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In her loneliness, Neeley was an easy mark. Β Aunt Lottie kept her close to home. Β Awkward about her imposing height and girth, she wasn’t surprised no one had come courting. In her feed-sack dresses and straight, chopped off hair, she’d never expected to be admired. Boys liked dainty little girls with curly hair and nice clothes. Β She felt like a work horse in a field of thoroughbreds. Β Saturday night, when she was allowed to attend a Holness Tent Revival with her cousins Louise and Bertha, she was embarrassed when a fellow kept staring at her. Β Her cheeks burned, and she looked away whenever they made eye contact, fearing he ‘d ridicule her, given the chance. Β Though she did nothing to encourage him, he found his way to her after meeting.
“Howdy, pretty girl. Β Can I walk you home?” Β He asked.
She answered without thinking. Β “No, sir. Β Aunt Lottie don’t allow me no callers. Β She’d tan my hide if I asked.”
“Now, how’s she gonna know? Β It’s a long, dark walk home. Β Ain’t you an’ these gals together? Β My buddies wants company, too. Β Who’s gonna know if we walk all of you gals home together? Β You shore ain’t gonna tell off on each other, are you?” Β Her cousins Bertha and Louise stood giggling at her side. Β Obviously, they were delighted by the offer. Β “How ’bout it, girls?”
The three girls held a giggling conference, deciding to give the boys a chance.
Neeley fell hard for Joey, agreeing to meet him the next night, and the next, and the next. Β He’d come to help with the harvest at his Uncle George’s farm. Β To hear him tell it, Uncle George was doing poorly, not likely to make it for long. Β He thoughtΒ so much of Joe, he was gonna leave the place to him. Β Joe was gonna be well-set up. Β Him and Neeley could have a good life, if he was sure she loved him. Β He couldn’t marry no girl without her loving him. Β Neeley sure loved him.
Three months later, the curse had passed her by and Neeley needed a husband. Β Joe was long gone. Β There was no Uncle George, nor farm. Β When she told her cousins, they begged Neeley not to tell of their part in her story. Β They’d both escaped her fate. Β Β Lottie would have beaten them half to death if she found out what they’d been up to.
When her condition was obvious, Aunt Lottie took after her with a broom, maybe hoping she’d beat the baby out of her. Β When Uncle Jep got home and found Neeley brutalized, he threatened Lottie if he laid another hand on her and set off to see his friend and neighbor, Eddie. Β Eddie had a small daughter and needed a wife.
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