JAMES by Garrett Tracy

Author:Garrett, Tracy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-06-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

The next four days passed quickly. James visited various households and tried to keep up the morale of the rest of the townspeople. Though it was still warm during the day, the mornings and evenings had finally begun to cool. Fall was coming.

Esther blew a strand of hair out of her eyes. Between keeping up with Robbie and cooking three full meals a day, she was wearing down. To help Ina, she’d also taken on the cooking for some of those who’d fallen ill. She’d made more bread and soup this week that she could remember. They’d gone through so many chickens that the town would need to focus on raising chicks for a while instead of gathering eggs.

Saturday morning, James left immediately after breakfast to visit his flock and check in with Doctor Finney. When he didn’t return for dinner, she knew he was probably sitting down to eat the midday meal with one of his parishioners.

“Doc thinks it’s over,” James announced as he walked into the cabin about an hour before sunset. “There’ve been no new cases in more than a week. He feels certain we’re out of danger of further contagion.”

“Hallelujah!”

“Amen,” he added, relief in his tone. “We lost three. Mrs. Masters’ boarder, Mr. Washington, who started the outbreak, the Davis’ young son, Benjamin, and Mr. Ames.”

“Mr. Ames? Poor Mrs. Ames. And a little boy? His mother must be devastated.” Esther felt tears well. How well she knew what the woman was going through. “I’d like to visit her, perhaps after the funeral.”

“She would appreciate that, I’m sure. Benjamin was the youngest of five, only three years old, but losing a child isn’t easy, no matter how many in your family. They’ll bury the boy on their farm, so there won’t be a funeral, at least not one I’ll officiate. They’ll honor their Jewish traditions.” He went to the washstand to clean up for dinner. “Delores Abel told me she sent for her sons when Abraham took ill. After breaking his wrist, she knew he wasn’t all that strong anymore. She expects the boys to arrive tomorrow.”

“I’ll take some food over for her and see if there’s anything I can do.”

“I ran into Elda Owens this morning. She and Dorothea Meier were heading to the Abel place this afternoon. They’ll help Delores prepare the body for the wake.”

“Then I’ll ask them what’s needed. Will there be a wake for Benjamin?”

“Probably, but Ira wanted to discuss it with Ruth before he made any plans. We’ll have a funeral for Mr. Washington once the grave is dug. As soon as the Abel boys arrive, we’ll have Abraham’s funeral.”

“Will you need me to play the organ for them?”

“You’re already doing so much. I hate to add—”

“I don’t mind. I know I’m not really part of King’s Ford yet, but this is something I can do for the families.”

James laid his hands on her shoulders. “You’re a good and generous woman, Esther Travers. I’m sure singing favorite hymns would be a great comfort to the families.

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