C. C. Phillips
C. C. Phillips
Preston Diamond had been so near death when he arrived at the Brannigan farm that Davy thought it best not to try to get him to the doctor. They still had some of the medical supplies Preston had brought from Doctor Filmore's clinic and Lily tended to the wound. Lily and Amy took turns sitting up with Preston during his four days of delirium and unconsciousness.
Diamond stayed at the Brannigan's for two more days and then talked Davy into moving him to Diamond/Tweed farm. Lily argued against it, but finally agreed, on condition that she would stay with Preston until he was better.
Jerome, the mule, pulled the wagon; Rascal was led along behind. Preston endured the jouncing though he made his lip bleed from biting back the pain. They stopped in Conception and Lily fetched Diamond's mail. He pocketed the letters, planning to read them when he was settled in at home. Preston refused to go to Filmore's clinic. “He can't do anymore for me than Lily can. And we have supplies at home.”
Rufus Tweed anxiously watched the approach of the strange wagon. When he recognized Rascal tied behind, the black man ran forward.
He was torn between joy upon seeing his young partner again, and fear for the lad's recovery. “Oh! Press, Rufus tol' yo, no good agwyne come o' yo ahuntin, dos bad mans. Now yo gon' an' got yosel' shot.”
They made a bed in the parlour so Preston wouldn't have to contend with the stairs. Gratefully he eased into the soft covers and fell asleep. Davy and Amy Brannigan took their leave and Rufus made Lily feel at home. She was given Colonel and Mrs. Diamond's bedroom on the main floor. Rufus had not moved in there yet; he had taken the spare room next to Preston's upstairs.
When Preston awoke in the evening, Rufus came and sat by his bed. He had been working on the farm and made a few visits to Conception since Preston and General Grant had left. Several of the new hens Rufus and Preston had bought were laying eggs and Rufus had sold some in the town. On one of his visits to the village, the local law man interrogated Tweed.
“De sheriff he come up to me an' he say, 'Yo got paper dat say yo a free slave?' 'I say yessah, I got de paper righ' here.' He readin' m'paper an' I say, 'Dat siganjure on dat paper is Gen'al Ulysses Grant. Gen'al Grant, he mak' me a free man.' Dat sheriff's eyes dey big as Rufus's eyes an' he say, 'Damn! Dat is sign' by de Gen'al Grant hissel'.”
Preston grinned and asked, “And did the sheriff give your papers back to you?”
“De sheriff he gibb dem righ' back.” Rufus's face stretched into an ear-to-ear smile. “An' den, nex' tam I gwyne back to de town ebbery one sayin' “Dat black man, he a frien' o' Gen'al Grant.' An' in de sto', de's a black girl aworkin'. Press, dat black girl, she asmilin' at Rufus!”
“What is the girl's name, Rufus? Did you ask her her name?”
“Yeah, Press. She call' May-a-belle.”
“Maybe she'll be May-a-Belle Tweed someday, Rufus?”
Tweed's smile stretched a little more.
Preston, having slept most of the afternoon, did not retire when his companions did. He lay on the bed and reread the mail, two letters, that Lily had brought from the post office. One was an official note from the Union Army announcing Colonel Diamond's death. Preston couldn't imagine why they had bothered to send the letter as they had presumed the family dead. The other note was from Rebecca Unzer.
Dear Adam:
Colonel Unzer is doing well. He is out of bed now and moves about the house. He hasn't ventured out of doors yet, but I am pleased with his recovery.
The day after you left, General Engels stopped by. He was looking for you. He and James talked for awhile but he did not say why he wanted to see you.
We heard that Citadel Crossing was attacked by rebel troops. Our side suffered casualties but I don't know if Corporal Peters was among them.
Engels says that General Grant may be forcing Lee to surrender. If Lee is stopped, the others will not be long in surrendering, too. I do wish this war would end. For long, I have feared for Colonel Unzer's life and now that he is safe, it is you that keeps me awake at night. I had a terrible dream that you were wounded and all alone. Please be careful, Adam. Life is so precious.
Yours sincerely,
Rebecca
Next day, Lily took it upon herself to tidy up the house, not that Preston and Rufus were slovenly, but the place lacked the care Señora Diamond had given it. Diamond was able to put part of his weight on the leg. Rufus whittled a willow cane for him to use and Preston hobbled to the barn before he had to sit down. He feared he might be lame the rest of his life.
Over the next few days, Diamond often thought about the black ride to Brannigan farm. He knew that his parents had led him there, but he told no one. One afternoon he asked Lily to go through his mother's wardrobe. “If there are any clothes that you would like, you are welcome to them. I… I think Mother would like you to have them.”
Though she longed to try them on, Lily felt embarrassed to don the lovely dresses. Preston assured her it would be alright. He tried not to stare when Lily first came out of the bedroom dressed in a beautiful gown. He remembered that his mother had worn it to Ford's Theatre on the family's last visit to Washington. His eyes clouded; Señora Diamond had been so beautiful. His father was always proud to bursting with her on his arm. Lily was pretty and she looked lovely in the gown, though she didn't fill it out as well as Constantina. “You look lovely, Lily,” Preston said softly.
Lily told Preston she knew how to sew and said she could make the dresses fit her and Amy. “I doubt that I shall ever be at a ball or anything where I could wear the gowns. They are so lovely, Preston. I will cherish them always.”
Preston thought she might kiss him again, but she didn't. He decided he would have liked her to.
Lily only took a few of the clothes and Preston asked that she take more. “Fill the trunk if you like,” he said, “and you can keep the trunk, too.”
In the end the young lady helped herself to about a quarter of Señora Diamond's clothes; the one small extravagance the Diamond's enjoyed in their nomadic life. Preston wondered if Rufus's May-a-Belle might wear the clothes someday, too.
On the fifth day back at Diamond/Tweed farm, Preston was getting around without the willow cane. The leg was tender and he either limped or walked a hop step. Rufus saddled the gelding and Preston climbed aboard by himself. It hurt but he stayed there. When he saw the blood stained fender and the furrow in the thick leather, Preston recalled the impact of the bullet and Rascal's bucking fit. There was a thin scar on the horse's shoulder. Diamond had been lucky Rascal allowed him back in the saddle that night.
As previously arranged, Davy Brannigan returned to pick up his sister. Amy was with him and she could not contain her excitement when Lily opened the trunk to show off the new clothes. Preston and Rufus thanked Lily for her nursing and all the work she had done. The trunk and Lily's bag were loaded into the wagon, Amy and Davy climbed aboard. Preston offered his hand to help Lily up, she took it then turned to him. He kissed her.
Davy grinned, Rufus smiled and Amy's mouth dropped open.
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