Page 6 of Damnation
“The usual duties. Overseeing this year’s harvest, preparing for sale and shipment to Boston.”
“A farmer’s life is nary dull,” she says with that smile I have grown to adore returning once again.
“Especially when it sprawls across the distance my own does,” I boast.
Am I being too arrogant? Perhaps. Something in me seeks her approval desperately, though. As if a beggar woman’s opinion matters at all. It does, though. Hers does, to me.
“You are a blessed man indeed.” She nods in agreement.
“Not in all the ways that count,” I say, unable to stop myself as the truth of my life spills from my lips.
Sarah tilts her head in curiosity when a voice calls out down the road.
“Sarah! Damned woman! Get your arse over here now!”
We both turn to see William Good approaching with haste, fury rolling off him in waves as he closes the distance. I take note of the fear that fills her body as she sees him, tensing as his hand reaches out, yanking her closer to his side.
Without considering the consequences, I take a step towards her, as if I were ready to free her from his grasp at a moment’s notice. William looks to me with a sneer, despite knowing better.
“Putnam, I did not notice thee.”
“Good,” I greet stiffly, not offering a single nicety to a man who deserves no such thing.
When he understands he will not be receiving any further greeting, he turns to his wife, increasing his hold onto her.
“Come, I have no patience to chase you all over the village.”
“I was trying to collect, as you commanded,” she says, snapping back far more than I’d expect for a woman in her position.
Irritation flickers upon his face as he raises his hand as if to strike her before he thinks better of it, casting his gaze to me. Well. The savage knows how to behave in good society when forced to.
“I am sure you have made not a single pence. You waste your time with looks as such,” he says, gesturing to her.
Perhaps if he would not mar her face with welts and bruises, she would be able to look more favorably.
He begins to drag her away as I call out to them.
“Good.”
They both turn, tears beginning to build in Sarah’s eyes as I step forward, reaching into my pocket and holding out two pence. William’s eyes widen with surprise as Sarah gently holds her hand out for me.
“God be with you,” I say, speaking only to her.
“God be with you,” she repeats, nodding with the sentiment.
In a moment, William snatches the coins from her grasp, pocketing them as he continues dragging her down the road. I watch them walk until they disappear beyond the horizon.
It be the next nightfall when I take to a walk to the creek. My property holds most of the land to gain access to the creek, so it is all but my own. There are small alcoves you can slip through from the other side of town, but most take to other means for their water.
Ann is putting the children to bed after yet again raising her temper with me over her allowance of all things. The woman is the richest in all of Salem, yet she still takes ire with me. I could not speak, so irate with her that I stood from the table and made my way to the cool, brisk air, gaining much needed relief.
To my understanding, a fabric merchant from Boston had come through town, attempting to sell his finest silks. The cost was too much for even Ann to afford on her allowance, and therefore, she blames me for her embarrassment.
I cannot help but scoff at the notion. That woman has never known struggle, known suffering. I hand her a shilling and ‘tisnot enough, but I hand Sarah Good five pence as I did the other morning and…she looked as if she were on the verge of tears. As if all her life would somehow come together. Do not mistake me, five pence is the equivalent of what Ann receives in two weeks’ time.
Regardless, I had never witnessed gratitude like hers before. It took every bit of strength inside me not to reach into my pocket once more and offer her everything I had. Whatever I possessed, I desired her to have it more, which was quite a strange feeling. Though I’d never speak it aloud, to be granted the permission to hold her hands in my own for a little longer, I would have walked away from her a penniless man in exchange.
Then my arse of a brother came along, spoiling the moment and my mood. And then the following moment stolen with her, William came along and spoilt that as well.
