Page 12 of Coral Memories

Her mother rose and stepped to her side. Taking her hand, she said softly, “His father has raised the question, dear.”

Ginger couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She stepped back, recoiling at the idea. “I won’t marry Scott. And I won’t spend my life being a tutor to every man who is less intelligent than I am.”

Her father scowled. “Why, you ungrateful child.” Whipping his hand back, he advanced on her.

“Stu, don’t,” her mother shouted, grabbing his arm with surprising force. She cast a worried look at Ginger. “She’s young. I’ll talk to her.”

Huffing and hitching up his stained trousers, her father seemed suddenly embarrassed at his outburst, but he covered it with his usual bluster. “Graduating from high school is an achievement for a woman. Look at your mother. You should be happy you don’t have to leave school like she did.”

Her father had never struck her, and she didn’t think he would have, but Ginger knew she had touched a nerve. Yet, she had to make him understand how much she wanted—no,deserved, this chance. She had earned the privilege through diligence and determination.

Despite hot, angry tears threatening her eyes, Ginger drew herself up again. “Why do Calvin and Buford get to go? I’m smarter than they are. You’ve said so yourself.”

Her father rubbed his forehead. “They need an education to improve their prospects and provide for the families they will have someday. Higher education is wasted on you.”

“What if it were me that drowned instead of Jesse? You would send him.” Even as the words left her mouth, she knew she had pushed too far.

Her mother was quick to step between them. “Stu, please don’t. She didn’t mean that.”

With his face beet-red, her father jabbed a finger toward her. “My decision is final.”

His words struck her harder than any blow he might have dealt. Ginger sucked in a breath and turned into her mother’s protective embrace.

“There, there, dear,” her mother murmured, encircling Ginger in her arms. “When you’re married and raising your babies, you won’t have time to think about anything else. And that time is not so far away.”

“Mama, no,” Ginger pleaded. “I can’t get married, not yet.”

Her father clenched his jaw while her mother tried again. “You don’t want to miss finding a good man.” She cast another look at her husband. “Maybe not Scott, but someone like him who would care for you.”

Instead of encouragement, her mother’s words sounded more like an apology. “I’m capable, and I can take care of myself.”

Just then, Calvin came into the room, throwing a look at their father. “Hey, Ginger. Sure could use your help on my homework.”

“She’ll be right there,” her mother said, her voice gaining strength. “Stu, go wash off that fishy smell while I start dinner.”

Her father gave Ginger a final look of warning, and Calvin loped back to the room he shared with Buford.

When they were alone, her mother hugged Ginger to her chest and whispered into her thick mane of nutmeg-colored hair. “Scott was granted the scholarship I tried to get for you.”

Ginger could hardly believe what she’d heard. “Why didn’t you tell me you’d put me up for that?”

“I wanted to spare you the disappointment in case you weren’t chosen,” she whispered. “Don’t tell your father. He would be furious.”

Hope surged in Ginger’s chest. “I could try for it next year.”

Her mother shook her head. “The scholarship committee won’t assist girls. But I’ll help you get out of here.”

“How?”

“I’m working on it with Miss Carter,” her mother replied, her eyes blazing with determination. “You will not live the life I have.”

Ginger opened her mouth to speak, but her mother pressed a finger to her lips. “That’s enough for now. Go help your brother.”

3

The lunch run was long over, and Marina wondered where Jack was. He’d promised to meet her so they could look at new furnishings for their home. Then, she spied his car parked exactly where he’d left it earlier, near Ginger’s cottage.

Had he spent all day with Ginger without a break?

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