Chapter 9

Jason moaned as Maggie changed the bandage, the wound was looking better. He was healing well. Last night she had met with the lawyer and had a long talk about taking care of him. Maggie had asked the lawyer if it would be possible to go with him when they took him back to his home to clean cook and care for him while he was healing. The doctor had been consulted and he had agreed that Mr. Bolt would need nursing care around the clock for the next 6 weeks or so. The Lawyer said they would have to wait and present this to Mr. Bolt when he was better. He moaned again and she checked his forehead. There was no fever, nor had there been any signs of infection. It just hurt when he moved or repositions himself. She fixed him on his left side with a pillow under the shoulder that was injured. She propped another pillow between his legs as well. She had given him a sponge bath so that he would feel a little cleaner until he was back to normal.

She stood up and after pulling the covers up over him and checking that everything was set, she left the room to go and have a little breakfast before Earl Martin came in for the morning shift. He was working on getting another nurse to work mornings and afternoons, but he had not found one yet. Mr. Martin came in and sat with her asking her questions about her background.

"Earl, I am 25 years old, I have not had an easy life. My parents were killed and then my little brother disappeared one day, and I think he is dead now, I don't know. My cousin Burt and his friend Merle used to stop in every now and then to check on me. But now they are dead. So, I essentially have no one left." She said as she was eating her breakfast.

Earl was watching her as she ate her breakfast. He knew her story already. He was just wondering if he should tell her now or wait. He was her brother, he had been fishing and then went into Tacoma to sell the fish, like had always done. But that day, the Crimpers took hold of him, and he could not get away.

"Why do you ask so many questions Earl?" she asked when she had finished her breakfast. He swallowed a moment and then said:

"Maggie, I want to tell you something that has been bothering me for a long time. My first name is not Earl. It was the name of my adoptive father. When he found me, I was lying in a pool of water half drowned. I had jumped ship and swam to shore. They did not bother to come for me, so I thought I was safe. But then I realized that I had only traded one unlucky place for another. I had to get something to eat, so, I had learned an invaluable skill, I had learned how to pickpocket. So, I went to this man and stood behind him and stole his wallet. He saw me and I ran. He chased after me and I slipped and fell in a large puddle and hit my head. He picked me up and took me home to his place. After a few weeks of eating well, sleeping well, and being cared for, he asked me about my origins. I told him everything I remembered. Then he asked if I wouldn't mind staying with him and getting an education. For him it was an experiment, I was the experimental 'rat' so to speak. His friend and he had a bet that if he picked up an urchin off the street, said urchin would go to school and become something. Well, I became a lawyer. I changed my name to Earl Martin and when I had helped him win his bet, he paid me enough money to get practice started. I told him I was going to find my sister to let her know that I was alive and well." He stopped there and waited for her to say something.

She looked at him and looked closely at his face, could it be? After these past ten years, her brother was finally home, alive! She said to him:
"Okay, you say that you are my brother, prove it to me!" He looked at her and took out his wallet, he took a paper out of it and showed it to her. She read it. Thomas Easton Martel had officially changed his name to Earl Martin as of 12 June 1863.

She read it and then said:

"What was my favorite name I called you when you were only 5?" She wanted to be sure and no one alive would know the answer except Tommy, her brother.

He waited for a moment and then said:

"Cuddles!" She could not believe her ears, but still wary, she said :

"Why did I call you that?"

"Because I was like a puppy, and I always liked to cuddle with my sister when it was cold outside!" He said that so firmly she knew in an instant yes, he was her brother, and she was so glad. Just then a moan and a crash came from the back room. She went in to see what Jason needed, Earl followed her. Jason had tried to get up and out of the bed and had almost fallen off of the bed. Earl was there to help, and together got him back into bed. When they had gotten him comfortable, they stood for a minute looking at each other. Jason's eyes opened, then he said

"If, you two, are going to get…reacquainted, then you should do that elsewhere!" He breathed heavily; his lungs were not damaged, but it was still hard to breath. She smiled and said:

"Mr. Bolt, it seems that your lawyer is my long-lost brother!" Jason tried to smile and was happy for them. But everything still hurt.

The music in the front of the saloon filled the whole building. The loggers were singing, Jeremy was playing the piano and his guitar, and even one of the other loggers was playing the guitar every now and then.

Lottie had finally finished the supper for the loggers, she would have had to clean the kitchen, but she could wait. She needed to see Joshua. She made a tray for him, so he could have some supper. Passing through the main part of the saloon, she heard Jeremy singing the Twelve Days of Christmas and the loggers all joining in with their version of five golden rings, etc... She smiled; it was good to see one of the boys at least forgetting about their problems. Now, if only the other one would choose to do the same.

"Joshua, I brought some supper for you, May I come in?" she knocked on the door. She did not hear anything and one more time she knocked. Still no sound. She opened the door and peeked in. He was lying on his bed, facing the wall. She thought she had heard a little sob. She put the tray down on the dresser and went over to him. He was still dressed and had not even taken his shoes off. She shook her head and then proceeded to untie his boots.

"Oh, Miss Lottie, I guess I must have fallen asleep!" Joshua said as he turned around to see her. She was sitting on the edge of the bed and stopped untying his shoes.

"Well, I am glad you are awake, are you hungry?" Lotte asked if she was about to stand up and get the tray. He shook his head, yes, and she got the tray and set it before him. Then she waited. As he took the tray, he looked up at her and said:
"Miss Lottie, I am sorry, I should not have been mean to you or Jeremy." He looked down and a lock of blonde hair fell over his eyes. She looked at him and smiled and said:
"Thank you Joshua for that apology, but what happened that caused you so much pain that you had to lash out?" she asked. Joshua closed his eyes and then opened them and said:
"I don't know, I just know that I am afraid." He said as he took a bite of his stew.

"Afraid of what?" she asked

"I am afraid that Jason won't be coming back, I am afraid that I lost mom and dad and now Jason how am I going to take care of Jeremy? How am I going to take care of the logging company, how am I going to…to…take care of myself?" tears started to well up and he put his food aside to wipe his eyes. Lottie moved the tray and hugged him. Then all that he had been holding inside poured out in loud sobs. She held him for what seemed a long time. She could hear the music from downstairs, she heard the men's voices and Jeremy's as well.

"Joshua, I don't know what is going to happen, I am hoping and praying that Jason will come home safe, but I don't know. I do know that you and Jeremy have a home here and we will all take care of you and protect you. You don't have to worry about taking care of Jeremy, yourself, or the company." He started to cry again, and she cried a little as well. She wasn't sure if she could take care of Joshua and Jeremy herself. But she wasn't going to let Joshua know that. His crying subsided again and soon he was ready to talk a little.

"Miss Lottie, Thank you for supper. May I go downstairs and join in with everyone?" Joshua asked. She looked at him and smiled.

"Are you going to be okay now?" she asked and nodded yes.

"Good, now get downstairs and have some fun!" She picked up the empty tray and went downstairs as well. Jeremy was glad to see his big brother happy again. He gave him the guitar and Joshua started to play Silent Night and Jeremy and he sang it in German, English, Scottish, and French for the loggers and others who were there that night.