Fireflies

by P. S. Bartlett

  “Oh Liffey, can you believe it? Thomas Kennedy! Why would Thomas want to hurt me? I’ve never even so much as spoken to him before,” Teagan asked.

  “I know, isn’t it shocking? His poor family. When they find out what he’s done, they’ll be mortified!” said Liffey, wringing out two rags in fresh, cool water from the well. “Did he say anything to you? Did he give you any indication as to why he would try to hurt you?”

  “All he said to me was us Whelans think we’re too good for anybody. That isn’t true at all, is it, Lif?”

  “Of course not! How could you ever even doubt our good name?” Liffey said as she handed Teagan the cool rag for her face.

  The tender skin around Teagan’s eye was beginning to discolor, although the bleeding from her nose and lip had already stopped. Teagan patted gently at the swelling and walked to the small closet where her mother kept the mirror to assess the damage done. Ennis sat quietly still in his chair at the table and Liffey, noticing his distance, dampened another cloth with cool water and sat down next to him.

  “Here, Ennis, let me place this on your forehead. You felt awfully warm to me,” she said as she raised the cloth to place it upon him.

  Ennis reached out and took the cloth from her hand and said, “I can do it myself. Besides, if you touch me, you’ll just get scared like everyone else.”

  “Ennis, don’t be silly. Why would I be frightened of you?” Liffey asked.

  “Because you’ll feel them. You’ll feel them all.”

  Teagan emerged from the closet and walked toward them as they sat.

  “He’s right Lif. There’s more of them now. They’re everywhere he said. He said dozens of them. They were there in the barn when he saved me from Thomas. They’ve changed him even more so than before. Touch his hair,” Teagan said, taking a seat.

  Liffey’s hand shook as she raised it to touch Ennis’ amber curls and as they had before, they stood on end and reached for her palm. “Oh my!” she gasped. “Isn’t that the most curious thing?”

  “Curious? Liffey he’s like a walking miracle. He didn’t hit Thomas with the shovel, he only thought to do it and the shovel did it on its own,” Teagan said.

  “Ennis, can you make Da’s chair move away from the table?” Liffey asked.

  “Lif, this isn’t a game. This is very serious…” Teagan barely finished her sentence, when her father’s chair slid out from under the table and across the floor by at least three feet.

  “Like that, Lif?” Ennis asked.

  Teagan stood up and pushed the chair back under the table quickly. “He’s made his point. I don’t think we should encourage any more of this.”

  “What’s this?” said Patrick, now standing in the doorway of the kitchen. "That chair just moved on its own! Do we have ghosts in our house?”

  “No Patrick. Angels.” Liffey replied.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  The sheriff had finished questioning Teagan and Ennis, and was now at the door saying his goodbyes to Sarah as he and Owen were taking the injured Thomas Kennedy back with them to town.

  “Will he live, Owen?” Sarah asked.

  “He’ll live. I put in at least sixteen stitches and he has a whopper of a headache but it won’t compare to the one he’ll have when he has his day in court,” Owen replied.

  “Did he say anything? Did he speak at all?” she asked in a whisper.

  “Nothing. He said only he thought he was dead for sure when he saw all of those angels around him,” Owen said as he placed his hat on his head and gave Sarah a concerned glance from beneath it.

  “Oh dear,” was all she could mutter.

  “I’ll see you this evening. The Lincolns will still be joining us for supper. This should be a very interesting meal,” he said as he leaned in and kissed her cheek and headed to the sheriff’s wagon to tend to his patient on the way back to town, which proved to be a difficult and conflicting task.

  Sarah hurried into the kitchen and found the children all gathered around Ennis. He was beginning to come around from the ordeal but was still a bit distant and not quite his cheerful self. Sarah was proud of them for their attempts to engage him and decided she could best assist their efforts by making lunch.

  “Who wants to help their ma make us all something to eat?” she asked.

  “I’ll help you of course, Ma!” said Liffey and she sprang from the table and grabbed her apron.

  “How about me too?” asked Patrick.

  “Absolutely!” Sarah joyfully replied. “Ennis, can you help by setting the table? Brogan, come here and get the dishes down for your brother.”

  “May I be excused?” asked Teagan. “I’d like to lay down a while, Ma, if that’s all right?”

  “Of course dear, you go on and lay down and we’ll call ya’ when it’s ready,” Sarah replied.

  Teagan was beginning to feel the residual effects of her tumble and not only her face but now her knee and her hip were starting to ache. She believed a short nap and later, a nice hot bath would relieve some of her pain. She took the stairs slowly, holding onto the railing and pulling herself up. Even her wrists were sore and bore the marks of the rope Thomas had used to bind them. When she reached the top of the stairs, she felt she’d barely make it the rest of the way to her bed but she did manage and collapsed, falling asleep quickly.

  “Good job Ennis. The table looks lovely,” Sarah said as she straightened a plate or two.

  “Thank you, Ma. May I be excused, too?” Ennis asked.

  “Why Ennis, aren’t ya’ going to have lunch with us?” she answered in question.

  “I’m really tired too, Ma. May I please just go and lie down and wait for supper?” he pleaded.

  “Come along dear, I’ll take you up myself and tuck you in,” Sarah said as she sat the large soup tureen in the center of the table and lead Ennis off to his room.

  “I really am so tired,” Ennis yawned.

  “My poor boy. Here, let me take off yer shoes and get ya’ settled in good,” Sarah said.

  “Ma? Why do think this is all happening to us?” Ennis asked, peeking out from his quilt.

  “Well Ennis, we’re hoping Pastor Lincoln and his wife Mae might give us some insight this evening when they join us for supper,” she replied. “As of this moment, we just don’t understand it at all.”

  “I was thinking Ma, maybe we aren’t supposed to understand things. Maybe we’re just supposed to accept them or learn to live with them,” Ennis said as he closed his eyes.

  “Ennis, I want ya’ to hear me now and remember what I’m about to tell ya. Don’t ya’ ever think everything that is put upon ya’ in this life is to be accepted without question. Now I know life sometimes hands us problems and concerns we don’t like and we believe we are powerless to resolve them and I’m tellin’ ya’ that’s just not true. God gave us all life and the will and drive to live it. I think it would upset God terribly if we didn’t challenge things we don’t understand and when we want answers to our questions,” Sarah replied. “Now, get ya’ some rest and I’ll come and look in on ya’ after lunch.”

  Ennis was fast asleep before she had even finished her lecture. Sarah sat for a few minutes, just watching her baby draw breath and exhale. She was focused only on the rise and fall of his chest, as she had been throughout his first night in this world and many that followed. Tears had begun to well in her eyes and had dripped from her chin onto her apron before she could catch them. She held back her sighs and tried to take deep breaths to push down the rising ache but all alone with Ennis, she allowed herself this moment of vulnerability and wept openly but as quietly as she could.

  Once she was able to pull herself together, she slowly began to rise from the bed, only to realize her feet were hanging in the air. She frantically looked down to see the bed was hovering at least six inches above the floor and she quickly hopped off, trembling with fear and wonder. Her hands flew to her mouth covering it as she could feel herself about to shout out in disbelief. Ennis
did not move but slept quietly and peacefully floating in space.

  A feeling of warmth washed over her fear and she watched quietly as the bed slowly fluttered back down and softly rested itself in place. Her own words were playing in her mind and she questioned this, over and over again but the embrace of peace and tranquility held onto her and seemed to answer her questions before she had even formed them all in her mind. Her miracle, as she had named him, no longer belonged to her. He had already been claimed by a force not of nature but of spirit and although she suspected what and why, those answers did not reveal themselves to her. However, she felt contentment in the knowledge those answers would come when she was ready and in fact, when they all were.

  Sarah leaned over and placed a delicate kiss on Ennis’ forehead and stepped lightly out of his room and closed the door. Still wrapped up in the warmth and filled with a renewed sense of calm, she went on to join her other children at lunch. The afternoon ticked by and she had twice looked in on both Teagan and Ennis as they slept and decided not to wake either of them yet. Before long, she and Liffey had prepared a beautiful table for the family and the Lincoln’s and she hurried back upstairs once more to dress for supper and finally wake them.

  “Come along children and eat, as the Lincolns should be arriving soon and yer da and I wish to dine alone with them,” Sarah said as they all clambered to the table and took their seats.

  “Ennis, can you pass me those potatoes?” asked Patrick. “Can you pass them without touching them?”

  “Patrick, please, this isn’t a game,” Sarah said as she rounded the table and handed the bowl of mashed potatoes to Patrick.

  “Aw Ma, I want to see it again is all,” Patrick said with a frown.

  “I understand but ya’ have to refrain from such things Patrick. Ennis’ gifts aren’t for passing around food,” she replied.

  Owen and Connell arrived home and rushed to the kitchen.

  “Oh, thank goodness we aren’t late,” Owen said as he placed a kiss on Sarah’s cheek.

  “Da, you sure have been kissing ma a lot lately,” laughed Patrick.

  “Ugh…” Brogan moaned.

  “I think it’s lovely, Da,” said Liffey with a smile.

  “How’s my girl?” Owen said as he patted Teagan on her shoulder.

  “Much better, Da, I was able to get some rest and I may look a bit sad but I’m feeling almost as fit as ever,” she answered.

  “Good! Good! Sarah I think I’ll go and sit on the porch and wait for the Lincolns to arrive,” Owen said as he made his way out into the parlor. “Well good evening, Fagan. How are things coming along?” Owen asked as Fagan entered the front door.

  “Very well, Da. Of course not quickly enough to suit me but everything is in order for ground to be broken on Monday,” he sighed.

  “That’s very good news, son. Now, go eat ya’ some supper before yer ma boots everyone from the table,” Owen laughed.

  “I’m just going to wash up, Da. I’m invited to have supper at Mary’s.”

  “How are things at the Olsens,’ son?” Owen inquired.

  “Well, I don’t rightly know Da but I’m going to find out soon enough I suppose,” he answered as he sprinted up the staircase and out of sight.

  Owen took his seat out on the front porch and waited for the arrival of the Lincolns. He was pleased Pastor Lincoln had accepted his invitation and hadn’t even mentioned Wednesday morning. He, however, would be bringing it up at dinner and making a full apology in front of Sarah to appease her. He was anxious but realized with everything that was happening, any explanation or insight was welcome as long as it made sense of things.

  The rest of the children were finishing their supper at last and Sarah put them to task assisting with the clean up. With so many hands at her disposal, the table was clean and neatly reset and the kitchen dressed for company in a very short time. She looked at the clock and was pleased they were right on schedule for their guests. She shooed the children and began reheating the courses.

  “Ma, will you be needing Ennis and I at anytime during your talk with the Lincolns?” Teagan asked.

  “I’m not sure, why?” Sarah replied.

  “I’m positive Eli will be calling to check on me,” Teagan explained.

  “Of course he will. I’m certain I understand what happened this morning Teagan. If necessary, I’ll have Ennis join us but I’m sure it will ease Eli’s mind to see ya’ still in one piece,” Sarah said, taking her daughter into to her arms and placing a gentle kiss on her bruised eye. “Me brave, brave girl.”

  “Thank you, Ma. I’m sure we won’t be far nor be gone long,” Teagan smiled. “Ma? May I please have a bath before bed tonight? I think it may ease my pain a bit,” Teagan added as turned back to her mother before leaving the kitchen.

  “Of course dear, I’ll see to it meself,” Sarah replied. “Now run along and tell yer father if the Lincolns arrive, we’re ready for them.”

  “Thank you so much, Ma,” Teagan said as she departed.

  Only a few minutes had passed when Sarah heard Owen’s voice, mixed with that of Pastor Lincoln and his wife Mae. Sarah thought Mae must be on the mend and was pleased she was feeling well enough to join them. Sarah gave her lovely table one more check and headed to the parlor to greet the Lincolns properly.

  The children had gone on about their business. Brogan had retired to his room to write, Connell to study, Liffey to work on her sewing, and Patrick and Ennis were out in the back yard awaiting the first of many fireflies to capture and observe. The evening was very warm. It was perhaps the warmest so far this month but fortunately a breeze was blowing in from the east and the kitchen curtains bounced, carrying in the early evening air and keeping it quite comfortable in the house.

  “Hello, Mae dear. Good evening, Pastor. How are you both? We’re so pleased you could join us on such short notice,” Sarah said as she took Mae’s hand and shook it lightly.

  “Thank you so much for having us. We were afraid under the circumstances you may have had to postpone or even withdraw the invitation, after the terrible events of this morning,” said Pastor Lincoln, shaking his head. “How are the children this evening?”

  “Ya’ know children, Pastor; they are the most resilient of creatures. They are both a bit weary and our Teagan is somewhat battered, but what a spirit that one,” said Owen.

  “Shall we?” said Sarah as she led the Lincolns to the kitchen to take their seats at the table.

  “Of course,” Mae replied. “My goodness, what a lovely home you’ve made here, Sarah, and this table is just beautiful. You certainly did not need to go to so much trouble. The children won’t be joining us this evening?”

  “It was no trouble a’tall Mae. With so many mouths to feed, we are rarely able to entertain so when the occasion presents itself, I tend to want to make it special. So no, they’ve already eaten so we can speak freely,” Sarah replied.

  Once everyone had taken their seats, Sarah brought all of the courses to the table and took her place opposite Owen. The conversation at first revolved around the children and their activities and interests as always and then moved to Owen’s practice and any news from Wilkes-Barre worth noting. Finally, Pastor Lincoln was able to lead the conversation from the ailments of Owen’s patients to Ennis and his escalating gifts.

  “I hope you won’t mind me mentioning it is already moving through the community that Ennis saved his sister’s life today Owen,” Pastor Lincoln said.

  “I was afraid of that, Pastor. However, he certainly did, although the way you’re talking about it leads me to think the talk is full of questions as to how a small boy like Ennis could manage to swing a very heavy shovel hard enough to have inflicted such an injury,” Owen replied.

  “Unfortunately Owen, yes, that is exactly what is being said,” Pastor Lincoln revealed.

  “Well then it’s a good thing we don’t concern ourselves with gossip,” Sarah said.

  “Well, Mrs. Whelan, with all due resp
ect, not everyone in the valley is as refined and dignified as yourself. Some folks, well they thrive on such things,” said the pastor.

  “I’m sure they know these things, James,” said Mae. “Why don’t we just move on to why we are all together shall we?”

  “Thank ya’ Mae. I believe that’s a much better approach than troubling ourselves over gossip,” Sarah replied.

  “Your boy Ennis has the gift and maybe more than just the gift, am I right?” Mae asked.

  Owen and Sarah looked at each other for approval to speak. Owen knew Sarah had been more closely exposed to the events surrounding Ennis as well as everything he was able to do thus far. He gave her a nod of agreement for her to do the speaking for them both.

  “Ennis has so far shown us several unusual and even shall we say unearthly abilities. They appear to grow with each passing day. We fear he may be coming to some sort of spiritual peak soon as we truly do not know nor can we imagine what more he will show us in the coming days,” Sarah softly replied.

  She sat quietly for a moment waiting for some response from either of the Lincolns but no words came to them in response right away so Sarah continued.

  “Obviously, the boy can heal people. He can heal anyone and anything, including animals. He didn’t start out seeing an angel but rather with only feelin’ the urge to heal. Over the past week, the progression has been more than rapid; it seems to have doubled each day. He can feel things which come to him when he’s near to others such as he said he could feel what they were feelin,’ right down to knowing their thoughts. As of this mornin’ he sees more than just one angel or what he sees as an angel, he said he can see dozens more.”

  Mae gasped and took Pastor Lincoln’s hand tightly. “Did you say dozens more?”

  “Well, yes, that’s what I said and I haven’t even gotten to the part where he can move things, even while he sleeps,” Sarah replied.

  “I didn’t know anythin’ about that part,” Owen said shaking his head.