Hannah's Wishes

by Agnes Alexander

“I didn’t think she would have, Tobias, but I have a special reason for coming early.”

  “Shall I go get Miss Hannah so she can entertain you till Miz Wedington gets home?”

  “Not yet. I actually want to talk with you and Minerva.”

  “Well, sir, she’s purty busy.”

  “I understand. I’ll come into the kitchen to talk with you.”

  Tobias looked puzzled. “Are you shore?”

  Jarrett nodded. “I’m sure. Lead the way.”

  A confused Tobias led Jarrett through the house to the kitchen where Minerva was alternating stirring in a pot and turning something in a cast iron frying pan.

  “Minerva, Mr. MacMichael is here.”

  Without turning around she said, “He’s too early.”

  “I know, but…”

  “I guess you better go get Miss Hannah and put them in the parlor. I’ll get them something to drink in a minute.”

  “You don’t understand, Minerva. He’s here in the kitchen.”

  “What?” She whirled around with the wooden spoon in her hand. It looked like some kind of tomato sauce that dripped from it. She grabbed a dishtowel and wrapped it around the spoon.

  Jarrett smiled at her. “Hello, Minerva.”

  “Hello, sir.”

  “As I told Tobias, I came to dinner early because I want to talk to the two of you when nobody can hear what I’m saying.”

  Tobias nodded and Minerva frowned.

  Jarrett went on, “If it’s not too much trouble, could I get a cup of coffee and I’ll sit here at your work table and tell you what’s on my mind. That way, you can go on with your cooking.”

  “I appreciate that, sir. Miz Wedington will be mad at me if’n I don’t have dinner ready when she gets home.” She took a cup from the shelf near the stove and poured coffee for him, then put it on the table in front of where he sat. “It might be a little strong. I admit, it’s left over from breakfast.”

  “Remember, I’m from the west. I like my coffee stronger than I’ve been finding in Georgia.” When she picked up the cream pitcher, he waved it away. “I drink it black, Minerva, but thank you.”

  She sat the pitcher down. “If’n you don’t mind, sir, I need Tobias to start shelling these peas so I can start them cooking.”

  “I don’t mind at all. He can sit here at the table with me to do the job. That way, both of you can hear me.”

  “Are your shore you don’t mind me setting with you?” Tobias raised an eyebrow.

  “I’m sure. Now, grab your peas and have a seat.”

  As soon as Tobias was seated, Jarrett said, “I went to the newspaper office Friday and looked up some things. There were two reports on Hector Wedington’s death, but they didn’t agree with each other.”

  Jarrett didn’t miss the quick glance that passed between Tobias and his wife, but neither of them said anything. He decided to drop the idea of questioning them about the death notice. Instead he said, “I understand you heard Mr. Wedington fall, Minerva.”

  “Yes, sir, I’s did. I’s a gittin’ ready to put breakfast on the table. I’d took out the bread and was wrapping it in a towel the way Mr. Wedington liked it. He always told me he didn’t want me serving him no cold bread.” She checked a pot then turned back to him. “It was a awful racket. I put the bread on the counter and went a runnin’ to see what was going on. Miz Wedington must of heard it, too ’cause when I got to the bottom of the steps, she come to the top. She screamed and come a runnin’ down the stairs. Tobias must’ve been in the downstairs somewhere ’cause he had got there about the same time she did. Miz Hamilton was a-visitin’ and she come runnin’, too. Miz Wedington told Tobias to go get the doctor. Miss Hannah, who was a baby at the time, started screaming, and Miz Hamilton had to go back to the room to take care of her. Me and Miz Wedington kind of straightened his body and she said we needed to put a blanket on him. I don’t know why she wanted that, but I run and got one out of the closet downstairs.”

  “Did he say anything, Minerva?”

  “Not a word. He was out cold. When the doctor got here, Tobias helped him get Mr. Wedington upstairs to his room.”

  Jarrett’s brow wrinkled. “His room? Didn’t the Wedingtons share a room?”

  Again, the glance between the Johnsons. Minerva spoke first. “They each had their own room. His was the big one upstairs, and hers is here on the first floor. I thought she might use the big one up there after he passed, but she says the one down here is more convenient. She still uses it.”

  Jarrett took a drink of coffee. “If her room was down here, what was she doing upstairs?”

  “I wouldn’t know that, sir.” Minerva turned back to the stove and didn’t add anything else.

  “Was Hannah living here at the time?”

  “No, sir. Her mother was still alive. Miss Hannah didn’t come here to live until Mr. Wedington had been dead for a few years,” Tobias said.

  “I see.” He finished his coffee. “Now, about the two reports of his death. One said Verbena found him dead in the morning. The other said he died in her arms. Which of these accounts is the real one?”

  Tobias looked at his wife. “I think we ought to tell him what it is we suspicion, Minerva.”

  Minerva wiped her brow with the corner of her apron. “I guess you’s right. Go on and tell him. You’re better at explaining things than me.”

  “Now, Mr. Jarrett, there ain’t no way Minerva and me really knows what happened, but we did have some thoughts about what went on. We didn’t think things were right that morning. We don’t know why Miz Wedington was upstairs afore Mr. Wedington fell. She didn’t go up there much, and when Minerva asked her why she was up there, she got so mad she told us that if we dared to question what she did in her own house again we could go looking for new jobs. We didn’t ask her no more questions.”

  Minerva interrupted. “I only ask her that one ’cause I thought I might be able to help her do something up there. After she yelled at me, I didn’t say no more ’bout it, but I did wonder.”

  Tobias continued his story. “While I was gone for the doctor, I don’t know what went on, but Minerva said Miz Wedington sent her to get a blanket.”

  “When I got back with it, Miz Wedington was at the top of the steps. She was bent over and picking up something from the floor. I don’t know what.”

  Jarrett rubbed his chin. “So, while her husband was lying at the foot of the stairs, she was up there getting something off the floor.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Did you see what she picked up?”

  Minerva shook her head. “No, sir. I didn’t ask ’cause I was afeared to.”

  Tobias went on. “When I come back with the doctor, we got him up to his room. Miz Wedington follered us. We’d no more than put him on the bed when she turned and told me to go tell Minerva to make sure breakfast was done, then she closed the door.”

  Jarrett frowned again. “So, her husband was in bed unconscious, and she wanted to eat?”

  “I thought it was a strange, too, but I went and told Minerva to get the food ready. Since Miz. Hamilton was visiting here, I figured that might be why she wanted the food fixed.”

  Minerva took up the story. “After a while, her and the doctor and Miz Hamilton come down and eat breakfast in the dining room. I was surprised Miz Wedington could eat so much when I heard the doctor tell her Mr. Wedington might not ever wake up.”

  “So, she knew her husband might die?”

  “She had to know. I heard the doctor tell her.”

  Jarrett nodded and took out his pocket watch. “It’s getting close to time for Verbena to get home. I’ll think over what you folks have said and we’ll talk again, but maybe you should finish getting dinner ready before she arrives. I’ll go up to get Hannah and bring her down to the parlor.”

  “Do you need me to go get her, Mr. Jarrett?”

  “No, thank you, Tobias, but when you finish helping Minerva, you can go bring Hannah’s wheelchair down.”r />
  ♥♥♥

  Hannah put the last pin in her hair and hoped it would meet with Aunt Verbena’s approval. Before her aunt had left for church she’d come to Hannah’s room and told her to make herself presentable for the Sunday dinner meal. She said they were having company, and she didn’t want her niece to embarrass her.

  Verbena had frowned when she’d added, “And put your hair up in the back. I don’t want it flowing down your back. Only loose women wear their hair that way. A respectable lady always wears hers neatly up. Also, wear your new dress. Not the usual faded ones you often wear.”

  Hannah heard footsteps in the hall. She bit her lip. Oh, no. Aunt Verbena came home early today and has sent Tobias for me. I hope I look good enough to please her.

  “Come in, Tobias,” she said, in answer to the knock.

  The door open and she almost gasped when she saw Jarrett MacMichael standing there. “Hello, Hannah.”

  She lifted her hand to her throat and her heart began to pound. “Hello, Mr. MacMichael.”

  “I think I asked you to call me Jarrett. If I didn’t, I’m asking you now.”

  “All right, Mr.—I mean, Jarrett.”

  “That’s better. I’ve come to take you downstairs. I hope you don’t mind.”

  She couldn’t let him know she was thrilled he was going to carry her down. She smiled. “I’m surprised Aunt Verbena sent you for me instead of Tobias.”

  “She didn’t. I came on my own.” He moved into the room and swept her into his arms. “By the way, you look very pretty today.”

  She blushed. “Thank you, Mr…I mean, Jarrett.”

  “You’re welcome.” He looked down at her in his arms and winked. She blushed again.

  When they entered the formal parlor, she looked around. “Where’s Aunt Verbena?”

  “She hasn’t come from church yet. I arrived early and decided you needed to come down to entertain me.” He still had her in his arms. “Where would you like to sit until Tobias goes for your chair?”

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  “Then until you decide, I’ll stand here and hold you in my arms, which I don’t mind at all.” He winked at her again. “Of course, that only goes until your aunt gets home and yells at the both of us.”

  Hannah couldn’t help a small giggle. “Then I guess you’d better put me on the settee.”

  “Oh, heck,” he said as he walked to the settee and sat her down. “I was hoping you’d wait until she got here so we could see what Verbena had to say when she saw us.”

  “You probably wouldn’t want to hear or see her reaction.”

  “Think she’d punish us?”

  “Not you, but she sure would me.”

  “What do you think she’d do?”

  Hannah shrugged. “Probably make me stay in my room a week without my wheelchair. That’s her favorite punishment for me.”

  “So I’ve heard.” He smiled at her. “Haven’t you ever tried crutches, Hannah?”

  “Aunt Verbena wouldn’t let me.”

  “Why not?”

  “She said they’d make too much noise.”

  Jarrett shook his head and took the chair facing across the tea table in front of the settee. “You look so pretty, I think I’ll sit here so I can look at you.”

  Hannah dropped her head. “You shouldn’t say such things, Jarrett.”

  “Why not? You’re a beautiful young woman, and any man in his right mind would enjoy looking at you.”

  She shook her head and wouldn’t look up at him.

  He leaned across the table and touched her hand. “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you, Hannah.”

  “It’s just that I’m not used to anyone talking to me the way you do.”

  He took his hand off hers. “Again, I’m sorry. I’ll try to be more careful about what I say.”

  Hannah was afraid she’d offended him. “Oh, please, Jarrett. I don’t mind what you say. You just must understand that I’ve never been around many men. Aunt Verbena doesn’t usually let me come downstairs when her male guests visit unless it’s the preacher, and sometimes, she doesn’t let me visit with him.”

  “Does she have a lot of male guests?”

  “Oh, no. Mostly the preacher, and then there’s the banker. He visits often, but I’ve only seen him a couple of times. I’m not sure why she doesn’t want me to be here when he comes.” She looked up and smiled at him. “I don’t know why she lets me down when you’re here, either, but for some reason, she doesn’t seem to mind me being down here when you come.”

  “It might be because I always ask about you if you’re not downstairs.”

  “Or, it might be because you know my sister’s husband. I’m sure Aunt Verbena doesn’t want to upset him, for some reason.”

  “Probably because he’s a rich man and she thinks he’ll be sending you money.”

  She frowned. “Why would you say that?”

  “Just a hunch.” He smiled at her.

  Hannah was a little confused. Why would Jarrett say such a thing? Though she’d had the same idea herself, she didn’t think it could be a real possibility. “I hope you’re wrong.”

  “Me, too.” He changed the subject and a serious look crossed his face. “Hannah, I want to ask you something, and I want you to be honest with me.”

  “I always try to be honest.”

  “I thought you would.” He leaned across the table and took her hand again. “I want you to close your eyes and think back to when you were little girl.”

  “Why?”

  “Please, Hannah, just do it.”

  She nodded and closed her eyes. At least, she thought, with her eyes closed, Jarrett couldn’t see how his holding her hand was affecting her.

  Jarrett went on. “Do you remember your mother taking care of you when you were little?”

  She shook her head. “Not really. Drina and Lydia used to tell me stories, but as to actual memories, I don’t have any of my own. I’m sorry.”

  “There’s nothing to be sorry about.” He squeezed her hand. “Let’s try this. Think back as far as you can and tell me what you can remember.”

  She let her mind drift backward. “I remember riding in a carriage. It was a pretty spring day and I had on a pink dress. I was eating a peppermint stick and some dribbled on my pretty dress. It made Aunt Verbena mad and I cried.”

  “Why did you cry? Did she spank you or something?”

  “I don’t know. That’s all I remember about that day.”

  “That’s fine. Now, see if you can remember another day.”

  She thought a minute, then said, “One day, Pa brought Lydia and Drina to see me. We were playing on the veranda and were having a good time. Then we heard Pa yelling at Aunt Verbena. I don’t know what he was saying, but Lydia said she thought they were arguing about some papers. I didn’t care. I just wanted to play with my sisters, but after they quit yelling at each other, he came and made Lydia and Drina leave. I cried, and Aunt Verbena told me if I didn’t get quiet I wouldn’t get any supper that night.” She shook her head. “That’s all I remember about it, and I don’t want to think about my childhood anymore.”

  Again, Jarrett squeezed her hand, then let it go. “You don’t have to, but you did a good job. Now, I just want you to tell me one more thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Tell me the worst thing your aunt has done to you in the last year or so.”

  “Why do you want to know about that?”

  “Please, humor me.”

  Hannah took a deep breath. “I think the worst thing, to me, would be the fact that she kept Drina’s letters from me, or at least I think she did. The date of the one she gave me showed Drina had written it almost five months ago. It wouldn’t take that long for it to get here from Arizona, would it?”

  “I don’t think so.” He looked at her and his face became serious again. “Have you written Drina?”

  “I wrote her three times and I gave the letters to Aunt Verbena to mail.
Lydia said Drina wrote and said she hadn’t heard from me, so now I’m wondering if my aunt mailed them. I gave Lydia the last one I wrote to mail for me.”

  He nodded. “I can understand why that would upset you. From now on, if you can’t get your letters to Lydia, give them to Tobias or Minerva and they’ll see that I get them. I’ll be sure they’re mailed for you. Also, I’ll talk to Tobias and tell him when he picks up the mail to make sure anything with your name on it goes to you, not your aunt.”

  “But I don’t think Tobias can read.”

  “I’ll teach him to read your name.”

  Hannah couldn’t understand why he was being so good to her, but she was glad. He was as nice as she thought he was. It was too bad she was a cripple. He might … Stop it, she chided herself silently. There’s no use to think such thoughts. No matter how wonderful I think he is, he’d never want a crippled woman on his hands. I need to get wishes about it being different out of my mind, because I’ll always be a cripple.

  “Another thing, Hannah,” his voice interrupted her thoughts, “when your aunt gets home, I’ll have to make her think I’m giving her all my attention. Please don’t think I don’t enjoy talking to and being with you, because I do. Verbena is just the type to keep you upstairs when I visit if I don’t make her believe she’s the only reason I come here, but you and I will know better.”

  “Do you really mean that?”

  “Of course I do, and I want to make sure that your aunt doesn’t punish you because I show you attention.”

  “I understand, Jarrett. She definitely would punish me if she thought I was trying to get your attention.”

  “I’m glad you understand, because I want us to have more of these private talks.”

  She nodded, because she was thrilled at the thought of being alone with him again. She didn’t get to say anything further, because Verbena walked through the door. “My goodness, you’re here already, Mr. MacMichael.”

  He stood and walked to her. Taking her hand he said, “Now, my good lady, I think our friendship is at the point we agreed to use first names.”

  “You’re right. I’m glad you beat me home, Jarrett. I hope you haven’t been waiting long.”

  “Not at all. Your niece has kept me company.”