The Callahans: The Complete Series

by Gordon Ryan

  That Anders had only one arm became an accepted fact, and his empty sleeve served as a reminder of his valor and as a badge of honor. As for Sarah, her intended’s missing arm seemed not to be an issue.

  The dinner table at the Hansen’s was overfilled with food and the excellent Norwegian delicacies Tom had come to love. Nana Hansen, as Katrina had taken to calling her mother since the birth of PJ, with the assistance of her two as yet unmarried daughters, had prepared for days, and the Norske “Jul kake” lavished throughout the house bore tribute to the effort.

  Two enormous turkeys graced the table, along with a fifteen-pound ham. Steaming bowls of potatoes, corn, and vegetables of all sorts filled the long dining table as the family members gathered around the early evening dinner. Lars Hansen remained standing at the head of the table as his family and guests took their seats. Finally, a silence came over the assemblage as they turned their attention to Poppa Hansen.

  Speaking English, but with a strong Norwegian accent, he began, “We have much to be thankful for this year. Anders, by the grace of God, has been returned to us,” he said, nodding toward his eldest son. “Katrina has given us a fine new grandson, and Sophie and Hilda have finished their schooling and are becoming fine young women,” he said to his two younger daughters. “Yah, yah, the Lord is good,” he said, holding up his glass to frame a toast. “To our family,” he said raising the glass, “and to the fine young man and young woman who have become,” he said, looking at Tom, “and who are becoming,” smiling at Sarah, “a part of it. As we enter the last year of this century, may we continue to deserve our blessings. Skoll,” he announced, raising his glass to his lips. Those gathered around the table raised their glasses and joined him. Seated next to Nana Hansen at the far end of the table, Tom also stood as the toast concluded, and remained standing as glasses were refilled.

  “Father Hansen ... Poppa,” Tom said, smiling. “May the Lord bless this house and all those who dwell herein.”

  “Yah,” Lars nodded. “May it be so, Thomas. May it always be so,” he smiled.

  Ten months later, at nine a.m., on 1 November 1899, Anders Lars Hansen and Sarah Camellia Richards were married. In the presence of their parents; Anders’s sister Katrina Callahan; Tom and Katrina’s friend, newly returned Scottish missionary David O. McKay; and a host of Hansens, Richards’, and other family and friends; the two young people were sealed to each other in the Salt Lake Temple.

  Though she was delighted to be there, Katrina was also very uncomfortable. Now seven months pregnant, she fidgeted and shifted her weight, seeking respite from the intense pressure on her lower spine. That relief came during some brief moments spent in the celestial room of the temple, where she sat alone on a cushioned divan. Young Elder McKay, who, through Tom and Katrina, had become friends with Anders and Sarah, came to stand near the very pregnant woman. Sitting alone, Katrina had taken an opportunity to pray silently. Respecting her privacy, McKay waited until she looked up, then sat down next to her.

  “It’s a happy day for your family, Sister Callahan,” he said.

  Katrina nodded and smiled. “Are you glad to be home, Brother McKay?”

  “Aye,” he replied. “Yet, not all of me returned.”

  Again Katrina nodded. “Perhaps we all left something back there in the Old Country, but in its place, brought something with us.”

  “President Cannon advised me you were a woman beyond your age, Sister Callahan. Much has transpired since we first met, I understand. And I haven’t forgotten our wee dinner in Scotland,” he said, a soft Scottish burr accenting his voice.

  “Yes,” she said, looking upward to admire the pastels of the tastefully elegant room, her face serene, yet contemplative.

  Young McKay leaned slightly forward. “Do you know your husband to be a good man, Sister Callahan?” he asked.

  Katrina looked briefly startled. “I do, Brother McKay, by any man’s standard,” she stated firmly.

  “Aye,” he said, an understanding smile crossing his face. “Perhaps by any of God’s standards also,” he said. “Truly, I do understand, Sister Callahan. I suspect though that you’d as soon have him here with you as to have all the material blessings that have entered your life these past years. Yet, here you sit, alone. Is that possibly your thought at the moment?” he asked gently.

  Katrina allowed a small smile to play on her lips. “You’re not so young for your age either, Brother McKay.”

  “That really is the question, you know,” he continued.

  Katrina’s quizzical look was attended by silence.

  “God’s standard, I mean. If Thomas is a good person by any man’s standard, then perhaps he’s a good man by God’s standard. Then, in His own good time, and if it be His desire, Thomas shall sit here in this room by your side.”

  Before Katrina could reply she looked up to see the newly married Sarah Camellia Richards Hansen make her way into the room, accompanied by the beaming Anders. Katrina looked back briefly at David McKay. “Thank you, Brother McKay, for your kindness. I pray God the Lord will make such a decision, but this is Anders’s and Sarah’s day, is it not?”

  “Indeed it is,” he said, standing. “I hope we can remain in touch,” he smiled, taking her hand.

  “So do I, uh ... D.O., I believe is what Thomas calls you.”

  “It is, and I’d be pleased if you, too, would use the name.”

  “Klinka,” Anders said as he reached the divan, “may I present your new sister-in-law, Sarah Hansen?” he said, smiling broadly.

  Katrina stood with McKay’s gentle assistance and placed her hands on Sarah’s shoulders and pulled her as close as Katrina’s physical condition would allow. Laying her cheek alongside Sarah’s, Katrina whispered. “Although I didn’t know who you would be, I’ve always known the Lord had you in hiding for Anders. I will be your sister, Sarah, always.”

  “And I, yours, Katrina,” Sarah replied, her voice soft.

  Chapter 10

  On New Year’s Eve, 1899, a small, family dinner was held at Valhalla. Anders and Sarah had arrived home only three days before from their extended honeymoon, after taking the train to San Francisco and then an ocean steamer to Vancouver. The return train trip down from Seattle through the Northwest had filled Sarah with the magnitude of the country and the beauty of God’s creations.

  Among the guests were Father Scanlan and Sister Mary Theophane. The Sister’s health had been considerably restored during her recently ended convalescent leave, but she was still subject to recurrent bouts of malaria. Lars and Jenny Hansen; Sarah’s parents, Albert and Althea Richards; Katrina’s sister Sophie and Henrick Jensen, to whom she had become betrothed at Christmas; Robert and Alice Thurston; and David O. McKay and Emma Ray Riggs McKay, his lively new bride, were also present. Captain Masterton attended alone. Rumor had it that he had recently broken off an unofficial engagement to Martha Young some weeks earlier. Tom had continued to be wary of Masterton, and it still rankled him that Katrina was as friendly toward the captain as she generally was. Masterton had never again placed his hands on Katrina, even in a friendly hug, almost as if someone had warned him of Tom’s feelings. But Tom noticed, or as he sometimes thought, or imagined, that Masterton continued to have eyes for Katrina.

  The dinner was held upstairs, and the third floor ball-room was beautifully decorated for the occasion. After dinner and some light conversation, musical renditions were required by all attendees, to the amusement of many. Sister Mary found Tom avoiding Captain Masterton by hiding in a corner alcove. Masterton was serving as emcee and cajoling couples to perform their favorite numbers.

  “I don’t think you’ll have to hide any longer, Thomas,” she said, tugging at his sleeve. “You’ve duties elsewhere.”

  Tom’s quizzical look brought a smile to Sister Mary’s face. “No, Thomas, we’ll not be singing, nor will we be about delivering food to the needy tonight,” she laughed. “But you will be needed. I’ve asked Father Scanlan to make your apologies to t
he guests, and Henry has the buggy ready. Katrina is highly desirous of your company at the moment.”

  His attention was instantly riveted. “Is ...”

  “Yes, Thomas. You’re about to be a father again, and we’d best be going quickly.”

  Tom bounded down the stairs, inadvertently leaving Sister Mary to carefully traverse the circular stairway by herself. Katrina was already being assisted into the backseat of the buggy by Henry and by Robert Thurston, who had been downstairs in the library.

  “Deserting your own New Year’s Eve party, Tom?” Robert laughed.

  “I’m sorry, but I’ve got to go, Robert. See everyone is taken care of, please,” Tom called as he boarded the buggy with Katrina.

  “No worries, Tom,” Robert called out. “All the best.”

  “Aye,” Tom replied. Sister Mary appeared at the side of the buggy, and Tom realized that he had left her on the stairs. He jumped down and assisted her up into the seat next to Katrina. Tom then quickly stepped up to sit next to Henry, who nudged the horse forward. It was crisp and cold, but only a skiff of snow remained from the Christmas storm that had blanketed the valley several days earlier, and the short ride to Holy Cross Hospital took only a few minutes. Tom helped Katrina dismount as Sister Mary entered the hospital and reappeared in moments with two attendants and a wheelchair. Katrina took her seat, and they entered the foyer of the hospital, moving immediately toward the surgical unit. Sister Mary stopped in front of the entrance to the labor area and smiled at Tom.

  “We’ll prepare her for delivery, Thomas, and then you may see her again for a few moments, if there’s still time. She’s about ready, I’d say. Lovely dinner wasn’t it?” she smiled.

  Tom tried to see over her shoulder as she disappeared into the room and the door closed, then he walked a few steps back down the hallway and sat on a solitary bench against the wall. In the emptiness of the hospital corridor on New Year’s Eve, Tom was suddenly engulfed by concern for Katrina’s safety.

  Forty minutes later, at eight minutes to midnight, Sister Mary opened the door to look out into the hallway where Tom sat with a fresh cup of coffee, courtesy of Sister Jude. He set the cup down and stood to walk toward the door. “You’ve another fine son, Thomas, but we’re not quite through yet,” she said tersely, immediately closing the door.

  “Sister Mar—” he called out as the door closed. Taking his seat again, Tom finished his coffee as the time dragged slowly on. Shortly after midnight, Father Scanlan appeared and joined Tom on the hallway bench.

  “Any news, my son?”

  “Aye, Father. A son, according to Sister Mary.”

  “Wonderful. And Katrina?”

  “I don’t know, Father,” Tom said. “Sister Mary was just—”

  The door opened again and Sister Mary came to stand before the two men, her face drawn. Tom stood to face her.

  “The young lad’s fine, Thomas, and you have a new daughter as well, but Katrina is …”

  “Is what? Sister Mary, tell me!” Tom said.

  “She is hemorrhaging, Thomas. Severely. I won’t mislead you. She is in serious trouble, but the doctor is with her, and he has called for Dr. Carmady to assist.”

  “Will she be all right, Sister? Can I see her?” Tom said.

  “I’m afraid not, Thomas. The doctors are going to be with her for some time. Perhaps, Father Scanlan, if you would ...” Sister Mary asked, looking to the priest for assistance.

  “Of course, Sister,” Father Scanlan said.

  Sister Mary put her hand on Tom’s shoulder and smiled weakly at him. “She is being well taken care of, Thomas. I assure you.” The nursing sister looked briefly again at Father Scanlan, took a deep breath and exhaled, looking back at Tom. “She has asked for a blessing from her church. Could you arrange for that, Thomas?”

  “Uh, yes. I, uh, I’ll get someone.”

  “Good, Thomas. Father, if you would come with me, please,” Sister Mary asked.

  As the two Catholic ministrants left the waiting area, Tom suddenly found himself alone in the hallway, the silence more overwhelming than during his previous wait. Unaware of Katrina’s condition beyond the brief explanation given by Sister Mary, Tom instantly felt helpless, unsure what to do. Then, Katrina’s request for a blessing returned to his thoughts. In three great strides, he was out the front door of the hospital and down the steps. Henry had returned home with the horse and buggy, and Tom ran the three blocks to the house, where most of the guests had departed. He burst through the front door, nearly colliding with Captain Masterton who was donning his overcoat.

  “Have you seen Dave McKay?” he asked frantically.

  “I’m afraid he left much earlier, Thomas. Is there something I can do for you? Is everything all right?”

  “No, it’s not. I need ...” Tom paused, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps.

  “Thomas, please, calm down for a moment. Is Katrina all right, and the baby?”

  Suddenly, Tom looked directly at Masterton as if seeing him for the first time. “Geoffrey, I need your help. Katrina needs a blessing. She’s having trouble. She’s asked …”

  “Tom, perhaps we could find Brother Thurston. I’m not …”

  “Masterton, you’re qualified to give a blessing aren’t you?”

  “Why, yes, but—”

  “Look, Masterton, I know how much you care for Katrina. I haven’t liked it, but I know. Now I need your help. Katrina needs your help.”

  “Say no more. Henry,” Masterton called out toward the kitchen area. The butler stuck his head through the doorway and walked toward the two men.

  “Yes, Captain?”

  “Henry, Mrs. Callahan is having a spot of trouble and has requested a priesthood blessing. Are you prepared to administer with me?”

  “Indeed I am, sir,” Henry replied.

  “Fine. Get your coat and join us at the hospital.”

  “Certainly, sir. I’ll just see that the cook can stay with Master PJ, and I’ll be right along.”

  Masterton turned his attention back to Tom. “I think we should go straight back to the hospital, Thomas. Henry will follow.”

  As the two men entered the hospital, two nursing sisters exited the delivery room, walking quickly down the hallway. Tom called out after them.

  “Sister Thomasina, could you please tell Sister Mary that I’m back and that Captain Masterton is here to bless Katrina?”

  “Certainly, Mr. Callahan,” the elderly sister said.

  In a few moments, Sister Mary came through the double doors and stepped toward Tom. “The hemorrhaging has been stopped, Thomas, but she has lost a lot of blood and she’s not out of danger yet. She’ll need much rest now. Captain Masterton,” she said, looking toward the sandy haired man, “are you here to offer the blessing Mrs. Callahan has requested?”

  “I am, Sister. And Henry will be along presently.”

  “Fine. Follow me and we’ll go to her before we move her to a private room. If you’ll excuse us, Thomas.”

  “Oh, Sister, please ...” Tom pleaded.

  She looked at him for a moment, and nodded. “Yes, Thomas, I understand. You may accompany us.”

  Just as they turned to leave the waiting room, Henry came into the hallway and followed the small group into the delivery room. Upon first seeing Katrina, Tom was stunned. He grasped the railing at the foot of her bed. She was completely pale, nearly chalk white. Her eyes were closed and beads of perspiration covered her forehead. Her damp hair was matted against her head, and a pile of blood-soaked sheets lay on the floor next to her bed. A nursing sister quickly picked them up and whisked them away. Tom moved to stand by Katrina’s side, taking her hand in his. Father Scanlan stood across the bed, also at Katrina’s side. As Tom patted her hand, she opened her eyes.

  “Just rest, Katie. Geoffrey has come with me to bless you.”

  Katrina smiled tiredly. Tom looked at Father Scanlan, who nodded and offered a small smile of assurance. Finally, Tom moved aside as Capta
in Geoffrey Masterton and Henry Murchinson, the Callahans’ butler, came closer to the bed. Father Scanlan stepped back against the wall.

  Masterton took Katrina’s hand and spoke softly. “I understand you would like a priesthood blessing, Sister Callahan.”

  Katrina gave a strained smile. “Yes, please,” she whispered.

  Masterton nodded to Henry who opened a small vial of oil and commenced to anoint the exhausted woman. Then, Captain Masterton, together with Henry, laid his hands on Katrina’s head and pronounced a blessing, while Father Scanlan, Sister Mary, and Tom watched.

  A while later, Captain Masterton and Henry having left some time before, Tom sat with Sister Mary and Father Scanlan over coffee in the basement cafeteria. Tom listened as his nursing friend recounted the events of the evening, assuring Tom that Katrina was recovering well.

  “And the babies?” he asked.