Thanks everyone for continuing on this journey! Please keep reading and reviewing. It's insightful and encouraging.

Mystic Dancer – I'm sorry that your first review got eaten. Don't you just hate computers:( But I'm glad that you reposted your response. It was great reading how entertained you were by Holmes and Sean's "conversation." LOL.

jess – Thanks for the response. It's always great when a reader can relate to the characters on a personal level. Also, I'm sorry that you and your fiancée are facing such negativity from his parents. I hope that you two continue to push forward and ultimately attain the life that you want together. :)

Chapter Twenty-eight

Thirty minutes had gone by, and Marita still hadn't touched her food or completed the tasks she'd planned to do during the student's break for lunch. She had started out good, managing to complete a few things that had been on her desk for weeks, but before she could move to the other papers that needed her attention, she was interrupted by a messenger delivering a telegram from Sean. Initially Marita was surged with alarm. For the feelings she'd had the day he'd left had been plaguing her, causing her to fear that something terrible was about to occur. But after she'd seen the message, she was relieved to read that he was okay, and that he only wanted to let her know he'd arrived in Lexington and that he missed her and couldn't wait to see her. Marita nearly cried from the joy that had inundated her heart. He was safe she'd thought happily as she realized her fears had only been a natural reaction to seeing him go. Marita now sighed as she again read the sweet words he'd placed in his note, thinking how lonely it felt with him not being around. He'd only been gone for two days, yet she missed him even more than she had during the weeks before he'd come to Cholena…

"Are you busy?" a voice stated, breaking Marita's reverie, causing her to look towards the door.

"No. Come in." Marita asserted as she folded the telegram and casually put it away. Mrs. Prichard then entered the room, but there was a delay to her stride and her face was stiff, emitting a grave mood.

"Is everything alright?" Marita asked with concern as the woman made her way to her desk.

"I'm hoping it will be." the woman answered seriously "Can we talk?" she asked.

"Sure." Marita said. Then asked the woman to take a seat. Mrs. Prichard pulled a chair from one of the student's desks. Then sat down.

"What's going on?" Marita queried, her worry reflected in her voice.

Silence –

"It's about the gentleman who accompanied you to the Festival." the woman said "Mr. Logan wasn't it?"

"Yes." Marita confirmed as her mind instantly began to race, thinking of the past few days Sean had spent at the house. They'd been so careful during his stay, never going outside during the day unless there was no one around, keeping the curtains drawn on the front side of the house. And when he'd left, he'd chosen the first train out of Cholena because it was early morning, and he knew that there would be few people out. He'd even taken the back road to town to ensure that no one would spot him. But was that not enough? Had someone still seen him leaving the house…

"What about him?" Marita finally asked, successfully hiding her uneasiness.

"Several parents saw you with Mr. Logan at the Festival, and as a result, they have some… concerns with your choice for a suitor."

Marita lowered her eyes to her hands which were folded in front of her on the desk. She was relieved that this was not about Sean's overnight stays at the house, but at the same time saddened by what she'd just heard. After the encounters she and Sean had experienced with some of the people at the Festival, which had included Mrs. Prichard and Holmes, Marita knew that the backlash was coming. However, she still wasn't prepared for the sorrow it would cause.

"What kind of concerns?" Marita finally asked as she lifted her eyes, knowing exactly what the woman meant, but still wanting to hear what the parent's had alleged.

Silence –

"Some parents think…that you courting a man who is… of a different ethnicity than yourself, may be confusing to the children."

"And how is that?" Marita asked evenly

"Well this is a school for Coloreds. Colored girls mostly, and many of the parents who send their daughters here want a good role model in a woman of color…and you, being a Negro and courting a white man is not the image these parents want to present to their children."

"I still don't understand how my choice for a suitor will affect the learning of the children that attend this school."

"Well considering it's not…common practice to see a woman of color courting a white gentleman, it could be very confusing to them." The woman recited, failing to explain her earlier statement.

"That still doesn't explain how my relationship with Mr. Logan could be confusing?" Marita pressedfirmly "In fact my relationship is not much different from you teaching and managing this school, which is for Negro children, even though you're white."

"There is a vast difference between my teaching Negro children and me courting one." The woman attested sharply.

"Hm." Marita uttered offensively as she adjusted in her chair.

"I'm sorry." Mrs. Prichard quickly repealed. "I didn't mean to say that. It's just that some parents feel that it is improper for coloreds to court outside of their race. Hence they don't want their children to get the idea from their teacher that it's… alright to do so."

"And I'm sure you feel the same way." Marita stated strongly, holding the woman's gaze, even though she was wounded inside.

"Well… yes." Mrs. Prichard admitted hesitantly "Both I and Mrs. Stokes tend to agree with the parents…such a relationship can cause so many problems...such unpleasantness around the school, which is another concern of the parents…" She continued, trying to explain her view. "In the end it would be better for everyone if people… kept to their own race."

Marita briefly closed her eyes and quietly took a breath, trying hard to repress the hurt and maintain her composure. She could never get used to the attitudes associated with prejudice and intolerance. She could stay in Mrs. Prichard's former home amongst the beautiful things she'd left behind and even use them. She could teach at her school and attend various outings that had turnouts from every walk of life, but she was not to even think of courting outside of her race. Which was what this 'talk' was about; Marita was sure that there were indeed some concerns about hostility being directed at the school because of her relationship with Sean, but she also knew that this conversation was essentially about the improperness of her having a white gentleman caller.

"I'm sorry if this upsets you." The woman said, suspending Marita's train of thought. "But you must've known that this was the kind of response you would get upon being seen with Mr. Logan?"

Silence –

"I did." Marita finally said, continuing to keep her composure in check. "But I was hoping that wouldn't be the case with you. And that my relationship with Se…Mr. Logan, wouldn't mean the end of my job here."

"Oh Marita don't be so dramatic." Mrs. Prichard stated seriously "This talk was just to inform you of the concerns Mrs. Stokes and I have encountered from the parents, and to also…encourage you to think carefully when Mr. Logan again wants to pay you a call…perhaps the next time he suggests an outing you could…discourage him from coming into town."

Marita nearly laughed and cried. The woman had no idea that Sean had arrived on her doorstep without warning. Therefore she'd had no opportunity to 'discourage' his visit. And even if she'd been warned that he was coming, Marita wouldn't have done a thing to stop him she thought, her heart now flooding with pain as she recalled being nestled in his arms just days before… "Mrs. Prichard…" she began her courage restored. "Mr. Logan isn't just an old friend who is now a gentleman caller…He's my fiancé." She confessed "And we are planning to be married when I return to Lexington for Winter Break."

The woman before her went as white as a sheet as the astonishment washed over. "Well." She sighed negatively. Then turned her eyes from Marita and sat back in her chair...

"Miss Peters, Desmond won't stop pulling my hair." A young girl complained as she and the boy noisily entered the room, along with a parade of other children who all unknowingly interrupted what was going on.

"Desmond!" Marita scolded, her voice baring a hint of fragility due to the weight on her mind. "Haven't I told you that such behavior is not becoming of a gentleman." She nearly croaked

"Yes Miss Peters." The boy responded dejectedly as he made his way to his desk.

"Now what do you say to Stella?" Marita asked with more strength, as Desmond sat down in his chair. The boy lightly groaned; then turned and apologized to the girl who was sitting a couple of seats away.

"I'm going to go." Mrs. Prichard said, bringing Marita's attention back to her. "We'll finish this discussion at a later time." She ended sternly.

Marita didn't speak, but acknowledged the woman's words with her eyes. Then watched with frustration and sadness as Mrs. Prichard rose from her chair and coldly left the room.

-

Sean slowly walked into his room and wearily closed the door behind him, exhausted from the journey home. The past two days had been hell. He'd gotten almost no sleep due the train he'd been on seemingly hitting every bump on the track, and it didn't help that he was missing Marita – missing her terribly. Saying goodbye to her was the hardest thing he'd ever had to do in his life. For on his way to the train depot he'd nearly turned around, several times, and returned to the Prichard's home, returned to her. But he'd forced himself to move forward, motivated in knowing that she'd join him soon. Sean dropped his small bag on the floor, then walked across the room and placed his briefcase on the desk. So much had changed he thought as he glanced around the room that now seemed foreign to him; he then turned his eyes to the view outside the window. Never in his wildest dreams did he believe that when he returned from Chicago he and Marita would be engaged and planning a future. Sean smiled to himself, thinking of their time together and her words regarding the incredibleness of life. It was indeed amazing he mused as his body was again rushed with yearning and fatigue. So very amazing. Sean then turned from the window and headed towards the bed. He needed to rest he thought sluggishly, which was the last thing he should be doing considering how much work he still had to do. But he had to lie down, to just relax and shut his eyes, even if it was just for a moment. Once Sean reached the bed, he slowly lay down, his eyes languidly closing as the bed's softness engulfed him. He quietly groaned as the tension eased from his muscles and his mind slowly drifted to a peaceful state of…

"Well I see you finally found your way home." An indignant voice said. Sean's eyes snapped open, and he turned his head towards the door. Pa he thought with a sigh; then ran his hand down his face.

"How did you know I was back?" he asked tiredly as he slowly sat up, turning his back to his father.

"One of the workers saw you come up." Ned answered shortly "Where have you been?" he continued before Sean could respond "I've been trying to find you for a week …"

Sean closed his eyes; sighing, as a million things ran through his mind; his work, his family, Isaac, Marita, who he longed for just as much as he did sleep. He was so tired, and was in no position to confess where he'd been, but he knew that he had no choice. For he'd detected his father's foul mood, and therefore knew that his pa would not let him rest until he'd learned why he'd disappeared for more than a week.

"Well?" his father stated impatiently

"I'm sorry Pa…" Sean finally answered as he stood from the bed, and turned to face his father, who still stood in the door. "There was something… I needed to take care of."

"Something you needed to take care of? I thought your business in Chicago concluded over a week ago." Ned exclaimed tartly, still frustrated by all that had gone wrong while Sean was away and how he could've used his son's help. "So where were you?" he asked again, now walking further into the room. "Cause you certainly weren't in Chicago or Lafayette, the place from which you sent your last telegram."

Sean lightly rubbed the side of his neck as he took a breath, trying to ease his nerves and weariness. "I was in Michigan." He uttered with a sigh.

"Michigan?" his father questioned with bewilderment "What on earth were you doi…" Ned's words instantly faltered as realization came upon him. For a moment he could only stare at his son, who nervously held his eyes, waiting with bated breath for his response. Needing a second to gather his thoughts, Ned turned away, using the moment to quietly shut the bedroom door, ensuring that no one would hear where their conversation was about to go. "You were in Michigan?" he repeated as he again turned to face his son.

"Yes."

"All this time… you were in Michigan…with Marita?"

"Yes."

Ned heaved a sigh, shaking his head in disbelief as his mind now assessed what might've went on while Sean was there. "Do I have to ask why?" he inquired uncomfortably.

"Pa you know why." Sean answered, exhaustion and emotion cracking his voice. "I couldn't keep pretending that she wasn't in this world. That it was best for us to be apart. I had to tell her what I was feeling, so I went to Cholena…"

"And?" Ned implored solemnly as he held Sean's gaze.

"And…it was incredible..." Sean confessed passionately, wanting so badly to say more, to fully express how wonderful his time with Marita had been, but stopping himself when his father awkwardly dropped his eyes. "I told her I loved her…" he continued "Then I asked her to marry me and she said yes." He finished unevenly.

"You did what!" Ned contended; his eyes returning to his son in shock.

"I asked Marita to be my wife." Sean repeated strongly. "And she accepted."

Ned couldn't respond. For he was still trying to wrap his mind around what he'd just heard. The moment Sean had said he'd been in Michigan, Ned knew that more had went on than he wanted to think about, but he never expected such an announcement he thought as he slowly walked across the room. Or didn't he? He mused as he took a moment to escape out the window. He'd seen first hand how deeply Sean felt for Marita. Did he really believe that his son could spend a week with her, then turn away and act as if nothing had happened? Ned sighed; then spoke…

"Sean I know that you love Marita." he began slowly as he turned to face his son. "And that you want…a life with her…but son I don't think… marriage is such a good idea." He ended somberly.

"Good idea?" Sean repelled, holding his father's stare. "Well what do you propose I do?" he continued. "Because I won't give her up. And I won't treat her like the hired help in front of the world, but behind closed doors as my partner, my lover…she deserves better than that."

"You're right. She does deserve better." Ned concurred "But I'm not so sure better is what she'll get being your wife. When people learn of your plans to marry they will treat her with contempt and disrespect. Neither one of you deserve that."

"Pa we're not concerned with society's issues with our relationship…" Sean countered

"Well you should be." Ned interjected "There are laws in Tennessee and Virginia, hell nearly all of the states of the former Confederacy that prohibits a relationship such as yours and Marita's. And there are assemblymen who are working to get such laws reinstated here. It's only a matter of time before they succeed. What will you do when your marriage is declared invalid and you are ordered to live apart or go to jail? Then there is your job as Deputy Director and Marita's job in Michigan. You both could be jeopardizing your futures if you pursue this…"

Sean's gaze fell away from his father, his heart aching with disappointment and his mind deep in thought. Though he knew that his pa wouldn't be shouting from the rooftops about his impending nuptials, and that he would bring up the difficulties he and Marita would face, Sean was hoping to have an inkling of his support, hoping that he and Marita wouldn't have to do this without him being in their corner…

"Son I want you to be happy." Ned continued, drawing Sean from his musings and his eyes back to him. "I want both you and Marita to be happy….and believe it or not, together, if that's what you both really want…but I just don't want you to have to face the hatred…and perhaps even the violence that will come when your relationship becomes known. You have a great future as Deputy Director, and Marita has a wonderful position teaching in Cholena. I would hate to see the success you've both achieved, destroyed by this kind of choice."

"Pa I understand your concern." Sean stated seriously "But Marita and I aren't naïve to the future we will face. We know what we're risking in choosing to be together. We've talked about the laws, and the hatred, and the possible violence that will come. And we still want to give this a try. We want to be married and to have a family. We want everything that comes with building a life together…and though we know that it won't be easy, not even in the slightest sense, we also know that we can handle anything as long as we face it together."

Ned studied his son with worry and pride. He was amazed at Sean's courage and strength. And there was no doubt that Sean loved Marita and that he was indeed sure about his choice, but Ned still had to be sure. He had to be certain within himself that this was what Sean really wanted.

"Are you absolutely sure you want to do this?" Ned asked "Because once you go down this road there's no turning back."

"Pa I've never been more sure of anything in my life." Sean declared earnestly, his eyes remaining fixed on his father's stare.

"Is Marita sure?"

"Yes." Sean uttered indubitably

Ned sighed and looked away, accepting that there was no doubt with Sean regarding his choice. He was solid as a rock and wanted this with absolute certainty. "Well I'm still not thrilled with your decision…" Ned finally stated as he returned his eyes to Sean. "But you are a man now, and therefore old enough to make your own decisions…and despite my issues with your choice…I know that you want this more than anything in this world…so… I'll do what I can to help you…and Marita."

"Thank you." Sean stated calmly, obscuring his relief. "Your support means more than you know."

Ned smiled weakly at his son; his concern still apparent. "So when do you plan to marry?" he asked, forcing excitement into his voice. Sean hesitated, seeing his father's lingering doubt, but Ned again urged his son to speak, and Sean then complied, cautiously detailing he and Marita's plans as his father listened intently with apprehension still troubling his mind.