Marita walked out of the Logan House.  She was finally done.  Ned and her were working on the annual budget.  And for some reason, it had taken longer than normal.  There was some money that had been unaccounted for and they had to figure out where it was.  Finally, Ned remembered that he forgot to enter his last withdrawal into the books.  Marita laughed, that man, sometimes he would forget where he put his own head if it wasn’t attached.  After they were finished, Marita was about to leave when Alice came down and asked if she could get some advice from Marita.  Marita agreed and then spent an hour with Alice talking about everything.  That girl hears more gossip. She checked herself; at least Alice hadn’t heard the rumor that involved Sean and her.  Although, she loves Alice dearly, she wonders how she would react to her relationship with Alice’s older brother.  Finally, she managed to end the conversation and get out of the house.  The sun had already set.  Sometimes, Marita wonders why she spends so much time at the Logan house.
 
    She actually knew the reason, but she hated to admit it.  Ever since her father had read that letter, he looked at her differently.  Like he was constantly figuring out how to react and what to say how he could protect her.  That is probably why Charles keeps coming over for dinner.  Charles was Pa’s new assistant.  He was around Sean’s age.  He worked both with Pa and on the tobacco fields.  He was a nice man and was very good looking.  All of the girls liked him, she remembers walking through town and listening to them whisper about him.  Ever since he moved here though he hadn’t paid much attention to them. She knew that Charles had his eye on her.  Sometimes, he would come by at nights and ask her out on walks.  She would go mostly to bring her father some peace, but also in hopes that her being seen with another man would help end the rumor about her and Sean.  He was a good man and if he had been a year ago Marita would have been a little more interested.  A year ago she and Sean were still been friends and he was still courting Vivian. The thought of Vivian made her wince.

    She never liked Vivian.  There was something about her that just got to Marita.  When Sean had started courting her, she cried.  She wasn’t even really in love with him then. She cried mostly because she knew Sean and she could see that he and Vivian just didn’t match up. But she never told him this.  He would have probably laughed it off and said that she was jealous or something.  It was something that Ned had wanted.  Sean being the good son went ahead with it.  She always wondered what made him change his mind.  At soon as she started thinking about this, she heard the sound of horse hoofs behind her.  They were coming closer.  She turned around and waited until she could see who it was.  It didn’t take much time for her to figure out that it was Sean.  There is something about how he rides his horse that Marita could always distinguish.  "Down girl’ she thought, as he comes closer into view.  He just smiles at her.  She smiles back and waited.
 
    "So are you finally done with work?"  Sean asks.
 
    "Yes and you?"
 
    "Well, actually no there are a couple of things that I still need to do."  Sean answered hesitantly.  He didn’t want to scare her away.  Plus he didn’t want her to think that he only came to see her because he needed her help.  "I was wondering if you might like to go on a quick ride before you go home?"
 
    "A quick ride, with you."  Marita flirted.  This is how they flirted with each other, simple statements that held deeper meanings to each of them. But to the outside world they didn’t mean a thing.
 
    "Yes, with me.  It would be perfectly innocent you know."
 
    "Oh, well then if it is perfectly innocent . . .I guess I could go." Marita answered, smiling.  Sean smiled back. He then put his hand out and took his foot out of the stirrup.  Marita grabbed his arm and hoped onto the horse.  She sat behind Sean; her arms were wrapped around him.  This was a perfectly innocent thing that had always seemed more for the two of them.
Marita remembered the first time that they had ridden together was just before his mother died.  They had become really close during that time.  Sean was about sixteen and she was almost fourteen.  Alice was too young for Sean to play with and Clay was too annoying.  His mother and father had both been consumed with Lexie coming and didn’t have very much time for him.  So Marita and he started to do stuff together.  They usually each rode their own horse and would race.  But one day, Marita was walking somewhere and Sean had come to get her.  When he finally found her she was sitting by the tree.  He had found this piece of land that he wanted to show her.  It was where he thought, at the time; he wanted to build his house.

    Marita hadn’t wanted to go because she wasn’t feeling well.  She had just started her monthly time and really didn’t feel like being around anyone.  Libby had told her what to do and everything, but it was just kind of scary.   Well anyway, Sean didn’t know this.  So he finally convinced her to come.  He helped her up on the horse just like he had just done and she held on to him, like she was doing now.  Except that it was different.  It was the first time Marita saw Sean as a man and he saw her as a woman.  For both of them it was a special memory.  It then became this tradition that every time Sean found a plot of land that he wanted to build a house on, he had to show Marita first and get her approval.

    Marita smiled at the memory. She kissed Sean’s shoulder.  She could feel him smile.  "You know I think your sister hears more gossip than is good for her."

     "So Alice was talking to you again about all of the local gossip?"

     "Yes, and did you know . . ." Marita started.
 
    ". . .Probably I didn’t know but I would really not like to know.  Plus I think Alice will tell me soon enough."  Sean replied as he interrupted Marita.  Marita simply smiled and kissed his back again and squeezed tighter around him.  Sean loved the feel of her behind him.  She was always so strong.  He often felt like he would have fallen years ago if it hadn’t been for her.  He loved how simply her body pressing against his could make the world disappear.
 
    Marita closed her eyes.  She loved these precious moments where she could just hold Sean and touch him.  Unconsciously, her hands started moving further and further down his chest until they were holding on to his hips.  Erotically close to him.  Marita wasn’t aware of what she was doing, but Sean was very aware.  He rode a little ways with hands like they were.  It felt right, and natural.  But he knew that he was a little bit too happy.
 
    "Um, Marita. . ." Sean mumbled.
 
    "Yeah."
 
    "You may want to move your hands up a little."  Sean said respectively.
 
    "Oh"  Marita answered, suddenly keenly aware of what she had been doing.

    "Sorry, I didn’t mean . . .I mean I didn’t think. . . Never mind."
 
    "It’s okay." Sean laughed at her embarrassment and then slowed the horse and turned his head.  "I really didn’t mind." He answered as he leaned back to kiss her.
 
    "Well, that would definitely have to be one of our awkward ones."  Marita smiled as she spoke.  She knew that Sean probably just hurt his neck trying to turn around.  "How about," she whispers, "I come up there?"

     Sean smiled at the proposal. He steadied the horse and takes one arm and wraps it around Marita’s waist, just in case she fell or something.  Marita then stands up a little and holds on to Sean’s shoulders as she throws her leg to the other side of him.  And then she nestles in comfortably in front of them.  They are now facing each other and are intimately close.  Marita kisses his lips.
 
    "Thank you sir."

    "Your welcome, m’lady."  Sean replies and then kisses her again this time a little more passionately.  He places his hands at her waist.  Her legs instinctively are over his legs and begin to wrap around him as she pulls in closer.

    Marita can feel the result of where her hands had been.  Sean was very much aware of her presence.  He kissed her deeply.  They played this game with each other.  They could only get this close though.  Both of them knew if they went any further than they wouldn’t be able to stop.  Sean stopped kissing and hugged her.  She could his hands move down to her bottom and pull her closer towards him.  He moaned.  Marita started nibbling on his ear. "I love you." She whispered.
 
    Sean held her closer in response.  She was now so close to him that she could hear his heart beat.  His whole body seemed to pulse with that beat.  Sean then kissed her shoulder and moved towards her ear and quietly repeated her words.  With that Marita pulled back and looked at him.  He starred back.  Nobody else in the world mattered at this moment.  All that they both wanted and needed were right before them.  It was perfection.  She could see her children in his eyes.  She smiled.
 
    "You know I once asked your mother, how she knew that your dad was the one.  And she told me that it was when she looked at him and she could see her children in his eyes."  Marita smiled, lovingly stroking his face.
 
    "Really."  Sean answered slightly amazed.  He never knew how close Marita and his mother were.  He always knew that they were close but never as much as he that they were.
 
    "Yeah, she said she saw four children.  Two boys and two girls.  That was why she was so determined that Lexie was a girl."

    "I didn’t know that."

    "We have three ,"  Marita starts studying his eyes, "all girls.  Wait, I think that there are four because there is this little baby.  Maybe it’s your boy."

    Sean laughs, "Can you really see them?"
 
    "Yep, they all have blue eyes like their daddy."  The tears are welling up in her eyes.  Partly because she really did see their children, which excited her because it meant that they were going to have children.  But she was also crying because they all looked very white.  It was the realization of what a union between the two of them would be, Marita’s fair dark skin and Sean’s pale Irish skin.  Also the baby scared her two.  Libby had seen Lexie as a baby.  This foreshadowing was a little bit too much for Marita.  She held his shoulders and pressed against Sean’s chest.  He just held onto her shoulders and kissed the top of her head.  He just let her cry.  They often would cry together after moments like this.  Moments when they came so close together but realized how hard it really will be.
 
    "Shh, everything will be alright.  The kids mean that we will be together."  Sean smiled trying to capture her eyes again.
 
    "I know, it’s just that.  I look at you and everything seems so right and perfect.  We are completely natural.  It just scares me what other people think when they see us."
 
    "Don’t worry about what they see.  It’s what we see that is important. Okay."
 
    "Okay."  Marita gives him a half smile.
 
    "I think that I better get you home or your pa will start to worry."
 
    "Okay."  Marita says as she maneuvers behind him again.  This time her leg hits something hard in Sean’s Seattle.  "Sean, that work that you hadn’t finished what was it?"
 
    "Well, I was wondering if you might help me out with my books.  You see I have never done them before and I think that I screwed them up."
 
    Marita starts to laugh.  Sean starts to get upset, "Don’t laugh." And whines.
 
    "Okay I won’t laugh.  I will look at your books for you.  Do you want me to look at them alone or would you like to stay over for dinner?"
 
    "Dinner please!"  Sean answers in his best kid voice.

    When they arrive at the house Isaac is out waiting for them.
 
    "Sorry, Pa.  Ned and I had some problem with the books and then Alice desperately needed to talk to me."  Marita exaggerates, as she hopes down from the horse.  "And then this guy thinks that he can get some free work out of me by offering me a ride home."
 
    "I was getting worried, because it was so late."  Isaac tries to answer non-chalently.  But he tenses up as Sean gets off of his horse.  Marita notices.
 
    "Oh Pa, Sean’s going to eat over while I look at his books."
 
    "I did something weird and ended up with this negative number."  Sean answers hoping that he can alleviate the tension.
 
    "A negative balance.  Oh let’s hope that you did something wrong."  Marita jokes as she walks into the house.
 
    Charles is sitting in the living room.  He looks up at Marita and smiles. The smile sends shivers down Marita’s back.  Marita smiles back though.
 
    "Hi, your father and I were just having a talk."  The hopefulness in his voice was scary.
 
    "Well that’s nice.  Anything interesting?"  Answers Marita trying to be as pleasant as she can.
 
    "Nothing that can’t wait," Charles enters as Sean enters the house following Isaac. "Hi Mr. Logan."
 
    "Hi, Charles.  How are you doing tonight?"
 
    "Good sir."
 
    "Don’t call me sir, Charles, especially after work, it’s Sean.  It makes me feel old like my father."  Sean and Charles both laugh nervously.
 
    "Charles, would you like to stay for dinner?  Sean and I were going to work on his books.  But you are more than welcome to stay."  Marita answers, hoping actually that he might agree, at least that would keep her father busy.
 
    "No, thank you though.  I have to go into town tonight.  But thank you again for the offer.  It was nice to see you, both.  Thanks for the conversation, Isaac."  As Charles leaves, Marita notes that Isaac pats him on the shoulder.  She shakes her head and heads into the kitchen.  Sean obediently follows.
 
    "What was that?" Sean whispers as they enter the kitchen.
 
    "I have no idea.  But let’s not talk about it."  Isaac enters the room and hears them whispering.
 
    "So what do you think we should have for dinner?"  He asks.
 
    "I was actually thinking leftovers, if Sean and you don’t mind."  Marita asks as she goes towards the shelves.
 
    "Sounds good to me.  Can I help with anything?"  Sean asks.
 
    "Sure you want to snap these beans for me?"  She hands him a bowl of beans that have been sitting on the table.  Sean sits down and gets to work.  Marita uncovers a big pot and proceeds to start the furnace fire for the stew.  She starts chopping up the meat while Isaac starts the fire.  No one is talking.  Marita notices that Sean is almost done with the beans, so he hands him some potatoes.  He simply smiles up at her and starts to peel the potatoes.  Marita puts the meat into the pot and proceeds to cook the stew.  Two hours later, the dinner is finished , Irish stew with potatoes and green beans and biscuits.  They all sit down to eat it.  Complete silence over takes the house and all you can hear is the chewing.  Sean keeps looking at Marita and Isaac, neither one is talking or looking at each.  Marita occasionally looks up and smiles at Sean for reassurance.

    When the meal is finished, Isaac quietly suggests that he will clean up and they can work in the living room.  Both Sean and Marita obediently go into the living room.  Sean hands her his account book and Marita sets to work.  While she is working, Sean kisses her head and says that he is going to help her dad.

    "Sir, can I help you with anything?" Sean asks.
 
    "You have never called me sir, Sean."

    "Well I know I just thought that since, well you know.  I should probably be respectful and all that."
 
    "Since when, since you started what with Marita."

    "Sir,  Isaac, Sorry.  I have not started anything with your daughter.  We are still merely friends, no matter what that letter said."  Sean answered hoping that his eyes didn’t reveal anything.

    "Understood," Isaac answered, knowing that Sean was lying, but admiring him for trying.
 
    "Sean!" Is heard from the other room and Sean smiles at Isaac puts down the plate he was drying and heads into the living room.

    Two hours later, Sean’s books are finished and he has left.  Marita is just about to go up to bed.

    "Marita, I want to talk with you a moment." Isaac calls after his daughter.
 
    "Yes, what about?"
 
    "About the conversation that Charles and I had this evening."

    "Okay"
 
    "He asked me for your hand in marriage."

    "What!" Marita nearly fell out of her seat.

    "I told him that if you agreed then he has my permission."  Isaac said tentatively.

    "You did what!"
 
    "Marita, you need to start thinking about settling down.  And I think that Charles is a good man.  He works hard and is kind."

    "Pa, you know sound like you are describing an old dog or something.  I can’t believe you did this and now I have to be the one. . ."

    "Marita,  I know that you have feelings for Sean.  I can see that and I know he feels the same way.  If it was any different world I know that he would be the one asking for your hand, but its not and he can’t.  So it is just going to be trouble, the two of you going on like you are.  I think it would be best if you settled down with someone else."

    "Pa, first of all whatever is going on with Sean and I, we are not deluding ourselves.  I know that we can’t ever happen.  You think I don’t.  But I not ready to settle down with anyone and certainly not Charles.  Don’t get me wrong he is a nice guy.  But I couldn’t ever marry him."

    "Marita, you heard about Mr. Simons, didn’t you?"

    "Yes sir, I did."  Marita answered knowing that he was referring to the incident that had happened the night before.  The KKK came to Mr. Simons’ house and beat him up.

    "I am just worried that’s all.  I never knew that they existed here.  Perhaps I was deluding myself, but I didn’t want you to find out about stuff like that.  A colored person has to know his place, especially now since the war ended.  There are a lot of angry, bitter white men who would love to hurt us, especially someone as pretty as you are."

    "Pa, I know that. I do."

    "I am just worried that maybe I raised you to closely with the Logans.  I am worried somebody may see you as uppity and try to put you in your place."

    "I understand. But nothing has changed, really I am fine.  And I don’t want you to go marrying me off, okay?"

    "Just think about it.  Charles is a good man and he will provide for you."  Isaac had the last word and he knew that what he said had made a difference.  He knew that Marita would think about his words.

    A door closed.  Marita laid and bed and listened.  She knew that in fifteen minutes he would be asleep.  Surely enough, fifteen minutes later, she heard the snoring.  She got up and crept downstairs and outside.  As she walked to the Logan house, she thought about the conversation. She couldn’t believe that he wanted to marry her off.  She couldn’t believe that he was that worried.  She just needed Sean right now to tell her that everything would be okay.  Hearing the words coming from his mouth may seem more true.  She walked quickly down the road.  A little frightened from her conversation. She knew about the KKK.  She had heard about them.  But never a story that made it seems like they lived in Lexington.  It was always in Georgia or somewhere.  The idea of someone wanting to put her in her place made her skin crawl. Because she knew how they would do it.

    What Marita didn’t know was that someone had been watching.  She was being watched by members, ever since that letter had been written.  They were just waiting for the right moment.  That night someone had seen Sean and Marita together.  What they didn’t know is that Marita had creeped out of the house.

    Marita quietly opened the back door of the Logan house.  She had never creeped in here before.  She crept silently up the servant stairs.  She saw Sean’s room, a light was still on. So was Ned’s light.  She tiptoed to his door and knocked and then came in.  Sean looked up from his chair about to yell at being disturbed, but then saw it was Marita.  He was automatically concerned.
"Are you okay?"  He asked softly, getting to met her as she laid her shoes down.

    "I am fine,  I just needed to see you."  She walked into his chest until he put his arms around her.

    "Are you sure you’re okay?"  She nodded.

    "Just tell me that everything is going to be okay, okay?"

    "Okay, everything is going to be okay.  I told you that.  What happened?"

    "Nothing, just nothing." She answered cryptically.

    Sean kissed her forehead and then her nose.  He then kissed both of her cheeks. "Everything is going to be okay."  He then kissed her lips. The kiss started out sweet and innocent.  It didn’t remain that way for long.  The passion began deepening.  There was a need that was being fulfilled tonight. They both started exploring each other’s bodies with their hands.

    Marita was the first to break the kiss.  She whispered in Sean’s ear, "I need you."  All Sean could do was look, halfway mesmerized and half shell-shocked, as Marita walked to the door and locked it. She looked at Sean.  He walked towards her.

    "Marita, I really don’t think that we should . . . I mean . . . I mean. . ."his words were getting lost in her eyes as she just stared at him.

    "I need you tonight, I want you to make me feel right.  I want you to convince me how right this is.  I don’t care what happens after that."  She kissed his lips softly.  Sean moaned and grabbed her. This was all of the convincing that he needed.  Suddenly, all of the bent up sexual tension was being released.  He rubbed his hand up and down her leg.  Her leg arched forward to match his movement.  She then began to wrap her leg around him.  This gave him the chance to get his hand underneath her skirt.  He traced her bare leg with his hand.  The touch made her shiver. She started rubbing her nails over the back of his neck.  She could feel the goosebumps that had appeared in reaction to her touch.  Sean suddenly started kissing lower.  He kissed her neck and then her chest. He went lower until he got to her stomach.  He stopped here and looked up at Marita who was watching him.  He kissed her stomach and started caressing it with his hands.  He then reached up and untucked her shirt.  Sean moved up and kissed her mouth.  At the same time, he was unbuttoning her top.  He walked her slowly to the bed.  Every once in a while he would look up just to make sure she was still okay with what was happened.

    "I want to look at you"  He whispered as he removed the last piece of her clothing.  He laid her on the bed and just looked.  What he saw took his breath away.  "You are so beautiful."

    The words made her giggle.  She sat up and started unbuttoning his shirt.  When she had removed his shirt. She kissed his bare chest.  She followed his model and started lowering her kissing.  She stopped at his stomach and looked up.  He was so aroused.  Starring at this naked creature that was so beautiful kissing him.  She then moved to match his lips.  He felt her hands undoing his belt.  She began working at his pants.  He shyly pushed her hand away and took his own pants off.  His eyes never left hers.  They were both revealing themselves to each other.  It was more intimate than either knew it could be.
    Marita felt behind her and turned the bed down.  She then crawled in.  The whole time they never broke eye contact.  He crawled in after her and covered them up with the sheets. They both just lied there looking at each other.  Enjoying the close feeling.  The feel of the heat of their flesh together.  Sean kissed her lips.

    "Are you sure about this?" He asked one last time.

    "I want you Sean."  She whispered.

    With this, Sean got on top of Marita.  The sudden warmth of his flesh shocked her.  She moaned.  Sean ran his hands down her side.  He came to her legs and gently put them around him.  He then gently touched her inner thighs.  His hands began to feel her warmth.  He tickled her skin.  Her hips started to arch forward.  He kissed her deeply.  Marita ran her hands down his back, tracing the muscles.  She caressed his butt.  Both sighed. Sean broke away from their kiss and looked at her.  His eyes simply asked her permission.

    "Please," was the only coherent thing that Marita could get out of her mouth.  She had never felt anything like this before.  Never had she imagined how good he could make her feel.  Sean kissed her lips and parted her legs further with hands.  He then situated his body in between hers.  She could feel that he was near her.  But she had no idea when it was going to happen. It was like waiting for your first shot when you have your eyes closed.  You know that it will initially hurt, but then.  It was then that he entered her.  He was very hesitant.  He broke away from the kiss and watched her eyes.  He didn’t want to hurt her.  He knew that he would.  The goal was to be as gentle as he could be.  She bites her lip at the pain.  She threw her head back.  Slowly the pain started going away as he left her and entered her again.  It was so amazing she thought.  He was inside her.  He was closer than she ever imagined he could be.  She simply wanted him more.  Her hips start to rock instinctively to his rhythm pulling him in deeper. She caught his eyes and smiled, then grabbed his lips.  They started kissing passionately.  Breathing together as their bodies joined.  He moaned in her mouth.  She moaned back.  They both reacted to each other naturally.  As if they had done this forever and they had perfected each other’s bodies.  They both came together.  Marita had all she could do not to scream at the feeling.
When they finished, both laid back exhausted.  The sudden loss of warmth was too much for Marita to take.  She rolled over to Sean and lay on top of him.  She smiled at him and laid her head down on his chest, silently kissing him.

    "I love you,"  Sean whispered and kissed the top of her head.

    They fell asleep in each other’s arms, deliriously happy. The rest of the world didn’t exist anymore.  It was only the two of them.

    Marita woke with a start.  Chills had gone down her back.  Sean awoke with her movement.

    "Are you okay?" He asked silently, concerned.

    "I’m fine, just had a weird feeling.  It’s nothing."  Marita answered him and kissed his chest.

    Sean ran his fingers up and down her bare back.

    "I have never felt anything like that before.  You complete me, Marita you know that."

    "Thank you. Is this how it always feels?"  Marita looks at him for his experience.

    "Marita" He just looks at her.

    "No, I really want to know.  Is this how it always feels?"

    "It has never felt this good, no.  Or this right."

    "So maybe I should just stick with you, then."  Marita scrunched her nose.  "And I will stick with you."

    "Pinky swear."  Marita giggled.  Sean kissed her hand.

    "Pinky swear."

    Commotion was heard downstairs.  They heard someone running down the stairs.  Then someone yelling.  Then someone runs up.  Then a knocking at Sean’s door.

    "Sean open up, get dressed."  Ned was yelling through the door.Sean got up and put on shirt and some pants.  Marita moved out of the bed, covering herself with the sheet.  Sean opened the door a little.

    "What is it Pa?"

    "It’s Isaac, the Klan was there and they beat him up.  Do you know where Marita is?  She’s missing.  We need to go find her."  The fear was evident in his eyes.

    "She’s here, Pa.  She’s fine.  Where is Isaac?"  Sean opens the door further and Marita walks forward.  Ned breathes at the sight of her.  She is safe.  He doesn’t even think about why she was here.

    "My father, is he okay?" Marita asked.

    "I am not sure.  Clay went for the doctor.  I am going to him now.  Zachary came and got us.  No one knew where you were.  Everyone is starting to look for you.  You two should get dressed and come."  Ned answered, walking out.  As the door closed, Ned shut his eyes and said a little prayer.  Marita was safe.  That was all he was going to allow himself to think about now.  He didn’t have time to deal with anything else.

    The door shut and Marita was quickly picking up her clothes and putting them on.  Sean helped her.  He gave her shoes to her.  He then went behind her and grabbed a brush and combed her hair enough so he could put it up quickly. He then went to put on his shoes.  Marita turned to look at him, she had tears in her eyes.  Sean immediately went to her.

    "Shh, it will be okay.  He will be fine."  Sean promised, but it was a promise that both of them knew he had no control of. "Let’s go."  He squeezed her arm.  He then guided her down the steps.

    Ned saw them coming down together.  He coughed.  Sean knew what he wanted.  He broke contact with Marita and let her go ahead of him.
Alice and Lexie were sitting at the front stoop.  Alice looked up at Marita as she came outside.  Jeremy was holding the horses.  He gave Ned and Sean the reins and they mounted.  Jeremy then gave Marita the reins and squeezed her hand.  He helped her up on the horse.  The horse followed the others.  Marita was in a daze. Those left at the Logan house watched as they left.

    Lexie asked innocently, "Why was Marita here?"  Jeremy and Alice looked at each other.

    "She spent the night here."  Jeremy answered simply.

    "Is Isaac going to be okay?"

    "I don’t know Lexie, I don’t know."  Alice answered hugging her sister.

    When they arrived at the house.  Marita jumped down, Ned and Sean followed.  She ran into the house.  Charles was waiting there.  He hugged her.  She stood motionless.  She ran upstairs to her father’s room.  Her Auntie was in the room.  Her father was lying on his stomach.  Marita froze at what she saw.  Ned came up behind her and held her.

    "Be strong," he whispered.  He helped Marita move forward.  Isaac’s back was raw.  It was filled with strips of blood.  He was lashed.

    "He’s passed out, child."  Auntie answered, attempting to wash his back.  The pan she was using was full of blood.

    Sean stopped in his tracks.  He felt nauseous.  Anger and revenge consumed him.  Auntie looked up at him, knowingly.

    "Sean, child, could you get me some fresh water?" Auntie asked.  Sean went to the bowl and took it down stairs.

    "He was awake a little bit.  We didn’t know where you were.  He was worried.  He ain’t feeling no pain right now."

    Marita fell to her knees and put his head in her hands. "I’m here Pa, I’m here.  I’m fine.  I didn’t know, I didn’t know.  I shouldn’t have left."  She started crying.

    "Hush child,"  Auntie answered,  Sean came in and placed the fresh water down, "It was good you left.  Worse would have been done.  Your Pa knew you were safe.  They asked for you.  Don’t apologize, he’s glad you were gone."
The truth in her eyes enraged Sean.  He knew that if Marita had been here, they would have hurt her.  She would have been the one lying there.  The anger was so intense, he turned around and ran out.  Ned and Marita both heard him leave.  Marita got up and ran after him.

    "Sean!" she screamed, running down the stairs.  She caught his hand and stopped.

    "I gotta go, I got to, Marita."  He begged.

    "No, you are not going to leave.  You think they wouldn’t hurt you.  Please Sean!" Marita was sobbing, "Sean, oh please!  Oh God! Don’t go.  Stay here please."

    "Sean, use your head for a moment.  You think they only want to get Marita.  They only did it because they could.  You think if you come to them, they won’t kill you.  They will, just give them a reason.  Stay here.  Protect Marita and Isaac here.  You can not leave her alone."  Ned said with such intensity.

    "Pa, can you imagine what they would have done if Marita had been here."  Sean answered with such anger.

    "Yes, and you going over there now would only make things worse."

    "You can’t let them get away with this.  They have no right."

    "We are not going to let them get away with it.  Our first priority is not revenge.  Isaac is laying up there in pain, that is our first priority."  Ned paused a minute.  He looked at Marita who was holding on to Sean.  She was pressed so tightly against him. "Look son, I know that you are angry.  I’m angry too.  But you can go losing your head that would be too dangerous.  Stay here.  Stay with Marita, hold her hand.  Let her use your strength.  She needs you now more than ever."

    Sean looked down at Marita.  He could feel her nails in his skin.  He could only imagine what she must have been thinking.  Her eyes were wide and just starring out at nothing.  She knew that he was looking at her.  She closed her eyes and tried to clear her thoughts.  The image of her father lying there in the bed was haunting her; the feeling of being alone kept creeping across her skin.  She didn’t want to let Sean go.  She was afraid if she did; she would never see him again.  That thought scared her more than she ever imagined it would.  She looked up at Sean.  She could see his anger turn to hurt to love.  He calmed down when he looked into her eyes.

    Outside you could hear the sound of hoofs.  The doctor must be here.  Sean quietly moves away from Marita.  Ned sees the shock in Marita’s eyes as Sean steps away.  He knows why Sean is doing this, but Marita’s mind isn’t able to understand it all at the moment.  When the doctor enters, Marita still is in shock.  Ned quietly goes over and puts his arm around her, hoping that he can compensate a little.  Sean shows the doctor upstairs.

    "How is she doing?"  Clay asks his father.

    "She’s doing fine, right Marita.  Everything is going to be okay."  He smiles at her trying to reassure as best he can.

    Marita looks up and smiles back.  She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath.  She is attempting to regain her strength.  She moves away from Ned, slightly, standing alone.  She looks up at Clay and smiles.  "I’m fine.  I think that I . . . I think that I will go upstairs and see what the doctor says."  She smiles for reassurance and walks slowly and carefully up the stairs.

    "She’s not fine, is she?"  Clay whispers as soon as Marita is out of earshot.

    "No, I think she is in shock right now.  I think we are all in shock right now."  Ned answers.

    "Where was she?"
 
    "She was with, she was with Sean."  Ned answered hesitantly and in a low voice.  He wasn’t sure if he wanted anyone else to know.  He knew that they would all have to be very careful now.

    "Is that why they came because she was with Sean?"  Clay asked.  He knew that something was going on between them, but he had never imagined that it was this serious.  He thought that Sean was smart enough not to let that happen, not to hurt Marita like that.

    "I think they thought that she was here.  Marita’s aunt said that Isaac said that they were looking for her.  I don’t think they knew that she was with Sean and if anyone asks she wasn’t.  She was with me.  We had some figures to work out and it took us longer than expected.  She had fallen asleep working."  Ned answered.

    Charles looked up; he had been silent this whole time.  "Sir, but she had come home?"

    "She came back to work then, Charles.  She had come home to make supper for her father and then had returned with Sean."

    "Good, sir."  Charles answered.  "Sir, I was wondering if it might be better if the two of them, Marita and Isaac stayed somewhere else."

    "Yeah, I was thinking that too.  I think that they should stay with us, since it’s our family who has caused all of the trouble.  I also think that you, especially Charles, need to be on alert.  We don’t want anything happening to anyone else."  Isaac had talked with Ned about Charles.  They had talked about their concerns with Sean and Marita’s relationship.  Ned knew that Charles had been trying to court Marita.

    "Yes, sir. I think that I should be going then.  If there is anything that they need I would gladly help or do anything."

    "Thank you Charles.  If there is I will definitely come and get you.  Thank you for all of your help tonight." Ned replied.  Charles put his hat on and tipped it to Ned and Clay and then left.

    Upstairs Marita had quietly entered the room.  Sean looked up and smiled.  Her Auntie was talking to the doctor.  The doctor was looking at her father’s back.  She could see that he was trying to be as gentle as he can.  With one touch, she heard her father take a deep breath.  He was awake.  This scared her a little.
    "Isaac, I know this hurts, but I need you to take a deep breath for me."  The doctor asked.  Marita heard Isaac comply.

    "Now on a scale from one to ten how hard was that to do?"

    "Six" Isaac mumbled.  Marita flinched; her father always had a good tolerance for pain.  Six on him would have been a 10 on anyone else.
 
    "Now, Isaac I need to know how long were you conscious?"
 
    "I was awake the whole time."

    "That’s good.  So you only passed out when she was cleaning them."

    "Yes."

    "Good that means that they didn’t hit any important areas.  The healing will be easier. I think that in about a week you should be up and about.  I will come check on you though until then.  If anything unusual happens, come and get me.  You need to keep your back as clean as possible.  Apply clean wet towels on it and let them stay there so no dirt gets in the wound.  Put some of this on it everyday."  The doctor hands Auntie a bottle. "Now Isaac, this is going to hurt so I am going to leave you some morphine.  If you need it take it.  I know that you don’t like this stuff, but I will tell you that your back is going to hurt.  Taking a little to ease the pain is not a bad idea.  I am definitely going to be back tomorrow to check on you."

    "Can he be moved, doctor?"  Sean asks.  The doctor looks up and notices Marita for the first time.

    "Yes, but be very careful when you do.  I am assuming that you mean up to your house.  He can’t go any further than that.  Somebody should be with him at all times."  He says looking at Marita.  She nods at him.  "Good.  Isaac, I have to say that you are a lucky man. These boys knew what they were doing.  Marita are you okay?"
 
    "Yes, I’m fine." She answers simply and quietly.
 
    "They didn’t find you, did they."

    "No, sir."

    "Good.  Sean, I’m supposing that if you are bringing Isaac up to the house Marita will be coming too.  Because I do not want to be seeing her hurt also."  The doctor replied as he got up and started walking out the door.  "I am going to go talk to Ned and tell him what I told you all.  Isaac, within a month you will be all healed up."

    "Marita come here." Isaac whispered when the doctor left.  Marita came to her father’s side and knelt down beside him.  "Are you okay?"
 
    "I’m sorry, Pa.  I shouldn’t have left.  I should have told where I was going."  Marita replied with tears in her eyes.

    "No, no. You should have left.  Whatever made you decide to leave was right.  I can’t tell you how I prayed that you weren’t anywhere near the house when they came.  Do not blame yourself child?  Okay.  Listen to me, I would willingly take this any day to know that you are okay and safe."

    "Pa."

    "Shh, you are my baby, now, don’t cry.  Let me look at you."  He just stared at her.  Both had tears in their eyes.  Sean felt as if he was interrupting a private moment, so he quietly left and let them be alone.
When he walked down stairs, he heard the doctor leave.

    "Clay, I want you to go back to the house.  Make sure that everyone is okay and tell them that Isaac is going to be fine. Tell Alice to make up two guest rooms, tell her to make sure that one is immaculately clean."  Clay nodded and left.

    "Is he going to be okay, Pa?"  Sean asked.

    "The doctor says that he should heal up quickly. If the wounds heal cleanly than there is a good chance that he will be all right.  Sean, Isaac’s been through this before, the only difference is that he was younger at the time."

    "He has!?"  Sean asked partially confused and shocked.
 
    "Yes, but we are not going to go into that now.  I need to talk to you about Marita."

    "Pa, what you saw?"

    "Don’t try to cover up what I saw, because I know what I saw Sean.  Now I am expected that you are going to take full responsibility for any of the effects."

    "Pa!  How could you even think that I wouldn’t?"

    "I don’t want you to go chasing after these men and getting your revenge.  They didn’t hurt Marita.  They hurt Isaac.  Isaac and I will deal with them in our own way and in our own time.  You need to be there for Marita.  She is going to be very emotional.  I want you to be her friend, understand."

    "Yes, Pa."

    "No one outside of our family will know why she was at the house.  I will simply tell people that she came back with you, because she had some work that she needed to finish.  I want you to understand how delicate this situation is."

    "I know Pa."

    "No you don’t know, son.  The doctor said that he had heard some rumors     earlier in the day that people had been watching Marita.  He was concerned.  He came out earlier today and saw me.  I told him that we would keep an eye on her.  Which is why I kept her so long at work and I didn’t bate an eye when I saw you following her."

    "Who was watching her?"

    "Probably the same men that did this to Isaac.  You got to understand that you are probably not the only man in town who is attracted to her.  For a colored woman, that can be a deadly combination.  Isaac and I have been growing concerned for awhile.  There were certain leeways that both of us let slip, when it came to her.  We both thought that at least on this farm, she would be safe.  But if situations start changing, things will change too. Understood?"  Ned answered bluntly

    "Understood."  Sean answered.

                                                NEXT