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She changed, and climbed into their bed, making sure she stayed as close to the edge as possible. She had no desire to touch him or have him touch her. When he joined her just minutes later, she pretended to be asleep already, not wanting to have to talk to him or deal with him in any way.
Just before dawn the following morning, she felt a hand in the middle of her back. “It’s time to wake up,” he said softly. He hadn’t even tried to kiss her since the night they’d started sharing a bed, so she was surprised at his touch.
Jessica didn’t respond, but she swung her legs out of bed and sat up as gracefully as she could. Most people wouldn’t be able to tell she was showing yet, but her stomach was hard, and she could feel the difference.
“I think we need to talk,” he said as she gathered her clothes to head to the bathroom and dress.
Jessica shrugged. “I don’t know why.”
He walked to her and stopped her from leaving, one hand on each shoulder. “Tonight, I’m going to take you to the diner in town. I’ll get Mary Sue to watch the children.”
“Why?” she asked.
“Because there are things that still need to be said. As soon as I’m finished milking, we’ll go. It’s time for us to clear the air once and for all.”
Jessica had been raised to be obedient to her husband, and she reluctantly agreed. “All right.”
George smiled, leaning down to kiss her nose. Jessica stood still, allowing him, but not truly responding.
All day, Jessica could think about nothing but clearing the air with George. She wondered if she’d truly be allowed to say what she wanted to say, or if he’d cut her off and only say what he wanted to say.
She had no desire to sit and hear how she was failing as a wife when she’d arrived full of hopes and dreams for a good life together, and she’d found a mockery of marriage instead.
She made chicken and dumplings for supper for Mary Sue, Maynard, and the children, though she had no desire to do anything that would please George. At that moment, she wanted to get on a train back to Beckham, and she seriously considered it, but she couldn’t possibly leave the children she cared for so much.
After the children were home from school, she gave them their snack, and a short while later, Mary Sue and Maynard arrived.
Sally went to Mary Sue readily, happy to be held by her second favorite person in the world. “I don’t know how long we’ll be,” Jessica told her friend. “George says we need to air everything out.”
Mary Sue nodded. “I agree with George.”
“I don’t want to admit it aloud, but I think I do as well. I know there are many things I need to say.” Jessica looked down at her hands. “I’m a little nervous about saying them.”
“It really is time,” Mary Sue said. “And I’ll be very happy here with the children and your chicken and dumplings.”
Jessica grinned. “I baked a pie for you as well.”
“That will not hurt one bit,” Mary Sue said with a smile. “Maynard keeps asking for more pies with the filling you made.”
“This is the filling. I hope he enjoys it! I mixed in a few other things this time to make it taste like caramel. I’ve been wanting caramel apple pie, so that’s what I’m making.”
Mary Sue laughed. “I craved something different with each child. With my youngest it was cake. I made a cake almost every day. The other children were thrilled.”
“I’m sure they were,” Jessica said with a laugh.
The door opened, and both women grew quiet as George walked in. “I’ll change clothes and be ready in a few minutes,” he told Jessica.
Jessica nodded but said nothing to him. She wanted to yell, shout, and get all her anger out, but that wouldn’t work. Perhaps she could do it on the way to the diner, but certainly not while they were there.
Jessica served supper to her family while she waited for George. He came down the stairs shortly after she’d finished, wearing his Sunday best. Jessica was still wearing her day dress, and she saw no reason to change. She hadn’t let out her other dresses to grow over her expanding belly yet.
Jessica was surprised when they stepped outside, and she saw that he’d hitched a sleigh to the horses instead of the wagon. George helped her into the low seated sleigh and tucked the blanket around her. She told herself it was for the baby. Why else would he be so kind to her?
“It’ll take around an hour to get to the diner. Do you want to talk on the way?” George asked.
Jessica took a deep breath. “I think I’d like to say what I want to say without an audience, so yes, that would be a good idea.”
“I’m all ears.”
