Macon Georgia
September of 1855
After the wedding, William did not see Ellie again. Now that neither of them attended church services, there were few opportunities. William heard about her, however, and what he heard worried him, although he told himself he had no reason to be troubled about it.
It was a lie. It was just that simple and he knew it, no matter how much he pushed her from his thoughts. He felt a kindred spirit in her, and a quiet desperation that he shared. He could not help himself. Miss Betsey was right, there were plenty of women for him to choose from, and why his heart settled on Ellie he could not explain.
The viciousness of the rumors and innuendo against Ellie upset him. William knew the single men had long pursued her, but as she refused them month after month their attitude soured.
Now they made crude remarks. “Not white enough for you?” Or, “Is that a fact? Got to get on home to your master and enjoy yourself in his arms?”
The more she refused, the more haughty and arrogant she appeared. William heard more than one say Ellie secured her position in the Collins household by “being available” to Miss Deb’s husband. Like Miss Betsey they murmured, “Like mother, like daughter.”
Most troubling of all to William, however, were the dark threats from the more reckless young men to “take her down a notch.”
Foolishly, William thought, Ellie continued to take long solitary Sunday walks outside of town. Everyone knew about them. It was more “proof” she considered herself white and above their community.
The threats grew so nasty William decided to warn Ellie. He feared words might soon turn to action by some of the young toughs.
Early on a Sunday morning he waited on a path he expected her to take. When she appeared, dressed in one of her sister’s best hand me downs and wearing a pretty white bonnet, William’s face flushed. He felt as flustered as a boy with a crush, and that irritated him. What was it about this woman that so intimidated and attracted him?
For her part, Ellie looked startled and then not at all pleased to see him.
“Miss Ellie,” William said, “if I could have a moment of your time?”
Ellie frowned. “What business do you have with me, Mr. Craft?”
William found himself at a loss for words. He swallowed hard.
“Mr. Craft?” Ellie said, visibly impatient.
And then it seemed to William her expression eased slightly. “I apologize if I seem impatient or even unappreciative, Mr. Craft.”
“William,” he said. “You can call me William or Will.”
Ellie sighed. “Mr. Craft,” she continued, “I owe you a debt of thanks for what you did in church. You took a risk coming to my aid. Please don’t think I don’t appreciate it. I do. I know many think ill of me for, well, for things they simply don’t understand. I would not want you to be among them. It’s just that, well, for so many reasons of my own I prefer solitude. Not that I wouldn’t wish it otherwise, but I am determined not ever to…”
Now she was at a loss for words.
“That is related to why I’m here, Miss Ellie,” he jumped in. “I think it unsafe for you to be out alone like this. Whatever your reasons for keeping apart, there are young men who resent you for it. In fact, I have heard threats. I advise against these solitary walks. I think you needlessly expose yourself to harm.”
Ellie’s face flushed and she looked away from William. “I will not,” she said through gritted teeth, “have my life dictated to by Hess or this community or anyone. I have little enough to call my own in this world, and my Sunday walk through God’s garden is one of the very few. Even at the cost of my life, I will not surrender this one simple pleasure because of prejudice and ignorance against who I am. I thank you for your concern, Mr. Craft, but I will continue.”
“Then may I accompany you?” William blurted out. “To insure your safety, of course, I mean.”
Ellie now did look into his eyes, and for a moment Will thought he saw her resolve weaken, but the moment passed and her eyes burned fierce and determined again.
“Thank you, but no. Now if you’ll excuse me.”
She walked past him.
William watched her slowly move out of sight, his heart in his shoes.