by Kimberly Kmita

Created on: January 03, 2011

Pain was the last thing I felt in my chest. Alexander was by my side. He had ripped open my blouse and watched the bullet wound heal.

“I’m going to kill her,” I told him with clenched teeth.

“Kill who Maria?"

We arrived in Franklin, Tennessee, a few weeks earlier. It was 1920. Alexander and I were passing through but we made friends with Dawson.

Dawson was in his early twenties, as everyone believed we were. He was a farmer who worked hard. Dawson was very hospitable.

We were invited to stay at his homestead while in Franklin. When we declined, Dawson was hurt that we did not accept his offer. Alexander altered his mind as we could not accept without revealing our secret. We needed a place where no one would find us during the day as we slept.

Most evenings we spent at Dawson’s. Dawson’s wife, Annie, and sister, Mattie, lived with him. His parents had died, so Mattie was left in his care. He hoped she would marry soon.

Mattie was naturally beautiful. She had long shiny blonde hair and blue eyes. At eighteen, she was mature for her age. We bonded immediately.

They believed Alexander and I were brother and sister. We had, always in the past, let people form their own opinion of us and we would go along with it. We’d been husband and wife; brother and sister; and cousins. It never caused any problems.

As days went by, Mattie began to show affection for Alexander. She was by his side at all times, smiling at him, listening and hanging on his every word. I’d seen this many times and knew I’d see it again.

Alexander is handsome with his long blonde curly locks. His strong nose and jaw were masculine but set him apart from others. With his muscular physique, those that met him knew he was strong, but not how strong. The bluest eyes were mesmerizing. Alexander was charming, caring and deadly.

One evening, Mattie confided in me.

“What is it?” I asked.

“I … Alexander is …,” she tried to reply.

“What?”

“I really like Alexander,” she said with a large sigh.

I wasn’t surprised she felt that way, as many had and many would. However, I didn’t expect Mattie to confide in me. It took me a few seconds to respond.

“Mattie, I‘m sorry, Alexander doesn’t feel the same. We’re just passing through.”

“He likes that girl, Sallie, in town. Doesn’t he? I see how she looks at him. I overheard her today, telling one of

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