Redeeming Light

by Annette O'Hare

  “Que paso?” Pedro held the reins in both hands.

  “Hola,” Inez said, a big grin on her face.

  “Um, uh, hola.” Frederick shoved his hands in his pockets.

  Pedro rested his arm on his knee. “Donde es su Mama, y hermanas…uh, uh, sisters?”

  Inez’s eyes grew wide, and she grabbed Pedro’s arm. “El bebé!”

  “Everyone is fine. We stayed in the top of the lighthouse. Louise had the baby, a little boy!”

  Inez put her palms on her cheeks and rattled something in Spanish.

  Pedro looked confused and glanced from Inez to Sarah and back to Inez. “Que?”

  “What is it, Pedro?” Sarah asked.

  Pedro laughed, a hand resting on his round belly. “She, she say she want to know why you cheeks color so rojo!”

  Sarah’s hand flew to her cheek. She opened her mouth to speak. “I…I…” She turned to Frederick who covered his mouth with his hand. “Uh! Not you too!”

  “I’m sorry, Sarah, but you are quite red.”

  In the past, Sarah would have stomped off, mad at all of them, but not anymore. Her life had been spared, along with her family and the love of her life. She wouldn’t waste another day worrying or feeling sorry or getting even. She would live every day to the fullest, just as God had planned. She put both her palms on her burning cheeks. “Oh, my goodness! They are hot!” A wide smile spread across her face, and she began to chuckle, which then turned into a deep, body-shaking, contagious laugh.

  The others joined in.

  38

  “How much farther do you think it is?” Sarah swatted at a large biting fly. “Oh, these infernal bugs won’t stay off me!”

  Frederick’s smile turned into a cringing grimace when one of the bloodsuckers bit the back of his neck. “Ouch!” He slapped at the creature but missed.

  They continued following the train track.

  Suitcases were scattered about on the sand.

  “Look over there.”

  “Where? What is it?”

  He pointed out across the salt marsh.

  “I can’t make it out.”

  “It’s the baggage car. That looks close to five hundred feet away.”

  “How do you know?”

  “I’ve noticed a lot of baggage. I knew we must be getting near the train.” He took her by the elbow and guided her on.

  An enormous pile of sand covered the railroad track. There was something buried inside the dune.

  “Do you see that?” Confusion washed over Sarah’s face.

  “Yes.” Frederick continued walking. “This is where the train stopped.”

  Sarah stopped and looked at him. “Do you mean? Is that…?”

  “Yes. I’m afraid it’s the train’s passenger cars.” Frederick took Sarah by the hand when she caught up with him. “This won’t be pleasant, my dear.”

  A dozen or more bodies were strewn across the sand.

  Sarah grasped Frederick’s arm as they drew near.

  They passed a woman dressed in fine traveling clothes. Her death face told of the great terror she’d witnessed. A young girl was facedown, a small suitcase clutched tightly in her hand.

  Frederick heard Sarah sniff. He put his hand against her face, drawing her near. She didn’t need to see any of this.

  They reached the train. The cars that remained were buried in sand. The cyclone took water from the Gulf and used it to push tons of sand against the stalled train. Only the very topmost section was sticking out of the enormous mound.

  Frederick grieved for the sweet old couple he’d met on the train. He struggled to remember their names…Billy and Lana Putnam. They had loved each other for sixty years, in sickness and in health. And now they were gone, entombed inside a passenger car on the Galveston and Interstate Railroad. Why did they have to die in such a horrible manner? “A lot of people died on that train…good people.”

  Sarah looked up into his eyes. “One didn’t. I still have you.” She walked ahead, and then gave a sudden gasp.

  “What is it?”

  She pointed to a body. He squeezed her hand.

  No more arrogance, no more chauvinism, no more Laird Crosby.

  “I met him on the train. He didn’t know who I was, but I knew him,” Frederick said.

  Sarah’s bottom lip quivered. “Horrible man.” She sniffed and began to sob.

  Frederick lifted her chin. “He won’t hurt you ever again.”

  Tears ran down both sides of her face. “It’s not that.”

  “What is it then?”

  “I can’t believe how close I came to losing you. I prayed for your safety, and God heard me. If you had stayed here, you would be dead…and I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  Frederick pulled her into his embrace and held her tight. “Oh, Sarah, Sarah, I’m right here.” He spoke into her long, blonde hair. “I’ll never leave you, my dear.”

  “Tell me you love me.”

  “I’ll love you for the rest of my days on earth, and I’ll love you in heaven for all eternity.”

  Sarah stopped crying.

  He covered the top of her head with sweet kisses.

  “I’ll love you forever, Frederick Chessher.”

  “I know you do.” He placed one more kiss on her. “Come on, let’s get back to your family.”

  ~*~

  Monday morning, the tenth of September dawned as another gorgeous day. Those who survived the storm in the lighthouse were exhausted, Sarah included. A gloomy cloud of despair floated around the temporary camp. Many had lost their homes, but some had lost family as well. The weary troop had spent an entire night sleeping on the cold, sandy ground.

  The people worked with a singular purpose, help one another, bury the dead, and keep the fire burning. It offered them a shred of normalcy after all that had happened.

  Mama had only momentarily covered her mouth with her hand and closed her eyes when Sarah told her about the fate of the MK Ranch.

  Mrs. Claiborne, Mama, and a couple of the other women worked as a team preparing food from the lighthouse rations the Claibornes so generously provided.

  Rex tried his best to help the women, but they would have none of it. Dejected, he joined Sarah and Frederick who kept the little girl, Alyssa, occupied so her mother could get some much-needed rest.

  Sarah used a stick she’d picked up to show Alyssa how to draw in the sand. “Look what I made, Alyssa. It’s the lighthouse. It’s your turn now. What are you going to draw?”

  The little girl’s eyes turned heavenward. “I know! I’ll draw a fishy, like that one over there.” She pointed to a dead fish, ripening on the beach.

  The same one Sarah had been shooing Rex away from all morning. She exchanged glances with Frederick, trying not to let her true feelings about the smelly thing show and handed Alyssa the stick. “Oh, what a great idea!”

  Rising off the ground, Sarah dusted sand off her filthy ragged skirt. She glanced down at Frederick. “I’m going to check on Mama. You stay here, and I’ll bring back food for us.” Frederick’s wink and smile made her feel warm inside.

  The drenched wood resulted in a smoky fire that made her cough when she got close to it, and she waved a hand to dispel the smoke.

  “Sorry about that!” Mrs. Claiborne’s cheerful voice was a joy to her ears in the midst of so much death, suffering, and disaster.

  “At least it keeps the flies and mosquitoes at bay.”

  “You need something, honey?” Mama rubbed a bit of sand from Sarah’s cheek while using her other hand to pat a slab of compressed corned beef with a spatula.

  “I think we need to gather our family so we can talk about what we’re going to do.”

  Mama cut the corned beef into slices and set each piece atop large crackers she pulled from one of the boxes marked lighthouse rations. One by one she handed them to Sarah, who stacked them in her hands. “I suppose we should get together and talk, but I have no idea what we’ll do.” She put the last b
eef-topped cracker on the stack leaning precariously against Sarah’s chest and put her fists on her hips. “At least the Claibornes still have their house…for the most part anyway.”

  “What do I do with these?”

  “Go hand them out. Save some back for yourself and the rest of the family. I’ll come to you when I’m finished here.”

  “Thank you, Mama.”

  Grace joined Sarah in passing out the crackers and corned beef.

  Guy and Frederick walked with them.

  Guy held a pail of condensed milk mixed with rainwater, and Frederick carried a tin cup to distribute the milk or give out drinks when no vessel was available. The smell of food saturated the salty air. The weary storm survivors were very appreciative of the much-needed nourishment. By the time all had been served, the sun was high in the sky.

  Mama wearily trudged to the place her family gathered.

  “Thank you, Mrs. McKinney. This is wonderful,” Frederick said.

  “Yes, thank you, Mama.” Sarah and Grace, in turn, gave their thanks.

  Guy held his food up toward Mama “Thank you.”

  They had all waited for Mama to finish cooking before eating. Mama pulled the blanket back to see their precious newborn. She then settled on the ground, bending her legs to the side and pulling her skirt over them. “I wished y’all wouldn’t have waited on me. Your food’s probably all cold now!”

  “It’s fine, Mama. And thank you.” Sarah held onto the last bite of meat and cracker even though she wanted to devour it. “Now that we have everyone all together we need to talk about ways to get off the peninsula.”

  “Well…” Grace looked at Guy. “Since we don’t have a house anymore, and since Guy and me are betrothed to be married and all, the Claibornes have invited me to stay with them…here at the lighthouse.” A sweet smile was shared between the young couple before Grace whipped her gaze back to Mama. “In separate rooms, of course!”

  Mama rubbed her hands together; cracker crumbs fell to the sand. She closed her eyes and shook her head. “I don’t have a problem with that since I don’t have a home for you anyway.” She shook a finger at Grace. “But only until I get settled!”

  Grace snatched Guy up in a tight embrace and leaned her head against his chest. “I can live with that. Thank you, Mama.”

  Melvin stood and paced around amongst the family. Raw emotions from the past few days became evident in his speech. “That takes care of them. Now, what about the rest of us?”

  “Melvin, just calm down.” Mama took Baby Melvin from Louise’s arms before returning to her previous spot.

  Frederick brushed cracker crumbs off his trousers and slipped his arm around Sarah’s shoulder. She snuggled close to his side. “It seems we’re in quite a pickle without the ferryboat to carry us off the peninsula.”

  “Has anyone been to the ferry landing to check?” Melvin asked.

  “Yes. Some of the men walked the distance and reported the ferry as being destroyed,” Frederick replied.

  Louise gasped. “Destroyed?”

  “Yes…one man recognized parts of the boat strewn about confirming their suspicions.”

  Mama rocked the sleeping baby in her arms. “We need to find a way to get over to Galveston.”

  “Mama, I looked out toward Galveston when we were all up in the lighthouse, and, and…” The words caught in her throat. She covered her mouth as tears swelled in her eyes.

  “What is it, Sarah?”

  “I think Galveston got hit much worse than we did. It looked bad, Mama—really bad.” The memory of what she’d seen brought a stream of tears coursing down her cheeks.

  Some of the other people gathered around heard what Sarah said. A low rumble of voices spread through the crowd.

  “What did you see up there, miss?”

  Frederick’s strong arm clasped around her shoulder gave her strength. “It, it doesn’t look like it did before. It looks like the whole island was poured into a big pail of water, swirled around, and then…poured back out.” She pressed her face into Frederick’s side.

  Others frantically shouted questions.

  Frederick held his hand up warding them off.

  “Leave her alone! She doesn’t know any more than the rest of us!” Mama’s words stifled the shouting, and the crowd dispersed.

  “Thank you, Mama.”

  “Listen.” Melvin attempted a loud whisper. “Do you hear that?”

  A faint sound roared in the distance.

  Rex went on alert, twisting his head toward the sound.

  The ship’s horn sounded again.

  “Should we go and have a look?” Frederick asked.

  Sarah was already standing. “Yes, come on!”

  They took off running toward what had once been the Bolivar ferry landing.

  Rex ran along with them, barking all the way.

  A huge barge headed into the strip of water that flowed between the Bolivar Peninsula and Galveston Island.

  “Look, Frederick!” She pointed at the boat and started jumping up and down. She waved her arms wildly in the air.

  The others followed her lead, whooping and hollering to get the attention of the barge’s pilot. A chorus of voices shouted, their arms flailing about. “We’re here! Help us! Over here! Over here!”

  The barge continued on its course. A man appeared on the barge’s deck. He pulled off his cap and looked as though he were scratching his head.

  “Look!” She shouted and pointed at the pilot.

  Their yelling turned to screaming.

  The man put his hat back on, turned away, and walked toward the pilothouse.

  “Where’s he going?” Sarah asked.

  “I don’t know, love. Surely he saw us.” Frederick‘s fingers entwined with hers as they waited and watched. Frederick reached around, putting his hand on the back of her neck.

  She looked up at the love of her life and received a warm kiss. Even though sadness hung thick in the air, Sarah was content as long as Frederick was by her side. She trusted him with her heart, her life, and her future. When the kiss had ended, Frederick touched the tip of her nose with his lips.

  “Look,” Frederick said.

  The barge was heading toward the downed ferry landing.

  “Oh, Frederick, we’re saved.”

  A sly grin played on Frederick’s face. “I should say this calls for another kiss.”

  Sarah’s lips curled into a smile. She couldn’t have agreed more.

  39

  Grace’s embrace was so tight, Sarah could hardly speak. “Grace…Grace…you’re choking me.”

  “I’m going to miss you all so much! Promise you’ll send a wire once the lines are restored.”

  “I will. I promise.” Sarah glanced around. “I think Mama wants to tell you goodbye.”

  Grace released her and ran sobbing in Mama’s direction.

  Frederick shook hands with Guy and his uncle.

  She joined them in time to hear the man she loved pouring his heart out in thanks for protecting her and her family and for allowing him shelter. Sarah’s heart swelled with pride, wondering why God would bless her with such an amazing man.

  “Are you ready to go?” he asked.

  “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

  Hugs were shared, and tears were shed as Sarah and her family boarded the barge. She was sad to leave the peninsula. She cried a little at having to leave Rex behind. Daddy had given Rex to her when she was a little girl, and they’d been best friends ever since. It broke her heart to leave him with Grace and Guy. But they had no way of knowing what lay ahead of them, and Rex was safe at the lighthouse.

  Before she got on the barge, Sarah looked into his big, brown eyes and tussled his thick hair. He put his paw on her arm and whined. She hugged him tight and whispered in his ear. “Don’t worry, boy. I’ll be back for you.” She kissed his furry head and wiped away a tear.

  Along with the sadness came a feeling of joyful anticipation for what God had in store
for Frederick and her.

  Forty-six other homeless storm survivors joined them on the barge. Some of their faces…their demeanors reminded Sarah of the old men she’d met who fought in the War Between the States. They had all been through something that no one should ever experience. And sadly, there was still so much uncertainty ahead.

  The barge was bound for Galveston until word of the storm’s destruction was received. All trade ships and barges were being diverted to the port at Texas City, where they were headed now. The mighty barge cut through the calm water leaving the past behind. Slowly they crept into Galveston Bay.

  Sarah and Frederick sat on deck, and leaned against one of the many cargo containers onboard.

  The water in the bay was practically unseen for all the debris blown off the island. Thousands upon thousands of boards and every conceivable object floated past. Traveling farther into the bay, Galveston Island came into plain sight from the barge.

  Many who traveled with them wailed at what they saw.

  “Where are all the buildings? I don’t see any of the steeples. How can this be? It’s…it’s all gone!” Sarah gasped out.

  “Yes, yes, I know. I’m so sorry, my dear, Sarah.” He reached for her.

  There was no way to make sense of the horror. She couldn’t look away from the destruction. Galveston, the wealthiest city in the entire state of Texas, lay in ruins. Buildings that once stretched to the sky stood as empty hulls. Beautiful mansions were reduced to endless piles of bricks and boards.

  “I need some help over here!” A man stood close to the edge of the barge and shouted, drawing everyone’s attention. Several men rushed to join him. He pointed into the water.

  “What do you suppose that’s all about?”

  “I have no idea.”

  “I’ll find out. You should stay here.”

  Sarah followed after Frederick.

  The man who hollered for help was now lying on his stomach with his arms stretched out, grasping for something in the water. Frederick joined other men lying on the deck. They reached into the water and pulled one lifeless body after another from Galveston Bay.

  Several women bawled at the horrific sight, and Sarah would have joined them, but there was no time for that. She needed to help. Kneeling on the deck beside Frederick, she reached into the water and firmly grasped the shirt of a young man.