Read an Excerpt Within Witness Mark
Witness Mark
Part 2, Chapter Twenty
May, 1912
The air was scented by recent rain and freshly opened buds as Anna and Father Graves rode along Spoonerville Road in the carriage. The train ride from West Rutland to North Springfield had been pleasant, but now in the open Spring air everything was new and alive.
“It sure is a pretty day!” Anna exclaimed. Her spirits were high as they passed familiar farms and landmarks.
“It couldn’t be any prettier than the sight of you, my girl!” Father answered. “Your mother will be so delighted to see you with your cheeks rosy and eyes sparkling! She’s worried a fair bit about you this Winter.”
Anna nodded to acknowledge his comment, and then broke into a smile as the drive to the Graves’ farmhouse came into view. The sun on the barn, the vivid green of the grass, and the apple trees in blossom made everything seem magical. Anna spotted Mother in the garden and lifted her arm in a vigorous wave.
“I see Mother scratching around in her garden!” Anna said, with a chuckle. “We’ll be comparing notes before long as to what’s up here and what’s planted in West Rutland. I beat her last year on the first lettuce and radishes,” she said with a note of pride.
The wagon was barely stopped in the dooryard, and Anna helped down by Father, before Mother swept Anna into a strong embrace. “Oh, Anna, it’s so good to see you!” she cried.
“And I’m so happy to be here!” Anna returned, hugging Mother just as tightly. Looking around at the familiar landscape and then into her beloved mother’s face, Anna saw more paleness, more age, more worry than she would have liked. She was sorry for any part she may have played in that.
“To borrow Mrs. Willman’s line, you look as pretty as a frosted cake!” Mother said.
Anna blushed slightly and did a small curtsy in her mint green suit with white blouse. She had sewn both herself, planning to look her best for the trip home. She had not been here since before Harry Frederick was born.
The women passed the afternoon in lively talk as they looked over the garden and sewing projects that Mother had finished during the Winter. Many stories of the days when Anna was growing up and learning to sew and garden were recalled, and laughter was their constant companion.
Ben came in from the orchard to eat supper with them. His small house sat within sight of his parent’s farmhouse, with apple trees of many varieties occupying the land in between. Being a confirmed bachelor and watchful son, he rarely missed a supper his mother cooked.
“I do so LOVE the smell of those apple blossoms!” Ben exclaimed as he came into the kitchen. “I hope you will be ready to make Harry LOTS of apple pies come Fall!”
Anna and Ben exchanged a hug, and Anna nodded enthusiastically.
“How’s Harry?” Ben asked Anna.
“He’s busy with Spring work, but he’s well,” Anna replied. “Of course, he stewed about being left alone, but I made up plenty of food to hold him over. You’d think I was going to be gone for two weeks, not three days!”
“You look good! Healthy!” Ben said. Then he added, in his joking, teasing way, “Had any zucchini bread lately?”
“We were just talking about that this afternoon!” Anna said with a chuckle. “I won’t soon live down mistaking cauliflower for zucchini around here! I can see that!”
They all laughed together, reminiscent of the happy times they had shared in years past.
“I just may have to withhold the Christmas gift I have brought for all of you!” Anna said, in mock umbrage.
“Christmas? In May? What are you talking about, my girl?” Father asked.
Anna gave them all a wide smile and then said, “Harry and I are expecting a baby in December!How’s that for a Christmas gift?”
“Oh, Anna! That is the most wonderful gift you could have given us! I’m so happy for you!” Mother Graves cried, coming around the table to give Anna a hug and kiss. “My prayers have been answered,” she added, looking at her husband.
“Congratulations!” Ben added.
“Thank you, all. Harry and I thought we should at least try to keep up with Emily and Elmer! Do you realize they have five children now?”
“Yes, your letter about them all coming to your house last Christmas was full of happy news. That little Teddy sounds like he might be your favorite!” Mother said.
“I am partial to little boys,” Anna said, not mentioning Harry Frederick, although their minds naturally went to him. “But Harry has already put in his order for a girl,” Anna continued in a light tone.
“Well, the Lord God knows best,” Mother said, in a conclusive manner.
The remainder of Anna’s visit in North Springfield passed in a whirl. Roxie and Richard came to supper the second night Anna was home. Sonny, now six years old, wanted only to spend time with his Uncle Ben in the apple orchard. He ate hastily and then went out with his father and grandfather into the Spring evening.
“Do you suppose the men know we have every intention of engaging in women’s talk: brides, babies, and bobbles?” Roxie asked, with a hearty laugh.
“Perhaps,” Mother answered, with a barely suppressed laugh of her own.
“Anna and Mother, I wonder if I should take this opportunity to tell you……..but I haven’t even told Richard yet…..and I’m not totally certain….but fairly sure….I think I’m pregnant!” Roxie said, softly.
Oh, Roxie!” Anna and Mother exclaimed at precisely the same time, and in precisely the same joyous tone. Then they all laughed together, and Roxie blushed.
I wondered if Sonny would be an only child……there just never seemed to be another….but now that he’s over six, and in school………we may be starting over again!” Roxie said.
“You are young, and no child should be raised without a brother or sister…….or two…or three,” Mrs. Graves said. “This is wonderful! Two babies on the way!”
“Well, I’m not mentioning it to Richard until I’m really, really sure,” Roxie said.
“As you wish,” her mother said, matter-of-factly.
The next day, Ben drove Anna to the train station in Chester Depot. In her bag, Anna carried two books that Mother Graves had given to her, and an envelope filled with cosmos flower seeds, saved from last year’s garden. She also carried a beautiful bureau scarf that Roxie had embroidered. She knew it would fit perfectly on their bedroom dresser, under the framed photograph of herself holding Harry Frederick.
“Father will be 82 at the end of the month,” Ben said, conversationally, as they rode along
“Yes, and he seems to be doing quite well. His arthritis is always better in warmer weather,” Anna replied.
“Yes, Summer is better for him. Mother works too hard in the Summer though. All that big garden.
I tried to tell her that she might plant less. There’s no need now for such a big one………she didn’t say anything to you about doing that, did she?” Ben said.
“No, but she does seem pale, and not as energetic……is there reason to worry?” Anna asked.
“Not necessarily. She claims that getting old is not for the faint-of-heart, but then Father chimes in that she’s a darn sight younger than him…..and so, she stops complaining…..not that she’s much of a complainer…..but she is slowing down,” he concluded.
“I’ll mention it to Roxie when I next write, that perhaps she could convince Mother to plant less,” Anna said.
“Worth a try. Thanks, Anna,” Ben replied. “And don’t you overdo this Summer either! With a baby on the way……” he drifted off, uncomfortable with talk of babies.
Anna took it as a good sign when, in early June, she was sowing the cosmos seeds from Mother when she first felt the baby stir in her womb. Yes, little one, she thought, you come along as these seeds will, and bloom and flourish. Pretty flowers on delicate tall stems, a healthy baby to arrive and grow, and motherhood again. These were all fervent desires in Anna’s heart, and included in her earnest prayers each night.
Follow Us
