I Am Not Yours

Flames or Worse

November 1913

The next day was the children's Science Fair at the schoolhouse and Henry was expected to appear as the mayor in order to congratulate the kids on their hard work. It was rumored that a scholarship scout was going to attend to choose a student who could go to an expensive school on his behalf if he deemed the child intelligent enough to succeed in a college. It was also rumored, heavily, that Becky, the sick girl that Abigail had been caring for, was the favored child in receiving said scholarship.

Henry was hesitant to ascend the schoolhouse stairs once he had arrived, knowing that Abigail would most definitely be there to support Becky, Cody, and even Ms. Thatcher. He wasn't sure if he could be in the same room with her now without cracking a smirk at her after what they had done the night before.....for a second time.

It didn't take long, once Henry had entered the school, to return to his usual, miserable self as he saw "Pastor" Frank standing beside Abigail with a hand on her back. The mayor sneered and went in the opposite direction to take a peek at young Opal's grizzly bear presentation.

Abigail noticed Henry avoiding her throughout the kids' presentations and a part of her felt powerful. As if she had finally found a way to make Henry Gowen leave her alone for once and for all. She never would have guessed that copulating with him would have pushed him away from her, but it was working and she was proud of herself, though a part of her wanted him again and again. But she had to hide that from the others, of course.

The Science Fair went on and soon, the rumors were proven to be true once an odd man that no one had ever seen in town before, made his way inside the schoolhouse and continued to search the room for great science projects. He, eventually, settled near Becky and asked her a few questions about the model of a bridge she had designed herself with great architectural design before granting her the privilege of receiving his scholarship.

Unsurprised, Ms. Thatcher and the kids were ecstatic as Henry tried to read Abigail's expression. He could see that she seemed proud and emotional while Frank placed a hand on her shoulder from behind. Henry sneered again before hearing Caroline, Becky's aunt, tell the scholarship scout that she would have to think about allowing Becky to go to college at all and Mayor Gowen saw Abigail's excited expression fade into a look of disappointment and worry, matching Becky's expression of defeat and crushed dreams.

Once the parents and students had begun to disperse, heading home for bed, Henry stepped outside, making note of Abigail and Frank remaining inside near Elizabeth's desk. He waited patiently at the bottom of the stairs, tipping his hat to some of the mothers that passed by, saying goodnight to him and he did his best to politely say farewell to most everyone that walked passed.

Soon, the woman he had been waiting for to exit the schoolhouse finally did and Henry stepped directly in front of her as if to block off her path. "Good night, ma'am."

"Oh, uh.... Goodnight." The blonde woman replied to him reluctantly.

"Mrs. Connors?" Henry asked to confirm he had the right woman.

"Yes?" Caroline nodded with a look of confusion. "Do I know you?"

"No, ma'am...Henry Gowen. I am the mayor of this town. Might I have a word?"

Caroline turned her head to look back up into the school where Cody and Becky were laughing with Frank and Abigail. She sighed softly and looked back at Henry. "How can I help you, Mr. Gowen?"

"I'd like to talk to you about your niece and nephew." Henry said, placing his bowler hat back on his head.

"What about them?"

Henry sent her one of his sly, conniving smiles as if he were about to play her, yet she had no idea. She'd never met him before.

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