The Highwayman

by F. M. Parker

  Patrick opened the door a crack and peered inside and saw Alice stirring something on the stove. His clothes and a towel lay on the seat of the chair close by the door. Dripping water, he stepped inside. Strom winds came inside with him and flicked the flame of the oil lamp, almost extinguishing it. He hastily closed the door and dried quickly and donned his clothes.

  “You decent?” Alice asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Then sit down and let’s eat.”

  She is beautiful, thought Patrick, looking across the table at Alice while they ate. The meal was his second of the evening, but he wouldn’t tell her that. This food had been cooked by her hands and that made it taste especially delicious.

  Each time her eyes met his, she smiled. No one had ever smiled so friendly at him. The beauty of her smiles and the gentleness in her eyes made his heart beat a rapid tattoo against his ribs.

  “Tell me about yourself,” she said, and admiring his straight nose and full lips and bold forehead. He would have a strong face when a full grown man, thought probably not a really handsome one.

  Before Patrick could speak, there came to them a grating sound of a slate shingle sliding down the roof close over their heads. The slate struck the balcony with a loud thud instantly followed by a rattle of its broken pieces.

  “That slate could’ve killed you, had you been out there,” Alice said with a fearful expression.

  “Nothing bad can happen to me today,” replied Patrick.

  “What do you mean?”

  “This is my lucky day.”

  “That doesn’t answer my question.”

  “I met you and that proves I’m one lucky fellow.”

  “I’m the lucky one. If you hadn’t helped me, I could be dead now.”

  Patrick was studying Alice, the way she moved her head and hands, the color of her eyes and her face framed by black hair, and black eyelashes so long they almost reached to her cheeks. Would the girl at the orphanage have a similar appearance ten years after he had last seen her?

  “Why are you looking at me that way?”

  “You remind me of someone that I knew a long time ago when I was just a boy.

  Alice nodded. “I see. Tell me about yourself.”

  Patrick did not want to tell his background, so he would describe just enough to answer her. “I never knew my parents. I lived in an orphanage until I was about eight. Then I worked in a weaving mill until I ran away. I must admit that I’ve not always been honest. Lately I’ve been studying to educate myself. Now tell me about yourself.”

  Alice had seen Patrick’s expression of shame when he mentioned not always being honest. “I also had to do things too live that I’m not proud of.” She paused and then continued on. “My parents died during the epidemic and I lived on the street. I would’ve died if Helen hadn’t found me and took me in. She was a pickpocket, but a nice, kind person. She taught me how to pick pockets. Most times we worked together and I would help her by doing something to draw the attention of the person whose purse we were after. Last winter just before Christmas, she went out on the street by herself to get some money. Stealing wallets is dangerous and this time she never came back. She was found floating in the Thames River. The law never did find the person who killed her. I really miss her.”

  Tears welled up in Alice’s eyes. Then she abruptly brightened and dashed away her tears. “This isn’t the time to be sad,” she said.

  She pointed at the door where wind and rain beat loudly upon it. “The storm is too bad for you to go home. You should stay here tonight?”

  “I wouldn’t want to go out into that.” Patrick could think of nothing better than to spend the night in the apartment with Alice

  “Then it’s settled. I’ll make you a pallet on the floor. Is a pallet okay?”

  “I’ve slept on one many nights.”

  “Then off to bed we go.”

  *

  Patrick lay on the pallet in the dark apartment that had been warmed by the fire in the stove. He heard Alice moving on the bed and opened his eyes. He made out her dim outline sitting on the edge of the bed. In the darkness her white skin glowed ghost-like, spectral.

  “Are you still awake?” she asked.

  “Yes.”

  “I’ve been terribly lonely for a long time,” she said in a sad voice. “Are you lonely too?”

  “Yes.”

  “Can I lie beside you for a little while?” She asked in a hesitant voice.

  “Yes.” Patrick said, his heart jumping to a faster beat at the thought of Alice lying close beside him.

  Alice moved across the room and lowered herself onto the pallet and slipped under the blanket with Patrick. She lay without touching him. She made not a sound for a time. Then she began to sob, her body shaking.

  “Why’re you crying?” Patrick asked in surprise.

  “I’m afraid. I’m often afraid.”

  “Don’t be afraid,” Patrick said. “I’ll stay with you tonight. We’ll keep each other from being lonely.”

  Alice’s sobs quieted. “Is it okay if I lie close to you?”

  “Yes. I’d like that.” Patrick would speak his true desires.

  Alice moved against Patrick and pressed the full length of her body to him. She lay quietly for a moment, and then to his surprise, she put an arm over him and pressed the firm mounds of her breast against his side. He was thrilled by the touch and the good, clean smell of her

  “I like you, Patrick. Very much”

  “I like you too.”

  His feeling was stronger than just liking her. He turned toward her and put his hands on her shoulders and felt the fine bones beneath the warm flesh. He moved his hands downward, caressing her slender waist and smooth, rounded hips. So that was how girls were shaped.

  Alice rose up on an elbow and leaning over Patrick, kissed him on the lips, and held them pressed tightly there with her breath softly fanning his face. He kissed her back and cupped each of her pendant breasts in a hand and caressed them gently. The nipples leapt erect against his cupped palm. His prick grew almost as quickly, stiffening, and pressing into Alice’s side.

  Alice felt the prod of Patrick’s member and it warmed her. “Would you make love to me?”

  Patrick had thought of making love to a girl many times. But now that the opportunity was before him, he was hesitant for he might do it wrong and make a fool of himself.

  Alice spoke. “I want to do it the first time with somebody who truly likes me. You do truly like me, don’t you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Have you ever done it?”

  “No.”

  “Me either. But Helen told me that when a girl met a boy she liked she should kiss him. If he kissed her back, like you just did, then she should do this.” She reached out and took hold of his prick. To Patrick’s surprise, and delight, she began to fondle him, her hand stroking him up and down. “Does that feel good,” she whispered.

  “Yes.” Caught up in the pleasure of her caresses, he almost couldn’t get the word out.

  She laughed and tugged gently on his member. “Patrick, darling, come lie on top of me.”

  Trembling with the thought of what was about to happen, and wanting to do it correctly, he lay down on top of Alice. With her hand guiding him, he entered her. To his wonderment, he found that to be inside her warm, moist cleft, was a most delightful sensation. She heaved her pelvis up against his stomach. By instinct, he plunged down to meet her. The feeling was so grand that he immediately plunged again into her. She clutched him tightly, driving him deeper into her.

  They gave love to each other, their young bodies striking together with violent urgency. Alice’s breath began to come with a rapid swishing sound in Patrick’s ear. She made a low moan against his shoulder. Patrick took that as a signal. He sucked in a deep draught of air and began to thrust into her as fast as he could. She was always hunching up to meet him. In but a few seconds, he ejaculated. The explosion of pleasure tore a great sigh from his l
ips. Stars by the thousands flashed and whirled through his mind. He thought he would faint with the pleasure, the pure ecstasy of erupting into her body.

  He collapsed upon Alice with his heart thundering wildly. She lay beneath him, her heart beating as rapidly as his own. This brought to Patrick the glorious knowledge that he had done it correctly and she too had enjoyed the loving.

  They rested wrapped in their own world of each other’s arms as the raging storm battered the house with wind and rain. At times Patrick felt he should say something but couldn’t think of anything appropriate. Alice was equally quiet. Then to Patrick’s gratification, his prick became hard and erect again. He put Alice’s hand on it.

  “Helen was right,” Alice said in a husky voice. “She told me that young men are soon ready to do it again. This time let’s do it very slowly so that it will last,” She tugged on him as before and positioned him. Patrick entered her and began to thrust.

  “Slowly, dear Patrick, slowly.” She caught him by the hips with both hands and regulated his thrusting to a rhythm she desired.

  Patrick complied willingly. Any way she wanted him to love her was grand beyond anything he had ever imagined. Afterwards, spent, they lay joined together with their hearts slowing and breaths coming more easily.

  Alice stroked Patrick’s leanly muscled back. “When you become a man full grown, you’ll be a lot of pleasure to some lucky woman.”

  “Will you marry me when we’re older?” Patrick asked.

  “That can never happen. I will die while I’m still young. And certainly before I have a husband.”

  Patrick laughed for he didn’t believe Alice’s words. “You’re not any older than me. And way too young to die anytime soon.”

  “I have this feeling that I’ll die young.”

  “Not while I’m with you.”

  “Will you always be with me?”

  “If you want me to.”

  “I want you to. Bring your things and stay here with me.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “Good. Kiss me to seal the bargain.”

  “First, you must promise never to pick pockets again. I don’t want you to be caught and transported down under.”

  “You have my solemn word on that. Now kiss me to seal both bargains.”

  Patrick kissed Alice, his blood strumming with the discovery that he loved another human, this girl that hugged him to her.

  “Let’s hold each other and hope morning never comes,” Alice said.

  Patrick folded Alice into his arms, pulling her soft, rounded body tightly to him. For the very first time in his life, he felt totally at peace with where he was and with whom he was.

  CHAPTER 12

  Patrick slept replete with loving, and awoke in the morning with a feeling that the world was a fine peace because Alice lived in it. He turned his head and looked at her. She had kicked off the blanket during sleep and lay nude. A smile drifted across his heart as he ran his eyes over her lovely face. Her luminous green eyes were now hidden by her eyelids in slumber. She had long tapering fingers, girlish breast, flat stomach, and a delightful flare of hips that he remembered so well from the night. She was flawless. And the pleasure she had given him was also flawless. Best of all, she had found pleasure in him for it had showed in her caressing hands and kisses. He could barely believe what had happened during the night, and would happen again, he fervently hoped.

  Lying asleep, she appeared a small girl and fragile, yet she possessed ample sturdiness for vigorous love making. Further she had survived the danger and meanness of the city streets by herself. She had to be the bravest human he had ever known. She made him feel strong and he would protect her with his life.

  He could wait no longer to touch Alice. He ran his fingers along the curve of her jaw and across her lips, and thinking that he was one fortunate fellow. He lowered his hands to the mounds of her breasts and began to message them softly.

  Alice opened her eyes and looked into his. “Can’t you wait for a girl to get her sleep?” she said and smiled.

  “No. I must kiss you now.”

  “Then what are you waiting for?”

  Alice was stirred by his lips on hers. She caressed his face, feeling the wispy hair of his jaw that would in the not too distant future be a stiff beard. She broke the kiss and shoved him back to look into his face.

  “I believe we have been made for each other. That we have just been waiting for the right time for us to come together. Do you feel that way too?”

  “It feels right to me,” Patrick replied. What other thoughts did Alice carry in her heart that made her who she was? Perhaps one day she would share them with him. “Now let’s make love and then have some breakfast.”

  Patrick’s leaned over her and took the brown nipple of one of her breasts into his mouth and sucked gently. She tingled to the bone. After a moment, she caught his head and guided his mouth to the second teat. “There are two of them,” she said with a laugh.

  *

  Patrick’s days with Alice drifted past with each one full of joy for him. They made their own private world with a love feast every nigh. He felt no loneliness when in her presence for she radiated an invisible balm, a calmness that brought peace to him. He laughed silently to himself whenever she came near him. How could one small girl fill him so completely? He reveled in her loving companionship. The ebb of his life ran strong and vital.

  Hand in hand they wandered the city center and the East End embracing the Port, the Docks, Custom House, the Bank, the Exchange and the Cathedral of St. Paul’s towering over them all. They especially liked walking along the river, crossing it on one of the bridges, Kings Cross, Frenchchurch, Waterloo, Blackfriar. Sometimes they would simply stand silently holding hands and looking down at the water flowing by underneath. Now and again they bought snacks at one of the street stands and sat on the grass in the parks and had picnics. Patrick told Alice of his liking for the theatre and so in the evenings they often went there to see a play. They could purchase a seat for five pence each.

  At the beginning of the third week, Patrick sought employment at the shipping companies along the waterfront. He was hired by Albertsons and Watkins Shipping Company for ten shillings per week when he proved he could read and write and was quite skilled with numbers. He would be the assistant of the warehouse clerk and help that man keep records of the cargo that came off the ships and stored in the building, and the cargo that went back onto the ships for the next trading voyage.

  At the end of the each ten hour day of work, he hurried home driven by an insistent longing to be near Alice. Every time he entered the apartment, she would turn those large, green eyes upon him. Then immediately a smile would come upon her sweet lips, and her hands would flutter up as if they were attached to the smile. Her obvious pleasure at his arrival brought a surge of joy through him.

  He thought they understood each other. And yet there was one incident that showed the understanding was not total. This incident occurred one Sunday as they strolled on the waterfront for Patrick was drawn to the big ships that had come up from the sea and bound themselves by thick hawsers to the docks while they were unloaded and then reloaded for the next trading voyage.

  Alice noted a far away look in Patrick’s eyes and had asked,”What are you thinking.”

  “I sometimes think of going to sea. I could make a lot of money if I could ever be part owner of a ship. The company where I work is making a fortune trading with foreign countries.”

  She had stared at him with shocked eyes. “You’d leave me and go away on a ship?”

  “It’s just a thought for later years when you’ve grown tired of me,” he hastily assured her.

  “That had better be the time you do it,” she said and her brash eyes sparkling mischievously at him.

  *

  One day in late summer he arrived home to find Alice absent. This happened but rarely, still it did and so he didn’t think much about it until shadows became long in the street
s. He would wait no longer for her. He hurried down from the apartment and went at a fast pace to the grocery where she shopped for food. The manager knew Alice, and upon Patrick’s questioning, reported he hadn’t seen her that day.

  Patrick hastened back to the apartment and to his disappointment found Alice hadn’t returned. He went back down to the streets and began to search the surrounding neighborhood. After a quick look at the most likely places she might be and not finding her, he became methodical and walked every street and alley in an ever widening radius around the apartment. The search became difficult when darkness came and filled the alleys and streets that had no streetlights.

  When the night grew old and the streets became almost empty he turned toward home. As he passed though a mean part of town, a night woman slowed and approached him and tried to catch his eye. He looked away from her and she went on her way with her heels tapping loudly on the plank sidewalk. Two rough appearing men, footpads Patrick judged them to be, gave him a measuring look as they went by in the darkness. He glanced back at the men and saw the larger man say something to his comrade. They wheeled about and came after Patrick. He knew their intentions, and that he would be no match for both of them. He quickened his pace and length of stride and pulled away from them.

  He arrived back at the apartment. Hoping with all of his being that Alice would be there and would give him that wonderful smile and run into his arms, he climbed the stairs and opened the door. Only a, cold, empty darkness greeted him. He struck a match and lit the oil lamp and looked about for recent signs of Alice. Everything was as he had left it. God! How he cherished that girl. His fear for her safety sent a chill up his spine.

  Patrick continued his search the following day, visiting the hospitals on the chance Alice had been injured and was unable to tell the attendants to contact Patrick. She was not in any of them. Next he checked with the police to find out if a girl’s body had been found since Patrick had last seen Alice. Two unidentified bodies had been discovered during that time period. Patrick went to the morgue. Neither was Alice. He returned dejected to the empty, lonely apartment.