“Pittman Creek“: A Coming of Age Novel of Love and Life in Northwest, Florida During World War Ii.

By Lawrence Wayne

Pittman Creek follows Darnell Barker growing up poor in a rural setting in Northwest Florida . He is born with a club foot and the novel deals with his overcoming adversity and ridicule and his journey and adventures into manhood . His star crossed love affair with the rich girl on the hill , culminating in Darnells combat experiences at the Battle of Iwo Jima. It is a moving and poignant portrayal of life in these troubling times and overcoming all the odds.
Pittman Creek is a coming of age novel that spans the era from 1922 to 1946 from the Depression, Prohibition and through WW2.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Oct 26, 2020
• ISBN: 9781665505505

Lawrence Wayne

Lawrence Wayne is a musician and a writer. He published the novel “Pittman Creek,” a romance and war story during WW2, and this is his second novel. His wife challenged him to write an erotic adventure novel. He lives in Savannah, Georgia and has 2 sons and 2 grandchildren.

Book preview

BOOK 1

CHAPTER 1

November 25, 1922

The Sam Barker Residence and

Store, Pittman Creek Florida

L illy Florence Barker was in labor. Her water had broke at 2 pm that afternoon and the contractions were now 20 minutes apart. Her husband, Sam Barker, had driven into Geneva to fetch Dr. Goolsby. It was only 5 miles away. Doc Goolsby was in his late 60s and was considering retiring but life in Geneva would not let him since he was the only Doctor in town. He got to the Barker store and went into the main room where Florence was on the bed. The bed was soaked and another woman was there helping her. The sheets were wet from her labor and the first thing he had the woman do was get some clean sheets and prepare Florence for delivery. She was naked and he checked her vagina. Sam came in the room. He had been drinking and was drunk. Doc Goolsby told him to go outside, they would call him if they needed him. He thought Florence’s cervix had dilated to about 10 centimeters so birth was imminent. He told the other woman to go heat some water on the wood stove. They would need it to clean the mother and baby up. Florence’s contractions were now only a minute a part and he had her put a dowel of wood in her mouth to bite down when the contractions hit her. He told her to push as the next contraction came and he could see the baby’s head crowning in her birth canal. She cried out, oh god and the contractions hit her again and Doc said now Florence push as hard as you can . He reached down to cradle the baby’s head as it appeared and slowly the entire head filled his hands. She rested again and another contraction hit her and she screamed and he said It’s almost over Florence, one last time, Push push push. She did and the rest of the baby slid out of her birth canal. The other woman came over as Doc Goolsby held the baby and used the warm water to clean the baby up. Florence said Is it over ? Doc Goolsby said yes congratulations, Mrs. Barker, you have a son What will you name him? Florence thought for a moment and said Darnell. I like the name Darnell. Darnell Barker sounds like a matinee idol to me. Is he all right, I mean is everything there like it should be. ? Doc Goolsby looked close at the baby and noticed his left leg didn’t seem to be straight. The left foot appeared to be rotated inward and down. He thought the baby may have a club foot. Finally, he said Florence, everything looks normal except for the left foot. It appears to not lay properly. Florence said What does that mean Doc? Doc Goolsby said he may have a club foot but I think that can be corrected in time . Florence said so he’s a cripple ? Doc Goolsby said well, he won’t be able to walk normally until that foot is corrected Florence began crying and Doc tried to comfort her by saying Florence, he’s a perfectly healthy baby and that small problem can be corrected. He will have a normal life, OK. Florence stopped sniffling and said Ok so how do we fix his foot.? Doc Goolsby said Well club foot has come a long way and he can either have an operation or wear a brace to correct that leg or a combination of both. Florence said When will that happen? Doc said I think Darnell will have to grow up a bit before he can have an operation, maybe 10 years or so. Florence said so he will be a cripple for the first 10 yrs of his life ? Doc Goolsby said Well, time heals things Florence, this will take some time but it’s not hopeless ok. Again he will live a normal life. You just have to have patience and adapt. Sam came into the room. He said Is it over?’ Doc Goolsby said yes, Sam, you have a son, his name is Darnell. Congratulations. Sam said Is everything like it should be ?’ Doc Goolsby said I was just telling Florence, that Darnell seems to have a club foot on his left side. Sam went off. He said you mean my sons a god damned cripple. He won’t be able to walk ? He looked at Florence in disgust and said this is your fault goddammit. Doc Goolsby interceded and said Sam, it’s nobody’s fault. Sometimes things happen we have no control over. Darnell’s foot can be corrected. It will take some time that’s all. Sam was so drunk he just stormed out of the room cussing. The last thing they heard from him was a god damned cripple I won’t have it. Florence was crying again. The other woman was quiet till Doc Goolsby said,’ let’s get the baby wrapped up and try and let him nurse ok. Florence you do want to nurse your baby do you not?. She nodded her head yes. She stopped crying and the other woman washed her and cleaned her up. Doc Goolsby had snipped the umbilical cord and Darnell was wrapped in a flannel baby blanket and lay next to his mom as she placed her nipple in his mouth. He opened his mouth. Florence smiled as her new son began suckling her breast. Sam would have to sober up and just learn to adapt. She let him nurse till he was sleeping then the midwife picked Darnell up and put him in his crib. They changed the sheets and put the soiled ones in the laundry pile. Darnell was such a pretty baby. Her heart went out to him. Doc Goolsby said his goodbyes and stated he would check on her in a day or so.

Sam Barker had sobbered up a bit by now after learning of his sons birth and disability. He drove back to Geneva. He kept a room above the saloon next to the Barker Bros. Mercantile and Hardware Store. He also had a woman that worked in the saloon, Rosalie Sheffield, and she shared the room with him. She was a prostitute from Blountstown, Florida. Lily Florence knew of this arrangement but said nothing to him about it. She knew of Sam’s indiscretions but somethings are best left alone. Sam had met Rosalie at Aunt Cathy’ s Place when he returned home from the war in France in summer of 1919, three years earlier. That was when his brother Dan suggested they buy the old hardware store in Geneva and rename it and bring it up to speed with all the needs for a modern day Mercantile store in a rural community like Geneva.

CHAPTER 2

Barker Brothers Mercantile and

Hardware Store, Geneva, Alabama

D an Barker was quite the business man. Sam was the people guy. He was really good with people pressing the flesh and getting people to come in the store. Dan was the business side, keeping the books and doing all the wholesale ordering. Together they turned a dilapidated business into quite an operation. Dan kept the shelves stocked with home products, fabrics and dry goods along with some hardware like guns and ammo and fishing supplies. He told Sam they should open a branch store so they identified the cross roads south of town at Pittman Creek, just over the Florida line. They could sell gasoline since automobiles were replacing the horse and buggy along with some auto parts and groceries for the outlying farms. They decided that they would build the store and have a residence built along with it for Sam and his bride to be to live in. They were dating two sisters that were local school teachers, Minnie and Florence Morris. They had asked the ladies to marry them so two brothers were to marry two sisters. They married the ladies in 1921.

Sam began construction on the project and soon the Barker Store was built and ready for business. He and Florence lived in the back. Dan had it stocked and put in a gasoline pump and they were off and running. Business was good. People would stop by and get some gas, have a coke from the drink box and a candy bar or pick up some groceries. Mostly they liked to visit with Sam. He always had a joke ready and they would spend half an hour or so just enjoying his company. Prohibition had just gone into effect and already Sam had been approached by local moonshiners to provide them with large amounts of sugar and corn. The natural spring water from the aquifer made great whiskey and soon moon shining was big business in Holmes County. The country store turned out to be a huge success and soon the Barker Brothers were in the chips. Dan was a little worried that almost half of their revenue was from moonshiners because they insisted on credit till they were paid in cash when the whiskey was shipped. They eventually got paid but still Dan was the typical worry wart accountant. Money transactions should be settled at the end of the month and not carried over for more than 30 days. Sometimes it was 90 days or more before the moonshiners would get paid then settle up with Sam and Dan. Overall though, business was good.

There were 2 sources of revenue from the moonshiners. One in Ponce De Leon and the other in Defuniak Springs. Both had natural springs that allowed ample amounts of crystal clear water to be used in the making of whiskey. The whiskey was stilled and then shipped via paddle wheeler to Tampa for distribution.

For some reason the stills around Ponce De Leon produced lighter clearer whiskey much like the Canadian blends. Ponce De Leon was a unique settlement. It was named after Juan Ponce De Leon and it was alleged he had camped there while looking for the fountain of youth. A Spanish conquistador helmet was found near the springs thus the name. The community was home to the Dominickers, a clan of multi racial Indians. Their heritage dated back to the battle of New Orleans and General Andrew Jackson, following the defeat of the British in 1815. The Cajun and mulatto soldiers followed General Jackson after the battle to northwest Florida and settled that area as it was home to Euchee Indians. The men and women were known to be a combination of several races, white, black, Indian and Cajun. The men were tall with swarthy complexions, dark curly hair, very muscular and strong. The women were renowned for being tall, slender with good figures, dark complexions, curly black hair and considered hard workers. Overall the clans lived in shacks near the springs and the men worked as laborers. Prohibition came along and they began distilling whisky in their stills as the main source of income. Everyone there was related in some form or fashion. They were all Catholics but did not attend the Catholic church in Defuniak or Marianna. They rarely dated or married outside of the clan. To do so was frowned upon by the clan elders.

Sam did business with the Dominickers and was careful not to intrude on their operations or property. They usually came to the store to get the sugar and corn and would always pay up before the 90 day period. Holmes county Sheriff John Buckmaster would stop by on occasion and Sam always gave him a coke and a candy bar on the house. He asked him once about the Dominickers wanting to know if they did a lot of business with him and Sam was smart and said Sheriff, they all come by and get stuff and yes they have an account with us but they always settle up and not in arears like some others here in Holmes County. The sheriff said Well times are tough, Sam. A man has to feed his family and as long as they are not causing any problems in the county I will leave them alone. Sam and he agreed on one thing. Best to let sleeping dogs lie.

In late February of 1921, Florence Barker had gotten pregnant. It was her first child and Sam was gone quite a bit with deliveries and running back and forth to Geneva. He was also known to drink and he and Dan would hang out in the saloon in Geneva. He and Florence would fight when he came home drunk. On occasion they would attend the Prosperity Methodist Church and that was where they met Bill and Odessa Peters. Unbeknownst to the locals Bill and Odessa had emigrated from Russia by way of England to escape the Bolsheviks in the Russian Revolution. This was kept very quiet as they were afraid of reprisals from the Bolsheviks. Odessa was first cousin to the Tsarina of Russia and was in fact a Romanov. Bill had recognized the tremendous upheaval going on in Russia and sold his shipping firm and escaped to America winding up in Pensacola, Florida. They told everyone they were from England but had grown up speaking Russian as well as German and still had a European accent.

Bill was a man of means and had purchased the old McKenzie plantation that predated the Civil War. He had brought it back to a successful producing farm. He had refurbished the main house and all the 4 former slave quarters updating them with running water and bathrooms. It was on a hill overlooking the entire valley and was over 1200 acres. Pittman Creek ran along the north side of the property and the plantation had its own landing directly on the Choctawhatchee river. Bill liked Sam and they hit it off and Sam asked him if he would supply him with fresh corn. Bill was smart enough not to ask what he was using it for but only assumed that Sam was sending it to the moonshiners. Bill thought the whole idea behind prohibition was silly and more than once said, getting folks to stop drinking was like trying to legislate fucking. It’s not going to happen. Odessa told him to not talk like that. It was crude to say things like that. Bill said I’m only stating the obvious, honey

By end of October, 1922, Bill had made another huge profit from all the crops he had planted. This was a bumper season, the weather had been steady with plenty of rain and sunshine so his cotton was first rate and brought top dollar in New Orleans. His peanuts were huge and also brought in top dollar. He split the profits again with Nikko Constantakis, his Pensacola cousin in the shipping business and with all the farm hands. He was getting rich. . Life was good.

CHAPTER 3

January, 1923

Vista Valley Farms, Pittman Creek, Florida

B essie Mae Peaks had morning sickness. She worked for the Peters family as the cook and had become good friends with Odessa Peters, Bill Peters young wife. They were basically the same age in their mid 20s. She could not keep breakfast down and ran to the bathroom outside the main house and threw up. When she came back in Odessa said your pregnant aren’t you ? Bessie Mae nodded her head and said yes I think so. I haven’t had my flow in almost 2 months so I would guess so. Odessa asked Does Isaiah know? Bessie Mae shook her head no. She said I haven’t told him yet . Odessa said I wish I was pregnant. I have been married almost 6 years and expected to have a baby by now. I’ll be 27 in August, Bessie Mae. I’m beginning to think something is wrong. Bessie Mae asked have you been to see the Doctor?. Odessa only nodded her head no and said Heavens no. I don’t like telling all my intimate facts to a stranger. I have painful periods and my vagina seems to have an infection and it hurts when I urinate. I probably do need to go see a real doctor about it. Doc Goolsby is a nice man but he’s too old in my book. Bessie Mae said just because he’s old doesn’t mean he doesn’t know what’s wrong with you and can’t suggest a cure. What does Bill say?’ Odessa said We don’t talk about it. Bessie Mae said Well, after the holidays I think you should make an appt.

On the morning after Christmas, Doctor Goolsby’s young nurse, Lara Pritchett, came to his office. He was not there. He lived above his practice in a 4 room apartment. She was an RN and went upstairs and knocked on the door. Nothing. She noticed the door was not locked. She called out Dr, Goolsby? No reply. She opened the door and the room was empty. She walked into the bedroom and found Dr. Goolsby on his back, in bed, his eyes staring at the ceiling. She checked his pulse. Nothing. He was dead. She knew he had a bad heart and suspected he had a massive heart attack. She closed his eyes and went to find the sheriff.

CHAPTER 4

February, 1923

Atlanta, Ga

D r. David Aranov was at the administrative offices of the Emory Hospital Clinic. He had just arrived from New York after emigrating from St Petersburg, Russia. They were now calling his hometown Leningrad. What arrogance. He was told that Emory was looking for Doctors. He had enough of war and politics in Russia and had escaped by way of England after being conscripted by the Bolsheviks for the past 3 years as a field surgeon. He was 42 yrs old. He spoke perfect French, English and Russian and had no worries about finding a position. He met the Director, a Dr. Hughes, and said, I will take a staff position here with the clinic if you will consider it ? His curriculum vitae was on the directors desk. Dr. Hughes was looking at it and said Impressive Dr. Aranov. We would be delighted to have you on board with us. However, if you are looking for a more substantive position that allows you full control of your practice, I know of a position that has just come available. It’s in a small town in southeastern Alabama, Geneva, named after the city in Switzerland. The town maybe has 8,000 people in it including the surrounding counties. You would be the only Doctor within 50 miles and there is a nurse assistant available. I think she’s an RN. It’s a turn key practice with an office and clients already established including an apartment above the practice. I believe the city is willing to pay the future Doctor a substantial bonus just to consider it. Would you have an interest? Dr. Aranov said yes. What kind of bonus are they talking? Dr. Hughes said I believe its $2000 dollars. Dr. Aranov thought this over and said after all that I have seen and been through a nice quiet country practice might be just the ticket.

Dr. Aranov took the train to Jacksonville, Fla then west towards Pensacola getting off at the Bonifay, Fla station. He then took a taxi to Geneva. It was only 25 miles away. He arrived at 4 pm on a Friday afternoon.

Geneva was a pretty town with a beige stone courthouse with round white columns on the town square that had the date 1868 engraved above the entrance. There was a large clock that showed the time at 4:12. There was a tall stone war memorial with Civil War cannons flanking it and names chiseled into the granite In front of the courthouse. Overall, the town had a European look to it with flower boxes for all the business picture windows. It was the county seat for Geneva county. There were many small businesses on main street which had brick pavers as the surface and street lights every 100 feet or so. There were sidewalks along all of the business store fronts. Dr. Aranov spotted the doctors office, a shingle that said Dr. Chris Goolsby, MD in front of his office, a brick veneer building with a large plate glass window open to the public which showed a waiting room, the Geneva National Bank, Farmers and Merchants exchange building, a metal warehouse that was open and had stalls with a sign at the entrance in that said Farmers Market, a saloon, a pool hall, Barker Bros. Mercantile and Hardware, a saloon, a bakery, an Opera House that had seen better days and needed repair, a barber shop, a Walgreens drugstore on the corner, a laundry, a restaurant that said Geneva Café, and a Ford Dealership that offered new and used autos. There was another store, Southeast Auto Parts and Tires Supply, Commander’s International Harvester tractor dealership with parts and implements. At the end of main street there was a large grassy park down by the river with a huge oak tree and benches around a Victorian gazebo. There was a landing there in front of the oak tree with an ornate sign that said Constitution Oak, 1778 and 3 large warehouses each with their own landings directly on the river and a sign that said Cotton Ginning and Peanut Processing. In the distance he could see what looked like a manufacturing building and a low warehouse that said Weiss Bros. Shirt Manufacturing Co.

Traffic was light with only a few cars on main street. He decided to call on the sheriff. Dr. Aranov walked into the sheriff’s office. The sheriff was a man in his late 50s, had on a khaki shirt with a badge and had a full head of silver gray hair with a handle bar moustache. He stood up from his desk put out his hand and said Sheriff John Riley, How can I help you ? Dr. Aranov introduced himself and the sheriff said ‘ so you’re the new Doc from Atlanta? If you can wait, I’ll call the mayor so you can meet him. Alabama Telegraph and Telephone had just installed a telephone in the Sheriff’s office and he called the mayor. The mayor said I’ll be right over . The mayor came in and they shook hands. He introduced himself as Mayor Jerry Canfield. He was a portly man, early 50s, bald and had a habit of sucking his teeth. He had a file folder with him. He looked at Dr. Aranov. David Aranov was of medium height, black curly hair, blue eyes and very trim and kept himself in good shape. He was clean shaven and had a full head of wavy hair he kept trimmed. He looked very much like a Doctor. He wore spectacles and had clean delicate hands. The mayor said Doc Goolsby was the town Doctor for almost 40 years. He was a widower and lived alone but had a very thriving practice. Do you think you will have an interest in his practice. We are offering a bonus to get a qualified Doctor. Aranov handed him a copy of his curriculum vitae. The mayor scanned it and finally said Well, you’re more than qualified. So do you want the position?. Dr Aranov said Maybe, tell me about the rent and any expenses involved. For example, the salary of the lady that is the RN and any operating expenses I might incur. How much is this bonus you mentioned. Canfields eyes narrowed and said It’s a thousand dollars! Dr. Aranov smiled and said good try, Jerry, Dr. Hughes in Atlanta said it was double that. Canfield’s face turned red and cleared his throat and said Ok OK…its $2,000. Dr. Aranov looked at the sheriff and said Sheriff, you’re a witness to this negotiation and I will rely on your honesty and integrity, so write this down please and please have the city’s attorney authenticate it and make copies for all of us. Here is what I require to accept this position:

1. The bonus to be paid immediately up front and deposited in the Geneva National Bank

2. The salary of my RN/ assistant to be paid by the city for 3 years.

3. A telephone to be put in my office for my use and also paid for by the city.

4. The use of an automobile with unlimited mileage, repairs and gasoline to make house calls again paid for by the city and changed out after 50,000 miles with a new car every 3 yrs whichever comes first.

5. The office and upstairs residence rent to be paid by the city for 5 years.

6. Membership in the local service clubs to be paid by the city

7. All meals, Breakfast, lunch and dinner for myself and a guest to be paid for by the city at the Geneva Café’.

8. All bills for customers to be guaranteed by the city in the event of default or failure to pay. This will apply to existing accounts only.

9. The cost of new equipment for the practice to be borne by the city at 50% of the retail cost.

10. All drugs wholesale or otherwise dispensed to customers to be paid for by the city through an account at Walgreens.

The sheriff wrote all this down and had a signature block for both the mayor and Dr. Aranov to sign. He also had a signature block as a witness to the negotiation.

Canfield said Well Doc, you drive a hard bargain. Dr. Aranov said, Mayor, you are getting a first rate physician for this community. The Sheriff laughed and said So is that a yes Doc? Dr. Aranov nodded his head yes. The mayor extended his hand and said Welcome to Geneva, Doctor Aranov."

The sheriff said There’s a boarding house off main street next to the courthouse. Bea’s Boarding House. Large white 2 story Victorian home with a porch goes all around. You can’t miss it. Food is good and it’s also where the ladies come to get their hair done in a room off the parlor. Her 2 daughters are both cosmetologists. Go there, tell Bea I sent you and you’re the new Doc in town. Tell her to give you the City rate until you get settled. Have her call me if any questions. She knows my number. Dr. Aranov said Much obliged .

Gap Barker owned a motion picture theater in Elba, Alabama. He was Dan and Sam Barker’s oldest brother. He went to see Dan about the old Geneva Opera House and turning it into a movie theater. Dan told him the opera house would need extensive repairs and negotiations would be difficult. Until they were finished, a mobile motion picture screen might be just the ticket. He had in mind the crossroads at the Barker Store at Pittman Creek. Dan said you could erect a large Revival type tent, set up a portable screen say 12x12 at one end of the tent, place rows of wooden chairs in it, charge 5 cents per head and also have Cokes, hot dogs, candy bars and popcorn available. Feature films were just being produced as were cartoons. Gap thought that was a capitol idea. He asked Dan to help him with the negotiations on the opera house and Gap said he would plus give Dan and Sam 20% of the profits from the shows. They decided Friday and Saturday nights would be best so they began advertising for the new theater and the mobile operation. Gap would simply take the film that was finished playing in Elba and take it to Pittman Creek for showing, the following weekend. When people heard about the new mobile theater, the first Friday night was standing room only for the feature film, Blood and Sand starring Rudolph Valentino. Showtime was at 7 pm and it was a huge hit. The Barker boys made money.

CHAPTER 5

Valley Vista Farms, Pittman Creek

April,1923

O dessa Peters came downstairs to the kitchen and said to an obviously pregnant Bessie Mae Peaks How did your appointment go with the new Doctor. ? Bessie Mae smiled and said Oh my goodness, Odessa, you got your wish. Odessa said what do you mean, my wish ? Bessie Mae laughed then said you said Doc Goolsby was too old, well this guy is in his early 40s and good looking to boot. He can take my clothes off any day. Odessa giggled and said that good looking ? Bessie Mae looked at her and said Oh yes, he has the sexiest blue eyes on a man I’ve ever seen. I was blushing the whole time he was examining me. He said I’m almost half way through my pregnancy. Odessa said did you make my appointment Bessie Mae said yes it’s for next Wed at 10 AM in his office in Geneva. He just took over Doc Goolsby’s office along with his RN assistant, Lara Pritchett. I knew her in grade school. She’s a Dominicker but a bit older than me. Her maiden name was Youngblood. They are a big clan in Ponce de Leon. She married an army guy after high school and left the clan. They frown on that. Her husband got killed in France during the War so she’s a widow. I heard she went to the nurses school in Birmingham for her RN. Odessa said Well, do you think the new Dr. knows what he’s doing? Bessie Mae replied Absolutely, he looks very much the part. You will like him. "

Odessa arrived at her appointment with Dr. Aranov on Wednesday promptly at 10 AM. She had driven herself in the Ford Sedan. She was getting good at shifting and had learned to drive all the vehicles. Dr. Aranov’s office was in a brick building in the middle of town near City Hall. There was a shingle hanging outside the door next to the plate glass window that said David Aranov, MD.. She could see the nurse sitting at a desk near the waiting room. She was a bit nervous but walked in and announced herself. A very attractive nurse in a white uniform with a starched white nurses hat got up and handed her a clipboard. It was a form to fill out with all her vitals and medical history. She did so and the nurse said I’m Lara Pritchett, Dr. Aranov’s assistant. He will be with you shortly.

Lara looked to be early 30s, tall and slim with long curly black hair and very pretty. She had her hair up with the nurses hat pinned on top her head. She had a no nonsense air to her and was very professional. Dr. Aranov came in about 15 mins later and introduced himself. He was good looking, looked to be early 40s, in good shape, clean shaven and had on a white doctors coat. There was a stethoscope hanging around his neck. Bessie Mae was right. His blue eyes sparkled and he was very cordial yet professional. Odessa felt at ease as he looked at her file. He said lets step into my office Mrs. Peters. He closed the door and Odessa sat down as he said So what seems to be the problem. ? Odessa blushed and said Well, its personal and I’m shy about telling people my intimate details. Dr. Aranov smiled and said I assure you Mrs. Peters, everything you tell me will be treated in the highest confidence. Would you feel more comfortable with my nurse present? Odessa thought about that for a minute then said No, you’re a Doctor. I’m probably not the first woman you have had this discussion with. Dr. Aranov laughed and said no you’re not. I have been seeing patients for the past 20 years and there is not much I have not seen or experienced when it comes to the human body including the female body. This put Odessa at complete ease. She said truth be told, I’m almost 28 yrs old and have been married now for 7 yrs and expected to have had a child by now. Dr. Aranov looked at her chart again and said Tell me about your periods and any discharge you may have before and after your flow. Odessa finally opened up telling him that her periods were painful and sex with her husband was as well. He asked her about urinating and was that painful. She said Yes it is and it has an odor to it. Dr. Aranov asked how long has this been going on? She said For quite awhile. At least 5 months if not longer. Is that why I can’ t get pregnant ? Dr. Aranov said Posssibly. I need to examine you . The nurse will help you change into a hospital gown and put you in our exam room. He called for the nurse. He told her he needed to exam Odessa’s pelvic region and to prepare her for a vaginal exam. Lara asked Odessa to come with her to another room which was a changing room and disrobe and put on a hospital gown and go to the exam room and lay down on her back on the table. Odessa did and then saw the stirrups for her feet. Lara pulled out the stirrups and had Odessa spread her legs and place a foot in each stirrup. She was now naked except for the gown. Dr. Aranov came in and had rubber gloves on his hands and asked did she want Lara to remain and she said no it’s not necessary. Lara left. Dr. Aranov proceeded to examine Odessa by first checking her breasts for any soreness or tenderness and then he pulled up the gown exposing her pubis and vagina. He noticed immediately a watery gray discharge from her labia and could smell the faint odor from the infection. He probed and opened her vagina then spread her labia back and could see a red mucus that emanated from her vagina. He said I’m afraid Mrs. Peters you have a vaginal infection. Odessa asked Does this mean I can’t have children.? Dr. Aranov replied Absolutely not. We just need to get this under control and your system back to having the proper flora in it that allows for the reproductive process to work properly. I think we need to do several things. 1. Douche every third day with a 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and salt water. 2. A combination of glycerin with borax in the form of a suppository you place in your vagina at night prior to going to bed 3. I will order yogurt from the dairy in Pensacola so you start using yogurt in your diet. This should clear things up in 6 months or so. Needless to say, you need to refrain from sexual relations until this clears up. If theres an issue, have you husband call me. Odessa gave an audible sigh.

Thank you Doctor. You have no idea how much you have put my mind at ease . He smiled and Odessa thought Oh god’ he’s a charmer. I feel so vulnerable laying here naked. He said Mrs. Peters you can get dressed, I think we are done. Odessa got off the table, took off the gown and lay it on the table. She turned to the Doctor and he saw how beautiful she looked completely naked. Her blonde hair was the same on her mons pubis but with sparse light blonde curls. She had small breasts with nipples that were pink and stood straight out turning up on the end. She was very slender with fit arms and legs, tight buttocks and and virtually no body fat. Dr. Aranov was a bit embarrassed seeing her completely naked showing him her body. He said When your dressed we can chat and walked out.

Odessa got dressed then went back into Dr. Aranov’s office. She sat down as he was writing out 2 prescriptions for the pharmacy at Walgreens. He finally looked up and said Your Russian aren’t you. Your accent is from St. Petersburg or Leningrad as they call it now. I recognized the inflection. I’m from St. Petersburg as well. That’s where I took my training at the clinic there after school in France. Have we met before ? Odessa said I don’t think so. Dr. Aranov said You look just like the Tsarina Alexandra only her hair was dark where yours is blonde. Odessa could feel her face getting red. He said I helped deliver the Tsarina’s youngest daughter, Anastasia in 1901. The regular doctor was sick with the flu. I remember a cousin there in the Palace that night helping me. Was that you? Odessa’s face was beet red now and she didn’t know what to say so she said nothing. Total silence. Dr. Aranov finally said Mrs. Peters, Its ok. Your secret is safe with me. Everything we discuss stays here in this room. I too left Russia. I was tired of the war and all the politics. Life is short. You need to enjoy it while it lasts. Odessa was relieved and got up to go. She turned to the good doctor and said, Dr. Aranov, thank you so much for your help. This community has no idea the kind of Doctor they have. You’re a good man He smiled at Odessa and said let’s get that infection cleared up and I think you will have as many children as you want. See me again in 6 months. "

After Odessa left Dr. Aranov came out and asked Lara who else do we have today?’. She looked at her appointment book and said A Mrs. Barker is coming in after lunch for a post natal exam for her 3 month old. At 1:30 pm Florence Barker came in the Docs office carrying Darnell. He was just 2 and half months old so Dr. Aranov took both of them back to the exam room. He looked over the baby and said Darnell has a club foot. Florence said yes, Doc Goolsby told us that right after he delivered him but said it could be corrected with time Dr. Aranov said yes that is correct but his leg bones and muscles need to mature and strengthen before we can operate. It’s a relatively simple operation. We will have to cut the tendon that’s causing the deformity, allow it to regrow and put him in a brace for a few months or so. After wards he will be good as new, like it never happened. How long should we wait? Florence asked. Dr. Aranov said I think somewhere around his ninth year we can do the surgery. I know this is causing a lot of grief in your family but rest assured Mrs. Barker, it’s no one’s fault. Sometimes these things happen but it can be corrected. Darnell will be 100% and live a normal life. By the way, he’s the perfect age for circumcision, right now! Florence said What is that ? Dr. Aranov said Well, I’m Jewish and we always circumcise male babies as it cuts down on boys having infections around their penis plus it helps control cancer in later life. Florence said does it hurt the baby? Dr. Aranov said not really. it’s a small nip of the foreskin around his penis. He will cry for a bit and his penis will bleed for a moment or so but it doesn’t really hurt him and in a day he will be fine. Should I schedule him for it ? Florence said yes, he needs all the help we can give him till his club foot is corrected. Dr. Aranov said Good, plan for next Monday. I’ll schedule it immediately. Have him here at 8 AM. My nurse will assist and you can take him home at 9. Florence left with Darnell knowing she and her baby were in good hands.

CHAPTER 6

Geneva, Alabama 1923

Lara Pritchett

L ara Pritchett (nee’ Youngblood) was secretly glad Dr. Aranov had taken over the practice. He was quiet, good with his hands, smart, pleasant natured and to top it off good looking. The medical diploma on his wall was in Latin. What Latin she had learned in nursing school, she could make out, it was from the Sorbonne, in Paris, France. She loved his accent and he had told her he was from Russia. She thought how exotic and worldly. Lara had not dated after her husband’s death but had instead focused on nursing and getting her RN. She always tried to look her best when she came to work making sure she had done her makeup and her hair was clean and curled and her uniform was immaculate. She did not wear lipstick at work. One day at lunch time, he asked her to have lunch with him at the Geneva Café’. He was tired of eating alone and it would not be inappropriate for him to be seen with his assistant. Lara said she would love to go. They had the daily lunch special and his manners were exquisite. He treated her like a princess, pulling out her chair and being a gentleman. Lara had to admit to herself she was falling for the good doctor. While having lunch she said you know I’m a Dominicker ? Dr. Aranov said no, I’m not familiar with that term. What does that mean. ? Lara told him all about the history of the Dominickers and how she grew up poor in Ponce De Leon and then moving away to Ft. Benning Georgia. Then she told him about her husband’s service in the Army and his death in France during the War. Dr. Aranov said I’m so sorry Lara, it sounds as if you have overcome a lot. Lara gave him a grateful smile and said Thank you Dr. Aranov and I really appreciate the opportunity to work with you. You should meet my grandfather, Toby Youngblood. He’ s the tribal medicine man in the clan. He knows all about herbs and wild plants in this area that help people when they are sick or need healing. He’s probably in his 80s and can remember the Yankees coming to this area during the Civil War when he was a child. So he’ s been around a long time. Dr. Aranov’s ears perked up and said Is any of this written down? Lara said not that I know of but if you want I can set up a meeting with him so we can do that before he passes. Dr. Aranov smiled and said That’s a wonderful idea, Lara. These old timers know a lot about herbal remedies and a lot of them have efficacy based on naturally occurring chemicals in nature. So yes, let’s set that up and it will give me a chance to learn more about the people here in this area. Lara said Doctor, you know they are poor and don’t have much so it will be quite different than what you are used too. Dr. Aranov said Lara, people being poor and not having much doesn’t mean they are any less worthy. I would be happy to work with you on this project. Lara smiled and her heart skipped a beat knowing she would be in his company for a day or more away from the office. She had to admit to herself she really liked David Aranov and thought about him all the time as someone she could fall for. He made her feel special.

After work one evening Lara drove to Ponce De Leon. She went to her mother’s home which was little more than a shack on the banks of the creek that flowed from the spring. She knocked on the door. Her mother opened it, saw who it was and hugged her daughter. Her mom said Thank you Lara for the money you send us each month. It really helps out. Lara said it’s the least I can do mom. Do you know where Grandpa Toby is? Her mom said yes, he’s at the tribal shelter so you can go see him there. Lara said I’m supposed to be banished! Her mom said you’re my daughter and I won’t stand for some stupid tribal rule. You go down there and if they give you any crap, tell them to come see me. Lara kissed her mom on the cheek and went to the tribal house which was little more than a large shack with a coke drink box on the front porch. The area around the tribal compound was hard packed dirt. Some weeds had grown up near the house and a tan and black hound lay on the front porch. Lara knocked on the screen door and a long haired man came and said What do you want ? Lara said I’m looking for Toby Youngblood The man said Who wants to know ? Lara said Tell him his granddaughter, Lara, is here Toby Youngblood came to the door and saw Lara. He opened it and came out on the porch. He hugged her and said you’re a sight for sore eyes young lady. You look great. It’s been what 4 years now.? Lara said longer Grandpa. I’m working for the new Doc in Geneva. He wants to talk with you about all your herbal remedies. Would you be willing to chat with him. ? Toby said Sure, when does he want to come visit? Lara said how about this Saturday. I’ ll bring a picnic lunch and we can go down to the springs and talk. Say 11 AM ? Toby said Good, I’ll bring your mom.

The next morning at work Lara