Heh, this story was supposed to be a oneshot :)
I changed my mind.
It has been a long time since I were Mary Warren of Salem, Massachussetts. A good ten years now, but it still feels like yesterday to me. For nine of those I have been Goodwife Mary, wife of Mister John Rowe. I have three children, of five, seven, and nine respectively, and yet still, inside of me is an echo of that Mary Warren I used to be. And it all came to the fore yesterday noon.
o0o
I'd been shopping in Cambridge, for a new cloak for John Jnr and shoes for little Rebecca. At first when I saw her I did not believe my eyes, but I suppose my heart knew it was her.
"Goody Proctor," I murmured, without meaning to speak.
She turned around, anger in her eyes.
"I say, what do you-oh!" she said, surprise coating her face, "Mary Warren!"
"I didn't mean to-" I stammered, thirteen again.
"No, no," said Goody Proctor, despite everything anxious not to offend. "Look you, we will go in here so that I may explain myself."
We headed into a small coffee shop, and Goody Proctor ordered tea and cakes before sitting down.
"I do apologise, Mary Warren," begun Goody Proctor, "no-one has called me by that name in many years, not since I remarried. It did surprise me...somewhat."
All of a sudden, years of remorse flooded my mind.
"Oh, Goody Proctor," I said, burying my head in my hands, "It is I who should apologise! Were it not for me...your Mr Proctor would-"
I dissolved into sobs on the table, unable as always to keep my head clear.
"Oh, Mary!" said Goody Proctor, touching my face, "How could I ever blame you for that?"
I looked up, confused.
"You were just a child, Mary! An innocent, scared little girl who thought she was being attacked from all sides. Surely you cannot blame yourself for that?"
I sniffed loudly, lifting up my head.
"Mary," said Goody Proctor, holding my hands, "it is not mine to give, but you should know I found forgiveness for you in my heart a long time ago. All that remains for you is to forgive yourself."
"I cannot, Goody Proctor," I said, sitting up and wiping my face, "but I thank you."
"And I you, Mary Warren," said Elizabeth, standing up to leave.
An English teacher would love that, there's some great progression of feeling.
Anyway, that came shorter than I expected.
Enjoy.
