Return to Whittakerville

by Shirley A. Roe

  Many of the town's people were shocked when they heard of Anna's suicide. Although some thought she was rather power hungry and ruthless, they never expected her to poison Jeb or to kill herself. The town was shrouded in sadness for Jeb and his family. A small service would be held in the church as a memorial.

  Isaac wanted to return to the hotel to check on Jeremy. The doctor had given him something to make him sleep, but he was not handling Anna's death well. Jeb invited Thomas to go to the blacksmith shop and then out in the countryside. Thomas readily accepted. He wanted to see as much of Whittakerville as he could before the train departed tomorrow. Thomas and Jeb rode out onto the plains, Jeb pointed out a herd of Prong-horned antelope. Thomas had never seen such creatures. An hour later, Jeb found what he had been searching for. “Look Thomas, bison.” Thomas stared at the huge herd of bison grazing in the meadow. Large brown heads swayed back and forth, a large bull raised his head in their direction. The bull turned back toward the herd, then suddenly dropped to the ground. He began gyrating to and fro, creating a huge cloud of dust.

  “What's he doing?” Thomas was fascinated.

  “That big fellow is trying to attract the females. The larger the dust cloud, the more impressed they will be.” Jeb pointed out how the females seemed to be watching the bull. “Look's like he has a few takers.” Thomas laughed. He was thrilled with the sights and sounds of the plains. The distraction was welcome. Jeb enjoyed showing Thomas the beautiful countryside and the creatures that lived there. He was pleased that Isaac trusted him enough to allow Thomas and he to ride out alone. It spoke volumes to Jeb.

  Jeremy lay on the bed in the hotel; his head was groggy from the medication. Tears ran down his face, his breathing was shallow. Dear God, please take care of my Anna. She was a troubled soul and I loved her with all of my heart. Such terrible choices for the end of a young life; I just couldn't imagine her in that lunatic asylum. It would have killed her. But, never could I have stood by and watched her hanged. My dearest daughter, I know deep in my heart, that this was the best result for you. Anna please forgive me for failing you. God forgive me. He sobbed uncontrollably.

  Isaac returned to the hotel and checked in on Jeremy. He knocked, then opened the door. Jeremy was awake. Isaac took the only chair in the room. “Are you alright now, Papa?” Jeremy nodded. The two discussed how the rest of the family was going to react when they found out about Anna. Jeremy had no idea how to tell Martha, he decided not send a telegram. Isaac had not sent one to Annabelle either, they would just go home and tell everyone in person. It was going to be a very long trip back to St. Louis. Isaac's heart went out to Jeremy, he could see how much he was suffering.

  The next morning, the casket was loaded on the train but Anna Whittaker's spirit remained in Wyoming. Jeremy, Isaac, Jeb, Alice and Thomas boarded at precisely 9 a.m. The whistle sounded, the train slowly chugged away from Whittakerville. Isaac went to the platform at the back of the caboose; he stood and watched Whittakerville and his past disappear in the distance. Goodbye Father, for once and for all, you are dead and buried. You will never haunt us again. Goodbye Anna, God forgive you. A single tear rolled down his cheek. He didn't see Jeb standing back in the shadows; he too was saying goodbye to the only woman he had ever loved.

  Chapter Fifteen

  A Family in Mourning

  The funeral was to be held at 3 p.m. Loretta made all of the arrangements with Hans Kruger's assistance. Hans was very upset when he learned of Anna's death. He had loved her and once thought they would have a life together. Dozens of large bouquets were placed around the room, the oak casket sat on the pedestal surrounded by floral beauty. Lilies, roses, daisies, chrysanthemums and flowers of all color and shape filled the room with a rich floral scent. A portrait of Anna stood on a stand beside the closed casket. The walls were shrouded in deep burgundy velvet. Several chairs were placed around the room. It was the most distinguished funeral home in St. Louis and no expense was spared.

  “Hans, can you make sure the caterer knows what time to serve the food? I spoke with him earlier but I don't want anything to go wrong. Poor Martha and Jeremy are under enough stress, you and I must be sure everything is in order.” Hans smiled at her.

  “Don't worry, you have done an excellent job. Mrs. Whittaker will be very satisfied. I will go now.” Hans picked up his overcoat from the chair. He glanced sadly at the portrait and left the room.

  Loretta double- checked once more. She was very worried about Martha and wanted to stop in before going home. Loretta stopped in front of the casket. “Well Anna, you got your wish. No rules, only total freedom, where you are now. God forgive me for thinking this but your family will be better off without you. Even in your passing you have caused my son David great pain, almost destroyed your parent's marriage and filled our lives with misery. Goodbye Anna Whittaker, may God forgive you. Loretta turned and walked out of the room. Moments later, the portrait of Anna toppled mysteriously to the floor as if bumped by an invisible hand. The frame shattered with a loud crash.

  At the mansion, Martha lay motionless on the bed. Vivienne and Annabelle took turns sitting with her but she didn't say a word. She wouldn't eat and they forced her to take sips of water. The women were very worried. She had been like this since she was told about Anna' death, three days earlier. They told Loretta that there was no improvement, when she arrived.

  “Martha, it's Loretta. Come on now, you have to get up and choose your gown for the funeral. Life goes on Martha; you have children and grandchildren that need you. Jeremy needs you.” Martha didn't move; her eyes stayed focused on some far away object. Loretta tried again. “Martha, now enough is enough. You can't do this. We have a business to run. Anna is gone, you can't bring her back.” Still nothing. Loretta was frustrated; she went to find Annabelle.

  Martha lay motionless. Her mind was blank, her heart broken but no tears fell. Her daughter was dead. It was all her fault. Martha wanted to die.

  “ Maybe one of the boys can reach her. This is most disturbing; I know she thinks it is all her fault. What are we going to do?”

  “Let Sissy talk to her.” Vivienne surprised both of the others with this statement.

  “Sissy? Dear Lord, I am trying to spare the children. How can Sissy possibly help?” Annabelle had explained Anna's death as best she could to her children. She wanted to spare them as much pain as possible.

  “Please Annabelle, let me take Sissy in to see Mother Martha, what have we got to lose?”

  Vivienne was very convincing and Annabelle called for Charles to bring Sissy into the parlor. “Yes Mama, Charles said you needed me?”

  Vivienne took Sissy by the hand. “Sissy, Aunt Viv and Mama have a very big job for you, a most important job. Grandma is very, very sad because of Aunt Anna's death. We would like you to go and talk to Grandma.” Sissy looked at Vivienne with large eyes.

  “Okay, I will go now.” She skipped from the room and ran up the stairs before the adults could stop her.

  “Let her go Annabelle, see if it works.” The three women watched Sissy disappear and waited impatiently.

  Slowly Sissy opened the door to Martha's room. She walked over to the large canopy bed and climbed up beside Martha. Without saying a word, Sissy cuddled into Martha, kissing her cheek. After a few minutes, Sissy gently wiped a tear from her grandmother's cheek. Martha turned her head to look at Sissy. She pulled the tiny girl into her arms and started to sob uncontrollably. Sissy held her tight. The two lay together for almost an hour. Finally Sissy spoke, “Grandma, I know that you are very sad. I know you are going to miss Auntie Anna very much but I will be here with you. I want you to know that I love you. You are the best Grandma ever.”

  Martha looked at her tiny granddaughter. A narrow smile on her lips, she kissed Sissy's head. “Grandma loves you too Sissy. Grandma loves you with all her heart. Thank you, my darling Sissy.” She hugged Sissy tightly. Sissy slipped off the bed, kissing Martha's cheek.

  “I will be right back, Gr
andma.” Martha again stared at the ceiling. The cry had helped her feel alive again. How will I get through the funeral? How can a mother bury her child? I did love you, Anna, I did love you. She wiped the tears as they fell. Her body felt heavy. I must, I must do it for Sissy and for the rest of the family. I must be strong. Moments later she sat up, weakly throwing her legs over the side of the bed. She sat there until Loretta came in.

  “Martha, are you feeling better?” Loretta sat beside Martha, putting her arms around her.

  “I was just thinking about how my own father was instrumental in bringing in the Lunacy Act in England, so many years ago. He had visited Jebediah and Jeremy's mother in the asylum and he was so distraught at the conditions, he dedicated himself to improving things. Anna's grandmother was insane. Anna's uncle was insane and dear God, Anna was insane.” Loretta pulled Martha into her arms.

  “Martha, don't.”

  “I have to accept it Loretta. It is the only way I can accept the knowledge that my daughter killed herself.” Loretta held Martha, her heart breaking for her friend.

  “Abby is so far away, I miss her terribly but I can't imagine how you feel knowing you will never see Anna again. Martha. I am here for you.” Martha looked into Loretta's face, and hugged her tight. The door squeaked as Sissy entered the room. Loretta kissed Martha and left the two of them alone.

  “Grandma, you are awake. Good, Mama says we have to be strong. Mama says we have to pray for Auntie Anna. Pray with me Grandma.” Sissy knelt beside Martha's bed. Martha sank to her knees beside Sissy. Together they prayed. Martha kissed the top of Sissy's red head.

  “Come on, Sissy, there is much to do. We must make Auntie Anna's farewell the best it can be. We must let her know that we loved her very, very much and that we will miss her.” Sissy jumped up and took Martha's hand. Martha washed her face and fixed her hair. Together they ascended the huge staircase, much to the surprise of Annabelle, Loretta and Vivienne. Vivienne smiled at Sissy. I knew you could do it Sissy, my little angel.

  Jeremy stood in his office staring out of the window. “Drink this Jeremy, you are going to need your strength.” Austin handed Jeremy a large brandy. Jeremy took it unconsciously, draining the contents in one gulp. “Loretta said the arrangements are all made and we are to be at the funeral home by 3 p.m. I brought your suit from the house, you can change here and we will go.”

  “Thank you Austin. I can't get the sight of her out of my mind. The last time I saw her, my darling Anna. She had this wild- eyed stare that looked right through you. She screeched like a banshee one minute and then paced frantically back and forth the next. She begged me to help her die. My own child begged me to help her commit suicide.” He collapsed into his large leather chair. His head in his hands he sobbed. Austin put his hand on Jeremy's shoulder.

  “Let it out man, I know how much you loved her. I don't know what I would do if anything happened to Abby.” Austin didn't know what to say or do. He just let Jeremy talk.

  “She wanted me to give her a gun. How could she beg her own father to help her end her life? You can't imagine the state she was in Austin, it was horrific.”

  “Don't talk about it now, Jeremy. Come, get dressed, we must be going. I am sure the memories will haunt you for a long time, but right now we must get to Anna's funeral. Martha will be waiting for you.” Jeremy stood and walked as if in a trance toward his dressing room. Austin watched his friend with great sympathy. He didn't know how to ease his pain.

  Isaac met Abraham at the hospital after his rounds. “You can't imagine what she looked like Abe. It wasn't the same Anna.”

  “Anna, dead. I have trouble believing it. Almost as much trouble as I am having with your newfound love and understanding for Jeb.” The two men left the hospital.

  “Jeb is okay, Abe. We don't know what terrible things happened to him when he was growing up. What happened here in St. Louis was just the result of our father's hatred and treatment of his mother. I understand him.”

  Abraham climbed into the wagon beside Isaac. “You were going to kill him.”

  Isaac took the reins, holding the horses at bay. “I know, but I was wrong. Just give him a chance; he really is a good man. The people of Whittakerville hold him in great regard and he loved Anna. Even after she tried to kill him, he still loved her.”

  “Well, I will give him the benefit of the doubt, if you say so. If you can go full circle, so can I. When are we supposed to be at the funeral home?”

  “Annabelle said 3 p.m. She and Viv will meet us there. God, this is horrible, burying our sister at such a young age. I just hope Mama and Papa can survive this. It is tearing them apart.”

  “Ezekiel and Abby sent an telegram. There is no way they can be here from England but he is as concerned as we are about Mama and Papa.”

  “Let's go, we'll be late.” Isaac jerked the reins and the horses began to move.

  “ By the way, how did Thomas like Wyoming?”

  “Thomas made me very proud, he has grown into a fine young man. I don't know what I would have done without him in Wyoming. You can ask him yourself once we get this funeral over and done with.”

  Jeb and Alice Parker arrived at the funeral home by carriage, from the hotel in St. Louis. Alice, wearing a plain black dress and bonnet, walked into the room first. She stopped and stared at the broken portrait on the floor. Jeb rushed over and picked it up. He pushed the frame back in place and set the portrait on the stand. Splinters of wood hung from the bottom and sides of the frame. He stared at Anna's face with such sadness. Alice watched him from the other side of the room. She is gone Jeb, it is what she wanted. Anna is gone.

  Alice moved to the side of the room and took her seat. The chairs were arranged in rows and a large podium sat at the front of the room. More people arrived, taking their seats. Agatha Carruthers, Arthur Langley, May, Ellen and Frank Borman and many others attended. Several people whispered about the man in the front of the room. Jeb remained at the casket. Isaac and Abraham entered the room. They moved to Jeb. “Jeb, this is Abraham.” Abraham shook hands with Jeb and then looked at Anna's portrait.

  “What happened to this?” He fingered the splintered wood.

  “I'm not sure, it was on the floor when Miss Parker and I arrived. I fixed it the best I could and put it back on the stand.”

  “Ghosts?” The three looked at each other and moved to take their seats. Abraham sat in the front row. Jeb was heading for the back but Isaac gestured to the seat beside him. Abraham nodded and feeling rather uncomfortable, Jeb sat down. Soon Thomas, Sissy and Annabelle, carrying Amy, arrived. They sat beside Isaac. Sissy stared at Jeb. Finally she could not contain herself and leaned towards him. “Hi, my Pa said you are sorry for being so bad. He said you are not that crazy Indian anymore. I'm glad.” Annabelle was horrified. Jeb stared at her, he didn't know what to say.

  “That's right, Sissy, now shush.” Isaac grinned at Jeb. Jeb relaxed a little.

  Vivienne took her place beside Abraham but not before staring at Jeb. She leaned into Abe, “Is that who I think it is? He looks a lot different than last time I saw him.” Abe nodded and took her hand. Vivienne leaned forward catching Annabelle's eye; they exchanged a look of apprehension. To them this was still the man that had attacked them. It would be difficult to forget that.

  Martha and Jeremy arrived with Loretta and Austin, proceeding quietly to the front. Martha's hat was the latest style, an inverted flowerpot in black. The hat was much smaller than previous fashion. A veil covered her face. Her gown was a black silk taffeta, two piece with a ruched bodice and pleated cuffs and hem. They sat in the front row staring straight ahead at Anna's casket. Loretta held her hand. No one spoke. When Jeb had replaced the portrait, it was repositioned so that Anna's eyes stared out into the room, seemingly staring at all of them. It was very disconcerting to everyone.

  Hans Kruger took the seat in the back row next to Alice. She nodded to him shyly. Hans introduced himself. “I understand you were Anna's very good fr
iend in Wyoming.” Alice nodded, twisting her handkerchief nervously in her hands.

  “I was engaged to Anna before she left St. Louis. I loved her. Thank you for being her friend, I am sure she appreciated you very much.” Alice blushed.

  The reverend proceeded to the podium and the service began. The organ played solemnly in the background. Tears flowed freely, as they all said goodbye to one so young.

  The burial took place in the cemetery of the church where Abraham and Vivienne were married. Everyone was uncomfortable, remembering what had happened there. A cold wind blew, leaves twirled in the air like ghostly birds. Black clouds covered the sky. Jeb, did not want to be there. As soon as the casket was lowered, he walked away. Alice was about to follow him but was intercepted by Hans, who offered her his carriage to the reception. She watched Jeb go, turned and accepted the invitation from this very handsome young man. She felt comfortable telling him about Anna, how she had bathed her in the jail and taken care of her. She told him how terrible it was to see Anna so distressed. Alice told Hans how Anna had tried to kill Jeb with arsenic, using Anna's tumultuous mental state as an excuse. Hans listened attentively. In the back of his mind he was thinking about the close call he had. I almost married Anna, then it might have been me that she tried to poison. Thank you, God for my broken heart.

  Everyone filed away from the mound of earth that was now Anna Whittaker's resting place. Rain began to fall. Jeb returned to the grave. His tears mixed with raindrops, sobs came from deep within. Alone he said his goodbye, placing one single red rose on the earth. I will always love you, Anna. His hand reached for the ring hanging around his neck on a gold chain. He clutched it tightly in his fist. A cold chill ran down his spine, he felt so alone.