Chapter 3 - THE FATHER AT THE DOOR
Samuel came with two men from church.
Reverend Amos Whitfield and Abigail’s uncle, Silas Pierce.
Daniel stepped onto the porch first.
Deputy Hale followed.
Samuel stopped in the yard.
Snow reached his boots.
“Where is my daughter?”
Daniel answered:
“Inside.”
“I’m taking her home.”
“No.”
Samuel’s expression darkened.
“You don’t tell me what happens to my child.”
A voice came from behind Daniel.
“I do.”
Abigail stood in the doorway.
Ruth had tried to keep her in bed.
Failed.
She wore Daniel’s heavy coat over her nightdress.
Her face was pale.
But she stood.
Samuel stared.
For half a second, relief crossed his face.
Then anger replaced it.
“You have embarrassed us enough.”
Abigail almost shrank.
Then she remembered two babies sleeping behind her.
“No.”
Samuel blinked.
“What?”
“You don’t get to say that anymore.”
Reverend Whitfield stepped forward.
“Abigail, perhaps everyone should calm down.”
She looked at him.
“Did Pa tell you he threw me from the wagon?”
Silence.
The reverend turned.
Samuel said:
“She refused to behave.”
Deputy Hale stared.
“Is that a confession?”
Samuel looked toward him for the first time.
“What are you doing here?”
“Listening.”
Samuel’s face changed.
“This is family business.”
Hale answered:
“Was.”
Samuel pointed at Abigail.
“She is seventeen.”
“She gave birth last night.”
That silenced everyone.
Uncle Silas removed his hat.
“Twins?”
Abigail nodded.
Something in the older man’s face broke.
“Are they alive?”
“Yes.”
Samuel said nothing.
Not one question.
Not:
Are you hurt?
Not:
Are the babies well?
Only:
“You’re coming home.”
Abigail reached inside Daniel’s coat.
Pulled out one of Elias’s letters.
Then another.
“Did you hide these?”
Samuel froze.
Reverend Whitfield frowned.
“What letters?”
Abigail held them up.
“Twenty-three.”
Samuel looked at Jacob, who now stood behind Ruth.
“You.”
Jacob flinched.
Daniel stepped slightly between them.
Samuel continued:
“You little thief.”
Deputy Hale said:
“Careful.”
Abigail asked again:
“Did you hide them?”
Her father’s silence answered.
“Did you take the money Elias sent?”
Samuel’s jaw tightened.
“I used what was necessary for the family.”
“It was for me.”
“You live under my roof. Everything entering that house belongs to that household.”
“And you told me he abandoned me.”
Samuel’s voice became harsh.
“He would have.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I know men.”
“You lied.”
“I protected you.”
Abigail laughed.
A broken little sound.
“You threw me into snow while I was having your grandchildren.”
Samuel stepped forward.
Daniel blocked him.
“Move.”
“No.”
Samuel shoved Daniel’s shoulder.
Daniel did not move.
Deputy Hale stepped between them.
“Enough.”
Samuel pointed at Abigail.
“If she stays here, she is no daughter of mine.”
Abigail’s eyes filled.
This was the sentence she had feared all year.
The final punishment.
The door closing forever.
Her mother appeared behind Samuel.
Martha Pierce had remained near the sleigh.
Now she walked closer.
“Samuel.”
He turned.
“Get back.”
“No.”
Everyone stared.
Martha looked at Abigail.
Then at the cabin.
“My grandchildren?”
Abigail’s voice shook.
“Inside.”
Martha began crying.
Samuel grabbed her arm.
“We’re leaving.”
Martha pulled free.
For the first time Abigail could remember, her mother openly resisted him.
“You left her.”
Samuel’s expression changed.
“So did you.”
Martha went still.
He had found the cruelest weapon immediately.
Truth.
She had gone with him.
She had watched the wagon move away.
She had told Abigail to answer to God.
Martha started crying harder.
“Yes.”
She looked at her daughter.
“I did.”
Abigail could not speak.
Martha continued:
“And I will answer for that until I die.”
Samuel laughed with disgust.
“You weak woman.”
Martha turned on him.
“No.”
Her voice rose.
“I was weak last night.”
Silence.
Then she crossed the yard.
Not toward Samuel.
Toward Abigail.
She stopped several feet away.
“I have no right to ask you for anything.”
Abigail’s whole body trembled.
Martha looked past her toward the cabin.
“But if you let me see that they are alive, I will leave afterward.”
Abigail wanted to say no.
Part of her did.
Then one twin cried inside.
Martha covered her mouth.
Abigail closed her eyes.
Finally:
“You can come in.”
Samuel stepped forward.
“She goes nowhere without me.”
Martha turned.
“Watch me.”
Reverend Whitfield lowered his eyes.
Samuel stood in the snow alone.
May you like
For the first time, nobody obeyed him.
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