If the town was bigger, they might see a few staggering figures in the streets. These men were too intoxicated to care about a couple of kids passing by, but seeing the men still made Eli’s heart skip. He would hold his breath and pray that he and Ada would be mistaken for mischievous boys who had slipped out of their home to uncover the mysteries of the local saloon. At least, that was his intention when he had cut Ada’s hair.
When they had stumbled upon the first of the rolling grain fields, Eli noticed a few land laborers. Fortunately, these men were too busy eliminating a mole threat to notice the two coming out of the brake. Upon seeing the workers, Eli pulled Ada back into the woods to reassess their next steps. That was when he suggested they disguise her as a boy. She was already dressed in men’s clothing, but they needed to do something about her hair. Without a hat to conceal it, it would have to be cut. Since she wasn’t able to brush her hair, she had kept it braided, but it was such a tangled mess by that point, Eli doubted it could ever be unbraided again. Short hair would be easier for her to manage and would help her look less like a girl, which would be safer as the inevitability of running into others quickly approached.
Having Ada’s permission, he used the Bowie knife to cut off her braid at the base of her neck. He sawed away chunks of hair around her face and along the back of her head. Her eyes watered as she bit her lower lip. She must have been upset about losing her hair. Eli certainly didn’t want to see it go; he had always liked her hair. It was long and thick, and it looked soft and wavy when it wasn’t tangled. Before their time in the woods, she would sometimes wear it loose and unbraided. Eli would fight the urge to run his fingers through it. He tried once when she was six years old, but she pushed him down and ran away crying when his sticky fingers caught her hair and pulled harder than intended. After a stern scolding from his father, Eli decided it was better to leave Ada’s hair alone and admire it from afar. As he continued cutting her hair, he soon realized that her tears weren’t from vanity.
“Ouch!” She tried to pull away. The blade tore at Ada’s hair more than it cut. Eli eased up on the knife, but he felt once again like that clumsy boy yanking at her pretty curls.
“I’m sorry,” he kept repeating after every wince.
“It’s all right, Eli,” she said. “It doesn’t hurt that much, but please don’t take too long. And then give me the knife; I get to cut yours next.” She somehow managed to giggle through another wince.
Once Ada was properly disguised, Eli worried less about being close to an increasing population. However, he had still insisted they travel only during the dark hours. But now he was contemplating going into this town during the light of day, and the reason for his plan was tucked safely away in his pocket.
Two towns back, while quietly slipping through its dark streets, Eli thought he heard someone whisper his name. The voice was an echo-like hint of a sound that had not been produced nor even heard by Ada. His heart leapt into his throat, and he was sure its rapid beating would wake every single home around them. He froze. Ada stopped walking and turned toward him with a questioning glance. As Eli gained the courage to look for the source of the sound, he convinced himself it was made by a nocturnal animal skittering about in the dark. Then he saw something metallic glinting in the moonlight: a coin! He picked it up, stuffed it in his pocket, and grabbed Ada’s hand. Pulling her into a swift jog, he led her toward the end of town. There, they slipped between some trees and lost themselves in the safety of the wooded area behind the last building.
Whether it had been an animal or just his tired mind playing tricks on him, Eli knew he had God to thank for the coin in his pocket. If he hadn’t stopped in that exact spot, or if the moon hadn’t been shining down at that exact angle, he wouldn’t have found it. Those didn’t seem like coincidences. And since he had just been pleading with God to help them find food, discovering the coin was an answer to prayer and not just dumb luck. He was painfully aware that as the wilderness decreased, so did his ability to trap animals. It would only be a matter of time before their hunger would force them into the open. But now they could buy food honestly instead of having to risk stealing it in their desperation. All they had to do was find a town big enough to ensure the people in it wouldn’t pay them much attention.
When they came upon this town below the hill, Eli was convinced they had found the right place. A small open-air market was located along the street running through its center. The market had six tables of wares set up under stretched oilcloth canopies. From the hilltop, Eli was unable to see what was on those tables, but he hoped one of the merchants would be selling some cheese—or some bread at the very least. His stomach growled as he wondered how much food the coin would buy. A twinge of excitement hinting at a change in their favor danced under that growl, but perhaps it was just the anticipation of tasting something more palatable than squirrel or mouse.
Nevertheless, he wanted to proceed with caution. He insisted they spend the next day watching the market and all of its customers. He wanted to know how long it stayed opened, how busy it was, and what type of people came to the tables. Now that he had this information, Eli was confident that the best time to go was first thing in the morning as the market was opening and before it got too busy.
There was a thicket of bushes at the bottom of the hill, just outside the edge of town. From that area, they could safely enter the streets. It was close to the market and would be perfect for gaining quick access to the food they needed. In the morning while it was still dark, they would sneak down and wait in the bushes for the sun to rise. When the market opened, they could casually stroll into town, buy some food, and stroll out of town before most people were finished with their morning chores.
The shadows soon elongated, and the market began to close for the evening. Eli woke Ada and motioned her back under the cover of the trees where they made camp. He told her his plan, and she agreed it sounded promising. Having nothing else to eat but a few rough plants, they decided to go to bed and get as much rest as they could. Even though they needed the energy for the next day, Eli doubted they would get much sleep. Hunger and nerves were not good sleeping tonics. They wrapped themselves in their blankets and Eli put an arm around Ada, a habit he had formed to help ward off her nightmares and to keep warm. He closed his eyes; the morning couldn’t come fast enough.
MARCUS
Marcus and his wife Grace spent the morning cleaning the vacant home with the help of Isaac and Hannah Weber, who lived on the property next to the old Colebrook house. No, that was wrong; it was now the Gardner house. That would take a while to sound natural in his mind! Grace started a fire in the oven’s firebox and placed a large pot of stew on the warming surface. While they dusted cobwebs, the house gradually filled with the scent of beef, vegetables, and herbs. To make the meal complete, Hannah had mixed up a batch of corn bread that was now in the oven forming a golden crispy top and emitting its own complimentary aroma throughout the house.
Marcus stood on top of a step stool he had brought from home and wiped the tops of the cupboards with a damp rag. The savory aroma from the stove was torturing his appetite! He considered abandoning his chore while only half done to remove himself from the temptation to dive into the stew. Of course, a quick peek under the lid couldn’t hurt. As he climbed down from the stool and reached for the lid, he could hear Grace and Hannah visiting while sweeping the floor in the adjacent room.
Isaac was somewhere in the house, wiping the tops of window frames. Being taller, Marcus and Isaac were assigned with cleaning the top half of the house while the women cleaned the bottom half. They washed windows, swept away cobwebs, dusted base boards, wiped counters and basins, and aired out each room. The industrious men even found a few small repairs needing their attention. By now, the house looked and smelled inviting.
Returning to his task, Marcus finished wiping the cupboard tops, but his eyes kept drifting back to the stove. Perhaps he should try a quick sampling of Grace’s stew, just to
make sure it was warm enough for the weary travelers. Reluctantly, he decided against it on the assumption that there was stew at home. He hoped she had made extra for them to eat later.
Leaving the kitchen before he could reconsider his dilemma, he thanked the trio, telling them the house couldn’t be any cleaner. Agreeing, the group decided to pack up their supplies and take them outside. The house was tidy, the supper was warmed and ready, it was early afternoon, and the young Gardner couple would be arriving at any moment. Grace swept the porch while the other three waited. Soon they were joined by Evelyn. She marched up the steps of the covered porch, holding her perfectly baked cake.
“Ooh, here they come!” she said as she approached the small group of friends. The five figures all turned toward the direction of downtown. Sure enough, a wagon drove up the lane, sparsely loaded with furniture and a few securely packed crates. It pulled to a stop as it came into view of the house.
Marcus could just make out a young man and woman sitting on the wagon seat, first looking at the cleaning party on the porch and then glancing nervously at each other. He hoped their welcome would not come across as overwhelming to these newcomers. If that were the case, it was too late to change their plans now. The young man put a hand on the woman’s arm and spoke what Marcus assumed was a reassuring word. The woman nodded, the couple smiled at each other, and the man shook the reins again, easing the wagon back into motion. As it approached, Marcus took in a deep breath and looked at the others.
“This is it,” he said, smiling at Grace. “It’s time to meet the Gardners.”
ADA
Ada stood still as Eli scanned her from head to toe, assessing how she looked. To avoid notice, they needed to appear as neat as possible before going into town. He rolled her sleeves up so they didn’t hang past her fingers; it helped, but her clothes still hung on her.
“Try tucking your shirt in more,” he said, “and let me check your arm again. I can wrap the fabric tighter if you need me to.”
Earlier that morning he had inspected the strips of fabric wrapped around her arm to make sure they hadn’t shifted while she slept, but now he wanted to check them again. Yes, the strips still covered her lower arm. To be honest, they were tight enough to make her always aware of them. She wanted to rip them off, but she knew that wasn’t a good idea. Instead, she tried to ignore them.
“They’re fine, Eli,” she said, but he insisted she check his arm as well. Again, the wrappings were accomplishing their job. Both of their arms were fully concealed.
He handed Ada a jacket, and after she put it on, he ran his hands over her arms to smooth out the crumpled sleeves. Those stubborn wrinkles wouldn’t go away, and he finally gave up.
“You look like a hayseed,” he teased. “Try not to trip on your cuffs, okay?”
“Hush up!” she said. “You’re one to talk.”
“Here, let me help.” He kneeled and rolled up her pant legs. “They’ll look better if they don’t drag on the ground.”
Ada pushed him off balance. “Boys always look like a mess. At least I match you.” She hoped she sounded more lighthearted than she felt.
Eli stood and patted down her hair. He pressed his lips together and looked as though he were stifling a smile. Ever since it was cut short, Ada’s hair refused to behave. It flipped up in the most unpredictable ways. She knew she looked ridiculous, but most boys looked just as rumpled, and looking like a young boy was what she was hoping to accomplish. She was to pose as Eli’s younger brother, and if asked any questions, she would shyly look at him to answer so her voice wouldn’t give them away.
“Well,” Eli said with a sigh, “I guess we’re as ready as we’ll ever be. Remember, Ada; stay close to me and be ready to run. There’s a denser wooded area to the east.” He pointed in that direction. “If we need to, we’ll head back to this bush and then over to those trees. We can lose someone who’s chasing us in there.”
Ada nodded and smiled faintly; her hands were shaking. Eli looked calmer than she felt. Was he even worried? Maybe boys knew some secret about looking calm. If so, she hoped she wouldn’t attract unwanted attention by not knowing it.
Thankfully, she didn’t have to lug around their blankets. Eli put the bundle under a bush and covered it with branches; they would come back for it later. But she noticed he wasn’t willing to leave the canvas bag. He cinched it up tight, put an arm through each strap, and cinched those as well. After securing the pack, he placed his hand on her back and guided her out from behind the tall bush and into the town’s street. They put their heads down to avoid eye contact and walked toward the end of the road where the market was.
Once on the street, Ada felt exposed. When she peered at Eli for encouragement, his haggard expression told her something was wrong. Her heart raced as they continued down the street. There was no market! No tables, no oilcloth canopies, and definitely no food. Eli’s gaze darted from shop to shop. Now he finally looked nervous. She wondered if he would try to enter one of the stores, but the thought of being trapped behind a closed door caused a hot panic to spread from Ada’s stomach to her legs. If they had to run, she might not be able to. She kept her eyes locked on him.
“Hey, you!” A gruff voice called out from behind, forcing them to spin around, and Ada found herself staring into the eyes of a dreadful old man with leathery skin and a stringy mustache. He grabbed onto Eli’s wrist before they had a chance to run. The man’s knuckles turned white as his hand tightened into a vice-like grip. His other hand landed on Ada’s shoulder. “What are you boys up to?” he demanded as he sneered at her. “Very bad boys, I’d say. You two better come with me.”
Neither of them said a word. The man lifted Eli’s wrist upward, twisting his arm at the shoulder and causing Eli to grimace. As his arm was pulled, Eli’s sleeve pushed back exposing the edge of the fabric strips. The man looked at the bandaged arm and then into Eli’s eyes. A smile crept across his face as his rough cheek twitched.
“What happened to your arm?” he asked. Amusement danced behind his eyes, and he dug his fingers into Ada’s shoulder to let her know he hadn’t forgotten about her.
“I—I burned it.” Eli stammered.
“Shut up!” the man growled, cutting him off. He leaned in and breathed hot, stale breath in their faces. “I know what you are. And I know someone who’d like to see what you have hidden under that bandage. I bet I can guess what he’ll find.” As he spoke, greed plucked at the corners of his grin. “You’re definitely coming with me.”
Before Ada could blink, Eli lifted his foot and brought his hard, sturdy boot down on the man’s worn-out shoe, crushing the toes within. Simultaneously, his free hand jabbed straight for the man’s throat. The momentum of the strike caused the man to stumble back, clutching at his neck and gasping for air as shock leapt across his face. Eli grabbed Ada’s arm, spun her around, and pulled her into a run. They couldn’t go back to the woods as they had planned; the man blocked that path. He shook off the effects of Eli’s attack and ran after them with renewed anger in his wild eyes.
Tears threatened Ada’s vision as they turned right and ran through an alleyway between two shops. The alley dumped them onto another street, and Eli led her to the left. She lost all sense of direction as she was being pulled along. Without Eli, she wouldn’t have known where to go or what to do. She never stopped to think that perhaps he was running just as blindly.
Rounding another corner, they sprinted toward a parked caravan of horse-drawn carriages resembling tiny houses. Ada recognized a large, pleasant-looking woman standing by one of the wagon homes. She was one of the merchants from the market! The woman handed a bag to a man, who then secured it under a canvas tarp that covered the outer storage area of their wagon. The group of traveling merchants were busy packing up their belongings and didn’t notice the two running toward them as they prepared for their departure.
While the merchants were distracted, Eli and Ada ran to the closest wagon. A dog was resting on the gro
und with his head on his paws. His ears perked up as they neared the wagon. She barely had time to wonder if the dog would bark at them before Eli pulled her up the steps that led to a door. He yanked it open and pushed her inside, climbing in after her. As he shut the door and guided her deeper into the dark, Ada prayed the man hadn’t seen them.
She tried to catch her breath, aware that they were both breathing too loudly. She clutched Eli’s arms and squeezed her eyes shut, burying her face into his chest.
“What are you two doing in here?” a deep voice boomed out from beside them. They spun toward the voice, wide-eyed. In the dark, Ada could just make out two silhouettes. Oh no, not again! She held onto Eli tighter.
As her eyes adjusted, Ada noticed that one of the occupants was a woman who did not look unkind, only startled by their sudden appearance; a sympathetic smile spread across her face. But the other was a tall, broad-shouldered man with a shaved head and closely trimmed beard. He wore a sleeveless undershirt and a stern expression. His bare arms and shoulders were covered in dark-lined pictures implying they had a story to tell. His arms were crossed in front of his chest and he stood with a wide stance, giving him an even larger and more imposing look. He took a step forward and placed himself between them and the door.
“You boys have some explaining to do,” the man said. “Start talking.” As he glared at them, the dog began to snarl right outside the door.
MARCUS
Marcus waved at the couple as their wagon approached the house. The young man nodded. He eased the horses to a stop and jumped to the ground as the pastor walked toward him, followed by the others.
Painted Vessels Page 3
