The Far Side of Lonesome by Rita Hestand

Author:Rita Hestand
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: far, hestand, lonesome, love, rita, romance, side, western
Publisher: Rita Hestand

Chapter Three

Jeb spoke a few words over the Indians and Sarah picked some wildflowers to lay on top of the grave of Crowfoot. She stood over him, holding the baby and silently crying. Jeb watched her a long time. The woman was torn in half from having to always chose a side. Anyone could see that on her face. Rightfully so, she had loved this Indian, and her grief was like a festering sore.

“You may not believe this, but he was a good man, and his son will know it,” she promised.

“Yes, ma’am, I believe it.” Jeb nodded."He came after you, even over his father's wishes. He was a good man…."

Hoot nodded.

She looked up at him, “Why do you believe it?”

“Because if he wasn’t, you couldn’t have no feelin’ for him…”

Hoot and Jeb left her to grieve.

They slept and the next morning as she poured them both coffees, she asked, “So, where is your folks?”

“You don’t know much about black people, do ya?” Jeb shrugged. Taking a deep breath and sipping the hot coffee, he leaned against a willow to answer her. “Hoot and I were raised together on a plantation in Georgia. We were slaves from the moment we were born. But our families…well we were separated, and we ain’t seen them since. We’ve looked, scoured the states trying to find them, but never did. So we ain’t got no folks, either. Reckon we are a lot like you.”

“How’d you get separated?” Sarah asked, looking straight at Jeb.

“My mama was sold to a big, fancy household on the Mississippi River. She was a fantastic cook and it ain't surprisin' the word got around. Pa was shot trying to escape just before the war. Got a couple of sisters and brother somewhere, but Lord only knows where. Not even sure we could recognize them now. Hoot was a little luckier, his folks stayed on the plantations. His ma died doctoring the white lady of the house, it was yellow fever. His Pa run off, escaped, never saw him again. His brothers escaped and left him behind. We found out they joined the army and was killed during the war.”

Sarah glanced at Hoot. Hoot seemed saddened by the telling of it, but no tears ran down his cheek, he just looked sorta lost for a moment.

“I’m sorry for your losses." Sarah whispered. "Truly. You know once, when I was married to my white husband, I was so dumb. I had no understanding of people at all back then. Then the Indians came…and I began to learn what it was like for others. They were forced off the land they loved, the land they worked. Being killed, having their families killed by ruthless white people who never gave them a thought as to being people. I began to see them for what they were, hard working people, and good people, if left alone.” Sarah sighed.

She looked about her and smiled. Jeb felt a sensation of sunshine coming into his chest at the sight of that smile.

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