Eleven: Home

Philip had to take it easy while his body healed. Judging by how the staff at the hospital reacted to him and Anne, it wasn't likely any doctors would be willing to help if he popped his stitches. In a way, being ignored by carriage drivers was a good thing: he needed the exercise to build up his muscles and get his lungs working, and all that rattling around would've aggravated his wound.

When he felt well enough, Philip went with Anne and the other performers to look over what was left of the circus. He prepared himself by reading all the articles about the fire in the paper, but it still came as a shock seeing rubble and ash instead of the beloved building. Philip felt a pain in his chest akin to visiting the grave of a friend. The faces around him told of a similar pain.

They took a moment to reflect on the loss before picking through the rubble. It was surreal to stand there in what should've been the building's interior, his mind easily conjuring imagines of how it looked just days ago. Philip knew the important pieces of the circus were the people around him, but he couldn't help wanting to salvage whatever else he could. They worked in relative silence for a while. Charles found a General Tom Thumb doll that survived with only minimal singeing, and Philip helped Anne unearth a trapeze hoop. He caught her gaze and they exchanged smiles, remembering the last time they were holding a hoop together.

That was when Barnum joined them. Philip could tell instantly from the older man's expression what happened: "The bank said no?"

They had all expected the famous Barnum humbug to get them through as always. But he wasn't the only one taking risks and making the impossible happen anymore. All Philip had to do was look around him to know he had accomplished these things, too. The circus had become a part of him, a place where he felt at home. Without financial backing their home was threatening to slip away. Philip didn't hesitate for a moment as he stepped up and offered what little he had to bring it back.

The performers cheered for him as he and Barnum shook on their new partnership. Philip swelled up with pride and pleasure. "The only problem is," he mentioned with a grimace, "I don't know how we're going to afford a building."

A familiar spark lit up Barnum's eyes. This, at least, was a problem he could solve. His infectious energy spread out to all of them. Philip could already picture the large tent they would need. The size itself would be eye-catching but if he knew Barnum, the color would be just as noticeable. Crowds would be drawn in just to see what the tent was hiding.

"Why don't we go down there right now?" Philip suggested. "Check out the space."

"Good idea," Barnum agreed. "No reason to waste time." Philip reached for Anne's hand and the others started to rise to their feet. That made Barnum pause. "All of us..?"

"They're a part of this, too," Philip reminded him. "It's their home." Barnum frowned, his eyes moving uncertainly over the faces of his performers. Philip felt Anne's hand twitch in his and he squeezed it tighter. Surely after all this, Barnum wouldn't push them to the side. After a silence that seemed to stretch on forever, Barnum nodded his acceptance, and there was a visible release of tension among the performers.

Barnum led the way with everyone else close behind him. His eyes drifted to where Philip and Anne's hands were linked, an eyebrow lifting and his lip curling up a little. "When did that start happening?"

"What do you mean?" Philip gave him a wry smile. "You're the one who introduced us." Barnum's eyes lingered on Philip and Anne's clasped hands for a moment longer, but said nothing more.

They eventually made their way to the land Barnum proposed they buy, spreading out to get a feel for the area and what they could do with it. When Philip closed his eyes, he could imagine the tide as the roar of an approving crowd. Anne guided him around to map out where they would have to position the various trapeze equipment so they could maximize space. As they walked, Philip overheard conversations on where to store costumes and where to keep the animals. Not once did he hear anyone worrying over costs or crowds or even protesters. Everyone was just too excited to rebuild to be concerned about any of those things.

They had no costumes or props; aside from the trapeze hoop they had nothing for W. D. and Anne; some of their animals were still missing; they had nowhere for the audience to sit except the grass; they couldn't even give out their famous peanuts. All of these problems went through Philip's mind to be quickly replaced by ideas on how to make their return all the more triumphant.

"What if we had our fire-eaters go on as the first act?" he suggested. "Anne, do you and W. D. think you can tumble through a ring of fire?"

"Absolutely," she assured him.

"And the jugglers can use flaming torches," Barnum added, catching on. "Tom, we can cover you in a bit of soot and give you a head injury like Philip's. You'll be a survivor of a great battle. We all survived and we're going to show this city they can't tear us down again!"

Everyone erupted into cheers and moved in close to embrace him. This time he welcomed them, until they were all pressed close like one unit.

Like a family.