2. A Deal with the Devil
Katherine shook her head as she looked at her father, he looked thinner and weaker than he had looked this morning at breakfast and he looked like he was about to faint. "No, that can't be." She looked at her mother. "Father, can't. Mother, isn't father too old- "
Her mother shook her head at her. "No, you forget darling that your father and I married young. He is still a young man compared to all of those poor young men that have meet their end. He was asked by the general himself to join the confederate army. He must obey."
"No, he doesn't," Katherine replied stubbornly. "There are many eligible young men- "
"Young lady that is enough," Mr. Pierce interrupted with a growl as he basically told Katherine to face the truth. "Look around you. Where do you see any younger men? All of them have fallen dead or at near death. You're still a child, so is no wonder that you don't understand, but I do. It is my duty to serve the confederate army. It is an honor to serve my country and to protect the south from those Yankees," his face softened as he patted her cheek. "You'll see pumpkin, it will all be over soon and you'll have your dear father back along with all of those young, handsome devils that you seem to miss so much- "
"And you'll finally get married," her mother interrupted brightening up a bit. "And you'll have dozens of children and make your father and I grandparents. We'll go to church on Sundays after this dreaded war is over and we'll be separated from the North for good."
Katherine sighed, her shoulders slightly trembling. There was no point in arguing. It seemed that her father's mind was already made up. Not to mention that her father was right. There were no eligible young men left. "All right Daddy I understand and I'm sure that you will beat those Yankees. When are you leaving."
"Day after tomorrow."
"So soon?"
"Now Katherine," Mr. Pierce said. "Now don't make a fuss, before you know it, I will be back soon and you'll be married and having babies. Now get dress for dinner. Emily is probably waiting."
Katherine slowly stood up and bit back her tongue to prevent herself from saying anything stupid. She exited the parlor and closed the door behind her, but instead of going up to her room, she lingered on. She pressed her ear to the door to hear her parent' speak. They were speaking in low voices but she could still hear them.
"Now, dear don't cry," Mr. Pierce said sighing.
"But you said it yourself," Mrs. Pierce choked out. "Before Katherine came. You didn't think that the war would have lasted this far. The Yankees have invaded everything. They are stronger than us- "
"There is some money left," Mr. Pierce interrupted. "Not much, but it should be enough for you and Katherine to survive on if something happens. Besides Katherine still has a huge dowry that she can depend on. Don't touch that money. She'll need that to find a good husband."
"If there are any young men after this," Mrs. Pierce said bitterly. "From what I see everyone seems to be dying."
The next morning Katherine woke up with an upset stomach and it continued while Emily dressed her and while she and her mother ate breakfast. Katherine fiddled with her eggs on the plate as she asked her mother. "Where is Daddy, Mama?"
"He's picking up his uniform from the tailor," Mrs. Pierce said, she could see that her throat was bumping up and down signalizing that she was nervous. "He will leave tomorrow. I expect you to wake up early to. . .help me depart him towards the station."
"Of course," Katherine murmured as she bit a piece of toast. "Mama, will we be all right once father is gone?"
"Of course," Mrs. Pierce snapped, looking slightly nervous. "Why would you ask such a thing."
Katherine lowered her eyes. "No reason," she didn't dare tell her mother about the conversation that she had heard about the money and the fact that she had heard that her father might not make it back at all.
Katherine could hardly sit still the rest of the day and her mother actually scolded her twice during luncheon for playing with her food. Katherine wasn't usually distracted. She was usually proud with her ladylike behavior, but it all honestly she wasn't used to things being out of her control.
The night came far too early for her and they had barely finished dinner when her father announce that he would go to sleep to have an early night. "Good night, darling." Mr. Pierce said as he gently kissed her on the forehead.
"Goodbye, daddy," she said with a heartache as she watched both of her parents go upstairs. After Bonnie had dressed her in her pale blue nightgown she quickly dismissed her. For a long time, Katherine herself stared at the mirror unsure of what she was waiting for exactly.
A strange thought entered her head. No, it wouldn't be possible, would it? She cocked her head slightly to the side and stared at her reflection. She didn't look too girlish did she? Could she possibly pass for a boy even though she was only sixteen? Her face was soft and round and her cheeks were flushed pink.
Maybe if she had shorted hair. She grabbed a pair of scissors along with a fair amount of her curls. She closed her eyes and started cutting until her short curls only adorned her small heart shaped face. She still look slightly female, but maybe a cap would improve her features.
Katherine stared at her expression in the mirror. Could she really do this? Could she honestly masquerade as a boy? She didn't want her father to go to war, but she didn't have any male siblings to take her father's place.
But what about her? Couldn't she take his place herself? Could she get a place in the confederate army and no one would know? Katherine quietly went to the hallway until she reached her father's study. She opened the small wardrobe that he kept there and opened it. Inside was a pale blue uniform. She bit her lip and said a quick prayer before she snatched it.
-End of Chapter Two-
Thank you so much for your reviews!
