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"Yeah, but who is gonna pick it?"
"Hadn't thought of that. I guess we would. That would be a lot of back breaking work. Maybe cotton isn't the best crop after all."
She looked at the stranger once more. He was looking straight at her and her insides turned to mush. She glanced away. Why did her body react to him so? She couldn't remember any time reacting by just looking at a man. And this was a man, not a boy.
"He sure don't look like he's in a hurry to leave, though."
"You think married life is heavenly, Martina?"
"Land sakes, how would I know. I've heard all kinds of stories from Roberta, Elizabeth, and Mary. Roberta says her man won't keep his hands off of her, and the novelty has done worn off. She has to find excuses why she won't lay with him. Must be bad if you have to make up reasons not to."
Beth turned red and scoffed.
"After only three months of marriage?" Beth frowned. "That truly must be the hardest part of being married."
"That's what she says."
"What about Elizabeth?"
Martina curled her long dark hair around her finger and smiled. Martine looked like their father, with his dark hair and eyes.
Beth glanced at her. Martina was so lovely, maybe the stranger was looking at her, instead. But when she glanced at him again, her eyes met his from the distance and her body reacted once more. She held her belly.
"What's wrong?"
"Oh nothing, now what was you saying?" Beth turned away because the feelings that the stranger evoked puzzled her so.
"Elizabeth says it's a chore to make love and she hopes she gets pregnant soon so she won't have to endure it any longer."
"Wow…layin' with a fella must be awful…" Beth chuckled. "But Elizabeth's husband is handsome."
"That's what she says! Maybe handsome ain't got anything to do with it."
"And Mary? What does she say?"
Martina scrunched up her nose. "Who'd have thought it, but Mary is so happy with Arthur and I can't begin to imagine why. But then again, Mary is kind of plain, isn't she?"
"So is Arthur. And yet she's happy and the others aren't. Does that tell you anything? Maybe handsome men are not good men. And ugly men are."
"Do you think Mary is plain?"
"Yeah, I guess she is a little. Her Pa don't inspire her to primp much. Maybe Arthur is a better lover!" Beth giggled. "Maybe men that aren't so good looking are better lovers.
"Beth…I can't believe you said that."
"Well…what else are we to think. Maybe they compensate for their looks with actions." That threw them both into hysterics.
It was fun to speculate.
"Arthur?" Martina shook her head. "With his curly hair and freckles? What could any woman see in him?" Martina giggled this time.
"Well, I don't think it's the seein' that does it Martina." Beth laughed. "People seem to be drawn to certain people, haven't you noticed. Pauline was sure drawn to Mack. She couldn't take her eyes off him. It's called some kind of chemistry."
"Like in school…science they call it?"
"I guess. I don't know."
"You think he's a good lover?" Martina asked glancing at the tall figure on the porch.
