Angela's Hope (Wildflowers)

by Banicki, Leah

  “Actually not as much as I am. I was taking out my frustration on some firewood.” Lucas grimaced and stretched a stiff shoulder.

  “Let’s go in and talk to her. I will hand over the package and see what your wife has to say.” Clive gave Lucas a nudge and they walked in.

  Corinne and Violet were in the kitchen talking. Angela was reading by the fireplace.

  “Greetings, women of the house.” Clive said. He saw all smiles from the ladies and was pleased. He was expecting a much more dour scene.

  “I come bearing a gift.” Clive said and laid the package on the table.

  The ladies gathered at the table. Lucas was washing at the basin down the hallway and came back into the room.

  “I would just like to say before you open the package, Corinne, that I believe you are gifted woman of the Lord. I consider my life to be blessed since I have met you and your extended friends and family.” Clive looked like he wanted to continue but Corinne cut him off.

  “Clive, please sit down. You know I consider you family, as does everyone here. You need not make any speeches. I am fine.” Corinne set her hand on his arm to settle him.

  Clive sighed and wordlessly sat at the shiny oak table. The small package sat in the middle and everyone looked at it for a minute.

  “After yesterday a gift is the least of your worries, Cori.” Angela said and everyone chuckled.

  “Very true. Let’s see what the fuss is all about. Shall we?” Corinne smiled at her friends and winked at her husband who was trying very hard not to frown.

  The dark wrapping came off easily and a small card slid out.

  Corinne opened and read aloud.

  “Dear Corinne Grant, I must begin with an apology. I was insensitive and overzealous in my speech with you yesterday afternoon. I now realize how my statements may have been received as insulting and I do beg pardon. I seek your forgiveness for my callous and unfeeling remarks. I do hope from this time forward you would consider me a friend. Mrs. Millicent Quackenbush.” Corinne finished and let out a deep breath.

  She set the note down and looked at the blue painted box sitting next to the card. It opened with a creak and Corinne pulled out a cloth. Embroidered on the front – God Bless All In This Home. The embroidery was done with a delicate hand and the floral pattern around it was in bold red, blue and yellow flowers.

  “Well, I guess that is that.” Corinne said and handed the embroidered cloth to Angela. “You think you can make a pillow or something with it?”

  Angela nodded and set it on the table. She didn’t want to say what she was thinking.

  “I have had a day to think on what Millie said. In my quiet time and prayers yesterday and today I just felt at peace. I knew when I had this dream in my heart to grow flowers and make medicines from them that it would be nearly impossible. I leaned on God and gave my dream to Him. God has been so good to me, I found a man who loves and believes in me and we work this place together. I have my friend Angie, safe and home. I have a new friend and helper in Violet. She is a constant blessing to my home and she says often that this job is a blessing to her. If a few women in town want to idly talk about me behind my back and say untruths that is their sin not mine. I feel that God has a plan for me. I am not without my own flaws and sins but I believe that I am doing the work God made just for me. Her statement about losing my child is the part that stung and I forgive her for that part. It is my job to forgive too.” Corinne stopped and wiped one tear that escaped down her cheek. “I wish to write her a note tomorrow of forgiveness and think of it never again.”

  Lucas kissed his wife on the cheek.

  Everyone agreed that they would all move on.

  “Well, I am glad to see your heart is growing stronger by the day, my flower girl.” Clive stood up and accepted a hug from Corinne before he left.

  “It is, Clive, I know that not everyone will understand what I am trying to do here. They don’t have to. As long as I feel God is for me, I cannot falter.” Corinne said and waved as he walked out.

  “Angela, get out the checkerboard, I feel like whooping someone at checkers. Who is up first?” Corinne smiled and the room lit up with activity.

  Chapter 31

  Another week was enough rest and Corinne was ready to be back at her job, she wanted to do half days in her greenhouse and labs. In the afternoons she and Angela would take longs walks. Exploring the property and the woods. Corinne felt at ease with her friend back home. Angela was beginning to come back out of her shell again.

  “I thought of this place as home but I am getting to know Oregon better now. I don’t have the pull to find Sean anymore. There is a part of me that wonders if there was something else I could have said to make him want to have me in his life. But I have to let those thoughts go. There is a life to be lived here and now. Dwelling on the past will bring me no explanations.” Angela said on afternoon. She was enjoying the game they had been playing all week, trying to find any flowers peaking up through the dried leaves from last fall. Corinne had a bag full of mushrooms that she declared as treasure.

  “You need to hire more children to pick flowers for you. You know that this valley is full of treasures.” Angela winked and Corinne laughed, remembering the children from the Oregon Trail. She had handed out half pennies and peppermint candies for flowers and mushrooms, the children nicknamed her the Plant Lady. It was a good memory from those hard days and she savored the memory of those sweet faces.

  “Your idea has merit. I may put you to task and head to the schoolhouse and tell the children what to look for.” Corinne winked at her friend and Angela clapped excitedly.

  “Oh, really?” Angela grinned with sincerity. “That would be a delightful chore.”

  Corinne nodded and they planned and plotted for the rest of their walk.

  The very next day Angela left when Corinne did in the early morning. Angela walked the mile and a half to the schoolhouse. It was on the edge of Corinne and Lucas’s property, they had donated the land to the school and nearby was the new church. It was not painted yet but the outer walls were built. The Spring Creek Community Church sign was sitting next to the western most outer wall. The crisp black letters were bold and Angela was proud to be a member. This was her home, her church and perhaps someday her own children and Ted would be sitting next to her in that very building. It was a beautiful dream.

  The schoolteacher was a man named Marshall Crispin. He was young, but he was doing a good job of teaching, according to the neighbors. Chelsea Grant said that Brody just loved him and his students were learning.

  Angela found the schoolyard to be bustling with young bodies at play.

  She saw Brody and he ran up to her. His red hair was darker than hers. He gave her a quick hug, not wanting his friend to tease him for hugging a ‘girl’.

  “You haven’t started yet today?” Angela asked him.

  “Nope, Mr. Crispin says we gotta run out our wiggles before we get started.” Brody said. Angela brushed a hand through his hair and laughed.

  “That is very wise of the teacher.” Angela sent Brody off to play with his friends.

  Angela knocked on the door of the school and was welcomed in by the teacher. Angela had met Mr. Crispin at a Sunday service but this was their first time speaking. He was polite and loved the idea. He said that she could share her proposition with the class.

  Mr. Crispin rang a hand bell at the door a few minutes later and the students filed in. There were twenty-one students’, ages in range of five years old to thirteen. The older boys, Mr. Crispin explained, were only attending school classes until it was warm enough to start plowing the fields. Mr. Crispin was proud that a few of his older boys continued on with their studies and reading even when they didn’t have too.

  Mr. Crispin introduced Angela and let her have the floor.

  “Class, I am here today to offer you a chance to help out my dear friend, Mrs. Grant with plant collecting.” Angela went on to explain how plants help to provide go
od medicine. She held up a small bottle of oil, and let everyone smell the floral jasmine scent. She explained a few local plants to look for and welcomed them to gather morel mushrooms as well. She held up a morel to show them what they looked like.

  Angela could see that they all were excited.

  “I will come by the school on Tuesdays and Fridays, everyone is allowed to bring a small bag full. Each bag will be rewarded with a half-penny for the student and also brings a half-penny to the school for new books and supplies. I want everyone to ask permission from your parents and make sure you never go into the woods alone.” Angela made sure everyone nodded their agreement before she continued.

  Angela then explained the best way to harvest plants. “You need to use a spade to loosen the dirt away from the roots because we want the whole plant. Not just the tops that are sticking out of the ground.” The children asked a few questions and Angela did her best to answer them all the best she could. She was enjoying the time and the sweet faces that were so excited at the prospect of earning extra money.

  Mr. Crispin had a few questions just to clarify the simple rules. He was very thrilled with the extra money that would be coming in for books and supplies.

  Angela left with a full heart and with a task to collect plants twice a week it gave her something fun to look forward to every week.

  When she got back to Corinne working in her lab she shared the good news.

  “Well, Plant Lady, you have a new crew of gatherers.” Angela shared with an infectious grin. Dolly and Corinne both joined with Angela and she told them all about her morning and how excited the students were.

  * * * * *

  July 18th 1850

  Angela and Cooper were wrist deep under a pile of rocks and dead leaves in the woods. They had plans of doing some serious fishing. They needed bait. Cooper and Angela had worked hard on making a good fishing pole over the week. They were both proud of their efforts. Cooper and Angela were thick as thieves again.

  As they finally got their bait gathered and they were near their secret fishing spot, the clouds rolled in and a summer thunderstorm rolled over the mountains. They were closer to Cooper’s house so they ran for it.

  Angela laughed as they both ran awkwardly with their fishing poles swinging about wildly.

  Once Cooper was safely inside Angela promised him they would get their fishing in once the weather was improved. Cooper only pouted a little until his mother produced a towel and a piece of cake.

  Angela passed on the cake, she saw a break in the heavy rain and she took her chance. She ran along the path back to the Grants.

  She arrived soaked from head to toe but slightly exhilarated. Clive and Violet were visiting at the table. Violet was mending something and Clive was drinking coffee.

  “Let me change and I will join you.” Angela said and ran back to her room. She laid her wet clothes in the wicker basket, with a promise to herself to wring them out after her visit with Clive.

  She found a dry shift and a comfortable day dress that buttoned up the front. Her hair was a wet mess so she just ran a brush through it and did a loose and sloppy braid.

  Clive was still there, laughing and talking to Violet.. Clive looked up and smiled in her direction when she appeared around the corner.

  “What brings you out in this fair weather?” Angela asked as she plopped into the chair next to Clive.

  “Well, I have to admit it was fair when I arrived, but the clouds sure did come in fast.” Clive declared.

  Angela laughed and nodded. “Yes, Cooper and I had our fishing spot all picked out when the sky turned black on us.”

  Clive enjoyed hearing the playful tone in her voice.

  “I have something for you!” Clive announced looking at Angela expectantly.

  “Oh, what, pray tell, would it be?” She said back at him just as expectantly.

  “A telegram.” He said, enjoying watching her eye grow wide. “From New York.”

  Angela gasped without knowing it. Violet giggled for she knew how much Angela had wanted to get this very telegram.

  Clive set it on the table to see how fast she would grab it, but was surprised when she paused.

  “It is good news?” Angela said with worry in her voice.

  “Just read the thing, Red.” Clive said and laughed.

  The white paper had only six words, but they made her face light up with joy.

  Arrived safe my Angel. Love Ted

  The reminder of Ted sent a mixture of emotions through Angela. She had missed him, but had found many ways to distract herself from thinking of him. Now with this telegram it made her miss him all the more. She did not know any more than those six words. Had he spoken to his mother? Would he be coming back? All these questions pressed at her.

  There is a certain misery that waiting brings, knowing your happiness in on hold. It takes a level of patience and character to push it down. Angela strove every day to keep that misery at bay. She would rejoice over the simple pleasures that life brings and make plans, so many plans and write them out in her leather bound journal. The Sparks had no idea the thoughts and dreams that would flow on those cream colored pages.

  Drawings and thoughts spread over the pages. Angela began finding a certain peace in dreaming on those pages. The journal would never think her silly or whimsical.

  Chapter 32 - Angela

  It really began as a fluttering thought, a lingering hope for the future. Angela thought so often of the things in her family’s trunk, the things that still held part of their life with them. It wasn’t much to cling too. Not like the warmth of an embrace or a soft spoken word, but these things created a vision over time. The weeks and months she was home in Oregon were filling her up with visions of a future here.

  She kept it close to her. During her quiet days alone, sometimes she helped Violet with the bread baking, Violet was always making extras for those in need. Angela enjoyed the quiet girl’s company. She spoke of joy and peace, though Angela could sometimes see pain lingering behind the girl’s eyes. She was only one year her senior, many older folks would claim that one so young could not have faced enough hardship yet to have regrets. But Angela knew better. Violet had a joy that bubbled out of her but Angela could sense that there was more to this young woman. It was easy to bond with her as she was everything Angela wanted to be. Violet was a servant in Corinne’s house but treated with decency and respect, and Violet enjoyed and thrived in the position. She took a pride in her work that made Angela take notice.

  Angela had never felt like she had ever slacked in her duties, but she had never fully had a joy in her heart the way that Violet did. Angela would not allow herself to beat up on herself for her actions as a servant, she just knew in the future her attitude toward working at something would be changed having known Violet.

  * * * * *

  The catalog sat before her, she traced her finger along the items she had been dreaming about, a lovely side table with a hook for a towel. She had seen the towels she wanted as well. The pitcher and washbowl in a second hand store downtown would look lovely sitting on this table. It had green ivy leaves painted on the lower part of the pitcher and matching leaves and sprigs of heather on the bowl. It would go into a nook in a hallway beautifully, perhaps with a mirror above it.

  Angela had been pondering for weeks about how to keep it all. Where she would keep it but she knew she had to order these things.

  She excused herself after breakfast. She helped Cooper with his early morning chores of filling the water barrels. It was hard work but was pleasant to see the young boy smile as she helped him. She didn’t always do it, she knew his father was trying to instill within him a desire to work hard and provide a service to his family. John Harpole was raising Cooper as he would his own flesh and blood and Angela respected that. She had far off memories of the chores she had done as a young girl, even being a baron’s daughter, she helped her mother in the garden and there was memory of spreading feed for the chickens. Perhap
s it is why she longed again for another chicken coop. She knew when Gabe and Amber came to Portland in the fall they had already agreed to bring the chickens here. She wanted a few chicks from her original batch to start again.

  All her hopes and dreams were before her and she was settling in but longing to have her own roots. Ideas that stewed and blossomed into plans were poking around in the corners of her mind. She had a task for the day. She would be heading to town.

  Her visit to Clive’s Mercantile had been quick and painless, she headed immediately over to the second- hand store and purchased the pitcher and washbowl and had it packed carefully and boxed up. Clive joined her at the store as the owner had just finished up the packing.

  “I am ready for you. I got the wagon out front. It’s not far to go.” Clive said all business. Angela had hoped she hadn’t been a nuisance to the man today. He would never let on with her. He seemed to be ready and able to drop anything at any time for anyone.

  “I appreciate your help, Clive, as always.” Angela said and gave him a peck on the cheek.

  Clive’s satisfied smirk was a joy to see.

  He carried her box and placed it in the back. They headed just off the main street to a warehouse. Inside was a myriad of supplies. Bulk items, lots of labeled boxes set about in an organized way. There was order here, and not a cobweb in sight.

  “I was thinking that a back room I have recently emptied would work well for you. It has a door, shelves and can be locked. It has two keys. I can give you one and I will keep the spare at the mercantile.”

  “That would be grand.” Angela saw the room was bare and clean. It had only a tiny window but once Clive lit the lantern she saw the room had plenty of space for her current plans.

  “This is perfect. I would like a reasonable rate of cost to rent the space, I will not accept it for free.” Angela stated with a firm stance. She was getting better about holding her ground.