was starved for two days and two nights.
I thought I was about to die when Lachlan came with two thousand dollars, bringing his dad and the mayor to marry me.
Mr. Walker held two pieces of paper in his hand. Seeing how weak I looked, he angrily put the papers on the table, insisting that everyone in my family sign and put their fingerprints on them.
My mom couldn’t read, so she handed the papers on the table to my older brother and asked the mayor, “What does this mean?”
The mayor said, “Mr. Walker means that you’re marrying your daughter to his son. They’ll give you two thousand dollars, and from now on, your daughter will be part of their family, with no more connection to you.”
My mom wasn’t happy about this: “Why? I gave birth to her and raised her! This is like selling my daughter!”
My older brother looked at the black and white text, then pulled my mom aside to discuss.
My dad was a true farmer, working in the fields all day. My younger brother had just started elementary school and needed money for many things, so our family had almost no savings left. That’s why my brother hadn’t been able to get married for so many years.
My brother was determined to get Lachlan’s money.
“I’ve discussed it with my mom. We’ll give this dead girl to you, no problem! But two thousand dollars is definitely not enough!” My brother held up one hand to Mr. Walker, “It has to be this much! Otherwise, no one’s taking her away!”
Five thousand dollars?
8
My brother had gone crazy for money! Five thousand dollars was enough for our family to live on for several years!
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“I know you’re all educated people, looking down on our poor place, but Brynn is the apple of my eye! Asking me to have no contact with her from now on is like asking for my life!” My mom sat there, crying and complaining all at once.
“Five thousand dollars is really too much. We scraped together for two days just to get two thousand. You’re clearly taking advantage of us being outsiders,” Mr. Walker said, still speaking eloquently despite his anger,
I looked up at Mr. Walker with a hint of pleading.
In my past life, I had caused Lachlan’s death, yet their family never said a harsh word to me. They even wanted to take me away, teach me to stand up for myself, let me leave the village and see the big world outside.
But I was afraid! I had caused the death of their only son. I was afraid to see the look in their eyes, afraid that they wouldn’t beat or scold me, afraid that they would try to convince me to move on…
“Dad! I want Brynn! I only want Brynn!” Lachlan’s words pulled me back to reality.
“Alright, alright, don’t rush.” Mr. Walker comforted Lachlan, then turned to my mom, “Mrs. Summers, five thousand dollars is no small amount. We need to raise the money. Give us a few more days, and as soon as we have it, I’ll bring my son to marry Brynn.”
“No way!” my brother shouted. “Leave the two thousand dollars first as a deposit, otherwise I’ll marry my sister off to someone else!”
Mr. Walker looked at me, “We can give the two thousand dollars first but Brynn must come home with me now. I believe the people in town
Canty.
“Alright, alright, don’t rush.” Mr. Walker comforted Lachlan, then turned to my mom, “Mrs. Summers, five thousand dollars is no small amount. We need to raise the money. Give us a few more days, and as soon as we have it, I’ll bring my son to marry Brynn.”
“No way!” my brother shouted. “Leave the two thousand dollars first as a deposit, otherwise I’ll marry my sister off to someone else!”
Mr. Walker looked at me, “We can give the two thousand dollars first, but Brynn must come home with me now. I believe the people in town will do me the courtesy of not trying to steal my son’s wife.”
“No!” I shouted in protest.
My mom immediately slapped me, making my head ring. I only heard her say, “You bitch, who said you could speak? Shut your mouth!”
If she got the two thousand dollars, she would bring Ruby over to be my brother’s wife!
