The Writing Spider and the Web of Fascism

Jun 6

Chapter 10

Preston postponed his summer road trip with his cousin and fellow Citadel chum, Clayton.

The reason for the delay was due to respect of a venerated member of Addy’s family and a fellow Citadel graduate. All the members of the Savannah Area Citadel Club were planning to attend.

Addy’s Great Uncle William Wilder had died. He was one of the few remaining Savannah survivors of WWII.

He was 101.

His story and life changed about 65 years ago when the storm of fascism was rising in Europe.

William had attended the Citadel for undergraduate and finished his medical degree at Emory Medical School. He was bright, handsome, engaging and full of promise. His parents were justifiably proud of him.

His life had been well planned out. He was returning to Savannah to start his practice and marry his high school sweetheart; Rebecca “Becky” Loughton. Rebecca’s mother had planned a wedding at First Presbyterian Church the following June and it seemed she was planning to invite half the county.

However, like for so many, the impending war changed their plans.

It was late September; William and his father went clay shooting at his grandparents’ home in the country. Mr. Wilder could tell his son was preoccupied. The young man, who was usually an ace shot was off his stride. Mr. Wilder stopped shooting and looked at his son. The young man knew this was the moment he must tell his father he had just enlisted. “Dad, the army needs doctors and I feel it is my obligation.” Mr. Wilder understood, but it did not make it easier. Tears weld up in his father’s eyes. He grasped the young man in his arms, told him he understood and that he loved him and was proud of him.

At the same time, Mrs. Wilder and Becky were at the Wilder’s home on Maupas. They had gone to the backyard to pick apples from the tree her husband had had planted when the house was built. The tree now 25 years old bore an abundance of golden fruit. Mrs. Wilder had planned to make an apple pie for dessert.

As the women were gathering the apples, they noticed a large writing spider in the branches. The two stood frozen in their tracks. Not from fear of the harmless creature, but from the fact it had written what looked to both of them the word “war.” Mrs. Wilder dropped the basket of apples she had just picked.

As the two women collected the apples, Mrs. Wilder could sense in Becky’s eyes the decision her son had made. She took the young woman’s hand and they both cried.

That evening, the mood at the table was somber. The Old-Fashioned Pot Roast, William’s favorite went untouched. William and Becky told his parents they were going to be married the next week. William was going to be shipped out a few days following.

The wedding was simple. Just a few family members and closest friends attended. It did not resemble anything that Becky’s Mother had envisioned, but it was lovely none the less.

It was held in the chapel of the Independent Presbyterian Church. Becky wore a modest white dress and broad brimmed hat and carried a bouquet of China Asters and Coneflowers from the Wilder’s garden.

The one piece of jewelry she wore was her mother in law’s gold necklace. It was the first time it had been ever taken off her neck. However, it was done so with love for her new daughter.

Mrs. Wilder’s Old Fashioned Pot Roast

INGREDIENTS

3 to 4 Pound Rump Roast
2 tablespoons Flour, salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons cooking oil.
2 Medium Onion.
3 Cloves Garlic, minced.
1 Tablespoon Tomato paste
¼ Cup Tomato Conserve. For a Deep rich flavor.
16 Ounces Beer
2 Cups Beef stock
1 Cup Brown sugar.
1Teaspoon dried Thyme. .
6 Medium Carrots, cut in 2” pieces.
1 Pound yellow potatoes, quartered.
4 Medium Parsnips, peeled cut into 2” pieces

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven at 275-300 F.

Mix flour, salt and pepper. Dust over the room temperature beef and pat it to coat nicely. Sear the beef on all sides in cooking oil over medium-high heat in Dutch oven.

Prepare the braising liquid. Lower the heat to medium and temporarily remove the beef. Sauté the onions for a couple of minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, Tomato Conserve and garlic and add the porter. Scrape off brown bits from the bottom. Add the beef broth, brown sugar and thyme.

Bring to boil, place the rump roast back into the pot and surround with the potatoes and carrots. Cover and place into the preheated oven.

TIP

During braising check on the pot roast from time to time to make sure that there is plenty of moisture. You may need to add a bit of porter or stock or even just water if you notice that the braising liquid reduces significantly.