The Weeping Witch

Chapter Ten

I sat quietly on the staircase listening to Father talk with some of the men in power from the church. I was told to be up in my room, but I could not keep from hearing what they had to say about me. I knew that they had heard the talk throughout the town. It still left me dumbfounded that people would accuse someone who has never harmed anyone. Although I know they believe that the witches who run amongst us stay in the shadows, -and preform evil spells under the cover of night. But I was not one of them. And I knew that there was no witch who would do that monstrosity here in Salem. This was all surrounded by jealous women and girls who could not go about their own business. After all, Grandmother would show me the signs if there was such a presence here in Salem. Grandmother told me that there had not been a Sister who turned over to the Devil in hundreds of years, -dating back before our ancestors came to the New World. The Church, with the help of some of the Sisters rid the world of them then. And some think, for good.

Their voices echoed throughout the house, as they discussed the situation. Father tried to speak up for me in every possible way he could think of. But they just kept finding new faults that he could not explain. My heart began to pound as I realized that there might not be any hope for me. They had it all figured out, and they were too stubborn and narrow minded to see that they could possibly be wrong. But no, how on earth could such righteous men be in the wrong?

It sickened me.

Was there any way that I could help the situation? Could I make an action that would save me for the time being? Could there be a way I could recue my family from a horrible name? If so, I had to find out what.

I slowly stood up, so that they could not hear me. Although, I doubt that they could. They were being so loud. I retraced my steps up to my room. And softly closed the door behind me. I reached my bed and crawled on top of the quilted bedding. For several minutes I just stared into emptiness. My mind was blank and I could not think of any thought that would save me from this mess. The stress overpowered any rational thought that crossed my mind. Now all that I could think of was all that I might have done wrong. I kept saying to myself over, and over again all the things that I should have done, -and what I should not have done. I should have stayed away from Thomas. I should have never even acknowledged him. Maybe it was a way I looked at someone, or could it have been the way I wore my hair that day? Was I not wearing my cap the proper way? Could it have been my dress? Was it too tight? No, I would have been wearing my cloak. Was the color of my cloak too bright?

The questions went on and on. I was finding more and more faults with myself as I kept going. But that is what this town does to you. They will make you question every step, or movement that you make. It goes on forever. Unless you are lucky enough to forget, and escape the mental hold they have on you. But that happens so rarely. You can never get away. Yes, maybe you can run away from them. But you never can leave your thoughts behind.

My eyes shot open.

Could it work?

If I were to tell Thomas that I no longer wanted to marry him, could that get my family and I out of this mess? Could it protect my family's name? Maybe if I were to send Thomas back, free for all the young women. Maybe they would forget, and I could go on to how things were before. They would leave me alone.

But what would I tell him? How would I tell him?

Maybe if I were to distance myself from him he would get the idea, and lose interest in me. Maybe I would not have to say a word. But, I had just told him that I wanted to marry him only last night.

I pounded my forehead with the palm of my head.

Why was I out there last night? Why could I have not just stayed inside. I ruined everything and brought all this upon myself.