Chapter 29
In The Name Of Love
Martha happily dashed back to her house hoping to speak with her parents about her childhood friend's, one and only Will Dexter's, unexpected return. However, when she entered the dining room, Martha only found her seven year old brother, Desmond eating his lunch rather excitingly.
"Des, dear, where's everyone?" She asked, walking over towards the little boy.
"Oh, hello sister!" Exclaimed Desmond and continued stuffing his face with a sandwich.
Before any other words were exchanged, Kitty, the sixteen year old sister of Martha appeared carrying some towels. "Hello, Martha! I'll be needing your help with the chores since Ma's gone and all." Kitty trailed off.
"Where's Ma?" Asked Martha with knitted eyebrows, as her sister hustled around.
"She and Pa went out to meet with the Mayor. Don't you remember?"
"Oh, right!" The older Hallum sister facepalmed. "How could I forget?!" Reuniting with her childhood friend actually made her forget and drop everything she was doing, or was planning to do.
"Where's Tommy? Is he with the cousins?"
"He went out to help repair Mr. Johnson's broken door handle." Kitty informed and started washing the dishes that their parents left before leaving.
"Oh, well...he must be hungry!" Martha picked up her skirts and rose from her chair. "Sit down Kitty, I'll prepare dinner and maybe we can take it over to Tommy and the Johnsons later." The Johnsons weren't exactly her favourite people especially, their arrogant son Steven, who used to be Alice's suitor. However, Martha was a good neighbor and she was always hospitable, but also wasn't afraid to speak her mind. And if that fella asked for it, she'd give him piece of her mind!
"I'm hungry!" Desmond shouted playfully even though his mouth was filled with handful of food.
"You silly boy! Eat up, then!" Chuckled both Martha and Kitty, as the older sibling of the household put on her apron and got ready to take charge.
"I can't believe it!" Cried out Liza and shook her head softly in amazement. "You're free! She actually did it!" She referred to Sarah.
"It's great to see you, Liza!" Frank grinned in delight. When was the last time Frank's face lit up like this? Probably, up at the Pontipee farm when they were all happy. It seemed that after his release, everything was going downhill. But encounter with the bright girl, finally made him break out into a genuine smile. He had always liked Liza. Her vibrant, outgoing, and rather sarcastic personality amused him. In some way, they resembled each other. The two of them had lot of things in common. Well, except for Frank's horrible temper...
Liza went up and embraced him wrapping her arms around him. "Oh, Frank! It's so good to see you!"
"You won't believe how happy I'm to see you." The second youngest Pontipee admitted, as he too hugged the petite girl. "Things have been so chaotic lately."
"Oh, come on Frank! Since when do you whine about misfortunes?" Liza asked playfully. "You're the brother who loves challenges!" She raised her head proudly.
"You think?" Frank huffed with a slight annoyance. "Well, this challenge is more than anyone can bear!" He crossed his arms, as the feeling of anger washed over him once more. Every time he thought about Sarah's words he wanted to punch someone in the face! Preferably, that wimpy Carl!
"Why? What's wrong?" Liza frowned in distress, putting her one hand on Frank's shoulder in concern.
"It's Sarah!" His temper burst, as he spat out his sweetheart's name. "She's driving me crazy!"
Now it was Liza's turn to get upset. "What do you have against her?! After everything she did for you! After she sacrificed her love in order to save you?! This is how you repay her?!" She yelled in anger and her hands immediately flew to her hips.
Seriously, what was up with these men lately?! Why be so ungrateful?! Always searching for reasons to get upset!
"Oh yeah, right!" Frank nodded sarcastically, he too was becoming furious. Women...ugh! Always so melodramatic! Blaming him for the outcome of events!
"So, that fact that she suddenly fell in love with Carl, and is planning to marry him doesn't bother you, or anyone for that matter?! Am I the only sane person here?!"
"No, you're the insane one!" Liza narrowed her eyes. "You don't know anything!"
"Now, what you gettin' at?"
"The only reason Sarah's marrying Carl is to save you!"
Now, Frank was very confused! He couldn't utter a word, he stood there waiting for Liza to continue.
"Don't you get it?" Liza spoke with disappointment. "Why do you think they let you out?"
"I uh...I don't know."
"Because Sarah agreed to marry Carl, if he and his rich daddy would speak with the Mayor on your behalf! And that's exactly what they did!"
Frank's eyes widened in shock, several emotions racing in him. "Wait, but Sarah told me that she loves Carl..."
"Well, that's an obvious lie." Liza said convincingly.
Frank didn't know what to do in that particular moment. He was so dumbfounded and puzzled that he couldn't even move! His Sarah loved him! She had proven her true love with this act! How could he be so foolish? And ignorant? And why did his sweetheart lie to him about falling in love with another man?
"I have to see her!" Frank cried out in realization. "I've gotta change her mind!"
"Stop it, Frank!" Liza stood in front of him before he could run off to Sarah's place. "Don't do anything stupid! You can't interfere!"
"Watch me!" He spoke in determination. "Step aside, I gotta go!"
"No! Don't be reckless!"
"Liza, listen to me!" Frank grabbed her by the arms. "Sometimes you gotta make a reckless choice in the name of love!" With that, he shoved the girl aside and dashed off to find her sweetheart.
Liza watched him in amazement, as his last words echoed in her mind. "Sometimes you gotta make a reckless choice in the name of love!"
Maybe he as right all along! Turning down Ephraim's proposal was a bad decision. What if this so called 'reckless' elopement would bring them all together? If at least one of the couples married, the families and the townsfolk would see the positivity and wouldn't be that ignorant of the idea. Somebody had to make the first leap! And it was going to be Ephraim and Liza, until she rejected him. Oh, she had been a fool! In any case, what was done was done! She couldn't change the past! But she could definitely try and make things right for the present and future. With such determined thoughts, Liza turned on her heel and went back to her house.
After her little sister Jenny boosted her confidence, Dorcas Gailen went downstairs to speak with her parents and tell them the truth about that snake Matt! However, she couldn't find anyone in the living-room, moreover, there wasn't any notes or a letter either. This was very strange for the Gailen family, they never left their daughters alone without informing them! And since when did they visit the neighbors on Saturdays? Saturday was mostly a family day. The townsfolk spend time with their wives and children on that day. Naturally, Gailens did the exact same thing. So what was going on?
"Oh, Jenny! Where did Pa and Ma go?" Dorcas called her sister, who was in her own chamber.
"They were having a meeting with the Mayor!" She shouted from upstairs.
Dorcas sighed in disappointment and displeasure. So much for wanting to clear things out with her parents!
Her hand slowly and gently touched her growing belly. Every time she remembered that she was carrying a baby, her heart skipped with joy. If only she could see her beloved Benjamin. If only they'd tell her that he was going to be alright. Dorcas set down on the sofa, and decided to knit for a little while. However, in few seconds she heard a knock on the door. When she opened it, she found Doctor Hamilton standing with a warm smile. "I've got great news Miss Gailen, Benjamin Pontipee's surgery was successful. He'll be alright."
Automatically, tears of happiness filled the tall girl's beautiful eyes as she reached forward and embraced the kind man. "Oh, praise the LORD! Thank you so much Doctor Hamilton!"
"Milly Pontipee sent me here to tell you this." He informed her, after the two broke apart from the fond embrace.
"May I see him? Oh please, let me see him." Dorcas begged desperately.
"That's why I'm here. I'm gonna take you to him."
"Oh, Jenny! Jenny! Come here!" Dorcas cried out excitingly, as her little sister ran downstairs in full speed.
"Have you seen a ghost Dorcas?" She panted. "Are you alright?"
"Of course, I'm fine! Doctor Hamilton here told me the greatest news! Benjamin is alright! He'll be just fine!" She couldn't remember the last time she had been this happy about something. It was such a wonderful news!
"That's great!" Clapped the little girl cheerfully. "Are we allowed to see him?"
"Of course we are!"
"Follow me ladies, I'll lead you to my carriage." Doctor Hamilton waved his hand, as he descended the porch stairs.
"Let's go!" Dorcas said, as she quickly put a hat and threw a silky fabric on her shoulders. Little Jenny grabbed a small bonnet and ran after her older sister. Thus they made their way to the town's infirmary, with positive and relieved thoughts!
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