by Kitty Parker
Parker finished reading the final section of the newspaper from the morning, then turned on the stove. The pot just began to whistle when Tessa came downstairs, his robe around her, making her look like a child cuddled in something of her father's. Her curls were still wet, but noticeably cleaner. In fact, her skin seemed to glow. He had thought her beautiful before, but now, she was no less than stunning.
"I borrowed your robe, I hope that's okay," she said in a whisper. "I couldn't come down in my nightgown, but I didn't want to put my dirty clothes back on either. I thought about not coming at all, but the promise of tea was too much of a temptation. It's been ages since I had a cup."
"You did the right thing," he smiled, getting up to get everything. "Strong, weak, sugar, honey, milk, lemon?"
She let a giggle bubble from her lips as he listed all the possibilities of her to take her tea. "Strong with one sugar and milk please."
With a quick nod, he made two identical cups and settled one in front of Tessa before taking a seat next to her. She took her time bringing the cup to her lips, and let them linger there, breathing it in before taking her first sip. Looking up after, her jaw dropped and her eyebrows rose, "The dishes! Oh gosh I'll do them now, I'm sorry, I was so enticed by the bath, and tea."
"They're already done," he said gently, looking over his own cup.
Shock filled her eyes, "But I told you not to do them!"
"I am the doctor here Miss Evans, I also didn't carry my younger brother for who knows how many blocks to get here. You have had a stressful day Miss Evans, and I was glad to do the dishes, I'm quite used to doing them, I assure you."
"But we haven't paid anything for your kindness!"
"Kindness is not a service that needs to be paid for; I am happy to help. I believe it part of my job to help those in need. Speaking of need, I believe that you, Miss Evans, need to sleep in a bed tonight. I promise you, no harm will come of you or your family. You may sleep in the bedroom next to the children and keep the doors open if you like so you can hear everything. I think you are in need of some good rest, and I don't believe you'll find it on the floor. Please, Miss Evans, you can trust me."
He wasn't sure if he had upset her, she was staring at him intently, as if deciding by his face that she would or would not trust him. "Alright, Dr. Sullivan, thank you," she said quietly, taking another sip of tea.
"Miss Evans, can I ask a question?"
"Certainly, Dr. Sullivan."
"Where are your parents?"
"They're dead; it's just me and the kids." The way she answered made him pay attention. Her voice had become slightly softer at the words, but she said it quickly, bluntly. She didn't twist the conversation to avoid an uncomfortable topic, but met his question with an honest answer. He liked that about her.
"How long ago?" he asked gently, keeping his eyes on her face.
"My mother died while giving birth to Emma more than two years ago, my father died about a year and a half ago. We were already in the shanty then..."
"How do you do it?" Parker managed to whisper through his awe. He couldn't believe that this girl, who couldn't be more than twenty five, was raising her three younger siblings alone, and in a shanty no less!
"What do you mean?" she asked, genuinely curious.
"I mean, how do you take care of your younger sisters and brother, by yourself?"
She shook her head while taking another sip of tea, "There's nothing else for me to do, they're my family and I love them, and I promised my mother. But I don't think she ever pictured this, living in a shack with barely enough to eat. My father lost everything in the stock market crash; we still had the house before she died. He had to sell that six months after, but I don't think he got much for it, no one could really afford anything you know. I guess I've gotten used to things," she paused for a moment and looked directly into his eyes. Her look of reminiscence changed quickly into one of humiliation. "I can't believe I told you that!"
"I admire you a great deal, Miss Evans," Parker said gently.
A half smile graced her lips and she blushed at the compliment. He went on to explain about Lucas, and what follow up would be needed, and then asked questions about her two younger sisters. A big smile took over her face as she spoke of Sadie and Emma, he could tell that they were both very special to her. It was not hard to see why either, though Sadie was a bit shy, she was respectful and sweet, and Emma could melt any heart with her curls and smile.
When her tea was gone, Parker recommended that Tessa go to sleep and she readily agreed. He deposited the cups and spoons into the sink and showed her to the room right next to the children. Another smile appeared shyly on her lips before he closed the door behind him. He walked to his bedroom, wondering if he could ever let them go back to the shanty. Sleeping tonight would be easy, knowing that they were safe, but tomorrow night might be different.
Chapter 3
"Sadie, please get the spoons and bowls from the cupboard, then call Luke please," Tessa asked, heating the dandelion greens and broth over a small flame. She had stretched this meal for three days and hoped there would be enough for all of them, if not, she would just make do with bread like she had done on so many nights before. Sadie obeyed quickly, and Tessa moved to get Emma into her chair.
The toddler's hands and cheeks were filthy so Tessa took her to the small basin in the corner. It was filled with murky water, but a wash with it would certainly be better than caked dirt and mud. She smiled up at her happily, grasping her spoon the minute she took her seat. Sadie and Parker entered next and Tessa instructed them to wash up and sit down. They did so quickly and soon all four Evans' were seated at the table ready to eat.
"Dear Lord, we thank you for the food you've blessed us with, and pray that you will nourish it to our bodies. I pray that you would continue to heal Lucas' head; we thank you again for the kindness of Dr. Sullivan. We pray for a good and restful night's sleep, Amen," Tessa prayed. When she finished, she dished the concoction into each one of the children's bowls, a bit divided into each one, there was even a small portion for herself.
"Why can't we go back to Dr. Parker's?" Lucas asked from his place, taking a spoonful of the watery meal.
"Why would we go back to Dr. Sullivan's, Luke?" Tessa asked sincerely, wondering what her brother's answer would be. This was not the first time she had been asked about returning to Dr. Sullivan's. Each time one of the children asked, they had a different reason for wanting to go back. One night Lucas had admitted that he liked having another boy to talk to. Sadie expressed that she would give anything to sleep in a bed again, even with Emma kneeing her in the back all night. She reasoned that the beds at Dr. Sullivan's went unused anyway. Emma's reason was the same each time, she always wanted to go back for the 'essert, as she called it.
"Because he had plenty of food, and was willing to share it with us. We don't have that much here. And his house even has beds!" Lucas said logically.
"He was only kind to us because you needed help Luke, and you don't need help anymore, you're fine. He has other patients to take care of. We're on our own and have to be thankful for what we have. And we have to be thankful for the wonderful meals we had at Dr. Sullivan's."
"But Tess, we don't have enough to eat," Sadie said with a sigh, playing with her food.
"Sadie, are we still alive?"
"Yes..."
"Then we have enough to eat. I know it doesn't always taste good, and sometimes our bellies growl, but we have been getting by for almost three years, and we're all still alive. This won't last forever love, I promise," Tessa said, giving each sibling a forceful look. "Now, eat your dinner. It might not taste like Dr. Sullivan's, but it will keep you healthy."
Emma was quick to oblige, scooping a spoonful into her small mouth, causing Tessa to smile brightly. Lucas and Sadie followed suit despite not being thrilled with the taste of the meal. Lucas talked about one of his young friends, and that he had gotten a new wooden train, they had played with it all af
ternoon. Tessa saw the light in his eyes as he spoke, and wished that she could get him something special, but knew that she did not have the funds, and even if she had, clothing would be first on her list. She managed to make a few measly cents a week washing and mending clothes for some of the men in their small shanty town, but it wasn't nearly enough to manage, it just barely kept them alive.
"Tessa, could we play a game of cards before bed?" Sadie asked.
Since they had left Dr. Sullivan's office four days ago, the children had wanted to do nothing but play with the deck of cards Dr. Sullivan had let them take with them when they left. Tessa had not wanted to accept the gift, but the doctor assured her that he had plenty of decks lying around, and didn't have anyone to play with. A look at her siblings' faces made it even more difficult to say no, so she found herself unable to refuse.
Each night they played either a game Dr. Sullivan had taught them, or a game they created. Tessa enjoyed playing with them, and even Emma did her best to understand. Even if she didn't follow the rules, she laughed and giggled with the rest of them, and the siblings didn't mind her confusion, it only made it more fun. Tessa was thankful for the distraction from all the difficulties that were constantly surrounding them. While they were playing that they were interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Keep playing you three, I'll just go see who it is," Tessa stood from her place on the floor and brushed off her dress that came just below her knee. Pulling open the makeshift door, she found Jerry Poteck, a man who lived three doors down. He had become somewhat of a friend; he had helped their father build their shanty, and had been there when Tessa had discovered him dead. He was at least ten years older than Tessa, and she guessed that he fancied her, it was for this reason that she didn't allow him to get too close. There had been a few difficult times when he had come to visit while drunk, but she could see tonight that he was sober, and invited him in.
"How are you, Jerry?" she smiled, opening the door a bit wider for him to enter.
"Not terrible, I had some work today, always a good thing. Have you all had supper yet?" he asked, his head turning around the small room.
"Yes, we just finished. I think I may have some bread left if you'd like something."
"No thank you, but I did bring a little treat for everyone. I just didn't want to give it to them before dinner."
"Oh! Well, go right ahead, the kids will love it!" Tessa smiled, leading him over to the small card game.
Jerry bent down and pulled out two small candy drops from his pocket, one for Sadie and Lucas. Emma got a small chocolate drop, and finally, he pulled a single tea bag from his pocket for Tessa. The children hopped to their feet, planting kisses on Jerry's scruffy cheek. "Thank you Jerry, would you like a cup of tea? We can share this bag if you'd like."
"No thank you, I brought it for you and only you; enjoy it," he smiled.
"Is there anything I can do for you, Jerry? Need some shirts washed or anything?"
"Only if it's no trouble."
"Not at all, after all you do for us, I'm happy to help you where I can," she smiled. He stepped outside the door and pulled two shirts from the ground and handed them to Tessa. She added them to her own laundry basket and promised she would get to them the next day. He said goodnight, and Tessa went back to the card game. They played together until it was bedtime, when they all cuddled together under the two large blankets that made up their bed. Though she never complained, Tessa was always left with very little of the blanket, and slept with one ear open, still afraid of what might happen during the night.
* * *
"Park!" Julia Sullivan screamed as her older brother entered the house, calling him by his childhood nickname. "You haven't been to dinner in ages! I've missed you, I'm going to start coming to the office to see you, and I don't care if you're operating!"
"Oh Jules, you are far too dramatic. You just saw me on Sunday! Realistically, you just love me far too much and can't stand to be away from me. It is understandable."
She rolled her eyes and began to walk away, "I shouldn't have said a thing, you don't need your head to be any bigger, after all."
Parker caught up to her and quickly threw an arm around her small neck. She had just turned seventeen, and was ten years Parker's junior. He had been incredibly protective of her when she was born, watching over her cradle like she was a precious jewel. He had always felt like he belonged to Dr. Eli and Miss Audra, but it wasn't until Julia came along that he felt like they were a real family. Having a sister of his very own had been so very important to him.
When she was old enough to walk, she became his favorite playmate, and they'd been the best of friends ever since. Not that they didn't love their other siblings, Lizzy, Dillon and Ben. Each sibling had a special relation to the others, but Julia always looked forward to Parker being home for dinner.
"What's for dinner Jules?"
"I think Momma said something about a roast; she knew you were coming so I'm sure there will be potatoes of some kind."
"Where's everyone else? Goodness, I expected more of a welcome, having not been to dinner in ages!" he exaggerated, stealing the words from his sister's mouth. She sighed and rolled her beautiful green eyes that matched their mother's.
"Dill and Ben are upstairs, doing something I'm sure would give Daddy cause to punish them. Lizzy has her nose in a book, like always, Momma's in the kitchen helping Jessie and Daddy's in his office."
"And what were you doing?"
"Just waiting for you," she smiled innocently, swaying her hips playfully.
"Well unless you had something to tell me, or wanted me to do something with you, I think I'll drop in on Dad."
Julia sighed, spinning out of Parker's embrace, "Go on, he's waiting for you. But I hope you have some good stories to tell us at supper. Our lives are so boring!"
He laughed at her again, something that was not at all unusual in Julia Sullivan's presence. She skipped toward the parlor without a care in the world. Parker went in the opposite direction to his father's office. The door was cracked open, which meant he was welcome to enter, and he did so quickly, pushing the door shut behind him. The sound caused Eli Sullivan to look up from his desk, a smile instantly filling his lips.
"Well hello, Parker! Did Julia attack you at the door?" he asked, pulling the spectacles from his nose and laying them on his desk. "She's been waiting for you for at least an hour."
"She always does," Parker answered dryly, sitting in one of the chairs opposite his father's desk.
Eli shook with gentle laughter, and Parker smiled at the sound. He had only been living at his Grandparents old home for six months, and hadn't thought about the quietness. Living with his parents and siblings for so long made the silence more pronounced in the old home. Not that Parker didn't like his freedom, or being home at his office whenever there was a need, but there were certainly things he missed about home.
Eli proceeded to ask the usual questions of Parker, how the practice was going, if he had any unusual patients as of late. Parker was about to tell him about the Evans family, but decided to wait until dinner, he was sure his mother would want to hear of them too. He asked his father similar questions about his own work, the only difference being that Parker was just beginning his own office and Eli did most of his work at the local hospital where he had worked for years.
They spent almost an hour talking about different things. Parker had come to expect Eli to ask the hard questions and keep him on course. Theirs was a special relationship, and Parker was always thankful for his father. When the difficult questions about life ceased, they moved on to talk of the family and upcoming events. Not having any idea what time it was, or that Julia had not announced Parker's entrance, Audra came bursting into the office.
"Parker isn't here yet, do you think..." she skidded to a stop and smiled at the sight of her oldest son. "How kind of someone to tell me than you arrived. Here I am holding dinner because I thought we had to wait. Come, come, both of y
ou to the table; let's go. Eli, give everyone else a shout will you. And you, my dear boy, give your mother a squeeze."
Parker smiled and obeyed, standing to encircle the older woman in his arms. She sighed in his embrace and squeezed him tightly. "Goodness, Mom, you'd think I'd been gone for years!"
"Well, I used to get hugs from you every day, and now I'm limited to once a week, it's not the easiest thing to deal with you know," she laughed, brushing a finger down his cheek. "You know, I still can't believe how grown up you are."
"I'm afraid it can't be helped," he laughed, putting an arm around his mother's waist, leading her from the room. They joined the rest of the family around the table and Eli gave thanks allowing the family to dig into the meal in front of them. While it was certainly a great deal more than other families had at the time, there were smaller portions to go around. Audra Sullivan was concerned for her family's well being, and was careful to be prudent about the money she spent and food that was wasted. Small talk engaged the family as they began to eat, and then Parker finally found his opportunity to speak.
"Exactly what is it you're asking, Parker?" Eli asked after Parker had explained everything about his experience with the Evans family.
"I don't know that I'm asking you anything, I just feel strangely drawn to the whole family."
"And Tessa?" Audra asked, an excited gleam in her eye. She never wanted anyone to interfere in her own love life when she was younger, but was certainly excited about the possibility that Parker would find someone, and soon.
"That's not at all what I'm thinking, Mother. She's incredible, if you could see the way she takes care of those kids, you'd be amazed. But all I want to do is help her. Raising three kids, in a shanty. It's obvious she doesn't sleep well, probably because she keeps her eyes open at night afraid something will happen to them. Emma was amazed to use a toilet, and I thought Sadie might cry when I sent them home with a deck of cards."
