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ard. Her parents had learned to cultivate them to perfection. There were wild plums growing in the distance. Beth loved picking them when the fruit ripened and making jelly with them
"It sure looks peaceful here." Mother Cahill sighed.
"Yes, most times it is peaceful." Beth said with a tired voice.
"Something wrong dear?" She seemed to sense something in Beth's voice.
"No…I'm just missing Wade…" She said softly. "And my sister."
"We're probably safer here for the time being. Poor Wade he's being put in a position I wouldn't want."
"Mother Cahill, if Wade spies for the North will you be disappointed in him?" Beth asked. The sincerity of the question demanded a truthful answer.
She looked at Beth with understanding and a slow smile, "No dear, I'm more like you on that, whatever he decides to do is all right with me. I just wish he wasn't in such danger, juggling both of them on that boat. I feel no matter what he does, he'll be in danger. The Confederate officers have been very rude to him. They've practically accused him of sloughing off the war. The south wonders why he hasn't enlisted, the north wonders if they can trust him. Wade just wants to keep his boat safe during all of this and fight for what is right. Despite the fact that I'm a southerner, I don't believe in slavery, never did. I don't agree with the north altogether either, but thank God I'm not a man. I'm not sure I'd know which way to turn. But Beth, one thing I must warn you of. The way we feel, we can't be voicing that to anyone but each other. It isn't safe you know?"
Beth nodded. "That's kind of how I feel too. I wish they had been right about this war, that it would be over quickly. I don't see that happening. It seems to put everyone's life on hold."
"It has, and it's destroying a lot of lives in the meantime."
"I hate dwelling on the war, but I am so worried for Wade."
"Wade is very strong, he got that from his father."
"From what you've told me about his father, he was quite a man." Beth smiled.
"I miss him every day."
"But Ma was right about one thing. You can't come home after you marry. It's just not the same…It feels so different to me here now."
Mother Cahill nodded sadly. "You can visit. Show them you love them, but no, it's never the same again. You have a lovely family though dear. And have faith that your sister will see the light. Sometimes it takes longer for some to grow up."
"You're sweet for saying that." Beth smiled at her.
"When you are older dear you will learn that there are skeletons in every closet and that you have to learn to accept them and go on and love them for who they are, not what you think they should be. As a child you see only the good in your family. As adult I'm afraid we see more of the bad. But it doesn't matter, they are still family."
Beth ran to her and hugged her. "I love you Mother Cahill. You help me put things in perspective."
"And I love you Beth, like the daughter I never had."
~*~
Two days later Beth cornered her father in the barn, to talk to him.
"I want to talk to you about Martina, Pa." Beth told him as she watched him scattering the hay.
He stared at her a long time. His eyes going over her with perception. "I knew you would."
"I don't mean to be judgmental. But, tell me how could you marry her off like that, Pa?" Beth's accusing voice took her father by surprise.
"Worked with you, didn't it?" Her Pa turned away to spread the hay about the stall.
"You've no right to do this." Beth pulled at his arm.
He turned to face her. "I guess there is one rule of thumb we neglected to tell you, daughter. We owe you as your parents until you are of age, after that, it is up to you to start making decisions for yourself and think on your own. She was of age, I done what I thought best for her. John Savage has a place of his own, he's a good man, and he was interested in her. And…she was interested in him....at the time at least."
"Yes, apparently, until she married him." Beth shook her head. "She might have been of age, but she wasn't ready for the world yet, Pa. Can't you see the difference"
"How could I know how she'd act?" He hollered. "When you've had children of your own, then you can tell me if I was right or wrong. But there comes a time in everyone's life that they have to grow up and take responsibility for their own actions."
