Sugar and Spice, page 15
A man with two children clinging to his shoulders bumped against him, his eyes pleading for help. Jimmy pulled one of the children from the man’s back and swam back to the dock, where someone took the child. Then he turned and headed back toward the ship. How much time had passed? He swam on through bodies, some coughing, some screaming and kicking. But where was Cici?
Oh God, please don’t let her be below deck.
The steamer had sunk so fast, there wouldn’t have been time for her to get up the stairs. She could be trapped beneath the water. She could be dead by now.
A loose lifeboat bobbed on top of the water. A young boy scrambled over the side and fell into it.
Almost to the boat, Jimmy jerked as someone, gasping, grabbed him from behind. He struggled but couldn’t get loose from the arms entwined around his neck. He felt himself sinking and drew in a deep breath. He tried to kick his way back up to the surface, but the arms tightened in a near stranglehold. His mind and body cried out for air.
Suddenly the choking arms fell away. Kicking, Jimmy fought his way upward toward the precious air. Blackness threatened and he knew he couldn’t make it.
Lord Jesus, receive my spirit and please save Cici.
Something grabbed him and he felt himself floating upward. Blackness overcame him.
❧
Cici struggled to shove Sutton’s body away from the door. Pain stabbed her elbow, but it was lessening. She must have hit a nerve. Thank the Lord it wasn’t broken. Tugging and pushing at Sutton’s body, she finally moved him away from the door. After working at it for a few minutes, she managed to pull it open and fell through, landing against the wall beyond. She glanced around, trying to think what to do.
Water was coming in at one end of the corridor. She was alone but could hear screams from above and below. A sob caught in her throat. What should she do? The stairs were farther down, but that was where the water was coming in. She needed to get to a higher place.
Turning, she saw the side rails, which were now going upward toward the side that was above the water. Her heart pounded and dizziness overcame her. She had to keep focused. Grabbing the rail, she pulled herself onto an overturned table then forced herself to climb onto anything she could get a foothold on.
The sound of pounding came from above her.
She cried out, “Help! I’m down here!”
At another noise behind her, she turned. Water was filling the corridor. Objects bobbed up and down in it.
Cici gasped. She must get higher.
What had she been thinking to confront Sutton alone? She scrambled frantically upward, grabbing at swinging doors and rails to haul herself up. Her progress was slow and the water rose steadily.
Would Jimmy be among the rescuers? Lord, please save me. But if I’m to die, please don’t let Jimmy find my body. And please comfort him and Mama and Papa.
She heard drilling above her. Oh, if only they could get through before it was too late.
Something touched her foot. She jerked it up then glanced behind her. Sutton’s body floated on top of the water, which was now just below her. Fear and nausea washed over her. Once more she started to climb. Toward safety. Toward people who were attempting to get through to her. She must reach the top.
Twenty
“Jimbo, Jimbo, wake up. Come on, Jimmy.”
Something slapped Jimmy’s face, hard, and he heard Cobb’s voice as if from a distance. He blinked and opened his eyes.
Cobb was bombarding his face with one slap after another.
Jimmy grabbed his wrist. “Okay, I’m awake.” But why was he lying on the dock, soaking wet? He sat up and shook his head, water flying from his hair. He blinked. Cici. The boat had gone down. He struggled to get up.
Cobb grabbed his arm and yanked him to his feet. “I saw the guy pull you under.” Cobb’s eyes were wide. “Didn’t think I’d ever find you.”
Jimmy grabbed him by his shoulders. “Have you seen Cici?” The torment in his mind sounded in his voice.
“Cici? No. Why?” He threw a puzzled glance at Jimmy. “Maybe you better sit down.”
“No. Cici was on the Eastland. We’ve got to find her.” He pulled his arm loose and ran barefoot to the edge of the wharf, where he stood in horror.
Bodies floated in the water, bumping against each other. Cries came from the living trying to make their way to shore. Divers avoided the still forms, focusing their efforts on pulling the living from the river.
A grating, screaming sound jerked Jimmy’s attention to the above-water portion of the steamer. Rescue workers with drills knelt on the exposed side, trying to remove the side plates. He took a deep breath to prepare for the cold water.
Cobb grabbed him. “Wait, I’ll go with you.” He squeezed Jimmy’s arm. “We’ll find her, pal. I promise.”
Slowly they made their way through the water, checking each female body that floated by.
Jimmy had a strong feeling that Cici was trapped inside the steamer. “I’m going to dive below and see if I can see inside the portholes.”
“No, wait. You’re still weak from lack of oxygen. I’ll go. Keep looking around through the bodies.”
Jimmy knew if Cici was trapped inside the submerged side, it would be no use. There was no chance anyone could be alive underwater that long.
A shout went up. Jimmy looked up and saw a rescue worker pulling someone, alive, through an opening. His heart lurched, and he swam toward the outer rails. He grabbed the bottom one and started up.
“I’m right behind you, Jimbo.” Cobb’s welcome voice was like velvet to his ears.
“You didn’t see her?”
“Couldn’t see anything down there. I’m sorry.”
Jimmy hauled himself up and peered around. Two women and several crying, frightened children were being loaded onto stretchers.
Jimmy walked over and looked down at one of the women. “Do you know Cici Willow? Blond curls, very young and pretty. Did you see her?”
She groaned and shook her head. The other woman couldn’t offer any help either. Two of the rescuers were pulling someone from another hole in the ship. This time a young girl, followed by a middle-aged man.
Something pounded beneath Jimmy’s feet. “Hey, over here. Someone’s down there.”
In a short time, the flap was cut away. Jimmy peered around the workers and his heart jumped at the sight of blond curls. He groaned when the woman turned her face upward. Not Cici.
Dear God, please let her be alive. And help us to find her.
“Over here! Someone help me get this woman out of here. She’s stuck or something.”
❧
Pain seared through Cici’s leg as she tugged to try to get free. Somewhere in the dark water that now reached her waist, her foot was caught. A heavy chest had slammed against the wall, pinning her foot and lower leg. Tears of frustration stained her cheeks as she stared up at the rescue worker. She shook her head. “I can’t move it.”
“Cici!” Jimmy shoved the man away and reached for her.
She reached her arms up to him. “Oh, Jimmy.” She gazed into his wonderful face. The face she’d feared she’d never see again. “My foot is wedged tight. I can’t get out.” Panic clutched tight at her chest and throat. Was she going to die when she was so close to being with him once more? Water rushed around her waist, lapping at the walls and everything it touched.
“Sweetheart, I’ll get you out. I promise. Try not to panic.” He turned. “Cobb, grab a rope, okay?”
In less than a minute, Jimmy handed the end of a rope down to her. “Cici, I want you to tie this around your waist. Make sure you get it tight enough that it won’t come loose. Can you do that?”
She nodded and wrapped the rope around her waist twice, then tied it in a knot. She gave it a tug to be sure then nodded to Jimmy.
“Now, honey, you’re going to have to trust us, okay?”
“I trust you, Jimmy.” And she did. More than she’d ever trusted anyone. Even though her heart pounded against her chest and her throat was constricted with fear, she trusted him.
He turned and spoke to the men behind him, then turned back to her. “Honey, I want you to try to lower yourself into the water so I can get through to help you.”
Panic pierced her heart and her breathing came in short gasps. She hung on to Jimmy’s hands and shook her head. “I can’t.”
The choked whisper must have reached him, because pain clouded his eyes. “Yes, you can. Three strong men are holding on to the rope. They won’t let you go. I promise, sweetheart. Please. We have to get you out of there. The water will continue to rise. Don’t you see?”
She glanced down. The water was still at her waist, but it did seem a little higher. She bit her lip and nodded. “All right, Jimmy.”
She swallowed past the sudden lump in her throat, slid one hand out of his, and grabbed the rope just above her waist. Taking a deep breath she let go with the other. She sank to her chin and water whipped around her shoulders and neck. “Jimmy!” Angry waves of water swirled around her and she held on to the rope with both hands, making sure the knot at her waist wasn’t coming loose. The light from outside disappeared and terror beat at her as she fought the watery darkness.
Then light streamed in once more and Jimmy’s arms were around her, holding her close. “It’s all right, sweetheart. I’m with you. I’ll get you out of here.” He pulled back and looked into her eyes. “I have to go under the water to get you loose. Don’t be afraid. I won’t be long.” Then he was gone, beneath the dark evil that waited to devour them both.
No, I won’t think like that. God is taking care of us. He sent Jimmy and the other men, and He’ll save us from this.
Pain shot through her ankle and up her leg as the chest shifted. Where was Jimmy? It was taking too long. Another shift and suddenly her foot was free.
Jimmy bobbed up beside her, coughing and gasping. He looked into her eyes and grinned. “Let’s get out of here.”
With Jimmy lifting and Cobb pulling, Cici crawled out through the hole in the side of the ship, ignoring the throbbing pain in her leg and foot. Cobb lifted her up and put his arm around her shoulders, supporting her until Jimmy stood beside them.
They fell into each other’s arms. Cici basked in Jimmy’s kisses and the sweet words he whispered in her ears.
“Uh, excuse me, miss. We need to get you to the hospital.” The emergency worker stood grinning, with a stretcher at his feet and another grinning man at the other end of it.
“Jimmy, I want to go home.”
“Now, sweetheart, we need to get that ankle taken care of and make sure you’re okay after being in the water for so long.”
“Will you come with me?” She was acting like a baby, but she didn’t care.
He picked her up and laid her on the stretcher. “Just let anyone try to keep me from it.” His lips brushed against hers.
She closed her eyes and dizziness engulfed her. She needed to tell him something. But what? Oh. Sutton. Then darkness came.
❧
Jimmy stumbled into the house, exhaustion in every muscle of his body.
He’d stayed at the hospital for nearly two hours waiting for Cici to awake. The doctor had assured them there was nothing wrong with her except exhaustion and a bruised ankle. The minute her eyes had opened, she’d motioned him close.
“Sutton. . .” She took a deep breath. “He’s dead, Jimmy.”
A surge of relief shot through Jimmy. The lifting of the burden he’d carried so long swept over him in a lightness very near dizziness. But almost immediately remorse stabbed through him. How could he be happy with the news of someone’s death when the man didn’t know Jesus?
“Cici, are you sure?” But she had fallen back asleep. He brushed his lips across her forehead and whispered good-bye to her parents.
Jimmy had made a quick trip to the house to tell Blake and Danni the news, and after making sure Danni was all right, he and Blake had gone to help with the rescue attempts.
He’d stayed until darkness was so thick there was no possibility of saving even one more person. He shuddered at the memory of row after row of sheet-wrapped bodies lying on the floor of the makeshift morgue at the Reid Murdoch plant. He didn’t think he’d ever forget the feel of those waterlogged bodies as he helped load them onto trucks later for transport to the armory.
“Jimmy”—Danni stood in the parlor doorway—“come in and put your feet up. You look like you’re about to pass out.”
“I’m too dirty, so I’d better not. I’ll ruin the furniture.” But the sight of the overstuffed chair by the window drew him and he took a step forward.
“Nonsense. Get in here.” She peered into his eyes, then gave a little gasp and wrapped her arms around him.
“Oh, Jimmy, I’m so sorry. It must have been horrible out there.” She released him then guided him to the chair.
“It was terrible. Danni, you wouldn’t believe it.” He dropped onto the soft cushion and buried his face in his hands. Sobs wracked his body. Sobs that had a life of their own and would not be stopped.
Her comforting hands patted his shoulder then brushed his hair from his eyes.
Finally, he sat up straight. “Thanks, Danni. I haven’t cried like that since I was a kid.”
“It’s all right. There’s nothing wrong with a man crying, and you have plenty to cry about.”
“I need to get cleaned up and back to the hospital.”
“Mrs. Willow sent a message a little while ago. She said to tell you Cici is at home and sleeping like a baby. Cici asked her to tell you to please get some rest and come see her in the morning.”
“But you’re sure she’s all right?” She’d been so pale when he kissed her good-bye.
“I’m sure. Mrs. Willow said all Cici could talk about was how brave you were and how proud she was that you went back to do your part to help.” She brushed his hair back, a motion he’d resent any other time. “How about something to eat?”
He shook his head. “There were volunteers handing out food and drinks all day. I’m not hungry. Is Blake asleep?” He probably was. Blake wasn’t used to long hours of physical labor but had worked tirelessly alongside Jimmy and the other volunteers most of the day and into the early hours of the night. He’d only left because he didn’t want to leave Danni alone in the house.
“Yes, he was so tired he took a short bath and fell across the bed. I don’t think he’s moved since.”
He reached up and touched her cheek. “Danni, are you okay?”
Her face paled, but she smiled then reached over and placed her hand on his arm. “I’m fine. Go on upstairs and get some rest.”
Jimmy nodded and headed up the stairs. He’d take a long hot bath and go to bed. He only hoped his dreams would be sweet ones of Cici and not nightmares of the scenes he’d witnessed today.
❧
Jimmy tapped on the parsonage door, the sound blending in with the pelting of the rain against the roof and sidewalk. In a moment, the door flew open and Mrs. Willow beamed at him from the foyer.
“Come in, my boy, before you get soaked.” She took his umbrella and placed it in the stand.
“I hope you don’t mind my early intrusion.” Jimmy loosened the knot in his tie, which seemed about to choke him. “I wanted to look in on Cici before church.”
“No, it’s not too early. She’s in the parlor. Go right in. I have to finish making salad and put the roast in the oven before church.” She smiled and stepped into the dining room.
Jimmy walked into the parlor and stopped.
Cici sat on the sofa, her foot and ankle wrapped and resting on a footstool, her head bent over the Bible in her lap. Golden curls fell forward and rested on each side of her face. No girl was ever this beautiful. She glanced up, and when she saw him, her face lit up and she smiled. “Jimmy, come sit by me. Are you rested? It must have been awful.”
“I’m quite rested.” He sat beside her and ran his thumb down her cheek, concerned that she was still wan. “How is your ankle?”
“Oh, there’s some swelling and it’s tender, but I’m fine. Mother put ice on it. And the doctor said I was fine. Not a thing wrong.” She sighed. “He said to stay off it for a few days, so Mama won’t let me go to church.”
He took her hand in his. “I was so afraid when the boat went down.”
Confusion slid across her face. “How did you know I was on it?”
“I saw you boarding. I called, but there was such a din of noise, you couldn’t hear.” He had so many questions to ask. Why was she on the Eastland? How did she know Sutton? What was it she wanted to tell him? But all he could do was gaze at her and thank God she was safe.
She bit her lip, and her hand, resting in his, trembled. “Jimmy, there’s something I have to tell you.”
“What is it, dearest? You can tell me anything.” And almost anything would be better than this doubt and worry.
“Jimmy, it’s time to go.” Mrs. Willow stood in the doorway pinning her hat. She sent a beaming smile their way.
Jimmy sighed. Whatever she had to tell him would have to wait until after church.
Twenty-one
“Over eight hundred known dead so far?” Jimmy shook his head in disbelief and groaned. “They were so close to the harbor. It seems unbelievable.”
“I know, son. A horrible tragedy.” Rev. Willow leaned forward in the wingback chair in the parlor. “And they still have no idea what caused it.”
They’d all come into the parlor after dinner. The horrors the city had faced seemed to be the only topic on their minds. The church congregation had been in a state of shock. It seemed everyone knew someone who knew someone who had died on the Eastland.
“According to the newspapers, they’re still pulling bodies from the ship.” Cici’s voice caught in a sob and she jumped up.
“Cecilia, dear, I think you should lie down for a while. You’re very pale.” Mrs. Willow leaned over and touched Cici’s forehead.
