SECRET IN THE CELLAR Read online

  “Was it the donkey?”

  Danny and Sammie giggled.

  “Nope,” he answered.

  “Then, I give up. Who were you?”

  “I was Joseph! And, guess what? I got to hold Margaret’s hand! She was Mary!”

  “Imagine that! You held a girl’s hand,” Cecil said as he put Danny on his knee. “Did she give you germs?”

  “Oh, Pa! Don’t be silly. She’s pretty and we agreed we’re gonna get married when we grow up.”

  “Is that right? Well I guess I need to get to know this girl better.”

  “That’s okay, Pa, you have a bujillion years before we get married.”

  “Thanks for the extra time,” Cecil answered, laughing.

  Sammie listened to the banter between father and son. It made her heart soar. If only there had been that kind of relationship in her home. If only…if only….

  Sammie was tired of ‘if only.’ She knew what she wanted. She wanted this family. She wanted the happiness and joy they felt.

  Suddenly, her mouth flew open.

  “I’m sorry! I forgot about supper!” she said quickly.

  “I saw the ham you cooked. I was tempted to get a big piece of it,” Cecil said over Danny’s head.

  “There’re sweet potatoes and green beans, too. I’ll hurry and get them on the table. I know you two must be starved.”

  “You can tell we are! Look how skinny we’ve become. What kind of person are you, starving us to death?” Cecil teased.

  Sammie giggled. “Yeah, well, I can tell you’re starving,” she teased back. “Your ribs are sticking out.”

  Everyone laughed.

  “I didn’t ask. How did you like the play?” Cecil asked as he pointed Danny in the direction of the washpan.

  Sammie turned to the stove. “I had a great time,” she answered.

  Chapter 16

  The church was abuzz when Sammie, Cecil, and Danny arrived. Looking puzzled as they stepped inside, Sammie found Pearl talking to a group of women.

  “Yep, it was a big surprise. He just out and popped the question. She didn’t know what to say,” Pearl was saying. “She was shocked. Never expected it.”

  Sammie opened her mouth, but Pearl kept talking. The other women were attentive.

  “The kids just sat there, she said. Then they commenced to running around and hollering like a bunch of Indians. She said she’d never seen anything like it.”

  Finally, Sammie couldn’t stand it any longer.

  “Pearl, who are you talking about?” she asked.

  “Why, Mary Fletcher and Mr. Bowden.”

  “What about them?” Sammie asked. Concern rattled her voice.

  “Why, he’s done up and asked her to marry him. It was a big surprise. One minute they was sitting at the supper table and the next he was saying over the taters that he wanted them to get married.”

  “Mr. Bowden asked Mary to marry him?” Sammie asked, through a smile.

  “Yes, ma’am. He said he knowed the kids loved her and he had grown to care about her hisself. Mary is in such a tizzy! You just wouldn’t believe what she was like when she came over to see if I would help her with a dress.”

  Sammie nodded and smiled.

  “When is the wedding, Pearl?”

  “Why, right after the church service. Preacher’s done said he would do the honors as soon as he’s finished preaching. Mary is in the car. She don’t want Mr. Bowden to see her before the wedding. Don’t blame her. I wouldn’t want my marriage to start out with problems before it gets kicked in.”

  Sammie sat down in her usual pew. A wedding. How wonderful. Holiday time was always a good time for weddings and such.

  Sighing, she looked around. There were two bachelors in the church and then there was Cecil, a widower. All were older than Sammie. All farmers with crops that came in every year. Each one had a home, too.

  “I am honored to be here this morning before this congregation. God is wonderful,” the preacher began. “I know this time of year we all feel his presence. He has blessed another year of crops. He brought the rain that was needed and the sunshine. Yes, we all feel His presence this year, even in the snow and ice. By giving our hearts to God, we can feel his presence all the time. We can be blessed by believing.”

  Mrs. McCormick hit a note on the upright and music began to flow through the building. Voices joined in as joyful songs continued. Clapping hands and stomping feet soon joined the music.

  Sammie’s heart filled with happiness. Her life was good. She had a roof over her head and people who treated her kindly. God was blessing her. There was nothing more she could wish for except for her to be a real part of the family she lived with.

  “I’m cutting the sermon short today for a very good reason. We are blessed to have wonderful people serving God in this area. Love is an important part of that blessing. A couple has been blessed this year and fallen in love. They want to join their lives together today. So,” the preacher was saying, “let’s get ready for a wedding!”

  Sammie sat up and looked at Cecil. He sat there no different than usual. Danny was jumping up and looking around.

  Mr. Bowden stood up and moved to the front of the building. Standing in front of the altar, he waited for Pearl to get Mary. Walking into the church, Mary was all smiles. Her green dress flowed in the breeze of the door. The sleeves billowed from the arms and came down to a wide, white cuff. She had added flowers to the brim of her hat with a little ribbon of green.

  Sammie thought her a vision. A true bride.

  The ceremony was short. Everyone applauded at the end.

  “Everyone is invited to come over for cake and coffee if you’d like.” Mary said, quietly.

  “Sure ‘nough!” Mr. Bowden chimed in. Winking, he added, “Might even have a little bottle left over that we might pull on.”

  “We have no such thing, Mr. Bowden. We might have plenty of chicken and dumplin’s, but we ain’t passing no bottle around.”

  Everyone laughed. Getting up, the congregation milled around, shook his hand, slapped him on the back, and hugged Mary.

  Getting into the truck, Cecil headed down the familiar road toward home. He was humming to himself.

  “Pa, you’re going the wrong way,” Danny said with concern.

  “What?” Cecil asked, looking at his son.

  “Margaret lives down the road in back of us. You’re going the wrong way,” Danny said with eagerness.

  Cecil looked at Sammie. She shrugged. With a sigh, he pulled the truck to the side of the road and turned around.

  Driving into the yard of the Bowden house, Sammie could see several people were already there. Kids ran around the house in all directions. Cecil parked and helped Danny out of the truck. Danny ran to join the others.

  “I’m so happy for you,” Sammie told Mary, once she was inside. “I know how much the children love you.”

  “Oh, I love these kids like they’re my own. I could never see them with someone else taking care of them. I’m glad Mr. Bowden asked me to marry up with him.”

  Sammie thought it funny that Mary still called her new husband Mr. Bowden. She had never called Danny’s father Mr. Bryan. It had been Cecil from the start.

  “You’re going to make a perfect wife and mother. This family is so used to the way you do things.”

  “Thank you, Sammie. You’re such a good friend. Someday it’s going to happen for you, too.”

  Sammie wasn’t so sure, but she could hope and pray.

  “Why did I only get to eat one piece of cake?” Danny asked, as they got into the truck.

  “Well, there were several people at the house, so there were many mouths to feed. One piece was enough. Did you eat any dumplings?” Sammie asked back.

  “Yeah, they was good. You need to get her recipe.”

  Cecil laughed long and loud. Sammie and Danny stared at him.

  “Now it’s your food instead of mine that he’s attacking!”

  “I don’t know
what tacking means,” Danny said as he looked back and forth at the two adults.

  “Your father means you’re making fun of my cooking like you did his oatmeal.”

  “I didn’t mean yours aren’t good. I just meant hers are good, too.”

  Danny had tears in his eyes.

  “Oh, honey, I know what you meant. You meant that if I get tired of using my recipe, I can use hers.”

  “I like your cookin’ Sammie. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s all right, Danny. I understand.” Sammie pulled Danny close to her and kissed him.

  Cecil watched the interaction. It pleased him that Danny felt comfortable with Sammie.

  Turning his head back toward the road, he began humming again.

  This is like a family should be, he thought. Content and happy.

  Chapter 17

  “It’s bitter cold out there,” Cecil stated as he came in on the wind. “It’s not good for man or beast. That wind is fierce.”

  “I guess I’ll find out in a few minutes,” Sammie answered as she handed him a cup of coffee.

  “Why are you going out?”

  “We need meat and canned goods from the cellar.”

  Cecil put his cup down and grabbed his coat and cap.

  “There’s no need for you to go out in this weather. You just tell me and I’ll get what we need.”

  “I really don’t mind,” Sammie protested.

  “Neither do I. My granny would whoop me if I let you go out and me sit in the house.”

  “Whoop you?”

  Yes, whoop me. You know, take a switch to me.”

  Sammie’s mouth opened and she nodded slowly. Whip him. She got it.

  “In that case, I guess I need to start telling you what to get.”

  Cecil nodded and grabbed a big basket.

  The wind howled as he opened the cellar door. The darkness looked up at him. Descending the steps, he found the matches and lit the lamp. The cold had followed him down into the cellar. He shuddered. How could Sammie say it wasn’t cold down here? It was freezing!

  Looking around, his eyes were drawn to the chair and then the bed. Shaking his head, he thought of Sammie.

  God, how could she stand it down here for so long? The dampness would drive a person crazy even if the darkness didn’t. And then, there’s the size. How could anyone not get claustrophobic?

  Tears filled his eyes. His heart lurched and tightened. He started putting jars and cans into the basket.

  That girl must have had it horrible at home for her to be willing to live in a cellar. Why couldn’t Lydia have been here for her? Why did she have to come when it was too late?

  Dropping a can into the basket, Cecil sat on the side of the bed and wept.

  “Lydia, why couldn’t you be here for her? She needs you more than I ever did. She’s so young and alone. I can’t imagine how she feels or what she’s going through. It has to be harrowing to have no place to go,” Cecil said aloud.

  “Cecil, are you all right?” Sammie called from the doorway.

  Cecil jumped.

  “Yes, yes, I’m on my way up. I just have to get one or two more things,” he called up to her.

  Grabbing dry salt bacon from the barrel, he put the lid back on and picked up the basket he had thrown the jars and meat into. Slipping a smoked hog shoulder from a rafter, he headed for the steps.

  “I was worried,” Sammie said, once they were inside. “I waited and you didn’t come back. I was afraid you had fallen or something.”

  “No, I was just busy,” Cecil answered. Refreshing his coffee, he sat down at the table. “Can I ask you something?”

  Sammie turned to face him. Nodding, she leaned on the pie safe.

  “What made you come out to Granny’s house the day of the funeral?”

  “You’re not going to believe this, but the driver of the bus dropped me off there. I expected to ride the bus into town. He stopped and told me that was where I wanted to go.”

  Cecil looked at her then nodded. “Was the man kind of balding, here?” he asked pointing at his own head. “Did he have a pretty rounded body and a big booming voice? Was he about my age?”

  “Yes, how did you know?” Sammie answered in surprise.

  “He’s a neighbor. Another friend I grew up with. You must have mentioned us.”

  Sammie’s eyes moved from side to side. “I did. I told him I was going to the Bryans in Childress.”

  “Wayne knew he could let you off the bus right close to the farm and the cemetery. That way, you didn’t have to go into town and then find a ride back out.”

  Sammie nodded then turned back to the basket of food.

  “Sammie, I’m glad you’re not in the cellar anymore. It’s cold and damp down there. It’s no place for a woman, or anyone for that matter, this time of year. You could freeze down there.”

  “I’m glad I’m not down there anymore, too.”

  “Danny’s happy having you take care of him. The two of us needed a housekeeper and someone to cook. We had each other, but we needed someone to help do the woman’s work. We don’t know much about that kind of stuff. Maybe God knew we would need you during this time.”

  Sammie bit her lip. During this time, he said. Nothing more. No future plans. She must still have to leave when spring arrived.

  Chapter 18

  Sammie hastily wrapped the mittens, cap, and scarf she had made for Danny. A neatly wrapped gift by her leg belonged to Cecil. It was the same except for gloves instead of mittens. Beside it was another gift for Granny. It had a softer scarf and a muff.

  Smiling, Sammie hummed as she tied the last string around the present. It had been hard learning to knit. Mary had been very patient with her and had written the instructions out carefully so she could follow them. Now, she loved the work she had done. It was a great accomplishment.

  “Are you ready?” Cecil asked as he dusted snow from his boots.

  “Just about,” she answered. “Cecil, are you sure your granny won’t mind me tagging along for Christmas? I can stay here.”

  “She won’t mind at all. Danny’s already in the truck. We’ll wait out there for you.”

  “Don’t forget to take the fruitcake and apple pie I made.”

  “Already in the truck. Anything else?”

  “No, no, I guess not.”

  “Then I’m heading out so Danny won’t let Ole Blue in the front.”

  “I’m right behind you,” Sammie said as she picked up the three gifts. Looking around, she pulled the string and turned off the light. Hurrying, she closed the door and ran to the waiting truck.

  The temperature dropped as the evening sun waned. A few stars began to pop out from behind the few clouds that floated by.

  Cecil could see Linda’s car in front of Catherine’s house. Murrell’s truck was parked at the end of the house where it usually stayed. Everyone was there.

  “Danny, help Sammie to the house. There are icy spots. We don’t want her to fall.”

  “Okay, Pa. Come on, Sammie, everyone’s here. I want to see Granny’s tree!”

  Sammie reluctantly took Danny’s outstretched hand and moved toward the house. With a sigh, she followed Danny into the front room.

  “Granny, we’re here! We made it!”

  “My, my, look how you’ve grown! You must have grown six inches since the last time I saw you. Come here and give Granny a big hug,” the spry old woman, sitting in the overstuffed chair, said.

  Danny ran to her and wrapped his arms around her neck.

  “Uncle Murrell, Pa says I get to sleep in your room tonight. He’s going to sleep with you!”

  “Is that right? What about the bed you usually….” Murrell stopped mid sentence. Sammie was standing in the doorway. “I see. Yes, I guess you are.”

  Sammie blushed. She didn’t belong here. They should be celebrating with just their family.

  “I see you decided to come for Christmas,” Linda said, with lips pursed.

  “Christmas
is a time to celebrate with family and friends,” Granny added. “I’m glad you came to be with us. Have you been well?”

  “She hit her head and almost died,” Danny piped in, “but she’s okay now.”

  “My goodness, I’m glad you’re okay. Did you get hurt badly?” Granny said.

  “No, just a little cut. It’s nothing.”

  Cecil came through the door with two bags in hand. Handing one to Danny, he told him to take it to Murrell’s room. Turning to his grandmother, he smiled.

  “I see you’ve reacquainted yourself with Sammie. She’ll need the room I usually sleep in. I can sleep here on the divan.”

  Murrell laughed, “Danny has the sleeping arrangements already made. He said you’re sleeping with me. Can you imagine? We could have a party like we used to do!”

  Linda stared at her brothers. How could they be so calm?

  “Well, I’m glad I don’t have to give up my bed! You two would run me crazy if I had to put up with you!”

  Cecil eyed Murrell and Murrell eyed Cecil.

  “Oh, no, you don’t,” Linda screamed. “Granny, keep them away from me! I don’t want any tickling done!”

  Sammie smiled. This is what real families do, she thought. They talk and laugh and have fun. This is what I want.

  “Sammie, did you hear Granny? She said supper is almost ready and you and Linda can help her in the kitchen.”

  “I’m sorry, I…I guess I was daydreaming,” Sammie sputtered. “I will be happy to help you, Mrs….I don’t think I know your name except for Granny.”

  “That’s all right, Sammie. You can call me Granny. Everyone here except for Mary does.”

  Suddenly, Sammie realized Mary had been quietly sitting near the wood stove. She watched the antics, but didn’t participate. There was also a man she didn’t know sitting next to the vacated spot where Linda had been. Sammie surmised the man must be Arthur, Linda’s husband.

  “Cecil, you need to see what’s keeping that young’un. He might be getting into Murrell’s cologne,” Linda said with a laugh.

  “He better not be!” Murrell yelled. Jumping from his chair, he darted through a door. “Cecil, I may have to skin his head. Danny, boy, I’m coming to get you!”