Free Place Of Her Own by Lynn A. Coleman

man’s bones after he’s been laid to rest,” Prudence said. “But I imagine the state is happy to have the man who blazed the trail to Kentucky back home.”
    Prudence peered at Katherine. “You’re awfully quiet tonight.”
    “I suppose I don’t have much to offer in a discussion about local affairs.”
    “I’d be interested in anything you had to say.” Shelton set his fork on the table. “What were you thinking about while we were discussing Daniel Boone?”
    She’d done it this time. She should have known Shelton would be able to tell she was distracted by her own thoughts.
    Everyone at the table stared at her, waiting for her response.
All right
, she thought.
If he really wants to know …
    “I just find it hard to understand why you feel the need to provide for your parents. I suppose not having my own parents any longer, I don’t understand your loyalty to them.”
    Shelton wiped his lips with his napkin. “It’s a question of honor. I don’t approve of my father’s actions, but I am duty bound by God’s Word and my conscience to honor my parents.”
    Urias reached for his glass of water. “I have to agree. Hiram Greene isn’t one of my favorite people in the world, but he is Prudence’s father, and I choose to respect him because he raised my beautiful wife.” He looked at Prudence, who smiled lovingly at him. Then he returned his attention to Katherine. “What would you do if our mother showed up one day? Would you curse her and throw her out, or would you forgive her and provide her with a place to stay?”
    “Seeing as how I don’t own my own home, I couldn’t make such an offer.”
And I probably never will be able to anyway.
“I honestly don’t know what I’d do if Mother were to show up.”
    “I’d have a problem with that as well,” Shelton acknowledged.
    “I think we all would,” Prudence offered. “While my parents had their problems, they did love us and raise us well.”
    Katherine sat back in her chair and thought on that for a moment. The Greens did love their children. And that was more than she could say about her mother.
    Prudence reached for Urias’s hand. He wrapped his fingers around hers. “Father knows he tricked us and used us. I don’t think he will ever ask for forgiveness, even though we gave it to him long ago.”
    Katherine forked a piece of meat but couldn’t raise it to her mouth. “Forgiveness is one thing. But taking care of them? Hiram Greene is not so old that he can’t take care of himself.”
    “Father’s gambling is like a sickness. He can’t seem to stop. And Mother shouldn’t suffer for his transgressions. So I will provide for them. In my mind it isn’t an option; it is an obligation I must fulfill to be an honorable man to God.”
    Katherine nibbled her lower lip. “I guess it’s my own bitterness that can’t allow me to see why you feel so strongly about this. I don’t know if I’ll ever get over being owned by others.”
    “If Hiram Greene hadn’t acquired your bond,” Urias interjected, “I wouldn’t have found you. I wouldn’t have found my beautiful wife either. And I wouldn’t have three of the most adorable children on the face of the earth. I wish things had been different for you, Katherine, but they weren’t. Even though you lived through harsh times, you need to accept the facts and move on with the blessings God has given you.”
    “I guess,” she added with a sigh, “if it wasn’t for Hiram Greene, I wouldn’t have my freedom and a cherished family.”
    Shelton smiled.
    And I wouldn’t have Shelton in my life
, she added silently. Was Grandma Mac right? Could she have a future with him? Katherine picked up her fork and ate the now-cold chunk of meat. “Forgive me for being so rude, Shelton.”
    “You’re always free to speak your mind around me.”
    She appreciated the freedom he gave her. But to live under the same roof as Hiram Greene again? That would take a double portion of God’s