Drumpftland - Chapter 5

Dunston and I have quickly become friends. I feel a little guilty about my attraction for him. Bryant is still hospitalized in the detention center of the psych ward. Blake comes to see me and he usually comes alone. But I know Bronson likes to come with him. And Mrs. Cross has visited too. And a couple of times a week I get a call from a young mother checking with me that Dunston, my father or one of my grandfathers has advised her correctly.

I don’t think my father is planning to let me return to work even after my foot is healed. I overheard him talking with Granddaddy, Poppa and Dunston. My relationship with Bryant protected me from the advances of unwanted men. But that relationship is technically over. Daddy won’t let me marry Bryant. And it’s not safe for me to go anywhere unescorted as a single woman in Drumpftland. The men don’t bother each other’s wives not so much out of respect as it is an unsaid agreement that if I don’t bother yours, you don’t bother mine. But if you’re a beautiful woman, even being married may not protect you. If you’re lucky, you’re just raped. Not so lucky, beaten and raped. Or the worst that could happen as with my grandmother, murdered so you can’t tell anyone who raped you. And Daddy’s been getting calls from other fathers inquiring about his plans for me and asking him to consider their sons. And he’s been telling them that Blake has already proposed. But he admits that he is still undecided concerning Blake.

I’ve been home from the hospital for nearly a month and a half. I’ve gone from wheelchair to crutches. My ankle was badly strained and is healing quite slowly. It would have been better if I had broken it along with my foot. Breaks heal stronger than sprains and strains. My ankle may trouble me off and on for the rest of my life, ache when it rains and such.

I got to go to church Sunday. It felt a little strange after not attending for nearly two months. I have to admit that I did miss it. But Pastor Wimbly was delighted to see me, and I was delighted to see him. He only made it to visit me a couple of times. Of course there were some shocked gasps when he gave me a deep loving kiss in front of everyone. With me technically unattached, he doesn’t need to hide his affection for me. Blake wasn’t pleased though. He didn’t say anything at church. But I could tell by his face. Just like I could tell by his face he was bothered to come to church and find Dunston sitting with his arm around me. Mr. Cross asked Blake if he was coming and he said no, that he was sitting at the back with me. He glared at Dunston as he sat by me, took my hand and gave me a kiss. But Dunston didn’t remove his arm.

Tonight is going to be interesting to say the least. The Crosses have asked to come have dinner with us. Mr. Cross wishes to speak with my father and grandfathers. I’m sure it’s about Blake’s proposal. And I’m afraid Mr. Cross isn’t going to like Daddy’s answer. Mr. Cross will look to Poppa to override Daddy. Poppa being my only Caucasian male relative in the household and Daddy’s father-in-law can override Daddy’s decisions regarding me. But Poppa won’t override Daddy. Any decision that was made regarding me my parents and grandparents made together. They’ll all be in agreement on whatever decision they’ve made.

“Hello,” calls Blake opening the front door, “We’re here.”

My father invites in a friendly tone, “Come in. Come in.”

“I brought a desert dish,” shares Mrs. Cross.

“Thank you, that’s wonderful,” my mother says pleasantly as she accepts the dish.
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“Since I became Byron’s wife I haven’t done much cooking,” shares Mrs. Cross. “But I do still have a few things I can do.”

Blake steals a quick loving kiss from me as Abuela informs our guests, “Dinner is almost ready.”

“Here,” directs my father, “make yourselves at home. We need to set the dining table. It’s been a while since we’ve had guests. My apologies that we’re a little rusty at it.”

“No worries,” responds Mr. Cross. “We’ve had guests way too often. It’s nice to be the guests instead of the host. Ava, you are looking remarkably well. How are you feeling my dear?”

“For the most part I feel fine,” I answer as I sit on the loveseat with Blake and Bronson. Yet I admit, “But I miss Bryant and Daddy won’t let me go see him. How is he doing?”

“He misses you,” Mrs. Cross informs me. “But he’s being cooperative and actively participating in therapy. Somedays he seems a little lost, but he hasn’t had any violent episodes. You were everything to him and he’s just not sure how he’s supposed to live without you.”

My father addresses Mr. and Mrs. Cross, “I want you to understand that we’re all fond of Bryant. We’ve missed him the last few years and we still think of him as a member of this family. When they let him go home, he’ll be welcome here if he wants to visit us. And as much as I want to forgive and forget and welcome him back with open arms, I need to do what’s best for Ava. They both need time to learn how to live without each other.”

“Alright,” calls Granddaddy, “dinners ready.”

For the most part, I’m quiet through dinner. I’m trying to get a sense of what’s going to become of me marriage wise. Mr. Cross is sure laying it on thick. I’m playing it cute and mute as I sit between Dunston and Blake. And every time Dunston touches my hand or my arm as he checks to see if he can get me anything, Blake glares at him. I’m not sure what exactly is bothering Blake. He’s very good at reading people. Maybe he noticed I’m attracted to Dunston and he’s worried because it makes me all warm and tingling when Dunston touches me.

At the end of the meal, the men separate from the women. I don’t like it. I can’t hear everything they’re saying perfectly.

“Ava, you’re very quiet,” notes Mrs. Cross.

“My apologies,” I say sincerely. “It just makes me uneasy when decisions are being made about my life without my input.”

I hear my father tell Mr. Cross, “I like Blake.”

Mrs. Cross ask me, “Your father isn’t going to give you permission to marry Blake is he?”

I sigh sadly, “I’m afraid not.”

My mother informs Mrs. Cross, “Blake has many fine qualities. We like him. But he seems uncomfortable here with us while he’s visiting Ava. And while he obviously cares for her greatly, there seems to be a lack of respect for her and her feelings. And he doesn’t seem to care what marrying Ava will do to Bryant. You only seem to look out for each other as far as protecting your family name is concerned. Other than that, you really don’t operate like a loving caring family. We don’t feel you and Mr. Cross have set a proper example of being caring parents. And without that example, how is Blake supposed to know how to be a loving caring husband and father?”

Mrs. Cross opens her mouth to say something, but then we hear Mr. Cross begin to laugh loudly in the other room. Mr. Cross isn’t a man with a sense of humor.

Then we hear Mr. Cross state way too pleased, “That’s just fine. Since you will not permit Blake to marry Ava and she is now completely unattached, I am claiming her as my mistress.”

I start to cry. Legally, a man can only have one wife. But he can claim as many mistresses as he wants. Mr. Cross has never had an official mistress before. Just occasional secret rendezvous on top of using me against my will when the opportunity has presented itself. I guess I’m the first one he’s ever wanted to keep.

As he strides into the room triumphantly, Mrs. Cross pleads, “Don’t do this Byron. Think of how this will affect Bryant.”

Mr. Cross responds coldly, “Bryant’s not a damn child anymore. He blew it with Ava. And they won’t accept Blake either. She’s finally completely unattached. And I’m claiming her before anyone else can.”

“Please Dr. Washington,” pleads Blake, “let me marry Ava. I will live here. I will never force her to live under the same roof as my father.”

“The decision was made,” Mr. Cross tells Blake triumphantly. “And being my mistress will protect her the same as if she were my wife. She won’t even have to endure that old coot Pastor Wimbly.”

As I’m sobbing “no,” Mr. Cross yanks me up from my chair, tosses me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and slaps my ass. He informs my father, “I want her birth control implant removed immediately. I know she’s going to be a wonderful mother and give me fine sons. I’ll send help to assist in packing her clothes and personal items. I think she’s going to love the large bedroom I have waiting for her.”

“Byron, stop this,” demands Mrs. Cross.

Then Dunston orders Mr. Cross, “Put her down.”

“Like hell I will,” responds Mr. Cross. “This is my prize.”

Dunston orders, “Put my fiancé down.”

“Your fiancé,” questions Mr. Cross in disbelief.

“Yes,” answers Dunston firmly, “my fiancé. What do you think I relocated to this little nothing nowhere district for? The good weather?”

Dunston takes me from Mr. Cross and carefully places me on the sofa. He kneels on one knee in front of me and ask concerned, “Are you alright?”

I nod jerkily as he gently wipes tears from my face. He assures me, “It’s alright. You’re not going anywhere with him.”

I grasp Dunston’s hand and hold it to my cheek. I don’t even know how to start to express how grateful I am to him. I just sob some more.

Mr. Cross checks with my father and grandfathers, “You’re giving her to him?”

My father nods, “She’s already been given to him. It was decided months ago, before Bryant lost it all together and tried to kill her. Then there were transfer papers and such. The paperwork to transfer Dunston here took nearly three months. We love Bryant and we kept hoping he would pull himself together, but that just didn’t happen.”

“Why wasn’t an announcement made,” demands Mr. Cross angrily.

“Those that needed to know, did know,” answers my father. “Pastor Cross helped us find Dunston for Ava. And an announcement wasn’t done so they could get to know each other without any outside pressure. Plus we wanted to make sure Dunston was right for Ava. We wanted their relationship to grow and develop naturally.”

Dunston tells Mr. Cross, “Ava has endured enough from your family. You and your sons have been imposing yourselves and taking from her for years. I don’t want our relationship to be like that. She deserves to receive as much love as she gives. I want her to be comfortable with me, feel safe and secure with me and know that I am here for her and I’m not going to demand anything of her. I want to make her happy. I’ll never take her against her will.”