Prison Games

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Red heard a group of men talking about the next voyage to Botany Bay. He stepped up to listen. He needed to learn as much as possible to prepare himself and Sophia for the sail. He was disappointed, for there was nothing he hadn't heard already. The prisoners relied on new people coming in to give them any details, but few knew anything of the transport ships. Walking away from the group of men, Red began talking to others. They laughed and shared stories. It had taken a long time for Red to get people to trust him since that ridiculous story had come out about him. Now it seemed that God had given him favor in most of these men's eyes. Some treated him like their leader. Others resented it, but even those who didn't like him seemed to respect him. They saw gentleness and acceptance without being judged.

Days went by until he was once again summoned to the heavy locked door. Unconcerned, Red stepped out. It was probably another job for him and the "crew." He was led into a room that was obviously an office and told to sit down. The

gaoler stepped out, closing the door. Looking around, Red felt uneasy. He was alone with no chains or guard. That was unusual. He shifted to turn in his chair when the door opened. Red jumped to his feet at the sight of the man who had sentenced and married him and Sophia.

"Why are you not in chains?" Magistrate Reeves barked. Before Red could respond, the magistrate opened the door shouting, "Gaoler!"

The man came running.

"Where are his chains?" The magistrate looked at Red's wrist, as if to find a clue to

the answer.

"I be sorry, sir. I best forgot 'em. Big Red here be trusted, and we don't chain ’im

none no more." "Who told you to trust this man? Who made the decision to keep prisoners out of chains? I will be back in a few minutes, and this man will be chained! You will be guarding him! Understood?”

"Aye, sir!"

Magistrate Reeves left his office, wiping sweat from his brow.

Red was amused by it all. The gaoler had run out to get chains, leaving Red alone once more. Before too long the man returned, and to Red's surprise the man apologized for having to chain him. "Sorry, but ol' man Reeves is boss. If he says to put chains on ya, then chains it is. Ya best sit in the chair."

Red stood quietly while he was shackled, then sat as instructed. He tried to hide a smile, for it was quite the sight. The gaoler stood all of five feet tall, and sitting down Red was still taller. He could overpower the man by just blowing on him.

he closed the door. "Stand up! Who told you to sit?" he barked at Red. Soon Magistrate Reeves reentered his office. Seeing the guard and chains in place, Red stood. Even the gaoler straightened a little. The magistrate started reading some papers to himself, making the prisoner stand for some time. Red recalled what he had read in the Bible about Jesus standing before his accusers. He had stood and offered no resistance, and he was innocent. Help me to be more like You, Lord.

Finally Magistrate Reeves glanced up with disdain. Red wondered if the man hated just him, or if he was like this to all prisoners. When they were in the court, Red had sensed fairness and compassion in this man. What had changed?

Peter was fighting a battle within himself. He was fighting jealousy, and he hated it. He was jealous of this prisoner, this nobody. It galled him. Sophia Brady had picked this big lout as a husband, and Peter hated Red for it. Of course, the situation was Peter's doing in the first place. He had forced the young woman into her decision. It had been years since he'd felt his heart stir for a woman, and he'd found himself fantasizing about her. He couldn't get her off his mind.

"You are here only out of my good conscience to tell you that your marriage has been dissolved," Peter stated harshly. "You are no longer husband to Sophia Brady. You will need to sign papers when they are ready. That is all."

Peter wasn't about to explain that this was his decision. The girl didn't even know. about this meeting. She had not made any decision as far as Peter knew, but no matter. He was positive she wouldn't have anything to do with this man, given the choice. Now he was making the choice for her. How relieved she would be. He couldn't wait to tell her that she was not bound to this oaf any longer.

Red was stunned. It felt as if someone had hit him in the stomach with a hammer. He was frozen in place. It didn't take long for him to realize that he had been holding his breath. Once the words sank in, he responded, "Not married, but how...why?"

The magistrate appeared annoyed. "I said you are dismissed. I need not explain anything to you."

The gaoler stepped up, grabbing Red's wrist chains to lead him out. Once out of the room the gaoler whispered, "Don't worry yerself, man. There be nothin' I cannot find out. As soon as I 'ear anything, I will let ya know of it. Ol' man Reeves seem to not take a lik'n to you. It makes me want to find out even more what flies in the air.

The other men in the cell stood when Red was let in. "We got ourselves another job, Red?" was their question. All Red could do was shake his head. He walked over to his regular spot and sat down.

The men exchanged looks. Something was wrong. They decided to keep quiet.

Red was lost in angry thoughts and hurried prayer. Why, Lord? Why would this happen? I believed in my heart You wanted me to marry Sophia. You have made me feel for her, and now she is being taken away. Is this a test, Lord? Do You want to see if I will turn from You or stay on Your path? Lord, was I placing my hopes for my future on Sophia, and not You? Is this why You've taken her from me?

The big man closed his eyes and rested his head against the wall. The sigh that escaped said it all. He found himself fighting tears. So much of his future, hopes, and dreams had been due to Sophia after they were wed. He had not realized how much she meant to him until he heard he had lost her.

Why, Lord? Why? Once again Red felt the vast emptiness that came with being alone in the world. No family, yet he knew better. He did have a Father and a Lord who cared. He would cling to Him, for He alone would get him through. What did people do who didn't have the Lord?

Red settled it in his heart. I will wait on You and trust in You. I know You will not leave me or forsake me.

But his heart still ached. He couldn't help but wonder what had changed Sophia's mind. Lord, why do I feel my heart breaking when I know You dwell within it? A Scripture verse came to mind: "When you are weak, then I am strong. Lean not unto thine own understanding. "His life was not his own. He had no control over it. Red did the only thing he could: he surrendered. He surrendered the pain, the emptiness, Sophia, and his broken heart, once again, to the Lord.

K atie could hardly take it all in. She was unable to take her eyes off the little cottage. More tears fell as she pondered how excited Papa must have been when he was planning to move into it. Emotions flooded her; excitement and sadness consumed her. Why, oh why, couldn't Papa and Gran have lived? How different things would have been. Papa had always been her champion, and Gran was just as tough when it came to protecting her. They would never have let her be put into prison. Papa would have been able to speak to Lord Wilson and convince him of her innocence. How wonderful it would have been if....

She was doing it again, the "what ifs." Sighing, she stepped down from the carriage. Only one thought remained: Papa, I'm home.

Sophia slowly walked through an iron gate that was attached to a wooden fence covered with vines. The small stone cottage seemed to reach out to her, welcoming her. Color burst everywhere from the trees covered in their fall foliage. Mums and marigolds lined the fence. A stone path led to the arched front door. Small-paned windows graced each side of the front door. Under the windows hung little boxes with a variety of flowers adding to their charm. The stone path broke away from the main entrance curling around to the back.