear that Percival and Edna would not recover.

"Mrs. Dalton, I must speak with you."

Nellie sat down the Cohen parlor with the family doctor. He got right to the point.

"The illness is more serious than I thought," he said. Nellie looked stricken. "But I expect a full recovery. It may take some time." Nellie nodded. "However," he said getting to the heart of the matter, "I think it would be best if you sent the children away until your husband and mother-in-law are better."

"Send my children away?" said Nellie aghast. "Are they in danger of getting sick, too?'

"It's not very likely," said the doctor. "But your children are very young and I think seeing this illness will be very hard on them."

This conversation played through Nellie's head as she sat alone in the Cohen office later that day. How could she send her children away? What if Percival or Edna died while they were gone? Then she would have robbed them of the last chance to- No she couldn't think of that.

On one hand, what the doctor said made sense. Sending the children away when family members were sick was a common practice; her own father had gone away when his mother was ill. Percival and Edna spent most of their days semiconscious, and Jennifer and Benjamin had grown sad and listless. It broke Nellie's heart to see their spirits' dampened.

On the other hand, the children would miss Percival and Edna. Sending the children away could only make them sadder.

Nellie prayed for guidance. And finally she took out a sheet of paper and a pen.

She began a list of who the children could stay with. The listed included friends, neighbors, members of Nellie's church and Percival's temple, some relatives of both sides of the family that lived in the east, and of course, Nellie's parents.

Walnut Grove. It was so far away, but the town and the people had worked wonders for so many.

Nellie remembered a conversation with her mother, and stood up to place a telephone call.

"Walnut Grove," said Harriet in her sing-song voice reserved for answering the switchboard.

"It's me, Mother," said Nellie.

"Oh, darling how are you? How are-"

"They are the same," said Nellie. "The doctor doesn't think they're in danger of getting sicker."

"That's good," said Harriet sounding hopeful.

"Mother," said Nellie. "I don't mean to cut our conversation short but I need to speak to Willie and Rachel. It's important."

"Why yes, certainly darling" said Harriet a little bewildered and hurt at her daughter's abruptness.

Harriet left the switchboard and wandered into the dining room. "Rachel," she said "go get Willie. Nellie wants to speak with both of you."

Rachel finished pouring a cup of coffee for a customer, got Willie and they walked into the switchboard room while Harriet tended to the restaurant, which wasn't too busy at the moment.

"Hey sis," said Willie. "Yes, both of us are here." He handed the receiver to Rachel who spoke "hi" into it. Willie took it back. "Yes? How are they?" A pause. "Oh I'm sorry Nellie. Send our wishes to them." Another pause. "What? Really? I know Ma and Pa would love to see them…"

Later Willie and Rachel came out of the storeroom looking wide-eyed. "Mother, we need to talk to you and Pa tonight."

That night the four sat around a table the restaurant after it closed. They hadn't even totaled the receipts.

"Well Ma," Willie began. "Nellie is sending the twins to Walnut Grove while Percival and Mother Cohen recover."

Nels and Harriet exchanged pleased looks. "Oh Nels!" Harriet cried. "The grandchildren! When do they arrive?"

"In four days," said Willie. "Their cousin Melvin will bring them on his way to Oregon."

"Why did Nellie tell you instead of us?" said Nels.

Willie and Rachel exchanged looks. "Because the twins will be staying at the boarding house," she said nervously.

"With you two?" said Harriet. "But we're the grandparents. I want to see the little darlings-"

"I know Ma," said Willie in a softer voice. "But this is what Nellie wants."

Harriet exchanged a confused look with Nels. "I don't understand. I must call Nellie to find out why-" she rose from the table.

"No," said Nels touching her arm. "Call her tomorrow. She needs her rest tonight."

"You're right," agreed Harriet. "But I don't understand-"

"Perhaps Nellie wants the children to experience life in the country," Nels suggested.

"She's not a country girl!" Harriet exclaimed disdainfully. Willie gave her a look. "Sorry Rachel," she muttered.

"Maybe she thinks the twins need a quieter setting," said Rachel choosing to ignore Harriet's comment. "After all, I'm sure this is very hard on them. The quiet might do them good."

"I suppose," Harriet grunted.

"I promise you both will have lots of time with them," said Willie. "Maybe they can even spend the night in town sometimes."

Nels and Harriet were starting to feel a little better. Nels looked at his son and daughter-in-law and smiled.

"Two five-year olds won't be easy to care for," said Nels. "But I'm sure you two will be fine."

Willie and Rachel looked at each other nervously. "Hope so," said Willie.

Chapter Two

Four days later, Willie and Rachel waited nervously for the stagecoach to arrive in front of the restaurant. A November snow had fallen and they huddled close together.

"I'm not sure if I'm shivering from nerves or from the cold!" Rachel cried.

"Me neither," Willie agreed.

The stagecoach, which was on time for once, screeched to a halt leaving tracks in the snow. The driver hopped down from his seat and opened the door. Out came a well-dressed man who looked about Percival's age.

"Willie and Rachel?" he asked.

"Yes," they replied in unison.

"I'm Melvin Marks, Issa- Percival's cousin" he corrected himself. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Hi," they uttered nervously.

"And here are Jennifer and Benjamin," he said. "Come on you two."

He held out a hand, and first out of the coach was a little girl with golden curls and a somber expression on her face. Melvin helped her to the ground.

"It's like looking at Nellie," said Willie amazedly to Rachel.

"Hello there," said Rachel kneeling down to the girl.

Jennifer's expression did not change.

"Benjamin," said Melvin. "Come on."

Slowly, a little boy peered out of the coach Melvin reached in and pulled him out, setting his next to his sister.

"Hi Benjamin," said Willie warmly. "I'm your Uncle Willie."

Neither child said a word.

"Won't you stay for dinner?" Rachel asked Melvin.

"I'd love to," said Melvin. "But I need to continue to the next train station and on to Oregon." He kneeled in front of the twins. "Uncle Melvin has to go now," he said "but you can write to me, you can even call me if you like."

"We'll miss, you" said Jennifer somberly. Melvin hugged the twins one more time before entering the coach again. By this time, the driver had unloaded the twins' bags.

"Get!" the driver called to the horses once he was back in his seat. Melvin waved to the twins as the coach faded in the distance.

"Well," said Rachel. "It's pretty cold out here. Let's go inside."

Wordlessly, the twins followed her while Willie picked up the bags.

"Are we staying at the hotel?" Jennifer asked.

"No, you will stay in the country with us," said Rachel.

"I thought Mama and Papa lived here," said Jennifer.

"They did," Rachel replied. "But Willie and I live a big house in the country, along with some other people."

Jennifer and Benjamin sat down.

"Are you two hungry?" Willie asked. "We should eat before we open the restaurant again."

Willie and Rachel had decided it would be best to close the restaurant for an hour, so that the twins didn't have to be bombarded by many new faces at once.

"I want some milk," Jennifer declared.

"Me too, please" said Benjamin quietly.

Rachel raised her eyebrows surprised at Jennifer's manners.

Rachel joined Willie and the twins at the table when the door swung open.

"Hel-lo," said a voice.

Willie rolled his eyes. "I told Mother to wait until-"

Nels and Harriet entered the restaurant then, followed by Nancy who was carrying a bunch of presents.

"Darlings!" Harriet cried. She stopped a minute and stared at Benjamin. He was wearing the traditional hat that all Jewish males wore. But she quickly recovered. "It's me, your Grandma Harriet!"

Jennifer and Benjamin exchanged looks.

"And I'm your Grandpa Nels," said Nels smiling. "You two were just babies when we last saw you."

Nels and Harriet each ran to hug a twin, and then switched. Willie and Rachel exchanged glances. Maybe this was why Nellie wanted the twins to stay at the boarding house.

"Oh, and I have presents for you!" Harriet exclaimed. "Nancy!"

"I can't believe you took Nancy out of school," said Willie.

"Well this is a special occasion," said Harriet taking the presents from Nancy's arms and placing them on the table. "It's not every day she gets to meet her niece and nephew."

"Hi," said Nancy woodenly.

"Nancy give them a hug!" Harriet cried. I'm sure they're thrilled to meet you."

Nancy awkwardly hugged Jennifer who made a face over Nancy's shoulder, and Benjamin who smiled hopefully at Nancy.

"There," said Harriet. "You may go back to school, Nancy."

"Yes Mother," she said leaving.

"Well, that's done," said Rachel.

Willie, Rachel, Jennifer, and Benjamin were on their way to the boarding house. Willie knew his parents were thrilled to see their grandchildren, but Harriet and Nels had just doted so much. Maybe all grandparents were that way.

They pulled up in front of the house. "It's big," Jennifer cried.

"Well a lot of people live here," said Rachel. "It needs to be."

They got out and Willie went to put the horse and wagon away. Rachel opened the door to the house and smelled Laura's supper cooking.

"We're here!" Rachel called.

Laura emerged from the kitchen smiling. "Hello!" she said pleasantly. "I'm Mrs. Wilder, your Ma is a good friend of mine."

Jennifer frowned at the word "Ma".

"Hi!" said Benjamin who had taken an instant liking to Laura.

"Why don't you go into the sitting room? Everyone's there." Said Laura.

They entered the parlor, where Jenny Wilder stood up and ran to them.

"Hi Benjamin, hi Jennifer," she said. "My name is Jennifer, too."

"But we call 'er Jenny, so there won't be no confusion."

Isaiah Edwards stood up and approached the twins. "Name's Mr. Edwards. How do you do?"

He shook both of their hands. "Do either of you know how to spit?"

"No," said Jennifer wrinkling her nose.

"Well then we'll just have to fix that," Isaiah replied.

"Come, children and introduce yourselves."

Mr. Montague uncrossed his legs and waited for the twins to approach.

"I am Sherwood Montague," he said when they reached his chair. "And you are?"

"Jennifer and Benjamin Dalton, sir" said Jennifer.

Mr. Montague looked at Benjamin. "Can you not introduce yourself, young man?"

"What?" said Benjamin clearly confused by Montague's mannered speech.

"Never mind him," said Laura who had just entered. "Let's go eat."

They sat around the table, and the twins met Almanzo.

"Where's Rose?" said Laura.

"She wasn't feeling well earlier," said Almanzo. "But maybe she's well enough now to eat." He went upstairs.

"Who's Rose?" Jennifer asked.

"My daughter," Laura replied.

"How old is she?"

"She's four, so only a little younger than you."

For the first time since she had arrived in Walnut Grove, Jennifer looked genuinely interested.

Almanzo appeared with Rose. Laura smiled. "Rose I'd like you to meet, Jennifer and Benjamin."

"Hi," she nodded shyly.

It was Montague's turn to say blessing and then they began to eat. The conversation soon turned to Thanksgiving.

"William," said Montague. "Will your parents and sister be joining us?"

Willie had to force himself not to roll his eyes. Lately, Montague had taken to calling everyone by their proper name. "I don't know yet."

"I just love Thanksgiving," said Jenny. "Every year it feels like my family gets bigger. You know I think of everyone in this house as a family."

"Me too," said Laura.

Suddenly Benjamin threw down his napkin and ran upstairs, with Jennifer, Willie, and Rachel following him.

Benjamin had managed to find the room that he would share with Jennifer. Willie had set their bags (and Harriet's gifts) on the beds. Benjamin flopped on a bed angrily.

Jennifer was the first to reach him. "It's not fair!" he cried looking at his sister. "We don't get to be with our family! It's not fair!"

Willie and Rachel, who had overheard ran in. They shut the door.

"Can we talk to you two?" Willie asked.

Neither twin replied. Rachel sat with Jennifer on one bed and Willie sat with Benjamin on the other.

"Look," Willie began. "I know it's not the same as your Ma, Pa, and Grandma Cohen, but we're your family, too."

"We want to be at our own house!" Jennifer snapped.

"I know," said Willie. "But that's not possible right now."

"As soon as your Pa and Grandma are better, you can go home," said Rachel.

"Why did they have to get sick!" Benjamin yelled.

"I don't know," said Rachel. "But sometimes people have to get sick. But Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks, and I know your parents and grandmother are thankful to have you two."

"Yeah," said Willie. "They have two children who love them and miss them. Aunt Rachel and I are thankful for you, too."

"Really?" said Jennifer quietly.

"Yeah," said Willie. "I wish you could be at home for Thanksgiving, but since you can't, I'm thankful your Ma trusts us enough to take care of you."

"I'm glad we have this chance to get to know you," said Rachel.

Jennifer and Benjamin exchanged looks. "We'll try harder to be good," said Jennifer. "I guess Ben and me are just mad."

"That's okay," said Rachel.

"Sometimes it helps to play a game with you're mad," said Willie. "How about 'Mad Turkey'?"

"Mad Turkey?" Jennifer asked.

"Yup," said Willie. "I'm Tom the Turkey and you have to try to catch me if you want to eat me for Thanksgiving."

The four raced around the bedroom and Willie clucked and pretended to peck and snap until Jennifer trapped him in a corner and "caught" him. She jumped on him and giggled, followed by Benjamin and Rachel.

A few days later, everyone in the boarding house, joined by Harrison, Nels, Harriet, and Nancy, sat down to eat Thanksgiving dinner. At one point, everyone said one thing they were thankful for.

"I'm thankful that I got out of that hospital!" Harriet cried.

"I'm thankful to have my grandchildren here," said Nels.

"Ben and me are thankful for our Walnut Grove family," said Jennifer.

"And to eat lots of turkey!" said Benjamin causing everyone to laugh.

Willie and Rachel exchanged glances and smiled. The first major crisis had been solved. Still, the twins missed home, and the young couple hoped they'd be home in time for Christmas.

To be continued…