March 1902

Vanderbilt and Mistress Shot Dead in Love Nest

Glenn Vanderbilt's picture was plastered over every newspaper in New York City. Amelia woke up that morning to the sounds of newsies screaming her humiliation over the entire city. It felt like they were screaming right into her ear. And since when did the morning sun shine so bright? She rolled over and pulled the pillow over her head.

She wasn't sure if she'd fallen back asleep, or had just lain, comatose, staring at the back of her door for an hour, when there was a knock at her door.

"Amelia?" Lily's voice came from the other side. She opened the door and poked her head in. "You awake?"

"I don't know," said Amelia.

"There's someone here to see you," said Lily.

"I don't want to see anyone," she mumbled, turning over.

"I think you do," said Lily, opening the door wider.

Amelia heard the door close and the Spot's voice. "Geez, Wakefield, you kill this whole bottle?" Spot asked, picking up the empty bourbon bottle on her nightstand.

Amelia frowned and turned back over.

"Shouldn't you be out selling?" she grumbled, sitting up. "I heard the headline is hot. You could probably make five bucks on a day like today."

Spot smelled the alcohol still on her breath. Spot shook his head. "I'm not sellin' today," he said.

Amelia crawled out of bed and put her robe on. She sat down at her vanity, putting her head in her hand. "Why not?" she asked.

Spot shrugged. "I dunno," he said, lighting a cigarette and taking a drag. "Just…doesn't feel right." He held out the cigarette to her.

She reached over and took it. "You never cease to surprise me," she said.

"How you holdin' up?" he asked, putting his hands on her shoulders.

"It doesn't hurt as much this morning," she said. "Mostly because my head has a monopoly on the pain right now."

"I can imagine," Spot said.

Amelia sniffed. "Why do they always run off with another woman?" she asked. "First Rock, now Glenn…am I that bad?"

"I never ran off," said Spot, kneeling next to her.

Amelia looked at him. "You're right," she said softly. Spot rubbed circles on her back. "Why'd you come back?"

"You know why," said Spot.

"Even after all that I did to you?" asked Amelia. Spot nodded. "I don't deserve it."

"Everything ain't only about you, ya know," Spot smirked.

Amelia sighed. "I'm a widow," she said. "I'm not even 21 and I'm a widow."