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Thanks for sticking with this story. Things are getting interesting. Grab some "special" tea – that just means tea with whiskey in it. And a biscuit.


"Margaret. I'm so glad you're home. Do you remember your father's friend, Abraham Ford?"

Before Annette had finished speaking, Abraham Ford was on his feet. Holy smokes he's tall. Must be over six foot. And that mustache, yikes. His voice as big as he was tall. "Why little Margaret Greene. You've grown up. Last time I saw you, you were trying to pull your skirt up over your head." Oh geez. Dipping his head slightly, looking her over. His eyes meeting hers, again. A large crooked grin splitting his face, he snorted out a chuckle. "You probably don't do that anymore. But, I have to say, I wouldn't mind if you did."

Annette gasped a little at his statement. But she didn't move from where she was sitting. Did he just say… In front of my mama? And my daddy? Oh, he's crazy. My daddy's going kill him. No manners. What a buffoon. Maggie gave him a stiff, polite smile. Extending her hand. "Nice to see you again Mr. Ford."

"Just a little joke." Abraham rung her hand, squeezing her fingers together. Chuckling. Glancing over her shoulder at her mother. "We're all adults here, right Annie?"

Maggie's mouth dropped open a bit. Annie? He called my mama Annie. Daddy doesn't even call her Annie.

Herschel made a rough disapproving noise in his throat, Maggie saw her parents exchange a quick glance.

That's it, you're not saying anything to him. About…

"It's Abe. And, I'm guessing you don't go by Bugs anymore, do you?" "Releasing her hand, he let out a throaty laugh. "I'll never forget the sight of Annie chasing you around the yard. Trying to keep you from eating lightening bugs, moths, worms. Anything wiggly you could catch. You couldn't have been more than three years old, but you were faster than shit."

Maggie wondered if the sudden feeling of lightheadedness was from being pregnant or her mortification at being reminded of her toddler days. When she apparently ate bugs and couldn't keep her skirt down.

"Yes, well. Margaret's a young lady now, she's eighteen." On her feet, finally, Mrs. Greene swooped in wrapping a protective arm around Maggie's shoulders. Giving her a little squeeze. "She hasn't eaten a bug in years."

But I pulled my skirt up for Glenn. Gosh I miss him, need him. Glenn's face somehow appearing before her.

"Hmm." A low gravelly sound coming from deep in Abraham's throat. "That's right, Ace did tell me that. Hope I didn't…"

Her head jerking around to stare at her father. Eyebrows raising. Ace? What else don't I know. Regaining her self-control, she looked back at Abraham. "Maggie. Everyone calls me Maggie." I don't have to like him to be polite.

"Annette, he was just making a joke. An exceptionally crude one, Abe." A slight threat in his voice, Herschel moved to grasp Annette's hand. Giving it a little tug, encouraging her to let go of Maggie. "Margaret is my daughter."

That's it, that's all my daddy is going to say. Nothing about wishing I'd pull my skirt up, or calling Mama Annie, or… Ace. This is weird. Her mother moving away, Maggie took a half step back. Watching as Abraham settled himself back down in the love seat. Legs spread, leaning forward, elbows resting on his knees. Herschel in the chair across from him.

Her mama's hand at her elbow again. "Margaret, come help me in the kitchen. I want to get some more sweet tea."

Thank god. With a silent nod, Maggie padded down the hall after her mama. Leaving the two men alone in the parlor. Pulling a tray from the bottom cupboard, she spread a doily on it. Half listening to Annette telling her to put some cookies and napkins out. Straining to hear what her daddy was talking about with Mr… With Abe Ford in the parlor. Their alternating voices a low rumble in her ears. Nothing really distinctive coming through.

Back in the parlor, Maggie offered both her father and Abe Ford some cookies, before setting the tray down on a low table. Realizing as she lowered the tray, that her mama had come in behind her and taken the empty chair. So the only place to sit was on the love seat, next to Abe Ford. Unless she wanted to drag in a big heavy wooden chair from the dining room. Which, would be pretty insulting to Mr. Ford. So…

Pulling her hands together, up in front of her chest, Maggie went with what she hopped was an innocent smile. "I have quite a bit of studying to do. If you'll…"

"Margaret." Her daddy's eyes had that I'm-not-fooling-around-here look. "You have plenty of time to work on your studies. You've really grown up since the last time Abe saw you. Why don't sit down and join us for a few minutes. Maybe tell him about that school musical you were in last year."

He doesn't want to hear about the school musical. It was the Wizard of Oz, I was a flying monkey. Definitely not telling him, or anyone else, about that. Smoothing her skirt under herself, Maggie perched on the edge of the love seat. As close to the arm as possible, without actually riding it. Hands folded demurely in her lap. "It was silly…" Swallowing. How do I get out of this. "Daddy, Mr. Ford, I mean… Abe, I thought I was signing up to paint scenery and somehow ended up with a really small part. I didn't even have any lines." Unless you count grunting and snorting.

"That's right." Her voice bright, Annette leaned forward in her seat. "Now, the Peach Festival was a lot of fun. Maggie won second place for her Spicy Peach Chutney, and guess who was voted the Peach Queen." Her tone going up at the end, she nodded at Maggie. Encouraging her with a smile.

Ugh. There were only three contestants.

"Peach Festival. I love festivals. Especially when they elect a queen." Downing another glass of sweet tea, Abraham slammed his empty glass down on the little tray. Turning to look at Maggie. "I'll bet they even had a parade."

This is painful. Nodding, her smile stiff, Maggie's eyes drifted across his face. If she ignored that mustache, he looked nice enough. He's not that old, I guess. Won't hurt me to talk to him. "As a matter of fact, the Peach Festival parade is the biggest parade of the year. As Peach Queen, I got to ride through town sitting up on the back of a brand new red Cadillac convertible. Which was pretty great." Her smile becoming genuine as she was flooded with pleasant memories.

"Red Cadillac convertible, huh. Too bad nobody noticed the car. With every eye on you."

I can't believe he just said that corny line. Her cheeks warming, Maggie giggled behind her hand. Then continued talking with Abraham. He said he loved festivals and county fairs. They compared their favorite greasy, fried food. He asked about Maggie's responsibilities as Peach Queen. Letting out a deep, hearty laugh at Maggie's description of the craziness that occurred when Beth's goat got loose when she was trying to show it. A laugh that make her want to laugh, too. She didn't really notice when her mama left the room.

After an hour of light conversation. Herschel stood, hands in his pockets. Clearing his throat. "I think it's time for Maggie to get to her studies."

Abraham's eyes not leaving her face, "Right. Well thanks for telling me about the festival. You're a hell of a lot better to look at than your old man."

Standing, Maggie restrained her eyes from rolling. What a goober. Dipping her chin. "Thank you." She murmured.

With a few more words to her daddy, Abraham Ford was giving her another finger crushing handshake. Then slapping her daddy on the back on his way out the front door. Climbing into the red pick-up parked out front. A cloud of gravelly dust rising as he took off down the driveway.

Closing the heavy front door behind him, Maggie's mama reappeared. "Where'd you go? I kept expecting you to come back and…"

Looping her hand around Maggie's arm, Annette walked her into the dining room. "Margaret, we need to talk."

Maggie's lightheadedness returning, something about Annette's expression told her that whatever was coming, she wouldn't like it. Gripping the back of her chair, she managed to sit down. Holding her face blank, her eyes tracking Annette as she stepped into the kitchen. Pouring two glasses of sweet tea.

Carefully setting a glass in front of Maggie, Annette sat in her own chair at the end of the table. Slowly turning her glass, lining it up with a mark on the table. Then straightening a couple pieces of paper she had sitting in front of her. Before looking up at Maggie. "I talked to your Aunt Eleanor today."

Aunt Eleanor, that's your aunt. She's old, at least 60. "Is she okay? Did something…" Oh, this is about… And she was struck with a wave of lightheaded nausea. And the desire to run and hide. All at the same time.

"Aunt Eleanor is fine." Annette's voice in neutral, her words carefully paced. "I asked her if you could come and stay with her until after the baby is born. And she said…"

She's so old, I don't want to… "Why would I…" Oh no, no, no. The realization of what Annette was suggesting hitting hard and fast.

"Margaret, it's either go and stay with Aunt Eleanor. Who you know, and who loves you. Or the Florence Crittenton Home in Atlanta." Ignoring her sweet tea, Annette stared at Maggie. One hand reaching across the table, she tried to hold Maggie's hand. But, Maggie wasn't having it. Roughly shaking her mama's hand from the top of her own, Maggie stuck her hands in her lap, out of reach. The color draining from her face.

"I'm not going…" Maggie's voice starting to rise. She swallowed hard, digging her fingers into her thighs.

Annette's face hardened, her mouth a thin line. "You have to. It's either go to Aunt Eleanor's or the Crittenton Home until after the baby is born. After you surrender the baby, you can come back home and start school again next…."

"No. I'm not leaving. And I'm not giving my baby away. Glenn's going to come back for me. Or send for me. I know he is." We made plans. We're going to be together forever. As soon as his family gets settled someplace up north… He'll come for me. "We're going to get married."

Annette's fingers scratching along the top of the table. She shuffled the papers in front of her. "Margaret. It's been five weeks. He hasn't called or written. It's time to start thinking about your other options. Another couple weeks you'll have to quit school, so…"

"No." Jumping from the table, Maggie's chair flew backwards, clattering to the floor behind her. One hand on her minuscule tummy, her other hand clawing at the edge of the table. "I'm not giving away our baby. I'm not." Her breathing heavy, ragged. She ran from the room. Out to the barn, into the hayloft. Rolling up in the blanket she had left there, the blanket where she had laid with Glenn. Declaring their love. Making plans. Promising each other, they would be together forever. No matter what.

It was well after dinner time before Maggie went back inside. Her mama meeting her in the kitchen, she took a covered plate of leftovers from the refrigerator. Leading her to the table, Annette encouraged her to sit down and eat. Reminding her that she was responsible for providing nutrition for the baby. My baby, I'm never giving my baby away.

~:~

Thursday, when Maggie got home from school, Abraham Ford was sitting on the porch. Again? What's his deal? Talking with her daddy. As she approached the steps, Abraham jumped to his feet. Greeting her with a toothy grin. Minutes later, Maggie found herself alone with him on the porch. Her daddy not returning from carrying her school books inside for her.

After an hour of small talk, Maggie was feeling the need to stand up. Stretch. Talk to someone, anyone, else. Her daddy returned. To suggest that it was time for Maggie to come in, and perhaps Abraham would like to come back Friday. Daddy!

He did.

Friday looked and felt a lot like Thursday. Maggie and Abraham sat in rocking chairs on the porch. Her mama bringing them glasses of sweet tea. Abraham scooted his chair closer to hers, with no attempt at being subtle. Fussing with his mustache, which actually wasn't all that bad. Leaning over at one point, to pick an invisible piece of lint off her shoulder. Grinning. Chuckling at her stories. Going with her to help collect the eggs, when she tried to excuse herself to take care of the chickens. Snorting when chicken poo ended up on his sleeve. He's not a complainer. When her daddy came out and said it was time for him to leave, he tipped his head to her. Then swaggered out to his truck.

Maggie found herself watching the driveway Saturday, expecting to see Abraham come driving up. But, he didn't come back on Saturday. Probably went back to Texas.

Sunday morning, Beth followed their daddy out to the old sedan, to go to church. Maggie checked her face one last time in the entry way mirror. Turning towards the front door, she found Annette waiting for her. Her face set. "This is your last Sunday in church, until after…"

Catching her breath with a harsh gasp, Maggie snapped her mouth shut. Pushing past Annette without looking at her. You can't make me. I won't. Oh god, what am I going to do.

Arriving at church, Maggie ended up sitting on the end of the pew, her daddy beside her. Half way through the opening hymn, she heard someone coming up the center aisle, whistling the hymn tune instead of singing. Dropping her head forward, behind the woman standing in front of her, Maggie gave a quick glance over her shoulder to see who was whistling. A smile starting at the sight of Abraham Ford stopping next to their pew. With a little half shuffle, she scooted closer to her daddy. Making room for him.

The service ending, Abraham Ford walked out next to Maggie. Ignoring his old friend, Herschel. Annette inviting him back to the house for dinner. Which he quickly accepted. Soon he was seated next to Maggie at the family dining room table. Chatting up her daddy, while he loaded his plate with fried chicken and biscuits.

The meal ended, dishes washed and put away, Abraham suggested perhaps Maggie would like to take a walk with him. He's clean. Polite, sort of. For an old guy, he's not awful to look at. His mustache is trimmed. Maggie accepted, and they headed out across the grass. Maggie carefully steering them clear of the barn, and the hayloft. Instead heading down the long curving drive towards the road. The two of them walking along in silence for several minutes.

Then, Abraham's rough hand abruptly grabbed her hand. Her breath catching in her throat a little, Maggie felt her back tensing. Take a couple more steps, she tripped over a piece of grass, stumbling forward. Arms flailing, Maggie struggled to stay on her feet. Abraham caught her. His hand tightening around hers at just the right moment. His other hand grabbing her arm and holding on until she was solidly back on her feet.

Exhaling, Abraham relaxed his grip. "Are you…" His voice gruff.

Pulling free, Maggie smoothed her skirt. One hand catching on her tiny tummy for a second. "Thank you. That was…"

"Yeah." That single word coming out like a low rumble, Maggie felt his eyes on her. Lips pursed, she looked down at the ground, incapable of moving. Abraham cleared his throat. "You know, I was married. Had a family. A daughter and a son. It wasn't perfect, but we were working on it."

"Abraham, you don't have to tell me. It's…" What is wrong with him.

"You should know." Undeterred, Abraham persisted. "A couple years ago, we were on our way home from a goat rodeo." Maggie felt his eyes on her, but couldn't make herself look up. "I'd had a few beers to many. Ellen was driving."

This is going to be bad. "Uh huh." Her hand reaching out to his, holding his much larger hand in her soft, petite one. Letting her finger trace along his short, ragged fingernails.

Abraham sniffed. His free hand going to his nose for a moment. "Drunk driver crossed the center line. Hit her head on. Should have been me driving. If I hadn't been drinking, maybe I could have swerved, done something. Maybe I could have saved them."

"Don't. You can't…" How awful. Carrying that around. Maybe if he sticks around, keeps coming to church with us, and talks to the preacher…

Head hanging, Abraham let out a heavy sigh. "I lost them all in one night. They're gone… And I didn't even get a scratch."

Maggie tightened her hand on his. "I'm so sorry. I can't imagine…" Geez. Somedays I can barely get out of bed, and I have my baby and Glenn is… Alive. Somewhere.

Abraham pulled Maggie's hand to his face, pressing a soft kiss to her knuckles, then holding it against his chest. Their eyes meeting, he gave her a small smile. "Yeah, well time moves on. And now… Your dad told me. Said you got some Chinese yeast risin'."

Chinese yeast? What's he talking about? Chinese… Oh. "Korean." Blinking back the tears that threatened to swamp her.

Snorting, the start of a smile forming. "Yeah, Korean. I know you don't love me, and I ain't going to lie and say I love you. But, there's a lot a Korean ankle biters on base now. They're bringing them over for adoption. We could move into a house off base until you pop. Wait a month or two, and then move into base housing. No one would have to know you had…"

A Korean baby.

"…can't cook for shit. And my house stinks. But I earn a fair living, and I'll give the kid a name. I know it ain't perfect. It ain't what you always thought you'd get, or what you wanted, but…"

I can keep my baby. "I'll marry you Abraham."

"…let me save you. And we can negotiate the sex. I won't run around, but I expect twice a week, at least. And…"

"Abraham, I said yes."

"Yeah?" His grin returning, head starting to nod. "Well butter my ass and call me a biscuit. Hot damn. Come here." For the first time, Abraham was pulling her into himself. Pressing his lips against hers, his mustache rubbing against her face. And it wasn't horrible. It wasn't Glenn, but it wasn't horrible.

Friday morning, Maggie officially withdrew from school. That afternoon, with her parents and Beth in attendance, she married Abraham in the church parlor. Two hours later, they left for Texas in his red pick-up.

As they pulled away, Maggie didn't see Annette wiping a tear from her eye. Or her daddy pull a letter from the mailbox. Addressed to her. With a return address from Detroit, MI.


Trust me a little longer. Please.

A/N Remember, it's 1951. Where, unwed teens did not keep their babies.

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xoxo