Summer 1877
William hatfield was usually kind to most people. His mama taught him better but one girl just rubbed him the wrong way. She didn't even have to try.
Bill Staton's young daughter always paid for her father's drunken stupidness. He would drop her off at Devil Anse's home and seemingly forget about his youngin . The girl was shy, meek and always trying to get people to like her.
Maria Staton had the misfortune of having her father's unruly curly black hair and her mother's heavy hips. Kate Station died when maria was only five leaving her with an unreliable father.
The girl then ran around for eight years unwashed and wearing boys clothes before took her under her wing.
"What's that thing doing here" sixteen year old Will sneered at the sight of maria sitting at the table. The small smile on maria's face disappeared,. she always looked up to the handsome blonde. "now you don't talk to a lady that way." his mama scolded him. "What lady" he mumbled under his breath.
Lucky for him his mama didn't hear. That girl just got under his skin. She didn't act how girls were supposed to. Always trailing behind her annoying father wearing boys pants and large dirty shirts. He was use to the smell of his father's pipe but the girl reeked of it.
" is going to be coming here a few days in the week to cook with me Will." the boy's mood dropped more. Johnse hopped through the door almost knocking his mama over,
" what's the hurry boy?" the nineteen year old stopped'
"i gotta get over to the Thomson's..i promised to walk katie to the barn dance"
Lavicy sighed "be back before dawn this time young man!" William was still just standing in the doorway with an annoyed look on his face.
His mama turned to Maria and told her to sit on the was going to comb out her hair.
Maria cringed she hated people touching her hair.
William chuckled softly to he saw Maria's face go pale at the mention of the combing and decided to stay for the show.
He pulled out a chair and sat down grabbing a cold biscuit. "Well. i'm glad you find amusement in my pain William Hatfield !" maria peeped as a tangle was tugged out. will just smicked it off as other stirred in the house at the commotion.
His little sister ran in and sat on his lap and he two watched as Lavicy got tangled and caught on the knots in Maris's hair.
She gasped and whined as the abused seemed to last forever. It was completed with a touch of rose-oil that helped with the puffiness. In the end it was an odd result in Williams's opinion. She looked different now sitting crossed legged on the floor in ratty brown boys clothes but now with slightly curly hair that fell mid back and framed her face.
Maira stood up looking ready to bolt from the house. The natural mother Lavicy was she seem the look on the young girl's face.
She put a soft hand on her cheek and murmured "Beautiful". The girl turned cherry red at the unfamiliar attention she was receiving.
Heavy sounds of horses and carts came through the open window. Signaling that the men have came back from Lumber yard.
Saying a quick thank you maria tried to leave but before she get out the door Levicy reminded her to come back in the morning. This was not the start of maria's growth into womanhood.
