My eighteenth birthday was surrounded by women. My aunts, grandmother, and many women who had been friends with my mother.
"Look at you, why wouldn't you want children? You have beautiful wide birthing hips, ample bosoms, and are great with your siblings."
I didn't want children, because it was my body to decide what I did with it.
No one understood.
"You shouldn't have to worry darling."
Oh, but I wasn't. I wasn't worrying about if I could carry a child or if I would have complications.
Because I wouldn't be pregnant.
My brothers walked into the living room as all the women had been gossiping about how nearly all the women in our town didn't have the right body like mine to bare children.
They both quickly left the room.
I wish I could have.
I did manage to escape for a few hours and have a nice walk.
I stopped at the willow tree surrounded pond when I saw Thomas sitting and throwing rocks into the pond. He was able to get a few rocks to skip, others he just threw.
He looked almost angry as he threw one more rock and it splashed into the pond.
I put my hand on his shoulder.
He turned quickly and stared at me for a moment. "How-what-" he took a breath and spoke. "What are you doing all the way over here? Isn't it your birthday?"
I nodded. "I went on a walk. This isn't very far from my home."
He chuckled. "This is my house."
He closed his eyes and sighed at himself as I giggled at how he said the pond was his home. "What I mean is that this is my backyard. My family's land."
I had never known he had lived at the house with the willows. It was very beautiful.
I sighed and smelled the fresh air.
"I come here once a week at least. I'm surprised I never see you."
He nodded. "Your brother and I have been working together. Hard to find time to come and sit here between helping my parents at the store and with William."
I rubbed his shoulder gently. "What is William making you do now?"
He chuckled and smiled at me. "We just are working together. He needs the help and I could use the money."
I nodded. "Hm."
I looked out to the large oval shaped pond. It was very beautiful with all of the willows around it.
"You are very beautiful today. Did I tell you that yet?"
He always knew how to make me blush.
"I think I look the same as everyday." I did. I truly did but now I wore my mother's clothing.
"I think since it's your birthday you look extra beautiful."
I giggled at that and nudged him with my shoulder.
"What is it that you want for your birthday?" I am not letting you kiss me you fool.
"For you to teach me how to skip a rock."
We spent nearly forever skipping rocks across that pond. He helped me throw some, and some he let me throw.
I got better and better each time. I giggled at each praise he would give me when one would successfully bounce.
