Biddy's Bulletin

It was the truth. She was sipping on wine, talking to Rat, and then she heard a loud bang. The next thing she knew, she was in the hospital room with other women. Her grandmother was changing Juni’s bandages (Grandma May thought the nurses were taking too long) when Biddy tried to open her eyes before bawling. She couldn’t see. She must’ve gone blind. As soon as she was calmed down with a cold cloth on her eyes, she was told what happened, how they found her.

“And Juni?”

“She’s resting, baby.” Grandma May said soothingly. “We’re gonna take you both home to your beds. You’ll be more comfortable there and your Grandma will take good care of you.”

“What about...” But the medicine was kicking in. The pain from her head was morphing into a spiral. She felt dizzy and she still couldn’t see. “What about Rat? Is he okay?” But she never found out the answer. The medicine kicked in and she was fast asleep.

No one ever did tell her about Rat, and every time she started to panic, begging whomever would listen about Rat, they would tell her not to worry and to rest. Then, she’d go to sleep.

Grandma May put a two trays of tea down for both of the girls. “I’ll bring some vegetable soup for you later. Lord knows, you both need your strength.

“God bless my girls, and Jesus, I pray that you both will heal quickly and let my grand baby see again. Amen.” She said before exiting the room.

Biddy felt helpless. She didn’t know what happened and if what happened hurt her sister physically or stunned her. She laid beside her, wishing she could ask what happened. No one wanted to tell her why she couldn’t see or when she could take the bandages off her head and eyes. No one wanted to tell her what happened to Juni. Something happened at the party.

She laid her head back against the pillows, listening for any indication of quiet murmurs. She could hear her Grandma May praying to herself while one of the boarders rocked back and forth in the rocking chair. The doors were opening and closing, causing the cats to scamper into the bedroom to the safety of their mom and Aunt. It had to be someone that they didn’t know, or else the cats wouldn’t be hiding.

“How are they?” That voice sounded familiar. It had the rasp of her brother.

“We’ll stay as long as we can, Grandma.” The lady’s voice was softer, with a southern drawl.

“Juni. Finn and Patience are here. I haven’t seen them in years.” She said sadly. She wouldn’t be able to see them.

“A gang, Phineas! A party hosted by a gang! I wouldn’t think my Obedience and Juni would be involved in such a thing!” Grandma May was crying softly as she stirred the big pot of soup.

Monster and Marvin quickly scampered into their laps, and Monster curled against Juni’s shoulder, spooked. As carefully as she dared, she brushed fingers against the black cat’s head, nuzzling her cheek against it. The poor dear...

She took a moment to guide Biddy’s hand to Marvin’s fur, standing on end as disturbed as he was. The cat chirped and shifted back toward Biddy’s belly, watching the door.

It was then that she heard the door downstairs open and close again, and a familiar voice filter up the stairs. 

“Juni isn’t speaking and her hands are all burned up. Biddy is…Biddy is blind.” Grandma May turned her back on the boys, wiping her eyes. Her babies would heal, she would pray to God that He would touch her babies and let them talk, walk, and see. “Go on up, before Finn comes and takes up your time.” She said as she put on a brave face.

It was the truth. She was sipping on wine, talking to Rat, and then she heard a loud bang. The next thing she knew, she was in the hospital room with other women. Her grandmother was changing Juni’s bandages (Grandma May thought the nurses were taking too long) when Biddy tried to open her eyes before bawling. She couldn’t see. She must’ve gone blind. As soon as she was calmed down with a cold cloth on her eyes, she was told what happened, how they found her.

“And Juni?”

“She’s resting, baby.” Grandma May said soothingly. “We’re gonna take you both home to your beds. You’ll be more comfortable there and your Grandma will take good care of you.”

“What about...” But the medicine was kicking in. The pain from her head was morphing into a spiral. She felt dizzy and she still couldn’t see. “What about Rat? Is he okay?” But she never found out the answer. The medicine kicked in and she was fast asleep.

No one ever did tell her about Rat, and every time she started to panic, begging whomever would listen about Rat, they would tell her not to worry and to rest. Then, she’d go to sleep.

Grandma May put a two trays of tea down for both of the girls. “I’ll bring some vegetable soup for you later. Lord knows, you both need your strength.

“God bless my girls, and Jesus, I pray that you both will heal quickly and let my grand baby see again. Amen.” She said before exiting the room.

Biddy felt the itchy bandages in her hand and let go quickly. “I’m sorry…” She said quietly, as she felt around to pull the heavy quilt around them. “I…” But she wasn’t sure what she was. She was alive and so was Juni. Yet it wasn’t such a happy occasion. What if Juni could never use her hands again and Biddy could never see? She wouldn’t see the colors of life. She would miss Juni’s dimple when she smiled. She’d miss the way Marvin looked up at her with his bright innocent eyes. She’d miss seeing everything about Rat, but for all she knew, he was as good as dead, along with Strings. Just the mere thought of it made her cry, which caused so much pain that she cried some more.

“Can you say anything, Juni? Elbow me once for yes and twice for no.” She hiccuped as the fear overtook her.

Oh, no. Biddy was crying, and Juni didn’t know what to do. She couldn’t help wipe the tears, couldn’t help change the bandages...could hardly hug her sister, and her heart was breaking. A small sound of dismay escaped her, and she shifted, accidentally jostling Monster.

She laid her head back against the pillows, listening for any indication of quiet murmurs. She could hear her Grandma May praying to herself while one of the boarders rocked back and forth in the rocking chair. The doors were opening and closing, causing the cats to scamper into the bedroom to the safety of their mom and Aunt. It had to be someone that they didn’t know, or else the cats wouldn’t be hiding.

“How are they?” That voice sounded familiar. It had the rasp of her brother.

“We’ll stay as long as we can, Grandma.” The lady’s voice was softer, with a southern drawl.

“Juni. Finn and Patience are here. I haven’t seen them in years.” She said sadly. She wouldn’t be able to see them.

It was the truth. She was sipping on wine, talking to Rat, and then she heard a loud bang. The next thing she knew, she was in the hospital room with other women. Her grandmother was changing Juni’s bandages (Grandma May thought the nurses were taking too long) when Biddy tried to open her eyes before bawling. She couldn’t see. She must’ve gone blind. As soon as she was calmed down with a cold cloth on her eyes, she was told what happened, how they found her.

“And Juni?”

“She’s resting, baby.” Grandma May said soothingly. “We’re gonna take you both home to your beds. You’ll be more comfortable there and your Grandma will take good care of you.”

“What about...” But the medicine was kicking in. The pain from her head was morphing into a spiral. She felt dizzy and she still couldn’t see. “What about Rat? Is he okay?” But she never found out the answer. The medicine kicked in and she was fast asleep.

No one ever did tell her about Rat, and every time she started to panic, begging whomever would listen about Rat, they would tell her not to worry and to rest. Then, she’d go to sleep.

Grandma May put a two trays of tea down for both of the girls. “I’ll bring some vegetable soup for you later. Lord knows, you both need your strength.

“God bless my girls, and Jesus, I pray that you both will heal quickly and let my grand baby see again. Amen.” She said before exiting the room.

Biddy felt around the bed to find the bed stand. She knew the bedroom like the back of her hand, or at least she thought she did. It was different when you couldn’t see. Everything seemed louder; the broom against the floor. The pitter patter of the cats paws across the hardwood. The whine that came from her sister seemed to make her ears bleed. The pain and struggle was deafening.

“Juni, it’s okay. We’re…we’re at the house. If you take a deep breath, you can smell Grandma making vegetable soup. I bet she added potatoes to it.” She wiggled again, trying to get out of the bed. It hurt terribly to move, but she finally escaped the soft grasps of the quilts. “And we’re safe.” She put her feet on the ground and shivered. Was the floor always this cold? Sliding off of the bed, she tried to stand to get to Juni’s bed, but her legs gave out and she was on the floor. She crawled on the floor, trying to remain calm. There were more knots on the floor than she realized.

“I’m…I’m…” She reached out and felt the quilt on Juni’s bed. She could feel the soft patch of her old baby blanket as she used all of her strength to press herself up onto her knees and climb into bed. “I’m sorry, Juni…” She said as she felt around to see where Juni’s hand was.

Seeing Biddy hit the floor drew a startled squeak from Juni, unable to utter much else in her distress. She struggled with the blankets from her bed in her effort to scoop Biddy up from the floor and onto her bed. As she nudged her sister into the bed with her, Biddy’s hand in hers drew another squeak, quickly withdrawing it. 

Her hands burned and stung, and all she wanted to do was curl up with her sister.

After a moment, she leaned into Biddy, attempting to hold her close. Between them, Juni shifted her hands protectively against her chest. Couldn’t speak, couldn’t use her hands...she was useless, this way and every way. She couldn’t even help Strings.

It was the truth. She was sipping on wine, talking to Rat, and then she heard a loud bang. The next thing she knew, she was in the hospital room with other women. Her grandmother was changing Juni’s bandages (Grandma May thought the nurses were taking too long) when Biddy tried to open her eyes before bawling. She couldn’t see. She must’ve gone blind. As soon as she was calmed down with a cold cloth on her eyes, she was told what happened, how they found her.

“And Juni?”

“She’s resting, baby.” Grandma May said soothingly. “We’re gonna take you both home to your beds. You’ll be more comfortable there and your Grandma will take good care of you.”

“What about...” But the medicine was kicking in. The pain from her head was morphing into a spiral. She felt dizzy and she still couldn’t see. “What about Rat? Is he okay?” But she never found out the answer. The medicine kicked in and she was fast asleep.

No one ever did tell her about Rat, and every time she started to panic, begging whomever would listen about Rat, they would tell her not to worry and to rest. Then, she’d go to sleep.

Grandma May put a two trays of tea down for both of the girls. “I’ll bring some vegetable soup for you later. Lord knows, you both need your strength.

“God bless my girls, and Jesus, I pray that you both will heal quickly and let my grand baby see again. Amen.” She said before exiting the room.

The piano, the chandelier...the sheer romance of it, she could’ve cried. Then...

Then the world fell apart. 

The first blast sent them both off their feet, and even if Strings had attempted to shield her, he couldn’t shield himself from the beam that collapsed atop him. The beam quickly caught fire. 

In her desperation, she’d stood, hardly noting that her skirts had also caught in the flame and tried her best to free him of the crushing weight. Adrenhaline coursed through her, ignoring how her hands burned and singed on the wood so close to the licking flame...

And then the next blast came, and the world went dark. Now...now, she was stuck in her bed, unable to move and unable to speak. Her hands trembled as she whimpered in pain in spite of Grandma May’s best efforts to heal her.

“Juni, it’s okay. We’re…we’re at the house. If you take a deep breath, you can smell Grandma making vegetable soup. I bet she added potatoes to it.” She wiggled again, trying to get out of the bed. It hurt terribly to move, but she finally escaped the soft grasps of the quilts. “And we’re safe.” She put her feet on the ground and shivered. Was the floor always this cold? Sliding off of the bed, she tried to stand to get to Juni’s bed, but her legs gave out and she was on the floor. She crawled on the floor, trying to remain calm. There were more knots on the floor than she realized.

“You’re not at a docks?” She took the glass of wine and took a drink. Hopefully this would help relax her. Her grandmother always took a nip of brandy before bed, it said it eased her mind before bed. Wine wasn’t as strong as brandy, so she figured she would need a lot of it.

She stood in front of the tree, looking up at the height. “How did it even fit through the door?” She wondered out loud. “The garland is very pretty, but…” She took another drink of her wine. “It could use some tinsel. It will make the the tree sparkle against the candles.” She held the glass of wine in her hand before giving him a long sideways glance. He looked good. Very good. How did he get more handsome.

“You need more Christmas decorations. Maybe Juni and I can come by to help?”

“A lot of muscle and a lot of cursin’, Biddy-Bird.” Rat answered, offering a crooked smile as he glanced to the front door again. They’d tried it a few different ways, and had multiple complaints from their posh neighbors. Still, they’d eventually managed, covered in sap and pine needles. He was still feeling sticky.

His features seemed to brighten at the thought of her willingly coming by again. “Yeah? You’d wanna do that?” Having Biddy around was both a blessing and a curse these days–a blessing to see her, a curse to not be able to touch or hold her. But to have her nearby in any capacity…he would count himself lucky.

Biddy nodded her head, her smile getting bigger. No one else had ever called her Biddy-Bird and it brought the butterflies back into her stomach. “Something sounds better than water.” She chewed on her lower lip, looking around curiously.

“This place is…wow.” She was never the best with words. She liked to let her painting do the talking. “What did you get promoted to working at the docks? Are you a foreman now?”

Glad to have something to do with his hands, Rat moved to the kitchen. They’d attempted their hand at a mulled wine, but it was likely more wine than mull. He began to fill a glass for her, and very nearly spilled the lot at her question.

“Foreman? Ah…no.” He shook his head, scrambling for an explanation. “No, not a foreman. Actually, I’m not at the docks at all anymore, no.” He distracted himself by bringing her the glass, and shoved his hands into his pockets. 

She stood in front of the tree, looking up at the height. “How did it even fit through the door?” She wondered out loud. “The garland is very pretty, but...” She took another drink of her wine. “It could use some tinsel. It will make the the tree sparkle against the candles.” She held the glass of wine in her hand before giving him a long sideways glance. He looked good. Very good. How did he get more handsome.

Strings got up from the piano, leaving an unresolved chord echoing through the apartment. “Probably Juni.” He said, feeling a bit relieved that Juni was here. Another pleasant distraction. He smoothed his vest and took a quick glance at himself in the mirror by the door. He made sure his hair was slicked back but had to squint his eyes to get a better look at himself. He pocketed his glasses for the time being, but he was sure he would put them back on.

“Libbit!” Strings said while lifting her up in a swinging hug. It was how he always greeted her, as though they hadn’t seen each other for years. “Welcome to our humble abode!”

Rat himself was glad to have the distraction–if nothing else, it would help to alleviate some of the tension that had sprouted from his confession. He took up Strings’ seat at the piano, plunking his fingers against the keys in a stunted Mary Had A Little Lamb. He didn’t pay too much attention to the couple at the door, merely glancing at them as a flash of blue entered his peripheral–ah, Juni’s dress.

Then, he stood from the bench, staring. Biddy.

She looked beautiful.

She shuffled her feet a bit as Strings spun Juni around before her eyes settled on Rat. He didn’t look disheveled like that last time and she was sure he got more muscular. She didn’t think it was possible for him to become more handsome, but there he stood.

Oh, she was expecting a reply. He scrambled to concentrate. 

“Oh, yeah. Yeah, of course–it’s Christmas. Can’t have a party without you there, Biddy-Bird.” Rat offered an uncertain smile, wishing he could swing her about, as he’d seen the others do. He missed her.

Strings got up from the piano, leaving an unresolved chord echoing through the apartment. “Probably Juni.” He said, feeling a bit relieved that Juni was here. Another pleasant distraction. He smoothed his vest and took a quick glance at himself in the mirror by the door. He made sure his hair was slicked back but had to squint his eyes to get a better look at himself. He pocketed his glasses for the time being, but he was sure he would put them back on.

“Libbit!” Strings said while lifting her up in a swinging hug. It was how he always greeted her, as though they hadn’t seen each other for years. “Welcome to our humble abode!”

Rat himself was glad to have the distraction–if nothing else, it would help to alleviate some of the tension that had sprouted from his confession. He took up Strings’ seat at the piano, plunking his fingers against the keys in a stunted Mary Had A Little Lamb. He didn’t pay too much attention to the couple at the door, merely glancing at them as a flash of blue entered his peripheral–ah, Juni’s dress.

Then, he stood from the bench, staring. Biddy.

She looked beautiful.

She shuffled her feet a bit as Strings spun Juni around before her eyes settled on Rat. He didn’t look disheveled like that last time and she was sure he got more muscular. She didn’t think it was possible for him to become more handsome, but there he stood.

Biddy took one look at her and shook her head. That shawl wouldn’t do. Without a word, she went into the closet closest to Grandma May’s room. She always kept some of the older family’s clothes, just in case they wanted them or to use as hand-me-downs. It just so happened that her mother had a beautiful shawl that was made intricately made to look like blue peacock feathers. “Here. It was my mom’s. I think it goes better with your dress, if you don’t mind me saying.”

She gave her grandma a small kiss on the cheek. “We’re going to Strings’ place. “She didn’t know why she didn’t mention Rat. Grandma May told them to have Strings walk them home at reasonable hour.

“Doing well? A butcher and a docker?” Biddy was curious at the idea of the boys being well-off. The Mays always welcomed the boys to come over for a hot homecooked meal to save on money and because they were part of the family. “Are you sure they aren’t working there and living in the housekeeping quarters or something?”

Biddy had wandered away, and before she knew it she was placing something that looked far too delicate and important around her shoulders. The shawl was warm, but more than that–it was important. It was special, because it belonged to Biddy’s mother. Having grown up without her own…

Juni was overcome. She wasn’t certain why it affected her so much, but before she knew it, she was crying, and hadn’t heard a single word of Biddy’s inquiry.

She shuffled to catch back up, and withdrew the address Strings had given her. in order to get to their floor, they would have to take one of the gilded elevators–fancy, shiny, and new. The operator opened the door for them. “Floor, please?”

Biddy couldn’t help but blush slightly at Juni’s comment. A proper lady. Biddy. Sometimes that seemed like one of the pictures in her head. A proper lady in a proper house with a grand staircase and music playing all the time. It was just enough to bring a smile to her face as she held the shawl close.

“Where does Rat live now?” She asked curiously. She had knew he and Strings moved but she never inquired on where? She wouldn’t believe it if Juni did tell her about the upscale apartment. “Are you sure I can wear your shawl?” Biddy had moved the curtains aside to show a steady snow falling. It was going to be a beautiful walk. There was something that night that eased her nerves. Maybe it was the power of the shawl, maybe it was Juni’s reassurance, but she felt that there was magic around.

“I-I’m not too sure.” Juni said, and lifted a shoulder as she took up one of the other shawls in the closet. It wasn’t her favorite, but it matched and it would do. Besides, Biddy did look wonderful in the dress and the shawl she’d given her. Imagine the look on Rat’s face!

She gave her grandma a small kiss on the cheek. “We’re going to Strings’ place. “She didn’t know why she didn’t mention Rat. Grandma May told them to have Strings walk them home at reasonable hour.

She still loved him too. She pulled the dress on over her head. “He’s not safe with me. It’s illegal for us to even marry.” She stepped out from behind the dressing screen, tears filling her eyes. “It would be too dangerous. I just can’t have us both live in fear.” Except she noticed that she wasn’t getting bothered as much. 

“Sit down and let me put your hair up.” She said, trying to change the subject. “I think we have some roses and baby’s breath that I can put in your hair.” She said as she started to comb out her tresses. “Are we leaving the cats here or will we be taking them with us?”

Juni wanted so badly to make this better for Biddy. She hated to see her sister this way, the torture she and Rat were going through knowing that they both loved one another, but couldn’t be together. She hated it. She hated a world that could force them to make this decision.

Allowing it to slide for the moment, Juni took a seat, obliging Biddy with the change in subject. This was Christmas, after all. She deserved to be happy.

She still loved him too. She pulled the dress on over her head. “He’s not safe with me. It’s illegal for us to even marry.” She stepped out from behind the dressing screen, tears filling her eyes. “It would be too dangerous. I just can’t have us both live in fear.” Except she noticed that she wasn’t getting bothered as much. 

“Sit down and let me put your hair up.” She said, trying to change the subject. “I think we have some roses and baby’s breath that I can put in your hair.” She said as she started to comb out her tresses. “Are we leaving the cats here or will we be taking them with us?”

Juni wanted so badly to make this better for Biddy. She hated to see her sister this way, the torture she and Rat were going through knowing that they both loved one another, but couldn’t be together. She hated it. She hated a world that could force them to make this decision.

Allowing it to slide for the moment, Juni took a seat, obliging Biddy with the change in subject. This was Christmas, after all. She deserved to be happy.

Juni sighed quietly. “It’ll be hard to just be friends.” She couldn’t imagine being around Rat if he had another girl. Even Biddy contemplated becoming a nun, except she wasn’t Catholic. She was still in love with him and just wanted to keep him safe.

“I can try, but what if there’s someone else or someone else comes along? I don’t think my heart could take it.” She went behind the dressing screens to change into the dress. “If you and Strings ended your relationship, God forbid, wouldn’t you think it would be difficult to be around him and see him with other girls?”

It was a question Juni had attempted to ask herself, and put herself in Biddy’s position. The sheer anxiety and heartbreak of it–she was so in love with Strings and so completely attached that losing him would be losing herself. They were a unit. How incomplete would she be without him?

“Grandma was talking about him today. She hates to say it, but she misses him around the house. It was never a boring time with the boys around.” Biddy said as she examined the dress. It was beautiful and Biddy couldn’t help but hold it up to her and give a small twirl. “Thank you, Juni! I’ll take very good care of it! I won’t even eat in it!”

She stopped in her tracks. “It’s at his apartment?” She asked quietly. “I don’t know, Juni…”

“I-it’s only dinner.” Juni replied instantly, not wanting to deter Biddy from the evening–or the opportunity to see the person she wanted to see, even if Biddy wouldn’t admit it aloud. It broke her heart to see the two of them tip-toeing around one another.

She chewed on her lip, and gently turned Biddy toward the long mirror, toying with her hair. “Th-there’s a p-party with his work. Lots of n-new people to meet and m-music and f-food. It’ll be s-so much fun! You h-have to come…” 

Biddy woke up with a jolt. Her dream was so nice, with a familiar man being front and center. It wasn’t Rat, but it felt like him. She could feel his smile in her dream and had the feeling in her stomach whenever he would come around.

“I wish I could sleep.” She yawned and stretched her arms upwards to loosen up her muscles. “But the nap helped a bit.” She looked over at Grandma May who was still fast asleep in her chair. It was going to be a quiet night. The boarders were all attending holiday parties and Grandma May would be visiting her brother and sister-in-law, and Biddy did not want to go. Grandma May, however, would not allow her to stay in the house by herself.

“I’ll go, but I don’t think I have anything to wear.”

“What’s w-wrong with what you’re w-wearing?” Juni asked, though she regretted it the moment she spoke. It was Christmas, and they deserved to have a day to dress up and feel fancy for the evening. Besides, if she happened to be in Biddy’s position, she’d want to look her best, too…

Turning back, she held the dress toward Biddy, and beamed. “Only if y-you wear some Christmas f-flowers, too. Keeps the kitties from t-trying to eat them, at least.” She glanced at Monster and Martin, batting at one another over a bow on the floor.