Telegrams.
5th story in the Alexandra Series.
Summary: You wanted to know the why, the when and the how Alexandra came about. Well here it is. Adam receives a wire from San Francisco. He embarks on a journey with Alexandra to bring Katherine home one way or another. He recalls the events of the past along the way.
Disclaimer: I do not own Bonanza, or any of its characters. David Dortort and Fred Hamilton created them and played with them for 14 years. The series is owned by NBC.
Re-Cap:
"It was just after momma's accident?"
"Yep, about six months after. Funny if I remember it all started with a telegram Pa got... "
Chapter 4: Billy.
Flashback ...
Butterfield Overland Mail Company...
To: Ben Cartwright
Ponderosa
Eagle Station
Nevada.
Timber Tender application successful stop. Contracts to be finalised stop.
Attendance required with Investors August 15th stop.
John Manning
Elk Mining Co
Elk Utah Territory.
"Adam, good news we won the lumber contract," said Ben as Adam walked through the door.
"Congratulations Pa," smiled Adam, as he threw his hat on the credenza and walked towards the office.
"Thanks, Adam; I couldn't have done it without you. You kept everything going those three months after Marie..." Ben paused; choking on the raw grief that still rose up and clawed his at his heart.
"Don't worry about it Pa. You're back. I'm just glad you made if for Joe's first year at school."
"Hmm I don't think he is excited about that as you. Adam. Besides he still has a month to go, and then you're off. I will mi... You deserve to be going to College. Marie wanted this for you so badly."
Adam nodded, choking back some of the same emotions that were rising within him. During his father's grief stricken period, Adam hadn't even had time to think about his application to Boston, or the results of the entrance exam that he had completed prior to Marie's death. In truth he hadn't wanted to think about it. It pained him to relive the imagery of his step mother's excitement and her continuous support and encouragement.
"I can always defer, Pa. Another year won't make too much of a difference."
"No son. You won't defer. But, I'd like you to come to Elk with me. It shouldn't be any longer than a two week trip. You could... we could talk and... Well, you would also get some experience with the contract side of things. You helped with the tender; its only good sense to have you there for any further negotiations."
Adam appreciated his father's attempt to mend the uncomfortable rift between them. The anger Adam had experienced; feeling his father had abandoned his brothers and him had diminished but there was still resentment. The fact that Ben had returned to his old self was also a bone of contention between the two. Adam felt his father was treating him like a boy, not recognizing all he had done while his father was an absent parent. "Thank you Pa, I'd love to come, but what about Hoss and Little Joe?"
"It will be for two weeks. Hop Sing will be here, and Shaughnessy is coming to stay. She'll keep those two in line," he laughed.
Adam nodded, "I'll go pack then."
~oOo~
Ben and Adam had spent the last four days travelling to Elk. They travelled through many of the small mining camps that had sprung up over the last two years across Nevada and the Utah territories.
They were both looking forward to getting into Elk. The town had been established more than five years ago. The large mining companies had taken over the lead and silver mines specific to the region but many of the mine's owners still had a small share in their mines and the company allowed them the directorship and the conglomerations of these mines as a whole. The extra financial support it afforded the town allowed its growth on so many levels. There were families settling, and businesses and other infrastructures needed for a growing community, such as a variety stores and doctors and even a school. It boasted several good hotels and boarding house; one that actually had indoor plumbing, and a bathroom, where hot water was pumped from a nearby hot spring. The town had a sheriff and two young deputies, their wages provided for by the Miners board and The Elk Mining Co. It was in their best interest to do so. Yet, there were still signs of its rough and tumble beginnings. These included a number of Saloons and Gambling houses that had thrived on the good fortune of the earlier miners, men without their wives and families and other young men making a start in life.
One of the main attractions in Elk was its very own theatre, "The Star and Garter". It opened three years earlier and was still as popular as ever.. In the early days it offered a number of activities specifically for the minors and single men, which included two shows a day in its large theatre and gambling lounge. There were plenty of pretty girls the lonely miners could buy drinks for. They could eat, drink, gamble and be entertained all in the same place, making it a most profitable venture for its owner Frank Hallett, who had won his stake as a professional gambler on the steamboats of the Mississippi.
As they rode past, Adam's attention was drawn to the Star and Garter's large bill, displayed out in the front of the richly decorated theatre's facade. He and Ben pulled up at the bank which was close by, dismounted and tethered their horses to the hitching rail. While Ben entered the bank to make arrangements for a withdrawal, Adam wandered the few yards along the boardwalk to the colourful poster.
Adam stopped and stared at the image of a naked women, with long hair past her hips sitting on a horse. Of course she wasn't really naked... was she? Adam was intrigued, yet blushed at the picture. He looked closely to discover that it was some sort of body suit similar to long johns, but, with no buttons up the front. Still it showed off all of the woman's curves and was suggestive enough to excite any male, let alone a seventeen year old boy. The bill's daily shows also included magic acts, singers, and a melodramatic serial about Dastardly Dan and Sweet Clementine. However the main dramatic performance was 'Lady Godiva'. The matinee billing was much the same, except the dramatic performance was Romero and Juliet. Adam raised his eyebrows at the classical dramas and he wondered about the quality of the performances in this back water mining town. Miss Leena De Foe was billed as the star, not only as the Lady Godiva, but also as Sweet Clementine, the singer billed as "The Nightingale of the Midwest."
Eagle Station had no such entertainment venue, so at seventeen he was no judge, though one f the many things he was looking forward too when he got to college would be to visit Boston's many theatres. And one day perhaps, he would actually design such buildings.
Little did he know, at that time, that he would do just that. Virginia City was still very much a tent city, but like Elk and the surrounding counties it was quickly becoming established. The Virginia City opera house was a long way off from being built, but Adams designs of the building would have their creative origins from the Star and Garter and the many others he would visit with his grandfather Abel Stoddard, once he got to Boston. Little did he also know that his time in Elk would be remembered as the first time he would experience love.
Ben came out of the Bank and spotted Adam standing in front of the theatre; mesmerised.
"Ah umm, Adam, you ready?"
Adam near jumped out of his skin, "Sure Pa, just looking at the theatre's bill."
"Hmm? Come on we should get settled in at the boarding house. We have a meeting with the board tomorrow at two, so we have a lot of time to freshen up and rest."
"Oh Okay, Pa. I must admit, I'm looking forward to sleeping in a real bed. Maybe after dinner we can take in the show," suggested Adam.
Ben looked over Adam's shoulder at the advertising bill. Ben was aware of Adam's interest in the arts. He'd been reading Shakespeare since the age of eleven, but in many ways Adam was still naive. "No son, that's no place for you."
"Why Pa? I know they have a saloon there too, but I can have a sarsaparilla. I'd really like to see the show."
"Adam, The Star and Garter is not just a theatre, its' a..."
"Gambling house, I know and a saloon, but I will not play any of the tables Pa, besides aren't you interested in doing something different?"
"Adam, The Star and Garter is also a sporting house. The theatre is just a front for... well... its main business. You will not be attending a sporting house."
Adam knew what a sporting house was. Some of the hands had tried to take him there one night, not all that long ago, while Ben was away. Adam declined the offer, though he was curious. He wondered if the pretty Miss Leena De Foe was one of the ladies of the night. "Fine Pa, but I wish you'd trust me a little more," said Adam.
Ben felt the sting of his son's words, but let his expression communicate the hurt, before walking away towards his horse. He stopped just short of mounting up and glared at Adam. It didn't take the boy more that a second before he moved towards his father understanding his silent command and feeling just a little guilty about his petulant outburst.
That night, after a good afternoon soak in the large hot tub at the back of the boarding house and a good meal, Ben and Adam returned to their rooms. They would have usually shared a room, but the boarding houses' double rooms were all booked. Ben had booked them two rooms which shared a separate washroom.
From his place on the bed, Adam watched his father wash up.
"The wash basin's yours son," announced Ben.
"Thanks Pa, I'll do that, though I might read for a bit seeing we have separate rooms and the lamp won't keep you up."
Ben chuckled, "Good idea, don't burn the midnight night oil Adam. I need your 'smarts' at this meeting tomorrow," he said hoping to relieve some of the tension that had been between them since the afternoon. Ben headed into his room and closed the adjoining doors between them.
Adam sat reading for a while but soon the noise from the street below filtered up through his window and caught his attention. He stood and crossed the room intending to close the window; however the colourful lanterns from the theatre across the way had him observing with curiosity. The music and laughter seemed to increase as he watched. There was a line of patrons waiting to enter the theatre eager to make opening curtain of the eight o'clock show. Adam noticed a youth suddenly appear; he was being held upright by the collar by a large, burly man. The boy had either tried to sneak in or was considered too young. As the bouncer's foot connected with the young man's seat, the crowd watched and burst into cheers and laughter. Adam also smirked at the boys circumstances, though he empathised with him. He could have easily been in such a position; of course the kick to the backside by a bouncer wouldn't be his only regret, if his father ever found out. The feel of a kick would have been nothing compared to the sting of his father's belt.
No sooner had the burley bouncer turned back towards the theatre doors than the boy stopped. Another youth dressed in dark clothing and a large baker's boy cap appeared in the dark alleyway and invited the lad forward. Both disappeared and never returned. Adam surmised that perhaps there was another entrance the two miscreants had found. He chuckled, then went to his saddle bags and retrieved the ten dollar gold piece he had saved, since his last birthday. He pressed his ear against the door of his father's room. On hearing the slow purring of his father's sleep, he closed the door, found his coat and hat and left the room quietly.
Once outside on the boardwalk, Adam scanned the area and walked slowly across the street, past the bank, towards the theatre. He walked straight past the line of people, waiting to get into the theatre then stopped at the alley way. He scanned the area again, looked left, and then right to make sure no one was watching before walking down the dark alley. He spotted the backstage door, and wondered if that was the way the two other boys had snuck in, but surely that would be manned. His question was answered when he caught the light from a basement door filtering through as someone opened it. The boy dressed in dark clothing and the baker's cap head appeared. He climbed out and shut the door quietly.
The boy looked up at Adam surprised, "Watcha yer want?' he asked.
"Nothing, just wondering what you're doing sneaking into a theatre at this time of night? You look a little young to be hanging around such a place of disrepute," countered Adam.
"Hey watch yer mouth. Besides yer ain't much older by the looks a yer, so what yer business here anyway?"
"Well actually, I ..."
"Oh Mr High and Mighty, probably jist outta short pants yerself and thinks ya knows it all, wants ta see the girly show."
"No, actually I heard there was a performance of Romeo and Juliet. I was rather hoping to see that."
"Ah was rather hoping to see that..." mimicked the boy. "Well fat chance. It's on the matinee bill, anyhow. Lady Godiva's the late night draw. First there's a couple chorus numbers with the girls, and a magic show with Ivan The Magnificent, then 'Lady Godiva..." the boys eyes twinkled, "and she's nekid!"
Adam blushed.
The boy shook his head, "I can get you in, you wanna see it anyway?"
"Sure!" exclaimed Adam.
"Lady Godiva that is. Oh, Ivan is a good act too," teased Billy.
"Sounds all good to me," said Adam.
"Good, names Billy, yer got five dollars?"
"Five dollars? That's more than I'd be paying at the front of house ticket box," said Adam weary that he may be getting conned by a common street urchin.
"Sure it is, but you wouldn't get in. All you'll get for yer three bits is a kick in the pants by Brutus. He don't take ta youngins coming into the girly show. Mr Hallett's been done given a heap of grief by the new town council wanting ta get this town decent and family orientated. Now either head home kid, or cough up the five dollars," threatened Billy.
Adam handed over his ten dollar piece, wondering if he'd ever see the change when the boy put into his pocket. "Hey what about my change?" he demanded.
"Later after the show, you commin?"
"No I don't think so. I'll have my money back. I do not want to the see the show anymore; having a thief as a guide leaves a nasty taste in my mouth," accused Adam.
Billy suddenly pushed Adam up against the wall, not that Adam felt threatened by the kid's physical strength, though the determined expression his face was another matter. There was something strange about the kid that unnerved him. Billy shoved the ten dollar gold piece into Adam's top pocket, "Get!" he yelled, "and don't come back here again. Ah don't appreciate bein called thief; ain't never said you weren't gettin yer change back. Yer sure are an uppity fella; well yer can jist take yer old gold piece and shove it up yer as..."
"Hey, okay I'm sorry. You're right, it was wrong of me to jump to conclusions. I think you can let me go, now," said Adam, removing the boys hand that gripped Adams shirt collar.
"Why yer scared?" snapped Billy.
"Hardly little boy, you're at least fifty pounds lighter than my little brother. How old are you anyway, about twelve?"
"Oh you think you can take me, cow - boy, do ya? Go on then throw the first punch," challenged Billy.
Adam had no intention of hitting the lad. "No I'll let you go first," he quipped with a smirk on his face. "It would be poor form to throw the first punch to an opponent half my size. I'm the one here with the better manners and scruples, it seems."
Billy took an immediate dislike to Adams insinuation and before the oldest Cartwright knew it, the kid had thrown a left hook into Adams jaw. Adam had to weave to avoid a second attempt by the boy.
Punching the air seemed to frustrate the boy even more so he spun around ready to kick Adams legs from out under him, only to find his opponent counter his move and spin also and then smugly stand behind him with his arms crossed over his chest. The boy dived, but before he could put any strength behind it, Adam grabbed his hands tossed him around and aimed a well placed kick to the lad's backside. "Kid you sure are determined."
Billy spun around incensed, "And you've got a nerve," he said, pulling off his cap and balling up his fists... ahh... her fists in anger.
Not realising that the long blonde braid that had been tucked securely under the cap was now dangling free, with tiny golden wispy curls that were being puffed away with her angry huffs and determined expression. "Ah ortta knock your smug block off..." Billy stopped ranting when she saw Adam's confused expression. "What, ya'll looking at?"
Adam stood there stunned, "You're a girl," he said pointing to her.
Billy grabbed her braid, "Dang, well Ah suppose it was gonna come out sooner than later. Okay so I'm a girl, now get lost."
"No, I still want to see the performance. How come you're dressed that way?"
"Well, it's mah ma's idea. She said it ain't safe for a young girl in this town at night. So , Ah dress this way, and call maself Billy. Easier to make maself a bit of extra money too. Haven't come up against many like you, though, most are too interested in getting inside, to fight me." she said with a smirk. Then became a little subdued. "Ah would have given you your change, I just don't have it on me," she said quietly.
"I'm sorry," said Adam. "I guess I'm suspicious by nature. I'd still like to see the show, and well maybe tomorrow's matinee, so maybe you could purchase the tickets for me with the change."
"Okay, deal. I'll get them in the morning. Ah can get them delivered to your hotel or..."
"No, No, don't do that. What say I'll meet you... ahh here. I have to have lunch with my Pa and some business men. What time does the show start?"
"Midday, after the morning shift at the mines. Then there's the three o'clock one and then the eight."
"Three shows a day?"
"On Friday's only. We follow the mine shifts and schedules. The first two are the same show and shorter than the main bill. Come on we can make arrangements later, you're missing the show now. Follow me."
"Sure, what's your real name, by the way?"
"Katherine Willameena... most of the time I'm called Kate, but when I'm like this..." she said securing her bakers cap once more, "I'm Billy; short for Willameena. Mah ma's nickname actually; she gets called Billy by her family and close friends. Her stage name is Leena, but her legal name is Willameena."
"Seems confusing to me"
"Yer don't have nick names where you come from, what are yer aristocracy or something?"
Adam laughed, "No we have nicknames. I have a younger brother, Eric, but we call him Hoss."
"Horse?"
"No Hoss; it means different things in different languages, but in Norwegian, it means big strong and loyal."
"Oh, good word, then Ah like it. Climb down in here," directed Kate, indicating the cellar double doors against the side wall of the theatre. "It takes you under the stage, where all the props are, and then the vomitories."
"Vomitories?" quizzed Adam.
"Yeah; a vomitory is sort of a tunnel. They can take you under the stage, or backstage. There are even ones that will take you to the dressing rooms."
"Escape routes are they?" chuckled Adam.
"Ha, probably, but no we use it as a means to get all kinds of things up on stage without too many people around. There are big ones at the back for larger sets."
"Okay this is even more interesting," said Adam as he climbed down through the doors and into the basement of the theatre.
Once there, he had to bend over a little to avoid hitting the ceiling.
"We're under the stage here, it jist under six foot. Yer sure are a tall feller, how old are you?"
"Seventeen , nearly eighteen , what about you?"
"I'm fifteen. I'm short for my age, but that's good for getting around under here," she laughed, before waving him on.
Adam followed Kate through the long corridor where they stopped at some steps. "These steps will take you up to the dressing rooms, but we'll be seen up there. Brutus will be doing his backstage rounds now that the show has started. He starts with the girls dressing rooms, so we need to go this way." Kate led him through a large room to the right of the stairs.
Adam scanned the room. It was packed neatly with a variety of props and movable sets. Overhead he could hear the stomping of feet, and the music of the chorus number starting. Towards the front of the large underground room, he spotted several people manning kerosene foot lights that were housed in small canopies that disappeared up and onto the front of the stage. In front of them Adam could see what looked like an orchestra pit, where a small bang played, lead by a conductor.
"Shhh'" whispered Kate, dragging Adam towards the back and one of the bigger tunnels. "This one goes to the back stage, those two go stage right or stage left. We go backstage, come on."
Adam followed, finding himself in a tall narrow space where large canvases hung one behind the other.
"Scenery Backdrops; Ah've painted most of these," she announce proudly.
"You paint?"
"Yeah, well, Ah copy the pictures mostly; grid them up jist like that Giotto fella did during the Renaissance and then just follow the tone and colours. There not as good as the original masterpieces. But, hec the illusion starts six feet back, thank the lord. They get winched up and down. It's easier to have them down though and winch them up in order. They're pretty heavy."
Adam walked past the monstrous landscapes and city scapes; awed by their size and the skill that it would take to reproduce them. Then they were suddenly at a ladder.
"Here this will take us up to the winches and lighting bar. George and Dan are up there. Ah spilt my takings with them. It's a good spot to watch the show. You ready?" she asked enthusiastically.
Adam was, though it was hard not to look at Billy, well Katherine in a different light with her climbing up in front of him. She was only about five foot two, but even in the darkened area of the backstage, the feminine silhouette of her backside was very shapely. Adam tried not to look, but instead concentrated on taking each rung of the ladder firmly and one at a time. Almost fifteen feet later they stood on a platform, above stage left. There George stood by a large lamp, a spotlight, that he pointed down and swung very slowly across the singer below. Behind him were levers and winches and more scaffolding; a constructed pathway that remained high above the stage and out of the sight lines of the audience.
Kate motioned for Adam to follow, and they quietly made their way to the centre of the pathway. "We're safe here for a while. The lights don't get touched till the end of the show, and George just has to lift the drop, to reveal the Lady Godiva scene. We're not in the way."
Adam looked down over the railing and could see a beautiful woman dressed in a large almost southern style dress. She glided around the stage singing sweetly to a beau who sat on a swing covered in vines and flowers. They watched as the number came to a close; the woman sat with the man, their lips meeting just before that lights dropped and the music faded out. As soon as the curtains closed, the actors quickly jumped from their positions and headed through the stage right curtain legs. George dimmed his lights and signalled to his partner, Dan, on the other side of them to do the same.
Dan then winced up the swinging chair and locked it into place as George winced up the backdrop. It rolled up passed them and was tied securely before George and Dan returned to their spot lights and waited for the curtains to open. They could hear a narrator introducing the next act and delivering a narrative of the Lady Godiva story.
Kate touched Adam on the shoulder, indicating they should be very quiet and drop slowly to the floor of the narrow walkway. There they hung their legs over the boardwalk and held tightly to the middle rail as they leant over for a better view of the stage below. The curtains opened and revealed a woman sitting astride a horse; a real horse!
Adam turned to Katherine, in awe, a silent question about the animal.
"Yep it's real," she whispered. "Casper is momma's horse. Mah momma was a trick rider in Grandpas' carnival show. Casper is really well trained, though only momma can ride him."
"What if he... you know?" stuttered Adam, wondering how entertained the patrons would be if the animal soiled the stage.
"He doesn't, not until he's outside in the livery behind the theatre anyway; Ah told yer he's real well trained," she laughed. "Well, there yer go, that's what you came to see isn't it; a nekid lady on a horse?"
"No not really," blushed Adam, thankful the girl couldn't see his red face in the dark, "Besides' I can see it's a costume of some sort and she is not really naked."
"You're right. Ah wouldn't be letting you see mah momma nekid for real, now that would be just ... well nasty," she giggled. "Though, Ah do like to trick some of the young boys who pay me their three dollars to see a nekid lady. You should see their faces," she shook her head, smirking.
"Hey, three dollars? You charged me five?" realised Adam.
"Yeah, I did," laughed Kate. "Looked like you could afford it," she quipped.
Adam had to laugh at the cheeky grin on the girls face. "Well it's been worth it. The whole thing has been fascinating; the show, the lights, how you get the props and sets up and on ... really interesting," mused Adam.
"You gonna stop blabbering now and watch my momma's performance; she's real good."
Adam nodded and then stared down, to watch the show. Before long he was enthralled by the narrative and the believable delivery of Leena de Foe as Lady Godiva. As Katherine suggested her mother was indeed a marvellous actress, and played the part of the empowered Lady, who stood by her conviction to bring social justice to her people. The drama unfolded, with Godiva pleading with her husband to relieve the heavy burden of taxes he had imposed on the citizens of Coventry. Weary of her persistence, her husband and Lord, said he would grant her request if she would ride naked through the town. A challenge she was horrified by, but none the less took up. Loosening her long hair to cover her as a cloak, she mounted her waiting horse.
Leena, as Godiva, rode around the stage, and then down a ramp into the theatre along the isles of the house. The patrons, hesitant at first, eventually got into the spirit of the myth and dropped their eyes as she passed, except for one, who grasped his head and screamed in pain, declaring his blindness as struck by God.
Adam gasped at the realism of the adaptation when blood seemed to poor from the man's eyes. He looked at Katherine.
"Don't worry, he's an actor" she laughed, "It's raspberry syrup; realistic isn't it? It adds to the drama, plus the patrons aren't too sure, so it keeps them from mauling Momma. They all have a laugh later when Bartholomew takes his bow and they realise it's just all part of the act."
Adam wanted to applaud as loudly as the patrons had, once the story had been told, and the actors had taken their bow, but he was stopped by Katherine. "No... we'll be discovered. The owner will not be happy with me making a little on the side. Frank Hallett is a nasty man."
Adam nodded his understanding.
"Come on, we better get out of here. A soon as the curtain is down, Frank will do his rounds before opening up the gaming tables."
Adam followed Katherine, they scurried passed the spotlight, climbed down the stairs and headed back the way they came. Within minutes, Adam was climbing out through the under stage doors and standing in the alleyway, where finally he felt it was safe to talk.
"That was quite an adventure. I'm glad you didn't punch me in the nose," he laughed "I would have missed a good show."
"Okay, well Ah have to play the part you know. Well... Uhmm," Kate hesitated, and then took a huge breath. "Meet me here tomorrow around ten, and I'll have yer tickets for the matinee. Ah think you'll like Romeo and Juliet. Especially the fight scenes."
"So, do you have to help with that show, or do you get to run your little business on the side?" asked Adam.
"No, I'm actually in Romeo and Juliet."
"Really?" asked Adam. "You play Juliet?"
"No Romeo... I can kick ass too, those Capulet's are a bunch of wuss's!"
"Wuss'?"
"Yeah chicken's; nancy girls," laughed Katherine.
"You are funny, Kate," winked Adam, "So Romeo is played by Billy?"
"Billy De Foe, aka Katherine De Foe. One day I will play Juliet or maybe Kate from the Taming of the Shrew. Anyway, I'm Kate," she held out her hand to shake Adam's. "Kate to my friends," she smiled.
"Count me a friend, Kate. See you tomorrow."
"Sure! Say whatta say we go to the hot springs in the afternoon. I'm not doing the afternoon show."
"No, I'm sorry..." frowned Adam.
"Oh sorry!" snapped Kate. "Guess you're one of those fella's that like ta ask the girl out. Ah wasn't asking ta be courted, jist thought you might wanna do something else while yer in Elk."
Adam nodded, "I would, and yes, I like to ask a girl out, but I have to have lunch with my father and some business associates. It might take a while. How about day after tomorrow? We could go on a picnic." This time it was Kate's turn to blush. "Well we'll see. Ask me again tomorrow," she suggested, then looked down at her feet, not wanting to sound too eager. Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder, and lifted her face to find Adam staring into her eyes.
"Looking forward to it Kate," he said and quickly gave her a peck to her cheek.
Kate nearly died. She'd never been kissed before, and by one so handsome. She was at a loss for words, so instead she punched Adam in the arm; hard. "Sure friend...Me too...Um...Ah mean, Ah'm a lookin' forward to it."
Adam stuffed his hands in his pockets before smiling then left the alley and headed back towards the boarding house, thinking about how soft Katherine's skin had felt when his lips touched her cheek. And how cute the little blonde was; especially when she got nervous and a hint of her southern drawl came out.
~oOo~
It was almost midnight by the time he snuck quietly up the stairs and into his dark room. He slowly clicked the door closed and tiptoed towards his chest of drawers. Not wanting to disturb his father with any noise, he was hesitant to light the lamp, for fear the light would filter under the bottom of the door and into his father's adjoining room. He felt around for his night shirt, but gave up when he couldn't find it in the dark. Besides, he'd taken to sleeping naked in the last couple of months, and so he thought he would do the same here. He started to strip laying his clothes across the back of a chair. He undressed, smiling at the images of the show coming to his mind and Katherine. Kate, aka Billy De Foe as Romeo; her smile and the splattering of freckles he could barely make -out under the shadows of the spotlight, made a pretty image and stirring memory. By the time he had gotten down to his short legged union suit, he surmised that maybe sleeping naked was not such a good idea and decided to sleep in his under garments instead. He made his way slowly to the bed; bent over and patting the air with his arms out in front of him, hoping to feel the soft comforter of the bed brush his finger tips at any moment. Within minutes, he was certain that he'd found his pillow. Pleased that he found his bed in the dark, he puffed up his pillow, punching it firmly from both sides.
Adam nearly jumped out of his skin when all of a sudden his pillow grunted and bellowed, "What in tarnation!"
"Pa?" he squeaked, "You're awake!"
The large shadow that had obviously made himself comfortable on Adam's bed moved and wound up the wick on the kerosene lamp before lighting it. Adam wished his father had kept the light low, for the expression on his face was scarier that anything he had ever seen in a long time.
"And just where have you been, Adam Stoddard Cartwright?"
Adam gulped...
TBC
Chapter 5: Over The River And Through The Woods To Momma's House We Go?
A.N. Well there you go, the first of many flashbacks to Katherine. Thanks to Lajoci for beating this. top job as usual.