Now we haven't heard from our old buddy Joe in awhile...
2 years later….
Joe let Katherine attend Vassar and saw her blossom and grow into an amazing journalist. She was a founding member of the first newspaper to be published by women: The Miscellany News. Even far from home this caused quite a stir for Joe. His colleagues weren't fond of women publishing their own paper. The loudest voice by far was his biggest competitor: William Randolph Hearst.
"Joe, we cannot let this catch momentum. If we have women writing hard hitting no one will take the papers seriously anymore! How can you trust a female reporter to tell the whole story. They might get too emotional and not write the truth."
"What do you expect me to do, Will? I can't control a paper at a college just because my daughter happens to be the editor. Besides you know Katherine wouldn't listen anyway."
"You have no control over your own child?"
"I am proud of Katherine. I have taught her to think for herself!"
"That is where you went wrong! A child needs boundaries and needs to be taught what is right and wrong. A girl needs to be taught more delicately.I'm sorry you lost your sons Joe, but you can't make Katherine into something she is not. A women writing and reporting the news is just not done."
"She writes better than I ever could at her age. Most everything she has written is better than the stuff in my paper today."
"Our newspapers aside. You can't let Katherine work at any paper. That is not a life for a young lady. Joe you are my closest colleague while we maybe competitors I still see you as my friend. I've seen Katherine grow up here. I cannot see you lose her.
"Tell me Will how would I lose her?"
"You and I have both covered these stories: young ladies pushing the boundaries of society. Wearing different clothes, doing jobs men do, there is even talk of them gaining the right to vote. Things don't end well for these women Joe!"
"Katherine would never get mix up in something like that!"
William sighed.
"Joe, I didn't come here to fight. I worry about you. You have lost so many children, more than any man should have to bare. Before Katherine came you and Kate had just given up. Going though the motions of life without any purpose. When she came the spark came back. She is everything to you. I know it would break you if you lost her. I think it's time to settle her down."
"Ohh are you running my daughter's future now?"
"Bill is finishing his final year at Harvard. He's always been sweet on her, and if she gave him a chance I think he be a perfect match for her. Even for her age she is still one of the loveliest ladies in New York society today. Every young man has looked her way."
"And I'm sure her being a heiress doesn't have anything to do with that?"
"This is more than just money! Think Joe, If our papers combined, and Bill ran them, it could be the biggest News enterprise this country has ever seen! Our children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren would be set for life"
"Will I cannot just order Katherine to marry someone. That is not what Kate and I want for her. We want to give her a chance to find love, in her own way."
"And if she gets herself kill along the way?
Joe's retort was stopped in his throat.
"If she marries Bill, you know she will be safe. Maybe not completely happy, but honestly what marriage is?"
Joe thought of that image that came into his head a few years ago...that young woman blood spattered, limp and lifeless. Katherine's face appeared on it just like before. He couldn't lose her. Maybe in time something would form between Bill and Katherine, but for now she would just have to comply.