The Little Sparrows

by Al Lacy

  Sam nodded. “Yes.”

  “I’m Lieutenant Tom Bell, and this is Sergeant Dale Dixon. We’re from Fort Laramie.”

  Fear was an icy stake in Emma’s heart. “What’s wrong, Lieutenant? Has something happened to our daughter?”

  “May we dismount?”

  “Of course,” said Sam.

  Bell and Dixon touched ground. Bell said, “I was leading my regular patrol up north of here this morning. We saw your daughter and her friend racing toward Eagle Rock while we were watering our horses at one of the creeks. They waved to us, and shortly thereafter, we saw your daughter’s horse go down.”

  Emma gasped. “Oh no! Is Jody all right?”

  “She’s alive, ma’am. Let me explain.”

  While Sam and Emma clung to each other, Bell told them about the rattlesnake in Queenie’s path that coiled up to strike, and how Queenie fell when trying to avoid the snake. He explained that Jody had been thrown from the saddle while Queenie was going down, and that she had struck her head on a rock. He went on to tell them that he had wrapped Jody’s head with his bandanna to stay the bleeding as much as possible, and that Betty kept pressure on it while they took Jody to the clinic in Cheyenne in a wagon borrowed from a rancher.

  His face solemn, Bell said, “Betty is at the clinic with Jody at the moment, and Dr. John Traynor is working on her.”

  Sam looked at Emma. “I’ll hitch up the team to the wagon, honey. Be back in a couple minutes.”

  “We’ll wait and escort you, Mr. Claiborne,” said Bell.

  Sam nodded and ran toward the barn.

  Emma dashed into the house and hurried to the kitchen. She took the teakettle off the stove, grabbed a light shawl from a wall hook, and paused to take a breath. “Oh, dear God,” she whispered, her voice shaking, “please make my little girl all right. Don’t let her die. She’s so young. And … and please don’t let her have brain damage or anything like that.” She burst into tears, and it took her a few minutes to calm herself.

  By the time Emma reached the front porch, the two men in blue were astride their mounts, and Sam was guiding the wagon around the corner of the house.

  He hopped down, helped her onto the seat, and climbed up beside her. “All right, Lieutenant Bell, let’s go.”

  Sam put the team to a gallop, and the cavalrymen rode alongside the bouncing wagon. Tears streamed down Emma’s face once again. As they sat tensely on the wagon seat, both parents prayed to the Great Physician, entreating His mercy on behalf of their beloved child.

  When they pulled into Cheyenne and slowed to a trot, Emma gripped Sam’s arm. He patted her hand and squeezed it gently. Soon they neared the clinic. A sharp gasp escaped Emma’s pinched lips when she saw Queenie at the hitch rail with Millie. The beautiful bay mare seemed to be fine, and for Jody’s sake, Emma was grateful the prized horse was uninjured.

  Sam drew the wagon to a halt. Bell and Dixon dismounted and tied their horses. Sam helped Emma down from the wagon seat, and the four of them hurried into the clinic.

  Betty Houston was in the waiting area and jumped up when she spotted them. She burst into tears when she went into Emma’s arms.

  Since Dr. John Traynor was the Claibornes’ family physician, Joyce Adams, the nurse at the desk, knew them. She left the desk, stepped up to Sam and Emma, and said, “I’m so sorry for what happened. Jody is still unconscious, but Dr. Traynor hasn’t left her side since she was brought in. I’ll go in and advise him that you’re here.”

  “Thank you, Joyce,” said Emma.

  When the nurse was gone, Lieutenant Tom Bell said, “Mr. and Mrs. Claiborne, we have to get back to the fort. We’ll check with Dr. Traynor later about Jody’s condition.”

  Sam and Emma expressed their deep appreciation for what they had done for Jody.

  As the men passed out the door, Sam said, “Let’s sit down. Betty, we want to hear every detail about Jody’s fall. Lieutenant Bell told us what they saw from where they were by the creek, but you were right behind her, they said. We want to know everything you can tell us.” Sam sat down, facing Betty.

  Betty worked at calming herself, then began her story. She had barely started when the nurse appeared and said, “Folks, Dr. Traynor will come and talk to you as soon as he can. Right now, he is giving his full attention to Jody.”

  Sam’s brow furrowed. “Has she regained consciousness yet?”

  “No, sir. Not yet.”

  The father leaned forward, took hold of Emma’s hand with his right hand, and gripped Betty’s hand with the left. “Let’s take Jody to the Lord in prayer.”

  Joyce Adams stood quietly to one side, giving respect to the parents and Betty as they bowed their heads and Sam led them in prayer. Sam poured out his heart, asking God to give the doctor wisdom as he worked on Jody, and imploring Him to let her be all right.

  When Sam’s amen was said, Joyce moved close again and said, “May I offer you some coffee?”

  “That would be great,” said Sam.

  Emma nodded. “Yes, I’ll take some, too. We both like it black.”

  “All right. And what can I get you, Betty?”

  The girl looked up at her with a trace of tears still in her bleary eyes. She gave her a ghost of a smile. “Just a glass of water, please, ma’am.”

  “Two cups of black coffee and a glass of water coming right up.” With that, she hurried down the corridor, her starched dress making a swishing sound with each step.

  Betty picked up where she left off on her story. She was interrupted when Joyce returned with the refreshments, which included oatmeal cookies she had made at home the night before. When Joyce returned to her desk and busied herself with paperwork, Betty continued her story. Sam and Emma listened intently.

  Almost two hours passed, with patients coming and going, who were being tended to by the clinic’s other doctor. Emma happened to be looking toward the door that led to the patients’ rooms when it came open, and Dr. John Traynor appeared. She jumped to her feet. Sam and Betty saw him and also stood up.

  The doctor looked a bit haggard as he headed toward the spot where the Claibornes and Betty were standing in the waiting area. As he drew up, a weak smile formed on his lips.

  Emma spoke before Traynor could get a word out. “Is she awake, Doctor? She’s going to be all right, isn’t she?”

  “She still hasn’t regained consciousness. Please sit down, and I’ll tell you as much as I know right now.”

  They sat back down on their chairs, and the doctor sat down next to Sam. “I stitched up the gash in Jody’s head. I’m sure it will heal with no problem. The blow left a bump there, but the swelling will go down in a couple of days or so. There doesn’t seem to be any damage to her skull. As for her failure to come to, I can only say that I believe she will do so soon.”

  Sam’s eyes showed his concern as he looked at Traynor. “Doctor, from what Betty has told us, Jody’s head hit that rock pretty hard. Do you think there has been damage done to her brain?”

  “Well, there’s no way to tell for sure until she regains consciousness. I certainly hope not. I think the best thing for you folks to do at this point is to go home and come back in the morning. She certainly should be awake by then. You know that Ellen and I live in the house just behind the clinic. We’ll never be far from Jody. I’m going to sleep on the cot in Jody’s room tonight, so I’ll be right there with her.”

  “I appreciate that,” said Sam.

  “May we go in and see her now, Doctor?” asked Emma.

  “Yes. You sure can. I’ll take you in.”

  The doctor led them into the back part of the building and up to the door of the small room where Jody lay unconscious on the bed with a bandage wrapped around her head. Her face was devoid of color. On trembling legs, Emma moved into the room first. When she reached the foot of the bed, she stopped abruptly and threw her hands to her mouth, trying to suppress the sob.

  Valiantly containing the rush of emotions, Emma moved up to the side of the
bed. Tears filled her eyes as she gently caressed her daughter’s dark hair and pale cheeks while Sam, Betty, and Dr. Traynor looked on.

  Emma took hold of Jody’s limp hand, watching for any sign of awareness, as she said in a low voice, “Jody, sweetheart. It’s Mommy. Can you hear me? Daddy’s here, and so is Betty. We love you.”

  Sam slipped up beside Emma and put his arm around her shoulders as her tears splashed on Jody’s hand.

  Emma looked up at her husband, whose eyes were awash with unshed tears. “Oh, Sam, she will be all right, won’t she? The Lord won’t take our only child.”

  Sam looked first at the small form on the bed, then at his wife, whose eyes were pleading for the answer she wanted to hear.

  He spoke in a hushed voice that was clogged with tears. “I don’t know God’s plan in all of this, but I do know that He doeth all things well. We simply must trust our little Jody into His hands and keep praying. He encourages us in His Word to pray without ceasing. He also tells us: ‘Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.’ ”

  Emma nodded. “Let’s pray again, honey.”

  Letting go of Emma, Sam leaned down over his precious daughter and cupped her face in his hands. As he prayed, his voice reflected the courage that the blessed, familiar verses had given him. He thanked the Lord for all His blessings, and thanked Him for blessing Emma and him by giving them Jody twelve years ago, and for what a wonderful daughter she was. He then entreated the Lord that His perfect will be done, adding that he and Emma knew He would do what was right for Jody and for them. When Sam closed his prayer with an amen, Emma embraced him, laying her head on his chest.

  The doctor stepped up. “It’s good to see a family so close. You two are under a great deal of strain. Go on home and get some rest. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Emma pulled back from Sam and looked up at him with the pleading look he had learned to read over their years together. “You don’t have to say a word, sweetheart. I know what that look means.”

  Emma drew a shuddering breath. “Oh, Sam, there is no way I can leave Jody. I must be here with her. I don’t want her to wake up and not have me at her side. She’ll need me, and I’m going to be here. I know you have to go home to take care of the stock and milk the cows. You get a good night’s sleep, and I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Sam turned to Dr. Traynor. “Is it all right if she stays?”

  The doctor nodded. “Of course. I understand. Emma can sleep on the cot I was going to use. I know she’ll rest much easier being here with Jody. I’ll bring in another cot for Ellen to sleep on so Emma will have her close. Ellen will bring her some supper too.”

  “Oh, that’ll be great,” Sam said, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

  Emma set grateful eyes on Traynor. “Thank you, Doctor. “I’ll stay out of your way and try not to be any trouble.”

  The doctor grinned. “You’re not going to be any trouble.”

  Betty had moved up to the opposite side of the bed, and was holding Jody’s hand while looking into her still, pallid face.

  Sam took Emma into his arms and held her close. “God is near, sweetheart. He’s watching over both my girls. Please rest in His gentle care.”

  “I will, honey. I promise.” She rose up on her tiptoes and kissed his rough cheek.

  Emma then turned to Betty. “Thank you, sweetie, for being here for Jody.”

  Betty stepped around the bed and hugged Emma. “Jody is my best friend, Mrs. Claiborne. I’ll be back tomorrow morning. If Jody’s no worse after I see her, I’ll go to church, then come back afterward to check on her again.”

  “All right, dear. Please ask your parents to pray.”

  “You can depend on that, ma’am.” As she spoke, Betty moved to the door and stepped into the hall. She waited there for Jody’s father.

  Sam kissed Emma’s forehead, then headed for the door, saying over his shoulder that he was going to go by the parsonage and tell Pastor and Mrs. Forbes what had happened to Jody so they could be praying too.

  Emma said, “Yes. Please do that.” She then moved back to Jody’s side. Dr. Traynor was now standing on the other side of the bed, looking down at the unconscious twelve-year-old.

  Sam paused at the door and found Emma’s eyes on him. “Please get some rest, sweetheart. Jody will need you to be strong when she awakens.”

  Emma managed a smile. “I’ll be fine, dear. See you in the morning.”

  When Sam and Betty stepped out the front door of the clinic, he tied Queenie’s reins to the rear of his wagon.

  Betty mounted Millie. “If I don’t get home pretty soon, my parents will be getting worried. I’ll tell them about Jody, and we’ll be praying. See you in the morning, Mr. Claiborne.”

  “Fine, honey. I’ll be here about eight o’clock.”

  Betty nodded, turned Millie into the street, and trotted away.

  Sam reached the parsonage and told Pastor Dan Forbes and his family about what had happened to Jody. The pastor offered prayer then and there.

  The pastor and Clara told Sam they would meet him at the clinic at eight o’clock in the morning. This would give them time to look in on Jody and still make it to back to church before Sunday school started.

  Chapter Nine

  As the Wyoming sun was lowering over the Rocky Mountains west of Cheyenne, Emma Claiborne was keeping up her vigil at Jody’s bedside, sitting in a comfortable chair that Dr. Traynor had provided her before going to his house behind the clinic.

  The setting sun was filling the room with deep purple shadows as Emma held Jody’s hand, her heart feeling like it was made of lead. Jody’s breathing was shallow but steady.

  The last rays of the sun had disappeared when Emma heard the back door of the clinic open. Seconds later, she looked up to see Dr. Traynor and his wife entering the room. The doctor was carrying a food tray that delicious aromas were coming from.

  Ellen Traynor moved ahead of her husband and bent over Emma, embracing her. “I’m so sorry about this, Emma.”

  Emma patted Ellen’s cheek.

  Ellen quickly pulled a small cart in front of Emma, and as the doctor set the tray on it, Ellen said, “I made you some bean soup. Actually I made enough for Dr. John and me. We’ll have our supper in a moment. I doubt that you feel very hungry, but you must nourish your body in order to hold up under this strain.”

  Emma’s eyes were still on Ellen. “It smells wonderful. I’ll get most of it down, I assure you.” As she looked at the tray, her eyes went to the small vase with a bright yellow tulip in it. “Oh, thank you, Ellen. How very thoughtful of you.”

  Ellen smiled. “My pleasure. Now, Dr. John and I will go have our supper and let you eat in peace. I’ll be back later to spend the night with you. And Dr. John will take another look at Jody then. If you want to freshen up, there’s a washroom back there by the clinic’s rear door. Everything you need is there.”

  Emma thanked both of them; then Ellen moved close to the bed and looked down at Jody. She turned again to Emma. “Honey, don’t you give up. Dr. John and I have already prayed for this sweet girl, and we will continue to do so. We will also ask our pastor to put her on the prayer list at church.”

  “I appreciate that very much. Thank you.”

  The doctor lit a lantern that sat at the head of the bed. “Eat now, Emma. We’ll be back shortly.”

  When the Traynors had left the room, Emma bowed her head, thanked the Lord for the food, and once again, begged Him to spare her daughter’s life.

  Emma took up the spoon provided on the tray and dipped it into the thick bean soup. She had barely started eating when she thought, I didn’t realize I was so hungry.

  She enjoyed the soup, along with a slice of cornbread slathered with butter and honey. She sipped on the hot coffee and enjoyed a piece o
f spice cake to finish off the meal. She wiped her mouth on her napkin and wondered what Sam was having for supper. Knowing he wasn’t much on cooking, he probably ate a slice of cheese, along with some bread and a cold chunk of ham. “I’ll make it up to you when we get through this hard time,” she said in a whisper.

  Pushing the cart aside, Emma stood up and looked down at her daughter by the light of the lantern. She stared at her intently, wishing for the smallest flutter of an eyelash. She sat down on the chair again and took hold of Jody’s small limp hand.

  Emma let her thoughts go back to the day Jody was born. As the next hour passed, she relived many of the wonderful memories and happy moments the precious girl had brought into the Claiborne home in the past twelve years.

  She was nodding in the chair from sheer exhaustion when she heard footsteps and looked up to see that the Traynors had returned.

  Ellen laid a hand on her shoulder. “Emma, Dr. John wants to check on Jody. Why don’t you take a few minutes to go to the washroom and refresh yourself, then step outside and let some of the fresh spring air into your lungs?”

  Emma nodded and stood up. “I do need a little break.”

  The doctor smiled. “We’ll be right here with Jody. Go take your little break.”

  Glancing once more at her daughter, Emma managed a smile for the Traynors, and made her way to the washroom.

  When she had finished in the washroom, she stepped outside into the inky darkness. The air was cool and felt good on her face. She looked up into the night sky and marveled at the millions of twinkling stars. “Thank You, Lord, for the beauty you bring even in the midst of such heartache and stress.”

  After a few minutes, Emma returned to Jody’s room. Both the doctor and his wife were standing over the unconscious girl. Emma noted the two cots that stood side by side near the bed, each with blankets and a pillow.

  Emma moved up, glanced at her daughter, then at the doctor. “Any change?”