“I would choose you over and over and over again—but I loved my life in 1994. I dreamed of being an English professor—did you know that? I had a boyfriend named Travis. We were going to the same college, Northwestern University in Illinois.” She bit the inside of her mouth as she appeared to fight forcontrol over her emotions. “I adored my parents and my siblings, and the knowledge that I was going to die to them was the most heart-wrenching thing I’ve ever endured.”
“How?” I frowned, confused. “How did it come about that you stayed here?” And why had I never asked?
“When I reached the age of twenty in 1753, my father had died and my mother and I were trying to support ourselves, taking in wash and mending clothes. But then my mother became very ill, and it was up to me. I couldn’t keep us going.” She lifted a shoulder. “I couldn’t let my mother starve. So when your father offered to marry me and take care of us, I said yes. I knew that when I left this path—because I was certain I would choose 1994—he would continue to care for my mother.” She looked down at our joined hands. “I didn’t even think about the consequences of being married, and when I learned that you were on the way...” She let the words trail off.
“You didn’t want to stay in this path?” I could hardly believe what she was saying. I’d always thought she chose this path because she loved my father and wanted to be a part of the American Revolution.
“My mother was an angry, bitter woman. She did not guide me like I guide you. I know very little about her other path or why she became so spiteful.” Mama shook her head, but then she looked up, passion in her gaze. “But I learned to love your father. It took years, but it grew. And I found great satisfaction in my life with him.” She put her hand on my cheek. “And when you came and I knew you were a time-crosser, I was certain I had made the right choice. I would choose you again in a heartbeat. I consider it an honor that I was here to help guide you. And I would never have had your sisters, had I stayed in 1994.”
In a matter of minutes, my entire world had shifted. Mama hadn’t wanted to stay here, but she had, for me. Her love and sacrifice were deeper than I ever imagined. I hugged her close, tears careening down my cheeks.
“I love you, Libby,” she said, “and I will make the final sacrifice for you if it means you can have the life you want.”
“No.” I shook my head, thinking about how Father Wells had offered to sacrifice everything in 1914 for me, as well. I could not ask either of them to do such a thing. “I will never, ever ask you to make another sacrifice for me. You’ve done far more than I deserve.”
“I’ve only done what I knew was best. What God asked me to do. And it has worked out just as He planned. I know that with all my heart. The same will be true for you.”
I straightened and let out a low breath, ready to accept what appeared to be God’s plan for my life. “If you could do what you did, then I can do what I must do.”
“I will pray for you,” Mama said.
I nodded, thankful God had given her to me as my marked mother. I couldn’t imagine walking through this unique life without her. Had she not sacrificed 1994 for me, I would have grown up alone, without a guide, and where would I be? How would I understand this gift?
“I will make us some tea.” Mama rose and walked to the door. When she opened it, footsteps hurried down the hall toward the printing room, where the door slammed shut. She looked back at me. “Louis. Do you think he was listening to us?”
My mouth parted at the thought.
“What might he have heard?”
I didn’t know, but whatever it was, it couldn’t be good.
For the rest of the day, Mama and I tried to decide what to do about Louis. If he hadn’t heard us, it would only cause a stir to bring up the subject. If he had, only time would tell what—if anything—he did with the information he’d overheard.
Yet as the day wore on, I couldn’t imagine what hecoulddo.He’d overheard things that would make no sense to him. And even if he understood any of it, what would it matter? If he told someone, they would think he was addlepated.
I sat in the office at the end of the workday and stared out the window. Mistress Hunter had sent a runner to collect the money we owed for Rebecca and Hannah’s gowns, but I had been forced to send a note telling her that we needed a little more time. There just wasn’t enough money left over from our weekly expenses. I prayed she would not be upset, but I knew how I would feel if someone didn’t pay me what was owed.
I leaned back in my chair, my stays cutting into my ribs. Some days I wished for the more comfortable styles in the twentieth century—but I would wear stays for the rest of my life if it meant staying in Williamsburg.
The hour was growing late, and the later it got, the closer I came to my wedding in 1914.
Mama stood and stretched as she pushed her chair under her desk. “I will see if Mariah needs help with supper.” She paused and looked out the front window. “I wonder when the convention will adjourn for the day.” She shook her head and crossed her arms. “’Tis a wonder to me that this day has finally come. I remember learning about the Virginia Convention in grade school in my other path and then again in middle school, high school, and college. So many events transpire to bring about the revolution, but it is the Virginia Convention, which calls for the Continental Congress, that unites the colonies as one for the first time. ’Tis truly a miracle that they will win when you think of the odds stacked against them. To have that kind of faith is admirable.”
I watched her with new eyes, knowing what I did now about her choices.
She looked at me, and a smile tilted her lips. “I can almost hear what you’re thinking.”
I returned her smile—the first one I’d offered in weeks. “You know me better than anyone.”
She touched my cheek.
“Mayhap I’ll take a walk and see if there’s anything to be learned about the convention,” I told her, needing an excuse to get out of the office. Regardless of my other path, I still had a job to do here, and I needed information for the newspaper. “There is always gossip to be had in Williamsburg.”
I put a bonnet over my mobcap and then stepped out onto Duke of Gloucester Street. Williamsburg had gone back to its normal pace after the burgesses had disbanded in May, but today, with almost all of them back in town, there was excitement and energy in the air. Most of the men were only in town for the length of the convention and had not brought their families this time, but it didn’t dim the hum of anticipation.
I walked down the dusty street toward the Raleigh, passing Sophia, who sat in the window, working on a wig. She waved at me and smiled, and I waved back. She pointed at the wig and then shrugged, telling me that she couldn’t come out to chat since she was busy. I understood and moved on.
No one stirred outside the Raleigh, so I continued toward the capitol. From down the street, the smells of the market square filled my nose. Dead fish, rotten vegetables, and oyster shells were left in the wake of the farmers and butchers who had hawked their wares since dawn. The clerk of the market would sweep up the mess, but the stench would remain.
