Mama came over Tuesday bringing quinine, usually used for malaria. “I am worried about you taking these, but you’re in a hard spot. The druggist told me a pregnant woman of your size ought not to take more than this or it might poison you. You gotta drink plenty of water to flush this quinine out or your kidneys will quit. I sure hate to see you take this, but if you do, I’m stayin’ a few days to take keer a’ you. I thought I was gonna die when I took it, but it did git me out of a bad fix.”
Neeley took the quinine with a big glass of water. In a few minutes, she drank some more. In a couple of hours, the vomiting started. Mama kept her drinking as fast as fast as it came up. Eddie was worried when he came in and found Neeley sick, never having seen her give up to anything. He and Mama kept watch through the night. In the morning, Neeley miscarried. “I was afeared she might be that away, but she never said nothin’. He told Mama. “I hope she ain’t gonna be too hurt over losin’ this baby.”
“She will grieve but a woman knows some babies just ain’t meant to be. Neeley is a strong woman.” Mama tried to comfort Eddie. “I lost a couple, myself.”
Neeley’s urine turned brown and she ran a fever. She was barely conscious and they had to force her to drink water. After about three days, her urine turned yellow and she came back to herself. “I didn’t know what I’d do if I’d a’lost you, Neeley girl.”
“I’m gonna be alright, Eddie. I ain’t gonna leave you and my younguns,” she assured him.
The next few months were a golden period. Eddie’s health was better. The weather was good and the kids were able to get to school more often than not. They got their spring planting done and some new ground cleared. They made enough on their cotton for next year’s rent, seed, paid their grocery bill off, and had a bit to tuck in the mattress. Late in October, Neeley realized she was pregnant again. This baby would be born in late July. She’d have a few weeks to recover before harvest. The boys were old enough to be a good bit of help by now. Neeley wouldn’t be needed so much with Eddie in good health. They looked forward to this baby. Their youngest would be three by the time the little one came. Neeley, especially, looked forward to this little one, still regretting ending her last pregnancy.
Such a difficult life! So sad!
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What a tough life. So glad Neeley made it and her mama was there to help her. Yikes. Talk about playing with fire. ❤
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It was a help and comfort.
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❤ ❤ ❤
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makes me want to cry but i am so glad she is alive.
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She died many years ago at age 73, but her later years were happy.
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totally hooked again! loving this series! thank you!
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I am so glad. This one is based on family.
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really? that is great-sure hope there is a happy ending!
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I think it was.
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it was-I love you stories!
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Thanks.
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Yay, for Neely! Here’s to the life she, Eddie and the kids deserve!! ❤
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Glad that she survived the miscarriage. Hope things go well for her
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She can deal. She makes the best of things.
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She is a strong woman indeed.
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Yes, Ma’am.
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First of all, the upturn in the story was balm to my heart. Second, maybe it’s only me since no one else seems to have mentioned it, but did this story just have two Part 12’s, or is my rapidly-approaching 60th birthday the one where my brain’s warranty runs out? Lol.
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Uh ph, better check
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Thanks for headsup. I had next one set for december 1, 2017
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There were, because I did a frantic search for 13 and came up dry so i asked the Source
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This is the link to part 14, even though it says 13. Thanks for reading and linking
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Thank goodness. Maybe I’ve got another year or two with this brain yet.
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Maybe if you are lucky. I can’t say so much for myself, obviously.
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Didn’t they know about condoms back then or were they too poor to afford them?
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They would have been too poor and they didn’t get to town often.
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Ohhhh. May I ask, is the woman on the bed with the little ones around her, a family picture? The woman looks like my grandmother some.
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No, pulled that from stock photos of depression.
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Grandma was a big woman, not really fat, but it was hard to tell since I only knew her when she was padded with a back brace because her cancer had weakened her frame. But she did look some like that photo.
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She must have had terrible pain.
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I think she did, but we never knew. She died at 60. I was ten, but I have good memories of her.
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That is so good to be remembered fondly.
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You up already? I couldn’t sleep. I’ve got this one area on my neck, right side that gives me pain from time to time. Lots of numbness and it’s kept me up. I couldn’t fine my Aleve and aspirin doesn’t cut it. LOL. I’m gonna try to go back to bed. Hehe. Happy New Year.
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Good luck!
I never know when I’ll be up. I sleep when I’m tired and get up when I wake.
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LOL. We had a big group for brunch whichis our usual New Years day feat. I will change it for later next year. Too many late comers, fussing about a 10am start LOL. I was tired, but got through it on little sleep. Tomorrow, I sleep in. With a hubby and pets that are hard to ignore, I plod on. Sigh.
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Hope you caught up on your sleep!
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I am happy for them. :o)
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At least they seem to be on the mend – or does it get worse again ?
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She lived a long life, so she had good times and ad.
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She lived a long life, so she had good times and bad.
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As do we all I guess, but she seems to have done it tougher than most.
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A woman with a sick husband had a terrible time, especially during The Great Depression.
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I can well imagine just from stories I heard from my parents
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It was a hard, hard time.
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The things women had to do…..
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Her lot was not easy.
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They seem to be doing well. —- Suzanne
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It was a good time.
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