Thirteen Scalp Avenue Ch 01

Thirteen Scalp Avenue - Ch. 1

Starting over, the new beginning

A/N - This is my challenge to myself as a writer. I openly admit I don't think I am very skilled as a writer but I do try and I do enjoy it. This is my attempt to broaden my writing and publish into other categories. This idea came to me one early morning over my second favorite morning ritual, coffee.

Though this story is posted to the Non-Human category, this story does contain heterosexual and of course lesbian sexual activity. Our eventual protagonist is open about her bisexuality but mostly Sapphic lifestyle.

If this type of story isn't to your liking, I understand but I appreciate you stopping by.

This storyline as well as the characters and names are purely fictional. If there is a chance of any misrepresentation of reality, it is pure coincidence and not intended.

Many thanks to Nicole for their editing and suggestions, any mistakes you see are mine. These eyes aren't what they used to be. Please enjoy it and let me know what you think.

Ratings and stars are nice but I believe every author loves constructive feedback in your comments.

~~~

Alexander David Nurse purchased four specific plots of land in rural West Virginia. He had been in conversation with the State Department of Farming for months now. He had nearly begged them, explaining the need to homestead away from Salem Massachusetts, as he couldn't live there any longer. He wanted to purchase nearly four hundred acres of almost perfect farmland. There was a natural spring creek which ran the east to west edge of the back side of the property and a rather large lake near the center.

Eventually, the State of West Virginia agreed to his price and allowed him to purchase the farmland based on the agreement he would homestead his family there. He assured the State that in time he would build three homes, one for himself and one for each of his future children, hopefully a son and a daughter. It was his dream for each to have a home on either side of his.

Over time Alexander David Nurse built the first of the three houses on what would be called Scalp Avenue. He named the road leading up to his farmland and homes after the young woman he was betrothed to, Miss Martha Scalp. The three homes were situated a good distance from the road giving about fifty yards for children to play from the street. For some reason, the lot numbers assigned by the State were eleven, twelve, and thirteen. Alexander would live in the middle, lot twelve.

The houses were planned for and marked for Alexander. He wanted the morning sun in the kitchen and the evening sun in the bedrooms. He didn't mind the morning sun in the bedroom, he would be awake before the sun rose but it was Martha's preference. Once drawn up, he could see there would be plenty of room for a housing barn, a good sized work shed, and plenty of space for farming crops.

Alexander's other dream came true when his wife Martha conceived and bore him twin girls, Alice and Elizabeth. The next full season afterward, Martha gave her husband Alexander, his heir, Alexander Jr. He was the proudest man in the town and of course the proudest man on Scalp Avenue.

Alexander finished the other two homes. Eleven Scalp Avenue was for his son, Junior as it was closer to the main barn. The home on lot thirteen was set for his daughters. The conversation in the family went: whoever married first Alice or Elizabeth would get that house, and the other would have one built in time or stay in the family home.

When the winter of Alexander and Martha's twentieth year together started, Martha caught the cough. The sickness was spreading through the valley. Sadly Martha was bedridden midway through the winter. The town doctor did his best but Martha succumbed to the illness just weeks before her thirty-ninth birthday.

Her final words to her seventeen year old daughters were simple. "Care after your Pa, he is your responsibility now."

The three women from the church who gathered at Martha's side praying whispered to Alice and Elizabeth that as the angel of death escorted Martha from this earth, they could hear her screaming. It wasn't her time to leave her family; she still had to care for her children and husband. She vowed to return and care for her family.

One said her screams were the fever as her skin was red hot. Another said poor Martha was in pain, the last woman didn't speak. She was ghastly pale when she exited the room with the town doctor.

The next day Martha was buried in the back yard near the edge of the Maple trees. The children, Alice and Elizabeth stood there crying as their younger brother Alexander Jr. stood with their father Alexander Sr. praying with the preacher. After the preacher and the women from church sang the final words of Amazing Grace, the girls turned and headed back to the house. Alexander and Junior headed back out to the fields and the work on the farm which needed to be tended to.

The winter days seemed darker and overly gray that year, the sun didn't seem to shine as much. Alexander seemed to work more and more and he spoke less and less to his three children. He spent hours and hours in the barn. His eldest daughter, Alice, attempted to care for her father in any special ways possible, including bringing his dinner to the barn, and even making sweets for dessert before the berries would sour. She tried anything she could think of to make him smile. She cared for almost every need of his or those she could. Even going as far as offering help boiling water for his Sunday morning bath, Alexander just rejected her, pushing her away with his words.

On the day of her eighteenth birthday, Alice woke up and knew this day was special for her and her sister. She was up before her father and sister and was in the kitchen. She baked fresh biscuits; she started cooking the salted ham and flapjacks for their breakfast before they headed out to the fields. Elizabeth joined her assisting as she had in the last months since the passing of their mother, Martha.

The family sat and ate but as they finished breakfast Alexander stood and announced that he expected Alice to move into her house today. This day, this special day she was a woman. It was time for her to be on her own. Elizabeth would take over as the woman in this house.

"Alice, you must know that the Harris boy came calling on you last week. I gave him my permission to court you starting today." Alice looked on in shock.

"No Papa, I will not love nor marry him, I promised Mama to care for you." She spoke firmly.

"Alice, I have already told the young Mr. Ken Harris that he has my permission to court you but only if you wish he could take you as his wife." Alexander spoke in a hushed tone. "He will come calling this Saturday after work and I expect you to receive him on your front porch."

He turned to his other daughter. "Elizabeth, I expect the younger Milner boy from church to come calling soon as well. His Pa spoke with me last week at the seed store."

"Junior, let's head out, we have work to do."

As expected Ken Harris came calling that next Saturday evening. Alice invited him to sit on her front porch and share a glass of iced tea. As the evening grew long, Alice stood and thanked him for coming by. She would see him tomorrow morning at the church service. Ken Harris stood and wished Alice a good evening.

As he walked down the two steps from her porch there was a sudden cold breeze which swept through the yard. Alice stood there suddenly chilled. She turned and waved goodbye walking back into her house on Thirteen Scalp Avenue.

Unbeknownst to Alice, both Junior and Elizabeth watched from the sitting room window. Just as the Harris boy had stepped aside, that same cold breeze parted the sheer curtains that covered the window of Twelve Scalp Avenue.

Alexander shivered as the cold breeze swept through his small bedroom. The chill in the air disappeared as he felt Martha's presence again in the room. He closed his eyes, comforted by the fact he knew she was with him. He slept soundly feeling her touch on his body, her full bosom pressed against his side.

Four Months Later

The second Saturday of the month was nearly the perfect time for a wedding. The crops had been harvested, the barn was decorated. The corn stalks were cut down and bound together with some twine and fresh bales of hay lined the walls covering the wooden walls.

Alice had hemmed her mother Martha's best church dress. Elizabeth had pruned some fresh flowers and pulled them together, binding them with some long grass. Junior had his best shirt and jeans. Twenty folks from church as well as the Harris family gathered inside the Nurse's barn as the proud man, Alexander Nurse walked his eldest daughter down the aisle. Elizabeth stood at the makeshift altar with the Preacher, Ken Harris, and Junior.

The Nurse family farm isn't a stately home or an expansive countryside estate but the farm is surrounded by the natural beauty and fall colors of the West Virginia countryside. As the ceremony began Alexander walked his daughter down the aisle as the women from church sang a hymn of God's love and celebration. Alice and Ken exchanged vows repeating after the preacher. The vows were heartfelt and traditional, witnessed by those in attendance.

Now it was time to celebrate. Each of the church women, including Elizabeth, pitched in and brought something for the meal. For his part, Alexander offered his largest pig for roasting in celebration of the wedding of Ken and Alice. The cooler temperatures allowed for a comfortable outdoor meal. Time spent with family and friends was enjoyed by all including Alexander. At one point, Elizabeth commented to Alice and Junior that their father was seen with a smile on his face.

As the sun set and as the night fell, Alice and Ken excused themselves and made their way to their home to be with each other as husband and wife for the first time. Ken Harris carried his young wife up the two steps and fumbled slightly but was able to open the door to their home as he carried Alice across the threshold.

This time Elizabeth whispered in Junior's ear that they wouldn't need to listen for her. She and Alice had readied herself to consummate their marriage. Little did they know, there were forces greater than theirs watching over their dear eldest sister this evening to ensure she was well loved.

It was later that night after the candles went dim that Alexander Nurse made his way back to his bedroom. As he lay down, he felt the chill dissipate from his room. He knew she was back from watching over her eldest daughter.

This time he spoke with her, talking as if she was in bed next to him. He knew his beloved Martha was there with him. He could feel and recognize her touch. She loved touching him while they lay in bed. This night wasn't the first that Alexander felt her presence and her touch since she had passed. This time she was softer and more loving as she stroked his now hard penis.

Alexander exhaled this time as he felt his balls tighten against his body and his emission flow fast from his manhood. He felt the soft kiss on his cheek as sleep overtook him. He dreamt of her that night and the other nights as well. His only wish was to hold her once more.

Martha hovered once more watching over her husband as he slept, her soul wasn't ready to depart, and she had much more to do when it came to teaching her daughters.

~~~

That January the winter hit the rural town of West Virginia harshly. Alice was doing her best to maintain their home while assisting Elizabeth with their father. Ken Harris had found it difficult during the winter farming months and began to dwell on the challenges of work in the winter time; farming wasn't fruitful in the dead of winter. The bitter cold challenged him as well.

He had taken on the seasonal role of working three days on and two days off in the next hollow over as a coal miner. He was at least trying to provide for his wife. The additional money would assist as both he and Alice still wanted to start a family. However, the rigors of being a coal miner didn't quite fit his needs. On the days he was home, he was usually lost in a jar of cherry moonshine. He had embraced the ability to disappear in the bottle, finding his escape from the harshness of winter.

At the start of February Alexander had one more conversation with Ken about the drink in the jar. He shared his disapproval and frankly disappointment in his actions.

Ken repented but after a few weeks passed, Ken would fall back into the evils of the jar. Junior had chimed in a time or two letting Ken know this wasn't how his sister deserved to be loved. It wasn't what a man did to his wife.

It was early April, when on a Sunday morning Alice wasn't at church. When Junior and Elizabeth returned home, they walked to the home and knocked on her front door. Alice spoke from behind the closed door and told her siblings she wasn't feeling well and that she appreciated their checking on her.

With a lack of confidence in her answer, Junior pressed the issue as Ken had left earlier in the morning back to the coal mine. Junior pushed the door open, impressing upon his sister how she did not sound convincing. It was then that the 6'4" tall and nearly 210 pound Alexander Nurse Jr. saw the bruising on his sister's face and neck.

As Junior called for Elizabeth to come in and care for Alice, Junior swore a silent solemn promise to have a more poignant and if needed, fisted, conversation with Ken when he returned and three day's time. No word was spoken to Alexander Nurse Sr. at the pleading of Alice.

As Alice described to Elizabeth who later shared with Junior, Ken was lost in the jar of cherry moonshine this past Saturday afternoon. Alice wasn't interested in his physical approaches or his physical needs. Ken Harris took it upon himself to explain to his wife what her duties were as he took her in their bed against her will.

She was sorry and would act appropriately on his needs the next time. Junior could see the fear in her eyes. As Junior continued to press on, Alice had promised Junior if there was any trouble she would call for him when Ken returned Wednesday evening.

That night as Alexander Sr. lay down in his bed, he felt Martha join him. Tonight he felt he needed the spirit of his dead wife even more. He whispered twice begging her to say after he released his seed the first time. Alexander felt her arms wrapped around him; he swore he could feel the warmth of her womanhood on his stiffened penis the second time his balls drew up and emptied themselves on the bed sheets.

In the middle of the night, Alexander felt the chill and she knew she departed the room, off to where she stayed when not in the home.

The sun shone bright Thursday morning but there was a chill in the air prompting Junior to sip another cup of chicory coffee. As he finished that cup, he realized it was time for the conversation with Ken. It was clear what he would be required to do. Junior shared with his father that he needed to tend to something, but would be out shortly as he needed to speak with Alice.

As Junior made his way to Alice's he felt a bitter cold chill run up his spine. Junior didn't knock on his sister's door this time, he let himself in without allowing an invitation to be extended.

Junior didn't find Alice or Ken in the sitting room. Quickly he made his way back to their bedroom, Junior found the sight he couldn't remove from his mind. His sister Alice lay in the sheets covered but lifeless, her eyes still open. The marks and bruises from around her neck were still darkening but they had a twinge of red to them.

He looked around and found Ken Harris lying on the floor, lifeless as well. You could see that he didn't struggle much with the person who passed judgment on him for the evil doing and atrocity he committed on his wife.

Junior immediately ran across the yard screaming for his father and sister. Elizabeth was first out of the house and was shortly joined by Alexander Sr. who came running from the barn. As the remaining members of the Nurse family made their way into Alice's home you could hear the screams and cries of worry. Upon entering the bedroom, Alexander fell to his knees swearing revenge on not only the Harris family but their offspring as well.

Elizabeth and Junior heard him murmur, "She was too late this time. It's my fault, she was late." He repeated, "It was my fault, she was with me."

Alexander Sr. sat there in his thoughts. He needed Martha last night. His needs were great and he missed his wife miserably. She took the loving task of satisfying him, not only once but a second time as they cuddled together in his bed.

Alexander Nurse Sr. muttered again, how the death of his daughter was his fault as he was selfish and needed his spirit bride.

The Constable was summoned as was the town doctor. When Junior described to them both what he found, there was no question of wrongdoing on Junior's part. The doctor confirmed that this occurred hours before as the bodies were stiff.

The body of Ken Harris was taken by the Constable and the town doctor and handed over to the Harris family. His body was not welcome on the Nurse family land. Junior was the one to see the burn mark on the floor where Nathan's body laid. He wondered if the burn mark was from Satan carrying him to hell.

This chilly morning was the last time Alexander entered the house on Thirteen Scalp Avenue.

Alice Nurse Harris was buried next to her mother Martha under the same tree, just to Martha's right side.

Junior tried to scrub the floor but to no avail, the burn marks remained. He knew he would soon tear this house down and remove that hellish and horrible reminder for good.

The days seemed longer and the nights even more so as Alexander grew deeper in his depression. While he only attended Sunday church on rare occasions after Martha passed, he stopped going fully now. Elizabeth tried to speak with him to no avail. He pushed her away even harder, continuing to murmur, how it was his fault as he was busy with 'her' and he shouldn't have been so selfish.

It was the first warm spring day in the next planting season when Alexander David Nurse Jr. found the cold body of his father lying in his bed. According to the town doctor, he died of a broken heart.

He was buried on the family farm next to his wife Martha under the maple tree. That night Martha came to visit Elizabeth as she had done so many nights before.

Elizabeth whispered, "Please Mama, to be with father for all eternity. We are safe now; we shall have Alice as well. Father needs you."

~~~

Twenty years later - November, 1925 - West Virginia

Nathan Milner made his way from the entrance of the mine and turned in his marker, placing it on hook number twenty-six. He turned and stepped to the side allowing his fellow miners to do the same. This daily process of the men putting their marker chips back where they belonged in the tag box was mandatory.

This process continues to be more important than the common person would know of as this is how they accounted for the miners. This is how they knew that they were out of the shaft, in the event of a collapse. Something no one ever spoke of. No miner ever spoke of a collapse, they all knew it could happen but it was never discussed.

Nathan turned and bid a good day to his fellow workers. The bitter cold of the morning nipped at his face as he made the twenty minute walk down the street and finally turned onto Scalp Avenue. The two bedroom house his father-in-law built all those years ago stood strong but did need some improvements. This house his wife Elizabeth and he lived in set nuzzled at the end of the road. Nathan Martin made his way up the two steps to the porch of Thirteen Scalp Avenue.