Chapter Two - Tracks Home
Morning found Josiah well rested ; his travels had left him worn. Beside the bed on a chair he found clothes and some slightly worn boots. After dressing Josiah moved quietly through the house to see Pa. He saw and heard Mr. Baxter moving up the staircase, and walk down a hallway. Josiah climbed the stairs and turned towards Pa's room. Looking down the hallway he didn't see Mr. Baxter! That was odd. Pondering what he saw he went onto Pa's room.
Pa was awake, but looked so tired! Miss Gertie was taking away an empty bowl , and Dr. McAlister looked over Pa. Doc McAlister noticed Josiah walking in, and dropped his voice and said something to Pa.
"Joseph, I'll send over some medicine, and we will get you back to health. You get plenty of sleep, and you'll be better."Doc McAlister said, giving a slight smile to Joseph and Josiah.
Josiah hugged his Pa tight; it felt good to be in his arms. Clean shaven and with a haircut Pa looked different, but his weak smile was most welcome!
"Boy, let your Pa get some sleep! Sooner he is better sooner you can leave!!", bellowed Mr. Baxter. Hmm, that was odd. Josiah hadn't heard Mr Baxter walk towards this room!
"Love you Son, " Joseph muttered while closing his eyes slowly nodding off. Josiah kissed his Pa, and left for the kitchen. Walking down with Doc McAlister scents of fried potatoes filled the air. Entering the kitchen Josiah noticed a girl cleaning potatoes with Miss Gertie, and the other kitchen girls. She was the prettiest girl he had ever seen!
She wore a blue dress with a white ribbon around her waist, and a blue ribbon in here long blonde hair. Miss Gertie noticed the stare from Josiah towards this girl, and she smiled. Many years had passed since Gertrude Brannigan had seen a young man look at her like Josiah looked at Rebecca McAlister!
"Rebecca, our Josiah will help you carry those potatoes to your fathers automobile," said Miss Gertie to Josiah, with a knowing smile!
He grabbed two sacks of potatoes and followed the young lady. After loading Rebecca turned to Josiah, "Why thank you kind sir!", and she smiled. Josiah was speechless! He really tried to say something, but nothing came out! Rebecca politely ignored Josiahs blush and silence
"Your new around here! You must come to the dance next week! It will be so much fun, and I could always use another dance partner!" Again she smiled, and few if any words came to Josiahs mind!
I don't know if I can be there, but I sure want to be there Rebecca." stammered Josiah! Her blue eyes were like the sun! Dazzling, and so warm. He found himself smiling as she smiled her big beautiful smile! Doc came out, and they soon left with Josiah watching the automobile disappear around the hedge. Did she look back at him just before the turn around the hedge?
Miss Gertie watched Josiah with his hands in his pockets walk back to the kitchen. "You know I'm sure you can go to that dance, and you will have fun! " Miss Gertie seemed mighty glad for some reason, but that is when it dawned on Josiah!
"Miss Gertie!! I don't know how to dance!! I I can't go; how can I go?" Josiah said in a panic.
"Now don't you worry, I can teach you and we have a whole week. You will be ready; I promise you that young man!" Miss Gertie confidence reassured Josiah, but they had much to do in the next week. After a small meal Josiah started learning his chores around the house. He swept floors, carried things here and there, and went to the fields on errands for Mr Baxter. He noticed something about the men working the fields; they didn't have the hopeless feel of the hobos in the hobo jungles or on the trains. They had hope, and while they worked as their life depended on it they looked to a better future.
In the evening Miss Gertie called Josiah to the den, and turned on the radio. This night they moved to whatever music played, and Josiah learned to waltz. he remembered how many steps, and how to move. He always remembered numbers cause he counted everything around him. He didn't tell folks this, but Josiah couldn't help but count things like dance steps, light bulbs, and even how many steps from one room to another.
After a while Miss Gertie had Josiah pull his boots off since they hurt her feet. Miss Gertie kitchen girls, Bethany and Martha, danced with Josiah as well. This boy needed lots of practice! Every night he practiced with the girls and Miss Gertie, and he was getting the hang of it. he was even allowed to wear his boots!
All week long was a blur to Josiah as he worked at dancing and his chores. Pa was eating more and was looking better, and Josiah was so excited about dancing with Rebecca! Finally the night came for the dance, and Josiah had never been more excited in his life! Miss Gertie had found some old clothes fit for a dance, and made them fit Josiah, so all was ready! Mr Baxter said he had no need for dancing, so he stayed home with Pa, and Miss Gertie, Josiah, Bethany, Martha, and others that worked Mr Baxters land went to the dance.
Everyone loaded up on a wagon, and with horses pulling them they made it to the party. A large dance hall in town was all fixed up, and folks from all over brought food from the fields. Mr Baxter had allowed many things to be brought to this dance. He said he didn't want folks to think he couldn't send food, but it didn't matter. Josiah had never seen so many folks share, and never seen this much food!
With sharp eyes Josiah helped bring in food, and did some dancing with Bethany, and Martha. he practiced the moves, and all that Miss Gertie had taught him. still, He didn't see Rebecca. Slowly he walked around the room, but she wasn't to be found. He heard a mrs. jenkins say how she was down to her last bit of flour, and not sure how she will get more. Mr Paulson had a horse come up lame, and it was a horse he desperately needed. There were other things he heard, but most disturbing was that Doc Magister had been called to an emergency. His whole family was in the automobile with him.
Josiah ate some food, and pocketed some for his Pa, but for him the dance was over. He had fun, but it was all for Rebecca he did this. On the roof he heard the start of the rain, and knew the ride home would be wet. No matter; it was just water. Josiah ambled around, and danced more with Bethany, and Martha. Doc Magister strode into the dance hall with his family, and Josiah froze. looking around he didn't see Rebecca.
Moving close to the Magister family he heard a baby had been born to the Logan family, and that Rebecca was out in the automobile and wasn't coming inside to dance. Josiah left the hall looking for the Family automobile. He found it easy, and went to talk to Rebecca.
"Rebecca, you may not have heard, but the dance is inside'" Josiah put on his best smile for this pretty girl! he saw a girl with a muddy dress, and eyes red with tears.
"Don't look at me; my best dress is ruined, and I ain't fit to be seen!" Rebecca said with such sadness. In her eyes Josiah saw loss. That dress was probably her best, and these days you couldn't replace it so easy. Rebecca had lost something dear to her, and Josiah knew what that was like.
Straightening up to hid full height Josiah opened the car door, and extended his hand as he had practiced.
"Miss Rebecca, May I have this dance? We can hear the music from here, and truth be told I learned to dance this week so I could dance with you," Josiah saw a girl with a hurting heart, but he hoped he could do something to sooth her hurt.
"But I'll get you all dirty, and I look a mess!" Rebecca lamented.
"Its just mud, and it will wash off," Josiah assured her. he took her hand and guided her out of the automobile. As he practiced, He took her gently and as a gentleman danced a waltz with her. He had no idea how much time passed, but they danced in silence till time to go home. As folks started to leave Rebecca saw her family coming.
"You have made my evening bearable Josiah. Thank you." Rebecca blurted out, and then kissed Josiah on the cheek. She hurried over to her family, and soon was gone in the night.
Miss Gertie was taken back by the mud on Josiah, but forgave him when he explained how it happened. She hugged him close, and maybe he saw a tear in her eye. Anyway, they helped clean up, and soon in the rain rode home.
Dried and ready to sleep Josiah smiled as he went to sleep, and he dreamed of dancing with a princess.