In-Between the Shadows

10. Ball

Mrs. Gardener's house was just a little bigger than our own. The only difference between our families was that they came from a little money, and we came from a line of plantation owners.

My father wasn't much of a smart man. He depended entirely on Mr. Gardener who was the plantation businessman of our small town. What to grow, how much to grow, and what to do about fleeing workers were things that Mr. Gardener was known for. He had connections to the north as well, as far as marketing and where the product was going, anyway.

My father was just a lonely plantation owner that grew the products.

I only met Mr. Gardener a few times. He was either out of town or sick. He was always getting sick.

The few times I met him though, I knew him as a sarcastic man. I didn't like him very much, but I did like his wife. Maybe it was to make up for her husband's attitude, or maybe it was because she was just a nice person, I don't know, but she was pleasant with every person she came across.

That's why, I didn't worry too much about Daniel being there. Daniel had enough decency to be polite and Mrs. Gardener had enough character to be kind.

My only trouble was the people around us.

The air was crisp when we arrived at the house, and we, along with other guests hurried inside to avoid from catching a cold.

Rooms and rooms were filled with nothing but people. Whether that be of servants or guests, they took up space. I instantly felt sick seeing this many people.

Mama and Daddy left our sides the moment we walked in, but I didn't mind much. They reappeared when they felt like it, especially when I was by myself.

Georgina stayed close to us as we shuffled through the crowds to find somewhere to stand. I asked her, after we found a spot why she didn't run off to find her friends.

"Oh, I just thought I might stay with you two. Daniel is new here and I'm sure he would like to talk to more people than just you, Isaac."

I smiled at that, and secretly, so did Daniel. He thanked her.

"Oh, it's no problem, Daniel. I really enjoy having ye here. You've been much a friend to my brother, and yer quite interestin'. I just wish more people like you came here. It gets boring talking to the same people all the time, ye know?"

"I would imagine so," Daniel said.

"Besides, I find you quite handsome. Don't you find him handsome, Isaac? Don't you think that Daniel can marry someone here? I know a bunch of women that would like to marry you, Daniel. Do ye see anyone ye like here?"

Daniel answered very calmly, despite my reddening face. "I do, though, I would rather not say."

"That's alright. I don't like telling any of my friends who I admire either, but since I don't know you very well, I might as well tell you. Isaac, do you want to walk away for a moment. I want to talk to Daniel."

I chuckled. "I think not. I'd like to hear this for myself."

Georgina rolled her eyes, playfully. She still had her pretty smile. "Alright then. Only because you don't live here and you can't torment me in my everyday life." She looked around for a moment, standing on her tippy toes to look over the people. "You see that boy over there? That's Jackson Wells. He's in my grade."

I tried to find the boy, looking over people's heads to find someone that was close to my sister's age. At last, I came across a youthful face. He was a relatively good-looking boy, with clean slicked-back hair and freckled cheeks. He seemed like a nice boy. He was talking to some adults, a man, and a woman. It must have been his parents.