The Whittaker Family Reunion Read online

  “No, not your grandfather, your brother's real father. Jebediah Whittaker.” He was losing patience and had not expected the whisky to work so quickly.

  “I don't know anything about him except my mother was married to him, my father is his brother and he wasn't very nice. Nobody talks about him. I think I'm going to be sick.” Suddenly, she ran from the car leaving him unsatisfied. He would try again.

  The young women arrived at The Grand Hotel and went up to their rooms. Behind them at the check in was the man from the train. He was not finished with Anna Whittaker yet.

  “Jeremy! Jeremy, where are you? Ezekiel, come quickly, it is Anna.” Martha was beside herself. Anna had left a note saying that she was going to New York and would be back on Monday. Her daughter was fifteen and heading for a large bustling city without a chaperone, what ever was she thinking? “Jeremy!”

  “What is it Martha? You're going to wake the entire household.” Jeremy entered Anna's room, still in his pajamas. Martha stood holding a note, shocked and very upset.

  “She did it! She disobeyed us and went to New York. We will have to go and get her this instant. That child will drive me into my grave. Here read this.” Jeremy took the note still not believing that Anna would take such a risk. Ezekiel staggered, sleepy eyed into the room.

  “What's going on? Where's Anna?” His parents turned and looked at him, their faces filled with concern. “What's happened, give me that note.” He read the note and stared at his worried parents.

  The family sat at the breakfast table waiting for David to arrive. Martha twisted her napkin. Jeremy sipped at his tea, the scent of lemon drifting past his nostrils. His mind was on his daughter. Charles announced the visitor. The young man swallowed hard before he walked in the room. “Good morning, is something wrong with Anna?”

  “We thought she went to the symphony with you last night, David. However, it appears she has gone to New York instead. What do you know about this?” Martha liked David, but right now she was very upset.

  “Well, I picked her up but on the way to the symphony, she changed her mind and said she was going home with a headache. I tried to talk her into going but she wouldn't listen so I went to the symphony myself.” Nervously David told the Whittakers exactly what he had told his parents. “Are you sure she went to New York?” He tried his best to look sincere. The three Whittakers stared at him in disbelief.

  “You knew nothing of her intentions? I find that hard to believe since you are her best friend. She could be in terrible danger David. Now tell us the truth.” David stared at the floor.

  “I don't know anything, I'm sorry. I am sure she will come home soon. She is very good at taking care of herself.” He felt awful, but he would not betray his friend. “I have to go to school now. I hope everything works out. I am sorry I could not help.” He turned and left the house.

  “I will go to New York and look for her, Martha. Stop fretting.” Jeremy took his wife's hand trying to calm her down.

  “The note says she will be back on Monday. Perhaps we should just wait and let her come back on her own. She is almost a woman and this might be the best thing under the circumstances.” Ezekiel always looked for logic in his decisions and Jeremy rushing off to New York without a clue as to Anna's whereabouts made no sense.

  “Wait until Monday? I will be a nervous wreck by then, Ezekiel. She is only fifteen- years- old.” Martha was beside herself. How could Anna put them through this? She was so looking forward to the reunion with her sons and now Anna had caused them all such grief. Abraham was expected any day and the house was in turmoil.

  “Perhaps the boy is right, Martha. I don't even know where to begin looking and she is with a group, albeit not a group we would have chosen, but they are older and wiser than she and perhaps she will come home safe and sound on Monday as promised.” Just then Charles announced Hans Kruger. The young bookkeeper appeared in the dining room.

  “Good morning Mrs. Whittaker, Misters Whittaker. I received your message. Is there something I can do to assist you?” Hans was always comfortable in this house. Martha motioned for him to sit. A cup and saucer appeared in front of him and the maid began to fill it with tea.

  “Hans, Anna has run off to New York without permission and we don't know what to do. I know you are fond of her. Did she tell you of her plans?” Jeremy looked hopefully at the young man.

  “Oh dear, this is not good. No I am afraid she didn't say anything to me, as I am sure you realize I would have tried to talk her out of it. New York can be a dangerous place for a young woman alone. Perhaps I should go and look for her?” Hans was beside himself. His true love had run off and just before he was about to ask for her hand in marriage. She would be sixteen soon and he wanted his intentions known before the other young men came forward. He would have to make his feelings known soon but was this the right time? No, he would wait. Anna was the woman of his dreams and he would do things right. His mind was spinning.

  “We were just trying to decide if going to New York was the right thing, Hans. Thank you for offering, you are most kind.” Martha struggled with her decision. Ezekiel was right, no one seemed to know where she was and perhaps they should just wait for her to return. It would be a very long wait for Martha. She also had to decide what to do with Anna when she did return. A private boarding school was discussed in the past and it might be time to consider that option again. Something had to be done to make that girl obey and Martha was not being very successful as the girl's mother right now.

  She and Jeremy would discuss it later. “Hans, thank you for coming, please stay and finish your tea. Excuse me gentlemen.” She rose from her chair and left the room. Martha stopped unconsciously at the mirror to fix her hair and then proceeded up the stairs. The tears rolled down her cheeks. She wiped them away with the back of her hand and retreated to her room.

  “Papa, I really think we should just wait. Anna is headstrong but she is also very clever and I think that she will come home safe and in one piece. I do think you and Mother might want to consider sending her to boarding school, however. She needs more discipline, if I may be so bold.” Hans jerked his head up at the suggestion. He could not let them send her away from him.

  “Excuse me, Mr. Whittaker but I, I would like to ask for Anna's hand. I know you were not expecting that today, actually I was not expecting to ask you today, but I really love Anna and she will be ready for marriage in a year. Please, I am stuttering and making a fool of myself, but I would like your permission to court your daughter.” The perspiration dripped from his face, he clutched his hands tightly. He had made a complete mess of things blurting out his request. The two men stared at him in surprise. “I apologize for the outburst, please forgive me. I will go now.” He stood to leave.

  “Sit down for heaven's sake Hans, you are like family. No apology is necessary but you did surprise me a little. I will discuss your request with Martha, but I think she may agree that you are just what Anna needs right now. Of course, we would like a very long engagement because Anna is only fifteen and we would like her to marry at eighteen.” Jeremy could not believe what he had just agreed to. He took a deep breath and sat back. What is happening to our peaceful life? Did I just agree to marry off my fifteen-year-old daughter? What was Anna thinking? Dear God, tell me what to do. Hans was smiling from ear to ear.

  “Yes, of course, a long courtship. Oh, thank you sir, thank you. Please discuss it with Mrs. Whittaker and I will await your decision. Now we must all pray for Anna's safe return. Oh, this is a marvelous day. Good day to you both.” Hans left the room smiling, a much lighter gait to his step. Jeremy and Ezekiel looked at each other and started to laugh. The tension was broken and they laughed out loud, tears rolling down their faces.

  “What just happened?” Jeremy looked at Ezekiel trying with much difficulty to stop laughing.

  “I am not sure, but when Anna comes home she will be very, very upset to learn that you have married her off to Hans without her permission.�
�� Ezekiel burst into fits of laughter once again. Jeremy nodded in agreement. Anna would not be pleased, but right now her anger was the least of his worries. She just had to come home on Monday safe and sound. He sent up a silent prayer that nothing would happen.

  Back in New York, Anna and her friends danced, drank and flirted with every man they saw. Fortunately they had the common sense to go back to the hotel alone. Anna spent a lively, memorable weekend in New York. Down the hall, Red Fox watched all of her comings and goings with interest. Sunday night at midnight, he knocked on her door.

  “Who is it?” Anna drunk too much champagne and was much too tired for company. “Who is it?”

  “It is your friend from the train, Red.” The door flew open with a jerk.

  “Well, hello there, friend from the train, what are you doing here?” She looked at him and the room began to spin. Were there two men standing there or only one? She couldn't focus. Before she knew it, he was in the room and the door was closed. Anna clutched her silk robe to her body. She was not sure what was happening. Then she started to giggle uncontrollably and once again the room started to spin. The last thing she remembered was Red's smiling face.

  Monday afternoon, confused and trying to remember what had happened after the dancing on Sunday night, Anna Whittaker walked onto the train platform in St. Louis.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Abraham's Homecoming

  “I just think it best if we go directly to Isaac's farm. You can stay there and I will decide what to do with you later.” Abraham and Vivienne had arrived in St. Louis and were traveling by wagon. His first instinct was to go straight to his mother's but he had not decided what to do with Vivienne. It would be easier to explain her to Isaac and Annabelle, than to his mother right now. He needed to know she was safe before he could make any decisions.

  “Well, what if your brother doesn't let me stay with them? Why would they let a stranger stay in their house?” Vivienne was disappointed that Abraham was not willing to take her directly to meet his mother. She was becoming very fond of Abraham and had envisioned staying in the stately mansion in St. Louis. Now she was on her way to a farm and not happy about it.

  “Isaac and Annabelle are good people. They would not turn anyone away. You will be safe here until I decide what we are going to do with you. You are the one that asked me for help so you will do as I say. I am still not over your surprise, Billy!” Abraham gave her his most stern look, but she just smiled seductively back. She was infuriating.

  The wagon pulled into the laneway. Annabelle turned from her clothesline at the sound of the horses. “Abe, you're here. Martha didn't tell us. Welcome.” She ran towards the wagon. Abraham leapt down and swept her into his arms.

  Annabelle looked over his shoulder towards the wagon. “Who have you brought with you? You didn't go and get married without telling anyone did you?” She let go of Abraham and walked toward the woman seated in the wagon. “Hello, I'm Annabelle and who might you be?” Vivienne reached out and touched Annabelle's outstretched hand.

  “I am Vivienne, nice to make your acquaintance.” Vivienne smiled at Annabelle and then looked to Abraham for direction.

  “Well, Abraham, help Vivienne from the wagon and come inside for some nice cold tea. You must be very thirsty. I don't understand why Martha didn't let us know you were here.” Annabelle led the visitors into her cozy kitchen and started to prepare the refreshments.

  “Mother doesn't know we are here. We came directly to the farm.” Abraham was trying to decide where to start. “Where is Isaac?”

  “Isaac and Thomas will be in shortly for lunch. He will be so surprised to see you… both.” She was wondering what exactly the situation between Vivienne and Abraham was, there seemed to be some tension in the air. “Why, here they are now.” Annabelle set the glasses in front of Vivienne and Abraham and went to the door. “Isaac, Thomas come inside. I have a surprise for you.”

  Just then a tiny voice echoed her word “surprise” from behind Abraham. Down the stairs flew Sissy. “What's the surprise, Mama?” She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Abraham and Vivienne. “Why Uncle Abe, this is great; first Uncle Zeke and now you. Who is that?” She fell into Abraham's arms and pointed to Vivienne.

  “Sissy, do not be so rude. This is Uncle Abe's friend, Vivienne.” Sissy looked first to Abe and then Vivienne and decided that the explanation was satisfactory. “Do you know my pa?” She directed her question at Vivienne.

  “No, I have not had the pleasure.” Vivienne liked this little imp very much. “Do you like the farm? I worked on lots of plantations in the south with my own daddy.”

  “You worked on a farm? You look too prissy to work. You look like Grandma and Auntie Anna, all gussied up and fancy.”

  “Sissy! Vivienne please accept my apologies for Sissy, she can really be quite rude. Now, young lady, you behave or go to your room.”

  “What has Pumpkin, done now, Annabelle? Why Abe, this is a surprise!” Isaac walked into the kitchen and extended his arms to his brother. The two embraced as Isaac's eyes set upon Vivienne. “And who is this lovely creature?” Vivienne could not help but notice the differences in the two men. One blond, the other dark haired and dark eyed, but still there was a similarity to them and a definite bond. She extended her hand to Isaac. He shook it gently and returned to his brother. “You old hound dog, did you go and get yourself hitched without telling anyone?”

  “No, Vivienne is just Abraham's friend, Isaac.” Annabelle injected quickly.

  “And she works on pants, pantations? What was that word?” Sissy interrupted and looked to Vivienne for correction. “Does she look like she would like to slop the hogs, Pa?” Sissy laughed at her own joke. “Want to go and see the pigs?”

  “I would love to. Is there somewhere I can change first?” Vivienne looked at Annabelle. “If it wouldn't be an imposition?” Annabelle picked up Vivienne's bag and showed her to the bedrooms upstairs. Soon she returned to Isaac and Abraham.

  “Well, Abe, you sure know how to surprise a person. What's the story?”

  “Annabelle, now you are being rude. Abe will tell us in good time.” Isaac clapped his brother on the shoulder. Sissy, who was waiting patiently for Vivienne, hooted when she finally appeared.

  “Wow, you sure look different in your farm clothes. Look, Mama, Miss Vivienne wears trousers like I do and you said, ‘No ladies or girls wear trousers.’ Looks like you were wrong, Mama.” She jumped up and down, grabbing Vivienne's hand and whisking her from the kitchen. Vivienne went willingly, wanting to avoid the inquisition she knew was about to happen. Abraham laughed at the look on Isaac's and Annabelle's faces as they watched the woman in trousers cross the yard. Both of them turned toward him with questioning expressions and he knew he had some explaining to do.

  “I suppose you would like to know why I came here first and why Vivienne accompanied me to St. Louis. Now, where do I start?”

  Sissy and Vivienne had a good time once Sissy realized that Vivienne wasn't prissy at all. Sissy introduced Vivienne to Thomas who said “Hello” and then returned to grooming his horse without much thought to the visitor. Sissy and Vivienne slopped the hogs, fed the chickens and then tried to pen up the ducks but once again the elusive creatures headed for the pond. “Come on, let's catch them before they get to the water.” Vivienne started towards the pond, but Sissy stopped her.

  “I'm not allowed to go to the pond. I got in trouble last week. Oh, but you are an adult, so it is Okay, let's go. Race you!” She took off at a run with Vivienne following just far enough behind to make Sissy think she was winning. “Come back, you dumb ducks.”

  The ducks proceeded to dive into the pond just as Sissy and Vivienne slid on the mud at the shore. Both of them went head first into the thick black mud and seeing each other they rolled over in a fit of laughter. “You are all dirty, wait till Uncle Abe sees you. You are going to be in big trouble.” Sissy laughed. From the back of the pond, the bushes rustled and once again the
dark eyes watched, hidden from view.

  “We can jump in the pond and get clean Sissy, come on.” Vivienne took Sissy's hand and in they jumped. Vivienne was finally letting go of the tension that had burdened her for weeks. She just wanted to be free for a few moments. Sissy splashed her. Vivienne returned the gesture. Both waded ashore, soaked to the skin but much cleaner. The hidden observer watched as Vivienne's clothes stuck to her wet skin exposing more than was proper. He eyed her carefully. Who is this one? She is not one of the Whittakers, but a delectable morsel indeed. The two sat on a log and stretched out to dry their clothes in the hot sun. Sissy decided that Vivienne was now her best friend and she could share her secret.

  “If I tell you my deepest secret, will you promise never to tell anyone? Even Uncle Abe?” Sissy leaned close and whispered. Vivienne nodded in agreement and Sissy continued. “I have a friend that is a real Indian, and his name is Red Fox. I only saw him here by the pond, but it is our secret so you can't tell.” Vivienne did not know if Sissy was making believe or telling her the truth. She just waited and listened as Sissy explained that he was the first real Indian she had ever actually met.

  “What did your Indian want? Did he ask you for anything or did he do anything to you?” Vivienne was suspicious by nature and she wanted to be sure she was not party to some wrong doing.

  “Naw, he just introduced his self and then Mama came so he left. I hope he comes back ‘cause I wanted to ask him all about Indians.” Sissy picked a flower from the side of the log and handed it to Vivienne. “You're nice. Will you stay here on the farm with us?”

  Vivienne decided that if Annabelle and Isaac agreed, this would be a terrific place to start her new life in St. Louis. The mansion and Martha Whittaker could wait. Sissy was probably much more fun. She leaned against the log, feeling the heat of the sun on her face.

  In the kitchen, Annabelle and Isaac sat in disbelief at the tale Abe told them. He neglected to tell them that, she was wanted by the sheriff or that she had killed a man. Just that her father was dead and she had dressed as a boy to avoid being recaptured by some unscrupulous characters. He told them how he had discovered that she was a female, was anxious to help her, and how he had decided it best to bring her straight to the farm. They agreed that she could stay with them as long as necessary and thought that Abe should go to Martha right away. Apparently there was a problem with Anna that had taken up most of Martha's and Jeremy's time in the past week or so. Abe hesitated telling Vivienne that she could stay here and he would be back in a day or two. He was sure she would give him an argument however he was pleasantly surprised when she reappeared.