Prisoners of Time: Time to say goodbye

Story IV

Chapter 4

"Mona! Ya hafta come out here and help me wit' these tables. I only gots 2 arms and 2 legs, m'dear!"

Ramona heaved a sigh. She rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out, her baby boy Breannen smiled and gurgled. He was finally getting drowsy after she fed him. She wrapped him in a quilt and kissed his cheek.

"Oh my little luv, there she goes again, yellin' up a storm. Momma must get back to work. Get some sleep, my bonnie lad."

Ramona turned the lantern down low beside the makeshift crib and left the storage room. She waited a minute by the doorway to see if Breannen would cry out, but he didn't make a sound. She sighed in relief and tied her apron back on over her dark blue dress. Mary Louise, a forty-year old Irish co-worker and friend, yanked her down the hall toward the bar.

"I'm savin' this table 'special for ya, Mona! Ya hafta see what the snow blew in! He's givin' me the shivers down ta the darkest parts o' me soul!" Mary's thick, dark eyebrows went up and down and she curled her small mouth in a sly grin. Ramona shook her head.

"You're a naughty one, Mary Louise. Ya say that 'bout every man who roams into this place."

"Oh no, this time I mean it! He's waitin' to be served. He's got a boy with him, can't say if he's a son, they don't look alike. So, I don't think he's married. He's lookin' anxious, maybe you're just wah' he needs this cold winter night!"

Ramona laughed and picked up her serving tray. "Like I say, ya so naughty!"

As Ramona neared the round table in the back of the barroom the handsome man stopped tapping his fingers and looked up. Ramona gulped and she clutched her fingers tight over her skirt. Mary Louise had finally struck gold. His clear, blue eyes fixed wholly on her and she noticed his striking jaw trembled and went slack. Though he had no tears, she observed a profound sadness in his expression. His grief channeled to her momentarily. It was as if he were peering into her heart. She felt a sense of warmth…even love. His gaze brightened and he smiled.

Ramona fiddled with the ruffles on her collar and the buttons on her gigot sleeves. She pushed a few stray hairs into place. She gave him her cheeriest smile.

"Hello, welcome to the Pearl Street Bar room, what can I get for ya, boys? We also serve hot meals, but only what's on special."

The man was at a loss for words, so she quickly looked at the boy. "Hi. Oh you poor wee thing! Ya look as cold as a block of ice."

"I sure feel like one." Jeffrey said and rubbed his hands. "I would ask for a stiff drink, but I'm too young."

"That ya are! But I know just the cure for the shivers in a boy. I'll get ya a glass of warm milk with cinnamon. It'll put ya into a good sleep tonight. Are ye hungry? Ya look it."

"I am a little."

"Tonight we have some mutton chops and vegetable soup brewin'…can I serve ya some?"

Jeffrey looked at Bogg and all he could do was nod.

"Thanks, I'd like some food. Bogg, what about you? Bogg?"

Ramona rubbed Phineas' shoulder consolingly. "I think your friend needs somethin' a wee bit stronger, he's outta sorts. I'll get him a brandy."

Phineas finally found his voice. Her grip was firm and relaxing. "No, I'll have the milk too, please."

Ramona giggled and shook her head. "No grown man walks in here and orders a milk, good sir. I'll make ya one, but you're still getting the brandy and I want ya to drink it on down."

"Alright, you twisted my arm. And I'll take the food too."

"Good! I hate seein' people gone starvin'."

Phineas felt the lump in his throat rise. Ramona had always made sure he was well fed even when he neglected his meals to work on his inventions.

"So do I."

She cocked her head and patted his arm delicately. "How are ya feelin'? Ya look as though ya seen a ghost. But I don't blame ya, it's an awful night out there."

"I'm feeling just fine, cold…but fine. Thanks for your concern."

Ramona stared through the window apprehensive. She patted her hair down; the thick, red braid was starting to slip out of its bun. She felt his eyes follow every move she made and a quiet contentment coursed through her, but she still had to address his manners.

"Sir…I donna mean ta be rude, but is there a reason why you're starin' me down so hard? I was cleanin' out the fireplace earlier, do I still have coal on my face? Is my dress torn?" She swayed in a circle and ruffled her skirt around hoping she didn't find any rips. She looked over her chest in case Breannen had spit up his milk.

Phineas laughed, coming back to his senses. "Oh no, not at all. I'm the one who should apologize…you just remind me of someone I used to know."

Ramona raised her eyebrows and twirled her mouth shyly. "Oh, I see. Perhaps…a lost love?"

Phineas winked at her. "Something like that." He felt a small kick to his shin and Jeffrey glowered at him, but made no comment.

Ramona bit her lip. "Oh, she must have been very special to ya. Because the way your lookin' to me now, well…" She glanced down at her worn boots and blushed. "Ack, never mind. I'll be back with your meals. By the way, you can call me…"

"Roma!" Phineas blurted out.

"Roma? Now that's somethin' new. How did ya know to call me that?"

Jeffrey answered when Phineas fell hushed again. "We, uh, we heard the other waitress call you before."

"Oh, sorry, you must have been confused, she calls me 'Mona.' My full name's Ramona. But…I really like Roma. You may use it if ya want to."

"I certainly will, Roma. My name's Phineas Bogg and this is my ward, Jeffrey Jones."

Ramona held out her hand and Phineas clutched it. Years of housework and age had yet to callous her grip or wrinkle her soft, slender fingers.

"It's my pleasure to make your acquaintances." She curtsied and Phineas released his grip so she could shake Jeffrey's hand.

"Us too." Jeffrey said. "Thank you."

When she left the table, Phineas expelled a long breath of air. He ran his hand through his hair over and over; his mouth felt dry and the brandy to come suddenly seemed very enticing. Phineas couldn't get over seeing twenty-three year old Ramona Ferguson in the flesh. His senses were in knots and he felt guilt over the keen and unexpected attraction he had for the woman who would become as close as a mother to him in the future.

Ramona was of average height and slender, but not a frail sort – being full at the hips and breasts. She had a longish face and prominent features. Phineas had always been taken with her sloped and wide blue eyes, and her lips were plump and youthful. He marveled over the smattering of freckles and the beauty moles on her ivory skin and neck. He had forgotten she had them as they faded in her old age. Although she appeared tired, Ramona was still a fine-looking woman.

"Bogg, are you okay?" Jeffrey asked. "Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing's wrong at all. I just can't believe we found her. It's very strange."

"I guess so. And we found her fast. We only had to stop at two different bars along the way. And I'm happy this one lets kids in! I was freezing my tuba out there before. I'm also glad we 'borrowed' that carriage." Jeffrey coughed a little and Phineas grimaced.

"I know, I know. But we needed it. And I cry horse abuse on that owner! He didn't even have the decency to put the poor steed in the barn while he ran his errands."

"I know you would never treat Blaze like that."

"Absolutely not. I love that horse. She's special."

A few minutes later Ramona came with the food and drinks. The aroma was pungent and Jeffrey couldn't wait to dig in. The milk was sweet and immediately warmed him up. She handed them cloth napkins and Phineas smiled.

"I feel like I'm in a classy eatery."

"Oh, just because we're a small bar, doesn't mean we can't treat our visitors with some dignity, Mr. Bogg."

"Please, it's Phineas."

Ramona held her hip. "Phineas, just how are ya supposed to wipe yer mouth? On ya sleeve? Not with those fine clothes, sir. They're very unique. High fashion I guess, I'm not up on all that anyway."

Phineas had forgotten there would be a fifty-year difference in clothing styles. He was wearing a tight-fitted, brown and cream pinstriped sack suit with a wing-tip collar. It was the standard leisure wear suit of the 1880's. As he and Jeffrey rode to this end of the city, the wealth became more apparent and the men wore coattails, daintier shoes, top hats, and their white shirts had more ruffles and silks.

"That's quite alright. I guess I do have my own sense of fashion."

"It fits you well. Ya have a very good tailor."

"Thank you."

Ramona picked up her trays self-conscious. She hadn't meant to comment that way, but she couldn't help noticing his fine form and solid muscles beneath his suit. She saw Mary Louise waving her down from the hallway and it broke her fancy.

"Oh, look at me, chit-chattin' away when there's work to be done. I apologize. Don't let the soup get cold. I made it myself tonight. Enjoy!"

Phineas and Jeffrey watched as she handed the other hefty woman her trays and rushed down to the end of the hall.

"I wonder what's wrong." Jeffrey asked.

"I think she keeps her baby in there. He has to stay with her, she has no one, Jeffrey."

"That's so sad."

"I know, that's why she had made the decision for a family to adopt Breannen."

"I don't understand how a mother can give up her child like that, Bogg."

Phineas nodded. "I know how you feel, but we have to look at her perspective and circumstances. Ramona told me she was a mess; this lifestyle was not appropriate to drag a baby around. And he's only going to get older and harder to handle. She was doing it out of love, Jeffrey. She wanted him to have a good home, and to be raised by a kind family that could give him all the things she couldn't."

Jeffrey swirled his soup around. It was tasty, and elderly Ramona had made it a few times just the same. The mutton was well-seasoned, but leathery to chew on. He didn't think she cooked that.

"I guess that makes sense. A loving mother wouldn't endanger her child in any way." Jeffrey said.

"No…but Ramona had said something about tonight, that she had made a stupid mistake and it was her fault Breannen died."

"I guess we'll just have to wait and find out."

The boys continued their meal and talked over the differences they noted in the time zone. The door swung open and a large man stumbled inside. He was so chilled there were icicles on his mustache. He tossed his coat and top hat on the rack in the corner and wobbled over to Mary Louise and patted her behind. She swatted him and went behind the bar where he couldn't try and grope for her.

"What a drunkard. Reminds me of King-Ray." Jeffrey said disgusted.

"This is a bar and he must have hit all of them along the way. But honestly, I don't like his disposition either."

The Voyagers listened in on the conversation.

"Hairy Mary quite contrary, how do your bosoms grow?"

"Hush up you vulgar blaggard!"

"I'm only teasing! Where's the Scott? The gal with the flaming hair? I need to talk to her. She owes me something." He blustered. "And I come to collect."

Mary Louise wanted to hit him over the head with her pitcher. "You expect me to answer ya when ya insult me? Go away with ya, riff raff! Ya don't belong in this part o' town, even if ya do business with textiles and wear a penguin suit!"

"I ain't leaving until you tell me where she is."

"What does Mona have to do with you, Walter? She left that lousy job three months ago. She's a good girl and it did her no good to be there."

"Yeah? And she did me no good. Where is she?" He tried to push past Mary Louise. "I know she's back here. Her ex Donald told me so tonight, he's seen her around when he comes to deliver the fabrics and make deposits."

Across the room, Phineas tossed his napkin down and rose up. "Jeff, I don't like this, he has some nerve!"

"Bogg, keep calm. I don't trust him either, but we don't know what's going on yet. Maybe Ramona is supposed to meet him or something."

Phineas lowered himself back into the seat, but his mind and body were already on edge. "If he tries anything, he'll be a sorry man!"

~V~

Walter stormed past Mary Louise into the storage room. He heard a woman singing a lullaby and went inside and shut the door. Ramona had just laid Breannen down again to sleep. She turned startled.

"Oh! What are ya doin' here? Only workers are allowed back here, sir. Please leave."

Walter strode up to her. "What's this sir, business? You know my name is Walter. I believe you owe me something."

Ramona turned aside. His breath smelled of strong alcohol. "Ya drunk, man. Go home to yer family. It's a bad night to be out…ahh!"

Walter gripped her wrist. "Don't tell me what to do! You know, you bewitched me that night."

Ramona shuddered under his grip, now she remembered him as the boastful, crude man who pawed at her and demanded special attention and songs in the dance hall. "I was only doin' my job. I was a singer and dancer and that was all!"

"All your friends at the club did a little more than dancing and singing. You're no better than them."

Ramona tugged away from him. She rubbed her bruised wrist. "That was their choice, Walter. I did what I was paid to do…no more!"

"Yeah? Maybe that's why they tossed ya out. You weren't pleasing to the customers."

Breannen stirred and rubbed his eyes. Ramona slowly led Walter away from the crib toward the doorway. "Come, come, go inside and have yaself a drink. We'll talk this over."

"Don't patronize me, woman!"

Ramona made a dash for the knob and he jumped in front of her and gripped her arms. "I'm not leaving until I get serviced, you hear me?"

"How dare ye speak to me that way!" Ramona tried to slap him, but he cuffed her mouth. She staggered back. "Get outta here! Leave me alone! Help me!" She screamed. Breannen rolled around and started crying for her.

"Shut up! You shut that baby up!" Walter stomped toward the crib. "I'll do it for you!"

Ramona blocked him and shoved him back. "No! Don't you touch him! Go away! Please!"

The door slammed open and Phineas walked inside. "Who do you think you are? Get away from that woman and child right now!" He demanded.

Walter laughed and wiped his mouth. "Oh, I see…the young lover's come to rescue his fair maid, huh?"

"I've come to beat the tar out of you six ways to Sunday…Roma, take Breannen and leave quickly."

"Yes, yes, thank you!"

Ramona scooped up her son and stayed close to the wall as she edged out of the room. It suddenly occurred to her that Phineas knew her son's name and she hadn't even told him she was a mother. There was something so extraordinary about him and his boy Jeffrey. But now wasn't the time to muse over it.

"Don't you leave this room, woman!" Walter picked up a sack of flour and threw it toward her. Ramona yelped and ducked with the baby. Phineas jumped in front of her and socked it. The bag burst and the flour went flying all over.

"Go now, Roma!"

Ramona dashed out. Walter lunged for Phineas but missed. Phineas grabbed him by the back of his neck and the seat of his pants and pushed him out the door. Without a word, he kicked him in his rear end and shoved him down the hall, never giving him a chance to retaliate. They came to a set of swinging doors.

"I'll kill ya, you dirty sunuva…" Walter's curses went unfinished.

Phineas gave him a right hook to his mouth. Walter spun around dizzy and Phineas lifted him up and sent him careening through the swinging doors and over the bar table. He crashed onto the floor and the other patrons jumped back, but wisely stayed out of the fight. The manager ran around in shock.

"STOP IT! I leave for ten minutes and look what's goin' on! What's going on here! Who are you men? Get out of my establishment! You ruined my bar!"

Walter staggered onto his knees. Phineas leaped over the bar table and elbowed him in the back. He looked up at the manager.

"I'm sorry. He was going to hurt Ramona. This will only take a minute." He grabbed Walter in a headlock. The man struggled and Phineas pulled tighter.

"You're choking me to death, man!"

Phineas dropped his hold. "You know, I believe that man will fly in the future. Let's experiment. Would you like to go a little higher this time?" Phineas asked.

Walter rolled up and swung at him over and over; Phineas blocked and ducked each punch. Jeffrey stayed by the table, watching in awe of his partner's skills and mimicking his movements. He spotted Ramona huddled in the corner with her baby and ran to her.

"Are you hurt, Ramona?" He noticed the side of her lip bled. He quickly grabbed a cloth napkin and dipped it in some water. "Here, use that for your lip. I can't believe he hit you."

"Ah, that feels better. Thank you. A man is apt to do anything when he drinks up the sauce, Jeffrey. All men think they have the rule of thumb. Phineas is a brilliant fighter, but I donna want him to get hurt over me! It's not worth it."

"I think it's almost over." Jeffrey stared at Ramona compassionately. "And I don't think you realize just how much you are worth to him."

Ramona didn't know how to answer that strange comment and she let it slide. Her curiosity over these strangers burned stronger.

Phineas dragged Walter by his coattails and flung him out of the bar and face down into the snow. Walter climbed up and limped to his carriage. He could barely speak and shook a fist at Phineas.

"You ever bother Ramona again and rest assured, I will find you and I won't be so nice!" Phineas shouted.

Phineas came back inside and everyone stared at him amazed as they went back to their seats. The manager's flabby face went from red to purple and he slammed the bar table.

"This is an outrage! I expect you to pay for every bit of damage!"

Phineas pulled the wallet from his coat. "It will be my pleasure."

"And you, Ramona! What do you think this is? This is no dance hall! How dare you allow your suitors to come here and start a war!"

"Now wait just a minute, sir!" Phineas started, but Ramona came between them.

"Mr. Rafferty, they are not my suitors. I barely know Walter or Phineas! Walter followed me from my last job. I had nothing to do with him. Phineas came in to help me!"

"Oh sure! Walter's not a suitor? That's why he trespasses into my storage room and demands services! And your on a first name basis with customers I ain't never seen before? What kind of place do you think I'm running here? I want you to leave and take your man with you. Maybe this one is actually the father of that poor child you drag around!"

Ramona was stunned to tears. "Mr. Rafferty! Please, I'm so sorry! Donna turn me out!"

"You are fired!"

Phineas threw him the money. "Why don't you let her explain? It wasn't her fault. Please, just listen to her."

"I'm through takin' in cheap whores. I want respectable women! Leave! All of you!"

Ramona gasped and ran out the front. Phineas and Jeffrey followed. She was liable to slip on the treacherous walkways with the baby. Ramona stopped under another store awning, breathless. She moaned against her baby's shoulder and Phineas reached out to hold her. She swung around enraged and tears poured down her face. His heart broke for her.

"Ramona, I'm very sorry this happened."

"Now see wha' ya done! It took me almost two months to find that job! I need ta work! You donna know what it's like for me! I'm poor! I'm destitute! I have a baby and I'm all by myself!"

Phineas kept his voice level and he clutched her arm gently. "I know you are, and I want to help you, please let me."

Ramona pulled away. "Who do ya think ya are? Ya donna know me at all!" She drew back with a look of scorn. "Oh, I see, maybe you're one of them high class 'gentlemen' that want to come a courtin', aye? Ya come struttin' aroun' showin' off with ya fists and throwin' your money everywhere!"

"Ramona! That's not what I am! And I didn't mean for it to go that far, I was only trying to protect you!"

Ramona laughed feebly. "Protect me! Protect me! Ya ruined me! Nobody asked ya to come back here and interfere with my life! Jus' go back where ya came from! Leave me be!"

Phineas was taken aback. It was almost as if she knew the truth, but that was impossible. Jeffrey drew closer to him. He didn't know what he could say to alleviate the situation at present. Ramona needed to release her pent up frustrations. He was no stranger to doing that. Jeffrey pitied Phineas. It was the second time tonight that someone he loved fought with him, misunderstood his intentions, and threw that love back in his face. He clutched Phineas' arm.

"Ramona, please listen to Bogg! We won't leave you alone tonight! Bogg has a carriage and we'll take you and the baby to your home. The storm is getting worse by the minute. Don't you care? Breannen can get very sick out here." Jeffrey spoke up.

Ramona's pride faltered. "I…I know it! But I can't go home now. I have somethin' important to do. Look, ya both just stay away from me and my son!"

Phineas was close to tears. He was fast changing history and making a deeper mess of her life. He reached out his hand again. "Roma, I mean you no harm. Jeffrey and I are here for a special purpose, and…we see you're in need and we care about you. I know it seems odd, since we don't even know you, but trust me, one day you'll understand."

Ramona's temperament calmed. Phineas Bogg was a man of honor, and she did call out for help when Walter menaced her. Had Phineas not shown up she may have given in to Walter's fiendish desires, if only for the extra money. She could never admit to being that desperate and it shamed her. As she stared at his distraught face, she couldn't allow herself to be so angry.

"I really donna understand ya reasons, Phineas. I thank ya for helping me, but please…just go!" Ramona ran around the back entrance of the bar, where Mary Louise waited with her coat and Breannen's basket and extra warm coverings.

Jeffrey tossed up his hands. "Now what? She hates us! Well…you. What do we do?"

"She doesn't hate me. I can see it in her eyes. She's just hurt and confused. And I didn't help matters." Phineas kicked at a snow pile. "Dammit! If only I had the small omni, then I'd know if the light was still red. But I know it is. She's obviously not finished here." Phineas strode to the carriage. "We have to follow her, Jeffrey. And if she spots us, I don't care what she says. We cannot let her get caught in those fires."