John leaned over and gently shut his son’s mouth, smiling at his grandson. Patina stepped closer, bringing her son to Theo for inspection. Theo reached up awkwardly for the child, shifting him to sit squarely on his lap. In the growing darkness, he examined the boy, noting his bright blue eyes and fair skin. He looked up at Patina questioningly.
Shyly smiling back at her young master, she shook her head yes to his unasked question. Amazed, he looked back down at his son, his heart pounding with emotion. Clearing his throat, he asked her, “Girl or boy?”
“He be a boy suh, I name him Drake, after his daddy.” She said shyly, her eyes glancing over to the elder gentleman.
“Drake” Theo breathed the name, he inhaled the toddler’s scent, the soft curls tickling his nose. The toddler suddenly laughed, a joyous and precious laugh and grabbed at his father’s nose. Surprise and delight filled Theo’s sad blue eyes; his sorrows forgotten. Theo fell immediately and helplessly in love with his son. His smile lit up his emaciated face and the old handsomeness blossomed forth. It was good to be home and Sarah long forgotten along with the war. He had a son now and he had Patina, who was still smiling at him, a glimmer in her eyes. Yes indeed, it was good to be home.
Slowly with the help of Cookie and Mary, Theo began to gain weight and regain his health. Patina constantly encourage Theo to eat. Mary and Cookie thought this very funny, as Theo followed Patina about the house like a lovesick rooster. Theo carried Drake around the farm with him, sitting in front of him on the horse. Theo rode with Tall Tom, both swinging back into old habits and old conversations.
Mary and Patina worked around the house, taking the babies as they went. Ida was a big helper, taking a dusting rag to everything below the knees. Soon the house smelled of lemon oil and sweet bayberry. The house glowed softly, the windows open, to receive the fragrant floral perfume from the garden. Mary went out each day to fight the weeds that were creeping all over the roses. She kept the garden up for the memory of Victoria. Ida pulled the weeds and the flowers, helping her mother out with great gusto.
Since Theo’s homecoming, Henry and Tom went back to their cabins. Patina remained in the house in the spare bedroom. Theo made nightly trips to the room and left before dawn. His spirit seemed to be rising and his good humor back to its normal affable zeal. He was seen many times, shoulder to shoulder with Tom, arguing vociferously about his ideas for agriculture. The summer was peaceful and prosperous. John was feeling better and was enjoying the children. He abdicated the farm over to Theo, though missing an arm, was fully capable of taking care all farm business. Over Patina’s protest, Theo took Drake with him about the farm. Like the sun, Drake rose and set in his father’s eyes, Drake was a daddy’s boy through and through.
Mary and Henry lay in bed with the children, Ida was patting her father’s bald head, laughing at the slapping noise. Victor lay contently at his mother’s breast, playing with the nipple. Life had settled down to a trouble-free tempo around the house. John seemed more at ease and he was eating better. He had lost quite a bit of weight since Victoria’s death. It was good to have Theo home again.
The days blended together, without Clark to make life miserable, laughter was effortless and the community breathed easier. There had been no more raids to the farm, the skeletal remains of the six deserters warned off any who thought twice about coming onto the property. There had been several visits from troops quartered near Hinesville. Theo had sent them on their way with nothing, telling them he had given the army all they were going to get, making his point with his army musket.
October brought gusting winds and bad news; a rider came to the house late in the afternoon. Mary was outside sweeping leaves off the porch. The rider came off the horse, out of breath, encrusted with road dust.
“Get your master, girl, make it quick, I ain’t got time to be waiting on your slow ass.” He said, spitting a long stream of tobacco. Mary felt the hairs raise on the back of her neck; the man was purely rancid. He could only be bringing bad news; she turned and ran into the house calling for Theo and John.
John was carrying Drake when he came out to the porch, seeing the ragged and dusty man, he held Drake closer to him. The rider tipped his hat and handed over a soiled envelope. He turned without another word and mounted his horse to leave. Mary came out on the porch, watching the man leave. He looked at her once more and spit a stream of tobacco.
Mary sent one of the children to fetch young master Theo. She knew deep in her heart it was bad news and she didn’t want John alone. She followed John into
