Prison Games

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Red sat off by himself, resting his back against the cell wall. He couldn't keep his mind off his soon-to-be bride. He felt anxious to marry the gentle girl. Her name! What was her name? It was Kate. No. Sophia. No, Sophia. Yes, that was it-Sophia Elizabeth Brady. He felt everything from excitement to fear to shyness. When would they be married? Would she have picked him for her husband in different circumstances?

What was he thinking? Of course not! She wasn't given much choice. Doubts filled him. How could he marry with nothing to call his own? Again he had to remind himself about the Lord being in control. He remembered how he felt peace with the decision to marry her. Soon sleep called him. Closing his eyes, Sophia's face came to him, and once again he knew it was meant to be. She was meant to be his. He smiled in the dark.

The women were led back into the courtroom the following morning to give their decision. Sophia's mind raced. Had she rushed into it? She almost began laughing out loud. Of course she had rushed into it...she had no choice. She knew she could change her answer, but she wouldn't. She looked around for James Patrick, but the men were not there yet.

A few minutes later someone barked out orders. "Git goin', blokes! Time be runnin', an' we best not keep the good magistrate waitin' on us." Everyone knew the gaoler was saying that for the magistrate's benefit, but he could

have saved his breath. The magistrate wasn't in the room yet. The gaoler led the two

men toward the women, then went to stand over by the other chainer.

"Ain't like 'im to be late," the one said to the other. "Hope this be o'er soon. Gonna be a hot one again today." The other chainer joked, "Don't want no cryin' from ya when the wedding comes. I

ain't

got no hanky." The two laughed, slapping each other on the back.

Magistrate Reeves finally stepped into the room wearing his robe but not his wig. He looked even younger without his hairpiece. Stepping up to his desk on the high platform, he spoke directly to the prisoners. "I see that you have made your decisions to marry since there are two couples in front of me. I would like all four of you to stand before me. Gaolers, remove their chains."

After their chains were removed, they stepped up to the front of the room. Red moved next to Sophia. He gave her a smile of reassurance, and his eyes lingered on the scarf on her head.

The magistrate looked intently at the two couples, then addressed the women. "Have you thought this through?"

Sophia couldn't believe he would even ask them that. He had given them no time to consider anything and pretty much no choice in the matter.

Both women simply answered, "Yes, sir."

Magistrate Reeves then turned to the men. "What about you? Are you both in agreement to marrying these women?"

They both answered, "Yes, sir."

Then the magistrate asked all four of them, "Are you prepared to marry now?"

They all nodded in agreement.

Magistrate Receves stepped down from his desk and instructed the two couples to step closer to the front. He married the two couples in one ceremony. Before they could say, "I do," it was finished. They stood looking uncomfortable, not sure what to do next.

The magistrate stepped back up to his desk and spoke to the couples. "Your marriages are legal and binding. I will have you sign these papers. If you cannot write, make your mark. You will not see one another until the time comes to set sail. I have decided to give you one hour to visit. Gaolers, take them to the back of the room. Let them sit, and bring them something to eat. Give them one hour before taking them back to the gaol. Do not chain them again until the hour is up, but I want them guarded well." He then led the two couples to a smaller table with official-looking papers. Both Sophia and Red signed their names. So he, too, can write, she thought.

Magistrate Reeves again turned to the couples. "I understand this must be difficult for you, but I want you to realize you have been given a wonderful opportunity. You now have family and will soon have a chance to make something out of your lives. It will be a hard life, but having someone to help you in your endeavors will make it easier. You are the first couples to marry by order of the court. I feel especially hopeful that you will succeed. God bless your marriages, and good luck." With that he disappeared into an adjoining room.

The gaolers shuffled up to the couples in the front, sputtering all the way. "Blimey, ya would think 'e be speakin' to the Queen 'erself, God blessin' ya and all. All right with yas, 'urry up to the back now. We best get yer food so we can serve ya like ye be the royals and all. Yas won't be getting chained, but be mindful now, we be watchin' yas. Now sit yerselfs down."

The couples sat at opposite ends of the row for privacy. Red turned toward his bride. "Are you all right?" he asked, concern in his eyes. She could feel the flush on her cheeks. Nodding, she softly answered, “Aye, I am

fine-just out of breath with everything happening." Sophia saw the other couple engaged in a long, passionate kiss. Now she and Red both Both sat blushed. quietly for some time until a strange noise resounded. Looking around,

Silence reigned until the chainers brought some food.

Red wondered if he should mention how nice Sophia looked. She probably wouldn't

believe him, not with her shaved head. Sophia wondered if she should mention how brave she thought James was, bur thought better of it.

Both tried hard to think of something to say until both began talking at once. They

burst out laughing. Sophia liked his smile. Deep dimples creased his cheeks.

After their meal they spoke of everyday things. They discovered they had a lot in common. Neither had any family, except for each other now. They spoke of their fears and hopes for the future. Both confessed how they always wanted family of their own. Sophia showed a great deal of knowledge in farming, which pleased James. They had another thing in common. Sophia had lost Gran when their cottage burned to the ground just as James had lost his parents.

All too soon it was time for them to part.

They had only a moment more together, and Sophia felt a strange disappointment. "Take care of yourself, Mrs. Murphy," James Patrick said, smiling. "I'm not sure when I will see you again." "

Sophia inhaled in surprise. "Oh, that's right! My name is changed now!"

A minute later the gaolers gruffly placed them in chains once again. It always

amazed Sophia how some people preferred treating people roughly when given any

degree of power. It seemed to annoy the gaolers that the magistrate spoke to them as

human beings. The four were hoisted up into a cart and soon were headed back to the gaol. During the ride back James would smile at Sophia as if to let her know everything would work out. She realized she now had someone who cared for her. That knowledge gave her hope. I will take care of you, too, she thought.

Once at the gaol, James spoke softly to Sophia. "I don't know when I will see you next, but you must eat as much as you can. You must take care of yourself!"

Sophia nodded, keeping her eyes on him until he was led out of sight. Slowly she turned, letting herself be led the other way. Funny how alone she felt, separated from him. It would be a battle to keep her spirits up, but now she had someone else to think of. Maybe she didn't know what the future would bring, but at least her life was moving forward.

What a difference a day made...married! Tears welled as she recalled how Gran had talked about havin a wedding for her one day. She had told Sophia of the dress Mama had worn. It had been tucked safely away for so many years for Sophia to use someday.

Sadly it had been lost in the fire. Now I'm married! It was not a wedding of her dreams, but life was nothing like what she thought it would be. She had to make some plans. She was determined to do her best to keep herself as strong as possible. She had to prepare herself for what was ahead. The loneliness lightened. Suddenly she was given a future and a family. Sophia and the other newly married woman were led to a different cell once at the

gaol. Alice and the other women were already there. The two friends hugged after seeing each other. Sophia shared everything that had happened to her since they had been separated, surprising Alice to say the least. "Can't say I e'er 'ear such a thing as that as 'avin' to marry some bloke. Ya picked a man did ya, Sophia?"

Sophia told Alice it was the man who looked after them in the communal cell. "His

name is James Patrick."