The ticks became deafening. Janice felt her dreams being eroded by the warm desert breeze. Standing from the bench she walked to the station manager’s office and knocked on the door.
The portly station manager answered the door. “Yes Ma’am?”
“This station is Springtown... California?”
“It better be, because we would need new signs if it wasn’t.”
“It is Fourth August, 1899, is it not?” Janice watched the Station manager glance over his shoulder towards the calendar. “Just, I’m expecting to meet a man here today.” She let out sigh of frustration. “As he hasn’t arrived.”
“What’s his name?”
“Jed Oxly.”
“Well it’s pure good fortune that I know a man by such a name.”
Janice voice screeched. “Great.” She felt like hugging the stranger, but just about kept her arms by her side. “You don’t know how worried I have been.”
“Jed is a damn fine card player... a bit of hustler, if I do say so myself.”
“Hustler?”
“He finds a way to win games, by hook or by crook. That’s all I’m saying.”
Janice glanced down the platform. “Does he live far?”
“No. Almost spitting distance.” The station master stepped out of the office. “Come with me. I’ll point you in the right direction.”
The Californian sun baked the red earth of the dirt street. With her parasol held above her head, Janice crossed the street towards a neat wooden house that sat between two partially constructed buildings. Her heels clipped along the wooden veranda before she stopped in front of the door. Her gloved hand rattled the door before she settled her nerves while waiting for a reply.
Janice couldn’t hide her shock when a petite brunette answered the door. “Good... Good afternoon.”
“How can I help you?”
“I want to speak to Jed.”
The brunette stared at Janice with suspicion, her eyes scanning up and down. “Who are you?”
“Janice Cooper.”
“That’s your name... but how do you know my Jed?
The breeze blew Janice’s fringe across her face as she smiled. “An old friend.” She then tucked her hair behind her ear. “I heard he was living here... and I wanted to say hi. I’m only passing by.”
“He’s here... I’ll go and get him.”
“Thank you.”
Whispers emitted from the front room before Jed poked his head around the door. He then stepped over the threshold and slowly closed the door over behind him. “Janice... what are you doing here?”
“I was counting on you meeting me at the station... not very gentlemanly of you, letting a woman walk here unescorted.”
“I am engaged to be married.”
“What?”
“I said I’m engaged. I wrote you a letter weeks ago, explaining that I had found someone.”
“Well. I never got it.”
Jed folded his arms across his broad chest. “I wrote the address on the envelope perfect.” He wryly smiled as he felt the back of his head. “Well, it’s quite a situation you find yourself in.”
“You’re lying.”
“Cross my heart... I’m not.”
“I have spent my life savings on coming out here.” As her anger gave way to sadness, Janice felt her heart begin to weep. “How could you? After everything you wrote in your letters.”
“Janice.” Jed glanced over his shoulder to make sure the door was closed, before turning back to face Janice. “What do you expect me to do? You seem to forget that you told me that you couldn’t make it.” His face appeared strained. “You know how that made me feel..?” He then leaned forcing Janice to take a step back. “I felt rejected.”
“I told you that when mamma is better, that I’d come.”
“The longer I waited the more I thought it was a God damn ruse.”
Janice stamped her boot into the ground. “You’re making a fool out of me, Jed.”
“You’re making a fool out of yourself.”
“Jed.”
Jed shook his head. “I’m sorry Janice. But Christy and I have started a life together. I’m sorry.” He then turned the door knob. “It’s time for you to go.”
“Jed.”
“Good day to you, Ma’am.”
“You can’t leave me out on the street.”
Jed pointed up the street. “There’s a hotel in front of the station. They’ll put you up for the night.”
“I haven’t got a penny to my name.”
“The mission. I’m sure they’ll give you a free bed.”
“I’m not a vagrant.”
Jed sighed while he slid his hand into his pocket. “Here...” He pulled out a dollar bill. “I hope that goes someway to saying sorry.”
“You can’t pay me off.”
“Take it and leave”
Janice took the money from Jed’s hand. “I don’t want your money... I just want you.”
“No, go... Go and start a new life... but it will have to be one without me.”
Janice turned to face away from the house. She took one step towards the gate before she erupted into tears. Holding her hand in front of her face, she scurried back to the street. Glancing in both directions, she searched for her luggage. “Where’s it gone?” The reality then dawned on her. “No. It’s been stolen.”
~
With only shattered dreams for company, Janice wandered the streets of the mining town. Finding the sheriff office, she climbed the steps towards the door. But before she could reach the door, she had to throw herself to one side as two brawling men fell into the street.
Janice decided her luggage could wait.
Knowing that what little money she had left would be better spent on food and drink, she decided to spend the night at the Woman’s Mission rather than the hotel. But before she walked to the mission she stepped into the post office to send a telegram home, requesting the funds to return home. However, she knew full well her parents did not have such money.
~
A small painted sign directed Janice down the narrow alleyway between the church and market. Street dogs rummaged in the upturned bins while others rested in the shade. Scared of dogs, their presence caused Janice to hurry towards the dilapidated mission house.
A smell of sweat and urine hung in the humid air as Janice nervously stepped inside to the cramp and dark dormitory of the women mission. Signing her name into a large leather bound book, she could only see its pages by candlelight.
Propped up on a bunk, a tired woman with sunken eyes breastfed a child while at the foot of her bed a second child crawled along the filth covered floor.
Janice searched among the beds for unoccupied space. She heard a crunch beneath her boot. She felt her skin crawl and feared to look down as she knew full well it was roach.
Each flea ridden mattress was home to a woman who appeared to be waiting for nothing but death.
Standing beside an empty bed, Janice was unsure what to do next as the mattress was stained with sweat and damp. For a moment Janice’s resolution wavered and she turned towards the door. But her tired limbs could not muster the strength to move.
Left with no choice, Janice curled up on the bed where she drowned in her sadness.
~
Janice woke in the darkness to a woman’s screams. Moonlight from the open door offered enough light for Janice to see the outline of a man dragging a woman from her bed. The cries of the children made Janice remember the breastfeeding woman and her babies. Fearing for the woman’s safety, Janice shouted, “Let that woman go.”
Climbing from her bed, Janice felt a hand grab her wrist. Caught by the hand, she could not see the face that spoke with a voice whispery but wise.
“Let them be, my child.”
“Why? He is hurting her?”
“It’s the same thing, time and again.”
Janice tried to pull away, but the skeletal hand would not release her. “Then
why does no one stop him?”
“He is her husband. It’s her role as a wife to be at his side.”
“But this man is an abuser. Clearly.”
“Believe me.” The voice rasped, “They’re as bad as each other.”
“Someone should still do something.”
“Father Joseph always intervenes. Afterwards the pair goes home full of promises” As the voice spoke, Janice felt the bony fingers tighten their grip. “Only for her to end up back here the week after... for the cycle to begin once again.”
“It’s the children I’m worried about.”
“What’s the alternative? They live on the streets..? Or in here? It’s wrong yes, but they’re better with the father. A broken home is better than not having a home at all.”
“I still have to try.”
“Your meddling will only make a bad situation worse.”
“Let go of me.” Janice broke from the woman’s grip. Through the darkness she ran across the room towards the warring pair. “Take your hands off that woman.”
The large man ignored Janice as he slung his wife over his shoulder. In his free hand he carried his two children in a sack. Janice stood in front to block his path. “Put her down.”
“Get out of my way, woman.”
“Not until you let her go.”
The man’s breath was laced with scotch while the whimpers of his wife and children continued in darkness. “And what are you going to do?”
“Why does she deserve to be treated this way? In front of your children as well.”
“This is none of your business. Now move.”
“No.”
“I’m losing patience... you don’t want to see me angry.”
“Put them down.”
“Or... else?”
The room was filled with light as the priest stood beside the door holding a gas lamp. “What is going on here?”
Janice pointed to the brute. “This man... he’s an abuser. Deal with him, Father”
“He is not an abuser... just a husband missing him wife and children.” The priest stared at the man. “Aren’t you Eric?”
“I am, Father. Just came to collect her after she went missing. That’s all.”
“Now you, young woman,” The priest shone the light on Janice, “are a trouble causer. If you want to use this mission to rest your weary soul. Then you have to follow the house rules.”
“I am not a trouble causer.”
“My ears do not lie. I heard your threats.”
“But...”
“You don’t interfere with other people’s business. Just concentrate on resolving your own problems, and make sure you don’t stray too far from the righteous path.”
Janice felt the injustice burn inside her stomach as Eric left with his wife and children. “But father...”
“You’re clearly a stubborn woman, who needs educating in the ways of the world. I never wish to turn my back on a person... but we’re all friends here, and don’t welcome the likes of you. I suggest you learn quickly... or you’ll have to find somewhere else.”
Janice nodded. “Yes, Father.” She dragged her feet back to bed where she lay in silence... wondering where her life was heading.
~
Maggie sat on her rocking chair while the evening breeze brought a welcome crispness to the dusk. A pleased smile etched her face as she watched the familiar woman walking past for third time that day. The woman’s face seemed drawn with worry, her appearance increasingly disheveled with every time she passed.
As the slid silently to the horizon, Maggie decided it was time.
Climbing from her rocker, Maggie walked along the veranda of the saloon and hitched her dress as she climbed down the steps. “Excuse me young lady.” She waved at the woman before stopping in her path. “I have seen you wandering this street... up and down up and down like a hungry mutt. Not even the midday day heat stopped you... I fear the night wouldn’t either. Whatever is your problem?” Maggie waited for the woman to speak; she watched as the woman opened her mouth but struggled to voice her feelings. “Do you want to sit down?”
“I don’t know where to begin. My problems are many.”
“Tell me child. You look sad and lonesome. Some might say desperate.”
“I am.” The woman choked, as if she was about to rain tears. “I need the money to get back home. But there is no work in this town for a woman like me.”
“Home... home is where for you?”
“The East coast. The city of Philadelphia... but I’m penniless and without work.” The young woman tilted her head toward her black heeled ankle boots. “I don’t know how I’m going to get back. No time soon I suspect.”
“What skills you do you have?”
“I’m a trained typist.” The young woman smiled. “But I can clean and cook. Damn it, I would do anything just to get me off these streets. One more night in the mission and, I swear, I would go crazy.”
“No woman should stay in the mission... it’s a flea bit.”
The woman scoffed, “That’s being kind.”
“You might be hot and sweaty... and pardon me for saying, but a tad smelly...”
“I have been walking in this sun looking for work, without the means to wash.”
“I know, I know. Let me finish. I was going to say that, despite this, you’re still a very pretty little thing.”
The woman gushed, as if she didn’t know what to think of Maggie’s compliment. “I think I ought to say thank you.”
“I could offer you a bed, good money and safe place to work.”
“Work?”
“Yes.” Maggie’s wise eyes spoke the words that her mouth didn’t “Lots of work.”
“You’re asking me to... sell myself?”
“Gets you out of the mission. Earns you a good living.” Maggie leaned forward. “But most importantly gets you your ticket out of here and straight back to Philadelphia.”
The woman took a step backward, as she appeared ready to run away. “What do you think I am?”
“A desperate woman.”
“I am. But... still? You should be ashamed of yourself. You’re merely trying to take advantage of me. A wicked witch of the night.”
Maggie didn’t fluster or panic. “You’re not the first person to tell me that. Like you, most people would frown at a woman like me.” Her experienced eyes remained fixed like a wolf while tracking its prey. “But let me tell you this... Far from destroying lives I have in fact saved countless women.”
“How?”
“I’m not saying it is an ideal profession to be in, nor an easy one. I would not wish my daughter to wind up living from a bedroom. But what I do is save them from working the streets alone... fending for themselves, making unwise decisions, and befriending those who will abuse them until they are but empty sacks tainted meat.”
“Merely the thought is enough to make me shiver.”
“You see. What I do is give them the option of making this lesser evil. Offering them my guidance and security.”
The woman shook her head. “There is always an option other than selling yourself. No woman should have to do such a thing.”
“If you have one. Then why are you drifting through these streets like tumbleweed? If you don’t work for me, God knows what will happen to you.”
“I will find another option. Don’t you worry about that.”
Maggie had recruited women of all backgrounds and she remained confident of landing this one. “Now, it’s up to you... do you want to take this option. Do you want to work for me, or go back to the mission with the beggars and thieves, the drunks and scoundrels?
“But will your house be any different?”
“Of course, my dear.”
“I don’t believe you.”
Maggie’s voice carried authority. “I take no messin' from anyone. Any man demands anything which you’re not willin' to give... all you have to do is press the service bell, and Big Francis will come �
�a knockin’'.” She nodded as she recalled some of her memories. “God is my witness, he scares the shit out every man in this town.”
“But I am a good Christian girl... I have been educated.”
“You will earn your ticket home in no time... and be back to living the life you want.”
The woman’s whisper was barely audible. “I fear I have no choice.”
“Your name?”
“Janice... Janice Cooper.”
“I’m Maggie McCarthy. “ Hanging her arm around Janice’s neck, she walked her to the saloon. “Janice, you can have a quiet room for the night... sleep on your decision and tell me in the morning.”
“You work from the saloon?”
“From the rooms above. I own the building with my husband... Francis.”
~
Janice knocked on the frosted glass window of the office door. Once Maggie asked her to enter, Janice opened the door. She stepped into the office which was dimly lit and misted with tobacco smoke. Staring into Maggie’s eyes, Janice coldly stated, “Before I make the decision. I need to know what kinda money I be earning.”
“Every dollar you earn is yours. All I charge is a fee for your room.”
“And...” Janice closed her eyes as she feared the answer to her following question. “What do I am expected to do?”
“Do what comes natural.”
“I don’t really follow.”
Maggie took off her spectacles and closed the heavy ledger. “Well, do you know how to please a man?”
“I like to think so? But... I have only... you know...”
“You have to be frank in the business, Missy.”
Janice felt her confidence melt like snow in the rain. “What do you mean by frank?”
“Well in this world. A cock doesn’t have a pair of wings or live in coop, and when we talk about pussy, we’re not talking about the ginger tomcat that just shit in your front yard.”
“Then I guess teats are that the ones you find on the end of a pacifier.”
“Almost right.” Maggie placed her rolled cigarette between her thin lips. “But...” She then struck a match before lighting the end of her cigarette. “I think you mean tits... With a heavy set like yours men will be sucking on ‘em like a half starved child.”
ROMANCE: His Reluctant Heart (Historical Western Victorian Romance) (Historical Mail Order Bride Romance Fantasy Short Stories) Page 89
