THE PATH TO A PROMISE Chapters 15 & 16

 

CHAPTER FIFTEEN 

During the winter following the divorce, Olive did not see Henry, but she knew he was in Joplin. Christina told her about his argument with her and David and that he left the next day. Through the winter, Olive took in laundry for an elderly neighbor woman, but the pay was barely enough to cover her time. She couldn't charge a widow the actual cost of the job. And on bad weather days, Olive suffered. It was clear laundry wasn't a job that made a living.

Spring arrived in the new year. On a fine sunny Sunday morning, the day was gloriously warm and the sun was bright and clear. It was close to May, and flowers were growing and budding, preparing to burst into bloom for a spectacular show in the Ozarks. White pear blossoms floated on the wisp of the breeze, collecting on the grass like petals of snow. The warmer weather that April brought was welcome and anticipated. The budding trees and flowers added to the excitement of the coming summer.

When Olive entered the church house, she followed her family to the pew and sat. Rumors were circulating about her divorce, and the scandalous talk hurt her deeply. She preferred to avoid those who had decided to slander her name. Walking down the middle of the church aisle, she noticed a few gawkers.

Pastor Akehurst preached a sound sermon about Jonah and the whale. He talked about Jonah running from God because he did not think he could go to Nineveh and preach God's Word. So, God delivered a storm that threw Jonah overboard into the mouth of a whale. Pastor preached how people sometimes expect the darkness they encounter to last forever. But running away from God is never a good idea. If they keep their faith, they will be delivered into the light of God’s love and blessings in His timing.

At the end of the sermon, people milled about the room, talking, and catching up on what they had missed. Olive noticed several younger women, smirks bending their lips as they talked behind their fluttering fans. Lizzie was among the group. Olive watched her sister talking quietly and gesturing with her hands. She saw on the women’s faces their true feelings. Feelings that were not cheerful.

She straightened her back, raised her chin, and declared war. Holding Peter, he became her shield. She hugged him closely. Turning her back on the little group gathered in the north corner of the room, yet, clinging to her son, didn’t squelch the intense feelings growing inside.

When she heard her name whispered from the group of women, she felt it was time to escape. She found her parents and told them Peter wasn't feeling well and that she needed to go home. Everyone chattered about the sermon and the latest news on the ride home. The sun was high overhead, while the air was scented with the first smells of blooming shrubs and plants. The fields were green carpets as far as the eye could see.

"You're quiet," Nancy said as they climbed from the wagon. "Are you ill?"

Olive felt her face burn from the shame of divorce, and it was almost more than she could bear. In a flash, she determined never to admit that to anyone. “No, Peter was fussy, and I thought it was time to get him home.” She lied quickly, silently thanking the baby for throwing a fit at exactly the right time!

She hurried to the house and lay down with Peter for a long nap. But she didn't sleep. Gossipy people were on her mind. It was none of their business talking about her. Other people were divorced, but they acted as if she were the only one. She knew she had to stand up for herself because no one else would, nor should they. She was alone now with a child to raise. It stung and upset her that she was foolish enough to fall for Henry’s lies and deception. Would she ever get over it? It wouldn't happen around here with people gossiping about her. Now that the new year had arrived, it was time to get out and find a job. Next week she would go looking in Rocky Corners. Surely, someone needed her help.

At least she was hopeful.

***

On Thursday evening, Nancy sat at the window mending. She heard a noise and saw a horse and rider approach. The rider dismounted and climbed the steps to the front door two at a time. He kept pounding on the door until Bud opened it.

Albert Haddock stood gasping for breath and wheezing uncontrollably.

“Albert! What’s wrong?” Albert choked, blew his breath, and calmed himself enough to say, “My sister’s sick. She got bit by snakes out by the woodpile. Can Ma come quick?”

Bud and Nancy went to Minnie Winters’ home about three miles east. There, they found Minnie lying in bed, burning with fever, writhing in pain, and near delirium. Her five children gathered around her bedside.

“Can you tell me what happened?” Nancy asked her, moving to take Minnie’s hand on her own. She brushed the dark hair from the woman’s forehead and noticed the hot skin and profuse sweating. Looking at one of the children, she said, “Get some cool water and cloths, please.”

Minnie tried to speak but could not and only cried out in pain. Her oldest son, Ralph, told how Minnie was helping move wood to the house when she happened upon a copperhead nest.

“They got her, I don’t know how many times.” As he spoke, a sob escaped, and tears rolled down his face. “But I killed ‘em! I killed every one of ‘em, and there’s no more in the nest!”

Nancy spoke quietly to the thirteen-year-old, patting his shoulder, “How long ago did this happen?”

“Yesterday evenin’.”

Nancy frowned, keeping her concern hidden. She turned to the others. “Children, go in the other room, while I tend your mother.” To Evelyn, Minnie’s daughter, she said, “Child, boil some water.”

When the hot water arrived, Nancy wiped Minnie’s face and laid a cloth over her forehead. Looking at Bud, she said, “I need your knife.”

“It’s too late, isn’t it?” Bud whispered. He’d been bitten many times and knew the pain a copperhead could cause. He handed her his large pocketknife with a pearl handle.

“I’ll do my best, but it might not be good enough,” she answered. “Step outside the door while I undress her.” She pulled Minnie’s shirtwaist off and covered her with a thin blanket. Evelyn stood beside Nancy as she worked on each of the bites, one at a time.

An hour later, Minnie died. Nancy led Evelyn from the room and closed the door behind her and slumped against the wall. “It was too late.” Nancy shook her head quietly, dabbing at her eyes with her white apron.

Minnie’s parents and brother, Albert, had gathered with the five children to wait. Nancy made her way to where they sat and told them the news. Nancy hated this part of her job. Many times, she stepped in to help someone who was ill while the doctor was called or when the doctor wasn’t able to get there right away.

She cried with the family, and when Doctor Baker arrived, she relayed the story to him so he could fill out the death papers. The family assured her it was not her fault. The poison had been too much for the woman’s body. No words could stop the pain and heartache she felt for the circumstances and the children. Their father, Walter, just died last December, and now their mother. They were orphans.

“Thank you, Nancy, for coming and helping,” Minnie's mother cried. “We’re taking the children home with us tonight and making arrangements for her funeral tomorrow.”

George Hadcock shook hands with Bud. “We’ll have to get word over to David and Christina. They’ll need to know about their daughter-in-law and grandchildren."

“Yes, it’s another sad time for them and you,” Bud agreed.

Nancy and Evelyn prepared Minnie’s body for burial and left her lying in bed. Closing the door on another family death, her husband took her home.

Two days later, the Union Church filled with mourners for the funeral. One by one, people filed out the door and over to the nearby graveyard where the casket was taken. Preacher Akehurst made his usual speech about life and death and the assurance of God’s love and peace in hard times. Families must cling to the comfort, peace, and hope only Jesus Christ can provide.

Olive stood with her family during the services, listening to the dismal speech. From her left, she spotted Henry standing with his mother and father. The Winters family stood together near two giant maple trees. Olive saw that most of Henry’s brothers and sisters were gathered for the funeral.          

Henry stood close to his mother and kept his eyes looking forward. He was neat and clean and looked like he might have gained a few pounds. She figured he knew she was there because a slight smirk played about his mouth. He kept his hat pulled low. His hands clasped together in front of his black shirt.

She looked at the ground and felt the tug of a frown creasing on her face. Could this day get any worse? At the preacher’s last words, the crowd began to depart. Olive stood rigidly waiting for those around her to clear away. She didn’t want to run into Henry, especially with her head filled with mixed emotions.

David and Christina jostled Henry forward, making their way to their carriage. Henry led the way, never looking back at Olive or her family.

Just then, she overheard Camille Cadwalder speaking to her husband and another couple as they passed. “Olive Johnson is a tarnished woman. She was a poor wife for Henry Winters!" With that, Camille snickered into her gloved hands.

“Oh yes, I agree divorced women acquire a tainted perception of life,” the other woman commented.

"Henry would have been better off to marry someone other than Olive. Rose Barnes had her eye on Henry for years and hoped with all her heart to catch him for a husband. Poor Henry! Rose is a better catch than Olive is!" Camille's voice was laced with poison and contempt.

“Shush, my dear, lest someone overhear you,” Camille’s husband said, steering her quickly to the waiting carriage.

Olive closed her eyes and willed herself far away from the dismal graveyard and the peahens gossiping about her. Anger filled her when they talked about her, and not Henry, when it was Henry who unraveled their marriage! He took advantage of her to get his inheritance. They had a baby right away, and he left her alone to fend for herself. Oh, the shame! And along with it, grief that her marriage fell apart. All that was left was a child to raise. Resentment and devastation roiled in her belly. She took the shame and guilt upon her shoulders to carry.

Lizzie shook her on the shoulder. “We’re leaving.”

Olive opened her eyes to the bright sunshine pouring down around her. It was real, not a dream. Tears stung her eyes, and her shoulders felt heavy. “Yes, I’m coming,” she willed herself to answer, almost running to the wagon. On the way home, she was in thought. What had Lizzie overheard when she stood among the gossipers?

She had to get to town and find a job. And soon.

 

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

May 1912 

That evening, Lizzie came to Olive with a basket of clothing that needed mending. “Help me, please?”

Olive took up needle and thread and stitched a small hole in the toe of a sock. Her mood was sour, and her thoughts were on the fresh gossip she overheard at the church. Why did people turn to talking about others when they should have talked to the person directly? To hurt them. To cause trouble. To feel important.

“Are you feeling okay?” Lizzie finally asked.

Olive stopped and put the needle down, fearful she might prick her finger. “No! Those old peahens are talking about me. And you know because you were there right in the middle of it!” She closed her eyes, sighing. “I’m sorry if that came out hateful!”

Lizzie drew a breath. “Forgive me, Sister, I know what they’re saying. But I did take up for you several times when I overheard their chatter.”  

Olive glared at her sister. Quickly tamping down the flare, she didn’t want to be angry. At the same time, she thought Lizzie should tell her about things such as this. “What are they saying?”

Lizzie’s left hand quickly passed in the air as if it were no big deal. “It’s the divorce. You know how people feel about it. But you're not the first woman to get a divorce. Stop thinking about it.”

“It’s always about women! What about the divorced men?"

“Sister, hold your head high. And remember, there are consequences to everything, you know."

Olive rolled her eyes, shaking her head. “There are two things I need: a job and not to live here."

“What about Peter? If you move and go to work, who will watch him?" The words were like a death toll.

Olive’s chin rose, and she batted her eyes. "I'll get a job first, save enough money, and then move out."

"Even then, who will watch him?"

The words stung her even more. "Babies!" Olive wanted to shout, rant, and rave. "Why did I ever allow Henry into my life?"

"He wanted his inheritance, Sister. The folks were on him to settle down. He picked you." Lizzie watched her sister's face.

Tears filled Olive's eyes. "If I'd only known. I hate Henry! I never want to see him again, nor any of his family! Living here is a cold reminder of them all!"

"They have a right to see your boy. Better get used to it. Children are used a lot, especially in marriage troubles."

"Well, Lizzie, I just set a goal. I'm going to find a job and better myself! I'll show everyone who I am and what I'm made of!"

"I hope you do, Sister."

They continued sewing until Olive watched her sister’s face go from downcast to filled with light. Her voice raised a bit, too. “I do have news. Lydia has invited me to Joplin. She wants me to go with her to visit her grandfather, who lives in Arkansas. Mary Jane said she would like for Lydia to have a traveling companion. I told Mother, and she will keep Clara Mae while I’m gone.”

“You’re going to Joplin?” Olive’s breath caught, dread lacing her words. Her mouth went dry. Lizzie was leaving. What if she stayed in the city? Her sister could not do this to her!

“William’s there.”

And there it was. Perhaps Lizzie made the excuse of going to be with Lydia when all along it was William that she wanted to see. William would be the reason Lizzie would stay and not come home.       

Resentment filled the quiet space of the room. She watched Lizzie hesitate and draw a big breath, and then a smile crept across her lovely face.

“Yes, he is, isn’t he?” Lizzie continued darning a shirt sleeve, avoiding looking at her sister, but a smile played around her lips.

Olive let the flair of anger subside. Her spirits lifted. Lizzie made her happy, and she always laughed when she was around. She remembered noticing that Lizzie looked different lately. It dawned on her, and she figured it out. Lizzie cared about William Madison. Hope bloomed in Olive’s heart. William was a good man. They were friends. He worked hard, cared for his mother, and loved his sisters and brothers. Lizzie and William made a good match.

The thought of romance made Olive hesitate. Romance…what good was it? Certainly not good for her! And then another thought struck. Lizzie was leaving. How could she cope? She needed to think about it. Lizzie and William would get together and stay in Joplin, where William lived and worked.

I need a job, I can’t depend on my parents to support me and Peter.

Tonight, when she went to bed, she would think and think and think. 

                                                            ***

The following week, Lizzie left for Joplin to stay with Lydia. The train was on time, and William met her at the Union Depot on Main Street. Warm sunshine filled the day. Inside the station, people stood in line at the ticket counter or lounged on the navy chairs in the foyer. Uniformed baggage men pulled carts stacked high with trunks and baggage of all sizes. Families ate in the lunchroom, and couples embraced each other in greetings. Lizzie stepped off the train, looking around for William.

Someone took her elbow, and a deep voice asked, "Looking for someone, Madam?"

Lizzie turned to see William Madison, her breath catching in awe. His generous mouth lifted into a friendly smile, making his dark eyes crinkle at the corners. His tanned face was shaven and smooth, accentuating his boyish good looks. A brown hat perched on his head, covering his light hair that curled just above the collar of his tweed jacket. His hand tightened on her elbow.

"I was, but he found me."

"I sure did." William's words held meaning. " I couldn't miss such a beauty like you, Lizzie Winters!"

Lizzie's cheeks flamed, and a happy smile lit her face. She couldn't remember when she felt so happy, not since Dan was still alive. Clara Mae brought her joy, but William Madison, standing before her, offered something more fulfilling deep in her soul. She didn't want to move. Staring at this handsome friend was all she would ever need. At that moment, she knew she was lonely.

She needed someone.

William was that someone.

"Are you hungry? We can eat in the lunchroom."

"I can wait," Lizzie answered. "I might use the restroom before we leave."

William pointed the way. "I have to get your bags. Wait here at a table for me if I'm not here when you’re finished."

A few minutes later, Lizzie found William waiting with her baggage. "Ready?"

"I'm ready to see your Mama," she told him, a huge smile hugging her mouth.

"Follow me." He guided them through the crowded terminal, passing through a grand covered entrance outdoors. "They call this a Port Cochere. Do you know French?"

"Oui," she said, smiling. Shaking her head, she admitted, "That's the only word I know, I'm sad to say." She looked up at the architecture, and her breath caught. "I've never seen anything so magnificent, William!" Her eyes were round as the noonday sun.

William laughed. "They certainly poured creativity into Union Station. The concrete has mine tailings added to it, you know, leftover stuff from the digs. The whole structure is fireproof. When you go home, we'll come a bit early so you can tour the place, and we can eat in the lunchroom." He found their wagon and placed her baggage into the back.

Lizzie wasn't sure when she planned to return home. It all depended on Lydia and her travels. William's dazzling smile might change her mind. His curly hair threatened to fall from its place under the brown Fedora that perched jauntily on his head.

"Yes, I'm ready." She wanted to reach out and touch the curls. Instead, she smiled and enjoyed the landscape of Joplin.

William lifted her onto the seat, climbed beside her, and started the chestnut horse moving along. Lizzie caught sight of the enormous depot's arched entrance and the building sprawling out on both sides with wings, one to the north and one to the south. The stately columns and ornate architecture were gorgeous.

Once they left the train station, William turned onto First Street. They drove a ways down Fourth Street. Electric light poles and streetlamps with round globes stood like sentinels on both sides of the streets. Rows of brick buildings, some taller than others, lined the street.

William turned south and headed toward Byers Avenue, where they passed magnificent homes. The streets were full of traffic and people. At Byers, William stopped at a framed two-story home. Pulling into the carriage house, William stopped the horse. A cupola with vented sides squatted on the roof, a weathervane of a fishing boy whirled with the breeze.

William helped Lizzie down from the wagon, went around, and brought her bags. "This is home. Mother bought it after Father died in the accident. As you can imagine, it served us well with all the kids living with her. One by one, they've married off. It's just her and me now. Oh, Lydia is here."

"Yes, Lydia told me in her letter."

Lizzie was surprised to see a grand house, two stories tall with a slate roof and a big front porch running the entire length. She gazed at the ten stone steps to the porch and marveled at the heavy oak front door with a beveled glass window. Once inside the entrance hall, hardwood floors gleamed and matched the oak-paneled walls. Transoms perched above the doorways opened to allow the breeze to flow through the rooms.

Just then, Lydia came through the double doors and squealed. "Lizzie! It's so good to see you!" Grabbing Lizzie's arm, Lydia led her into the living room. Double doors led into a dining room, and the kitchen was beyond.

Always happy, Lydia called to her mother, who was in the kitchen.

"I'll take care of Old Boy, while you ladies catch up." William left them alone.

Sugar cookie scents followed Mary Jane, who met them carrying a tray with a pitcher of lemonade, glasses, and a plate of cookies.

 "Darling, you've arrived. How was your trip?"

Lizzie told them about the train trip and the grand train station. As they were discussing the news from back home, William put her bags upstairs in a guest bedroom and joined them, sitting next to Lizzie on the divan. Apricot-colored walls and lace curtains at the long windows set a nice scene. Dark mahogany furniture was scattered across the large room. A hooked rug covered part of the floor in front of them.

"I'll show you the house tonight. Do you want to freshen up or wait?" William asked Lizzie.

"I can wait for now. I'm amazed at the city!" Her face portrayed her feelings.

"We'll go shopping and eat at one of the restaurants soon," Lydia said. "Grandfather is expecting us in a few days."

"I must write and tell Olive all about this."

"Has she found a job? If not, we can look in the newspaper for ads. Businesses are always hiring help."

Lizzie shook her head. "No, she hasn't found anything. But you know how hard it is in the hills and hollows. And now she has Peter to look after."

William patted her hand. "I saw Henry a week or so ago. He's working at the Junge Bakery. He doesn't like the gritty, dusty work of the mines." He shook his head and chuckled. "It's not the kind of work for everyone. But, for me, I like the money."

Mary Jane added. "Thank you, Son, for always shaking out your clothes before I wash them!"

William responded with a smile.

"Henry's not fond of work at all!" Lizzie laughed. "He was with his folks at his sister-in-law's funeral. He stuck close to David's side."

"He's not been here since his son was born. I'm sorry that he and Olive’s marriage ended," Mary Jane said, as she sipped her glass of lemonade.

Lizzie told them about the divorce gossip and how it affected Olive.

Lydia had an idea. "Maybe we can find her a job. Would she come to Joplin?"

"I don't know, but I like that idea. While we're at it, I can find a job, too."

The next day, William went to work at the Bullfrog Mine. Dressed in old clothes and a khaki-colored canvas miner's cap on his head, he held a lunch bucket. "I'll be home sometime tonight. He kissed the women's cheeks and went out the door.

Lydia and Lizzie looked through the Joplin Globe newspaper for jobs. Lizzie decided to answer an ad for the New Method Laundry on Joplin Street, not far from Mary Jane's house. When she inquired, Mr. Neil hired her. She would start after she returned from Arkansas.

Lizzie wrote to Olive, telling her about the adventures Joplin offered. With high hopes, she prayed Olive would join her in the big city of Joplin, Missouri.