Naked Truth by Carrie Hayes

Author:Carrie Hayes [Hayes, Carrie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780578229102
Publisher: HTPH Press
Published: 2020-02-28T22:00:00+00:00

VIRTUE, WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT IS NOT.

…A free man is a noble being; a free woman is a contemptible being. Freedom for a man is emancipation from degrading conditions which prevent the expansion of his soul into godlike grandeur and nobility, which it is assumed is his natural tendency in freedom.

Freedom for a woman is, on the contrary, escape from those necessary restraining conditions which prevent the sinking of her soul into degradation and vice, which is, all unconsciously, assumed to be her natural tendency.

W

“Whatever possessed you to think that I would tolerate this?” Tennessee is finished with these people. “Ben does nothing but hooey and peddling shoe polish as cough remedy.”

Polly puts her hands on her hips, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Everyone in the kitchen grows quiet.

Tennessee holds up the letter intended for Bennett and looks at the others. “Let’s ventilate it all, Polly. Your encouraging Ma to bring this suit has ruined Vicky’s chances of going to the head of the platform for the NWSA, let alone the AWSA. Let’s just get everything out in the open!” She turns to Ben Sparr. “Ben, why don’t you tell Polly how I’ve had to kick you out of my bed and why I sleep with our mother?”

There is a collective gasp in the kitchen.

She adds, “It’s to protect me from the likes of you.”

Polly whispers, “Ben, is that true?”

Utica says, “I don’t mind sleeping with Ben. He’s a bit rough, but all in all…”

Tennessee says, “Shut up, Utica.”

Polly’s face crumples into tears. “You’re lying. You’re lying! Ben, how could you?”

“Why should you have any problem with what I do?” Ben says, “I make sure we’re safe in your mother’s house.”

Victoria says, “You mean your sister’s house.”

He continues, “And besides, you’re through the Change now and Utica’s willing.”

Tennessee watches Victoria blanch. Colonel Blood’s face is scarlet, and he looks at the floor.

Tennessee waves the letter under Polly’s nose. “Own up to it! This is the kind of person that you are and have always been. Like a parasite, sucking my lifeblood, and never satisfied, always wanting more.”

“It’s hardly sucking your lifeblood when I was the one passed back and forth to keep the landlord from kicking us out of house and home!”

Which is the truth. It was during the fifties. Roxana had condoned it, too.

Utica says, “No, I don’t mind at all.”

Suddenly, Roxana wails and strikes at Ben Sparr. “You’re wicked, wicked! A son of the devil with your Free Love, shaming one daughter with the other! Oh, heavenly Father.” She is trembling but appears to be calm. “Get out, Benjamin Sparr, get out, Colonel Blood. Heraus!”

“I will not get out,” Blood answers. “This is my house.”

Victoria says, “You mean your wife’s house.”

Polly weeps in the corner and Roxana throws her preferred kitchen utensils into a bag. “Oh, the shame of it,” she cries.

“I can’t take another moment. I must leave,” Tennessee mutters, and slams the front door behind her.

Utica yawns and walks down the passage behind the kitchen.

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