"Everybody can feather their nest, but it's not just anybody that can lay an egg!"
Posted April 21, 2021
The genial clergyman started his reply to her with some nice compliments. Clara nodded almost embarrassed by such praise but soaked up the praise nonetheless, who didn't like to be praised.
"I try but not always," Clara had that to say about her so-called 'wisdom'.
But then the man began bringing up possibilities and details of this upcoming nuptial and inwardly she blanched at all that was involved. No! It was way too much.
“Yeah, I don’t like the sound of a procession,” Jacob spoke at last, his words were a hasty blurt.
Clara nodded solemnly then reinforced that opinion with her own, "Oh yes, a procession is a frill we do not need at all. For one thing, as I stated, we want a very small private wedding. There will not even be enough people for a procession, Reverend."
"Say, Father, is there any rule that says the person that gives Clara away has to be a man?”
It was a good question, Clara had been thinking along those same lines. But she had more to add on the matter now that she was started on this....almost a negotiation.
"As I understand it, when one comes right down to the bare necessities is it not true the only people needed for a marriage are the bride and groom, one witness, and then the man of God performing the ceremony of course," she stated in a measured tone of voice.
Storyteller / Shared NPC
Posted April 21, 2021 | Thomas written by Boshmi
“Yeah, I don’t like the sound of a procession."
"There will not even be enough people for a procession, Reverend."
"Say, Father, is there any rule that says the person that gives Clara away has to be a man?"
"As I understand it, when one comes right down to the bare necessities is it not true the only people needed for a marriage are the bride and groom, one witness, and then the man of God performing the ceremony of course."
Thomas glanced between the two, the rapidity of their exchange giving him food for thought. They seemed very eager not to draw anything out, giving new meaning to the suddenness of their appearance.
"Jacob. Clara." Thomas said, slowly. "Something is driving you to expedite this whole thing. Obviously you're uncomfortable talking about it, probably afraid of how you'll be perceived."
He moved from his position at the lectern, kneeling down to bring him level with the pair of teenagers. He wanted to speak with them disarmingly; as a confidant rather than authority.
"I'm going to take a leaf out of the Catholic book here, and say that if you tell me what it is now, I will not pass judgement. A marriage is an important thing, a-once-in-a-lifetime experience, not to to mention it's sanctity in the eyes of God, and though I will marry you - should your love for each other be genuine and you repent in your prayer - it should not be done on a white lie." he offered.
Posted April 21, 2021
"Jacob. Clara." Thomas said, slowly. "Something is driving you to expedite this whole thing. Obviously you're uncomfortable talking about it, probably afraid of how you'll be perceived."
Clara realized he was right on the money with that assessment but simply sat there.
The reverend moved from his position at the lectern, kneeling down to bring him level with the pair of teenagers.
"I'm going to take a leaf out of the Catholic book here, and say that if you tell me what it is now, I will not pass judgement. A marriage is an important thing, a-once-in-a-lifetime experience, not to to mention it's sanctity in the eyes of God, and though I will marry you - should your love for each other be genuine and you repent in your prayer - it should not be done on a white lie."
Clara was of course hanging on each and every word of the man but especially latched onto 'I will marry you'. Did that mean what she thought it meant?
"Oh I agree, it is very important and never considered lightly. We certainly are genuine though. I do not know how we can prove it but we do love each other very much."
As for the repenting part, she very much repented about that afternoon act at the lake. But being sorrowful about it didn't change the reality. She was with child, Jacob's child, and they both wanted to make it right for the sake of the child too.
But she had to be sure of what exactly he just declared, she now had an offer of her own, "So you are saying that no matter what we tell you in confidence, you will still marry us? We tell you the whole story and you then keep your word on this?"
It wasn't like they hadn't told anyone about their secret, Jacob's sister and the awful Granny Miggins now knew. Clara had told Emeline who had been very supportive regardless of the circumstances. And even Arabella knew. It might almost be a comfort to be able to confide in this man of God too?
"Yes, Dear"
Posted April 22, 2021
"I'm going to take a leaf out of the Catholic book here, and say that if you tell me what it is now, I will not pass judgement. A marriage is an important thing, a-once-in-a-lifetime experience, not to to mention it's sanctity in the eyes of God, and though I will marry you - should your love for each other be genuine and you repent in your prayer - it should not be done on a white lie."
"Oh I agree, it is very important and never considered lightly. We certainly are genuine though. I do not know how we can prove it but we do love each other very much."
“That’s right.” Agreed Jacob “We’re going to be taking the most solemn vow of our entire lives. There is one thing that…” he looked at Clara, unsure if she wanted him to completely spill the beans about their ‘situation’.
But she had to be sure of what exactly he just declared, she now had an offer of her own, "So you are saying that no matter what we tell you in confidence, you will still marry us? We tell you the whole story and you then keep your word on this?"
Jacob looked at the man, and felt assured. No answer from that granite-like face was needed. One more glance at Clara and he said it out loud for the second time today. He didn’t expect that Father Thomas would faint like his sister had.
“Clara, if Father Thomas is taking a leaf out of the Catholic book, then he has to keep his peace, it’s the sanctity of the confessional. All right, the truth is that Clara and I are going to have a baby. It’s also the truth that even if we weren’t, it would still be our ardent wish to be wed.” he declared, looking fondly upon his little chestnut haired sweetheart and smiling gently at her.
Storyteller / Shared NPC
Posted April 22, 2021 / Thomas written by Boshmi
"Oh I agree, it is very important and never considered lightly. We certainly are genuine though. I do not know how we can prove it but we do love each other very much."
"We’re going to be taking the most solemn vow of our entire lives. There is one thing that…” Jacob trailed off, and Thomas remained quietly still, allowing him to consider it with his sweetheart.
"So you are saying that no matter what we tell you in confidence, you will still marry us? We tell you the whole story and you then keep your word on this?"
"On my word, and God's, child." he said firmly. Should they indeed tell him whatever they were hiding, it would at the least have proved they were willing to risk it's exposure for the sake of a marriage. That, in his eyes, was proof enough of love.
“Clara, if Father Thomas is taking a leaf out of the Catholic book, then he has to keep his peace, it’s the sanctity of the confessional. All right, the truth is that Clara and I are going to have a baby. It’s also the truth that even if we weren’t, it would still be our ardent wish to be wed.”
The grey-haired reverend did not seem alarmed, or even entirely surprised. To be frank, he'd sort of suspected, for the archetype of young lovers uniting under mysterious circumstances almost always involved some sort of lust. They seemed repentant as well, and clearly had respect for their faiths - for if not, why even bother with marriage?
Instead, he merely nodded, keeping an open expression.
"That must be frightening for you, Clara," he told the teenager softly. "and daunting for you, Jacob. A child is a responsibility like no other. I will not lie to you, it will be difficult, likely more so than anything either of you have faced, but if you support each other, and love each other, the reward will be worth it. Believe me, I know. You will care for your child more than anything, more than yourself, and their success with bring you... such... unimaginable joy..."
Thomas smiled as he trailed off, momentarily glancing down in abashment. Their admission had brought thoughts of his own family back to the surface, as this whole conversation inevitably would have. Though he had been several years older than either of these two when his own daughter was born, he knew something of the journey ahead of them.
"Like I said, I will marry you. I believe in your love, but I would strongly encourage you to talk to each other's parents. If you do this without telling them, you will likely lose that support and sever a connection. I know it may seem frightening, but like so many of the challenges ahead of you, it will be worth it." he advised, maintaining his kneeling position. "They'll find out eventually, and it will be better to hear it from you two. I'll even come with you, should you want me present."
Posted April 23, 2021
"On my word, and God's, child." he said firmly.
Exactly what Clara wanted to hear, her spirits buoyed though her outer expression remained serene.
“Clara, if Father Thomas is taking a leaf out of the Catholic book, then he has to keep his peace, it’s the sanctity of the confessional. All right, the truth is that Clara and I are going to have a baby. It’s also the truth that even if we weren’t, it would still be our ardent wish to be wed," declared Jacob.
Well, it was out now, not that Clara was upset with Jacob saying it, she was of the same mind by the time he uttered the words aloud. She simply nodded, for the moment, waiting to see if the reverend really would keep up his gentle and indeed friendly manner or would their sin (for that is what it was) change things?
"That must be frightening for you, Clara," he told the teenager softly. "and daunting for you, Jacob. A child is a responsibility like no other. I will not lie to you, it will be difficult, likely more so than anything either of you have faced, but if you support each other, and love each other, the reward will be worth it. Believe me, I know. You will care for your child more than anything, more than yourself, and their success with bring you... such... unimaginable joy..."
Clara was not sure how he would know of such things but did not disagree with anything he said, he expressed her views, her feelings quite exactly.
"The circumstances involved which led to this were unplanned, a product of youthful enthusiasm and carelessness, we were in the wrong - but.... it does not change the way we feel about the baby, we want this child, of that you need not worry," Clara now had her own say on the matter.
"Like I said, I will marry you. I believe in your love, but I would strongly encourage you to talk to each other's parents. If you do this without telling them, you will likely lose that support and sever a connection. I know it may seem frightening, but like so many of the challenges ahead of you, it will be worth it." he advised, maintaining his kneeling position. "They'll find out eventually, and it will be better to hear it from you two. I'll even come with you, should you want me present."
Now that the fear of being turned down for the marriage was past them, Clara could concentrate on the other issues of which there were many still. And Father Thomas hit the biggest one immediately.
"Oh, well Jacob's family knows. His parents are deceased but his older sister fainted, she is already in poor health, and his grandmother immediately attempt to take charge and run everything, all the while bullying Jacob and his sister then trying to bully me too. Only I refused to countenance such behavior," Clara was far more willing to be open now on all this.
"As for my family, my mother was murdered by Indians in the act of saving my life but I have a father and a little brother, whom I have helped raise. My father is a wonderful man and we get along well but so far I have not mustered the courage to face him. Not because I fear him, he is gentle enough even when angry but because I do not want to see the hurt on his face because of my sinful behavior," Clara could be quite eloquent most times and also seldom emotional but a tear trickled down her cheek.
"Yes, Dear"
Posted April 23, 2021
"The circumstances involved which led to this were unplanned, a product of youthful enthusiasm and carelessness, we were in the wrong - but.... it does not change the way we feel about the baby, we want this child, of that you need not worry," Clara now had her own say on the matter.
Jacob nodded his head and tried to look as contrite as he could. But… if he was able to go back to that fateful, wonderful day by the lake, would he do anything different? With the temptation of Clara’s naked and beautiful body next to his? He doubted it.
"Like I said, I will marry you. I believe in your love, but I would strongly encourage you to talk to each other's parents. If you do this without telling them, you will likely lose that support and sever a connection. I know it may seem frightening, but like so many of the challenges ahead of you, it will be worth it." he advised, maintaining his kneeling position. "They'll find out eventually, and it will be better to hear it from you two. I'll even come with you, should you want me present."
Now that the fear of being turned down for the marriage was past them, Clara could concentrate on the other issues of which there were many still. And Father Thomas hit the biggest one immediately.
Jacob was about to explain about his sister, grandmother and, oddly, their farmhand knowing, but Clara beat him to it, describing his Grandmother in no flattering terms while she was at it.
"Oh, well Jacob's family knows. His parents are deceased but his older sister fainted, she is already in poor health, and his grandmother immediately attempt to take charge and run everything, all the while bullying Jacob and his sister then trying to bully me too. Only I refused to countenance such behavior," Clara was far more willing to be open now on all this.
Jacob gave a little cough. No point in putting the dirty laundry out on the line for everyone to see. He was going to add in a quick word about old Ned, but thought they’d talked quite long enough about his family. Somehow, he didn’t think Clara would be quite as harsh about her side of the new baby's genealogical tree. He was right, the angelic bunch were described in glowing terms.
“As for my family, my mother was murdered by Indians in the act of saving my life but I have a father and a little brother, whom I have helped raise. My father is a wonderful man and we get along well but so far I have not mustered the courage to face him. Not because I fear him, he is gentle enough even when angry but because I do not want to see the hurt on his face because of my sinful behavior,” Clara could be quite eloquent most times and also seldom emotional but a tear trickled down her cheek.
He couldn’t hug her in front of the holy man, so he reached out a hand and squeezed hers. She seemed to have finished her hagiography of her saint-like father. He just hoped the reality turned out to be like Clara’s starry eyed version what the ‘Old Ma’ found out what he’s done to his daughter. He offered up a prayer more real that the ones that he usually mouthed in this place.
Arabella had come tip-toeing in with the drinks meanwhile and broke the silence with a jolly “So, you’ve told him we’re having a baby then?!”
Storyteller / Shared NPC
Posted April 23, 2021
"As for my family, my mother was murdered by Indians in the act of saving my life but I have a father and a little brother, whom I have helped raise. My father is a wonderful man and we get along well but so far I have not mustered the courage to face him. Not because I fear him, he is gentle enough even when angry but because I do not want to see the hurt on his face because of my sinful behavior."
Thomas watched a tear fall from her eye, and the look Jacob subsequently gave her told him all he could need to know about their feelings for each other.
"The Holy Book teaches us to forgive, Clara, but forgiveness cannot come without pain. No doubt your father cares about you, and I believe he will forgive you, even if it hurts him. So too, if his hurt hurts you, must you forgive him. This is how we, as God's children, come to love, respect, and help one other. Should you two remain true and raise your child proper, well, I'm sure he will come to love them just as much as you will." he said with an encouraging look.
“So, you’ve told him we’re having a baby then?!” came a familiar voice from the rear of the room. Thomas paused, turning around and rising from his place in front of the pews. "Yes, Arabella. Jacob and Clara have informed me that they intend to raise a child, and I..." he looked back at the couple. "...have agreed to marry them."
He turned his attention back to Arabella and moved to where she stood, taking two of the drink cups from her overfilled hands. Not that he didn't trust her not to spill them, merely that she had an indelicacy about her which... well... he didn't trust her not to spill them. It was an emotional moment, after all. Hot drinks in hand, he crossed back to the pews and handed one to Jacob, then Clara in turn.
"Drink. Something hot always makes one feel better, I find."
Posted April 24, 2021
"The Holy Book teaches us to forgive, Clara, but forgiveness cannot come without pain. No doubt your father cares about you, and I believe he will forgive you, even if it hurts him. So too, if his hurt hurts you, must you forgive him. This is how we, as God's children, come to love, respect, and help one other. Should you two remain true and raise your child proper, well, I'm sure he will come to love them just as much as you will."
This man sure knew how to say all the right things, it all sounded so correct, so reasonable the way he said it too. It gave her hope but then wasn't that what clergy were supposed to do?
"Emeline Blakesley said pretty much the same thing when I talked to her about all this, the baby, the marriage, my father," Clara nodded, "She is my employer, she owns the Lick Skillet diner. A wonderful woman, a widow but soon to be remarried."
Arabella was back and stated almost happily, "So, you’ve told him we’re having a baby then?!”
"We? What is this 'we'?" Clara looked askance.
"Yes, Arabella. Jacob and Clara have informed me that they intend to raise a child, and I..." the reverend corrected just WHO was actually having the baby, "...have agreed to marry them."
Arabella had brought the drinks so Thomas passed them on to the teenagers, "Drink. Something hot always makes one feel better, I find."
"Thank you, Reverend...oh and thank you, Arabella," Clara acknowledged them both then sipped at it. Bit too hot at the moment.
"You know, Reverend, I think we should take you up on your kind offer to accompany us when we tell my father. For I realize what you said is absolutely correct and something I.....we must do," she solemnly declared.
She glanced at Jacob, "You had mentioned going to talk with him and asking for my hand. Well, perhaps you should?"
"Everybody can feather their nest, but it's not just anybody that can lay an egg!"
Posted April 24, 2021
"Emeline Blakesley said pretty much the same thing when I talked to her about all this, the baby, the marriage, my father," Clara nodded, "She is my employer, she owns the Lick Skillet diner. A wonderful woman, a widow but soon to be remarried."
Jacob was starting to wonder if he was the only person in the world whose family and friends were a bit … well, what was the word? Ramshackle? In fact, his only ‘friends’, he guessed, were kids he’d known at school and kicked around with years ago: the bumptious and obnoxious Hector Wigfall and his cave-woman like sister, the snooty Anaesthesia Orr and the plain (but ardent) Joanna Coltrane. Quince Quarternight had been his real pal, but he was a long time long gone from Kalispell.
Arabella was back and stated almost happily, "So, you’ve told him we’re having a baby then?!”
"We? What is this 'we'?" Clara looked askance.
“Well, you know, as bridesmaid and godmother and kinda auntie to be, I’ll feel like right part of the family!” she beamed. Jacob shrugged, he didn’t know the pot girl was going to be Clara’s bridesmaid; news to him but then the groom was always the last to know about anything. ‘Groom’! Oh heck, would he have to find a best man?!
"Yes, Arabella. Jacob and Clara have informed me that they intend to raise a child, and I..." the reverend corrected just WHO was actually having the baby, "...have agreed to marry them."
Arabella had brought the drinks so Thomas passed them on to the teenagers, "Drink. Something hot always makes one feel better, I find."
The kindly and helpful churchman needn’t have worried about spilt drinks, if there was one thing that Arabella was sure good at, it was carrying drinks around: that’s what she did half the evenings at the saloon. Why she could carry four glasses of beer in those long piano-players fingers through jostling crowds and never spill a drop.
"Thank you, Reverend...oh and thank you, Arabella," Clara acknowledged them both then sipped at it. Bit too hot at the moment.
“You’re welcome!” she replied.
“Yeah, thanks.” echoed Jacob.
"You know, Reverend, I think we should take you up on your kind offer to accompany us when we tell my father. For I realize what you said is absolutely correct and something I.....we must do," she solemnly declared.
She glanced at Jacob, "You had mentioned going to talk with him and asking for my hand. Well, perhaps you should?"
“Say, maybe I should come along too!” suggested Arabella “I could explain to him what happened, you know – I know all about the birds and the bees: don’t be shocked brother Thomas!” she sort of assumed that he didn’t know about the birds and thebees, although if he’d read the bible all the way through he’d have learned a few things. “I’ll just explain to your Pa that when a beautiful woman like Clara and a irrepressible young scamp like ol’ Hayseed here get together...” she sort of ruffled his hair good naturedly at this point, like he was a slightly out of control but cute puppy dog “... well, no tellin’ what might go off!”