6: On with the Show

"Well, Adam, I'm quite flattered you brought me out this evening."

"Don't push it, Little Joe. I could've easily brought Hoss instead; but I figured this wouldn't be his kind of crowd."

"I was just trying to say it the way she would've said it. After all, you'd be escorting her instead of me."

"Lucky for me," he replied dryly.

"By the way, thanks for convincing Pa to bring me."

"Eh don't mention it. I figured we can both prove to ourselves Lotta Crabtree is water under the bridge." What did it matter? He already bought the tickets once he got back from San Francisco. They were very good (and expensive) seats. He wasn't going to use them on just anyone. If not, he'd be better off with one of his brothers. He figured Little Joe would get more enjoyment out of it. After all, he liked these kinds of places and likely would've escorted someone else another time. He'd hoped if he ran into a certain pair, it wouldn't be awkward, since they were both equally sociable. The two gentlemen, were walking into the building quite distinguished with their neatly combed hair, pressed white shirts and black bow ties. Adam had a black sport coat while Little Joe wore grey.

"Hey, do you think she remembers us? I mean I'm not too young for her now… ."

Adam's patience was wearing thin again. "I'm not going to have to carry you out of here like I did in Julia's saloon, am I?"

"No Sir." He quickly changed the subject. "Now, where are those seats?"

Adam was scanning the hall. Two people had spotted them and waved, but they weren't who they were expecting. They went to greet them.

"Hey, Pa, Hoss, what are you two doing here?"

"Oh, you know," replied Ben nonchalantly. "I was thinking it was a nice evening to go out, and I didn't want to miss the show. Hoss is just along for the ride."

"That's just like Hoss. As loyal as a puppy."

Hoss, who was otherwise gleeful shot his younger brother a dirty look.

"Normally I'd stay and chat. But there's someone I need to see before the show starts." Adam was making his way further into the theatre, while Joe stayed around to converse.

A distinguished pair had already made their way into the building. "Indeed quite a showing tonight, with a nice audience." A man with slicked hair parted to one side wearing a black tuxedo with a white vest, thought aloud; his gaze following other well dressed pairings and women. He turned to addressed the lady on his arm. "You certainly put quite the effort in appearances tonight." He noted there was quite a crowd, with eyes seemingly following them.

"I've always dressed elaborately for such an occasion. Besides, you know this is my favorite dress." The lady along with her signature necklace, was wearing a lavender dress with a heart shaped bust and off shoulder mid length sleeves. He hair was a cascade of curls, just past her shoulders, with pins keeping the sides in place.

"You're hoping to see someone aren't you?"

"You heard him. He's not coming." Why was he being so stubborn, anyway?

"That's funny. I hadn't mentioned any names. But even if that's not quite what I asked I supposed you answered it, already… ."

She wasn't entirely paying attention. Instead she was scanning the hall, noting how many people were already there. She saw, what looked to be a well-dressed Ben and Hoss, Ben with a patterned vest, Hoss a brown one, with both wearing crisp white shirts and black bow ties. They came? "Wait a moment Wendell." She made her way over to their seats. "Mr. Cartwright, Hoss. It's good to see you!"

"Violet, you look lovely this evening, as always."

"Thank you."

"Have you seen Adam, or Little Joe?"

"No, actually I hadn't realized any of you were here, until now."

"Don't you worry Miss Violet. Adam will have no trouble finding you in that dress."

"Thank you Hoss."

By now, she was approaching Wendell, who was having a lively conversation with a lovely blonde, who found humor in everything he said. Little Joe, spotted her, caught up to her and greeted her with a kiss on the hand. "Enchanté Mademoiselle."

"Joe, you have been practicing!"

"I've had a great tutor!"

Wendell finishing his conversation, started. "Joe tells me Adam went to go see Miss Lotta Crabtree."

"Well, actually, after he asked for her, she was more than happy to see him. Lotta and the Cartwrights go a ways back, you know."

"Right, of course," she nodded. She had to imagine he would've had history with quite a few ladies. This shouldn't surprise her. "I suppose I'll see him a bit later." The two went further along toward their seats.

In the meantime, a distinguished man made his way back to his younger brother.

"I see you met Lotta?"

"I most certainly did."

"I figured. You got some lipstick left on your face."

Adam rubbed the remainders on his handkerchief. "Thanks…I'll explain later," noting his brother's amused expression.

"What's she look like now?"

"You'll see," he replied scanning the hall again.

"Your lady was just looking for you, with her other man."

"Don't call him that!"

"Don't shoot the messenger! It's the gossip going around this hall. A few ladies were seeing if you were available."

Adam had caught sight of a familiar pair on the other side. He had to move quickly before the lights went out.

Violet was waiting while Wendell was joking with another attractive brunette.

"Miss Adams…" She turned to see a familiar distinguished gentleman with a slight grin on his face. "You're simply…stunning."

"Thank you, Mr. Cartwright. You're quite dapper yourself." He nodded his approval.

"Adam," Wendell was turning around. "I see you and Joe have decided to make an appearance. Where's your wingman?"

"Where's yours?"

"Mine?!" Wendell retorted. "Well, I don't need one."

"Funny, neither do I."

"I heard you've already met Miss Crabtree." She noted. "And judging by the marks on your handkerchief, it must have been quite a meeting."

He started. "Well—"

"You're a lucky man, Adam." Wendell commented.

"I'd like to think so, but—"

"Lucky indeed Mr. Cartwright," Miss Adams mused.

"It's not what you think." He was gauging her thoughts.

"Isn't it? You mean she just threw herself at you—"

"In a manner of speaking, yes—"

"Aren't you the charmer Mr. Cartwright!"

"I usually am, but—you can't really be jealous of Miss Crabtree, are you?"

"Jealous? Of a famous actress?!" She was secretly seething.

The lights were beginning to dim. "Violet dear, we should probably be finding our seats now."

"Yes, indeed, Wendell." She wouldn't even look back before they went.

Adam met his brother halfway to their seats.

"Hey, how'd it go?"

"If I wanted her to be jealous, I certainly succeeded. I might have taken it too far. Time will tell," he looked back.

"Does she know?" Little Joe was now seeing where they were sitting.

"She will soon enough." They headed to the box seats on the side of the stage.

Meanwhile, Wendell mused to Violet. "It appears Adam is a closer friend to Lotta than I originally thought. They even kissed backstage! If I had the opportunity… ." He trailed off as she quietly sat down in one of their box seats. "This is bothering you, isn't it?"

"I spent half the ride wondering what had gotten into him, and there he was with Miss Crabtree, kissing!" She seemingly thought aloud.

"Adam is quite popular with the ladies here…"

"Very much so, yet he always seemingly comes across as so indifferent and helpless to their affections," she replied annoyed. "The Cartwrights are capable of having anything and anyone they wish at any time."

"You're serious about this man."

She looked at him astonished. "Does this surprise you?"

"Well, I could sense his feelings toward you and can see your attraction towards him, although he's not your usual type."

"You mean the type I'm expected to have? The Ivy League educated, successful, well-bred gentleman and a son from my father's well-known, family friends? You're coming across as entitled as the rest of them!"

"Shouldn't I? I suppose I should be offended at that remark… ."

"I'm sorry Wendell, I didn't intend to be rude. I tire of everyone else's assumptions on what's best for me."

"Hence you fleeing."

"Fleeing? This is hardly fleeing?"

"Is it? You break an engagement after a nearly two year courtship to 'start over,' in a place no one knows of your past nor cares about your last name, because no one, not even you has been there before."

"I consider it a breath of fresh air to be on the same page as everyone else."

"If you insist… .Do you intend on staying out here?"

"I don't know yet. If all goes well, I may renew my contract."

"And stay out here? All your family and friends are back east. We do miss you, you know."

"I know… ." She paused. "What's this really about Wendell?"

"I haven't been entirely honest. I was curious to see what brought you out here, and I wanted to see you in person again…spending so much time in bed, it got me thinking of all the people in my life…from ones I see often and ones I hardly see. I thought of my relationships and near relationships, and ones that seemingly got away… . I wondered…what happened, between us?"

"Well, nothing happened, really. We parted ways but kept in contact—"

"But why?"

"Why? Well, Fanny, Clover, and even Susanne whom you just met are why. With you, Wendell, there was always someone else. When I was younger I expected it as being part of your social nature. Even now, it's as if you care because of another man's interest. But even with you I felt I needed to compete with your affections and romantic notions with everyone else."

"But I was young."

"But what has changed? You still flirt with every woman you meet. In as much as I was just comfortable before, I eventually may want to marry. I don't think I can drag you down the isle, not that I'd want to."

He shook his head and laughed. "Violet, you are no fun, anymore. Henry warned me you were too serious for me, and I never listened."

The lights were dark by now, across the stage she could see Little Joe and Adam, smiling and waving. She waved politely but was still uneasy. It was going to be an interesting night being between these men.

The announcer came out. "And now, they moment you've been waiting for, the sultry, sensational, Miss Lotta Crabtree!" A beautiful dark haired woman with striking blue eyes entered the stage.

Wended held out his hand. "Peace offering?" She accepted it and they watched the show.

For the first half of the program, Lotta mixed in some comedy with some Irish tunes to her banjo. She seemingly flitted across the stage and batted her eyes along with blowing kisses to men in the audience. She had to admit the woman knew her audience. And she happened to be just as attractive in person as in pictures. She could see Wendell was mesmerized and Joe was in awe. Even Adam was watching with a hand under his chin.

He was definitely thinking. What was he thinking? She wondered. Likely about his time in her dressing room. Why should she care? He could easily be alluring to anyone, including Lotta, especially dressed the way he was right now…not that it mattered how he dressed. He was still ruggedly handsome with his work clothes and chaps earlier this afternoon… Never mind that now. She should be watching the show…even if she was just across the stage from him.

"So, how was it?" His brother asked.

"How was what?" His older brother responded. The he added, "Really, Little Joe? You really want to know?" He knew what he was referring to now. "It feels awful, but only because I'm not attracted to her."

"Boy do I envy you. You get to kiss a famous actress and act like it means nothing."

"Well I kissed her the last time she was here—"

"What? When?"

"Little Joe did you forget why we're here?"

"I'm not the one busted for kissing someone else in her dressing room. I'm mostly here for the laughs."

"For the last time—this time I did not—never mind. This may be hard for you to understand, but I'm not always romantically invested in every kiss I've had."

"Yeah, I noticed." Joe could see this was bothering his brother, so he added. "Hey, look at it this way. If it made her jealous it could work in your favor."

"You know, Little Joe, you may be right about that one." Adam took his hand off his chin and relaxed a bit.

Lotta was coming in their direction. "Hey, get a room you two! I have a show to do!"

"I'll take yours!" Joe shot back.

"Oh, you naughty boy!" She wagged her finger then winked. The audience laughed.

As soon as she was on the other side of the stage, Adam smacked the back of his brother's chair.

"Ow! Hey! Why—"

"What's the matter with you?! Have you forgotten who's in the audience?!" He whispered quietly but sternly.

"Oh…" he realized. "Can you see him?"

"I don't have to see him…just imagine his face if he were right in front of you…"

He slid down from his seat.

By the time Intermission came, Violet excused herself to get some air. As she was making her way toward the entrance, someone had cut in front of her, grinning.

"Fine night for a stroll, Miss Adams." Said the familiar face.

"Must you keep calling me that, Mr. Cartwright?"

"Seeing we're acting like strangers, it's only fitting, Miss Elizabeth Abigail Adams."

She sighed. "You are relentless, Mr. Adam Stoddard Cartwright."

"I usually am."

"What would you like?"

"I'd like a moment, if you please, to speak with you." He offered his arm. They made it just outside the theatre. "I know you must be angry with me this evening, but I first wanted to apologize for my actions during your visit this afternoon. It was out of character for me. I also wanted to let you know there was nothing between Miss Crabtree and I. I'm not going to lie. She was happy to see me, but that's as far as it went."

"You needn't apologize." She admitted. "You've always been honest, and I overreacted. I'm aware of your admirers in town, but I'll admit to being a bit jealous and I despise comparing myself to her."

"Now you know how I felt seeing another man coming into town and sweeping you off your feet—not that I intended to make you jealous."

"Well, you weren't necessarily wrong about him. He did admit to his feelings a short while ago."

"Oh?"

"I couldn't imagine going back to that. The man is more in love with the feeling of love…it'll be a wonder if he'll settle down. Perhaps Fanny will still put up with him."

"Fanny?" He asked, confused.

"Oh, she's another friend. I always suspected there was more…but he constantly denied it, yet her name, and a few others would come up. I finally told him to make up his mind, and he laughed. That was enough, for me. He still pleaded to remain amicable however."

"So I'm not losing you, I take it?"

"You never were."

"Let me ask you something. Did you get all dressed up, for him?"

"I might have hoped someone would change their mind… ."

"It's a good thing I did." Realizing time was expiring, they made their way back inside.

Wendell, on the other hand had found Little Joe. "Well done Sir! I think Miss Lotta would've taken your offer!"

"Shh! Not so loud, I don't want my Pa finding me."

"Oh, I see what you mean. Dad would've thought I was impolite."

Joe, interested, asked. "So, what's your Dad really like?"

"He's fine, mostly, when he's not being pushy. He keeps telling me I need more focus. The military has kept him quiet for a while. Otherwise he lets me be so long as I'm not humiliating the family… ."

"You?"

"I used to get into arguments with my professor at College. I almost didn't graduate," he whispered. "After I enlisted, I was able to walk with my class."

"No kidding." Joe was noting the lights were dimming, and his brother was escorting someone towards their seats.

"Hey, have you seen Violet? The show's about to start again."

"Oh, she'll be fine, I'm sure." He secretly winked to his brother who waved back to him.

"But—"

"C'mon, let's find your seat. For all you know she's sitting down already." Wendell was eyeing him cautiously as he greeted an usher he seemed to know elsewhere as they passed.

She had never switched seats during a performance before. Nonetheless, the ushers didn't seem to mind as they greeted them cordially and allowed them to pass by. The Cartwrights seemed to have connections all over town with what they could get away with.

Wendell certainly figured out what happened when he sat down looking across the stage. He looked at Joe, who merely shrugged, and decidedly let it go when Lotta re-entered the stage.

The next session was more dramatic, with Lotta performing more serious pieces, from "Lorena" to "Aura Lea," and finally one of her best acts. "No, Sir, No."

"No, Sir, no! No Sir no! All of her answers to him, were 'no'!" (1)

The latter rendition was especially endearing, as Violet leaned against Adam while he had an arm around her waist. It captured the notice of spectators across the stage.

"I see your eldest brother has a way with women… ."

"It runs in the family." Joe replied confidently.

"I may have a word for him afterward," Wendell declared.

After the show, Wendell and Joe were making his way toward the other side when Adam was seemingly waiting for them, with Violet.

"Wendell, you're just the man I'm looking for!"

"That's a quite a coincidence. I was just about to—"

An usher whispered something to Adam. "Oh, she will? Thank you, Marvin." He turned back to Wendell. "Miss Lotta will be out in a few minutes after the audience leaves."

"She will?"

"Yes, that's what I meant to tell you. You see, I met with Lotta before the show to tell her I knew some fans who wanted to meet her from Boston. She seemed especially excited to meet you, Wendell."

"Really?"

"Well it turns out she's touring the east coast afterward, and Boston is one of her next stops."

Moments later, Lotta came out to greet her fans. Then she turned to Wendell. "Why, you must be Wendell Holmes, Dr. Holmes' son, from Boston."

"Yes, indeed, it's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Crabtree." He kissed her hand.

"Lotta, please. I'm very much interested on going east. Boston happens to be one of my favorite cities… ."

"It's a great city…I'd be happy to show you around sometime if I may."

"Really, I'd love that."

"Where do you happen to be staying, Lotta."

"Why at the hotel around the corner."

"That's where I'm staying!" Wendell and Lotta seemingly carried their conversation out to toward the nearby hotel.

"Well, I'll be!" Remarked Joe. "It doesn't take much to capture his attention."

"That's Wendell, although to his credit, Lotta is captivating."

Joe scratched his head, seeing he was outnumbered. "Adam, you think Pa will still wait up for me?"

"I wouldn't doubt it Little Joe."

"Well I guess I'll take the long way home. See you two around."

"Shall we?" Adam extended a hand to his lady.

Adam and Violet were riding steadily along atop Sport. As they had passed storefronts, she was seeing firsthand how rowdy Virginia City could be at night: An occasional drunk wallowing in the street, a loud gunshot or two behind a building, jeering and some shouting from inside a saloon with men going back inside the swinging doors after landing in the street. Despite these occurrences she'd be terrified of, had she been on these streets, she felt very secure atop his horse. His arms were wrapped around her while his hands held the reigns, as Sport traveled at a steady pace. She was able to look up into the dark sky and marvel all the stars on that seemingly beautiful night.

"You know, this is the most time we've spent together since I came back from San Francisco."

"Is it? You must forgive me for being so preoccupied."

"All will be forgiven, on one condition."

"Which is?" She looked back briefly.

"You let me take you somewhere…trust me on this."

She soon understood what he meant on the latter after they ended up on the outskirts of Virginia City, where the men resembled Hop Sing and spoke a different language. It seemed like a strange place to bring someone, but Adam wouldn't have brought her to some dangerous place. Adam conversed with an older man he had to have known, based on the man's welcoming response. "Violet, this is Hop Ling. Hop Sing's father."

Soon they were having Oolong tea, with xiao long bao, and la mian—or soup dumplings and hand pulled noodles, as Adam explained. After she looked at the chopsticks and held them awkwardly, Adam chuckled and gave her a tutorial.

"Use these two middle fingers, and hold this one like this…then take your thumb and index and hold it like this. Move this one, and hold the other steady." After a few tries she was getting the gist of things. "Between Hop Ling and Hop Sing, they make the best Chinese food in Virginia City."

"I've never had anything like this before."

"I see Chinese hasn't quite made its way east. Immigrants name come here to work the mines and railroads. You watch, once immigrants reach the other coast, you'll have Chinatowns in New York and Boston."

"Hopefully within my lifetime." She continued to chow down. She probably wasn't being too ladylike, but she didn't care. She knew Adam wasn't going to judge her. In fact he was taking it as a sign that she was enjoying herself and was comfortable; something she couldn't always do back home where good manners were of the utmost importance.

They trotted back to town, slowly, gazing at the stars. When they made their way back to the Myers', neither one wanted the night to be over.

"I had a wonderful time Adam."

"You must promise not to tell anyone about this. Hop Ling wouldn't do that for just anyone, and Hop Sing would be angry to know we visited his father without him."

"It'll be our secret."

He drew closer. "This might be the last time we get to be alone before your parents come."

"They have nothing to worry about."

That reassured him and he pulled her in for a long kiss goodnight.

As she settled in back in her bed, she began contemplating her parents' arrival. How happy she'd be to see them again, and show them around the land she was beginning to love, and the man… . Not that man! She thought of a different man she hadn't thought about in a couple months. She pulled out a letter, she was almost afraid to read. It came in the mail this morning, from New York, and only Wendell's comment about her fleeing reminded her…she was in fact fleeing from something, or someone, rather.

Violet, my love,

It has been a time since we've last been in contact. I have had much to think over since then. As you are aware, I have been quite busy, traveling between Boston and New York, but I hope We can reconcile. I know you told me you were moving to Virginia City, a place I have never heard of in all my life. At the time, I had not given it any serious thought, as I couldn't imagine why you would move to an unknown place, as opposed to New York. My brothers already consider it their home, and I believe I have a future in the City as well. I now see how important it is for you, at the moment, to spread your own wings. Your future can be anything you make of it. I hope soon you can decide what you truly desire. I can only hope, your future is with mine in the City.

With all my love,

W.G., "Will"

Will—wanting reconciliation at such a time as this? How could she answer him? Not now. Now was not the time… .

(1) "No, Sir, No!"