The O'Neal Girls Chapter 21

Chapter 21

​            Jonathan Carter, Lila Pennington, Mrs. Connolly, Dr. Young, and Mrs. Jennings were the five judges for the dancing. There would only be one dance and the judges would decide on first, second, and third. The small band struck up a tune and ten couples whisked out onto the dance floor and began twirling to the music. Caleb and Belle started off well; Caleb whirled Belle around gracefully. Joe and Cassandra danced by at a fast pace. Belle noticed Davy and Danielle dancing in a corner. To her surprise, they weren’t doing too badly. Danielle was never a big dancer even though she knew how. Out of the corner of her eye, Belle saw Paul and Lillian absolutely eating up the competition. They were dancing around the outside, feet dashing back and forth, arms swaying, and faces smiling. 

​            “They’re good,” Caleb breathed as he quickened their pace to try and match the O’Neal’s. “Let’s catch up.” 

​            Belle agreed and the two took off after Paul and Lillian. 

​~~~ 

​            “We have competition, Paul,” Lillian said, looking past Paul to see Belle and Caleb eagerly dancing away.

​            Paul glanced over his shoulder. “I think you’re right. Let’s step it up a notch.” 

~~~

​            “Oh boy,” Caleb muttered watching Lillian and Paul fly across the floor. 

“I never knew they could dance that well,” Belle added, watching the O’Neals. 

​            “Let’s match them!” 

​            “Caleb!” 

​            “Aw, you can try!” 

​            “And trip and fall in front of everyone?” 

​            Caleb sighed. “We can do it, come on.” Belle and Caleb started to pick up speed until they were matching Lillian and Paul. 

The applause was getting louder. Caleb and Belle saw Lillian and Paul moving in sync. This time they were dancing in a rocking motion. Their heads bobbed up and down together. Caleb and Belle copied them again.  

Paul looked over. “Copycats!” he boomed with a laugh. “We’ll shake you yet!” 

​            “Not without a fight!” Caleb called back. 

​            By this time, the other eight couples had left the floor to the two competitors. Everyone was cheering wildly. 

​~~~

​            Lillian was beginning to get tired. Her heart throbbed in her chest and a dull pain was slowly growing in her sides. Her breath came in short gasps. “Paul I think we should—”Lillian began but was cut off. 

​            “Alright!” Paul called to Caleb, “I bet you’ll never do this one.” He looked at Lillian and shook the sweat off his forehead. “Remember that dance your Pa hosted when you were eighteen?” 

​            “Yes…” ​          

“Remember that routine that couple—the Petersons—did?” Paul was talking fast and sucking in gulps of air. 

​            “Oh, yes. The one they taught us?” 

​            “That’s the one. Caleb and Belle will never get this one.” Paul smiled at Lillian and began dancing in a deliberate pattern. Lillian reluctantly followed his lead. They continued the concise actions until they heard Caleb and Belle drop out. A loud cheer went up for Paul and Lillian as they both stepped wearily off the dance area. 

​            “Paul and Lillian O’Neal take first place!” Mr. Carter called out above the racket. “Caleb Carter and Belle Hansen take second with Adam and Jane Pilfer taking third.” 

​            Paul and Lillian made their way to the refreshment table. Lillian’s face was flushed and she felt very tired. Caleb and Belle were taking big gulps of water at the table. They joined them and drank plenty of water too. 

​            “Well done, Caleb,” Paul said, shaking his hand. “I never met anyone who kept up with Lillian and I before.” 

​            “It was fun, sir,” Caleb said. “But I do have one question.” 

​            “Go ahead and ask,” Lillian smiled despite her exhaustion. 

​            “Would you mind teaching Belle and I that routine you did at the end?” 

​            Paul laughed, “We don’t mind at all. In fact, we learned that from a couple at a party some years ago.” 

​“Were you always good dancers?” 

​            “Yeah. We only got beat one time…” Paul glanced around. “And here they come.” 

​            Robert and Lila Pennington walked over. 

​            “Why weren’t you two in the competition?” Lillian asked. 

​            “We didn’t want to embarrass you in front of your friends,” Robert replied curtly. 

            “Or perhaps you’re just out of practice,” Paul quipped.

​            “I can assure you Lila and I are in tip-top shape.”    

 “You know we only danced twice together. We beat you the first time; and you the second time.” 

​            “Let’s settle that then.” Robert said. 

​            “Monday. Same place. Noon time.” 

​            “Paul…” Lillian said biting her lip. 

​            “Robert…maybe we should…”Lila said with a worried glance at Lillian. 

​            Paul turned to his wife, “You love dancin’, love, this will be fun! You’ve never turned down a competition before.” 

            Lillian nodded her head somewhat reluctantly. “You’re right.”

​            “We’ll see who can out dance the other,” Robert said to Paul. “May the best dancers win.”

Paul and Robert shook hands and parted ways. Lila and Lillian exchanged a strange glance before they rushed after their husbands.

​~~~

  

​ ​           The following afternoon, after the church service and lunch, Lillian sent the girls to their rooms or to go outside. She said the adults needed to talk together without interruptions. Elsie, Lynn, Faith, and Megan all headed outside while Belle, Cassandra, Danielle, and Nadia were inside. The four inside went inside the girl’s bedroom and sat there quietly. Danielle pressed her ear against the door to listen. 

​            “Get away from that door!” Belle said sharply. 

​            “I want to hear what they’re saying. Shh!” Danielle continued listening. 

~~~ 

​

Lillian waited until the girls had left before she began talking. “Paul, we can’t go through with this competition tomorrow. Don’t you remember what happened last time?” 

​            “I remember we lost to your sister and brother-in-law,” Paul responded slowly.

​            “Lillian and I ended up sick that weekend,” Lila corrected. 

​            Robert’s mouth parted, “Oh, I see.” He sent a worried look Lila’s way. 

​            “See what?” Paul asked him. 

“See that you men need to be more careful when competing,” Lillian said quickly. “We’re women; we wear out easier than men.” 

“I didn’t think about that,” Robert said quietly. “We’ll call off the competition.” 

“Thank-you,” Lillian and Lila said. 

Paul shrugged and agreed with Robert.  “Sure. I don’t want you ladies to hurt yourself.” He grinned at Lillian.

Paul and Robert left the table to go outside. Lillian and Lila stood and began clearing the table. 

​            “Lillian, does Paul know the true reason why we won’t dance as much as we used to?” Lila looked at her sister. 

​            Lillian didn’t answer at first. “No…I am afraid to tell him.” 

​            “Lillian! You need to tell him! I told Robert and he was very understanding.” 

​            Lillian stood silent for a while thinking of years ago when she was just seventeen. While she was a teacher at the school, she had been playing games with the younger children at recess. She had fainted suddenly and the worried children took her to the doctor. Lila was summoned and the doctor explained shocking news to the sisters. He diagnosed a heart condition to them both. He had guessed that the girls would end up with the same condition their mother had but he didn’t realize their condition would be more advanced.  He explained that the sisters’ hearts were weaker than most women’s. He said they would have to learn to go a little slower than most people. He strongly advised against hard work and against having children. Lila solemnly agreed with the doctor, but Lillian hadn’t. She had always been an overachiever and now she must stop? She was very upset. She refused to tell anyone and married Paul a year later. Then the following year, she became pregnant. However Lisa O’Neal was pronounced dead a few minutes after her birth. After that, Lillian refrained from having any children for a few years. But then she decided she wanted to try again and she had Oakley. She had defied the doctor and while Doctor Young was not pleased, he calmly insisted she be careful. She could tell Doctor Young was worried when Lillian gave birth to Oakley but everything was going much better now. 

​            “Lillian,” Lila said, taking her sister’s hand. “I understand how you feel.” 

​            “No, you don’t; not entirely. I was always the overachiever…I was always stronger than you. It’s hard for me to accept.” 

​            “But you still must tell him.” 

​            “What will he think when I tell him, ‘Oh, Paul, I’m weaker than most women,’? He’ll make me rest all the time and have the girls take everything over. I don’t want to be babied.” 

~~~ 

​            “Wow!” Danielle whispered loudly. 

​            “What?” Cassandra asked. 

“Lillian and Lila are talking about something…oh my!” 

​            “What is it?”  

​            “Girls! Eavesdropping, still?” Belle looked disapprovingly at them. 

​            “Lila said they both are weaker than most women or something…” Danielle paused and she leaned closer to the door. “They stopped talking.” She moved away from the door. 

​            “Why is she weak?” Nadia asked sitting beside Danielle. 

​            Danielle’s face bore a mischievous smile, “Because she didn’t eat enough vegetables!” 

​            Nadia’s blue eyes widened. “Will I be weak?” 

​            Belle came over to Nadia. “No, Sweetheart. But you do have to eat your vegetables.” Belle looked at Danielle sternly. She turned back to her little sister. “Now, Nadia, listen to me. You are not allowed to say anything about Lillian being weak. She is probably just…ill. Okay?” 

​            “My lips are sealed!” Nadia whispered in Belle’s ear. 

~~~ 

​            That night, Danielle couldn’t sleep. She felt guilty about eavesdropping, but curious as to what Lillian had meant. Danielle slipped downstairs and into the kitchen. She got a glass of water and sat down at the table. Moments later, Lillian walked into the kitchen. 

​            “What are you doing up so late?” she asked in her soft way. 

​            Danielle looked over at Lillian and shrugged. “I couldn’t sleep.” 

​            “Is that all?” Lillian sat down beside Danielle. “Usually there is a reason why people can’t sleep.” 

​            “No reason…really.” Danielle tilted her glass back and forth so the water sloshed from side to side. 

​            “Is it a boy?” 

​            “No!” Danielle turned to look at Lillian in surprise. 

​            “Just asking,” Lillian replied calmly. “If you won’t tell me, I’ll just keep guessing.” 

​            Danielle sighed. Lillian was the most persistent person she knew. “Okay…I’ll tell you.” Danielle frowned before continuing. “I sort of eavesdropped on someone.” 

​            “May I ask who?” 

​            “You.” Danielle played with her robe strings. 

​            Lillian looked at her daughter. “Is that all?” 

​            “No. I heard some things I shouldn’t have heard.” 

​            Lillian’s muscles tensed in worry and she quickly thought back to her recent conversations. “What kind of things?” 

​            “You and Lila were talking about how both of you are weak or something. It worried me when I heard how upset you sounded.” Danielle looked at Lillian sadly. “I’m really sorry…” 

​            “I knew eavesdropping you get you in trouble someday,” Lillian said with a dry tone. Her temper flared as she realized Danielle had learned her secret. Danielle had no business eavesdropping! Lillian didn’t say anything for a few minutes until she finally said, “I suppose I need to explain now.”

​            Danielle looked away and waited for Lillian to continue. 

​            “You see, a long time ago, I fainted during the afternoon. I was taken to the doctor’s office and I was examined. That’s when I received disturbing news. I was ‘fragile’ as the doctor put it. My body was much weaker than other women. I got tired more easily. I would have to slow down and not do hard work and I wasn’t to have children.” 

​            Danielle looked at Lillian in shock. “But you had Oakley,” she said. 

​            “I wasn’t supposed to have Oakley…the doctor said I shouldn’t have but I did anyway.” Lillian sighed. “Paul has no idea about this…I’m afraid to tell him.” 

​            “Why?” 

​            “I don’t want to be babied. I want to be able to be a hardworking wife and mother!” Lillian’s fists balled as she spoke. “Danielle, you and I are very different, but when I was younger I had your driving and aggressive attitude. I yearned to be the best at everything. I was always good at school, I was always the best dancer, and I had every boy in town dreaming of me.” Lillian smiled sadly at the memory. “Girls were jealous of me and I was pleased with it. I was a very prideful young woman.” 

​            Danielle thought over the words Lillian had just said. She couldn’t imagine Lillian as a young woman capturing the heart of every young man and she couldn’t see Lillian being the competitive type.  

​            “I knew I would have to tell Paul at some point…I’m just not prepared.” Lillian cupped her head in her hands. 

​            That moment, while Lillian and Danielle were both digesting everything that had been said, Paul walked into the kitchen. “What are you ladies doing up so late?” 

​            Danielle was startled and looked up quickly. “Uh…” 

​            “Just chatting,” Lillian said. She sent Danielle a sharp “don’t-you-dare-say-another-word” look. Danielle looked away from Paul and Lillian. 

​            “Well it’s late and you better try to get some sleep,” Paul raked a hand through his bushy hair and yawned. 

​            Lillian and Danielle nodded and Danielle headed upstairs to the loft. Lillian waited a few moments to be sure that Danielle wasn’t eavesdropping again before she began talking to Paul.

​            “Paul…we need to talk.”        

Lillian motioned for Paul to take a seat beside her. He obeyed and sat down. He watched her with curiosity. Lillian clasped his hand in hers and began her story. Through tears, Lillian began at the beginning when she had fainted and was taken to the doctor. She proceeded on how she refused to obey or listen to such things.  

​            For once, Paul listened intently to Lillian. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Paul’s eyes betrayed the hurt he was experiencing. “I thought we agreed not to keep secrets from each other.” 

“Paul…I’m so sorry but this was different.” 

“Different? I don’t see any difference.” 

“I couldn’t tell you. I was afraid for you to know. I didn’t want you to think I need special care or anything…I’m sorry.” Lillian twirled a piece of hair around her finger. 

​            “But you do need special care.” Paul turned his deep eyes over at Lillian’s blue eyes. 

​            “I don’t want it though! I want to be able to do things myself. I don’t need people fussing over me.” 

“You obviously have a special condition. Why didn’t you tell me? I could’ve been keeping an eye on you. I could’ve made sure nothing bad happened to you.” 

“Paul, please, I didn’t want this to happen. You’re overreacting.” 

“I have a right to overreact! You kept a secret from me; a secret about your health. What if something would’ve happened? What if I made you work too hard? Lillian…the fire…no wonder the doctor was shocked that you lived! You almost died…you were so close!” 

“But you didn’t…and I’ve told you my secret now. Please don’t be cross,” Lillian pleaded. 

Paul shook his head. “You shouldn’t have had Oakley.” 

​            Lillian looked up in astonishment. “Paul! Oakley is the God-given blessing we’ve always prayed for.” 

“Lillian, Oakley could’ve killed you!” 

“A price I would have gladly paid!” Lillian said in a mixture of anger and shock. “Paul, how could you say such a thing? Do you know how long I have prayed for Oakley?” 

​            Paul looked away, “I know; I prayed for him too but the strain on you…” 

​            “I’m fine,” Lillian insisted. “And just think we would never have adopted Danielle and the girls if you knew.” 

​            Paul stopped a moment and bowed his head. “You’re right…but I’m still going to make sure you rest more. The girls can help you out more and take care of the more strenuous work.”

            Lillian sighed but knew better than to argue. 

​            The two sat in silence for a few moments. Paul finally stood and led Lillian back to the bedroom. He paused in the center of the parlor. A small shaft of pale moonlight slid through the window and landed on the couple. Paul smiled at his wife and picked up her slender hands in his calloused hands. He then whispered in her ear. “I love you, Lillian. Always.”