The Whittaker Family Reunion

by Shirley A. Roe

  Abraham looked at Billy in disbelief. Not only had Billy, the girl, killed one man, but also now she admitted to shooting two more. “Well, let's get a room in the hotel and figure out what we are going to do now. I don't think we should stay in the street.”

  “Well, I need a bath, so let's go.” Billy walked away defiantly putting up a false bravado. Inside she was shaking.

  Later, finding a bathhouse that did laundry the travelers bathed in separate cubicles. After dressing, the two returned to their room. Billy looked even more like a young boy in clean clothes, with a scrubbed face. Back in their room, Billy removed her hat and Abraham got his first look at the young woman he was now sharing a room with. Dark hair tumbled down on her shoulders and she turned towards him. He sucked in his breath. She was beautiful. “By the way, my name is Vivienne, Vivienne Le Rue but you can call me Billy. Good night, Doctor Abe.”

  Billy moved towards the cot on the right side of the room. Abraham reached for the light and settled on his own cot. Soon he heard her breathing in a steady rhythm and he knew she was asleep. But sleep would not come to Doctor Abraham Whittaker. I am traveling with a woman. Not just a woman but also a very young, very beautiful woman who killed a man, maybe two. Was the story true or just the ramblings of a very good liar? How much danger am I putting myself in by continuing to harbor a criminal? How can I take her home to my family? What would I tell them? He did not sleep much that night.

  The next morning, he and Billy decided to stay out of sight until the train departed at four-o'clock. Abraham was very nervous of coming face to face with the sheriff and now that he knew Billy was a woman, he was even more protective. Billy was impressed with the hotel, explaining that she had never slept in a hotel before. The cornbread muffins disappeared quickly as did the coffee that was delivered to the room. She told Abraham that her father often dressed her as a boy when they sought jobs on various plantations. It was much easier to get work as two males and she quite enjoyed the pretense. Abraham agreed that she was very believable as a boy. What worried him was that she was so believable; was he being taken for a fool? He left his thoughts unspoken.

  “I have an idea. Can you give me some money?” She had never asked him for anything thus far and although his mind warned him to be cautious, he gave it to her without question. They agreed to meet at the train station before four o'clock.

  Abraham paced the platform nervously. Where is Billy? He looked at his pocket watch, three-forty- five. The train was leaving in fifteen minutes. He glanced around the platform looking for his traveling companion. Has she made a fool of me once again?

  Suddenly, at the end of the platform, the sheriff and three of his men appeared. A lump forming in his gut, Abraham moved into the station attempting to look casual as he picked up a newspaper. At least the stallion was safely stored in the cattle car and hopefully out of sight. Where is Billy? Had she seen the men and hidden? Should I wait or leave without her? He ran his hand through his hair in frustration. Why is my life so complicated now? Abraham had always lived a very straightforward life with little complication. Now he worried about himself as well as Billy. Looking down at his watch, he moved back out on the platform.

  “All aboard that's going aboard.” The train conductor shouted. The train whistle sounded two short blasts and the air around the station filled with black soot. Just then a strong hand grabbed Abraham's arm. He turned to look into the stern face of the sheriff.

  “Are you traveling with a young boy, sir?” The sheriff glared into his face.

  “Are you speaking to me, sir? I am Doctor Abraham Whittaker.” Abraham was stalling. Did the Sheriff see us together? Where is Billy? He searched his mind for the right words.

  “I asked you a question, Doctor.” The sheriff was losing his patience. He tightened his grip.

  “I am traveling with………” Just then the sheriff dropped his grip on Abraham's arm as his head swiveled towards the end of the platform. Every eye in the station watched as a woman dressed in a stylish purple dress appeared and approached the two men.

  “Darling, so sorry to keep you waiting. Am I late?” The woman spoke with a syrupy southern drawl and turned her face up to the sheriff. Fluttering her lashes she grasped Abraham's arm. Abraham quickly regained his composure.

  “As I was saying, I am traveling with my wife. May I present Mrs. Whittaker?” The sheriff bowed his head slightly then stood and stared as the two boarded the train. Every male on the platform stared lustfully after the beautiful woman in the purple dress as the train left the station.

  Taking their seat, Abraham turned to Billy, “Well, Mrs. Whittaker that was a close call.” Much too close for his liking, he was still shaking from the encounter. She smiled at him, her white teeth sparkling against her now ruby red lips. He stared at her. She was dressed in a long purple gown with a matching waist length jacket. Just a hint of cleavage showed under the jacket. A small pillbox hat perched on a nest of dark ringlets. She reminded him of the women in his mother's shop, refined and elegant.

  “Well, what are you staring at me like that for? You look like you've seen a ghost.” The syrupy accent disappeared. Billy reached up and tossed the hat on the seat beside her. “Damn that was fun.” She hiked her skirt up above her knees and dropped the high-heeled boots from her feet. She stretched her legs in front of her and wriggled her toes in a most unladylike fashion. All of Abraham's illusions of refinement and elegance flew out the window and blended with the passing landscape. Speechless, he took his seat, turning his attention to the window and the passing scenery.

  He sat staring blankly out of the window. His mind was reeling. Billy made a much better rough and tumble boy than she did a girl, but Abraham could not get the vision of her loveliness out of his mind. Is she telling the truth? I want to believe her. I thought of getting the boy, Billy, a job on Isaac's farm but now what can I do with this woman? What will my family think of her? Do I really want to complicate my life? Towns, farms and trees went by in a blur totally unseen by a very confused Abraham Whittaker. Beside him, his sleeping traveling companion dozed unperturbed.

  Eventually Abraham dozed off but his sleep was haunted by nightmares. He saw his father raising a strap over and over again. The strap came to rest on Abraham's back. The pain was unbearable; blood dripped from the welts. The room was black; he was alone. He could smell grain. He was locked in the grain shed alone and afraid. Then Martha was there, stroking his forehead, holding him close as he cried. He could hear her voice as if she were next to him. Slowly, he began to awaken but soon realized someone was holding him, gently rocking back and forth. His eyes opened to find Vivienne singing gently in his ear as she enfolded him in her arms. Their eyes met and held for a split second. She released him immediately and moved over, placing a few precious inches between them.

  “You were crying out in your sleep. I tried to waken you but you were mumbling something about the dark.” Embarrassed at having been caught comforting him and at their first real physical contact, she muttered an apology with her head down. Recovering quickly, in true Vivienne style, she added, “What were you dreaming about?”

  Abraham too was embarrassed. He straightened his coat and collar and feigned forgetfulness. He averted his gaze, refusing to make eye contact. Unlike Ezekiel, he was inexperienced with women. He had always been more concerned with his patients, giving little attention to the opposite sex. But Vivienne was not easily put off. “Think hard, you must remember something. You seemed very upset.” Finally, he admitted that he was dreaming of his father, the man who beat him mercilessly as a child. He quickly added that his father had been dead for years and he did not wish to discuss it. She tried a few more times, but each time he refused to answer. Finally, she gave up. The two rode in silence for the next twenty miles.

  Vivienne's head was filled with mixed emotions. Can I trust this Doctor? What will he do with me once we arrived in St. Louis? If he doesn't turn me in to the authorities, can I settle in St. Louis? Vivienne
had never been this far north. She missed her father terribly. How will I survive on my own? She began to formulate a plan. She would need a job and a place to live. Perhaps she could sell the black stallion. Vivienne was a very independent and resourceful woman and she knew that she would manage somehow. But soon her thoughts returned to Abraham. He is so handsome, how could his father have been so cruel? What is the real story? What is his family like? She wiled away the hours imagining meeting the entire Whittaker family.

  Abraham closed his eyes. During his childhood he had terrible premonitions, dreams that came true most of the time. What was this dream trying to tell me? His father was dead; he could not hurt any of them ever again. His evil was buried with him back in Wyoming. Whittakerville! Abraham sneered; a town named after Pastor Jebediah Whittaker, a Godly man. How he fooled them all! Jebediah Whittaker and Whittakerville were better left in the past, long forgotten and never talked about, just as they had been for more than twenty long years. Think of more pleasant things, he thought. The spark when he gazed into Vivienne's eyes immediately came to the forefront of his thoughts. The gentle curve of her white shoulders against the purple gown, her dark hair piled high on her head….

  Chapter Twelve

  Thomas

  Thomas mucked out the stalls wiping the perspiration from his forehead with the back of his sleeve. He heard voices outside. Slowly, he placed the pitchfork against the wall and moved toward the opening. His mother's voice rose above the sound of the pigeons cooing high in the barn rafters. “What can you tell me about Jebediah Whittaker, Mr. Langley?” Thomas knew Arthur Langley well. He was surprised to hear that Arthur had known Jebediah Whittaker. He stood very still and undetected, straining to hear the conversation.

  “Did you know that I was wagon master on the wagon train that the Whittaker family took to Wyoming? Pastor Whittaker was a God fearing man; a man that led the settlers when they first arrived in Fort Laramie. Why, they even named a town after him when he was killed.” Annabelle asked if there had ever been any signs of abuse toward the boys. “I remember hearing some rumors about him being a rather harsh disciplinarian but those were hard times and I never saw proof of it. Why are you asking, Annabelle?” Arthur Langley's weathered face showed the signs of years on the range. He was a quiet discreet man who did not discuss other people's business. Now in his sixties, he was like a member of the family. Isaac was one of his favorite people.

  “Thomas and I were going through some things in the attic and he asked about the town. Isaac was very disturbed when he found out. I just thought you could shed some light on that time so long ago. None of the Whittakers ever talk about it.” Annabelle knew more than she was letting on, but did not want to tell Arthur anything that he did not already know. “I do not want my husband upset.”

  “Now, now I'm sure Isaac was not referring to anything bad having happened in Wyoming, maybe it is still painful to remember his father. It's a sad day when a boy loses his Pa.” Annabelle realized that she would get nothing new out of Arthur and changed the subject. Thomas silently withdrew deeper into the barn. A pastor, my pa's father was a pastor and Ma said he was mean? But men of God were gentle and loving, something doesn't make sense. Besides even Mr. Langley said they named the town after him cause he was a leader of men. I need to find out what the real story is. Thomas picked up the pitchfork and threw pile after pile of manure into the wagon, but his young mind was filled with the mystery of Whittakerville.

  Arthur, Isaac, and Austin set off on their hunting trip. Annabelle waved goodbye from the front porch happy that Isaac would be distracted for a few days. She did not like the dark shadow that fell over her husband when those days were mentioned. He had told her much about his childhood and how the boys and Martha were beaten and mistreated by Jebediah but she knew there was more, much more that no one would talk about. Better left alone. Picking up her laundry basket she moved to the line in the yard and began pinning the wet clothes to the line.

  She did not notice Sissy chasing the ducks into their pen. Some of the stubborn creatures scattered toward the pond in rebellion. Sissy chased after them determined to complete her chores.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The Stranger

  He watched the young girl from the bushes. She was only five or six but was very engrossed in herding the ducks back to the farm. Slowly, he walked into the clearing, being sure to be seen. He pushed the dark hair from his face. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, his body tense with anticipation.

  “Hi, Mister.” The sound startled him.

  “Hey, little girl, what are you doing so close to the water?”

  “Chasing these here ducks. They can be very frustrating some days. Who are you? Are you looking for my pa?” Sissy was told not to talk to strangers but there was something familiar about this man.

  “No, just passing through and stopped to water my horse. You live on this farm?” The last thing he wanted to do was frighten her or give away his real intent. “What is your name?”

  “My pa says never tell a stranger your name unless they tell you first, so what is your name?” The ducks escaped into the pond making her job much more difficult, however Sissy was enjoying this conversation.

  “Actually, my real name is Red Fox. My mother was a Cheyenne.” He had not used his Cheyenne name in some time but it certainly came in handy in situations like this.

  “Wow, an Indian! I never met a real Indian before. I saw some in town but I never actually talked to one, holy cow this is so exciting.” Sissy could hardly contain herself with excitement. Wait until she told Thomas, he would be so jealous.

  “Sissy, Sissy where are you?” Annabelle shouted from the path.

  “That's my ma, you want to meet her?”

  “No, I will see you some other time. Let's make this our little secret. Okay, my little friend?” Red Fox backed into the forest and out of sight.

  “But wait.” Sissy certainly didn't want to keep her new friend Red Fox a secret. It was too exciting.

  “Sissy Whittaker you get those ducks and get home this instant. You scared the life out of me. Your pa told you not to come to the pond alone.” Sissy, remembering the ducks, started yelling at them, running to and fro. Her tiny mind was spinning, should she tell her mother about her new indian or keep it a secret. Friends were supposed to keep secrets for each other, but she wasn't sure if Red Fox could be called her friend.

  “Coming, Mama, these darn ducks ran away. Sorry if I upset you.” She ran to her mother and hugged her legs. Sissy gave Annabelle her biggest, cutest smile. As usual Annabelle melted, gently ushering her daughter back up the path to the farm. From the bushes, two sinister eyes watched until the two were out of sight.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Anna's Plan

  Anna paced back and forth on the back porch. Where is David when I need him? She had a plan and only her best friend could make it work. I'll show them. I am going to New York and they won't be able to stop me. I am not a baby. She paced, her whole body tense with anger. Anna Whittaker did not like being told what to do and she always, always had a plan.

  “Hello there, you look very disturbed this fine morning.” David Wells kicked a stone out of his path as he approached the porch with long strides. A huge smile graced his handsome face.

  “Stop grinning and hurry up. I have been waiting hours.” Anna shook her head in frustration.

  “Hours! You only sent me the note a few minutes ago. Jonah dropped it off at my house on his way to town. Now, what is the matter?” David loved his dear friend, but sometimes she could be rather overbearing. Abby said she could never understand how he could stand being around Anna, however, David would do anything for Anna. She was his friend since childhood and he loved her dearly. One day he hoped to be much more than a friend.

  “I have a plan, now come on!” She grabbed his elbow and ushered him towards the gazebo at the back of the garden.

  Heads close, the two youngsters discussed Anna's plan unaware that
they were being observed from behind the shrubbery. The dark form stayed well hidden, but within earshot of the conversation. When he heard Anna say that she would board the train to New York his heart began to beat faster. She would be alone, away from her family!

  Martha and Loretta left the shop and strolled casually towards their homes. It was a pleasant evening and they had just sold several designs to a New York design house. “We made a huge step forward today, Loretta. With this year's designs in New York, we should be very busy for the summer season and into fall. I hope the staff is up to it.” Martha smoothed the sleeve on her emerald green jacket.

  Loretta smiled at the butcher as they passed the shop. Turning toward Martha she put her hands on her friend's shoulders. “Martha Whittaker, our staff is up to anything you can throw at them. Of course, Ellen is now besotted with our Mr. Borman but she has always been very reliable. We have grown because of our excellent staff and now that you have Hans to do the books, you could always fill in on one of the machines yourself.” Her laughter filled the air and Martha had to laugh with her.

  “Oh, Loretta, you know it has been years since I sat at a sewing machine, but you are right. I don't know why I question myself. Old habits die hard I guess. Come on, let's stop and have a cup of tea at the hotel.” Martha was very lucky to have Loretta. Over the years, Loretta had held her up in the most devastating times and always could be counted on for a laugh to lighten up any mood. She took her friend's arm and the two made a striking sight as they strolled down the streets of St. Louis. “Ellen and Mr. Borman do seem to make a lovely couple. You are quite the matchmaker, Loretta.” Loretta and Martha laughed and talked as they sat and enjoyed a delicious cup of tea in the hotel. Little did they know that their children were cooking up yet another scheme that could turn disastrous.