Threads of Love (12 page)

Tessie followed her, giving no acknowledgment that any words had been spoken.

The barn was warm, and the smell of hay wafted through the air as Delphinia proceeded to the far stall to see the calf she had pulled into the world only a few weeks ago. How he was growing! Josh had named him “Lucky,” and they had agreed it was a good choice.

Tessie stood by waiting, a look of boredom evident on her face, but Delphinia pretended not to notice. They made their way toward the rear of the barn and, after brushing off the dirt, unlatched the hasp and opened the trunk. Lifting the items out one by one, Delphinia began sorting into piles those belongings she wished to take into the house and the ones she would leave packed. From time to time, Tessie would show a spark of interest in an item but would not allow herself to inquire. Near the bottom of the trunk, wrapped in a woolen blanket, Delphinia found her mother’s china teapot. She carefully unwrapped it and stared at it as if she expected it to come to life.

“We’ve already got a teapot,” Tessie exclaimed, wanting her to hurry up.

“Yes, I know. But this was my mother’s teapot and her mother’s before her. It is very special to me. In fact, I remember the last time it was used,” she continued, not particularly caring if the girl listened. She needed to recall the memory, just to validate who she had been, even if no one else cared.

“You may remember I told you about the quilt that’s on my bed. My mother and I spent many hours making that quilt. It’s probably my most precious possession. When I had finally completed the final stitches and it had passed Mama’s inspection, we had a celebration. My mother seldom used this china teapot. It sat on a shelf in the cabinet because she feared it might get broken. It was one of the few possessions her mother had passed on to her when she married and moved to Illinois,” Delphinia related as Tessie stared toward the barn door.

“Anyway, that day my mother had baked bread, and she said we were going to have a tea party to commemorate the completion of my first quilt. She brewed a special mint tea in this teapot and cut slices of warm bread for us. She opened one of her jars of preserves, and we had such a gay time,” she reminisced.

“Do you think the pies are done yet?” was Tessie’s only remark to the account Delphinia had just given.

“What? Oh yes, I suppose they’ll soon be ready,” answered Delphinia, coming back to the present. Lovingly she wrapped the teapot back in the woolen blanket and placed it in the trunk, knowing this was not the time to move it into the cabin.
Perhaps, one day it will sit on a shelf in my home
, she hoped.

Swiftly, she placed one pile of her belongings back into the trunk and bundled the rest in a tablecloth. Walking back to the house with her collection, she could smell the pies and quickened her step.

“Tessie, check those pies while I put this in my room, please,” she requested as she stepped into her bedroom, coming face-to-face with a large Indian bouncing on the edge of her bed.

Stifling the scream that was caught in her throat, she attempted to smile and remain calm. “Tessie, there’s an Indian sitting on my bed,” she said, staring directly at the warrior. “Try and quietly leave the cabin. I’m hopeful he thinks I’m talking to him, so don’t say anything, just leave. He doesn’t look like the other Indians that have been to the house. Go to the Aplingtons’ for help.”

The Indian continued to bounce on the mattress until she quit speaking; and then, with alarming speed, he jumped up, pushed his way by her, and ran into the kitchen. Delphinia turned to see him holding Tessie by the arm, pulling her back inside the house. He slammed the door shut and, standing in front of the barrier, motioned they should not attempt to leave.

Slowly he walked toward Tessie and began circling her, occasionally stopping and staring. Tears began to trickle down the girl’s face, and Delphinia moved closer to place an arm around her, only to have it slapped away by the intruder.

“Stay,” he commanded Delphinia, pointing to the spot where she was standing. He moved closer to Tessie and grabbed a handful of her hair back and forth between his fingers, occasionally making some sound.

Tessie, overcome by fear and sure he was planning to scalp her, could stand it no longer and lunged toward Delphinia for protection.

“You, sit,” he commanded, pushing the young girl into a chair.

“Obviously, he understands some English, Tessie. Just try to remain calm, and I’ll see if we can communicate,” Delphinia said as soothingly as possible.

Issuing a prayer for help, Delphinia smiled at the uninvited visitor and, while making hand motions, asked, “You, hungry? Want to eat?”

She walked toward one of the pies cooling on the table and lifted it toward him as an offering. Lowering and raising his head in affirmation, he reached across the table and, forming his hand into a scoop, dug into the pie and brought out a handful of steaming gooseberries. Letting out a howl, he flung his arm, causing the berries to fly in all directions about the room. Tessie was close to hysteria, unable to control her high-pitched laughter, which further angered the injured warrior.

Dear God
, Delphinia prayed silently,
I’m relying on Mark 11:24. You promise that if we believe we’ve already received what we’re praying for, it will be ours. Well, Lord, I believe this Indian is going to leave our house and not harm either of us. The problem is, I’m afraid things have gotten out of control, what with his burned hand and Tessie’s continual outbursts. So I’d be real thankful if I could claim that promise right now
.

Assured the matter was safely in God’s hands and would be favorably resolved, Delphinia confidently offered the glowering trespasser a wet towel for his hand. He grunted and wrapped the moist cloth around the burn. Tessie became silent until the Indian once again walked to where she sat and began caressing her hair.

“Please, Tessie, try to remain composed. The Lord is going to see us through this, but you must act rationally. I’m going to try and find out what he wants,” Delphinia quietly advised. The blue eyes that looked back at her were apprehensive, but Tessie did not cry.

Considering the pie disaster, Delphinia thought it best she try to distract the Indian with something other than food. Eyeing a small mirror, she tentatively offered it. Although somewhat suspicious, curiosity won out, and he took the object from her hand. At first, his reflection startled him, but then, as he made faces at himself in the glass, he seemed pleased. Soon, he was walking around the room holding it up to objects and peeking to see what had been reproduced for him. Standing behind Tessie, he held the mirror in front of her, producing an image of both their faces that, from the sounds he was making, he found highly amusing.

While the Indian continued his antics with the mirror, Delphinia tried to assemble her thoughts. It was obvious he was quite fascinated with Tessie’s red hair. If only she knew what he was planning. No sooner had that thought rushed through her head than the Indian grabbed Tessie’s arm and started toward the door.

“We go,” he pronounced in a commanding voice.

Once again, Tessie broke into wails, and Delphinia’s heart began pounding as she screamed, “No, stop!” and motioned him into her bedroom. Dragging Tessie along, he followed and was met by Delphinia’s display of belongings she had just carried from the barn.

“Take these things,” she said, pointing to the array on her bed. “She stays here,” she continued, trying to pull Tessie beside her.

A deep grunt emitted while he sorted through the items. He was smiling, which pleased Delphinia, and she whispered to Tessie she should move behind her. He did not seem to notice the movement, or so they thought, as he pulled the tablecloth around the items and tied a large knot.

“I take,” he said, placing the bundle on the floor and pointing to himself. “Her, too,” he said, indicating Tessie.

Well, this is really beginning to try my patience
, Delphinia thought.
Not only is he going to take all my treasures, but he wants Tessie to boot. I just won’t tolerate that kind of behavior. After all, fair is fair!

Moving a step toward him and placing both hands on her hips, Delphinia looked him full in the eyes and vehemently retorted, “No. Not her.” She shook her head negatively and pointed to Tessie. “She’s mine,” and placed an arm around the girl to indicate possession.

Somewhat taken aback by Delphinia’s aggressive behavior, the Indian stood observing the two young women. Raising an arm to his head and lifting a bit of hair, he pointed toward Tessie.

“Oh no! He wants to scalp me!” the child screamed.

“I don’t think he’s ever seen red hair before, Tessie. Perhaps if we would just cut a lock or two and give it to him. What do you think?” asked Delphinia, not sure of what the Indian wanted.

Tessie merely nodded her head, and Delphinia walked to her bureau, removed her sewing scissors, and walked toward Tessie, all under the close observation of the man. Reaching toward the mass of red ringlets, Delphinia snipped a thick lock of hair and handed it to the warrior. He smiled and seemed in agreement.

“You, go now,” Delphinia ordered.

Stooping to pick up the bundle, he reached across the bed and in one sweeping motion pulled the quilt from Delphinia’s bed and wrapped it around himself.

“Oh no, you don’t,” yelled Delphinia. “Not my quilt. That’s mine, and you can’t have it,” she screamed, attempting to pull it from his shoulders.

Angered by her actions, the Indian threw down the quilt and reached to grab Tessie.

Realizing she had provoked him and was about to lose her advantage, she tried to calm herself. “No, not her. Take me,” she said, throwing herself in front of the girl.

The intruder backed up slightly, and Delphinia, with tears in her eyes, pleaded, “You can have my quilt; you can have me and all of my belongings. Just don’t take this child. She needs to be here with her family. I’ll go with you willingly, and I’ll give you anything from this house you want…just not the girl. Please, not her,” she begged.

She did not know how much he understood, or what he would do, but she lifted the quilt back around his shoulders and then held out the bundle that had been resting on the floor. Looking directly in her eyes, he took the bundle and, wearing her quilt across his shoulders, slowly walked from the room and out of the house.

H
earing the door close, Delphinia rushed into the kitchen and lowered the wooden bar they used as a lock. Returning to the bedroom, she found Tessie huddled in the far corner of the bedroom, legs drawn to her chest and with her head buried low, resting on her knees. Going to her, Delphinia enveloped the child with both her arms and began talking to her in a soothing, melodic voice. Tessie did not respond, and Delphinia began to worry that she had slipped away into the recesses of her own mind, like those people she had heard about, who were sent off to insane asylums.

“Tessie,” she said quietly, “this isn’t going to do at all. The Lord has kept His promise, and we’re safe from harm. Now, you’re going to have to do your part.” Moving back slightly and cupping her hands under the girl’s chin, she lifted the beautiful crown of red hair until Tessie was eye to eye with her.

Her eyes are vacant, and she’s not going to respond
, Delphinia thought.

“Tessie, I know you may not hear me, but in case you do, I apologize,” and then Delphinia landed a resounding slap across the girl’s cheek.

“What are you doing?” Tessie asked, dismayed by the act.

Overjoyed with the results, Delphinia hugged her close, laughing and crying simultaneously. “Oh, Tessie, I was so worried you weren’t going to respond. I tried to arouse you, but to no avail. I’m so sorry, but I didn’t know what else to do but give you a good whack.”

“Are you sure he’s gone?” the girl sobbed, tightly embracing Delphinia.

“Yes, he’s gone, and everything is fine,” she reassured, returning the embrace.

Tessie’s body trembled, and once again she broke into racking sobs. “Why did he try to take me? What if he comes back? What are we going to do?” she wailed between sobs and gulps of breath, her body heaving in distress.

“Tessie, calm yourself. Everything is fine. He won’t come back. He’s probably miles away by now,” she crooned, wiping the girl’s tears.

“But what if he isn’t? What if he’s outside lurking about, just waiting for one of us?” she questioned, faltering in her attempt to gain composure.

“If he wanted one of us, he wouldn’t have left the cabin,” Delphinia answered, holding the girl and stroking her hair. “We’re fine, Tessie, just fine,” she assured for what seemed like the hundredth time.

Slowly Tessie’s body began to relax, and finally she gave Delphinia a halfhearted smile. “Perhaps we should go sit in the kitchen where it’s a bit more comfortable,” she suggested.

“That’s a wonderful idea,” Delphinia responded, her cramped body needing to stretch. “I’ll put the kettle on for tea.”

“We need to talk,” Tessie whispered.

“I’d like that very much,” came Delphinia’s response.

Making their way into the kitchen, Tessie wearily dropped onto one of the wooden chairs. “I know I’ve been spiteful to you for no apparent reason. You didn’t do anything but try to be nice to me. I’ve treated you horribly, and in return you offered yourself to that savage. You allowed him to take your beautiful quilt and other belongings. I know that quilt was very special, and yet you gave it willingly for me. Why did you do it?” she coaxed, tears slipping down her face.

Delphinia poured two cups of steaming tea and sat down beside her. “When I first came here, I anticipated you would resent me. Your uncle Jonathan had forewarned me you had not accepted the deaths of your parents. I must add, however, that I didn’t expect your bitterness to last this long! Granny and I prayed for you every day, Tessie, and I have continued since her death. We both realized you were in torment, and, although it has been difficult at times, I have tried to remember your pain when you’ve treated me impertinently.” She smiled, pausing to take a sip of tea.