Note: Thanks for the reviews again guys! I'm just gonna clue you guys into what I wanted to do with this series. I wanted to take the characters as they are and place them in different times. So everyone's race, ethnicity, sexuality, and sex is all gonna remain the same. I don't really want Angel to be a woman because well for one that's not who he/she is. Deep down she's a man and that's how the cookie crumbles. And if you remember, Collins is gay. So making her a woman…wouldn't work lol. Also, I'm gonna keep it down to sets of two right now. I was planning on bringing everyone together later on and I'm still thinking about it. For now, just two because it's more intimate that way. That doesn't mean that people won't pop up, like Mark did in Josephine and Ty's. I'm not including Benny in the eternal group but he probably will pop up in supporting roles. Now after that really long note…the chapter.
Maureen glanced over at Roger. The pale rocker was paler than usual. "Roger…you ok?" She asked him gently. Now she understood why Joanne was so shaken. Hearing about her former life…and the how it ended…it was more than unsettling.
Roger looked up and nodded. "Yeah…just…weird is all."
The gypsy woman grinned deeply. "Now you all see. You understand how your souls have intertwined."
"Yes…but are there any tales…that don't involve certain death?" Mark asked hopeful with his eyebrow raised. The group let out a series of nervous giggles as they were all thinking the same.
"Of course," The woman laughed along with them. "You can't blame me for telling you these tales first. I had to make you all believe…" She titled her head to the side and stared at Roger. "You do believe now. Don't you?"
Roger cleared his throat and rolled his shoulders back. Mimi patted his shoulder. "It's ok to believe in something magical every once in a while," She said kissing his cheek. Her boyfriend met her eyes and nodded.
"I suppose," He uttered.
Angel rolled her eyes. "Honey, were you one of those people who refused to clap to bring Tinkerbell back to life?"
"Angel's still clapping," Collins teased as he finally recovered from hearing his and Jo's story. Angel pinched his arm but giggled knowing it was true.
Roger looked away not willing to answer the drag queen.
"So…new happy story?" Joanne asked.
Maureen raised her brow at her girlfriend. "You believe this now too?"
"It was a big hint when I wanted to go find Melody in Belgium and kiss her," Joanne explained which resulted in the two women sharing a gentle kiss.
"Yes…yes a happy tale. Aaron and Matthias."
Spring 1871 TexasMatthias woke to the sound of children screaming in cruel laughter. Children will be children, he thought rolling himself further into his blankets. They were so thick that he could sometimes forget that he was sleeping on Texas soil. Little rock, bigger insects and all. Even without the blankets, Matthias would have been fine. He always was a good sleeper. Unless those voices were to wake him up.
"Children, what do you got there?" A gentle voice asked.
Matthias was intrigued but kept his eyes closed. There still was some time to sleep before the leader of the wagon train would force the bachelor awake. And Matthias was not a man who wasted time.
"A candlestick. A big one. Look!" A child's voice answered. "What's that funny thing in the middle? Looks like sum sorta star."
That was when Matthias opened his eyes in panic. He saw all of his belongings spread out around him. Some things he didn't mind people seeing. A drawing of his parents and sister by his own hand. Extra rations just in case, but the menorah in the child's hand. That he minded. Matthias jumped up and quickly thrust any object that hinted at his religion back in his knapsack. He couldn't bare to see what adult was talking to the children. Mr. Milo…he knew that the "pious Christian" would have Matthias left in the wilderness. Harris would shoot the man without any remorse. 'You dult!' He said to himself. 'This will be the death of you for sure. Father said that would be found out. That it was too much of a risk…he knew.'
"Go off an see Mrs. Harris. I think she's got some breakfast cooking." The adult said shooing the children away. Matthias paused, he was waiting for the yelling and screaming. A deep voice calling out his religion as if it were a curse. Instead, a thin young man carefully began to help Matthias gather his belongings. It took Matthias a moment to recognize him. Aaron. A Mexican at least that's what Milo called him. He was ghastly thin, alluding to the fact that he known hunger since birth. But his face was gentle and kind.
"Here…I would keep an eye on this," Aaron said quietly handing Matthias the menorah. "It's too beautiful to loose."
Matthias took the menorah and nodded unable to look the man in the eye.
"Aaron!" The wagon train master called out, "Help us prepare the horses would you?"
Aaron looked behind his shoulder, "I'll be right there." He turned and locked at Matthias. A smile spread across his face. Then the Mexican ran off as if nothing ever happened. Matthias breathed sigh of relief.
That night it was Aaron's turn to stand watch. Everything was still. The horses and oxen in the distance grazed quietly. All of the wagons were silent all of the families taking the much needed opportunity to rest. They were one the trail for month and they were starting to feel wary. All of the member of the wagon train. Aaron included. He held a cup of tea in his small hands and sipped it gingerly. When he felt a presence he snapped his head while his hand went for the gun at his hip. It was Matthias, his hands up as if Aaron was Jesse James. Aaron smiled and relaxed himself.
"Don't go doing that," Aaron said sounding more amused than annoyed.
"I'm sorry," Matthias said sticking his hands in his pockets. Aaron passed his cup of tea which Matthias gladly took. "Thank you…that's what I came to tell you. From this morning. Thank you…I was too shocked at the time. I thought I was dead for sure." Matthias took a small gulp of the tea and handed it back.
Aaron nodded. "No one should be condemned for what God they pray too…it's fine. My pleasure really."
"You're awful…forward thinking," Matthias pointed out putting his pocket back in his hands.
Aaron shook his head. "No…I just know how it is to be persecuted for who you are," He explained leaving it at that. Matthias let his eyes wander among the camp. More than ten wagons. Most filled with God fearing Christians that never saw a person whose skin was a different pigment than theirs. Then there was their attitude towards the Mexicans. The fact that they were resting on land that two sets of people called their own told Mark how they would feel about the Mexicans. Most Americans saw them as primitives who didn't deserve the land they owned for centuries. Oddly enough, they said the same about the Indians who were slowly dying out. Yes, in this company, Aaron would know persecution.
"I am…sorry," Matthias said slowly.
Aaron shook his head and only smiled behind his tea.
"So…why are you heading west? Have family there?" Matthias asked finding himself struck and curious by this kind stranger.
"No. My family is mostly gone. A little sister married to a farmer in Ohio. I …wanted to strike out on my own," Aaron explained calmly. Matthias practically stared at him as he talked. There was something about the man….something different. Something he couldn't out his finger on. "Get a farm of my own. Maybe find someone to be with."
"You do know that unspoken for women are hard to come by in the west," Matthias replied wondering if Aaron knew what was getting himself into. Loneliness seemed to be a hazard of the new section of the country. "I've even heard about…two men living together…you understand?" He asked hiding a blush.
Aaron looked deep into his tea. "I understand…why are you going west Matthias?" He asked using the name that he was never told.
"Same…my own place. Maybe open up a small business." Matthias shrugged staring into the fire. Aaron's eyes were locked onto him without any signs of discomfort.
"I hope you get that…what about sketching? That drawing was yours wasn't it?" Aaron asked with a faint smile.
Matthias blushed automatically. "Yes…I sketched it. A passing hobby really," He said waving off the idea.
"Everyone had their talents…you shouldn't be meek about it," Aaron pointed out tossing his leftover tea into the fire.
"I suppose…and what is your talent?" Matthias asked with a teasing grin.
Aaron chuckled quietly. Then he took a deep breath, "I'm an all right tailor." They laughed together making sure to keep their voices down. A few horses raised their heads but quickly forgot the disturbance.
"If I have any clothes that need mending, I shall let you know," Matthias offered.
"I would be glad to patch them," Aaron replied his smile soon fading into a deep frown.
Matthias felt as if someone had gutted him…seeing Aaron like that. Frowning. It seemed unnatural. As if God had only given Aaron the ability to smile. To be happy. It was how the All Powerful meant him to be. And there he was…frowning.
"What? Did I say something…"
"Oh no," Aaron said quickly while watching Nathan Harris come their way, ready to take over his watch. "No…I just realized that I have a better talent."
Matthias eyed Nathan as if he was an interloper. "What?"
"I hide," Aaron said simply nodding to Matthias before heading towards a piece of ground that he could call his own for the night. Just then, Matthias understood what was different about the Mexican. He had a weight on his shoulders, but he held it with a grace and made no complaints. Grace…that was the purity of him. Grace.
"You taking my watch?" Nathan grumbled, daring Matthias to say anything different.
"Uh…I would be glad to," Matthias said quickly. He knew he wouldn't be able to sleep anyway. When Nathan staggered away, Matthias grabbed his knapsack. Carefully, he pulled out a blank piece of parchment and a piece of charcoal. With the music of crickets accompanying him, Matthias started to sketch.
For the rest of the joinery, whenever Matthias or Aaron had watch duty, the other would always join them. They would talk. It was always simple conversation. Nothing too deep or philosophical. Just quiet questions that build a simple friendship. Matthias learned that Aaron wasn't Mexican at all. His family came from even farther south, but his parents, his grandparents, and his great grandparents were from the Oklahoma territory area. That made him more of an American than half of those on the wagon train. Aaron learned that Matthias was an amazing sketch artist. He even began on a portrait of his new friend but refused to show it to him until it was finished.
They lived like this for the remaining two months of the journey. Sharing nights together under the stars. When they arrived in Oregon, most of the families when on their own way without so much for a good-bye to any of the others. But Aaron and Matthias stood unsure what to do…but knowing something had to be done.
Matthias was the first to break their silence. "Don't be a stranger. I won't settle too far from here. When you're settled…come over for supper.
"I'd…I'd like that," Aaron said. He looked around the area to be sure that no eyes were on the two men. When he was satisfied, Aaron pulled Matthias into a hug. Matthias was shocked, but didn't pull away. After a few moments, Aaron sniffed and took a step back.
"I never…had a real friend. It was pleasure Matthias. I hope you find what you are looking for," Aaron replied trying to hold back the emotion that was flooding onto his face.
Matthias nodded, "You as well…like I said don't be a stranger."
The two men nodded to each other and walked in opposite directions. Then Matthias paused and called out, "And Aaron…" His friend turned around, his face gentle and kind as ever despite the pain. "Stop hiding. You may be good at it, but whatever you're hiding…it ain't worth you being sad," Matthias suggested.
Aaron smiled deeply, "Thank you," Then he turned away and walked out of Matthias' life for ten years.
Time treated Matthias well. The store that he had dreamt of was well on it's way to being the best general store in the area. His sketch collection was also growing, the encouraging words of Aaron always in his ear. Also, he managed to find himself a wife, Beatrice. He never believed in all of that romance that his mother and sister used to talk about. At least, he didn't until he meet Bea. After every day of setting up the store, he would return to their small home excited, just to see the look of her. Hear her voice. And of course, smell her cooking.
It was no day out of the ordinary when Matthias headed home on a windy day in October. But the moment he stepped floor in his home he felt that something was different. "Beatrice?" He called out putting his hand down on the table. His slightly plump wife came out of the kitchen laughing with a deathly thin man. It took Matthias a moment to recognize him. He had grown out a thin beard and lost more weight if that was even possible. But that smile…that sense of grace was the same. "Aaron?" Matthias called out.
His old friend placed the potatoes onto the table and then quickly embraced Matthias. "Aaron! How are you? I thought you'd been lost!"
"No," Aaron pulled away his face light and happy. "It simply took me a while to get settled. I see it didn't take you long." He looked back at Beatrice who had her hands on her hips, which were now dealing with the weight of a growing child inside of her.
"Not even a good evening to your wife," She asked. Matthias laughed and moved to kiss his wife's cheek. "I was only glad to see my old friend. Who is staying for dinner I hope."
Aaron nodded. "Beatrice insisted on it. As you did many years ago."
They sat down for their meal, although, Matthias and Beatrice did more talking than eating. Matthias' excitement over seeing Aaron again flowed over as he began to describe his courtship with Beatrice, creation of his house, and his business. Aaron listened as he always did. Laughing and smiling when he should. Offering condolences at the mention of Beatrice's miscarriage the year prior. But he never uttered a word about his own life. When Anne retired the two friends were left alone.
"I'm glad for you," Aaron said suddenly, "You got all that you wanted."
Matthias nodded a thanks. "And you? You've been quiet…I know Bea and I can talk but…how are you?"
Aaron shifted in his chair and looked away. "I share a farm….with Daniel Carton."
It finally made sense as Matthias heard these words. He understood what Aaron was hiding from. Himself. That was the reason he came west. To be with another man and have the society accept it as somewhat acceptable. Matthias thought it over, what Aaron was. He knew the stance of religion on the subject. But…it was Aaron. And he loved him. No matter how he lived.
Aaron watched Matthias carefully, probably gauging his reaction. A smile spread across Matthias' face. It was much how he looked to Aaron when he religion was discovered on their journey. No, this man was his friend. He could never condemn him for how he was. "Then…you've achieved what you wanted?" Matthias asked quietly still smiling.
Aaron let out a sigh of relief. "I suppose. Yes," he answered, "I have a farm and I'm…not so alone," He admitted quietly.
"You…you don't love him?" Matthias asked feeling the hesitance in Aaron's declaration.
Aaron seemed to think for a time before answering, "I suppose not all are destined to fall in love. Though…Beatrice is wonderful. You two are in love?"
Matthias caught it. The way he tried to change the topic of conversation. Aaron didn't love Daniel Carton, but he wasn't lonely. He cleared his throat and said, "Very much."
Aaron nodded slowly. "Perhaps in another time…another life. I will find what you and Beatrice have."
"I hope so…" Matthias said quietly. "If so…I would like to meet that man," He watched his friend's face overflow with gratitude. Gratitude that shook him.
"I should return. We have harvesting to start in the morning," Aaron said quickly standing from the table.
Matthias stood as well. "I hope all goes well."
"Thank you…thank Beatrice for supper. Good night, Matthias." Aaron tipped his hat and opened the door.
"Wait!" Matthias called out. He disappeared for a moment into the bedroom and returned with a sole piece of parchment. "Here…it took me ages to finish. I apologize." He handed it to Aaron.
The man's face softened. It was the portrait that Matthias started on their long journey. Aaron recognized his younger face. He pulled Matthias into a quick hug and then walked out of the cabin. Matthias stood in the doorway and called out, "Don't be a stranger."
Aaron simply waved and made his way back towards the harvest moon.
"And did he? Come back, I mean." Mark asked the woman quietly.
Angel smiled through her emotions when the gypsy woman said, "Once every month. Until the end of their days." The group clapped glad to hear a happy tale. Mark turned to look at Collins and Angel.
"Hey Collins," He said quietly.
Collins smiled deeply. "Hey Mark." He kissed Angel gently who was trying not to cry.
Next tale: Madeline and Roland