Nights on the Soul©

Grace and Michael Andrews liked Dave McKay. His speaking manner was refined and pleasant. His stories of his homeland and recent travel were exciting to their conventional lives. Neither of them failed to notice the gleam in Jane’s eyes when Dave looked her way. This was the happiest time of her youth by far. She didn’t complain about the never ending work of the farm. Three hired hands from town came in daily to work the fields. Jane loved the animals she kept and truly enjoyed the garden. If ever her thoughts strayed to what else there might be to life, she dwelled not on these but trusted in her faith in God, knowing he had a plan for her.

Dave worked the first two days with the field hands gathering corn and wheat. On the third morning he was asked by Mr. Andrews to assist in the construction of a new bath house, as the women folk were wanting something special. They were to install a porcelain tub and tiled flooring. The tin tub could go to the pigs. Jane and her mother were delighted at this long wished for elegant bathing facility. They laughed gaily at the prospect of such rich living.

The two men worked the whole day long with placing the wood frame and floor base. At supper time they were satisfied with their toils and went inside the main house for their meal. Dave and Mr. Andrews were relating their work project to the two women, and bantering back and forth like old friends.

Jane was full of the expectation of young girls and asked Dave to go for a stroll after. Her parents nodded encouragingly and off they went.

“How much longer will it take you to get to Chicago, Dave?”

“Oh, a couple of weeks, walking as I am. Depends on if I stop along the way. Like I did here. I could take the train, mind you, but I like experiencing the countryside. It’s beautiful to take it all in, and I am in no hurry. Tomorrow will be here soon enough.”

“So you’re in no hurry to leave either. Father could certainly use the extra hand for awhile. It would only benefit the farm.”

“Well your enjoyable presence does give me many reasons to stay on a bit. Say, have you ever thought of going to the city yourself?”

“Oh, gracious, no! I was born on this farm. I cannot imagine another way of life.” Hesitating, she decided it was now or never and confessed, “though truly I have recently thought of it. Since you arrived in fact. Perhaps one day I will make a great journey.”

“Yes, perhaps you may.”

They walked a short distance under the light of a half moon. The air was cool this evening, pleasantly so. Jane’s mind was racing with new imaginings of city life, possible existence beyond the farm. As of yet in her short time upon God’s earth, it was beyond her belief. But, tonight she felt the true reality of it happening. Soon. with Dave.

“Yes, I think I’d like that,” she said shyly. “Perhaps I’ll question father about it.”

“You know Jane, a change like moving to the city would be quite a shock to your system. Traumatic even.”

“You make it sound frightful.”

“No, it’s not frightening, but you would see sights and experience a whole new life.”

“Why I think I’d quite like that.” The ideas began to dance about her head as an ever nearer happening.

“Dave, I’d quite like to go to the city now.”

“Now?”

“Yes, tonight, take me with you. I want to be forever with you.”

“Forever? Do you know what a long time, that is?” Are you ready for it, or for me? You hardly know what kind of man I am. I don’t know if you’re ready yet.”

“Oh, but I am. Don’t deny me this. I feel it deep inside that I am the one.”

“The One?” he asked this with narrowing eyes. “I did not expect to find such as this at this time on this farm.”

“But it’s true,” she implored, “do you not feel it, too?”

“Jane you are so simple in this life. I think I should let you grow.”

“But, Dave, I feel something changing inside.”

“Jane, you are a sweet child. Believe me, I know you’re not ready this time. For you this life should be pure. I shall leave you to that. You deserve it to be so. I couldn’t disrupt your innocence. I set you free this time.”

She could not see the tears in his eyes, but turned away quickly to hide her own. Her first declaration denied, a chance, a future, this sudden love rebuked. She left him then with words of damnation upon her lips and hatred burning in her soul. He may have saved her from something, but regret and loss were forever his gift.

Forever it seems can be short.

He left the next morning with excuses about needing to be in Chicago sooner. Jane was not at breakfast.

It was months later that he heard word of her small town. The young girl, Jane Andrews, had drowned in a river. There was some insinuation that it was not accidental but planned by the girl herself.

It seemed he hadn’t saved her at all, but taken her to hell, just as if he’d brought her with him after all.

***