Chapter 65: Chapter 65

Chapter 63: The soup

"...Faith..." Mrs Cunningham entered the kitchen.

"I do not mean to offend you but uh, thought I'd make Merri a good Kartoffelsuppe..."

Faith stumbled a bit, putting the small packet of rat poison in the straps of her dress. She gave the old hag a smile, feeling utterly aggravated. "No need, ma'am you deserve to get some rest. I'm nearly done as it is and uh whatever that maybe sounds delicious."

"It's German Potato soup, I appreciate your concern but cut me some potatoes, onions, tomatoes, green pepper—"

"But ma'am, I've already—"

"Don't worry your silly head, you're expecting as well. Drink some, take it home, share with your mother and siblings."

"I do not like soup. I'm not sure if you knew but us black people do not like soup. Merrigold might like it but that is because she is white... in the inside."

"That is an awfully spiteful thing to say Faith."

Faith rolled her eyes when she was not looking. "It is rather the truth. Merrigold is very Caucasian more reason she gets along with Master Austin."

"I do not think so, Merri has always been proud of her roots. She has never shied away from being of a different race. The girl is simply open minded."

Faith forced a smile. "Yes, Ma'am."

Smiling to herself, Mrs Cunningham added. "She gets along with my son because he has always loved a good stubborn woman to knock some sense into him. Are they not adorable together?"

"They certainly are but ma'am isn't it wrong..."

"What ever do you mean?" Mrs Cunningham crosses her arms.

"Them... they're not married and they do some very uhm questionable deeds together."

"Are you and Thomas married?"

"No ma'am, all I'm saying is she is black and he—"

"Enough!" Mrs Cunningham dismissed. "Merri is person and my son is a person. If anyone has a problem regarding them being together. We will pray for them so that they heal, heal from bitterness. Heal from all that pungency and acidity. Besides... when Walter and I married, I was already six months into my pregnancy with Henry. Sometimes infatuation is simply too much for people to wait. I do not think you should judge them based off that."

"But ma'am, she was swindling with Thomas as well..."

"Cut the potatoes, I asked for."

"Merri was sleeping with them both. She was not even sure who fathered her first child. She was using your son for all that he has, all the while being with Thomas."

Mrs Cunningham was quiet.

"Cut the potatoes young lady. Until Merrigold tells me herself which she will. I do not appreciate you spiting her name in her absence."

Faith closed her mouth.

"I'm sorry ma'am, perhaps I got a little carried away..."

"You're forgiven, I could never hold a grudge for too long." Mrs Cunningham paused. "If Merri and Austin had a child together wouldn't they be the most adorable little munchkin..."

"If they don't inherit Merri's nappy hair...big lips and nose..." Faith muttered under her breath.

"Excuse me?"

"I meant to say, they'd be very adorable. Your son is very handsome. He will make up for Merrigold's lack of beauty. She has a face only a mother could love.."

"Merrigold is stunning! She is beautiful, I remember the day. Walter and I brought her home. I saw and her brother. She had these big big brown eyes. Her short hair like she does now. A frown on her lips. I could not imagine what anyone else with cruel intentions would have done to Merri. I had to bring her home, it was my biggest fear. I knew someone would take her. The men were whispering how she'd soon grow to please them. My heart could not bare it. When I realized she had a brother. I convinced Walter that we needed to bring them both back home. Separating them would have been a tragedy."

"That was very nice of you ma'am."

"Oh please, any sane person would have done the same."

As Faith pealed the potatoes, Mrs Cunningham chopped some tomatoes. Faith could not handle anymore y'all of Merri. "Look what a blessing she has been now? Cured my son off his horrid habits. Now he is open to love, to marrying...hopefully I think."

"I've always thought Master Austin is handsome. I could never see a flaw in him. I would not have minded being with him. Merri is a lucky girl."

"You're carrying another man's child don't be carried away... my son is already head over heels for a certain someone."

Faith forced a laugh. "I was only making a banter Mrs Cunningham."

"Oh good. I reckon Austin would not have been pleased hearing that. He is very precise with whom he wants and how he feels about many things."

"Is it because I'm black?" Faith questioned.

"Not at all. Do not be silly it is not because of that. If you haven't noticed you're far much lighter in complexion than Merrigold so that is not the case at all. I suppose my son loves them a little darker like chocolate."

Faith forced a laugh. "You're funny ma'am, we've missed you in this house a lot."

"Oh dear, so have I. Missed my home."

"Has Austin always liked black women..."

"Uh, I do not recall. He was always a shy little boy but after puberty he changed. His confidence was off the roof. I do not think I'd ever heard of him being involved with a black woman."

"Does it bother you?"

"Not at all, more so we live down here in the plots far from town politics. His father and I could give him land to build his home and reside with his wife and kids." She said thoughtfully.

"Merrigold is barren unfortunately..."

"Excuse me?" Mrs Cunningham looked at her suspiciously.

"She said it herself. She is barren. It is very unfortunate you will not be having anymore grandkids."

"I will, there is no such!"

"Merrigold is damaged goods. It is really sad."

"My son is damaged goods too, they will fix each other."

"If he doesn't beat her up like he always does. I feel for Merrigold, you're only thinking for your son and how happy he is but have you for a second thought about Merri... does she like your son? Does she want to be with him... someone who rapes her, beats her till she is unconscious... this is all a recipe for disaster."

"He raped her?"

"Multiple times, I believe."

"Poor girl..." the woman muttered clearly shocked.

"I did not think that far... I was too consumed with my son finally finding someone he feels genuine feelings for... no wonder she is terrified of being close to him."

Faith nodded. "If you care about Merri as much as you say, no offense ma'am but I'd advise you keep your son away from her. She is living a nightmare."

—

The minute she opened her eyes. Drowsy and red. Coughing out water. Merrigold clung onto Austin for comfort as she cried. Realization hit her that she was not hallucinating when she saw him, he was saving her. "Are you mental?" Austin cried hugging her tighter. "ARE YOU MENTAL MERRIGOLD?!"

"...it was a mistake..." she partly lied. "I wanted to learn how to swim by myself. I shouldn't have..." she told him quivering with coldness. She hugged him again with no intention of letting go. She hoped he would believe her.

"What was I going to do?" He whispered with a gruff tone. His hair was wet sticking onto Merrigold's cold skin. She shivered, as he held her tighter. Merrigold could not tell that he was crying. It could have been water from the lake or his tears. "Don't ever try and learn how to swim without me. I will teach you. Now look you could have killed yourself. I'm sorry, I yelled at you earlier. I'm so sorry love." For a moment he pulled back to stare into her eyes, as he did in a vulnerable state. They both leaned in. Their lips touched, quivering with a need for more. It was comforting, Merrigold caressed his stubble. It was a slow desperate and needy kiss. Merrigold felt her body calm down. She suddenly felt warmness enter her cold veins. There was no denying he was handsome, they pulled back when Merrigold coughed out more water. Instantly regretting it. She pulled away from him.

"...it's probably this big coat of yours.." Austin tried to lighten the awkward mood.

"Yes..." Merrigold muttered. They slept on the near river bank in silence staring up at the trees that covered the blue skies. Merrigold felt vulnerable, she reached for his hand and clamped it with hers. She found comfort in that. He had saved her, she could have died. So many thoughts were running through her head. A fear entered her thoughts, she was still pregnant, all her problems were still here waiting for her. Perhaps drowning might not have been the best way to want to end her life. Merrigold preferred something much easier now. Her heart thud so fast when Austin attempted to wrap his arm around her. She did not want him to feel it. Austin had been so concerned with saving her, he paid no mind to how her stomach felt round against him. How it created space between them. He only cared for Merrigold and that she was breathing.

"Please don't tell anyone.." Merrigold said suddenly. "I feel stupid."

Hesitant, Austin muttered. "I won't, this will be our little secret."

Merrigold felt relieved. If her brother or Thomas found out, they'd know this was not a mistake. The way she had been speaking to them in the last few days as if she was saying good bye. They'd immediately know. Austin squeezed her hand lightly, it made her skin tingle. She did not want to feel this way. When he turned to look at her with glossy eyes and messy wet hair. She felt butterflies. He brought their entwined hands and laid a kiss on it. He wanted to kiss her again so badly but he refrained from doing anything that she would not like. Not wanting to go home, she clung onto him for warmth even though he was just as cold. She could hear his heart beating faster than a galloping horse as she laid her head on his chest.

"Don't ever do that to me, I will go mental..."

"I won't." She lied.