In my time line, Jarrod is nine to ten years older than Heath and Eugene. He is five years older than Nick. If BV happened in 1876, then Jarrod would be 32, Nick would be 28 and Heath and Eugene 23 by my fic. However, that would make Nick joining the army at a very young age too. (15) I don't see Tom or Victoria allowing their son to do so. Therefore, my timeline will have to be more with Leah Thomson's Tomb stone of the year 1872 when Heath entered their lives, although my fic will not go the same on that account either. The ages will remain the same that way but a few years off the timeline. Don't judge me on the civil war history. The BV writers messed up too.

Note: The term "Colored" was the acceptable term used for African Americans of the 1800s.

Warning: Sexual abuse of a minor

Chapter Six: Getting an Education

Year 1861

Jarrod Barkley was worried when he approached his father. He hoped his father would understand. He was a 20 year old man. He had to do what he felt was right. Trying to get up enough courage to approach his father, Jarrod took a drink of whiskey. It burnt his throat. Tom had blown up at the statement Jarrod had told him. He had ranted for fifteen minutes of education being paid for, of Jarrod's law degree almost finished. Tom ranted about anything to keep his son from this act.

"Father, I know you're paying for my education. I appreciate it." Jarrod stood straight and proud. He wasn't asking his father for permission. He was telling Tom what he felt was right."But this is something I must do."

"Why?" Tom slammed his fist against the mantle causing the photos placed on top to shake. "You don't need to join this war, Son."

"I do, father. It is what is right. I'll come home to finish school." Jarrod explained as his words were laced with conviction.

"What if you don't make it home?" Tom's voice cracked with tears. "I love you, boy. I can't lose you."

At that moment, Jarrod understood that it wasn't about his education as Tom had claimed. It was fear of losing his son.

Jarrod walked up to his father. He wrapped his arms around him. "If I don't come back, know that I love you."

Victoria sobbed in her hands as she faced her boy was now a man. She feared for him. She feared for the family. But mostly, she was proud of the man Jarrod had became.

Tom's strong arms wrapped around Jarrod tightly as they both sobbed in the embrace. There were different types of learning in life. Tom had learned a valuable lesson of letting his son be the honorable man that he was meant to be. Then Jarrod went to his mother. He took Victoria in his arms as she sobbed against his chest. Tom came up to wrap his arms around the two of them.

The embrace was interrupted by Eugene, Nick and Audra entering the front door. Nick noticed both men had been crying. His mother was hiding her face so the children wouldn't see her tears still flowing. He knew his older brother had talked to his father about joining the war. Jarrod had came to him a few nights back warning him of the pending conversation. Nick looked at his brother with both fear and pride.

Eugene and Audra didn't notice. Eugene ran up to his father. "Look, father. I got good scores."

Tom took the small piece of paper from his youngest son. He shook his head as he tried to rid himself of the sadness that encased him. "That's good, Gene. Real good. I'm proud of you."

Tom then glanced up at all his children. Once again his voice cracked as he spoke. "I'm proud of all my children. A father couldn't be more proud."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~B~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Beginning of the year 1864

"Heath? Heath?" Words were whispered in the darkness of the night. His name being called sickened him.

Heath was no longer in his house with Hannah and Jessup but in his old room at the hotel owned by his uncle Matt. Martha had insisted he move in again. He could hear the voice he hated with every fiber of his being. He had been sleeping trying desperately to not think of what might come later. Matt and Martha Simmons had all control of the boy despite Hannah's begging. She worried the boy would be abused by his aunt and neglected by his uncle. She had no clue the truth of how Heath's life would come to be. If she had, Hannah James would've run with the boy even at the expense of her own life. She'd do that for the son she loved. Hannah would have to run due to her skin color. No matter what else, both she and Heath were destined to follow what the white folks threw at them.

A lot had changed in the past few years. Heath didn't have to work in the mine since he was eight. His Mama Hannah had talked to the livery stable owner, Jethro Kendall. She begged for her boy to have a job there. Martha Simmons didn't care where the money came from as long as Heath handed her money each month.

School had even changed. The old school teacher, Miss Carlton, had married two months after Heath was dismissed from attending school. Miss Carlton marrying, she wasn't allowed to teach any longer. That became a blessing to Heath and Hannah.

Heath laid in bed remembering Hannah's bravery when she approached the new teacher. Hannah knew it was taking a chance considering her being a colored woman. But for Heath, she'd take the chance of approaching the new teacher. She may have a beating coming but that would be fine if the day was a success.

Heath smiled despite the whispers coming from his bedroom door. He had to block out from his mind what he knew was coming. Therefore, he let the memory embrace him.

Hannah had dressed in her Sunday best. It was not a fine dress like most had but it was a dress without patching. She pulled her hair back as neat as possible. Eight year old Heath looked up at her with a crooked grin. "You look pretty, Mama."

Hannah bent down straightening Heath's shirt collar. "I'z sure think my boy looks handsome too. That's the best looking color on my boy."

The blue shirt was the best Heath had ever had on. Hannah had done laundry for a family of four all free for the outfit the boy wore. One of the sons in the family had outgrown it. Hannah was proud that Heath had on a pair of jeans and shirt with no mending. That would change over time. But for today, Heath would look mighty good in his clothes. Hannah wish she could've provided him shoes. Even though she was sure the son of the family had outgrown shoes, the woman said they were tore up. Hannah thought the outfit would do. Hannah had even taken the chance of cutting Heath's hair without permission from Matt Simmons. Once again, it was worth the chance of getting herself punished.

They marched proudly to the school house. Miss Caulfield was a robust woman with a kind face. She smiled as each child filed into the small school house. After the last child made her way into the schoolhouse, Rachel Caulfield looked up to see a colored woman standing proudly in front of her. She couldn't see the small child hidden behind the colored woman.

Hannah straightened her shoulders as she spoke proudly. "Miss..."

"Caulfield." Rachel told the woman her name.

"Miss Caulfield, my name is Hannah James. My son was told by the former school teacher that he was no longer allowed to go to school. My boy is a smart boy. I was wonderin' if you would take my boy in to your school. He's a mighty fine boy." Hannah pulled nervously at the cuff of her dress. She talked quickly for the fear that was settled in her. "He won't be no trouble at all. He can write and read already but he sure needs some more teachings. He works in the livery most days but if he could have one or two days for teachings, that would be great. I'z can't read or write. But my boy can."

Rachel Caulfield took in a deep breath. She had no problem teaching any child. But the laws prohibited teaching of the colored when it came to writing. She didn't expect to have problems right away in her new job. Her husband had died over a year ago. They had traveled to this mining town hoping to be near children but she never thought she had to teach again. Her husband died suddenly of a heart condition. He was a lawyer, who took business from many a person with little money to offer him. She was never blessed with her own children. She had put away a little money but not much. Therefore, she needed the teaching position to make a living. She didn't know how to tell the woman that she couldn't teach her child. Maybe she'd take a chance and teach the boy anyway. She could always play ignorant of the laws if confronted later.

"Step up here, Heath." Hannah pushed Heath in front of her. "He's a fine boy."

Rachel's eyes widened at the shock of the blonde haired boy before her. There was no way this child could be the son of the colored woman. She swallowed as she looked at him. Rachel wasn't one to hold back her thoughts. Therefore, she asked. "I don't understand, Miss James."

"I been takin' care of Heath since he was a small child." Hannah placed her hands on his shoulders. "His mama done left him. His uncle and aunt left me to care for him. He's my boy. Plain and simple, Ma'am."

"I'm a bastard." Heath thought it best just tell it like it was. He wished he hadn't when he felt Hannah swat he's backside.

"Don't say that word, Heath Thomson." Hannah warned. "I'll have Jessup take you to the woodshed if I hear that type language again."

Rachel couldn't help but smile at the small blonde haired boy. He was a gorgeous thing. She bit her bottom lip remembering her husband's papers. She had went through them to get current cases for the new lawyer in town. She remembered the name Leah Thomson, Thomas Barkley, Owen Endicott and Matthew and Martha Simmons. She glanced at the child thinking this must be the child who was signed over to Matthew Simmons by Leah Thomson. There were other illegitimate children in Strawberry but they belonged to prostitutes or were half bred Indians. Not that Rachel looked down on these children. But they existed. They didn't even bother going to school as Heath was doing. That is what made him stand out to Rachel. His last name of Thomson. Owen Endicott had paid for all the lawyer fees. Thomas Barkley's lawyer had written a letter at Heath's birth to let them know where the father stood. Therefore, Leah had every right to sign her son over to Matthew Simmons.

How could someone give up such a lovely child so easily? Rachel and her husband had longed for a child of their own while Leah Thomson and Thomas Barkley had easily signed away their son.

"Well?" Hannah nervously asked. "Can my boy come back to school?"

Rachel came out of her haze as she smiled at Hannah. "Miss James, it would be a pleasure to have Heath in school."

She felt a tug on her arm from a boy a little older than Heath. Rachel had already figured little Robert to be the school tattle tale. "Miss Caulfield, Heath there stole from Libby. He ain't allowed back."

"He isn't allowed back." She corrected Robert's grammar. Then added quickly. "I say he is."

"I didn't steal." Heath crossed his arms defiantly over his chest. "I sure ain't...am not..." Heath added quickly. "Gonna apologize."

"Well, the way I see it is that is one word against another. I will not take either word as truth. It will be in the past." She smiled again at the blonde haired boy. Her heart leaped when the boy smiled crookedly back up at her. This one was going to be someone special to her. She just knew it. "Go on in, Heath."

Hannah swelled with pride. "My boy is a good boy."

"I'm sure he is." Rachel said before watching Hannah walk away proudly.

Children pattern after adults. Rachel's kindness to Heath in the following weeks had the children being kind to him as well. The word got around that Miss Caulfield was kind to all her students. Soon the children of prostitutes and Indians were joining in school. At first the adults of Strawberry complained. However, when they realized their children were receiving some of the best education from a woman from the East, they ignored their feelings about schooling any child.

Heath made a best friend by the name of John Eagle. John was half Indian and half white. He taught Heath Modoc Indian skills while Heath tutored John on his reading and writing. It was a partnership where both boys gained not only skills and education but a deep friendship both needed.

Heath's body began to feel cold as his memories slowly disappeared and a face appeared. The face was not of a girl but a woman. A woman's whose cold blue eyes were filled with a sickening lust.

She spoke but in a whipser as her blonde sweaty hair clung to the cheeks of her face. "You're so handsome, Heath."

Through the years, Heath's body had slowly morphed as his youthful thinness had began to develop well-defined muscles of a young man. Despite him only being twelve, the hard work and healthy eating had changed him. He still looked very much the part of the twelve year old boy that he was. He knew how to hunt to put meat on the table. That combined with his Mama's good cooking made Heath strong and healthy. His handsome youthfulness had caused a different kind of abuse from Martha Simmons. She stopped hitting him a few months back. Martha couldn't seem to break the boy with her physical abuse. Therefore, in her depraved madness, she sought another way to make Heath pay for living while her son died.

His face contorted with fright. His eyes clinched shut as he tried to not allow tears to fall. The woman didn't like tears.

"Mmm. You're getting so good at this, Heath." The woman bent and nipped at Heath's neck causing him to flinch. "I'm showing you how much I care about you. I know you like it when I touch you. Your body lets me know."

"Martha." Heath whispered with a shaky voice betraying his attempt at bravery. "Uncle Matt will get mad. He'll not like this."

"Your uncle will never know, Heath." Martha laughed seductively as her fingers scratched lightly down Heath's taunt body. "Never. I'd never betray us to him. I know you wouldn't. Would you, Heath?"

Heath shook his head no as he tried to squelch the slow shattered breaths of the pleasure she was causing him. He closed his eyes again as he felt his young body react to the woman atop him. His confusion built more each time she snuck into his room at night. He wanted to be loved. Mostly, he wanted to be wanted. Martha did that. Didn't she?

Her words were words that he had longed to hear all his life. With each movement of her adult body against his boyish one, she said she loved him. She was only showing him that love. Her whispered threats of him never being loved by his own parents followed each movement as well. She dared Heath to tell saying his uncle and Hannah would hate him. Her words told of how his uncle would blame him and Hannah would rid herself of him because he was the one that wanted this. She was only giving him what he wanted. Heath didn't want this. Or did he?

She'd bend down at the end of their lovemaking (that is what she always told him it was) and say the same words. "It's our secret, Heath. No one will never know."

She was wrong though about no one ever knowing. His uncle Matt caught them that night. It was her eleventh time sneaking into his room. And her last.

The first time with Martha was also his first time with anyone, he was so frightened that he shook the whole time. It was only a few months ago. He had begged her to stop. She whispered for him to let her show how much she wanted him. She whispered it was natural for him to want her back. She loved him.

His nightmare turned into a memory of that time as well. A pleasing dream of finally being wanted to a nightmare of confusion.

Heath was so happy that his aunt had been treating him nicely. Maybe she could be the mother as she was to his cousin Reggie. Maybe she could protect Heath where Hannah was not allowed to. His uncle had even slowed down the drinking. The hitting had slowed down as well. Martha coming to him the night his uncle had to get some supplies was a welcomed surprise at first.

"Martha." Heath rolled over in his bed. "Is that you?"

"Shh. Heath, it's me." Martha laid beside him. She scooted her body against his. He could feel her body was only clad in a soft linen gown.

His breathing picked up. "What do you want?"

"Shh Heath, I love you." Martha whispered in his ear. "Don't you want to be loved? I'm the only one that loves you. You realize that. Don't you? Not even Hannah really loves you. We pay her to take care of you. Can I hug you."

"Yes." Heath whispered back as he relaxed into her embrace. Was this how it felt to have a mother love you? Had Hannah only been paid to be his Mama.

Martha pulled Heath closer. She softly took her fingers over his soft skin causing him to relax more. Then her soft touches started to feel wrong. She touched him in places that an aunt shouldn't. No woman should. Heath knew it but didn't know how to react. She gave him attention. NO one gave Heath Thomson attention but Hannah. But didn't Martha say Hannah was paid to do so.

The first time that she made love to him, as she called it, he cried. It wasn't soft silent tears but hard begging sobs asking her to quit. She told him to let her show him how much she loved him. How much she wanted him. Then his breathing came out in gulps as his chest tightened because of his excessive crying.

His body reacted. Yet, he didn't want it to.

When Martha had finished, she looked at him. Her eyes bore into him. "You're so handsome, Heath. It's not my fault that I want you so bad. I love you. Get some sleep. You'll get used to making love to me. You'll like it. I promise."

Heath hated her more each day for the confusion she was causing him. His guilt of the way Martha touched him caused him to loathe himself. He wanted this to be over. He wanted Hannah to be his Mama like she claimed. He wanted to move back into the safety of Hannah's and Jessup's house. He blocked out the thoughts of what was happening as he prayed for this to be over.

His prayers were answered in a violent way. Matt Simmons opened the door to Heath's bedroom. The drunken man stood with his fists balled causing his knuckles to whiten.

His voice came out in a slurred growl. "I'm gonna teach you now, boy!"