Threads of Love (24 page)

“I’m sure Addie’s had her share of difficulty dealing with your mother’s death,” Tessie stated, disquieted by the older girl’s attitude.

“Oh sure, poor little deaf Addie. Let’s all feel sorry for Addie,” Lydia spat mockingly, while twisting the ties of her bonnet.

Tessie glanced over and saw the look of sadness on Addie’s face. The child had been watching her sister’s performance and appeared to have a clear understanding of Lydia’s truculent attitude.

“I didn’t mean to discount the problems you’ve had to deal with, Lydia,” Tessie responded soothingly. “I doubt there are many young women your age who could have handled themselves as admirably under the circumstances. Tell me—where did Addie stay while you took your training as a Harvey Girl?” Tessie inquired, hoping to gain further information about their situation.

“She lived with some folks from the church. They said they could keep her while I took my training, but they’ve got ten kids of their own. There’s no way they could afford another one. I probably could have found some place for her if she could hear, but nobody wants an extra kid around if she has problems,” Lydia expounded.

“Was Addie born deaf?” Tessie questioned.

“No, she could hear up until a year ago. I don’t know what happened. She just couldn’t hear anymore,” Lydia answered.

“Did she slowly lose her ability to hear? Was she sick, and did she run a high temperature? Did she fall down and hit her head?” Tessie questioned in rapid succession.

“I don’t know,” Lydia responded, irritated that all of Tessie’s interest seemed directed at her sister. “What do you care anyway? It doesn’t make any difference
when
she quit hearing. She can’t hear now, and she’s a pain in the neck!”

“I’m sorry. I certainly didn’t mean to upset you,” Tessie quickly apologized.

“This woman is a doctor, Lydia. I’m sure that’s why she’s showing such interest in your sister’s ailment,” Charlie offered in an attempt to smooth the discussion between the two women.

“A doctor? I don’t believe it. A woman doctor! If that don’t beat all. Wish you’d have been around when my ma was so sick,” the young woman replied, shaking her head in disbelief. “Where you headed?” she asked Tessie.

“She’s going to Florence, same as you,” Charlie answered. “Dr. Wilshire’s going to be the new physician for the Santa Fe employees,” Charlie proudly announced to the young woman.

Tessie sat staring at him, wondering why he felt compelled to answer on her behalf.

“You been a doctor very long?” Lydia inquired.

“No,” Tessie and Charlie replied in unison.

“I believe that Mr. Banion feels qualified to speak on my behalf since he hastily read my résumé a few hours ago,” Tessie continued, with a grin on her face.

“I’m sorry. That was very rude of me, wasn’t it?”

“That’s all right. It’s just that I’ve been used to answering for myself the last several years,” Tessie remarked, causing all three of them to laugh and relieving some of the mounting tension.

“Your folks must have lots of money if they could send you for schooling to be a doctor,” Lydia stated, the sound of envy obvious in her voice.

“My parents died when I was twelve years old, Lydia,” Tessie answered. “I was very fortunate, however. My uncle Jon lived on the adjoining farm, and our grandmother lived with us also. Then a couple of years after my parents died, Uncle Jon married a wonderful woman. Nobody could have asked for a better substitute mother than Aunt Phiney. She encouraged me to use all of my God-given talents.”

“Yeah, well, my mother didn’t have a good job or good luck, so I’m stuck taking care of Addie. But it’s
my
turn now, and I’m not going to let her get in my way. I’m going to work at the Harvey House and meet me a man to take care of me,” Lydia retorted, flinging her head in a decisive nod.

Tessie thought the young woman looked almost triumphant—as though she had discovered the secret to a guaranteed happy life. It was obvious that Lydia thought the solution to her unhappiness was a husband to take over the burdens and responsibilities that had been thrust upon her. For now, however, she was mistakenly directing her resentment at what she considered the source of her problems—Addie.

“I hope everything will work out for both you and Addie,” Tessie stated. “If there is anything I can do to help, I hope you won’t hesitate to let me know,” Tessie offered. She didn’t know what she could do, but certainly both of these sisters needed a friend.

“Thanks,” Lydia answered. “Maybe you or your gentleman friend can help me find a way to keep Addie at the Harvey House,” she ventured.

“Do you think you could help, Charlie?” Tessie asked with a look of hopefulness.

“I’ll see what I can do,” Charlie answered, not certain he could be of much assistance but wanting to please Tessie. He watched her small smile develop more broadly and her cheeks take on a slight blush, her happiness evident at his remark. “I’m not promising anything,” he quickly continued, the remark directed more at Tessie than the two sisters.

“I understand,” Tessie interrupted. “I appreciate the fact that you are willing at least to make an attempt.”

“Well, don’t expect a miracle,” he responded.

“Why not? I’m sure that God is quite capable of a miracle for these two girls, and that may be the very reason you’re on this train,” Tessie answered in an authoritative manner.

“That may be so,” Charlie remarked, “but I had rather hoped it was because we were destined to meet and fall in love,” he said quickly before moving across the aisle and firmly squeezing her into the corner of the seat.

“Mr. Banion, just because you have agreed to assist these women does not mean I am giving you permission to make advances toward me,” Tessie retorted, attempting to put this brash man in his place.

“Now, Tessie, remember that you agreed to call me Charlie,” he replied, the humor in his voice causing Lydia to giggle.

“Looks like you’ve already got you a man,” Lydia teased. “I’ll go back up with the other women so you two lovebirds can be alone,” she said, giving them an exaggerated wink before she turned to move forward with her friends.

“Now, look what ideas you’ve put in her head,” Tessie reprimanded, giving a sharp jab with her elbow that landed in Charlie’s right side.

“Ouch! I thought you took an oath to heal, not do bodily harm to people,” Charlie complained, rubbing the spot where she had inflicted the blow.

“Oh, don’t be such a big baby,” she chided. “If that’s all it takes to turn you into a whimpering soul, you’d better never come to my office for treatment.”

He watched her give Addie a quick smile when she noticed the little girl observing their sparring match.

The train whistle exploded in two long blasts, signaling that they would soon be arriving at their destination. Tessie watched Addie as another shrill whistle sounded out into the late afternoon dusk, but there was no indication the child heard a sound.

A
mid clouds of billowing gray smoke, the train came to a hissing, belching stop, allowing the passengers to disembark onto a wooden platform. The sturdy brick station stoically guarded the rails while passengers entered and exited the trains in a flurry of activity.

“Harvey House is just this way,” Charlie stated, taking her arm as she stepped down from the train.

The establishment still carried the name Clifton Hotel, although Charlie was quick to tell her that it bore little resemblance to the old hostelry. Most folks now referred to it as the Harvey House.

The waitresses were dressed just like those Tessie had seen in Topeka. The black-and-white uniforms, with Elsie collars, black stockings, black shoes, and white ribbons tying back their hair did little to accentuate the femininity of the young women. The waitresses seemed to weave in and out among the tables with an ease and familiarity that belied the fact that most of them had been working for Fred Harvey only a short time. It was a superb testimonial to their training.

Charlie and Tessie were seated at a small table by themselves, although most of the passengers were at larger tables visiting and enjoying the attention being lavished upon them the minute they entered the establishment.

“What do you think of your new community so far?” Charlie asked, pleased that his companion appeared impressed by the surroundings.

“I must say, I am surprised,” she exclaimed delightedly. “My expectations didn’t include dining in such elegance. Who would have expected to find English china and Irish linen on the tables of a restaurant in Florence, Kansas?”

“Not many folks, I suppose,” Charlie agreed, “but more and more people will come to expect elegance at all of the stops along the Santa Fe.”

Tessie was sure that he was right, especially if they all measured up to the bill of fare presented at the Harvey House. “Would you like another cup of tea?” Charlie inquired, hoping she would be willing to linger a few minutes longer.

“If you don’t mind, I’d rather get myself settled. It’s been a long day, and I don’t think I could hold another ounce of food or drink,” she replied with a smile.

“I guess I’m just trying to keep you with me as long as possible,” Charlie admitted. “However, I’m sure you’re tired and would like to see your new home. Let me introduce you to the chef before we leave,” he said, directing her toward the kitchen doorway.

As they approached, Tessie could hear the sound of Lydia’s voice coming from the kitchen. It was evident that an argument had ensued, and from the sound of things, Lydia had met her match. Just as Charlie opened the kitchen door, Tessie heard someone yelling at Lydia to get her brat out of the kitchen.

“What’s the problem, John?” Charlie asked, walking into the kitchen with an air of authority.

“I’m not real sure. From the sound of things, one of the new waitresses has a little sister with her. Guess she thinks Mrs. Winter should allow the kid to stay in the dormitory,” replied the chef. “You know that’s not gonna happen. Mrs. Winter won’t let anyone sleep in those rooms unless they work here. Me?—I’m just trying to stay clear of the ruckus,” he stated, shrugging his shoulders and shaking his head in disgust.

“Say, John, would you consider hiring the little girl as a pearl diver?” Charlie asked, hoping the chef’s agreement would cancel out Mrs. Winter’s objection to Addie’s living with her sister.

“I don’t know. That little tyke couldn’t even reach the sinks,” he replied.

“What’s a pearl diver?” Tessie inquired, wondering if Charlie had lost his senses.

“Oh, that’s just a nickname we give the dishwashers,” the chef replied, his wide grin revealing a set of uneven white teeth sitting under an inky black mustache.

“Come on, Johnny. She could do it! The kid’s probably worked harder in the last year than most of the guys we’ve got laying track,” Charlie exaggerated, hoping to make good on his promise to Tessie and Lydia.

“I suppose we could turn one of those big tubs upside down and let her stand on it,” he replied.

It would be good just once to get the upper hand with old Mrs. Winter, decided John. She didn’t seem to have much of a heart, and John knew that she liked the power of her position. If the little girl had a job and was related to one of the Harvey Girls, Mrs. Winter would have to let her stay in the hotel with the rest of the hired help, he reasoned to himself. Maybe it would bring her down a peg or two if she realized the employees were going to stick together. Besides, he could use another dishwasher.

“Thanks, John. I owe you one,” Charlie responded, giving the chef a slap on the back and extending his hand.

“That’s okay, Charlie. She’s a cute little kid, and we can find something to keep her busy.”

The men had just finished their conversation when Mrs. Winter came bustling through the kitchen, obviously a woman intent on getting things settled.

“Ah, Mrs. Winter, you appear to be a bit frazzled this evening,” Charlie crooned. “I would think you’d be in good spirits with all this new help arriving,” he added.

“I’m glad to have the additional help, Mr. Banion, but not the additional problems! You can’t imagine the difficulties some of these women can create,” she stated, grabbing a dishcloth and vehemently rubbing a nonexistent spot on one of the counters.

“Perhaps I could be of assistance,” Charlie offered, hoping to entice her into a conversation regarding young Addie.

“I doubt that—not that you’re not capable, mind you. It’s just one of these new women brought a younger sister with her, expecting I’d allow her to live with the rest of us. There are rules, Mr. Banion. Some of these women, especially the new ones, just do not understand rules,” she stated, sure she had found a comrade in the personnel manager for the railroad.

“Yes, rules need to be followed. I agree,” he stated. “Isn’t it a rule that if you work in a Harvey House, you live there?”

“Of course,” she replied smugly, not realizing she had just been caught in his snare.

“Well then, you have no problem. That little girl is an employee of the House,” he retorted, watching as deep lines formed across her forehead.

“How can that be?” she asked, sure there had to be a misunderstanding.

“I hired her. She’s gonna be a pearl diver,” John answered.

“Whaaat? I don’t believe it. She’s too little to wash dishes, and you know it, Johnny,” she retorted, angry at the turn of events. The entire staff was now gathered in the kitchen listening to Mrs. Winter receive her comeuppance from the chef. They all knew that Johnny was the one person she wouldn’t upset. After all, he was one of the country’s finest chefs, and Mr. Harvey had brought him all the way from Chicago. Mrs. Winter didn’t dare cause a problem that would make Johnny unhappy. She turned on her heel and caught Lydia’s wide-eyed stare.

“She’ll have to sleep in the same bed with you,” she directed, her teeth clenched and jaw set.

“I bet you could find a cot somewhere if you tried real hard. After all, we run a hotel,” John called after the retreating matron. “I’ll see what I can do,” she retorted and marched from the room, trying to maintain an iota of dignity as her staff smiled at the back of the rigid form departing the room.