Chapter 3

Papers and books were strewn across the dining room table. Earlier, Martins parents had gone to church, leaving Martin and his sister at home. Gina had been allowed to come over for a study session. As they entered, the parents heard them saying phrases that included ‘unjust rule’ and ‘recognition of rights’. Gina was focused on her tablet while Martin had his laptop open.

“This all sounds pretty intense,” his mother commented. “What’s going on?”

“We’re building a report on the Magna Carta, Mrs. Baker,” Gina replied. “It’s for our AP European History Class. The students are working in teams on their assorted reports.”

“I thought you were in 10th grade. Martin is in 11th grade.”

“It’s a blended class. There are not enough students to warrant a separate class for each grade. The school runs classes on a semester system, like colleges. So you have a class for half the school year instead of all year. A lot of school districts do that now because it allows the teachers to really take the time to teach a subject and not have to stop abruptly in the middle of something.”

“Sounds complicated,” his father mused. “Back in my day, we were okay with a traditional schedule.”

“Dad, back in ‘your day’ the alphabet only had sixteen letters!” Martin laughed. “But it’s cool that we are getting class credit from Maricopa Community College and not paying anything!”

“No need to be a wise-ass. We were up to twenty letters by then. Still,” he mused, “hard to argue with you getting college credit for the class.”

Ivan Baker studied the two teens at the table. Their body language showed budding affection, be it a simple touch on the other persons arm or hand as the sat together, or the warm looks exchanged. Gina always seemed to be smiling at Martin, her eyes glowing from behind the lenses of her glasses. She wasn’t ‘beautiful’ in the standard sense of the word, but he could easily understand how her soft curves and figure, along with a cute face, would spark attraction in a male. For a long time, he had worried that Martin wasn’t acting like a typical male teen, being girl crazy like a lot of his friends. “Dad, I just haven’t found the right girl yet,” Martin had stated. Moving from New York had been unsettling to the family for many reasons. He understood his actions had been rash and not the best of plans, but in his deepest thoughts, he felt it was understandable and acceptable to act as he had. He was happy that his lawyer was able to work out a deal where he wouldn’t be charged with anything. He just had to ‘stay off the radar’ for five years. A job transfer to Tempe was the perfect solution.

“Gina? We eat early on Sunday. Would you like to join us? We can drive you home later.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Baker. I need to call my parents to make sure it’s okay. But I rode my bike over.”

“That won’t be a problem. Do you have any food allergies we need to know about?”

“None.” She called and her parents said it was fine to stay for a meal, as she would be driven home after dinner. Sunset came early in mid January.

Bowls were passed around and everyone filled them with chili that had been simmering in a crock pot all day, over rice. Susan Baker had even made fresh cornbread to go with the meal.

“So what’s the ‘magnet charter’ thing you guys are talking about?” Jacquelyn asked.

Wiping his mouth on a napkin, Martin looked up. “So way back in medieval England, the kings were seen almost as having divine rights to do whatever they wanted. God had supposedly granted them the authority to do pretty much anything, without consequences. The powers that they, and other nobles had, was often abused in ways that today would never be allowed.”

“Like what?”

“Primae Noctis,” Gina muttered.

“Huh?”

“Also known as ‘droit du seigneur’ in some circles,” Martin commented

“The Right of the Lord.” Reaching over to take Jacquelyn’s hand, Gina smiled. “You’re twelve now and such a pretty girl! And your father worked so hard to find you a good husband. One with a decent farm and he won’t beat you too much. There you are at the church and just been officially married and oops! Here comes the lord of the shire! He is going to take you home and keep you there for a while so he can get you pregnant. If your husband objects, he is killed.”

“But ... but...” Jacquelyn sputtered, “he can’t do that!”

“Yes he can. But the Magna Carta wasn’t so much about blushing brides as it was a demand from barons and other lower nobles as a demand for THEIR rights and a safeguard against unjust rule. It was signed and sealed under pressure from rebel barons on June 15, 1215, at Runnymede by King John of England. The document’s creation aimed to curb the arbitrary power of the monarch and protect the rights of feudal lords, laying the groundwork for the English legal system and parliamentary democracy. Over 500 years later, the patriots who created the Constitution of the United States of America used the ideas in the Magna Carta to help frame that document.”

Martin continued. “Within the document was the Charter of Liberties, which promised the protection of church rights, protection for the barons from illegal imprisonment, access to swift and impartial justice, and limitations on feudal payments, taxes, to the Crown, amongst other things.”

“Why the heck isn’t this being taught in standard history classes instead of only in advanced placement classes? This is important!”

“I wish I had an answer for that, dad, I really do.”

After dinner, the teens were doing the dishes. Martin washed, Gina dried. At one point, Gina slipped into the space between Martin and the sink. Turning around, she put her arms around his neck and pulled him against her, burying her face in his chest.