Heaven's Gate Bridge twenty-one

Heaven’s Gate twenty-one
Mr. Miller knew that he was expected to return to the shop to check on the work done and the money collected. He was not happy to drive on the roads in the rain and on coming darkness. The roads had bad bumps in the ordinary dry times, but rain puddles made it harder for people to miss the bumps. The rain had changed from light to a little harder with a small wind that caused the trees to sway and the laundry to whip in the air.

Frances went directly to her room to get into her night clothes and the clean warm bed. Catherine and the boys had made some sandwiches from the left over turkey that he had carved up yesterday. On the stove was a pot of potatoes that Mrs. Hunt had peeled. The peas were shelled and ready to be cooked. The kitchen was starting to smell nice with warm, tasty food.

“Oh children, I see that you have done a fine job on dinner. I will be going to the shop for about an hour and then come home. We can eat then. Of course your mother is tired and I think will want to rest. Catherine go up and see what she wants to eat. Harriet, oh well,” he stopped because he was not sure she would understand him.

“Father, I will try to watch your lips. I can do something. What do you want?” she asked as she stepped closer.

“Sweetheart, I want you to set the table and watch the boys. Make sure that Buddy doesn’t get into anything.” he said. He looked at the window to see if the intensity of the rain had changed.

“I’ll help her,” said Catherine as she handed Harriet an apron to put on. Catherine gave Harriet a cup of tea that she had made for her mother and pointed up to their parent’s bedroom.

Harriet nodded and quietly went upstairs. When she was at her mothers’ bedroom door, she knocked. She tried to see if she could hear a response but opened the door carefully and put her head part of the way though.

“Mother, I have some tea that Catherine made for you. “ she said as she moved her head further into the room.

“Oh Harriet? Is that you? Come in.” responded her mother in a soft voice. She was in bed with covers pulled up to her chin. The red measles spots were visible even with the one light on. Her mother’s face seemed a little pale and her hand was very warm.

“Mother. I am sorry you got my measles. I feel that it is all my fault.” she said as tears began to form at the corner of her eyes. She dropped her head down and the tears started to flow.

“Harriet.” Mrs. Miller said as she tried to sit up a little. “It is no one’s fault. You did not go out and bring those measles germs home. The germs could have come from anyone.” She patted her daughter’s hand. “You and Catherine got sick and I am your mother. I don’t care what disease you would have had. I would have taken care of any of my children to make them better. That’s what mothers do.” She looked at the tea cup in Harriet’s hands. “Please put the cup on the table. I’ll drink it in a minute when it cools.”

Harriet put the cup on the table and walked out of the room. She had always wanted to help people.

At the shop
Mr. Miller finally arrived at his shop after a few harrowing bumps on the road. He was not sure that there might have been something in the road like a big hole that could have damaged his tire. He would check his car later when he got home. His first concern was to make sure that everything went smoothly during his absence. He trusted both of his employees but he wanted to make sure that they understood that he kept an eye on things.

“Ah Mr. Miller, I knew that I would see you before the time to leave.” said Taylor as he came through the curtain with a broom in his hand.

“Yes Mr. Munson. Today was not a great one but we will get back on the road to good health soon enough.” he replied as he removed his wet coat and put it on a hanger. He looked around to see that everything was in it’s proper place. His eye landed on a few pieces of paper behind the counter.

He noticed that it was a bill that had arrived for Mr. Miller to pay. He had opened the letter and was going to put it on the desk before he left.

“Hm. It looks like our bill from the factory that makes our cloth we use. Oh goodness. “ he said as he looked closer. “I think that they may have billed us for something we did not order. I will check my copy tomorrow. Is Mrs. Smith still here?”

“Yes she is. She came in late and I documented her arrival time. Do you want me to call her?” he asked as he turned to get her.

“No. You may go. I think that the rain has let up and you might want to see if you can get home before it returns. Do you still go over the bridge?”

“No. I am going to visit a friend tonight. I just need to walk a few block. Thank you for asking.” he said as he grabbed his coat and hurried to the door. “Good evening sir. I will see you in the morning.”

“Good evening. Don’t get wet.” Mr. Miller added as he went into the back to check on his other employee.

He saw that the work room had been cleaned up to his approval. Mrs. Smith was finishing the trousers of a gentleman who always seemed to be tearing his clothes at business trips. She lifted her head and gave a small smile.

“Good evening sir. I hope all went well with your appointment.”

“Yes we will all be fine. “ He walked up to the trousers to give a brief inspection of her work. “Mr. Munson told me the time that you arrived. I do hope that this will not become a habit. I need someone who is dependable.”

“Oh to be sure Mr. Miller. I am sorry but I left you a note.” she replied as she cut the thread to the sewing that she had just finished. She put the pants on a hanger and hung it on a rod. “The lady who takes care of Nora had to run to the store and was late. I told her that I needed to be on time.”

“Yes. Well. I must give you a warning. Let’s be on time.” he said and walked to his desk to check for new cards and other mail that needed to be attended to.

“I will. Do you want me to make up some of the time now, or maybe tomorrow?” she stood at attention.

“Oh. Um. Let’s do it tomorrow. I don’t like the weather and I need to go home myself.” he said as he sat down at his desk.

“Thank you sir. I’ll plan to stay an hour tomorrow.” she said as she picked up her purse and empty lunch bag. She put on her jacket and started for the door. Her thoughts were on that five dollars that she would use to buy that lovely meat that Mr. Norton the butcher said that he would save for her and Nora. “Good evening.”

Mr. Miller did not respond. He was looking at the mail which had two bills. He was finally making the business profitable. However he knew that with the extra baby coming, he might have to make some adjustments.