The next
day….
“Momma, do ya suppose I’ll ever get married?”
Mrs.
Tyson turned away from the stove with a frown. “What did you say, Lizzie?”
Lizzie
straddled her chair backwards with her arms folded on top of the back of it.
Her dark hair hung loosely; her blue eyes searching. “Do you think I’ll ever
get married?”
“Is
that what's been bothering you?” Her Momma seemed confused.
Lizzie
drifted her gaze downward. “Well…half of what's been botherin' me.”
Mrs.
Tyson pulled up a chair and sat across from her daughter. Her eyes held a
compassionate, soft look. “Honey, sure ya will. But your only nineteen, why
would you worry about that?”
Lizzie
looked back up. “I know girls that have gotten married a lot younger than me.
Missy Taylor just got married and she's barely seventeen.”
“Well
you’re not Missy Taylor. Everyone is different. And I’m sure God will bring
along the right man when you and he are ready.”
Lizzie
huffed. “Well, there has been men interested, you know that? What if one of
them is the one? Shouldn’t I let some of them call on me?”
Mrs.
Tyson shifted, concern showing in her gaze. “Well, that’s your decision, honey.
But waiting is a heap better, I think, then testing out the waters. But at the
end of the day…It’s your...choice.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A week and 4 days later.
She didn’t know it was possible for somebody to get so good
at shooting in this short of time but she supposed when all one had to do was
just practice, it was very possible.
The
full whiskey bottle shattered in front of her.
Lexie
grinned and lowered the firearm. It was so satisfying to see the bottle smash
to pieces in front of her. It was so satisfying to know that you were good at
something, really good at something.
“What
are you doing, ya girl?” Her pa’s angry voice sounded behind her.
Lexie
didn’t jump with fright like she normally did when her pa sounded so harsh. She
felt confident this time.
“What’da
you mean?” She asked, turning around.
“Shooting
good whiskey. Use old bottles.”
“I
used ‘em all. Besides, you and the boys have plenty of this stuff. It won’t
hurt anything.” Lexie had gotten more bold in her talking lately, ever since
she started shooting and felt like she could hold her own.
Her
dad cursed. “Well we won’t if you shoot it all. And don’t knock good whiskey
until you try it.”
Lexie
felt a little lightheaded at those words. “Not interested.”
“Honey,
ya’ve been doin’ so many new things lately, why not this?”
Lexie
swallowed. That was sure the truth. Holding horses for a bank robbery, learning
to shoot so well. That was new things alright. But drinking: she wanted no part
of.
“No
thanks, Pa. I just don’t want to.”
Pa
walked forward a little and placed his hands on Lexie’s shoulders. “I just want
you do know, I’m proud of ya. I’m proud of ya for deciding to make something of
yourself instead of sittin' around all the time.”
Lexie
was lost for words. She was still confused why Pa started caring so much lately
about what Lexie did with her time. He never did when ma was around.
“Thanks.”
She blurted out.
He
smiled and walked off to the barn.
Lexie
turned back to the corral. She had shot all the bottles, she needn’t to find
something else to shoot at.
She
walked into the cabin and looked around. She supposed she could use some of the
dishes. Lexie set to work gathering up the ones she didn’t need.
Hoof
beats sounded in the yard and she guessed Jake was back. Soon he joined her in
the kitchen. Lexie didn't acknowledged him as she continued gathering
up dishes. She knew he would be prodding her with questions sooner or later and
if now was that sooner then she was in no mood to answer them.
"Hey,
Lexie, how was your day?" He sounded tired and concerned.
"It
was fine. And yours?"
Jake
didn't bother answering. "What's wrong, Lexie? You haven't been yourself
lately?"
Lexie paused and faced Jake. "I have to been myself, just because I'm
doing something besides sitting around and rotting my life away."
Jake
took a step forward. "Are you working with Pa and the boys?"
"No."
"Then
why have you been so buddy with him lately and why are you always
shooting?"
"Because
I want to learn self-defense. There's nothing wrong with that."
"No,
no, there's not but I feel like there's more to this then just learning to
shoot for protection."
Lexie
was silent.
They
stared at each other for a moment.
"I-can't
stand sitting around, Jake. And when Pa came to me awhile back and asked me to
hold the horses for a robbery...well, I did it. And it was exciting to be on
the run, exciting to actually do something. I felt really bad about it and
promised myself I'd never do it again, but the thought of actually getting off
this place for a night and having something to do sounds so appealing that I
would go with Pa right now if he asked me. I can't believe that I feel this
way, I just do." Lexie's eyes shown with tears as she told the truth.
An
extra sadness came over Jake as he listened to Lexie. She knew he was hurt for
her.
"Lex,
I'll get you out of here. You don't have to go robbing with Pa."
"Ya
ain't got no way to get me out of here."
Jake
took another step closer. "Yeah, I do. I may have one very soon. Ya see,
the bosses daughter, Mikayla, and I have been courting for a month. I hope to
ask her to marry me soon. And then you can come live with us. I've already told
her about you. I don't have much money saved up but my boss has an old cabin on
his land that he'll let us live in until I can afford to make a down payment on
a house for us. You and Mikayla would get along really well." His face
held a small hopeful smile.
Lexie
didn't know what to say. It was a chance to get out of here. "I don't
know, Jake. I'll think about it."
Jake
nodded and his expression turned more serious. "Is robbing with Pa why
you've been learning to shoot?"
Lexie
tiredly slumped her shoulders. "No, well-it didn't start that way. I just
did it because Pa wanted me to and I found myself going along with it. Then I
got the hang of it and I proved to the boys that I could do it. Now it makes me
feel exciting knowing I'm not so helpless, that I have a say against them. It's
exciting; much more then sitting around."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lizzie's
joints ached as she slowly walked away from the corral. Once again defeated by
that ole horse.
She
was in no mood to be thrown off. Too many worries weighed her down. She was
worried about Lexie and she didn't even know why except for the dream. She was
also worried about whether or not she should let a young man call.
She
felt so confused.
Even
too confused to pray.
"Hey."
Ben greeted as she mounted the porch stairs. The young man sat there cleaning
his rifle.
Lexie
slowly sat beside him on the porch bench. "Hey."
Ben
smiled, continuing to clean his gun. "You look sore."
"It's
not like you didn't see me get thrown from that black brute all those
times."
Ben
chuckled. "Really? He kept throwing you?" His voice sounded clueless
and full of mischief.
Lexie
didn't comment; she wasn't really in the mood to joke around. She slowly leaned
back against the bench.
Ben
seemed to catch the hint. "Something wrong, Liz?"
Lizzie
stared in space. "Yeah...just confused about some things."
"Wanna
talk about it?"
Lizzie glanced over at her brother. His eyes held patience.
She
smiled inwardly. One of the most special things about her family was that they
could always talk, they were always there for each other. If one had a problem,
there would always be another one willing to hear it out. Sometimes to offer
advice or sometimes just to listen.
"I'm
confused, little brother. I feel such an ache in my stomach for Lexie, all
because a dream I had. I haven't felt something like this in a long time."
"What
was the dream?"
Lizzie
re-told the nightmare to her thirteen-year-old brother. Although, Ben was very
mature for his age. Full of wisdom.
Lizzie
finished the sad tale, the knots in her stomach tightening the whole
time.
"Just
keep praying. I guess that's really all I can say, Lizzie."
"Yeah,
thanks. I'll try but you know that's never been easy."
"Uh-huh.
I'll pray too."
Lizzie
smiled. "Thanks."
Ben
offered his own warm smile then returned to cleaning his 44.
"Oh,
uh. There's something else..." Lizzie stated after a few moments.
He
looked up. "Yeah?"
"Do
you think I should get married?"
Ben
looked confused. "Ummm...Is there something I've been discluded
from? Is there a young man that's been calling-"
"No,
it's just should I let a young man call?"
"Are
you interested in one?"
"Well...no...I
just thought that maybe I should because I'm not married yet and-Oh, just
forget it." She stood up quickly.
Ben
frowned up at her, clearly confused.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She couldn't believe it. She literally couldn't believe it. But she had
better start believing it, because it was as real as her name was Lexie.
There
she stood, behind her brothers, in a bank in a nearby town-Simonville. She wore
a big plaid shirt that belonged to Tim, huge pants that belonged to Robbie and
a gun...a gun that Pa had given her before they mounted up for town. And
now...it was stuffed in the front of her pants.
"'Kay,
Lexie, you hold the light." Her pa said, handing her the lantern. Lexie's
hand shook as she took it.
Never
in her wildest dreams did she think she'd rob a bank but when Pa had approached
her this afternoon with the suggestion, she could hardly turn it down. It was
thrilling. It was exciting.
But...at
the same time...Lexie felt terrible guilt inside. This couldn't be good.
"Alright,
Tim, work on the vault." Pa ordered in a whisper.
Tim
moved forward, very trained in breaking into bank vaults.
"Hold
the light closer, girl, I've got to see." Tim barked.
Lexie jumped and moved the lantern closer to the kneeling Tim. "I can't
help it; I ain't used to this."
"Stop
griping, you two. I heard the marshal here isn't one to be messed around with.
The last thing we want to do is alert him we're here." Pa spoke harshly.
"Sorry."
Lexie replied.
Clide
snickered and looked away. Lexie turned back to Tim, her teeth gritted. Clide
was the worst of all the boys. Never believing she could do anything. She'd
have to work hard to show him.
"I
got it." Tim announced eagerly after ten minutes then turned the
combination.
Lexie's
heart thumped inside her chest; she watched in awe as he stood and opened the
door.
Light
met her eyes. A ten star flashed.
Lexie's
breathe caught her her throat.
All
the boys hands flew to their right sides.
"Don't
try it, I've been a marshal for a many long years and I'm not to be trifled
with." He held a rifle in his hands. His brown eyes held a serious,
determined stare.
They
moved their hands away.
"Drop
your guns. Now." Her ordered, not blinking.
They
obeyed.
Lexie's
entire being trembled.
"Alright,
turn around, put your hands on your head and move for the door."
They
followed orders. Lexie's back faced the Marshal; her mouth was dry. She knew
what would be coming next...what they would do to this law officer.
They
all marched toward the door at a slow pace, everyone watchful. Lexie felt she
might throw up.
In
a sudden second the back door to the bank opened, the Marshal spun around and
fired at the man that was fixing to shoot him. Everyone spun around as Robbie
fell dead.
In
a fast motion Pa whipped out a hidden pistol and shot at the Marshal. The
Marshal jerked in pain but the pain didn't stop him from firing his rifle.
Pa
jerked from the impact. The Marshal stumbled from pain.
Lexie
didn't even noticed her anxiety as she rushed for the door after her family. Pa
was stumbling along, leaving a trail of blood.
The
town was stirred up by the shots and Lexie could hear voices as they rushed
behind the bank and mounted their horses.
They
rode off as the Marshal opened the back door to the bank and fired bullets in
their direction. One whizzed past Lexie's shoulder. But missed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lizzie
sat on her bed, the evening air drifting through her open window. Her heart was
still very heavy. A choice lying on her heart.
She
felt the desperate need to pray. She was tired of carrying around this burden.
"God."
Lizzie begin, tears surfacing her eyes. "I know that somewhere out there
you have the right man for me. Give me the patience to wait. Help...help me not
to listen to all the lies Kora and the others are saying. Help me not to listen
to the lies of the enemy. Lord, if the choice arises to settle or to wait, help
me to choose the waiting." Tears escaped her eyes, sliding down her
cheeks. She wiped at them and let out a little relieved laugh. Already she felt
a great burden lifting from her soul.
But
she had to face another prayer. No matter how hard. "God-You-You-know how
hard it is for me to pray about my sister, but God please help her. I know
she's in danger. I just know it. Please, move in and save her from whatever she
may be doing. I ask this in Jesus Name, and I believe that I receive.
Amen!" More tears came and Lexie laid back on her bed, feeling relieved
and confused at the same time.
At
that moment the loud bark of Jinger, their border collie, announced a visitor.
Lexie didn't move as the horses hoof beats sounded outside; it was probably
just a local lady coming to visit her Momma.
She
could hear her family stir and soon their was a knock on the door.
"Sam,
come on in." Her pa welcomed.
Lizzie
jerked up. Sam, Sam Bailey?
"Thank you, Mr. Tyson." Sam's thick Texas draw
answered Lizzie's question.
She
jumped up and cracked open her bedroom door. Sam was now in the living room.
"What
can I do fer ya, Sam?"
"Well,
sir, with your permission I'd like to call on Lizzie?"
Lizzie's
heart beat quickened. He was asking to see her...this was her chance not to be
an old maid. But....this was also unsettling.
"Well,
that'll be up to her." Pa's solemn voice replied. Lizzie could
imagine the regretful looks on her parents faces. She knew they would support
her in whatever she decided but she also knew they wanted what was best for
her.
Letting
Sam call would mean a chance to get married soon and not be looked down on by
the other girls. But it would also mean skipping out on God's best.
"I'll
go get her." Ma announced.
Lizzie
jumped away from the door.
"I
suppose you heard?" Her Mom asked, once in Lizzie's room, a knowing look
in her eyes.
Lizzie
only nodded.
"What
are you thinking?"
"I
don't know, Momma, I'm confused."
Mrs.
Tyson folded her arms, compassion on her face. "Lizzie, like I said
before, this is YOUR choice. We can't make you wait and we can't stop your from
courting Sam. Your father and I have always tried to teach you God's way. But,
it's up to you now what to do. Your not so little anymore."
Lizzie
lowered her head.
"If
you want to see him, I suggest you change into your Sunday dress." Momma
turned to leave but paused. She turned back around, a confident look in her
eyes.
"Liz,
before you come out there, I want you to take a moment to imagine how wonderful
everything will be for you when God brings the man He has for you. Imagine how
beautiful it'll be...and then...imagine how it'll be if you choose to miss out
on that." Then she was gone.
Lizzie
sat on her bed with a defeated sign. Her mothers words replaying in her brain.
Lizzie
closed her eyes...and did some imagining. She imagined meeting a man. She
imagined becoming interested. She imagined praying about him, him praying for
her. She imagined them courting and coming to know each other better. She
imagined, with God's help, they would found their relationship on him...They'd
get married and have children.
And
then...she imagined settling for Sam. And that thought sickened her.
She
slid to her knees. Tears in her eyes. "God, I want to wait: give me the
strength. I'm sorry that I was ready to betray yer best. Please forgive me.
And...give-give me courage to do one of the hardest things I've ever
done."
Lizzie
spent a few moments gathering strength from her Savior. After her eyes were dry
and God's peace in her heart, she stood up straight and headed for the living
room.
All
her siblings sat around, staring. Pa and ma were standing beside Sam...who was
grinning and holding flowers.
Lizzie
thought she'd throw up.
"Evening,
Lizzie. Your pa said I could call if it was okay with ya?" He grinned.
Lizzie
took a deep, shaky breath, not taking her eyes off the man in front of her.
"Sam...I-"
Her voice was hoarse. "Sam, I'm sorry but... I can't."
Sam's
expression dropped.
Lizzie
took another breathe. "I-I want to wait until God brings me the right man,
I don't want to find him on my own. I hope you understand. And I'm sorry if
I've hurt you. But-I know this is what God wants of me-and I'm trying my best
to do it."
I press toward the mark for the prize of
the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Phil. 3:14
Lizzie's Answers: How much are you missing Lexie after all of these years? Do you have the "twin" language, where you know when something is happening to your twin?
