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October Novel Prep-Plot Background Story |
PLOT BACKGROUND STORY Louis Austin Webster lay in his bed at home, the hospital could do no more for him. In a state of wakefulness and sleep, pieces of his life swarmed through his brain. He was working on the Alaskan Highway and was cold, colder than he had ever been before in his life. At night, the men would look at each otherâs faces for white spots to confirm a problem wasnât starting. Louis jerked in his deep sleep. Now a swarm of bugs flew at him, so thick that some were swallowed. He gave a loud gasp. âPa, Pa, wake up, are you OK?â âCold, Iâm cold Lucy. I was in Alaska again, working on the highway.â âIt was just a dream Pa. Let me get you another blanket.â By the time his daughter Lucy came back with a blanket Louis had drifted off to sleep again. Now he was in a carriage riding with his wife Katy. Their thirteen children had surprised them with a 50th Wedding Anniversary Party at Woodside Ranch. They were all there, every one of them; laughing and joking like usual. He cried when Kenny came, always so far away in Missouri. He took Katyâs hand in his. Waking once again, he squeezed Katyâs hand. âIr was fun wasnât it?â âWhat was fun, dear?â âThe party at Woodside. I would marry you all over again.â âAs would I,â Katy replied, hoping that he wouldnât see the tear trickle down her cheek. âYou know, Jesus was here this morning and he told me not to be afraid, that it is my time to die, and everything will be OK.â Katy reached up and touched his forehead. âI love you Louie, I always have.â She lay her head on his chest as he closed his eyes for the last time on December 8, 1977. âMa, come now, we have to make a call. You can do no more for him.â âOh Lucy, what will I do now? I will miss him so.â âI know Ma, I know. He wouldnât want you to be sad.â Louis and Katy Webster had fourteen children; nine girls and five boys. The youngest boy, Junior, had fallen through the ice when sixteen and drowned. He helped create a great family but now the legacy was gone. He knew nothing about his amazing Quaker ancestors and never attended church except for weddings and funerals and yet it seemed that he did have an âinner lightâ burning inside him after all. |