After an hour, I stood up to leave. “I will see you on Monday. I’m glad you’re feeling better.”
“Thank you again for bringing me my homework so I don’t get behind in school.”
I shrugged. “It wasn’t a bother.”
Ginny brought me my hat and coat. I slipped them on and hesitated. Would it be appropriate to ask her if I could court her?
“Is there anything else?” she wondered.
Suddenly, I realized I couldn’t do it. “No. I better go.”
And so I left with a lot I wanted to say but couldn’t.
Chapter Two
Ann’s Point of View
On Monday, I entered the classroom.
“Ann, may I say something?” Todd Brothers asked as I passed him.
I stopped, not because I wanted to but because it would be rude if I didn’t. I clutched the books to my chest and waited. He wouldn’t say anything in front of the entire class. Would he? I had the sinking sensation that he wanted to court me and hoped to make sure the conversation regarding it never came up.
He stood up from his desk. He smoothed his hair and adjusted his tie. “I’m glad to see you made it.”
I shrugged. “It was either come here or stay bored at home, staring at the walls.” It was a dumb joke but it was all I could think of. I glanced at my seat, which was a couple of rows from him.
“Did I upset you Friday when I talked about Alex? I know he bothers you.”
“You’re his friend. I expect you to mention him from time to time.” I sighed. “I suppose he shouldn’t irk me so. I mean, it’s not like he does anything to me. No one else seems to mind his pranks. It probably doesn’t help that I keep calling him Creepy Alex either.”
He chuckled. “He calls you Scary Annie.”
I frowned. “I’m not scary.”
“Well, you did hit him with a broom once.”
I giggled. “That was funny, wasn’t it?”
“Good for you,” someone interrupted. “I think Creepy Alex is an apt term. However, I can’t imagine you being scary, even if you did come after me with a broom.”
I paused and turned around so I could see the person who spoke. Dark brown hair, clear green eyes, and a great smile. This had to be Kent. And he was handsome! I imagined someone from New York would be fascinating but he put all of my fantasies to shame. I thought he was rude to listen to what Todd and I said, but since he set his books on the desk in front of Todd, I realized he couldn’t help but overhear if that’s where he had to sit.
“I’m Kent Ashton.” He kissed my hand.
I stared at him, bewildered that he could be so bold. That must be how New Yorkers were. Bold and charming. I cleared my throat. “Todd told me you came here last week.”
“Yes. My family moved here from New York.”
“I know. He told me that too.”
“We can always talk later when your family comes over to see mine,” Todd said.
Remembering Todd, I looked at him. “What?”
His smile faltered. “Never mind. I just wanted to apologize for mentioning Alex on Friday.”
“Oh. It’s alright. I wasn’t upset with you.”
He nodded and sat down.
Blushing, because Kent still had his beautiful green eyes on me, I shyly said that it was nice to meet him and walked to my desk. I had no idea what to say to him. He was much more sophisticated than me. To my surprise, he followed me.
“May I hang your coat in the back of the room?”
My heart skipped a beat. “Uh…” None of the young men had offered to do that before. But Kent was from New York. Maybe young men did that kind of thing there.
“I promise I won’t run off with it,” he teased.
I laughed. “I know.”
Feeling somewhat awkward and aware that Debbie and Rachel watched me with amused expressions, I took my coat off and handed it to him. I watched as he put it on one of the hooks.
He returned to me. “I hope you don’t think I’m overstepping my bounds, but I think you’re the best looking lady in this room.” Then he went to his seat.
My eyes grew wide. He was definitely bold! I numbly sat down and stared ahead at the front of the room where the teacher was getting the day’s lecture ready. Kent Ashton was better than I thought he’d be. The teacher stood up to speak, so I turned to my books and got my things ready for the day.
***
Kent turned out to be very charming and attentive. He seemed to care for me and we did have fun talking about how creepy Alex was whenever he pulled another one of his silly pranks. I spent Saturday afternoons in my parlor listening to Kent tell me how exciting New York was. He even brought pictures of New York and of the people he knew there. It sounded better than Debbie claimed it to be.
“If we get married, I’ll take you there so you can see it for yourself,” he once said.
When December came, he asked my father if he could court me, and my father said no. This was the second time he refused to let Kent be with me. Greatly upset, I confronted my father about it that night at dinner.
“Your mother and I don’t trust him,” my father replied. “He’s not what he appears to be.”
“Have you met his parents? You always told me that I should judge a man by his parents.”
“Ann, I am the voice of experience and wisdom. You have to trust my judgment.”
“No one else is appealing to me, Father. I have been paraded through this town in front of countless bachelors who are only interested in my dowry. And a couple of those men were old enough to be your age. What kind of life am I going to have if I’m confined to a loveless marriage? All these men care about is what I can give them instead of who I am.”
My mother sighed. “What about Todd?”
“We’ve already had this discussion. I don’t want to marry him.”
“Ann,” Father began, “marriage is more than fleeting emotion. It is best built upon a foundation of friendship. You aren’t looking at things clearly. Kent may be charming but there’s something wrong with him. Todd, on the other hand, is stable, trustworthy, and loyal. You can be sure that he won’t do anything to harm you.”
“What proof do you have that Kent would do that?”
He stared at the fork in his hand. “I don’t have proof. I just have a bad feeling about the boy.”
My mother nodded. “You should consider Todd. I see the way he looks at you during church and when we’re at the Brothers’ home. He loves you. Why, a boy like that will treat you as you deserve to be treated. What you and Todd need is to spend time together.”
“I spent time with him in October. He’s alright but he’s not... Well, to be frank, he’s not exciting.”
My father set his fork aside. Picking up his pipe, he looked at me. “So you are opposed to Todd?”
“Yes! I don’t love him.”
“Alright. Your mother and I will speak with Kent’s parents so we can get a better idea of what he is like.”
He kept his promise and both he and my mother concluded that his parents were respectable people, so they allowed the courtship. I was ecstatic. Kent did mention marriage and the possibility of checking Europe out on our honeymoon. He said he had an uncle in Ireland who could give us a personal tour. He even brought over brochures and pictures. He frequently told me I was pretty and bought me little gifts for no reason at all. He also took me to symphonies and the theatre.
Debbie, Rachel and Agnes sat with me and planned out my future wedding. Agnes would be my maid of honor while Debbie and Rachel would be my bridesmaids. They were excited for me and it was fun to look forward to the future instead of dreading it.
***
Then April came.
“Miss Ann, Mr. Ashton’s here to see you,” Ginny announced.
I turned from my bedroom mirror in anticipation.
Ginny giggled.
“Do I look alright?” I asked her. I wore a dark blue satin dress. He liked the color blue the best.
<
br /> “You look as beautiful as usual. Come along. It wouldn’t be right to keep him waiting.”
I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. When I entered the parlor, my heart raced with excitement. “Good afternoon, Kent,” I greeted warmly as I approached him. “It’s good to see you. Will you sit down?”
“No thank you, Miss Ann.”
Surprised by his formality, I stood awkwardly. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Ginny shrug, just as bewildered as I was. I waited for him to speak but he refused to look at me. I knew something was wrong, so I took great care in asking my question. “Did you have a bad day?”
“No. I...I have to tell you something,” he mumbled, staring at the lace curtains on the other side of the room.
I was afraid of what he had to say, so I didn’t press him to continue.
He sighed loudly. “I don’t know how to tell you this.”
I remained silent. Part of me needed to know while another part wished to remain ignorant. At last, I asked, “Is someone in your family ill?”
“No, nothing like that.”
By now, I was squirming. When I could not stand the awful silence anymore, I demanded, “What is it?”
“I cannot call on you again.”
“What?” I dumbly asked.
“I love Rebecca Johnson, and I intend to marry her.”
“How...When...?” I couldn’t manage to finish my question.
“It just happened. I didn’t plan it. I don’t think anyone can plan things like this,” he hastily explained.
Before I could reply, he walked to the front door. “I hope there won’t be any hard feelings between us. I’ll see you in church tomorrow. Good-bye, Miss Statesman.”
And just like that he was out of my house and out of my life. I didn’t know how long I sat in the chair, staring blankly at the wall in front of me. All I kept wondering was how he could claim to love me one day and claim to love someone else the next. Ginny sat by me. I took small comfort in her presence. I appreciated the fact that I didn’t have to talk to her. I wished to be alone with my thoughts for a while.
When dinner came, I went through the motions in a stupor. I ate dinner outside on the veranda with my parents but I didn’t participate in their conversation. I wasn’t hungry so I kept moving the food around on my plate.
“Ann, my dear, what’s wrong?” my mother asked.
I took a deep breath. My parents didn’t like it when I cried. Tears were not allowed in front of others. I braced myself. “Kent came by today, and he announced his engagement to Rebecca Johnson.”
“He’s going to regret it someday,” my father softly replied.
“Oh my dear Ann, is there anything we can do to help you?” She put her arm around me and gave me a gentle squeeze.
I battled with my sense of grief and humiliation. They had warned me. I felt like such a fool for not listening to them.
“I want to be alone right now. May I be excused?”
“Of course you may,” my mother said. She quickly wiped the tears welling in her eyes.
Her concern for my emotional welfare made me grateful for her. I could tell by the look in my father’s eyes that he also grieved for me. Even if they were most likely glad for the ending courtship, they didn’t show it because they loved me. Their support and concern gave me a calm deep in my heart.
That night, I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow, and I woke up refreshed and eager for church. The reality of Kent and Rebecca didn’t sink in until I saw them sitting together at church. He leaned over and whispered something in her ear. She laughed so loud that I could hear her from across the room.
I felt faint. I leaned on my parents for support. Don’t cry, I repeated to myself.
“He has nerve,” my mother angrily whispered.
“He’s just a foolish young man. He doesn’t realize what he’s giving up,” my father replied.
“He and Rebecca are flaunting themselves in front of everybody. It’s not proper.”
“Please, let’s sit down,” I interrupted.
On our way to our usual pew, we passed the Brothers. I looked for Agnes but figured she was talking to some of our other friends.
My parents stopped to talk to Mr. and Mrs. Brothers. I tried not to look awkward, standing by myself in a room full of people who were happily socializing.
“Good morning, Ann,” Todd greeted, his hands in his pockets.
“Good morning, Todd,” I politely replied. Usually, that was all we ever said to each other at church, so I was surprised when he didn’t leave and sit down. I pulled my eyes away from Kent and Rebecca. “Is there something you want to discuss?”
“Are you ready to finish school?”
“We still have a month to go,” I absently reminded him. Rebecca’s laughter echoed through the building. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Kent smile at her. He used to reserve those special smiles for me.
“Have you thought about what you’re going to do after graduation?”
I turned back to him. Why was he still talking to me? Not wishing to be rude, I answered him. “No. I don’t know what to do.” I had planned to be Kent’s wife. Now my future was a blank slate, and I didn’t know what to put on it. Noting that he was still standing by me, I cleared my throat. “What about you? Are you going to work at the bank?”
He glanced at his father who was talking to my father. “We’ll see.”
I wondered what he meant but didn’t ask for clarification. I wanted him to leave me alone, so I tried to discourage any further conversation by looking around the church. I knew it was rude and my mother would not approve, but I just wanted to sit down, get through the service and hide in my house so I could get away from Kent and Rebecca.
“What a wonderful idea!” my mother proclaimed.
“Fine. Then we’ll see you next Sunday for dinner,” Mr. Brothers replied.
I inwardly groaned. Another dinner with them? I didn’t feel like eating ever again.
“We will see you next week,” my father added.
Thank you, Father! I gladly walked away from Todd and sat in our usual place.
During the sermon, my eyes kept darting to Kent and Rebecca. Once the sermon was over, Agnes ran over to me while my parents talked to other people. Relieved to talk to Agnes, I walked outside with her. The spring air was warm. I loved the feel of the sunlight on my face and shoulders but had to open my parasol to protect my “delicate, white skin”.
“Tell me what happened between you and Kent,” Agnes insisted.
“Kent’s going to marry Rebecca.”
“No!”
I nodded. “He informed me of their engagement yesterday.”
“I don’t believe it. He loved you. Anyone could see that.”
I shrugged. “I thought so too. But we were wrong.”
“What a shame. I was looking forward to being your maid of honor.”
I sighed sadly as the plans we had made for my wedding evaporated right before my eyes. Now I would be destined to be an old maid. I wondered how many cats I would collect by the time I was sixty.
“I know you don’t like me to bring this up,” Agnes warned.
My eyes narrowed. What could she be talking about?
“If you married Todd, we would be sisters!”
I quickly hushed her. “That’s impossible. Don’t start trying to fix me up with him again. I will never be interested in him that way and you know it.”
“Even if it means we would be sisters?”
“Yes.”
She groaned. “Oh, it’s just as well. We would get bored of each other because we’d see each other all the time.”
I chuckled. “Yes, that would be devastating.”
“I hear you’re coming to dinner next week. I’ll bring out the new game Father bought. It’s a mind bender, so you have to think on your feet.”
“Sounds fun. At least, it will get me through the dinner.”
“Old people talking about how thei
r kids are doing. I don’t like it either. I always feel put on the spot.”
“At least you get to share the spotlight with six other siblings.”
“Yes, I just love being compared to Todd’s intelligence, Abigail’s dancing, Lucy’s drawing, Miranda’s spelling, Colleen’s cooking, and Judy’s writing. What have I got? I’m Agnes the big talker. A talker. That’s my special talent.”
“Talking is good. You tell wonderful stories.”
“And what good is that?”
“Well, you’ve made me feel much better. You’re a great source of encouragement.”
“Thank you, Ann.”
I smiled. “You’re a wonderful friend. Thank you for listening and caring.”
“Any time.” She looked at the church door and saw that her family was ready to leave. “I’ll see you at school tomorrow.”
I nodded and strolled to my parents.
***
The week passed. I hardly ate anything. I spent my free time locked in my room so I could cry. I didn’t even want Ginny to comfort me. I wanted to be left alone. At school, I went through the necessary motions. I couldn’t concentrate much on what the teacher said. What would it matter anyway? In one month, I would never have to learn anything new again. I would attend many social functions in hopes of finding a husband. That was what my whole life was about to become. The quest to find the man who would care for me and the children we’d have together. Though I greatly desired those things, I didn’t see how anyone but Kent would adequately fill that position.
Rebecca let as many students as possible know of her engagement. One time, I thought she gave me a cold look but decided I imagined it. After all, she didn’t have any reason to dislike me. She had Kent.
During lunch on Wednesday, Creepy Alex put a frog on Rebecca’s chair. She bolted from her seat and screamed so loud the entire school could hear her. Agnes and I giggled from across the cafeteria.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Kent yelled at Alex, his face red with anger.
“Don’t get upset,” Todd defended his friend. “He was joking around.”
Falling In Love With Her Husband Page 2
