Chapter 34

A Secret Story

After Pete Perkins finished his speech, and after all of the parents agreed to speak with their daughters on the matter, everyone slowly began to retreat to their homes. Mr. Gailen and his wife, Monica were incredibly quiet during the wagon drive. The meeting at the courthouse had silenced and puzzled the caring father of Dorcas. He started questioning wether his decision to keep his oldest daughter apart from the Pontipee was a good idea. What if it was true love all along? He remained quiet, his eyes concentrating on the rode. Monica however, after few minutes of having her mouth shut, started to speak again with an air of importance.

"We mustn't fall for Pete's overly-sensitive words." She began, her voice sharp and annoying as always. "I know that we should behave as good Christians, but don't start having any emotional ideas about that worthless Pontipee and our precious girl." She continued in agitation, afraid that her husband would foolishly allow Dorcas to become the wife of the second oldest Pontipee.

Monica Gailen was a woman who had everything planned out, including the future of her two daughters. She wanted them to have an effortless life and be prosperous along with their very accomplished husbands. For some reason, she believed that all this would bring happiness to the whole family. And the only person getting in their way, was that dirty, rotten Benjamin Pontipee.

Monica thought that her husband was one her side all this time, and yet now she began to see that he too was doubting their latest decisions. This angered and worried her, but there wasn't much she could do besides fuss loudly about the fact that Dorcas deserved someone better than that blunt and disgraceful man.

"She must marry Matthew Straither. She simply must." Monica went on and on. "He is such a nice young man."

Mr. Gailen, who was quite used to his wife's nonstop chatter, remained silent throughout the whole drive. Something in his eyes slowly waking in realization.

The two Pontipee brothers walked side by side on a very still, soundless and dark streets of the town. Most of the civilians were already fast asleep, ready to start a fresh new day the earlier next morning. Frank and Ephraim strode along the road, their thoughts scattered and all over the place. So much had happened...When was the last time these two brothers were together?

Frank, as usual, was the first one to break the silence among them. "Eph, I sure am glad to see you. How is it that you found me? Where were you anyways?" He rained down these questions with much interest.

Ephraim glanced at his brother, a small smirk spreading across his face. Already Frank had forgotten about his idiotic behavior in the town square as he almost got both of them in big trouble with the sheriff. Typical!

"I should be the one asking questions here." Ephraim told him firmly, after staying silent for few minutes.

"Fire away." Responded Frank in his playful manner.

The older brother had a strong urge to roll his eyes...leave it to Frank to make serious situations into a comical circus.

"Why did you try to capture Sarah again? Have you lost your mind?" Ephraim asked, his voice sharp and demanding. It was odd. Altogether he was starting to sound like Adam.

"Cut me some slack!" Cried Frank defensively. "What would you do in my place? If your gal was marryin' another in hopes of savin' you?"

Honestly, Frank couldn't believe his brother right now! How dare he stand there like a saint and judge him so? Couldn't Ephraim understand just how dire and hopeless the situation was for him?

"Frank, you ain't listening," Continued Ephraim sensibly, hoping to beat some sense into him. "The problem isn't what Sarah's doing or Carl or anyone for that matter...you're the problem!" He announced unashamedly, stopping his younger brother right in front of the Bixby's general store, where he had broken the window that very afternoon. "Look what you did! How's this gonna help our brothers? We need to get 'em out, not join them once more in prison."

Frank blinked and stared at the ruined mercantile window emotionless. "I didn't do it." He said childishly. "I just knocked that old scum Carl in his rightful place!" He added in disgust and crossed his arms. "I don't see no problem with that."

Ephraim glared at his brother in utter shock. "Are you listening to yourself?" He asked in disbelief. "You sound like a four year old!"

Frank scoffed in irritation. "Ah, stop that. Stop actin' like your all grown-up and wise!" Before his older brother could say anything, Frank continued his fiery speech. "Don't you understand? If I don't end Sarah's foolish mission, I'll lose her forever! Is that what you want?"

Ephraim twitched his jaw and took a deep breath. Arguing with Frank was the last thing he wanted. "I know it's hard for you." Ugh, it always hard for little Frank! What about him? And the fact that Liza had refused to marry him without any normal explanation. He practically had to rescue his brothers all by himself now. But NO! It's always Frank and his dramatic problems.

"But you gotta pull yourself together. We need to save our brothers first. I was this close...this close and-" Ephraim couldn't bring himself to continue anymore. Memory of the rejection from the woman he loved was too heartbreaking.

"And what?" Asked Frank, suddenly looking very concerned for his brother. "What, Eph? What's wrong?"

Ephraim was quiet, he gazed up at the worried Frank with a sad expression. He didn't know where to start. So much had happened during these past few days. He had no idea how to begin telling his younger brother the new complicated situation he was in. When he had informed Adam that Liza had refused him flatly, his oldest brother encouraged him not to give up. Although, right now that advice seemed dry and unhelpful.

Sensing Ephraim's evident hurt and hidden anger, Frank blurted out. "It's gotta do with Liza? Doesn't it?"

At this, the older brother spoke, his tone low and collected. "It doesn't matter anymore."

However, knowing Frank really well, he realized that this subject wasn't going anywhere and braced himself for the explanations that would follow after Frank's numerous questions.

And he sure was right! The hot-blooded Pontipee was not planning on leaving things like that. So what if they squabbled and argued sometimes? All brothers were like that! Important thing was that the Pontipees, no matter how hard they brawled amongst one another, would die for one another first. They were brothers and had to share everything, including their heartaches.

Mr. Gailen found his oldest daughter comfortably reclined on her own bed. At first, he slowly and timidly knocked on the door and went in. "Dorcas, may I come in?"

"Of course, you can, Pa." She smiled at him sweetly, pushing a book she was reading to the side. "Come, sit." She motioned, more than ready to listen to her dear father.

To be fair, Mr. Gailen was surprised to see his daughter in such great spirits. When was the last time his Dorcas had smiled liked that? It seemed that ever since her return, she wanted nothing to do with her parents. That was also what partly angered him. He couldn't understand why Dorcas had become so cold towards her family. However, Mr. Gailen was beginning to acknowledge that his daughter's blunt attitude was their own fault. They had been treating her like a little victim since her return to town. Maybe, things were different after all.

"My girl," He sat down on a chair, scooping it towards her bed. "I want you to know that I all I ever did was for your own good. If there's something you'd like to share with me, I'm willing to listen and understand." He spoke to her as smoothly and calmly as possible.

Dorcas' eyes widened in shock, several emotions running through her mind. She was pleasantly puzzled with her father's gentle words. "Oh, Pa..." she began, unable to say anything else.

"Please, Dorcas...tell me, do you...love that Pontipee?" Mr. Gailen asked hesitantly.

"I do, Pa. I do." Dorcas answered without any doubts. "He is the love of my life."

Even though John Gailen expected to hear this answer from his daughter, he was still taken aback at how confidently Dorcas had confirmed his speculations. She was so sure of herself so strong...it reminded him of a certain someone.

"Look, I know it's hard for you to believe me after all that happened." Continued the passionate young woman. "But Benjamin has changed. He knows better now. We've been through so much together this past eight months. He proved to me just how worthy he was of my hand. Oh, I love him father! I love him so much! I can't stand the thought of something terrible happening to him!" Dorcas broke down and began to sob, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Mr. Gailen immediately pulled the girl in his arms and shushed her softly. "Now, now. Don't you worry, Dorcas. He'll be alright. I promise." He comforted her with his tender voice.

The young woman seized crying and stared up at her father in amazement. "What did you say?"

Mr. Gailen smiled lovingly. "I won't let anything happen to my girl's future husband."

Dorcas gasped, she was speechless and couldn't think of anything to say. She kept gazing at her father with wide eyes, jaw almost dropped. "P-pa, why what's the meaning of this?" She managed to speak up after few minutes of silence.

"I want you to be happy, my girl." Mr. Gailen kissed her forehead lightly and beamed in delight.

"You will allow Ben and I to marry?" Dorcas asked in disbelief, fluttering her pretty eyelashes.

"Well, first I gotta speak to him and make sure he will be a good husband." Mr. Gailen informed in a fatherly fashion.

"Oh, my darling!" Dorcas exclaimed overjoyed and embraced her father. "Thank you!"

"What made you change your mind?" She asked stunned, after the two broke apart.

Mr. Gailen cleared his throat. "That...is a long story."

Dorcas lifted her eyebrows questionably, waiting patiently for him to continue speaking.

John chuckled uncomfortably, little embarrassed to begin his tale: A secret story that he had kept to himself since he was a twelve year old boy. Maybe it was time to share it with her oldest daughter?

"Have I told you that you resemble your aunt?"

Dorcas knitted her eyebrows confused. "Yes, Pa...Mama always said that I look like aunt Lydia. So?"

"No, not aunt Lydia." Her father shook his head fiercely.

"Then who?"

He paused for a second before carrying on. "My older sister Tabitha..."

Dorcas stared in complete surprise, this was the first time she had heard something like that. "You have a sister?" She said dumbfounded.

"Why, yes..." Mr. Gailen declared with an amused grin.

"How come that you never mentioned her before?" Dorcas asked curiously, leaning forward to her father.

"That's the story." Exhaled John heavily, trying to think of a good beginning. "I was just a youthful boy when Pops moved us out from East to West and I remember how excited I was." He beamed with a happy delight. As if he were a little boy again. "The rode was long and tiring and yet, I loved the adventurous aspect of it. While Ma and Pa were exhausted, Tabitha and I were the only ones who couldn't take our eyes of the wild prairies. She was sixteen at the time and I was only ten."

"So, what happened?" Dorcas asked, interested and bit confused about the whole thing.

"Well, unfortunately we were attacked by the Indians, who raided other wagons and finally came on to us." Upon saying this, Dorcas gasped in shock.

"Indians!" She cried in terror.

"Yes, dear girl." Confirmed her father with a nod. "They took everything from us...everything."

"But you did survive right?" The older daughter questioned in concern.

"We all did. But they took everything from us including my sister, Tabitha."

Dorcas froze as she kept on listening to this secret story that only her father knew.

"Pops tried to get 'er back but it was no use, she was gone."

"Dead?" Tears leaked Dorcas' cheeks.

"No, no. She was livin' amongst them, those savages she had come to love... and when my pa went down to save her at last...she wouldn't go. In fact, she happened to have a child from one of the Lakota warriors."

Dorcas' pretty, dark eyes were as wide as dinner plates. She began to realize just how similar her aunt's story was to her own. How come she never knew about her? Tabitha...she had the same name as her. Only Dorcas was in Greek while Tabitha was derived from ancient Aramaic language.

"What did your father do?" Dorcas asked hesitantly.

"He denounced her! He told me that she was as good as dead." Mr. Gailen answered with a heavy heart. "I never saw my sister again. I missed her but I knew that she couldn't come back anymore."

"Were you angry at all?"

"Yes and no. I was upset that Tabitha had left us for some dirty Indians...and also happy because I knew that her place was there now and that's where she wanted to stay. She had a husband and a child. She couldn't leave them."

Dorcas sighed, completely perplexed at this shocking secret revelation.

"I learned to forgive and understand her. However, disliked the fact that Pa had rejected her and her new family. Because of Pa, I never saw Tabitha." He finished, with small tears in his eyes that had gradually filled up. "I hope she was happy..." There was a pause, as he wiped his tears away. "I won't repeat my father's action. If you wanna stay with Benjamin Pontipee then so be it. I give you my blessing." He added in determination, smiling brightly.

Without the second thought, Dorcas leaped in her father's arms and embraced him fondly, glad that the two of them had found a common understanding. Even though, the whole secret story was sad in many ways, both Mr. Gailen and Dorcas knew that a valuable lesson needed to be learned from it.