Prison Games

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Finally the last woman stood before him. Even so this would not be the end to the day. Now he had to face the unmarried women, and ask them if they wanted to marry or not. Peter wasn't sure how this new procedure would work. He wondered how the female prisoners would take the ultimatum: work in the gaols, or marry a stranger. He was sure some would think of it as a double sentence. Of course they could refuse to marry. What did it matter really? Marriage wasn't a sacred thing to people like these anyway.

After the last prisoner was sentenced, he had the gaolers bring all the unmarried prisoners back inside the courtroom. They were led to the benches since all spectators had left.

Mathers excused himself. If Reeves wanted to play the "who's married and who's not" game, so be it. But Mathers said he had better things to do.

As the women and men were being seated, Peter came down from his desk to stand before them. Slowly he perused each prisoner. They would visibly straighten when his eyes fell on them. He wasn't sure how to present his news, so he just stood there looking at them for a few minutes.

Fear hung in the air. Clearly the prisoners wondered why they were brought back to court. Why hadn't they been taken out with the others? Something was amiss, but what?

Clearing his throat and placing his hands behind his back, Peter started pacing. He stopped at one point as if ready to speak but turned and began pacing again. Finally he decided to be direct. "I suppose you are wondering why you have been kept at court. As you can see. only those who have been sentenced to sail and are not married are here. It has been discussed at great length and decided that those unmarried women who have been sentenced to sail will need to be married."

A gasp could be heard throughout the group.

Peter continued, "I realize this is a surprise to you, but this has been decided for your best interest. To ship out single women is difficult on both them and the men. As you can see, there are only three women here that this applies to. We will not force this upon anyone. However, if you decide not to marry, you will be given the only other choice. You will have to serve your time in one of the gaols here.

"Women, you will be allowed to pick out husband from these men. If the man is not willing, then you may pick another. If no man here will marry you, then you will be sent to a gaol to serve your time. The time spent in a gaol will be the same amount of time that you would have served at your destination. You will be brought back here to voice your decision tomorrow morning. If you decide to marry, then you will be shipped out with your husband. You need to decide now, so look the men over well.

"Guards, give these people fifteen minutes to talk with one another. After that, take them back to the cells below to be held until court tomorrow. I want to remind all of you that this could be an exceptional chance for you...a chance to have your own family and home. I would hope that you take advantage of this opportunity, and make a good life for yourselves. You may find your life can be quite rewarding when what you obtain is from honest work. Guards, watch them carefully. Let them speak to one

another no longer than the allotted time." Turning back to the prisoners, Peter added, "I would suggest that you don't let shyness hinder your time." With that, Peter turned and walked out. Tomorrow would be another long day.

Sophia barely heard what was being said. Had she actually heard him say marry? Marry? Marry...who? She was still trying to make sense of his words.

Everyone turned to look at each other. Some of the men wore smirks, and others

the same look of surprise as the women. One of the gaolers shouted, "All right, snap to. Ain't got but a few minutes."

Sophia was shaken. Fifteen minutes! How could a decision that big be given only minutes? She started looking at the men. Could she spend seven more years in that gaol? Things were a little better since she worked in the kitchen but still....

She recalled the magistrate's words of having her own home and family. She had always dreamed of that, but not this way!

One of the women jumped up and grabbed one of the men's arms. "This bloke is mine, so don't be thinkin' otherwise!" she addressed the other women. She had surprised the man, but he smiled and nodded, letting her know it was fine with him. A few of the other men chuckled.

Suddenly a soothing calm came over Sophia. She knew what she had to do. Stepping forward, she stood in front of James Patrick. He lifted himself off the bench with surprising ease as she approached. He towered over her. "Sir, I do not think I would live if I had to stay long in this place. I have seen your kindness and your compassion for others. It has touched me. If you marry me, sir, I promise I will be as good a wife as I can be. I'm strong, a hard worker, and in spite of being here, I am an honest person. I would not do anything to shame you." Sophia couldn't think of anything else to say. Her mind raced. What if he turned her down? What if he accepted? What if...?

For a second Sophia thought he would turn away from her. What would she do then? A loud voice interrupted. "Don't be doin' it, miss!" a man with no teeth yelled. "He

be a man eater! I 'ear say he eats the flesh of the innocent!"

"Shut up, ye crazy ol' goat!" the gaoler snapped. Sophia looked at the toothless man, then turned away.

The old man continued, "It be fine with me if you get kilt and done eaten by the bloke. Serves ye right fer not taken heed of my words, lass. Cannot say ya wasn't told of it."

Red looked down at her. How small and fragile she seemed. Dark circles lay under her eyes. Her skin seemed almost translucent. It had been a shock to see her head shaved. Where there had been silky brown hair, little peach fuzz now appeared. A feeling of protectiveness swept over him, and his heart pounded.

Red wondered what the old man was raving about. He stepped closer to Sophia, speaking in hushed tones. "What I say is to you alone. I'm not sure what the future will be. I have been alone most of my life and struggle to care for myself at times. I don't know if I can properly care for you. Especially in the situation I'm in right now."

"I thank you for your honesty, sir, but I have no home or family left," Sophia said. "Like you, I do not know what the future holds, but we could help each other. I will try not to complain or be a burden to you. I know I don't look strong now, but I am a hard worker. Usually I'm cheerful, when not in such a difficult place as this." She appeared to be holding her breath.

Red admired her strength. The thought of having someone to care for, and have them care for him, filled him with warmth.

"Make up yer mind, man," the chainer spoke up. "Ya got a minute left." Red knew that what he was about to say would change both of their worlds

that it was meant to be. She was meant to be his, and God was bestowing a rare and forever...one way or the other. He felt something awaken within him-the knowledge wonderful gift on him. Even though he didn't feel love now, he somehow knew that, given time, they would have it.

He reached for Sophia's hand. There they stood, both in chains, while everyone gawked at them. He smiled at her. "Then so be it. We will wed, and I too give you my word that I will be the best husband that I can be." His look of tenderness made Sophia blush. He continued, "Maybe I should tell you my name if we're to be married. My Christian name is James Patrick Murphy, but everyone calls me Red."

Sophia whispered, "Aye, I heard your name in the courtroom. I also heard others call you Red. I will try to do my best to make you glad for your decision. I would like to call you by your given name, James Patrick. My Christian name is Sophia Elizabeth Brady, but almost everyone calls me Sophia."

Red repeated, "Sophia."

In a second their "moment" ended, and they were thrust back with the others.

"Ye be sorry fer it all, lass," hissed the toothless man. "Ye don't believe it now, but I 'ear he does eat the flesh. He will surely put harm to ya."

"Shut up ya ol' fool, or I'll take a bite outta ya meself!" the gaoler yelled. "What about yerself, woman?" He turned to the third woman. "Best to git up to grab yerself one of these fine gents afore time is gone."

Everyone watched the woman. She kept her gaze on the floor. "Fine, then. All ye prisoners on yer feet, and make 'er snappy. Me supper awaits me!" the gaoler barked.

K atie and the other two women were the only ones in the cell. Alice and the others must have been taken back to the gaol. Soon food was brought, and to their surprise it was hot and plentiful.

The other woman who had decided to marry came and sat next to Sophia. "Tain't it something that we had to marry one of them blokes?" she asked with her mouth full. "My man was surprised I grabbed him, eh?" The woman giggled. "I had my eye on him afore, so the choosing weren't so hard."

Sophia smiled at her, not knowing how to respond. She looked over at the other woman sitting by herself, noting she wasn't eating. Getting up, Sophia grabbed some food to take over to her. "Aren't you hungry?" Sophia asked her.

The woman jumped at Sophia's voice. "Oh, I nary saw you standing there," she sputtered. "Aye 'tis hungry I am, but I have my mind on other things." After thanking Sophia, she took the bowl. Sophia turned to walk away but stopped when the woman began talking again. "Couldn't believe my ears when that judge said we would have to marry a stranger. Not me. I have had enough trouble from menfolk. At least here I know what to expect. How can you marry a stranger?"

Sophia tried to sort her feelings out before answering. It was strange, but she wasn't afraid to marry James Patrick. In the depths of her soul she knew she would be safe. However, she was afraid of sailing far away to a land she couldn't even visualize. What amazed her was her sense of excitement about it all as well.

She turned to the woman and spoke softly. "We have been given only two choices. I

feel I have made the best decision for myself. I am afraid of sailing far away, though."

"Aye, 'tis a hard decision to be sure. Well, may the good Lord watch o'er all of us," the woman added.

Sophia nodded and then turned back to her food. Her mind roved over the events of

the day. After she finished eating, she lay down on a blanket. It didn't take long to fall into a deep, dreamless sleep. She was exhausted.