Reverend of Silence by Pamela Sparkman

Author:Pamela Sparkman [Sparkman, Pamela]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-01-13T18:30:00+00:00

Lucy

Days passed with Sam improving very little. We took turns sitting at Sam’s bedside, holding his good hand, putting tea to his lips, hoping he’d drink some of it down, and trying to keep him as comfortable as possible.

I hadn’t asked permission to stay. I hadn’t asked permission to help as my mama had done. I’d never given Mama and Papa Burke the opportunity to turn me away, to say no. I’d simply arrived and never left.

When I wasn’t holding Sam’s hand, I was cleaning rooms, opening windows, bringing in fresh water, washing our clothes, and hanging them out to dry.

Noah was keeping the wood stacked.

Mama was there every day, helping, intercepting visitors from Papa Burke’s church and others from town, armed with baskets of food and messages of sympathy. They never stayed long. Mama Burke rarely saw their visitors. It was a strain on her heart to be away from Sam. Papa Burke would greet them on occasion, but mostly, they allowed Mama to take care of that for them.

Papa came by in the evenings after work and would stay late until Papa Burke would send them away.

“There’s nothing you can do. Go home. Rest. Come back tomorrow.”

But I was excluded from that command. I supposed everyone knew there was no going home for me. I was there. I was staying. And that was the end of it. I was glad for that.

Although I wasn’t excluded from all commands. Noah had come into Sam’s room one early morning like a gust of wind, pointed to me before signing, “We’re going out.”

I had bristled, blinked, stared, and then said, “What?”

He grabbed my hand with his left, signed with his right, “Come with me.”

“No,” I signed. “I need . . .”

Mama Burke entered the room. She kissed my cheek, then placed her palm there. She stared at me for a moment with sad eyes. Then she signed, “Get some sun. Enjoy fresh air. Sam will be here when you get back.”

I didn’t want to get some sun. I didn’t want fresh air. I wanted to hold Sam’s hand, and that was all.

Noah tugged at my hand and led me out the door, down the stairs, and out of the house. Every step we took, anger swelled up inside me until I thought I might explode with it. I don’t know why I allowed him to lead me from where I wanted to be. When we had made it halfway to our house, I planted my feet to the ground and yanked my hand free from his. Noah turned with wide eyes.

“Stop,” I said. I pointed to the Burke house. “I’m going back,” I signed furiously. I turned to go. Noah jumped in front of me.

“Wait,” he said. “Let’s take a ride together. We will stay close. I promise. You need to get out some.”

“I do not!” I said. “Don’t tell me what I need! I need to be with Sam!”

“Sam doesn’t know you’re there!”

Tears pricked my eyes.

“I’m sorry,” Noah said, taking a step toward me.

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