Rebel Heart: (Swept Away) Of Life and Love during the American Civil War

He said yes

Note: Daddy--What southern girls called their fathers

She opened the door and walked inside. There he was, seated in the sitting room, reading a paper. Her father was fairly tall and lanky, with medium length soft brown hair that was now turning gray. Fortunately, there was no one else there.

"Hi, Daddy."

"Jenny," he said, looking up from his paper. "Was that Daniel in his buggy stopping in front?"

"Yes, Daddy. Seeing me, he stopped to say hello. He's on his way to Samantha's house."

"Must like the girl. See him many evenings coming this way."

Jenny hated to say he was "courting" the girl. Instead she said, "Yeah, he's sweet on her."

"Well, she comes from a good family and a boy could do worse."

"Daddy, I need to talk to you about something."

"Talk. I'm listening."

"By the way, did you happen to pick up a letter for me when you went to the post office the other day?"

"Damn. I did. Sorry, honey." He immediately got up from his chair to go to his bedroom. "Here it is. I've been just so disgusted about all the news of the southern states seceding from the Union. It could even be war."

"Thank you, Daddy." She took the unopened letter from him.

"Sit down, Daddy. I need to ask you something."

He sat back down on the rocker, and asked, "Surely, this isn't something I need to be sitting for, is it honey?"

"This letter I'm pretty sure is for a wedding I'm invited to."

"Really? Who? he asked, suddenly interested.

"Anna Marie Simmons."

"Yeah. I remember. She was in school with you, though at least two or three years older."

"Father, I want to go."

"Of course you can, honey."

"But I have nothing to wear."

"Darling, you have a very pretty Sunday church dress."

Jenny looked away from her father. She wiped her eyes, trying mightily to suppress a tear from running down her cheek. Turning back to him she said, "Father, everyone has seen me in that dress a thousand times. I need something different." She was ready to tell him what Sarah had said. That it could be a birthday gift.

Her father seemed affected. He had probably noticed that his daughter was close to tears. "Does it mean that much to you, Jenny?"

"Yes, Daddy, it really does. Everyone will be wearing something grand."

"Everyone?" he got up, and put an arm around her. "If memory is correct, you're almost eighteen. Right?"

"Yes, Daddy." Jenny thought to herself, He really remembered.

"Well eighteen is an important time for a girl. When a girl surely becomes a woman."

Jenny was liking what her father was saying, except she felt she was already a woman.

"I want you to go out and buy the nicest fabric you want, and make that dress for yourself. Furthermore, we should have a party for you. A kind of coming out party."

"Oh, father," she said, going to him and wrapping her arms around him. "I love you."

Her father hugged her as well. "You know," he said when they parted, a nostalgic look in his eye; "Your mother was sixteen when I first noticed her. Of course, we didn't get married till years later. Still, I remember her then. She looked so pretty. . ."

"He trailed off, then looked at her. "Wait," he said. He went back into his bedroom, and came back holding a gold piece.

Jenny looked at what he held in his hand as he held it toward her. "Daddy!" she exclaimed. "For me?"

"Yes, darling, all for you. Bout time I gave you something, for all you do. Besides, you're my daughter, my only girl. You go to town and buy the material you've been wanting and with what's left over get anything else you want. I'll have Marcus take you." "Oh, Daddy," she said, standing up on her tiptoes to plant a kiss on his cheek.

"Oh, one other thing. Check at the post office, and be sure to stop and pick up a paper for me while you're there."

She left the sitting room excited. It had been a long time since she had been in town. To see all the shops and stores was exciting. Especially with money in her pocket to spend. Just one thought bothered her. She really would prefer going with someone else besides Marcus. To be driven around by a black man, a slave, was not so uncommon, but she would rather go with a friend. Suddenly, an idea came to her. Sarah. Maybe Sarah would be able to go with her. Surely, if so, her dad would allow it. She knew he didn't want her to take the long trip alone, but with Sarah, maybe it would be all right.

She went back to where her father was still reading in the sitting room. "Daddy," she said, in her sweetest voice. "Would it be alright if instead of Marcus, Sarah and I go into town together?" There, she had said it, and she waited, hoping he would say yes.

"Well, I don't know, Jenny," he said slowly, getting up from his chair. "Not that the roads are dangerous, but if anything should happen to the rig, Marcus would be better able to take care of it."

Jenny was already keen on going with her friend, and she tried to think of what she could tell her father to help him change his mind. "But Daddy, the weather is already getting nice outside, and someone would be coming along sooner or later who could help." Then another idea came to her. "Maybe Sarah's father would let us take theirs. It's almost new, so nothing could go wrong with it." She looked up appealingly into his eyes.

"Oh, Jenny. You have such a way about you when you really want something. Reminds me a little of your mother. If you can go together in their newer one, it will be OK with me. Providing that you leave early enough and be sure to get back before dark."

Jenny stood up tall enough to kiss her father on the cheek and then whirled out of the room, not before saying "Thank you father." She was elated. Now, if only Sarah could go, and, in their new carriage.

Next part: Meeting someone special in town. Hope you are enjoying the story.