Chapter 39 - Give a Dog a Bad Name

Han couldn't remember the last time he'd felt so comfortable, so safe. He could hear a soft murmur of voices nearby.

"...All go into town and get him some new things."

"Do you think that's a good idea? Maggie said there's still a lot of bad feeling about him, even though Reverend Elliot and Miss Walters told everyone the truth."

"We can't hide him away forever. They'll get over it."

Han turned to watch them and saw Elizabeth shake her head.

"I know, but perhaps it's too soon. There are a lot of people that lost their children. They might not like the fact that he survived when the others didn't. I don't want him to be upset, he's been through so much already."

He saw David take her hand. "I know, but he's strong. He'll be okay."

She smiled weakly, unconvinced, and he saw her turn to look at their child.

"Han?" She rushed over to him. "How are you feeling?"

"Alright." He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand and yawned as he sat up.

"I hope you're hungry, I just made lunch."

Han nodded. Realizing that he was still dressed, he made his way to the table. As he sat down, he saw Elizabeth frown.

"Wouldn't you like to wash your hands first?"

"Oh! Yes." He moved obediently to the sink.

Now it was David's turn to frown. "You don't have to worry about that now. Just sit down and eat something."

Elizabeth realized that she was already falling back into her old ways. "He's right, Han, I'm sorry. Go and sit down and eat."

Han looked down at his grubby hands and dirty nails. "I'd like to wash, I just forgot. We couldn't, in the orphanage."

As Han scrubbed his grubby hands, David noticed how filthy the child looked. "Would you like to take a bath after you've eaten?"

Han brightened. It would be good to feel clean again. "Yes, please!"

When the plates had been cleared away, David pulled out the bathtub and set it beside the fire, while Elizabeth started to pour in hot water. Hannibal quickly began to undress, but froze when he heard a gasp from Elizabeth.

David turned his head quickly. "Wha…?" He broke off as he, too, saw the marks on Han's back. "Oh God!"

Elizabeth held the boy's shoulder as she examined his back. In a strained voice, she asked, "How did you get these?"

Han shrugged and tried to pull away. "I stole food from the kitchen and I tried to run away." He saw tears in her eyes. "It's not so bad now."

Han tried not to feel self-conscious as David knelt beside him and also examined the healing welts.

"They don't look infected." He could see Han didn't like the attention and decided not to make a fuss. "Come on, get into the bath. The hot water will make you feel better."

As Han settled back into the tub, David asked him, "Did they do anything else?"

For a moment, he thought he saw something flash across Han's face; something indefinable, passing too quickly for David to tell what it was.

"No, Pa."

"Han." David knew there was something the boy wasn't telling him. "You need to tell us if they did."

Han looked at his father for a long time. He turned away as he said, "They locked me in a cupboard sometimes, as part of the punishment. That's all."

The marks on Han's back had been the deciding factor in their decision to take the boy into town. Those, coupled with his recent hospital stay, convinced them that he should be checked over by the doctor. Despite Han's protests, when they took him into town that afternoon, they insisted on visiting the doctor's office first.

Doctor Schriever greeted them as they went in. "Hello! How can I help you?"

David held out a hand to him. "Doctor Schriever? I'm David Heyes and this my wife, Elizabeth."

Schriever smiled as he recognized the names. He indicated Han. "Ah, Mr. Heyes! Am I to take it that you found your missing boy?"

"Yes, thank God! But he had a rough time of it and we were wondering if you could check him over?"

"I'd be happy to. Master Heyes, would you take a seat and remove your shirt for me?"

Han looked quickly at his father. "I'm fine, really, Pa!"

"Please, Han. For me. We just want to make sure you're alright."

The boy sighed and started to slowly remove his shirt. The worried parents were too busy explaining the situation to notice the boy watching the doctor warily and shrinking away from his touch.

Schreiber felt Han tense as he examined him. The doctor sighed; the child was an orphan and probably unused to being taken care of. He didn't remark upon it.

David was right; the marks were superficial. As for the collapse that led to the hospital stay, the boy would heal over time; plenty of food and rest would be the best medicine for him.

They walked from the doctor's office to the Mercantile.

Elizabeth could feel everyone's eyes following them. She pulled Han closer to her and clasped his hand tightly. He pressed himself tightly to her side.

It was too soon, she'd known it. She should have insisted. Doctor Schriever could have come out to see them, there was no reason to subject Han to all this hostility. If David had a fault, it was that he always saw the best in people. In his mind, Han had been vindicated, his name cleared. He had no reason to hide away.

But Elizabeth could see that she had been right in this instance. People hadn't believed that it was Thomas Brown, not Hannibal Heyes that had caught the virus from Peggy. Peggy was low born and fatherless, just like Han. How could they not have been responsible? How likely was it that a well raised boy like Thomas Brown, known to them all since his birth, could have forgotten his station so far as to consort with a girl like that!

And now, to see the boy they considered responsible for the deaths of their children, walking through the streets while their children lay cold in their graves…

Even David could hear the murmurs now. He considered turning back, but they were right there beside the door of the Mercantile. He opened the door and hurried his wife and child inside.

The shoppers in the Mercantile went very quiet when the Heyes family walked in. Han stepped back as he felt their hostility. David put his hands on the boy's shoulders and held him close. Elizabeth straightened her back and walked over to the small section of the store that held the children's clothes.

She looked around defiantly, holding out her hand for him, she said, "Han, come over here."

Han's legs felt like jelly as he walked through the pointed stares of the onlookers to reach her. If it hadn't been for David's steadying grasp, he wouldn't have been able to do it.

Mr. Collins approached them from behind the counter. He, at least, had believed the story that he heard from old Miss Walters. Thomas Brown had stolen more than a few things from his store and had never shown the slightest hint of remorse. He could well imagine Tom taking advantage of that poor child, Peggy. In his opinion, it was Peggy that could have done better in that relationship.

"Mr. Heyes, Mrs. Heyes, it's nice to see you." And then, pointedly, "Hello, Han. How are you?"

The boy looked up, startled. "Well, thank you, sir."

"Good, good." He thought Han looked pale as death and skinny as a rake. He pulled a chair close to the counter. "Why don't you take a seat while I help your parents?" He turned to Mrs. Heyes. "What can I do for you today?"

David stood behind the chair and put his arms around his son as Elizabeth turned back to the counter. "Han needs some new things."

They all ignored the whispers that had now replaced the silence.

"Of course! What do you need?"

She considered for a moment. "I think… perhaps two more shirts, another pair of trousers," - Elizabeth never referred to them as 'pants' - "a jacket and some warmer underthings. Oh, and a new pair of boots."

Mr. Collins started to show them a selection. Elizabeth turned to Han. "Which of these do you like?"

He found the cheapest shirt and pointed to it.

Elizabeth considered it for a moment and then shook her head. "No, I don't think so. I don't like the fabric, it's far too scratchy and not nearly warm enough." She reached for a deep blue one. "What about this one?"

He reached out a hand and touched it. He nodded.

"Good!" As she continued to choose items, Han's attention began to wander. He noticed a roll of fabric beside him and reached out a hand to touch it. The corduroy felt very soft and he stroked his hand along it.

He heard footsteps coming towards him and looked up to see Mrs. Collins heading their way. He quickly pulled his fingers back and pressed back against his father.

David tightened his grip on the boy. The child was nervous enough without having to deal with the storekeeper's sharp-tongued wife.

Elizabeth obviously decided the same thing. "David, I'm nearly finished here. Why don't you and Han take these things to the wagon? I'll settle up and be along in a few minutes."

David looked at her gratefully. "Good idea." They hurried away with her bundles.

As she reached for her money, one of the coins rolled away and fell onto the fabric she had seen Han touching earlier. She remembered the look on his face as he stroked the soft fabric and found herself saying, "And I'll take three yards of this corduroy."

It would soon be Christmas. If she worked very hard, she would just have time to make him a jacket.