Return to Whittakerville

by Shirley A. Roe

  Deciding that Jeb should know how calming Alice was for Anna, he walked toward Jeb's office to tell him about the incident between the two women. He met Bill and Jeb walking toward the hotel.

  “Wait up. I have some interesting news about Anna.” Donald hurried toward the two men.

  “Anna?” Jeb was trying to think of what will happen in the next few minutes when he comes face to face with the Whittakers. “What now?” Donald could see the distress on Jeb's face. He forgot about Anna for the moment.

  “What happened? You look like you've seen a ghost.”

  “Worse my friend, Anna's father is in town.” The three men walked slowly to the hotel. Donald and Bill were going to support their friend, no matter what happened.

  The doctor gave Anna her laudanum and Alice arrived. A tub was moved into the cell and filled with water by the deputy. Left alone with Alice, Anna cautiously stepped into the tub. She submerged her body into the warm soapy water and leaned back. Alice started to wash her hair. Anna relaxed. She seemed in a trance.

  “Help me Alice. Please help me; I can't go into that lunatic asylum. I would rather die.” Anna's voice was eerily soft and quiet. Alice stopped and stared at Anna. This was the most coherent she had been in weeks. “Please, I must be free. I heard them talking. You must help me.” She paused as if thinking of a solution, “Hold my head under the water.”

  Alice moved away in fright. The suggestion horrified her. A few minutes later, she moved back. Anna was now silent, staring blankly at the cell walls. Alice continued washing her hair.

  Alice finished, dried her off, helped her dress and then sat with her. Alice did not know what to say. Anna begged for her help, but what could she do? Finally she turned to face her, “I don't know how I can help you, Anna.” She felt so helpless. Anna was her first real friend.

  “Help me kill myself.” Anna looked right into Alice's eyes. Again, Alice was shocked.

  “No, Anna, no, I can't do that.” She looked away.

  “Please, bring me some poison or a knife or a gun. I don't want to go to that place where they torture people and lock them up. I can't do it Alice, I can't.” Anna was beginning to panic. “I would rather hang.” Her actions became jerky. Alice withdrew to the door. The deputy opened it, letting Alice out.

  Anna's voice raised, she screamed, “You must help me. You must.” Alice hurried out of the jail.

  Alice's mind was in turmoil. Dear God, how can I help her kill herself? I must convince Jeb not to send her to the horrid place. Alice rushed into her room at the boarding house. The room was small with a dresser, bed, washbasin and several hooks for clothing. The curtains were clean but faded. Several books were piled on a small table in the corner. Everything was well worn but clean and tidy. She sat and stared for hours at the street below her window, contemplating Anna's dilemma.

  Meanwhile, Jeb, Donald and Bill arrived at the hotel. “Mr. Jeremy Whittaker's room, please.”

  “Mr. Whittaker and his traveling companions are in the dining room, Sir.”

  Jeb turned toward the other two. “Thank you for being here but I have to do this alone. Wait here if you want.” He took a deep breath and turned toward the dining room.

  Moments later he saw the Whittakers sitting in the back of the room. They appeared deeply involved in a discussion. Their movements were animated hinting that they may be having a disagreement.

  Jeb approached cautiously.

  “I want to go to the jail right now.” Jeremy saw Jeb from the corner of his eye. He jerked around facing him. “You, where is my daughter?”

  “Mr. Whittaker, I am sorry to have to see you under these circumstances.” Jeb offered his hand. Jeremy ignored it. The others noticed the change in Jeb's appearance.

  “Well, you certainly have made some changes. Now where is my daughter, I have no time for small talk.” Isaac assessed the new improved Jeb with interest. Seeing that Jeremy had ignored the man's hand, he rose from his chair and offered his hand. Jeb was surprised but took it.

  “Jeb, I'm Isaac your half brother. We have come to see Anna.” Jeremy stared at Isaac. He could not believe that he was being cordial to this person, possibly the man that had framed Anna or worse. “Thomas, this is Jeb Whittaker, your uncle.” Thomas took his father's lead and extended his hand. Jeb shook it with much surprised. Never did he expect Isaac to be so polite. Was that understanding he saw in the face so much like his own? Thomas stared at the two men; the resemblance was uncanny. There was no denying that they were brothers.

  “Enough of this, take us to Anna now.” Jeremy stood dropping his napkin on the floor. Jeb retrieved it and turned to face his uncle.

  “I apologize for my actions in the past. I was a different person then. I can not stress enough how very sorry I am that you were hurt.” He looked from Jeremy to Thomas and then Isaac. “ Please accept my apologies. The situation with Anna is a very difficult one. You must be prepared before you see her.”

  “Never mind, I will find the jail myself.” Jeremy pushed passed Jeb, almost knocking him over. Jeb followed him with Isaac and Thomas close behind.

  The sheriff saw them coming. “Jeb, do you need any assistance?”

  “Sheriff Martin, can you please tell Mr. Jeremy Whittaker about his daughter?” At the sound of the word ‘Sheriff' Jeremy stopped. He looked into Donald's face, waiting for an answer. “Mr. Whittaker, please listen to the sheriff. Anna is under a doctor's care.” Jeremy jerked around.

  “Doctor? What did you do to her, you bastard?”

  “Mr. Whittaker, calm yourself. Jeb here did nothing to your daughter. I am afraid she has lost her mind. She tried to kill Jeb with arsenic. Now sit down.” Donald led Jeremy to the nearest chair. Jeremy hesitated, but followed. Donald explained the seriousness of Anna's mental state and also the very good case against her. “If you wish to talk to the doctor, I am sure we can find him.” In the meantime, Bill Smither's stared at Isaac, trying to remember him as a boy.

  Isaac stood watching Jeb. Are you different? Did we both spend an angry childhood because of that monster? Can you be trusted? You did try to hurt my wife; can I forgive you for that? He half listened to the sheriff while his mind reeled with his own thoughts.

  Thomas could not believe what he was hearing. His aunt had gone mad and tried to kill someone. He watched his father carefully. Thomas was proud of his father. This trip had taught him a great deal about the man.

  Jeb was watching Isaac with the same curiosity. Isaac's reaction had surprised him. Never did he expect to be greeted like a member of the family. The family, this is my family at last. But will you ruin it for me, Anna? Will you be the cause of my losing the only family I ever had?

  Finally, Jeremy was briefed on Anna's condition and readied to go to see her. He entered the jail tenuously. He didn't want to see her behind bars. Soon he stood looking at her. She was asleep on the cot under a thin wool blanket. Asleep, she looked like a little girl, his little girl. His heart was breaking. He wiped the tear from his cheek. She stirred and seeing him she screamed, “Daddy, Daddy, help me. Are you here? Are you really here?”

  “Anna, it's me. I am really here. Calm down now. Stop screaming, I am here.”

  “Get me out of here, they are going to put me in the lunatic asylum. Help me, I want to go home.” She screeched. She repeated herself over and over, shaking her head from side to side. He could not believe his ears, she sounded like a madwoman. He reached through the bars to her but she didn't move. She clutched the sheet to her face like a security blanket. Her hair was loose and wild.

  “Anna, calm down. I will see what I can do.” Jeremy was very distressed. “Go back to sleep.” He rushed from the jail. Outside, his stomach retched. His hand reached for the support of the wall, he vomited. Isaac, who was waiting outside, rushed to his aid. Donald Martin pitied Jeremy. What must the man think? Poor Jeb, what a mess.

  Jeb offered Isaac, Jeremy and Thomas a room in his house, but they declined. Isaac thought is best not to rush i
nto anything with Jeb. He was still a stranger. Isaac didn't completely trust him. Jeb went home where he had a stiff whiskey. Isaac, Jeremy and Thomas returned to the hotel and had a restless night.

  Jeremy discussed the case with the doctor and the lawyer. It did not look good for Anna. He went to see her but she was pacing incoherently in the cell and did not recognize him. Her eyes were wild. Dear God, she looks like my mother. Lost inside of her own head, my child is insane. Sadly, Jeremy left. He walked the streets of Whittakerville. He didn't know what to do. Martha I need you here to help me make this decision. Dear God, I have to sign my own daughter into an asylum or watch her hang. Soon, he found himself outside of Jeb's office; he knocked on the door.

  “Come in.” Jeb was seated at his desk. He looked up in surprise.

  “I need to talk to you.” Jeremy took the chair in front of the desk. His shoulders slumped; he looked exhausted. Jeb knew exactly how he felt.

  “Whatever you want to know, just ask. Before you say anything, I want you to know one thing. I love your daughter, or I did until she tried to kill me. I think I still love her. I know how hard this decision is.” Jeremy looked at him, sizing him up.

  “Did she really try to poison you? I want the truth.”

  “Yes.”

  “Why, what did you do to her?”

  “Nothing, it was about influence. She wanted all the power and the glory. I was just a means to an end for Anna. It wasn't about me; it was about money, power and her total freedom. I didn't want to believe it but, when she was done with me, she tried to get rid of me.” Jeb looked away. Jeremy could see the sadness on his face.

  “Anna is only a child.” His fatherly instincts would not let him believe that this was true.

  “No she is a woman; a vindictive, calculating woman that tried to kill me. Now we have to decide what to do with her. She doesn't have a chance to win this case. Her actions are those of a madwoman, she can't just go home.” Jeb watched the emotions on Jeremy's face. The same indecision that he himself felt was very apparent. “What is best for Anna? Perhaps one day she could be released from the asylum?”

  “I can't watch her hang. I can't.” Jeremy was filled with apprehension.

  “Can you sign her over to the doctor? I had decided that it was best but now you are here and it is your decision. You are her father, you must decide. I am only her cousin although we lived as man and wife in this town.” Jeremy clenched his fist at the mention of Anna as Jeb's wife.

  “You took her innocence. You bastard, you stole my baby.” Jeremy stood up as if he was going to strike Jeb, but fell back into the chair, defeated. Jeb looked at him with great empathy. After a few minutes, Jeremy stood up; his shoulders slumped in defeat and walked out without a word. Jeb sadly watched him go.

  Later that day, both Jeremy and Jeb visited Anna at different times. Joshua Brown reminded them both that the trial was the next morning. The doctor needed a decision. Isaac left Thomas at the hotel and went to see Anna. Alice also paid Anna a visit. Anna begged each and every one of them to help her.

  The next morning, Donald Martin returned to the jail. There had been a skirmish during the night and he and the deputy were called away. As usual, the deputy made coffee and prepared a tray for the prisoners. He carried the tray to Anna's cell. It dropped to the floor in a loud clatter.

  “Sheriff, come quick!” Donald pushed the door open; the two men froze in horror at the sight that greeted them.

  Donald rushed into the cell where Anna Whittaker, lay on her cot. Her bed was covered in blood, her face was almost unrecognizable, and part of the top of her skull was missing. A gun lay on the floor beside her. She was dead. “Get the doctor, hurry up.” The deputy ran for the doctor, knowing it was much too late but not knowing what else to do.

  Donald Martin stared in shock at Anna's limp body. In her hand was a piece of paper. He pried it from her fingers. Unfolding it, it read. At last I am free. Donald stood there aghast.

  Jeremy, Jeb and Isaac arrived at the jail after being summoned by the deputy. Donald met them outside. “I am afraid I have some very bad news. Anna is dead.”

  “Dead?” Jeremy's legs went weak; Isaac and Jeb each grabbed an arm, supporting him.

  “What happened to her?” Jeb's voice shook; he could not hold back the tears.

  “Shot herself. Someone had to give her a gun and I need to know if it was you Jeb.”

  “Me, no I was at home. A gun, for God's sake, who would have given a madwoman a gun?” Donald looked at Isaac and Jeremy.

  “Don't look at us, we came to save her.” The sheriff looked at Jeremy.

  “God, what am I going to tell Martha? My Anna, my dear little Anna.” He put his head in his hands and sobbed.

  “I need to get Papa to the hotel where he can lay down. Do you need us for anything right now?” Donald shook his head. Isaac took Jeremy by the shoulders and walked him toward the hotel. Jeremy walked as if in a trance. Donald and Jeb stared after them.

  “Go home Jeb, I'll take care of this.” He put his arm around Jeb's shoulders for support. “Come on, I will walk you home.” The deputy and the doctor nodded from inside the jail. Everyone was traumatized.

  “No, I need to see her. Please Donald, please.” Donald moved aside and Jeb walked slowly into the jailhouse. He stared in horror when the doctor pulled the sheet back. “Anna, oh Anna, what have you done?” He collapsed to his knees, head in hands. Donald helped him up. Jeb's whole body was shaking. The doctor placed the sheet back over Anna, looking at Jeb with great pity. Donald guided Jeb toward home.

  When they reached the house, the sheriff told Ling Ye and Chu Ying what had happened. They took the two men into the parlor. Chu Ying rested his hand on Jeb's shoulder. Ling Ye brought two stiff whiskeys. After downing the burning liquid, Donald, remembering the note in his pocket, handed it to Jeb. Hands shaking, he read it. Jeb held it in his hand for a long time before he said, “She is finally free, all Anna ever wanted was to be free.” He broke down and cried.

  The next day, Anna Whittaker's body was placed in a casket for shipping back to St. Louis by rail. Thomas and Isaac went to the church, where years before, Jebediah Whittaker was shot. Isaac paused outside the door. Although there had been additions and changes over the past twenty years, making the building look different, the memories came flooding back. Isaac was frozen to the ground, his feet would not move. Thomas looked into his father's eyes, dark eyes so like his own. He took his father's hand. “Come on Pa, I'll be right here. You have to go in.” Isaac looked at his young son with pride. Thomas was quite the young man.

  The two of them entered the church, humbly and quietly they approached the altar. It was larger than Isaac remembered. In the front row, on their knees were Jeb and Alice; they turned to watch Isaac and Thomas approach. Thomas guided his father into the pew opposite them. They knelt in prayer. They stayed silent and still for several minutes. Tears rolled down Isaac's face, tears he could not stop. His son also cried, but his tears were for the loss of his auntie and his father's suffering. Thomas loved his father with a deep devotion. Isaac cried for Anna, then he cried for himself. He finally let go of all the guilt that had haunted him for twenty years, with his own son by his side. A new bond was formed that day, a bond of father and son that would never be broken.

  The four left the church sometime later. “Please feel free to come to the funeral in St. Louis, Jeb.” Isaac looked at Alice and as an afterthought, added. “You too, of course, Miss. Were you a friend of Anna?” Alice nodded, dabbing the tears from her eyes. Isaac felt a deep pity for the plain young woman that seemed so grief stricken. Jeb was surprised by the invitation.

  “I would be very pleased to come Isaac. Thank you for being so nice to me. I know I don't deserve it.” Jeb was overcome with compassion for Isaac and all of the Whittakers. Alice stood silently staring at the ground.

  “Yes, you do. I understand more than you could ever know, Jeb. I suggest you ask God's forgiveness. And then start your li
fe over from this day forward. That is exactly what I intend to do.” Thomas smiled at his father. Isaac extended his hand. Jeb shook it firmly. Brothers united in a deep understanding of how the brutality on one man could overshadow and haunt the life of his sons.

  “Are you leaving on the train tomorrow?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then I will be on it.” Jeb turned to face Alice. “Miss Parker, would you like to join us?”

  “Oh, my goodness, Mr. Whittaker. I would very much like to go to Anna's funeral. But of course, I couldn't afford it.”

  “Not a problem, go and pack a bag. You were Anna's closest friend in Whittakerville. I will pick you up at 8 tomorrow morning.” Alice thanked Jeb and Isaac profusely; she shook Thomas' hand and walked quickly away, head down.

  “She was very close to Anna, especially at the end.” Jeb watched her go. “Alice would have done anything for Anna, anything.” Then a curious look crossed his face. Isaac did not miss it. He turned and stared after Alice.

  “Do you think she….?” Isaac left the question unfinished. Jeb turned to him.

  “I don't know.”

  A cold, icy blast of air blew through the churchyard, appearing from nowhere, like a blast from the dead. Thomas rubbed his goose bump covered arms. A chill ran down his spine. The three of them turned from the church and headed back into town.

  Jeb took Isaac and Thomas around town, introducing them to people and showing them the changes. Isaac barely recognized the town as the same small, pioneer village that he knew. The single street had grown to a small village with side streets and several neighborhoods. He could not help but see the respect and admiration for Jeb in the townsfolk's attitude. His step- brother was a great curiosity to him, but for some reason he felt a very close bond with this man. And to think, at one time I wanted to kill you, my brother.

  Olga was very pleased to meet Isaac, she remembered him as a sullen quiet boy. Isaac introduced Thomas. Olga stared at them in surprise. The similarity in the three of them was startling. She still wondered where and when Jeb came into the family but she dare not ask. The family was in mourning; it was a terrible shame what had happened in the jail. Olga gave Isaac a letter for Martha, extending her deepest sympathies.