One More Time

Leanne can't resist visiting Oliver one more time. She is saddened to learn that they will be leaving soon.

The sky began to darken as the sun set below the horizon. It faded from navy, in the east, to light, aqua blue, and then to gray in the west. The landscape became full of dark shades and black-shrouded silhouettes. Bill had spent the last hour boiling a jar-full of water from a nearby lake. They needed drinking water and this was the better than taking it straight and having a bout of dysentery from the bacterial organisms that pervaded it. He knew that it would be needed and that he must boil some before he ran out of matches - which he was coming close to being out of.

The fire had not died out completely so he set out another jar of water on it. He kicked the previously heated jar out of the fire with his boot because he had nothing to grab it with. The glass jar rolled down a small slope and rested on a patch of cool grass. Leanne walked over to it.

"Yer not gonna want ta touch that . . ," Bill warned, "That's burning hot. Set yer fingers ta blazin'."

Leanne pulled back her hand and walked over to Bill, "Are we going to be leaving soon?" She kneeled next to her father and prodded the fire with a long twig.

"Not tonight. It's too dark to see where we're goin'. Early tomorrow, hopefully," Bill looked back up at the sky. "Wind's pickin' up a mite. Best get yerself ta bed," he pointed toward the carriage.

Leanne nodded and then, walking over to Bill, gingerly gave him a kiss on the cheek, "Good night!" She giggled feeling his side-burns brush her lips.

Bill was used to this sort of thing. Nancy had often done that before bed - unless they had had a disagreement. The only problem was that he had always responded with mild interest, resentment, or plain annoyance. None of these moods suited the occasion or his guilt-prompted change of character. He paused and then caught her by the arm as she made to leave. He then pulled her a bit closer and patted her shoulder. "G'night," he replied and then let go. Leanne smiled and then walked away, carefully watching where she stepped; avoiding rocks and other sharp things that would cut her unshod feet.

Making it to the carriage, she climbed up onto the passenger side of the vehicle. The wind blew by and she hugged the velvet seat with her body. The air had cooled as the sun had set and even though it was summer, the wind was crisp like early autumn. She wished that he had a coat or cape to drape over herself to block the wind. Leanne changed positions and laid herself out lengthwise across the seat while turning to face the opposite direction of the gale. Finding that her limbs were still covered with goose-bumps, she pulled her body into a tight ball with her legs and arms bent close to her abdomen. That was better, until her muscles began to stiffen. Leanne tried to keep her mind off the weather. She thought about Bill. Another smile crept across her face; her dad, the kind, entertaining, resourceful, burly man. He was what she had always wanted in a father - he was tough, but not too tough. And he liked her! Now that was definitely a plus! Her mind strayed some more and she thought about Oliver. She pictured his face, his clothes, his warm campsite - No! She needed to avoid thinking about tents and warm fires. That would only cause her to suffer even more. She tried to focus only on Oliver and she found, after thinking about his facial features such as his nose and the way his eyes gleamed with warmth, that she was - well - in love. At least that is what she thought, though it was more of a crush. But why? He was a boy for goodness sake. Boys were the enemy. Were the enemy! There was that past tense; they were no longer the stupid, grubby, hair-pulling weasels that they were. At least, Bill and Oliver weren't rude.

Oliver! Oh, that wonderful name. Leanne giggled just thinking about it. Her face flushed and she felt hot all of a sudden. Supposing that they would write for a couple of years; eventually there would be romantic letters from Oliver telling her of his passion and how she was his lovely angel! She would respond with outpourings of her deepest wishes and feelings. He would surprise her with a visit some night; he would place a ladder against her bedroom window and then whisk her off to paradise! They would marry in a small, country church with flowers, an orchestra, candles, and be surrounded by relatives to wish them well. Leanne pictured herself in her dream wedding gown. It was white silk with a skirt filled with tulle. She was carrying a overflowing bouquet of lilacs and daisies. She was walking up the isle to the usual organ music. Oliver was standing near the priest, wearing . . . . . . . a nightshirt and cap!

Leanne jumped in shock. She opened her eyes and blinked. She was in the carriage and Bill was fast asleep beside her. She tugged on her garment and felt the flannel of her nightgown. She had been asleep - had dreamed about Oliver and he had ruined her perfect wedding with his horrible garb! She sighed and then closed her eyes again, knowing, or maybe praying, that that would never happen.

The morning dawned and the carriage was bathed in sunlight. Bill was, as was his usual custom, sifting through the canned goods, looking for something that seemed more or less breakfasty.

"Le'nne!" he called, "Breakfast! I found some canned pears! Better come before I eat them all!"

Leanne stiffened off the seat and pulled her messy hair behind her ears to keep it from hanging down in her face. She ran her fingers through it in a hurried manner and then proceeded to travel to the early picnic. She loped onto the grass and Bill handed her a jar. She ate it quickly and then asked if she could be excused.

"Alright," replied Bill.

"I need to use the . . . I need to powder my nose," she was not going to say what she usually said to her mother. Saying the words "bathroom," "outhouse," or "loo" didn't seem right.

Bill nodded with understanding, "Make it quick! I want ta get out of here while the sun is out!"

Leanne went off into a thicket of oaks and came to the lavender field. She ran across it in a quick run. The flowers swayed as she passed and everything blurred as she sped by. Coming to the edge of the field, she stopped. The camp was still here! She did not understand why she had worried that it would be gone. Maybe, she believed that she had dreamt up her meeting with Oliver and Mr. Losberne like she had done her marriage. That was silly of her! She tossed her head and walked closer.

She came to the grove of trees and found Oliver. He was standing over a tub of water and was washing his face. Leanne was stunned to find that he had no shirt on; just his trousers.

"A-hm," she announced her presence.

Oliver splashed some more water on his face and rubbed it with his hands. Once finished, he looked up. His eyes widened and he immediately moved down into a crouching position behind the tub. Only his face and shoulders were to be seen.

"Sorry!" Leanne gave a short laugh and covered her mouth with her hand.

"You're sorry!" Oliver was in a right state, "I should be the one saying that! Me, barely dressed and you - you're a girl and you see me like this!"

"I just wanted to say goodbye," Leanne looked down at her feet in shame.

"That's alright. You didn't know any better. Wait. Shut your eyes! I'm going to get my shirt. Then I'll lead you back," he lowered his voice. "I've got to get you out of here before Mr. Losberne returns."

"Why?"

"He's gone to wash himself. You don't need to see him in the same state, too. It's improper!"

Oliver fetched his shirt. While he was turned about, Leanne sneaked a peek at him and then covered her eyes once more. She didn't think he looked so bad . . .

Once Oliver had finished, he grabbed her left hand and they went back to the middle of the field.

"I'll have to let you take it from here," Oliver looked around uneasily, "Don't forget to write. I was thinking about it and we should use code names. You can call me . . . um . . ."

"Mark?" asked Leanne.

"That will do. Once you settle somewhere, you can give me your address and I'll be able to write back."

"Alright."

"Well, bye then. God bless!" And with that, he ran back towards the tree grove.

Leanne waved until he was out of sight and then, remembering Bill, ran as fast as she could back to the carriage, trying to come up with some reason for her lengthened restroom break.

Hope everyone enjoyed that one. I don't usually like romance stories, but this isn't going to go too far - their only kids! Please Review! - Elaine Dawkins