Chapter 355 – Interruptions to the Dance
Once the girl started to come around, Carson sat down next to her. He knew that she might be dizzy and confused. He had moved her to the cot in the room, to prevent her from falling from the exam table.
"It is okay, Jessica." Carson said, in a soothing tone.
The girl looked at him, but she was still a little glassy eyed.
"Can you take a deep breath for me?" Carson asked.
The girl did what Carson asked, but started coughing. Carson sat the girl up.
"It is okay." Carson said. "Breathe in through your nose for a moment and out like you are blowing out a candle."
The girl tried to talk, but scrunched up her face in pain.
"Your throat is going to be sore for a bit." Carson said. "Try not to talk. I can get your Mom and Dad."
The girl nodded. Faith immediately stood up from the desk, opened the door and asked them to come in.
"She is fine." Faith said, looking at Rune.
"Good." Rune said. "I am going back."
Faith nodded and ushered the parents in.
… … … …
"What should we do with the rest of these boys?" Jack asked.
"We were just talking about that." Wynn said.
"This is not the first time I have warned them about smoking." Joe said. "I can't stop the boys who are over sixteen, but they also shouldn't be sharing with younger people."
"Bill?" Jack asked.
"Who do you think you are?" One boy said. "My parents don't care."
Jack walked over to the boy.
"What is your name?" Jack demanded.
"Theodore Parker."
"How old are you?" Jack asked.
"I am seventeen." Theodore said. "I work in the mine with my father. He doesn't care if I smoke and/or drink. He says if I can work like a man, then I can be treated like a man."
"I can't stop you from doing things like that in your own home." Jack said. "But when you are in public, you will follow the laws of this land or there will be problems. You were caught smoking with minors and therefore you are going to be in trouble. If I catch you drinking, I will lock you up myself. I don't care what your father says. There are laws for a reason."
"You can't do that." Theodore challenged.
"I can and I will." Jack said. "And for future reference, I am Corporal Jack Thornton of the Royal Northwest Mounted Police and this is my town."
Jack looked up and down the rest of the boys.
"Just we are all clear." Jack said, walking back and forth. "This is my town and not only that, but you are also in front of Constable McGinty, Constable Delaney, Deputy Commissioner Delaney and Sheriff Avery, who is a former Inspector with the Mounties. We don't put up with law breaking or people who think they are above the law."
Jack saw several of the boys visibly flinch when he listed the other members of law enforcement. Wynn then stepped forward.
"You are all going to be punished." Wynn said. "It sounds like Constable McGinty has warned some of you before. So now you can sit in a jail cell until your parents come to collect you. You also will all be fined five dollars. You will sign a paper acknowledging the fine and have two weeks to pay it. If you fail to pay it, you will be arrested and held in jail until the double fine is paid. Am I clear?"
"Yes, Sir." The boys answered.
Well most of the boys answered.
"Joe, Dee, Bill." Wynn said. "Take these boys to the jailhouse. Search them and hold them until their parents come to collect them. If any of them are over eighteen, they can sign the papers without a parent present."
"Yes, Sir." Joe said.
"Also." Jack said. "All tobacco found will be forfeited for sharing with minors."
Several of the boys groaned.
"Be lucky I am not having Ned forbid you from getting more if you are legal age." Jack said. "Since you can't seem to learn, this is a reminder that you don't share tobacco with minors. If you are caught again, I will enforce a purchasing ban for a minimum of six months."
"You can't do that." One boy said.
"What is your name and age?" Wynn asked.
"Luther Watkins and I are sixteen."
"Corporal Thornton is well within the law." Wynn said. "Be lucky because if it was up to me, I would enforce a ban right now for a year."
Wynn turned to Bill.
"Get these boys out of my sight." Wynn said. "And make sure the paperwork is done."
"Yes, Sir." Joe said.
"On it." Bill groaned.
Wynn knew that Bill hated paperwork and especially hated staying late and doing paperwork.
"Good." Wynn said. "I will be checking tomorrow."
Joe, Dee and Bill lead the group of boys away as Wynn and Jack watched. Once they were around the corner, Wynn guided Jack back inside.
… … … …
Carson motioned for the couple to sit down.
"I am sorry, I didn't catch your names." Carson said.
"I am Issac Thompson and this is my wife Esther."
"Nice to meet you." Carson said. "Sorry it had to be under these circumstances. Jessica is going to be fine. Her throat may be sore for a few days, but that is about it. I do want to keep her here for an hour or so. Just make sure she is okay from the ether. I didn't give her much, but it was needed."
"Thank you very much." Issac said.
"You are welcome." Carson said. "Just glad I was there."
"What happened?" Esther asked.
"One of the girls had some hard candy that she shared with the other girls." Carson said. "I am not sure how Jessica ended up choking, but that is not important."
As they were talking Carson noticed Esther rub her belly a couple of times.
"Are you okay ma'am?" Carson asked.
"Just this little one trying to get comfortable." Esther said.
"When are you due?" Carson asked.
"Any day." Esther said. "I think, not sure. It took me a while to realize this one was coming and then wasn't sure about the dates."
"How about I check you over then." Carson said. "Just to be safe."
"We can't afford." Issac said.
"There will be no charge for the emergency tonight." Carson said. "And I would feel better checking on your wife. If you feel better, we can work something out later."
Esther looked at her husband and he nodded.
"Then Mr Thompson." Carson said. "Why don't you sit here with your daughter for a few minutes. She might be sleepy, but that is normal. Mrs Thompson, please go with Nurse Carter."
Esther stood up and went with Faith toward the exam table. Faith pulled the curtain and helped her get settled.
"We are ready, Carson." Faith called.
"I will be back shortly." Carson said.
Issac nodded, but looked worried.
… … … …
Wynn and Jack joined their wives and the group around them. Abigail immediately looked at them.
"How bad?" Abigail asked.
"Fifteen boys." Jack said. "Not counting Gabe over there."
"Cody said Robert was out there." Frank said.
"He was." Jack said. "But he didn't speak up when Gabe said he wasn't smoking, but just standing talking. If he wasn't smoking, he can convince Bill and Joe that he is innocent. I am not happy with the entire group of boys. While I have seen some of them around the schoolhouse and others in town, I didn't know many of their names. But it seemed like Joe and Bill were familiar with many of them."
"How long are you going to punish young Gabe?" Abigail asked.
"A bit longer." Jack said. "He needs to think about his choices. I told him to come in, sit down and not talk to anyone until I came and talked to him. Sorry your night was interrupted."
"It is okay." Abigail said. "I could say the same thing for you."
"Part of the job." Jack said. "But it is about time to start sending these kids home and then maybe I can dance with my wife."
"I am sorry." Elizabeth said. "I am exhausted and I should really feed the twins."
"I will have Albert and Patty take you all home." Jack said. "Wynn, Dee and I will be along shortly. If you are going home, we might as well go help with the paperwork."
"I am sorry." Elizabeth said.
Jack leaned over and kissed her.
"It is okay." Jack said. "But I expect a dance tomorrow night."
"Deal." Elizabeth said.
Aunt Elizabeth went to find Kate and round up the girls. Jack went to make sure that Albert and Patty had the cars. It wasn't long, Aunt Elizabeth, Elizabeth, Little Beth, Sarah, Amber and Andrew were heading home with Albert, Patty and Kate. Beth had not wanted to go because she didn't know how Jessica was. Jack assured her she was fine and would probably see her the next day at church. Jack and Wynn sat with Frank and Abigail for a bit longer after the others left.
… … … …
Carson started to check over Esther Thompson. He listened to her heart and lungs, then to her stomach. He heard a strong heartbeat. He measured her and found she was quite large. He then felt her abdomen and as he did, he felt a contraction.
"Did that hurt?" Carson asked.
"A little." Esther said.
"Have you been having regular pains?" Carson asked.
"Not so much." Esther said. "They come, they go."
"I think you are in labor." Carson said. "Can I check you?"
"Do what you need?" Esther said.
She drew her legs up and let them fall open. Carson donned a glove and quickly checked Esther. He closed his eyes and after a moment withdrew his hand. He looked right at Faith.
"Go find Robin O'Brien." Carson said. "Esther is in labor and we have a breech birth. I can handle it, but an extra set of hands is going to be needed."
"I have never seen a breech birth." Faith said.
"Well you are about to." Carson said.
Faith quickly left. Carson looked at Esther and explained what was going on. He asked her to just relax for a moment. Carson stepped around the curtain and motioned for Mr Thompson to step over. Carson explained that his wife was in labor and the baby was in the wrong position. He could handle it, but it needed to happen at the infirmary. Issac Thompson looked at his daughter and Carson knew exactly what the man was thinking.
… … … …
Abigail and Frank were going around talking to the parents when Faith came in. Frank and Abigail happened to be with the O'Briens.
"Robin." Faith said, in a hushed tone. "Carson has a complicated delivery at the infirmary and needs your help."
Robin nodded and turned to her sister-in-law.
"Take the kids." Robin said. "If Patrick was with those boys who got in trouble he can sit there until I am done."
"Go." Bridget said. "I got the kids."
"We will come as well." Abigail said.
Robin, Faith, Frank and Abigail left.
While that happened, Jack had gone to talk to Gabe. He told the boy that while he wasn't facing legal trouble, he was disappointed the boy hadn't made better choices. Cat saw Jack talking to Gabe and came over.
"Everything alright?" Cat asked.
"Gabe." Jack said. "Why do you tell your mother why I am talking to you?"
"Constable McGinty and Sheriff Avery caught me with the boys that were smoking." Gabe said. "But I swear, I wasn't smoking. I was just looking for Toby."
"James Roberts stuck up for him and also swore he hadn't been smoking." Jack said. "It is the only reason he is here and not sitting in a cell waiting for you to collect him."
"Gabriel Joseph." Cat said. "Find your sister and go home. We will talk about this later. Make sure Emily brushes her teeth. You both better be in bed when I get home."
"Yes, ma'am." Gabe said.
"Go." Jack said. "Next time, I don't care if you weren't smoking. No need to be around those boys if they are going to be trouble."
"Yes, Sir." Gabe said.
Gabe got up and went to get Emily so they could head home. After he walked away, Jack looked at Cat.
"I am sorry." Jack said.
"No need to apologize." Cat said. "I know that you were doing your job. I just don't know what that boy is thinking sometimes."
"I was going to ask Rune to try and spend some more time with him." Jack said. "I think he needs someone to look up to."
"If you think it will help." Cat said.
"I do." Jack said.
"Thank you." Cat said.
"I am going to go." Jack said. "So if I don't see you later, I will see you tomorrow."
"Tomorrow." Cat said with a smile. "Thank you again for asking me."
"Our pleasure." Jack said.
Cat went back to the music and Jack went about his tasks. When he went looking for Frank and Abigail, he learned they left with Faith and Robin O'Brien. Jack looked around and saw Cody still sitting playing with his yo-yo.
… … … …