The Scarlet Letter

Hibbins and Bellingham (But Mostly Hibbins)

Chillingworth collapsed into bed. Another week of caring for Dimmesdale and he was finally up on his feet. Most of his strength returned to him and he was walking around the kitchen to make himself some food.

A crash came from the kitchen and Chillingworth groaned.

He propped himself out of bed and went to tend to the minister, who was exhorting himself from bending down to pick up the smashed bowl. Dimmesdale looked up and saw Chillingworth standing over him, looking even more tired than he did.

"Chillingworth, sir," Dimmesdale started. "My apologies. It just slipped, I'm sorry."

Chillingworth sighed. "It's okay, sir." He bent down to help the minister.

"No, no," Dimmesdale protested. "I've already been such a bother. You must let me clean up." He struggled to the floor, calculating every movement that would lead his unstable body to collapse on the floor. It hurt to watch him. At least that was something.

Maybe if I kept him weak enough to struggle on life, but not weak enough to keep him struggling to live.

"Sir, get up. I will handle this. Go lie down."

"I'm feeling much better now. Please don't make me go back to bed."

Again, a pain struck Chillingworth. He sighed again. "Fine. But I will clean this up. How about we go to church this morning? We did not go last week. God must be angry with us."

"Yes, you are right. I have prayed each day but God needs us in His place of worship."

"Get dressed, sir. And we shall go."

Chillingworth watched the excited little man rush off as best he could to the bedroom. Then he bent down to pick up the scattered shards. Then a knock came at the door.

Chillingworth quickly disposed of the shattered bowl and went to answer the door. Another impatient knock came and Chillingworth swung the door open. Governor Bellingham, along with his sister, Mistress Hibbins, appeared.

"Good sir and good lady," Chillingworth said in a bit of a surprise, and also suspicion. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your presence?"

Mistress Hibbins, auspicious but never married because men complained she ran her mouth off and did not know her place. In this way she was commonly known as a witch, but was hardly treated as such. The town was polite but never nice. And so she did not share much company. But Hibbins never complained and enjoyed her brother's company, who was but a little man overtaken by his sister and had no voice of his own, latching onto hers. It was uneasy seeing a man being overtaken by a woman but God knows it is not Bellingham' fault.

It is a surprise he should ever become a governor until looking at his sister and realising it was all her doing. The public liked him because he was bendable and they took certain liberties with him as it pleased the majority. Until Hibbins found out about his being taken advantage of and forced Bellingham to come to her for approval on any decision, the town was quite content with him.

Mistress Hibbins peered inside as if looking for something. But all she saw were barren walls and minimalistic furniture and living. She looked disappointed.

Chillingworth saw her not-so-subtle curiosity and decided to invite the two inside and offered them some tea.

"No, no" Mistress Hibbins protested as she sat down at the small dining table. "We won't be staying long."

Bellingham sat beside her and so Chillingworth sat across from them, a bit uneasy at their casualty and sudden appearance. "What can I do for you?" he asked with a forced calmness. Though it was impossible, Chillingworth suddenly got the feeling that they knew he had forced the minister into sickness and they were here to lock him up.

Hibbins turned to her brother who took a deep breath before he started.
"We noticed," Bellingham said, "on this Sunday last, you and the minister were absent from the church."

It was hard to take the scolding from the governor seriously because the line sounded so rehearsed. Still, Chillingworth played along for Hibbins who was staring him down, content at the power she yielded in her brother. The way she held the power, it whispered "witch."

"Sir Dimmesdale was terribly ill. He was in no state to do any traveling." Chillingworth looked back on the minister moaning that he needed help to get out of bed in order to use the toilet. He remembered spoon feeding the man and practically chewing his food for him. But Chillingworth did not mention these things. "He is better now. In fact, he is just now getting ready. He will not preach today. I am afraid his strength is not fully there. But he will watch and send his soul up to God through another minister, in hopes that it will come back stronger and he shall preach again soon."

"God is forgiving," Governor Bellingham said.

"Hopefully forgiving enough," Mistress Hibbins spat out. "You should see to it as his doctor that he shall be propped out of bed and to church every Sunday if it means dragging a half-lifeless body to the church."

She did not raise her voice. Her body did not even move as she sprayed out the words. But Chillingworth got the message. He realised his duty. Dimmesdale's life resided in his cynical hands. If Chillingworth took it too far and ended up killing the minister, he would have to answer to the entire town. But if he continued his seemingly undying love for this man, he would have to answer to God.

Dimmesdale submerged from the hallway, where he had no doubt been lurking. Hibbins and Bellingham both stood to greet the minister, who was of high status and would not be directly scolded. Chillingworth stayed seated, thinking of what power Dimmesdale had over people and what poise he maintained it with.

"Sit, sit," the minister insisted and they obeyed promptly. "I understand my absence has been scornfully noticed."

"We only meant that we miss your grand speeches and words, as well, of course, as your presence at the church. The town thinks very fondly of you and we hope you will attend at any possible date."

Dimmesdale smiled a gentle smile and the siblings gazed at his face as if it held the very stars that twinkle in the night sky. Dimmesdale turned his attention to Chillingworth, who did not share their delight. He had heard the blunt of the scolding but Dimmesdale would never hear of such things.

"Sir Chillingworth and I were actually on our way out. I am not quite in the proper state to speak but I will support whatever speaker is there."

"We shall escort you!" Mistress Hibbins proclaimed. "We too are going to the church." She held her chin up. Chillingworth thought the only reason she wanted to accompany them was probably to make sure they actually made their way to the church, and stayed.

"Wonderful! Chillingworth will you grab my coat? God waits for no man and we must make haste."

Chillingworth willingly did Dimmesdale's bidding. Dimmesdale refused to use a cane, though he badly needed one, so he held onto Chillingworth, who sucked in his breath at the initial contact and held it until they got home that afternoon.

The four members took off together into the soft morning sky. Hibbins paying careful attention to the minister and the doctor walking together arm in arm.