Thank you to all the readers who sent wonderful words of support regarding the death in my family, as well as wonderful reviews. I appreciate all of you very much. Thank you to Beth and killerlashes for being the greatest betas in the history of betadom. You ladies rock the casbah.

Long A/N at the bottom.

SMeyers owns Twilight. I own this story and an enormous supply of shrinky dinks.

March 14th, 1925

Mary was in pain. Her thighs and calves were sore, her shoulders felt tense. There were streaks of dried blood on her bed sheets and on the skirt of her nightgown. She bunched the latter with both her hands and raised it up, nearly to her hips, to look down at her thighs. There were several long scratches. She ran her tongue repeatedly over her dry lips. "Momma?"

Marianne lifted her head and shook it slowly. She moaned and let her head fall back and hit the door with a thud. "It's too soon."

"Momma, I hurt myself."

Marianne took a sharp breath through her teeth. She hurried over and swatted Mary's hands away. "Were you having a seizure?"

"No. I don't have those kinds of seizures, remember?" Mary closed her eyes. She tried to recall her dream but all she remembered was a flash of blond hair..."I think I was just dreaming."

"Clean yourself up in the bathroom. When you're done, your father and I will be in the kitchen."

"Daddy? What does he have to do with this?"

But Marianne had already gone.

For the first time ever, Mary locked the bathroom door. Things are so different now, she thought. She pulled her nightgown up and over her head and let it fall to the floor. There was no mirror in the bathroom, but Mary could see her reflection on a silver tray crammed with her mother's toiletries. She removed all of her mother's creams and lotions and set them aside, promising herself to try them later. She held the tray up to her face and stared. Her cheeks looked just a little bit thinner, as if the chubbiness of youth had melted away in one night. She made a fish face, sucking in her cheeks and turning her face left and right to see. She used her free hand to bunch her long black hair together and bring it over her shoulder; it trailed down to her chest and past the edge of the reflection. Mary pulled the tray down a little lower, blushing as she caught a glimpse of her small breasts. Embarrassment overcame her; she put the tray back as it was and turned to the basin to wash up.

Downstairs, Marianne was waiting at the dining room table for Jimmy. She had awakened him by shaking him until he came to, and then had promptly run out of the room. Her mind was a jumbled mess, and it was all due to the stain on Mary's sheets.

Jimmy walked in, rubbing his eyes and yawning wide. Before he could focus, Marianne had launched herself into his arms. She started crying, loud, god-awful sobs, and buried her head into his neck.

"She's going to get sicker!"

"Who is? What's going on? Where's Mary?"

"Taking a bath."

"At this hour?" Jimmy supposed he said the wrong thing because Marianne became hysterical again. He tried to pry her away so he could look into her eyes but she wouldn't budge. He sighed deeply and began rocking back and forth, making soothing shushing sounds as he did. "Marianne, please."

She finally took a step back. "It's Mary...she's going to get worse, I know it."

"Why?"

"Because the doctor said the seizures might get worse during adolescence. She's going to be fifteen this year and I knew...but I didn't...and I thought perhaps..."

Jimmy placed both hands on his wife's cheeks. He brushed the tears away softly. "Darling, you're losing me here. Take a deep breath and start from the beginning."

Mary chose that moment to enter. She walked stiffly over to the chair at the head of the table and sat down gingerly. Marianne hastily wiped the rest of her tears away and beckoned for Jimmy to sit down next to her on the side. Mary looked between her father and mother; They both looked weary and her mother still looked scared. She didn't understand at all.

"Mother?"

"Yes, Mary?" Marianne's eyes narrowed and she lifted her chin. "Did you call me mother?"

"'Momma' seems too immature now that I'm…older."

"Why...Well...Mary!" Marianne huffed and ran her fingertips over her eyebrows. "This child," she sighed under her breath.

Jimmy rapped his knuckles lightly on the table and sighed. "Would one of you please tell me what in the world is going on?"

"I'm a woman now, daddy." Mary blushed but she fought the urge to duck her head. Instead she rolled her shoulders back, took a deep breath, and lifted her chin. "I had my first menstruation tonight."

Jimmy wheezed, coughed, and thumped his chest with his fist before letting a slew of curses fly.

"Jimmy!"

"Sorry, darlings. Sorry." Jimmy took a deep, calming breath. "What I mean to say is...I think this is a discussion you should have with your mother." He moved to stand but Marianne grasped her hand in his.

"Actually, your father and I both have something to tell you."

Oh no, the talk. When Sally began menstruating, Mrs. LeMaine sat her down for an explanation of chastity and virtue. The discussion took over an hour and poor Sally wouldn't stop bringing it up for weeks. Mary was expecting the same talk from her parents but she was very wrong.

"We're pulling you out of school," Marianne said.

"What?" Jimmy and Mary exclaimed simultaneously.

Marianne looked between the two, not sure who to start with. She squeezed Jimmy's hand comfortingly but narrowed her eyes. "We decided this some time ago-"

"We did no such thing," he interrupted.

"Yes, we did. I told you I wanted to keep her home with me once she reached her maturity-"

"I think she's hardly mature-"

"-and that is what Dr. Abbott advised."

"To hell with that man!" Jimmy slammed his fist on the table. "I thought you would pull her out when she actually became sick, not because you want your way."

Throughout all this, Mary stayed still in her seat. She folded her hands on her lap and took deep breaths. I'm a lady. I'm a lady. I'm a lady. Oh, the heck...

"I want to go to school," she pleaded. She turned to her father and opened her eyes wide, using the same pout she used to get a treat after supper. "You told me the doctor said I might get sicker. I don't feel any different at all. Please." Mary pleaded with her mother for fifteen minutes. She could see Marianne's resolve start to waver.

"I agree with Mary," Jimmy interjected. "Until she actually shows signs of being sick, she's staying in school."

"But, Jimmy..." Marianne and Jimmy began having a silent conversation with their eyes and neither of them looked ready to back down.

Mary shifted uncomfortably in her seat, still getting used to the wad of rags she'd shoved into her underwear for the bleeding. She took a deep breath and began fiddling with the buttons on her collar. She knew exactly what she had to do to change the topic. "Please let me go to school. I don't want to have to tell William the bad news today."

Her parents looked at each other quickly and then at her. Worked like a charm.

"William?" Marianne fought to keep the smile off her face. "Are you planning on seeing him today?"

"Yes," Mary replied. "We were planning to take an afternoon walk down to the pier. Chaperoned, of course."

Jimmy straightened in his seat. "Why is this the first I'm hearing of it?"

"He will be over in the morning to ask for your permission."

"Who is chaperoning?"

"His mother, I believe. But you are welcome to come, momma." Mary reverted back to her pet name quickly, using whatever she could to get her mother on her side.

Marianne allowed herself to smile freely. "I think it's a sweet thing."

"Oh!" Jimmy crossed his arms and huffed. "She's too sick for school but not for a stroll with the Reed boy?"

Marianne's eyes darted from Mary to Jimmy before she threw up her hands. "Fine! You win. Mary, you can stay in school the rest of the year. And don't give me that look, young lady. You will introduce me to Mrs. Reed tomorrow."

"Shouldn't I postpone given my...I mean, what do I do for...?"

"What do you-," Marianne's eyes widened. "I didn't show you where I keep the pads! Oh dear heavens." She grabbed Mary's hand and pulled her upstairs, declaring Kotex the greatest invention since sliced bread.

Jimmy stayed downstairs, head pressed against the table, wondering why the hell he was up so early on a Saturday.

###

Later in the morning Mary still hadn't chosen a dress. She tried on at least five, all of them different shades of boring. Mary pulled at the fabric incessantly with her fingers and groaned.

"There's nothing special about these!" She tossed them on her bed and sat next to them, rubbing her eyes. There was only one person who could make this better.

Edith was never surprised when Mary came over. She had long since stopped knocking and simply let herself into the house as if she belonged there. Because she does. Edith shook her thoughts and smiled at the young lady who was fidgeting in the foyer.

"It's lovely to see you today." Edith wrapped her arms around Mary and pulled back when she stiffened. "Is everything alright, darling?"

"No! William is coming over to take me for a walk and I don't have anything to wear. It's all so..." She waved her hand.

Edith mimicked her hand movement. "It's all so...what?"

"Not right." Mary frowned. "Is Franny here? She usually makes me feel better."

"I'm sorry, she's not. Paul took her over to his parents' home. We can go over if you'd like."

"No, I don't want to intrude." Mary closed her eyes and grew still for a long moment that stretched on.

Edith recognized it for what it was and stood to the side, arms folded around herself. She had known of the seizures; Missy had come running to her that day after the market crying. If she was being honest with herself, Edith had seen the seizures herself the day at the train station. She remembered how Mary seemed worlds away watching Eugene and Harry board the train for the service. Wanting answers, Edith had marched over to the Brandons' and demanded that Marianne explain what had happened. Surprisingly, Marianne had told her about the seizures. Now whenever Edith noticed Mary having one, she stood back until it passed, resisting the urge to bite her nails or turn away.

After a moment, Mary opened her eyes. Edith was smiling warmly and pointing upstairs. "I'm sure I have something that would suit you in my bedroom. After that, I can put curls in your hair."

William arrived at the Brandons' porch trailed by his mother. She had stopped nagging him about his choice of girls and resigned herself to the fact her future daughter-in-law would be a very odd little thing.

"William!" Marianne opened the door and invited her guests inside. Jimmy was standing behind her and politely offered to take Mrs. Reed's latest hand-knit shawl, complimenting her on its delicate lace pattern. She declined. Mary came running down the stairs then, slowing her steps when she realized she wasn't being very ladylike. Breathe, she told herself, it's just a boy.

A slow smile lit up William's face. "My gosh, Mary Alice, you're a vision." And she was. She had her long black hair pinned up in curls around her face. She was wearing one of Edith's dresses, a pink scoop-neck affair with a low brown belt. She wore white stockings that ended in short ankle boots. Mary wasn't yet allowed the use of cosmetics, so she'd pinched her cheeks hard until the blush lingered. She did the same for her lips and rubbed them lightly with the petroleum jelly her mother kept in the medicine cabinet. It was her beautiful grey eyes William loved best and he found it hard to not stare.

"Thank you, William. You look dashing yourself." Mary shot a meaningful look at her mother.

Marianne took the hint and gave her daughter a sly smile. "Yes, well, if your mother is going, William, there's no need to drag this on longer than necessary. I expect Mary home in time for supper."

Sally and Christopher joined them as well, much to Mary's distaste. She liked Sally just fine; it was Christopher she couldn't stand. Poor Sally was stuck in the middle as she played buffer between her friend and the boy she fancied. As such, she and William found themselves making most of the small talk during the start of their walk. Mrs. Reed trailed behind them, pausing every five steps to speak with someone.

"She's not a very good chaperone," Sally remarked. She looked over at William apologetically. "That was rude."

"No, you're right. She's not." William reached over and gently grasped Mary's hand in his own. "I'm not complaining."

Mrs. Reed didn't say a word about the hand-holding and Christopher mimicked William by holding on to Sally. As they neared the shore, William asked many questions of Mary. She blushed and stammered as she gave her answers and asked her own in return. By the time they reached where the street met the sand, she knew his favorite food was fried chicken, his favorite drink was lemonade with lots of sugar, and he thought Gulliver's Travels was the greatest book ever written.

It was too cold for shaved ice so they found an empty bench near the pier and watched seagulls dip and dive into the ocean for fish. Mrs. Reed wandered off somewhere and left the teenagers alone. After a few minutes William produced a ball from his pocket and raised an eyebrow. "Christopher, want to throw it around? Do you ladies mind?" The ladies shook their heads and Christopher and William stepped away to play a round of catch. Once they were out of earshot, Sally turned to Mary and squealed.

"Oh, Mary, I think I'm going to marry him."

"Christopher?"

"Yes!" Sally clucked her tongue and swatted her friend on the arm. "Don't give me that look. I know you don't like him very much but please try. He's sweet with me."

Mary took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "Alright, Sally. If you like him that much."

After half an hour, William came running back to Mary, tiny beads of sweat rolling down his forehead. "Christopher went to get some popcorn for us. Are you thirsty? I can get you a lemonade from Lou's."

Mary nodded politely, for it would have been rude to refuse. Sally did refuse only to change her mind moments later. "On second thought," she said, "I'm going to go get something to drink as well. Wait here for us."

Mary enjoyed the moment of solace and relaxed her stiff pose. Behaving as a lady should is hard work. She straightened up when she heard a noise behind her but sighed when she realized it was only Christopher. He was wearing a smirk, all signs of the gentleman he was with Sally gone.

"Hello, Mary," he said.

Mary nodded in his direction politely. She licked her lips as he shoved a handful of popcorn into his mouth. He didn't offer her any.

"Mrs. Reed hates you, you know." Christopher grinned and shook a finger at her. "How are those knees of yours doing? We could hear them knockin' against each other the entire way here."

Mary lurched forward in her seat. "Be quiet, Christopher."

"It's true! I think poor William feels sorry for you. I'm only here to witness this train wreck and-"

Christopher's voice faded away. Mary realized they were no longer near the water, but instead in a backyard standing side-by-side. Christopher's fists shook at his sides; he let out a pained groan and began stepping backwards. Mary followed his gaze and let out a loud yelp. She caught glimpses of bodies moving before the vision released its hold and let her go.

Suddenly she was back on the bench with Christopher standing three feet away, still munching on popcorn.

"Are you even listening to me?" He narrowed his eyes and wagged his finger. "You're as much of an idiot as Sally."

In one fluid movement, Mary got on her feet and stood beside Christopher, too close, to whisper in his ear. "I think you're sick."

"Oh yeah? Why?"

"Because you know your father sleeps with Sis LeMaine and yet you still court her daughter."

Christopher let out an odd choking sound and dropped the paper bag of popcorn. "How could you possibly know that?" He tried to move away but Mary grabbed his forearm and gripped him tightly. "What will happen if she becomes your sister, Christopher? Will you still want under her skirts then?"

Christopher let out a whimper and wrenched free. He stared at her for a moment before shaking his head. "My father was right," he whispered. "You're a goddamn freak." He stepped backward until he nearly tripped over a fire hydrant. That seemed to snap him out of his daze. His eyes widened and he turned around quickly, running towards home.

Mary felt deflated as she sank back onto the bench. Her abdomen clenched and she gave a groan. That was terrible of me. That wasn't like me. She repeated these words over and over to herself.

William and Sally came back moments later and found Mary rocking herself slowly with her head tucked between her knees.

"Mary?" When she didn't respond to him, William shot Sally a bewildered look.

Sally handed him her cup, took a seat next to Mary, and began rubbing slow circles on her back. "Mary, are you not feeling well? Where is Christopher?"

Mary murmured an excuse about bad popcorn and asked to be taken home.

On Tanglewood, Christopher had already entered his house. He smelled of tears and piss and took the stairs two at a time, hoping his mother wouldn't see him before he could clean himself up. No such luck.

"Christopher, what happened to you?" Elizabeth paled as she took in her son's appearance. She reached out and grabbed his arm, lightly rubbing the angry red marks that looked like someone's hold. "Christopher?"

"Mary Alice Brandon. That's what happened." He yanked his arm away and locked himself in the bathroom.

When he came out of the bathroom an hour later, his family was waiting in the sitting room. After he took his seat, Elizabeth pointed at both of her children.

"Neither of you is to speak to the Brandon girl ever again. I don't want you to so much as look at her."

"But mother, she's my friend..." Beth's protests were cut short by her mother's glare.

"There is no room for discussion. Do I make myself clear, Bethany?"

"Yes, mother."

"Christopher? Am I clear?"

"Crystal."

###

"Why do you look so sad today?"

"I did something." Mary toed the carefully tilled earth of the cornfield, being careful to avoid his gaze. He didn't scare her anymore, not really, but she was ashamed of what she had done.

He shifted his weight. "You did something. Something...good?"

"No."

"Ah, something bad then."

"Yes," Mary wiped the tears away from her face. "I was mean to someone. He started it but that is no excuse."

He nodded and crossed his arms around his body. "Have you apologized?"

"Not yet."

"Best get on that."

Mary sank down on the floor and tucked her legs under her body. She tugged at the skirt of her nightgown until it made a circle around her. He was still looking at her and the realization made her feel flushed.

"Why are you here?"

"Would you like me to leave?"

"No! I meant...why are you in the cornfield at all?"

"I don't know."

"That's ridiculous," Mary exclaimed, crossing her arms and looking away in defiance.

"Well, why are you here?"

"I don't-" Mary paused and let her arms drop. "I don't know either," she finished quietly.

"Then we're in the same boat." He smiled and closed his eyes. "But I am glad to have your company."

###

Mary went to the Liddell's house the next day but no one answered. At school on Monday, Beth and Christopher gave her a wide berth, never meeting her gaze. They walked away briskly whenever she neared to apologize. Mary tried visiting their house that afternoon and was shocked when Beth flung open the door. She looked irate, her cheeks were red, and her eyes were tearing up. "Stay away from my family!" was all she yelled before she slammed the door so hard it caused an invisible fissure to divide the street. On one side of it stood Mary and the few friends and family that saw nothing but a normal, if peculiar, girl. On the other side stood the rest of the neighborhood who recoiled at the very sound of Mary's voice, as if she was the Devil herself come to damn them.

###

Despite any rumors he may have heard, William stopped by the Brandon house that week to deliver flowers to Mary. She accepted them eagerly and, after bidding him farewell, she sniffed them and grinned, letting one of the roses brush against her cheek. She put them in a vase near her bed.

Marianne smiled from the doorway. "He's serious about you." It wasn't a question.

"I suppose he is."

"And you..."

"I like him quite a bit. He's certainly handsome." Mary shifted on her bed. "Mother, how did you know daddy was the one you wanted to marry?"

Marianne sat down next to Mary and began brushing her fingers through her long hair. "It's hard to answer that."

"Edith told me Paul made her feel safe. Did daddy do something like that for you?"

"Not quite. I fell in love with your father when I was fifteen years old. I didn't understand a need for safety back then."

"Oh. I'm going to be fifteen soon."

"Yes, you are. That doesn't mean you have to go rushing into a marriage, however." Marianne cupped her daughter's chin and looked at her for a long time. "He makes me laugh."

"You married daddy because he makes you laugh?"

"I love your father, Mary. No matter what may happen, you have to know that I love your father. We've made mistakes, as all parents do. There have been moments that were so dark..." Marianne's voice cracked and she paused to clear her throat. "But despite everything I have never doubted your father has kept a place for me in his heart. I can't imagine spending my life with anyone else."

Mary nodded and leaned her head on her mother's shoulder. "The dark moments...what happened?"

"They were a long time ago, before your father and I moved to Biloxi. I'd much rather talk about William." Marianne grinned and patted her daughter's knee. "You'll know if he's the one soon enough."

"Then I shouldn't worry about it?"

"I think you should worry about what your father is going to say instead."

A week later, Mary realized she absolutely had to speak to her father. William had dropped off another bouquet of flowers and this time, Mary had placed them in a vase at the dinner table hoping they would add ambiance during their meal. That might have been a mistake.

"Mary Alice?"

"Yes, daddy?" Mary's throat grew parched as she saw the way her father was attacking his pork chop.

"Who are the flowers from?" Slice.

"William Reed."

"Is that right?" Slice. Stab. Shove in mouth. Chew. Swallow. "What are they for?"

"I believe his exact words were 'I wanted to give you a reason to smile.'"

Jimmy's plate began to rattle from the force he was using to cut his food. Marianne stifled a laugh and tapped lightly on the table. "Focus, darling. That poor chop has done nothing to you."

There was a clatter as Jimmy dropped his cutlery. He stared at Mary, hard, before softening his face. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I just don't like the idea of you courting anyone. You're too young."

"But you courted mother when she was my age."

"Ugh!" Jimmy shot a glance at Marianne. "You had to tell her that story, didn't you?"

Marianne smiled and busied herself with her glass of tea.

"Fine. Mary, invite the boy over for a talk sometime this month."

"Daddy, what are you-"

Jimmy held up his hand. "Just a talk. I simply want to make sure his intentions are suitable." He gave a sigh and folded his hands. "If he's as good a boy as he seems to be, I won't object anymore."

Mary let out a squeal and rushed around the table to give her father a hug, not thinking anything of it when he held on to her just a little longer than usual.

###

This cornfield never changes, Mary thought, but she quickly realized that wasn't true; there was no tingle in her spine, no primal urge to flee this time. After taking a deep breath, she turned slowly, so slowly, peeking behind her hands to what lay behind her. There was nothingness, as always, but it had given up chase. The void at the edge of the field lay perfectly still. Mary gave a pleased hum and ran through the rows of stalks. She no longer had to run, she knew this, but she wanted to see Him...

He was crouched on the ground, and she could see his hair was tied back in the shortest ponytail. The locks around his face were too short and he kept tucking them back behind his ear. He suddenly paused and looked back over his shoulder.

"Stay there, please." His eyes were brilliant, happy. They had stopped frightening her long ago.

"Hello," Mary whispered. He held out his hand in a gesture to wait and went back to whatever it was he was doing. Mary could make out blurs near his feet; her jaw dropped when she realized it was his hands. Too fast, she thought. She held out her own in front of her face and began waving them quickly, wondering if it was the cornfield that made Him impossible. But her hands were the same speed as always. She heard a quiet laughter and put her hands down. He was standing now, head thrown back, laughing at her display.

"You're adorable," he choked out.

"How were you moving so fast?"

"Magic." His eyes crinkled. He had both hands behind his back. "I made you something. Close your eyes."

Mary complied with a smile on her face. She held out her hands but didn't feel anything placed in them. "Well?"

"Ah..." There was a soft sigh and then it sounded like he took a deep breath. Something was dropped into her hands very quickly. She opened her eyes and looked down. In her hands was a small doll made of folded corn husks. The doll had no face, no clothing; it should have been less important than Suzy, Mary Jane, or Lettie, and yet Mary felt elated. She pressed the doll close to her chest, stroking the husks gently with her pinkie.

"I didn't have sufficient materials to work with-"

"She's beautiful." Mary cleared her throat and spoke louder. "She's so beautiful. Thank you."

He smiled and folded his hands behind his back. "I'm glad you are pleased."

"Where did you learn to make this?"

"Someone taught me a long time ago."

Mary nodded and, still pressing the doll to her chest, she knelt on the cold ground. He followed her movement and the two sat in a comfortable silence.

"I'm naming her Sarah," Mary whispered.

"That's a good name." He rolled a pebble between his thumb and forefinger. Mary wanted to tell him her name then. They had never asked each other; there was no reason to know it when they were the only two people in the world. Yet, Mary wanted to know his so she could carry pieces of Him back with her. Just maybe.

"I've been thinking."

"Of what?"

Mary opened her mouth to speak but was struck by the sudden wave of Biloxi heat that washed over her. "No, wait!" Mary opened her eyes and gasped. She was in her bed, at home, clutching tightly at her chest for any trace of Sarah, of Him, anything.

Her hands came up empty.

History Lesson:

Kotex developed and marketed the disposable menstrual pad right after after WWI. They were expensive and involved the use of pins to hold in place (that sounds like a wardrobe malfunction just waiting to happen, doesn't it?).

Corn husk dolls have been around for centuries, predominately in the southwest area of the United States.

There are now four people who have given Mary a doll: Edith, Marianne, William, and Him. They are vastly different dolls and each represents a facet of Mary's relationship with the giver. Food for thought.

If you received a teaser and are wondering where the hell that scene with William went, sorry about that. This chapter got too long so it was split into two. The second part should be up in two weeks.

Also, you should all read Always One Foot on the Ground by Its29. It's Edward/Leah which is something I never ever ever thought I would read…well, in this story, it's awesome. There's a link in my favorites.

Reviewers get a new teaser and a pork chop.