Voices of the Characters of Nan's Heritage Series

I am Nan and named after my Ma. Her name was Nancy. It has been difficult since her death. It could be said that the difficulty began when Pa died after the logging accident. Our idyllic life ended that dark day.

Today was filled with worry. My step-mother has been riding little Elmer over ever little thing. She is a harsh woman. She better not take a hand to my little brother. He is only five and can't do all the chores she expects.

I am so frustrated I don't know what to do. I have taken many beatings, but if she touches Elmer...What! What will I do? How can I protect him?

I finished the dishes and spread the dish rag on the basin. Stretching the kinks out of my back I look out the window to see where he is. I see his white/blond head just across the farm yard. He is okay.

I step across the board floor of the porch and sit down on the top step and contemplate. Why do I tolerate the beatings? Why don't I say no more to it? It must be that Elmer is so young. Mary Dewy can do what she will to me, but she better not touch one hair of Elmer's head!