Amelia's Story

by C.P. Murphy

  Chapter Four

  From the moment Amelia entered the general store she felt dozens of eyes staring at her. Knowing they all wanted to know about her relationship with Thomas, she focused on the fabric displayed on the shelf. A hand touched her shoulder and she about touched the ceiling. “Emma,” she said between her shortness of breath, “You scared me.”

  Emma covered her mouth and giggled. It wasn’t her intention to scare Amelia. Her friend looked distant. “Sorry,” she said. “What are you looking at?”

  Amelia continued browsing by running her hands over the cloths and feeling them between her finger and thumb. “I didn’t have time to pick any fabric out from the merchants since Thomas was pestering me. Anna needs a new dress,” she added just in case Emma had any presumptions about wedding clothes.

  Emma watched Amelia and gave her opinions. Amelia paid for the material she picked out and Emma suggested, “Want to share a bench outside?”

  They sat for a while in silence. Amelia was still a little sore with Emma for her behavior at the loading docks and Emma sensed it. Emma pondered the thought of trying to make Amelia laugh but knew that she had too much on her mind. “I’m sorry for the way I acted the other day. I hope you forgive me.”

  Amelia’s arm stretched out and her hand reached for Emma’s. It wasn’t her fault she was going through such a hard time and Amelia knew that. “I forgive you,” she said and then, in a childish manner, stuck her tongue out. Their laughter could be heard over all the other commotion going on at the store. The sun beat down and Amelia noticed her friend fanning herself. “Do you want to come to the house with me? I made lemonade this morning.” Without answering, Emma stood up and bent her elbow towards Amelia. She leaned her head toward the Samuels house and Amelia knew she wanted to go. Intertwining her arm into Emma’s, they walked.

  “Jacob has asked to escort me to the social and I’ve said yes,” Emma announced not thinking that her friend did not understand what she was talking about.

  Confused and curious, Amelia gasped, “What?”

  “You haven’t heard about the social dance?” Amelia shook her head and Emma continued to update her on the event.

  “I suppose I’ve been too deep into my own thoughts I have heard little at all.” It upset her to feel left out of the social circle but realized that it wasn’t on purpose. “What’s this about Jacob too?”

  Emma’s cheeks blushed, and she turned her head to hide her emotions. She told Amelia about her walk home with him the day they met the young men down at the loading docks. It was a walk that changed her life and made her dreams come true. Jacob had been so kind and caring. They continued their stroll instead of returning to her house and Emma was ever so glad they did. It gave Jacob the time he needed to get out the words he stumbled over. He had asked her if he could be her beau and she was glad to accept. “I’m so happy,” she finished but felt bad knowing that Amelia’s case was the exact opposite.

  Amelia pulled Emma closer and then put her head on her shoulder as they walked. She saw the look on Emma’s face and read her like a book. “Don’t worry; I’m jubilant for you.” She would get used to other people being happy even though she knew she would never be. Soon they were swinging on Amelia’s porch with the cool drink glasses in their hands. Amelia decided not to mention the social anymore because she knew she would have to attend with Thomas. She wasn’t looking forward to him putting her on display and wondered what she could do to avoid the dance all together.

  Henry was in his private office, in the back of his store, over- looking his paperwork. He had his head lowered towards the desk when he heard someone knock on the door. Without moving, he told his visitor to enter and didn’t straighten until he heard the door re-shut. Glancing up, he acknowledged his guest, “Daniel Van Martin, I wasn’t expecting you today.”

  Thomas’ father reached over and shook Henry’s hand before sitting in the chair that faced the desk. Though he knew he was the most prominent man in the village, he also knew that Henry ranked high among the more common folk. Daniel was determined to let the other know that he had the upper hand. His arrogant attitude wouldn’t let Henry forget the mistake he was holding over his head. “Just came by to tell you I’m glad Amelia has accepted Thomas’ hand.”

  Henry knew that this visit wouldn’t be friendly for long. Daniel was the reason he was torturing his daughter the way he was. “You know that she didn’t have a choice,” he snapped.

  “Oh yes, yes,” Daniel stated as he blew on his finger nails and rubbed them against his vest. Amelia Samuels was an obedient daughter and would have to listen to her father in the same way that Henry had to listen to him. Daniel had a choice to make; either turn Henry in or give his son the one thing he wanted more than anything. Thomas admired her more than any other girl and wanted to make her his. Henry’s mistake made it easy once Daniel blackmailed him. “So be it; if that’s what it takes to make my son happy.”

  Henry was disgusted in both the Van Martin men but more disgusted with himself for allowing such behavior. He recalled the last visit he had from them. They were together and Thomas claimed that he loved Amelia though Henry knew better. Then Daniel blackmailed him and Henry had no choice but to accept the proposed offer. It was his life or hers. At least Amelia would heal. Still the thought angered him. “I wish we could have discussed this without bringing our children into it.”

  Daniel chuckled at the thought. As far as he was concerned, Henry could have left Thomas and Amelia out of it. He had nobody to blame but himself so Daniel thought Henry should stop belly-aching it. “You made your own bed, Samuels. Before you lie in it, tell me why you would commit treason against our country in the first place?”

  With his elbows on the desk, Henry threw his head into his hands. He could feel the sweat rolling off of his forehead as he thought of the seriousness of his crimes. Without looking up he replied, “Business, it all comes down to my business.” An apothecary made and sold ointments to heal the sick. It was the next best thing to being a doctor and in a small community like Millersport, it was better because most people couldn’t afford to see a doctor but they could afford to see him. He also performed surgeries and to be a male midwife.

  “I don’t understand,” Daniel responded.

  “You wouldn’t, now would you?” Henry shouted as he pulled his head up to look his adversary in the eyes. His blood was boiling and he could feel the redness on his face. Softening his voice so his employee didn’t overhear, he continued, “The tariffs for one. Some of my supplies are from overseas. But my biggest reason is because the Indians are on the British side.” He could tell that Daniel would interrupt with another question but his scowling face kept Daniel from speaking a word. “You’re rich and when your family is sick, you travel to find a doctor. Most people around here can’t do that. They come to me. They know they can pay me with money, make payments instead of paying outright, and some even offer their swine and chickens for payment. And I, I get my ailments from the red man. That’s getting harder to do and it won’t get better until the war is over.”

  At last, Daniel could get a word in. Before he said anything, he thought about what he heard. He didn’t know that Madison’s War was causing so much heartache for Henry; not that he cared. “Let me get this straight. The bottom line is that you don’t care who wins the war. You just want it over.”

  “That’s right,” Henry answered before lowering his head again. He was quiet for a moment as his thoughts returned to Amelia. “Tell me, does Thomas love her?” Henry asked hoping Amelia’s marriage would have happiness to it.

  Daniel laughed. He knew his son well and anyone who had the chance to know Thomas as much as he did, knew Thomas could only love himself and his image. His son would never marry for love; only greed. Amelia fulfilled his greed for a picture perfect wife. “Now, I realize that she doesn’t love him and no, he doesn’t love her. But, my son isn’t that bad and he’ll make her happy in other ways. He can offer her more t
han any other man in New York.”

  Henry wasn’t convinced but there wasn’t a thing he could do about it. He had to pretend that he wanted her to marry Thomas. He knew that Daniel could see right through him. “Don’t fret,” he said. “You know that I’m not happy with this arrangement but there won’t be a soul in Millersport who doesn’t believe that I’m behind it one hundred percent.”

  “That is what I wanted to hear.” Daniel stood to leave. He had done what he set out to do, and that was to reassure Henry that he couldn’t back out of the deal. Daniel had information on Henry that would put him in an early grave and he planned to take complete advantage of it. He grinned again, shook Henry’s hand and left.

  Henry sat there and thought about what he was putting his family through. His thoughts turned to his deceased brother’s wife, Ruth and how she was the only one, besides Daniel, who knew what he was up to. She didn’t approve of his actions nor did she approve of him forcing Amelia into marriage. She had told him time and again that his secret could lead to serious trouble if the authorities ever found out but still he didn’t listen. She told him he would lose Amelia’s love forever if she found out about it. It was his mistakes that were changing her life forever. Guilt overcame him and he closed the store early and take a visit to see Ruth. She was the only one he trusted enough to talk to; even his relationship with her was a secret. They lovers but nobody knew that. She wanted to let others know but Henry wasn’t ready to reveal such emotions. He grabbed the only key to his office, told his employee he could go home, and then he was off to find comfort in the only place he knew of.