Neeley suspected Eddie might not ever hold up to the hard work of farming after his accident. It would be a hard row to hoe for a woman and a sick man to farm, but she was determined they would hang on to their rental farm at all costs. She couldn’t expect her brothers to shoulder responsibility for her family. Albert had recently married and had a baby on the way. His eighty acres was working him hard. Willie had to make good on the place his father-in-law had made for him. It wouldn’t do to take time off from his responsibilities there. She did not intend for either of her brothers to have family trouble because of her problems.
Despite their financial situation, Neeley squeezed back enough money for the children’s candy, oranges, and Brazil nuts at Christmas, reasoning their disappointment would last a lifetime, and the little money saved wouldn’t make a long-term difference. Mama Cassie had them over for Christmas dinner. She’d killed a hen and they feared on chicken and dressing and dumplings. There was sweet potato pie, green beans, roasted potatoes, and cabbage. They all ate till they fairly popped. It brought tears to Neeley’s eyes when Mama produced a peppermint stick for each child. Neeley knew it must have been hard to come up with the money. She still had a girl and twin teen-age boys at home. Her husband, John Miller could be a hard man. Neeley hoped she wouldn’t suffer for her generosity, though today, he was very cordial.
After Christmas dinner, the men headed to the barn and the kids ran off to play. Neeley and Mama sat at the table over coffee and Neeley confided. “Mama, I ain’t told Eddie yet but I’m “that way” again. I cain’t have a baby now. Eddie ain’t doin’ right and we cain’t hardly feed the five we got. I got to be able to help Eddie git the plantin’ and harvestin’ done. This one’s due in late April, the worst time. If it would’a just waited till next fall it would’a been okay. What in the world am I gonna do? Seems like the harder I work the more we fall behind.”
A tear slid down Mama’s face as she took Neeley’s hand. “I ain’t always done right by you, but I hate to see you suffer so. One time I was in a fix like you. I don’t know if you remember when I run off from Willie and Albert’s daddy. You was with me an’ I had to send you back to Ma. Cox had done come in drunk and beat me half to death. He didn’t know I was “thataway,” so I slipped the little fellers off to their Granny Cox and went to stay with my cousin Lurleen. She got me some quinine and it got rid of the baby. I shore hated to do it, but I couldn’t take keer o’the ones I had, much less another one. I reckon I can git you some quinine, if you want, but I tell you this. I better come stay a few days. You gonna be so sick you’ll think you’re gonna die. If you want to do that, I’ll need to come take care of you and the younguns a few days.”
Neeley thought a mnute or two, then said. “Well come on over this next week. I guess I better get it done.”
Oh no, I didn;t think it would come to this!! I have to reserve my words for Cassie’s advice because I am not in Nellie’s shoes. This sucks
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Hard to deal with!
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Oh so sad
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That’s one of those posts where it’s difficult to hit the “like” button, although it has nothing to do with the writing. I do accept, however, that difficult times call for difficult solutions, which are usually nothing more than a sign of the strength of those who have to make them. I trust that same strength will carry her through the ordeal.
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It did.
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Mama is sure making up for lost time. Hope there aren’t any complications. ❤
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Tomorrow. She got through
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Bless her. ❤ 😀
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I remember when mother and her friends were discussing aborting a pregnancy. I didn’t know the gravity of it, but never forgot the discussion between the two women. They were talking about drinking kerosene though. I know mother “lost” a child and dad says he thought it had been deliberate, but it would have been prior to me being aware of any such conversations. Who knows what kind of “tricks” or wives tales may have been prevalent. What was the plant Anya contemplated taking? There must be half a dozen more than that.
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Anya considered Queen Anne’s Lace. It is also a contraceptive in low doses.
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Really, kind of like the morning after pill?
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Yes!
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Wow! Nothing new under the sun.
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People always have the same problems, not enough resources, time, or issues with family.
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OMG, poor Neeley. Hasn’t she been through enough, now this. So sad.
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I am a little concerned about continuing this story. It’s based on truth and Neeley has some hard times facing her.
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Sometimes there’s a catharsis in telling the tale, even loosely. I’ve done that as you well know and it can be painful to tell, but that was life in those days. It does us good to hear the background stories of the past to appreciate the present. You’re doing an amazing job!
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Thanks. It’s a hard story to tell.
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I bet. My sister wants me to write our families but then I realized I don’t know that much. Well, I suppose you’re filling in presupposed details?
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I am conjecturing a lot from things I know.
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Hmmm, imagine the possibilities then. I got a ton of cooking to do for New Years, gotta run! Happy new year in case I don’t check in again!!
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You, too!
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a situation, for sure… there’s got to be a ray of light somewhere
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Neeley has her children and a strong spirit. She is facing some hard times before her life gets better. Since this is based on truth, it’s tough.
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quinine ?? Really…I hadn’t heard of that “remedy”.
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It was more likely to result in death to the mother than abortion.
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Well…that’s the other solution, I guess. Sad.
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It is sad.
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Oh dear – I didn’t know quinine was used abort foetuses.
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It was a kill or cure message, just as likely to kill mother as abort.
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Doesn’t sound good for Neely then.
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She had some hard years.
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Oh God, What a predicament to be in, How awful for poor Neeley.
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Terrible situation.
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How terribly sad. It almost makes me cry just to think about it. —- Suzanne
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It was sad.
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I hadn’t heard quinine would bring on a miscarriage(polite) – it must take an awful lot of it.
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The dose can easily be fatal.
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ouch is the next episode coming soon? I do hope she doesn’t but then her world is not perfect. I have never really known how I feel about whose right to life it is. My journey through Catholicism says that to do such a thing is instant excommunication at the very least let alone infanticide. I am glad that neither me nor mine have had to make the choice.
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It was and is a terrible choice.
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