September 1780
Thomas was toddling now. His gait was shaky and his steps were unsure, but he walked whenever he was able. Whenever she was busy in the kitchen, Sara had to be careful around the stove because he was always clinging to her skirts.
"Will you stay settled?" Sara would sigh as she gathered him up and placed him a blanket that she had spread out.
She was busy baking cookies to bring over to Warrick Brown and his family. They had just welcomed a new baby and Sara wanted to be as kind to the Browns as they were to her. Thomas cried from his place on the blanket and Sara knew that he wanted to be free to walk about. If he had things his way, then he would be able to open all the doors in the house and get into every room.
"You're staying here with me, young man," she said to him as she opened the oven to check the cookies.
Thomas didn't have much of a response. He simply picked up his wooden giraffe with his fat, chubby fist and threw it as far as he could.
~0~
When she arrived on the Brown's front step she set Thomas down, straightened his bonnet, and nodded. Her son looked right handsome in his new trousers and little brown shoes. He was outgrowing his clothes so fast, but Gil was able to bring home enough money to keep him dressed in the best clothes. His outgrown clothes were wrapped in tissue and packed away.
Sara stood straight and adjusted her own dress. She didn't want to look afright when Warrick answered the door. She knocked softly, as to not disturb the sleeping baby, and waited. From inside she heard a baby whimper and she was sorry if she had woken it. Soon the door opened and Warrick Brown peeked through the crack in the door.
"Miss Sara," he said with a grin, opening the door wider to allow her in. "And young Mr. Thomas."
Sara spied the other two Brown children and set Thomas amongst them. Immediately the stroked his baby hair and fingered his tiny shoes. Sara remembered the births of all the Brown children and she felt like an honorary aunt.
"I hope I am not disturbing you," Sara said, setting the basket on the table. "But Gil and I wanted to bring you some food since Mrs. Brown is under the weather."
Warrick lifted the cloth covering the food and let out a sharp whistle. Inside were cookies, preserves, cheese, and eggs. She had even tucked a bottle of milk in the back. It was important for children to have fresh milk.
"May I see the baby?" Sara asked.
Warrick was hesitant, but smiled. "Since you're part of the family, Miss. Sara," he said, leading her to the back bedroom.
He creaked open a bedroom door and there she saw Mrs. Brown holding a little grey bundle. When she saw Sara she smiled and motioned her over. Sara crept closer to the bed and gazed at the baby's sleeping face.
"She's perfect," Sara said, smiling broadly.
A loud bang came from the front of the house and the baby let out a soft whimper. It waved it's little fists in the air and Mrs. Brown did her best to soothe him. Sara looked back nervously and Warrick straightened.
"Those rascals," he muttered, leaving the room.
Sara turned back to Mrs. Brown and the baby. "What do call her?" she asked.
"Isabelle," Mrs. Brown answered proudly.
Sara was about to comment on the name when she heard a loud, arguing voice coming from the front wind. She excused herself and went quickly to see what the trouble was. The loud voice, however, belonged to her Uncle Charles. He was yelling at Warrick about an odd job that needed to be finished.
"You can't just come in here and bello around children!" she exclaimed, motioning to the children.
Her uncle gaped at her. He was clear that he was surprised that she was there and Sara saw that the whites of his eyes were red. It was too early in the day to be drinking, but he had been nonetheless.
"Get home," he slurred to her. "This aint no concern of yours."
Sara shook her head and stood her ground. "I came to call on my friends," she said. "I suggest you leave and sleep off your stupor."
Her uncle turned from Warrick and faced her. He pointed a shaky finger at her and took one, stumbling step. He smelled of whiskey and he was long past needing a bath. She was not afraid and rooted her feet to the floor.
"You need to know what a woman's place is," he slurred, spittle flying from his mouth.
"I know my place," she said boldly. "And luckily it's nowhere near the likes of you."
Before Sara could react, her uncle's big, heavy palm rose. It landed squarely on Sara's left cheek and her head violently jerked back. She saw white bursts of color and her ears rang. She put her hand to her mouth and felt blood. Her cheek was on fire, but she straightened up and brushed her hair back. She would not give him the satisfaction of crying.
"I hope that made you feel more like a man," she said, raising her chin.
"I shouldn't expect much of of…. an army deserter's wife," he said as he flung the door open.
He gave Warrick an angry look and then stumbled out onto the road. After he had left, Warrick offered her a handkerchief. She accepted it with a smile and turned to look at the children. Their eye were as big as saucers. Even Thomas was staring at his mother.
"I hope you and your family enjoy the food," she said, gathering Thomas up and holding him close.
As she left, Warrick lightly touched her on her sleeve. "He shouldn't have hit yo like that," he said to her.
~0~
Sara looked at her reflection in the looking glass and fanned her hair out. There was no way she would be able to cover up the bruise that had formed under her eye, let alone her swollen lip. It was nearly five O'clock and Gil would be home soon. When she heard the front door open, she quickly retreated to the kitchen to make herself appear busy.
"Sara!" Gil called.
"I'm here!" she called back, stirring the pot of beans atop the stove.
She heard footsteps enter the kitchen and Thomas let out a delighted squeal. Gil lifted him up into the air and tickled his nose with his own. He laid the baby on his shoulder and spoke softly to Sara.
"Why don't you turn around and kiss me, dear," he said.
Sara set the spoon aside, took a deep breath, and turned. Gil looked back at her and let his moth drop open. He set the baby on the floor and Thomas toddled away. Gently, Gil touched her cheek. Sara saw anger burning behind his blue eyes.
"Tell me who did this," he said softly but firmly.
Sara nervously wiped her hands on her apron. "Uncle Charles," she whispered. "I was at the Brown house when he came in ranting. I gave him what for."
"That's no excuse to hit a woman," he said. "Let alone another man's wife."
Sara looked down at her shoes and nodded her agreement. "I was rather rude," she said. "He was hollering in front to the children."
Gil pursed his lips and turned to exit the children. Sara took Thomas by the hand, so that he would not touch the stove, and followed him. He pulled his shoes back on, took his hat off it's peg, and turned to give her a kiss.
"I'll be back in time for supper," he said as he left.
~0~
What Gil truly wanted to do was to blacken both of Charles's eyes, but he was going to do his best to be respectful. After all, he was family and he did not want to cause strife. He knocked at the door and waited on the stoop. The mosquitoes were busy buzzing around his ears. When Charles answered the door he looked Gil up and down. He appeared just as Sara had said: drunk and in disorder.
"Did yer wife send you here?" he asked Gil as he held on to the door.
Gil shook his head. "I came on my own will," he said. I am only go going to say this to you one time. Do not lay a hand on my wife ever again."
Charles threw his head back and let out a laugh. "An army deserter telling me what to do with my own niece," he said as if he were amused.
Gil looked very serious. "If I have to come address the issue again," he said. "Then you are going to hae to have the officials there to intervene."
Charles waved him off. "She needs to know her place," he said. "And you may need to know that she was visiting a colored family today. She's letting your son play with them."
Gil was growing angry. "I know where she was," he said. "And my son will play with whoever I see fit."
Uncle Charles was not impressed and he took another pull from his bottle. "She's too sassy, that one," he said.
Gil agreed. "That's why one reason I married her," he admitted. "She can hold her own."
Charles let the bottle fall to the floor and gave Gil a salute. "Until next time, Captain Gilbert," he said, slamming the door in his face.
~0~
That night as Sara was tucking Thomas into his trundle bed, she thought back to the Brown's tiny baby. It had perfect black hair and the tiniest noes. She remembered that when Thomas was a baby, his little cheeks were fat and his fingers were precious.
When Gil had returned from her uncle's house, she wondered if the two men had fought. She remembered the day when Gil had saved her from the horrible man in the bar. She was lucky and blessed to have such a wise and protective husband.
She kissed Thomas's sleeping face and stood to leave his bedroom. Gil did not want him sleeping in the big bed with them because once Thomas had tumbled out of it and struck his delicate head on the floor. The accident had scared them both terribly and they slept with Thomas on the floor on the bed until he had gotten used to the trundle bed.
In the front room, Gil was going over his school papers. His brown was wrinkled in concentration. Sara took a seat across from him and opened one of his text books.
"How was your day?" she asked, turning and pretending to be interested.
"Oh, it was fine," he answered.
Sara turned back to the book and Gil looked over his glasses at her. The bruise on the side of her face angered him and broke his heard. He loved her fiercely.
"If your uncle bothers you again I want you to tell me," he said gently.
Sara pretended to be engrossed in the book. "I will," she replied.
Gil put his pages down. "I'm serious," he said. "A man ought not treat a woman like that. "
Sara felt her lip quiver. "He said I was an army deserter's wife!" she said.
Gil leaned back in his chair and took his glasses off. "He said the same to me," he said.
"He deserved sass," Sara said, snapping the book closed. "That man has no respect for other people."
Gil looked at her thoughtfully. "He also deserved to have both of his eyes blacked," Gil said. "But I restrained myself. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to do nothing."
Sara thought about what he said and decided that he was right. Pride and anger may get the better of her at times, but sometimes control was key.
"I saw the Brown baby," she said. "She is so perfect. She has the most beautiful face!"
Gil smiled lovingly at her. "Maybe we will have a daughter one day," he stated.
Sara agreed. "I hope so," she said. "I'm tired of being the only woman in the house!"
~0~
Hello fans! I am more than sorry. Sorry is not even a proper word! I have no excuse for treating my fans like this. I hope you review. If reviews were chocolates chips… then I hope to die from diabetes!