The doctor was always trying to help anyone in need. He didn't always get paid for his services, but the look he saw on peoples faces, it's all he really needed. Now, some of the people in town didn't approve of his methods. They thought it was a disgrace that he treated black people in the same manner he treated white. Some of these same people would rather die from some ailment than let him treat them. Not once did they think it could end mean the difference between life and death. But, them people were stubborn. Or foolish, depending on which side of fence you're standing on.1
My story actually begins with the doctors new assistant. She was the widowed mom of little boy, that was always getting into mischief. His name was Toby, and she was called Ms. Johnson. When she had arrived in town, the doctor was a bit surprised to say the least. He had been sent a letter saying to be expecting an assistant, but he had thought it would be a man getting off that train. To say the least, he was caught off guard. 2
Now, Ms. Johnson, she wasn't your typical female. She had married young and been widowed young. She hadn't been married a year when Mr. Johnson was killed in a car wreck. Some kids had been playing chicken on the main street in her town, and her husband happened to get hit by one of the drivers, as they had veered off course. Both drivers were killed that night. The force of the impact basically made both cars explode. 3
Little Toby hadn't been born yet, so he never knew his dad. Ms. Johnson went on bed rest after the accident, her family worried she would lose the baby. Toby Lee Johnson came into this world on June 24Th, screaming at the top of his lungs. For the most part, he was a content baby. Didn't even cry that much when he would get sick.4
About four months after he made his appearance, Ms. Johnson decided she needed to get a job. Her family was willing to support her, but it just didn't sit right with her. She had always been interested in helping people when they were sick, so it seemed like the right decision to look into nursing. But in all the classes she took, nothing could prepare her for what would happen that day she got off the train.5
Dr. Scott was at the station, holding a sign that said 'Johnson'. He saw a woman and child looking his way, and thought they must be looking at someone behind him. As they approached, he noticed both had deep green eyes, that held a guarded look. When the woman held out her hand and said, "Thank you for meeting us", the doctor thought there must be some mistake. 6
"I'm waiting for a Mr. Johnson", he replied. 7
Little Toby spoke up and said, "Well, that would be me then, sir."8
Looking at Ms. Johnson, feeling his face turning red, he realised his mistake and promptly apologised. "Pardon my mistake, I had been under the impression I would be meeting a man today, as I had been told to teach my new assistant everything I know. Please except my apologies Ms. Johnson."9
Extending her hand to him again, she smiled, "Justine, please. As we're to be working together, I think it would be best to rid ourselves of the formalities. And I understand your confusion Dr. Scott. It's still not widely excepted for a woman to be practicing medicine, real medicine. I was informed you were the only doctor around and that you treat colored and whites, with no preference. I figured that says a lot about a man. You don't believe in repression, and neither do I. I thought we would work well together, which is why I requested being sent here."10
Hearing that, well, it pretty much knocked the doctor back on his heels. He hadn't known his assistant had requested to be sent to this town, but he figured he would take it for what it's worth. With all the vigilantes running around, he wasn't getting much sleep. But he thought he owed it to her to let her know what she was getting herself into. He had no sooner had that thought when he heard shouting from behind him. Turning around to see what was happening, he saw Jess, a colored man, running to him with a small child in his arms.11
"Please doc, ya gotta help 'im. He's been cut up real awful-like, and I can't stop da'bleeding" the big man pleaded. He held out the little boy for the doctor to look over, and Dr. Scott told him to get him to get the child to the clinic.12
"Ms.- Justine, I do believe we are needed, are you ready?"13
Without hesitating for a second, she grabbed Toby's hand and told him to lead the way. Going as fast as little Toby's legs would allow, they followed the Jess to the doctors office. Opening the door for him to carry the boy in, Dr. Scott asked if Justine would like to have Toby go into the kitchen, while they saw to the patient. Thinking it would be a good idea, she told Toby to find his way, and to stay indoors.14
Using scissors, the doctor started cutting away the boys clothes, trying to see how bad his injuries were. Jess was standing to the side, tears streaming down his face. He told them, the child was his nephew, Lucas, and he was only six. He had wanted to go fishing, and they had run in to some white folks that didn't take to kindly to coloreds fishing in 'their' fishing holes. As the doctor listened, he was washing away the blood, and the horror of what had happened to this child was reveled.15
Justine gasped, as she saw the marks on the child's body. She realised, the people who had hurt him, had tried to skin him. The knife had been sharp. It looked like most of the skin was there, but barely hanging on. She started prepping needles, knowing they were in for a very long night. She looked up at Jess, and asked him, "Do you think you could keep and eye on my Toby? We're new here, and I don't want him to wander off. He should be in the kitchen, and I think it would be best if you didn't watch this." 16
Nodding his head in agreement, the big man went off. He had been in the doctors house before, many times, and knew his way around. As he walked out of the room, the doctor looked at Justine, and thanked her for finding the man something to do. She replied, "Someone has to make sure Toby don't get curious and take off. And I didn't think he would be able to handle the sight of what this little boy is going to go through."17
At that, Dr. Scott asked, "Just what are you thinking with the needles? The only thing I can think of is that you want to sew his skin back on, but you can't be serious."18
Having already cleaned one area thoroughly, she picked up a needle, looked at the doctor and said, "That's precisely what I intend. He has to much skin hanging loose to just cut it off. He would susceptible to every infection or disease floating the air. If we clean each piece very carefully, and stitch even more so, we should be able to minimize the scaring."19
Realising she meant every word, he asked what he should do, as he didn't really know much about it. She told him to get lots of clean, warm water, not to hot. And lots of clean rags, as they would go through a lot. Bending over the little body, she lined up the skin with where it had been cut from, and carefully pushed the needle in, being careful not to go to deep. The boy winced, and she started talking to him softly, assuring him he would be OK. As she sutured his skin back to his body, she wished she had something to take away his pain. But on a child so young, they really couldn't take the chance. Even brandy could be hazardous, so they couldn't use that to sterilise the needles. 20
The clock ticked the hours away, the afternoon turning to dusk. And instead of the doctor teaching his assistant, his assistant was teaching him. He wasn't like some doctors assuming he knew better. As he watched her nimble fingers, he saw the little boy being patched back together. Her stitches were measured and careful, so he would have minimal scaring once his wounds healed. If they could keep him from getting any infections, he would be right as rain in no time.21
About seven hours after her arrival into town, she sewed the last stitch. Turning to the doctor, she said, "All we can do now is try to keep infection away and pray the Lord watch over him."22
Knowing she hadn't drank or eaten anything in hours, he took her into the kitchen. There, they found Jess had cooked a simple supper for them and little Toby. Toby was asleep on a rug, in front of the fire. Jess stood, a question in his eyes. Dr. Scott spoke quietly, "He should be fine, but we really won't know until morning Jess. You're welcome to stay here, with him, but he can't be moved. Ms. Johnson here, well, she stitched his skin back on. As long as we can keep any infections from starting, he has a good chance of coming out alright." 23
Jess turned to Justine with tears in eyes. "I don't know you. But I reckon the doc trusts you, so I will, too."24
Hearing the change in his speech, she realised he was probably more than a farmhand. Feeling exhausted, but needing to eat, she thanked him. "Thank you for watching Toby, and making supper. And.. for trusting me. I really do believe he'll be OK, but only time will tell for sure. If he makes it through the night, his chances are very good."25
Dr. Scott cleared his throat and asked Jess who had done it. He knew he had to tell the sheriff. And he wanted names to give him. Jess shook his head, "Sorry doc, but you know nothing good would come of it. I got to believe the Lord will deal with those that did this. I can't take the chance of them coming after my family in retaliation." 26
At that, he walked out of the kitchen, going to join Lucas. Justine looked as if she wanted to say something, but the doctor shook his head. Pushing his fingers through his hair, he cursed under his breath. "I try so hard, but it's always the same. And I know whoever did that, they'll go after his family anyways. I'm heading over to the sheriffs now. Maybe he can listen for anything that might let him know who did this."27
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Author notes
A work in progress.. Part of a dream I had. I am not writing this in a way to be offensive to anyone. It is meant to be a historical piece, and written in the manner of the time it takes place.
What did you think? Please comment!
Comments
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Hmmm. Very To Kill a Mockingbird indeed. It's generally solid, but I think that it could definately do with some revision.
I think that there are a lot of superfluous words that could do with being taken out. For example " Hearing that, well, it pretty much knocked the doctor back on his heels" could be shortened to " Hearing that knocked the doctor back on his heels" and it gives it more punch. On the other hand it does lose the old american story-teller feel a little, but I reckon the trade off would make it better to read.
Also in paragraph two you repeat "to say the least" twice, which just don't read too well at all.
I thought some was a little bit unbelievable, such as the kid only wincing when he's poked with a needle while half his skin has been torn off... and I thought that his injuries might do with a little more description.
It really draws you in though. It were quite enjoyable. -
Thanks sweetie. I wrote this part with thekids jumping on me. AThena
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Seems like a good start. There's a few spelling errors hon, the most noticeable is it doesn't say Tpby's bday just says th.
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