She was sleeping on the sofa in the Barclay parlour when Irene entered. She had been staying there for three days now since Liz got sick. Irene called out "Maud wake up" she did "What is it?" she opened her eyes and faced her sister "Liz she's is much worse Dr. Sidey she won't live much longer. She's dying Maud".
Maud shook her head "It can't be this way Irene she can't die. She just can't." the sisters hugged "It's going to be alright just go upstairs. She wants to see you" she could not understand this "Will Ray be there?" she sneered "No he has just seen her. He is in the kitchen with Mrs. Turner and Dr. Sidey just go hurry.
She climbed the stairs and entered she looked in Liz was lying on two pillows to sort of sit her up. She was pale her eyes were hallowed she looked worse then the previous night. She was sweating her breathing. She held a hand out "Come Maud I need to speak with you" she sat on the chair next to her "Liz everything is going to be okay. You will get through this the Doctor will help-" she was cut off by Liz "No I', dying Maud please don't speak anymore I have to get this out while I can". She nodded "alright go ahead".
"I'mm... dying and I want things to be okay after I am gone. I want the best for Bee and Ray my daughter needs a mother I can't be there. Ray will need help with her." A tear escaped her eye " I am sure your father would help-" Liz intrupted "Please Maud, he won't be much help Bee needs a mother I need you to promise me something. Will you promise to do it no matter what".
She fidgeted a little in the chair her palms were sweaty. She felt that whatever this promise would be it was not going to be good. "Okay I promise" she moved foward and grabbed her best friends hand "I know you won't like this. I need you after I die to marry Ray and help him raise Beatrice" Maud's eyes stared straight into her friends "Are you Mad Ray hates me Liz. We would fight constantly Bee would be in between it would be horrid. Oh please no Liz don't make me"
"Please you promised. He has already agreed to this I have spoken to him even if you just came by once in a while Bee wouldn't look at you as a mother. Come on you must please Maud, you are my best friend a sister to me." her eyes were pleading her she squeezed her hand. Finally Maud sighed "Alright I'll marry him I promise. I will do my best by Bee I will raise her as my daughter."
Liz relaxed she laid back on the pillows she struggled to get the words out "Thank you Maudie, you will be great all will be fiiine.." her eyes closed her breathing became laboured. "Liz... Liz Elizabeth! Dr. Sidey! HELP!!" she screamed out she ran downstairs. The doctor heard he ran Irene was behind "What's the matter Miss Bram?" he asked.
"It's Elizabeth she's not up she stopped talking" They entered the room. The doctor look over Elizabeth, Ray, Irene and Maud stood outside the room. Finally Dr. Sidey came out his face glum and sullen he looked over to Ray. "I am sorry Mr. Barclay she's gone" Ray became pale he sat down on the ground and cried tears pouring down his face. Maud felt numb her friend was dead and now she was to marry her husband? how could she do that? Bee's cries could be heard and Maud went in. She picked the little girl up and rocked her Irene came in.
"What am I to do Irene. Oh god she made me promise to marry Ray before she died" she cried out Irene responed "really she did" she nodded in response. "Well Bee will have a mother. Are going to marry him"
"I promised I would before she died. I don't see anyway out of this." they hugged "Tell Ray I am taking Bee with me home. I think he needs to be alone tonight."
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The day was glum and cloudy everyone in Sumter was gathered at Sumter Presbyterian Church for the funeral. The Bram family entered the church and sat in their pew. Maud wore her black dress carrying little Bee in her arms. She sat with Irene and her father sat on her right side. She took Bee with her that night home and had her since the night Liz died. When she told her parents of her friend's death and the promise she made to her they were shocked.
Her mother called out "You and Ray Barclay hate each other. How can she have made you make that promise." Alfred called out to his wife he paced "Susanne please. I can't blame her I see her point she thought it was best for her child." Maud had sat down next to her mother "I don't know papa how can I marry him. I know I promised." He looked stern into his daughter's eyes "Look Maudie you did promise her. Also that child will need a mother and you always said you never marry. You love Bee you must just do it." She nodded "I know father I must".
The funeral services started she searched the church for him she found him in the Linton pew with Liz's father James. He was dressed black he was sitting his head in his hands he looked awful. Reverend Blake began his service "Today we are gathered to remember Elizabeth Florence Barclay. A kind soul, a friend, wife and mother. She zoned out for most of the ceremony when it ended she gathered outside with her family. She just wanted to go home with Bee when her mother approached James and Ray.. "I am so sorry James, Ray please if there is anything we can do please don't heistate". Ray said nothing he just nodded James responed "Oh Sue I don't know what to do anymore first her mother and brother and now her." Sue interjected "You have our family, Ray and Beatrice"
"Your right Sue. Well boy I heading home" he patted Ray's back and walked away Maud stepped forward "Would you like to take Bee tonight or ..." he interupted "No I can't please keep her tonight" he tried to walk off she grabbed his shoulder "I know she spoke to you off the marriage. Ray but listen.."
Ray pushed off her touch "Please Maud don't I can't. If you are trying to coax me out of it I am not. I will marry you I made the promise to so please" and he stormed away she was exasperated I am not backing out how dare he even think that I would go back on a promise to Liz.
Days went by and she had not heard from him she still had Bee the little girl was asleep on her bed. She was penning a friend in Toronto. She looked out the window and saw Rev. Blake coming in with her father. Then she heard him calling "Maud please comedown!" she went down the stairs to see her mother, Irene, the Reverend and her father. "Hello reverend" she greeted the old grey. She had known Rev. Silas Blake since she was born, he christened her and her sister. He was a short stout man with grey hair with specks of dark brown hair. His nose was very pointed he looked stern but he was a really friendly kind of man.
He spoke "Hello Maud your probably wondering why I am here" she gazed at him confusingly "Well are you here about the bake sale. I can help yes" "No my child. I went to see Mr. Barclay yesterday and Mr. Linton was there as well. I know of the promise Elizabeth asked of you. Mr. Barclay has asked me to come and arranged the nuptials." She stood stunned "reverend I don't think Mr. Barclay knows that this is not the right time to plan it just yet." she struggled
"Well he has told me that Elizabeth asked him to have it arranged after her passing" she was stunned why would Liz rush it? "Alright did he give a spefic time that works for him"
"Well he said that it didn't matter to him. I was thinking the middle of November it gives a few weeks for the loss in the town to settle but not too long of time. November the fourthteenth. That would be best. Would you like the wedding to be in the church I know Mr. Barclay said it was up to you" she grunted and said under breath "How kind" . Her father looked grave at her he had heard her retort she felt remorse for her outburst and she kindly said "Well I think it thats perfect reverend. But I think the day would work just maybe a quiet home wedding here would do."
"Well that sounds great well I will go and see Mr. Barclay about it" she stood up "Pardon me reverend did Mr. Barclay mention if he wanted Beatrice back yet?" he shook his head "He doesn't think it is best for her to come home yet and asks if you can wait wait until the wedding to bring her home." She nodded "Thank you can you tell that would be alright" he smiled "Good day Maud". The reverend left.