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Chapter Thirty-one

Jeremy glanced around his room, making sure that he wasn't leaving anything behind. He would miss this place he thought, recalling the nearly 8 months he'd spent there with the Logans. Even though he'd been determined to keep them at bay, to stay focused on his goals, he had unwillingly become attached to them and surprisingly they'd become attached to him too. But now that bond was broken he concluded sadly as he quietly walked about the room, his lies had manage to do that. He had no one now, no family, except for Anna and Danielle. Well really just Danielle, he thought brokenly as he pulled the picture of Anna from his pocket and gazed at it longingly, wishing that she weren't gone. But she was, he brooded, and now all he had left of her was the bond they now shared in the child they'd created, and that child was why he was leaving Lexington, tonight. Sometime during the Assemblyman's Dinner he planned to sneak out, this time making sure that he wasn't followed. Then he'd steal a horse from the horse lot and make his way to the Chambers. Lucy had casually mentioned that the Chambers would be away, attending the Assemblyman's Dinner, and that she'd been given the evening off, which would leave Danielle under the care of old Mrs. Roach, who was a sweet woman, at least according to Lucy, but who's babysitting skills were less than perfect. Everything had aligned he mused with solemn determination while putting Anna's picture away, everything except an abundance of finances he thought. Ned had still not returned to him the cash Clay had found in his room, probably because the man feared that he would do exactly what he was planning to do tonight. And Jeremy had not gotten the opportunity to steal the money back, so he would have to leave with the money he'd saved while he'd been in Lexington. Thankfully he'd stashed his allowances someplace different from where he'd hidden the money Clay had found. Otherwise he would be trapped here, unable to execute his plan. And though the funds he now had weren't nearly as much as Ned had taken from him, it would certainly be enough to get him and Danielle safely out of town …

"Jeremy?" a voice asserted with a knock, right outside the boy's door, shaking him from his thoughts. "Is everything alright?" Ned asked.

"Yes." Jeremy answered awkwardly, still recovering from the startling knock.

"Are you dressed?" Ned questioned "Cause we need to be leaving soon."

"I'm almost ready." Jeremy lied. He was fully dressed and ready to go, but wasn't ready to leave his room. "I just have to finish putting on my shirt and tie." He claimed.

"Well make it quick." Ned said "We don't want to be late."

"I'll be down in a second." Jeremy assured. Then listened as the man responded then walked away from the door. This was it he thought nervously as he ran his hand through his hair and gave the room a final scan. This was the last time he'd be in this place. He then waited a few more minutes trying to stay his nerves regarding what he was planning to do; then finally Jeremy left his room.

Versailles Hall was swarming with prominent citizens and dignitaries, some mingling, engaging in light chatter, while others enjoyed their meals and the music of Mozart and Bach. The Assemblyman's Dinner was the event of the season, drawing attendees from all over the state to honor their outstanding government projects throughout the year. And among many it was considered quite the privilege to get an invite to such an affair, but one wouldn't know that upon observing the Logans. For amongst all of the eating and chatter, the Logan table was again quiet, dead to their surroundings. Though earlier they'd discussed the weather, and some of the issues at the ranch, in between Sean receiving an endless parade of people coming by the table to meet the family and to say hello, things had now settled down, and as a result everyone had retreated into their shells. Lexy sadly glanced around the table, feeling like everything was so out of place because no one wanted to be there, no one wanted to be around each other. This was supposed to be a happy occasion, a time in which they should be celebrating Sean's accomplishments, but no one was doing that she mused. No one was doing much celebrating at all anymore. Alice and Clay barely spoke to Jeremy anymore, which had caused him to pull away, hardly having anything to say. Often times he'd only do what was expected of him before retreating into his room. And though Sean had seemed to have become a new person, being extremely happy since he'd returned from his trip, in recent days he'd again become distant and pre-occupied. Then there was pa she thought as her eyes briefly turned to him then dropped, though he did make time for her, it was always marred by some crisis on the ranch or him being distracted with some other problem. Lexy sighed as she again looked around the table, observing everyone's somber moods, buried in their own worlds. She wondered with sorrow if this isolation would soon come to an end, if she would ever get her family back…

"More tea?" a server asked, breaking the quiet at the Logan table.

Ned and Clay uttered a yes and waited patiently for their glasses to be refilled while everyone else declined the server's offer and again became quiet when the attendant walked away. "Anyone want to talk…let me know what's on their mind?" Ned said unexpectedly, feeling he needed to get the family to talk, before they all drowned in their deathly silence. "Cause I was just wondering why we're all sitting her with our heads buried in our plates barely saying a word to one another like where strangers." He added cautiously.

"Pa it's been like this for weeks." Alice asserted quietly. "Since Jeremy decided to burden us with his secrets."

"That wasn't my choice." Jeremy interjected "If Clay had minded his own business maybe you wouldn't feel so burdened."

"Yeah I guess if I would've minded my own business you would've stolen your daughter and God only knows what else by now." Clay countered tartly

"You nev…."

"Okay that's enough!" Ned stated strongly, but quietly so that others around them couldn't hear. "When I said I wanted to know what was on everybody's mind that wasn't a license for you to insult each other."

"Well pa what did you expect?" Clay argued "For us to act as if all is right with the world?"

"No." Ned retorted "But I did expect us to be civil to one another."

"Pa how can we be civ…"

"Clay please." Sean interjected with an annoyed sigh. "For once would you just let it go?" He ended, tired of his brother raking Jeremy over the coals. Sean had been shocked when his pa had told him what Jeremy had been up to, but he could understand why the young man had did what he'd done, and he could also understand Clay and Alice's obvious feelings of betrayal, but he didn't want to hear it tonight.

"I'm…I'm sorry." Clay uncomfortably stated, surprised by Sean's reprimand along with the rest of the family. "I stepped over the lin…"

"Forget it." Sean asserted "Let's just try and have a peaceful night." He suggested seriously.

"Good idea." Ned concurred, as he briefly wondered about Sean's mood, while being relieved that his son had successfully closed the Pandora's Box he'd unwittingly opened.

"So are we doing the turkey run for Thanksgiving this year?" Lexy abruptly pronounced, attempting to get the family to communicate nicely and on a different subject.

"Turkey run?" Jeremy questioned curiously.

Lexy's effort had instantly worked, causing the family to laugh, in spite of themselves as Ned explained the annual Logan tradition. Jeremy had said nothing more, but only listened, as everyone talked, knowing that he wouldn't be there to enjoy what sounded like an amusing event. And though Sean had occasionally asserted a comment or two, and had also laughed at the family's tales about the turkeys, for the most part he'd remained quiet. For his mind was in another place, thinking of Marita. Along with being anxious to see her, after what seemed like an incredibly long two weeks, Sean was also worried. She had no idea of her father's refusal to give them his blessing. For Sean had been unable to telegram her with the news of his futile discussion with her father, because he'd foolishly waited too long to speak with Isaac, and as a result, by the time the conversation had gone down she was already on travel, and unavailable to receive telegrams. He wished so much that he could talk to her, to be the first person she saw off that train, but he had to be here, at an event that he was pleased to be included in, honored to be one of the four people set to be recognized that night, but unable to enjoy the moment because of what Marita may be facing with her father. Isaac had been livid and unswayable when they'd spoken. Hence Sean feared how the man would approach Marita with the subject. He hated the thought of her being blindsided he mused worriedly, but at this point, there was nothing he could do. He just had to get through this Dinner he reasoned, try to enjoy it as much as he could, and when it was over he'd finally be able to see her, make sure everything was all right.

From across the room sat Asa Winters ignoring the men conversing at his table to keep a vengeful eye on Sean Logan. From where he sat Sean appeared to be enjoying what he thought would be a special night, a pinnacle in his short career as Deputy Director. Little did he know he was about to hit rock bottom Asa thought harshly, that before the night was over he'd wished he'd never laid eyes on a Negro, and never had the grit to cross a Winters the way he had. He was going pay the man nearly laughed with triumphant vengeance and Asa couldn't wait to see Sean disgraced and ruined in front of the whole town.

Marita walked across the train station's platform, scanning the crowd for her father, feeling glad to be home. It had been months since she'd been in Lexington, and when she'd left she never imagined that she'd be returning with such hope and joy. That she would soon be marrying Sean Logan! She couldn't wait to see him, she thought excitedly. The two weeks they'd been apart had seemed like an eternity. And now that she was home, she was just tired of waiting. She was ready to move forward with their lives together she mused eagerly. Though there was still so much for them to deal with, mainly her father, who didn't know, at least 3 days ago he didn't, of their plans, and Sean's family who wouldn't be informed until the Thanksgiving Holiday, Marita felt encouraged, in part because of her meeting with Mrs. Prichard and Mrs. Stokes. While both women openly disapproved of her marrying outside of her race, they'd chosen to keep her on at the school, finding that though many parents agreed with their stance, just as many parents were indifferent to her personal choices, and were more mindful of her impressive work with their children. It had been reassuring, and Marita now hoped that she'd receive similar support from her father, who was no where in sight she noted disappointedly. She was longing so to see him. She'd never been away from her pa for such an extended period of time and had missed him dearly, she thought sadly as she continued to search the crowd…

"Marita!" she heard a voice yell, from behind her. Marita promptly turned around and right away saw her father.

"Papa!" She cried, smiling with joy. Then clumsily ran towards him, the bag she was carrying hindering her run, before she finally reached him and gave him a hug.

"Sweetheart!" Isaac said, as he strengthened his arms around his daughter. "You look wonderful!" he stated happily.

"Thank you." Marita uttered, still smiling as her father pulled back to take another look at her. She looked radiant – happy Isaac knowingly observed, which was a vast difference from how he'd left her months before. He wondered if her mood was directly related to Sean, and logically deduced that it was.

"So how was your trip?" Isaac asked lightly, forcing away the thoughts troubling his mind.

"A little bumpy." She said, as her father retrieved her bag from the ground. "But overall good…." She continued as they now walked towards the train station's exit...

Fifteen minutes later, Marita and her father rode quietly towards home, oblivious to the harvest moon, adorning everything with a beautiful, but strange glow. Their thoughts were elsewhere, but unknowingly on the same thing – Sean. After they'd gotten past the pleasantries and the delight in seeing each other for the first time in months, Marita and her father had talked about the Logans, the ranch, how things were going in Michigan, but nothing about Sean. Isaac could only guess that his daughter was waiting for the right time to raise the subject. And Marita could only presume that Sean had chosen to wait before approaching her father. For if he had spoken to her pa, her father would have certainly broached the subject by now, but he hadn't, which meant that she would have to tell him all, something that made her nervous and a little panicked…

"Pa…" she began.

"Hmm?" Isaac muttered, his eyes completely focused on the road.

"There's something…that I need to tell you." Marita continued nervously.

Immediately Isaac knew what was coming and therefore chose to save his daughter the struggle. "Honey I know… what you're about to say." Isaac stated calmly. "Sean came to see me." He divulged.

Marita was instantly taken aback, not really knowing what to think or to say. How could her father speak with Sean, know what his intentions were and not say a word to her about it? Even if their conversation had not gone well, she would've thought that he would've said something that right away he would've brought up their discussion. Marita's heart ached with fear, but she quickly pushed it aside, hoping that her alarm was unwarranted.

"Then I guess you know…" she finally uttered uneasily.

"I do." Her father interjected "In fact, it was just a couple of days ago when Sean came to me…and asked for your hand." He finished tightly, making no attempt to hide his displeasure with that occurrence.

Marita closed her eyes, her heart pounding in pain, as her fears were now confirmed. That Sean's talk with her father had not gone the way she was praying it would. "Pa you know that I love him." She said, her voice emotional, but strong. "And that I want a life with him." She declared as she turned to look at her father.

"Sweetheart there's no life to be had, not for you and Sean together." Her father asserted sternly as he glanced towards his daughter, who was now gazing sadly ahead. "Have you forgotten that just a few months ago you lay crying on your bed, devastated by the intolerance of this world and how you and Sean would never be accepted together?" he asked "That world still exists..."

"Pa I know what exists in this world…"

"I don't think you do." Isaac challenged "I don't think you fully understand the ramifications of you having a relationship with Sean. People have been attacked, beaten, lost their homes, their jobs and families for getting involved with persons outside of their race. What will you do when this happen to you, when you have to deal with such hatred on a daily basis? There will be no peace, and your love alone will not be enough to sustain you." He argued with frustration.

"Pa you underestimate the bond that Sean and I share. We are strong and we can do this." Marita countered strongly. "The world isn't as intolerant as you think." She continued. "Yes, there have been attacks, and some have faced horrible consequences for choosing an unconventional relationship, but despite that they've fought through the hostility and mana…"

"No!" Isaac interjected angrily "I don't care how tolerant the world may be or how many people you've seen make their interracial relationships work, I will not allow you to risk your life and the job you've worked so hard to get for a relationship that is doomed to fail!"

"Allow me?" Marita questioned with pain and indignation in her voice. "Pa I am a woman now, and I've…chosen Sean as the man whom I will spend my life with." She stated firmly as she quietly hurt, loathing the turn this discussion had taken. "And as much as I would love to have your blessing…" she continued tearfully. "I'm not going to let your disapproval stop my plans to marry him."

Isaac was shocked at his daughter's response, not believing that she would go against him this way, as he pulled the reigns of the horses, causing the wagon to stop in front of their house.

"I don't know what to say." He stated with anger and disappointment as he now turned to face his daughter. "I can't believe that you would do this…"

"And what's that?" Marita asked " following my heart…something you've always taught me to do." She nearly choked out, her heart breaking at the anger, the hurt, and the disappointment in her father's eyes.

"No. To defy me, your father." Isaac answered emotionally, fury still etched in his voice. "To go against my wishes for Sean Logan..."

"Pa this is not about going against your wishes. I lo…"

"Don't say it!." Isaac disrupted. "I can't..." His words abruptly ceased and he closed his eyes, drawing a breath as he tried to calm his emotions.

"Pa." Marita asserted worriedly, her heart breaking, as she got no answer. Instead her father turned away from her, quickly descending the wagon, leaving a disheartened Marita to break down in tears, torn apart over the love she had for the man who'd been her rock since birth – her father, and the man who was now forever apart of her very soul – Sean Logan.

Assemblyman's Dinner – 9:15PM

Pete's name had just been called, but he didn't move, but hesitated at the side of the stage, not ready to give his speech. He was hoping that the excessive booze he'd consumed before arriving at the Dinner would help calm his nerves, quiet his conscious, but it didn't. He was still unsure, knowing that this was wrong and totally unfair to Sean. He then took a quick glance around the room seeing all the smiles and applause, most noticeable from the Logans, and Assemblyman Clancy who was seated on the other side of the room with other Assemblymen of the state. His eyes then fortuitously found Asa Winters, who was urging him on, threatening him with his menacing eyes. At once, Pete knew what he had to do. And so he buried his conscious, hardened his thoughts and finally made his way towards the podium, towards the part he'd play in destroying Sean Logan.