<strong>GREEN SILK</strong>

DREAMS---SURVIVAL--GREEN SILK
<strong>GREEN SILK</strong>
Estate Yields Surprise

     The year 1936 had not been a prosperous year. Evidences of the depth of the problems could be judged by the number of hoboes stopping by for a farm family handout.
     Discouraged farmers mourned that when it wasn't drought, it was funnel clouds and fierce rain storms that washed gulleys in the fields. During these times storm cellars kept at least a week's supplies for the family. Things for helping to pass the time such as checkers and marbles were stored there also.
     The usual comings and goings continued during the catastrophes, such as births and deaths, expected and unexpected.
     It was expected that Aunt Jen, well into her 70's would die of cancer, but it was unexpected that her young neighbor caretaker would die of the same disease within 6 months.
     It was a grieving family and an entire neighborhood that gathered after the funeral of the thirty-three year old mother of three to share their bewilderment and questioning of God's Will. The group was there to participate in what was the custom of the area, the eating together of the food brought in by neighbors. This 'breaking bread together' was a part of the funeral. The usual convivial but volatile competition of which dish was best was forgotten as the future of the family was discussed.
     What would the 34 year old widower do? Where were the children going to live? How could this happen to such a young family? How were the children to survive? How could a man raise three children alone on the farm? He had already said the children were his and Jessie's and now they were his.
     Another long established custom was that at this time the family members would select something personal to "remember her by." Jessie's pitifully few belongings were removed from her dresser drawers and closet. Among the usual collection of old combs, paper clippings, old wedding photo albums, one ring and one locket necklace, well known to everyone and expected, there was, however, an unexpected package found wrapped and carefully hidden at the back of the lowest drawer, This was also on the table. When unwrapped, the ladies gasped as 11 uncut yards of pure green silk, obviously from China, was found. Everyone knew it was 11 yards because a cousin swiftly measured it, with her fingertip to nose measurement.
     The material was soft and slinky and shiny. No one in that region had ever owned material like that. In fact, silk material couldn't be bought in the local fabric store.
     It was obvious that even, Bill, the husband was surprised. In such a neighborhood, where everyone knew everything about everyone this treasure of slinky fabric caused some raised eyebrows and many more whispered questions.
     Even Jessie's closest friends wondered how could it be possible in this area where the yearly cash income for the farm and family was less than $200 that she could have a piece of pure green silk worth at least $90.
     Why was it hidden in a wretched bureau drawer?
     No one had even an idea that she had it. Usually every little "better than yours" was displayed openly, sometimes with humility but usually triumphantly.
     All of Gratiot County knew without even thinking about it that the deceased owner of such a treasure didn't work away from the farm. She was an active member of the WCTU. She helped with the 4-H clubs. She participated in the PTA. In fact, she was seen from dawn until nightfall doing her ordinary but proper duties.
     True, she was known for doing midwifery, but no one paid her. It wasn't expected. Helping with birthing was a neighborly thing to do.
     The family had a second-hand '32 Ford, but often had to trade eggs to put a $1. worth of gas in the old flivver, nicknamed, Henry.
     Her pantry was always full, but it was of home canned items produced in her garden. Her home made bread caused even her mother-in-law to grumble and wonder what she did differently. "We have the same type of stoves, and we use the same wood, she must spit in it or something" commented the waspish grandmother. She didn't expect a city raised young woman to outdo her in making bread. It was even more disgusting when John, her husband said he liked Jessie's bread better.
     "Bill, where did that gaudy stuff come from?" The widower was asked by his mother.
     I have no idee. Jessie wouldn't wear something like that," replied Bill. "Her cotton dresses are all I've seen her wear."
     "Did ye ever see that sinful cloth before?" Bill's father asked.
     "No! Jessie was a proper cotton print woman. She made her own clothes, just like any good wife does. She even made her unmentionables out of flour sacks, same as everyone else. You could see the imprint through the sheets which she used to cover them hanging on the line after she washed them."
     Bill was nervous, his early pioneer parents were demanding and he had always tried to please.
     "Evidently she had a wild side none of us knew about. What would a proper lady do with a piece of silk. Pervert of some kind, ye can bet on that." Said one brother-in-law, he was almost smirking. No one knew him very well. Actually he 'didn't fit in'. He and Leone were married after she was away teaching school and poor frightened Leone was afraid her family would catch his sarcasm. He had always laughed and poked fun at the ignorance of his wife's family. (She excused him by explaining that he was an Insurance salesman.)
     "She was not! She was always a proper farmer's wife."
     "Bill, ye never knew her until her family moved here from Saginaw when she was 17. Can't tell what she did before that. Especially in a big city." Alice, the mother-in-law never trusted Jessie. (Bill was the only boy and the baby of the family.)
    "You all checked her out!" Bill answered. He had always resented that.
     "But we never thought to check if she was a pervert and had to have silk next to her body. She was clever enough to be quiet and keep in her place. Her own father was a railroad policeman, out of work, but a policeman. We did know she was 17 and that's pretty late to be a single woman without any commitment to anyone. Now we know why!" Alice's tone of voice showed her contempt for a 'pervert' and her triumph at proving her distrust to be right.
     "I admit the neighbors said they were an 'almost righteous' family. The father was a little out of step, but the mother was a true believer." John, the father of Bill spoke up to agree with Alice.
     To be honest, everyone tried to agree with Alice.
     "Well, as Jessie's husband I must say she never was a pervert. At least not where I could sense." Bill had never stood up to his mother before.
     "You are so blind." Said the mother. "But then, what do men really know about women's ways, especially wicked women?"
     Bill and every other man in the room dropped their heads. They weren't going to argue, and they didn't want their faces to show guilt, not before sharp-tongued, eagle-eyed Alice.
     More people entered the room; the majority of them were sisters, brothers and parents of Jessie. They had stayed apart for just a little while sharing their grief for the daughter/sister that had left them, and discussing the placement of the children.
     "We were just discussing the talents and habits of your daughter," Alice, the mother-in-law purred in a falsely sweet voice. "Just how would you describe her?"
     "She was a wonderful daughter, thoroughly overworked, but faithful and cheerful." Growled Joe, the father. His hat was in his hand but his heart was broken and he didn't want Jessie questioned in any way.
     To Alice, this was not at all the wanted response. It was evident they were not going to agree about anything.
     "Do you think she was happy here, on the farm, I mean so far away from the big city." Again the falsely sweet voice.
     The policeman had seen better acts from kid criminals he had captured and thrown off the trains.
     Alice felt her words showed real concern, in her heart she thought: "That ought to show them."
     "As happy as could be expected, concerning the poverty and demanding work that no lady should do." Joe, Jessie's father had been appalled that his first-born daughter's life was so rugged.
     Not a right answer again.
     "I mean do you think she missed your city life?" This time the honey dripped from Alice's tongue.
     "I'm sure she did, however farms are not in the city, and her husband's, or I should say her, well, what should I say, he's not the late husband, even if she is his late wife?"
     "Just what he is called at present isn't important. What is important is her actions."
      "Her actions?" Now both the female and the male members of Jessie's family were 'at attention'. There had never been trust between the two families.
     "Yes, her actions." The mother-in-law snapped. I'll admit that this is a difficult time for you and now to have to face her actions! I do feel sorry for you." Alice couldn't hide the triumph in her voice.
     Every neighbor there knew how hard the mother-in-law worked. She never stopped, each morning during the growing season she took her shears and snipped off each rye head that grew among the wheat, she walked the 80-acre farm each week pulling any and every stray weed. She washed her hen house with soda and bleach each week. Her floors were "clean enough to eat from". Neighbors said that.
     Jessie wasn't quite the same to the scorn of her mother-in-law. She insisted on time to read books.
     "What particular action are you referring to?" growled the out-of-work railroad policeman. His voice was so gruff it scared hoboes, children, farmers and even dominating women.
     Jessie's sisters and brothers loved that growl just then. They hoped it scared these other people the way it usually scared them. After all, their oldest sister was dead and evidently someone was going to speak ill of her.
     Backs stiffened, people coughed and a few slipped out of the room. But Jessie's dad was not to be denied.
     "Name the action, woman, or shut your polluting mouth!" He reared back, spread his feet just a little, put his hands on his hips and glared.
     "Don't you growl at me." Snapped Alice.
     "Don't you accuse my daughter!" Joe's voice rose to even a higher volume and a fiercer growl.
     Tension grew as sparks and more flew between the 4'10" woman and the 6'3" muscular man. Neither backed down.
     "Speak up!" Roared Joe.
     "Then sir, just look over on that table and explain it to me."
     Said Alice in a very superior voice.
     The father looked. The table was bare excepting for a piece of lovely green material. What kind the father had no idea. But it was beautiful.
     "What's wrong with that? Nothin' that I can see."
     Joe was honestly puzzled.
     "Evidently it belonged to Jessie," snapped the tiny woman.
     "Damn glad she had something beautiful!" Joe's voice was choked.
     "Profanity, as well as contraband! Like father like daughter!" Alice said with malice. "Do not use that word in my presence, again."
     "Then leave the room. You are…"
     "Oh, Joe, don't say any more. Let me ask," begged Maud the mother of Jessie.
     "Do it right now, or more than damn will be said." Joe was angry and those who knew him well didn't want him more upset.
     "Alice, is something wrong with the material?" asked Maud.
     "Where did she get it? Not honestly! My son does not have that kind of money. No other farmer's wife in the area needs something like that. We use our money to help our family, not to fancy up ourselves." Alice was indignant.
     "Mom, my turn," said Viva, a sister.
     "Say it," barked Joe.
     "When Uncle Herb died, you received an inheritance, remember?"
     "Yes!"
     "You gave each one of us some money, remember?"
     "Yes."
     "Remember how upset you were because Jessie bought the black stallion for the farm?"
      "Yes."
     "Well she had a little money left over. She came to visit us in Saginaw, remember?"
     "Yes, and I remember the two of you went shopping."
     "She bought some printed material to make her girls new dresses, and we saw this beautiful material."
     "I told her to buy it for herself and she said there was no place she could ever wear it."
     "We paid for the prints, and walked out of the store."
     "We argued and she wanted."
     "Next day she went back and bought 11 yards. She hid it in my room."
     "When we went to visit I took it to her, and evidently she hid it again. I never saw her wear it."
     "Thank you, Viva. I'll now take the material and be ever happy that my first born had such a beautiful piece of material that she could look at and dream."
     Joe, gruff old Joe, walked over to the table, picked up the material, wrapped it around his face. His big old gruff policeman shoulders shook. It took a while for him to take the material away from his face.
     He turned to the little woman and said, "Jessie was a wonderful woman. Some people in this room could learn from her."
     Alice sniffed and left the room.
     Others smiled through tears and thought how mysterious a mother could be. What would her life have been if she had been able to express her true self.
     "Make sure the children have some time and opportunity to express the things Jessie never was allowed to use and express." Roared the policeman as he, too, slammed out the door. He never returned to that house again.