When the children went into the house, Leann reached up to feel Ralph's forehead. "You have fever. You are off to bed, like Dr. Reynolds said. Mumps can be dangerous for an adult."
He took her hand from his forehead and held it tightly. "I'm okay. I've got things to do. I can't go to bed right now."
"Does your head hurt?"
"Yeah, it hurts real bad." His voice was so soft she could barely hear him.
"No, you're off to bed. Let Jim do the chores. Katy and I will help. I want to get a cool rag for your forehead."
"I'll put a cool rag on my head for just a minute, but then I've chores that need tending."
Leann watched Ralph slide down on his chair in the parlor, then went to the sink to wet a cloth. She gently bathed his arms and neck, rinsed the rag with cool water from the kitchen pump, and placed it on his forehead, covering his closed eyes. He was burning up with fever. After a few minutes, he dozed. He wouldn't feel like going outside, and she wouldn't let him.
She turned to her son and daughter. They had begun their homework at the kitchen table after eating a gingerbread man and drinking a glass of milk.
"Jim and Katy, we're doing the afternoon chores for Papa today. He doesn't feel good."
Jim looked up from his work. "Mama, my head hurts too."
"Oh, no!" She went to Jim and felt his forehead. It was hot. She felt Katy's. Her forehead was cool.
"Jim, straight to bed with you. I'll get a cool cloth. Katy and I will do the chores this afternoon."
"I haven't finished my homework." Jim rested his head in his hands.
"Don't worry about it. You won't be going to school tomorrow."
Jim slowly put his books away. "I don't feel that bad, Mama, it's just a headache."
"You've got the mumps, and I want you in bed now." Leann helped Jim put his books away.
Jim obeyed because he didn't feel like doing anything else. Leann got another wet cloth for her son and took it to his bedroom where he had undressed and put on a nightshirt. She bathed his arms and neck and then rinsed the cloth again, to leave on his hot forehead. She would go through the same routine often for both Ralph and Jim, trying to keep their fever down. Katy could help her. And then she thought about the chores, running a list through her mind of what needed to be done first, and if she and Katy could handle them.
The animals won't get much care tonight, but Katy and I will do our best. Jesse's probably well enough to feed the chickens and gather the eggs. That will help. I can milk while Katy feeds the horses. The cows and sheep can stay out in the pasture, since the nights are still mild. Ralph and Jim won't feel like eating much, so supper will be light. Lord help us!
When she returned to the parlor, Ralph still dozed in his chair. The rag had slipped from his forehead and now covered just his eyes. She gently shook his shoulder.
"Ralph, I want to help you get into bed. You're not well enough do the chores this afternoon. Katy and I will take care of them."
"I think I'm gonna have to," his voice slurred.
She put one of his arms around her shoulder and helped him up out of the chair. The cloth, now dry, fell to the floor. She would get it later. He felt like dead weight, but she managed to help him into the bedroom and then to bed. After retrieving the rag and soaking it in the basin of cold well water, she went through the routine of bathing his arms, neck, and face. He sipped a few drops of water from a glass she held to his lips. Leann's hand trembled when she reached to rewet the now-dry rag. She must get hold of herself for Ralph and the children. Leann kissed Ralph's hot, flushed cheek.
"I'm sorry to be such a bother," he whispered.
She patted his arm. "Just rest and get well."
A faint smile crossed his face. "I'll try real hard."
Leann, Katy, and Jesse did the afternoon chores of feeding the horses and sheep, slopping the hogs, milking the cow, and gathering eggs. Her children worked diligently, trying hard to take up the slack left by Jim and Ralph. Little Jesse, still so weak, couldn't do more than gather eggs and feed the chickens. Thankful Ralph had filled the woodbin on the porch that morning, Leann went inside to start a meal for those who felt like eating. She made chicken soup from the chicken Ralph had dressed earlier. The sick ones may be able to eat a little soup.
Leann got little sleep during the long night. Ralph moaned and turned all night. She checked on Jim often, rinsing and wetting a rag with cool water for his forehead, and then doing the same for her husband. She dozed fitfully toward morning.
Katy woke her with a shake to the shoulder. "Mama, my head's hurting now, and I feel real bad."
"Oh, no," Leann cried. "Go back to bed. I'll be in to tend to you."
Katy went back to bed as Leann got up. Before she went to the kitchen, she felt Ralph's forehead. It was still very hot. His eyes were closed. Every breath sounded raspy and labored.
"Lord, how long does this last?" She turned her face to the ceiling looking for help.
Ralph stirred and grabbed her hand. "I'm sorry," he whispered.
She bent over and kissed his hot, dry lips. "I wish I could stay by your bed and hold your hand all day, but Jim and now Katy have the mumps too."
His bloodshot eyes opened wider, looking at her with alarm. "Can you saddle Maude?"
"Yes." She pushed a damp lock of hair from his hot forehead.
Ralph caught her hand. "Saddle the horse, and let Jesse ride to fetch Ma. She's closer than your family. He'll be okay riding to Ma's place. She's probably had the mumps and will be a great help to you."
"I'm not sure Jesse can ride that far. He's still weak from the sickness."
"Sure he can. He's a big boy now. Let him go. He'll be okay." He squeezed her hand. "We need help."
Leann kissed his sweaty forehead, turned and went into the kitchen. Jesse sat at the table playing with the little horse his grandfather made. She looked at her young son with love. He was such a good child and quick to express his love.
"Jesse, do you think you can ride Maude over to Mamaw Wade's house and ask her to come here? With Papa, Jim, and now Katy sick with mumps, we need her help."
He looked up and answered eagerly. "Yeah, Mama. I can ride Maude to Mamaw's. Papa lets me ride her sometimes."
"I know he does, but you've never ridden so far by yourself."
"I can do it." His eyes gleamed with the anticipation of riding by himself all the way to his grandparents' home.
"After you eat breakfast, I'll saddle Maude and you can ride over to fetch Mamaw Wade." Leann's heartbeat quickened with the thought of her little son riding a horse alone to the Wade's home. Images of him falling or Maude out of control filled her mind.
"Okay!" Jesse quickly put the wooden horse aside to drink the glass of milk and eat the bowl of oatmeal Leann prepared for him. When she got Jesse off to the Wades' farm, she would try to feed the sick ones a little watered down oatmeal.
After somewhat of a struggle, Leann saddled Maude with the smallest saddle they owned. She very seldom saddled the horses. Ralph was always around to do the job. Jim and Katy helped him and could saddle their own horses.
Leann helped Jesse climb onto the back of Maude. She adjusted the stirrups so his short legs could reach them. "Jesse, be careful, sweetheart. Don't stop for anything." She patted his leg.
"Okay, Mama. I'll be real careful." A broad smile lit his face. "It won't take me long, you'll see. I'll be back with Mamaw before you know it."
"You're such a big boy now. I know you'll be okay." She tried to reassure herself. "Remember to stay on the road and don't venture off."
Jesse used a grown up voice that sounded like his father, "Don't worry, Mama. I'll be okay."
Ralph said she worried too much over the children, especially Jesse. She couldn't keep him a baby forever. She needed to give him some growing room. Boys must grow into men who can take care of their families. They had responsibilities to learn.
"Jesse's responsible," she whispered while watching him ride away. Lord, help him. Keep him safe. Take him to Katherine quickly so she can come to help us. I pray for Your healing hand on my husband and children.
When Jesse rode out of sight, she started back to the house to feed the sick ones some breakfast. It was time to do the necessary bathing with cool water to bring down their fever. She would not let herself think of what might happen to her husband as a result of this illness.
Leann climbed the steps to go inside when she noticed a rider approaching from the direction of Cuba.
"Hello," he called.
She went down the steps to greet him. "Hello, Stu. Good to see you." Relief flooded over her.
He dismounted and tied the horse to a tree in the front yard. "Sis, Pa sent me to check on Ralph. He said Ralph was coming down with the mumps, and you would need some help with the farm."
Leann hugged her brother then looked up at him and tried to smile through the worry. "You're a welcome sight, Stu. I just sent Jesse to the Wades to bring Katherine. Ralph, Jim, and Katy are ill with mumps. Ralph is much worse than the children. I'm frightened for him."
He patted her back. "Well, we've all had the sickness, so I can help you in any way you need."
She released him. "Thanks, Stu. I'm going to feed the sick ones a little breakfast of oatmeal and milk. You can help, if you want to."
"I'll be glad to do whatever you need. That's the reason I came."
Leann hooked her arm through her brother's and led him into the house. She quickly prepared a small breakfast for the three sick ones, and took Ralph's into him while Stu took the children's. All would be okay, she felt certain. Her family came to her rescue again.
After the sick were fed and taken care of, Leann returned to the kitchen to make coffee for Stewart before he went outside to care for the animals. He planned to spend the day and help where needed. She felt greatly relieved, except for the nagging worry of Jesse. They drank the hot coffee and ate a cookie she made for the children the day before. She left the gingerbread men for Jesse, since they were his gift. He had two left to snack on today.
Stewart went outside to the morning milking. Leann cleaned the kitchen, and worried her bottom lip thinking about Jesse. She may have to send her brother to check on him, but she wanted to trust her son to finish the job. Like Ralph said, Jesse was old enough to take more responsibility.