The Walton's: John Boy's Illness
Ever since his grandparents had left the house, it didn't feel the same. Although it hadn't been that long, only a day since they left, John Boy felt that they needed them back. He knew his parents felt the same way, as his siblings. Everyone felt bad for how they had acted the other day, including himself. He was upset about getting on grandpa, and Mary Ellen was taking it hard with getting into the fight with grandma over that prize she had won in the mail. His other brothers and siblings were feeling the same. The arguments between each of them were getting worse and he knew they needed to have his grandparents back.
The one that needed them the most was Elizabeth, since she was the youngest and hadn't been around as long as most of them had. While most of them sought their parents to talked to, she always went to their grandparents, but now with them gone, he saw she was upset. Which why after only a bit of begging he was on his way to Henry Townsend's house where they were staying. Henry was out of town for a new job and his grandfather had agreed to watch the house, however after the argument, they moved in. Which was fine, however at the moment he wasn't feeling his best.
His head was beginning to pound and the bright spring sun wasn't helping. Usually the walk to Townsend's wouldn't be bad, but at the moment he truly wished he had his dad's truck. But sadly his dad needed the truck for a delivery, and with the depression going on, they needed all the money they could get. Perhaps the walk back was going to be with his grandparents at his side, or it might just be him depending on how the talk went. He knew how stubborn his grandfather could be as well as his father.
Finally he made it to Henry's house, knocking on the door. He heard his grandparents on the other side of the door before it opened revealing his grandfather who didn't look too upset to see him. At least he was hoping that's what his grandpa was looking like as he came into the house staring around the small kitchen. One glance at his grandma set him at ease knowing she was glad to see him, but he also knew that she knew something was up about him.
"Grandpa." He smiled.
"John boy," Grandpa answered back.
"How are you?" John boy questioned.
"Doing good." His grandpa answered, "Anyone send you?"
John boy shook his head, "No, nobody sent me."
Grandma pushed past her husband, "John boy, come in, come in."
"Thank you." John boy smiled as he entered the house glancing around the house, "Seems like a nice house. Are you comfortable here?"
"After a fashion." Grandpa answered.
"Well the stove isn't like the one back home." Grandma said pointing to the burnt pancakes, "Would you like some coffee?"
"Yes, I would. Thank you." John boy replied.
"Well sit down." Grandpa pointed to the chair.
John boy sat as he took a cup of coffee from his grandma, "Grandpa, uh, I really…"
"How're the children?" Grandma interrupted.
"Oh their fine, we miss you very much." He started, "I really came to say, well the children are very, very sorry for the way they acted the other day."
Grandpa rubbed his chin, "The children know you came?"
"No, well they wanted to come." He answered.
"Well, you tell 'em to come, give me time to make some cookies." Grandma perked up.
"Please just come home." He pleaded.
Grandpa crossed his arms over his chest, "I'm not going home where I'm not wanted or needed."
"You are wanted and needed." John boy sighed rubbing his head.
"John boy?" Grandma glanced at him concerned.
"I'm fine," He lied, "Guess I'm not getting anywhere, I should head home before they start missing me."
John boy stood up having not noticed his headache had increased while he had been talking. His vision blurred for a split second, which would not have been too long if he had been alone, but his grandma had always noticed when things were wrong. She reached out to grab him, but he assured her he was fine, having just stood up too quickly. In addition, although he hated to lie to her, he stated he had not had breakfast that morning. He saw her face go angry for a second before she told him to get his self, home and get some food before she tanned his hide.
He just nodded, as he left not hearing the concerned voice of his grandma talking to his grandfather. However, the walk back to his home seemed to have doubled since a little while ago, his legs feeling like led. It probably did not help that his head was pounding and his body was feeling colder, and he was beginning to shiver. The temperature had felt wonderful in the kitchen with the stove on, but now that he was outside and the wind was picking up, he had to wrap his arms around his chest to keep the heat in.
At one point he took a turn into the woods, knowing there was a shortcut to their house through there instead of taking the road. As he continued through the trees, he realized with his head hurting he could not recall which direction the house was. How was it that he was lost when he had been walking through these woods since he was a child? He just kept walking until his legs gave up and he face planted on the ground, his vision going black.
Meanwhile, back at Henry's house, Zeb and Ester were arguing over whether they should stay there or return home. While Zeb said they should stay there because he did not feel needed, Ester was commenting that the children had apologized through John boy. He stated it wasn't just the children, but his son John who needed to come apologize. Ester fed up with the stubbornness exclaimed that two could play at that game. She got up and got her bag before she began walking towards the door. Zeb questioned where he was going, but stopped when she explained she was going to the store to get the materials to fix cookies for the children. At least they were willing to come get some, even to show an old fool how wrong he was.
With that she walked out of the house and continued down the road that would take her to Ike's store. On the way she swore she heard a noise coming from the woods, but figured it was an animal and kept on her way. While she walked to the store, she let her mind think about what had happened. The past few days with her husband's fight with their son, and her own argument with her son's wife and their grandchildren. She wished many times that she could take those days back, but she knew she couldn't. She just hoped her stubborn husband and son would get past their differences so they were able to return home.
Her thoughts were put on hold when she spotted Ike's General Store up ahead as well as her daughter in law, "Livie!"
"Grandma!" Olivia smiled hearing her nickname, "Oh Grandma, I'm so sorry about the other day."
"I'm sorry too." She said.
"Do you have a minute to talk?" Olivia asked.
"Of course," She nodded.
Olivia took her arm leading her away from the store, "How are you? Are you happy where you are at?"
"Of course not," Grandma shook her head.
"Please come back home then, the kids aren't happy, John's not happy." Olivia explained.
Grandma nodded, "We both know how stubborn they are, and until they agree to forgive each other, we can't come home. John boy came to see us earlier."
"I was wondering where he had went off to." Olivia remarked.
"Yes he came to apologize for the kids, but I told him to go home and eat. He knows I don't like any of the kids to skip meals." Grandma frowned.
"Oh you know I would….wait a minute what do you mean?"
"Well when he came to the house, he was looking peaky, like he was coming down with something. And then he stood up and it was like he got dizzy, but when I questioned him, he said it was because he hadn't had breakfast."
Olivia growled, "When I get a hold of that boy for lying, he ate a full meal this morning. I swear if he's coming down with something and he lied to you, he is going to apologize directly to you."
"Make sure you add some bible verses in there for me." Grandma remarked knowing what her daughter in law would do once she got a hold of the boy.
"Oh you can bet I will, but please talk to Grandpa, try to talk some sense into him." Olivia pleaded, "I have to get back to the house or else they might worry."
Meanwhile back at Henry's house, Grandpa was trying to find something to occupy his time and stop the annoying clock on the mantel. He didn't know how Henry listened to the ticking day in and day out, but it was driving him up the wall. So much that he finally just hit it with his fist, but soon realized the house was silent. He cursed glad that Esther wasn't there to hear him or else she be quoting the Bible to him or smacking him.
Either way, he had to fix the clock before Henry returned home. But before he was able to look at it, there was a knock at the door. He yelled for whoever it was to come in, but the door remained closed. He huffed as he went to open it himself but his anger was soon gone when he found his youngest granddaughter staring up at him.
"Elizabeth!"
"Grandpa!" She shouted jumping into his arms.
"Oh what are you doing here? Where are the other children?" He asked.
She frowned, "They couldn't come, they were afraid and…"
"And what honey?"
"I told them that you weren't angry at them anymore because you are our grandparents. You can't be angry even though MaryEllen yelled at Grandma. Where is she?" Elizabeth glanced around.
"Oh she's at the store but she'll be back soon. But you tell the others to come over, we can have cookies and milk, your Grandma is going to make some later." Grandpa nudged her on the nose, "John Boy was here earlier this morning."
"John Boy!" Elizabeth exclaimed, "Grandpa, that's why I came. He hasn't returned home and the others are looking but we can't find him. He said he was coming to see you so I came here. Can you help us search Grandpa please?"
"Missing, what do you mean missing honey?" He asked.
"Well we all said we were sorry for the other day, and he said he was coming to see you this morning. We were waiting by the treehouse for him after our chores were done, but he never came back. We thought he stopped by Ike's so we went in that direction but mama was coming back and said he wasn't there. Please Grandpa!"
"Alright let's go." He agreed his anger at his son, forgotten for the moment.
Together they left the house and headed for the road, walking for a while until Grandpa stopped glancing at the trees . Elizabeth looked up at her Grandpa asking if he had forgotten something. He shook his head stating he remembered showing John Boy a shortcut through the trees when he had been about her age. She nodded wondering if her older brother had taken that way home instead of the road since she hadn't seen any sign of him from the way she had come. Grandpa took her hand and began leading her through the path.
It wasn't long after they had started on the path that Elizabeth had spotted something up ahead, "Grandpa, what's that?"
Grandpa, having been lost in thought, glanced down at her, "What's what honey?"
"Over there, something in the grass." She pointed.
He looked over where she was pointing until he spotted it, his heart stopping in his chest, "Oh my lord, stay here."
He rushed over hoping that it was just a trick of the light, but there in the grass and dirt was his oldest grandson face down in the dirt. He knelt down to gently pull John Boy onto his back, noticing the dirt that was covering his face. Probably where he had fell, he thought as he reached up to gently brush off the dirt. But as his hands touch his grandsons face, he pulled back, realizing John Boy was burning up with fever. How had he not seen this earlier when the boy had come to visit them? His stubborn foolish pride had stopped his thinking. Now wasn't the time to figure that out though, he had to get him back home.
"Elizabeth, honey I need you to go back to the road and go home." Grandpa turned to look at her.
"What's wrong?"
"It's John Boy honey." Grandpa explained.
Elizabeth's little face lit up, "John Boy!"
"No!" He shouted causing her to freeze, "Listen honey, he's very sick. I need you to get you're daddy and mama. Bring the truck back as fast as you can, okay?"
"You can count on me!" Elizabeth shouted as she turned and ran the other way.
"John Boy, son can you hear me?" Grandpa asked once Elizabeth had left.
John Boy groaned, unsure if he was hearing things or not, "Grandpa…"
"It's me, listen you just lie still. Elizabeth is gone to get you're daddy and we will get you back to the house." He told him.
"House? Elizabeth? I don't understand, my head hurts ... .I'm cold should get home." John Boy said, opening his eyes but closed them when he saw how bright it was.
"Easy, you have a bad fever but I'm sure you're momma and grandma can fix you right up soon as we get you home." He assured him.
"Grandma…ain't there." John Boy said, "She left with Grandpa, sorry I yelled at him. I didn't mean to."
"Shhh it's alright now, we'll get you home and it'll be alright." He explained hoping his son would get there soon with the truck.
As fast as Elizabeth could run, she did not look back when she swore she heard her Grandma yelling for her. She had to get home and get her mama and daddy just like her Grandpa told her to do. Although it wasn't a far trip usually, it felt forever before she passed Ike's place and she felt tears falling down her face. What if she was too late or had been too slow? Grandpa said John Boy was very sick and needed help, but she could only run so fast. She wasn't quick like Mary Ellen or Ben or the others. She was the baby, even Jim Bob could run faster then her and he was only a few years older than her.
By the time she made it home, it barely registered in her head. She just ran straight into the kitchen where her parents were and into the waiting arms of her dad. He pulled her into a hug and let her cry on his shoulder. Oh his warmth felt good and comforting but she finally felt better and remembered she had a job she had to do. Her oldest brother was counting on her as well as her grandfather.
"Honey, what's wrong?" Her dad asked.
"Grandpa…" She said.
Her mom smiled, "Don't worry honey, they will be back soon."
"No…I went and saw Grandpa….but we were coming back….John Boy's sick….real sick….Grandpa said bring truck." Elizabeth cried.
"Oh John." Olivia gasped.
"Where honey?" John asked her.
"Near where Grandpa and Grandma staying….in the woods."
He nodded, "Alright, stay here, I'll bring him back."
Olivia took her youngest daughter out of her husband's arms and asked if she wanted some coco. Which wasn't really a question since she knew Elizabeth loved coco. But it was more to get her mind off what was wrong with her oldest son. Perhaps that was why he had lied to his grandmother that morning. Although when he was better, she was going to get him to do some bible verses and so many chores, he would think twice again before lying to anyone ever again.
John got into the truck and began making his way to Henry's. A million thoughts were going through his head as he drove there. He thought about the fight he had gotten into with his father, and how something might have happened to them before he had a chance to apologize. Even though it was his son who was seriously ill at the moment, who knows what could have happened. But now he had the chance to say he was sorry and make it right however what was going to happen with his oldest boy? Nothing, that's what because he knew his ma, and she make John Boy better. And if she couldn't, then they take him to the doc and deal with the medical bills later on.
"John!"
John slammed on the brakes not realizing he had been lost in his thoughts, "Pa!"
"Over here John!" He realized it was his mother calling for him.
He got out of the truck and spotted her at the edge of the woods, "How is he?"
"He's got a high fever, but I think if we can get him home he'll be fine." Esther assured him as she showed him to his oldest son.
John followed his mom until they got to a clearing where he saw his father knelt beside his son, "Pa…"
"I know son, we both were fools and I think John Boy tried to tell me earlier but I wouldn't let him. But that's in the past now, let's get him home where we can take care of him." Zeb remarked.
John nodded knowing no more words had to be spoken as he bent down to pick up his boy ignoring the intense heat radiating off of him, "Let's get home then."
"I'll grab our bags from the house." Esther said.
"Don't forget what Henry gave us, we'll have to come back and water his roses." Zeb shouted after her.
"Old fool, I ain't worried about that at the moment!" She yelled back.
Although John was concerned about his son, he had to chuckle at his parents bickering back and forth. He began to carry his son back to the truck, his father following right behind him. It only took him a few minutes to get his son into the back of the truck with his father's help. His father got into the back to make sure John Boy would stay comfortable on the ride back home. A few minutes later Esther returned with their luggage and John put them in the back of the truck where it wouldn't bother his father or son.
Once Esther got into the front seat, John got into the driver's side and began making their way home. John focused on the road hearing his son's moans from the back of the truck as he called out in his dreams caused by the fever. He almost jumped when he felt someone touch him but calmed when he realized it was his mom assured him that John Boy was going to be just fine. He nodded and tried to step on the gas a little harder. He knew the truck was old but it could stand going a little faster just this one time.
It was his mother's hand on his shoulder that kept him focused on the road until he got home. There he found Liv standing there on the porch waiting for them. As soon as he cut the truck off, she was rushing to him and to their son. He told her that John Boy was going to be fine, but he knew she wasn't going to hear anything until she saw for herself. His wife changed into a mother as she began talking to his mom and talking about what they would need for the boy. John picked John Boy up and carried him inside lying him down on the couch knowing neither his mom or wife would want him out of his sight until they were sure he was on the road to recovery.
He knelt beside his son running his fingers through his son's hair remembering he used to do the same thing when he was a boy. It felt forever ago that he had done that since once the other children started coming, John Boy seemed to take care of them, and depend on them less. Although he still comes to them if he had issues with school or needed help with problems he wasn't able to handle on his own. Before he was able to think on other things, he was pushed out of the way by his wife and mother. He felt his father pulling him into the kitchen where his father put on some coffee telling him that the women would take care of him.
"This is all my fault pa." John said.
Zeb put his hands on his hips, "Now what gave you that idea son?"
"If I hadn't told you to take easy, then we wouldn't have had the fight. John Boy wouldn't have come to find you and wouldn't have gotten sick." John admitted.
"See here son, the way I see it, whether we had our argument or not, John Boy was going to get sick either way, now your mother and Liv will fix him up in no time." He assured him.
"Your father's right John, he'll be alright." Liv said entering into the kitchen.
Esther agreed, "Don't worry son, I'm going to make one of my poultice's and we will put cold compresses on him to keep his fever down."
John Boy had just turned six a few days ago and his other siblings were asleep due to they had to take a nap. He was proud that he didn't have to take any naps because he was old enough now and he was able to hang around to help his dad and grandpa. His mom and grandma were in the kitchen fixing some lunch that wouldn't be long now, but he was eager in wanting to help outside with the wood. He was a big boy after all and that's what he did, even though at the moment he wasn't feeling well. Everything was moving around him in weird ways that he wasn't able to explain. It was weird and he knew if he had tried to explain it to his parents he couldn't.
"John Boy, you want to help stack these two by fours?" John questioned.
"Yes sir!" He shouted as he rushed over to help.
Grandpa watched as he began stacking the tiny boards they had for him, "That's a Walton alright, he's got the spirit in him. Look at him go son."
"Yeah he's going to be great one day when he's all grown." John remarked until they heard something crash.
They turned and glanced to see John Boy under a piece of wood. John Boy wasn't sure how he had gotten there but was looking up as his dad and Grandpa helped him up. He knew as soon as they picked him up, both knew he was sick. Because the next thing he knew he was in his dad's arms and his head was on his shoulder. He heard him telling his Grandpa to get something ready or something. He didn't care, he knew his dad was always there for him. He was carried inside where he was gently placed on the couch and he looked up at his mom and dad, along with his grandparents.
"It's going to be alright son, just rest." His dad told him.
"Alright….daddy." John Boy mumbled.
"John Boy, son can you hear me?" John asked knowing his son must have been dreaming since he hadn't called him daddy in a long time.
"Dad…" John Boy opened his eyes trying to recall where he was.
"Right here son, and your mom as well as your grandma and grandpa." John assured him.
"No…they're at Henry's." John Boy said blinking to trying and clear the sweat from his eyes.
"We came back home son, but don't you worry. Your grandma is going to make you well with the help of your mom." Zeb told him.
"Mom.." John Boy glanced around to his mom.
Olivia reached out to grab her son's hand gently squeezing it, "I'm right here sweetie, just rest and let us take care of you."
John Boy nodded as he went back to sleep leaving his mom and dad to sit there to look after him. His grandparents were right behind them worried but knew he was going to pull through. His fever had already gone down a good amount thanks to the poultice and cold compresses they were using. They stayed all around him until his breath had evened out before going about their normal chores. The other kids came in from playing outside but Olivia kept them away not wanting them to catch the sickness.
Grandpa sensing they were just worried for their older brother decided to take them on a hike to keep their mind off him. Although he wasn't sure if it was due to his own troubles or just to keep the kids out of Liv's or his wife's hairs. But all of the kids went along with him since they were glad to have their grandparents back and felt bad for making them leave in the first place. They were happy that things seemed to be getting back together, well it was once John Boy got back on his feet. All of them knew that their mama and grandma were taking good care of their older brother and he be better very soon.
John Boy really couldn't believe his luck, he truly couldn't. His dad said he was old enough to walk to Ike's store on his own without his younger siblings. It was amazing to go alone and not have to watch anyone. But he had also been told to stick to the road and not go anywhere else. He assured his parents he wasn't going to leave the road, but that soon changed as an deer crossed his path. A deer so large he had never seen, one too big to let out of his sight. If he followed it, then he would be able to tell his dad and grandpa. Then they be able to hunt it, and they would have food for a long time.
His brilliant plant went downhill when he lost sight of the deer. Oh well perhaps he would be able to tell his dad and grandpa, and then they return to the woods. But as he turned to head back the direction he came, he gulped. Although he had been familiar with the wood, he hadn't been alone. He realized he was lost, but he remembered what his father had taught him. Stay in one spot until someone came to find him. That plan worked until the wind began to pick up and he started to get cold.
"Mommy…daddy…" He called out.
The sun quickly set as he sat there trying to keep warm, but soon began to get scared. His fear took over his logic as he got up and began to run through the woods, not caring which way he went. It became clear that he was getting more and more lost, but as he glanced around in the darkness, he wasn't able to make anything out. It wasn't long though before he thought he heard something. He stood there in silence and listened, knowing what he heard was right. It was his dad's voice.
"Daddy…" He called out.
"John Boy." John called out.
"Dad," John Boy groaned as he began to come to.
Olivia smiled, "That's it honey, open your eyes."
"Mama?" He opened his eyes blinking a few times before he noticed he was surrounded by his family.
Grandma smiled, "You are going to be just fine John Boy."
"Yeah, you had us worried for a few days, but doing just fine now." Grandpa agreed.
"Days?" John Boy looked puzzled.
John nodded, "Son, you been out of your head with fever for a few days, but with your grandma's help plus your mother here, your fever broke a few hours ago. I think with a few more days you will be back to your normal old brother self."
"Sounds good, thanks everyone." John Boy yawned as he drifted off into a peaceful sleep knowing his family was there to watch over him like they had been doing since the day he had been born.
The End.