🙂 Tuesday is upon us again!! Time for #Blogbattle
#BlogBattle is a weekly short story challenge using a single word for inspiration. Hosted by the talented Rachael Ritchey. She has changed things up a little bit. Now the word and the genre is provided. This will definitely stretch my creative muscles as I attempt to write other types of stories.
Feel free to join in, or click here to read the current week’s stories and vote for your favorites.
Never say never. When I first started doing Blogbattle, I was introduced to different genres from the other writers in the Blogbattle community. I had made comments that I could NEVER write historical fiction, or a western. Well, that prompted a challenge from our host Rachael, she challenged me to write a western. I didn’t do it right away, but I eventually did it, and actually enjoyed it. Though, I still held on to the belief that I couldn’t do a historical or period piece. So, yeah…this week is a historical fiction.
Just like the western I had to do some research. I try not to be political on my blog, but I thought a historical fiction about the Suffrage Movement would be timely. When I did a search, a woman named Carrie Chapman Catt came up. She founded the League of Women Voters in 1920. It was on August 26, 1920 that the 19th Amendment was ratified providing full voting rights for women nationally. That is the point in history I decided to write about. Carrie Chapman Catt married a wealthy engineer named George Catt, which allowed her to spend a good part of each year on the road campaigning for woman’s suffrage. At this point in history, Carrie was much older than I depicted in the story, so…that’s the fictional part 😉
1920’s Lingo:
Bushwa: bullshit
Bearcat: a lively, spirited woman, possibly with a fiery streak
This Week’s Word: Adore
Genre: Historical Fiction
For Suffrage’s Sake
Henry walks into George’s office early Monday morning like he has done for the past ten years. Being longtime friends and then business partners, they discuss business first and then catch up as friends do.
“We’ve missed you down at the club.” Henry says.
“I’ll get back there soon, been busy.”
“Been busy throwing good money after bad, helping your wife fight the good fight?” Henry says a little sarcastically.
Glaring, George warns him, “Be careful Henry.”
“Well the talk is, that if that bearcat of a wife of yours had children to take care of she wouldn’t have time to stir up trouble.”
“Frankly it is no one’s business what my wife and I decide to do or not do. Henry, it is that kind of thinking that will not move this country forward. Look what the women have done for our business, while our men were out fighting the war. Where would we be, if it weren’t for them? I’ll tell you where we wouldn’t be, we wouldn’t be sitting in a lush country club spouting off bushwa.”
With hands raised in surrender, “I’m just letting you know what’s been said. Can’t say that I agree with it all, can’t say I disagree on some. I personally feel a woman’s place is in the home, where she can care for the children, and take care of the little things I don’t have to be bothered with. Leave the important things to the men, like working and voting. What does a woman know about government, or politics? My wife has no interest in that sort of thing, how could she possibly make an educated choice when voting?”
“She can’t, Henry. Because you won’t let her. I admire what my wife is doing, she is bright, resilient and she speaks up for those women who can’t. Yes, women are great keepers of the home, and it’s that expertise in maintaining the home and family that would improve politics and our society. When the good Lord created Eve, he used the rib for a reason. She was not taken from his feet to be under him, but from his side to stand beside him and support him, as we are to support them.”
Under his breath, Henry mumbles, “Yes, and look how that turned out.”
Just then the whistle blows as a sign of the changing of the shift on the factory floor. Henry’s cue to get to his own office to start his day. George puts the conversation out of his mind and doesn’t give it another thought as the demands of his day are upon him. He doesn’t fault Henry his opinions, he knows some people will never change.
~ ♥~
George arrives home, and is greeted by his wife. Even though she has had a busy day herself, she looks forward to the time they spend talking about their day. He walks in the door, and can smell a delicious meal has been prepared. Even after all these years, when he sees his wife he is awestruck at her beauty. It’s like he is looking at her for the first time. “How was your day Mr. Catt?” She playfully inquires.
Before he answers he walks up to her, holds her face in his hands, and kisses her like they have been away from each other for days.
“Hello my love. Well, it seems that it is a public scandal the way I adore you.”
With a sweet laugh, she replies, “Whatever do you mean Georgie?” Using the pet name she has given him.
He takes her by the hand and leads her to the parlor to sit comfortably on the sofa. He sits first, and as she is about to take the seat next to him, him pulls her towards him so that she sits on his lap. With a giggle of delight, she settles in to hear what he has to say. Oh, how she loves this part of the day.
He recounts the conversation he had with Henry that morning. She listens to every word he says, nodding occasionally, as he subconsciously laces his fingers with hers, or plays with a ruffle on her dress.
“It’s such a shame there are small minded people such as Henry, still, to this day, even after all we have accomplished thus far.”
“Well my dear, it is hard for some people to change their minds even when the change is happening right before their eyes.”
“Oh Georgie, we are so close to gaining the voting rights for all women in this country. The sacrifices some of the women have made is truly extraordinary. It has been an honor to be a part of something so momentous.”
He pushes a loose strand of hair behind her ear, “You, my darling, are extraordinary, and all that you have sacrificed and accomplished makes me adore you even more. This Women’s Right Movement will propel this country to greatness.”
Carrie listen’s yet in her mind she visualizes what things will be like in 10 or 20 years. Then with that look of zeal that is all her own, she exclaims, “Oh George, can you imagine what this country will be like in 100 years?”
“My dearest Carrie, I am certain it will be a sight to behold.”
© 2017 Carrie Ann
“It is a public scandal the way I adore you” – Oscar Wilde
Carrie Ann Alexis 