Tuesday Tales - Word Prompt "Shady" - December 10

Welcome! Tuesday Tales continues this week with more of "Sam's Decision". Today we have the story from Violet's perspective. When you're done, hop on over and read the works of the fabulous Tuesday Tales authors. Find them HERE.  

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Across town, Violet stepped across the threshold of her home quietly. The fire in the main room still burned. She saw her father in his chair snoring, his chin resting on his chest. Trying as hard as she could to move without making a sound, she bumped into a chair hiding in the shadows.

“What? What? Who’s that?” Abiel Wilcox started awake.

“Tis me, Father.”

Abiel knocked his pipe against a wooden bowl and set it down on a small table. “Violet?”

“Yes,” she said, casting her eyes to the floor, She shivered, trying to cast off the ugliness of her shady behavior with Sam.

Abiel pushed to his feet, brushed off some telltale tobacco bits from his vest and stretched his arms up before turning to face his daughter. “Well?”

“It’s done, Father. It’s done.”

Abiel approached her. He cupped her chin. “I’m sorry child, but it was the only way.”

“He’ll be round to see you soon, I reckon,” she said softly.

He nodded. “What’s done is done. We have to make the best of it. You might like farm life,” he ventured.

With full, angry eyes, Violet shot him a look, then stormed out to her room and slammed the door.

Once inside, she ignored her sleeping mother and threw herself on the bed, sobbing.

“Zeb. Zeb. Where are you?” she said into her pillow, muffling the sound as best she could.

Her mother awoke and turned on her side. She stroked her daughter’s back.

“It’s best this way, Violet.”

“No, it isn’t, Mother. It isn’t.”

“I’m sorry dear. You have only Zeb to blame. He led you on. I know you believed his love was true. This is for the best. You’ll have your own house and a man who loves you. That should be a comfort.”

Violet wiped her face and pulled the covers over her. She knew her mother was right. Marrying Sam should be a comfort. He was a good man. She’d have to work hard, but together they could build a life for her child. Yes, it should be a great comfort. But it wasn’t. It simply was no comfort at all.” 

That's all this week. Thanks for stopping by!