Grandmother's Namesake

by Cathy Bryant

  “So that is when the bridge was constructed. Please continue,” insisted Susanna.

  A meeting was held today for the purpose of assigning seats in the new meetinghouse. George was among those appointed to make the assignments; however, he was vexed with the choice made on my behalf. After learning where I was to be seated, near to the woman who had made trouble for me, he entered his dissent. I am concerned that after voicing his opposition in this manner he shall incur the wrath of the others—many of whom dislike having their decisions called into question.

  The realization that her poor, dear grandmother was plagued by troublemakers even at that time was, to say the least, a little disheartening for Susanna.

  “She appears to have been more concerned for George than for herself, but perhaps we should set the diary aside for now,” suggested Elizabeth, after observing Susanna’s strained expression. “I think you should rest now. You are beginning to look a little pale.”

  “Yes, I think I shall. Thank you for reading to me. It was diverting. We shall do it again another time.” Susanna wasn’t actually tired at that moment, but reading about her grandmother’s troubles was giving her a headache.

  The following morning, William came to Maddie’s bright and early. “Good day to you, Maddie. How is Susanna this morning?”

  “A bit weary of staying in bed. She informed me that you have suggested a day out in the sun.”

  “I did indeed. The fresh air shall do her good.”

  “At any rate, it is sure to put her in a better mood,” chuckled Maddie. “Go on in. She is waiting for you.”

  William knocked on Susanna’s door before entering. Elizabeth had assisted her with her bath and then helped her into her favorite blue dress. Her golden hair was loosely hanging down over her shoulders, as it was not practical to have it up when resting against her pillow. It was also tender near the spot that had been sutured. Pulling it up would have caused even more discomfort than she was currently experiencing.

  William was delighted as he took in her beauty. “You look lovely today.”

  “Thank you, William. I am quite ready to be out of this room.”

  Grinning at her obvious impatience, William slid his arm around her waist—ready to assist her if she faltered. Susanna scooped up her cap as they moved out of the room and through the kitchen.

  Maddie met them at the door with a couple of blankets and a basket of food insisting that Susanna not overdo. William assured that at the first sign of fatigue he would whisk her back to her bed. Grimacing at all of the attention, Susanna determined not to allow the fatigue she was already experiencing to become evident.

  Upon leaving the house, William and Susanna moved in the direction of Maddie’s flower garden. Once there, he balanced her with one hand; with the other, he positioned the blanket on the spot where they might have the best view of the lovely assortment of flowers.

  “I think this is far enough for your first day out of bed,” insisted William as he helped Susanna onto the blanket. When she was seated, he draped the second blanket over her lower half, covering down to her feet.

  Susanna began to feel a bit uneasy as she struggled to think of something to say. Observing her apprehension, William drew her attention to a butterfly floating just above their heads.

  “It is truly lovely. Look how it weaves up and down on the wind,” she said, effectively distracted by the sight. “Oh look! There is another one over by those flowers!”

  As he glanced in the direction she was pointing, he smiled at the childlike way she was interacting with him regarding the beautiful creatures. All at once the butterfly, which had been hovering above their heads, alighted on Susanna’s hand. To him, her blue eyes appeared as big as saucers as she slowly raised her hand to study the creature. William then observed that even with her cap atop her head, her long locks hung down well below. Entranced by the golden strands now blowing in the breeze, he scarcely noticed the butterfly she was attempting to show him.

  Realizing that she had failed to draw his attention to the butterfly, she held up her hand between them. “Is this not the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?” she inquired joyfully.

  William wanted to respond that he too was observing the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, but having no desire to make her uneasy, he kept his thoughts to himself and simply nodded.

  In view of the fact that they had a lovely morning soaking up the sun and eating the goodies Maddie had packed for them, it was apparent that Susanna had forgotten all about her nerves regarding William.

  In the house, Elizabeth and Maddie were working together to finish the morning chores. When they had finished, the ladies retired to the sitting room for tea. Then they chatted on for nearly an hour concerning their delight in what had been transpiring between Susanna and William. Following their conversation, it was clear they shared the hope that the relationship would lead to marriage.

  When the day was half spent, William insisted Susanna return to the house to rest. Though she wanted to protest, she agreed, allowing herself to be carried back to her room. William helped her settle back into bed, before taking his leave, assuring that they would do it again another day.

  Chapter 16

  When Elizabeth’s father arrived two days later to convey her home, she insisted on staying for a few more days. Thus, following a brief visit, Mr. Howard set off alone.

  “Are you sure you are not needed at home?” asked Susanna as she and Elizabeth waved goodbye to Mr. Howard. By this time, Susanna had been up and about a bit more.

  “Susanna, I can think of nothing else I would rather do than to remain here with you and Maddie. Father understands and has assured me he shall inform Fred. As Father has explained to Fred all that has taken place, I am sure he shall understand why I feel the need to remain a little longer. In fact, I would not be surprised if Fred showed up for a visit.”

  “We are so looking forward to making his acquaintance. I hope he knows what a wonderful wife he is getting. You are such a blessing, Elizabeth. I am so grateful to you and Maddie for taking such good care of me.”

  “Do not forget William and how attentive he has been,” she said teasingly.

  Blushing, Susanna nodded before returning to the sitting room.

  After an hour or so, some ladies from the Haverhill church came to call. At which point, Maddie happily greeted them before ushering them into the sitting room to meet Susanna and Elizabeth.

  “Susanna . . . Elizabeth, these are some of the ladies from church: Mrs. Joseph Fraser, Mrs. James Gray, and Mrs. Jocobus Bonde.”

  “Do call us by our Christian names. I am Addie, this is Judith,” she said gesturing, “and to my left is Margaret.”

  Susanna grimaced at the thought that the ladies had come from church society. However, she wondered at the reason she did not recognize them. Well, it has been quite some time since I have been to the meetinghouse. I suppose there might be some new folks in town.

  After observing the frown upon Susanna’s face, Maddie hastily informed her that they had come from the Haverhill church. Susanna’s countenance quickly improved upon hearing they had not come from her former church. If fact, she felt a bit foolish for thinking they had. She was in Haverhill after all, not Amesbury. As they continued with their visit, she observed the kind manner in which the ladies were addressing her. She soon felt the tenseness she had been experiencing was beginning to ease.

  After nearly an hour, Addie Fraser, gently squeezing Susanna’s hand, inquired, “Will you not consider attending with us, dear? Once you have fully recovered, of course. And you are very welcome to come too, Elizabeth. Our assistant minister, Reverend Benjamin Eolfe, has taken over the duties of Reverend John Wood, our former minister. He is a kind and gentle man who, thankfully, suffers not our poor ears with a raised voice—as some are in the habit of doing.”

  “I believe I should like that,” declared Susanna, with a chuckle at Addie’s last comment.

  “As for me, it shall
depend on how much longer I am to be here,” informed Elizabeth. “As Susanna is not quite recovered, I may be gone long before she is able to attend.”

  The ladies remained a while longer, explaining all about the upcoming activities with which the church was to be involved. Susanna enjoyed their visit more than she had thought possible, for in more than a year she had successfully avoided any such encounters.

  As it came time for the ladies to take their leave, Elizabeth rose to walk them to the door.

  “It has been lovely meeting you all,” expressed Susanna, sincerely.

  “And you, young lady,” replied Addie Fraser. “I hope we shall meet again very soon.”

  With that, the ladies were off in the company of a kind gentleman who had waited by the wagon while they visited. He had come along to see to their safety as they traveled. There had never ceased, for long, to be Indian troubles, and one was putting his life at risk if he did not take all necessary care.

  Maddie, Elizabeth, and Susanna were then left to themselves to reflect on the visit.

  “Susanna, now that was not so bad, was it?” inquired Maddie.

  “No, I rather enjoyed myself. At first, I believed them to be from our former church society. However, I was pleased to learn they were not of that lot.”

  “Your countenance, when they arrived, did indeed betray you. However, you recovered quite nicely once you learned they were from the Haverhill church,” responded Maddie with a chuckle.

  “Truth be told, you did appear rather vexed at the start,” Elizabeth informed, with an amused look upon her face.

  “Maddie, I am grateful that your friends did not comprehend my feelings upon their arrival.”

  “Though we are having some fun at your expense, Susanna, you must know that we really do understand,” assured Maddie in all seriousness.

  “I am aware of that. You and Elizabeth have been very considerate of my feelings. It is apparent that, at times, I am altogether too serious minded. It certainly has done nothing for my recovery, with regard to Grandmother, to be this way.”

  Changing the subject, Maddie insisted that Susanna take a rest. “William expressed that he will be coming for a visit after he is through with his work for the day. If you do not take time to rest, you may not be fit for company.”

  “Very well. I shall retire to my room for a while,” she said reluctantly. Susanna had been enjoying herself; consequently, it annoyed her that she still required a great deal of rest.

  Once she had taken herself off to bed, Maddie and Elizabeth busied themselves with the meal preparations. A little while later, William arrived just after Susanna had risen from her nap.

  “Good day to you, ladies. You had a few visitors today. I came across a group of ladies just as they were taking their leave. They mentioned that they had come with the intention of inviting Susanna to church.”

  “Indeed, and I intend to go when I am quite myself again. It was good of them to come. It has been some time since I was in the company of such fine Christian women. Not that Maddie and Elizabeth are not fine Christian women . . . ah . . . I only meant to say that women from church being so agreeable—I had almost given up hope of ever again finding any such ladies in church society.”

  “We mustn’t blame the whole lot for the actions of a few,” reprimanded Maddie.

  “You are right, of course,” responded Susanna.

  William frowned when he saw Susanna’s face flush. “You must not be so severe on yourself, Susanna. The circumstances under which you came to such conclusions, with regard to never finding anyone genuine within the church, elicited such convictions.”

  “I must not be let off so easily, William, or I may lapse into my cynical ways.”

  “Susanna, you know your own mind in these matters, and I lo—like you all the better for it,” countered William.

  “William, will you not stay and dine with us tonight?” inquired Maddie, grinning in his direction. So that the young ladies would not catch on to what he had nearly said, Maddie quickly continued, “Susanna has insisted that she is well enough to sit at the table rather than have her meal brought to her room.”

  Elizabeth chimed in at this point. “She shall be disappointed if you do not witness such an accomplishment.”

  “Oh, Elizabeth . . . and Maddie. You do tease me so,” giggled Susanna. “This is not the first time I have taken a meal out of my room. Only this morning I breakfasted at the table—and last night as well.”

  “We are simply delighted that you are doing so well, Susanna,” replied Maddie. “Teasing is our way of cheering you on while your life returns to its usual routine.”

  “Very well. I shall allow it, given that you have had such a time of it—what with caring for me and keeping up with the chores.”

  “Do stay, William,” insisted Susanna. “I need another partner in the dinner conversation, for as you see, Elizabeth and Maddie are determined to join forces against me.”

  “Perhaps I might stay for a little while,” he responded, amused. “I would not want to leave you on your own against two such formidable foes.”

  Later that evening, Susanna was spent. After making her apologies, she retired for the night. William stayed on a while in the company of Elizabeth and Maddie for further conversation.

  Looking thoughtful, William said, “It seemed good to see Susanna lighthearted regarding the visit with your friends from church.”

  “It did indeed,” replied Maddie. “And she has agreed to attend with me when she is fully recovered, which I believe shall be very soon.”

  “Thanks be to the Lord that she survived such a fall,” sighed Elizabeth, “and that she is recovering so well.”

  Chapter 17

  A couple of days later, Jane and John Jameson unexpectedly arrived for a visit. With delight, Maddie greeted them and then led them into the sitting room where Susanna was presently stretched out reading.

  “Oh, Jane . . . Father. I did not expect you,” she said, while rising quickly to her feet.

  “Susanna, do be careful,” scolded Jane. “You are not yet well enough to move about so much.”

  “Yes, Susanna, do sit down,” her father insisted, taking her by the arm and helping her back down onto the settee.

  “Oh, I am quite all right. In fact, I have been up and about much of the time of late. It is so good to see you both—especially you, Jane. I have not seen you since the last time I was at home.”

  “Susanna, we have heard from your sister Mary. She desperately wanted to come here for a visit, but she has the new little one to care for. We assured her that since you are recovering nicely it wasn’t necessary for her to come,” he then informed.

  “Quite right, Father. As you see, I am well. She need not concern herself over me.”

  John made up his mind to allow his daughters some time alone to talk. “Yes . . . well, I believe I shall go in search of Maddie and Elizabeth. They made themselves quite scarce upon our arrival.”

  Once the sisters were alone, with a sincere expression upon her face, Jane said, “Susanna, I have wanted to speak with you concerning my attitude toward you when you were last at home. Actually, I have been plagued with a bad attitude for some time. I am dreadfully sorry, Susanna. Can you ever forgive me for the way I have treated you?”

  “Nonsense, you have done nothing wrong, Jane. It is I who should apologize. I have been simply awful for far too long—not considering the feelings of others—yours least of all. You too have suffered over the loss of Grandmother. Thus far, I have merely consulted my own feelings with regard to the loss. Can you forgive me, Jane?”

  “Susanna, I should have been more understanding. You were much closer to Grandmother than I. I loved her, yes, but we never had the connection that she had with you. I should have tried harder to understand her. Her quick wit and sarcasm set me on edge at times. I could not abide her much of the time. I am sorry for that now.”

  “Jane, she knew that you loved her; you can depend on it
. She loved you too. I know she could be difficult at times. It must be that she and I were so similar that it was easier for me to understand her. Be that as it may, here we are—just the two of us. Grandmother is gone; we must carry on. I would like for us to be, not only sisters, but the best of friends once again.”

  “I, too, would like to be friends. I just want things back to the way they were between us before . . . well.”

  Squeezing Jane’s hand, she replied, “Agreed then, Sister. Now, let us put all of that behind us.”

  While his daughters were visiting, John had wandered out to the barn where he met up with William. William was surprised at seeing the gentleman.

  “John! It is good to see you. Does Susanna know that you are here?”

  “Yes. Her sister Jane is in with her now. They have some matters to discuss, so I thought I should lend them some privacy.”

  “As yet I have not been introduced to Jane. I should like very much to meet her.”

  “And you shall,” he smiled. “As soon as the girls are finished with their private conversation I shall introduce you.”

  Before long, Jane came sauntering out to the barn to let her father know that her sister wished to see him.

  “Jane, this is William Gage.”

  “Happy to make your acquaintance, Mr. Gage.”

  Taking note of the similarities between Jane and Susanna, he smiled, “I am happy to finally be introduced to one of Susanna’s sisters. In fact, I have been looking forward to getting acquainted with the entire Jameson family.” As with Susanna, there is nothing disagreeable in her appearance. They are both remarkably attractive.

  “Have you?” winked John secretly to his daughter. “Then when Susanna returns home at the end of the summer, you must come for a visit and meet the rest of the family.”