*Author's Note*
Thank you for all the follows, favs, and reviews.
Easter 1882
Jessa POV:
The church was packed whenever we arrived. All eyes were on us as we walked up the aisle towards our pew. It felt a bit stifling, to tell the truth. Silas and Lydia were too young to understand, but I knew that Todd and Mary knew why tension was so high in the air. Todd had a steeled backbone and a hard look on his face as he led the kids over to the pew in the second row (the one Robert E. was in with Johnse and Roseanna along with the rest of the younger Hatfield kids). Mary dragged her feet as she followed her brother to the pew. Her shoulders were also slumped and her eyes were downcast on the floor. I did notice how she flinched slightly when she caught Billy's eye; causing him to smirk at her.
Oh god, they're secret friends. That's not good. Hmm, I better have a talk with her at home about it.
I could feel all of the McCoys' eyes trained on me and Shaw as we made our way to the front pew. I could feel them staring and studying my son Endor, who was being held by Shaw. I knew deep down that the McCoys were putting the puzzle pieces together and figuring out that Tolbert was Endor's birth father just by how their brows dipped and their eyes widened slightly at seeing my baby boy with my husband. Nancy McCoy-Freeland's gaze pierced the most into us. It was a hateful gaze too. It was unsettling how she could hold a baby on her lap and give out death glares at the same time. Well, Randall's gaze was hard and chilling too. It felt accusatory, like he was blaming not just me and my husband, but the copper-haired baby slung on my husband's hip for his son's death.
"If looks could kill we'd be dead, babe." Shaw whispered to me, referring to the glares the McCoys were shooting us, as we got closer to the front pew.
"I know." I simply agreed with him.
"Happy Easter, Shaw, Jessa." Sully greeted us with a small nod, sliding out of the pew so we could sit down.
"Happy Easter, Sully." I politely smiled while Shaw nodded and simply said, "Happy Easter.", while ushering me into the pew.
"See ya made it after all." Uncle Jim remarked as I took my seat next to him.
"Yea, we made it." Shaw confirmed, taking a seat next to me while Sully slipped back into the pew.
"Happy Easter Shaw and Jessa." Cap said, his tone polite, but crisp, while Allie smiled a simple, "Happy Easter." They had their kids perched on their laps, letting the boy hold the hymn book.
"Happy Easter." I politely replied while my husband just tipped his head at them in a silent greeting.
As Sully passed Shaw over the hymn book, Vera leaned over and greeted us with a cheerful, "Happy Easter." Her husband didn't make a peep just gave us a polite nod of his head.
"Happy Easter, Vera, Skunk Hair." I responded kindly while my husband just nodded while pretended to be engrossed in singing At The Cross.
Devil Anse and Levicy looked at us from their spot at the end of the pew, but didn't say a word. Ellison took his eyes off of his hymn book only to give us a warm smile as a silent greeting. Cotton, ever the sweet soul, gave us a big smile and waved excitedly. It was clear that he was told not to be loud in church since he didn't make a sound. Any other time, tho, the boy'd be blurting out greeting and talking up a storm. He was closer with Cap then he was with Shaw, but I think that's cause Ellsion (despite being a kind man) was wise and knew what type of person my husband really was.
"We sing this damn song every Easter service. You'd think Preacher Garrett would change it up; let us sing Amazing Grace for a change."
"Jim, stop complainin' and sing." Sully chastised our uncle while giving him a narrowed look.
"I'm complainin' cause I'm sick and tired of singin' the same song every damn Easter."
"Jim, don't curse in church."
"Hell, dad, stop lecturing him. We both know he's not gonna listen."
"Yep." Uncle Jim popped his tongue. He let out a loud, deep chuckle of, "Think his boy listens better than me."
Reverend Garrett sang louder while giving our pew a pointed look. He was disapproving of our talking and lack of spiritual respect during the hymn. I'm surprised he's upset; you'd think he'd be used to Uncle Jim's loud and crass remarks by now.
Shaw POV:
After signing one song on endless repeat, Reverend Garrett finally closed his damn hymnbook and opened up his bible, beginning the Easter service with the reading Mark 14-16. After he finished reading the Easter story, he began his long sermon. Most of it went in one ear and out the other, but since I was stuck in the front row, I made sure to nod my head and all of the appropriate times. My wife looked bored to death as we listened to the preacher go on and on. Jessa, like me, made sure to nod her head at all the right times.
Uncle Jim, now that crochety old mountain didn't care 'bout being proper in church. Nope. After listening to a few minutes of the reverend drone on and on, he pulled out his flask and started to take swigs of it. I wish I could be that bold, but I couldn't since I had Jessa and Sully flanking my sides. I've drank with Endor on my lap countless times, so he wasn't deterring me from whipping out my flask. My wife and dad tho, well…
"God loves each and everyone one of us so much that he sent, oh yes he sent, his only son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for all of our sins. After his reserection and ascent into heaven, the holy and promised land, he sent the Holy Spirit to fill us and empower us to live our lives righteously." Reverend Garrett loudly bellowed, waving his hand in the air dramatically. Damn, now I know why Christmas Eve and Easter services are enough for me. Closing his bible shut with a loud snap, he ended the sermon with, "Let's pray this prayer: Oh our Lord Savior Jesus Christ, we thank you for dyin' on the cross for our sins. We thank you for being our savior; for forgiving our sins and giving us eternal life. Amen."
"Amen." The entire congregation let out in unison.
Thank god, the service is over. Unfortunately, this year the church was holding an Easter picnic on the grounds behind the church and the entire fuckin' Tug River Valley was expected to attend (especially since everyone had gone to Easter service). God, I was dreading the picnic. My wife was too; she told me as much this mornin' when we were getting ready.
Reverend Garrett quickly walked away from his pulpit and over to the large double doors. By time he got them open the entire congregation was lined up; ready to leave and head behind the church for the picnic. The first picnic held by the church on Easter Sunday too, might I add. Hopefully it'll be the last.
After being in an endless line, me and my wife finally reached Reverend Garrett at the door. As was his policy, you had to shake his hand before being able to leave the damn church. I hated that policy, but since church folk are supposed to be respectful and friendly goodbye handshakes were a thing.
"Happy Easter, Jessa." The reverend told me wife as he shook her hand.
"Happy Easter, Reverend." My wife politely replied, ending the handshake.
"Happy Easter, Shaw." Reverend Garrett told me as he stuck his hand out for a shake.
I took my hand off of the small of Jessa's back and shook the preacher's hand while telling him, "Happy Easter."
"May I remind you that services are held every Sunday at 9 o'clock sharp. Perhaps you'll see it fit to bring your family more often." The preacher told me, dropping his hand from mind, as his eyes flittered between me, the little ginger boy I was holding, and my wife.
"I got bigger things to worry 'bout then bringin' my family to your sermons, Reverend Garrett." I told him right before ushering my wife by him and down the small set of stairs that led away from the church's path and to the street.
"That was rude." Jessa chastised me once we were out of earshot of the church.
"Might've been, but it's true." I told her, leadin' us behind the church where everyone was gathered for the picnic.
Honestly, I'd rather be at home having a ham supper for Easter instead of stuck at a picnic eating a ham potluck; bein' 'round people that I don't even like or just put up with for appearances. Eh, at least Levicy made the ham and Jessa made a chocolate cream pie so at least I know those things are safe to eat.
"I know, but you could've just given him a bullshit answer of I'll keep that in mind or something." She told me as we got closer to the large picnic. God, everyone was gathered around and the piece of land behind the church was full of tables, chairs, blankets, makeshift food buffets, and the entire population of the Tug River Valley. God, it seemed that everyone was crammed in tight, like sardines in a can. "Look, there's Mary and Todd with the kids." Jessa told me, pointing to where my siblings and kids were at with Robert E. and a few of his siblings at one of the food tables.
"Reckon it's just you, me, and our lil man here." I told me wife, tilting my head with a slight smirk at our son, as I led her over to an empty table to sit at.
"Reckon so." Jessa smiled, leaning into my side as we walked to our destination.
Silas and Lydia were with Mary and a bunch of other kids playing some egg spoon race game while Todd was off near a tree talkin' with Robert E. and Mariah Wolford. I think that Robert E. and the mailman's youngest sister were sweet on each other, but since the girls' older sister was shacked up with Jefferson McCoy (and knocked up by him since her belly was swellin') I don't think that's too smart of them. Usually, Billy McCoy always tries to break up any conserving that's going on between Robert E. and Mariah, but today he wasn't. Nope, today the auburn fuck seemed to be keepin' an eye on my sister, followin' her 'round from a distance.
Fuckin' bastard was even standin' on the sidelines watchin' some of his little sisters playing that egg spoon game. Hell, he doesn't come across as a concerned older brother so I know he was watchin' cause my sister was playing that game. God, I needed to put a bullet in him like I did with his older brother.
"Honey, stop brooding and eat your pie." Jessa suggested, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder and causing me to turn my attention on her.
"I'm only eating it cause you made it." I informed her before picking up my fork and breaking a piece of pie off.
"You're 'bout ready to go home, ain't you?" Jessa asked as she fed Endor a bottle of milk.
"Yep." I popped my tongue. "After the kids are down with that egg game, we're goin'."
"Okay." She nodded. Nudging my arm with her elbow, she pointed her head to the side and sighed, "Oh, no, look who's headed our way."
I turned my head only to see that shrew, Nancy Freeland, marchin' over to us. She didn't have her baby with her, meaning that she pawned it on her husband. Hell, as I understand all Abel does is stay at home and take care of the baby, which they named Harmony. I wonder how they're survivin'. Maybe they're gettin' handouts or Nancy's moonlightin' as a hooker or somethin'.
"She prolly wants to yell at us 'bout Tolbert's death." I told my wife, eating another piece of her pie, as the shrew got even closer to us.
Jessa didn't say a word, just nodded her head as she burped Endor over her shoulder.
"Jessa, I see you're playin' happy family with Shaw and my murdered cousin's son." Nancy quipped as she came to a stop at my table, giving my wife a piercin' look full of hate.
"I'm not playing at anything, Nancy. I'm just sitting with my husband and our son, Endor." Jessa told that black-haired bitch. Nancy scowled, but before she could even open her mouth, my wife told her, "You know that Shaw picked out his name. He's his in every way that counts."
"Yes, well, he still killed Tolbert." Nancy spat, giving me a death glare, as my son let out a very loud burp.
"He deserved it. Kept sniffin' 'round my woman." I bluntly told that McCoy shrew, causin' her eyes to narrow into angry slits.
"I swear, I'm gonna dance and laugh on the day you an' that disgustin' uncle of yours, Jim Vance, dies." Nancy swore with a wicked glint in her beady black eyes and a smirk on her face before spinnin' 'round and stormin' off.
"Well, that went good." I sarcastically told my wife before eating another piece of pie.
Roseanna POV:
Me and Johnse had just sat down with pie after talkin' with Cap, Allie, Vera, an' Skunk Hair near the dessert area. We only meant to have a quick chat, but that turned into a long talk 'bout our chil'ren. Allie even invited us ov'r for dinner on Wednesday nite too. I was glad that Allie an' Cap were reachin' out to us more. Wit' the loss of my older brother, well, I was glad that we had Johnse's bother and his family. I know that Cap an' Allie didn't like my brother, but they voiced to me on more then one occasion that they didn't think Shaw should've killed Tolbert over Jessa, especially since she was married to him an' not my brother. They felt that Shaw killin' Tolbert was just gonna cause more harm then good in this feud, especially since it seemed to drive my poppy into a downward drunken spiral.
Him killin' my brother seemed to put a strain on his friendship with my husband. My friendship with Jessa also seemed strained by the fact that Shaw murdered Tolbert. Jessa was carryin' 'round so much guilt and blame, but wouldn't place it one whose fault my brother's death truly was. Every time I tried to tell her that it's Shaw's fault Tolbert's dead, not hers, Jessa would just tell me to stop tryin' to make her feel better cause it really was her fault. That she should've listen to my mama years ago and made up with Shaw after his mother's funeral.
I couldn't handle Jessa's deep sense of self guilt, not when I was hurt and still grieved in a sense too, so I had to back away from her just for a lil bit. The way Jessa acted like she was fine when Shaw was 'round was unnervin'. Johnse even pointed out to Shaw that if he did kill Tolbert then he better just run off or turn himself in cause what he did is bad for the feud; will only cause more fightin'. Shaw's reply to that was somethin' I dare not repeat, but it was vulgar.
Oh, how I missed my family. The McCoys. Not bein' able to go t'my mama for advice on carin' for Sarah Elizabeth hurt an' was hard. I missed my sister too, even more now that I had a daughter of my own. It was sad how my sisters would never get t'be aunties to my lil girl cause our poppy forbid it. It also hurt that my brothers weren't able to be uncles either.
If Tolbert was still here, I think he'd come 'round, but only cause he was thrown out too an' was taken in by Aunt Betty. Talk 'bout Aunt Betty, she wasn't at Easter service today an' she wasn't at the picnic either. I hope she's not unwell.
"Look, Nancy's stormin' over." Johnse told me, pointin' out my cousin that was rushin' ov'r to us. It looked like she was comin' from the table Shaw and Jessa were at. I guess they had words 'bout my brother otherwise Nancy wouldn't look so mad.
"Roseanna, you won't believe what that bastard Shaw had the gall to say." Nancy shrieked as she flopped down on the blanket, I was sittin' on wit' my family. Before either me or Johnse could ask was Shaw said, Nancy told us in a disgusted tone, "He said that Tolbert deserved to die at his hands for sniffin' 'round Jessa."
"Oh my god…" I gasped, shocked at hearing from my cousin that my cousin-in-law had confessed to murderin' Tolbert in such a casual and self-justified way.
"He really said that, Nancy?" Johnse asked as Sarah Elizabeth began to crawl off of my lap an' over to him.
"Yes of course he did. I wouldn't be tellin' ya if it weren't so." Nancy snapped at my husband as my daughter climbed up into his lap.
"Hell…goddamnit…" Johnse shook his head, lookin' upset and torn 'bout what he'd just heard.
"Watch out for Shaw an' Jessa. Those two can't be trusted." Nancy advised us while Johnse placed his plate down and held our daughter. "Well, I better go find my husband. Only lord knows what he's feedin' my kid." She told us 'fore takin' off in the direction one of the food tables were at.
Givin' me a sympathetic look, my husband gently told me, "I'm sorry that it's true 'bout my cousin killin' your brother, Rosie."
"I'm sorry too, Johns." I admitted wit' a sad look on my face as I watched Jessa and Shaw stand up from their table in the distance. He took the baby from her (the baby that looked just like my late brother) and placed his hand on her lower back. I et my pie while watchin' Shaw led Jessa ov'r to where some games were bein' held.
Tolbert POV:
The cattle outfit 'rived in Ogallala a couple days 'go. Zeke said that we'd stay up til Monday mornin' an' gave us our pay so we'd be able t'spend it on likker, whores, baths, food, an' rooms at the local saloon. Havin' a bath an' bein' able to change into fresh clothes after bein' crusted in dust for 2-months felt nice. Hell, I didn't know how much I missed baths til I wasn't able t'get 'em regularly any more. I also missed home cookin' too, but s'pose I just gonna deal wit' ettin' Jose Luis' chuckwagon slop on drives an' whatever's served in saloons while in cow towns.
At least I'm able to attend Easter service this mornin'. The church in Ogallala was 'bout the same size as the church back home in the Tug River Valley. Reckon most small-town churches are one-room buildin's, but it bein' so just made me a bit homesick. When I walked inside of the church the patrons were singin' a hymn led by their reverend. The man was tall and lanky, wore a top hat too. Hell, he didn't look like no preacher I've ev'r seen 'fore.
I spotted Zeke an' Jose Luis in the back-left pew so I made my way ov'r to them. Silently, they let me into the pew when I reached 'em. As soon as I took my seat I grabbed the hymn book from the holder in the pew in front o'me. "What song we singin'?" I asked the men next t'me.
"Amazing Grace." Zeke told me in his raspy tone while Jose Luis sang the hymn in a very thick accent that made it a bit hard to understand the words.
"Thanks." I told Zeke, flippin' thru the hymn book lookin' for the page to Amazin' Grace, a song I haven't sang since I was a boy. When I found the page, I relaxed a little an' joined in singin' the hymn.
"My, isn't that such a song of truth and redemption." The reverend said as the hymn came to an end. "We are all wretches that can be saved by our lord, for he sent his only son Jesus Christ to die on the cross as our beloved savior." He preached, soundin' more cheerful then Reverend Garrett used to. Grabbin' his bible from the pulpit, he opened it and said, "If you will, open your bibles to Mark 14 in order for an Easter readin'."
I didn't have a bible so I just sat in the pew like a bump on a log. Jose Luis didn't have one either, so least I wasn't alone in sittin' empty handed. Zeke tho took a small pocket-sized bible from his vest pocket an' opened it up to the scripture the preacher was gonna read.
After a few minutes, the preacher read Mark 14-16 and then told a heartwarmin' word 'bout the lord's love for us. When he was done wit' his upliftin' sermon, he ended wit' a prayer of, "Lord, we thank you for sending your son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins; to be our savior. We thank you for allowing any and all of those who want to be saved to be so. Amen."
"Amen." The entire church echoed.
"I shall see you 'gain next Sunday. There's also a prayer meetin' on Wednesday night too folks." The preacher told us before leavin' his pulpit an' goin' over to the doors to open 'em.
"Preacher Wells is a good man. We served in the war together." Zeke told me as we made our way outta the pew.
"Si, he's a good man." Jose Luis nodded as we walked the couple of yards from our pew to the doors the reverend just opened.
"Zeke, good to see you. Happy Easter." Preacher Wells greeted Zeke with a firm, but friendly handshake.
"Good to see you too, my friend." Zeke smiled, pattin' the preacher's hand that was clasped on his.
"Where's your boy, Martin?" Preacher Wells asked, his eyes flitterin' ov'r me an' Jose Luis as he looked for Martin. Well, sounds like Martin was Zeke's bastard cause if he weren't the reverend wouldn't 've called 'im your boy.
"He died. Got snake bit few days ride outside of Dodge City." Zeke told the preacher, droppin' his hand an' endin' their handshake.
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. He was a good boy." Preacher Wells gave his condolences, causin' Zeke to just nod an' walk off.
"Jose Luis, my wife thanks you for the tamale recipe." The preacher told the Mexican cook as he shook his hand.
"Tell the senorita I accept her thanks. Very much so." Jose Luis told the preacher 'fore droppin' his hand an' addin' in, "Happy Easter, senor preacher."
"Happy Easter." The preacher told the cook, causin' the man to nod an' walk outta the door.
"Happy Easter Mister…" The preacher told me, trailin' off since he didn't know my name, as he stuck his hand out for a shake.
"Tolbert McCoy, Preacher Wells." I supplied, takin' his hand in mine an' shakin' it. "I just signed onto Zeke's outfit couple months back." I added in as an explanation to why I was a new face in his church.
"I see the good lord works in mysterious ways. Takes a boy away only to replace him with one of similar age and build needing work." The reverend said, causin' me to just arch a brow at him, as he dropped my hand. "Zeke's going to need you to help him thru the grief of losing Martin. A father's never quite right when he loses a son." He told me in a knowin' tone. Ah, so I was right. Martin was Zeke's bastard. Oh god, that means that whore Mindy's most likely his bastard too.
"I understand. Happy Easter." I told Preacher Wells 'fore walkin' by him an' outside.
Damn, today was some Easter. I heard an enlightenin' sermon an' found out that Zeke more or less hired me to try an' take the place of his dead son. The preacher's partin' words did make me think 'bout my own son; how I missed him an' wished I was witnessin' his first Easter. Hopefully, Endor had a good one. I trust that Jessa'd make it good for him, but I just don't trust that Vance Bastard that's playin' poppy t'my boy.
AN:
Even Easter's got drama and angst in this story, lol. Well, next up is a quick time jump to the 4th of July. Yay!