Page 25 of Mail Order Midnight

“I’m going to the church for the quilting circle tomorrow afternoon,” she said.

He nodded. “I thought you would. I don’t know if any of my brother’s wives go, but you should meet other people as well.”

“I did have a lovely afternoon with all of the ladies, but it would be nice to know a few other women as well.”

“And the church is the right place to meet God-fearing folks. Yes, it makes a lot of sense for you to go to the church and be part of the quilting circle.”

“I’ll have your afternoon meal ready before I leave and make sure your lunch pail is packed for work. Don’t worry that I’ll let you starve.” Sometimes she thought cooking and making love were the only things he cared about where she was concerned. Those and that she was accepting of his mother, whose behavior was unacceptable by any standards.

“I would like that.” He stood. “I’ll wait for you in the parlor.”

After finishing the dishes, Constance joined him, doing some mending while he read. He looked up from his book after a while. “Now that you know the sisters-in-law, do you miss your family less?”

She gaped at him. The man was completely clueless about a woman’s emotions. What was wrong with him? “No, I don’t miss them less. If anything, I miss them more. Spending time with everyone today made me think about how different it would have been with my family.”

“Just keep getting to know everyone, and soon you won’t think of your family at all.” With that, he went back to reading the paper, while Constance quietly seethed beside him.

*****

Constance felt a little shy as she arrived at the church the following day. The only woman she knew in town was the pastor’s wife, and she didn’t see Mrs. Abrams when she looked around the room. None of her sisters-in-law were there either.

There was an empty seat beside a woman who looked as if she was in her last month before her baby was born. Constance took the seat, hoping no one would ask her to move. She felt out of place in a way she never had before.

The pregnant woman smiled at her. “You’re new here. I saw you sitting with Leonard Berry at church on Sunday. I’m Abigail by the way.”

“I’m Leonard’s wife, Constance Berry. It’s nice to meet you.”

“I won’t be able to come to these much longer, so I’m enjoying the quilting circle while I can.”

Constance smiled. “When are you due?”

“Three more weeks, though the midwife keeps telling me the first babe is usually slow to come.”

“A first baby is so exciting. Do you want a boy or girl?”

“Oh, I’d like a girl for me, so I could teach her all about being a lady, but for my husband, I want a boy. He needs help around the farm.” Abigail shrugged. “I guess that means I’d be happy with either a boy or girl.”

“I guess it does. Well, I think it’s wonderful. Do you have everything ready?”

“I hope so. My mother is coming from Rhode Island after the baby is born. She’s so excited to be a grandmother. I just wish she’d be closer so she could really know him or her.”

“How long have you been away from your family?” Constance asked, thinking what it would be like to be pregnant and not have her mother around. She didn’t like the idea one whit.

“Bob and I got married eighteen months ago, and I moved out here to be with him after that. He’d always loved the idea of having a farm, and I went along with it. Now I want my mother.”

“I know I would feel the same way if I were you.”

“Bob wanted to be here for the free land, and I couldn’t argue with the price. So here we are. I’m just thankful there’s a train coming through here so my mother can visit easily. As long as she doesn’t mind spending a week on a train of course.”

Constance covered the other woman’s hand with hers. “If you need help between now and your mother’s arrival, you just let me know. I’m happy to fix meals or help around your home. I have plenty of time. My husband works at night.”

“I may have to take you up on that. Bob doesn’t think I should need help, but the babe is getting so big it’s hard to do anything. I know if I was a good wife, I’d just be able to push through it all and do what needs to be done, but it’s so hard for me.”

“I will be there anytime you need me. I would love to help you.”

“Then I will not be afraid to ask if I really need it.”

Mrs. Abrams hurried in then, taking the only empty seat in the circle. “Let’s start with a prayer, and then I’ll introduce our new member.”

---