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- Story Listed as: Fiction For Adults
- Theme: Love stories / Romance
- Subject: Inspirational / Uplifting
- Published: 04/23/2021
My Name is Mary
Born 1960, F, from San Antonio Texas, United StatesMy Name is Mary
This is the year 1500 of Our Lord and Saviour. I am Thirty and Three years in age.
I have been married to my husband Abraham since I was the age of 17. I have birthed unto Abraham five children. The third being a boy lived but only a few hours. He had difficulty in his breathing and having a bluish tint to his skin.
We buried him quickly in hopes if he carried a disease we would not succumb to it. I was in despair but my husband Abraham calmed my grief. He said, “Grieve not for he is with our Saviour.”
We share crop for our Master. When the fields do not provide we tend the Master’s sheep, which are plenty.
It has been five years since the birth of our youngest. As of late Abraham seems discontent and worrisome.
Abraham told me he had business for the Master in town and this would take all day. The Master would provide a room at the Inn for him overnight. He would return home the next day.
Upon returning Abraham seemed distraught but determined. I ask, “Abraham is something ailing you?” He put his belongings upon a chair and cleared his throat. “Mary I have grim news to share with you. I lied about going into town to do business for the Master. I visited with the Friar.” “For what purposes?” I inquired.
Abraham once again cleared his throat. “I told the Friar that you and I no longer live as Husband and Wife. That it has been nearly five years since you have cleaved unto me.” I was shaken to my very core. I blurted out. “But Abraham this is a lie, the only times I have refused you is when it is my time of the month. Have I not been a good and faithful Wife to you?”
“Yes Mary you have been a good and faithful Wife unto me. But it has been over five years since you have given birth. I fear your time of infertility has come upon you. Our Eldest Daughter Rebecca is fifteen and soon will marry and leave us to care for her Husbands elderly Grand Parents. This will leave only three children to work the fields and tend the sheep. I must find a young maiden who will produce more children so that we may continue to share crop and tend the sheep.”
A hearing was held the next week. It consisted of the Friar, the Sheriff and the town elders. Being a Woman I was not allowed to testify on my own behalf. Abraham testified he wished to obtain a Divorce because I no longer cleaved unto him.
The Friar, the Sheriff and town elders took only a few minutes of deliberation to grant my Husbands request. I must leave my husband and children’s home. Being a Woman I cannot own property. I found a small deserted area just outside of town. I made myself a crude lean-too. The Master gave me provisions so that I may grow a few vegetables to sustain myself.
Soon after the Divorce was granted William wed a young maiden of seventeen. They have been wed for two years. I have heard no news of her giving birth.
Being by myself for more than two years and in the crude lean-too structure has taken a toll upon my health. I have developed a cough, which makes a sound night sleep difficult.
There are a few young teenage boys in town. These boys come upon me in the dark of Night and force themselves upon me. I fear reporting these incidents to the town Sheriff for he believes Women bring rape upon themselves.
In a few months time I find I am with Child. It has become evident to the towns people that I am heavy with child.
The Sheriff arrests me and takes me to the Friar and town elders. The Sheriff says that the young men have confessed to being beguiled and Bewitched by me to have carnal knowledge. I am put upon trial, this time I am allowed to testify but my words are dismissed. I am found guilty of being a Witch and Unlawful Fornication. I am to be hung as a Witch in the morn.
I am held prisoner in my own lean-two. I am being guarded by one of the Sheriffs Deputies. I am crying because not only will I die but my unborn child who is wholly innocent of any crimes will also die.
The Deputy whispers through the branches, “I know you are innocent. For I have seen these very boys drunk with Ale and force themselves into your dwelling.” I ask, “Why did you not testify on my behalf?” He said, “I told the Sheriff but he did not believe me. He says I too have been Bewitched and said I would die beside you on the gallows for my lies. Do not despair for at Midnight I will free you. A few miles away I have a Donkey to take us to a ship. This ship will take us to another small but safe country where they do not treat Women so harshly. After we arrive if you wish to marry me we will raise this Child as loving parents.”
In the wee hours of the Morn the Sheriff and his henchmen arrive to escort me to the gallows. But to their stun and surprise I am gone and so is his Deputy. The Sheriff is convinced that I cast a spell upon the Deputy turning him into a Toad or some Animal. But the only magic was a brave Man willing to risk all to rescue an innocent Woman.
We now live as Husband and Wife and are raising our young girl Bethany as a loving and caring child of God.
My Name is Mary(Shirley Smothers)
My Name is Mary
This is the year 1500 of Our Lord and Saviour. I am Thirty and Three years in age.
I have been married to my husband Abraham since I was the age of 17. I have birthed unto Abraham five children. The third being a boy lived but only a few hours. He had difficulty in his breathing and having a bluish tint to his skin.
We buried him quickly in hopes if he carried a disease we would not succumb to it. I was in despair but my husband Abraham calmed my grief. He said, “Grieve not for he is with our Saviour.”
We share crop for our Master. When the fields do not provide we tend the Master’s sheep, which are plenty.
It has been five years since the birth of our youngest. As of late Abraham seems discontent and worrisome.
Abraham told me he had business for the Master in town and this would take all day. The Master would provide a room at the Inn for him overnight. He would return home the next day.
Upon returning Abraham seemed distraught but determined. I ask, “Abraham is something ailing you?” He put his belongings upon a chair and cleared his throat. “Mary I have grim news to share with you. I lied about going into town to do business for the Master. I visited with the Friar.” “For what purposes?” I inquired.
Abraham once again cleared his throat. “I told the Friar that you and I no longer live as Husband and Wife. That it has been nearly five years since you have cleaved unto me.” I was shaken to my very core. I blurted out. “But Abraham this is a lie, the only times I have refused you is when it is my time of the month. Have I not been a good and faithful Wife to you?”
“Yes Mary you have been a good and faithful Wife unto me. But it has been over five years since you have given birth. I fear your time of infertility has come upon you. Our Eldest Daughter Rebecca is fifteen and soon will marry and leave us to care for her Husbands elderly Grand Parents. This will leave only three children to work the fields and tend the sheep. I must find a young maiden who will produce more children so that we may continue to share crop and tend the sheep.”
A hearing was held the next week. It consisted of the Friar, the Sheriff and the town elders. Being a Woman I was not allowed to testify on my own behalf. Abraham testified he wished to obtain a Divorce because I no longer cleaved unto him.
The Friar, the Sheriff and town elders took only a few minutes of deliberation to grant my Husbands request. I must leave my husband and children’s home. Being a Woman I cannot own property. I found a small deserted area just outside of town. I made myself a crude lean-too. The Master gave me provisions so that I may grow a few vegetables to sustain myself.
Soon after the Divorce was granted William wed a young maiden of seventeen. They have been wed for two years. I have heard no news of her giving birth.
Being by myself for more than two years and in the crude lean-too structure has taken a toll upon my health. I have developed a cough, which makes a sound night sleep difficult.
There are a few young teenage boys in town. These boys come upon me in the dark of Night and force themselves upon me. I fear reporting these incidents to the town Sheriff for he believes Women bring rape upon themselves.
In a few months time I find I am with Child. It has become evident to the towns people that I am heavy with child.
The Sheriff arrests me and takes me to the Friar and town elders. The Sheriff says that the young men have confessed to being beguiled and Bewitched by me to have carnal knowledge. I am put upon trial, this time I am allowed to testify but my words are dismissed. I am found guilty of being a Witch and Unlawful Fornication. I am to be hung as a Witch in the morn.
I am held prisoner in my own lean-two. I am being guarded by one of the Sheriffs Deputies. I am crying because not only will I die but my unborn child who is wholly innocent of any crimes will also die.
The Deputy whispers through the branches, “I know you are innocent. For I have seen these very boys drunk with Ale and force themselves into your dwelling.” I ask, “Why did you not testify on my behalf?” He said, “I told the Sheriff but he did not believe me. He says I too have been Bewitched and said I would die beside you on the gallows for my lies. Do not despair for at Midnight I will free you. A few miles away I have a Donkey to take us to a ship. This ship will take us to another small but safe country where they do not treat Women so harshly. After we arrive if you wish to marry me we will raise this Child as loving parents.”
In the wee hours of the Morn the Sheriff and his henchmen arrive to escort me to the gallows. But to their stun and surprise I am gone and so is his Deputy. The Sheriff is convinced that I cast a spell upon the Deputy turning him into a Toad or some Animal. But the only magic was a brave Man willing to risk all to rescue an innocent Woman.
We now live as Husband and Wife and are raising our young girl Bethany as a loving and caring child of God.
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Gerald R Gioglio
10/20/2022Loved it, Shirley. Sadly, history tells us too much of this treatment is true. Thank goodness for this happy ending. Best, jg
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Shirley Smothers
10/20/2022Thank you Gerald. Sadly even though this is fiction it does have a ring of truth. Thank you for your support.
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Lillian Kazmierczak
10/16/2022Shirley, this was a tragic story that had a great twist and happy ending! A terrific story! Congratulations on short story star of the week!
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Gerald R Gioglio
05/04/2021Shirley, tragic with a rewarding ending. I love your creative use of what serves as an older form of English. Thanks, GRG
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Shirley Smothers
05/05/2021Thank you Gerald for your kind words. I attempted to write in Yea olde English with some success. I also wanted to have a happing ending. Thank you again.
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Stephanie Egbert
05/04/2021A great story of long ago makes most woment appreciate what they have now. I am sure women are treated this way many places and your story is an excellent reminder. I really liked your artwork. Congratulations on star of the day.
Always, Steph
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Shirley Smothers
05/04/2021Thank you Steph for your kind words. I am afraid Women may still be treated in an unfair manner. I just hope we can all have happy endings.
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Aziz
05/04/2021Amazing piece of work, well built and a bezutiful transition from grief to joy.
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Shirley Smothers
05/04/2021Thank you Aziz for your kind words. Some of my stories have a sad ending. So I try to have a twist and happy ending.
Help Us Understand What's Happening
JD
04/23/2021I'm so glad your story had a much better ending than I was dreading it would have. It was a horror story turned inspirational, and you left me with a smile. Thanks Shirley! : )
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
Help Us Understand What's Happening
Shirley Smothers
04/23/2021Thank you JD for your kind words. It is a scarry story with a twist and happy ending.
COMMENTS (6)