You Set Me Free
© 2013 by dqmwartist
Colleen
I looked up from helping to lay down the quilt and spotted Jared coming towards me. What's he coming over here for, I thought. Even though we're friends he still makes me a bit uncomfortable.
"Hi, Jared," I called out with a smile.
"Hey, Colleen," Jared replied as he made his way closer to me. I watched as he knelt down beside me. "Can I ask ya something?"
"Sure," I replied nervously, as I stared down at the pattern on the quilt for a moment, before looking back up.
"What'd ya say to going down to the creek for some fun?" Jared looked nervous and seemed to really want to spend time with me, judging by the fact that he kept picking at the grass. "Alice and them are coming, too," he added with a smile, probably to sway my answer towards yes.
"Maybe," I replied. Alice and I aren't exactly the best of friends and I'm not sure I wanna go anyway.
Jared studied me as if he wanted to know what I was thinking as well and with a look that said he wanted me to be there because it would be a fun time. Although I could tell by the way my brow furrowed just before I looked back up at him that he knew not to pry any further.
A moment later Becky showed up. "Hey Colleen, are you gonna come down to the creek with us? We're gonna play knurr and spell. It's a ball and stick game. Sounds like so much fun, don't it?"
I looked up at Becky, who was smiling happily as if the boy she'd cared for had just asked her to the Sweetheart's Dance. "I was just…." I can't do this, as much as she would want me to be there I just can't.
"Just think about it some, ok?" Jared piped in as if he sensed I wasn't ready to give him an answer just yet. Maybe he'll give me some time to think things over first.
"Thanks for invitin' me, I'll be sure to let you know my answer," I replied forcing myself to look right at Jared and mean it. I'd rather be home studying or reading a good book; however it does sound like fun, I thought to myself for a moment.
Jared took that as his cue to get up and leave, "See ya at school, Colleen."
"See ya," I answered back happily and then watched as Becky, still all smiles, left with Jared. How is it that they've become such fast friends? Becky knows full well what Jared did to me, yet that ain't stoppin' her none.
Once they disappeared I began to search for my book, "Now where did I put it?" I mumbled to myself as I looked around the blanket wondering where I'd set it down. "Ah, there it is. Now where was I?"
Brian
I stared down at the acorns I still held in my hand, letting the impact of the words Ma had spoken sink in. "When that tree gets to be a hundred, it doesn't matter that you're not here to see it. What matters is today. Today you held a hundred years in your hand." I hadn't stopped to think that trees could grow up to be so old and that here I am holding the beginning of those years. Sure is a lot to take in.
I then walked over to Sully, "Hey can you help me?" I very much want to give the acorns in my pocket life, including the one still in my hand.
"Sure," Sully replied without hesitation. I bet he knows some a great spots where I can plant my acorns, and maybe he'll let me plant one near the new homestead.
"Thanks, Sully," I replied as we headed off toward the creek.
"You're doin' a good thing plantin' new life," he said and I smiled up at him, grateful and happy he was helping me out. Sully's been the closet thing I've had to a pa in years, and I sure am happy to have him around.
As we neared the creek, I could hear the familiar sound of water rushing and frogs croaking to each other. I love coming down here to fish, and now the tree I'm about to plant will add to the pleasure of my visits.
Sully helped me find a nice place, making sure wherever it was the roots would take hold and it would grow tall and strong. Using the stick he was carrying, I helped to dig a hole in the ground, while he alternated between using his hands and the stick.
"Think we can come back here, Sully, and check on my tree?" I asked. I wanna see how big my tree will get, I mused for a moment. "Sure, Brian we can do that. And your ma was right; other generations will be able to enjoy it, too."
I then took a moment, to look around at all the other tall trees before turning back to the one I'd just planted. "Grow strong now, little acorn. Grow big and tall so maybe one day I can come here and climb on your branches."
I could tell Sully was touched by my words when I looked back up again and found him holding back tears. He's told me how I've got a real way with people, and it looks like my words have resonated with him. When all was said and done, I got up and we walked back to the meadow.
By the time Sully and I got back, Colleen was sitting quietly on the blanket, absorbed in a book and not really paying much attention to our surroundings. After Jared had come by with Becky, I noticed she didn't feel much like socializing.
"Where's Ma?" I inquired the moment we were within earshot of Colleen. "I want to tell her all about the planting."
"She went off with Miss Dorothy a while ago," Colleen answered, without looking up.
"Oh," I answered feeling a little disappointment. "I'm sure she'd be real happy to hear about it later, Brian," Sully added hoping to cheer me up.
"Good, 'cause I can't wait to tell her."
Michaela
My eyes filled up with tears at Sully's words to me, "I know what you're thinkin', and the answer's yes. I'll always love you, no matter what happens. I'll always find you as beautiful as the first day I saw you." Iwanted so much to say something in return but the words wouldn't come. I had learned from Dorothy how Jake didn't look at her the same way anymore since the operation. He no longer saw her as a whole woman and all the time the story poured out I could see the sadness in her eyes.
"Thank you, Sully," I murmured when I finally found my voice. "I feel like I've been through so much and haven't had a chance to…" He quieted me with a gentle kiss on the cheek, "Ya don't have to explain to me." I rose from the dressing table and let Sully hold me close while the unshed tears fell freely down my face.
He knew how much I wanted to save Dorothy and how much it hurt her when she hadn't wanted the operation. Sully understood it was her decision as to what she did with her body; convincing me of that hadn't been easy.
"You tellin' her that ya were her friend first and that ya love her was brave." I sniffed, "Sully that was so hard for me to do. I wasn't sure if I could…" With a soothing hand he let his hand fall through my hair as he continued to hold me.
"As much as I wanted to save her, she just wanted to live her life without surgery. It took me a while to see that and accept her decision. Although I am glad she decided to have the surgery." I spoke through my tears, getting all that had been bothering me off my chest.
"Hearing you tell me you'd love me no matter what happens, touched me so much. I'm not sure I can even put that into words."
"There's no need," he spoke for me, "I meant it" I pulled away for a moment, smiling, "I love you, Sully. You let me be myself and that along with your love is a great gift."
"I love you too," he said softly as he kissed me gently on the lips, before bringing me close to him again. "There's no woman I would rather have as my wife than you."
"There is no man I would rather marry," I murmured back. I then paused in thought before speaking again, "You've always let me be free, to be my own person without judgment. I was so touched by your words to the children to let me decide whom to spend the rest of my life with."
"Your happiness meant so much more to me then, even with lovin' you so much. Last thing I wanted was to see you miserable."
"Oh Sully," I whispered as I snuggled closer to my fiancé.
"An' thank ya for lettin' me be me. Ain't easy when ya live in two different worlds."
"No its not," I agreed remembering how much my Boston customs had clashed with those of Colorado Springs. "From the moment you set me free at the homestead till now with Dorothy…" I trailed off feeling the tears forming in my eyes again.
"Shh...it'll be alright. It's all over now," he soothed as he felt my body tremble with grief. "It breaks my heart to see you like this. You try to be so strong and yet it's hard for you grieve so openly."
I was so touched my Sully's words to me that I couldn't find any to say in return. He truly is my strength and he's right, it is hard for me to grieve so publically.
"You're still that strong woman who came here to start a new life. Nothin's changed there," he said. I smiled to myself thinking of those same words echoed before our trip to Boston. "Some days are just harder to get through than others, and having you here gives me strength."
"I'm glad," Sully replied not wanting to let me go just yet, even though the hour grew late. "You give me strength too, to be a better man." "Oh, Sully I…" Every word he was speaking touched me so much that all I could do was lose myself in his embrace.
I let him hold me a moment longer, letting the warmth of his body wash over me. I always felt safe in his arms, and having him here with me is a blessing. "I should get some sleep," I said a moment later breaking our hold. "Good night, Sully," I whispered just before he placed a gentle kiss on my cheek. "Night," he answered back before slipping out into the darkness.
I tucked myself into bed, wrapping the quilt around my body as quiet thoughts passed through my mind, Thank you for giving me a man who understands me and doesn't judge. I am grateful for him being my steady rock in times of trouble. It's been so hard with Dorothy, and as I much as I care about her, I am glad she made the decision she did.