Episode 17

Miss Eugenia’s cane likely could have been heard by most within the Berry household as she slowly made her way back to her chambers. But Phee was so engrossed in reading, she did not notice until her auntie came within a few feet of her.

“Auntie! It is truly wonderful you walked elsewhere in the house.” Phee turned her gaze down to the floor. “I should have gone with you. To make sure you were all right. It has been such a long time you left these rooms.”

“No, dear. It was perfectly fine. I got a little tired, but I sat and rested. I believe I may have frightened poor Mrs. Childers, though. She burst into the dining room, perhaps expecting an intruder. She held her broom like a weapon! Imagine her surprise in seeing me.” Miss Eugenia cackled. Not chuckled, but cackled, her voice betraying her more advanced age.

Phee sighed in relief and strode to her aunt to assist her to the wingchair.

“Ophelia, I would prefer to lie in bed a short while. I need to rest. But I look forward to further adventures outside of these walls. Now, niece, have you gotten to a part in your reading that is upsetting in any way?”

“Well, Auntie. Zora does not sound like she is doing very well, but I hold out hope.”

“As you should, dear. Perhaps while I rest, you could continue reading. I believe you are arriving at an interesting part.”

Miss Eugenia had scarcely quit speaking when she fell asleep, quickly snoring. Phee took up the volume again and continued.

“Zora rolled to her side, facing me. “My father is persistent. He tells me he will see to the care of the children.” She closed her eyes for a few minutes then opened them and managed a smile. “Perhaps it  will be unnecessary to decide about them.”

There was a soft knock, followed by Mr. McQueen. Zora rolled on her back, her gaze following her husband. She attempted to speak clearly. “My darling.”

“Yes, my dear pet.”

“Please bring the healers. I believe they can help.”

In less than an hour, the clan’s primary healer was at Zora’s side. With him were many other members, most wearing a combination of Native and English dress. They formed a circle around her, while Chief Half-Moon sat on the bed by her side. He invited me to be in the circle. Next to him stood Calming-Waters.

I did not know quite what to do but concluded I should treat the invitation as trustworthy and not evil.

A young boy translated. He told us, through Creek and English, that the healer wished us to lay our hands upon Zora. As a woman walked around the room burning herbs and fanning the smoke toward my friend, the healer began chanting. His voice rose and fell with a cadence I found comforting, even though I did not understand a word.

The healer raised his arms heavenward, as did the others. I followed suit. He chanted something which I took to be a prayer because the boy did not translate it.

 The ceremony ended after about twenty minutes. Most dispersed but Calming-Waters and Chief Half-Moon remained.

Zora’s eyes remained closed. When her husband touched her face, she opened them and gazed at him with half-shut eyelids. What I observed was love and gratitude.

Calming-Waters prepared a bottle, combining an unknown powder into the liquid. She gave it to Chief Half-Moon. He supported his wife’s back, neck, and head by sitting on the bed next to and partially behind her. He brought the vial to her lips. Wordlessly, she cupped her palm around her husband’s. She then noticed Calming-Waters and pushed her husband’s hand away. She looked at the chief, back to Calming-Waters, and again to her husband.

“This will help you,” he told her. He gently brushed the side of her face and brought the bottle again to her lips.

I doubt I would trust a liquid prepared by my husband’s other wife if I did not have a good relationship with her. Conversely, I trust such a man as Chief Half-Moon, so it did not surprise me when Zora took the vial and drank. She coughed after the first sip, spewing out most of it. Once more, he raised the bottle to her lips, and this time, she was able to drink.

Zora’s feet poked two tiny mountains upward from her sky-blue cashmere blanket. Calming-Waters caressed Zora’s legs, massaging them with the cover. The touch conveyed a kindness I had not before seen. She uttered a few words in Creek, then departed.

Outside the bedchamber, the healer and Calming-Waters sat on the hallway floor. As I exited the room and walked toward my bedchamber, I saw the chief join them. The three faced each other in a small triangle and chanted.

From my bedchamber, I heard the judge’s heavy footsteps approach. “She should not be here.” I assume he meant Calming Waters. “And if he is the healer, I do not wish him here either. Did my daughter ask for either of them?”

The chief answered him in quiet tones.

“Healers did not save my wife!” The judge’s voice rose to an angry pitch.

“Let us go outside,” responded the chief just loud enough for me to hear through a closed door. “We will discuss it there.”

“They must go,” declared an agitated Mr. Black.

“No, they shall not. Please respect Zora, me, and our home.” I imagined what each person looked like in that moment. Mr. Black waving his hands about, the healer and Calming-Waters continuing their chanting on the floor, and Chief Half-Moon patiently trying to diffuse the situation.

But Judge Black’s voice rose even more.

“You mean Zora’s home. The one I gave her.”

There was an absence of words, but I could hear metal clanking upon metal, a scuffling of feet. I peered out my door and watched as the two men pitched one way, then another, the chief with a knife drawn, the judge holding a gun. Despite the superior weapon, the latter was no match for the younger and stronger son-in-law. Chief Half-Moon wrestled away the gun and sent the older man flying near my doorway.

“Now,” said the chief, “I will see to my wife.” He glanced my direction as he wiped perspiration from his forehead. “My apologies, Miss Jones.”

Judge Black rose from the hallway floor unsteadily. Given his age and the circumstances, I expected him to lie on the floor far longer. I did not know what to say, so silence was my companion. I looked at him with as much kindness as I could muster.

I am not sympathetic to those causing commotion outside the door of a very ill lady, especially one who is the wife and daughter of the two combatants.

However, I could understand.

Both were experiencing a kind of pain I can only imagine. I am sad, too, but to a lesser extent, because I am merely a new acquaintance. I realize Mr. Black and Mr. McQueen have not been on the friendliest terms. A woman that they both love lies in danger of her very life. Emotions are bound to run high.

Mr. Black regained his footing. Breathing heavily while dusting himself off, he was not yet divested of many ill-feelings, perhaps murderous ones.

My thoughts ran to my friend. I wanted her to have comfort, and I knew the commotion must have disturbed her. I needed to persuade the judge to go outside until he could be calm.

As for the chief, I saw a man who will not abide insults, but who desires a peaceful quiet.

I did not witness the part of the altercation where they drew weapons, but after sizing up the demeanor of the two men post-fight, I believe Judge Black first drew his gun in a threatening manner. I do not think he intended mischief, but only wished to emphasize his point.

The chief also did not wish to cause harm, but instinctively defended himself. Once he disarmed his father-in-law, he walked away and returned to the place he needed to be, with his wife.

I peered down the hall and noticed the healer and Calming-Waters were no longer outside the door. They likely slipped back inside the bedchamber. I felt it would require all of my wit and guile to sway the judge to follow me out of harm’s way.

I helped the judge dust off his coat and dabbed blood at the corner of his mouth with my handkerchief. Then, I firmly but sweetly inquired if he would accompany me on a short walk.

If the judge did not possess the utmost of good manners, he certainly would have declined. But doing so would have been impolite. I thus took the judge’s arm and strode downstairs, then outside.