by Janette Oke
“Silly,” said Belinda in disgust. “I mean, to make his house calls. He’s gonna let me go along.”
Amy Jo looked shocked rather than impressed. “Whatever for?” she questioned impatiently.
“So I can learn,” declared Belinda. This conversation was not going at all as she had planned.
“Learn to what?”
“To sew up people and fix broken bones an’—”
“Yuck!” interrupted Amy Jo and stuck out her tongue.
Belinda bit her lip. She was tempted to call Amy Jo a child, then get up and move away, dandelion chains and all. Instead, she quietly began to count to ten like her father had taught her.
“Ya really wanna learn that stuff?” asked Amy Jo.
“’Course,” answered Belinda, a stubborn set to her jaw.
“I wouldn’t,” Amy Jo shook her head confidently. “I hate blood an’ messy cuts an’ things. I wouldn’t wanna do that at all.”
“Well, someone has to do it,” began Belinda, but Amy Jo cut in quickly, “Let Luke. He’s the doctor. What’s he makin’ you do it for? He gits paid to fix people so why should . . .”
But Belinda could bear no more and closed her ears to the rest of Amy Jo’s opinions on the matter. She pulled one of her golden braids and sighed deeply. Amy Jo simply did not understand. Belinda wished she had never told her precious secret. She would say no more—at least not until she could find someone who would really appreciate her wonderful opportunity.
Four
House Calls
Belinda was so anxious to get started on her new venture that Luke had a hard time keeping her eagerness in check. He wanted to talk once more with Clark and Marty and get their final decision. He finally found a little free time on a Saturday afternoon.
“Belinda’s pushing for an answer,” he said from his place at the kitchen table. “She isn’t in a frame of mind to wait much longer. Have you had a chance to think and pray about this?” he asked.
Clark nodded and reached for a ginger cookie. “She can go.”
“But . . . but not just anytime,” Marty quickly added as she stood beside Luke pouring fresh lemonade.
“We been thinkin’ ya might be able to sorta pick ’n choose the times,” Clark explained. “So thet she won’t be exposed to too much, too quick like.”
“Exactly,” agreed Luke. “Exactly my thinking. That’s why I said house calls instead of working at the office. I have some idea ahead of time what I’ll be finding when I make a house call. Office—well, I never know what might come in.”
Marty breathed a sigh of relief.
“Truth is,” Luke went on, “I’m on my way out to the Vickers’ now. Their oldest son, Sam, cut himself with an axe on Wednesday. I stitched it up fer him at the office, but I said I’d stop by and see how it is doing today. Wasn’t too bad a cut, but it will need the dressing changed. Can she come?”
Clark and Marty exchanged glances and the decision was made. Clark nodded their agreement.
“Good!” said Luke. He finished his cookie and reached for another.
“I’ll call ’er,” said Marty. “I set ’er to straightenin’ fruit shelves in the cellar.”
Belinda arrived in a flurry of excitement. She was ready to grab her coat and go out immediately with Luke to his buggy.
“My, my!” said Marty with a laugh. “Jest don’t get ya in such a state! Ya need to change thet dirty dress and wash those hands afore yer able to go anyplace.”
Belinda ran to the sink, quickly swishing water over her hands and face, then upstairs to change.
She was back in a wink, and Marty reached for the brush to straighten her tangled hair.
Belinda wriggled impatiently. “Hurry, Mama,” she pleaded. “I don’t want Luke to go without me.”
Luke laughed. “I’ll be here. Do as your mama says. We don’t want you going in there all rumpled and scaring my patient, now, do we?” He rose from the table to get the pitcher for another glass of lemonade for Clark and himself.
It wasn’t a long ride to the Vickers’. With Belinda on the buggy seat beside him, Luke talked to her about the case, using the proper terms and explaining about sutures, surgery, bacteria, and antiseptics. Belinda listened wide-eyed, her expression indicating how impressed she was with her big brother.
“Oh, Luke, you know so much!” she enthused. “Thanks—thanks so much for havin’ this idea an’ for bringin’ me along.”
Luke laughed and told her she probably should wait a bit with her thanks until they’d made their first call.
When they reached the Vickers’, young Ezra was sent to take the doctor’s horse. With black bag in one hand and Belinda by the other, Luke proceeded to the house. They were met at the door by Mrs. Vickers. She looked a bit surprised to see Belinda.
“This yer baby sister?”
Luke said that it was.
“My child, yer a growin’ up. Most old enough to be of some help to yer mama,” said Mrs. Vickers.
“Today she’s going to be of some help to me,” Luke put in with a grin in Belinda’s direction. “Wants to learn about medicine.”
Mrs. Vickers frowned. “A girl?” The question was full of unspoken dubiousness.
Belinda looked quickly at her brother, then said, “Lots of girls train to be nurses now. An’ Luke told me we’re going to need lots more of ’em in the future.”
“Well, I guess yer mama knows what she’s doin’,” answered Mrs. Vickers, but her expression indicated that she seriously doubted it. “Never let a girl of mine be a doin’ it, though.” Then under her breath and with a click of her tongue, she continued, “Nursin’. Never thought I’d hear me the day.”
With Luke’s arm protectively across Belinda’s shoulders, Mrs. Vickers led the way to the bedroom.
The bedroom needed a good airing out, and Belinda felt her stomach lurch a bit at the stale air. Her palms were sticky with sweat and her heart was hammering.
On the bed lay Sam Vickers, his leg propped up on a pillow. Beside him on the bed lay several thongs of cowhide leather. He must be braiding a rope of some sort, Belinda thought. He looked bored and frustrated, and Belinda could imagine he wasn’t too easy a patient for his mother to care for.
“How are we doing, Sam?” greeted Luke.
Sam’s answer was a scowl.
“Bed getting a little uncomfortable?” continued Luke.
“Sure is,” grumbled Sam. “Never be so glad to git outta a place as I will be this here bed.”
“Well, if your leg is doing okay, maybe we can get you to a chair now and then.”
Sam did not look impressed. A chair probably didn’t sound all that much better.
Luke opened up his black bag and took out a few items that he placed on the table by the bed.
“It been givin’ you much pain?” he asked Sam.
Sam shook his head, but as Belinda looked in his eyes she wondered if he was really telling the truth. She stole a quick glance at Luke and thought that he might be questioning the boy’s truthfulness, as well.
Luke proceeded to unwrap the injured leg.
“I see it’s been doing a bit of bleeding,” he commented.
“Not much,” Sam mumbled. “Maybe bumped it in the night or somethin’.” It was obvious he wasn’t going to let any bleeding keep him a prisoner in his bed if he could help it.
Belinda watched the sure hands of her brother as they unwound the bandages. There had been bleeding, all right. The closer Luke got to the wound, the redder the bandages were becoming.
Belinda shut her eyes tightly just as Luke went to remove the last strip of bandage, and then she scolded herself and opened them again. Can’t be a nurse with my eyes shut.
The bandage stuck. Luke lifted his eyes to Mrs. Vickers hovering at the door.
“Could you bring a pan of hot water and a clean cloth, please, ma’am?”
Mrs. Vickers went to do his bidding.
Soaking off the bloody bandages was a slow process. At le
ast it seemed awfully slow to Belinda. She marveled at Luke’s patience.
At last the final bit of gauze was lifted from the cut, and Belinda caught her breath as she saw the angry red tear in the flesh. It had been stitched carefully so there was no gaping, but it was still inflamed and fiery looking. Belinda lifted her eyes back to the face of the patient. It must be very painful. How did Sam . . . ?
There was pain in Sam’s eyes. Without even thinking, Belinda reached out a hand and brushed the shaggy hair back from his forehead. For just a second their eyes met. A message of sympathy passed from Belinda to Sam, and then the spell was broken. Quickly Belinda withdrew her hand and stepped back, and Sam restlessly moved his head on the pillow.
Luke saw it all—saw the genuine care that prompted Belinda’s action, saw the brief moment of accepted sympathy on the part of Sam, and saw the hasty retreat by both of them. Why do we do it? Luke wondered to himself. Why do we feel we can’t honestly, openly express our concern for another?
At the same time, Luke was encouraged by the compassion in Belinda’s eyes. Yes, she might very well make a good nurse. She could feel, she could empathize with the patients. That was promising in someone of her age. Perhaps she isn’t too young after all.
Luke continued with his treatment, watching Belinda closely for her reactions. He did not want to push her into a profession where she did not belong. Though he did see hesitation, even shock, at the injury and pain of the patient, he did not see Belinda flinch away. She faced the procedures honestly, squarely, though she certainly did not seem to enjoy them for their own sake.
When the leg had been carefully rebandaged, Luke assisted Sam to a chair in the family living room. Belinda placed the cushions as Luke lowered the young man to the seat. She eased another cushion under the extended leg. And she went back to the bedroom to retrieve the braided thongs so Sam might have something to busy his hands as soon as he felt up to using them.
Luke was impressed. He didn’t say anything about it then to her, but he did give her a warm smile and her shoulder a slight squeeze to tell her that she had done a good job as his assistant. Belinda beamed. He would let her accompany him again.
Over the months that followed, Luke carefully chose cases that would be appropriate for Belinda to see and provide some assistance. These times were limited. She could not go where communicable diseases were treated. He did not take her when he feared the case might be too hard for a young girl to stomach. He did not take her when he feared the procedure would be a long one, demanding his undivided time and attention. But he did take her on a number of calls when he felt she could learn some of the principles of home care.
She was always eager to learn. On the way to the case he would explain what they would be treating and how they would go about it. She learned the names of his instruments and their use. It wasn’t too long before Belinda was able to pass the instruments to him when he asked for them, if his hands were busy with other things.
Luke was amazed at how quickly she caught on. His voice held admiration and excitement whenever he reported to Clark and Marty. They exchanged glances of both relief and awe. Maybe they had done the right thing. They continued to pray for guidance.
Perhaps the only one to chafe about the arrangement was Amy Jo. She complained loudly and often about “Lindy bein’ gone all the time.” Not only was Belinda occasionally gone, but when she was home, Amy Jo said she just sat there poring over “some boring old medical book.” She wasn’t fun like she used to be, and Amy Jo did wish Belinda would just forget the whole thing.
But Belinda wasn’t about to forget it. Daily her interest seemed to increase rather than diminish.
Summer came again and with it another break from school. Amy Jo said she was looking forward to the summer because it meant free time—more time for play. She sent a meaningful glance toward Belinda. But Belinda looked forward to the summer because it meant more time to be with Luke—more time to make house calls. Now she would be able to go on more than just Saturdays.
Her excitement mounted just thinking about it. And Luke had promised that in a couple years he would talk to her parents about letting her help in the office in town.
Five
A Surprise
“Belinda! Belinda!”
Marty’s voice rose above the usual clamor of the farmyard flocks and herds. Belinda and Amy Jo, who were in the loft of the barn enjoying a new batch of kittens, heard the excitement in her voice. Belinda bounced to her feet. Perhaps Luke had come and they were going on another house call.
“I’ve gotta go,” she informed her playmate.
Amy Jo pouted. “Yer always runnin’ off,” she said. “We never git to play anymore.”
For a moment Belinda hesitated. She did feel bad when Amy Jo was upset. She was about to apologize when her mother called again.
“Belinda! Amy Jo!”
At the sound of her name, too, Amy Jo also scrambled up. The two of them hurried down the ladder and to the house, reaching the kitchen door breathless and flushed.
“There you are,” said Marty to them as they followed her into the kitchen. Belinda had seen the shine in her eyes, and she knew her mother had news of some sort. So it wasn’t just going to be some household chore.
“What is it?” she asked, puffing out each word.
“Clare jest got back from town, and there was a letter from Missie.” She put a hand on the shoulder of each girl. “Ya can’t guess what she has to say!”
Belinda couldn’t remember seeing her mother so excited for a long time.
“Did she have another baby?” she asked.
Marty laughed. “No. No new baby. But it’s something you’ll . . . you’ll find most interestin’. Both of ya.” Marty picked up the letter that lay on the kitchen table and nodded toward two chairs. The girls obediently sat down.
“Listen to this,” Marty instructed, and the girls prepared themselves to listen. Amy Jo cast a look in Belinda’s direction and rolled her expressive eyes. The look said clearly, All this fuss over a bit of news in a letter, and Belinda nearly choked on a giggle bubbling up inside her.
“‘We’d like to ask a big favor of you,’” read Marty. “‘Ya know that Melissa is gittin’ to be quite a young lady now. She has finished all of the grades in the local school. She thinks that she would like to be a schoolteacher. We still are very short of teachers here. Melinda—you remember Melinda, her teacher—thinks that Melissa would make a good teacher, and we’d like to give her the chance.’”
Marty hesitated a moment and glanced expectantly at the two girls. They waited for her to turn back to the letter before they dared to look at each other, and when she did continue, they both had to hide girlish snickers behind their hands. Why all the fuss about a far-off relative, a relative we haven’t even met, wanting to become a schoolteacher? was their unspoken question to each other.
“‘So, we have been thinkin’,’” Marty read on, “‘would you mind if Melissa comes out to stay with you while she gets some more trainin’?’”
Marty again looked up at the two girls.
It took a few moments for it all to sink in, but when it finally did, it was Amy Jo who cheered loudly.
“Oh boy!” she squealed. “Someone to play with while yer off with Luke.”
Belinda was a bit hurt by the outburst.
“She’ll be livin’ at our house,” she countered.
“Yeah, but—”
“Girls!” Marty interrupted. “Stop yer fussin’. I thought you’d be thinkin’ on Melissa, ’stead of fightin’ over who’d git her.”
Belinda and Amy Jo had enough good training to feel a bit embarrassed.
They waited quietly for Marty to continue.
“‘She will need a couple more grades in your local school, and then she will go on to take her normal school training. By then she should have adjusted enough to being away from her family so it won’t be so difficult for her. We thought if she could be with you first, it would be m
uch better for her than sending her directly to the big city.’”
It was beginning to seem more real.
“‘She will arrive about a week before classes begin. We will send her out by train.’”
Amy Jo reached over and poked Belinda, mouthing some words that Belinda did not catch.
Marty continued, “‘If it’s okay with you, we sure would appreciate it. It’s goin’ to be awfully hard for us to let her go. I understand much better now how you felt, Mama.’”
Marty’s voice trailed off, and her eyes began to mist. Belinda knew that tears were coming. But Amy Jo brought a quick halt to any sentiment.
“You an’ Grandpa gonna let her come?” she asked in her usual forthright fashion.
Marty looked with loving exasperation at her young granddaughter. Only Amy Jo would have found it necessary to ask such a question. But then she did not usually think before she spoke.
“’Course,” said Belinda, giving Amy Jo a gentle poke. “Ya know very well thet Ma and Pa’d never say no.”
Amy Jo just shrugged.
The excitement of it all began to sink through to Belinda. It will be so nice to have another girl in the house—almost like having a sister. Belinda caught herself. She did have sisters—her foster sisters, Nandry and Clae, but they were much older and had children of their own even older than herself. And she had Missie and Ellie—but the truth was she had never yet seen Missie, and Ellie had left home for the West when she, Belinda, had been only a few months old. She had never had a sister around to share a room—or secrets—or anything else with. Oh, true, there’s Amy Jo, she thought. Amy Jo was almost like having a sister—even if she really was a niece. But Melissa will be right in the house with me, she exulted silently. She knew better than to say something like that aloud in Amy Joe’s presence.
Belinda’s eyes traveled to the calendar on the wall. The letter had said Melissa would arrive a week or so before school. How many more weeks would that be? Quickly Belinda counted—three or, at the most, four. She could hardly wait. Boy, the weeks are going to pass awfully slowly! She turned back to her mother, her eyes now reflecting Marty’s shine. She jumped from her chair and threw her arms around Marty’s waist. No wonder Mama was so excited!
