Jeremy and Lottie: The Road Home
Jeremy and Lottie made it to the mission with the help of Gentleman Harry. Lottie went to deliver Bethany Albright's baby. Jeremy was taking Lottie there due to that part of the territory being so dangerous. Jeremy was thrown from a horse and seriously injured during a confrontation with Harry who was on the run from bounty hunters. His back was injured, and he suffered a concussion. As a result of the head injury, Jeremy believed that Lottie was his mother. Harry said that Jeremy should remember the truth soon. However, Jeremy continued to believe the misconception.
The bounty hunters tracked Harry to the mission. They wanted to murder him. They were threatening everyone inside the mission when Jason and Joshua arrived with the help of some Indian friends who were members of Pastor Stephen Albright's church. The pastor was Bethany's husband.
The oldest two Bolt brothers and their friends got the drop on the bounty hunters. Harry turned himself in to the brothers for the crimes he had committed. Jason and Joshua took Harry and the bounty hunters to jail in Olympia.
Lottie and Jeremy stayed at the mission so Lottie could help Bethany with the baby and Jeremy could recover from his injuries.
By the time Jason and Joshua returned to the mission after transporting Harry and the bounty hunters to jail in Olympia, Lottie and Jeremy were ready to go home to Seattle.
Bethany had recovered from the birth of her baby to the point that she was able to take care of her. Stephen said he would pray for them to have a safe journey home.
Privately, he told Lottie that he would pray for Jeremy too. Harry had advised Lottie and the two brothers not to tell Jeremy the truth about Lottie not being his mother. He said that could do more harm than good.
"Well, Jeremy, are you ready to go home?" Jason asked as they were getting into the buckboard.
"I sure am, Jason! Mom is ready too, aren't you, Mom?" Jeremy answered.
"Yes, sweetheart, I'm ready to go home too." Lottie replied.
"I'll bet Dad has been lonesome with all of us gone for so long." Jeremy said.
Jason and Joshua exchanged a sad glance. Joshua nodded at Jason.
"Jeremy, we forgot to tell you that Dad has gone on a long business trip to San Francisco. We are not sure when he is going to be able to come home. He said to tell you and Mom that he's sorry he didn't get to see you both before he left, and he loves both of you very much." Jason winced. He hated lying to his brother.
"Oh, okay." Jeremy was disappointed. He had missed his father, and he was looking forward to seeing him. Due to his concussion, Jeremy also believed their father was still alive.
When they got home to the cabin, Lottie stayed there with the brothers just as if she was their mother and had always lived there. Before they returned to the mission, Jason and Joshua had moved some of Lottie's clothes and belongings from her room at her place to their cabin. Candy had packed the ladies' items for them.
"Jeremy, why don't you lie down and rest, sweetheart? You are still recovering from your injuries. I think it would be a good idea for Doctor Wright to examine you. What do you think?" asked Lottie.
"I agree, Mom. I will go see the doctor tomorrow." Jeremy answered.
Jeremy went to his bedroom. He napped for a few hours. While he was asleep, Lottie, Jason, and Joshua went to the saloon. Candy was there with Biddie. They had managed the business while Lottie and Jeremy were out of town. Jason and Joshua had told them about Jeremy's problem when they had gotten back from Olympia.
"Jeremy still doesn't remember that your mother has passed away?" Candy asked.
"No, Candy, he hasn't." Joshua replied. "I'm worried about how he is going to react when he realizes the truth."
"So am I, Joshua. He seems so much happier than he has in a long time. His heart will be broken all over again when he remembers that Mom died a very long time ago." Jason shook his head.
"That is so very sad. I wish I could do something to help." Biddie told them.
"Thank you, Biddie. Please remember Jeremy in your prayers. He is going to need The Lord's help for this situation." Joshua told her. "Jason! I just thought of something. What about Mom's and Dad's graves? What in the world would happen if Jeremy saw them in his frame of mind?"
"I'm not sure, Josh. But it probably wouldn't be good. We should ask Doctor Wright about that. We need to be sure Jeremy doesn't go to the old home place alone and that he doesn't see the graves. I'm glad you thought of that, brother."
"You're sure that Jeremy remembers me?" Candy asked.
"Yes, Candy, he remembers you. He was talking about you when we were at the mission." Lottie answered.
The next day, Jeremy went to see Doctor Wright. Candy and his brothers went with him. Lottie was there too. Jason had visited Allyn earlier in the day and explained the situation.
The doctor said that Harry was correct in saying that they couldn't just tell Jeremy that Lottie wasn't his mother particularly after the trauma he suffered as a child when his mother died.
During the doctor visit, Jeremy was in good spirits. "How are you feeling, Jeremy?" They were in the exam room alone.
"I'm feeling pretty good except my head and my back hurt a little. Mom said I was thrown from a horse when we traveled to the mission recently." He said.
"Has anything else bothered you recently?" Doctor Wright asked.
"Well…..." Jeremy paused.
"What is it, Jeremy? I'm your doctor. You can discuss anything with me. Is it something personal?" She inquired.
"No, it's not guy stuff or anything like that." Jeremy answered. "I have been having bad dreams sometimes since Mom and I got home. I haven't said anything because I don't want her or my brothers to worry."
"Do you want to talk about your dreams, Jeremy. Perhaps it would help you. I won't tell anyone. It would be confidential." The doctor offered.
Jeremy sighed. "Well, alright. In my dream that I have the most, I'm a little boy. About four years old, I guess. I'm outside and it's terribly foggy. This dream happens up on our mountain where we lived when Josh and I were kids. Like I said, it's foggy and I'm yelling for Mom. As I walk down this path among a bunch of trees, I yell my head off for her and I try to see if I can see her up ahead of me. But it's no use. She doesn't answer me, and I can't see her. I keep walking and calling out to her for awhile, but there's nothing. Finally, I get tired, and I get off the path and sit down leaning against a tree. Then I start crying really bad and yelling for Mom."
Jeremy paused for a few moments.
He continues explaining his dream. "I cry and yell for Mom for a few minutes. All of a sudden, she answers me. She says Jeremy, I'm alright. I have to go now. Wait there for Dad and Jason and Joshua. They are coming to get you. They love you. They will take care of you. I don't do what Mom says, I run after her saying wait, Mom! I want to go with you. Wait! I never catch up with her, but she calls out to me telling me to stop and wait for Dad and my brothers. Again, I don't listen. I start running faster after Mom. She speaks to me one last time saying I love you, Jeremy. Be a good boy."
Jeremy stops talking for a few minutes. He has tears in his eyes. Doctor Wright waits for him to speak again.
"There's only a little more to the dream. After Mom talks to me the last time, I keep running and then I hear Jason calling my name very loud in his booming voice. I still keep going. Jason starts screaming for me to stop right this instant. I keep running. All of a sudden, Jason yanks me off my feet and falls backward with me. Josh runs up to us asking if we are okay. The sun comes up and I can see. We are at the top of Bridal Veil Mountain. I was about to run off the cliff when Jason snatched me up." Jeremy drew a deep breath.
"That's an interesting dream, Jeremy. What do you think it means?" Doctor Wright asked.
"I think it means that Mom is going to die. That's why I haven't told anyone else. I have had that exact dream several times since we returned from the mission." Jeremy frowned.
"From what I've heard, the trip to the mission was pretty rough. How do you think it went?" Allyn Wright inquired.
"I think pretty rough is a good way to describe it. It started off easy enough. I had to chop up a tree that had fallen and blocked the road. That was no big problem. Then Harry showed up and took Mom's horse and buggy and Mom so she could get to the mission to help Mrs. Albright. I followed Mom and Harry on foot. I got the shotgun and got the drop on Harry. He started to run because Mom was trying to get me to put down the shotgun. I guess she thought I was gonna shoot Harry. Anyway, I ran after Harry as he was about to ride off on Mom's horse. The horse threw me or I just fell off. Mom said I rolled down a hill and injured my back and my head. Harry left us and then he returned, He drug me to the mission on a travela. Mom walked beside me. When we arrived at the mission, Mrs. Albright had some problems having her baby, but Harry helped her and she and the baby are fine. The bounty hunters showed up wanting Harry. My brothers and some Indian friends arrived and saved us from them. Did I pass your test, Doctor Wright?" Jeremy smiled.
"What do you mean, Jeremy?" She asked.
"I think you were testing my memory by asking me about the recent trip that Mom and I took. You are trying to determine if my concussion has affected my memory." He replied.
"You did very well, Jeremy. You have a good memory. Let me ask you a sensitive question. Why are you afraid your mother is going to die?" Doctor Wright bit her lip slightly.
"Mom and I had a good time on our trip. I know that sounds strange considering all the bad things that happened or nearly happened. But it's like Mom and I got even closer on this trip. When I started having that nightmare, it made me think how me and Jason and Josh would feel if Mom was gone. We would be crushed." Jeremy said sadly. "I don't know what we would do without our mother."
"Try not to worry. Everything will be fine." The doctor replied. She didn't tell him that the sudden closeness he felt was because Lottie was filling the emptiness left by the loss of his mother. Doctor Wright prayed that Jeremy would not have to experience the loss of his mother a second time.
The doctor told Jeremy to get lots of rest to help him recover from his injuries. She prescribed a small amount of Laudanum to help with the headaches and back pain.
Later that afternoon, Doctor Wright met with Jason, Joshua, Candy, and Lottie. She advised that she was most concerned about Jeremy believing that Lottie is his mother. The doctor explained that if he learned in the wrong way that Lottie isn't his mother, the shock and the grief could seriously damage his mind. Doctor Wright said when Jeremy finds out that his mother has passed away, it will be as if he is learning of her death for the first time.
"Oh, dear gawd!" Jason exclaimed. "Allyn, I don't think Jeremy can take that trauma again. It was terrible for him as a young child. You remember I told you that Jeremy began stuttering at Mom's funeral. He is very smart, and he has a great deal of inner strength. He is just so tender hearted and sensitive about people especially people he loves."
"Doctor, you said our brother's mind could be seriously damaged when he learns that Mom has passed away, what could that damage be?" Joshua asked.
Doctor Wright looked grim. "There is no easy way to say this. Jeremy could lose his mind."
"I pray that doesn't happen, but if it ever did, Jeremy is not going to an asylum. I will take care of him myself." Candy stated emphatically.
"Everyone, I am so heartbroken about this. If I hadn't asked Jeremy to go with me to the mission, he wouldn't be in this situation now." Lottie said.
"Oh, Lottie, what about me? I'm the one who volunteered Jeremy to go without even asking him first." Candy teared up.
"Ladies, it's no one's fault. Bad things happen and unfortunately, Jeremy gets more than his share." Jason spoke. "Allyn, do you have an idea about how to help Jeremy?"
"Jason, I am considering the possibility of mild sedation. It could be that giving your brother a mild dose of Laudanum and then telling him the truth about your mother. Being sedated could soften the blow a little. However, Jeremy can't live under sedation. At some point, he will have to face the fact of your mother's death head on. I will have to study about this before I make a decision." Allyn replied.
"I hope you can reach a decision soon, Doctor. I'm scared that he is going to remember on his own when he is by himself, or someone is going to blurt it out to him one day." Joshua told her.
Doctor Wright said she would make a decision soon and let everyone know. The meeting ended and everyone went home.
A few days later, Jeremy returned to work. He took a crew out on the north ridge. When he explained the work plan for the day, one of the new men raised his hand to ask a question.
"What's your question, Ralph?" Jeremy asked pleasantly.
"Does your Mommy know that you play with a sharp axe all day? Does she worry about her baby boy? Better yet, do you know that your mom…" Ralph Simmons spewed.
"Hey, man, shut up! I like it here. This is a good job." Billy Simmons said. "I apologize Mr. Bolt. My brother was way out of line. I hope you will give us another chance, please."
"You're fine, Billy, don't worry. I'm glad you like it here. You're a good logger. As for you, Ralph, I'll give you one more chance. If you behave like a jackass again, you're gone. Do you understand?" Jeremy asked.
"Yes, Mr. Bolt. I'm sorry. Thank you." Ralph replied.
"You're welcome." Jeremy replied.
The rest of the morning went by without any problems at least with Jeremy's crew.
At lunch, most of the men went to Lottie's. Jason and Joshua had gotten the word out to the men to call Lottie Miss Maggie or Mrs. Bolt.
Jeremy and his brothers were sitting at a table eating lunch. Jeremy looked over at Lottie waiting on a customer.
"Mom seems to enjoy working here at Lottie's, doesn't she?" Jeremy asked. "Maybe Lottie will keep Mom on when she gets home from her trip. And speaking of trips, have we had any word from Dad about when he will get back?" Jeremy asked.
Jason and Joshua exchanged a quick glance.
"No, brother, we haven't heard from Dad in a while. Remember, he told Josh and me that he would be gone for quite some time." Jason replied.
"Well, I hope he's not away too much longer. I miss him. It seems like it's been years since I've seen him." Jeremy sighed.
When the Bolts had finished their lunch, Candy came into Lottie's. She walked to their table.
"Hello, I hope all of you are having a nice day. Jeremy, may I talk to you a few minutes alone, please?" Candy said.
"Sure, Candy. Do you want to take a walk?" He asked.
"Not right now, thank you. Could we go upstairs, please?" Candy asked.
"Okay." Jeremy wondered what she wanted to talk about.
The young couple climbed the stairs and went inside one of the rooms. Candy closed the door. They sat down on the loveseat.
"Is something wrong, Candy? Are you angry at me about something?" Jeremy worried.
"Oh, no! Sweetheart, I'm not angry at you. I want to talk to you. I have made a big decision, Jeremy. One that I hope you will approve of." Candy explained.
"Candy, you didn't buy anymore swampland, did you?" Jeremy inquired.
"No, Jeremy! Of course, not! I have decided that we should start making love." She blushed.
"What?! Why?" Jeremy was shocked.
"Well, thank you very much! I certainly didn't expect you to say why!" Candy exclaimed.
"You know I meant why have you decided not to wait until we get married. I know that was important to you." Jeremy said kindly.
"Yes, that was important, but you are more important, Jeremy. I want you to be happy and calm and relaxed. One of my married friends told me that sex is very relaxing." Candy spoke shyly.
"I appreciate you thinking about me, sweetheart, but why do you think I need to relax?" Jeremy put his arm around her.
Wel, you work hard everyday and…. well…oh, Jeremy, can't I just want to make love because I love you?" She asked.
"Yes, loving me is a good reason to want to sleep with me. I just wondered why the change of heart all of a sudden." He explained.
"Will you think about it?" asked Candy.
"Yes, sweetheart, I will think about it." Jeremy grinned.
Candy cut her eyes at him. "You're thinking about it right now, aren't you?"
"Why, yes, I am, Miss Pruitt." Jeremy was still grinning. "I will let you know my decision soon.
"Alright, take some time to think about it and let me know what you decide." Candy said.
They got up from the loveseat and Jeremy was about to give her a kiss on her cheek, when they heard a commotion downstairs.
The couple ran dow the steps to the bar room. Lottie had collapsed. Jason and Clancy were crouched beside her. Joshua had gone to get Doctor Wright.
Jeremy ran to Lottie. "Mom! What happened? Is she okay, Jason?"
"Jeremy don't worry. I believe Mom is sick. She's been working hard and not getting enough rest. She will be alright. Take it easy, brother." Jason said.
Jeremy stroked Lottie's hair. "Mom? Can you hear me? Please wake up!"
Doctor Wright and Joshua came running into the saloon. "Excuse me, please, Jeremy, I need to examine your mother. I'm going to do everything I can to help her. I promise."
"I'm afraid you won't be able to help Mom, Doctor." Jeremy replied despondently.
"She's a good doctor, Jeremy. Don't forget that she saved your life after the log jam explosion." Joshua said kneeling next to the youngest Bolt.
"Yes, I know that, Joshua. I'm not doubting Doctor Wright. Mom may be beyond help from any doctor. There's something I haven't told anyone but the doctor. I have been having nightmares that Mom is going to die." Jeremy said.
"Jeremy let's have a seat at this table. We will be right here beside Mom. And the doctor will have more room to work." Jason said.
"Come on, Jeremy." Joshua helped him stand up.
The three brothers sat at the table closest to Lottie. Candy sat down with them. She reached across the table and held Jeremy's hand.
"Jeremy, nightmares are frightening but they are only dreams. The fact that a person dreams about something bad doesn't mean it is going to happen." Jason tried to reassure him.
"I understand that, Jason. It's just that I kept having the bad dream about Mom over and over until last night." Jeremy responded.
"What happened last night, Jeremy?" Joshua inquired.
Taking a deep breath, Jeremy looked at Candy and his brothers. "Last night, I dreamed that Dad died."
Jeremy, you are still recovering from your concussion. That might have something to do with these nightmares." Jason replied. "Things don't happen because we dream them."
Ben Perkins ran into the saloon. He looked at Lottie on the floor with the doctor and then at Jason.
"Jason, I received a telegram for you five minutes ago from the police in San Francisco." Ben handed him the wire.
Jason opened it and read it silently. "Great God in Heaven! Joshua, read this please to make sure my eyes aren't playing tricks on me."
Jason gave the wire to Joshua. "What the hell?" Joshua said as he read the message. "Jason!"
"I know, Josh. I don't understand it either." Jason was stunned.
"Will one of you please tell me what's going on? What does the telegram say?" Jeremy was scared.
Jason looked his youngest brother in the eye. "It's bad news, Jeremy. Dad was killed this morning in an accident. A stagecoach was pulling into town. A gun was fired. It spooked the horses pulling the stage. They ran through town out of control. Sadly, our father was crossing the street and the horses trampled him."
Jeremy put his face on the table and cried. "My nightmare about Dad came true. He's gone! What if my bad dream about Mom happens too?"
To be continued…