Just Above a Whisper

  The Reverend Mr. Sullins, who held Sunday services in the Commons Meetinghouse, had come to read a passage of Scripture. He talked about Mr. Zantow a little, even mentioning some things that Reese did not know.

  No one lingered at the gravesite. When the reading was done, Reese threw a handful of dirt on top of the coffin, her heart sad that his life had ended so abruptly and with little interest in godly things.

  The Peternell family was waiting nearby. They asked Reese to join them for dinner. Reese was all too glad to accept. She walked back to town with them, glad that for the moment she didn’t have to return to the house.

  “Can we set up an appointment with you?” Jace asked of Douglas. They had left the cemetery and were headed for town. Jace and Maddie had brought a buggy into town, but they’d left it at the Zantow house.

  “Certainly,” Douglas replied. “What time is good for you?”

  “We wanted you to tell us that. I’ve been stopping by with little regard for your schedule and family. Even talking to you today, when a man’s just been buried …” Jace halted, clearly uncomfortable to go on.

  “You haven’t been disruptive at all,” Douglas reassured him. “I can meet with you right now if you like.”

  “Join us for dinner,” Alison put in, walking beside her spouse, his hand holding hers.

  “Are you sure?” Maddie checked.

  “Yes, please come.”

  Jace looked down into his wife’s face. He didn’t want to go another day with questions burning through him, and from what he knew of the Muldoons, they wouldn’t mind having them again. The Randalls thanked them for the offer and returned to the Zantow house only to move their buggy to the Muldoons. They ended up staying for several hours.

  Mr. Victor Jenness had seen better times. He was not an old man, but neither was he young or in the best of health. And since he managed the bank and was not at the counter daily dealing with bank patrons, he was often able to hide this.

  However, he did know what went on all over town, and news of Mr. Zantow’s demise reached his ears even before the bells rang. It was for this reason that he sent for Reese the very day after Mr. Zantow was interred.

  Reese was at home when a young man came with a missive for her, a small bit of paper folded in half, asking her to present herself to Mr. Jenness, the bank manager, as soon as she could arrange it.

  Reese had no reason to delay. She had assumed the house would be sold and had been doing some extra cleaning, but as soon as she brushed her hair and washed her face and hands, she left for the bank. She wasn’t nervous, but curiosity propelled her straight to the building, where she stepped inside and found Mr. Leffler, the bank teller. He smiled at Reese and greeted her by name. Reese had no money in the bank, but errands she had run for Mr. Zantow over the years had brought her to this building on many occasions, where she always found Mr. Leffler extremely kind.

  “Mr. Jenness sent for me, Mr. Leffler. Is he in?”

  “In his office, Reese. You can go right ahead.”

  The office was not a separate room, but a large space off the main floor. The furniture was set up in such a way that privacy could be had. Reese stepped around a tall bookshelf to find Mr. Jenness at his desk.

  “Mr. Jenness?”

  “Ah, yes,” he greeted. “Sit down, Miss Thackery.”

  Reese began to relax. Few people addressed her as Miss Thackery, but he sounded as though he was pleased. She hoped he could direct her concerning Mr. Zantow’s goods and took one of the wooden chairs, sure she was there for that very reason.

  “It has come to my attention that Mr. Zantow has passed away.”

  “Yes, sir. Just this week.”

  Mr. Jenness, feeling very good about his decision, nodded complacently.

  “It has also come to my attention that he has a large outstanding debt with this bank.”

  This was a surprise to Reese, but she didn’t comment. He had lived very well, and she had assumed he was more than comfortable.

  “It is the decision of this bank to sell his home and all his possessions.”

  Reese nodded, assuming this was the best course of action.

  “Unfortunately this will not cover his debt. So it is also the decision of this bank to retain your indenture contract until such time as you would have ceased to work for Mr. Zantow.”

  Reese stared at the man, wishing he would repeat his last sentence.

  “Is that clear to you, Miss Thackery?”

  “The bank will own my papers? I’m indentured to the Tucker Mills Bank?”

  “Yes,” he replied, actually smiling. “I’m glad we understand each other.”

  “I have no money, Mr. Jenness.”

  “Of course you don’t.” He frowned. “Otherwise you wouldn’t be an indentured servant.”

  “Where will I live?”

  “Where will you live?”

  “Yes. You said Mr. Zantow’s home is to be sold.”

  The frown deepened. Mr. Jenness had not thought of this.

  “Well,” he improvised swiftly, his voice sharpening a bit. “You’ll be given a small stipend for rent. I’m sure you can find a place.”

  “And food?”

  “Yes, and food.” Sharper still. “You shouldn’t need much!”

  Reese’s disappointment was so keen that for a moment she couldn’t move or speak. She had thought she was free, and now it would be two more years. Or would it?

  “I wish for you to tell me exactly what my papers say. I wish to know how long the bank will own my contract.”

  Mr. Jenness did not look pleased about it, but he rustled through a few sheets on his desk and came up with the right document.

  “Let’s see,” he peered at the paper. “The original contract with your father is for February 29, 1834, and you became the primary concern in May of 1835. That means you have 19 months to go. This is July, so you will be released in February of 1841.”

  Wanting to check the dates for herself, Reese put out her hand and the papers were given to her. She tried to find some comfort in what she saw, but at the moment she was at a loss. Mr. Jenness was staring at her oddly, and she wondered what her face looked like.

  “What exactly will I do?” she remembered to ask.

  “For starters, you’ll ready all of Mr. Zantow’s belongings for auction or sale. After that is taken care of, you’ll report here each morning for a list of jobs. Cleaning this office twice a week will be on that list.”

  Reese nodded, wondering at the feeling of numbness that was stealing over her. She’d received bad news in the past, but none that seemed to affect her like this.

  “Do I live at the house until it sells?”

  “Of course not! It must be in a salable condition! I’ll expect it to be cleaned, and I’ll be checking the job myself. You must move out today.”

  Reese didn’t know what she looked like when he said this, but her expression must have registered alarm, since he began to recant.

  “Well, actually,” he said as he cleared his throat and began to stack papers, “I guess you can have the weekend. I’ll expect you out by Monday morning.”

  Reese nodded and stood. Shock was setting in, but a woman in the other room speaking to Mr. Leffler and asking about money in her account stopped her.

  “How much will I be getting to live on each month, and when will I get it?”

  Mr. Jenness looked irritated all over again, but Reese was knowing some irritation of her own. She had never heard of a bank holding someone’s papers.

  “Mr. Jenness?” Reese pressed, deciding not to leave until she had an answer.

  “At the end of each month,” he said, thinking this was the end of it until Reese sat back down. He stared at her in surprise until she spoke.

  “I’ve been an indentured servant for more than four years, Mr. Jenness. I do what I’m told with only a roof over my head, two dresses, and food to show for it. I have nothing, and you are telling me I must leave my home. The end of the mon
th is days away. What exactly am I to live on until you decide to pay me?”

  The bank manager had not expected her calm logic. She had seemed so compliant when she first came in. He had not expected her to stand up for herself.

  “Yes, well,” he said quietly, seeing that he might have been a bit overzealous. “I can give you money today, it’s the twenty-sixth, and I’ll do so on this day each month.”

  “How much am I to receive?”

  His mind scrambling, Mr. Jenness listed a number that was quite low, but Reese didn’t argue. She knew it wasn’t enough to live on but thought she might have said enough at the moment. However, she had another thought that had to be expressed.

  “And where are the papers I am to sign concerning this agreement between the bank and myself?”

  Mr. Jenness sat up as though he’d been stung. “I see no need for such papers.”

  “No?” Reese asked, almost gently. “Mr. Zantow just dropped dead over his worktable, leaving me at the mercy of this bank. I want some documentation stating the terms we’ve agreed upon today.

  “And,” Reese went on, not caring anymore if she said too much, “I want Mr. Leffler to witness it.”

  Mr. Jenness’ face flushed with anger, but Reese didn’t back down. Not even when he stood and stomped his way to the teller’s counter and had a few words with Mr. Leffler.

  That Mr. Leffler was uncomfortable with the whole situation, entering the office and casting stunned glances at his boss, was lost on Reese. It was finally hitting her like a blow to the heart: She was where she’d always been.

  “Doc,” Reese called as she opened his door. “Are you home?”

  “In the back, Reese.”

  Reese went to the small room where he prepared poultices and remedies and found him on a stool up close to the table, his head bent over a clear glass bowl.

  “How are you?” he asked when she walked in.

  “I’ve been better,” she said quietly.

  “What’s going on?”

  Reese explained what had just happened, her voice calmer than her heart.

  “The bank retained your papers,” Doc MacKay said in wonder. “I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

  “That makes two us. Unfortunately Mr. Jenness would not agree, and he’s the man in charge. He seemed completely delighted with the idea.”

  “And what exactly will you be doing for the bank?”

  “Well, I’ll clean the bank twice a week and go every day for a list.”

  “Reese,” the doctor replied, working to stay calm, “that makes no sense. A bank has no need for a woman to be on staff to clean.”

  Reese shrugged, not able to explain.

  “I did stand up to him,” she finally put in.

  “How so?”

  “I made him put in writing that I would get money to live on. And he paid me for the first time today.” She banged her hand against the table for emphasis. “And Mr. Leffler witnessed it!”

  Doc MacKay laughed until he asked how much she was being paid. The amount Reese named tested the doctor’s emotions all over again. He kept his mouth shut, however, and simply asked Reese if she had told Douglas and Alison. When Reese said she’d come directly to him, the helpful doctor told her he’d go with her to the Muldoons.

  “How do I tell Cathy what happened to us yesterday?” Maddie asked Jace over dinner the next day, glad that Clara was at her own home for the day.

  “Maybe you don’t right now.”

  “You think it might be best to stay quiet?”

  “It’s all so new, Maddie. I know what I said in my heart to God was real. I confessed my need for a Savior and my belief in His Son, but I’m just starting to understand what it all means.”

  Maddie nodded but didn’t comment.

  “Remember how changed Eden was?” Jace spoke of his sister. “She changed so much that we couldn’t help but notice. Now I know you’re not an abrasive person like Eden was, and your aunt and uncle might not notice a huge change, but I’d still rather we give this some time and not talk about it until we’re a little more sure of what we’re going to say.”

  This made sense to Maddie. Could she even explain what had gone on yesterday? She had never done a good job of telling people why she’d been so uncertain and unsettled. The first person to ever understand was Mr. Muldoon. Not even Jace had seen the situation clearly until quite recently.

  But Jace was right. She needed to stay quiet right now. It didn’t diminish the quiet peace she felt inside or that she knew in her heart and from a verse that Douglas had shared with them that God was willing to wait. Always a little troubled with worry, Maddie wondered what would happen if she was never able to tell her aunt and uncle about her belief in the Lord Jesus Christ but then realized how foolish that was. If God would wait for her, He would also wait for Doyle and Cathy Shephard.

  “I’m sick of talking about myself, Doc. I’ll let you tell Douglas and Alison what happened at the bank. I’m going to go play with the kids.”

  That said, Reese had exited the Muldoons’ parlor moments after they arrived, gone to the kitchen, and shut the door behind her. She found Joshua, Peter, and Martin at the kitchen worktable. Reese joined them and picked up a piece of string she found there.

  “Hi, Reese,” Peter opened.

  “Hey, Pete. What are you guys doing?”

  “Having a quiet time,” Joshua explained.

  “Are you in trouble?”

  “No, just helping Marty,” Joshua matter-of-factly reported, working not to be bored. “He doesn’t sit so well these days.”

  Reese looked to Martin. “During services?” she asked. “Is that the problem?”

  Martin nodded. “I wiggle and itch.”

  Reese had all she could do not to laugh.

  “The time’s almost up,” Joshua informed them, and at the moment they heard someone on the small back stairway that led into the kitchen. It was Hillary, Jeffrey in her arms. Reese wordlessly held her hands out, and Hillary surrendered the littlest Muldoon with a smile.

  “Still sitting?” their sister asked.

  “We’re done now.”

  “How’d it go, Marty?”

  “I only itched a little.”

  Reese finally felt free to laugh at this, and the Muldoon children joined her. The baby still in her arms, she suggested a game. The family was all for that, and Reese couldn’t have been more thankful. She didn’t want to think about what was being discussed in the other room.

  Alison’s elbows were propped up in her lap, her hands covering her face. She’d been in this position for a full two minutes. She wanted to sob her eyes out but knew it would do no good. She listened to the men in quiet discussion, trying to take in their words when all she really wanted was for Reese Thackery’s circumstances to change.

  “How much is she getting?” Douglas asked, sure he’d heard wrong.

  “You heard correctly,” Doc MacKay told him. “But that’s not my big worry. There are enough of us in the church family to aid her. My fear is that she’ll be vulnerable to someone again. Whose houses will she be cleaning? Will Jenness expect his house cleaned and try to take advantage of her physically—the same way Zantow tried?”

  A shudder ran over Alison’s frame. Douglas noticed it but didn’t say anything. He was asking God for a rescue in this situation. He didn’t want to go and argue with the bank manager. He didn’t want to challenge his authority in the matter. But neither did he trust him to have Reese’s best interest in mind.

  “She can live here,” Douglas finally said. “If she does that, maybe we’ll be able to keep an eye on her. She can tell us how long a job should take, and if she’s not back, we can check on her.”

  “That’s perfect,” Alison said, so desperate to help this younger woman. “Do you think she’ll agree, Doc?”

  “I don’t know. She’s weary of taking people’s time with her problems. She won’t want to be a burden.”

  A squeal and laughter floated
in from the other room, and Douglas spoke.

  “If she only knew what a wonderful addition she would be.”

  The doctor and pastor’s wife both nodded. All three were ready to head to the kitchen and tell her she had a home, but before they could do that, there was a knock on the front door.

  Reese Thackery could be formidable when she chose to be. She was much too thin, but her height—inches that totaled six feet—was hard to ignore. Doc MacKay was an inch taller, but she looked Douglas directly in the eye. She towered over Alison and Mrs. Greenlowe, the woman who had come to the door.

  “How did you learn about the bank and my papers?” Reese asked of Mrs. Greenlowe, looking none too happy.

  “This is Tucker Mills, Reese! What did you expect?”

  “I didn’t expect word to be out this fast,” she told her.

  “Well, it is, and my offer is an honest one.”

  Reese’s eyes narrowed. “I can’t even pay you a normal room and board. How is your offer an honest one?”

  “I know you, Reese. Even if I told you to sit around and do nothing, you would still work around my house.”

  “I don’t even know how much I’ll be home, Mrs. Greenlowe. For all I know, Mr. Jenness plans to work my fingers to the bone.”

  “Don’t you mention that man’s name to me!” Mrs. Greenlowe was instantly upset. “What could he be thinking? And Zantow! Owing money like that.”

  Reese had to smile. Mrs. Greenlowe could be so feisty. Seeing the smile, that lady calmed almost immediately and smiled back at Reese. The younger woman shook her head, glancing at the three other occupants of the room.

  “I don’t know why we’re having this discussion in your parlor, Alison. You have better things to do.”

  “Nothing that I can think of. And besides, I wouldn’t want to miss this.”

  Reese sighed quietly, more shaken by all of this than she wanted the others to know.