Give me your daughter and Ill keep quiet, he snarled.
Im sorry, I didnt see it. Be a decent man, Thomas, dont ruin me
What do you call me, Thomas? Have you forgotten? For you Im Thomas Whitaker.
Please, dont take this to court
Thomas stood up, straightened his shoulders so hard his shirt snapped. A hot blaze glared from his dark eyes, scorching Zachary Ziegler, whose shoulders slumped in fear. Zachary had been a foreman for years, but only a year ago hed been elected head of the parish council. At first people doubted him he was only twentyfive, freshfaced. Yet the district officials, seeing his grip on farm affairs, his drive and sensible approach, gave him the nod.
Youre a thief, Zachary Archibald, Thomas said, his voice ringing like steel. And when Thomas says something, you cant back out Ill bend the law to my will.
He went on, There were some haystacks that vanished in the spring. Think Ive forgotten? Ill hand you over to the magistrate!
I swear Ive been honest, working the fields day and night. I never took anything. Thomas, can we strike a deal? My wife wont survive this, and Ive got kids
Kids, you say? Thomas mused. You want a bargain? You want protection? Whats in it for me if I cover you up?
Zacharys nerves tightened, watching the council head, hoping he might show some mercy theyd both grown up on the same soil.
And Emily, your pretty daughter what if I marry her? I could take her as my bride, yes?
Zachary went pale. Think, Thomas, shes still a girl
Shes still a girl? I saw her on the farm the other day, a proper bridetobe.
Shes only just turned seventeen, still a child, being nursed by her mother.
Shes old enough to be a real wife! Heres my condition: you give me Emily, and Ill keep quiet about your mistake. If you refuse, Ill inform the district chief and youll end up in court. So choose hand over my daughter or go drybreadmaking, and who knows if youll ever see your family again.
Zachary fell to his knees. What are you asking of me? This is an impossible burden! How could I force my daughter into this? Am I a monster?
Thomas returned to the table, sat down and pulled out a sheet of paper. Then well record it: Zachary Ziegler went against authority, meddled with the common good
Wait, dont write that, Zachary whispered, I need to speak with my daughter first.
Go ahead. Shes a stubborn one, shell argue back you call her a child.
Youre to blame, you took her she got scared.
If the soul feels the pull, Thomas smirked.
Zachary sighed heavily. If only my soul
He went home, slumped onto the bench and started pulling off his boots.
Whats the matter, love? Maggie asked.
The kitchen already held a pot of stew, the oven was baking fresh bread that filled the cottage with a warm scent.
Emily! he called his daughter. Shes just left the pantry, didnt have time to braid her hair.
What, Dad?
He turned to her. Our council head wants to take her as a bride he says he wants to marry you.
Emilys lips trembled, her fingers twirled her messy braid, and she stood like a trembling birch in the wind: Why would I? I dont want him
Maggie dropped her cup, sat down hard on the stool.
Zachary sighed again. I know you dont want it, and I dont want it either. Its too early for you but what can we do?
Dad, why are you putting me through this?
Zachary, who thought it was a good idea to force a girl into the council, when were not even living under a king?
The council head thought it was his right, hes just a bully, everyones scared of him.
Their younger son Charlie, leaning against the hearth, listened attentively.
Im sorry, I messed up. My head wasnt clear, I missed the haystacks in the spring
Oh dear, theyll put you away
Thomas swears hell lock me up, says he didnt trust me
So whats the plan if he wants Emily? Hell just take her, wont he?
Exactly, Zachary agreed, hand over my daughter for my mistake I dont need a soninlaw like that.
Dad, you should speak up, Charlie, now thirteen, chimed in.
Shut up, Ill manage without your advice, Zachary snapped. If you speak, youll end up as his puppet, even if hes still green.
Dad, Im scared of him, Emily sobbed.
Zachary looked at his daughter, then his wife, sighed, and started packing.
Where are you going? Maggie asked.
Pack, love, dont forget a clean shirt, and the biscuits Ill go to Thomas tomorrow morning, let him arrest me if he wants. Im not forcing my daughter, its too early for her.
Maggie rushed to hug him. Emily retreated to her bedroom and lay on the madeup bed, listening to her mothers cries and her fathers sighs. She hadnt even thought of any boy yet only her friend Freddies older brother, who was a year older, tall and decent. The council head seemed a distant, grim figure, always shouting, demanding, a stranger to her.
Emily felt sorry for herself, for how her life was being swept away, and for her father, who might be taken away forever. She started braiding her hair, pulling at it angrily, feeling nothing but rage and desperation. She went back to her parents, took the sack from her fathers hands. Dont go anywhere, Father, she said, finally using the word Father like an adult.
If youd agreed, I wouldnt be hurting like this, Zachary pounded his chest. Itll be hard for you Ill serve my time, but youll have to live without tears.
Dad! Emily clutched him. Dont go! Theyll lock you up, theyll blame me, Charlie, and even my sister Antonia will be dragged into it. She already has a husband and kids.
Zachary slumped onto the chest at the door, which doubled as a bench. I know, Antonia will get the shame too itll look like I, Zachary Ziegler, turned hay into a crime.
Tell him tomorrow I agree, let him send a matchmaker, Emily pleaded.
Maggie packed the things and put them by the stove, wiping her eyes as she set the table.
That night Zachary and Maggie lay awake, talking, turning, sighing heavily. From the next room Emilys cries could be heard.
No, Maggie, shes scared of him, marriage would be a burden now, especially in these times. What if in the morning you fetch my sack, Ill head out to the council yard and tell Thomas I wont give her away.
Maggie leaned on her husband: Zachary, as you wish, well manage without you
At dawn they rose, careful not to wake the children. While they were busy outside, Charlie slipped out the gate. By the time they grabbed their things, the sun was high.
Wheres our little lad? Zachary asked.
I guess he ran off to school, Emily answered, I havent seen him this morning.
Hell come back. Ill stay a bit longer
Zachary, stay home till lunch, the village head might not be around, Maggie said, still hoping the storm would pass.
Zachary thought, Why rush to prison?
Meanwhile Charlie rode a cart with his uncle Martin, heading for the district centre.
Charlie, why are you heading to the centre? Martin asked.
Ive got a school assignment to collect certificates. Im in a hurry.
Charlie made up the story, putting on a serious face.
Martin urged the horse, and they clattered into the town.
Charlie leapt off, thanked the clerk and ran to the district office. The first secretary, Mr. Gresham, a sturdy man of fortyfive, was there. Charlie, feeling bold, thought he might get help for his dad and for Emily.
What do you need, lad? the secretary asked, surprised.
I need Alex Mitchell.
Why?
Ive got business.
No children here.
Then the chief, Mr. Gresham, appeared. Charlie, flustered, blurted out a story that confused the secretary.
You know who youre accusing? Youre slandering the council head, the secretary warned.
Its the truth! The haystacks, Charlie protested.
How do you know?
It was Thomas Archibald who invented the whole thing to take Emily as his wife she refuses.
The secretary frowned. Fine, Ill wait at the gate until the cart arrives.
Back at the village, Thomas Zorin was out giving orders, checking fields, and scolding the lazy tractor driver Pete. When he saw Mr. Gresham, everyone fell silent. Thomas straightened up, ready to report on the councils business.
Charlie lingered near the council hall, peeking through windows. He never liked complaining, but his dads fate made him act.
So, how do you run things here? Mr. Gresham asked.
Alex Mitchell, just as usual, we try
I see your hay was taken in the spring, yet you only raise a storm now. Why stay silent before? Waiting for a convenient moment? And why are you sure Zachary is to blame? Because his daughter turned you down?
Thomas grew paler with each question.
Im guilty, he admitted. It wasnt proved, it wasnt me, someone else I tried to scare him.
Youll answer for that, Gresham said quietly, his words like a whip. Ill send you to trial for overstepping.
Charlie burst in, flinging the door open. Turn it on, he shouted, pointing at the radio. Theres news
They switched it on and heard the announcement of war, the date 22 June 1940.
Charlie raced home, his mind reeling.
Alex Mitchell, I dont deny my fault, but now isnt the time, Thomas said, pale. Dont take it to court, let me go to the front, Ill be conscripted anyway.
Gresham, stunned by the news, leaned over the table, pondering Thomass fate.
The hay was eaten, Thomas continued, We dont know whose cows ate it. Im needed on the front now.
Wholl stay here? Gresham asked.
Therell be other men, even Martin Illich, though hes beyond the draft age, could fill the chair
Alright, Zorin, Ive got other matters now. Ill think about you later.
A week later, a few carts gathered outside the council hall, villagers gathered, some weeping, some laughing. Thomas bowed, dropped his sack, and stepped into the circle. He played a fiddle, the notes crackling like a fire. Suddenly his stern, alwayscheckingup demeanor softened; he spread his arms, stomped in rhythm, and the crowd formed a tight ring around him.
Ah, Thomas Whitaker, your hands could hold a wife, now theyll hold a rifle, Martin Illich muttered, now the acting head of the council.
The Ziegler family saw their soninlaw leaving, Antonia clung to him like a whip until the order Off the carts! rang out.
Hard winters, unpredictable springs, and grim days came, bringing dreadful news.
Maggie, it feels like the gloom has lifted, yet another sorrow arrives. Now this trouble seems small compared to whats coming, she sighed, looking at Emily.
Four years passed, the village of Willowbrook shrank, widows and orphans grew in number. Yet the spring of 45 revived spirits as victory loomed.
Fellow farmer Fred returned in March after a wound, having been called up at eighteen, now a sturdy suitor.
Why are you turning away from Fred? Emily, now grown, asked Maggie. Where else will you find a husband? Hes willing to marry you.
I understand, Mum, but I just dont feel anything
Feelings, Emily? Youll stay a girl then.
A month later Thomas came back. Women stared as he walked the dusty road, noting his empty coat sleeve.
Good day, ladies! How are you? Wheres my mother?
Oh, joy! Shes on the farm, you should go cheer her up; todays a celebration the sons return.
Thomas dove straight into work. At the first meeting they proposed him as council head.
We have a chair, Thomas said, Martin Illich kept the council running through the war, doesnt he deserve to stay?
Selfremoval? the villagers asked.
Seems so.
He changed, both outwardly and inside. No more shouting, no pride that had plagued him before the war; the conflict had smoothed his edges.
Good to see you, Zachary Archibald, Thomas greeted, long time no see.
Good to see you, Thomas Whitaker.
Forget the patronymics, Im younger than you. I used to brag I thought about you through the war, regretted not asking forgiveness. So now I say: forgive me for those haystacks, I knew I wasnt at fault
Zachary cleared his throat. Then forgive me too, Thomas, that was I who moved the stacks
How so?
We had no fodder for the calf, but the higher orders said not to touch the stacks, a sort of reserve. Both you and I got the order, and I went against it. Zachary removed his cap, clenching it, emotions boiling. I didnt take any for myself, so Im not to blame
Thats the story, Thomas said. Looks like you fed our cows after all lets not dwell on the past, it was ages ago, before the war.
Dad, why are you talking to him like that? Charlie asked when Zachary stepped away. He was a snake, now his stings been ripped out.
Charlie got a smack on the back of the head.
You know nothing! You havent lived, yet you judge. Thomas had earned two medals on the front, not a snake at all.
What, dad? I was thinking of the past
Forget it just know one thing: its easy to err, hard to fix. He patted his sons shoulder. Alls well, son, the wars over, well live on.
Later, the cartyard filled with milk barrels ready for shipment. Thomas harnessed a horse, one hand on the reins, and turned. Emily, carrying a barrel, ran to help. Hold on, lets do it together, he said, grabbing the other end. As he nudged the barrels, she untied the horse, feeling his hand rest gently on her shoulder. Dont worry about me, he whispered softly, Ill manage even if I lose a hand.
I only wanted to help.
You already have, he nodded toward the yard, everyones moving stuff.
He gave the horse a tap. Emily watched, her heart filling with a strange pity for Thomas, the wounded soldier. Days passed without his return; teenage lads from the Voloshin family took over. One warm May day, Emily spotted his familiar silhouette, a lone sleeve fluttering in the distance. He jumped off the cart, ran toward her, smiling. The wars over, Emily, its finally over, he said. The radio just announced celebrations in the fields, tables will be set tonight.
She lowered her head onto his chest, both surprised. He wrapped his arms around her, his one good hand trembling. I dont have two hands to hug you, he whispered. She replied, I have two, so together we have three. Thatll beAnd as the sun set over Willowbrook, Thomas and Emily walked hand in hand toward their future, knowing love had finally mended the wounds of the past.
