Chapter 9: Eyes Wide Open
Dawn had just broke through the darkness, its yellow rays stretching wide across the sky and banishing the twilight back to its slumber. The last twinkle of the stars had disappeared, leaving only the still visible pearly white outline of a half circle unmistakable in the morning sky. Uncas watched as the sun's golden flicker peaked past the trees and began to spread its wealth across the land. Silently bathing the earth in its precious glow and beckoning its inhabitants to a new day.
Uncas swayed back and forth in his rocking chair, patiently waiting for Alice to come meet him outside. He reached down, pinching the pink linen of Iris's discarded dress between his fingers. Uncas had made his way off of the porch last evening and retrieved the dress from the ground where it had landed after Iris had unceremoniously released it into the air. He had waited on the porch for several hours, finally realizing that Matto had no intention of returning, he went off to sleep and whispering into Alice's ear as he curled himself up around her that they needed to have a word with Pru and and Martin first thing in the morning. Alice had been half asleep and merely nodded her head.
Upon waking up and realizing the Matto had not returned with Iris, Alice had instantly become frantic with worry. Though not for herself or Matto, but rather Pru and Martin. They must be absolutely distraught that their daughter did not sleep in her bed and immediately began dressing so she and Uncas could go speak to them. At the very least let them know that Matto was with her. Though she was certain that that would present its own questions. Regardless, they needed to know that Iris was not alone and at just past dawn, Alice and Uncas began making their way the small distance to their beloved family's cabin.
When they entered the cabin, they could see that Pru and Martin where both already up along with Sampson and Jack.
Pru instantly furrowed her brows at their nervous expressions and asked, "Is everything all right?"
"Pru, I am not sure how to tell you but…" Uncas began but was quickly halted by Martin.
"That Iris did not return home last night?" Martin said as he poured tea into two separate mugs, placing them atop the old wooden kitchen table and beckoning for Alice and Uncas to sit.
Alice made her way to the table, gingerly placing Iris's dress atop it as she slid herself into her seat. "Where are the children?" She tentatively asked before she began divulging her son's personal feelings. It was one thing to tell Martin and Pru, even Sampson and Jack. It was quite another for all of the children to hear, especially when Matto had purposefully hid it from them all.
"Ash and his friends went out before the sun even rose to do who knows what, who knows where and Lydia and Gabriel have gone off to the lake, to do exactly what we expect they are doing." Pru answered ironically. "Why?"
"And what is that?" Uncas asked.
Alice swiveled her body in her seat, facing Uncas and began shaking her head up at him. "Really husband, can you not figure it out?"
Uncas's eyes went wide with embarrassment as he slid into his seat next to Alice and said, "Oh!"
Alice could not help but roll her eyes at him and faced Pru and Martin once again. Just as she made to speak, Sampson interrupted them by saying, "Jack, I'd like to take a stroll around the farm. You can help me so I don't collapse along the way." And began rising from his seat. Both Pru and Martin quickly hopped to their feet, each grabbing an arm and guided him gently away from the table. Sampson, grabbed tightly to Pru's forearm and with his other hand gently patted Martin's cheek. He leaned in a bit closer to his son and said, "Speak privately." And with a quick wink at Pru, began hobbling away arm and arm with Jack, who closed the cabin door tightly behind him.
Martin turned towards Pru, the two sharing a silent laugh at Sampson's attempt at discretion and crossed back to the table. Martin and Pru sat opposite Alice and Uncas, tea filled mugs in hand and calmly waited for them to begin. It had not escaped their sights that Alice had placed Iris's neatly folded pink linen dress atop the table. The dress that they had both last seen their daughter wearing, just before she went outside seeking fresh air and solitude on their porch. Interesting she thought that the dress had returned though their daughter had not.
Pru eyed Alice and Uncas carefully, watching as their expressions were almost pained. She could not stand took look upon them this way so readily decided to put them both out of their misery. She reached across the table taking Alice's palm in her own and said, "We know Alice."
Alice's eyes instantly widened and she asked, "Know what?"
This time Martin took the lead and began, "We know Iris is with Matto and that they rode off on his horse."
"How?" Uncas asked.
"Ash saw them while he was catching a bit of air on the porch last night." Martin calmly responded.
"What did he see?" Uncas inquired further.
"We know." Pru said, not responding to Uncas's question, but rather the real reason they were here.
"We know they are in love." Martin continued for her in his calmest tone, doing his best to put both Alice and Uncas at ease and continued, "Their behavior at the wedding confirmed it for us, though the signs have always been there." Martin said. Thinking in his mind how similar young boys acted when they were in love. He remembers behaving almost identically to Matto when he was young and in love with Prudence and from almost the very moment he met her, way back to when they were merely thirteen years old. He remembered how that feeling only intensified the older he became, followed by all the other feelings that sprung up as they matured not just emotionally but physically as well. He could still recall with perfect clarity the way his heart raced the first time they made love in the hay loft in the barn. How when Prudence first touched him, he thought he might actually faint. Then quickly tried to recover, remembering that he was about to became a man and needed to act as such. Martin had resolved after that first touch that no matter what may happen he loved her and was prepared to take responsibility for what he was about to do, knowing full well that their actions could easily bring about the life of another. Which of course it did, when their precious Elijah was born just after they both turned seventeen…seventeen. Martin found that his eyes inadvertently wandered over to Iris's pink dress and began thinking as to what the possibility of its absence may mean.
Pru followed Martin's eyes to where they fell upon Iris's pink dress, knowing instantly to where his thoughts had gone. She reached up and caressed his cheek saying, "Whatever happens…happens."
"Oh my!" Alice said as she too followed their eyes and realized what they were referring to. Alice quickly covered her mouth with her hands and breathed out between her fingers, "Surely you don't think?" Uncas silently winced at her remark as he had decided to keep that portion of his and Matto's conversation to himself last night.
"Why ever not?" Pru simply asked, before continuing, "We certainly did." And she waved both arms out wide, silently indicating that everyone at their table had already walked that path.
"We certainly did what?" They had been so engrossed in the moment that they had not realized that Cora and Rebekah had entered the cabin. As she stood observing the scene before her, Cora quickly realized that the conversation was not to be witnessed by her daughter and instantly shooed her out of the cabin and off into the glade with her cousins.
Cora took a seat next to Alice and across from Prudence. Pru slid her mug across the table in front of her and jokingly said, "I think we should just start spritzing our tea with whisky, as I believe it will be a long morning." Uncas and Martin huffed in shaky laughter as Alice and Pru began slowly retelling their morning conversation.
The door shut tightly behind Matto and Iris, allowing the heat from the hearth to surge once more through the cabin. Martin leaned his body back against the long sofa, balancing himself on its frame and pulled Prudence into his arms, softly whispering into her ear. Prudence turned her face towards him, nodding in response to his words. Then turned herself fully around, wrapping her arms around his neck and snuggling herself up against him.
"And if there is a child?" Alice asked quietly from the warm embrace of her husbands arms.
Prudence could not help but scuff at her question and said, "When has having a child ever been a damning thing on this farm?"
Cora laughed out right without having even meant too. When all eyes turned towards her, she raised her hands and said, "Spoken exactly as if Nathaniel were standing here in your stead! Sometimes, even after all these years, I can still hear his voice in your words and yours in his. It's really quite mystifying actually!" Cora breathed then continued with, " I do wish he was here for this though so he might not be blindsided when he returns."
"You and I both know Nathaniel is rarely blindsided." Uncas said from atop his wife's blonde hair.
Cora looked bemused by his comment and said, "This is true! For all I know he'll walk through the door laughing at the three of us for not catching on sooner." Cora eyed Uncas and gently said, " Well, certainly you at least!"
Prudence and Martin burst out laughing at that. Martin leaned over and smacked Uncas hard on the back in jest. While Pru quickly reached out and rubbed his shirt where Martin had forcefully hit him and said, "You boys are always so rough. Then you chide our sons for their behavior. Honestly!"
Alice watched as they all giggled again, happy they were all at ease. Though her anxiety lingered and not being able to let the thought go said, "I worry for them having a child." Alice's words instantly silenced the room.
"Why?" Pru asked. Her tone quizzical as she was truly uncertain as to what Alice was referring.
Alice pulled slightly away from Uncas while still remaining in his embrace, though wanting to be certain that she could see his face as she spoke. Already seeing the concern that had spread across his features. He knew what she was going to say, of this Alice was certain. She reached up caressing his cheek and said, "It will be hard for them, as it was hard for us. Still to this very day, people gawk when we are together. Even amongst people we have know for years. The sight of us together still raises eyebrows. Add into that a child." Alice let her eyes fall shut for the briefest of moments before staring back into Uncas's eyes and continuing, "My love for you is unconditional and our children were born out of that love. Just as Matto and Iris's will be. For I have never seen a pair more perfect for one another as those two are for each other."
"Then what?" Cora asked clearly perplexed by her sister.
"We are not like Matto and Iris. I have hardly left the farm since before Matto was born and almost never as a family. Whether we have done that consciously or sub consciously, that is how we choose to live our life and I am happy for it. Never have I been happier in my life then when I am home with my family. Matto and Iris are more spirited, more free, more filled with adventure. Iris constantly talks of visiting the ocean and Matto will take her should she ask him too. They have never really left the safety of the farm, never experienced fully the cruelty that this world can bestow upon them. I worry what will happen to them as a couple and then as parents if and when they venture away from our safety."
The room remained silent as they all took in the gravity of Alice's words. Not one of them had thought that far into the future. They had always lived peaceful in their own utopia. The Delaware camp seemed to except their unique family as did many of the people in town, having long ago gotten used to seeing Uncas with his very white brother and then later his mixed raced sons. Though both boys were lighter than he, could both pass as full blooded Indians, people knew their mother was white and for the most part it was ignored. Though as Alice's words sunk deeper still into their hearts and minds, a clear realization of what could come flashed across their individual minds. Sending a ripple of panic through the room.
Upon seeing Alice's forlorn face, Uncas pulled Alice back into his arms resting his cheek once again atop her own and said, "We will all embrace it as it comes. They need to be free to live their lives in whatever way they think is best. We can only accept them as they are and support them when they are in need. And pray that they never face the pain of the world, only bathe in its happiness." Uncas said this to Alice though could not help himself from glancing towards Prudence, meeting her knowing eyes with his and watched as the smallest of smiles flickered across her lips at his poignant words. Words they both new were all too true.
Even before Linus saw the Indian take notice of him, he began to wander away. He rose casually to his feet and began carefully inching backwards into the cover of the forest's lush greenery. He was desperate to avoid an altercation, especially after Ash's warning from the night before. He had hoped to gently back away until he could wander freely in the forest, giving himself some time to decide what to do next.
With Ash's words still fresh in his mind, Linus was definitely uncomfortable being at the farm. No one had spoken to him after his exchange with Ash on the porch last night and as it was this morning he had sat alone, while the others subtly distanced themselves from him. He felt awkward and incredibly morose over his actions. It was not his place to pass judgement on Iris, he simply found that in the moment he could not help himself. It was not how he was raised to condone such impropriety, nor did he know that when Ash talked about his family that some of them were Indian. He had been completely bewildered when they first came across Iris in the glade and why she was with such a person. Though at the time he had assumed that the Indian had merely come about Iris as she was about to be killed by a bear. It was not until they all began to walk back together and Ash draped his arm around the Indian that Linus truly understood what was happening. Now weeks later, he found himself backing away from what he was certain was going to result in, at the very least, a fight.
As the inevitable loomed closer, Linus watched as the Indian shifted his gaze and took notice of him. He had only managed to make it just past the tree line, since he was trying to walk as slowly as possible hoping not to be seen. Linus stopped in his tracks having only made it in a few feet and waited as the Indian menacingly approached him. Realizing fully that this altercation was going to be completely unavoidable, Linus stood a bit straighter, rolling his shoulders back, determined not to cower away any further from him. Linus knew the Indian was strong. Everything about him said so, his stance, his walk and posture. All of it indicated that this was not the first encounter with a foe. The Indian carried himself in a manner that made him into quite the formidable opponent and for the briefest of moments, Linus was terrified.
As Matto trudged swiftly towards Linus, the happiness and relief of moments ago had been tucked away and replaced by a fierce desire to protect his woman. Outwardly he appeared calm, only his eyes telling the tale of his inward feelings. Inwardly he was seething, every muscle in his body was flexed with anticipation. Matto clasped eyes on Linus and watched as he slowly sulked away from him. Before finally, as Matto could only assume that Linus realized his retreat only made him appear cowardly and abruptly stopped.
The next few feet were filled with Iris's voice telling him that Linus had watched them, had watched her. Had been privy to their private moments. Matto's mind momentarily raced with the thought that the parasite before him and possibly seen Iris naked in his arms. That he had seen their purest and most private moment. As the memory swirled through his mind, Matto involuntarily balled his fist at his side.
"What did you see?" Matto demanded in his calmest voice.
Linus eyed him carefully, taking note of his tightly clenched fist at his side. "Nothing of consequence." Linus responded casually.
Matto stepped closer into Linus's space and said, "Everything with Iris in it is of consequence."
Linus narrowed his eyes him, unable to hide his disgust at the idea of being questioned by an Indian in such a way. Who was he to challenge him. Linus paused in his thoughts as he clashed eyes briefly with Ash. Who stared sardonically back at him, certain to convey to Linus he was on his own where the Indian was concerned. Linus knew right then how this was going to turn out and so decided to say exactly what he wanted. He focused his eyes once more towards the Indian in front of him and said, "She is a beautiful girl, Iris. Not sure why she would chose to embrace, what is certain to be a filthy life with a filthy red man. I can only imagine what she would feel like pressed up naked against my skin. Perhaps it is not too late to find out, or has she given you her virtue as well? " And he finished it off with a glance towards Iris, eyeing her body up and down.
Matto took a quick step forward and threw his face directly into Linus's, instantly breaking his nose with his forehead. The impact sending Linus stumbling backwards, further into the cover of the trees. Linus covered his nose with his hands, desperate to stop the gushing of blood that was now generously flowing from it. The pain was severe, but at that moment Linus was too enraged to focus on it. He tried to rush Matto, shoving his body backwards out of the tree line and into the glade and full view of Ash's family.
Matto easily shoved Linus away from him, by way of smacking him on the side of his face. Linus stumbled sideways, almost falling to the ground. He briefly recovered, becoming only slightly steadier on his feet. Now completely enraged and feeling the sharp sting of humiliation, Linus looked up across the glade at Iris. Her curvy figure still wearing only her white shift from the night before. Linus knew then, with complete certainty, that she was no longer the pure as snow maiden of his imagination. He knew that she had let the Indian take her, all of her. Disgust coursed through his veins and the feeling of bile began to rise in his throat at the thought. Linus stared horrified at Iris and hollered loudly, "A red man and his white whore!"
The next thing Linus knew he was on his back in the grass, Matto's hands were wrapped tightly around his neck. He could feel the pressure of each individual fingertip pressing forcefully into his throat. Linus tried to reach up, desperately scratching at Matto's neck and shoulder. His vision was blurring and blackening around the edges. His arms became weak, as the life drained out of them and began slipping from Matto's shoulders, falling limp at his sides. Everything was fading away, the slow sound of his heartbeat was all that was left still filling his ears.
Matto could hear voices in the distance, calling his name, begging him to stop. He could feel the familiar hands of Keme desperately trying to pull him off the body beneath him. But he would not relent, instead gripping tighter to Linus's throat. Feeling beneath his fingers every muscle and vein encased within his neck.
Iris stood by watching mouth agape as Matto was clearly about to kill Linus right before their eyes. "Iris! Please…stop this!" Keme begged, knowing with certainty that she was the only one who could.
Keme's plea broke Iris from her daze and she quickly rushed over, kneeling beside Matto and softly saying his name. She gently slid her palm across his cheek, forcing his head to face her. "Matto, it's enough." Iris softly breathed into his face.
At the sound of Iris's voice, Matto instantly released Linus's throat and agilely climbed off of him taking ahold of Iris and pulling her up to her feet with him. He slowly stumbled backwards to see that his entire family was now watching him. The adults were spread out atop the porch and everyone else was peering at him from the glade. Iris continued to push Matto further and further back away from Linus, making certain to keep her palm against his smooth chest, not willing to break their skin to skin contact.
Matto felt as though the next few moments were passing in slow motion. He could still feel the invincibility of his adrenaline coursing through his veins. He peered over towards the top of Iris's porch, watching as Martin clambered down the wooden steps and over towards Ash. He could see Keme grab ahold of his father's shoulders, steading him. Matto could not decide if Keme was forcing their father's attention on himself or gently restraining him from his own vengeful actions. Iris had pushed him almost past the cabin when he momentarily clasped eyes with his mother. The blue of her eyes were glazed over with sorrow, almost as if she was physically pained by the scene before her. She held his stare silently conveying all of her grief to him and in that deafening silence, his father's words rang through. "…Some people will never except you…" Matto held his mother's stare until Iris had walked them past the cabin, to where they might be alone. Matto allowed his eyes to fall shut as Iris guided him further away. He could not hear anything, not the sound of Iris's voice, not Keme, only the sound of his thumping heartbeat. Its' beat hammering louder and louder within his ears, rhythmically pumping to the sound of his father's words.
Ash walked over towards Linus, crouching down at his side and placing his fingers against Linus's neck, wanting to be certain that Linus would live. He grabbed him by the chin and turned his face so he could better look into his eyes. Ash took in the scope of his injuries. Matto was indeed fierce. He had shattered Linus's nose and had left two palm imprints on either side of his neck. The marks grew an even deeper shade of purple and blue with every passing moment. Ash almost laughed to himself at how such a sweet boy to those he loved could possibly be capable of such violence to those he hated. Certain that Linus would recover, he leaned further down and whispered into his ear, "You are very lucky that Keme is filled with compassion. Though, his true concern is not for you." Ash glanced back at Keme, who was speaking rapidly in Mohican to their father and continued, "I blame myself for bringing you into our lives and so I will take you out. But before I do, remember my words…do not ever come back to this farm or the forest that surrounds it, as there will not be a third time." Ash paused as he stared into Linus's bloodshot eyes. "Now blink if you understand my words."
Linus laid helpless and broken in the grass. He knew he had almost died. He knew that even after his hideous words and accusations, that Iris had saved him. Linus stared back into Ash's greenish brown eyes and blinked several times, even though the mere act of blinking his eyes sent a stinging pain through out his entire face. He watched as Ash nodded his head in understanding and hollered for Seth to come over to where he laid in the dirt.
Seth crossed the glade towards Ash in what seemed like a few small steps. Ash put a gentle hand on his shoulder and said, "I am sorry friend, but you will have to leave as well. Please understand that I hold no ill will against you, only that my family's safety and well being mean more to me than anything else. You are welcome to visit whenever you pass through these parts again, as you will always find a seat our table. Though, right now I need you to see him far away from my family. Do you understand?"
Seth patted Ash's hand atop his shoulder and said, "I am sorry for all the pain our presence has caused your family."
"Not our…his presence." Ash smiled and dipped his head at him. He stepped back to where his father was standing and watched as Seth helped Linus to his feet and began escorting him out of the glade and into the cover of the forest. Ash and Martin followed several paces behind them rifles in hand. They walked silently together father and son, side by side. As they trudged deeper into the forest, Ash bore his eyes into the back of Linus's head. Wishing that he had never subjected his family to this poison and wondering silently to himself if he would ever see either of them again.
Iris continued to guide Matto away from Linus, thinking it best that they both remain out of sight, until their family was able to further deal with the situation. She walked him to the barn and pulling the large wooden door ajar, gently shoved Matto within it and followed him in. She tugged the door tightly shut behind her and reached up grabbing an old worn wool blanket. Taking Matto by the hand, she led him to the old ladder and began climbing up to the hay loft above with Matto following diligently behind her.
After they both reached the top, Iris flung open the blanket, effectively covering a section of hay and sat down upon it. She extended her hand out, beckoning Matto to come towards her. Without hesitation, he did as she desired, placing himself next to her on the blanket. Iris scooted over slightly, making a bit more space along the blanket and gently patted her lap. "Lay your head down here." She softly said.
Matto eyed her curiously. He could not very well just lay down and relax when Linus was still on their property, and promptly shook his head no.
Iris reached up and caressed his cheek and said, "You have been awake since before dawn yesterday. Your body is exhausted, your mind is exhausted. You must sleep my love." Matto opened his mouth to protest but was quickly silenced when Iris put her fingers to his lips and said, "Our family is out there. We can not be sure what they are doing or saying but we can be certain that when we leave this barn, Linus will no longer be a concern of ours."
Matto dipped his head down, staring at Iris's curled up legs atop the blanket. He knew she was right. When they walked out of this barn, Linus would be gone from their farm and hopefully never to be seen again. The longer he stared at Iris's legs the more out of focus his vision became. He was not sure at this point what was fueling his body and with the departure of his adrenaline, Matto found himself to be utterly exhausted. He could feel Iris's hand gently stroking his cheek. Her soft touch lulling him even further into fatigue. Matto let his head fall heavy into Iris's lap, as he curled his long body around her. The last thing Matto was aware of before he sank into darkness was the feel of Iris's palms gently gliding through his hair. Her thin fingers kneading lightly around his scalp, over and over again silently reassuring him that she was there and together they were safe.
Author's note: Firstly, the beginning segment of this chapter is what took place just prior to Matto and Iris coming into the cabin to tell their family officially about their love. I thought it was important to show where their heads were at just prior to the young lovers walking into the cabin.
I really wanted to shed some light on the adults and this chapter gave me an opportunity to do it! Though I do have some regret that Nathaniel was not able to be there. Hence Cora's mention of his similarities to Pru. My way of including in without him being there, since technically he just recently found Matto and Iris together in the woods and was still out hunting with Robin. I have always viewed this family as different. Martin and Pru did not get married right away, even though they were very much together. Uncas and Alice are still technically unwed though they have always seen themselves as such and both couples started families out of wedlock. Even Cora and Nathaniel were physically together before they wed. It seemed only natural that they would except Matto and Iris the way they are, though Alice does have some very real and valid concerns. Especially given the ending of this chapter.
I could not let Matto kill him. I was too worried for him as a child of mixed race what the law( should they find out) would do to him. Hence Keme's intervention and determination to pull his big brother off that scum and begging Iris to help him. And yes, Keme was restraining his father from getting involved in the scene. All Keme was worried about was what might happen to his precious family. That kid really is the emotional MVP of this family!
On a side note, Ash did not get involved because he wanted Linus to have his ass handed to him, though not killed (Otherwise he would have done it himself in the woods). Right or wrong that's how he felt and the rest of the cousins were completely taken off guard as the whole scene happened in a matter of mere seconds. Though had Robin or Elijah( who I purposefully make no mention of)been present, I think they both would have jumped in to pull off Matto as well.
Once again, lots of foreshadowing in this chapter...
A huge thank you to AsterLaurel, ELY72, MohawkWoman, BlueSaffire, Eilan21, you support is AMAZING and truly does keep me moving along! I don't know where I'd be without it!
Thanks for reading :)