Shattered Moments by Irina Shapiro

you?”
    “No, of course not.  I really like Diana.  I’m glad she’s decided to stay.  Doesn’t seem as if life has been very good to her,” Abbie speculated, still gazing at the darkening sky.
    “No, the past year must have been very trying,” Sam replied, feeling guilty for never writing to her after returning home.
    “I wasn’t just referring to the past year, Sam.  No woman goes into prostitution because she has a happy life, or because she really wants to service countless, random men.  She’s had it rough for much longer than you think, brother,” she said quietly.  “Men!  How blind you can be.”
    “I suppose you’re right.  Diana was always so vivacious and fun, it was hard to imagine that she might be unhappy.”
    “I hope she can be happy here,” Abbie replied, “not sure how happy Jonah will be, though.  I can’t imagine what she’ll do here.”
    “How do you mean?” Sam asked, turning to gaze at Abbie.  She always made astute observations, especially where women were concerned.  If Abbie said something about Sue, Sam was sure to listen and follow her advi ce since she was usually right, and he was thick as a brick, according to her.  He knew a thing or two about women, but mostly in the physical sense; their emotions were a mystery to him, now more than ever.
    “I mean that Diana is used to a certain kind of life.  Just look at her clothes.  She’s wearing silk stockings and a lace tucker, for God’s sake,” Abbie said, partly in disgust and partly in envy.  “She’s likely never felt homespun next to her skin, or dyed her old garments to give them new life and make them last a little longer.  How will she adjust to life on a farm?  She was too polite to say anything, but I think she expected us to have servants.”
    Sam just shrugged.  Abbie was right as usual.  Mabel’s brothel was a thriving concern, catering mostly to officers of whichever army happened to be in New York.  Mabel employed only young, healthy girls who were good at putting on airs.  She dressed them in fine clothes, and even provided perfume to mask the smell of sweat or other men still clinging to the girls.  There were several servants belowstairs; cleaning, washing, mending and cooking for the girls.  Diana worked late into the night, but she slept half the day away in preparation for the next evening.  She woke up to a cooked meal, a drawn bath, and a clean gown laid out for her by a maid.  Her hands were soft as velvet and her skin creamy and white, unused to being exposed to the elements or hard work.  There would be no maids at the farm and if Diana chose to stay she would have to pull her weight and do her share of the work. 
    Sam said goodnight to Abbie as she slid off the stile and headed back toward the house.  It was time to get the baby ready for bed , and for Abbie to enjoy an hour of quiet time with Finn before finally going to bed.  She looked tired, but happy, Sam thought before he headed in the direction of his own house.  The next few days would certainly be interesting.

Chapter 14
     
    Susanna sighed with relief once Ben’s fussing finally stopped, signaling that he was down for the night.  It took him forever to fall asleep, and he rarely slept for more than a few hours at a time, always waking just as she was in her deepest sleep, and asking for a drink or a hug because something frightened him.  He usually went to sleep after taking a sip of water or a pat on the back, but Susanna had a hard time falling back asleep, or even finding a comfortable position.  If only she could get a few nights of uninterrupted sleep. 
    She couldn’t wait for this baby to be born.  Susanna folded her arms over her bulging stomach and rested her head against the wooden headboard, waiting for the evening performance to begin.  It took only a few minutes and then her belly began to move and roll, small bulges appearing here and there as a head, or maybe a butt, pushed against