Chapter 12 Foster and Bungee
Foster lay in the hospital bed unable to move or do anything. After spending a long time holding a tree up to keep from being crushed, his arms had failed as well as his legs. He did not have the strength to stand or move. Clancy sat with his friend and helped him to eat and drink. The doctor said that they could try to have him exercise a little a day practice holding his cup and spoon so he could at least eat his food, but as far as standing, he had to be in a wheel chair for the rest of his life.
"Clancy, I cant stand the idea of sitting and doing nothing the rest of my life! How am I going to take care of Bungee?" The monkey was sitting on the tray table and playing with something. The food tray was brought in, and Foster was helped to sit up better, and his hands and arms were placed in position. The monkey watched as his owner tried and tried to hold onto the spoon or a fork, but it was no use. Just as he was about to give up, the monkey lifted the spoon, scooped up some food and waited for foster to open his mouth. Clancy watched and so did Foster who opened his mouth and the monkey put the food into his mouth so he could eat. Then the monkey went to the water cup and put it close to his mouth but could not figure out how to tip it. Foster smiled and with just a little nudge from his thumb, he was able to take a sip of the water.
"Foster, Foster! Did you see what that monkey did?" Clancy said.
"Yes, Yes I did! Did you see what I did?" Foster said as he slowly lifted his right hand and moved his thumb!" Call the doctor let him know we have success!" Foster said and laughed and tried to push the cup away, but Bungee pushed it toward him. He was so happy. The monkey made joyous noise and Foster and Clancy were all excited.
With the knowledge that the monkey could help Foster, there was new hope for him. Also, Jeremy and Candy were relieved that the monkey would not be in their home much longer.
Jeremy was sitting with Candy when she started to feel some pains. He went over to her and held her hand.
"Jeremy, I think we need to have Dr. Wright, I think the baby is coming today!" Jeremy went downstairs to tell Lottie, who then sent Charlie Bates to get Dr. Wright. When she came she examined Candy and agreed that the baby was coming and quickly as well.
"Candy you need to breathe, Jeremy, will you go get Biddie and some hot water and towels. Jeremy did as he was told, and Biddie arrived just in time. The hot water and towels came but when Candy had given birth, the baby could not breath, Dr. Wright slapped the baby on his behind but there was only silence. A few more slaps and nothing. Dr. Wright was sad she did not want to say anything, but Candy suspected something.
"Candy, do you want Jeremy to come in to hear this as well?" Dr. Wright asked. Candy nodded yes. She was ready to cry, Biddie went and got Jeremy, Molly and Christopher were watching Jasper and Jennifer When Biddie came she only said to Jeremy that he was needed upstairs. She left with Jeremy so she would not say anything to the others. When he got up the stairs, he looked at Candy and then saw the still born baby. He went over to Candy and held her close,
"It's all right Candy, I love you!" He held her closer and let her cry. He started to cry himself. This was the first baby they lost. Neither knew what to say or do. Lottie took Biddie and they gave them some space. Molly was coming up the stairs, she had a suspicion but did not want to say anything in front of her brother or niece and nephew. When she saw Biddie and Lottie, she knew. She went in and saw Jeremy sitting with Candy and the two of them holding each other. She went to her sister.
"Molly, will you talk to the children and then they can come up and take a look at their little brother." Jeremy looked at Candy with a question and Molly said:
"Are you sure? We will have to bury him in a couple of days?"
"I am sure, They need to know they have a little brother in Heaven." So, they went and got Christopher, Jasper and Jennifer and they looked at the little baby.
"Mommy, does he have a name?" Jennifer asked
"Not yet, why?" Candy asked
"Because how will God know who he is if he doesn't have a name? I mean, he has a last name right? So, why cant he have a first name?" Candy looked at Jeremy and Jeremy looked at Candy and he asked Jennifer:
"What do you think his name should be?" Jeremy asked his daughter.
"HMMMM…I think he should be called Jonny" Jennifer said. Jasper jumped in and said yes and so Jeremy said:
"Okay, He will be Jonny Bolt!" They all smiled and there was love all around. When they buried the baby, they had a first name and a last name. So, he was known as
Jonny Bolt
B March 10, 1884
D Mar10 1884
Chapter 13 Joshua and Brigit
Josh Bolt was working up in the camp that day, he and Jeremy had finished the cutting and were just getting ready to help send the logs down the flume.
"Jeremy, what do you think of the Johansson?" Joshua asked Jeremy, who was in the middle of placing the log with the other loggers help onto the flume. He did not answer right away, since Jason was back in Olympia taking care of business he and Joshua had to do some of the harder jobs. The young people that were helping some of them were still only boys, about 15 or 16. They had trained them but Jason did not want them to be hurt on the job so he had given them the tasks with the least amount of danger. He also was adamant about Jamie and climbing trees.
"Well, Josh, if you are talking about the men, they are good workers, even the young men, the boys are good at what they are doing. But, if you are talking about Brigit, well, that may be a different story." Jeremy said. Joshua listened. He then said to Jeremy:
"I suppose you are right. I just seem to have this fascination with Brigit who has brown hair and brown eyes. Her eyes sparkle and shine whenever I read something to her. She is always attentive to what I have to say and besides that…." Joshua said as he and Jeremy were taking a drink of water.
"Besides what? Big brother?" said Jeremy as Joshua took a sip of water from the bucket as well.
"Besides that, I would like to court her! And I don't mean like I have 'courted the other ladies, I want to court just her!" said Joshua with a surprised look on his face. He had not really thought about her yet, he had. She had been on his mind and in his heart for several months now.
"Her older brother said she was unattached when we first met. And she does seem to like me?" Joshua said a little uncertainly. Jeremy smiled and said;
"I think she likes you a lot! I have heard her talking to Biddie and others and asking questions about you big brother, you had better watch out!" Joshua looked at Jeremy and said:
"Watch out for what?" Joshua asked but Jeremy did not say because he saw her coming with a basket of lunch for he thought her brother. But she saw them standing and having a drink of water and she came over to him.
"Well, hello there Jeremy, Joshua, you are just the one I want to see?" She stood there looking directly at Joshua. Jeremy saw that and said:
"I have to see Candy, have a nice lunch!" He walked away swiftly. Joshua, who was so easy-going and usually not shy about talking to a girl suddenly could say nothing. She stood there and waited for him for a little bit. Finally, he said to her:
"I see you have a basket there, is that for your brother?" He asked
"Well, yes and no, it is for my brother but also for you. I would like to invite you to a picnic lunch with my brother and I." She said smiling at him with deep cool brown eyes that sparkled. He looked around for Jeremy, Swede or any others who wanted to lunch with him and he did not see anyone around, so, he said to her:
"That would be fine. Do you know where Kurt is?" She smiled and said:
"Kurt said to meet him at the tall tree on the little knoll over there!" She pointed to a little hill and waited. Joshua took her arm and led her to the hill. He spread the blanket and she put out the food. Her brother was nowhere to be found, so they sat and talked with each other.
"Brigit, who do I ask to court you?" She looked at Joshua and smiled and said:
"Well, father is the one, but if Kurt shows up he can give permission as well, he is of age and father has said that he has to look out for me. So, you should probably ask Kurt.
"Ask Kurt what?" Kurt said as he popped out from behind the tree. Joshua was startled and then said;
"Were you hiding there all this time Kurt?" Josh asked. Kurt smiled and said:
"Only long enough to hear you asking Brigit who to ask. She is correct, father has designated me to be her chaperone and the one to say yes or no to a suitor." Kurt said as he sat down and started to eat a sandwich.
"Well, is it okay then?" Joshua asked, Kurt smiled, this was fun being a big brother!
"Ask what?" Kurt said and smiled as Joshua grimaced at him, shaking his head he stood up and Kurt stood up and Joshua asked;
"Kurt Johansson, may I court your sister Brigit Johansson?" Kurt looked at his sister and asked her:
"Do you want this fellow courting you?" Brigit looked at her brother and gave him the look that only siblings can give to each other then Kurt trying not to break into laughter said:
"Yes, you may court my sister! Now, I am leaving so you can do your courting!" He left them laughing as he walked away. Joshua turned to Brigit and Brigit turned to Joshua and they looked into each other's eyes and Josh kissed her gently on the lips and then on the forehead. They stood there just staring at the other and smiling until a loud ring sounded from the center of camp.