Hope from the Ocean: (The Prequel to Fireflies ) Page 13

  Before they even reached the dock, Rachel could see her sister Kathryn’s hand waving above her head as she leaned against the railing. She turned to Owen and pointed her out and told him to wave back. Kathryn’s husband Dell was not along for the welcome. Owen stopped waving and pointed out the large man in the captain’s hat peering at him above the heads of several rows of passengers. Owen pulled his cap down low on his forehead and turned away, leading his mother at last off the ship. They hoped the man didn’t recognize him from weeks before.

  Having been on the first-class deck since leaving Dublin, they hadn’t seen most of the surviving passengers who followed them off the ship until the luggage was nearly packed into Aunt Kathryn’s carriage. Out of habit, Owen grabbed the trunks, lifted them onto the carrier and tied them down himself, even though Kathryn had already hired the carriage driver to do it.

  “Owen, my goodness, son, ye’re takin’ the man’s job and I’m payin’ him,” Kathryn remarked with a laugh.

  “Oh, he is a very strong boy and enjoys workin’ with his hands,” Rachel commented.

  “Boy? Rachel, have ye looked at yer son lately? That isn’t a boy, that’s a young man, aren’t ye lad?” Kathryn said, taking Owen’s hand as he helped her up into the carriage.

  “Uh, yes ma’am,” he answered, looking at Rachel for her approval.

  He was at all times looking for her validation for everything he did. From how to assist a lady into a carriage to simply opening a door, his eyes would turn and wait for her subtle nods and winks to reassure him. His hands trembled slightly and his stomach tied itself into knots every time his Aunt engaged him or worse, questioned him. He cleared his throat and coughed several times until Rachel took his hand and drew the anxiety from him like a vacuum.

  “We’ve so much to discuss. Once we reach the house, we’ll have tea and ye can bring me up ta date on yer journey and the loss of yer dear husband,” Kathryn said, leaning forward in the carriage and taking Rachel’s hand.

  Owen couldn’t help but stare from the carriage at the poor, desperate beings walking aimlessly from the ship, many with no real direction or destination. He saw several people greeted by faces who must have been familiar to them from Ireland but there were twice as many who simply appeared lost and who were being herded to tables and chairs to be documented into the country. He saw a wagon as well, filled with what remained of the group of filthy young lads from the ship, who were being driven away to what he assumed was a farm or somewhere they’d have to work off the cost of their passage. He turned his eyes from them as he had the ship captain. He found no pleasure in realizing his condition was far above any they would most likely ever enjoy.

  The carriage ride to his aunt’s home in Fairhill was filled with questions and answers, most of which he had no idea about, but the journey proved a very educational one. The more he learned of Rachel’s life before boarding the ship, the easier he sat. Owen learned of the circumstances of his father’s tragic death. Rachel explained to Kathryn how he’d fallen four stories from a ship in dry dock in Belfast and how he hadn’t actually lived with them for months before he died.

  “Mr. Whelan moved permanently to Belfast due to his work but I chose to stay in Swords at our home when he took the new position. He traveled back to see us when he could and I’d planned to move north eventually to be with him but sadly, I waited too long.”

  “How was home when ye left it, Sister?” Kathryn asked, taking on a look of melancholy nostalgia and again, reaching for Rachel’s hand.

  “It was as ye last laid eyes on it. I kept it well and Mr. Whelan provided for us far above a decent manner, which allowed long needed repairs to be completed. I just couldn’t bring meself to stay–a widowed woman with a child…alone.”

  “Well, look at dear Owen. As I said, he’s hardly the boy I pictured. Why, he’s nearly a man himself but I won’t pretend I’m not full of joy ta see yer sweet face, my lovin’ sister. I feel as if home has come ta me.” Kathryn smiled and blotted a tear from her eye with her handkerchief.

  “So, what of Mr. Doyle? Is he doin’ well here in Philadelphia?” Rachel inquired.

  “Dell has hit a bit of a rough patch. He lost his position at the railroad when he injured his leg. They don’t take kindly to injuries at work. When his leg was healed, he went back for his position and they told him he no longer had one. If it weren’t for the money Da left us and some savin’s, we’d have been tossed out, but he’s been lookin’. That’s where he is most days—lookin’.” Kathryn’s head turned slightly and her eyes gazed out into the street as she spoke. She had taken on a tone of watered down punch. When she spoke of her husband, it was clear she didn’t even believe herself. Rachel simply nodded and made no comment to the contrary nor did she acknowledge her sister’s lack of confidence in her story. Owen remarkably seemed to sense a change in his Mother’s mood. He slid his hand over hers and squeezed it gently, drawing away her anxiety as she had his.

  “Oh look, we’re comin’ up on the left,” Kathryn commented, changing the subject and in effect, now sealing the assumptions of her home life in stone.

  “Oh, how lovely. Have ye lived here long, Sister?”

  “We’ve been here about two years now. The area where we were livin’ became dangerous and gangs of troublemakers and criminals were makin’ it very unpleasant to just go about our daily lives. Fortunately, we were secure enough at the time to move up here away from the frays. The city can be a frightenin’ place, Sister, so please don’t go out and about without Owen at any time of the day or night.”

  Kathryn’s words were firm and again Owen squeezed his mother’s hand to comfort her. He would heed that warning and never allow her out alone if he could stand to have her leave the house at all. The thought of her in any danger was unacceptable. He’d protect her at all costs as he knew this was something he was more than capable of doing.

  The house stood three stories of deep red brick, all alone on at least a half-acre of land. A lovely cornice and ornate trim framed the structure and tall wide windows with decorative white moldings were plenty. There was an equally charming porch and the front yard was full of assorted flowering plants and shrubs. Rachel whispered aside to Owen that Kathryn had done quite well considering she had only moments before spoken of nearly being tossed out into the street and remembered her sister in Ireland when they were girls and how melodramatic she was. Apparently, she hadn’t lost that trait in the years she’d been in America.

  “I had hoped Dell would have returned by now. Well, my dears, we’ll have to make the best of it,” Kathryn stated as Owen helped her from the carriage.

  “I can manage it, ma’am,” Owen spoke, removing his cap and lowering his head to his aunt.

  “Don’t be silly. Raina can assist ye. Raina?” Kathryn shouted toward the house. “Oh, for heaven’s sake, she must not be able to hear me. Go on and start takin’ them down, Owen, and we’ll head in the house. The driver will assist ye as well. I’ll send Raina to help ye once ye’re inside. Come along, Rachel!”

  Owen was helping Rachel out of the carriage when she appeared to have lost her footing. However upon catching her, Owen felt the flaccid nature of her body and knew she had fainted.

  “Aunt Kathryn!” Owen called out. “Miss–Mother’s fainted.” He scooped her into his arms and carried her up the steps and into the parlor.

  “Lay her here, son,” Kathryn said, moving the throw pillows from the sofa. “Raina! Bring a glass of water to the parlor, please! My sister has collapsed and is unconscious!”

  Owen gently laid her on the sofa, propping her head with one of the pillows and fanning her with another. Rachel was pale and very thin. When Owen lifted her, if not for the mass of her dress, she would have weighed nothing more than a child. He leaned over her, removing her bonnet gently and pushing a few wisps of her hair away from her face.

  A pretty young girl rushed into the room and handed Owen the glass of water but Rachel still hadn’t yet opened her eyes
.

  “Raina! My smellin’ salts please!”

  Owen was annoyed at his Aunt’s shouting at the girl and nearly exposed his feelings with a bothered glance at her but caught himself before she met his eye. He took Rachel’s hand and patted it gently, calling softly to her and stroking her hair.

  “Place a pillow beneath her ankles. All of the blood has rushed from her head and we must get it back up there,” Kathryn ordered, waving him to the side so she could push a pillow beneath Rachel’s feet.

  “Raina!”

  “I’m here, Mum,” Raina said, handing her the smelling salts.

  “Wait, please, Aunt Kathryn, me Ma is openin’ her eyes on her own,” Owen said. He sat on the edge of the sofa next to Rachel.

  “Owen? What’s happened?” she asked, blinking her eyes and turning her head to assess her surroundings.

  “Ye fainted is all. How ye feelin’ now?”

  “Very tired, son, very tired.” She placed her frail hand upon her forehead.

  “Raina, please go and finish preparin’ our supper. My sister must be famished. Aye, that’s it. She’s famished, isn’t she, Owen? I’m sure the food on that ship wasn’t very satisfyin’,” Kathryn proclaimed, placing her hands on her thick hips and then folding them under her breasts.

  “Mostly potatoes,” was all Owen replied.

  “Ugh. I certainly don’t miss livin’ on that.” Kathryn marched off into the kitchen.

  “Owen?” Rachel whispered.

  “Aye, Ma?”

  “Are ye regrettin’ this journey yet?” She laughed, barely making a sound.

  “This is a blessin’ that I’ll earn. I promise ye that. I’m not fond of the yellin’ at the girl but we’re new here. Maybe that’s just how it’s done.” He squeezed Rachel’s hand.

  “Ye’re the blessin’, son. She’s truly lovely once ye get to know her. She’s a heart a gold, that one, but has the sting of an angry wasp, too.” Again she chuckled.

  “Ye lay here now until yer fit to stand. I’ll pull in the trunks and ask aunt wasp where ta put them.” He ran back out to the carriage and began to untie the trunks and bags. He pulled them all free with ease, stacking them on the walk in front of the house.

  “Mrs. Doyle hasn’t paid me yet, lad. Do ye think ye could manage to do that so I can be on my way?” the carriage driver asked.

  “Oh, so this isn’t Mrs. Doyle’s carriage?”

  “Let’s say I’m doin’ her a favor, courtesy of the fine city of Philadelphia, shall we?” The driver sniggered.

  Owen dashed back into the house and found his aunt fluttering about, rambling on to Rachel about Raina and how she’d hired the girl as a favor to her German neighbors.

  “She’s the niece of our neighbors the Bauers', two houses down. She truly is a lovely young girl but my goodness, she’s so much ta learn about an Irish household. At least I’ve finally been able to stop her from callin’ me Fraulein.”

  “Aunt Kathryn, the carriage driver…”

  “Oh! I forgot the poor man in all the confusion. Wait here,” she said, dashing to her bag to retrieve his payment. She handed Owen the money and off he flew back to the driver, who stood waiting, leaning against the carriage.

  “Do ye need a hand there, lad? I can help ye, I suppose,” he said, now a bit more agreeable with money in his pocket.

  “I’ll be fine, besides I don’t have any more money fer ya.” Owen lifted one of the trunks onto his shoulder and headed into the house. Once he’d brought everything into the foyer, his aunt directed him to their bedrooms and gave him a tour of the home. He was completely amazed at the water closet off the kitchen area and speechless when the commode flushed. Kathryn bragged on it and noted she was one of only three families in the area who could afford to have one built. Upon his return to the parlor, Rachel was now attempting to sit up and reach for her glass of water, as well as trying to converse with Raina, who spoke English fairly well. He watched silently from the doorway, admiring her interesting accent. He’d never met a German before.

  She was a lovely girl. Her face was full and round and her long blond hair was braided and wrapped into a thick bun beneath her white cotton maid’s cap. Her lips were full and when she smiled in response to Rachel’s kind words, her mouth was almost as wide as her face.

  “Are ye feeling better now, Mum?” Raina asked, picking up the glass of water from the cherry wood side table.

  “Much better, aye,” Rachel replied, trying to sit up for a drink.

  “Oh please, Mum, do not get up too quickly.” Rachel leaned up just enough to take a few sips of water from Raina and then settled back down.

  “Have ye worked for my sister very long?”

  “How do you say, sechs monate? Six mons? In vinter?”

  “Oh, my heavens!” Rachel smiled. “I’m goin’ to surmise ye mean ye’ve been workin’ here since about February.”

  Raina nodded with her big smile until she heard Kathryn’s voice coming down the stairs.

  “Raina, how is my sister?”

  “I’m feelin’ better, Kathryn. Please don’t worry yerself over me. Owen, thank ye for gettin’ us settled in.” Rachel said, reaching for his hand to reassure him.

  “Raina, please see to our dinner and call us when it’s ready,” Kathryn said, for once not shouting.

  Raina curtsied and turned to leave the room when Owen looked at Rachel and she nodded.

  “Raina, may I help ye with anythin’?” Owen asked.

  “Really, son, this is Raina’s job. Ye’re a guest here. I simply won’t hear of it.”

  “Oh, please. That’s quite enough airs for one afternoon,” Rachel stated, pushing herself up to a sitting position.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Owen, ye go on ahead and see if Raina can use a hand and Aunt Kathryn and I shall make up our lost time whilst we wait.”

  “Have ye lost yer senses?”

  “I’ve all of the senses the good Lord gave me but I simply cannot comply with this American way of shoutin’ and orderin’ people around. Perhaps ye’ve been out of Ireland for too long and scarcely remember how we were taught to behave toward the help.”

  “Rachel, I’ve missed ye and I love ye dearly but Dell likes things a certain way, and as his wife, I have ta maintain things…his way.”

  “His way? My headstrong sister, are ye in there at all?” Rachel asked. “Don’t ye worry, love. I won’t shake anythin’ up around here. Owen is lonely and I thought chattin’ with a child his own age would ease his mind of more serious subjects for a bit.”

  Kathryn placed her hand over her sister’s and cradled her cheek in Rachel’s hand.

  “Ye’ve no idea how much I’ve missed ye. All I ask is when Dell is at home, ye do as I do and ye have yer boy do the same. School is startin’ up next week so we’ll get the boy inta classes and that’ll keep him outta Dell’s hair. Is he bright?”

  “Aye, very bright. Even better than that, he’s a heart as big as the moon.”

  Kathryn smiled and kissed Rachel’s cheek and went on to inform her sister of the local school and library and that she would show her to the exchange and the bank the next day so she could take care of her money.

  * * *

  In the kitchen, Raina and Owen were getting to know each other better. She dashed here and there, lining up plates and bowls for the evening meal.

  “Is there anythin’ I can help ye with? I don’t really know me way around a kitchen but I can wash me own plate and cup and I can…”

  “Shhhh…please, sir, I do zis, okay?”

  “But I was only tryin’ ta…”

  “No. No, you go and wait for ze food. I do zis. Zis is, how do you say–my job.” Raina seemed very nervous and flattened her palms on the kitchen island, snapping her head up at Owen, glaring at him.

  “Alright then, miss. Can I stand here, at least? I’m not tryin’ ta cause ye any trouble. I promise I won’t touch anythin’,” Owen begged. He didn’t want to be alone as much as Rain
a didn’t want to be caught having anyone else’s hands in her work. She appeared terrified to Owen and he was uncomfortable in the same room with her yet believed he’d feel worse simply sitting alone.

  “Zey have many books. You should go read and leafe me to my cookink.” She nodded in the direction of the den.

  “If ye don’t mind me askin’, why the devil does she shout so much? That would drive me off the edge if I were ye.”

  Raina had her back to him and was slicing a loaf of cooled, freshly baked bread, when her shoulders began to shake. Owen dashed to her side and took her arm.

  “Are ye alright? I didn’t mean ta upset ye, miss. I’ll go and read a while and leave ye be.”

  Then he heard the sweetest sound he’d heard in quite some time, as Raina turned to him with her giant toothy smile and a quiet yet delightful laughter danced out of her. She drew her hand up over her mouth instantly and pulled away from him, turning to the kitchen door and back to her work.

  Owen smiled in surprise, suppressing a laugh of his own. Then he walked off into the den, picked a book and took a seat.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The hour was growing close to six o’clock in the evening and Kathryn had several times stepped onto the porch for fresh air. Dell wasn’t home yet and she was pacing either with worry or contempt. Not having been in her sister’s company for so long left Rachel at a loss when she attempted to explain to Owen the true state of her sister’s mind, that is, when she wasn’t pretending to be someone else.

  Having spent the past two hours in the company of Mister Ebenezer Scrooge and his ghosts, Owen’s thoughts had turned from fear to fantasy and on to imagining things he had never before dreamed of. In his mind, Scrooge was a real man with a blackened and haunted soul who’d transformed into a heroic and caring gentleman. Scrooge nearly gave him a restored faith in human kind and so much so, he read the book twice that day. Owen, however, wasn’t foolish enough to believe in ghost stories. However, he regaled Rachel with the highlights of the tale, to help take her mind off of her rumbling stomach to no avail.