Stella actually looked relieved.
“Tea?” Rose stood and motioned for Stella to remain seated. “I’ll be back in a moment.” She hurried to the fire and poured two teas and put two strainers in the cup and two blocks of sugar, thankful for the sweetness and energy it would give them.
Stella wrapped her hands around the cup and sipped, a look of hope in her eyes. “Drink up now. Tell me is your chimney gone?”
“Yes, in a pile outside the house. We have broken windows and a bit of damage on the second floor verandah, it will have to be removed, and much loss of trees, but we have been blessed. Other houses on the block suffered much more damage than ours.”
“You are blessed.” Rose agreed, finding a smile on Stella’s face when she looked up.
“What?”
Rose noticed her hand covered her belly. “I felt movement. The child is all right.” She laughed then tears came right behind.
“Ah, Stella,” Rose set her cup down and scooted close so she could embrace her friend.
“I thought…I thought that because we were so blessed with our house and so many…so many…”
“So many died that you didn’t deserve to have your house and your baby?” Rose finished.
Stella sobbed into her hands. “Yes.”
“God is God Stella. There is nothing else we need to know.” She soothed her friend, tears falling off her chin because she, too, had her little baby.
Chapter 54
Ten days after the quake the people were slowly moving back into their homes. The men had traveled in groups, going to the houses that had young children or the elderly and cobbling up windows and doors so people could move in and begin their inside work. There were meetings in St. Michaels. That church had lost its beautiful spire. It lay crashed on the ground nearby. There were several cracks visible on the outside walls in Charleston’s oldest church.
The glassmakers and bricklayers were so busy they could hardly keep up. No ships had left the harbor, most having been tossed about like paper cut-outs with mere sheets for sails. Food supplies were low. Fishermen rowed boats out to fish.
Crews went about the streets clearing debris so wagons could be loaded and brought down the street. Another crew worked day and night to set up telegraph poles so the townspeople could be in touch with the outside world. Word was that the quake was felt as far north as New York. But no city was damaged more than Charleston and nearby Summerville which had the worst of it including open ground craters and sinkholes. Few houses were sitting square on their foundations in that small town.
Slowly families removed their tents from in front of their houses and the bravest moved inside without trepidation. Others worked inside and slept outside.
Rose’s family was back in their house. Thomas was quiet and somber, Rose knew from all he’d seen when he helped pick up and bury those who had died. Lily was quiet and reserved as well.
“It shore be good to be back in ‘dis house. Thank you Lord.” Portia declared one late September afternoon.
“It is.” Rose declared, picking up Carolina Jane and rocking her. And look how much she’s grown even since then.”
Suddenly a hush fell over the house. The chandelier in the foyer began swaying, slightly at first then the glass crystals started clinking. Portia knocked them all from their reverie when she shouted for everyone to get out of the house. Rose picked up the baby and flew out the front door and down the makeshift stairs Emmanuel had rebuilt.
Once all six of them were accounted for, Rose relaxed and stood out near the roadway. Then when she thought it had passed she heard a deafening crash. Glass shattering on marble…the chandelier.
Then the oddest thing. Bricks began falling from above. The parapet began a slow tumble. Everyone rushed further away just before it crashed as the noise split the air like a bolt of lightning. They just stared at it.
“Wait.” Emmanuel held his arm out, keeping anyone from going closer. “It ain’t done. Look up there.” He pointed.
Shingles from another part of the house began raining down and Rose saw a horrific hole in the roof on one side of the house as it collapsed inward where the parapet had been.
Once the noise stopped, no one spoke. Rose knew it was bad. Thankfully none of them had been inside. Others had suffered the same malady. Anytime there was another shake, someone’s already weak structure was weakened further.
Her heart stilled and in a single moment, she knew she could not stay. It would not be safe for any of them. Several people rushed over after they heard the noise, each one warning them not to go back in tonight. There might be more shocks.
Several men gathered to look over the new damage, among them Mr. Riley, the Captain from Ireland. He stood at the back alone and watched, hands in his pockets, a look of grief on his sunburnt face, his dark beard heavy on his face. Rose hurt for him.
With the baby still in her arms, she made her way over to him as he stood alone under the live Oak, what was left of it and stayed nearby. When he seemed to notice her, she spoke to him in a bit of Gaelic and when he turned his eyes toward her, she thought he was going to cry.
“I’m very sorry. Have I pained you?” she inquired, wishing she could pull the words back into her mouth. “I only meant…” What did she mean? She had no idea…and snapped her lips together.
“A lass from Ireland then?”
His voice possessed a tender timbre.
“Born to parents from Ireland. County Clare. I was born in Baltimore.”
“Ah. I see. County Galway here.”
Rose moved a bit closer and didn’t know what to say. She had planned to tell him that she met Patrice and little Colleen. But how could she now?
“Sweet little lass ya have there.” He gazed at the child.
Oh no, the infant reminded him of his daughter.
“I had a lass.”
His voice was so sad. She saw his Adam’s apple climb up and back down again.
“Yes, I know.”
“You know?”
“Yes, I met your wife and little Colleen.”
She saw him suppress tears and then smile. “Bonny lasses.”
“Indeed.” Rose agreed.
“Then ya met my girls? I’m glad to know it. My wife told me she met a young Irish woman straight off the ship. Seems my little….little one…scooted away from her muther and found you.”
“Yes, she found me.” Rose’s voice quavered.
“Then it be glad I am that it was so. That very first day.”
“I am glad, too.” She wiped away tears and felt her child wiggle.
“Well, then.”
Rose watched him straighten up and with a quick move, he removed an old hat, smoothed his hair back and said, “What needs to be done?”
“We have a hole in the roof, it seems.”
“Tis hours until dark. We can get a cover over it, if it isn’t too large.”
He joined the other men and Rose saw he was back with the living. She shook her head wondering at the power of men to suffer great pain and yet stay on their feet and fight for those who are left. She admired Captain Riley and reminded herself, she must do the same.
“Come on little lass. Time for your dinner.”
Chapter 55
Within a week’s time Rose had tickets to Ireland. The men she trusted in the community said it would take weeks if not months to repair the damage at the top of the house. Captain Riley had hired a crew to repair his ship and was headed back with a load of specialty hand-crafted furniture that the owner had in a storage building. The man had already lost some of his best pieces and since it would take weeks to repair the structure, he decided to send his most expensive pieces to England on the first ship out of the harbor. He was a well-known furniture maker and the sales would help raise money to rebuild.
Captain Riley made the offer to carry it over and was set to sail as soon as his ship was seaworthy. Rain threatened and his crewmen loaded the last piece before
the first drop touched a single one. Plus he had an immense order for special furniture coming out of London’s best shops to carry back for Charleston’s wealthy citizens who had lost everything.
Rose headed to the bank to visit Mr. Dalton. They had set up the tent again but rain was coming their way and Stella insisted she bring the baby and stay at her home. She didn’t want to leave Portia and Emmanuel but they had sent Lily along to help and insisted they would do much better knowing she and the child were in a safe house.
As it turned out, Rose, Lily and Carolina Jane got the last room in the Perry’s home. Foster and Stella had taken in children whose parents had died or were in the hospital. It was a lively house and Rose was glad to be with her friend, who now had a purpose to fulfill.
When Captain Riley had found out she had moved from her house, he came knocking at the Perry’s and offered to take her to Ireland when he heard she may be wishing to go back to her family. Rose accepted immediately.
Today she was going to put Emmanuel and Portia and Thomas’ name on a portion of her bank monies so Emmanuel could hire help to repair the house. He learned bricklaying as a young man and planned to teach the trade to Thomas. This would be the opportunity. The four of them rode in a buggy together, leaving the baby with Stella.
She never felt more sure of anything in her life. Captain Wyatt was not here and she knew he would not hear of their circumstances for weeks. She would face the banker herself and hopefully never set eyes on him again.
“Sir, Emmanuel wishes to open an account with you.”
“Mrs. Lovell, as you know you must have a considerable sum before you can open an account.”
“I don’t wish to open an account. Mr. Smith does.” She turned to Emmanuel.
“As I said…”
“How much is required, Mr. Dalton?” Rose interrupted.
“Five thousand dollars.”
Rose’s eyes narrowed, but she kept her peace.
“Then I wish to withdraw ten thousand dollars in cash.”
“Why of course.” He bowed slightly and made his way to the vault and came back with a large envelope.
She turned, dug into the envelope and handed Emmanuel five thousand dollars. She heard Portia gasp behind her. Thomas’ eyes were large.
“Now sir, Mr. Smith has five thousand dollars.”
“Mrs. Lovell, I’m afraid you’ll have to come back tomorrow. I must make sure who I am signing on as a patron of this bank. You understand I’m sure. It seems I remember you had to read the entire content of the last contract before you signed.”
He was reminding her of the time she asked him to come back for her signature. Again she schooled her features.
“Of course, Mr. Dalton. But I assure you, if that account is not open tomorrow, I shall withdraw all – all of my money from your bank, sir.”
Rose turned her back and the four of them walked out.
When they were safe in the buggy, Portia started whispering. “Miz Rose, you shouldn’t of done that. Dat man evil. He repay evil for evil.”
“Portia, Mr. Dalton will have it ready.”
“How you know that chile?”
“Captain Lovell’s entire fortune is in that bank. Mr. Dalton cannot afford to lose money. Especially in light of the fact he will make much more when people come to borrow for their homes. Believe me, he will open that account.”
Portia shook her head and chuckled. “You may be a slight little thing, but onct you set yo Irish mind on somethin’ you ain’t gonna change yer mind, dat’s for shore.”
“My father taught me the basics of fairness and to know there is a time for kindness and there is a time for firmness; it is time for the latter.”
They stopped in front of the Perry house. Emmanuel got down to help her and said, “Thank ya, Miz Rose.”
“Emmanuel, you are going to have that bank account and any money you need for the house repairs because it is going to belong to you and your family. I intend to make my way in Ireland.”
He stared, she knew, believing she had lost her mind like some of the people had done during their recent hardships.
“Miz Rose, we cain’t…you cain’t….”
“I’ll not hear another word. And…tomorrow, we’ll have money for repairs. You may want to make a list of supplies and men you wish to hire, Emmanuel. I hear bricklayers and builders are coming in from all parts of the country to work.”
“Yes ma’am.”
She heard the joy in his voice and saw the tear in his eye. “Go on now.” She said. “Tomorrow is going to be a busy day. Oh…and mind you and Portia can make whatever revisions to the house that you see fit. I do know Portia loves blue….” She waved and they were off.
Running up the stairs, her steps light as air, her heart singing, she burst into the house and called for Stella.
Her friend came running. “What is it. Another quake?”
“Oh dear no. Nothing like that. I’ve made a decision Stella. I’m going back to Ireland on Captain Riley’s ship. He leaves in exactly sixteen days!”
Stella embraced her, happy at first, then in tears. “Oh my, I’ve never cried so much in my entire life.” She wiped tears off her cheek as they stood arm in arm. “You are going back home to your beloved Ireland.”
“I never thought Ireland my home, but it is what I’m made of. Irish to be sure.” She said as she realized for the first time, she truly was going home to family. “Let’s eat before my daughter wakes up. I’m famished.” She announced.
Stella followed, her hand across her growing belly. Rose hoped one day she would be as big as Stella was right now, with her second child.
She never felt more sure of anything in her life.
Chapter 56
The next morning Rose chose her finest dress. A rose colored satin with crème lace, matching bonnet and parasol. Today was going to be special. Emmanuel, Portia, Thomas and Lily would have their bank accounts.
When they entered the bank, through a side door, since the front entrance was still unsafe, she saw Mr. Dalton in his office. His secretary announced their visit and they were shown to a large room with a long table. Each took their seats.
“We look all right, Miz Rose?” Portia pulled at her sleeves nervously, stuffing her handkerchief in and out of her sleeve at her wrist.
“Very fine.” She said and set her parasol aside. “It’s an incredibly sultry day.” She fanned herself with a cardboard fan left on the table for such times.
Mr. Dalton walked in, looking like, Rose thought, that he’d not had a wink of sleep. She doubted he did. For he was in a quandary. Either he opened an account or she would ask for her husband’s entire fortune to be withdrawn via a bank check. She had only learned the true amount when she asked for it yesterday and could easily have fainted dead away. She had somehow managed to hide the surprise on her face. The first time she was ever strong enough to act unconcerned as though she knew the figure all along.
“Mrs. Lovell.” He grumped ignoring her friends.
“Sir.” She held her head high, her shoulders back, as her mother always said to do. “Have we papers to sign?”
He shoved papers her way with a false smile. The same one he used on her as a young woman months ago when he came for the signatures.
Rose studied them an overlong time. She could see he was pulling at his sleeves and nervous as a cat. The figures were correct right down to the penny. She passed the papers concerning the new account to Emmanuel.
“Mr. Smith, I believe your signature is required here.”
She gave Mr. Dalton the envelope with the other five thousand dollars in it and said, “I wish to invest in Mr. Smith immediately.”
“All of this is to go in his account?”
She heard the ugliness in his voice and gave him a look. “It is.”
“Is ten thousand enough to repair the house Emmanuel?” she asked politely. For if you need more . . .”
“I believe it is, Miz Rose.”
&n
bsp; “Then once you have agreed and affixed your signature, I believe we are through here.”
“Yes ma’am. Emmanuel signed his name in perfect penmanship.”
Rose felt proud to know him.
“Oh Mr. Dalton, since I have invested the full amount of my withdrawl, I shall be needing a bank check for an additional thirty thousand immediately.”
“What? Thirty thousand more?”
“Yes, sir. Thirty thousand.”
He got up and huffed out. Rose expected him to tarry long, but he was back in five minutes with a check. He wanted them out of there.
When all papers were duly signed, Rose stood.
“Mr. Dalton, thank you.” She turned to leave and remembered something.
“Oh by the way are you still interested in buying my house back? I believe you mentioned something about owning it again.”
He gave her a good, long stare.
“Because if you are, Mr. Emmanuel Smith owns it now. You may make him an offer if, of course, he wishes to sell.”
Rose felt a bit of shame creep up into her face.
“I never wish to own that house.” He spit out and left them standing there.
Chapter 57
“Miz Rose you done growed up into a woman.” Portia said when they were out of earshot.“Got yourself a little baby and going to Ireland . . .”
Rose heard Portia’s voice give way.
“Oh Portia don’t talk like that. I need to go home and you need this house.”
“Chile I don’t need no house. I’s got everthing I want. My Emmanuel, my grandchildren. Jesus done said ‘dis ain’t our home anyways.”
“Yes he did.” Rose agreed. “But blessings come to the faithful. When you sow you reap. And you have been faithful to us. Long before I arrived you took care of Captain Lovell and his wife and then me. You can do with the house what you wish. Perhaps the Lord has something for you to do.”
Portia stopped in her tracks. “You think dat be why He done give it to us?”