1862, Chapter 7

When we left our story, Johanna wanted August to drive her into town to rendezvous with a lover, Mr. Waggoner. August is torn by keeping this secret from her husband, William, who is also his brother.

Since his return from the Civil War, William has descended into drink, suffering from what today we call PTSD. August is aware that Mr. Waggoner is some sort of refuge for Johanna. August is just 16 years old and managing the family dry goods store in William’s absence. August, Johnna, and William are seated at the dining table. We rejoin them in mid-conversation.

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August thought that now might be as good a time as any to spill the beans on Johanna’s blackmail and tell his brother about Mr. Waggoner.

William was so drunk that August figured he could elude him until he calmed down after hearing about Johanna’s affair. Maybe he’d wake up and having forgotten all about the news. At least the cat would be out of the bag and the power of Johanna’s blackmail would be broken. 

August opened his mouth, ready to say something, when Johanna, sensing what he was up to, kicked him hard under the table.

She now looked at him with that glint in her eye. More than once she’d reminded him that she was prepared to let William know that he’d attacked her. This was the blackmail Johanna threatened August with. One night several weeks earlier, she had climbed into August’s bed, sobbing, and August had promptly carried her back to her own bed. While this was going on, William was out in the yard, drunk, and raving at the top of lungs at the moon.

“I can’t live with him,” Johanna whispered to August as he turned to leave.