Page 13 of Damnation
“What happened to you?”
“William,” I say, keeping my eyes low where they belong.
“Why?” he asks, his tone taking on a sharp tint to it.
“Because I spoke out of turn, because we have no money, because I am with child and have greatened that burden,” I say, my voice wavering as tears spill down my face.
All the anger is gone from his face, shock being the only remaining emotion.
“You’re with child,” he repeats.
“Indeed.” I nod as another tear falls.
“And it’s… William’s?” he asks carefully.
My eyes lift to his as silence descends around us.
“You ought know ‘tis not the truth.”
“Mine?” he asks, his voice cracking softly as if the shock is bleeding into his words.
“Twas dull to think it would not occur,” I say as I turn away from him.
“We’re having a baby? Together?”
My head whips around to face him, surprise at the lightened tone his words carry.
“You seem far too delighted by such news.”
“How can I be anything else? My love carries my child.” He smiles. A great smile that he only gifts me at our creekside.
His hand tenderly cups my cheek, taking care not to touch anywhere injured as he speaks.
“God has never blessed me with a greater gift than to give me a life with you.”
My heart soars, but my mind argues.
“What life do you speak of, Thomas? The one where you are married to Ann and I to William? The one where you rise and sleep with her and your seven children? Or the one where Dorothy and I fall under William’s fist before we close our eyes and as soon as we open them each day? Some life God has blessed upon me,” I spit bitterly.
Thomas frowns, forcing my eyes on him as he speaks.
“The life he is blessing us now, Sarah. Our new life, our start over.”
“What does thou mean? Surely you cannot speak of such things as if they are easy.”
“They are not, nor will they ever be, but I will not lose the family I crave for the one I am trapped in,” he says as he rests his hand onto my stomach, as if he were cradling both me and the babe with one touch.
“Thomas…”
“This is our chance, Sarah. God will look fondly upon us in bringing life into the world. He will look fondly on us doing right by this child.”
“How?” I ask with a shake of my head.
He looks at me for a moment, as if he were considering our options, before he nods his head with certainty.
“We shall winter in Salem, then, with spring will come our adventure. We will take to Boston, purchase a new home, a new start.”
“With what money do you speak?” I challenge.
