River Deep, Mountain High
Standard disclaimers apply to this piece of Christy fan fiction.
This story continues where the TV series left off. Any similarities to other works of Christy fan fiction are purely coincidental.
Chapter 22
Christy slept until nearly suppertime. Feeling well rested, she washed her face and dressed before joining the others downstairs. She was absolutely ravenous, having not eaten anything save a hunk of bread and cheese at the Allens following the surgery. Christy, David, and Ruby Mae sat around the table along with Dan Scott and his fiancée, Cecile, who just arrived from Kentucky to visit for the upcoming Christmas and New Years holidays.
The meal looked delicious, Christy thought, her mouth beginning to water at the sight of the steaming platters of food and the aromas that already filled the room. A wonderful and bountiful spread was placed before them, consisting of roasted chickens, herbed potatoes, fresh greens from the garden, homemade rolls, and a dish of Jeb Spencer's finest sourwood honey. Christy knew that Cecile surely had a hand at the meal preparations. Although Ruby Mae's cooking had significantly improved over the past year, even her best culinary concoctions never looked quite so delectable. As David signaled to everyone to hold hands and say the blessing, Christy bowed her head and smiled with thought that, as David once said about Fairlight's cooking, Grace was coming straight from her heart that night.
During supper, Christy learned that Dan Scott had already been to see Mary Allen that morning after Neil had brought her home to rest. It turned out that Cecile's train was delayed for many hours the day before due to some fallen trees on the track between Freedom and El Pano following heavy storms near the state line. By the time he'd returned to the Mission with her, it was past nightfall, and David told him it was too late for him to be running over to Allen cabin to assist Doctor MacNeill, especially since he had Christy there with him. So, Dan helped Cecile get settled into the Mission and decided to wait until the next morning to see Mary.
As Neil predicted, Dan confirmed that Mary was feeling melancholic after the doctor explained about the hysterectomy and the fact that she would no longer be able to bear children. Christy ached to see Mary again, but she would have to wait until Neil came for her in the morning. She hoped he would remember his promise; otherwise she might just walk over herself. She thought about bringing along some books to help keep the younger children occupied. With school on break for a few more days, they were spending significant time at the Spencer's so as not to disturb Mary in her post-operative state. But Dan said that Fairlight was planning to bring them over to see their ma for a few hours the next day.
The topic of discussion having moved away from the subject of Mary Allen, Christy's mind began to drift from the conversation and sink further into her own thoughts. Thinking of Little Burl and Creed Allen, Christy realized how much she missed the children while school had been in recess for the harvest holiday. They would only be back in school for a few weeks before they were off again for Christmas and New Year's. She was looking forward to seeing them each day and watching their eager faces glow with excitement when understanding of something new took hold, filling a previously dark spot in their minds with the light of knowledge.
Following the delicious supper, everyone retired to the parlor to enjoy coffee and dessert of warm blackberry cobbler. It was a real treat having Cecile stay at the Mission. Not only was she an excellent cook, but she played piano beautifully. The baby grand piano had sat mostly idle since Miss Ida, or rather Mrs. Ida Sweetwater, left Cutter Gap with her new husband to travel to California to buy some citrus groves. Christy had some lessons when she was younger, but she was certainly no virtuoso. Lacking both the discipline and the gift was always one of Christy's biggest regrets.
Brushing aside any shred of self-pity, Christy turned her focus back to the music. It was a song she'd never heard before, but the rhythm was intoxicating! Cecile's fingers were flying over the ivories, pounding on the keys in a syncopated rhythm that was impossible not to want to tap your feet to. Christy smiled broadly.
"It's called Maple Leaf Rag by Scott Joplin, Miss Christy," Dan leaned over and told her, seeing the expression on her face. "He's a famous Negro composer. They call him the King of Ragtime."
The lilting melodies reached down to her core. "It's wonderful!" Christy exclaimed, her hand tapping lightly against her thigh in time with the music.
Christy wondered if Cecile would be amenable to giving some of her students music lessons, once she moved to the Cove after she and Dan married.
Cecile played a few more songs and then everyone went on their separate ways for the night. Christy, Ruby Mae and Cecile went to their rooms in the Mission house while David settled in at his bunkhouse and Dan Scott at his newly completed cabin. Though Christy had only been awake for a few hours, she was already beginning to feel tired again after the temporary exhilaration of the energetic music ended. She was glad because it meant that she would be able to get back to her normal schedule by morning. Christy fell asleep without much trouble, the soundtrack of her dreams filled with the rich syncopated harmonies of ragtime.
***
Chapter 23
Keeping to his promise, Doctor MacNeill arrived early in the morning to take Christy to the Allen cabin to visit and bring Prince back to the Mission. Although he had been somewhat more pleasant the night before, Christy found that, once again, David seemed irritated at her when she told him she was riding with Neil to the Allens. Christy wondered what was bothering him. He seemed distant and preoccupied lately. It was as if he wanted to say something to her, but was struggling to keep it inside. Something was festering in David, Christy was sure, just waiting to bubble up over the brim, but she had no idea what it was.
Christy put aside thoughts of David's strange behavior when she saw Neil look back over his shoulder as she rode behind him on Charlie.
"You're a quiet one today, Christy," he said, one brow raising in question. "Did you manage to get enough rest yesterday?"
"Yes, I'm fine." Noticing the doctor's bloodshot eyes and layer of coppery red stubble on his cheeks and jaw, she had a question of her own to ask. "And what about you, Neil? From the looks of you, I'd say you haven't slept a wink in two days."
He smiled at her observation. "Well, I did catch a few hours of sleep yesterday while Dan Scott was by. But even in my state of deprived sleep, Christy, I can tell when you're in one of your pensive moods."
Christy let out a long and loud sigh. "I was just thinking about David," she said, a little wistfully.
"Oh," Neil replied tersely, not sure he wanted to know more. Perhaps Christy was regretting her decision to turn down the reverend's proposal of marriage, Neil thought to himself. Sensing that Christy did not want to discuss what was on her mind, something Neil was grateful for, under the circumstances, he did not press her for further detail.
The rest of the ride was enveloped in silence. They arrived at the Allens soon enough, and Neil helped Christy down from the saddle. The moment her feet touched the ground, she was rushed by Creed Allen and Little Burl greeting her happily.
"Teacher! Teacher!" They called out to her. Christy felt small arms reach around her legs. She bent down to their level so she could embrace the boys. Doctor MacNeill tied up Charlie and went inside the cabin to check on his patient while the teacher and pupils enjoyed a brief reunion.
"Creed. Little Burl. I'm happy to see you, too!" She took off Little Burl's trademark hat and mussed his dark shaggy hair affectionately. Christy marveled that the hat was now not as oversized as it was the first time she'd seen the small grubby-faced boy approach her at the schoolhouse on her very first day of school two years ago, wanting to "swap howdies". In fact, the hat fit quite well. It all seemed so long ago, yet those memories were just as fresh as if it were only yesterday.
"I brought you some surprises," Christy told them. She reached into her satchel and pulled out two books. "Creed, I thought you would enjoy The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain."
She handed him the book. It was an illustrated edition sent by her father, and Creed Allen's eyes went wide with joy when he flipped through the pages and saw the colorful pictures. "Wow!" he exclaimed. Christy originally had reservations about giving him a book about such a similarly mischievous boy. She worried that he might get bad ideas from it and take it upon himself to recreate some of Tom Sawyer's more foolhardy schemes. But she also knew it was a wonderful book, and Creed would enjoy it immensely.
"And this one," turning to Little Burl, "is for you. It's called The Wind in the Willows. All of the characters are animals that can walk and talk just like people. I thought you might like it, Burl."
"Thank ye, Teacher!" Burl said happily, hugging Christy tightly.
"You're both very welcome," Christy beamed, thrilled at their obvious excitement. "And when you're finished with them, you be sure to share with one of the other children you think might enjoy these stories, alright?" That way, Christy thought, they would not feel beholden to her and could just repay the kindness by doing a kindness for someone else.
"Yes, teacher," the boys said in unison.
"Now you two go off and enjoy yourselves while I go inside and visit with your ma."
Creed and Burl Allen scooted away with their new books, excited to see what adventures lay within the pages, while Christy went up the front steps of the cabin to see how Mary was doing. She stepped inside the one and only room of the cabin and heard Doctor MacNeill's voice.
"As I've told you both, this will not be an easy recovery. The surgery required cutting through the muscles in your belly, Mary, so sitting up and walking will be very painful and difficult for quite some time until they heal." The woman, now lying in her bed, nodded in understanding. "But you've got Bob and the older children by your side to help you." He patted Mary's arm reassuringly.
Christy noticed that Mary had a familiar blank stare on her face, and her nose and eyes were red, as if she had been crying. The lackluster expression reminded her of the time Opal sank into a deep depression following the death of her baby girl. Christy hoped she would be able to help Mary feel better with her visit.
Neil then turned to look more squarely at Bob. He rose from his stool beside Mary's sickbed and motioned to Bob to follow him outside where they could talk more in private. Christy understood the subtle meaning in Neil's eyes when he passed by her to go outside, and she moved to take his place next to Mary so she could visit.
Christy inhaled deeply. The warm honeyed scent of beeswax candles that filled the room told her that Fairlight had been by to see her sister-in-law. She was not sure exactly what they might do or talk about, since she and Mrs. Allen had never cultivated the type of close relationship she shared with Fairlight or Miss Alice. Sensing that Mary was not in a talking mood, Christy brought out a book of poetry from her satchel in case Mary just wanted to listen to her read.
Outside, the two men spoke in hushed tones. Christy could hear the soft echo of their muffled voices on the other side of the closed cabin door, but she could not decipher the words.
"She will continue to need some help sitting up, walking, and even going to the privy. But beginning tomorrow, I want her to start trying to move around more. She may get frustrated with how long it will take her to get out of bed, but she will have to if she is ever to regain her strength," Neil told Bob sternly. "If Mary can move a little more each day, it will work well to rebuild her muscles."
"Whatever ye say, Doc," Bob Allen responded. "I'll do whatever hit takes ta make her well again."
"Good," Neil continued, knowing that Bob would comply with doctor's orders. "Now, we've already seen that she is feeling depressed. This is common, not only because she's learned that she cannot have any more children, but because of the chemical changes in her body due to the surgery. Mary will need everyone's support, especially yours, Bob." Neil emphasized this point to the quiet mountain man.
Bob nodded in understanding, but Mary's state of depression weighed heavily upon him. "Ye know I'd do anythin' for my woman, Doc. But I jes' don't know what ta do to make her feel better on the inside." He pointed to his chest, close to his heart. "She told me she's 'fraid I won't see her as a woman no more 'cuz she cain't have no more young'uns."
"I know it's difficult, Bob," Neil began, attempting to soothe and comfort, "but you must do all you can to ease Mary's fears. A positive mental outlook is essential to a full and speedy recovery."
"Hit don't matter to me none that we cain't have more young'uns, Doc. We'uns got a fine brood already, I reckon. I'm jes' thankful Mary's still with me."
Doctor MacNeill smiled at him, respecting the love Bob obviously had for his wife. A supportive and loving spouse was just as important to a patient's healing, he knew. "I know you are. You've just got to help make Mary understand that. You're her husband, and I am limited to what I can do for her as a doctor."
Mary lay in prone position in her bed, silently staring up at the ceiling while Christy continued to read from her book of poems. She paused when she heard the creaking sound of the door open and turned to see Bob and Doctor MacNeill enter the cabin along with a chilly blast of early December air.
Bob removed his hat and tossed it into the kitchen table. He approached Mary. "'Scuze me, Miz Christy," he said, indicating with a simple gesture that he wanted to sit beside his wife.
Christy rose from the stool and moved to stand by the front door with Doctor MacNeill. She eyed him questioningly, but he made no motion and gave no reply. Turning back to Bob, she asked, "Mr. Allen, would you like me to leave and give you some privacy?"
Shaking his head, Bob replied, "Naw, Miz Christy, hit ain't no trouble. 'Sides, hit's powerful cold outside. Why don't you 'n' Doc jes' set a spell at the table. Fairlight brung a basket o' fresh biscuits and some o' Jeb's honey. Y'all ken help yerselves."
Obeying the request of their host, Christy and Neil sat down while Bob began to speak to his wife. Christy nibbled at a biscuit, trying hard not to listen, but the room was tiny so that proved to be impossible.
"Mary, I know yer powerful upset after what the Doc told ye," Bob Allen began, holding her hand gently, "'bout not bein' about to have no more young'uns. But the way I see it, the good Lord's seen fit to bless us with six fine young'uns, an' He helped Doc MacNeill make ye better…"
"But He ain't made me better, Bob!" Mary cried. "I ain't a whole woman no more!"
Bob tried to hush his weeping wife. He knelt down closer to her and stroked her ash blonde hair tenderly. The tears subsided in a few minutes, and Bob continued trying to reassure Mary.
"Yer all the woman I ever wanted, Mary. All I'm ever gonna want, I reckon. I thank the Lord ev'ry day that yer still here with me." He paused and scratched his chin pondering something. "And, waal, we cain't have no more young'uns. But, now we can jes' enjoy bein' with each other without bein' afeard of havin' another mouth ta feed."
A smile formed on Bob's face and his eyes twinkled like those of a young teenage boy when he looked at Mary. The realization of her husband's words washing over her, she turned her head to look him fully in the eye. A slow, bashful grin now began to spread across Mary's face as well, her eyes alight for the first time since her surgery. Soon, the two were laughing and giggling together like newlyweds. Mary slapped Bob's arm playfully when she realized that the laughter was making her belly ache with each muscle contraction, but she was unable to stop it.
Overhearing what Bob said and catching the thinly veiled meaning in his words, Christy instantly felt her cheeks grow warm. She could sense Neil was staring at her and saw her reaction clearly, so she dropped her gaze shyly for a moment. She didn't know why she should feel so embarrassed. Having lived in Cutter Gap for two years, Christy was no longer a stranger to the more open and less restrictive views on sex. As Neil once told her long ago, sleeping in one-room cabins, these people were born knowing about the birds and the bees. In these mountains, sex was for both pleasure and procreation. It was a natural part of life. Still, Christy found it difficult to escape the constraints of her uptight, sheltered upbringing in Asheville where the more genteel society continued to hold fast to prudish Victorian notions of sex and marriage. She felt silly, and even at twenty-one years of age, Christy wondered if she would ever feel completely comfortable discussing such topics.
However, Christy was soon caught up in the growing raucous laughter erupting from Bob, Mary, and now Doctor MacNeill. She began chuckling in spite of herself, and the embarrassment faded as she realized this meant that Mary would recover indeed. The courageous mountain spirit had prevailed, and Bob and Mary Allen turned what could have been viewed as devastation into a blessing might bring them even closer together as a married couple.
***
Chapter 24
Christy spent a pleasant morning at the Allen cabin. After Mary's breakthrough, the visit was much more joyous. At Mary's suggestion, Christy gathered the younger children back inside the cabin and read to them. Creed and Little Burl even took turns reading aloud from their new books as well. Truly proud of her children's learning, Mary asked if Christy would come back and teach her how to read, too. She said she wanted to be able to read Rob's stories for herself once they got printed in some big-city newspaper. Christy heartily agreed.
It was getting close to lunchtime, so Christy ended her visit to get back to the Mission. She knew that David was eager to have Prince back since he was preaching at Lufty Branch tomorrow afternoon and didn't want to have to ride Old Theo. Neil followed her outside and helped saddle the horse.
"Do you mind if I ride back with you to the Mission, Christy?" Neil asked her. Seeing the curious look on her face, he continued. "I told Dan Scott I would stop by today and follow up with him about Mary Allen. I think it's safe to leave her for now. She's in good hands with Bob to look after her. I'll return later tonight on my way back home to give her some more pain medicine."
"Alright," she replied. "I thought you might be going back to your cabin now to catch up on some sleep, perhaps. Not continuing your medical lessons." She teased him lightly.
"Ah, but when I took the Hippocratic Oath, I swore to teach this art to the sons of those who taught me, who would then be the equal of brothers to me. I expect I've learned a thing or two about healing from Dan Scott, so you see it is my duty to teach him as well." Neil grinned at her as he helped Christy mount prince. Then he swung himself up onto Charlie's saddle.
"For a man who had been so firmly opposed to teaching Dan Scott, you've certainly worked your hardest to make sure he gets the best medical education possible," Christy pointed out. She was proud of Neil for all his efforts in helping Dan, especially after his initial reservations against it. But Neil quickly came to see Dan as an equal, a man possessing the intelligence and aptitude, and perhaps most importantly, the drive to be a good physician. In little time, Dan had proven himself to be a great asset.
"I never doubted his abilities, Christy," Neil said in his own defense, though he knew Christy was not intending to put him on the defensive. "I merely questioned the ability of the people of this Cove to accept him, as well as your confidence in my skills as a teacher. But they, and you, proved me wrong." His lips turned up in a dashing smile, and then he simultaneously kicked Charlie in the flanks and slapped the reins, taking off at fast gallop and leaving Christy urging Price to catch up.
Taking these rides with Doctor MacNeill was beginning to feel like part of her regular routine. She basked in the feel of the warm sunshine on her face and brisk autumn breeze rushing through her hair as she rode. Though she missed the security of riding with Neil, she had to admit that she rather enjoyed the freedom of being able to ride alone on Prince. She knew she was still no master equestrienne, but she'd ridden Prince enough times to form a comfortable relationship with the big black mustang. She began to understand his instincts more and could gauge his movements better. Christy found that she had learned to control him much more easily with just a gentle tug on the reins or slight change in tension of the grip of her legs around him.
She and Neil arrived to the Mission nearly out of breath. They had started a spontaneous race when they passed through the more thickly wooded areas and moved into the clearing surrounding the Mission. Christy finished nearly a length ahead, but she sensed that Neil had let her win. Always a gentleman, Neil pulled Christy down from saddle and helped her to her feet.
"Thank you, Neil," she said, still breathless.
"You are becoming quite a horsewoman, Miss Huddleston," Neil complimented her. His voice was typically teasing when he called her by her last name, but Christy could see that, this time, he meant the words sincerely. "Again I see that I have underestimated you."
Smiling, Christy was about to reply when David interrupted, making his presence known. He stood there, his body tall and rigid as a flagpole.
"How is Mrs. Allen doing?" David asked calmly and coolly.
He had only just stepped out of the breezeway, having heard the approaching sound of a rider. He saw Neil helping Christy down from Charlie, though they had not seen him as he made his way out of the shadows and onto the front porch. Startled by the sound of David's voice, Christy's body instinctively drifted away from Neil's.
"She is doing much better, Reverend. As you know, the surgery was a success, in part due to the help from my surgical assistant." Neil and Christy glanced at each other briefly and almost shyly. An awkward silence passed between the two men before Neil spoke again. "Mary's spirits have improved greatly, and I expect that she will be up and about again in no time."
"That is good news, Doctor," David said. His eyes drifted toward Christy, who managed to smile weakly. "Ruby Mae has just put lunch on the table, Christy."
"Thank you, David," Christy said.
David looked back at Neil, a little warily. "Doctor MacNeill, there's plenty, if you care to join us."
"No, thank you, Reverend," Neil replied. He sensed that David was only being polite in his offer. "I only came to bring Christy home. I'm headed over to Dan Scott's place for a medical lesson."
"After I finish tomorrow's sermon, I'll stop in on the Allens, to pray for God's assistance in a speedy recovery," David told him.
"I'm sure that would be appreciated, Reverend," Neil said.
Nodding in farewell at the doctor, David descended the front steps and placed his arm around Christy to help guide her into the house. Before she had a chance to say goodbye to Neil, she was ushered towards the door under the strength of David's firm grip. Unable to protest, Christy simply glanced back over her shoulder sympathetically at Neil, then looked back up into David's icy blue eyes, and disappeared with him into the Mission house.
Neil watched David take Christy inside, not missing the warning look on the reverend's face, or the apologetic expression on Christy's. Stay away from her, was the threatening undertone in David's dark eyes. Suddenly, Neil stood there holding Charlie's reins feeling very confused…and very alone. Had he let himself get carried away by thinking such thoughts of Christy? He remembered how Christy seemed preoccupied with the young preacher earlier that morning on their way to the Allen cabin. Maybe, Neil thought, it wasn't really over between Christy and the Reverend Grantland like he had thought.
Burying his questions and uncertainties, Neil mounted Charlie and raced past the Mission house towards Dan Scott's place.
***
TO BE CONTINUED
Author's Note: I hope I'm not dragging this out too long. Sometimes I feel like I keep writing and not really getting ahead with the story. I get easily distracted by little scenes and details, plus I really wanted to tie up loose ends. I realize it took a while to get the Margaret situation resolved, and then I had to get matters reconciled between Dan and Bird's-Eye. Thanks for your patience! There is still quite a bit more in the works, so I hope it's not growing tedious!