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Description
Pastel colored flowers wrapped up in a vine covered a rustic fence, their heads pointing to the sun. Dry wind that rolled across the nation blew softly, jingling wind chimes that hung about on the porch. A cream-yellow colored house stood almost humbly on the country side, with small pretty items decorating it. All the shutters were open and welcoming, and a small white rocking chair was occupied by a young teenager.
A woolen blanket was tossed carelessly on top of her as she poured over an old book. Her hazel eyes were lost in the pages of the novel, soft curly blonde hair hung around the frame of her face. With his face on his paws, a small collie was scanning his territory lazily, while his owner was off-guard, reading.
Suddenly, the screen door burst open and the dog barked in alarm, with an older lady in a lazy bun in the door frame.
“Cassidy, wash your hands and come in for dinner.” And she turned on heel and went back into the house.
Cassidy did not make a single movement to come inside- she was still deeply engrossed in the book. The dog flatted his ears and nudged her blanket-covered leg.
“You get your butt in here and stop moving as slow as pond water, or I’m going to burn all your books!” A deep voiced called from inside the house, more male-like and aggressive.
She heard a small mutter from inside the house, like a stage whisper – “which you shouldn't have anyway”- that she ignored.
Cassidy, still reading the book, got out of her chair without moving her eyes from her novel, put the blanket behind her and continued reading as she stood still for a moment.
Then, she placed the book on the blanket and opened the screen door to go inside the house; the dog trotting on her heals.
The wooden house had a very homey, earthy feel. A few plants where inside by the window, the clock had its never-ending ‘tick’ and candles lined the walls.
Three boys sat at a gray table beside their father who was a broad- shouldered man with a firm face and blonde locks. The three boys, who looked exactly alike -with their blonde hair and wide blue eyes- were sitting quietly - which wasn’t new, but unusual in most families. In order to the food served, it was a family rule to be quiet until the food was placed before you.
Cassidy’s mom, without looking from the pot of beans she was stirring, called to her.
“About time. Help me get the food served to the men first.”
It was a family religion to always serve the men first- because they “worked” harder than anyone else in the family. Cassidy thought that was the most Prejudice thing ever. But, knowing arguing would make her look greedy and selfish, only rolled her eyes in reply.
She ran into the kitchen (which really was very small and only two feet away) and grabbed the proper eating utensils and placed them for her family.
The moment her mom started placing crispy biscuits in front of the men, a young man waltz into the house without warning. He had auburn hair and the same structure of the man at the head of the table.
Cassidy’s mom, still with the over mitt and the tray the held the bread, went to him and awkwardly but eagerly hugged him.
“Dinner is just being served! Take a seat, Chris!”
Her brother did as told, placing his cowboy hat on the coat hanger near the door, and pulling out a chair for himself.
“Hello, son. How was work downtown today?” Cassidy’s father asked, smiling.
The women continued to server dinner, and by the time they had finished the triplets where already done and left their plates on the table.
“Mom,” One of them asked, “Can we go outside by the river bed? We’ll be back by sundown.”
Their mother continued to server herself beans and bread, and after buttering a rolls, looked at all three of them.
“Yes, but Jack, you need to be sure not to fall into the river. James, be sure not to get a snake bite and you, John, be sure-“ The boys were already squealing with laughter leaping outside.
“Can they not listen anymore around here? Or do I like to talk to myself?” Her mother grumbled, placing her napkin in her lap.
Cassidy, having a sudden outburst- suddenly popped up and began talking excitedly
“Okay, so today, I was in class today and my teacher, Mrs. Mills, was telling us about college and jobs. Did you know some colleges are offering students to enroll in classes at a younger age? They’re offering classes to women too, so we can educate ourselves more. I really want to be a writer, I've always wanted to be, or maybe I could be an editor-“
Her father immediately lifted up his large hand and looked at her.
“No, you’re not going to educate yourself like that! That’s untimely. Dealing with blood is not a women’s job.”
Her brother, who sat beside her, nodded and contributed to the conversation.
“Yes, most men don’t like outgoing women like that. Do you want to not be married- ever?”
Her brother, who was a arrogant man and believed he knew all about women, laughed at his own joke while his father joined in.
Cassidy huffed and crossed her arms.
“Besides, a women’s job is in the house and kitchen.”
The conversation took a huge turn from that statement.
“No, it is not!” Cassidy said hotly slamming her hands on the table, glaring at her brother. “How dare you be a stereo-typical man who thinks you do all the work, when you really do a fraction of it while us women take care of you and make things easier on you. It’s like opening a bottle- one person will open it for you and all you have to do is unscrew the top. You rude, arrogant-“
“Damn you, Cassidy! Where did you get all these ideas and attitudes, huh?” Chris yelled, pushing back his chair and shaking his finger in her face. He turned to his parents, “School isn't a good idea for her- she’s getting all these ideas planted in her head and making her swell like a blowfish. You've seen her read and go on about being a writer, pah. She’s as dumb as bread I tell you-“
“Oh, I’m sorry I’m actually good at school, unlike you! Maybe you just need to step aside and let me-“
Her brother spat in her face and took her arm, spinning her out of her chair onto the floor. She looked up at him, not fearing him.
“What did you just say to me you son of-“
There was a sudden slap and her mother stood livid, flaring up and glaring down at her son. Her face was beet red, and she stood like a goddess – mighty, powerful and strong. She grabbed her son by the collar of his shirt, which he whimpered in result of that as she shook him.
“How DARE you speak to your sister that way? What on earth do-“
“STOP!”
Cassidy’s father stood up too, glaring at all of them.
“It is NOT a women’s job to be educated. Cassidy should be damn PROUD that we have given her the opportunity to even be educated.”
“That’s NOT what-“
“Silence.” Her father’s voice became very soft, and scary. Everyone in the house froze and looked at him with wide eyes. His face was confronted with fury that was unseen to anyone except now.
“I am the man of the house. I will do what I think is best. Women-“ he threw a look at his only daughter “should belong in the kitchen.” He added the last sentence to aggravate his daughter.
This man was a firm believer that men should be leaders- and women were to serve men.
Cassidy knew this but refused to acknowledge it.
She scrambled up from the floor and slammed her dishes on the counter near the washing bin.
She looked over at her family, which still hadn't moved.
“I’ll wash these when hell freezes over.”
And without saying a single word, sprinted outside into the slowly setting sun before her family could reply.
*
Cassidy wasn’t sure when she fainted or how late it was outside. She was lying with her face pushed into the grass, hands by her head. The girl put her golden head to the side and began to stroke the grass gently. All the could remember after she ran away was that she was running blindly down the dirt road, into the meadow while the grass tried to grab her when she fell down and blackness enveloped her.
Slowly pushing herself up, she sat back on her heels when she felt a sticky substance on her face. Cautiously, she touched it.
Tears.
Growing up, she learned it was considered weak if you cried, so she almost never cried.
Suddenly, she felt a something breathe down her neck.
Leaping up with a hiccup of surprise, she turned in alarm to see her dog. His belly was pressed to the ground and was crawling to her, fur splayed out before her.
Smiling, she went back to the ground and beckoned the dog to come to her.
“Here, Country.”
Country came to her, tail wagging slightly and mouth opened in a small smile.
He pressed his body against her, which Cassidy petted him while her dog sat in her lap. After a while, he happily comforted his owner, and tiredly curled up on top of her.
They stayed like this for some time, staring up at the vast, black sky, in silence. The wind blew around them, free to the world.
Closing her eyes, Cassidy felt the world around her. The softness in the grass, the silent tears that made slug-like trails down her cheeks, the sound of crickets playing together.
She reached over and gave her dog a pat on his head, and look into his eyes.
“One day, I’ll show the world I can be as great as men.” Country wagged his tail and nudged his nose to her forehead.
Cassidy paused.
I’ll move mountains.”
The dog, silent and the companion of this girl on a lonely night, licked her tears off her face.

There was no doubt she wouldn't.