love story part two!

Surprised by her own outcry she turned unable to stop the tears any longer. He reached out to her but she pushed him away "don't touch me."

"Please explain Lily."



"About a week after you went away my mother died I was left at the age of 12 to care for my four brothers and sisters and a drunken father. For about a year we had help from friends, neighbors, and relatives....but after a while it trailed off. I cooked, cleaned, hauled water, chopped wood, cleaned chicken coops, milked cows, gardened, and sewed. My younger brother who was 11 left school to work so we would have food on our table.

At the age of 14 he was sweeping out the bank when a robbery took place he was shot wounded the doctor bills piled up and I had no money for food." no a motion in her voice. Pa had no money to support his drinking habit sold everything we owned. One night he came home I had just put the youngin' to bed he was terribly drunk I was sitting in on the floor in front of the fire he saw me at once he demeaned I give him money but I had non to give. His face was fierce he grabbed my hair and pulled me around the table then slapped my face. "Your good for nothin' gal I'm getting rid of you at that he took my arm in a firm grip that bruised. dragging me to his horse he threw me on jumping on behind me he rode off as we rode he sang loud and off key. I tired to get away but his arm so was strong so tight" she rubbed her arm as if it was still bruised Martha sank her knees unable to keep the tears in check she felt so drained so weak. Nathan knelt down and put his arm around her back she leaned her wet cheek on his strong shoulder.

"He took me into the woods to an old brooken down cabin were he hollered with all his might 'Joseph McCorner are ye in thar?' a man, with one leg and a scare across his cheek and nose, came to the door 'Yah I'm here ya old fool what you want?' my pa replied 'I have an offer to make you take this wench off my hands for two jugs of your home brew. The old man hobbled out to look me over my father pushed me off the horse I landed witha thud on the cold, wet ground.