Chapter 6

September, 1918

‘Dear Tamsyn,

The outside world is more amazing and more terrifying than I ever knew. Everywhere I look there are reminders of how small and insignificant I am compared to the horror all around me, and yet my love of you drives me forward.

Paris is like a dream – it’s even better than the stories, and yet my heart aches for the simple things I had back home. They are feeding us well -- the veterans think that means they’ll be sending us to the front soon. I can tell my men are nervous, but we’re all excited to get into the fight.

We’ve been training for over a year, and the French and English troops need our help. I heard a French general say there’s so many of us Americans, we’ll roll right over the Huns.

Thanks for the picture you sent in your last letter. I carry it in my breast pocket, so you are always close to my heart. Please tell Mom and Dad not to worry about me and that all of you are in my thoughts.

As I am unable to take a photo at present, I’ve included a French poppy which I picked for you, my most special of girls. I have kissed each petal of this flower, and with it comes all my love,

Eddie

PS – If you could, please send a picture like one I drew in our bedroom. My nights are filled with memories of our time together, and seeing an image of your beauty would add steel to my heart.’

Tamsyn reread her letter for the thousandth time then touched the pressed flower to her cheek.

It didn’t take long for the town to resume its normal routine soon after the boys left. An outsider viewing the procession might not know there was a war going on unless they knew where to look. The ribbons and flags lining Main Street seemed a paltry sacrifice when viewing the houses draped in black. None of it seemed real and yet, the weight pressed down on everyone even if few talked about it. Tamsyn’s life went on like a dream living inside a nightmare.

She’d shared a hug with Eddie’s Mom when the train pulled away. Neither said a word - the look they gave one another might have been one of kinship or maybe even a look of pity. Tamsyn didn’t realize it then but being a soldier’s wife and the mother of a son had a lot in common. The real horror was not knowing and each day’s agony drove silent wedges between them.

Jenny said, “I got more invoices.”

Tamsyn shook her head. She’d shown Jenny how to process them a half dozen times but the girl never caught on. “Put them with the others. I’ll mark them for payment, and get the boss to write some checks.”

Jenny Driesen was a clever girl in her own way, but she’d never been known for her brains. The only qualification she brought to this office was her marriage to Adam Driesen, Eddie’s best friend. While Jenny wasn’t qualified, that was true of many people working in the factory. Half of its workforce was now in France, and truth be told, Tamsyn was sure others in the factory questioned her own qualifications for much the same reason.

Jenny asked, “Are you coming to my house tonight?”

Tamsyn sighed, “I can’t. You know Mrs. McClary.”

“But it’s my birthday.” Jenny said, giving her saddest face, “She’ll understand.”

Tamsyn shrugged, “I don’t know. Maybe.”

“It’d be keen if you did.” Jenny smiled. “Ella, Margaret, and Helen would love to see you. Gracie and Cathy might be there too.”

“Great.” Tamsyn smiled, doing her best to sound excited to see the girls who’d made her high school years a living hell.

Tamsyn took the invoices up the stairs to the office that looked over the factory. The sign on the door read, ‘Edward McClary, Sr., President – McClary & Son Fertilizer Company’.

Tamsyn hadn’t known much about Eddie’s dad before they got married. She did know the man was rich and he worked a lot. She also knew he spent most of his off hours focusing on his son. Nothing had changed with Eddie away, and that was especially true of the business work. Every fertilizer business in the country was working double shifts for the war effort.

She called out, “Got some bills for ya, boss.”

A deep voice called back, “I’m in here.”

Tamsyn found Mr. McClary in the conference room attached to his office. She supposed before the war the company had meetings in here but now the table was littered with newspapers and press clippings, and a large map of France covering one side of the table. Lines of string dissected the northern part of the country. On either side of the line he’d placed a series of tiny toy soldiers, with the northern army colored gray, and the southern colored blue. She saw Mr. McClary holding an army soldier with the number 30 on top of his head.

Mr. McClary said, “Put the invoices on my desk. I’ll get to them in the morning.”

“Sure thing, boss.”

Mr. McClary shook his head giving her a look of mock anger, “Tamsyn… How many times do I have to tell you to call me, Dad? You’re part of the family now.”

Tamsyn watched as he set the army figurine back on the map. “You know I can’t do that here, boss. You know what people would say.” She smiled as she stared at her father-in-law. Despite being twice her age, the man looked more than Eddie’s older brother than the richest man in town.

“You’re a stubborn girl, you know.” He gave her a smile reminiscent of Eddie’s and the many lines on his face began to disappear. “You’re as stubborn as my son. I suppose that’s why he fell in love with you.”

Tamsyn felt a queasy rise in her stomach. She watched as Mr. McClary’s eyes drifted towards the map. He’d placed the figurine representing the 30th Infantry Division near a small town in Northwestern France. “Bellicourt? Is that where Eddie is right now?”

Mr. McClary frowned, “Have I ever told you, you’re too smart for your own good?”

“Yes, sir.” Tamsyn said, posing as if a soldier standing at attention, “Many times, boss.”

Mr. McClary shook his head. “It’s late. You should get out of here. Someone told me it’s Jenny’s birthday today, and a bunch of your high school friends are planning a celebration. You should go have fun.”

“Did Jenny tell you it’s her birthday?”

Mr. McClary nodded, “That girl never stops talking.”

Tamsyn said, “You should spend a day in the office with her.”

“No, thanks.” Mr. McClary said, his eyes returning their focus to the map. “Now run along. I have work I need to finish.”

“Yes, boss.”

The streets were dark as Tamsyn hurried up the path towards Eddie’s parents’ house. Even after a year, it didn’t seem like home.

A woman’s voice called as soon as she entered. “I see the family whore is home.”

The alcohol smelled thick on Mrs. McClary’s breath as Tamsyn entered the kitchen. The woman’s face looked demonic as she spoke. “Where have you been? I bet you’ve been screwing lazy draft dodgers while my brave boy is fighting for his country in France.”

Tamsyn gave momentary thought to explain, but she knew nothing could calm Mrs. McClary in this state. Even Mr. McClary had trouble controlling his wife when her drinking got this bad.

Tamsyn ran up the stairs and into her room, turning the key in the lock after closing the door. Her room had become both a sanctuary and a jail. Anger boiled from her every pore, and sweat soaked her skin as she tore at her clothing.

The pieces of material came off one at a time until Tamsyn stood in the middle of the room wearing nothing but a pair of bloomers. A look in the mirror showed long lines of skin without an ounce of fat. Two large breasts hung low on her chest, driven down by gravitational necessity.

Tamsyn turned to the side to get a better look. Eddie never admitted it, but over the years she figured out why he’d been drawn to her. Boys never paid her any mind before that summer. She remembered her chest being sore for the better part of a year but gave it little thought.

Nothing happened for a long time then – wham – almost overnight, she found she had two massive weights hanging down from her chest. It was silly to complain. Without them, only god knew where she’d be.

A pad of paper lay on the nearby desk. The desk chair felt cold as she sat. Tamsyn began to write:

Dearest Eddie,

The whole gang got together today for Jenny’s birthday, minus you boys of course. It’s the first time I’ve seen Ella, Margaret, Helen, Gracie and Cathy at the same time since they had their babies. We met at Jenny’s parent’s house, and I think her Dad must have saved rations for a month. We had quite a feast.

Everyone is doing good. Margaret wouldn’t stop talking about John, Jr. Cathy ate enough food for two people. Skinny little Ella is now as big as a house. All the babies are healthy. I promised them all, I’d visit soon.

Your Mom is doing well. She prays for your safe return every day. So do I.

Your Dad is amazing. I’ve learned so much from him in the past year. He’s been a dynamo and everyone respects him. He sleeps in his office most days and though he’s too proud to admit it, I know he’s doing it for you.

Keep your head down and come home safe. I’m keeping the bed warm for you.

Your special girl,
Tamsyn

P.S. - I’ve enclosed the photo you requested. I hope you like it. Keep it safe.

When the boys first left for the war, the girls exchanged embarrassed looks the first time they gathered. Everything happened so fast – one day they were in high school – two weeks later they’d become war brides.

It was Jenny who broke the ice. “I hope the boys don’t get leave from training any time soon. My vagina needs time to recover. I swear it's gonna be sore for a year.”

The others girls looked at one another in mock horror but no one dared to respond until Ella began to giggle. Soon the whole group howled with laughter.

Cathy said, “I can’t believe you said that, Jenny.”

“Doesn’t mean it isn’t true.” Helen said, rubbing at her crotch.

Jenny’s admission loosened the cork holding back all the girl’s tongues. The older girls warned them it would hurt for a while. These women were right, of course, but no one told them how good it would feel. Over the next few months Tamsyn endured story after story about the joys of sex until their one by one, the pregnancies started to show. After that, stories of growing bellies and increased appetites became the main topic of discussion. Tonight’s discussion compared notes about the best way to take care of a baby.

Tamsyn was glad when the group’s talks turned to babies instead of sex. Her first attempt at intercourse turned into a disaster. They’d both done their best, but the experience ended with her husband sprinting limp-dicked for the bathroom. Tamsyn spent most of the next three hours crying, fearing she’d done something wrong.

Neither of them spoke after he emerged. It was better to pretend nothing had happened. Every morning at breakfast the newlyweds split into groups according to gender. The boy’s discussions grew more raucous every day. The girls grew more embarrassed with every shouted story.

She and Eddie didn’t try again, as their activities alternating between Eddie’s obsession with Tamsyn’s breasts and him working on pencil drawn sketches as Tamsyn lay nude on the bed. They both agreed her best pose was one where she was leaning forward over the edge of the bed with her long hair disheveled and her bosoms hanging down.

Tamsyn risked a question on their final day together, asking Eddie’s purpose as he continued to sketch.

“I need to remember every inch of your body while I’m away” was the response.

Tamsyn compared the sketch Eddie had drawn with the photo she held in her hand.

It wasn’t the first photo she’d taken. Every girl who could afford the cost sent photos to their husbands. Each picture drew requests for another. The last one Tamsyn sent showed a her wearing a modern looking dress with a low neck-line, no corset, and a split skirt. Mrs. McClary called her a whore when she saw it.

She could only imagine what the woman would say if she saw her latest creation.

Tamsyn didn’t dare go to a photographer in town. Instead, she found a guy in Nashville who specialized in such things. The picture cost a month’s pay, but seeing the similarities between this picture and Eddie’s sketch made it worth every cent. She paid cash, and after she got the print, she destroyed the plate herself.

She’d planned to drop the picture in the mail at the Nashville post office the same day but chickened out at the last moment. The picture had lain under the bed with the rest of Eddie’s sketches for the past two weeks, waiting for her next visit to the big city. She didn’t dare drop it off with the local postmaster. The last thing she needed was for one of the creeps at the local post office to open her letter and find the photo.

The woman in the image looked nothing like the girl who showed up to McClary Fertilizer wearing a Victorian style dress each morning. Tamsyn doubted anyone would link her to the photo even if they saw it. She barely recognized herself in the image. The moll in the picture looked like an overdone floozy from a picture show only without any clothing from the waist up. The fact the photographer offered to return his fee and double it if he could keep the plates told Tamsyn everything she needed to know.

She needed to be careful. It didn’t take much for a girl to lose her reputation these days with all the boys overseas. Town gossips loved telling tales of wives taking advantage of their husband’s absence. Tamsyn knew for a fact many of these tales were true.

When Eddie left, she decided she had to play her own part in the war effort, hoping her early nights and style of dress might hold back any speculation. Her actions had convinced her friends if you believed their taunts. To them, she was Mrs. Edward McClary, Jr., childless spinster.

Of course none of this stopped the guys at work from trying to take advantage. The factory was full of men deemed necessary for the war effort and most had decided to take full advantage of being safe at home while the town’s boys were ‘over there’. As Eddie’s wife, she made it clear to all it was best not to risk Mr. McClary Sr.’s wrath. Instead, she watched as Jenny took a side job under the stairs. A half-day’s wage for ten-minutes with her lips.

Tamsyn tried not to judge. The last thing she wanted was to let the war turn her into a judgemental old hag like Mrs. McClary, Sr. Times were tough and not everyone had the advantage of money.

Even if money were no issue, Tamsyn knew she’d have difficulty condemning her best friend.

The elders said girls weren’t supposed to think about sex but the discussions with her ‘high school friends’ told her nothing could be further from the truth. To them, it was cruel to have something so wonderful given to them for two weeks and then have it torn away. She'd heard rumors more than a couple had strayed.

For her part, Tamsyn didn’t dare tell a soul she and Eddie hadn’t consummated their marriage. At night, she replayed the events of their two weeks as husband and wife, each memory dominating her dreams. With her husband over four thousand miles away, she’d tried several methods of self pleasure, but nothing hit the spot.

As Jenny said to the group a few hours earlier – “She needed a stiff dick.”

Each morning Tamsyn watched as the boys glared as she entered the factory. Some of them were quite cute and the looks caused her to go weak in the knees. While she did best to ignore it, she found if she stared too long, her innards began to quiver. Perhaps Mrs. McClary was right - maybe deep down she was a whore.

** Knock … knock … knock **

A familiar voice called through the thick wooden door. “Tamsyn?”

“Coming.”

Tamsyn pulled on a heavy cloak to cover her nakedness before rushing to the door and turning the key. “Did you need something … boss?”

Mr. McClary shook his head. “Hazel told me she heard yelling after you got home. I wanted to check on you to make sure you’re OK.”

“I’m fine.”

Mr. McClary pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, “The tears staining your face say otherwise,” he said, dabbing them dry.

Tamsyn closed her eyes, basking in the scent of her father-in-law’s cigar. “I’m writing a letter to Eddie. I try not to be sad but …”

“Oh. I’m so sorry.” Mr. McClary withdrew his hand as fast as he’d offered it, seeming as discomforted as Tamsyn had ever seen him. “I’ll leave you to your writings.”

“Thanks for checking in on me … Dad.” Tamsyn forced the final word from her lips, happy to see it drew a smile from the older man’s lips.

“Any time.” Mr. McClary blushed.

Once the door closed, Tamsyn realized she’d left her bawdy picture sitting on the dressing table. It was unlikely Mr. McClary saw it due to the distance but she couldn’t be sure. She could only imagine what the man might think if he’d seen it up close. Tamsyn redoubled the lock.

“Love, honor, cherish, and obey.” She dropped the picture into a thick mailing envelope used for express mail to the soldiers overseas reminding herself she was good girl.

‘Thoughts are not deeds.’

Tamsyn knew she shouldn’t feel guilty. After all, Eddie was the one who’d requested she take the nudey picture. When she started to put her handwritten letter inside the envelope, she noticed a few tears had stained some of the words. Tamsyn pulled out a fresh sheet of paper and began to write again.

Chapter 7

“Are you awake?”

Billy could see Tamsyn clinging tight to his chest. “Did I pass out?”

Tamsyn smiled. “It’s natural for men to feel sleepy after they finish.”

“Did I do okay?”

“You did great Billy. One of the best I’ve ever had.” Tamsyn gave him a great big smile.

Billy knew she was being nice, but the lie made him feel better, and the passion she evoked from his loins made the lie seem plausible. A part of him hoped she'd never let go.

“Do you feel different, Billy? You’re not a virgin anymore, you know.”

Billy shrugged, "A little. Maybe. Is this what love feels like?" The words popped out of his mouth before he could call them back.

Tamsyn laughed, “Don’t be silly.”

Billy considered the words for a moment, then said, “I’ve never felt like this for anyone.” That wasn't exactly true but close enough.

Tamsyn said, “You’re experiencing a post-coital chemical reaction. Nature put these chemicals inside us so men and women would form bonds. It’s unfortunate the feeling doesn’t last forever.”

Billy said, “My stomach is churning something awful.”

Tamsyn asked, “Are you hungry?”

“No… I don’t know. It feels like someone scooped me out from the inside.”

Tamsyn laughed, “You’re a growing boy. Boys are all the same. They need three things – food, sex, and alcohol. In my experience, they can rarely get enough of all three, but the best course in all things is moderation. Would you like some tea, instead?”

Billy said, “I don’t like tea.”

“You said you didn’t like wine, and yet you polished off the better part of a bottle.”

“True.” Billy rubbed his temples, “My head hurts. What time is it?”

“A little after 9:00PM.”

“Oh.” Billy pulled himself up in the bed. “I guess I’m supposed to go now."

“Ha!” Tamsyn laughed, “A minute ago you claimed to love me, and now you’re trying to leave."

Billy sat up to watch Tamsyn get out of the bed with not a stitch of clothing on her body. She pointed through the window into the woods, “Your friends are still waiting. They seem to be having a grand time. I see one of them brought binoculars.”

Billy pulled the covers tight. “I’ll take your word for it.”

"Would you like to do it again?”

“Again?” Billy felt his excitement build. “I thought you had a rule - only once per customer.”

Tamsyn said, “My rule is one visit per customer and it is my choice when the visit ends. I find you a very special boy, Billy.”

“I am?”

Tamsyn leaned towards him, brushing her hand across his cheek. The touch caused an immediate reaction down below.

“Now?”

Tamsyn shook her head, “Of course not now. You need a lesson in patience.”

“Oh.”

Tamsyn smiled, “I hope you don’t mind if I leave you alone for a few minutes. I need some time to clean up, if you know what I mean.” She gave a shy smile causing Billy to blush.

Billy didn’t say a word as he watched Tamsyn disappear into the dressing room. The longer he sat, the louder his inner voice shouted.

‘I had sex!’
‘I had SEX!’
‘I HAD SEX!’

The guys were right. Something had changed inside him. He never remembered feeling this good. He’d heard sex was great and he never doubted the claims but the real thing exceeded his wildest dreams. The only thing that could have made the experience better is if he’d done it with someone other than the town’s whore.

‘Dammit.’ Billy regretted the thought as soon as it popped into his head. Tamsyn had been exceedingly nice.

Before coming here, he’d researched her and this house but hadn’t found much. The stories said the widow had performed this service for as long as anyone could remember. Somewhere in the dark recesses of Billy's mind rose a question – Why did she look so young? The thought caused him to jump out of bed and into the cold bedroom air.

“Brrrr….” Billy realized in a flash he wasn’t wearing a stitch of clothing and his gaze turned to look out the bedroom window. Thoughts of his friend’s binoculars caused him to grab the closest garments in a panic, sliding both on easily, as they were made of silk. Looking down and seeing he now wore a chemise and a pair of bloomers, Billy covered both items with the pink nightgown he’d found in the bathroom.

A quick look showed the cold air had done a number on his manhood. If size were any indicator, it would be an hour before he’d be in shape for another go. And he wanted another go.

“La … la la … la … la .. la la la … la”

Tamsyn’s voice sung in the next room, accompanied by the echo of water entering a bathtub. The sound called to him, and he fought the urge to join her as Billy sniffed at his new outfit. Neither article of silk was especially flattering, more suited to something his grandmother might wear instead of a beautiful woman like Tamsyn.

"Ahhh..." Seeing himself in Tamsyn's clothes made Billy harden and his words came out as a loud moan forcing him to clapped both hands over his mouth in hopes Tamsyn didn't hear.

When he heard Tamsyn continuing to sing, Billy breathed a sigh of relief and began to laugh, 'I guess everyone is right. I am weird. And a pervert too.'

Another look in the mirror showed his ridiculousness. The undergarments hung off his body like two potato sacks. Billy pressed on the warm pleats where Tamsyn's breasts had been earlier, rubbing the area again and again until it started hurt. Residual wetness pressed cold against his cock. Billy pulled the bloomers up, allowing his juices to mix with Tamsyn's.

"Billy?" Tamsyn’s voice sounded far away as he dove under the covers.

"Yes?"

Tamsyn asked, "Could you find me a spare robe? You’re using the one I kept in here."

"Uhhh…" Billy waited a few seconds hoping to retain more of the bed’s warmth. "Where is it?"

Tamsyn said, "I have several in the closet. Bring me the red one and a matching pair of house slippers."

"Ok." Billy said, seeing his member now standing at half staff. "Be there in a second."

His friends weren't lying about the size of this woman's closet. A thousand dresses would be an understatement. Items were grouped by type, fashion, and color and organized enough so it didn’t take long to find the cloaks.

The house slippers took a bit longer, but only because Tamsyn had so many pairs of shoes. Heels, pumps, sneakers, flats, boots, and countless others sat among the hundreds of pairs of footwear. Near the end sat a row of slippers. He chose a pair of red ones for Tamsyn. remembering the cold of the floor, he picked a matching pair of pink for himself.

Billy closed his eyes as he entered the bathroom. “Are you decent?”

“Hardly.” Tamsyn chuckled.

Billy looked at his feet. “I hope you don’t mind, I borrowed some slippers.”

“They look good on you.” Tamsyn smiled as she got out of the tub and dried her naked body, not bothered in the slightest by his presence.

She pointed to his underwear and pants laying on the counter, pre-cum stains marring both. “Gunther can hand-wash these in a flash. He’s a magician with cum stains. You’re not the first visitor who has had that problem.”

“Uhhh…”

Tamsyn didn’t say a word as she finished drying off and put on her clothing, the smile on her face the only indication she had noticed Billy’s stare. Looking in the mirror, she stated, "We look like twins."

Billy stared into the mirror, looking at Tamsyn and back to himself. “I don’t think that is true.”

“You look better than most of the boys who decide to try on my clothes.” Tamsyn gave him a wicked smile, “Would you like a tour of the place?”

"A tour?" Billy said through chattering teeth. “Can’t we go back to bed? It’s a bit cold.”

Tamsyn smiled. “Follow me.” Billy followed her into the hallway where it was even colder, then stopped at a hall closet, as she pulled out two cloaks, a red one and a pink one.

“We’ll really be twins now.”

Billy didn’t argue, as he pull the cloak over his head.

“It’s still cold.”

Tamsyn said, “You’ll warm up as we walk around." She pointed, "You’ve seen the entry stairs. One side leads to Gunther’s room and rooms I use for storage. The other wraps around and comes out over here by my bedroom.”

Billy wrapped his arms around himself, doing what he could to stop shivering.

Tamsyn didn’t seem to notice.

“This house has gone through several incarnations over the years. I already told you the first owner designed it with the idea of it being a church.” Tamsyn pointed down the middle of the entry hall. “You can almost see the pews if you squint.”

Billy nodded. He could almost see it. The central area was massive, now designed in the style of a fancy ballroom.

“When the church failed, an investor bought it with the idea of turning it into a hotel and when that failed, my husband and I spent a small fortune to modify it for our purposes.

Tamsyn pointed from one end of the room to the other, “If you draw a line from the foyer to the dining room, you’ll see where the altar used to sit.”

Billy noticed a raised area they’d re-purposed into a wet bar. “This place was a church?”

“Honest to god.” Tamsyn said, raising her hand high in the air as a goofy grin appeared on her face.

“My husband re-purposed the side rooms, copying the style you used to see in the great mansions of England.” Tamsyn pointed, “You’ve already seen the dining hall. Over there is the game room, billiards, and card tables. Upstairs is a half dozen rooms meant for guests or for entertaining. We mainly used the main hall for dancing when opportunities arose. The grand piano is over there, but I never had the patience to learn how to play.”

“This place is a mansion.”

“Yes it is.”

Billy asked, “Why did you stop having parties?”

Tamsyn's face turned dark, “My husband died."

“Oh … shit … sorry.” Billy wished he could pull back his words.

Tamsyn’s face had lost some of its sheen. "My reputation was in tatters when he died. Few of the old gang would visit by the time it happened.”

Billy shook his head, “I’m sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up. I think I enjoy putting my foot in my mouth.”

Tamsyn's face brightened, "No, you're fine. It does no good to shy away from the topic of death. My mother died during the pandemic. My husband died a few months after my twenty-second birthday. This place died with him.”

Tamsyn’s face looked ashen. Billy asked, “Can we talk about something else?”

Tamsyn nodded. “Of course."

Chapter 8

June, 1919

The Raceabout slowed as the train station came into sight. Tamsyn found a parking spot near the front and waited until she saw steam in the distance. Dozens of travelers rushed off the train. The soldiers got off last. The final person off the train caused her to run.

“Eddie!” Tamsyn stopped short when she saw Eddie’s face. A half spent cigarette dangled from his lips. “You smoke now?”

“They gave ‘em to us for free. They helped to take my mind off … everything.”

Tamsyn stared at Eddie. It was like seeing a ghost. “I missed you so much. She wrapped her arms around her husband, finding a skeletal frame.

Eddie asked, “Did Mom and Dad come?”

“They’re waiting back home with Jenny.”

“Jenny still talks to you?”

“Of course.” Tamsyn said, “She works at the factory, same as always. I haven’t spoken to anyone else from school in a while.” She hoped Eddie didn’t press the subject.

He seemed to understand, “I was sorry to hear about your Mom.”

Tamsyn had done her best not to think about it. “Half the town got sick all at once. Old Doc Peters was the first to go. Gracie died too. Thank god, most didn’t suffer long.”

Eddie nodded, “Half of my platoon got the Spanish Flu, but only two died.” His eyes took on a faraway look. “I wish more had gone that way. It might have been kinder.”

Tamsyn wanted to ask more, but the doctor warned her to stay away from the topic. “You look good.”

Eddie tried to smile. “Liar.”

“I’m not lying.” Tamsyn said through gritted teeth. Eddie looked nothing like the man she remembered. He lit another cigarette with the one in his mouth then stared at Tamsyn with the hollowed-out eyes of someone who hadn’t gotten a lot of sleep.

Eddie attempted another smile, “You do look amazing, Tamysn. Better than black and white.” He patted his left breast. Eddie put his hand inside his jacket, opening the brass container, and showing the photos inside.

Tamsyn blushed. “I can’t believe I took those.” She stared at Eddie, not sure how to respond. “You didn’t show them to anyone, did you?”

“Of course not. These were only for me.”

Tamsyn looked at the pictures. The top one showed her seated on a chair in the photographer’s office, with a blouse pulled tight against her chest. She removed the photos from the metal container one by one, but didn’t see the object of her search. “Where’s the other picture?”

Eddie said, “That’s all of them. I looked at them every day. Some days they were the only thing that kept me sane.”

Panic gripped Tamsyn, and she found it hard to swallow. “What about the last picture you requested? I sent it as soon as I was able.”

Eddie shook his head, “I never got it. Mail got hectic in the last months of the war.”

“Oh.” Tamsyn tried to smile, but found it wouldn’t form., “Did you get my letters? I wrote you every day. Twice a day after Bellicourt.”

Eddie fell slack upon hearing the town’s name. “I haven’t gotten anything in a while …” His voice trailed off. He stared at Tamsyn as if she were a thousand miles away.

‘Dammit.’ Tamsyn cursed under her breath at her stupidity. They’d told her to avoid the subject of the battle, but the word just popped out. The tragedy at Bellicourt was all anyone spoke about for months. Even now most wouldn’t let it go and it was hard to blame them. Tamysn pasted a smile on her face and slipped her arm around her husband’s thin waist. “Do you see what I brought?”

Eddie looked in the direction Tamysn pointed, but didn’t react. “Oh. The car.”

Tamsyn helped Eddie walk to the parking lot, each movement threatening to cause a fall. “I brought a picnic lunch. I figured you must be starving. We could go to the lakehouse if you want.”

Eddie shook his head. “They … uhhh … fed us … on the train. It was a long ride.”

“Ok.”

Eddie stared at the car with unseeing eyes. Without a word, he stepped around the bumper and got into the passenger seat.

Tamsyn asked, “Don’t you want to drive?”

Eddie didn’t respond.

Tamsyn nodded and jumped in the driver’s seat, then closed her eyes. Eddie’s father had offered to pick up his son, but she insisted she should be the one to greet him. “Are you ready to go?”

Eddie didn’t answer.

Tamsyn shifted the car into gear, and with practiced precision, accelerated the car down the road. She hoped the goggles would hide her tears.

*****

“AIIIEEEEAAA!”

Tamsyn bolted out of bed when the cry shouted in the night.

“AIIIIEEEEAAA!”

She ran to her husband’s bed.

“Eddie?”

It took time for him to recognize her. Eddie asked, “Did I wake you, again?”

Tamsyn lied, “I was up.”

Eddie bowed his head, tears welling in his eyes. "Sorry."

Tamsyn sat down on the bed, taking Eddie by the hand. "You're home, Eddie. You're safe." The doctors said it would take time, but it'd been over a month with no signs of improvement.

Eddie said, "You need to be careful. I'm afraid I might hurt you."

Tamsyn said, "You could never hurt me Eddie."

Eddie closed his eyes, "I wish that were true." He leaned his head forward, pressing against Tamysn's hand. "I'm so tired."

“I know.”

Tamsyn looked across the room to the decanter of ether the doctor had given them. Eddie had received a full dose before going to bed. She dared not give him more. The room grew quiet so Tamsyn began singing a lullaby she'd learned as a child. She watched Eddie's eyelids grow heavy until he again found sleep.

She stayed there for a few minutes before getting up, grabbing an item from Eddie's nightstand before leaving the room. Her footsteps echoed down the hallway as she made her way to the kitchen.

A voice called from the table, "Couldn't sleep?"

The sound of Mr. McClary’s voice took Tamsyn by surprise. She shoved the object in her hand into her pocket.

"No."

Mr. McClary said, "I heard the screaming. I thought you might want company."

Tamsyn nodded, "Thanks, Dad."

Mr. McClary smiled. He used his cigar to point at a ceramic pot on the counter. "I made some tea."

Tamsyn grinned, "You made it?"

He smiled. "I asked Hazel to make it. I figured tonight might be a late one."

Tamsyn nodded. They were visiting the doctor tomorrow but Eddie's first electroshock treatment hadn't gone so well. She doubted the second
would lead to better results. Tamsyn poured herself a cup of tea, adding two lumps of sugar and some milk.

She asked, "Need a refill?"

"I'm good." Mr. McClary smiled. "Do you think it’s time to fess up?”

“About what?”

Mr. McClary again used his cigar to point, this time at Tamsyn. “The thing you are hiding in your pocket."

Tamsyn shook her head. "It's nothing."

Mr. McClary said, "Out with it, Tamsyn. I’m not stupid and we’re both adults here. You can do what you wish."

“I can?”

“Of course.” Tamsyn saw him staring at her. His eyes were focused on her pocket.

Tamsyn reached inside, and placed Eddie's cigarettes on the table. She gave a nervous laugh. "How’d you find out?"

Mr. McClary didn't say a word, instead giving her an enigmatic smile he normally saved for negotiations.

She said, "Someone saw Jenny and me at work and told you, didn't they?"

“Some people call women’s rights progress. I call it anarchy.” Mr. McClary smiled. "First, we allow women to vote, and now they're smoking too? What's next?"

Tamsyn smiled back. She enjoyed working for Eddie's Dad. She hoped she hadn’t disappointed him. "I don't know. Maybe a woman president?"

Mr. McClary's face turned red as a series of guffaws exploded from his lips. "HA HAH HA ha aha ha ha ha... A woman president? Never in a
hundred years."

"Hey!" Tamsyn said, "It's not that funny."

Mr. McClary smiled, "You’ve done a fine job keeping my office in order, Tamsyn, but that doesn’t mean a woman can run the country.” Mr. McClary laughed again. “A woman president? Har Har! I've heard it all."

Tamsyn tried to change the subject, "I’ve only smoked a couple of times. It helps with Eddie."

Mr. McClary said, "I thought we were being honest here. Did you think I wouldn’t notice you sneaking outside at all hours? It seems the cravings have hooked you good."

Tamsyn stared at the pack until she couldn't stand it any longer. She grabbed at the pack, pulling out a cigarette, and leaned forward to the candle Mr. McClary had put there for a purpose. She'd clearly walked into her father-in-law’s finely laid trap.

"I'll quit soon." She said, taking a long drag from her cigarette, and exhaled slowly, her hunger for nicotine sated for a moment.

"Really?"

Tamsyn rolled her eyes. "Okay, maybe not soon but eventually."

Mr. McClary drew on his cigar, "Eddie's been smoking a lot."

Tamsyn nodded. "I know." The cigarette tasted like her husband’s kisses.

Mr. McClary said, "The doctor says soldiers who've gone through trauma tend to obsess on things to take their mind off the pain."

"I know." She'd been to the same lectures.

Mr. McClary took a deep breath. "I have an idea to help Eddie, but I'm going to need your help to pull it off."

Tamsyn said, "I'll do anything."

Mr. McClary said, "You're not going to like it."

Tamsyn said, "What does that mean?"

Mr. McClary said, "I have to relieve you of your current duties at work."

“Huh?” Tamsyn went from happy to sad in a matter of moments. “You're firing me?” She felt the tears form in her eyes and tried to shake them off, “Is it because I'm a woman? I know there's a lot of guys looking for work, but I think I've proven..."

Mr. McClary sighed. "You're a good worker, Tamsyn ... maybe the best office manager I've ever had, but there's a hundred men in this city who can help me run my office. There’s only one person who can help my son. Eddie needs 100% of your attention, Tamsyn."

Tamsyn wanted to complain. She was good at her job and learning more every day. It wasn't fair, but she'd made a vow. She repeated the words to herself many times over the last few years.

‘For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part.’

"I know he needs me." Tamsyn crossed her arms and did her best to stem the tears now falling down her face.

"Don't be like that, Tamsyn. You know I’m fair in my business dealings. You are giving me something. I will give you something in return." Mr. McClary sat back in his chair and pulled a piece of paper from his pocket. "You kids deserve some privacy. You deserve to live in your own place, so I bought a property and I think it’s perfect. It’s up on the hill on the south side of town, so you’ll have privacy. It has lots of trees and plenty of space. I'll even pay for a small staff."

Tamsyn said, "The hotel?"

Mr. McClary tossed the piece of paper on the table. "I got a good deal, but the place needs a lot of work. I thought focusing on fixing it up might be a good distraction for Eddie. Once he’s better, we’ll bring him into the office, and you can help him learn the business."

Tamsyn said, “Eddie and I had our honeymoon there.”

“I know.” Mr. McClary said raising his cup of tea, “I thought it might do him good to remember happier times.”

Tamsyn looked down the hallway where Mrs. McClary was sleeping off another night's bender. The woman was a mean drunk. She was even meaner the morning after when nursing a hangover. It would be good to get away. "Yeah. That might be good."

Mr. McClary smiled a knowing smile. "I thought you might see it my way."

Tamsyn said, "When do we move?"

Mr. McClary reached in his pocket and pulled out a set of keys. “As soon as you want.”

Chapter 9

Tamysn said, “Eddie’s dad paid for this place. The man started from nothing, becoming rich enough to buy half the town when the economy tanked.”

“He sounds like an amazing guy.”

“He was. He could have retired early but continued to work until the day he died. I figure he did it to get away from Mrs. McClary.”

Billy gave a dutiful laugh. “It sounds like your relationship with your mother-in-law wasn’t so amazing.”

“It was not. Right after we got married, she offered me a small fortune to disappear so she could have the marriage annulled. Sometimes I wish I’d taken it.”

Billy looked around the room and saw dust piled in every corner. “Wasn’t your marriage happy?”

“It was happy enough.” Tamsyn shook her head. “But our classmates cranked out one baby after another and Eddie and I weren’t so blessed. Eddie was an only child so you’d think our issues having children would bring me and Mrs. McClary closer.”

“Did it?”

Tamsyn sighed. “No. She said I betrayed a trust when I didn’t give her grandchildren.. I suppose she was right in the end.”

Billy turned to Tamsyn, “How so?”

“It’s not important.” Billy watched as Tamsyn's face clouded over, “You didn’t come here to listen to stories of family drama.”

Billy said, “I’m interested.” He was willing to listen to anything to stop Tamsyn from rechecking his genitalia which remained half its normal size.

Tamsyn pointed towards the ballroom, “We had so many parties in this place. It drove Mrs. McClary crazy. She called me all sorts of names. Her favorites were whore, tramp, and golddigger but she expanded her vocabulary of insults over time.”

“That’s terrible.”

“One thing I’ve learned over the years is how easy it can be to mold your identity to the wishes of another.” Tamsyn lit another cigarette. “If someone tells you something enough times, eventually you’ll start to believe it. Once you start to believe it, in time you will become it.”

“Like wearing a crazy flapper costume?”

Tamsyn stopped to give Billy a pose then did a little dance right out of the 1920s. “Did you like my outfit?”

“I liked it. I liked it a lot.”

Tamsyn said, “I love to dance but Eddie didn’t like going out in public. I begged him to join me at the clubs but he refused. For some couples it might have driven a wedge in their relationship but we found a middle ground. We had our parties here.”

“This place is big enough.”

“Eddie and I got married too young. We didn’t know each other when we tied the knot. Neither of us knew the things we wanted out of life.” Tamsyn placed her hand on top of Billy’s. He felt himself grow then shrivel up almost as fast. “Speaking of things we want.” Tamsyn smiled.

Billy looked down. “I'm not ready. It’s really cold.”

“There’s no need to apologize,” Tamsyn grinned as she sat on the couch, “Would you like some coffee while we wait?”

“Do you have any soft drinks?”

“Sorry, I don’t serve fizzy drinks unless you’d like sparkling water.” Tamsyn’s face brightened. “Or maybe champagne? Losing your virginity is a cause for celebration.”

Billy said, “Champagne?”

Tamsyn clapped her hands and Gunther appeared. “Two glasses of champagne please.”

“I don't know ... alcohol isn't good for ... you know...” He looked at his crotch.

Tamsyn laughed. “Hahahaha … you men worry too much about such things. My husband struggled with impotence for years. We spent our marriage in separate beds, but we figured things out eventually.”

“You slept in separate beds?” Billy gave Tamsyn a look..

“Stop. It’s not weird. It worked for us.” Tamsyn kissed Billy on the cheek. “It took me a while but I found the secret to a healthy relationship is finding out the truths about your partner, the ones they don’t want to divulge. It took me a while to figure out my husband’s peccadilloes as every man has different needs, even you Billy. Did you like the outfit I chose for you?”

“It was nice.”

Tamsyn said, “What about this outfit?” She removed her robe to reveal two massive breasts then wiggled her shoulders, causing them to bounce up and down.

Billy stared at the hypnotic movements. “I like them too.”

Tamsyn smiled. “I thought you might.”

Billy continued to stare until the bouncing fell still.

“You can touch them if you want. I don’t mind.”

Billy reached out, his shyness gone. Tamsyn’s skin felt so soft, so smooth. He brushed his hands across her nipple, feeling an unexpected hardness.

Tamsyn smiled, “You’re right … it is cold tonight. Would you like to warm them?"

Billy leaned forward, and began to suckle at Tamsyn’s breast.

Thoughts abounded as his skin touched hers. Tamsyn promised answers but he had questions. The old house. This beautiful woman. None of it made sense. And then there was the time. He’d entered the house before 8PM. It had to be getting close to 10PM and none of his friends had spent more than an hour in this woman’s company. His questions ended when he felt Tamsyn's hand reach inside his silk bloomers.

“That’s unexpected.”

“I can explain.” Billy said, his face reddening.

“There’s no need.”

Billy pulled away, trying to closing his robe. “I told you. It’s cold.”

“I’ll warm it up if you’d like.” Tamsyn said, lowering herself to get a better look at his dick.

Billy looked down. His member felt like it was at full mast but only four inches appeared. Tamsyn didn't appear to mind as her lips parted and her head bobbed.

Billy wanted to say something, but found speech impossible. Instead, he stared at the ceiling as Tamsyn’s head continued to bob up and down and warmth covered him from head to toe.

Chapter 10

March, 1920

Lines of scaffolding reached to the ceiling. A thick layer of dust coated every surface.

The foreman said, “The foyer is ready for your inspection whenever you’ve got time, Mrs. McClary.”

It took Tamsyn a second to look up from the plans. Even after three years, hearing that name sounded strange as she associated it with her mother-in-law.

At the beginning of this project she insisted everyone address her as ‘Tamsyn’ but as Mr. McClary, Sr. predicted, this type of familiarity allowed the men to assume they could take advantage of her kindness. It didn’t take long for her to change the practice.

“I’ll be there in a moment.” Tamsyn studied the plans. Dozens of workers and thousands of dollars had changed the hotel into something that was almost unrecognizable.

A tall swarthy man stood nearby with a look of impatience on his face, “Yes, Gunther?”

“Miss Jenny is on the front porch. Should I tell her to come back later?”

Tamsyn stood, “No. I could use the break.”

Gunther asked, “Shall I bring you ladies some lemonade?”

Tamsyn nodded, “That would be lovely.”

Jenny was still trying to catch her breath when Tamsyn went outside. “Did you walk all the way up here?”

Jenny said, “You know I don’t have a car.”

Tamsyn smiled. “I would have sent someone to pick you up. You should have called.”

Jenny answered, “I didn’t want to be a bother.”

Tamsyn shook her head. “How’s work?”

Jenny laughed, “You know … it’s always the same old chickenshit at the fertilizer plant.”

“Ha. Ha.” Tamsyn gave her best friend an expected laugh. “You better not let the boss hear you using that kind of language.”

It had taken Tamsyn some time to get used to the double standard at work. The men at the factory could cuss like sailors and dress like bums as long as they worked hard. Meanwhile, the women had to wear dresses and behave as if they lived in a convent.

Jenny said, “Boss said your husband might be coming to work soon.”

Tamsyn looked towards the top floor of their house. “I doubt it’s going to be soon.”

Jenny gave a grim nod, “The house looks like it is coming along nicely.”

“It is. We should be ready to host parties soon and thank god. I think it’s only a matter of time before the towns goes after the dance clubs with all this prohibition nonsense.”

“Speaking of dancing…” Jenny smiled.

Tamsyn knew as soon as she heard of Jenny’s arrival the real reason for her visit. “Do you want to wear one of my dresses tonight?”

“That would be wonderful.” Jenny nodded, “Guys like me in the yellow dress.”

Tamsyn smiled. “The upstairs plumbing is finally working. You need to try out my new bathtub before putting any clothes.”

Jenny said, “I don’t want to be a bother.”

Tamsyn said, “I insist. The combination of the fertilizer plant and a long walk has made you quite gamey today.”

“Shush, you.”

Every eye on the street turned as the two girls exited the car. The taller of the two spoke to the driver. “Stop back at ten-thirty. I need to be home by eleven.”

“Of course ma’am.”

They’d spent hours getting ready, their style consisting of the latest rage of short dresses, long necklaces, feathered hats, and cheeks painted dark with rouge. A man in a tweed suit bowed at their approach.

“Good evening ladies. May I take your coats?”

Both girls giggled, the shorter one answering, “Of course, James.”

The men at the bar smiled as the girls entered the room. Neither woman would pay for a single drink tonight. Sounds of the band getting ready echoed from the back of the club.

Tamsyn sat first, pulling a cigarette from her purse. Jenny followed her example. In a flash, a half dozen men with lighters appeared as if out of nowhere.

The girls smiled at each other while blowing out a long line of smoke, “Thank you, kind sirs.” Then both took first sips of many glasses of champagne. When the murmurs of their arrival settled, discussions in the bar returned to the standard fare.

“Christian do-gooders always want to ruin a good time.”
“I still can’t believe it passed.”
“I blame women. That’s what happens when you let them vote.”
“Hey!”

A younger man approached the table, “Hiya, Jenny. Hiya, Tamsyn.”

Jenny didn’t look amused, “What do you want, Stewy?”

“I … well … ummm …”

Jenny said, “Spit it out, Stewy.”

Tamsyn smiled at the poor kid Jenny had been torturing. He’d been two years behind them at school. A look at a nearby table showed four of his classmates laughing. They’d clearly put him up to this.

“Uhhh…”

Jenny laughed, “Cat got your tongue, Stewy?”

Tamsyn asked, “Perhaps you’d like to dance, Stewy?”

“I … ummm …”

Jenny gave Tamsyn a concerned look but played along, “The lady asked you a question, Stewy.”

“Stop tormenting the poor boy, Jenny.” Tamsyn said. She emptied her champagne glass as she stood, taking Stewy’s hand as she did so, and smiled at Stewy’s friends.

Tamsyn looked down at Stewy as she took his hand. She stood 5’7” in flats, and now was closer to 5’10” in her T-Strap heels. The boy’s hand was slick with sweat, but a pull showed he had a firm grip.

No one else was on the dance floor when the pair approached.

“I … I … don’t know what to do. I didn't think you agree.”

Tamsyn smiled as the band started to play. A look at Stewy’s table showed all four boys with mouths agape. Deciding to press her game further, Tamsyn pulled Stewy closer. “We’re doing a basic foxtrot. I’ll lead, you follow.” A trumpet sounded as Tamsyn took the first step.

*****

Tamsyn took off her heels after entering the house, then crept up the stairs. No sense in making it too easy for Mother McClary. The woman had spies everywhere, even in this house.

Eddie sat at his normal spot in Tamsyn’s bedroom when she arrived. “Did you have a good time?”

“They had a good band. Jenny and I danced most of the night.” Tamsyn rubbed the tops of her feet. “Do you remember Stewy Baldwin?”

Eddie shook his head.

“I figured as much. He was two years behind me at school.” She kissed the top of Eddie’s head. “The boy is not much of a dancer, but he’s eager to learn.”

Eddie smiled, “It sounds like you had fun.”

“You should join us next time. It’ll mean less grief from your mother and gossip from the townsfolk if you go with me.”

Eddie shook head, “I think we both know that’s not true.”

“The gossip or the grief?”

Eddie thought for a second before answering, “Both.”

Tamsyn stared at her husband’s emaciated body that had once been covered in muscles.

She said, “You look good tonight.”

Eddie said, “I thought part of our deal is to be truthful with each other.”

Tamsyn said, “I like the way you look.”

Eddie stood, the paint on his face a bit overdone, but he’d gotten better. For tonight, he’d chosen one of Tamsyn’s beaded formal gowns. The dress was a bit much for the bedroom, but Eddie didn’t seem to mind.

Tamsyn said, “I barely recognize you in that dress, Eddie. There’s places in Nashville where you and I could …”

“No.” Eddie shouted, “I can’t risk it.”

Tamsyn fell to her knees and pulled up Eddie’s dress. He’d fainted in embarrassment the first time she’d caught him in her closet.

Eddie groaned as Tamsyn took hold of his cock, already growing hard in anticipation. She stroked him slowly, relishing the feel of his silky skin against her fingers.

“You like it when I take control, don’t you Eddie.”

Eddie groaned, his eyes half-closed in pleasure.

Tamsyn leaned forward and took his full measure. Eddie hadn’t touched her for the first year after his return. For the longest time she blamed herself, blamed the war, and blamed her mother-in-law. She would have never guessed the real cause - not in a thousand years. She drew down on Eddie, her lips soft and warm against his throbbing cock.

“You know I love you, right?”

Eddie didn’t answer, his entire focus was on the nearby mirror.

It took less than a minute for her husband to cum. “Join me in my bed, Eddie. Just this once.”

Eddie shook his head. “I can’t.”

Tamsyn nodded. She knew the answer before she’d asked. This too was a part of her Saturday night dance. She refocused her attention on Eddie, waiting for him to grow so she might give her husband a small amount of relief.

‘DING-DONG-DING. DING-DONG-DING.’

The church bells sounded at half past eight, calling all within earshot of their need to be saved. Tamsyn sped down the streets in the Raceabout, knowing Eddie preferring to feel the wind in his hair versus the cramped quarters of their chauffeur’s car. A familiar girl waited in the parking lot when they arrived.

“You’re late.” Jenny said, her voice mimicking Mrs. McClary. After a moment she added, “Hiya Eddie.”

Eddie nodded. “Hi Jenny.”

Tamsyn preferred to arrive at a quarter til nine to let people get the gossip out of their system after she and Jenny had a wild Saturday night. Today, the eyes of the church followed the three of them as they entered and took their spots in the McClary family pew.

“Hiya boss.”

Mr. McClary stood, a frown firmly planted on his face as he responded. “Hello Jenny.”

Tamsyn said nothing as she took her spot. There was no point.

The sound of crying babies echoed throughout the hall, most of them perched on the laps of women still dressed in black. No one dared tell them to keep their children at home.

Ninety-four men joined the war from this town. Only thirty-two came home. The war had hit them harder than most. They said the boys of the town formed in a straight line before charging the German lines at Bellicourt. Eddie did his best to lead them. Jenny never blamed him for Adam’s death, but that wasn’t true for the rest of their friends.

Tamsyn smiled at Eddie and squeezed his hand. Eddie squeezed back.

Preacher Stevens gripped the altar tight before starting to speak.

“Beloved brothers and sisters, I must tell you of an evil that rots the core of our great town. It’s a devil we thought we’d destroyed when our great government passed the Prohibition Act. But the devil is a resourceful fellow, and so are his minions.”

“Alcohol is the devil’s greatest instrument. We know it leads to violence, to foolishness, and to wanton lust. Drinking greases the path to the devil, and those who follow him soon will find their lives headed down a dark path.”

“But drink is not the only vice in Satan’s arsenal. For when drink is combined with dancing it leads to great sin and immorality. The Bible says we should not let our eyes look in desire at those those not bound in matrimony, or our hearts and minds be filled with notions of lust. Drinking and dancing leads its victims away from God and to destruction and ruin.”

“The youth of this town are especially susceptible to this debauched behavior and if we do not act with vigilance, this town should soon become a new Sodom. The Devil is powerful, but God is greater. The Devil will lead you astray, and only those who stride the path of holiness will one day join those bright souls this town has lost.”

“In God’s name, we pray. Amen.”

Mrs. McClary gave a nod as she passed, “Good sermon today, Preacher Stevens.”

Tamsyn did her best not to react as their group exited the building. Not many people ever had a sermon personally crafted in their honor. It wouldn’t be the first time her mother-in-law made a large donation to make a point. Tamsyn nodded as she took the preacher’s hand, hoping to pass in silence. Preacher Stevens didn’t feel the same. He whispered,

“You’re in the town’s leading family, Tamsyn. I pray you act wiser in the future.”

Tamsyn couldn’t help but respond, “We only drank a little wine, Preacher Stevens, and danced a few dances.” Everyone in town knew Preacher Stevens had a thing for the sacramental wine. Tamsyn spoke loud enough so the whole building could hear. “Doesn’t the Bible tell us Jesus turned water into wine. How can wine be a bad thing if Jesus did that?”

Preacher Stevens didn’t raise his voice, “Do you presume to know God’s plan?”

Tamsyn thought for a moment and answered truthfully. “No.”

Preacher Stevens smiled knowing he’d won another battle of public perception, “Understanding is the path to holiness. If you learn that then perhaps there is hope for you yet, young lady.”

Tamsyn nodded and gave the man a formal curtsy. At least he called her a lady.

Mother McClary waited until the men had retired to the McClary household’s smoking room before speaking.

“Whore.”

Tamsyn said, “What did you say?”

She snarled, “You heard me.”

“I am not a whore.”

“The whole town is talking about how you spent last evening whoring around with young boys.”

“Stewy Baldwin is two years younger than me. He is not a young boy.”

“So you admit it?”

Tamsyn shook her head. “No. I mean…” This woman always got to her. “… we danced a couple of dances.”

“In the Den of the Devil.”

“It was harmless fun. Eddie knows all about it. He wants me to go dancing.”

Mother McClary said, “Eddie has not been himself since the war, and everyone is talking about how you are playing him for a fool. You’ve been nothing but a stain on my husband’s good name with the way you act.”

Tamsyn said,“Says the woman with a full wine cellar.”

The comment caught Mother McClary off guard, “What did you say?”

Tamsyn knew she should refrain, “Nothing.”

Mother McClary said, “Your venomous spirit is the reason God has not blessed us with a grandchild. You are full of poison, and if you continue down this path of immorality, God will continue to wither your womb and keep you barren.”

Tamsyn felt herself grow hot, “You would know about withered wombs.” Tamsyn wished she could pull the words back as soon as she said them.

Mother McCreary’s eyes popped from her head as words erupted from her mouth, “WHORE! JEZEBEL! GOLD-DIGGER!”

Her screams didn't until the two McClary men ran into the room. The older asked, “What is going on with all this shouting?”

Mother McCreary's face took on a crazed appearance. “I want this slut out of my house. I want her gone forever. I want her gone. GONE!” She ran screaming from the room, and headed down the stairs and into the basement.

Father McClary asked, “What did you say to her, Tamsyn?”

Tamsyn shook her head. “I’m sorry Dad. I went too far. I didn’t mean to, but you know how she treats me. I lost my temper.”

“What did you say?”

Tamsyn said, “I’d rather not repeat it, sir.”

Father McClary sighed. “I think it’s best if you and Eddie go home.”

The car zipped through the countryside. Tamsyn decided to take the scenic route to cool off.

Eddie said, “Dad told me he wants me at the factory tomorrow at eight o’clock sharp.”

“You aren’t ready to face them Eddie. Not yet.”

Eddie shrugged. “He said he thinks I need a routine. He says it’ll straighten me out. He thinks maybe it’ll straighten us out.”

Tamsyn could see the tears forming in Eddie’s eyes. “Your Dad doesn’t understand you like I do. You aren’t ready. The doctors are worried you'll have a relapse.”

Eddie said, “I can’t say no to him.”

Tamsyn said, “We could move. We could move away and create our own lives.”

“You know I can’t, Tamsyn.” Eddie looked out at the window and far into the distance. “You said it yourself, I’m not strong enough.”

“You are strong, Eddie.” Tamsyn said, “We can do anything together.”

Eddie didn’t respond. The look in his eye showed he’d gone to the dark place he lived when the memories got to be too much. They drove home in silence.

---

---