Over the next few days, Havana joined the rehearsals, learning the routines and working on her own. At first, she was rather shy, but the other performers were all very kind to her, so she slowly warmed up to them. One afternoon, they were taking a break, sitting around talking about their stories. While Havana was telling hers, Phin walked by and overheard part of it. "I don't know how I would have survived as a child if it hadn't been for Chevone."
He paused in his tracks, turning to the group. "Wait...Chevone? Petite lady, about so tall, face looks like a mask?"
Havana hesitated a little. "Yes, that sounds like her."
The others were curious now as well. "You know her, PT?" WD asked.
The ringmaster nodded, seeming a bit dazed. "I do. Or at least, I did. A long time ago. After my father passed away, I had nothing. She found me on the streets behind a bakery one day after I'd tried to steal a loaf of bread so I wouldn't starve. I ended up getting smacked around a bit for my efforts. She saw, and after the shop owner left, she came over and gave me an apple, and after she heard my story, she took me in and helped me out. Of course, she didn't have much to give me, but at least I had a roof over my head. But after I took a job on the railroad, I had to leave the city on different projects, and I lost contact with her. When I came back….I just...never got back in touch with her. I thought about it from time to time, but…." He shook his head, looking extremely regretful. After a moment, he focused back on Havana. "Do you know where she is now?"
Now Havana really hesitated. It was obvious from the way he talked that he had affections for the woman, she didn't know how he was going to take what she was going to have to tell him. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Phin, but….she died, two years ago. If it's any comfort, it was peaceful. She just...didn't wake up one morning."
Phin's face fell, obviously very saddened to hear the news. It was several moments before he was able to speak again, and when he did, his voice was rough with emotions. "Do...ahrum...do you know where she was buried?"
Havana nodded, feeling sympathy for the man. "Yes. It's nothing fancy, little better than a potter's field, but...at least she's at rest. I could take you there if you want. Tomorrow?"
Phin nodded. "Thank you."
Lettie watched him with concern. "You alright, Phin?"
Shifting his gaze to her, he nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, I'll be alright. I just…. I'll be in the office for a while." The others let him go, knowing he needed time to deal with the news and the emotions they were bringing up. They had never heard him mention Chevone before, but it was obvious she had been important to him at one point in time.
Thankfully, he was able to put his emotions aside, and by that evening, he was able to go out into the ring and be the fabulous, glittery showman that the crowds loved to see. Even his family had a hard time seeing the hints of sadness that still lingered in his eyes.