The Heart of a Soiled Dove

by Sarah Jae Foster

  Emmy shoveled a bite of fried ham into her mouth and nodded her assent.

  With an overabundance of chores to do, they ate the rest of the meal with about as much grace as lionesses and their prey.

  After several hours of working outside, Aurora announced a trip to town to see about a place of fellowship.

  There were two routes to town, which they found by accident in taking a wrong turn at the fork, it turned out to be a short cut. Aurora’s land was surrounded by a deep inset of pine trees, a creek in the midst of them, and wildlife. One year ago she would have never thought…. She inhaled the freshness surrounding them, and felt such joy.

  It was much cooler being nestled within the trees. “We know where to come in the heat of summer.”

  “This sure does beat all.” Finally, Emmy agreed on something.

  A near riot was in the streets of town as a procession of two fully loaded wagons of young, impoverished looking girls came through. On one side of the boardwalk were women and self proclaiming god-fearing folk, each involved with calling out the most horrid names to those in the wagons. Names of which both Aurora and Emmy were accustomed. Saloon owners, prostitutes and just about everyone in the gender of a male, stood shouting things back on the other side of the dirt street. She had no idea so many people lived around these parts. Aurora felt Emmy tense up behind her – she’d been naïve to think this only occurred in San Francisco.

  Under her breath she said, “Keep calm, Emmy, I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

  After what the girl had been rescued from, Aurora would be surprised if she heeded her advice and calmed down. She heard her try anyway. “I know, Aurora.” They were out of harm’s way when Aurora stopped the horse. Before her, she watched this new hometown curiously, wondering where this was going.

  The wagons came to a stop in front of a saloon named boldly, Lady of the Night Saloon. Eager cowboys, miners, gamblers and ranch hands pulled down the new flesh.

  Aurora spotted Mr. Clawson. No surprise seeing him watching on the outs as well. Clearly he wasn’t a man who appreciated confrontation. “What is going on, Mr. Clawson?”

  “It’s the… how shall I put it delicately? Well… once a year....”

  Impatiently, Aurora interrupted. “My ears are not delicate. Spit it out.”

  “I’m sure your ears are too delicate. Never the less, the ruckus is on account of some women arriving. They supply the entertainment around these parts.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “That’s what this noise is about? Every town has a bawdy house. Why should this cause a panic amongst these people?”

  He straightened his coat jacket as if it were beneath him to discuss such things with proper ladies. “Because they are to be bid upon.” With eyes avoiding Emmy at all costs, he rocked back on his heels in hesitation and whispered, “The way slaves were, on the market. The madams and pimps will be going against one another.” A ruby color spread to his high cheekbones. In the short time she’d known him, it seemed she was a constant cause of discomfort for the man.

  “Let’s dismount,” Aurora said to Emmy.

  Emmy’s perfect ebony skin paled gray. She was glaring across to the saloon. Aurora asked Mr. Clawson, “How many whorehouses does this little town have?”

  This was a new one for Aurora. Who ever heard of such a thing? She’d landed herself into a boardinghouse on account of her mother, Miranda. How was it that Miranda became a prostitute? Was her mother bid upon? Never before had she given it much thought. It’s just the way it was if one was born into it.

  It appeared Mr. Clawson had had enough of her boldness and questions. He looked upon her indignantly. “There’s a saloon of that sort on every corner, Miss Young.”

  “Come on Em, we’re finished here. I want to go home.”

  Mr. Clawson raced to say, “I hope this does not distress you. It’s how things have always been done. We’re not… we’re not bad people.”

  She looked him straight in the eye. “Why apologize? Surely it isn’t of your doing?”

  “Of course it isn’t! I have nothing to do with that sort.”

  She reeled away, anger gripped her. “You might want to think twice about saying that, Mr. Clawson. You may not know your customers as well as you think you do.”

  Aurora sighed. “So much for our outing today,” she said to Emmy.

  She couldn’t help but glance over at the Lady of the Night Saloon, with people packing in like apples in a crate. “Wait here.”

  Aurora crossed the main street and, unable to help herself, went inside. She shoved her way through the throng of people, cheering like barbarians. Standing room only. Some perched upon chairs, others smashed against walls. Only three people sat comfortably. Two women and a man with a crooked grin permanently pasted onto his shadowed face. They were sitting flush center, with a prime view of frightened girls being paraded on stage, only this wasn’t a play in the theatre.

  Simple cotton dresses hung on their variously sized bodies. They were partially exposed with buttons undone, or ripped low. Their hair was pulled back and tied with string, cleaned up just enough to see pure, innocent, skittish faces. Aurora’s observing was interrupted as she was shoved along by the crowd. Could no one stand still? There wasn’t anything to see but a bunch of scared girls standing in front of the room, being gawked at. In her mounting righteous anger, Aurora had to talk herself down from taking them all home with her, knowing she couldn’t combat every one of these men in the raunchy place. After noting the looks on them, she figured she would have no ally if she spoke up. Each and every man was here for the first chance to deflower. She was sick.

  Aurora would still be with Madam Hazel to this very day if she hadn’t bought her freedom, and her circumstances were considered nothing against this debacle. Forever she would pray for the anonymous benefactor who had generously given funds enough to last a lifetime. Leona Smythe had been the deliverer of the freeing sum. Aurora took it and moved in with her mentor, who brought her to church and introduced her to a life she’d have otherwise never known.

  The scene before her was more degrading than what she’d ever had to go through. Whistling, jeering, rude gestures and attempted grabbing took place. Bouncers on either side of the makeshift platform snapped at the offenders with iron rods. A bunch of leeches is what they were. Aurora coughed through the smoke. It had been a long while since she breathed that particular pollution. No one noticed how out of place the farm girl looked. No one paid any attention to her for once and she was glad. Her curiousness drew her closer, instantly drawn to a girl Emmy’s age, but pale in contrast. The girl flinched as the man with the crooked grin stood and spun her around slowly, poked and prodded. Through an unknown connection, her eyes locked with Aurora’s and stayed there, even as he loosened her hair and twined greasy fingers through it. Those spiny fingers roamed, squeezed in places as if she were a ripe peach. And she had to stand there stoically as if not afraid, as if she’d asked this man to humiliate her beyond measure.

  He opened her mouth to examine teeth. “Stick out your tongue, girl.”

  She hesitated but obeyed; he laughed and kissed her furiously. A round of applause went up, even from the elegantly clad women in the front row. Had they no compassion? Nausea needled Aurora’s insides. She wanted to pelt this man with the walking stick he held. His whiskers left red marks upon the girl’s porcelain cheeks, now with tears streaming down them. Where was the law in this? This cannot be right. She scanned the room until she spotted a man with a badge. Enjoying himself as immensely as the rest of them. With her unbelieving gaze, she turned back to the girl at the center of attention. A short, overweight man arranged the ladies in order and stood towards the anxious crowd.

  He looked at the man who had since taken his seat. “Mr. Poe, you’ve had a taste of my product, what say you?”

  “Fifty dollars.”

  The woman on his left guffawed. “Thatcher Poe, you’ll not be getting her with fifty dollars. In my op
inion, someone will pay a hefty price for bedding a virgin, with her golden locks and all. Looks like a store bought doll. I’ll pay one hundred.”

  She rose to accept her prize, and the other madam said good naturedly, “Kate. Thatcher. I’m going to pay two hundred dollars for that girl, so you both might as well have a seat.”

  Their good-natured bantering was more than inappropriate. This wasn’t a game, this was bondage and about the lives of God’s precious daughters.

  Thatcher Poe raised his hands in defeat as if to say let the women hash it out.

  Kate was not so inclined to give in to the rival offer. “Two hundred ten. Are you going to beat that, Iris dear?”

  “Two Fifty.”

  Cries of excitement rang throughout the room, then silence. Everyone wanted to hear this showdown between madams. The fat man on the stage rubbed his greedy hands together, ready to shove her towards the winning bid, collect his money and be rid of her.

  Iris’s eye twitched. She stared Kate down. The feathers on her hat swayed.

  “Two Sixty.”

  “Two seventy-five.”

  Anxiously, the man waited, sweat beaded down his face.

  “Three hundred dollars.”

  Silence permeated the atmosphere and all confusion broke out. Aurora Young pressed herself to the front of the room, repeating herself. “I’ll pay three hundred dollars.”

  Kate stood, all-powerful, her painted lips sneering towards Aurora. “This isn’t a game, darling. Go home to your chickens and stop disrupting us.”

  This was for all the days Aurora had never stood up to her own madam, Hazel Caruthers, and the burning need to do it now drove her to challenge. Anger still brewing deep, and coming across this despicable display of inhumane panhandling caused her to react without much thought.

  She looked to the irritated man on stage. “I say again, three hundred – cash.” Whispers swept amongst them. Aurora dared not look at the girl. She would lose her courage and she must stay focused.

  “I will pay you cash this instant,” she stated, unwavering.

  The befuddled man turned to the awestruck madams. “Do either of you have cash?”

  Kate sat down in a huff, fanning herself in aggravation. Iris scrutinized her archrival, who met her eye to eye. “Not with me… no.”

  Aurora reached up her skirt, eyes on everyone in mistrust, and pulled out her little leather purse.

  Without a word, Aurora made her way to the front. The spite filling the air was tangible. Thatcher Poe greeted her. His crooked and perverse smile was capable of stretching after all. Kate was still fanning herself wildly and it was Iris who said, “You’re the new girl, bought that old farmhouse…. You planning on using it as a brothel?”

  Aurora ignored the question and handed money over to the greedy fellow.

  He shoved the girl. “Have fun with her.”

  Boisterous laughter filled every space as they made their way through the madness and met up with Emmy. The girl was panic-stricken and near hysteria. Aurora gestured for her to sit. “What’s your name?”

  “Carrie Anne Nixon, from Missouri.”

  “You’re nothing but a scrawny thing,” Emmy said flatly.

  Aurora looked up at Emmy, wanting her to show some empathy. “I’m Aurora and this is Emerald, friends call her Emmy.”

  Carrie Anne slightly relaxed in their presence. “I’m obliged for all you done.”

  Aurora looked around to see if anyone had come after them, realizing now that it wasn’t a bright idea to show the whole town where she kept her money. “I don’t know ‘what I done.’ Except now we have another enemy or two inside of town.”

  She glanced up at Emmy knowing exactly what she was thinking. She’d once saved her, too.

  “Seems to me you do a lot of this ‘I don’t know’ stuff. You’re causing trouble everywhere, Aurora – with some powerful rancher, now this,” Emmy said, as bluntly as only she could do.

  “Well, it’s done, same as us being called to this town and finding our home. We’ll make our way here. No one’s going to care about one near prostitute.” She looked upon Carrie Anne. “No offense meant.”

  “It’s all right. I been called worse.”

  That wasn’t the point, but they needed to move on out until things settled. She couldn’t risk someone holding her up for her money, and the urge to go back in and save some more was just too strong. They’d better get moving. She couldn’t save everyone, not yet. With a look at their horse next to Emmy though, she realized they couldn’t leave.

  “Let’s get to the livery, see if they have a wagon and a horse for sale.”

  Before long, the three of them sat scrunched together in a buckboard and Emmy “giddy-upped” the team. Aurora was grateful to have had minimal conversation on the ride back through the splendor of the trees. Finally, in the nick of time before the sun set, their buggy pulled around the bend and Aurora she said with pride, “This is your new home, Carrie Anne.”

  “I got nothing to pay you back with. I got no clothes on my back ‘ceptin’ what you see.” She looked down towards her hands resting in her lap. “I ain’t strong neither.”

  Suddenly her countenance brightened. “I can cook. I can cook real good.”

  Aurora comforted her by gently patting her hands. “You never mind what you can or cannot do. I am glad that you are not going to be sold like a piece of cattle….”

  “Or a blackie,” Emmy said with bitter attitude.

  “Or a Negro,” Aurora corrected.

  Carrie Anne wondered aloud, “Those other girls, they were sold to awful people…weren’t they?”

  Emmy’s response was rough and scolding. “She can’t rescue ever body, girl. Be thankful she chose you. It seems she’s got an eye for who needs saving.” Emmy pulled the team to a stop near the broken down barn, a barn which still had no door.

  Aurora smiled with warmth. “I wish I could have given all those girls a home. I really do.”

  As Aurora began to unhitch the team Emmy slanted her head in the direction of Carrie Anne. “Go ahead and take her for a look see, I’ll tend to the animals.”

  Aurora hooked her arm through Carrie Anne’s. “Come, I’ll show you your bedroom. It faces east, so you’ll see the sun rise every morning, and it’s next to my room.”

  Chapter Three

  Since the dawn broke, the girls had worked like regular ranch hands and were about ready to pass out from fatigue. A perspiring Aurora decided to call it a day and pulled Emmy and Carrie Anne back a few steps to admire their hard work.

  They stood speechless, and silence dragged on until Aurora belted out with sidesplitting laughter. “It’s terrible!”

  The fence they’d painstakingly worked on all morning was beyond crooked, with uneven planks and some poles higher than others. Even the horses seemed amused, mocking the women with snorts.

  Emmy shook her head and swore.

  Aurora held up a finger to shush her. “We don’t talk like that anymore, Emerald Sanborn.”

  In sync, they turned to the sudden approach of a horse and rider. Grateful for a distraction, Aurora went to meet their guest.

  Quickly washing up in a wooden bucket near the well, Aurora dried her hands and was ready to receive the man. His posture didn’t seem threatening and she hoped he was friendly, but more than anything, wondered what he might be doing on her property. He spoke the first words of introduction, “Greetings Ma’am.”

  “Welcome. I’m Aurora Young, on their way coming is Emmy and Carrie Anne.”

  “I’m Reverend Jonathan Palmer, may I?” He gestured to dismount.

  “Of course!” She was ecstatic to have a preacher calling.

  “We’re so happy to have you.” She measured the man. He was younger than she thought a Reverend would be. And she certainly didn’t expect a preacher to be so handsome. My how she’d come to judge what a man ought to look like for his profession. She was no better than others looking upon her a certain way. Forgive me,
Lord.

  By the time they’d reached the porch, Emmy and Carrie Anne were washed and met up with them. Aurora made a beaming introduction. “Girls, this is itinerant preacher Reverend Jonathan Palmer.”

  He reached out his hand in a friendly gesture. “Please, Reverend John is what I prefer. Grateful to make you ladies’ acquaintance.”

  Emmy stared at his hand as if it might bite her. Thankfully, Aurora noted that Carrie Anne was more at ease in his presence and took his hand briefly in hers.

  “Well then.” Aurora clasped her hands together. “Shall we feed Reverend John some refreshments?”

  After a delightful afternoon getting to know the new preacher, Aurora took the Reverend on a horseback ride around her property. She’d yet to even see it all and was eager to view it with someone she was so content to have in her company. She found out that he came around town every six weeks and had four brothers, all preachers.

  “Pine City has been a tougher town on me than most,” he said.

  Casting him a sideways glance, she saw him troubled. Aurora wasn’t surprised though, after what she’d been witness to so far. Folks weren’t exactly welcoming with open arms. They rode a piece in silence and looped around back to where they came upon the fence, so amateurishly done. Out of fun, she let him squirm a little bit. “Do you like our fence? The girls and I worked hard on it all morning.”

  Poor blessed man looked to want to spare her feelings more than anything in the world and said, “It’s… coming along I reckon.”

  Aurora bust out a laugh. “I reckon it is, too.”

  He looked at her kindly, a playful twinkle in his blue eyes. “Ah, I see you’re jesting.”

  She smiled brightly and kicked her horse’s flanks to get moving. “I tend to do that.”

  Catching up to her, Reverend John and Aurora rode parallel. They spoke at ease and were as comfortable together as if they’d known each other a long while. Aurora believed God had delivered her a special friend and thanked Him for being so good to her.