THE PATH TO A PROMISE CHAPTERS 11 & 12

 

CHAPTER ELEVEN

April 1910 

The months after Olive’s wedding flew by, and it was springtime in a new year. Henry worked on the house when he had time, but it was still unfinished. When Olive compared living with Henry's parents to living with her parents, she decided it was like living at home, except privacy was nil. Olive got to know David and Christina better. And she loved them.

Olive tried not to complain, but her patience with Henry was tested at every turn. For weeks, she was moody and withdrawn. Wherever she was, she was quiet. Worry etched her puffy face. Warmer weather took her outdoors where she worked in Christina's yard and gardens. But she missed her family as she hadn’t seen them for over a month.  

She knew she needed to pay them a visit. She had a secret.

One stormy afternoon, Lizzie went to see her. During their conversation, Lizzie’s concern grew. “Something is going on. Tell me!” Lizzie’s voice was deep. Untying her bonnet, she planted her fists on her narrow hips. “Mama and I are worried. You’re not yourself! We’ve not seen you for a while and she sent me over.”

Lizzie sat beside her and grabbed Olive’s hands, tugging on them to emphasize her words. She lowered her voice, and it grew soft and gentle.

Olive looked down at her dress, picking at a button. It wiggled in her fingers, and she made a mental note to stitch it later. Her stomach rumbled and tossed. Quickly, she asked God to calm her belly. She was afraid she would have to race for the door any minute. Her nose stung from the threat of tears. She held them back, but it was hard to breathe. Gasping for air, she started talking while the tears fell away. She wanted to hide her disappointment. When she stopped babbling, she blew her nose.

“You’re going to have a baby…why haven’t you told us? It’s nothing to hide.”

Wiping her eyes, Olive answered, “Henry won’t be happy.”

Screwing her face into a frown, Lizzie replied, “What? I can’t imagine that! If he’s like his brother, he will be!”

“Henry’s not like Dan.”

Olive watched Lizzie’s face. Bud and Nancy brought up their children by the Good Book. Lizzie was comparing brothers, so she couldn’t possibly think Henry would be unhappy with this new revelation. Besides, babies usually follow marriage. It was certainly not a surprise to hear the news.

“Henry has changed, Lizzie.” Olive choked out, “He’s not happy anymore.”

Lizzie chuckled and wrapped her arms around her sister. “A new marriage's first months can be hard on a couple. Lord knows me and my Dan had those days. But you have to take one day at a time."

She patted Olive’s back. “Marriage is hard work! You don’t just get married and live happily ever after. And living here and not having your own house makes it harder."

“When I tell him a baby is coming, what if he doesn’t want it?” Olive’s fears came to life. Worry etched her brow. She was in a pickle.

“Now there you go, borrowing trouble!” Lizzie scolded her, patting her arm. “Give him the benefit of the doubt. It might cheer him up!”

Olive was not convinced. She kept visiting the past when Henry saw her in the wedding dress. That jinxed everything! She felt her cheeks warm. “I feel fat; I’ve gained a few pounds.”

Lizzie looked at Olive’s belly. “You're barely showing. Mother would have figured it out soon. Let’s see, how far along are you?”

“I figure in November.”

“Do you feel sick?”

Olive nodded. “Every morning. Smells bother me. I’m surprised Henry didn’t notice me running outside constantly.”

“Eat a soda cracker if you’ve got a tin of them because they help.” Lizzie hugged Olive. "I've got to get on home now. Have Henry bring you to visit."

After her sister left, relief melted over her for getting the secret out. For a couple of weeks, she felt like she might burst while she kept the secret. Now, everyone would soon know and once the news got out, the talk would fly faster than flies buzzing the honey jar. Surely, Henry would welcome the baby.

Lizzie was right; she was worrying about nothing. 

                                             ***

 That night, Olive told Henry the news. “I’ve got something to tell you.”

“I’ve got something to tell you.” He spoke.

They looked at each other, quiet for a moment, then smiles crinkled their faces.

“You go first."

She quirked her brow, took a deep breath, and blew it out. “We’re going to have a baby sometime in late October or November.”

She watched the smile on Henry's mouth disappear, as his face changed like the stone foundation on the house. He stared at her, his face a blank slate. His eyes moved back and forth, then lit up with surprise. He swallowed. His voice went up a note. “I didn’t expect to hear that.”

“Are you happy?” Was hesitation good when asked a question like that? She wasn’t sure because he lay still and quiet.

“I don’t know; I think I’m more scared.”

“So am I.”

“Being a father is a big job. I never thought about having children. It was enough just thinking about taking care of us.” What he really wanted to do was run out the door and never come back!

She noticed his eyes darkened. A pang punched her heart and dread once again spread over her. "I told you my news; now it’s your turn.”

Breathing deep, he pushed the words out, “Uncle Cornelius needs help on his farm. His main helper moved to Arkansas, so he offered me a job. We’ll rent the farmhand’s house. We’re moving over at Sunrise in Bartlett County.”

She said nothing for a few moments, contemplating his words. Bartlett County was the next county over. It was close enough that she could visit her parents when she wanted. She knew his Uncle Cornelius and his wife, Louisa. Louisa was a sweet and Godly woman.

“If that’s what you want to do. But what about working on our house?"

He stared at her, his eyes as round as the moon outside. “I have to have money to finish the house!" His words were clipped and condemning. He apologized quickly, "I'm sorry, that came out wrong. You agree to move?”

She nodded, placing her hand over her stomach.

“I'll get the house done soon; I promise!”

A new adventure awaited in their future 

                                                      ***

The weeks drew on and as Henry worked with his uncle and the other helpers, Olive set about putting the little one-bedroom house in order. The morning sickness subsided, and her appetite increased. She learned to make a variety of sweet treats and always had a cake or a pie cooling on the counter. As her stomach grew, so did her hope. She missed seeing her family and attending the church where most of her friends gathered. But Louisa made visits every few days to make sure Olive was well.

Henry seemed at ease with the pregnancy. There were no more outbursts from him. He worked during the day and in the evenings, he was quiet and rested. He didn't talk much, which left Olive wondering sometimes what his thoughts centered on. But she refused to ask and cause his moodiness to flair.

“The census taker came by today,” Olive said, greeting Henry when he returned home from work.

“What’d they want?” he grumbled, pulling off his boots and setting them by the door. Plopping into a chair, he sighed, clearly showing his frustration.

Frowning, she answered, “It’s the count, you know, of how many people live in each home in the county.” She placed a pot of pinto beans on the table. “Supper’s ready.”

Henry slumped deeper into the chair and rubbed his lower back. “I know what the census is! Did you talk to them?”

She banged the oven door shut and brought the pan of cornbread to the table. She plopped the pan on a folded tea towel and took a chair. “Of course I did. We’re supposed to talk to them when they come around.”

The aroma of fresh cornbread hot from the oven forced Henry to the table. He cut the cornbread with a spoon, placing the chunks on his plate. “If it was me, I’d run ‘em off. I don’t hanker to anyone coming around asking questions.” He glanced around the table. “Where’s the butter?”

Olive spooned beans onto her plate, looking at him. “You used it all this morning.”

Throwing the spoon down, he rolled his eyes and huffed. “Cornbread ain’t no good without it!” Sighing again, he shook his head and reached for the bean pot.

“We’re supposed to talk to the census people when they come around.” She hesitated, then threw the words at him, “Besides, I’m not you!”

Henry spooned beans into his mouth, chewed, and gulped a mouthful of water. “You don’t have to tell me that; I've done figured you out.” He avoided looking at her.

“There’s sorghum in the pantry if you want it.” Olive put her fork down. “What in the world’s the matter with you? You’re mood’s as sour as clabbered milk.”

Raising ocean-blue eyes to her, he answered. “I’m tired! I worked hard today. Uncle Corny's planting tomatoes in the back section down by Shoal Creek. All that bending over has my back hurting something awful.” He went back to his plate of food.

Olive watched Henry eat his supper. His blue eyes softened her heart. She remembered the day of Dan’s trial and Henry helped her with Clara Mae. From that time on, their friendship blossomed. Since her sister had married his brother, she figured he would be a good match for her. But since they married, It didn't take her long to realize he was not Dan, and she was not Lizzie. Lizzie was right, marriage was hard work!

She rubbed her belly and continued to eat. “Aunt Louisa said the strawberries are almost ready for picking. I’m going over tomorrow to help. I’ll get some money and make you a strawberry cake.”

She saw the harshness melt from his face at her words. Money and food. She had learned quite a bit about him in the short time they were married. He liked money but he didn’t like working to get it. And when it came to food, Henry was ready to eat. She wished they had been born rich, but no such luck.

“We got a letter from your mother. They’re coming to visit next week.” The lilt in her voice relayed her excitement about the news. She said to tell Cornelius and Louisa to expect them. I wish Mama and Papa would come see me."

Henry's eyes clouded. "Why? I'll be working! Like I always do! And don’t go hurting yourself picking those berries. No heavy lifting, you hear?” He looked at her swollen stomach.

She ignored his outburst. “I’m careful. Pearl used to eat more berries than she picked, and Mama would send her out of the patch to keep her from eating all the sweetest and biggest ones.” Her throat burned at the thought of her family. She missed them every day. Although they wrote letters often, letters did not take the place of seeing someone face-to-face.

“It’d be nice if you made some strawberry jam. Maybe I’ll buy a sack of sugar over at Wheatland when Uncle pays me.”

“I’ve got a partial sack in the cupboard. I can make up a small batch,” Olive answered, rising from the table to clear the dishes.

“Did you know Ben’s working in the mines in Joplin with Edward and William? Uncle Corny wanted Ben to help with the planting, but he's not around. The boys said they spotted Joe Tanner around town, too.”

Olive snorted, frowning. “Ben's in Joplin? In that wicked and sinful place running with Joe Tanner?”

Henry nodded. "Ben's asking for trouble running with him!" Rising from the table, he told her, “I’m going to put some liniment on my back, and lay down. We’re getting an early start tomorrow morning. Uncle Corny’s going to have to hire more help. Ten acres is too much for a handful of men to manage.”

After doing the dishes, Olive sat in her favorite chair, an unopened book lay on her lap. Instead of reading, her mind was on what Henry said about working. She realized that Henry hated working. That's why he had lived with his parents for so long. What did he expect a person to do? To have anything you had to work for it.

With each day, she felt her dream slipping farther away. Now with a baby coming, that dream was not about to manifest. What had she gotten herself into? Had Henry realized his dream of getting his land? If he had to get married to get it, then yes, he had claimed his dream! With a sinking heart and pain in her throat, she realized that she had helped him achieve his dream at the expense of her own. 

*** 

Henry had been gone for over a week. Olive had not heard from him since he left for work on the fifteenth. Cornelius had no idea where Henry was, either. The last time he saw him, he was headed for Wheatland to buy sugar after they had quit the fields early.

Olive tried not to worry, but it was useless. Worrying mounted each day until David and Christina arrived for their visit. Olive melted down in front of them. Christina held Olive and rocked her, shushing her tears and patting her back. David had seen his uncle before their visit to Olive’s, so he knew what was going on. He walked the floor and talked it over with them.

“I think something’s happened to him.” Olive hiccupped a couple of times and buried her face in her hands.

“No, this isn’t the first time he’s left and been gone for weeks,” David admitted. “There were times we wouldn’t see him for over a month or more. We never thought much about it because he always came home.”

Christina shook her graying head and clucked her tongue. “He’s married now and has more responsibilities! I was worried about this, David. What has he done?” She kissed the top of Olive’s tightly coiled hair.

A knock sounded on the front door. David opened it to see Cornelius standing there with droopy shoulders sagging under white suspenders that plunged into baggy dusty pants, he wore a frown. As Cornelius entered, David clapped him on the back. “I'm glad you're here. We've got to talk about what to do.”

When Cornelius saw Christina consoling Olive, his frown deepened. “Henry hasn’t worked since he left. I’ve hired a man to replace him.” He looked at Olive and apologized. “I’m sorry; I hope you understand." Rubbing his whiskered jaw, he continued. “I hate to say this. But you’re going to have to move out. The new family is coming, and he’s agreed to stay here and work for me through the winter. They’ve got eight kids and need a place to live.”

Olive nodded, as tears trickled down her plump cheeks. “I want to go home.”

Christina sat up straight. “Well, David and I will take her home with us.” Looking at David, she smiled and nodded. Rising from her seat, she guided Olive to the bedroom. “Come, Darling, I’ll help you get packed.”

David spoke up, "Olive, do you want to go to our place or Bud's?"

"Mama and Pa's, please."

Cornelius said, “I didn’t mean she needs to be out this very day. But, as soon as she can. I'm sorry, David. But I gotta do what I gotta do."

David raised his hand and shook his head. “I understand. We’ll come for the furniture tomorrow. She doesn’t need to be alone.”

“What if Henry shows up?”

David’s face bore the anger that gouged his gut. “Send him to me.”