Everlasting Family

Owen Blackbourne- Chapter 3

Brunswick, Maine- 1815

Owen Blackbourne's POV

Chapter 3

Sean's eyes bounce between Mr. Johnson and myself a few times, before he comes to his senses and gives Mr. Johnson a polite nod. "Pleasure, Sir," He says, quite formally.

"How is she, Dr. Green?" I ask, breaking the tension.

Sean looks at me and shakes his head slightly. "Owen, she is not improving. I fear the worst for her. I am so very sorry, my friend. She has moments of lucidity, but they are becoming few and far between."

I have no words for him, so I simply nod to show I understand, then motion for Mr. Johnson to follow me to the bedroom where Alice is resting.

"Alice," I whisper upon entering. "Are you awake?"

Alice pries her eyes open and blinks a few times, as if trying to clear her vision. "Yes, I am awake, Owen," she tells me, not yet seeing Mr. Johnson standing in the threshold of the bedroom.

"Alice, who is Henry?" I ask, curious if she will be truthful with me. "You have been calling out to him for some time now."

"Oh, he is just a childhood friend of mine, Owen," she says, trying to wave her hand dismissively. "I must have been dreaming of my younger years."

"I see," I sigh in resignation. "Alice, I have brought someone to see you, are you well enough for a visitor?"

Alice perks up at the opportunity to have another person to gossip with. "Of course, bring them in."

"I am already here, my dear," Mr. Johnson says with sadness in his voice. I am unsure if the sadness is from Alice being so ill or because she was untruthful about who he is.

"Henry!" Alice gasps, attempting to sit up. "What in the world are you doing here?"

"I came to see if what Mr. Blackbourne said was true," he murmurs. "I can see he did not deceive me, but rather it was you who pulled the wool over my eyes."

Alice looks upset with Mr. Johnson's words. "I did not deceive you, Henry, I would like to be with you. I do wish I was able to marry you," she whispers, then turns to me. "Owen, I am sorry, but you could not give me the social standing and financial stability I aspire to. I have tried to convince you to work harder so I am not forced to live like a low class citizen, you refused."

She ignores the widening of my eyes and the gasp from Mr. Johnson, as she continues. "Owen, you and I married for our families. Had my father known you would not provide for me as you should, I am sure he would have chosen someone more appropriate as my husband, not a simple lawyer."

"Alice, this is so unlike the woman I have come to know," Mr. Johnson states, straightening his back and coming over to where I am standing. "Mr. Blackbourne, I cannot express how truly sorry I am for what I have done to you, I hope one day you will find it in your heart to forgive me for my behavior."

"No need to apologize, Mr. Johnson," I tell him, shaking his outstretched hand. "I have full faith that had you known the circumstances, you would have acted in a different manner."

"I can whole heartedly agree with that, Mr. Blackbourne," he tells me with a sad smile. Taking a few steps back, he addresses my wife. "Mrs. Blackbourne, I do hope your health improves. I wish you and your husband well, however this is the last time I shall see you. Good day, Mr. and Mrs. Blackbourne," He says with a polite nod.

As Sean has been standing just outside the bedroom during the altercation with Alice, he knows that Mr. Johnson is leaving, and I hear him offer to escort him out. I know Sean will make sure that Mr. Johnson is provided transportation home as well. That man is truly my very best friend and I need to remember to thank him for all that he has done for me.

"This is your fault, Owen," Alice hisses at me, as soon as the door is closed. "You could not be a better husband to me, you could not give me what I needed! I am sick because of you!" She yells the last bit, sending herself into a coughing fit.

I attempt to give her a bit of water, but rather than drinking it she throws the cup and tells me to leave her be. Respecting her wishes, I leave the room and retire to my office.

Sean returns a few moments after I sit down, and he has a seat in the chair beside me. "I am unsure what to say, Owen," he tells me after a long silence. "There seem to be no words for such a situation."

"Just being here is enough, Sean," I mumble, then proceed to tell him that Alice requested I leave her be.

Sean assures me that he will keep watch over her through the night. He is insistent that she is wrong, that it is not at all my fault that she is so ill. I cannot believe his words, however. Had I been a better husband, she would not have felt the need to find a man more suitable for her. Then she would not have caught with this illness.

My loyalty to Alice has not changed, though her actions have left a bitter taste in my mouth. I will continue to uphold my family's commitment to her family. I will not dishonor my family's name by publicly divorcing her, especially while she is ill. However, I will never be able to look at Alice the same again. She is no longer the woman I should grow to love, she is simply my wife and nothing more.

I drift into a fitful sleep, whilst wishing that my wife would honor me as her husband, the way I honor her as my wife.