Moonshine, Coal, and Hope

by Richard Allen Evans

“Rides easy. How’s it drive kid?” Ed asked.

  “She handles real smooth boss. And this baby can fly too,” Willie said.

  “Just try to keep all four wheels on the road,” Ed said.

  “Yeah Willie. We want to get there in one piece,” said a half—frightened Rocky, who rode shotgun.

  The young driver laughed.

  “Take it easy Rocky,” he said.

  Hill opened a briefcase and pulled out a small stack of papers and handed them to Ed.

  “Dill Rennie sent these. I believe this is what you asked for,” he said.

  Ed nodded and smiled.

  “As lawyers go, Dill does pretty good. Yeah, this is what I was looking for,” he said.

  “You think it’ll work?” Hill asked.

  “You know me, if I didn’t, I wouldn’t try,” Ed said as he studied the paperwork.

  “Rennie said three more dairy farms are available. Banks are ready to foreclose,” Hill said.

  “What did you tell him?” Ed asked.

  “I didn’t. Mae did. She told him to buy all three at ten percent above the asking price and offer a contract for each family to stay on as employees of Elkins Dairy,” Hill said.

  Ed laughed.

  “Sounds like her,” he said.

  “I take it you approve,” Hill said.

  “The dairy business is hers, always has been. Mae knows what she’s doing. How much longer will it be before we get to Lexington?” Ed asked.

  “Thirty—forty minutes unless you want to get there sooner,” Willie said as he looked in the rearview.

  Ed glanced up toward Rocky, who fidgeted nervously.

  “No, no need to hurry. Right Rocky?” He asked.

  “Damn straight boss,” he answered in relief.

  ***

  John walked into the office at 7:30 a.m. For the first time in weeks he was clean-shaven and his hair neatly combed. No one was at the desk out front so he went through the door into the first examination room and sat his bag on top of a table near the sink. After he took off his coat and hung it on a hook behind the door, the door off to the side opened. Cat walked into the room. John’s presence startled him.

  John said nothing as his mentor studied him.

  “You look better today than last night. You hungover?” Cat asked.

  “No,” John said quietly.

  Cat nodded and slowly walked over to the medicine cabinet in the far corner.

  “You were right Cat...about everything. I’m not saying I won’t make mistakes but I’ll do my best to be the best doctor I can be. I owe it to Ginny and I owe it to Rachel. I owe it to you,” John said.

  Cat looked at the floor and his head bobbed.

  “You know, I believe you,” he said as walked across the shook the hand of his protégé. “And I’ve got to tell you it’s a worry off of my mind — and Vick’s.”

  “I’m thankful for the second chance,” John said.

  Cat rubbed his chin with his right hand.

  “Well, you’re going to get a chance to step back into right now. Come with me,” he said as John followed him out of the room and down a short hall and stepped into a room on the right.

  He led John over to a table and pointed to a microscope.

  “This is what I was doing when you came in. Take a look,” Cat said as he pointed to the microscope.

  John stepped up and adjusted the lens and looked for a few seconds.

  “Recognize it?” Cat asked.

  John looked up in disbelief.

  “Yeah, I do. Where — or who — did this come from?” He asked.

  “Little Jory Buchanan. And I’ve got five more slides there just like it. Jennifer — Mrs. Buchanan — is one of them,” Cat said. “All of them came in yesterday.”

  “And you didn’t say anything last night?” John asked.

  “No. I wanted to make sure you would be able to help – if it comes to that,” Cat said.

  John looked at the floor for a second.

  “Any of the other kids or Doug have it?” He asked.

  Cat shook his head.

  “No, not yet anyway,” he said.

  “You think it’s an outbreak?” John asked.

  “Hard to say at this point but I don’t like the way it looks. One case is one too many,” Cat said.

  “Any other parts of the state dealing with this?” John asked.

  “I’ve got calls in to other doctors in neighboring counties. I haven’t heard anything yet,” Cat said.

  “It’s times like this I really wish we had a hospital here,” John said.

  “Me too but if this is an epidemic, it won’t matter — you of all people know that,” Cat said.

  “How did it show up here? We know how it happened after the Great War — all the boys coming home from Europe drug it in. But now?” John asked.

  “I’m as stumped as you are but we need to locate the source or it’s a cycle that will keep repeating itself,” Cat said.

  “Anybody local been to Europe that you know of? Or even outside the state?” John asked.

  “It’s usually news around here if somebody made that kind of trip and I’ve not seen anything in the paper,” Cat said as his face twisted into a frown.

  “Maybe I’ll call Bob. Even in Lexington he seems to know what’s going on around here more than the folks here,” John said.

  “Good idea. Seems like as good a place to start as any,” Cat said.

  Loud knocking on the office door got their attention. They both hurried up the hall and into the waiting/reception room. John opened the door and Doug Buchanan rushed in carrying one of his daughters.

  “It’s Becky. She’s burning up Doc!” Buchanan said as Cat took the child from his arms and hurried to the closest exam room.

  John rushed behind him as Buchanan followed. Cat placed the child on an examination table while John grabbed a thermometer and started taking her temperature. Cat looked up at Buchanan.

  “When did it start Doug?” He asked.

  “She started complainin’ about not feeling good late last night,” he said as wiped sweat away.

  John walked over a placed his right hand on Buchan’s forehead.

  “You’re burning up too,” John said. “Any of the other kids not feeling good?”

  “Not when I left the house,” Buchanan said as he started swaying.

  “Stretch out next to Becky before you fall down,” Cat said as Buchanan wordlessly complied.

  “What’s her temperature?” John asked.

  “Hundred and three. We’ve got to cool her off quickly,” Cat said.

  “Ice bath?” John asked.

  “I’m afraid so. Looks like Doug might be next in line,” the older doctor said.

  “Doug, listen to me, this is important. Have you or anybody in your family been outside of Kentucky in the past few days?” John asked.

  Buchanan shook his head.

  “Just my brother Doby. He went to a reunion of his old navy outfit,” he said.

  “Where at?” Cat asked.

  “Virginia. Norfolk. They were celebrating. His old ship just made it back into port,” Buchanan said.

  “Do you know where it had been?” John asked.

  “France. Some kind of tour of the ports,” Buchanan said as John and Cat locked eyes.

  “How’s he doing since he got back?” Cat asked.

  “He had a bad cold a couple of days ago. Ain’t talked to him since,” Buchanan said.

  Victoria walked into the room. She nearly gasped when she two people on the exam table.

  “Get an ice bath ready Vick and hurry!” Cat said.

  “Did anybody else around here go to the reunion with your brother?” John asked.

  Buchanan exhaled as the sweat poured off of him.

  “Emmett Grainger’s the only one I know,” he said.

  “Don’t he own that little store out on Hwy. 92?” Cat asked.

  “Yeah, near our farm,” Buchanan said.

  Cat
looked to John. “Do you know where they live?” He asked.

  John nodded.

  “Get out there. Check on Jennifer and the other kids. Go by the store and check on Grainger. If he’s sick, make him close until he’s better. He could be spreading it. And don’t forget Doby. Run by there too,” Cat continued. “Vick! As soon as the ice baths are ready call up at the school. Let Sid Perkins know we’ll need some help from his third-year students!”

  John rushed over and grabbed his bag. He opened it and checked supplies. He opened the cabinet next to the table where his bag set and starting piling in various medicines.

  “Sulfa drugs and ice baths seem to work best on fevers,” he said as he hurried.

  “Did your wife remember what I told about drinking plenty of fluids?” Cat asked Buchanan.

  “Yeah. Her and Jory both was drinking a lot of water. I don’t that it helped a lot though,” the ill man gasped.

  Victoria returned.

  “Bath is ready,” she said.

  Cat grabbed the child up into his arms.

  “We’ll undress her back there Vick. Doug, I’ll back for you in a few minutes. Just try to rest,” Cat said.

  “I’ll be back as quick as I can,” John said.

  “You do that. And don’t be afraid to recruit help – any help. We’re not proud. It looks like we might need all the help we can get,” Cat said as John rushed out the door.

  Just fifteen minutes later, John rolled his Ford to a stop in front of the little white farmhouse the Buchanans called home. He knocked on the door and a girl who looked to be about ten years old answered the door. She was wearing a beige dress that had been made from flour sacks.

  “Young lady, I’m Dr. Fulton. I came by to check on your mama,” John said as he held up his black bag.

  She stepped back and let him inside.

  “Mama’s in the bed and so is Jory. They ain’t feeling good,” the little girl said.

  “Are you the only one up and about?” John asked.

  “Yep. Carolyn Sue is still asleep. Daddy says she’ll sleep all day if you let her. She wouldn’t get up until nine if you let her sleep,” the little girl said.

  “What’s your name?” John asked.

  “My name is Elizabeth but everybody calls me Sissy,” she said.

  “Well Sissy, I want you to take me to your mama. I’m gonna try to help feel better,” he said.

  “I thought Doc Carter did her doctorin’. Daddy said the only help the doctor had was a drunk. You don’t look like a drunk,” Sissy said.

  John bent over and looked at her.

  “Doc Carter did have a drunk helping him once but not anymore. Now, take me to your mama. We have to hurry,” he said.

  She led John to a bedroom off from the front room. Jennifer Buchanan stirred slightly when he walked in.

  John looked at her. She had shoulder length brown hair and a tan complexion with brown eyes. Though she had a few lines on her face – to be expected for the wife of a farmer and the mother of four children – but was still a beautiful woman. He cleared his throat and she opened her eyes.

  “Jennifer, Doc Carter sent me out to check on you and Jory,” he said.

  “How’s Becky?” She asked weakly.

  “Doc is working with her now. She’s a sick little girl but if anybody can help her, he can. But we need to get you back on your feet. Do you feel any better?” John asked.

  “I don’t think I’m running a fever but I still hurt all over,” Jennifer said.

  “Let me take your temperature,” he said. As he placed the thermometer in her mouth, he took his index finger and his thumb and opened each of her eyes. “Been drinking plenty of fluids and taking the medicine Doc Carter gave you?” He asked as she nodded.

  “Believe it or not Jennifer, you’re getting better. I know you don’t feel like it right now but you are. Sissy, I need your help. Keep bringing your mama plenty of fresh water. Make sure she takes two of these pills every four hours and sleeps all she can for the next couple of days. Jennifer, do you think you could eat a bite?” John asked.

  “I can try,” she said.

  “I’ll check on Jory and I’ll see what I can do about getting some food ready,” he said.

  “Can she eat eggs?” Sissy asked.

  “That would be good and as luck would have it, that’s one of the few things I can cook,” John said he left to check on Jory.

  Like Jennifer, he no longer had a fever but was still weak and achy. John gave him the same instructions. He walked out of the back bedroom where Jory was staying and entered the kitchen. Sissy stood at the stove stirring over a cast iron skillet full of eggs.

  “And what do you think you’re doing young lady?” John asked.

  “Cooking breakfast. We have to eat even if Mama is sick and you said I need to help,” Sissy said.

  “I did at that. Do you cook often?” He asked.

  “Me and Becky help out with the cooking. Jory works in the field with Daddy. Carolyn Sue’s too little to do much,” she said.

  John pulled out a small bottle of white pills and held them up for Sissy to see.

  “I want you and Carolyn Sue to each take one of these every four hours until bedtime. If you start running a fever, drink plenty of water. If it doesn’t help, send for me,” he said.

  The little girl nodded.

  “You think we’ll get sick too?” She asked.

  “It’s hard to say but I want to be safe. I have to go check on a couple of more people. If I can’t get back out here today, I’ll send somebody to check on you,” John said.

  “Okay Doc,” she said as she sat the cast iron skillet off of the stove.

  He headed to the door.

  “You’re a good girl Sissy. Remember what I said,” John said as opened the door.

  “I’ll do it,” she said.

  From there he went straight to the neighboring farm, which was owned by Doug’s brother, Doby. He knocked repeatedly on the door but got no answer. John turned the doorknob and found it unlocked. He stepped inside with his bag.

  “Hello! Anybody home? Doby! You in here?” John shouted.

  He was answered with silence so he moved to investigate. The heating stove in the living room was cool to the touch. There had been no fire in it in at least a day. John walked in a bedroom that sat just off of the living room. His worst fears were confirmed when he saw the bed. Doby’s eyes were open and he wasn’t breathing. John saw enough dead bodies to know that rigor mortis had already set in. He sighed heavily as he hurried out to Grainger’s Store.

  When John walked into the store he saw Avalene Grainger, Emmett’s wife, slumped over the store counter. Her hair was drenched in sweat and her skin was pale.

  “Sit down Avalene,” John said as he rushed behind the counter to assist her. Mrs. Grainger was a short plump with a mix of red and gray hair. Though she was about the same age as Jennifer Buchanan, she looked at least ten years older. Her gray dress appeared to be damp — not a good sign for a winter day.

  John pulled out a thermometer and shook it.

  “How long have you been sick?” He asked.

  “Since late yesterday,” she said.

  He placed the thermometer under her tongue.

  “Don’t talk, just nod,” John said as he looked at eyes and felt the lymph nodes in her throat.

  “Sore throat, cough, fever, chills?” He asked as she nodded.

  “Is Emmett sick too?” He asked and again she nodded.

  “Was he sick yesterday too?” John asked as Avalene nodded a third time.

  He pulled the thermometer from her mouth.

  “You’re temperature is a hundred and two,” John said as he placed two white pills in her hand. “Take these. I’ll leave a bottle for you and Emmett. Take two every four hours until they’re gone. I want both of you to drink plenty of fluids and get all of the sleep you can,” he said.

  Avalene protested, albeit weakly.

  “We can’t. We have the stor
e to run,” she said.

  “You can and you will. I’m ordering this store closed until this thing passes. I’ll have the sheriff padlock the doors if I have to,” John said.

  “You can’t do that,” she said.

  “I can and I will. We have an outbreak of Spanish Influenza on our hands. I just left Doby Buchanan’s place. He’s dead,” John said as Avalene gasped in shock.

  “Listen to me. I know you feel lousy but I need you to be strong. I need your help. Write down everybody you can remember being in here in the past couple of days. I need to check on Emmett. Where is he?” John asked.

  “He’s in the back...in bed...too sick to get up this morning,” she said as John bolted to the back room. As soon as he walked in, his stomach twisted. Avalene was now a widow. John went through the motions anyway but he only confirmed what he already knew.

  He walked back into the front of the store and calmly put up the closed sign. He looked at the sick woman struggling to write down names.

  “Avalene, I...I have some bad news,” he said.

  Even sick and hurting, the look of despair crossed her face.

  “What’s wrong? Is it Emmett?” She asked, her voice not much louder than a whisper.

  John nodded.

  “He...uh...There’s no easy way to say this. I’m afraid he’s dead,” he said as he watched her nearly topple from her chair in grief. John dropped to a knee to catch her. He gently pushed her back up in the chair.

  “I am so sorry. From the looks of it, he passed away just a few minutes ago,” John said.

  “Well do something! Help him! Please! You’re a doctor. Do something,” Avalene’s shouts dwindled into quiet pleas and eventual sobs.

  “I’m so sorry. It’s too late to help him. But it’s not too late to help you. I need to use your phone,” he said.

  She didn’t even look up at him. She merely gestured to the candlestick phone next to the register.

  “Go ahead,” she said.

  John called his office.

  Victoria answered the call; no small feat considering the number of sick people flowing into the office.

  “Victoria, I need a couple of favors. I need you to get out to Brummett’s Store as soon as possible. I need some help. It’s urgent,” John said.

  “John, I can’t leave Cat here by himself. Both exam rooms are full and we have twenty people in the waiting room. The school sent about five students down here but they’ve got their hands full too. Sid’s even helping out,” she said.