Telegrams.
5th Story in the Alexandra Series.
Summary: You wanted to know the why, the when and the how Alexandra came about. Well here it is. Adam receives a wire from San Francisco. He embarks on a journey with Alexandra to bring Katherine home one way or another. He recalls the events of the past along the way.
Disclaimer: I do not own Bonanza, or any of its characters. David Dortort and Fred Hamilton created them and played with them for 14 years. The series is owned by NBC.
Warnings: Bad language, violence and sexual content in this chapter.
Re-Cap:
Before long Adam felt Alexandra's light purr. He pulled the big Heavy coat away, knowing that she would most likely get too hot after a while and probably wake too anxious again. Taking his own advice, he decided to catch up on the much needed sleep he'd been looking forward to, though sleep was to elude him. He closed his eyes, but all he could see was Katherine; laughing and smiling as they ran together to the hot spring pond for the picnic; their very last time together. That last day in Elk would change their lives forever.
Flashback.
Chapter 7: My Bonnie Kate.
Butterfield Overland Mail Company...
To: Hop Sing
C/O Ben Cartwright
Eagle Station
Nevada.
Finished business in Elk stop. Pa and I heading home tomorrow stop.
Adam.
~oOo~
After sending the telegram, Adam tucked the few coins he had left into his pocket next to the small gift he'd purchased for Katherine. He headed down the sidewalk to the livery stable; he was to meet Katherine and Molly for the picnic Katherine had arranged. Adam and Katherine had spent every morning together since their meeting. And now, with the approval of Ben and Katherine's mother, Willameena, they were permitted a more cordial, but supervised, activity.
Adam arrived at the livery stable to find Katherine already there, her basket and blanket tied securely to her saddle bags. However, there was no sign of Molly.
"Where's Molly?" asked Adam, as he pulled Sports saddle and tackle out and started to saddle him.
Katherine smiled, and then winked, "Oh, she had to run a few errands. She'll meet us there."
Good thought Adam. It wasn't that Molly was disliked; not at all. In fact the pretty twenty two year old was friendly and discrete, but Adam wanted more moments alone with Katherine. "So how far are these hot springs you want to show me?" He asked.
"Bout; five miles. It's beautiful Adam; you're going to love it. It's very romantic," she almost teased, then blushed.
Adam suspected it was to cover her nervousness. Katherine had spent the week sneaking out, mainly dressed as a boy, for the morning chats and exploration of Elk. But, today she was dressed for the first time in a dress; a beautiful lemon dress with small lilac flowers printed all over it. She wore her hair in a long braid, tied with a matching ribbon. However the femininity stopped there as she sat astride the saddle on her horse with her petticoats hitched up over her leg calf and her dusty black cowboy boots hooked into the stirrups.
"I'm looking forward to seeing it," said Adam politely then added, "Very much," in a deep voice, that made his words sound like a silky promise.
Katherine blushed again, and then quickly spurred her horse on past Adam before her whole face exploded from embarrassment.
Adam smiled , mounted Sport and followed.
~oOo~
Adam ran, laughing, as he playfully chased Katherine towards a clump of trees. He couldn't help the rush of excitement and joy he felt as he took in the image of young girl he'd only met a week ago. Running, she swung her picnic basket towards the area she had pronounced the most beautiful place in Elk.
Katherine sat down once she got to the trees, and pointed to the small rock pool. A light mist of steam fluttered from its glassy surface, diffusing the jagged edges of the rock walls that surrounded it, and then disappeared completely when it reached the open sky not more than six feet above. The area took on a magical appearance; ethereal almost, once you added Katherine's form to the composition. Her blonde hair was braided in one long cord down her back. Small unruly short curls had escaped the sides and forehead, framing her small face and accentuating her violet eyes.
"Come on slow poke, we don't have all day," giggled Katherine.
Adam had indeed been slow; taking his time to observe, rather than compete for the first to arrive at the scene. "Who are you calling slow poke. I like to enjoy the view," he smiled.
"True; it's beautiful isn't it; all of it. Ah often come here ta jist think about lots of things."
"What do you think about, mostly?'" asked Adam, as he made himself comfortable on the picnic rug Katherine had spread out.
"Whatever the day has bought me to ponder on," she said, "Life changes every day. Ah like to embrace it."
"That's very poetic," Adam stated seriously.
"Hmm maybe, though most of the time, things make me laugh, even crazy things; like your fathers face yesterday, when he realized I was a girl."
"Yes, it wasn't shock you know. I think he was truly concerned about my… Ahhh, romantic preferences," He subtly clarified.
"Uhh?"
"Oh never mind. Anyway your mother didn't seem too pleased."
"No momma was okay, really. She has always protected me from the opposite sex, not because she doesn't want me growing up, she… Well we have been in some very unsavory places. She doesn't want anyone getting any ideas about what sort of work Molly and I would be suited to."
"Ohh, I can understand that. There is an associated image that goes with actors, and I suppose chorus girls and dancers, especially."
"True and Ah know Frank Hallet pushes some of the girls that way. But, Ah think momma was quite happy to allow you to court me, once she had met your father at the bank yesterday."
"Pa was impressed with what she is trying to do with the Star and Garter and the girls. The Board of Miners are too. They want your little town becoming more civilized," said Adam.
"Not all; some support Frank in more ways than one; or he supports them. Happy workers are happy miners," quoted Katherine raising her eyebrows up and down, "know what Ah mean…"
"Well the majority of the Board, then. They want to bring their families here, the miner's families too. It makes sense; lots of people mean lots of infrastructure, lots of jobs, happy and good citizens."
"Momma feels the same, but Frank isn't going to like it when he finds out that she now owns the majority of shares of the theatre."
"Well he can't do much about it. It's not like your mother stole them from him, or tricked him out of it… ah did she?"
Katherine scowled and thumped Adam hard on the shoulder. "What's that suppose ta mean? Momma is a real smart business women and fair. Y'all think jist cause a women is good at business she's a thief, or a charlatan; like some kinda evil manipulator. A single woman even more so; a shrew that nobody could love, or marry and make a honest women out of her," she said miming the inverted comments associated with the innuendo. "Besides Frank Hallett done caused his own demise. He spent too much time wetting his whistle, gambling and trying ta make a quick buck at the expense of poor girls. He's a cad, more than a cad; he's jist downright evil."
"Whoa… Okay point taken, I really didn't mean it like that. It was more a curiosity. I'm impressed with all your mothers done, on her own; impressed with her tenacity. One couldn't blame her for playing Hallet at his own game; that's want I meant to infer, especially if Frank is bribing some of the mine owners."
"Well, okay then. Just remember my momma's smart."
"Oh I know, she let me court you didn't she?"
"Sort of; Molly is supposed ta be chaperoning us. I made a deal with her. Molly is such a romantic."
"Oh so this was your idea."
"Both of us came up with it," laughed Katherine. "Besides, we've been seeing each other all week."
"Yes but, well… you looked a little different…"
"Was that so bad?" scowled Katherine, feeling a little conscious now about her looks.
"No; not at all. We've built a friendship, without you being… so distracting," said Adam, though he realized when he saw the look of confusion on Katherine's face that he wasn't being very clear. "What I mean is, you're very beautiful, and it's not that I didn't really look at you before that way, it's just that talking to and seeing you dressed as a boy gave me an opportunity to appreciate your personality. I probably would have made an as…fool of myself if…"
"Stop, before you end up doing just that," laughed Katherine. "Ah, get what you are trying to say. Molly gave me a bit of a talk about, well, what boys like and… It was her suggestion that I wear the dress."
Adam pushed a stray hair behind her ear. The gentle touch sent butterflies into his belly and color up Katherine's exposed neck. "So, Molly sees us as a real life Romeo and Juliet, does she?"
"Maybe, more probably like the taming of the Shrew. She thinks I'm a bit of a wild child; Ah need ta find me a respectable man and settle down."
"But, you're only fifteen."
"Romeo and Juliet were younger. But, you're right, I'm hardly the old maid Katherine was and you're hardly as worldly as Petruchio."
"Not yet anyway," laughed Adam. "And I don't think Katherine was such an old maid either."
"No, Ah really like her character; her fire and passion and her revolt against the social expectations of her time. Poor old Petruchio really never had a chance to have her submit."
"Ah, but he did in the end."
"Not quite… She just decided it's better to make love not war, plus she gets him back when she plays him at his own game, agreeing with him on every ridiculous point, " debated Katherine.
"Hmm, that's when he e realizes he loves her because of her feisty nature," added Adam.
"Yes, but they just agree to play the game in everybody's eyes, though it still doesn't sit well, Ah mean, the treatment of women in that time," said Katherine.
"Suppose? It gets interpreted on so many different levels. The debate is interesting. I think it's more that Katherine realizes the weight of the expectations on the men of their society. She sees bickering women, ignoring the sacrifice men make, like fighting for one's country and leaving young widows."
"That's what I mean, kind of like; life's too short to waste time belittling each other when they could be creating a life together. Still I'd like to think Katherine never lost her feistiness or energy for social reform."
"Me too, though I much prefer to think she made love not war," purred Adam, as he leant in and kissed Katherine's lips slowly, seeking not only her approval, but also her desire and longing.
Katherine accepted Adam's warm and gentle kiss. She let it linger, daring to run her tongue over his lips, tasting and teasing them. It was the gleam in each of their eyes, as they pulled back and looked at each other; her sparkling violet eyes, full of curiosity and his deep rich brown, velvety and enchanting ones, that gave the two young adults the stimulus to explore a deeper and much more sensual kiss. A kiss lasting almost a full five minutes, before each of them drew back to avoid being lost in the throes of pure passion and lust.
"I think we should maybe take a swim," said Adam, his voice husky and tentative.
"Okay, turn around," asked Katherine. "Molly insisted Ah wear a multitude of under things; It was hard enough riding in them, I'm not swimming in them..."
"Oh," said Adam swallowing and then quickly turned around, "What... ahh, I'm ..."
"Oh Adam I'm not going totally buck, I'm jist not wearing mah petticoats."
Adam sighed in relief, for a second before this was a feeling oddly disappointed. He silently chastised himself for feeling such things, reminding himself that Katherine's naive comments were just that, and that the young girl had no idea what she was doing to his mind, or his body for that matter. He just hoped she would hurry up, as the cool water seemed his only resolution to a growing problem.
Once he heard the soft splash of Katherine entering the water, he decided it was safe to turn and look. Katherine swam out to the middle of the rock pool before she rolled around and treaded water, smiling at Adam. "Oh, Adam it's divine. You coming in?" she asked.
"Sure," he said, hoping the cool water might quell the desire that was pooling in his belly. Katherine's slight form shimmered in the rock pool, beads of the crystal clear water trickling down her neck and disappearing in the diffused white cotton of her chemise.
"You'll need to do the turning now," he ordered twirling his finger and waiting until she followed the directive, before he stood up. He removed his shirt, then boots, then dark pants and leaving his cotton undershorts on, before slowly immersing himself in the water... the warm water... so much for cooling off, he thought. Though, it was nice; not too hot, but warm and still refreshing. "You can turn now," he suggested.
Katherine turned and smiled. She liked what she saw. Adam was unlike any of the boys she knew in Elk. Most of them were gangly, and uneducated. There were mature men of course, but other than the few actors in the theater, that were more fatherly towards her, there were mainly the miners. Her mother had kept her clear of them with their coarse manner and aggressive nature. Adam at seventeen was almost the height of a grown man. His bare chest broad and muscled from hard work shone as he bobbed under and up out of the water as he breast stroked his way towards Katherine.
The rock pool walls echoed with laughter and giggles, when Adam dove under and came up right next to Katherine, grabbing her around the waist.
"Ahh, you scared me," she laughed. Grabbing his hands she pushed herself away from him. "Come on I'll show you something..." Katherine turned and swam to the far edge of the pool and then disappeared. Adam quickly followed and found himself just below a ledge. Another ledge hung near five feet above it where water from several holes and crevices feed the stream by pooling and cascading over the edges in a fine wide waterfall. Katherine climbed up onto the ledge and waited behind the sheet of water. "It's completely dry in here, it's like a window of water." Katherine squealed in delight as she put her hand through the water sending it forward and splashing Adam in the face.
Adam shook his head shaking the excess water from his vision, and then glared at Katherine through the watery veil. He jumped up quickly and pulled himself to a standing position on the ledge, and then grabbed Katherine firmly, spun her around, and held her firmly under the powerful stream of water. She screamed with laughter, wriggled and fought his grip.
Both were enjoying the playful moments, and even though Adam noticed the sheer nature of her wet undergarments, it wasn't until their transparency was made more even more apparent with the onslaught of water, sticking her pretty cotton chemise and draws to her skin and shapely form, that Adam suddenly let go. Unfortunately, Katherine in the throes of feigning an escape from their play lost her footing and nearly slipped off the sharp edge of the rocky platform. Adam quickly grabbed her again and pulled her close and back towards the sold wall behind them.
"Sorry, sorry, I've got you," he said, as he lowered himself to the flat wet shiny floor below them.
Katherine turned and held on tight to his neck. "Jumpin' Jehoshaphat, that was so scary for a moment there. Were you trying to give me a heart attack, or something?" she accused.
Adam laughed. "Jumpin' Jehoshaphat? One minute you can quote Shakespeare the other you sound like my little brother, or cousin Muley from the high country."
"Ah like how different words sound," she scowled feeling Adam was making fun of her. "Besides I'm originally from the south, I just mix things up a bit from different folks I've heard from the different towns we played."
"I wasn't making fun of you, well maybe a little bit. I like it anyway; you're very cute when you're sacred."
"So you were tryin' ta scare me then?" she scoffed and twisted and pushed him down by the shoulders, pinning him flat to the rock ledge. She sat on top of him and glared. "So that's how you wanna play it," she threatened.
"No, no. well Katherine, your clothes well they are ..."
Katherine looked down, "Ohhh," she said, "Ah guess... Ah well I didn't think... I mean... surely you have seen a girl's body before?"
"Yes, sort off... not completely... okay this is embarrassing," blushed Adam.
"Adam, nobody's... Ah mean no boy has ever seen me. Ah swim by myself all the time, here. I've never bought anyone up here. Ah like you... We're not doing anything wrong, we're jist swimmin' fer goodness sakes."
"You're very beautiful you know, but do you have any idea... what a man wants to do when he sees, a woman's body... it's tempting..."
"Oh so I'm being a ... a hussy then, this is being a hussy? Ah just wanted to be with you. I'm not ashamed, well I wasn't until..." she stuttered.
"No you're not being a hussy. If you knew exactly what you were doing, I might think that, but Katherine you are being a little forward. I meant we're tempting fate here, you know. Most friendships and courtships lead up to this sort of thing, and then more when there is a... well a honest commitment."
"You mean like marriage?"
"Yes."
"So you are not going to touch a woman with more than a kiss, or look at a woman unless you are going to get married to them?"
"Well the one I want to marry, yes; the others are just experience…Ah or explor…"
"Oh so it's different for men. They can go around playing, touching, and exploring, but a woman can't. Well, Ah for one want to know what it's all about. I don't want to make a commitment unless I'm sure as hell about a lot of things, and not just... well... the physical side. Besides, I'm not suggesting we do anything more than just swim, enjoy a little bit more of closeness. Oh, I... Ah feel so... embarrassed now. Ah want to go home," with that Katherine started to cry.
"Please wait," said Adam, pulling her close, "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I really like you. And, I don't want you to do anything that you ...or we will regret."
"You just like me? Adam... Ah love you. Ah... thought you felt the same. You're going home tomorrow and I know we have a lot of growing up still to do. You're going to college and well... Ah thought I could just be with you just a little bit longer a little bit closer. Ah don't want to get married, or you know... Ah just wanted to be with you today, swimming, talking and cuddling, but not if you don't feel the same. I'm ashamed."
"Don't feel ashamed, please don't feel that," supplicated Adam and he kissed her gently on the lips. When he finished, Adam laid his head against hers and whispered. "I've never known anyone like you Katherine. You're so honest and open with me. Sometimes it startles me; shocks me, but it also does things to me. I want to be with you. I want to be close to you for the last moments we may have together for a long time. I'm going to college, yes for three years, but I'll write and you can write me. You never know I may be able to get back here in between. But, I'll come back after College; I promise. I'll come back and we'll court, and get to know each other all over again. Slowly;then we'll know."
"Really Adam, you'll write, then come back one day?"
"Sure," said Adam offering Katherine another soft kiss.
Katherine's eyes lit up. "Three years isn't very long is it? You never know, Adam, Ah might become really good actress, play a theater in Boston. You could come and see me. I'd reserve you some tickets, in the dress circle."
Adam laughed. "I wouldn't have to pay double the price?"
Katherine looked up into his eyes, then shook her head and smiled, "Nope they'd be on the house."
Adam looked into her beautiful violet eyes, dropped his head and kissed her passionately. Katherine reciprocated then laughed into his mouth as she rolled and had them both falling into the water. They continued to kiss and fondle each other, loosing themselves to the moment. Both believing they were exploring innocently, hidden in the water and secure within its barrier. They believed they were in control of their desires with the ability to stop should things get too physically intimate.
They were wrong.
~oOo~
Adam and Katherine dressed silently in the later afternoon shade of the rock pool, and then walked the horses, again in silence, back to town. Their clothes had dried on the way back, and Adam subconsciously quicken his pace, contemplating his irresponsible behavior, unaware that he was leaving Katherine behind him, with her pondering and fearful that she had caused an unspeakable rift between them.
Finally Katherine could not take the feeling of isolation any longer. "Adam wait up," she shouted.
Adam stopped and turned, waited for her, then frowned when he saw the angry expression on her face.
"Are you angry at me or at yourself!" she asked, then melted when she saw his furrowed brow. "It's not your fault, Adam. It happened." Summoning her conviction, she added, "I'm not going to let you think ill of me or you. Ah will always remember it as an act of love..." she paused trying to suppress the urge to cry. "Please talk to me."
"It is my fault. I was raised better; my pa would be ashamed of me. I should have ... we should have stopped, Katherine. You could be..."
"Pregnant? Oh don't be silly, Adam, you can't get pregnant the first time."
"What?"
"It's true; one of the girls told me."
"Katherine I don't think..."
"It's true. Now stop worrying. We had a beautiful day. We should have waited, yes. Ah understand now what you meant about... you know these feelings and... but, Adam, Ah don't regret showing you how much Ah love you."
Adam took her hand. "You are beautiful and right now I love you like I've never loved anyone. It was a special day, one I'll remember, but what if it's not the real thing, what if either of us finds another person and..."
"Shhh," said Katherine, putting a finger to his lips. "Then we made a mistake, that's all...it's not a sin, Adam. Showing someone you love them can't be a sin."
"No, I don't suppose it can."
"Well then we'll consider it a gift and not spend another minute worrying or turning it into something ugly."
Adam nodded."A gift; one that we gave each other."
"Good," said Katherine and breathed a sigh of relief. "I have another gift for you Adam," she smiled.
"Oh me too," said Adam forgetting his worries and enjoying the playful glint again in Katherine's eyes. "Here," he said, pulling out the wrapped parcel from his inside pocket.
Katherine took it with glee; jumping up and down on the spot. The parcel was about six inches long and wrapped in brown paper. She untied a pretty lilac ribbon and peeled back the paper to reveal a small leather bound book; Shakespeare's Monologues. She opened it to the front page and there written in Adams neat hand was an inscription; To my bonnie Kate, I'll always love you Adam.
"Oh Adam it's wonderful. I'll be able to practice my dramatic skills and think of you at the same time. I'll keep it forever."
"I'm so glad you like it. There wasn't much to buy in the mercantile here, but the owner found this in an old trunk one of the miners traded for tools. It's a rare find in these parts."
"As rare as you Adam. Here now my gift." Katherine giggled as she handed over a small velvet pouch. She stood there rocking on her toes as Adam pulled the silk stings open.
He turned it upside and down and caught the object as it fell into his palm. A brightly polished silver pin of two masks one happy, one sad, glistened in his hand. "Commedia Dell'Arte Masks;- comedy and tragedy. They're beautiful, Katherine, but too expensive...I ... I can't accept this."
"Yes ya can." Katherine picked it up, stood on her toes and pinned it to the band of his hat. "There now, when ya put on yer hat you'll think of me, too," she said. "Ivan melted down your silver ten dollar piece for me and cast it."
"So you never pocketed my ten dollars?"
"Nope, Ah thought of it, but Ah knew you were special the first time I laid eyes on yer. I couldn't come at spending it."
Adam leant down and kissed Katherine. They stayed that way on the trail back to town, for some time, just snuggling in the warmth of each other's arms. The sun was setting over the horizon before they decided to get moving again, though this time they chose to walk side by side until they got closer to town.
Once there, Adam and Katherine delivered their hoses to the livery and walked back towards the theater, holding and swinging the now empty picnic basket between them. It was nearing eight o'clock and the theater was coming alive, with noisy patrons cued up at the ticket box. Molly had promised to do Katherine's pre-show chores and Ben was meeting the Board for a late supper, so neither young adult was expected back for at least another hour. That being the case, both took their time, knowing that they would likely not see each other again in a long time unless fate bought them together sooner.
Meanwhile Frank Hallett, owner of The Star And Garter, had barged into Willameena's dressing room. He'd been to the bank earlier that day to see if could get another loan, using The Star and Garter as collateral. He had a big night in the gambling rooms, but not a winning one, neither personally or the house for that matter. The only good to come out of it was a bunch of happy mine owners. The manager at the bank was more than happy to lend Frank more money, but had also informed him that Willameena had bought out the defaulted shares of The Star and Garter. Willameena De foe now owned nearly 60% of the theatre; his theater. Frank Hallett was fuming.
"Who do you think you are coming here and stealing the theater from tight under my nose," accused Frank.
"I haven't stolen anything Frank. You defaulted on three monthly payments. You've borrowed against the theater and we are all in danger of losing our jobs. I merely invested in your business."
"Not at 60% percent you haven't! You technically own it; but, it's mine. I worked hard to set this up and you come in here..."
"You may have worked hard to set this up Frank, I will give you that, but you have also managed to nearly lose it. And as I own 60% percent now, you can't take any more from the house than your share.. You can still run the theater, and even take a small wage to add to your dividend each month, but other than that Frank, its good business to just sit tight for the next year, build the reserves up again. Ivan is staying, I've contracted the act for a year and we will be staying. I have also looked into a number of other headliners, so business should pick up."
"You think the people come here to see you or Ivan. You're just decoration, make me look legal. The gambling tables make more money and the girls. They are the attraction, Willameena," ranted Frank.
"Not anymore. The gambling tables; the saloon and the theater are all part of The Star and Garter's holdings. The extra... entertainment that you have forced these young girls into performing stops. It's no longer part of the business."
"No, you can't do that! That's where the money is. You think they will come and see you!" he sneered incredulously. "Not unless you, that girl of yours and the half breed are willing to spread your legs, they won't and you'll send me totally bust."
Willameena slapped him across the face. "Get out!" she yelled.
Hallett palmed the red mark Willameena had left on his face, then glared at the woman. He moved forward and grabbed her by the throat. "You ever touch me again, and it will be the last time you touch anybody, or anybody will want to touch you," he said with a viciousness that Willameena had never before seen.
"You think you can just come in here this town and buy property, why you're nothing but a carnival worker, and mother of two bastard children. You can't even own property, and when I tell the sheriff about how you earned the money to buy my shares and what you really are, they'll call the transaction void," snapped Hallett. "Who knows, you may even be that half breeds mother too; a whore of a woman and a nigger lover. The law don't allow you ta own property. Why a story like that gets out, nobody want you in this town let alone owning a business here. I'll drag your name so deep in the mud in this town, they'll chase you out, you and your little whore bitches," he spat, before releasing her and pushing her down on the bed.
Willameena was not going down without a fight, she sprung up and circled the room, stopping against her dresser and leaning against it. She fumbled with the side drawer, looking for the small pistol she owned. "I have proof of my widow status and Katherine's legitimacy, Frank. But, if it's a court case you want; so be it. I have several well known associates that will vouch for me!" stated Willameena.
Frank was still fuming, but listening. Willameena decided she should try to calm him down and convince him that they could work together, though Willameena knew in her heart that Frank Hallett would never change.
The volatile atmosphere needed diffusing; she had to calm Frank until Benny came to call her for her cue. "Frank I'm offering you a partnership. Times will change, this town will change. You haven't lost everything and can have the opportunity to make good if we run the business right, I haven't robbed you of anything. I've saved the business she argued.
"Oh, so your honest are you? No woman is honest. You're as conniving as the rest of them. What's more you don't know your place," Hallett said as he turned dark and empty eyes on her.
Willameena realized a little too late that Frank Hallett's evilness was embedded into his soul, but before Willameena could pull out her gun, Hallett was upon her.
~oOo~
Katherine and Adam stopped as they came to the theater. They looked up and could see the silhouetted forms of Hallett and Willameena's from the corner dressing room widow up on the first floor. The front of the theater was noisy and the staff busy, but from their position, Adam and Katherine they could hear the muffled shouts of an argument. Katherine turned and headed to the theater. She burst through the crowd at the front door and past the doorman.
"Billy, that you?" he asked.
Katherine didn't stop, but headed through the foyer and disappeared before Adam could follow closely. Adam was stopped by the other doorman taking tickets.
"No son, no underage patrons for the eight o'clock. Sorry kid; it's a new town ordinance, you're not allowed."
Adam growled, but didn't stop to argue. He turned and throwing the picnic basket rounded the alley at a run. He lifted the double doors to the basement and made his way under the stage, through the vomitories, and up the stirs that led to the dressing rooms. The narrow hallway was crowded with performers filing past and fixing their costumes. Adam then remembered Katherine's descriptions of the tunnels and vomitories, they led back stage and to the star dressing room and suite: Willameena's room.
By the time Adam arrived through the private entrance, Frank was slapping Katherine around. Willameena had been knocked to the ground and was screaming at Hallett to stop; begging him, promising to sign the theater back over to him. Hallett ignored her. Enraged he ripped Katherine's dress and was threatening to teach her the skills she would need to develop if she was going to be a little star in his theater.
Hallett's viciousness sickened Adam. He growled and yelled as he dived at the man. "Get off her. Leave her alone."
Adam jumped on Hallett's back gouging his eyes as he did so. Hallett immediately yelped and released Katherine. He grabbed Adams hands and pried them from his face as he twisted his body. As soon as there was some space between them, Hallett tried to knee Adam in the stomach, but Adam was quicker and deflected the blow with both arms. Frank took the opportunity to punch Adam in the face knocking him back against the dresser, where he crumbled to the floor; pain resonating through him from the impact to his upper body.
Hallett didn't leave it there, though. He grabbed Adam by the hair and pulled him up and punched him again. Adam was nearly knocked out but forced himself forward shielding any more blows with both his arms raised. He pushed forward with as much strength as he could muster and lunged again at Hallett's towering form. Both men continued to struggle in a bear hug, turning and twisting, pulling and shoving; trying to dislodge themselves from each other. During the struggle Hallett began to tire, and, despite being beaten to a pulp, Adam was running on pure adrenaline. Adam's eyes were swollen from the beating Hallett administered, but Adam hung on tight, trying to get to the man's throat and push him up against the wall, where he could get some leverage.
Hallett was having none of it; he reached for his side arm and tried to pull it up and aim it at Adams chest. Adam felt the hard nozzle of the barrel press against his belly and dropped both arms and grabbed Hallett's wrist, turning and twisting the gun so that it was pointing anywhere but at him.
Hallett used his other arm to try and push Adam away when suddenly the gun went off. Adam fell back from the impact. Hallett's body fell against him and sent him to the floor where he hit his head on the hard wooden floor. Pinned under Hallett's body, he tried to find focus on the crumpled forms of Willameena and Katherine lying on the bed. He could hear them crying... "They're alive," he thought, and then everything went quiet and black.
~oOo~
Butterfield Overland Mail Company...
To: Hop Sing
C/O Ben Cartwright
Eagle Station
Nevada.
Adam hurt stop. Bad concussion stop Delayed three days for recovery stop Don't worry stop
Ben, Pa.
End Flashback
TBC Chapter 8: Emerald Bay… Are we there yet?
A.N. I was going to have a bit of Alex in this chapter at the end, a conflict with Jeffery there's a little story there too, it all about relationships and parenting, but Alex is too young to be in the same chapter as that evil Frank Hallett, so hold on next chapter there's more of Alexandra. A big thank you to Lajoci for helping me get young naive love right... I hope.
