There was an uncanny alertness about Adriana, as she walked slowly through the woods. Periodically she paused to stoop down to study a mushroom or flower, or reach up to examine a tree leaf or piece of bark. After looking, smelling and sometimes tasting the subject of her interest, she either left it where it was or put it in her bag. After 2 hours she had what she needed and walked back to camp. She built a campfire, filled a pot with water and set it on the fire. She stared down into the water until it was boiling rapidly. Then she methodically dropped the flowers, mushrooms, leaves and bark into the bubbling water. After several minutes she carefully pored the hot liquid from the pot into a jar, until the jar was filled to the brim. She held it up to the sunlight, and was pleased with its golden brown color. After covering the jar with a lid and putting it in her bag, she was ready to head to Dodge. She called out once more to Muma, knowing there would be no answer, and after standing in the silence a moment longer, Adriana started walking.
When she reached Dodge, Adriana immediately went to the Long Branch. It was still early and there were not many customers. As soon as she entered, she immediately sensed that Kitty was upstairs. Without a word she went directly there, and no one tried to stop her or even seemed to notice her. She entered the room quietly, and as she expected, the doctor was asleep in a chair. Adriana sat on the side of Kitty's bed, pulled the jar out of her bag and opened it. She spoke softly but firmly, "Kitty look at me." Kitty turned her head towards the sound and slowly opened her bleary eyes. Adriana held up the opened jar, "Kitty, some things are easier to start than to stop. Your fever is an example."
In her feverish haze, Kitty thought she was dreaming as she whispered, "You didn't start my fever."
Adriana shrugged and moved the jar towards Kitty's mouth, "You must drink this."
Kitty shook her head, but Adriana grabbed the back of her head forcefully and held it firmly. Kitty struggled with the little strength she had, as Adriana poured the liquid down her throat. To Kitty's surprise she soon found herself welcoming the warm fluid into her body. Once the jar was empty, Kitty laid back and felt the heat and heaviness that had possessed her start to flow out of her body.
Kitty looked at Adriana weakly, "You say you started my fever. If you believe that, why did you come to end it?"
Adriana looked into Kitty's tired eyes. "Because I believe that is what Muma wants."
Kitty looked confused, "Your mule?"
Adriana nodded, "She left our camp, and I know she won't return until she has her way. One of the things I know she wants is for you to be well. She has taken a liking to the marshal and knows how you and he feel about each other. She is an incurable romantic. I realized that if I undid your illness, it would please her and she may return. If she does I will have a chance to remind her of some things. Some important things about."
Kitty slowly pulled herself to a sitting position, amazed at how much better she was starting to feel, "I'm confused. We are talking about a mule, aren't we?"
Adriana's eyes locked onto Kitty's, "To make you understand, I will tell you my story. I grew up in a very, very poor family in Romania. We never had enough to eat. There were times when we lived on boiled roots, and a rotten potato or tiny carrot was a treat. My parents slaved on the small patch of land we had, but everything they planted failed. Our neighbors, the couple who owned the land next to ours, flourished. Everything they planted grew in abundance. They looked down on us, and ridiculed us. We were like insects to them. From the time I was a tiny child, I remember my father saying under his breath that we were cursed like his father and his grandfather before. My poor mother was always undernourished, but she did everything she could to make sure I had something to eat." Adriana paused and sighed, "Food was not the only thing I lacked. I was a lonely child, and longed for a companion. When I was 7 years old my mother became pregnant and I was filled with hope, but then was devastated when my mother gave birth to a stillborn baby boy. It happened again when I was 9, another stillborn baby. Then when I was 13, my mother gave birth to a little girl. She was a scrawny thing, but a fighter and so beautiful. She was born with silky, silver/white hair and pale blue eyes. My mother was in poor health, and could barely nurse the baby. My father was not happy that there was another mouth to feed, but I promised myself that I would take care of her. I would give her my food if need be, I would make sure she was all right. She would be my companion."
Adriana paused and took a breath before continuing, "A week after my sister's birth, I got up one morning and ran to her cradle, as I did every morning. She was gone. My parents told me that they had allowed our neighbors to take her. The neighbors had left that morning to move to a bigger farm in a faraway place. My parents told me that the couple had always wanted a child, and would be able to give my sister a happy life. I ran from the house in tears and went to the barn to be alone. How could they give my sister away, and to such horrible people, the very people who had treated us with such derision and scorn. Inside the barn I was crying when I suddenly noticed a newborn mule – silver/white in color, with pale blue eyes. My parents found me there looking at the mule. They told me that our neighbors had left the animal behind because she was too young to walk a long distance. I knew better. I knew that because of the curse on my family my beloved baby sister had been turned into a mule.
Kitty's eyes widened in astonishment, "Let me get this straight. You think Muma is your sister?"
Adriana answered firmly, "She is my sister."
Kitty looked at Adriana. The woman she had thought of as strong and artful, now seemed merely sad and delusional. Kitty was filled with pity and spoke with kindness, "Adriana, did you ever stop and think that your baby sister died, and your parents didn't want to tell you the truth because they knew you loved her. You said she was scrawny and that your mother couldn't nurse. It seems likely that she died and your parents told you that they gave her to those neighbors to protect you."
Adriana stood and looked at Kitty. Uncertainty flashed across her face before she responded, "I came here to cure you because I believe it is what Muma wants. I'll go now."
As she watched Adriana leave, Kitty thought about her own life. She had had tough times, some very tough times. She knew so well what it was like to be hungry and scared. At the same time she had had help along the way. Sometimes just enough help to keep her going for another day but help nonetheless. Then a man named Matt Dillon came alone and gave her unconditional love and acceptance. She didn't have what most thought of as a traditional relationship, but she had the amazing security of knowing that she was loved by a man who would without question, try to move heaven and earth for her if need be. Then she thought about Doc, Festus, Sam and others – her family, her loving family. Her heart went out to Adriana, the woman had no one, all she had was a fantasy built around a mule and a curse.
TBC
