CHAPTER NINE
"But, you were the one injured by him, not the opposite!" exclaimed Amelia.
Sharon glanced up toward the sky in order to ward off the devastating feeling of knowing she was at the point of crying. That her friend would defend her without even questioning her about what she had done to bring on David's wrath was so kind, it bought her to tears.
She paused as she strove to keep herself from openly displaying her emotions. Then, at length, she said, "He has…gossip about me that is more truth than gossip, I fear. And, he has threatened to tell this all to the family who has so recently made me a part of their lives. If he does spread this about, I fear I shall shame them all."
Amelia didn't speak for a moment, but then she said, quite firmly, "They will come to your defense regardless of the offense. I am certain of it."
Again Sharon hesitated before saying, "David's wife is a part of my new family. She is related to Chief Chases-the-enemy's first wife, and unfortunately for me, it would aid both David and his new wife to tell this partial truth about me while leaving out other pertinent facts about the entire affair."
"Truths? Facts? What happened?" asked Amelia.
Again Sharon inhaled deeply, looked away from Amelia and confessed, "I had an affair with him."
Amelia shrugged. "You were also engaged to be married to him. That's hardly an affair."
"Yes, this is what I thought, too. But, with him having now taken a first wife, David wishes me to become his second wife and is prepared to tell others that I have refused my responsibilities by declining the position. He also has accused me of having relations with Strikes Fast, which I have not done. I fear David will, however, even accuse me of this."
"But, I think this could be easily disproved, since Strikes Fast would be the first to dispel any such rumors."
"Perhaps. But, the truth is, I don't know very much about Strikes Fast. Yes, he has come to my aid several times now. But, what do I really know of his likes and dislikes? His mores? Truly, what do I know of an Indian man in relation to a woman? And then, there is this: according to David, when a wife does not act as her husband tells her to, the men in camp can disfigure her."
"I don't believe it. But, it doesn't matter what I believe. You are not married to David, nor can you be if he already has a wife."
"True. So it is in my world and yours. But, here in Indian Country, if a woman falls from grace and allows a man to have relations with her and then refuses to marry him, she could be looked upon unfavorably. I do not know the truth of this; I have only David's version of this custom."
"And, so you trust him? He, who has betrayed you to marry another woman?"
"Well, put like that, I can honestly say I no longer put any trust in him. But, I once did, and I cannot discount what he has told me because, in truth, I don't know the customs here."
"I wish I could help you by knowing what the customs are you speak of, but I can't. My sister might know about this if you will let me—"
"No, let us not bring another person into the mess I'm in. Please, no."
"All right. But, I think it would be better to ask her about it than for you to leave."
"Maybe," said Sharon. "All I know is this: I cannot be a part of bringing shame upon my new family, and you and Laylah are also now a part of my new family. In truth, I am hoping to put some distance between myself and David, and, because of my absence, I am praying his mouth will remain closed on the matter."
"Humph! My own opinion is this: I don't think it will matter to anyone inside or outside the family," said Amelia. "All here in camp know about our belief in the religious commandment that a man may marry only one woman. And, this is because they know my own husband and my sister's husband can take only one wife. And, since these people are deeply religious, I think they will respect our God and our beliefs and will understand why you cannot become a second wife."
"Yes. Perhaps. Still…"
"Still…?" encouraged Amelia.
"Well, the truth is, there is another reason why I feel I must go: I don't really believe I belong here. I never have. At first, I was afraid of the Indians, and I still am a little. But, to stay here and impose myself upon them after they have been so kind to me… I do not think I can do it."
"But, I thought you were starting to like it here."
"I am, but don't you see?" asked Sharon wistfully. "I don't really belong here, even if I wished to stay. And, I will not impose myself upon these people. Perhaps, when and if I reach St. Louis again, I will find a way to have my own home with a white picket fence, a few dogs and a cat and perhaps eight children, more or less. Perhaps I will be able to forget about Indian Country and the friends I have made here."
"Oh? Like I did?"
Sharon laughed, well aware of how her friend had been unable to stay away from Indian Country. It seemed that once a girl had a taste of the free life, she couldn't live without it.
"I will try. I must try. Please, I am hoping you will understand."
"I do," said Amelia. "But, I do not agree you should have to leave."
