Not All Widows Wear Black by Dianne Palovcik

Author:Dianne Palovcik
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: PageMaster Publishing
Published: 2022-03-03T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Halifax, Nova Scotia August 20, 1895

Grace stood at the bottom of the stairs. “Margaret, are you having breakfast today? It’s nine o’clock. ”

“Yes, Mama. I’ll be down soon.”

“I’ll wait for you.”

When Margaret arrived in the dining room, her mother was smiling. “You look rested, my dear.”

“I slept well for the first time in days. My mind is less troubled.”

“No doubt giving Detective Gilfoy the ledgers gave you great relief.” She passed Margaret the toast rack. “This afternoon I’m going to the church to work on the orphanage fundraising ball. Come with me. It will give you a nice change and you’ll meet some of the other women.”

“No, thank you. I’m going to the hospital this morning then having lunch with Anna. She’s going to give me particulars on the suffragette ladies in the city.”

“Oh?” Grace’s eyebrows went up.

“Yes. They have a group here. I thought I would find out what they are all about.”

“Oh!”

“Anna wants me to write about them for the newspaper. I’ve volunteered to do the research. Sounds ever so interesting.”

“Oh.”

***

“Good morning, Mrs. Bishop. Doctor Adams is on morning visitations. Do you wish to speak with him?”

“Has there been any change in my husband?” She held her breath.

“No, I’m so sorry. He remains the same.”

“In that case, I doubt Doctor Adams and I have anything to speak of.”

“Very well, Mrs. Bishop.”

Margaret moved her chair close to Thomas’ bed and studied him. His head bandages were fresh. His position was unchanged, right down to the placement of his arms and hands. She opened her reticule and removed the sheet of paper then began, barely above a whisper.

“Thomas, your control over me is ended. I will not be intimidated or abused by you. Today I am giving myself permission to live my life as I see fit. I will seek permanent separation from you through the courts. My decision is steadfast. If you wake and object, I will fight you with any and all means. This poem expresses the hope I have for my future.”

sleeping garden

our marriage is the cruelest season

a cold and empty bed

frigid landscape full of fear

beneath a frosty blanket

asleep in a garden plot

my heart is a tangled root

unruly and rebellious

waiting, wild with ecstasy

for freedom, hope and growing strength

to blossom into spring

Margaret walked out of the hospital into the sunny afternoon head held high, looking forward to lunch with Anna.

***

Margaret stepped out of the carriage just as Anna arrived. Anna was the first to speak.

“You look calm and refreshed. Have you not had trouble sleeping since Sunday? I certainly have. It was a dreadful experience. George regrets his involvement but realizes his presence was a comfort to me. Did James’ conversation with the detective go well?”

“I’m very well. Let’s go inside and continue our conversation.”

“Sorry, I do go on when I’m worked up about things.”

“That’s certainly understandable. James spoke with the detective again yesterday. He was sternly reminded to leave everything to the police, which I dearly hope he will.”

“Have you seen Thomas recently?”

“This morning. Nothing has changed with him.

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