Against the Stars

Chapter 19

The rest of the day with Lucy was thankfully uneventful. Lucy didn't really at all the rest of the way though, to Ginny’s disappointment.

Upon arriving home Ginny withstood her mother's intense questioning. It seemed Mother wanted to know every detail of the trip. Ginny told her everything; expect the general store part of the trip. After fifteen minutes, she let her go. Ginny dashed up to get room.

She plopped on her bed and started t to think what she was getting herself into. Meeting Ben after what happened last time? It took several minutes to convince herself that this time, that wouldn't be the case.

Then for a moment, Ginny allowed herself to think of England, something she normally forbade herself to do. She had been born in London, but grew up in a small farming village called Andover. Ginny grew up free and with no end to the places she could run.

Then things changed. Too many failed seasons, and the Millers moved to London again. The busy streets were nothing like the wide open plains. For years, all Ginny wanted to do was leave.

Suddenly, her mind wandered to the most forbidden topic, Annabelle. Annabelle was Ginny's best friend in Andover. The two were as close as sisters. They always swore when they married they would live right next to each other. And now, that could never happen.

Ginny felt a tear slip out of her eyes. As much as she loved Virginia, one part of her couldn’t help but long for Andover. Ginny had a feeling that all her life, a part of her would never stop yearning to go back.

“Ginny! Dinner!” Blithe called, shaking Ginny from her daydream.

“I’m coming!” Ginny called. She stood up and carefully made her way down the stairs.

Ginny didn’t talk much at dinner. Her mother had already interrogated her about Lucy and she didn’t want to say anything about Ben.

“Did you hear about Avery Kaffman’s murder?” Father asked, after Bess, Nelly, and Edward had left the table.

Ginny fork froze on the way to her mouth. Images came flooding back at her.

“No, what happened?” Mother asked.

“His wife found him dead on their doorstep, tarred and feathered.”

“Oh poor Zona! I should go and check on her,” Mother said, rising from the table.

“Tell her we’re here to help if she needs anything Suzanna!” Father called as Mother left.

“May I be excused, I’m not hungry anymore,” Ginny said.

“Of course Ginny,” Father said, so Ginny went to clear her plate.

“Father May I sleep on the couch? It’s hard to walk up the stairs with my ankle.”

“Yes you may. Blithe could you bring Ginny down her nightdress?”

“Yes Father,” Blithe said heading upstairs.

Blithe brought down her nightdress and Ginny slipped it on, leaving her dress on under it. Soon afterword’s, she lay down and went to sleep to avoid any questioning.

The hours passed by slowly until Ginny heard the bells chime twelve. As quickly as she could, Ginny jumped off the couch and tore off her nightdress, leaving her mint green dress behind.

Ginny slipped on her shoes and cloak and grabbed a lantern. She slipped out the door and hurried down the streets, heading for the midnight maple tree.

When Ginny got there, Ben was nowhere in sight. Ginny felt her heart sink. He hadn't come. She leaned back against the tree and felt something rub against her back. She turned around and found a note that read:

Ginny,

Meet me at the meadow, you know where.

Ben

Ginny ripped the note of the tree and stuffed it in her pocket. She knew exactly where Ben was. She took off running, careful not to drop her lantern.  She found Ben lying in the head in the meadow, leaned up against a log. His face lit when he saw her.

"Hey Ginny, I see you found my note."

"Yes I did."

"So what did you want to tell me?"

Ginny sighed, taking a deep breath. "When I fell, I was lost in though. I was thinking about the war and I've decided," she paused taking a deep breath, "I'm a patriot."

Ben took a deep breath, trying to hide his surprised face. But Ginny saw it. She knew Ben was shocked, and to be honest, she didn't blame him.

"And why are you a patriot?"

"Because I understand the want of freedom, the drive to make your own choices and to just taste freedom on your tongue."

Ben closed his eyes, pondering what Ginny had said. From the look on his face, Ginny could tell he understood.

"Look a shooting star!" Ben cried. Ginny closed her eyes as made a wish. A smile crept across her face; it was a good wish that would come true.

Ginny lay there on the wet grass and started up into the starlit sky. Each of the stars twinkled and shone with their own bright light. Though some have off more light than others, they all held the potential to be great.

"Look! There's the north star!" Ben said, pointing to the sky.

"Where?" Ginny asked.

Ben grabbed Ginny’s arm and moved it till her hand pointed at the star. Ginny glanced at Ben and for a moment they looked into each other's eyes. Blue into green, green into blue. At that moment, Ginny knew she found her true best friend.

Suddenly, Ben said, "Did I ever tell you about my mother?"

"No, no you haven't."

Ben sighed. "Her name was Kathryn, but my father called her Kitty. She died when Mercy and Marc were born. I was five."

Ginny’s heat ached for Ben. How horrible it must have been to have lost your mother at that age.

"For a while we stayed with my father's sister, Emily. For some reason, Emily hated me. When my father wasn't around, she'd yell at me. She'd yell about everything. The worst, however, was when she'd yell at me for crying about my mother."

Ginny could see the scared five year old Ben huddling in a corner, crying. A tall woman towered over him, hitting a paddle against her palm. It made her cringe.

"Nicholas and Grace were the only thing that saved me from Aunt Emily. They would huddled around me and make sure she couldn't get me. When she was angry, they take me outside, away from her. Emily died when I was seven. I can honestly say I did not shed one tear. After that, we moved here and opened up the store."

Ginny thought he was done but he kept on talking. "My mother had the hair the color of tree bark and hazel eyes, more brown than gray. I don't remember much else except her singing to me."

"What did she sing?"

Ben seemed surprised. "A song called my love."

"I know that song! It goes:

Though the winds may blow and rain will fall,

I'll pull you close; keep you safe through it all.

My love for you stretched from the mountain high,

And from the sea to the sky

So sleep now my child, close your eyes

I'll hold you in my arms and soothe thy cries."

Ginny hadn't meant to sing but she couldn’t help it. Her voice took flight. When she looked at Ben, his eyes were filed with tears.

"Ben are you all right?"

Ben wiped his eye. "Those were the words. I've spent years trying to remember them. Thank you Ginny."

Ginny looked at the sky. The faint light of morning was creeping in. "I think it's best if we go now."

Ben nodded, took her hand, and the two of them walked home together, their shadows merging into one.