Katrina's Story
THE LUCKIEST GIRL IN NEW YORK
November 30th
We rode across the meadow for the last time. I waved goodbye to all the sheep and cattle I've know only forever. It felt sad leaving it all behind, but New York City would bring new adventure!
Ichabod was asleep beside me. I felt the coach stop. Masbath eagerly looked out the window.
I kissed Ichabod's cheek, just like the first time when I was blindfolded. The memories of the month filled my mind. October. I shall always remember the month where everything happened all at once. The month where the stupid Hessian rose from the grave. The month when my father passed on. The month where I met my true love...
Ichabod's eyes fluttered open.
"Ahh, just in time for a new century!" he smiled and opened the door.
It was snowing.
"Oh, my!" Masbath was giddy with excitement.
"And cobbled streets!" I exclaimed in awe taking the boy's hand.
"Yes...New York, New York! It's the modern age, Katrina!" Ichabod slipped in the middle, putting his arms around us.
" It's always the modern age, Ichabod ...but the ancient ones endure," I said turning to him. Snow fell on my nose.
"Ichabod?" asked Masbath. "Do we get to see your house?"
"Of course, Young Masbath! Of course!" he guided us down the streets. I looked at all the buildings. They were so modern!
"Sir," said Masbath. "Is your house far?"
"Not at all!" Ichabod said cheerily. But then he frowned. "Young Masbath, you are no longer my assistant. So, I am afraid you cannot call me sir anymore,"
"Then what will he call you?" I asked.
"Ichabod!" he replied. "Or…"
"Father?" asked Masbath.
"Or Father…Ichabod or Father…" Ichabod trailed off.
"Ok, sir," smiled Masbath. "Uhh…I mean, Father, sir,"
"You can just call me Katrina," I laughed.
"Constable Crane! Ichabod Crane! Is that you?"
Two high constables came rushing toward us.
"None other!" Ichabod smiled.
"We just want to congratulate you on the assignment!" said the fat one.
"Yah, and tell you that Judge Walters upped your rank!"
"Really?"
"Aye!" the fat one looked at me and Masbath.
Ichabod noticed this.
"This is Jonathan Masbath, and Miss Katrina Van Tassel," he said. He looked at me. "Dear, this is James and Fredrick, my fellow co workers,"
James and Fredrick looked at each other with raised eyebrows.
"Well, best be getting home…" Ichabod said. "It's great seeing you two again,"
"Well don't be getting to comfortable now," said James.
"Yah, there's a party over at Merriman's tonight," added Fredrick.
"You can let the city meet your new…guests," smiled James. "Well, best be off now!"
The two merry men skipped along, stopping to whack a drunken sailor.
We reached the edge of the street, stopping at a small house smashed between the clothes store and a pie shop.
"This is my house!" exclaimed Ichabod, pulling out a key. He unlocked the door. We all stepped inside.
It was like nothing I've ever seen! The rug was stretched from corner to corner, covering the whole floor! The walls were brightly painted blue, the same shade as the toile chair and couch.
"I'll light the fire," said Masbath, shivering.
"'Tis beautiful…" I exclaimed.
"And the kitchen is in there," Ichabod pointed to a door. "And my room is up there," he pointed to the stairs. But then he frowned. "I have but one bedroom,"
"It's alright, Father, sir…Ichabod. I'll sleep on the couch…" offered Masbath. "I have been sleeping in a chair all month,"
"I'm afraid that will have to do, for now," said Ichabod.
"And I'll sleep with you!" I said to Ichabod. "for we will be married anyway!"
"Married…"
"When will you two be married?" Masbath asked. "Please don't leave me!"
"We'd never leave you, Masbath," I said, hugging him. "You're like family!"
"Yes," said Ichabod, joining the hug. "And family never goes away!"
"My mother died when I was in swaddling clothes, 13 years ago. I never had a real family before,"
"Well, Jonathan Masbath," Ichabod paused. "Jonathan…John…Johnny…"
"Johnny," I said. "You have one now,"
Masbath, or Johnny, smiled as we suffocated him with hugs. Ichabod kissed my forehead. We all did this group hug thing for a very long time.
I went upstairs to my new room. It was not like the first room. It was wooden, and cold. The bed had nothing but a grey blanket and the windows had no curtains.
"It needs something…" I said to myself.
I went back downstairs.
"Are we going to that party?" I asked.
"Well…" Ichabod started. "Umm…" he looked down. "Alright, I'll be honest…I'm not a social person,"
"You?" I asked.
"Father sir, I confess, I am not either,"
"Oh how I've dreamed of late night New York City parties…" I said dreamily.
"Well, now…" Ichabod looked at me. "Maybe we could pop in for a bit…"
"Constable Crane!" A jolly red headed guy greeted us. "And oh! My!" he looked at Ichabod. "Who are they?"
"I'm Katrina Van Tassel," I piped up. "I'm his fiancée, and this is Jonathan Masbath,"
"Fiancée?" the man asked.
"Yes," Ichabod smiled. "This is Merriman himself. He owns a shop on Main Street,"
Merriman smiled. "How old are you, Jonathan?"
"I'll be fourteen come this spring,"
"I have a daughter, Lissie, just your age. She'll be fourteen in the summer,"
Johnny smiled. "Really?"
"Sure! She's inside,"
"Well! Then we'd better go meet her then, right John?" asked Ichabod.
"Right," he replied.
We all gathered inside. Soon Ichabod was surrounded by old friends. (And he said that he was the non-social type)
Johnny met Lissie. She was an eccentric red haired girl, like her father.
"Constable! You're back!" she noticed Johnny. "Hello," she said. "I'm Felicity Merriman,"
Johnny smiled. "I'm Jonathan Masbath,"
"How do you do," she curtsied.
Now, I do not know how the teenage male mind works, but I did think that Johnny liked what he saw.
"So you're from Sleepy Hollow?" she asked.
"Yes,"
"Well, welcome to New York, Jonathan,"
"You can call me John,"
"Alright, John," she smiled. She had cute little freckles.
Mr. Merriman got up in the center of the room.
"Ladies and Gentleman!" he bellowed. "It is time to dance the minuet!"
Minuet! That was my favorite dance! Brom was always my partner.
Ichabod offered an arm. "Dance?"
"Love to!"
We joined the sea of dancers. I thought I saw Johnny and Lissie together.
"Father, sir," Johnny tugged at Ichabod's coat. "I'm awfully tired. May I go back home?"
"Of course," he replied, giving him the key. "We'll be home in a bit,"
"You're leaving?" asked Lissie.
Johnny shook his head.
"Then I'll see you tomorrow," she said.
"Alright," he headed towards the door.
"John?" she called after him.
He stopped.
She kissed his cheek and giggled.
Jonathan Masbath stood there with a big smile on his face. Then he skipped out the door.
"Young Masbath seems to like New York City," I said.
"Do you like the city?" Ichabod asked.
"I do," I replied.
Just then, a woman bumped into us.
"Excuse me," she said.
"Hello," I said. "I'm Katrina Van Tassel,"
"I'm Elizabeth Lacey," the woman replied. "I own the pie shop down that road," she looked at Ichabod.
"Ichabod Crane! Oh my gosh! You're back!"
Ichabod smiled. "She's my neighbor,"
"So, Katrina, why haven't I had the pleasure of meeting you before?"
"I'm from Sleepy Hollow," I said.
"I brought her back with me," said Ichabod.
"Ohhhhhhhhhh! That's really great! Good for you Ichabod!"
A man with black hair and silvery blue eyes put his hand on Elizabeth's shoulder.
"Oh, and this is my husband, Todd," she added.
"How do you do?" I curtsied.
"FREE DRINKS ON ME!" someone shouted.
Then a crowd of people cheered.
I saw Lissie run up the stairs with her mother.
Things in the city were different from Sleepy Hollow.
We half walked, half danced home.
"Teeheehee! This is fun!" I exclaimed.
"It's really hot out," Ichabod took off his coat even though there was snow one the ground.
"We'd better be quiet," I said. "Johnny's probably asleep,"
"Right," said Ichabod. "Oh look! A cardinal!"
"I love cardinals!" I said.
"I used to have a cardinal, but I let it go…" he said.
"Now you have me!" I ruffled his black hair.
"Yey!"
We danced around the dimly lit street. No one was out. Not even a rat.
"I have you!" he cheered.
We got inside, instantly getting quiet. Masbath was asleep on the couch. The stupid drink should have been wearing off by now.
"Maybe we should get some water."
Ichabod went and got us two glasses.
We drank the water in one gulp.
"There," I said.
"I'm very tired," Ichabod got up. "Aren't you?"
"Yes," I said, wearily.
"Come on," he said, guiding me upstairs. We went inside his old wooden room. The bed looked softer than it did earlier today. I unpacked my nightgown and put it on.
"I need to get another bed…" said Ichabod. "This one is going to be too small," his eyes grew wide. "Hey! I'll sleep one the floor,"
"No you don't have to," I said.
"Then, maybe if we sit up…"
"I've got it!" I said. "Sit here," I pointed to the spot where the bed touched the wall.
He yawned and did as directed. I got in next to him, leaning my head on his chest.
"There," I said.
"Goodnight, Katrina," he said.
I closed my eyes. "Goodnight, Ichabod,"
I tried to drift to sleep, but I was so cold! I'm sure he was to, considering the fact he didn't wear a shirt to bed! I pulled the blanket over us.
"Ichabod?" I asked.
He opened one eye.
"How do you stand winter nights?"
He smiled and put his arms around me. I instantly got warmer.
I opened one eye. The sun was shining through the window.
"Wake up," I said.
Ichabod awoke, startled.
"Hello…" he said.
"Come on," I said, pulling him out of bed. "I'll make breakfast,"
I walked downstairs to find John, still curled up on the couch. The fire was still lit, giving off warmth in the little kitchen.
Then I realized we didn't have any food.
"Ichabod?" I asked. "Where is the nearest food shop?"
He came down the steps, eyes blinking.
"Go down Main Street. Merriman's got a general store,"
"Will you be at work today, then?"
"Work…" Ichabod looked like he suddenly got a caffeine kick. "Work!" he ran back upstairs.
John woke up.
"Katrina?" he saw me. "Where are we?"
"Ichabod's house. In New York City," I said. "Don't you remember?"
John sprang up. "So it wasn't a dream!" he ran to the door. "Tell Father sir that I'm by the Merriman's!"
He ran out the door. I suspected Lissie wanted to see him.
Ichabod ran down the stairs, fully dressed, bag in hand.
"I best be off!" he said, running to the door. But he stopped and ran back to me and kissed my cheek. "Goodbye, Katrina," and then he chased after John.
Well, since the boys were gone for the day, I decided to fix up the house. I went upstairs to get a part of my father's fortune. Then, I went outside in the cold morning.
I walked down Main Street, looking for Merriman's. But, before I found his store, I saw a Milner's shop!
Just what I need!
I went inside, taking in the smell of cotton. I looked at all the pretty patterns, and lace. These were so much more ornate than the fabric back in Sleepy Hollow.
"May I help you, miss?" a man was behind the counter.
"I'm looking for curtain fabric," I said. "Do you have any?"
The man chuckled. "I have every kind you could possibly imagine!" he showed me some pretty green flowered cotton.
"This is perfect!" I said.
I went back to the house, eager to hang the new curtains up. But to my surprise, the house was not left alone.
"Katrina, where did you go?" John asked. He was sitting by the fire. "And what have you there?"
"Fabric, for curtains and a blanket. Were you cold last night?"
"Yes," he replied.
"Well then," I said, running upstairs. "I have something for you," I took the plain white blanket off the bed and came back downstairs. I threw it to John. "Here,"
"Thank you," he smiled.
I sat down on the blue toile couch. "I bet we could convert this thing into a bed,"
"How?"
"Well," I put the blanket on it, tucking it in the edges. Then I got a pillow and put it on one side. "Lay down,"
John stretched out on the new bed. "I like it!"
"I bet you're the only one in New York who gets a bed like that,"
"Thanks," he smiled.
"Now, will you help me with Ichabod's room?" I asked.
"Yes, miss!" He jumped up. "I mean, Katrina…"
We went upstairs. I realized John hadn't seen Ichabod's room before.
"Wow!" he said. "This is his room?!"
"Yes," I said.
"Where did you sleep?"
"Umm…"
I wasn't going to say I slept on Ichabod, because, well, that's weird. But I did say this: "Right there," and I pointed to his bed.
"Well where did he sleep?" he questioned.
"Umm…" I pointed at the same spot. "So!" I quickly changed the subject. "How's Lissie?"
"She's great," John smiled. "She showed me her house, and her mother made us breakfast!"
Breakfast. I didn't ever have breakfast. I was hungry.
"Johnny?" I asked. "I have an errand for you," I gave his some money. "Go to Merriman's and get some food. Maybe some spices,"
"I thought we were going to hang curtains…"
"Now, now, I'll hang them, and when you come back, you won't recognize the place!
I didn't recognize the place! It was beautiful! The green curtains warmed up the place, and the matching blanket gave the room a 'flirtatious' feeling. I loved the new look!
I heard the door open up downstairs.
"John! Look! Look!" I yelled.
Ichabod ran up the stairs.
"What the he-" he stared at the place.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"I came home…Where's Young Masbath?"
"At Merriman's," I said. "What time is it?"
"Almost 6," he said. "What have you been doing all day?"
"I've been redecorating," I gestured toward the bed. "I got a new blaket, and curtains,"
"They're lovely,"
The front door swung open downstairs. I ran to greet John. He was carrying all sorts of things, like meats, bread, tea, spices, and chocolate.
The only thing better than locking lips with Ichabod is having chocolate….
Well, and something else…
"Chocolate!" I said.
John put the food in the kitchen.
"Now I can cook!" I exclaimed. "Who's hungry? I'll make you something,"
The boys smiled. They went back into the blue toile room while I cooked up something that smelled delicious. Occasionally, I caught them peeking in, trying to get a whiff of my stew.
"Alright, you two!" I said, putting soup bowls on the table. "Here you go,"
John looked like a giddy child in the candy shop when he saw a piece of chocolate on the side of his plate.
"Save that for last," I said, reaching for the stew.
"My this looks good!" Ichabod exclaimed. "Much better than what I could do,"
I was glad we were all living together. I liked being the housewife. I tried to mimic my own mother. My real mother, mind you.
"Did anything interesting happen today?" I asked.
"Well…" Ichabod started. "Nothing that is suitable for the table," he said.
"I saw Lissie," said John. "She showed me her house, and her mother made us breakfast. Then when I went to the store, her father greeted me. Lissie soon came in to ask him something, and I talked to her again,"
"Excellent!" I said.
"Does she go to school?" Ichabod asked. "I think you should go. Can you read and write?"
"Yes, sir! My father taught me to read. And Theodore once gave me a quill and said if I could write my name, he'd give me sixpence,"
"And so you wrote your name?" I asked.
"Yes," John frowned. "Theodore couldn't believe it, and said he didn't have sixpence,"
Stupid Theodore. Hmp! To think I was going to ask him out…
John went to bed. I went upstairs to brush my hair. Ichabod looked tired. He laid down on the new blanket.
I turned away from the mirror. "Tell me what happened today,"
"I had forgotten what a sad job I had left here," he said. "How cruelly they treat the prisoners…"
"What happened?" I said, sitting by him.
"A boy, of nine or ten, was caught stealing a tomato from a cart," he said, wearily sitting up. "He was brought to the courthouse. There they charged him with burglary, and sentenced him to a life in prison,"
"Who would do such a thing?"
"The judge is old. He is unfair. And for some time now, I have been trying to replace him,"
He told me of the troubles he has had with the legal system. Apparently, they still continue to use medieval devices of torture…
"It would be great to be a judge," he continued. "I would rely on evidence, and not opinion,"
"With all sense or reason," I said, pushing his hair out of his eyes.
"And justice," he smiled. "Things that need to be changed in this new century,"
"I am sure you can save New York after saving Sleepy Hollow,"
"I'm going to lose sleep over this…"
"I'll stay up with you," I offered.
He pulled me close. "Alright,"
I think I fell asleep before he did. I did not remember him going downstairs to make tea. I do remember the dream I had though. It was of Ichabod, and a water gun…
And when I woke up, he was still sleeping. I did not wake him. Instead, I went downstairs to make eggs.
John was up, and he wanted to go to school. But we needed to get him enrolled first.
I was hungry, so I made three eggs and sprinkled cheese in them.
John liked it. Soon, Ichabod came downstairs, groggy from lack of sleep.
"Is that egg I smell?" he went to the table.
"Taking the day off?" I asked.
"They gave me the day off," he said. "Thought I needed a break, so I could let you two get your bearings straight. City life is more complicated that simple town life,"
Sleepy Hollow? Simple? I almost sprayed water all over the table. (I should have.)
"I like the city!" said John. "It's so busy! I want to go to school!"
"School's in mid session, but maybe I could pull a few strings and get you an apprenticeship with Merriman," Ichabod said.
John's eyes got wide. "Really?"
"We'll stop by,"
"So when will you get married?" John asked.
Ichabod looked at me. "Uhh…"
"How about in the spring! When there are flowers, and birds!" I exclaimed.
"I love springtime!" said John. "I liked hunting with my father,"
"Cardinals are the best!" I said.
