“No. On one side, the Lumbertons came from Europe.” Peepaw leans back and a cool breeze tosses a few of his short hairs. “The Lumbertons began building on this very land. Then more settlers came and they formed a community. The land wasn’t theirs to take, but they took it anyways.”
“That was wrong. We learned about it in school. But some of the pilgrims became friends with the Native Americans. Like Pocahontas and John Smith.”
Peepaw smiles down at me and his chest moves up and down with laughter. “I’m sure some did, but it wasn’t as friendly as some people want to paint it out to be. But that’s a story for another day. Over the years, generations of Lumbertons have lived and planted their roots here. Our farms and businesses have remained within our family. Some of the Lumberton children began to become greedy, though. Consumed with the need for wealth and power. Addiction to anything is very dangerous, princess. Never let anything have that much control over you.”
“I’m getting confused again, Peepaw.”
“Sorry,” he grunts. “Where was I?”
I roll my eyes and blow a piece of hair out of my face. “I thought there were going to be Native Americans in this story.”
“Oh there is! Charles Lumberton. He was one of the children brought over and grew up here. When Charles became of age, he was out riding and hunting. What he brought home, nobody was expecting.”
“What’d he catch? What’d he catch?”
“He returned home with a young and very beautiful Native American woman, named Talulah.” Peepaw pauses and then looks out into the yard. I can kind of imagine what the world was like before the town was fully settled. Peepaw and Meemaw have a pond, trees, and so much land with green grass and flower beds. “While the other boys were addicted to greed, Charles became consumed with the young woman. He was madly in love with her.”
I smile happily. “Did he marry her?”
“He did. But at a cost. See, just like the land the family took, she wasn’t his to take either. Though they both loved each other, her tribe had already chosen her a warrior to marry. And the Lumbertons did not feel she was an appropriate match for their son. You know what else?”
“What,” I gasp, on the edge of my seat.
“Her tribe did not want her marrying an outsider especially since she was their princess. And the warrior was not at all happy that this foreign man had already taken his land, now he went for his future bride.”
I frown. Why did everyone get a say in who they married? If they loved each other, what did it matter?
“Well, Charles Lumberton was prepared to do anything. His heart was set on marrying, Talulah.” Peepaw taps my nose. “See, you’re a descendant of a Native American princess.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Wow. So that means they did get married!”
“The Lumbertons were not about to lose their son. The tribe was not about to give up their princess. War was about to break out between the settlers and the Natives. But Charles and Talulah’s love was so strong that the families saw it. The two would not be parted. Peace was formed. And that’s why you have your coloring. You are a real princess, Denise.”
I can’t stop the smile that spreads. I am a princess. “Thanks Peepaw. So you’re a king?”
“Seeing you happy, I feel like I’m king of the world!”
I giggle as Meemaw walks out carrying a tray of snacks. I remember Mommy last night, and whisper, “Mommy said our family is cursed.”
Peepaw proudly states, “Our family is blessed. Formed out of love.”
That was the first lie my Peepaw ever told me. And the last. He mysteriously died two days after telling me that story. Years later I learned there was no peace between the settlers or the natives. There was no happily ever after for Charles and Talulah. Peepaw left out the part about the bloodshed that followed their union. Talulah died while giving birth to twins. The warrior she was betrothed to heard the news and in his grief killed Charles, effectively starting a war. The chief of the tribe cursed the Lumberton family with his dying breath. A curse that I fear may still be tied to my family because, like Peepaw said, it’s in your blood.