Tenderness (14 page)

“Good Heavens! Oh, my dear, no wonder you’re so upset.” Jesse put her arms around Pauline’s shaking shoulders. “Did he hurt
you?”

“He… killed my… pride. He looked at… the part of me I’ve not even seen m-myself.”

“Did he go inside you?”

“With h-his… f-finger.” Pauline’s quivering voice was barely above a whisper. “Oh, Jesse, I’ve never been so helpless, so
humiliated. It was… a nightmare.”

“Of course it was. The beast!”

Once the words started to come, they poured out of Pauline like the water from a broken dam. She told of being awakened, blindfolded
and tied, of the man looking at and feeling her naked body. When she finished, a deep, hoarse sigh came from her and she seemed
calmer.

“He’s a wicked monster!”

“Thank God he didn’t rape you.”

“He did with his hands… and his eyes,” she stated angrily.

“Have you told the marshal?”

“No! I’ve not told a soul. And don’t tell anyone. Please!”

“The marshal should know. He won’t spread your name around.”

“How do I know? It could be him.”

“Oh, Pauline, not Dusty. He was a friend of my stepmother before Papa and I came to Harpersville.”

Pauline turned quickly when the door to her classroom opened.

“I didn’t know you were still here, Miss Anthony. I thought to borrow your slide rule. Mine seems to have disappeared. Hello,
Miss Forbes. It’s nice seeing you again.”

James Crane’s Adam’s apple slid up and down his long neck and his small mouth beneath his rather large bony nose smiled shyly.
Jesse felt rather sorry for the young man her sister had nicknamed Ichabod Crane. The boys in the upper class had given him
a rough time until he thrashed one with the razor strop. Jesse was sure his action had surprised him as much as it had the
boys.

“Here’s the rule.” Pauline spoke abruptly.

“Thank you. Sorry I interrupted your visit.” He backed out the door as if he couldn’t get away fast enough.

“Do you think he heard?” Pauline asked frantically.

“I’m sure he didn’t. If he had, he wouldn’t have come in. He would have waited to see what else he could hear.”

“That’s true. See, I’m afraid to look at every man I meet, even Mr. Crane, thinking it could be
him
and he’s looking at me, laughing at me, knowing how I look under my clothes.”

“I don’t think you need to worry about… Ichabod.” Jesse wanted to get a smile out of her friend, but it didn’t work. After
a moment she asked, “Was the man big, little, young or old? Were his hands soft or rough?”

“His hands were… kind of scratchy. He was clean-shaven and I could feel his hair on my… s-stomach, so he isn’t bald,” she
added bitterly. “When he moved across the floor and out the window, I didn’t hear a sound.” She gave a muffled whine of anguish.
“He held the tip of a knife to my cheek and… I was frightened almost out of my mind! It’s a wonder I can remember anything.”

“You must have been scared half to death. I only wish we had some idea of who he is so he could be watched and caught. Papa
thinks it’s someone from a nearby town.”

“I think it’s Wade Simmer!” Pauline blurted angrily.

The words went right through Jesse and sent a jab of pain along its path. She was shaken by the hardness in Pauline’s eyes,
by the straight, contemptuous line of her mouth. Her mind told her that what had been done to her friend was brutal, terrifying
and sick and that she was lashing out blindly.

“What makes you think it was Wade Simmer?” Jesse asked quietly.

“Everyone else thinks it’s him. He’s mean, isn’t he? He doesn’t socialize with anyone, acts like he’s better than everyone
here in Harpersville. And… he moves like a cat. When that… man went out that window, I never heard a sound. I’ve heard Wade
Simmer can walk up on a deer in the woods, and… he’s strange. Everyone says so:,

“That’s no reason to think he would be doing this despicable thing. Why would he try to socialize in town when people snub
him? I’d bet my life it isn’t Wade Simmer.” Jesse spoke so passionately that her friend looked at her intently. “I got to
know him while I was in the hills. He’s a quiet man who tends to his own business like Papa said. He just isn’t the type to
sneak around looking at naked women. He’d be more likely to go to the city and visit a loose woman.” The thought of Wade being
with a woman like that sent a shiver of dread down her spine.

“He was seen in town that night.”

“He goes to Ike’s garage to work on an engine they are building. He’s a caring person, Pauline. He cares that the boy Jody
gets an education and a chance to run in competition. He cares about his neighbors and the sick children. He went with me
on my rounds the first day and provided me with an escort the other days. He made the trip over to Coon Rapids to tell the
teacher to close the school. Papa trusts him and thinks it’s ridiculous people are saying these things about him. I think
it’s the Harpers that are spreading the rumors.”

“Why would they do that if they didn’t have some evidence?”

“They are a self-serving family. You know that. The Harpers and the Simmers have been at each other’s throats for years. It
started with their great-grandfathers. Another thing, and maybe the most important, I’ve heard that Wade has some money and
he didn’t put it in Harper’s bank. It could be as simple as that.”

“You sound as if you actually like him.”

“I… don’t dislike him,” Jesse said hesitantly.

“You actually talked to him?”

“Of course. The next time I go up there, come with me. Meet him and see if you still think he’s the type of man who would
crawl into a woman’s bedroom window.”

“You seem so sure—”

“I am, Pauline. Papa wouldn’t send me up there if he thought I’d be in any danger. The hill people treated me with utmost
respect.” Jesse crossed her fingers when she remembered Otis Merfeld. “I’d like for you to meet Mr. Simmer and Jody before
you make up your mind about spending the summer with us to tutor Jody and Todd.”

“Todd doesn’t need tutoring.”

“Exceptionally good grades will give Todd confidence and help him with his stuttering.”

“Mrs. Poole is going to her daughter’s for the summer, and I certainly don’t intend to stay in that house alone.”

“Then come stay with us.”

“Let me think about it.”

“You wouldn’t have to be alone with Jody if you’re afraid of him,” Jesse said.

“It isn’t that.”

“Will you go with me the next time I make my rounds and meet him and Mr. Simmer? I’ll arrange to go on a Saturday. Some of
the hill families are very poor, some are just shiftless; but most are good people. I liked them, Pauline. They were so grateful
for my help and gave me the best they had.”

Pauline went to the cloakroom for her hat and cape. When she came out she seemed more like her old self and smiled mischievously.

“What do you think of your father’s hiring a housekeeper?”

“It was a shock. Papa has asked me to give her a chance. Susan and Todd are unhappy with her, and, frankly, I don’t care for
the woman myself. I’m hoping to give her enough rope so that she’ll hang herself—in Papa’s eyes, that is.”

“I suppose Susan told you about our jam-making session?”

“She told me the two of you could do nothing right and were only allowed to pick the berries.”

“Allowed? Ha! The biddy is like an army sergeant. She commanded; we obeyed. We picked berries and washed them outside at the
pump. She made the jam and made sure Doctor Forbes knew about it. Oh, yes, she also
allowed
us to wash the jars.”

Jesse was relieved. This was the Pauline she knew. She laughed aloud and squeezed her arm as they walked out of the school.

“I can tell you’ll never be bosom pals with our housekeeper.”

“I’ll never be anything with your housekeeper if I can help it.”

“I think she’s got her sights set on Papa, Pauline. I don’t know what to do about it. It’s not that I wouldn’t want Papa to
remarry if he found a woman he could love and who would be a companion to him, but this woman is taking over too fast.”

“Maybe I should stay with you this summer. I know a few tricks that would make her life miserable.” Pauline laughed softly.

“For instance?”

“Well, we could put a garter snake in the flour barrel and rub itchweed on her bedsheets. Better yet, we can rub poison oak
on her pillow. That would fix that milk-white face! She’s as vain as a peacock. Did Susan tell you we call her Ghost-face?”

“She told me. Was that your idea, teacher?”

“No. I’d take credit if I could. Susan thought of it all on her own.” Pauline giggled happily and then became quiet as they
began to meet people on the street.

Jesse stopped to look into the window of the Efthim Mercantile.

“Oh, look, Pauline. Mr. Efthim must have a new shipment of dress goods. Do you want to look?”

“You go ahead, Jesse. I’d better get on home.”

Jesse shrugged. “I’ll walk you to the corner. I’m not in the sewing mood anyway.”

Mrs. Harper came out of the store as they moved down the walk.

“Jesse, my dear, dear girl!” she exclaimed, flinging her arm around Jesse and pressing her to her barrel-shaped body. Jesse
extracted herself as quickly as possible and stepped away. Ignoring Pauline, Mrs. Harper began to babble, “Oh, I’ve been so
worried about you, child. When Edsel came home to tell me you were staying in the hills to treat that… worthless trash, I
was beside myself with worry. Dear girl, I’m so relieved that you’re home. How in the world did you endure that awful experience?
Edsel threatened to scold your father for sending you up there.”

“I’m glad he didn’t, Mrs. Harper. My father wouldn’t have taken kindly to being scolded by Edsel. It was a wonderful experience.
I was able to help sick children and the hill people treated me with utmost respect—”

“But, dear, that awful man and his nigger live up there. You didn’t run into them, did you?”

“As a matter of fact I did. Jody, the colored boy, was kind enough to bring a note down to my father telling him I needed
medicine and to fetch it back to me.”

“Oh, my!”

“Mr. Simmer,” Jesse hurried to continue before Roberta Harper interrupted her, “was very helpful. He either escorted me himself
or found someone to escort me to the various homesteads each day.”

“Oh, my!” Mrs. Harper gasped again. “You poor, poor child!”

Jesse rolled her eyes toward Pauline. “We must be going, Mrs. Harper. Pauline and I are considering buying some of the new
dress goods Mr. Efthim just got in.”

“You should look across the street at the Emporium before you buy. They have a much better selection.”

“We’ll do that,” Jesse said and tugged on Pauline’s arm.

The two girls stood inside the mercantile and watched Roberta Harper move down the sidewalk until she encountered Mr. Crane,
the teacher. She stopped him and began to talk, and as they watched she pointed her finger toward the city park. He stood
with his chin almost resting on his chest and listened. Finally, with a toss of her head, Mrs. Harper moved on, and Mr. Crane,
with his ungainly stride, continued on down the walk.

“Poor man,” Jesse whispered as he passed. “She was giving him a lecture about something.”

“She probably wanted him to go wash the pigeon dodo off granddaddy’s statue.”

They left the store, and as they were passing the newspaper office, the door opened and Ethan Bredlow stepped out in front
of them. He quickly doffed his hat, a huge smile making creases in his cheeks.

“Hel… lo. We meet again. This must be my lucky day.”

Jesse nodded. “Did you get the job?”

“By the skin of my teeth. I had to show how fast I can sort type. What I really want to do is write feature articles, but
in this business you take what you can get.” His interested eyes traveled back and forth between the two women as he spoke.
Pauline had turned her face away and was gazing at some object across the street.

“This is Pauline Anthony. Pauline,” Jesse placed her hand on her friend’s arm to get her attention, “Meet Mr. Bredlow.”

“Ethan Bredlow, ma’am. How do you do?”

“Hello.” Pauline spoke curtly and turned away again.

“I can say one thing about Harpersville; they’ve got the prettiest girls in Tennessee.”

Jesse laughed. “You’re speaking from experience? You’ve been in every town in Tennessee?”

Ethan’s expression was not the least bit sheepish. His grin widened. “You’ve caught me up there. Guess I have to add that
Harpersville has the smartest girls too.”

“I’m going, Jesse.” Pauline said. “See you later. Nice meeting you, Mr. Bredlow.” Her tone of voice indicated complete disinterest.

Ethan chose to ignore her cool manner and said, “We’re going the same way. I’ll walk you to the corner.”

Pauline turned on him, her face reflecting a fight for control of her emotions. “You’ll do no such thing.”

“Gol… ly! What’d I do?” he said to the retreating back held stiff as a board. With his hands on his hips he turned to Jesse
with a concerned look on his face. “She acts as if I’ve got the plague.”

“It isn’t you,” Jesse said quickly, seeing the bewildered look on his face. “My friend has a lot on her mind right now.”

“I’m relieved to know that. I mean I’m sorry she’s troubled but relieved to know that I wasn’t the reason she was out of sorts.”
His engaging smile returned. “May I walk
you
to your corner, Miss Jesse?”

“I’ll be glad for your company,” Jesse replied, and she meant it when she saw Edsel waiting in front of the bank. “Where are
you from, Mr. Bredlow?”

“Ethan, please. I was born in Arkansas, raised in Missouri, worked in Iowa, Illinois and Ohio. Guess I’m a roamer. Done a
little of this, a little of that, but the ink in my veins just won’t go away. I’d love to have a newspaper in a little town
about this size.”

“Do you plan to stay a while?”

“As long as I have a job.” They walked in silence for a few minutes, then he said, “Mr. Marsh tells me you’re a nurse and
your father is a doctor. I think I feel a fever coming on.”