Daughter Of An Outlaw

A Mothers Love Goes Far

"Alright, sweetheart," I watched as Pa demonstrated his strict parenting with Maddie, "here's the deal. Since you decided to hit your brother, I'm sending you to your room. That's means no coming out for one hour, understand?"

Maddie's eyes brimmed with tears as she stared up at her grandfather. "But Pawpaw-"

"No. No arguing. Go on," he pointed down to her room at the end of the hall.

Maddie began to cry but my father wasn't having it. "Madeline, room now."

She wailed as she made her way to her room. Pa stood straight and looked over at me. Eugene stared at Pa with a disapproving look.

"What you lookin at, boy?"

"How you 'sternly' handled that one."

Pa huffed as Momma came in holding Jeremiah's hand. She looked over at me and Eugene before looking at Pa.

"I heard Maddie crying," she began, ushering Jeremiah towards me, "what happened?"

"Ask your husband." I said, walking to the kitchen.

Momma sighed. "What did you do now?" She huffed before trailing after me. "Bria-"

"Yes, I know, Momma," I turned towards her, "I need to be stricter with my kids."

"Bria, that ain't what I was gonna say-"

"Why? Why can't I raise my kids the way I see fit?"

"You can-"

"According to Pa, I can't."

Eugene came through the doorway and leaned against the doorframe. "Momma, can I?"

Momma threw her hands in the air before walking towards the living room. Eugene sighed as he walked towards me. "Cmon, let's go for a walk."

"Jeremiah-"

"Is fine. Let's get some fresh air, sis."

I sighed and followed him to the back door. We walked alongside the house, following the path that lead to the barn. He took in a breath as he looked down at me.

"So," he began, "I talked with Momma."

"About what?" I asked, wrapping my shawl tightly around my arms.

"About movin."

"Moving?" My head shot up towards him. "What do you mean, moving?"

"Uncle John found some work for me in Tumbleweed-"

"That's all the way in New Austin!" I stopped, looking up at him. "You're moving away?"

"Bria-"

"Eugene, I-" I took in a sharp breath, "I don't want you to go."

"I know," he pulled me in, wrapping his arms around my neck and laying his chin on the top of my head, "but I need money. I can't live here with Momma and Pa forever."

"But my kids-"

"Will still see plenty of me around," he pulled away and lifted my chin to look up at him. "You and I are twins. Blood. That means that I'll never be away from you for too long." He held out his pinkie. "I promise."

I wrapped my pinkie around his. He smiled and hugged me again. I wrapped my arms tightly around his waist.

"You two okay out here?"

I spun around to see Pa walking towards us. Eugene looked down at me and nodded before walking away, leaving me and Pa alone. Pa gestured to the barn and began leading the way. I trailed behind him slowly.