(The next day)
It was day a like any other. Maria came in with the early morning light. Gathered the eggs from the chicken coop before she came into the house to help with chillin's breakfast. maria was half way in the hen house when a voice made her jump, tapping her head on the roof of it.
"Morning" She swung around to see William staring at her.
"hello" she muttered still upset about the joke he played on her. And the feelings sure showed on her face.
"I am sorry my gift was so unthoughtful. It was not right of me to jost so. Hope that it did not cause you pain." William unexpectedly said. Then reached over pulling a stray piece of hay out of her hair. But she had no time to respond, for his pa called him to the wagon.
Maria was prepaying for luncheon when everything went to hell. The
pounding of horse hooves and the sound of wagon wheels approaching welcomed the panicked crew.
Muffled voices came through to the kitchen walls. The door slammed open and in came Anse Hatfield covered in blood. William was being braced by his father and his brother Johnse.
Her heart dropped he looked dead, but that wasn't the case when she hear a moan escaped his mouth. Only a sight relief came from that.
" What happened? get him in the bed!" Lavicy was a tough woman but you could see panic in her eyes.
" what can i do?" maria asked
" stirp some clean liden for bandages" a respons came from somewhere.
The doctor arrived shortly after and Maria took the little kids out the back to play.
She had to put some distance between them and the painful moans admitted from william's room. Lavicy came out and walked towards her.
"Everything is going to be fine. He won't be able to see out of his eye but he will be fine. Maria hon do you mind staying for a few days to help out. I already asked your daddy but i wanted make sure you were willing."
maria smiled at the older woman.
" Of course i'm willing. I woulda felt bad leaving you with so much. But thank you for asking me. No one thinks i have an opinion except you."
MSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMSMS
That night maria put the kids to bed and was on her way down the stairs when she heard a call coming from william's room.
Not waiting to wake Mr. or she enter the dim room. William looked out of it the doctor gave him opium. He was feverish and the white cloth covering his eye was soaked in blood.
She sat on the bed next to his waist a wet rag in hand. He flinched away from the cold when she pressed it to his cheek.
"its ok william" she said softly. His hand closed around her fingers.
"i gotta change it ok" his eye blinked at her " No,No go away its horrible Maria" rasped out.
"now you stop that. i'm going to do it one way or another."
How odd it was odd seeing William Hatfield look so variable and low spirited. He settled down on his back and closed his eyelids. She removed the bloody mess of a bandage. maria had seen the damage a few times already assisting his mother. It was swelling and brused puss ozzing out a bit. After gently wiping it clean she put fresh bandages on. Once Maria tried to get up to leave but his arm closed in around her hips bring her back down.
"I should leave you to sleep.. I'm sure that medicine makes you feel funny. when i broke my arm a few years ago. the doc gave me some of that and i was loopy for days. Talking to a thin air and everything just spinning " william had a small smile in his face.
"Nah i'm just too manly it won't affect me" the words sounded silly coming out of his mouth, both started giggling.
Suddenly william sat up grabbed either side of maria's face. Staring into eachothers eyes briefly then planted a light kiss her lips.
"Just in case i die in my sleep.. go on now get to bed you shouldn't be up this late." numly Maria got up and followed his command.