The New World

Chapter Twenty-One

"No, I don't think that would be a very good idea," I said, hastily.

"I told you my life story. Do you think it's fair that you do not?" Tecumseh asked, cocking an eyebrow.

I paused, "Yes."

He laughed, "I will not judge you, if that is what you are worried about."

I sighed, "I guess... It is just, my life isn't a very happy story."

"And mine is?" he chuckled.

I gave a small chortle, "Well, no..."

Tecumseh placed his hand on my knee, "You can tell me. Do I seem like the man to laugh at your woes?"

I sighed and shook my head no. He let me think for a moment. I gave up, "What do you want to know?"

He smiled, "Where are you from, my beautiful star?"

I blushed with a smile, "I was born in Looe, Cornwall. That's in South West in Great Britain."

He nodded. He seemed to know about my old home and he didn't ask, so I assumed someone had already educated him.

"Why did you come here?"

"Tolerance, freedom from the King... That sort of thing."

"Tell me about your mother and father."

I sighed and went into detail about Father dying and then went on about mother, "She was a very sweet mother. She loved me and Father dearly. But along the way, she changed. She began to have relations with other men. On our way here, she met Sir Harold Toft. Soon after Father's passing, she became wed to him. They are happy now. She's happy."

"You do not seem too fond of her," he noted.

"She's a cruel person," I spit, "She betrayed my father and left him there to die; alone. She does not love me, anyway. We cannot stand each other. I become suffocated when we share the same space."

Tecumseh almost looked shock, but I could see that he understood.

"I mean, how could anyone make love to someone that they truly cared about, create a living being, and just abandon them? She put so much weight on my shoulders that I had to carry around for years! I still carry this lie, this heart-brake, this hogwash with me! I sleep and live with these terrible things on my mind and I'm just supposed to walk around like everything is fine?! I die a little every day because of my mother. She is a selfish, prejudiced, bitter, nauseating, whore!"

I was left breathless and the first time in years I almost felt like I was... free. My heart didn't feel so heavy, my mind wasn't so ample, my soul was liberated in some fashion.

I saw Tecumseh look at me like he was proud. Was it obvious that something was holding me back? Did it effect who I was? It must have... I had never told anyone this before, considering I didn't talk to anyone besides small talk with the fellow neighbors back in town... I had the urge to tell Tecumseh everything about my life. I wanted to drain all of my thoughts and feelings, memories and experiences. I loved this excitement!

Then his face got a little bitter, "Who is Will?" he muttered.

I looked at him bewildered, "How do you know about him?"

"I don't. That is why I am asking," he said innocently.

I glared at him. How in the world does he know that I knew a Will?! I had never spoken of him before! Tecumseh sighed, "You talk in your sleep," he confessed.

My cheeks flushed, "I do not!"

"But you do..." he said with sadness seeping into his voice.

I ran my fingers through my hair and huffed, frantic. I took a deep breath and calmed myself.

"What do I say?" I asked, upset.

"Some nights you jostle around a lot, like you are having a nightmare. You say 'Will' often, especially when you're having a 'fit'. But sometimes you hum... Only when you are still. I imagine you were having good dreams," he smiled at the last part.

"I am very sorry if I disturbed you when you were sleeping..." I said, avoiding the topic of Will.

He shook his head, "No, I love to hear your voice," he caressed my cheek with he back of his hand.

I grabbed his hand and intertwined our fingers together, his hand swallowed mine whole. He kissed the back of my hand and made my heart beat rapidly.

"Now... Tell me who Will is?" he asked.

I sighed and squeezed his hand, "We planned to wed back in England."

Tecumseh's face fell slightly.

"But plans changed when I sailed over here. He didn't join me. Now I am a bachelorette," I beamed.

A smile reappeared upon his face. He looked down at our joined hands and traced circles on the back of my hand with his thumb, "You are distressed in your sleep when you say his name," he hinted.

I pressed my lips into a fine line before I spoke and nodded, "He was... unpredictable."

He looked at me, waiting for me to continue.

I avoided his eyes, "We met when I was at the Farmer's Market. He was passing by and I guess... I just caught his eye," I shrugged, "We socialized frequently and a few months later we planned to marry each other when I was marrying age. He was older, you see. We were together for about a year. And, uh-- things were good... and somethings-- were not."

"What did he do?" he growled suddenly.

I swallowed, nervously, "He was going to leave me... And understand that he was my only way for a better life at the time. And to keep him-- I had to satisfy him..."

Tecumseh's claw clenched and his grip on my hand tightened, but he did not hurt me.

He looked away, "You made love to him," he said dryly, he did not ask to confirm.

"It wasn't like that, Tecumseh. It wasn't love at all. It was just sex. It was a good idea at the time, but I did not love him. I don't even think he loved me. You must believe me," I begged.

He still didn't look at me. I felt my self shrink inside. I knew it would be best to let everything out into the open. "And some nights," I continued, "He would drink. I would have done something to have upset him and he-- would beat me..."

Tecumseh's eyes flashed back to me, "He hit you!?" he roared.

I flinched at his loud voice, letting go of his hand. I nodded.

He growled, deep in his chest and pinched the bridge of his nose, "How many times?"

"What?" I asked, unsure of his meaning.

"How many times did he hit you? Did he rape you?! Do not tell me he did..." he snarled.

I scooted closer next to him, "Tecumseh, it doesn't matter anymore." I lightly touched his shoulder.

"He raped you, did he not?" Tecumseh hissed. His muscles were tense.

I was quiet for a moment, "I wouldn't consider it rape. Just..."

"Just what?" he snapped.

"Regrettable sex," I whispered, "But it's over now. I'll never see him again. Hell, I haven't seen him in three years! Please, don't be angry with me."

He cupped my face with both of his hands, "Alice, I could never be mad at you. I am upset what that man has done to you. He has scarred you, my lecakie. I can see it in your eyes. I can see that you are hurting. That, makes me mad," he was very much calm now.

I could feel a tear escape the corner of my eye. I forced out a laugh to cover a sob. Tecumseh brushed it away. And once one drop has fallen, it's hard to stop the rest of them. More tears followed and Tecumseh held me tight as I cried happily in his arms.

He rocked me back and forth. I cried from all the pain and suffering that has been afflicted upon me these many years and most importantly, I cried out of joy from hearing Tecumseh say those wonderful, caring words to me.

And just then, I was thinking of how lucky and happy I was, Tecumseh said the most beautiful thing, "I love you, my lecakie."

I nearly passed out from the sudden rush of happiness.