”Sister have you lost your mind” Tina scolded

”Oh Tina!! I have such wonderful news!! Marvin Thomas asked me to marry him and I said yes!!” Mary happily exclaimed clapping and showing off the ring that was freshly put on her finger.

Feeling jealous but unable to be happy for her sister Tina snapped back ”Marvin Thomas. Hahahahahahaha. He doesn’t even have money sister. You will live poor and wretched and bare children that you can’t feed. Congratulations” Tina mocked and felt Mary’s hand grab her arm

”I have you know Tina that Marvin took over his father’s construction business and will be building us a house and I love him and he loves me. At least I’m not pining over a man that doesn’t want me” Mary retaliated causing Tina’s anger to boil but instead of hurling out insults she took her hand and slapped Mary across the face before storming through the doors of the main house.

Mary stood there stunned holding her cheek where Tina’s hand had imprinted itself and cried before feeling a hand touch her shoulder.

”Excuse me but are you alright?”

Mary turned to look at the brunette standing next to her and was taken aback by the tailored suit the woman was wearing. Nothing like the antebellum dresses and petty coats every Southern woman wore.

”Yes. That was my evil sister Tina. She couldn’t handle the fact that I’m getting married and she will be an old maid because the man she wants is marrying someone else. To hell with her!” Mary angrily exclaimed as the woman helped her through the doors and spotted Tina at the top of the winding staircase talking to a man then turned her attention back to Mary.

”I’m sorry but my name is Mary Kennard. And you are?”

”I’m Bette Porter. I’m from Pennsylvania”

Mary quickly jerked her arm away from Bette

”You are a Yankee. How did you get here and who invited you?”

Bette chuckled and smoothed out her coat.

”Well if it makes any difference I was born in South Carolina and I have business with your father” Bette answered and turned when she heard crying at the top of the stairs and saw Tina draped over the rail with her head maying on her arm. She took a step towards the stairs and stopped when she heard Mary speak

”Oh let her cry. She deserves to cry since she can’t be happy for anyone else and wanting a man that doesn’t want her. Anyway my father is in the parlor with the other gentlemen and it’s our nap time. ” Mary said causing Bette to nod and watched as Mary walked up the stairs and Tina grabbed her arm

”Who is that?” Tina asked in a shakily voice as tears steadily rolled down her cheeks

”Not that I should speak to you at all after you slapped me but that woman is Bette Porter and says she has business with father. Now let go of my arm!” Mary demanded and Tina released her grip staring at Bette who smiled and nodded her head in greeting”

Tina wiped her nose with the sleeve of her dress and huffed as she turned on her heels toward the sitting room where all the women were napping as a smiling and chuckling Bette Porter watched her as she disappeared out of view.

”That’s a feisty one for sure.” Bette mumbled to herself and smiled before turning to the left to knock on the parlor room door.

tbc