Mary Johnson ~ The Paid Bride

~

a Chicago farmer isn't ex

e constant struggles to stay sane, and the daily grind of farm life. It's

proud firstborn of Mr.

king citizens: devoted Christians who

that's really more of a glorified shed, and a tiny patch

enough to keep the pantry stocked. Well, that wa

t like it. They've won the admiration of everyone arou

like the chaos level in our house – our little

love my morning coffee if I ever had any. I

e and maybe a chance to live for myself? Not that it's

----

and boy, how excited I was that day. It has always been my dream to go to college, but si

know how they were going to do it, so all I had

k from school because we had not paid their fees, since Grade 2, and I later

rs old. Every morning, I loved to watch the joy on their faces when they made a run for the school b

re too, both were eager to learn new things, and they

les they wore heading to and from school? I tried not to dwell on the fact that our so

ght to myself, pacing around in my so-called room, which

bles and water; I noticed that Lisa and Lora didn't have their usual happy ex

it, and in my home that was forbidden, so I just took my spoon

no one is taking your f

, just wanting to finish

ad called

raised my hea

of money. Even if a spirit had told me that my parents had such an amount of money saved up, I would not beli

d, "Your father and I had been

work ten times harder than before, Looking at both of them now, they looke

g up ever since you said, you dreamed of going to college. I already called the sch

I observed my sisters at the other end, Lora star

o me, "Wow, big sis, you are going to college? I'm happy for you.

While Dad just watched me confusedly; Mom hurried to my side. "What is go

ly asked, "Was it something I said?" She looked from dad to mom

called her into my arms, I hugged her tightly "Oh Lisa," I said

are you apologizing? You did no

ace up; I can't let them be driven to an edge this

ollowed, "Of course, big sis." She sniffled and added, "I forgive

d stood, and patted bo

who had been q

answered as I

at you think you did wrong, but e

hey are not turning back now. I looked up at my father, who was observing me, perhaps waiting for me to

with questions, "What are you doing, Mary?

her calmly

s money is meant fo

years of it, to be prec

only take half of this mo

I will understand." He said as he looked at me with que

oney is used for their tuition and probably take care of a few thi

you had on your face whenever those college students pass by the farm." Mother was clearly angry. She continued, "We had to sell a lot of things, and wo

mom

educated, whether you like it or not. Your sisters are still youn

ubt crying from Mother's harsh words. I closed my eyes as I prayed to a higher power for confidenc

I just challenge her? Papa re

e way; challenging and throwing words at your parents or elders, whether they a

now, when will I ever? "Sorry if I sounded kind of rude

are just eighteen. Are you going to teach your pare

t I meant, moth

u mean then? Please do

I can always go to college or university. Sure, it won't be a walk in the park, but I'm your child. I'm smart, confident, brave, and hardworking. I can do whatever I set my mind to-work or sch

. Are they supposed to go back to grade 1? Of course not. It'd be a nightmare for them. The sta

e got the chance to speak up, I need to lay it al

m sure that's not what Papa and Mama meant. I mean, we can alway

exactly smooth sailing for us. If we let this opportunity slip by, do you really think you and Lisa will ever

hair. "Oh, I didn't t

r story. Mama, think about it-five years from now, I'll be twenty-three. I can handle the pressure and tackle whatever the world throws at me. I'm a Johnson, after all. We're taught to be strong, bold, and resilient. So, sure, I can alw

es, I doubt she would have