Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. All original characters and plot are the property of the author. No copyright infringement is intended.
The stage coach lines had begun to stop closer to the train station in New Town rather than at the Mercantile. Although there was a rare passenger train that would come through once a week or so, the stage was still how most people started or ended their journeys to and from Walnut Grove.
Now in the grey dawn there were a number of passengers who were getting their luggage loaded up onto the baggage racks of the coach. With the holidays so close, it was a busy time for travel.
Tossing his lone hand bag up to the driver, Willie wore his mended black suit he had worn at Carrie's party. His mother had bid him farewell at home, claiming she was feeling too ill to go out so early in the cold.
He looked down the road anxiously and wasn't disappointed. Elise came at a quick trot along the dim street.
Willie walked towards her as she pulled Titan up and leaned down into his arms. Instead of setting her down on her feet, he held onto her as she sunk into the embrace.
The night before at Doctor Baker's, it had been decided she would live at the cabin. Elise had felt she had overstayed her welcome at the Wilders and giving them a little room might help things.
Doctor Baker had assured him he would see to it that Elise had everything she needed there and would have Isaiah Edwards finish the shelter for Titan.
Now Elise laid her head against him trying to keep her composure against the impending separation. She felt as though she had just found him and now would have to do without. Still holding her he moved around her bonnet and kissed her forehead.
"Thanks for coming out to see me off."
"Is there room in there for me?" Elise looked over at the coach then smiled up at him.
"If they strap me to the top maybe." He spoke with mild humor.
His eyes flickered from her eyes to her lips and she went up on her tip toes for him to kiss her.
She had sung hundreds of love songs in her life and now finally understood what she used to think were overly flowery and dramatic lyrics. Of course she had had crushes before, even one or two beaus. But with Will, she could finally understand the poetry and how real it could feel.
"Coach is leaving in five minutes!" The driver called out.
Sighing she finally stepped back, "I wish you didn't have to go for so long."
"I have to. I want to study some before the test and I just don't have the books here."
"Of course. Just take it as a compliment that I like to have you around. I'm excited for you." She winked at him.
All dressed up as he was, Elise couldn't help but notice he still wore his old brown hat. She smiled, it made him still look like himself. He didn't have a tie on but his white shirt was buttoned up to the top and he still had his warm work coat on.
"I'll call you if you tell me when you can be at the post office. Let you know where Dr. LeDoux has put me up." Willie looked over at the other three passengers who were beginning to get into the stage.
"Oh yes, when do you get there? Tomorrow afternoon? I can be there at 3 o'clock but if you aren't settled I'll be there the next day at the same time. If I don't hear from you, the next day I'll be there." She said thoughtfully.
His smile pulled up on one side.
"What." She asked suspiciously.
"Just never thought I'd have you waiting on me like that."
Looking away a bit embarrassed Elise tried to defend herself, "Well it's hardly my fault that you're so peskily adorable."
"What face do I do when I'm hammering?" His unique question made her laugh but she decided to humor him.
She stuck her chin out and pulled her bottom lip in over her teeth, sticking out her tongue a bit and pretended to hammer an invisible wall.
Laughing he shook his head, "And that's…"
"...peskily adorable." She finished.
Both of them fought the grins that nevertheless overtook their expressions.
"Oh…" Elise turned to her saddlebags and pulled out a small sack.
"More gold?" Willie asked hopefully.
"No." She giggled, "Fried chicken. And don't sit on it this time."
Willie couldn't help it, he swept her up and spun her around. "I'm going to miss you."
"Stage is leaving!" The driver shouted. "Last call!"
"I'll miss you too. Good luck." Elise smiled at him and handed him the bag as he started away. She followed slowly as he got to the door of the coach then turned around and hurried back over to her and gave her one last quick kiss.
He lingered for a moment close to her and she couldn't bring herself to open her eyes.
"Go!" She urged him and he ran back over and hopped in.
She waved as long as she could see him then stood for a moment in the street, unaware of the increasing traffic that flowed around her.
It was going to be a long ten days. But Elise knew what she had to do, she had to go the Mercantile and see his mother.
Walking over to Titan she took his reins and walked beside him towards Old Town.
Across the street and down a ways, Albert leaned against the side of an alley wall. His eyes watched the group around the stage coach until it finally pulled away. In a sort of unstable calm he turned and walked away.
When Elise climbed the steps to the store she was surprised to see the sign in the door window read 'Open'. It was at least an hour early but it was also convenient and she went in.
Looking into the room she saw Mrs. Oleson standing on a small stepping ladder behind the counter, adjusting some crock pots on the top shelf. Not able to turn fully, Harriet called over her shoulder.
"Good morning! I'll be right with you!" She crooned it almost in song.
"Good morning, thank you Mrs. Oleson." Elise said back to her brightly.
At the sound of Elise's voice the woman teetered, grabbing at the pot that she was handling and almost dropping it.
"Oh!" She cried out. "Good heavens!"
Elise ran over behind the counter reaching up to steady her. Taking a deep breath, Harriet pushed the pot clear back on the shelf and turned to Elise with a souring face.
Shifting away from Elise's reach, the elderly woman climbed down quickly.
"What on earth is wrong with you girl? Frightening the daylights out of me!" She huffed at Elise.
Blinking Elise stammered, "I..I.. I'm sorry I didn't mean to…"
"Never mind. What was it you wanted?" Mrs. Oleson took up a pencil and began scratching at her ledger.
"Um, well I'll need a few things in the next little while but for now just a cinnamon stick, salt and a tin of baking soda. Oh and some soap."
Mrs. Oleson didn't look at her but gathered the items like a cat whose tail had just been stepped on.
Trying to break the ice with conversation Elise said warmly, "So you must be proud of Will for retaking the test."
With a forced laugh Harriet glanced over at her, "Will? His name is Willie. I know, I was there when he was named. And yes, I am proud of him. I always have been although he should have done it right the first time."
"I understand. I feel the same. I can't believe he could have failed it, something must have happened."
"Of course. Willie is easily distracted. He failed his entrance exam to the state university over that Brown girl, now I hope you haven't distracted him into doing the same." Harriet said nonchalantly as she started adding up the cost.
Elise felt her cheeks warm as it was evident that even Mrs. Oleson was aware of her and Willie's relationship.
"No Ma'am, I am very much in support of his obtaining his degree." She assured her.
"Seventeen cents. It doesn't matter anyway Miss O'Shea. You aren't the first and I'm sure not the last. Now that he will have some time and distance, he'll come to his senses. I don't know what sort of hex you've put on my son but when I tell him what you are you'll have to find some other man to lure into your cult harem!"
Letting the sentence play again in her head Elise was taken back. This had taken a sudden turn for the worst.
"Mrs. Oleson Will knows I'm mormon. I'm also very possessive and have no plans on sharing him at any time in the future." She stated boldly.
"And what about your chicken sacrificing voodoo?! We don't take kindly to pagan rituals around here. Now if you'll pay your bill or clear the store…" The woman snapped at her dismissively.
"First and foremost I hear the same sermon as you do every Sunday. The only reason I've ever sacrificed a chicken was for supper. If that is a crime then I dare say most people are just as guilty as I am."
Taking out a few coins from her purse, Else sat them on the counter struggling to keep her temper. Having any sort of civil relationship with this woman would be nearly impossible! How in the world was she his mother? The last thought stuck in her head. She is his mother and for that Elise had to be thankful for her. She had done an exceptional job with him somehow and although it might be a trial, Elise wanted to learn to understand her.
Closing her eyes she took a deep breath. "Thank you Mrs. Oleson. I apologize if I've caused you any trouble. I noticed your sign outside could do with a fresh coat of paint and with the house finished I have some time on my hands. Could I do that for you?"
"No thank you Miss O'Shea goodbye."
The conversation was over and Elise felt like she was two steps back for the one she tried to take forward. The woman had said some horrible things to her and she wanted to take the easy path and just write her off and embrace the grudge. But she remembered what her father had said years ago when another girl in school had said similar things. 'Don't take offence so easily. You give away your good nature and allow others to decide how you feel. When you are hurting, think of what you can do for that person. Do good to them who hate you.'
It was a tall order for Mrs. Oleson and what she had said did hurt badly. So what else could Elise do? The woman was a part of Willie and so Elise set to thinking what she could possibly do for her, besides pray for a miracle.
When Elise had returned to the cabin there were several logs standing on their ends under the porch overhang. Enough to last her a few nights with the stack drying inside beside the fireplace. Willie set them up so she wouldn't have to go to the woodpile being the scaredy cat she was.
Elise had just come from the Wilders with all her belongings which all fit in an old carpet bag that Hester Sue had given her and a pillow case which held her clothing. Doctor Baker had been up with a wagon load of necessities such as dishes and cookware, a bed and blankets, water pitcher, matches and a few other things. He also brought a little chair to sit at next to the table for her.
They had put the bed close to the fire place which did indeed put out plenty of heat. The room was still sparse but it felt a little more homey. Staying until nightfall, the doctor had headed home and Elise sat in the chair close to the fire, sewing at the holes in one of her skirt's hem.
The hour got later and she was about to go to bed. Finishing up her mending while in her nightgown she had wrapped up in a shawl when there was a knock at the door. Curiosity was bypassed by young fear as she couldn't think of who it might be. Looking up she remembered she had not latched the lock and there were no curtains on the windows. Whoever was out there could see her perfectly.
"Who is it?" She called nervously, biting off the thread from the needle she held.
"It's Albert." Came the quick responce.
The tension in her shoulders eased and she put the needle into the material and sat it on the chair as she stood.
She walked over to the door and opened it partly to see Albert standing there in the door frame, hands in his pockets, nose and cheeks red from the temperature.
"I was out by the Boltons just off the main road. Thought I'd come check on you." He said, stomping for warmth.
"Oh, I'm doing fine thank you." Elise hadn't opened the door all the way and was half behind it still, pulling her shawl closer around her.
"Uh, do you mind if I come in for just a minute? It's really cold out here." He asked with a laugh, rubbing his hands together.
Subconsciously, Elise reached up to her braided hair that fell over her shoulder, "I don't know it's so late Albert. I'm just turning into bed."
"Oh ok." He nodded in understanding, "Oh, if I could borrow a little fuel for my lantern? I'm almost out." He held up the dry lamp.
Elise felt bad for him but stayed wary, "Oh, I think I do have some. Well come in for a minute while I look for it. Doctor Baker put it somewhere here…"
She had stepped back and went to get her own lantern then walked to the kitchen to search the shelves as Albert came in, shutting the door behind him.
"Wow, is this the same place?" He asked in wonder, staying by the door.
Still going along the shelving she laughed, "Yes. Quite a difference isn't it?"
"Night and day. So what will you do with it now? Sell it before or after you leave for Salt Lake?" Albert ran his hand along the window ledge by him.
Elise paused, her hand on the oil can then she turned to him, "No, actually. It belongs to Will now. I don't know what he's planning to do with it. He's letting me stay here until I do leave though." She came back over to him and handed the can to him. Albert began to fill the reservoir carefully.
"Wouldn't stay for him either?" Albert's comment made her friendliness withdraw.
"If you're finished, it's late...I think you should go." She pushed back some of her hair that had escaped from the braid.
"I'm going Elise. I just had one thing I wanted to talk to you about." He handed the can back to her.
"Tomorrow I can meet you at Nancy's or something to talk." She went to open the door for him but he stepped over pushing it closed again.
She could feel her heart beating fast and hard but she looked at him sternly. "Albert Ingalls…"
"I'll go Elise, I just need to talk. That's all."
Backing up, she put some comfortable distance in between herself and him.
"Talk." She ordered.
"Well you're not the only one who wants to leave. I have purely a business deal for you. I'm looking to move to New Orleans but I need to impress a certain man with deep pockets who is going to be here tomorrow night and throughout the week." Albert stayed where he was, leaning against the door. Elise listened, watching him with nervous eyes.
"Now I want to make a very good impression and I think it's vital that you come perform Elise. It could make all the difference."
"Albert, I don't think so." Elise shook her head causing the stubborn piece of hair to fall back into her eyes obnoxiously.
"I thought you might say that so I'm ready to sweeten the deal. I'll pay you seven dollars for each performance. So maybe six of them. It's a lot of money Elise." Albert asserted and folded his arms.
Still she refused, "I'm not interested Albert. Please go now."
His face became flinty and he pushed himself off of the door. "Look I didn't want to do this but you're forcing me."
Elise backed up into the table at his advance, knocking the picture off.
"Relax. I told you all I want is to talk. Now, your sweet Willie has a few memories he'd like to forget but there's one in particular he's ashamed of. A while ago, when we were kids, he burned down a school by leaving a pipe in a basement that caught fire. It was a blind school and it killed Andrew Garvey's Ma and my sister Mary's baby."
Elise hadn't moved, her eyes glued to Albert who had kept his distance but paced back and forth like a tiger.
"Anyway, he didn't want anyone to know. So I took the blame for him cause he was my friend. Well now we don't have much in common anymore...well maybe you but I can see you've made up your mind. So I want to go my separate way from Willie but he's not making it easy. I want him to make one deal for me and he's being stubborn about it. Anyway, I've written up what actually happened in the fire and I plan on giving it to the Walnut Grove Gazette and maybe even the university in Chicago. I don't know if they'd still consider him worth the test and if he passes the exam who would want him here for a doctor? A man who can't even be honest about something as important as that?"
Stunned silence gripped Elise as she looked at him in shock. This couldn't be the same Albert she knew. "Albert, are you listening to yourself? He's been your friend for years. Why would you do this?"
Now he did walk towards her but stopped just out of arm's reach, "Oh yeah, Willie's an expert on being a friend. But I won't send the letters, if you'll sing. He doesn't have to even know Elise. Infact, I don't want this to ever leave this room. This is mostly about you. It's my chance to get out and I think I need you to help me. Please, help me leave and you two won't have to worry about me ever again."
Elise could smell alcohol on his breath. He wouldn't be doing this if he hadn't been drinking too much, she was sure of it.
"You don't believe me? You can ask Carrie. She was the one who saw Willie steal the pipe and told me he'd gone down into the basement." Albert swayed slightly.
"You need to go home and sleep it off Albert, you're not yourself."
"I need to know now. Or I'll drop the letter off on my way home." He said quietly, eyes to the floor. "It's just six nights Elise. An hour or so at a time."
Elise wished Willie were here. True or not, Albert could be right, the scandal alone could make things difficult for him. If she said she would, maybe she could reason with Albert tomorrow when he was sober.
"Alright Albert." She consented finally, bending to pick up the picture.
Albert showed no sign of pleasure in her compliance. He swallowed and nodded then went to the door, lantern in hand. "Show up at 8 o'clock."
As soon as the door shut, Elise hurried over to it and fastened the latch. She could hear the sleigh start away and through the windows the lantern went into the trees.
Note: Sometimes I feel like I've been really harsh with Albert but then I realize even the best people can do things they regret when they're scared or desperate.