Thomasville

An Uncertain Future

Elmer Lee awoke to the sound of church bells. The residents of Thomasville used the church bell to call emergency town meetings and to announce a death. He jumped to his feet and dressed quickly. He walked down the stairs that led from his apartment to his business and staggered out unto the street. People were rushing towards the church and hitched a ride with the Whitehead family, who already had their cart hitched.

I bet there has been a fire, said Elmer to Oliver and Elisabeth Whitehead. I have not smelled any smoke, replied Elisabeth. Can you sell me any more Laudanum, Elmer? I have run out and, I am in terrible pain. Oliver reached out and patted his wife on the shoulder. Elmer leaned back in the cart and looked thoughtful for a moment. Well, Elisabeth, I was planning on making a trip to Wichita to pick up some new supplies; Now, it would depend on the situation. I was planning on leaving for Wichita this afternoon and getting back by Wednesday. If there has been a fire or robbery, I might come back to find all my things stolen. Or to find out the road has been blocked.

She looked disappointed for a moment. Just then, they pulled up to the church and could see a sweaty distressed Will vigorously ringing the bell. A small crowd had already gathered and stood at attention, unsure of whether they should try and help Will or leave him be. Elmer was not the type to waste time on formalities.

Smithers, why are we here? What happened? Will stopped the bells and waited for the humming to die down. Pastor Brady died last night; My son found his body. We need to talk about the burial, his replacement and who will take care of George. The reactions of the assembly varied from shock to sorrow, to relief. Not all of those who responded to the summoning were parishioners. Once they realized the issue did not affect them, they feigned sadness for a moment before excusing themselves from the gathering.

Elmer and Oliver walked back to the wagon and got in. Elisabeth was still sitting in the cart because she was in much pain to keep climbing in and out. What is it? She asked. Brady is pushing daisies said, Elmer. Elisabeth was sad for a moment. She had not attended a service in years, but she had known the cleric since her adolescence. Regret gnawed at her while recalling the last date they had interacted. Elisabeth wished she had said goodbye.

So, I will be leaving for Wichita in a few hours. I can drop the laudanum off for you at your house ideally, on Wednesday, but as late as Thursday or Friday. My brother has the stuff. I just need to go pick it up from him. How much do I owe you? Oliver asked. About three dollars twenty cents for the laudanum. Do you want anything else? No, that is all she needs. Elisabeth sat despondently in her seat, seemingly unaware of the conversation happening around her. She tried to look behind her and spot the churchyard, but it was already out of view. Oliver had to drive the horses slowly as there were still pedestrians trying to make their way to the chapel. They called out to Elmer and the Whiteheads, asking what had happened but, they pretended they did not hear and just kept moving.

David was amongst those travelling on foot. He trekked to the church to see his brother-in-law standing in front of a crowd. It seemed as though he was trying to make a speech, but he was not making much sense because he was severely winded and visibly exhausted. David stepped up to Will and pulled him down from the pedestal and onto a nearby bench.

Will's hearing had been affected by the loud bell and, he seemingly could not hear himself speaking. The tired man was rambling, and his brother-in-law did not interrupt him. He sat in silence, piecing together what had happened. The news did not come as a shock to David, but it did grieve him. Is the body still at the house, Will? Yes, and I brought George home with me. He is with Nettie, Jack, Billie and Louise Browning. How has he taken it? Very badly, I do not know what we should do with him. It would feel wrong to send him to an asylum, but we can not take care of him; What choice do we have?

Will, come back to my home with me and have some coffee. Then we can go down to the Brady homestead and retrieve the body. Maybe we can pay some town children to dig a grave. David and William Sr. climbed into Will's wagon and rode into the town square. They spotted two fifteen-year-old boys playing kick the can and pulled to a stop.

Did we hear the bell? Is something wrong? The taller boy asked. Yes, the Pastor died last night. The two boys looked surprised and then upset. Well, what do you want with us then, sir? Me and Mr. Neilson will pay you and your friend two dollars each if you dig his grave while we are completing errands. He already chose a spot right next to his wife, Diana. The teenagers agreed, and the men started moving forward.

The girls are going to be devastated, said, David. First the school, and then the church. Our community is so unstable at the moment. I pray Pastor Crabb will be able to last the week. I saw Elisabeth on my way to the church. The poor woman looked half-comatose. Mr. Lee was riding with them, convincing Oliver to keep her medicated, no doubt. It is not a Christian virtue to fear, but I fear for Elisabeth. The light has gone from her eyes. When was the last time the Whiteheads had dinner with you and Annette?

It has been years since. Our society is falling apart; Not even old friends are on good terms. When that Cuyler boy left town, he did not even come to say farewell. He used to stay over at our home often. I felt like I had a third son. I pity his mother, alone without any family. We should stop and tell her what has taken place; Pace yourself, Will. I want to speak with Carolyn and the girls first.

They were almost at the Neilson farmstead. The road had become rocky and rough, jostling the cart. William was worried the wheel might tear off, and so he and David pulled the wagon to a halt and continued on foot. Lilly was watching from the window and ran out of her house towards her uncle and father. She looked happy until she got close and saw the expressions on their faces. Her father picked her up, and her uncle greeted her. She could sense something was wrong.

Lilly, Pastor Brady died last night. He had been very sick for a long time, and it was his time to go. The seven-year-old began to weep and tried to punch herself out of the grasp of her father. David put her down, and Lilly started stomping. He was not sick; I saw him yesterday! Pastor Brady was ill, Lilly. He wanted to reunite with miss Diana in heaven. Pastor Brady is in a better place now, he was a good Christian man, and godly men need not fear death. Lilly was whimpering. Will opened the door for David, and they entered the house. Carolyn had already overheard the situation and dismissed her daughters to play in the empty barn.

David put the kettle on and sat down with William Sr. Carolyn joined them and asked: Where is his son? What is to be done with him? He is with your sister and nephews. We have not decided yet. You will send him to an asylum, have you decided on the facility? Carolyn, I can not send George to a place like that in good conscience. I was close with his father and mother, and I know how vehemently opposed they were to send him to an institution. Sending George to an institution would amount to a betrayal. Still, I do not know if we can provide him with adequate care, and we do not have enough money to pay somebody else to take care of him. Would you help us- No. I do not want that thing near my children. He is like an animal; He could hurt them. Will regretted asking, and David was ashamed but did not say anything.

The kettle began to scream. Carolyn pulled it off the stove, making coffee for the men and tea for herself. Carolyn did not believe in coffee, or any other mood- or mind-altering substance and glared at them as they drank. She also gave them some leftovers. Once they had finished, they departed in solemn quietude. Both were unsure about how to proceed.