The Rise of the Beldam

1879

The children of Judy and Florence played together as if the three were siblings. Even though Adam still wondered about the door, he started to leave it alone more often. In summer 1879, six year old Adam played with four year old Martha and three year old Jenayne at the Pink Palace. "They look like they're having so much fun." Florence said, sitting on the front porch with William, Judy and Charles. "Indeed. Children should be happy every moment of their lives" "and much longer." Judy added. When it was close to dinner time, Florence took Jenayne by the hand and led her home with Charles. At supper, Charles said he wasn't feeling well, so he went to bed early. Jenayne tried to follow her father to his room, but Florence picked her up. "Come on Jenayne, it's time for bed." "But Mother," "no 'buts', go on and get ready for bed." Florence put her down in her room and closed her door to let her daughter get dressed. Florence went to the master room to check on Charles. He spoke softly as if he were tired. "What is the matter darling?" "Oh Florence. My stomach feels bad, I feel so dizzy." "Darling your lips are chapped." Florence put her hand on Charles' forehead. "You have a fever!" "I will be okay." "I am going for the doctor. Florence went back to Jenayne's room and told her to put her coat on. "Where are we going Mother?" "Your Aunt Judy's house. Your father is ill, and whatever it is, I do not want you catching it." Florence hurried Jenayne along and rushed her to the Pink Palace. Judy answered the door in her nightgown. "Florence? Jenayne? What's the matter?" "Charles is sick. I don't want Jenayne to get it, would you watch her while I get the doctor?" "Of course. Come in child, we'll put you in with Martha." "Jenayne, please be a good girl for your aunt." "Will Father be okay?" "Yes, he will be okay." Florence kissed Jenayne's forehead and fled the property.

The doctor rushed to Florence's house and examined Charles. When he took Florence out into the hallway, he told her about Cholera. "Has he taken a drink of water that may have been contaminated with something called 'vibrio cholerae'?" "Well, he draws water from the well but I don't know if it was contaminated." "Nonetheless, it's a case of Cholera." "Is it contagious? I don't want my daughter to catch it." "Not through skin to skin contact, but it is best to keep yourself and your daughter separated from Charles." Florence nodded as the doctor left. She went to the guest room and slept there until morning. Once she woke up, she left a breakfast tray by the bedside for Charles once he woke up, then went to the Pink Palace to tell Judy what was going on. "Cholera?" "Yes. The doctor says I need to distance myself and Jenayne until he gets better." "Oh dear." "Can Jenayne stay here until her father is healthy again?" "Of course dear Flo." Judy noticed tears in Florence's eyes. "Flo, I really do hope Charles gets better." "Thank you." The women hugged, then Florence hugged her daughter. "Mother will be back for you as soon as your father is healthy again. I will visit every day, I promise." Jenayne hugged Florence once again before Florence left to aid Charles.

Two days later, Charles was getting weaker and weaker. When the doctor was with him, Florence kept her promise and visited her daughter. While she was there, Jenayne didn't seem like her normal, happy self. She sat alone on the stairs while her cousins played outside together. Florence found her on the back porch sitting by herself and decided to try to talk to her. "Jenayne sweetheart, what are you doing?" "I'm worried about Father." Jenayne answered quietly. "Oh darling, your father is a strong man, he will be alright." "But how do you know Mother? Has the doctor said he's going to live?" Florence couldn't answer, so she just put her daughter on her lap and held her. "You know, your father would want you to continue to live your life, so go play with your cousins for me, would you?" "Okay Mother." Jenayne got up and ran towards Martha and Adam."

Florence went home that evening before supper to see her daughter happy and playing again. When she got home, Charles was sound asleep, but with dry skin, dry lips and still running a fever. "How is he doing, doctor?" Florence asked. "I'm afraid I can't help him. He has but three days left to live, maybe five." Florence gasped. "Would you stay with him for a little longer? My daughter needs to see her father, now." "Mrs. Garner, it's not safe" "she won't get into contact with him, but she needs to see him." "Very well." Florence rushed back to the Pink Palace to fetch Jenayne. Judy was alarmed to hear that Charles was dying. Judy asked if they could all go see Charles. Florence allowed it but told them one person at a time. Judy led the family to Florence's house while Florence herself stopped by Charles' parents' house. "Is he going to be alright?" His mother asked. "He is dying, I thought you would want to see him." Charles' parents fled their home immediately and followed Florence. Once they reached the house, Jenayne was already talking to her father. His voice was soft and weak, his hand was warmer than usual, but dry.