Never Runs Out [COMPLETED]

Part 2.2

On a beautiful spring day, almost a year after Louisa Mellon lost her battle, Mrs. Hale gave birth to a son who she named Montgomery. Mr. Hale stopped checking into the Mellon house after this happened. He almost missed the birth of his only son while he was scrubbing the floor of the Mellon house's kitchen. If Mr. Cloves hadn't appeared, he would have missed everything.

Josephine was ten when Montgomery was born. He was obnoxious, and she admitted it. Years of putting up with Thomas Mellon had weakened her tolerance towards children. She often hung around Vincent and Coraline. Vincent's interest in her had sparked again. Her constant presence made him very happy, and he was excited to learn everything about her life. She told Vincent stories all about the times she's had pneumonia, and how her every breath caused her chest to rattle and wheeze. He told Josephine all about President Roosevelt, and how wonderful he was. Why, Vincent would go on and on about the president. Josephine would giggle and say: "Oh, Vince, looks like you've got a crush on the president!" He liked hearing her laugh.

In June, Josephine caught illness again. The neighbors assumed that she had contracted pneumonia yet again. Her parents claimed that she coughed in her sleep and nearly choked on thick fluids from her chest. It all sounded like pneumonia to them. Even Josephine's parents were convinced that her ailment had been completely usual. It wasn't until they called in Dr. Hower to give Josephine her treatment until they learned that she was, in fact, not suffering from pneumonia. She had tuberculosis. The Hales, terrified, transported some furniture from their house into the Mellon's house. Two small children were at risk of catching tuberculosis.

Three days after Josephine's diagnosis, Mr. Cloves paid the Hale House a visit. Mr. Hale opened the door, shaking. He looked around frantically before beckoning Mr. Cloves inside. Mr. Cloves stepped over the threshold into a blazing hot parlor and took a close look at Mr. Hale. His sagging face was beat red and unshaven. Beads of sweat gathered at the nape of his neck and under his ears. Mr. Cloves watched as Mr. Hale attempted to grasp at the open door's handle until he had given up and turbulently slammed the door. The floorboards and walls vibrated with an intensity that Mr. Cloves had never experienced before. Mr. Hale's health frightened him.

"Patrick, might I offer to stay with the child. You deserve a break... You're shaking, good sir."

Mr. Hale held his shaking hand less than an inch away from his face. "By golly! I must be. Oh, this heat really catches ya!" He shook as he laughed heartily. Mr. Cloves watched his neighbor in utter confusion.

"Yes, Patrick, it is very hot in your home. It's getting under your skin. Please, take a trip to my home. Romilda would happily to treat you to a cool pitcher of lemonade."

"Oh, your wife is the kindest, Mr. Cloves." He smiled sleepily.

Cloves looked into Hale's eyes, red and damp. He placed a hand on Hale's shoulder. "I'll stay here, you walk over to my house down the road."

Hale's smile quickly vanished in rage. "Me, go to your house, and leave little Josie here all alone? Get bent!" He threw Cloves' hand off of his shoulder and swung open the door with such ferocity that the doorframe shook in its foundations. "Out of my house, Mr. Cloves! Get out this instant! I'll never let you harm my daughter!"

Mr. Cloves reached out for Mr. Hale. "Please, Patrick! Oh, please listen to me! You're ill! You need rest, Patrick! Please!"

Mr. Hale yelled incoherently and grabbed Cloves by the arm. Mr. Cloves tried to pull away but Mr. Hale's strength was twice his own and he was flung out the door like an old rag doll. Cloves stumbled on the porch as Hale slammed the door a final time. Cloves ran down the stairs and hurried back home, mortified.

"Father? Father, what was that yelling about?" a small voice called from upstairs. Mr. Hale hurriedly followed it.

"It was nothing, darling. Please get some rest." He replied calmly.