Chapter 17
New Year’s Day 1872Boarding HouseTeddy
Teddy covered her head, hoping to block out the noise around her. All she wanted was to sleep on this rare day when she didn’t have to work either job.
As her roommates’ even breaths had filled the room last night, Teddy had found herself wrestling with thoughts of Thomas spending New Year’s Eve with Emmaline Whitaker. She’d spent hours trying to convince herself he couldn’t be as wonderful as she thought. Yet, despite her efforts, his image persisted in her mind, weaving through her thoughts like a stubborn vine refusing to be pruned.
Now, as she finally succumbed to exhaustion, all she heard was Merriweather sounding like a chirping bird announcing the morning, a harsh reminder of the inner turmoil she couldn’t escape.
“I haven’t had so much fun since, well, I don’t even know,” Merriweather said. “Mother never let me play in the snow. She was fearful I’d catch a cold.”
Teddy both felt and heard Josephine drop from the top bunk.
“All you did was hide. Birdie and I were warriors out there.”
A herd of elephants crushing a village was quieter than these women. Teddy threw her arms over the pillow covering her head. Muffled giggles sounded before fingers attacked her from all sides.
“Stop,” Teddy yelled. “I’ll wet the bed.” Laughter filled the room, and Teddy joined in.
Birdie plopped down, trapping Teddy’s feet under the blanket. “About time you got up. We’re going to ask Mrs. Jones if we can bake cookies today. Join us?”
Teddy pushed and pulled, finally extricating herself from her entrapment. “I’m afraid it’s laundry day for me.”
Merriweather gasped. “But Teddy, it’s freezing outside, and your hands are already chapped and raw.”
Teddy looked down at her red hands. “Even so, I work the next seven days straight, and today is the only opportunity I’ll have.”
Birdie bumped her with her elbow. “If David isn’t here to help with the wash bin, let me know, and I’ll help you carry it.”
“Thank you, Birdie.” Teddy wiped at the crust in the corners of her eyes and covered a yawn.
Birdie offered a smile and pushed off the bed. “Let’s go, girls. This one needs a few more hours of beauty rest.”
Teddy may need rest, but she needed the facilities more. When she returned to the quiet room, her Bible called to her.
“Good morning, Lord.” She held the Bible tight as she climbed into the still-warm bed and wrapped the blankets around her legs. “What do You have for me today?”
She opened her Bible and lifted the ribbon holding her place. She closed her eyes and leaned against the pillow propped up behind her. “Lord, help me look past the words on the page. Invade my spirit, so I hear Your voice. Speak to me, and help me to have faith to trust in You and face whatever comes my way.”
Teddy didn’t offer an amen. Her eyes closed as she hummed, allowing the words to penetrate her mind.
My faith looks up to Thee,Thou Lamb of Calvary,Savior divine!Now hear me while I pray,take all my guilt away;O let me from this day,be wholly Thine. (Ray Palmer, “My Faith Looks Up to Thee”)
Teddy woke to the smell of something sweet contrasting with something gamey. She wiped at her mouth, thankful no one saw the wetness she felt, then moved her hand to rub her neck.
“My spirit is willing, but my body is weak. I’m sorry, Lord.” Goosebumps rose as the room’s cool air covered her body. Teddy allowed herself to be uncomfortable and sat in the desk chair. She would have devotions even if it meant washing clothes until after dark.
One chair was empty at the table for the evening meal. Teddy rubbed the freshly applied beeswax on her rough hands, a futile attempt to distract herself from the disappointment gnawing at her. Just as she struggled with the roughness of her skin, she also grappled with the absence of Thomas, the void at the table mirroring the hollow ache in her heart.
“He’s better off with Emmaline,” she murmured under her breath. “I need to focus on my goals and being independent, not get sidetracked with a man who doesn’t plan to stay in Philadelphia.”
Josephine leaned in, her voice gentle yet firm. “He left early and hasn’t returned. He was in work clothes if that helps.”
Teddy raised an eyebrow. “Helps?”
“To wipe that forlorn look off your face and to assist in untangling whatever thoughts you’re wrestling with,” Josephine replied, her tone a mix of understanding and concern.
“I have no idea what you are referring to.” Teddy snapped her napkin up and placed it on her lap.
“Right.” Josephine chuckled.
The two men in the room stood as Mrs. Jones entered with a platter of meat. Teddy noted the color in Reggie’s cheeks and followed the direction of his gaze. Merriweather blushed and looked down. Teddy fidgeted with her napkin throughout the prayer. It would be nice to have someone look at her that way. Not just anyone, but a specific someone. She shook her head. It was for the best that Thomas was with Emmaline now. Teddy would be able to focus on her goals and aspirations rather than succumb to ridiculous thoughts of the man.
Merriweather passed the beets, her voice more confident than usual. “Since we are short a player tonight, we should team up in groups of two.”
Crocket placed a large scoop of potatoes on his plate. “Depends on the game. Without Thomas, Reggie and I are sure to lose every round.”
Merriweather sat up straighter. “We can even out the odds, or odd out the—anyway, we can make it more equitable if we change up partners.” She looked directly at Reggie.
Teddy sighed. She’d take one for the team. Neither Birdie nor Josephine would team up with Crocket. She forced a smile. “I think that’s a marvelous idea, Merriweather. Why don’t you and Reggie be on one team? Crocket and I can be on a team, and Birdie and Josephine can pair up.”
Josephine’s thank you came out surprisingly quiet.
Reggie placed his fork on his plate. “I’d be honored to be your partner, Miss Merriweather.”
Mrs. Jones lifted her glass. “It sounds like you have a fun evening planned. Thank you, ladies, for making cookies and cleaning up your mess. Gentlemen, before games, would you consider assisting in the evening meal cleanup?”
“We can all help,” Merriweather chirped.
“Speak for—” Josephine started, then went silent when Teddy kicked her under the table. Josephine cleared her throat. “Speaking of cookies, thank you for providing the ingredients, Mrs. Jones.”
Teddy moved her head in slow motion. Who was this girl beside her? A whisper and a compliment in one meal?
Cold air rushed in, and Teddy pulled her feet under her skirt.
Thomas appeared in the entryway. “Sorry I’m late, Mrs. Jones. Let me wash and change, and I’ll be right down.”
Teddy noted a smudge of what looked like dirt on Thomas’s cheek before he turned to head upstairs. She wrinkled her nose, uncertain if the smell was from Thomas or the gamey meat shaped into a loaf on her plate. She chewed and allowed the texture of the cornmeal to keep her from thinking about what animal this ground-up meat might be. Sauteed onions and a brown gravy were not enough to mask the unique flavor.
“My apologies again, Mrs. Jones.” Thomas took his seat, and Teddy welcomed the opportunity to put her fork down to pass a dish his way.
Crocket set his cup down, and Teddy watched his neck muscles strain. She wasn’t the only one with an aversion to tonight’s meal. He passed the meat platter to Thomas. “We were discussing partners for this evening’s games. I’ve scored Miss Teddy.”
Teddy winced at the pride in the man’s voice.
Thomas heaped a large piece of meat onto his plate before Teddy could warn him.
“She’s a formidable opponent. You made a wise choice in choosing her as your partner. I won’t be able to join you this evening. I’ve neglected my studies all day, and we have a test tomorrow.” He forked a large bite of meat into his mouth.
Teddy watched for his reaction.
“Ptarmigan or spruce grouse?” he asked of Mrs. Jones.
“I wondered if you’d recognize the flavor. In Pennsylvania, it is called the ruffled grouse. They were still warm when I purchased them this morning. It isn’t often the Lord provides a manna of sorts right to your doorstep.”
Teddy marveled as Thomas took another large bite. She shivered.
Merriweather placed her hand on Teddy’s arm. “Are you cold? You slept most of the day away. I hope you’re not getting sick.”
Thomas’s fork stopped mid-bite.
Teddy shook her head. “I’m not ill. I wasn’t sleeping the entire time. I caught up on my laundry and devotions while you girls made cookies.”
Teddy caught the resumed movement of Thomas’s fork out of the corner of her eye.
Mrs. Jones placed her napkin beside her plate. “Staying in God’s Word is virtuous. I’ve reread our Sunday passage several times.”
The conversation changed to music, and Teddy listened as she pushed the meat around her plate, drawing streaks and swirls in the brown gravy. Thomas’s deep voice pulled her from her artwork.
“Another exceptional meal, Mrs. Jones. I’m assuming you made this?” Thomas looked around as if Cook would appear.
Mrs. Jones dipped her chin. “I did. Thank you. I am ever so thankful that Bernadette helped clean the birds.”
Birdie was showing a new side Teddy had not seen. She wasn’t shying away from jobs no one else wanted and was proving to be a team player when allowed to use the giftedness God had given her.
“Would you young people enjoy having your cookies later in the parlor?” Mrs. Jones’s face softened at the resounding yeses and thank-yous she received.
Reggie was the first to stand. “Gentlemen, let’s get these dishes done, so we have more time to play games.”
Teddy gathered her silverware and allowed Reggie to take them from her. “Thank you, Reggie. Josephine, I’ll be in the parlor shortly. I need to check my laundry before it gets any darker.”
Teddy grabbed her coat. A brisk wind blew at her hair as her feet broke through the crisp layer atop the snow. Her fingers ached as she removed the clothespins. Her clothing wasn’t frozen stiff, but it would need a few more hours in the room to finish drying.
She may have hurried through putting it in the basket when outside, but she took her time hanging it on the wooden rack to dry in their room. She was in no hurry. Games wouldn’t be as fun without Thomas. He always added an element of competition that even made Birdie sport the occasional smile.
“Game time!” a muffled yell carried up the stairs.
She opened the door and looked to see Birdie standing on the bottom step. “On my way. I have just two more things to hang.”
Teddy looked across the hall at the closed door with light seeping through the crevice. “What is my problem?” She turned and gave the petticoat she held a good snap before laying it over the wooden rod.
How could one man disrupt her focus with such ease? Thomas Shankel was leagues ahead, destined for greatness as a future doctor—and heading back home to the West. She yearned for stability and tranquility. She dreamed of owning a home and settling down in the familiar embrace of the East. Her job was secure, her church was close, and her roommates had grown on her over the past few months. Teddy growled deep in her throat.
So, why did Thomas Shankel ignite a desire for something beyond her peaceful existence?
“Teddy!”
“Coming, Birdie.” Teddy willed herself to keep from looking at his door.
Teddy’s partner stood. “There’s the other half of my team. We’ve decided to play word chain. Are you familiar with the game?”
“Remind me, please.” Teddy took her place in the chair next to her partner.
“Mrs. Jones will choose a word,” he started.
“Oh, no,” Mrs. Jones said. “Let Theodora choose the word.”
“Okay. You choose a word to start. We’ll be team one. These two lovely ladies will be team two, and they must say a word that begins with the last letter of the word you chose. Team three, Reggie and Merriweather, must continue the list by again choosing a word that starts with the last letter of team two’s word, and so on. The group with the most answers in one minute wins. Mrs. Jones will time us. Is that okay with you, Mrs. Jones?”
“Yes. Of course. Ready? Begin.”
“Anesthesia.” It was the first thing that came to Teddy’s mind.
“Apple,” Josephine quickly added.
“Ear.” Merriweather beamed at Reggie, apparently pleased with her partner’s answer.
“Raspberry,” Crocket added.
“Yell.”
Teddy laughed at the appropriate choice and matching volume from Birdie.
Merriweather clapped her hands in excitement. “Oh, L. Let’s see. I know. Lemon.”
“Needle,” Teddy answered.
Josephine looked up as if for inspiration. “Eyeglasses.”
“Spoon.”
Merriweather leaned into Reggie. “Good answer.”
Mrs. Jones chimed in. “Thirty seconds.”
“Nougat,” Crocket spat and wiped his mouth.
“Tummy.” Birdie was on the edge of her seat.
“Yogurt,” Merriweather blurted.
“Toothache.” Could she think of nothing creative?
“Egg,” Josephine added.
“Glasses,” Reggie spat out.
“Someone already said glasses. You can’t repeat a word,” Birdie blurted.
Reggie straightened his spine. “It was eyeglasses, but fine. Gumdrop.”
“Pickle.”
Teddy may be stuck on medical terms, but her partner knew his food.
“Earnest.”
Reggie challenged Birdie. “That’s a name. Can we use proper nouns?” He looked to Crocket for a ruling.
Birdie’s knees bounced. “It’s not a name, you nincompoop.”
Mrs. Jones’s hand flew to her neck. “Bernadette. Language.”
Birdie rolled her eyes before fixing them on Reggie. “Ernst is a single-syllable name. I said earnest, two syllables that mean doing everything needed to win the game.”
“My apologies. I misheard your pronunciation. It’s your turn, Merriweather.”
“What letter are we on?” Merriweather asked.
A resounding “T” rang through the room.
Mrs. Jones lifted her hand. “Time.”
Merriweather stuck out her bottom lip. “It’s my turn.”
Mrs. Jones lifted her fingers to her upturned lips. “I mean, time, as in the game is over.”
“Oh. Who won?”
Mrs. Jones put the timer in her lap. “You all did. What fun. Let’s make this next round harder. No proper nouns, and it must be a plant, animal, or food.” She nodded to Reggie in acknowledgment.
Crocket leaned in Teddy’s direction. “We’ll win for sure.”
“We make a good team.” Teddy meant her words.
The companions gathered in this room were a true blessing, enriching her life. Friendship held immense significance, even though her heart longed for something more.