running the Underground Railroad. Maybe turn you into a light-skinned run-
away who was passing.”
“Well, you’ll just have to set them straight. It’s been ages since I robbed a bank. Let me clear up,” Olivia said as she rose and took the dirty plates to the table by the tree.
Jeremy went down to the river and sent a bucket of water flying up the hill on
the hook. Olivia smiled as she tipped it to fill a washtub of suds, and Jeremy sent
another one, for the rinse water. While she was busy washing and drying the dishes, Jeremy went into the cabin. He came out with a double sheet of
newsprint and sat on the porch reading
This must be a little of what being married feels like, she thought. Except thathopefully the man and the woman actually like each other.
“Listen to this – here’s one of the things that’re wrong with this country.”
Jeremy rattled the paper and began reading aloud. “Not a road can be opened, not a bridge can be built, not a canal can be dug, but a charter of exclusive privileges must be granted for the purpose … The bargaining and trucking away
of chartered privileges is the whole business of our lawmakers … A man should
not be shut out of a certain enterprise because he possesses too little capital to be
chartered by the State…” He put the paper down and looked over at her. “That’s
William Leggett talking, but it might as well be Andy Jackson himself.”
Jeremy’s voice droned on for a long while. Whoever he ends up marrying
better like the sound of it, Olivia thought. The next time he paused, he looked up to find Olivia standing in front of him. She noticed for the first time how close
together his eyes were. How had she once thought him handsome?
“I’d better get on the road. There’s so much I have to do in Detroit,” she said,
while he pushed his chair back and got to his feet. “Thanks for the breakfast. It
was good having you for a neighbor.”
“Well, I’m truly sorry to see you go. I was hoping to get to know you better.”
He looked into her eyes and she thought she actually saw some regret in his. “I’ll
look in on your place from time to time. Try to see that the trappers don’t tear up
the floorboards. Where would I send a letter, if there’s anything to tell you?”
“That’s kind of you. Killion’s General, Five Rocks, Pennsylvania.” She
moved toward the barn to harness the team.
“Let me do that for you,” Jeremy said.
He took his time, glancing at her often. When they were standing by the
wagon he said, “I wish there was something could change your mind.” He
offered his hand and did not release hers. “It’s been grand having someone to talk to.”
“For me too,” she said.
She pulled her hand away and climbed onto the wagon seat, anger rising in
her. She drove off without so much as a glance back at him. Once she was out of
earshot, she threw her head back in a bitter laugh. God did have a sense of humor. Then she convulsed in sobs, arms folded over her knees, forehead resting
on them. When she quieted, she couldn’t find the energy to sit up and retrieve the reins, let alone commit murder and drive to Detroit. All she wanted to do was
die. She began scratching her arms, hating her body.
It was all Jeremy’s fault. If the stupe had shown the tiniest speck of interest in
her, before she was all packed up and come to say good-bye forever, none of it
would have happened. If the Stubblefields thought she had a beau, they would never have dared. And she wouldn’t have thrown herself into poor Mourning’s
arms. She wouldn’t have to wonder whose child might be growing inside her.
