An Inconvenient Marriage

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  Belinda showed up at the front door, holding her newborn son in her arms. “Sue, how wonderful it is to see you! I was hoping you’d come by.”

  “How are you today, Belinda?”

  Tracy followed Sue into the house and followed her and Belinda to the parlor.

  “Will you please sit?” Belinda offered.

  Sue nodded and sat on the pink couch. Tracy sat next to her. Belinda loved pink and frilly things. Sue always felt more like a tomboy next to her childhood friend. She preferred blues and greens and solid colored furnishings. Her tastes were simpler as well. Belinda loved to fill each room of her house with countless figurines and knickknacks. Sue would rather fill her place with books and travel brochures.

  “Would you mind holding little Bartholomew while I get some coffee and cookies?” she asked.

  Sue nodded. “I’d love to hold him.”

  “Who knows? Maybe you can use him for practice for when you hold your own little one. Wouldn’t it be fun if we could take our children to the park together?”

  Before Sue could answer, Belinda handed her the baby and left the room. She sighed as she held the baby in her arms. He was sleeping. She hadn’t expected news to travel so fast, but it made her feel overwhelmed. She wasn’t happy with the fact that she fit in with Belinda’s world because she was going to be married. She hated the unwritten rule that said she couldn’t spend much time with her childhood friend as long as she was a spinster. If she wanted to be around Belinda’s husband, she could understand the need for such a rule, but she merely wanted to see Belinda and talk to her.

  Suddenly she felt sad. She was only worth something because she was going to marry someone. Otherwise, very few people cared she existed. Belinda cares. She always cared. It was just her husband that forbade her to socialize with me unless I was married. Did a woman have to blindly follow her husband’s rules? Couldn’t she maintain her own personality and interests even if she was married? Did Jake think that he could control her once they married? There’s no way I’ll let him control me! I’ll still be my own person. Just because I change my last name, it doesn’t mean I give up who I am.

  Belinda returned with the coffee and cookies. She set the tray on a white table decorated with pink roses. “Tracy, put your napkin in your lap if you wish to eat.”

  “Yes, Mama,” she obeyed as she spread the pink napkin out.

  “I will take him so you can eat and drink,” Belinda offered.

  Sue handed him back to her. She knew she wouldn’t ever have a child of her own. Pushing aside the depressing thought, she turned her attention to Belinda who sat in the chair across from her.

  “So, how did you get engaged to Jake Mitchell?” Belinda wondered, her eyes wide in interest. “I heard that he was ardently opposed to marriage. What is your secret?”

  “There is no secret. He’s marrying me so he can receive his father’s inheritance. Really, it’s not a big deal.” She took a sip of the coffee and added some sugar.

  “I heard that he couldn’t stand his father. His father abandoned him and his mother when he was ten.”

  She glanced at her friend. “How do you know so much about him?”

  “My husband does business with him on occasion when he needs financial assistance with his investments.”

  Jim Hawke was well-known for his store, Hawke’s Buggies and Horse Supplies. He made a decent living but he didn’t handle his money very well so he consulted Jake for investing advice. Sue considered that Jake’s advice was working because Belinda recently got the diamond necklace.

  “Oh, I just remembered your necklace.” She pulled it out of her coat pocket and handed it to her. “Thank you for letting me borrow it two Fridays in a row.”

  “You’re welcome,” Belinda replied. “I’m just happy it worked. You snagged the most sought after bachelor in Virginia. I hear about him from the luncheons at the Ladies’ Hall. He’s the man women want to marry and men want to be. You’re very lucky. Anyway, you’ll get to join us now that you’re marrying Jake. In fact, you’ll be one of the wealthiest women there. Everyone will love you.”

  “Because I’ll be rich?” She set the cup down. She lost her appetite. Was her life really going to revolve around luncheons and other pointless social endeavors?

  “Rich women are treated like royalty. You’re making a tremendous jump.”

  “I’m only marrying Jake because of an arrangement. He can only receive his father’s money if he marries someone for six months. I agreed to it because I will get half the money which will cover my father’s debts.”

  “So this is a business arrangement?”

  She nodded. “And it will only be for six months.”

  She frowned. “I didn’t know that. Then you won’t be having children?”

  “No. We agreed to keep it platonic.”

  “Then we can’t go to the children’s events together. And once six months is up, I won’t be able to see you as often anymore. It’ll be even worse though since you’ll be a divorced woman.”

  “It will be an annulment.”

  “Still, I had hoped this would be the start of our being best friends again.”

  “I don’t think I’ll be going to all those social functions either. I like my life, Belinda. I enjoy my quiet time in my apartment where I can be alone and read. I like sitting in the library surrounded by books. I like visiting my family on the farm and helping with the cattle and fixing things around the place. I like racing my siblings on the horses and lassoing cattle. What do you spend your day doing?”

  “Entertaining guests and joining other married women to luncheons and playgroups for our children.”

  “Do you ever get to travel with Jim?”

  “Jim doesn’t like to travel. I don’t either though, so it works out. Once you get married, you learn to enjoy entertaining at home and doing social activities in town.”

  “Marriage sounds boring if that’s what I’m expected to do.”

  “Oh, you’ll learn to like it. Once you start doing these things, you’ll even think it’s fun.” Belinda handed her a cookie. “Try this. It’s my new recipe.”

  She reluctantly took the cookie and bit into it. “It’s good.”

  “Do you know much about Jake?”

  “Not really. I met him because I kept pestering everyone at the bank.”

  “I heard about that. Why did you keep going there and causing such a fuss?”

  “Do you remember the parable Jesus told about the old widow and the judge? She kept going to his office to take care of a wrong that was done to her and the only reason he took care of the problem was because she wouldn’t give up. I thought if I did the same thing, my father would be able to keep his land and house.”

  “It worked. Jake is marrying you so you can get money to bail your father out of debt. I guess it’s a good thing you don’t quit.”

  She sighed. “He called me a nag. Do you think I’m a nag?”

  “You’re very...persistent. When something is important to you, you don’t give up until you obtain your goal.”

  “Just the kind of attribute that makes for a poor wife, don’t you think?”

  “Since you’re not staying married to him, it doesn’t matter what kind of personality you have.”

  “In other words, I will make a poor wife.”

  “I didn’t say that. You’re putting words in my mouth, Sue. You have a lot of great things going for you. You’re passionate, strong-willed, persistent, and bold.”

  “And what is it that men want?”

  “Well, Jim tells me that men like women who are submissive to their husbands. You know, women should be soft spoken, delicate, sweet, and obedient.”

  “How cute. Are you allowed to do anything you want or is it all about what he wants?”

  “Sue, don’t be so negative. It is God’s way.”

  “I don’t think I care much for this.”

  “Your attitude is exactly why you were a spinster for so long. Men d
on’t want women who oppose what they say or want.”

  “Tell me, do you agree with everything Jim does or do you just go along with it to please him?”

  “I find the easiest way to get what I want is to make him happy. Marriage is hard work and the woman does a lot of sacrificing, but if she does what he wants, he is happy. And when he’s happy, things are better for everyone. How do you think I got the necklace? He gives me nice things when I do what he wants.”

  To Sue, this sounded like a dog being rewarded for performing a trick. “I’m not going to follow your path. I’m sorry, Belinda. I don’t agree with you. I’m going to make sure Jake understands that I’m not going to just lie down and let him walk all over me.”

  “Jim doesn’t walk all over me. I enjoy being married to him.”

  “He does dictate who you can see and how often. I don’t know why I’m such a threat to him.”

  “He’s afraid you’ll put ideas in my head.”

  Sue set the cookie down and crossed her arms. “Really? What kind of ideas would I put in your head?”

  She looked embarrassed. “Nothing. Let’s just forget I said anything.”

  “I don’t want to forget this, Belinda. Why do I threaten him?”

  She sighed. “Because you have such strong opinions. He figures when you marry, Jake will tame you.”

  “Is that what Jake said?”

  “No. It’s just the way things are in marriage. Men lead and the women follow.”

  “I don’t agree with that. The Bible makes it clear that men and women are equal before God. The husband is the head of the family, but since he loves his wife, he will certainly value her opinion and want to do things that are pleasing for her. It is a love relationship where both sides serve each other.”

  “Jim says the Bible says the wife is to submit to her husband.”

  “Did he also mention how the husband and wife are to submit to each other? Or how the husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for it? Would Jim put your interests ahead of his own?”

  “I can see why Jim feels the way he does. Sue, you are a dear friend, but your words are upsetting to me. Jim sets the tone for this house and I follow along.”

  “He bosses you around.”

  “I take it that is how you see it.”

  “You’re right, Belinda. This conversation is upsetting. Jim may get away with this but Jake won’t. I refuse to let him run my life. I will maintain my identity. I won’t give up who I am. God made me the way He did for a reason.”

  “If you’re not careful, he won’t want to keep you after the six months are up.”

  She cringed. “I’m not a pet. I’m a person.”

  “I’m just saying that if you want to keep your husband happy, you have to bend to what he wants.”

  “Even if it displeases me?”

  “That’s what submission is all about.”

  “So my opinions don’t matter.”

  “What could be more important than bringing a smile to his face?”

  “Being who I really am. I would rather be single and be who I am than live such a miserable existence.”

  Belinda sighed sympathetically. “My poor, sweet Sue. You are going to be alone once June arrives. Six months isn’t a long time.”

  “I hope you don’t mind if I go back home. I find this conversation very distressing.” She stood up and buttoned her coat.

  “I am sorry. Please, don’t take offense to what I said. I won’t mention it again.”

  She suddenly realized she was doing the same thing that Jim probably did to her. “No, Belinda. You were just voicing your opinion. I should allow you that right. I’m the one who’s sorry. Can we agree to disagree?”

  She smiled. “I would like that very much.”

  “Thank you.” She sat back on the couch so they could continue their conversation.

  ***

  On Monday, Sue arrived at the bank around ten. As soon as George saw her, he stomped up to her and ordered her to leave.

  “I don’t appreciate you coming by here after all those vicious rumors you spread about me,” he hissed at her.

  She placed her hands on her hips and smiled in satisfaction. “You mean people actually care about what I think? How flattering.”

  He scowled at her. “You’re a thorn in my side and I’ll do everything I can to bring you down.”

  She laughed. “I’m just a simple librarian. Good luck on finding a deep dark secret looming in my closet.”

  “Get out of my bank.”

  “What are you doing with my fiancé?” Jake barked at him as he walked up to her. He put his arm around her shoulders. “Is he being mean to you?”

  She found Jake’s protective stance unexpectedly pleasing.

  “You can’t be serious.” George rolled his eyes. “Since when did you want to be with her?”

  “Ever since she showed up at the dance on Friday night. You would be surprised with how good her dancing is,” he answered. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have some things to discuss in my office. Come along, honey, and don’t let George disturb you. His bark is worse than his bite.”

  She mutely allowed him to gently lead her into his office. He shut the door so that George couldn’t overhear what they would discuss.

  “Will you have a seat?” he offered.

  She struggled to overcome her shock as she sat in the chair.

  He sat in his chair and pulled out the document from his desk drawer. He glanced at her when she didn’t say anything. “Are you feeling alright?”

  She nodded.

  “When have you ever been at a loss for words?” He grinned. “Don’t mind George. You shouldn’t let him get your feathers all ruffled.”

  “He’s not what he appears. You think he’s harmless but he’s not. There’s venom in his bite.”

  He waved his hand as if to dismiss the observation. “I can handle him. Besides, once I finalize my purchase on the empty building across from the dress shop, I will own my own bank and he won’t be my problem anymore.”

  Her ears perked up at this announcement. “You’re opening another bank? That’s wonderful! It’ll give people an option.”

  “I didn’t expect you to be so pleased.” He smiled, obviously enjoying her enthusiasm.

  “Of course I am. Most of the people in this city will be. Very few people like George Leroy. They are fond of his father but they worry about what will happen when George takes over.”

  “Conrad will retire after New Year’s. Then George will take over. With any luck, I’ll have opened the bank by then. I have to hand it to you. You’ve already attracted Mr. Walker to my bank, and he’s one the most prestigious clients at this bank.”

  “Mrs. Walker and I talk about twice a month about the books we should order and maintain at the library. She loves literature as much as I do.”

  “Mr. Tobias and Mr. Elan also approached me this morning about their desire to stop business at this bank. Their wives are good friends with Mrs. Walker and are just as upset about what George and Conrad did to your family as she is. You may not realize it but your opinion pulls a lot of weight in this town. I never considered the power of women interacting together and influencing their husbands’ decisions. I’ll have to take you dancing with me as long as we’re married. You’re good for business.”

  She frowned. Was he going to make her attend luncheons and dinner parties too? She had to put a stop to this as soon as possible. “I have no intention of quitting my job at the library. I work daytime hours and do not wish to leave home after a long day at work.”

  He shrugged. “That is fine, as long as you go dancing with me on Fridays.”

  “You do understand what I am saying, right?”

  “I’m not a moron. I get it. You’ll keep your job and confine yourself to our house in the evenings, except for Fridays.”

  She slowly nodded. “Just as long as you understand. I’m not going to do things just because you
tell me to.”

  His face turned red with irritation. “Did I give you the impression that I was going to boss you around?”

  “Well, no. Not yet.”

  “Look, it’s not women who get bossed around in a marriage. Women are the ones who boss their husbands around. Before men get married, they can enjoy their hobbies, but a woman comes along and decides what he can and cannot do. I don’t want you dictating my life for me. I have my own interests and you won’t stand in the way of them.”

  Now she was offended. Did he think so little of her? “I don’t care what you do as long as you honor your word and pay off my father’s debts.”

  “Good. Then it’s settled. You will live your life as you please and I’ll live my life as I please. I just need your company on Friday nights so I can network with potential customers. If I don’t show up with you, the wives will most likely take offense and insist their husbands do business somewhere else. Do you have a problem with that?”

  “No, I don’t!”

  “Then let’s get down to business,” he snapped. He shoved the contract at her. “This states everything in clear terms.”

  “I’ll take it to my lawyer before I sign it,” she shot back.

  “I know. Just bring it back before Wednesday. I have to let my father’s lawyer know I’m getting married this Saturday. The sooner I can get the money, the sooner your father’s debts can be cleared and the sooner your family won’t have to worry about George foreclosing on you. Then on May 20, I can annul this marriage and receive my money. Let’s just get this over with so we can go back to our lives.”

  “Fine. I will be back later today. I want to finish this as much as you do.”

  “At least we can agree on something,” he grumbled.

  She stiffly nodded and left the bank. He made her so mad she wanted to scream. What right did he have to accuse her of trying to control him? She had no such desire. It was men who controlled women with their misuse of the “women submit to your husbands” verse in the Bible from the book of Ephesians.

  She went directly to the lawyer’s office and sat in the waiting room until he could squeeze her into his schedule. She liked Mr. Gregory. He was an honest and fair man who helped her family out in the past. After he read the contract, he gave her his approval.