Chapter 75: Chapter 75

Chapter 73: The consequences

Walter Cunningham adored his wife so much so, that if she made any demands, he met them. He was always one to please her, never questioning her authority as the mother of the house. He respected her decisions and went along with most of her very very kind decision making. He had fallen inlove with who she was as a person, not her beauty that all happened to be a bonus. He had fallen for her want to change the world even if it was just little changes. Her love for people, all people. She had always been enthusiastic about being different. Her German background did not hinder his want to be with her. He still pursued her even at the time, with her very low English vocabulary. Smitten, he had learnt a bit of German to converse with her even when there was no longer a need. Austin's father was raised in a catholic household. He assumed he had done the same with his own family but it did not seem that way judging by his son's idiosyncrasies that portrayed devilish mannerisms. His belief in Christ did not keep his discriminatory ways away. He had always been humbled by his wife's good heart, if it were up to him... he wouldn't have. He believed niggers were still niggers and a different breed from Caucasians. He fed into the political policies. One of the many people who were simply followers and never questioned anything. He fed into stereotypes. He thought himself to be a man of God but it would never change the racist mannerisms that he had learnt as a child. His feelings towards black people were mutual, he felt indifferent. He would treat them with kindness as the Bible and Lord commanded, he would be a giver and so on but he still considered them to be simply niggers. Most of his decisions were only ever to please his wife. He was Christian but his racist qualities from childhood would always remain, deep down.

"Nothing seems to have changed..." He glanced around the dining room. The table was already set, Austin sat next to Merri, Bertha and Edward on their own. Everything seemed jumbled, everyone was on their toes, the main man of the house was present it was only right that they did. Mrs. Cunningham had written to her husband asking him to hear Austin out. Austin was thankful, one person he had always admired was his father and no other.

"Except a few tiny changes..." Mr. Cunningham cleared his throat, looking at Merri. She shifted a little uncomfortable from his stare. Merrigold feared Mr. Cunningham, he had always made it clear that he did not entertain niggers, only for his wife's sake. He had always made it clear that, her even residing in their home was only because of his wife. Merrigold did not have a good feeling about all this. Her presence at the table, made it even worse. She knew she did not belong. Everytime, they laid a plate or serving in front of her. She knew that she should have been the one helping serve. Merri felt it, it was written on everyone's face... why was she at the table? It was rather taboo. Merrigold had tried to stand up to excuse herself but Mrs. Cunningham quickly dismissed any of her ideas of disappearing, she instructed her to sit down so did Austin. Her throat dried up, looking down at her plate, she could feel a pair of eyes staring down at her. Merrigold respected Mr Cunningham, he had never been harsh, always kind, composed and giving but—

He made it clear, clear that you knew your place on his property; clear that you were at the bottom of the food chain. Clear that you would never get treated any better than the Cunningham ranch. The minute Austin had told her his plans to reveal to his father. She felt ashamed. Utterly ashamed. Mr Cunningham had always read with them scriptures at the commune. He had always pushed for God's word, many of his teachings were to never commit fornication. Many slave owners would have been happy to have their slaves breed because it meant more profit but Mr. Cunningham thought himself to be a preacher. He wanted to teach God's word even if it was to black people. He was passionate about the word. The slaves followed suit, as long as it made their Master happy. As long as it meant better treatment. As long as it meant they received a small payment and good living conditions. As long as it allowed them to read here and there, an excuse to learn... something they were prohibited from doing. If following Christ and abandoning their ancestral views meant they could have an excuse to be learned then so be it. It was well known that Mr. Cunningham treated his slaves very well, so long as they followed Christ and preached the word. Mr. Cunningham thought himself as someone who was doing the impeccable, turning sinners to the lord.

Merrigold had already failed.

If she ever planned on being in his good books, she had already failed dismally. Merrigold remembered him making her read and memorize 1 Corinthians 7:28 'But if you marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you.'

— continuously, to the point she knew it by head. She knew he had everyone's best interest at heart, perhaps sometimes he overdid it. Regardless that was Mr Cunningham, he would never change his Christian values for anyone's sake.

"Congratulations Merri." He added.

"Thank you." She replied, shyly looking away. She knew it was coming.

"I was never informed by Pastor Richards of your marriage vows being taken... with Thomas. Could it be that I am getting quite old." He chuckled, sincerely.

Everyone on the table felt uncomfortable knowing how the man could be when he spoke of God's word.

"Father, thank you for coming.." Austin interrupted.

"Thought I'd come check if you haven't burnt my father's plantation to the ground. I'm actually impressed."

Austin marking his father's sarcasm, he laughed along. "Suppose, I do miss my dear wife." Mr. Cunningham added. His wife gave him a smile. He returned the gesture, entwining their hands and caressing her marital ring.

"You should return home, I know how much you adore this farm. You miss it here. Harvesting—"

The frail old man, nodded. "Quite a bit, I miss my great Hounder as well."

"He is just as old as you're now.." Bertha added, attempting to make laughter amongst the tense table.

"Fair enough..." Mr. Cunningham replied. For a moment as they continued to speak, all about Merrigold's pregnancy had been forgotten. Austin's eye met hers from time to time. She was nervous. Austin was relieved knowing his father's anger had seemingly decreased. Unlike the other day. Austin still had to face Stella... but he did not plan it anytime soon. The thought of their child with Mongolian disease, made him appalled. Remembering how it... the girl had looked so helpless so lifeless. Her head laid aside, tongue, drooling, Austin could not deny the somewhat similar features. Deep down he was aware that it was his child. Always deciding to ignore the matter at hand. He was having a child with Merrigold, he needed to focus on that and nothing else. He wanted to make Merrigold comfortable, he wanted to earn his forgiveness and have them prepare for parenthood. It wouldn't be easy, he knew that but all he knew was he had never loved a woman the way he loves Merri. He soon accepted that, he hated William's child because he envies that. He envied one of his own, although he would never admit it. Perhaps it took one special woman to bear it and have him accept the thought of being a father. Even more special when he felt his child respond to his voice, proving that he/she was alive and growing. It amazed him, it excited him and not many things excited him. Merrigold seemingly changed his life.

"Speaking of growing old, you're going to be a grandfather..." Mrs. Cunningham told him. For a minute, he was shocked looking towards his daughter Bertha and son in law Edward. They both shook their heads with laughter, nervous laughter. Austin cleared his throat not knowing how else he could make it more obvious. His father's now somber brown eyes turnt to look at Austin, beside him was Merri very much pregnant. It all made sense, his  demeanor changed almost immediately when he thought of the possibilities.

"You?" He mutter, pointing his fork at Austin. "And you?" He pointed at Merri, she immediately looked at her fumbling fingers under the table.

"Walter!" Mrs Cunningham warned him to put his fork down.

"Oh lord Jesus, what have I ever done to deserve such disgrace amongst society?!" The old man yelled.

"Of all the people Austin, anyone, any woman... you chose to impregnate her? Are you mental?"

"Father—"

"No, I remember perfectly when you said you did not wish to have a family of your own. Oh oh oh, I perfectly understand now that you thrive off embarrassing this family! Looking for anything humanly possible to embarrass your mother and I. My family name, what we the Cunningham's are known for."

It was dead silent. Merri, could feel her heart excruciatingly threatening to jump to her throat. It was loud enough to block out her hearing. Austin's hand entwined her, bringing her comfort but it was not enough.

"He loves her—"

"Be quiet Bertha! What does Austin know about love? Nothing absolutely nothing. He is incapable of it."

The only people who could hurt Austin were his father and Merri. They had the power to shackle him into vulnerability unlike no other. He felt each and every word prick him to his misery.

"Walter, I thought you adored Merri... she is one of our own we raised the girl."

"I adore her yes, not for my son, not for our son. There are many handsome young men at the commune but she had to be with my son. Absolutely shameful, I will not allow this sin in my household. After all that my wife and I have done for you and your brother this is how repay us Merrigold? By committing fornication with my son. Did you assume your sudden become the lady of the house and that this would be your ticket out? You're very mistaken young lady, this is not the Gallagher's. You've dug a deeper grave for yourself. You're both not married and certainly going to hell. Hell is very real. What did I teach you Merri?"

Merrigold cried silently unable to move. Absorbing each and every word the man in front of her spat in vein.

"Merrigold Jones, what did I teach you? Do not tell me it was all in vein!" He said disappointed.

Tears streaming with a shaky voice she began to speak. "1 Corinthians 7:2, But-but b-because of the temptation to s-sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband."

"Is that all you remember since you clearly derailed off everything I taught you? I'm disappointed, utterly disgusted by your behavior to seduce my son."

"No, sir... Hebrews 13:4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. I'm so s-sorry sir..." she ended it with a sickening cry.

With Austin tired of his father embarrassing and shaming Merri. "I raped her." He exhaled. He knew that he had not been the one to take her purity but he could not handle her being shamed. He would seemingly take the blame even if it meant it painted him horribly. He was already a disappointment.

Bertha turnt to state at her brother, shocked at his three worded sentence just as everyone was. Edward, her husband felt awkward in the middle of a crossfire.

"Leave Austin."

Having not expected that. His father added. "I have had enough of your foolery, leave!"

"Not at this hour." Mrs Cunningham begged.

"No, leave." The man pointed towards the entrance.

With a shrug, Austin turned to Merri and he whispered he would be back and kissed her on the cheek knowing it would ravel his father's rage. She was afraid, shivering with fear. If Austin left what was she supposed to do with it. What? Her head was spinning. She was afraid of what had become of her life...

As soon as Austin was out the door making sure to leave with attitude and none-grievance for his actions.

"And you, you little girl we have been nothing but kind to you perhaps too kind. Pack all that you have and leave my house. Go reside at the commune where you belong. I should have known you would betray us, you residing here was a mistake."

"But she did not do anything." Mrs Cunningham pleaded.

"I know..." He whispered. "I can not bare seeing her face and the thought that she carries our bloodline. I can not... it just isn't in me. Lord forgive me. This is above me and beyond me."