Dinner at the St. James

by Sandra Robbins

  Daniel took off his hat and let his gaze wander over the beds again. “Hello, Savannah. I heard about the epidemic. I came to see if I could help.”

  She wiped her hands on a cloth and hurried across the room. “I’m so glad you’re here. Dr. Spencer needs anybody willing to volunteer.”

  He studied the faces of the patients again, but Tave wasn’t among them. He had to know about her, yet he was too frightened to voice the question. The brim of his hat curled between his clenched fists. “Tave? Where is. . . ?” He choked on the last word.

  Savannah glanced toward the patient bedroom where he’d stayed just a year ago. “In there.”

  Daniel tried to take a step, but his legs felt as if they had large weights attached. His mouth thinned into a straight line, and he willed his body to move. Slowly, he made his way to the open door and peered inside.

  She lay on the bed where he’d spent his days after surgery. Her face was obscured by the form of Dr. Spencer sitting in a chair next to her. Daniel eased across the room, stopped behind the man he’d come to respect during his time in Willow Bend, and placed his hand on the doctor’s shoulder.

  Dr. Spencer swiveled in the chair and looked up into Daniel’s face. The broken person staring at him wasn’t the strong man who’d spoken to Daniel of God’s love just a year ago. Dr. Spencer’s eyes held a vacant look as if he’d witnessed unspeakable horror. Gray stubble covered his face, the result of days without shaving.

  When he saw Daniel, tears came to his eyes, and he pushed to his feet. “Daniel, I can’t believe it’s you.”

  Daniel wrapped his arms around the man who’d been the closest to a father he’d ever known and hugged him. Dr. Spencer’s slight frame shook, and Daniel wondered how much weight the doctor had lost.

  Daniel released him and stared into his eyes. “How’s Tave?”

  A tear trickled from the corner of Dr. Spencer’s eyes. “I think she’s dying. I’m glad you got here in time.”

  Although he’d known he might hear those words, they still stabbed at his heart. He stepped around Dr. Spencer and gazed down at Tave. Her beautiful auburn hair fanned out on the pillow, and he remembered the first time he’d seen it. Her eyes were closed, but the yellow tint of her skin sent chills through him. Her mouth opened, and her body tensed in a violent contraction.

  Dr. Spencer shook his head. “She’s lost so much fluid there’s nothing to expel anymore.”

  Daniel bit down on his lip and studied her for a moment. “Then we have to get more into her.”

  “We’ve tried over and over, but it’s done no good. She loses everything we get down her throat.”

  Daniel glanced at Dr. Spencer out of the corner of his eye. The gaunt figure looked little like the robust man he had known last summer. Dr. Spencer might not have contracted yellow fever, but the dreaded disease had taken its toll on the man. “You look worn out. Why don’t you go lie down? I’ll take over here. Can you get me whatever you’re feeding her and a spoon? I’ll see what I can do.”

  Dr. Spencer rubbed his eyes and nodded. “I’ll be right back.”

  When Tave’s father had left the room, Daniel knelt beside the bed and took her hand in both of his. He leaned close and whispered in her ear. “Tave, it’s Daniel. I’ve come back. If you can hear me, I want you to know that I love you more than I can ever tell you. I’m sorry I hurt you when I left, but God needed me to go away for a while. Now He’s brought me home, and I need you here with me.”

  Tave’s body twitched, but she didn’t open her eyes.

  Daniel grasped her hand tighter and bowed his head. “Dear God, please look down on this woman today and touch her body. If it’s Your will, Father, purge her of this terrible disease and return her to the people who love her. And give me the strength to face whatever may come our way. I love You, Lord.” His lips trembled, and he struggled to speak. From the bottom of his soul a desperate wail burst from his mouth. “Oh God! Please don’t take her away from me. Not now.” He pulled her hand to his chest and shook with sobs.

  Behind him someone gasped, and he straightened to see Dr. Spencer and Savannah standing in the doorway. Dr. Spencer’s face held a questioning expression. “Daniel, you’re praying?”

  Daniel wiped at his tears and pushed to his feet. “A lot has happened to me since I left here. I’m not the same person I was.”

  Dr. Spencer’s eyes grew wide. “What happened?”

  Daniel pointed to Tave. “She came into my life and showed me how to trust God. Then I met a man in Montgomery who wouldn’t give up on me, either. The hate I had is gone, and I have the peace I’d wanted for years.”

  Savannah frowned. “Then why didn’t you come back? Tave’s been unhappy ever since you left.”

  “I thought she had probably married Matthew, and I stayed where I thought God wanted me. The fellows I work with in Montgomery even call me Preacher because I conduct services for them every Sunday.”

  Dr. Spencer’s mouth gaped open. “You’re a preacher?”

  Daniel shook his head. “Not a licensed one who’s been ordained. But my friend Jacob Whittaker says he thinks God’s already ordained me.”

  Dr. Spencer and Savannah exchanged surprised looks before they both smiled at Daniel. Dr. Spencer shook his head. “God sure does work in strange ways sometimes.”

  Daniel nodded. “That He does. It took me getting shot to make the most important decision of my life.” He reached for the pitcher Dr. Spencer held. “Now you two go on about your work. I’ll take care of Tave.”

  He turned back to the bed and sat down in the chair beside it. He leaned toward her and patted her hand again. “You took care of me when I was sick. Now it’s my turn to help you, but you’ve got to do your part, too. Fight to live, Tave. I need you.”

  Setting the pitcher on the bedside table, he dipped the spoon in, filled it, and lifted her head with his free hand. Slowly he brought the spoon to her mouth and forced it between her lips. Half of it trickled down the side of her face, but a sip went down her throat.

  Daniel shook his head in disappointment before he reached for the pitcher and refilled the spoon. He had no idea how long it would take to get a sufficient amount of liquid into her body, but he knew it didn’t matter. As long as she was breathing, he wouldn’t give up.

  Fourteen

  Twenty-four hours later, little had changed in Tave’s condition. Daniel pulled himself up from the chair where he’d sat since arriving and stretched. Footsteps at the door caused him to turn.

  Savannah stood there, a pan of water in her hands. “Mamie has some food in the kitchen. Why don’t you get something to eat while I bathe Tave?”

  He stared down at her, unwilling to leave. “She’s better, don’t you think?”

  Savannah put the pan on the table next to the bed and placed her hand on Tave’s forehead. “She does seem cooler.” She looked up at Daniel. “I know she’d be so happy to have you here. She’s missed you this past year.”

  Daniel nodded. “I’ve missed her, too. I almost came back once. I wanted to tell her she was right, that I had found God and I was at peace. But then I knew I couldn’t stand to see her married to someone else.”

  “And all that time she was waiting for you to return. Well, you’re here now, and she would be happy to know you’ve been preaching in Montgomery.”

  Daniel’s face grew warm. “It’s not really a church. Just a group of workers who need a place to worship.”

  “And you’ve been leading them. I’m very proud of you, Daniel.”

  “Thank you.” Loud sobs rang out from the waiting room, and Daniel turned to see where they were coming from. “Who’s that?”

  “Martha Thompson. Her son Tad has taken a turn for the worse.”

  “Oh no.” Daniel walked to the door and glanced into the room.

  Martha Thompson, trying to force liquids down her son Tad’s throat, sobbed with each sip he took. “There now, Taddy boy, you open your mouth for Mama. You gonna feel better wh
en you drink this.”

  Daniel walked over to Tad’s bed and touched Martha’s shoulder. “How is he, Mrs. Thompson?”

  She looked up at Daniel with stricken eyes, clamped her teeth onto her bottom lip, and shook her head. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

  Daniel kneeled beside her. “We just have to keep praying.”

  Martha nodded. “I know.” She stared back at her son. “He’s such a good boy. He works so hard to please his daddy. And he’s smart, too. I always wished he had the chance to do something more than farm. He used to say he was gonna be a doctor when he grew up. Now I just want him to have the chance to grow up.” Her body shook with sobs.

  Daniel took her hand in his. “Then let’s pray for that, Mrs. Thompson.”

  They bowed their heads, and Daniel began to pray: “Dear Lord, we come to You with heavy hearts because of all the suffering and death the good folks of Willow Bend have seen. I pray that You will give us peace to face what may be ahead of us. Bless this dear mother, Father, who watches beside the bed of her son. Give her strength, and I pray that You will touch Tad and restore him to those who love him so much. We pray that You will lift this dreaded disease from our midst and heal those who are ill. These things we ask in Your name. Amen.”

  When he’d finished, Martha looked up at him. “Thank you, Daniel, for praying for my boy.”

  He squeezed her hand. “Savannah is bathing Tave. If you need me, I’ll be in the kitchen.”

  She smiled. “When I saw your face that day they brought you up the bluff to Doc’s office, I thought you was gonna die. I’m glad the Lord saved you. You’ve been a blessing to me today.”

  Her words pricked his heart. “And everybody in this town has been a blessing to me. Being shot was well worth what I gained from coming to Willow Bend.”

  He stood and started to the kitchen, but a whimper from another bed caught his attention. He walked over and stared down at the young man lying there. Dropping to his knees, he began to pray for him. When he’d finished, he went to the next bed and the next until he had prayed beside every bed in the room.

  Only then did he make his way to the kitchen.

  ❧

  Tave wanted to open her eyes, but they wouldn’t obey her. She didn’t feel like struggling anymore. She would just lie there and try to understand the sounds around her.

  Something cool touched her head. It felt so good. “You look so pretty today with that clean gown on.”

  Tave’s heart beat faster at the familiar sound. Savannah was with her.

  A foggy memory returned. Someone else had been with her, and she tried to remember what was said. I need you. Now she remembered.

  Someone needed her. But who?

  She couldn’t worry about that now. It hurt her head to think. All she wanted was to sleep.

  ❧

  Three days later, Daniel stood at the foot of Tad Thompson’s bed. Martha alternated between spooning broth into her son’s mouth and squeezing his hand. She glanced up at Daniel, and he thought he’d never seen a happier expression on anyone’s face. He wished he could have seen that from others who’d had loved ones in Dr. Spencer’s office. Since he’d been there, two of the patients had died.

  He glanced toward Tave’s room, where Savannah sat with her. Dr. Spencer thought her condition had improved some in the past few days, but she still hadn’t opened her eyes.

  Daniel rubbed his hands over his face and sighed. He had slept very little since returning to Willow Bend, but he wanted to be awake in case Tave regained consciousness.

  “Ain’t he lookin’ good?” Martha’s voice broke into his thoughts.

  Daniel glanced at Tad and nodded. “He is indeed.”

  Tad squirmed as his mother squeezed his hand once more. “Aw Ma, I’m all right now. You don’t have to keep carryin’ on so.”

  Martha leaned over and kissed Tad on the cheek. “Well, I know when we get back home and you’re back to your normal self, you won’t let me fuss over you none. So while I got you flat on your back, I’m gonna take advantage of the situation.”

  Daniel’s heart filled with gratitude to God that Martha had her son back. “Tad, I lost my mother when I was just a little older than you are. Don’t ever take yours for granted. You’re a very lucky boy to have someone who loves you so much.”

  Tad grinned and winked at Daniel. “I know. I just like to give her a hard time sometimes.”

  Martha laughed and stood up. “Landsakes, this boy is something else. Takes after his father. They both just love to tease me.” She reached over and smoothed Tad’s hair. “Now I’m gonna take this bowl back to the kitchen and get me something to eat. I’ll be back before long.”

  “Take all the time you need, Ma. I’m not goin’ anywhere.”

  Daniel watched Martha leave before he glanced back at Tad. “I’m glad you’re doing so much better.”

  “Thanks, Mr. Luckett.” He glanced toward the other room. “How’s Miss Spencer?”

  “About the same.”

  Tad settled back on his pillows, and a smile pulled at his lips. “Do you remember when Miss Spencer fell playing hopscotch?”

  The memory of their argument after the incident flashed across his mind, and he nodded. “Yes. That was at the picnic.”

  Tad’s eyes clouded. “She’s such a good teacher. I sure hope she gets better.”

  Daniel sighed. “So do I.”

  “You know,” Tad continued, “Pa had told me I couldn’t go to school last year. He said I had to start working on the farm. But Miss Spencer came to see him and Ma. She told them I was one of her smartest students. She said it would be a shame for me to have to quit school. After she got through talking to them, Pa finally agreed. Of course, it was Ma that really made him change his mind.”

  “Your mother told me that you used to say you wanted to be a doctor.”

  Tad lifted his head, his eyes wide. “She did? I haven’t said that to anybody in a long time, except Miss Spencer and her father. They told me that if God wanted me to be a doctor, He’d make a way for it to happen.”

  “They’re right. I’ll pray for you, Tad.”

  “Thanks, Mr. Luckett.”

  The front door opened, and Dr. Spencer trudged inside. His stooped shoulders and tired eyes looked as if they should belong to a man twenty years older. He stopped at Tad’s bedside and set his medical bag on the floor. “How are you feeling today?”

  “Much better, Dr. Spencer.”

  “Good. That’s what I like to hear.” He glanced at Daniel. “You know this young man is going to take over my practice someday. We’re already working on it. Aren’t we, Tad?”

  Tad’s pale face lit up, and he grinned. “We are.”

  Dr. Spencer looked around the room and frowned. “Where’s your mother? She hasn’t gotten three feet away from you since you got sick.”

  “I’m right here.” Martha bustled from the kitchen and hurried toward them. “We were beginning to get worried about you.”

  Dr. Spencer rubbed the back of his neck and stretched. “I visited all the homes that have sickness. I was glad to see most of the patients are improving. There’s a few that I’m still worried about, but things are beginning to look better. We haven’t had any new cases in two weeks.”

  “Maybe that means it’s about over,” Daniel said.

  “Could be. We’ll just have to keep praying. Which reminds me. . .” Dr. Spencer turned to Daniel. “I stopped by to see Reverend Somers. We haven’t had any church services since this thing started. Some of the folks have said they’d like to have worship on Sunday, but Reverend Somers says he doesn’t know if he can preach or not. He’s taken his wife’s death really hard.”

  Martha’s eyebrows arched, and she turned to Daniel. “Then why don’t you preach for us?”

  “Me?” Daniel looked at Martha as if she’d lost her mind. “I’m not a preacher.”

  Martha shrugged. “You coulda fooled me. The way you been spouting Bible verses and praying by e
verybody’s beds around here, you sure look like a preacher to me.”

  Dr. Spencer chuckled. “I guess we agree, Martha. That’s exactly what I told Reverend Somers. He thought it was a great idea.”

  Tad pushed up on his elbows. “I sure wish I was well enough so I could be there to hear you, Mr. Luckett.”

  Daniel held up his hands in protest and took a step back. “I’m telling all of you I’m not a preacher. Maybe somebody else will do it.”

  Martha shook her head. “No, we want you to preach.”

  “But I don’t feel like I’m qualified. I still have so much to learn about the Bible.”

  “We never stop learning, Daniel.” Dr. Spencer cocked an eyebrow and peered over the top of his spectacles. “You said you’ve been studying the Bible. Have you ever run across a verse in the Bible where Paul is talking about how he’s learned to be content in whatever state he’s in?”

  Daniel swallowed. “Yes sir.”

  “What did he say?”

  Daniel closed his eyes and recalled the verse that had helped change his life. He quoted, “ ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’ ”

  Dr. Spencer chuckled and spread his hands as if declaring victory. “Right. So what do we need to tell Reverend Somers about Sunday?”

  The lump in Daniel’s throat grew larger. “Tell him I’ll be glad to lead the services,” he whispered.

  Martha clapped her hands and smiled. “Good. Now that Tad’s better, I’ll be able to leave him to come hear you. I know we gonna have a great day at church.”

  Daniel could only nod. When he’d attended Willow Bend Church the summer before, he would never have believed that he would ever stand in the pulpit and tell the people of Willow Bend how much God loved them. Dr. Spencer was right. God’s ways were too mysterious for anybody to understand. All Daniel could do was accept them in faith and obey.

  He opened his mouth to thank Dr. Spencer, but the sound of running footsteps caused him to whirl and face Tave’s room. Savannah stood in the doorway, her face white.

  “Dr. Spencer, Daniel, come quickly.”

  Fear rooted Daniel to the spot, and he didn’t know if he could move. Clenching his fists at his sides, he rushed forward past Savannah and hurried to Tave’s bedside. If she was dying, he had to tell her one more time how much he loved her.