by Rita Hestand
"Then it's time there was. After all, the war is over, isn't it?"
"Yes mother…But I'm afraid after the honeymoon is over, Joe must seek out his brother. Sam hasn't returned yet." Melanie glanced at her.
"Really, neither have your brothers. I am so concerned."
"Please don't fret about it mother. I'm sure there has to be a good reason."
"Yes and that good reason might be sickness or injury. They might have been thrown in one of those prisons." Minerva admitted.
"Perhaps it is some personal reason, mother…"
"Perhaps…"
"And your dress, how is it coming along?"
"It's gorgeous. You won't believe how beautiful. She's putting the finishing touches on it today; mother and it will be ready. Ole Jen outdid herself."
"I still don't understand why you didn't use my seamstress."
"I don't know her that well, and she's never fitted me. Ole Jen has. It means I don't have to spend days trying it on. Besides, Ole Jen is fantastic with a needle."
"What will people think you going to a Negress to have it done?"
"You will not refer to her as a Negress mother. She's part of this family…"
"Really, I don't doubt that!"
Melanie turned a disturbed face to her. "Mother!"
~*~
The next day, Ole Jen had finished the dress and Melanie was beside herself to try it on. She wouldn't tell her mother but she hadn't tried it on yet. She wasn't disappointed. Ole Jen outdid herself with the delicate works. The dress floated around Melanie like a silk cloud.
"It's perfect. I love it. Ole Jen, you have done it again." Melanie turned to look at herself in the mirror.
Ole Jen put the veil on her head and Melanie felt tears spring from nowhere. "Is that me…?"
"Yes darlin' that is you. Beautiful as a sunset." Old Jen wiped her eyes.
"I can't thank you enough."
"It was a joy to work with. That material is the best I've ever seen. Just touching it, gave me chills."
"You will be around to help me with my babies, won't you?" Melanie cried hugging her to her.
"Why shore I will. I'll love them babies like my own…" Ole Jen cried again.
"Well, of course it will be a while before we have any children, I'm sure…"
"Oh, why?"
"I want some time to enjoy my husband first. Is that selfish?"
Ole Jen hung her head, "No, I guess not."
"I can't believe my life is like a dream come true." Melanie danced about the room in the dress. "I'm almost afraid I might wake up."
Ole Jen nodded, but something clouded her smile.
"I am marrying the right man, aren't I?" Melanie laughed.
For a moment, the old black woman fumbled with the handkerchief in her hand as she dabbed her eyes. "Do you love him?"
"Oh yes, more than ever…" Melanie cried grabbing her and hugging her to her. "I know it sounds strange, but he's like a new man. I've fallen in love with him all over again. And this time even more so…"
"Then yes, you are marrying the right man." She nodded.
"Only two more days and I'll be Mrs. Joseph Armstrong. Can you believe it?" Melanie smiled into her face.
Ole Jen sobered. "Little girl, you do know that marriage is not always easy, don't you? You do know you must submit to your husband, and obey him in all ways."
"Of course, and you are right. Marriage is a partnership that requires constant attention and work. But the love we share is strong enough no matter the storms we face." Melanie whirled around the room gaily.
Then she took her hands in hers. "Then I'm happy for you. Do I need to tell you about the birds and the bees?" She asked.
Melanie glanced at her and blushed shaking her head. "Umm…no, no of course not. I mean…I know a woman's duty. My mother hasn't painted the brightest picture about it, but I've lived on a farm all my life and I know how things are. I mean…I guess it's the same."
She glanced at Ole Jen.
"They are…to some extent. A lot depends on your man though."
"Things are different now, Ole Jen. He's…so romantic, so tempting. Before he went away, I had some doubts about it working out but not now. Now I'm as eager as he is to be his wife. When he touches me, I want more…always more. Am I shameful?"
"No, I'd say you're in love…" Ole Jen blushed a bit.
Ole Jen sat her down and looked into her eyes. "Now you lookie here. If you loves him…bein' his wife won't be hard at all. You will be thrilled at the things you will learn together. If you don't love him, you will be shocked. It's as simple as that. But by the look in his eyes, he will cherish you."
"Well, you know I love him beyond words."
"I know," Ole Jen squeezed her hands. "…and that's why I'm not afraid for you. He's been at war for a long time, without a woman. Forgive him if he loses himself in making you his. A man can be uncommonly rough, or just as uncommonly tender. But knowin' how much he loves you, I got the faith that our Joe will be tender with you. Now, havin' babies is not as tender though. I gots to tell you that. Jest like the good book says you will go through the gates of hell. You must know that and expect it. But the rewards outweigh the pain."
Melanie broke into a bright smile. "You make it all so lovely for me, Ole Jen. My mother…well, I guess she's forgotten the good times of marriage."
"That all depends on whether there is enough love or not. In your case, I know there is." Ole Jen laughed. "Now, you must support your husband, no matter what may happen. The good book says cleave to your husband. No matter what befalls you, if you really love him, you must stand by him. He's your husband, and once you consummate that marriage, you are no longer two people, but one. That's what the good book says."
"I'd never go against Joe…" Melanie dabbed the tears, grabbing the handkerchief she had waded up in her hand.
"Remember those words," Ole Jen warned.
However, Melanie was too full of happiness to let worry enter her head.
"You gots to think of all these things before you say I do."
"I understand." Melanie insisted. "And I honestly can't wait. I know a lot of girls are afraid of their wedding night…but I…" she blushed and glanced at Ole Jen. "I can't wait."
She shook her head. "Ain't any use talkin' to you right now. You don't have your head on straight. But remember one thing. If you ever needs somebody, somebody to confide in, to talk to, you comes to Ole Jen, you hear me?"
"Oh, thank you…and you know I will. You've been almost like a mother to me too, I won't forget that either." Melanie promised. "Mother is rather hard to talk to, especially about intimate things."
"She's got too much starch in that corset she wears." Ole Jen laughed.
"Now you take that dress off and let me press it good so it will stand out like a heavenly cloud on your weddin' day." Ole Jen smiled at her.
Melanie slipped out of the dress and admired it again when she hung it on the door.
"It's so beautiful."
"Yes'um, it is."
~*~
George called Joe into the parlor and sat pensively staring out into the yards. Half the cotton was picked, but the workers were busy finishing it up. His point finger darted on the paper edges as it dangled from his hand.
"Yes father, you called me?" Joe came dashing down the stairs.
"Joe…I suppose you are wondering what I might give you as a wedding gift." George said, not looking at him. "I've made my decision."
"Father, I hadn't given that much thought. I have everything I need, here. You've given me so much over the years. It would be unfair to accept anything more."
"I'm glad to hear you say that. It means you appreciate it. You make me very proud son. That's why I've decided Golden Manor will be yours. Since you've chosen to live here after the wedding, I want you to understand that this will be your home. I'm having a small cottage built on the west side for me when I retire."
"But father, Golden Manor is yours. It is
what you have built with your own hands. I cannot take it." Joe tensed, wishing his father would turn around and look at him.
"You can and you will." His father turned and frowned. "Now I want no fuss over this. I know you love this place. And don't worry. I've arranged for Sam to have a large acreage on the south side where he can build his own home. I'll even finance the building of it."
"That's not fair father. Golden Manor is considered the grandest of all plantations in the county. I'd rather you give me some acreage to build on. It would be much more fitting."
"Nonsense. Sam can have another built for himself the way he fancies. So don't fret about it. You and Melanie are going to live here anyway. And you can make of it what you will."
"Again that's not fair."
"I have no idea who Sam might marry and bring to our home. No doubt, she wouldn't be a lady like Melanie. And this house deserves a lady like her. She deserves this and more. It's as much for her sake as yours. So let's not have any ruckus about it. It is for the both of you. I've got to admit I've always thought Sam fancied Melanie a bit for himself. So it wouldn't do for you to live in the same house, I'm afraid."
"Have you!" Joe stared at his father. He was more astute than Joe gave him credit for. "I guess I never notieced."
"Yes, I know that too…"
"You love her as much as I, don't you father?"
"Of course I do. It's been my dream that the two of you marry. Now that dream is coming true. During the years you and Sam were gone, it was Melanie that kept me hoping, praying everything would be all right, and the two of you would return. It was through her faith."
"I don't understand?" Joe looked puzzled.
"She prayed for your return with me every day. It was a routine. Didn't she tell you?"
"No, not a word."
"She had faith…and still does. Now if Sam will return I will be the happiest man in the valley." His father was saying.
Joe frowned. He wished his father could see how unfair he was being about Sam. Considering his brother's intentions, maybe it was best. His father cared nothing for Carmen, and Joe was sure Sam was going to marry Carmen. He wondered what his father would say to that.
An idea hit him hard in the stomach; his father could construe the marriage to Carmen as some sort of revenge on Joe. That could make matters worse. Somehow, it would all have to be straightened out.
Sam would need to be warned and plan his marriage so that it did not cause a problem to anyone. Otherwise, Joe would be fighting his father over his brother again. How ironic.
Now that he was home, now that the wedding was only hours away, things were surfacing that neither he nor his brother had thought of.
"At least I won't have to deal with Carmen now." His father nearly laughed his glee evident on his face.
Joe felt his heart sink. But he would!
"Father, why do you hate Carmen so? She's an aristocrat. One of the few to have been born here in this country. Almost royalty. Why can't you accept that?"
"I accept it son, I just don't recognize her country. She isn't white. I'm glad you've seen the light and will no longer parade her in front of me. At last, you've come to your senses. However, I have to admit, I'm surprised by it all. I never thought you would."
"My God father, you can't mean that about Carmen. She's American as much as you or I."
"Of course. Now don't be defending her to me. It's too late for that. If you truly have no feelings for her, you should not defend her, especially in front of Melanie. I'm just bold enough to say it. It's the truth. She is Spanish."
"She is also American! She was born here, in this country. She's as American as you or I?" Joe argued. "And you know it."
"Only by birth, not blood."
"You can't mean to be so prejudice. The war is over father. Blacks, Mexicans, and many other nationalities are American. In her own country, she would be received by great crowds."
"In her own country. Exactly. She isn't white, and this isn't her country. But you defend her still…is there anything left between you?"
"No…nothing, only fairness. But why do you not like her?"
His father stood up, walked about to pour himself a shot of the finest whiskey. He twirled the glass in his hand before swallowing it. "I fought at San Jacinto for Texas against the Mexican Army. Since then, I have no use for them."
"But Carmen comes from Spain. And she wasn't part of that war, father."
"Spain, Mexico, what's the difference."
"You speak like one of those hooded clansmen."
His father rolled his eyes and turned away. "I speak the truth and you know it."
"I know no such thing. I fought a war over slaves and who owned this land, and who run it. I won't fight it here at home father. Take Ole Jen, she's as much family as I."
"Hardly!"
"You can't mean that. You said yourself she fed us at her breasts." Joe shrieked and stared hard at his father. How could he put himself above anyone? It was probably the worst thing his father had said since he'd come home.
"I do mean it. I love her for what she's done for you and Sam. For the good person she is. But the fact is…she's a Negress. She is not family and she will never be so. That's the problem, keeping them in their place sometimes. Old Jen is loving and giving and sometimes it is easy to forget she is a Negress. And I don't want to hear any more about this" Joe sensed some inner agony in his father's words that troubled him.
"She has her place, and she knows it. However, we won't be discussing this in front of her at any time. I wouldn't want to hurt her, in any way." George muttered.
"Father!" Joe choked. "Neither would I."
"Then stop sniveling. Ole Jen is a Negress. She isn't white. She knows her place. Love her if you will, but respect that place."
"I never knew you could be so cruel. That woman has nursed us, tended our wounds, fed us, kept us safe and been what our mother could no longer be to us. She's been like a mother to us. I cannot turn what I feel off and on father." Joe clutched the back of a chair to keep from slapping his father. How dare he judge people. How dare he talk like this!
"Quit talking like your brother. If I didn't know it, I'd swear I had Sam instead of Joe." George cast him a quick glance over his shoulder.
"I think Sam was right about a lot of it. The world is changing father and if you want to live in it, you must change with it. The south lost the war. And it's pride with it. Lincoln freed the slaves. It's over. The hate has to stop."
"Never, never say that again. I don't hate any of them. Thanks to the Negroes, I have crops every year, on time, sent to market. Thanks to Ole Jen, I have the two of you, and in my fashion I love her. Therefore, we will never speak of this again. It is talk like that, which made me count Sam as second to you. Let your brother believe as he chooses. That is his lot. But you…you are my right arm. I want no more equality talk, do you understand? I treat them all fairly. Mark my words son, they aren't white."
"I've helped to fight a war Father. I've seen death, destruction, needless killings, and unfairness. I've seen it all first hand. Father I'm not a child any longer. You can't order me around like one of your servants. I'm not a yes man for you, and you should know that by now. I'm my own man. You have no right to speak of people the way you do. I will stand up for what I believe in whether you like it or not."
"Be careful, I could leave you with nothing you know."
"Perhaps you should…I won't be bought father."
"No…despite our differences, we are too much alike to squabble like this. You will inherit this house and the plantation is yours to run. Sam will get the south end of the land. Now, if you wish to continue your line of thinking, it would be wise not to say these things aloud in this house again. Is that understood?"
"Perfectly!"
"Good. I'll have my dinner in my room tonight. I've lost my appetite for feuding any longer."
"I'm sorry for that…would you like Ole Jen to bring it up?"
"No…I
'll get it myself…" He frowned at him and walked off.
He could not allow his father to say such things about the people he loved. Where had the hatred come from? Or had it been there all along and he'd been too blind to see it? Poor Carmen, she could be hurt so badly by his father's thinking.
Ole Jen was family, whether his father realized it or not. Joe would see that she was treated right, too! She'd been the mother they had grown up with; she'd tended their wounds as a child, made them better when they were sick. Joe loved her, and he knew Sam did too.
Why did his father have to have such low opinions of people, just because of their color? He'd fought a war to stop the hate. However, he now realized that the war hadn't stopped that.
He would fight to make him see the truth. Somehow, he would make him see.
Chapter Nine
"Now that the invitations are out, my dress is finished and everyone is fretting over the flowers and cake, I find myself with the jitters?" Melanie sighed as they walked along the small walkway around the house. "I can't believe that by tomorrow evening, I will be your wife at long last."
"Jitters? Are you having doubts?" Joe asked stopping long enough to look into her expressive blue eyes.
"No…not of the marriage. I'm anxious about that, it's all the preparations. Mother is driving me crazy with the details. It's so formal. I think having a private wedding with just the family members would be better. However, my mother insists this is the proper thing to do, and so does your father. They've invited half the county and it makes me nervous. What if I should stumble and fall? In front of all those people. Why ever don't they ask the Bride and Groom what they want?" Melanie cried, putting her hands on his chest and looking up into his face.
"I agree about that. There's something to be said for eloping, isn't there?" He smiled.
"I only wish I were your wife right now…" She murmured for his ears only.
He bent to kiss her, his passion growing when her response was more than what he expected. "So do I…" He whispered at her ear.
"Oh Joe…you have no doubts about us, do you? I mean, you've just come home and the wedding is being rushed at you. If you do, we should talk about them…"