Author's Note: I'm trying my best to make these scenes as believable as
possible. Let me know if it seems too unbelievable.
Location: Logan Home Setting: Kentucky
"What's that on your hand?" Vivian asked again
Sean looked down at his hand. Realizing that he had forgotten to take it off. "Uhhh…it's….it's." Sean stumbled, not sure of what to say.
Vivian jumped in, "It's a wedding ring, that's what it is! Why are you wearing a wedding ring?" she asked irately.
"It's none of your business, Vivian" Sean said trying to get out of the situation.
Calm down Vivian, Vivian talked to herself, You know that the only way that Sean will talk to you is if you talk about Marita. "I'm sorry Sean, it's not lady-like for me to raise my voice," Vivian said as she tried to change her demeanor. "May I please see the ring?"
Sean was shocked at Vivian's sudden change, "Why?" he asked.
"Just let me see it," Vivian said as she was about to grab Sean's hand. Just then he reluctantly held out his hand. "Did you buy this ?" Vivian asked
"No, actually I made it myself," Sean replied
"Really, and why would you make yourself a wedding ring?" Vivian asked.
"Well," Sean hesistated a few seconds...Marita has one just like it," Sean admitted.
He's really serious about her….Marita's just a girl...A servant girl. Sean will soon realize that he needs a "proper" wife...a wife that he can be proud of. "Really," Vivian said nicely, "Well, I think, it's sweet," Vivian said with a forced smile, "...But you two aren't really married, are you?"
"No, but I am committed to her," Sean admitted. At this point, Sean doesn't know why he is being so open with Vivian about his and Marita's relationship. Maybe it's just good to talk to someone about it, he thought to himself.
"Well, I'm glad that you've found someone, Sean."
"Really, you're glad that Marita and I are together?" Sean asked
"Well, I could have made a better choice for you, but if she makes you happy, then I'm happy. Look, I know that things aren't the best between us, but I really would like for that to change. You're gonna need a friend while Marita's gone. You may not know it but I've changed a lot since our breakup. When would I have ever volunteered to work as a secretary?"
"Yeah, well, maybe you have changed," Sean said intuitively.
"Trust me. You're looking at the new and improved Vivian Winters, and this Vivian wants to be your friend, if you will allow her to be your friend."
Sean reflects for a moment. He still doesn't want to get too close to Vivian, but he was raised to never hold a grudge and to always accept and forgive. "Sure Viv, we can be friends… just friends," He emphasized.
Vivian began giggling, "You haven't called me Viv since we were teenagers."
"Sorry, I forgot that you don't like that name," Sean said.
"No, no, remember I am the new and improved Vivian. You may call me Viv, actually I'd like it if you called me Viv."
"Okay Vivian, see ya" Sean said emphasizing the name, Vivian. If she likes to be called Viv, then I'll call her Vivian, Sean thought to himself.
"Oh Sean, I know that Marita handled your books and everything, but if you need some help, let me know. I am quite knowledgeable with these matters."
"That's okay, I'm sure Pa will be hiring someone soon. If not, I can manage," Sean said as he turned to walk out of the room.
He's already hired someone, ME, Vivian thought. "Suit yourself, but I'm available for anything, whether it be books, or if you need a friend, I'm here. You have yourself a great day!" Vivan said as Sean exited the office.
What has gotten into her? Maybe she is trying to change, but maybe she's just being Vivian. Only God knows what's in that woman's head, Sean thought as he walked out of the office. "Vivian, just tell my Pa that I'll see him later."
Location: Boston Setting: Students have just been dismissed from class and Marita is headed out the door.
"Marita," Josiah yelled as he ran after Marita, "Wait, let me walk you back to the hotel."
"That's okay, you go on," Marita said trying to avoid walking with Josiah.
"C'mon Marita, let me walk with you," Josiah insisted.
"Well, you really don't have to, but," just then Marita jumped because she felt a warm hand on her arm.
"Remember that we were supposed to study tonight," Shawn said to Marita.
He looked at Marita with eyes that said "Looks like you need to be rescued."
"Oh yes, I'm sorry Josiah, I'm studying with Shawn. See ya later," Marita said as she and Shawn walked away from Josiah.
"Thanks for that," Marita said to Shawn
"No problem, it looks like you needed to be rescued," Shawn said back to her
"Yeah, for the past month, he's been following me around."
"That's not good, if you want I can talk to him," Shawn offered.
"No, I'm sure Josiah will be going after someone else soon."
Marita and Shawn continued talking on the way to Miss Liza's. "So what are we gonna study?" Shawn asked
Marita was a little shocked by Shawn's question, she wasn't sure if he was joking or if he really wanted to study, so she gave him a blank look.
"You think I bailed you out "Josiah Jail" for free? I really do need some help," Shawn said with a pleasant smile
"Okay, well I don't know how much help I'll be but I can try, but don't you have to report for work?"
"No, I'm just like you. I only work as needed."
"How'd you know that I'm not working like all the others?" Marita asked
"I know because I heard some of the girls talking about you. They don't know why you're getting "preferential treatment," and they really don't like you for it."
"I'm not getting preferential treatment. My previous employer made arrangements for me to work on an "as needed basis."
"You worked?" Shawn asked
"Yes, and why do you sound so surprised?"
"Because you look too prissy to be a manual laborer," Shawn replied.
Marita stopped dead in her tracks and put her hand on her hip, "Excuse me, I really don't think that you know me well enough to make a statement like that."
"Sorry, but I just can't see you as a manual laborer. Look at your hands" Shawn said as he held out Marita's hand. "There is no way that you can be a manual laborer and have hands soft like yours, not unless you work with gloves on."
"Well, I never said that I was a manual laborer, you just assumed," Marita retorted.
"So, let's add up the facts here. Your previous employer paid for you to live here, and you're not a manual laborer, then that only leaves one other alternative, you're a concubine aren't you?" Shawn grinned at his clever conclusion.
"Concubine, you think I'm a concubine?" Marita yelled back at Shawn.
"Don't worry, you don't have to lie to me. My father has several concubines, well at least that's what he calls them. These ladies live and work in the house, but they live and work and cater to my father's needs and take care of the children. My mother is the head concubine."
"STOP!!! STOP it right there!!!" Marita yelled adamantly. I am nobody's concubine. I work for my father's best friend. I'm a secretary. He pays me for my work…he pays me in real money," Marita insisted.
"Alright, Alright, I believe you. You don't have to get your bloomers all in a bunch. Relax. Besides, I would have been really surprised if you were a concubine. You definitely wouldn't have had a need for going to this college.
Marita and Shawn have finally reached Miss Liza's. "So, now that you know all about me. I better go inside," Marita said trying to get away from Shawn and his assumptions.
"Wait a minute, I thought we were studying. I really could use some help."
"Okay, I'll go upstairs and get my books and I'll be back down in a minute. Wait for me on the porch around the back. It's a little quieter there," Marita said to Shawn.
"Alright."
Location: Lexington, KY Setting: Logan home, Ned's office
"First thing, have either of you made any progress?" Ned asked
Isaac spoke first, "I talked to Hanson, Bailey, and Jefferson, and they both told me that that would never be allowed in Lexington.
"Yeah, I spoke with Buchanan, Bassett, Monroe, and Gray, and they pretty much said the same thing.," Sean replied. "What about you Pa. You come up with anything?"
Ned began slowly, "Well, I was hoping ya'll had found something better. I spoke with Jonathan Thompson today. He said that he heard of a biracial young woman, half colored and half white, from the outskirts of Lexington that was legally married to a white man from Oklahoma."
"What!!! That's great!!! Where are they? Let's go and talk to 'um ! Whew, the light at the end of the tunnel !!!" Sean said with excitement.
Location: Logan Home Setting: Kentucky
"What's that on your hand?" Vivian asked again
Sean looked down at his hand. Realizing that he had forgotten to take it off. "Uhhh…it's….it's." Sean stumbled, not sure of what to say.
Vivian jumped in, "It's a wedding ring, that's what it is! Why are you wearing a wedding ring?" she asked irately.
"It's none of your business, Vivian" Sean said trying to get out of the situation.
Calm down Vivian, Vivian talked to herself, You know that the only way that Sean will talk to you is if you talk about Marita. "I'm sorry Sean, it's not lady-like for me to raise my voice," Vivian said as she tried to change her demeanor. "May I please see the ring?"
Sean was shocked at Vivian's sudden change, "Why?" he asked.
"Just let me see it," Vivian said as she was about to grab Sean's hand. Just then he reluctantly held out his hand. "Did you buy this ?" Vivian asked
"No, actually I made it myself," Sean replied
"Really, and why would you make yourself a wedding ring?" Vivian asked.
"Well," Sean hesistated a few seconds...Marita has one just like it," Sean admitted.
He's really serious about her….Marita's just a girl...A servant girl. Sean will soon realize that he needs a "proper" wife...a wife that he can be proud of. "Really," Vivian said nicely, "Well, I think, it's sweet," Vivian said with a forced smile, "...But you two aren't really married, are you?"
"No, but I am committed to her," Sean admitted. At this point, Sean doesn't know why he is being so open with Vivian about his and Marita's relationship. Maybe it's just good to talk to someone about it, he thought to himself.
"Well, I'm glad that you've found someone, Sean."
"Really, you're glad that Marita and I are together?" Sean asked
"Well, I could have made a better choice for you, but if she makes you happy, then I'm happy. Look, I know that things aren't the best between us, but I really would like for that to change. You're gonna need a friend while Marita's gone. You may not know it but I've changed a lot since our breakup. When would I have ever volunteered to work as a secretary?"
"Yeah, well, maybe you have changed," Sean said intuitively.
"Trust me. You're looking at the new and improved Vivian Winters, and this Vivian wants to be your friend, if you will allow her to be your friend."
Sean reflects for a moment. He still doesn't want to get too close to Vivian, but he was raised to never hold a grudge and to always accept and forgive. "Sure Viv, we can be friends… just friends," He emphasized.
Vivian began giggling, "You haven't called me Viv since we were teenagers."
"Sorry, I forgot that you don't like that name," Sean said.
"No, no, remember I am the new and improved Vivian. You may call me Viv, actually I'd like it if you called me Viv."
"Okay Vivian, see ya" Sean said emphasizing the name, Vivian. If she likes to be called Viv, then I'll call her Vivian, Sean thought to himself.
"Oh Sean, I know that Marita handled your books and everything, but if you need some help, let me know. I am quite knowledgeable with these matters."
"That's okay, I'm sure Pa will be hiring someone soon. If not, I can manage," Sean said as he turned to walk out of the room.
He's already hired someone, ME, Vivian thought. "Suit yourself, but I'm available for anything, whether it be books, or if you need a friend, I'm here. You have yourself a great day!" Vivan said as Sean exited the office.
What has gotten into her? Maybe she is trying to change, but maybe she's just being Vivian. Only God knows what's in that woman's head, Sean thought as he walked out of the office. "Vivian, just tell my Pa that I'll see him later."
Location: Boston Setting: Students have just been dismissed from class and Marita is headed out the door.
"Marita," Josiah yelled as he ran after Marita, "Wait, let me walk you back to the hotel."
"That's okay, you go on," Marita said trying to avoid walking with Josiah.
"C'mon Marita, let me walk with you," Josiah insisted.
"Well, you really don't have to, but," just then Marita jumped because she felt a warm hand on her arm.
"Remember that we were supposed to study tonight," Shawn said to Marita.
He looked at Marita with eyes that said "Looks like you need to be rescued."
"Oh yes, I'm sorry Josiah, I'm studying with Shawn. See ya later," Marita said as she and Shawn walked away from Josiah.
"Thanks for that," Marita said to Shawn
"No problem, it looks like you needed to be rescued," Shawn said back to her
"Yeah, for the past month, he's been following me around."
"That's not good, if you want I can talk to him," Shawn offered.
"No, I'm sure Josiah will be going after someone else soon."
Marita and Shawn continued talking on the way to Miss Liza's. "So what are we gonna study?" Shawn asked
Marita was a little shocked by Shawn's question, she wasn't sure if he was joking or if he really wanted to study, so she gave him a blank look.
"You think I bailed you out "Josiah Jail" for free? I really do need some help," Shawn said with a pleasant smile
"Okay, well I don't know how much help I'll be but I can try, but don't you have to report for work?"
"No, I'm just like you. I only work as needed."
"How'd you know that I'm not working like all the others?" Marita asked
"I know because I heard some of the girls talking about you. They don't know why you're getting "preferential treatment," and they really don't like you for it."
"I'm not getting preferential treatment. My previous employer made arrangements for me to work on an "as needed basis."
"You worked?" Shawn asked
"Yes, and why do you sound so surprised?"
"Because you look too prissy to be a manual laborer," Shawn replied.
Marita stopped dead in her tracks and put her hand on her hip, "Excuse me, I really don't think that you know me well enough to make a statement like that."
"Sorry, but I just can't see you as a manual laborer. Look at your hands" Shawn said as he held out Marita's hand. "There is no way that you can be a manual laborer and have hands soft like yours, not unless you work with gloves on."
"Well, I never said that I was a manual laborer, you just assumed," Marita retorted.
"So, let's add up the facts here. Your previous employer paid for you to live here, and you're not a manual laborer, then that only leaves one other alternative, you're a concubine aren't you?" Shawn grinned at his clever conclusion.
"Concubine, you think I'm a concubine?" Marita yelled back at Shawn.
"Don't worry, you don't have to lie to me. My father has several concubines, well at least that's what he calls them. These ladies live and work in the house, but they live and work and cater to my father's needs and take care of the children. My mother is the head concubine."
"STOP!!! STOP it right there!!!" Marita yelled adamantly. I am nobody's concubine. I work for my father's best friend. I'm a secretary. He pays me for my work…he pays me in real money," Marita insisted.
"Alright, Alright, I believe you. You don't have to get your bloomers all in a bunch. Relax. Besides, I would have been really surprised if you were a concubine. You definitely wouldn't have had a need for going to this college.
Marita and Shawn have finally reached Miss Liza's. "So, now that you know all about me. I better go inside," Marita said trying to get away from Shawn and his assumptions.
"Wait a minute, I thought we were studying. I really could use some help."
"Okay, I'll go upstairs and get my books and I'll be back down in a minute. Wait for me on the porch around the back. It's a little quieter there," Marita said to Shawn.
"Alright."
Location: Lexington, KY Setting: Logan home, Ned's office
"First thing, have either of you made any progress?" Ned asked
Isaac spoke first, "I talked to Hanson, Bailey, and Jefferson, and they both told me that that would never be allowed in Lexington.
"Yeah, I spoke with Buchanan, Bassett, Monroe, and Gray, and they pretty much said the same thing.," Sean replied. "What about you Pa. You come up with anything?"
Ned began slowly, "Well, I was hoping ya'll had found something better. I spoke with Jonathan Thompson today. He said that he heard of a biracial young woman, half colored and half white, from the outskirts of Lexington that was legally married to a white man from Oklahoma."
"What!!! That's great!!! Where are they? Let's go and talk to 'um ! Whew, the light at the end of the tunnel !!!" Sean said with excitement.
