Nights on the Soul©

I woke up crying for the dead girl and her mother. So sad for life to end too soon. Pointless. Once you’re dead, you’re dead. No coming back. Not to that life anyway. Dave kissed the tears from my face and I remembered more.

***

Her name was Jane. She met him one day on the outskirts of the big field of wildflowers on the edge of the farm. She was taking a walk after the days’ chores and he was just standing there outside the fence.

“Hello,” she called. “How do you do?”

“Hello, my child. What is your name?”

“Jane Andrews. Who are you?”

“My name is Dave. I am traveling through town and wonder if your family would offer me the hospitality of a bed and some food?”

“Well, I’ll have to ask father, but I’m sure that would be all right. Won’t you come over and pick some daisies with me?”

“Why certainly, miss. I’d be very pleased to join you in that harmonious task. Do you have a basket?”

“Oh, no, I just collect them in my skirt. For the dinner table. Mother always enjoys some fresh flowers.”

“Quite right. And these little purple things are just the added touch. I’m sure your mother’s lovely.”

They picked flowers for almost ten minutes, giving them a heaping bunch. Jane smiled sweetly at Dave from time to time. As they walked through dirt paths to the homestead, she was burning with curiosity to hear about his life. Not many strangers came to their parts. He, however, was silent, but in comfortable sort of way.

“Father, this is Dave…?”

“McKay,” he supplied. “Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“Likewise,” said Michael Andrews. “And how may we be of service?”

“I have been walking, oh, I’d say some fifteen odd miles today, and I’m in much need of a rest. I wondered if I might offer my services as a hand for a day or two in exchange for meals and sleeping quarters.”

“Jane, where did you meet Mr. McKay?”

“In the north field…I was picking flowers. I was done with my chores and aching for a quiet moment, and there he was. Quite out of nowhere.”

Dave laughed and offered congenially, “I passed your fine place, not knowing how much further I could go to another town, whence I came upon a vision so sweet as an angel in a cloud of tall grasses. I simply had the idea to ask your kind grace in granting me reprieve in my long journey.”

“Where are you headed Mr. McKay?” asked Michael Andrews.

“Why, to Chicago. I hear there is fine work available for an Irishman like myself. I am strong and a quick learner. I entertain the notion of making buildings. The city is growing fast as angry bees. My pap and I cut stone. But when he passed on ‘twas quite lonely. ‘Twas painful too being in that wonderful land without me pap. I had to move on. I worked upon a shipping vessel to pay my way to America. I feel a promise in the air here. I think it is a great land, yes.”

Michael Andrews was satisfied with this explanation and asked the young man to stay. Two days work for room and board. One week and he’d be paid. Jane was thrilled. She’d never seen someone quite so handsome and mysterious. Or available.

“Show him to the guest room, and you two wash up. Mother’s cookin’ beans, squash, and cornbread. I’m sure she’d appreciate those flowers in a nice bottle on the table.”

“Yes, father,” said Jane respectfully. She took Dave up the stairs and settled him in his room. The wash room was out back she explained, though he could bring in a basin of water for the morning if he wished. She went down the hall to her own room and washed her hands with water from her porcelain bowl. She pinched her cheeks in the looking glass and combed her long hair. What a treat to have such a man at their house for a week. How far was Chicago, she wondered.

Jane went downstairs to help her mother, Grace, with supper. She set the table and lit candles for the sun was quickly going down.

***