Posted April 26, 2021
The girl now announced she was treated like a slave at the saloon, that was rather unsettling to hear but Aurelian remembered her tendency toward the dramatic and Clara had told him more than once to not believe a lot of what the girl claimed.
Arabella now pressed her face against the bay window glass to see if she might have better luck than he did in spotting Clara. Which she did not. Aurelian exchanged a shrug with her.
“Now then, Clara, Clara, Clara, where can she be?” she wondered out loud, hoping his eyes were following her and being drawn away from the direction of their actual location.
“Hmmm, well they won’t be at the Church, that’s for certain.” she added cleverly “Definitely not the Church! I mean, Clara’s pretty keen on the place but ol’ Jacob’s only ever dragged there by his Granny every Sunday. So let’s rule out that silly old church once and for all, shall we? Hmmm, saloon? No. Funeral parlour? No. Ermmm”
Aurelian frowned. Why did she keep mentioning the church? And was she hinting Jacob was along with her? It made no sense. It was supposed to have been a simple cordial visit at the farm and then he would pick her up.
"The church? So Clara AND Jacob are visiting the church?" he asked aloud but didn't expect any real clarity in the girl's answer.
"Reckon I can go see if........" he paused in his statement, down the street he suddenly noticed Clara with the Lutz boy at her side and ........that new minister seemingly replacing Parson Evans? Strange.
"Oh there she is," he announced, he'd have his answers now of course.
"Everybody can feather their nest, but it's not just anybody that can lay an egg!"
Posted April 26, 2021
"The church? So Clara AND Jacob are visiting the church?" he asked aloud but didn't expect any real clarity in the girl's answer.
“Uh?” gawped Arabella “Course they ain’t visitin’ the Church! Let’s try the haberdasher…” but it was too late.
"Reckon I can go see if........" he paused in his statement, down the street he suddenly noticed Clara with the Lutz boy at her side and ........that new minister seemingly replacing Parson Evans? Strange.
"Oh there she is," he announced, he'd have his answers now of course.
Arabella screwed up her eyes and peered down the street.
“No, I reckon that’s that girl that looks just like her, er, Claire Redford, Clara’s probably in the haberdash… oh, shoot!” She kicked herself for giving the alleged doppelgänger a name that sounded exactly like Clara’s, otherwise her Pa would have been totally fooled by the fib. But now he was off down the street and she would look like the big-mouth who’d told him where they were. She decided that discretion was the better part of valor and high tailed it in the other direction.
"Yes, Dear"
Posted April 26, 2021
Leaving the church they then stepped out onto the boardwalk of what passed for main street on the small town. Clara gazed toward the blacksmith's shop but her father's wagon was not parked there.
"I suppose we could take a walk and look around, " she suggested.
"Oh oh!" Jacob heard himself say. "I think he's found us!" and, indeed, there was the Redmond Patriarch himself, heading full sail toward them. All of Jacob's fine speeches and carefully chosen words fled his mind, the cowards! and he was left standing, he felt, dumb and numb.
Still he had Clara by his side ... no, that was worse! He wanted to impress her with the way he handled this - meaning that this could be a double disaster. Only God could save him now - or, at least, the rangy looking Father Thomas! He took his hat off - all the better to be punched in the head, perhaps!
"Mr. Redmond, Sir." he nodded, politely.
Storyteller / Shared NPC
Posted April 26, 2021 / Thomas written by Boshmi
Exiting out onto the main road, Thomas accompanied the couple towards the blacksmith, though it only took a few steps for them to realize that the Redmond wagon was nowhere to be seen.
"I suppose we could take a walk and look around." Clara suggested, to which Thomas nodded, glancing around the main street. He'd hardly have to look long, though, when Jacob suddenly said; "Oh oh! I think he's found us!"
Thomas paused, standing back so that Jacob and Clara might take the lead. He was there for support, after all.
"You can do this, Jacob." he whispered, giving the boy an affirmative pat on the shoulder. If things turned sour, he would step in, but for now, it was up to the children.
"Mr. Redmond, Sir." Jacob politely managed, taking the hat from his head.
Posted April 26, 2021
Clara also saw Arabella making a mad dash away from her father, had she told anyhow despite her word she wouldn't? She wouldn't put it past the girl, she never saw such a busybody. But Arabella was soon forgotten as her father came closer, he had a look of confusion to him.
The good reverend fell back but remained just behind them, Clara glanced and saw how nervous Jacob looked. Given his easy intimidation by his grandmother, she was worried if he could do this? Well, she would help him out as much as possible and if it all fell apart surely the minister would step in. He seemed to know all the right things to say.
"Father," Clara greeted him solemnly, that wasn't so unusual though, Aurelian was used to her serious demeanor most of the time. Smiles on occasion, laughs almost never, that was Clara.
"Daughter," Aurelian nodded, very curious and becoming more worried by the second that the clergyman was with the two of them.
"Mr. Redmond, Sir." Jacob politely managed, taking the hat from his head.
"Jacob," he acknowledged the lad and even nodded toward the minister but then couldn't wait any longer.
"What is going on? Is it about Wyatt? Is he alright?" was his first worried thought now voiced.
"Oh no, Wyatt's fine. Everyone is in good health, but we ....Jacob and I ...need to talk to you about something very important," Clara started then realized they were on the boardwalk. This was no place to hold this discussion.
"Father, can we go someplace more private than a public street?" she asked.
Aurelian frowned, "Well....of course. Of course. Where do you want to go? And why the need for all this secrecy?"
"Please, you will understand real soon, we promise. Let's go talk ...in church, away from passersby," Clara strongly suggested.
"Fair enough but you got me nervous now, all of you," Aurelian fully admitted as he fell in with the odd little party for the short jaunt to the church.
By now though it was dawning on him it had to be something to do with Clara and the boy. He wasn't stupid.
"Yes, Dear"
Posted April 27, 2021
"Fair enough but you got me nervous now, all of you," Aurelian fully admitted as he fell in with the odd little party for the short jaunt to the church.
By now though it was dawning on him it had to be something to do with Clara and the boy. He wasn't stupid.
They filed into the modest sized church, and a terrified Jacob glanced briefly up at the Cross. It was just a plain cross, two pieces of wood dovetailed at right angles and nailed to the church wall. But it made him remember the Cross on which Jesus died. Jesus, who went to the most painful and humiliating of deaths for the sake of the whole of mankind, and here was Jacob, worrying about, what? Not even the physical attack that might ensue as the consequence of their sin, but the verbal and emotional reaction Mr Redmond would now give them. There was no comparison. Whereas Father Thomas’ manly slap had made him more nervous, the feeling that He was nearby and touching him gently on the shoulder calmed the farm boy enough for him to talk.
“Mr Redmond” he said as soon as they were in the church, looking Aurelian straight in the eye, standing tall and speaking in a firm voice that amazed himself; he felt like he was floating outside of his own body just listening in, as it were. “The plain fact is that Clara and I want to get married, in fact intend to get married, and as soon as possible. And before you say anything about being too young and waiting and … well, the plain fact is … we’re in the family way and I intend to make an honest woman of her and if you want to take it out on anybody then take it out on me, cause it was all my fault and I’ll defend Clara till my dying day and I know we’re in a church but if you want the take a swing at me or go home and get your shotgun and shoot me then I wouldn’t blame you and...”
He looked at Father Thomas and Clara, who seemed both about to intercede and in a unexpected, testosterone filled bit of firmness added “… and you two keep out of this, this is between me and Mr Redmond!”
He swung round again to face Aurelian again, and again was surprised to hear his own words welling up from not his brain, that thought of clever things to say, but from his heart, which provided words of truth.
“I love her, Sir. I love her more than anything in the world.”
No slippery arguments about why it couldn’t be helped or why a quick marriage was best for the family and the baby and how it could all be arranged discretely and respectably. Just the one word that had got them here in the first place, love.
Storyteller / Shared NPC
Posted April 27, 2021 / Thomas written by Boshmi
Thomas smiled and gave a little wave to Mr. Redmond in turn, though left the talking to the teenagers. Clearly it was not something that either of them wanted to air in the open though, and so it was raised that they return to whence from they had come.
Back into the church they marched, at Clara's suggestion. She was strong-willed, that girl, enough so that she commanded authority over her own father, who was certainly a large, strong sort of man.
"Fair enough but you got me nervous now, all of you."
"Oh, nothing to be nervous about, Mr. Redmond." Thomas reassured him as they passed back towards the side door of the chapel. "As Clara says, everyone is fine."
It would seem that Jacob needed no encouragement, though, for no sooner had they crossed the threshold than he spoke, calmly and authoritatively; “Mr Redmond. The plain fact is that Clara and I want to get married, in fact intend to get married, and as soon as possible. And before you say anything about being too young and waiting and … well, the plain fact is … we’re in the family way and I intend to make an honest woman of her and if you want to take it out on anybody then take it out on me, cause it was all my fault and I’ll defend Clara till my dying day and I know we’re in a church but if you want the take a swing at me or go home and get your shotgun and shoot me then I wouldn’t blame you and you two keep out of this, this is between me and Mr Redmond! I love her, Sir. I love her more than anything in the world.”
He'd hardly known the Lutz boy very long, nor could he claim to have really played a role in his surge of courage, but Thomas found himself proud of the strength that Jacob had displayed. It would no doubt be a defining moment, and hopefully one that Jacob too would come to reflect on with pride.
Posted April 27, 2021
By the time they filed into church, Aurelian was apprehensive and studying the pair of teens, one of them his beloved daughter. She wouldn't have done anything rash though? Not his Clara. She had been about as close as one could get to the perfect child. Oh she had her small flaws, everyone did but she had always been wise beyond her years and so dutiful, hard working, all without complaint. But - but something was going on.
Young Lutz now turned to face him directly and even look him back in the eye. The boy seemed to be steeling himself up for...........
"Mr Redmond, the plain fact is that Clara and I want to get married, in fact intend to get married, and as soon as possible."
"What?" Aurelian was definitely taken aback.
Clara prepared to jump between them if necessary but this was Jacob's moment, it is what he wanted. She had to have faith in him. Well, and in a way, in her father too. That he would not do anything rash.
Jacob went right on, "And before you say anything about being too young and waiting and … well, the plain fact is … we’re in the family way and I intend to make an honest woman of her and if you want to take it out on anybody then take it out on me, cause it was all my fault...."
Aurelian's eyes were now narrowed, the emotion in them obvious. Was it anger or maybe hurt? His mind was racing to take this all in even as Jacob continued. Family way? So they...? His Clara?
Clara had to jump in on that though, "It was not! It was my desire too." Father had to know that detail !
Jacob did not skip a beat, "...and I’ll defend Clara till my dying day and I know we’re in a church but if you want to take a swing at me or go home and get your shotgun and shoot me then I wouldn’t blame you and...”
"Oh, don't tempt me, boy!" Aurelian snapped, he had always prided himself on his self-restraint but everyone had their breaking point.
"Now Father!" Clara took a step closer but Jacob noticed.
“… and you two keep out of this, this is between me and Mr Redmond!”
Clara froze in place though her eyes were on her father, silently pleading.
“I love her, Sir. I love her more than anything in the world," declared Jacob.
Finally the lad seemed to have said his piece or simply run out of steam. Clara was standing there, speechless (unusual for her he noted) and yes, looking fearful. Also unusual. But then there was nothing usual about this whole thing! Aurelian took a deep breath.
"I believe you, boy. Or....at least you THINK you love her now," his tone was surprisingly calm.
Then he met Clara's gaze, "This is so not like you. What were you thinking? You are too young for this."
"We were not thinking. We got carried away, the both of us. It all happened so fast..." Clara admitted bluntly.
"And are you sure? Are you positive you are with child?" Aurelian asked.
"Yes Father, I am. I am certain. And another thing, now that I am, I am happy and excited to have this baby. Jacob is too. It was not planned but we want the child. And like Jacob said, we want to get married," Clara assured him.
Aurelian bit his lip, then sighed once more and for the first time looked at the clergyman behind the couple.
"And you are going to let this happen? Two ....kids ..get hitched because they want to or think they do? And what would you do if I, the father, refuse to give my permission? She is not a legal adult yet. You going to toss that aside?" he rounded on the man with some emotion.
Storyteller / Shared NPC
Posted April 28, 2021 / Thomas written by Boshmi
Mr. Redmond was not pleased, that much was sure - but of course they had figured as much. All things considered, the couple were taking it well. Jacob seemed mostly uncowed, and Clara was just as stalwart, even jumping in to defend and connotate her lover's admission.
"If you want to take a swing at me or go home and get your shotgun and shoot me then I wouldn’t blame you and...”
"Oh, don't tempt me, boy!"
"Now Father!"
Thomas considered making a move to avoid any devolution of the situation, but Mr. Redmond seemed to take a breath and grow a little calmer after his initial shock, and the priest held his tongue.
"I believe you, boy. Or....at least you THINK you love her now. This is so not like you. What were you thinking? You are too young for this."
"We were not thinking. We got carried away, the both of us. It all happened so fast..."
"And are you sure? Are you positive you are with child?"
"Yes Father, I am. I am certain. And another thing, now that I am, I am happy and excited to have this baby. Jacob is too. It was not planned but we want the child. And like Jacob said, we want to get married."
He sighed again, and this time addressed Thomas, admittedly with the least scathing of accusations yet;
"And you are going to let this happen? Two ....kids ..get hitched because they want to or think they do? And what would you do if I, the father, refuse to give my permission? She is not a legal adult yet. You going to toss that aside?"
"Well, Jacob and Clara are repentant, and I believe the Lord will forgive them. Furthermore, they clearly care for each other, enough to risk the ire of their families and community. They might have kept this all a secret, and run off together - it speaks to their dedication to one another, and respect for you, that they would stay, seeking approval and a union in the eyes of the town and God." he said, keeping his voice level and inoffensive. "As for your refusal to acquiesce, I can only hope it will not come to that."
"Yes, Dear"
Posted April 29, 2021
Now that his big dramatic speech was over, Jacob felt a little awkward just standing there, although there was a tinge of pride that he had said what he had wanted to say without fear, when it came to it, and a glow of happiness that Clara had pitched in and shown her love for him in such a forthright manner. He felt genuine pity for her, too, he knew that she was ‘stuck between a rock and a hard place’ in all of this. He hoped she wouldn’t have to chose between her Father and himself, it would kill him if he were the cause of that.
Luckily, Mr Redmond, perhaps not knowing himself what to do or say next to the pair of them, turned his attentions to poor old Father Thomas
He sighed again, and this time addressed Thomas, admittedly with the least scathing of accusations yet;
“And you are going to let this happen? Two ....kids ..get hitched because they want to or think they do? And what would you do if I, the father, refuse to give my permission? She is not a legal adult yet. You going to toss that aside?”
“Well, Jacob and Clara are repentant, and I believe the Lord will forgive them. Furthermore, they clearly care for each other, enough to risk the ire of their families and community. They might have kept this all a secret, and run off together – it speaks to their dedication to one another, and respect for you, that they would stay, seeking approval and a union in the eyes of the town and God.” He said, keeping his voice level and inoffensive. “As for your refusal to acquiesce, I can only hope it will not come to that.”
Jacob had to admit to himself that ‘repentant’ wasn’t exactly the right word. Had he the choice now to erase having known Clara, both that first delirious, exciting first time, and the second time, this very day, when it was more than just pure animal lust but something deeper and more significant, a union of hearts not just bodies, he would have had to say ‘no, I have to keep that’ and damn the consequences.
And, scary as all this was, running off, leaving behind all they knew and loved, would have been scarier still. They were no saints, they were two people in love, following their hearts and just hoping for the best. Jacob reached for Clara’s hand, that touch, that made all this awfulness worthwhile. It made anything worthwhile.
It was out in the open now. Before, the pressure had been on Jacob and Clara and anybody they told. ‘What are we going to do?!!’ now, oddly, it was on Aurelian. They all peered at him, hungrily waiting to see or hear the next thing he did or said, like some kind of manic audience at the theatre.