There I was in Chicago, boarding the train that was going to take me all the way to Kansas. I grabbed my bagged and got on. For hours I listened to the rhythmic, constant turns of the wheels on the train. I was alone again, but I was used to being alone. I stared out the window thinking about what my uncle would say, and what the town and people would be like. Mr. Durant was the only family I had, and needless to say, I was hoping he'd be at least happy to see me. I closed my eyes and pictured myself all grown up with a family, somewhere out west, baking pie.
My happy dream was cut short by a loud voice. "END OF THE LINE! EVERYBODY OUT!"
I hopped up and grabbed my one bag that I brought. I gathered up all my curly red hair and stuffed it under a hat. I was wearing pants and a long dark brown jacket. I didn't want to show up in a fluffy dress and gather attention. I knew my disguise had worked because no man tipped his hat to me, or offered to help me with my bags, or opened the door. I smiled under my wide brimmed hat. I stepped of the train and looked out on the endless horizon. My breath was taken away by the green beauty and the height of the mountains before me. The town was, well, it was not Chicago. But I didn't mind the mud, or the small tents, or rough people. I was in no place to judge anyone.
I walked over to my uncles housing car and walked up the steep steps. I knocked softly.
"Come in!" My uncle yelled impatiently, "and make it quick!"
I walked in. Mr. Durant's neck was craned over his desk, while he scribbled on papers. He glanced up at me for two seconds and went back to his work.
"Son, I don't care if you're an Engineer from Oxford, I don't have time for this, and you're too small to work on the railroad. Good day."
I smiled and spoke up. "Uncle Thomas, it's me."
His head popped up, obviously not expecting to hear a woman's voice. "Wha? Who?!"
I took of my hat and my wild red hair burst out in all directions. I smiled awkwardly.
"Rose!" My uncle stood up and ran to give me a hug. "I'm so sorry, I wasn't uh, expecting you! You never telegraphed me your reply."
"Well, surprise!" I laughed awkwardly.
"Yes, yes, I'm very surprised! And very pleased to have you here. Look at you! Why you used to be a short, freckled, little redhead and now you're – well, you're a young lady! You look like your mother. But, uh with your father's hair," he chuckled.
I smiled sadly. My uncle looked me up and down and began to look troubled.
"What is it? Is something wrong?" I asked
"Well, no. Well, yes. Well, you have definitely grown up, dear, and that's wonderful! But you're wearing pants." He said.
"Yes… I am?" I was confused
"You'll need to wear a dress. And I can get you plenty of fine, modest, dresses."
"I just feel like it might be more efficient to wear slacks while I'm here." I said.
"I absolutely agree with you, dear. However, in this town, it is best for your safety if you wear something that um, blend in a bit better."
"Oh, I understand." I said sadly.
"Of course, if you go horseback riding of course you can wear pants, but for now I'd like to keep you safe." He smiled. "I will find you a dress and after you get ready we will have a nice dinner together. Hm?"
"Thank you, uncle."
"Lily Bell, my good friend, will help you if you need anything."
Mr. Durant gave me the frilliest, most uncomfortable, outrageous dress I'd ever been in. Mrs. Bell, a widow who surveyed land for the railroad was a guest of my uncle's and a proper lady. She was sweet, polite, but a bit self-righteous. She, too had a ridiculous gown on for dinner. She laced my corset on so tight I could scarcely breathe. She also noticed the unhappy look on my face.
"This is a beautiful gown on you, Rose. Really, it is. I suspect you're not used to wearing formal dresses."
I mentally rolled my eyes, but physically I smiled politely.
"What was your surname?" She asked.
"Tyler. Rosanna Tyler. It might be better for you to just call me Tyler. I like it better than Rose." I said.
"Oh, but Rose it such a beautiful name!" she exclaimed.
I could tell she favored the word "beautiful."
"Flowery names are best fit for pretty women like you, Lily. Tyler suits me better, I promise." I said as nicely as I could.
"Tyler it is then." She smiled at me through the mirror. "Shall we?"
"Uhm, sure." I had a feeling I would have to actively try to tolerate her properness.
I walked out in my frilly, violet gown that clashed tremendously with my red curly hair, while Lily elegantly glided out to the dining cart in her baby blue dress. The "fair-haired maiden of the west" made me look like the crazy redhead from the loony bin. However, in spite of my clownish appearance, my uncle made it a point to compliment my new look.
"Thank you uncle," I expressed to him, "but I can just wear the dresses I already have. Please, no more fancy dresses. They don't suit me."
"You don't seem to like very feminine things," Lily said teasingly, "Were you raised with many brothers?"
My uncles shifted in his chair uncomfortably. I looked down at my fork.
"Yes, I had five brothers. We grew up on a large farm together. They made sure I was as tough as any boy." I tried to smile.
"Well, that sounds lovely!" Lily said with an ignorant smile until she realized I had said "had" instead of, "have." She slowly began to frown. "But, you've obviously inherited your mother's beauty, surely she was a good woman."
I couldn't reply to that one. My uncle grabbed Lily's elbow softly and whispered, "My sister – her mother died in childbirth."
Lily didn't speak another word during dinner. My uncle tried several times to break the silence. At the end of dinner my uncle poured us some wine.
"Should she be drinking wine?" Lily attempted to whisper discreetly to my uncle.
"I'm nineteen, Mrs. Bell. No worries." I tried to smile again.
"Oh." She said and looked down.
"Rosanna, shall we go out for a walk? I'd like to show you the progress and explain some terms just so you're familiar with everything while you're here," my uncle offered.
"That sounds nice."
The three of us walked out of the car and down the steps into the evening air. The sun was setting and everyone was settling in for the night. I looked up at the sky and saw more stars than I had ever seen before. While we walked out into the field Mr. Durant explained the plans and the landscape, but I could hardly pay attention. So many people in town were blatantly staring at the three of us. Particularly me because I was new in town, and dressed like a purple nightmare. I heard a few whistles from men near the whore house and made brief eye contacted with a tough looking man who rolled his eyes at me. Great. I was the new laughing stock of the camp. After begging my uncle to let me turn in for the night, I ripped off the terrible dress and forced myself to sleep. Tomorrow I would be moving out of the train cars and into town, no matter how much my uncle said no. I was going to blend in, not be some uppity "lady" who did nothing.