He was a friend of mine. I bought his headstone and put him in the earth.
His parents were poor, but I was sure he wouldn’t have had even a wooden marker tied with twine.
He’d been kind to me at the stamp mill, seen me as an equal, a confidant. We were to be married, a convenience to him and freedom to me, if God hadn’t chosen to take him home. His parents were ever grateful that I was willing to hide their ‘mistake.’
But how could John’s life be a mistake when I loved him so deeply?
***
This was written for this week’s historical Carrot Ranch Prompt on Cora Kingston and John Yendow. I’ve taken ENORMOUS liberties with John’s life and Cora’s sensibilities, but who knows?
Let Me Tell You the Story of... 
Yeah I saw that prompt and went um. Good job!
I had tried to make John gay in the 1800s and marrying to hide it, but Cora didn’t mind and wanted freedom for herself. Did that come through at all?
No, but maybe I should read it again.
Always looking to improve – and writing LGBT characters is something I can definitely practice!
Ok I see it now.
Yes it came through, more clearly than my attempt. I had them not marry though, as he wanted his friend to have a full marriage.
Excellent! I was worried it wouldn’t be explicit enough.
Trust your readers. (within reason)
It was subtle, but it came through. Well done. ~nan
Thanks!
This is so sad. I read it twice. Who knows who they really were, but the characters you created deserve to be heard from more often!
I doubt I go more into these two specifically – but maybe some element of them will go on in another story!
That’s really interesting regarding the freedom aspect. If this is the 19th century, how would Cora be able to live out her freedom even if her husband is gay. Would society still impose limitations on her despite her marriage status?
I was thinking more simple freedom – not having to have children. But in a flash fiction, it could be anything you want, haha!
So ironic that I was just thinking last night that the reason being for my commitment phobia is down to the whole popping out lots of kids possibility and not being able to have the freedom to explore and go adventures with a companion (what I want to actually do)… and then I see this! Okay, in that case, your story makes complete sense now. ☺️
Lol. Birth control, I guess?