––––––––
It was lunchtime, and Frank was just about to leave for the restaurant, when the door to the office opened. He looked up to find Reverend Wright entering, clutching a handkerchief, this time to his mouth.
The sheriff turned, went to the far side of his desk and sat down, as he indicated for the minister to take the chair in front of it.
Then, after he just stared at the man, shaking his head for several moments, he asked, "Who did you antagonize this time?"
Wright lowered the bloody handkerchief, and asked, petulantly, "That's all you have to say?"
"That's really all there is to say."
"It was Gunderson. And I want him to be—"
"Let me guess," Dunkirk answered. "You want him arrested."
"Exactly."
"What did you say this time?"
"Why do you automatically assume that I said or did anything wrong?"
"Because I've met you."
"You know, I think that's absolutely uncalled for. After all, you're a public servant and—"
"Aren't you supposed to serve the public, as well?" Frank asked.
"I'm supposed to serve my parishioners. Not the public, in general."
"I always thought that your parishioners were made up from the public—in general."
"You aren't going to do anything about this either, are you?"
"No, I'm not. I figure, eventually, you'll learn to control your mouth, and begin to establish yourself in the community, as the new minister, and not some prophet. Have a good afternoon."
"Wait! I demand you deal with this. I'm being harassed, and it's your duty to protect me."
"I've tried to protect you. But, since you aren't quite hearing what I'm saying, I'll try it again, in smaller, easier to digest, words. 'Stop... criticizing... people'. But, more importantly, stop the gossiping about people of good standing in the community. Especially, when you don't know any of them or any facts about them."
"And if I don't?"
"At some point, sooner or later, someone is going to sue you for slander. And, since I've heard some of the piffle you and your wife have been spreading everywhere, directly from your own mouths and not others, you had better come to that realization it will be sooner rather than later."
"Really?"
"Really! I've overheard people at the restaurant discussing what they've heard from you two, a man in back of me at the bank was telling the man behind him of your theories concerning the sudden marriage between Meg and Gus.
"Lord, man! One of the drunks I arrested last Saturday night was so anxious to spread the gossip he'd heard—from your wife, evidently—from what he told me, that he didn't seem to either realize or care about being arrested.
"If you are interested in remaining here, and of having any standing in the community, you had better think about what you say, before you say it. Or, you won't have a job." He went quiet for several minutes. Then he asked, "Isn't there some superior that could counsel you?"
"I'm not the one who needs counseling!" Wright screamed, before he marched out, muttering a solid stream of curses under his breath.
Frank was shocked to think that a man of the cloth even knew some of the words he was pretty sure he'd heard.
*****
Things seemed to quiet down for a while and Frank actually thought he might have gotten through to the man. Even if he did know, in his heart, he was just dreaming.
Of course, Wright's tirades about the town's swift decent into hell were a recurrent theme in his sermons. As was the horrendous influence those females had on everyone. The minister also made the most of his broken nose and split lip. He continued to insist that this tendency to violence was the clear and direct result of the community's acceptance of 'those women'.
One week passed, and there were no further incidents, at least of bodily harm, against Wright. Easter came and went. And again, Frank heard nothing.
But of course, he knew that peace and harmony, even uneasy as it was, wouldn't last.
*****
It was the last week of March and things seemed to be going well. The first Sunday after Easter, Kathy woke up feeling anxious, and it soon became evident her labor had begun. Jake took Lynn into town when he went to fetch the doctor.
By the time Victoria arrived, Kit was walking Kathy around the bedroom, while Miranda prepared the bed, Colleen gathered up extra sheets and towels, baby clothes, and the cradle. And once Jake was sure the ladies didn't need him to do anything, he filled pots and pans with water. No one had asked him to do this, and he didn't understand why he was doing it. It just seemed that this was the thing men were supposed to do.
Kathy's labor progressed smoothly, and when the doctor told them to, Kit and Colleen sat on either side of the foot of the bed and braced Kathy's legs against their respective shoulders. Miranda and Victoria were pleased with the way Kathy dealt with her labor pains. And, by early afternoon, she had had her baby, a boy she'd named Jacob, after her father. Victoria declared them both in excellent health.
However, when Kathy announced she wanted to take him to town as soon as possible, Victoria put her foot down. She insisted that Jacob needed to be a bit older for excursions. But, promised she'd let the new mother know when the newborn was old enough to go into town.
This led to another lengthy discussion about returning to church. It had become a recurring theme of dinner conversation.
While the older women were apprehensive about this, Kathy and Lynn were adamant. Not only did they want to see people, but to show off Jacob.
None of the ladies were at all sure this was a good idea. But, they were not able to sway the girls' feelings. They understood how the girls needed to see and speak to other people. And, of course, there was the long promised treat of eating in the hotel restaurant. However, Kathy did agree to wait until Victoria declared Jacob old enough to be around other people.
One afternoon, as Miranda was standing at the kitchen window, washing dishes, she saw a buggy pull up to the front of the house and stop. The woman remained primly seated, while a strange man stood up and yelled out, "Hello!" before he leaped from the buggy seat to the ground.
Miranda stepped onto the porch her hands up above her eyes against the sun, in the hope of getting a better look at the man. Of course, she already had a pretty good notion who he was. She could feel Colleen standing close behind her, trying to get a look of her own.
Miranda continued to shield her eyes from the sun squinting, and finally answered, "Yes? Do I know you?"
"You should. In fact, you would if you ever came to church. I am the new minister, the Reverend Harold Wright. I've been here for two months or more, now.
"I was a bit concerned about you, when you, all of you, failed to even take part in Easter services. So, I drove out to introduce myself and my wife and discover why you all have been missing church."
"Yes, well we've been a little busy around here," Miranda answered. "And, we still are—busy—that is. We have some young ladies here who haven't been particularly well."
Then Colleen moved forward, and added, "I'm sure that when and if the girls are ready to go back to church, we'll take them. However, surely, it is their decision."
"I don't see it that way," the strange man stated flatly. "Everyone should attend church. And, children, especially those who've strayed from the path of righteousness, certainly shouldn't get to choose. Actually, the very fact you believe they should be allowed to decide for themselves shows me how very much you need my influence and teachings, as well."
"This is still America, isn't it?" the younger woman asked, over Miranda's shoulder.
"Yes, it is. America—a country solidly founded on Christian values and ethics. Which, of course, includes a strong belief in God," the man answered.
The skeletal woman still sitting in the buggy, called out, "All people—especially young people, need to be taught about Him."
"Yes, what you said is true," Colleen argued, "but they don't need to have the gospel browbeaten into them."
Then Miranda added, "And they certainly don't deserve to be called 'whores', or their babies 'bastards'!"
"How dare you speak to my husband like that."
With a scowl, Miranda moved even closer to the edge of the porch and eyed them critically. "I remember you," she said harshly, as she gestured towards the woman. "You are that unpleasant woman from the mercantile, the one who was saying those horrible, scandalous things."
Both Colleen and the reverend turned their attention to the woman. And her husband asked, "What is this woman talking about, my dear?"
"I was sure I spoke to you about it at the time, Harold."
"I'm assuming," Miranda began, "that you aren't here to try to gather more parishioners. Or, at least, that's not the only reason. So, before you continue on with this drivel, what is the real reason you're here? What is it you want?"
"As a matter of fact, there is another more salient reason for our trip out here. I, that is, we, came to take the baby I heard was born to one of those whores. It took a bit of work, but I finally found a God-fearing family willing to take the bastard in and raise him in a wholesome family environment."
*****
Colleen cast a quick glance at Miranda, whose color had morphed from red to purple, but now had taken on an absolutely ghostly white appearance, along with a most unhealthy, waxy sheen. And, for a moment, Colleen feared she might have some sort of fit, or something.
Swallowing hard, Miranda said in a surprisingly soft tone, "First of all, Reverend Wright, there are no whores or bastards here. And, if you believe otherwise, you should turn your buggy around and leave, now. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes... no... Well, perhaps we'll have to agree to disagree for the time being," the man answered, curtly, which Colleen felt was a strange tone for someone proposing a compromise.
"No. I don't think we'll agree to disagree. Now, or ever. So, just ride on back to town.
"Perhaps, you should take the time to get to know your parishioners before you go around talking about them." She made a shooing motion, and repeated, "Go along, get going."
"I can't leave without fetching the child. The family I've found is most anxious to have him." Then, after a short pause, added, "It is a boy, isn't it? They particularly want a boy."
"I don't care what they want," Miranda said. "Now, I believe the best thing for you to do is exactly what I said a moment ago, turn your buggy around and leave. You aren't taking Jacob, now or ever!"
"I am here for the child," the man repeated slowly, but more loudly. "As the pastor of this flock, no matter how far afield some may have strayed, it is my duty to care for you all. And, that often includes making hard choices for some of you."
*****
Miranda heard Kathy approach the door. The older woman gave Colleen a meaningful look, and she moved around Miranda and bolted off toward the barn.
In the meantime, Miranda descended from the porch. She and the minister continued to glare at one another, while maintaining an uncomfortable silence.
The door opened again and Kathy peered out, asking, "Is there something wrong?"
"No, dear. Go back to Jacob. Colleen and I will be back inside in a moment."
"Yes, ma'am," was all the girl said, before stepping back and closing the door. But Miranda could feel the child peeping though the kitchen curtain.
She was about to tell their unwanted guests to leave, again, when Colleen came back across the yard, closely followed by Jake.
Colleen scooted past the buggy and back up onto the porch. But, Jake walked up to the man and said, "Sir, I believe the lady has asked you to leave more than once. And, if you are a man of God, as you claim to be, I can't imagine why you would force yourself, or your beliefs on Mrs. Hendriksen. Or," Jake finished, "anyone else."
The man held his hand out to Jake. Apparently, he felt that he was now dealing with someone in authority, another man. "The thing is," he said to the farm hand, "I'm trying to get these women to understand that I'm here doing God's work. And, one of the most important things that needs doing, and something that needs doing as soon as possible, is to take the girl's bas..." He paused a moment, and then began again, "I mean the illegitimate boy to his new, God-fearing parents."
"I beg your pardon," Jake said, in disbelief.
"Ah, I'm afraid you've been allowing the women around here to guide your thinking. A sad and reoccurring tendency in this town.
"As a man, you really need to maintain you superior position."
"Mr.... ah, sorry, I didn't catch your name." However, when the man didn't provide it quickly enough, Jake continued speaking, "Mrs. Hendriksen owns this farm. And, at present, I work for her."
"Well, then I can understand why you've submitted yourself to her control, to protect your job. And the name was Wright, Reverend Wright." He stared at Jake for a moment and then added, "However, I can't say I recall seeing you at church since I arrived, either. Perhaps, you could act as an example to these... ah... women."
"Listen, Wright," Jake growled, "I don't particularly like the way you're speaking about the ladies. Or, how you are attempting to insinuate yourself into what is clearly their business and not yours. So, perhaps—"
"I told you, it's Reverend Wright. And, I'm trying to bring some lost sheep back into the fold. Since you are merely an employee, I will redirect myself to the who..." Wright began, but when he caught sight of Jake's face, and amended his word to, "ah... the ladies."
Jake stood his ground.
*****
Miranda stepped back up to the porch and edged towards the house, making sure she stayed between the annoying man and the back door where she could actually feel Kathy's eyes on them.
In her most lady-like, modulated voice, she reiterated, "We'd already planned on coming to church this Sunday. Although, now... I... I believe we'll need to rethink it. You know, talk things over again.
"However, I'm sure we'll come to church, when and if we choose to. But, after meeting you, I'm not at all sure it will be your church. And, you are absolutely not taking Jacob or anyone else with you.
"Now, I'm asking you one last time to leave. And before you refuse, I should tell you I have a rifle just inside the back door. I'm sure you don't want me to resort to forcibly running you off my property. But, I assure you, I won't hesitate. No, I won't hesitate for a moment.
"Or, perhaps you would like me to have the sheriff arrest you for trespassing.
"Good day, Reverend Wright!" With that, she stepped back into the open doorway and waited.
But Wright still didn't leave. He didn't even climb back up on the buggy. Instead, he turned and walked towards Jake. "Mr... .ah, I'm sorry, I don't know your last name."
"It's Kennedy, Reverend. Jake Kennedy."
"Ah, I see. A Papist. Still, as a man, you should appreciate my wisdom in these matters. And, this is especially true about removing the bast..." He regrouped again and continued, "I apologize... the illegitimate child. His upbringing is too important a job to be left to an under aged chit."
"You know, I've been in this town for a little over six months now, and attended church services fairly regularly before the weather closed in. You are the first and only person to assume from my name I'm Catholic, or pass judgment on me, whether that assumption is correct, or not.
"I believe Mrs. Hendriksen has already told you there are no whores or bastards here. The same is true about 'chits', or any other derogatory term you or your wife can think of to use.
"Now, she's asked nicely for you to leave. And, she has repeated that request more firmly, several times. Yet, you have still chosen to ignore her.
"I assure you she won't hesitate to take more forceful, dangerous, and possibly deadly means to remove you from her property."
Miranda really expected Wright to jump onto his buggy and take his wife and himself out of harm's way. But instead, he moved closer to Jake, as if he wanted to say something he hoped she wouldn't be able to hear. Unfortunately for him, she had excellent hearing.
"Listen," Wright said, in what he considered a whisper, "I realize you are in a difficult position. But, these... ah... girls... They're already ruined—probably beyond redemption. And, if they're allowed to remain in the community their taint will only tarnish more.
"Now, the bast... the children might have a chance, if we get them away from the... women as soon as possible. By taking them from these fallen women, we might be able to save their souls."
"That's it!" Jake snapped. He stepped up to the older man until their noses almost touched, and said, "You are even more of a pompous idiot than I'd heard. And, seriously, I didn't believe that was possible. Because I'd heard you were really quite possibly the most stupid man ever born.
"Just go, now." He stepped back and was about to turn towards the barn again when Wright caught hold of his sleeve. "If you don't let me go, I'm going to..." Jake told him, before he jerked back, to free his arm. Then he made a move to leave, before he stopped, and said, "Oh, what the devil..." and punched the minister in the eye.
Mrs. Wright screamed as Jake turned and calmly walked back to the barn. Miranda ignored the woman's cries of hysteria, and stepped back inside the house and shut the door, before she peeped through the curtain.
After several minutes, the clergyman staggered over to the buggy, and, with the help of his wife, got back up into the seat. Then they finally did what they'd been asked to do, they left.
*****
Frank was finishing up his instructions to the deputy he was about to leave in charge for the night when the door opened and Reverend Wright walked in. And, once again, he was sporting an injury.
Frank looked at his deputy, and said, "Why don't you go in the back and start a pot of coffee?" Then he dropped into his desk chair and, shaking his head in disbelief, asked, "Not again? Since you hadn't been here in almost a month, I had, naively, believed you had learned your lesson.
"Well, that's not exactly true. I mean I have been in church. I've heard your sermons. Or rather, what you pass off as sermons. And, of course, the things you say before and after church.
"Who decked you this time?"
"That Hendriksen woman's hired hand. Jack... no... Jake... Jake Kennedy."
"He almost never comes into town. How did you manage to annoy him?"
"My wife and I drove out there on a mission of mercy. We went to encourage those women to come to worship. And, of course, to pick up the baby that whore dropped—"
"What?" Frank said, incredulously.
"It took some doing, but we found a family willing to take the child and raise it as their own. Well, it was really my wife who found them. Apparently, their own baby died several months ago. She heard the poor man telling someone how hard his wife had taken it. They have girls and were ecstatic when they finally had a boy. But, then he died. So, of course, we both saw immediately what God wanted. He wanted to give the bast... ah... the child to this couple."
"Are you insane? What special privilege do you believe you, or anyone else, has that gives you the authority to remove a child from his mother?"
"I told you. It's God's will."
"I will tell you this one last time. Mind your own business. And, that goes for your wife, as well."
"But—"
"Wright, get out of my office now, or I'll blacken your other eye."
The pastor sputtered, but was at least heading towards the door, when Frank added, "I truly think you need to listen this time. You're running out of places that can be hit, without getting seriously injured."