Friends

"Ahhh!" Sophie let out an involuntary scream at the sight of her damaged ankles. She pulled them close to inspect them further when her door flung open and a frazzled governor stepped in.

"What is it? Are you okay?" he asked.

She pulled her covers back over herself tightly.

"Oh, nothing, I'm sorry," she said frantically. "I had a bad dream and I forgot where I was."

"Ah," he nodded in understanding. "It can be disconcerting to adjust," he said with a knowing look. "It's pretty late in the day," he said hesitantly. "The weddings are in just an hour, if you are wanting to attend."

"Wedding, oh yes! Of course, thank you."

He shut the door behind him and she dressed quickly. She followed the governor and Frida across the town to the chapel. Willard joined them.

"Hello," he said showing his crooked teeth.

She nodded in acknowledgement. He didn't look any better after a night of rest. If anything he looked creepier.

They filed into the chapel taking a seat near the front. Sophie searched the audience as they took their seats in the pews. So many unfamiliar faces. She wished she could talk to her friends. She caught a glimpse of Sarah out the back door and she shot up out of her seat. Frida and Willard look at her puzzled.

"Sorry, so sorry," she whispered. "I will be right back."

She didn't wait for permission or acknowledgment. She shuffled through the pew and hurried down the aisle towards the back. She didn't care what others thought as her skits rustled as she ran.

"Sarah, Joane, Kathryn," she called when she spotted them huddled together under a tree. Sarah was wearing the pink dress Sophie gave her. Both Joane and Kathryn were wearing dresses Sophie had never seen before. Probably a gift from their soon to be husbands.

Sophie embraced them each tightly. It had only been a day but she felt like a lifetime had past since she saw them last.

"Oh girls!" she cried. "I miss you. How are you?"

They all spoke at the same time.

"Oh Sophie! How are you?"

"What happened?"

"Are you getting married?"

"I heard you husband died now what?"

So many words and questions. Sophie quickly updated them on her predicament. They already had an idea what had happened. Their soon to be husbands were well aware of it.

"Who cares about me though!" Sophie said emphatically. "Tell me everything you can in the next five minutes about the men you are marrying. Sarah first, Kathryn and then Joane, go!" she demanded.

"Oh," Sarah blushed. "I don't know much about him," she said shyly. Sophie remembered how sweet and young looking he was when she saw him yesterday.

"Sarah, he looks like a doll," Sophie said.

She blushed again.

"He is very sweet. Shy, though. He doesn't say a lot. He owns some land with his brother. We have our own little house next to his brother and his wife. They have a little baby and are really sweet. His brother is the one that paid for my passage. I'm a gift you could say."

"Do you think you will be happy?" Sophie asked.

"Yes," her smile was huge. "I think so. I think he is kind, I think it will work."

Sophie was so happy for her she thought her heart might burst.

"That is so wonderful. I wish you the most happiness!" Sophie hugged her again. "Okay, now Kathryn. How are you feeling? How is he? He looked kind and like he was good natured when he carried you home." She laughed at the memory.

"Yes, he was so kind. He made me soup and let me rest and nursed me right back to health," she blushed with embarrassment.

"What? What are you leaving out?"

Kathryn hesitates before continuing, "I threw up last night, like almost all over him." She hid her face in her hand.

"Oh know," all the girls giggled.

"He was so sweet though and rubbed my back and cleaned it up."

"Well, he is a winner for sure!" Sophie proclaimed. "Are you on a farm too?"

She nodded. "Just down the road from Sarah."

"Oh that is wonderful. I am a little jealous," Sophie admitted.

"Okay," she braced herself. "Joane, tell us honestly, how is it?"

Joane made a face as if she was trying to determine what to say.

"Give us the real truth," Sophie coaxed.

"Well, I don't know him really so it is hard to say. He hardly said anything to me. I don't think he is unkind. I feel like he will be tolerable but not good conversation. He owns the tavern, you know." They all nodded in understanding. "So, I will have to serve drinks and clean but I guess that isn't a terrible life, right?"

They all agreed although they were all very concerned for her.

"I really hope he is kind Joane, I'm staying just down the road so if you need anything come find me."

"Joane smiled gratefully just as the priest called from the door that it was time. Sophie had not been introduced to the priest yet but he looked a lot more amiable then his understudy. He was older with a whole head of grey hair. He looked kind, like someone you could actually talk to, unlike Willard.

"Good luck!" she wished the girls and kissed them on the cheeks before she hurried back into the church. This time she made eye contact with some of the people sitting in the pews. Several of them brought their heads together to whisper to each other. Sophie heard some of what they said.

"That is Sophie, Jeremiah's bride."

"Poor Jeremiah."

"She is more beautiful than her portrait.

"Yeah, but could a person live with her and her expectations. Maybe Jeremiah dodged a bullet."

"She looks nice,"

"Do you think Frida will actually convince her to marry Willard?" That comment was followed by giggles.

Sophie lifted her chin high and pushed all their remarks out of her mind as she took her place next to Frida. She could hear daddy's voice, ''Chin up darling. Other's opinions of you are none of your business. '

This would have been her wedding day too. Her future was so planned out and now it had no trajectory at all other than into the unknown. She didn't want to think about that either. This was her friend's day. She was going to focus on being the best friend she could possibly be and not worry about her unstable future.