Chapter 35: The Squabble

~Holding on to anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.~ —Buddha

“Papa never held any of it against you,” Dannie said, attempting comfort. “Though he never spoke of you, I think he regretted his harsh words. I remember he would sometimes speak to the photograph in the morning. He’d stroke the frame and whisper, ‘I drove you away, Chris, forgive me for that.’

“I believe he blamed himself for the way it turned out, and found it too painful to speak of. He’s in heaven now, Mr. Martin, and he knows and understands why you did what you did. There is no need to feel regretful.”

Smiling, Mr. Martin rose from his seat, came up to Dannie, and put his hand on her shoulder. “In a way, I believe I have still been given a chance to make it all right. In taking care of you, I can make amends with my cousin. It is like you brought a little piece of Robert with you, and I have a chance to be friends with him once more.”

He kissed Dannie’s forehead and walked to the door, motioning for Mrs. Martin to follow him. “It’s late, so don’t hang around here too long.” He wagged his finger at the four young people. “Two or three more songs, and then off to your rooms. Carolina, make sure they don’t sit here much longer.”

“Si, Senor Martin.” Carolina nodded her head.

“It’s not like we’re little children, Daddy,” Sophie protested.

“Could have fooled me.” Mr. Martin winked at his daughter and departed from the parlor with his wife.

“And to think we didn’t know nothin’,” Caleb said once his father was gone. “Pa never mentioned Robert Preston to us even once.”

“This is precisely why my father said to never judge a person, because you don’t know what they might be hiding.” Dannie’s voice was quiet. “Only I fear I was never able to follow that teaching very well. Jake can tell you that.”

“Human nature to judge, Dannie,” Jake said with a shrug. “And I guess for some people, it’s more natural than others.”

The two of them exchanged glances and smiled. Sophie found she didn’t like the way they were looking at each other. It was obvious that a secret had just passed between the two of them; a private joke that neither Jake nor Dannie was going to share with the rest of the crowd. This bugged Sophie, and she made up her mind to do something about it.

Sophie was not a cruel girl, but she was jealous of her friend and prejudiced against Jake. He was rude and obnoxious. He had hurt Dannie by just disappearing without a goodbye or an explanation. And now he felt he had a right to simply walk back in as though nothing had happened?

There were better suitors for Dannie in Hopewing, suitors who were polite and sensitive and boasted better manners. She wanted Jake to just get back to the Cora Belle so that things could return to normal. However, in her determination, Sophie didn’t realize she was letting her mouth run away with her.

“Jake is a perfect example of someone with a strong inclination to prejudice,” she said in a cold voice. “All that man does is judge people, women in particular. Why, I don’t think there is one woman on this earth that you haven’t placed into some sort of box.”

“Yeah, well, maybe you’re a big help in my not likin’ your kind,” Jake growled.

“And I’m right proud of that too!” Sophie retorted. “If you have no respect for my sex, then you will receive no respect from me. I wonder how your Momma managed to live with you, Jake. No doubt you gave her a hard time, with your whole woman-hatin’ thing.”

Jake stood up sharply at Sophie’s words and stormed out of the room. Dannie, Carolina, and Caleb stared speechless at Sophie.

“I cannot believe you said that, Sophie,” Dannie spoke at last, her voice filled with disapproval. “Goodnight, everyone.” She rose from the piano, gave a slight bow, and departed from the room. Roy jumped up from where he had been lying by the piano and trotted after her.

“Whatever got into ya, Sophie Martin?” Caleb asked his sister in disbelief.

“You can’t say things like that, Sophia, not about someone else’s parents,” Carolina angrily reprimanded.

“It’s not like I…”

“Save it, Sophie,” Caleb cut her off. “How would you feel if someone teased you about Ed?”

“That is an entirely different matter.”

“No, it ain’t. You don’t joke about other people’s family members. And that’s double true if the person doesn’t happen to have them around anymore. Watch your tongue, Sophie. It might dig your grave one day.” Caleb threw a disgusted glance at his sister and went off to his room.

“You must apologize to him!” Carolina said, grabbing Sophie by the arm and pulling her away from the piano.

“Apologize, to Jake?” Sophia scrunched her nose.

“Si. Come, you will find him and tell him you are sorry.”

“I’ll do it tomorrow,” Sophie promised. “Now, it’s late and he probably went to bed. You don’t want me to walk into his bedroom, do you? I mean, what if he has already undressed?”

“Sophia!” Carolina exclaimed. “Not another word. How very silly you can be. Very well, if you promise you will ask forgiveness tomorrow?”

“I promise. First thing in the morning, I’ll march up to his room, pound on the door, and yell: wake up, Jacob Wade, I’m here to apologize!”

Sophie acted out the words, then she and Carolina burst out laughing.

“Oh, Sophia,” Carolina sighed once they had settled down. “What a silly child you are. Now, run to your room and go to sleep. It is very late.” Carolina gave her pet a kiss and sent her up the stairs before retiring to her own room for the night.