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:
Recap… Alexandra has spent the afternoon with her mother at her hospital bedside, recalling her experiences with her father on the Ponderosa. As they are about to leave the hospital they hear a cry for help.
"Help, Help!" A sudden cry came from the foyer of the hospital.
The Monsignor, Adam and Alexandra rounded the corner. There, with a sister who had run to his aid, was Maverick. He was dishevelled; his clothes torn, his face dirty; covered in what looked like dried mud and blood. In his arms, he carried a very small limp form; Jai.
"Sister!" called the Monsignor, "get an orderly… quickly."
CHAPTER 22: Saving Jai.
Samantha came running into the examination room as Adam lay Jai onto the table. Sister Eugene appeared, ready for her afternoon shift and was now examining Maverick. The orderly used the gurney to transport the man into the same examination room as Adam had carried Jai. Sister Gabriel arrived at the Monsignor's side, while the judge, his bandages all replaced with clean ones, stood at the door, surprised at the turn of events.
Samantha and Alexandra started at once. "Is she alright?... is Jai alright?"
"Where's Brett?" asked Samantha as she suddenly realized he may have been hurt too.
Hearing his name, Maverick started to rouse and tried to sit up. "Jai," he called.
Sister Eugene put a gentle hand on his shoulder. "The little girl is fine, the doctors tending to her now."
On hearing Brett's voice, Samantha went around the Monsignor to the other table where Maverick was being tended too. "Oh thank god, Brett," she sighed.
Another round of questions was fired by the onlookers.
"Sister Eugene, Sister Gabriel… Stay… Everybody else out! You will get your answers soon enough, we have to examine and care for Maverick and Jai" ordered the Monsignor with a silent expression, pleading for Adam and the Judge to remove the two very worried females; one small and one taller, from the room.
~oOo~
Jai's arm hurt; her leg hurt, actually her whole body hurt, but for the first time in almost twelve hours she felt safe. She wished she could tell somebody that, especially the person or persons, that were touching her; moving her limbs and causing her pain, but she couldn't. Jai willed her body to move; her eyes to open and focus on what was happening. Her head foggy with the many sounds going on around her made things sound distorted and unrecognisable. But, still she felt safe, now. Why? Because, she knew Brett had found her. She had felt him close to her body, his strong arms lifting, cradling and carrying her. She felt his heartbeat, smelt his cologne, heard the relief and then the immediacy in his voice. She heard him call her name. Tears spilled in her eyes; watery drops of release, resolve and love, she had meant to find them, but he had found her. She was safe, she was happy, but still she couldn't open her eyes.
Jai suddenly recognised Samantha's voice and Alexandra…yet they seemed so far away, "Alexandra peng," she tried to call to them. "I got away, I got away, my ancestors would have been proud." She could hear Samantha and Alex asking questions, about her… "I'm alright, I'm alright, my leg is hurt. It's just my eyes they won't open, but I'm here, I'm not going anywhere without Samantha peng ever again". Jai searched for the ethereal whispers she had heard earlier in the day. "Please ancestors help me once more, help me."
They would help, of that Jai was certain. They had helped already. She knew she should not have gone with her Uncle; she sensed he was not being honest with Maverick and Samantha, but she felt she had no choice. She should honour her father's debt. Maverick had scolded Samantha for not watching her and Alexandra, allowing them to cause havoc at the hotel, and Jai wondered if she was causing her friend Samantha trouble; was she a burden to the couple she had come to love? So, she went with her Uncle Wang Lee feeling very sad, yet hopeful that her relatives would be kind and that one day, once the debt was paid, she would be able to find Samantha and Maverick. If not she knew she would be able to find Hop Ming, honourable cousin to Hop Sing, Alexandra's smiley uncle. And he in turn, would be able to help her find the Cartwright's and then perhaps Maverick and Samantha.
It wasn't until she had entered the house of Wang Lee and was thrust into a room at the back of his apothecary, did she realise her terrible mistake and most likely gruesome fate. There in the room were several girls, most older than her, though a few were not by much. Some cried and sobbed, others, sat quietly, drawn and pale with sad and hollow eyes. One girl, MeiLan, was surprised at how young Jai was, and wondered what her story was. Jai told them that her Uncle Wang Lee had sponsored her parents, and that they had died. She had been escorted home to her only living relative with the original bond money Wang Lee had paid her parents. It appeared the girls all had similar stories, but Wang Lee was not their Uncle and was most likely not hers. Most were there to pay Wang Lee back for money he had sponsored their parents with. Some were there because their parents could no longer afford to feed them, so Wang Lee offered to educate them and send them on to good husbands in the gold fields.
" Liào zhèlǐ nǐ wùbì táozǒu; Leave here, you must flee!" was a whisper she heard amongst the echoed cries of the girls.
Jai looked around. No one had seemed to have spoken to her. She felt their whispers again, close to her ear, warm air tickling her lobes. Jai was sure it was her ancestors. She looked at the older girl, who she had told her story to. "I do not wish a husband on the gold fields," stated Jai. "I am leaving."
"All that is well, mei mei, but how will you pay Wang Lee back?" asked MeiLan, the older girl, "He will not let you leave."
"I have already paid him back my sponsorship. Samantha peng will help me pay back the rest. I will not go to the gold fields; it is too far away."
"You may be lucky little one. If this Samantha peng is willing to pay for you, then most likely Wang Lee will keep you around a little longer. He will ask a lot of money though."
"Even if she pays the money, Wang Lee won't give you up so easily, not if he figures you can bring him a lot of money," offered another girl.
"Then I will not wait here to discover my fate," Jai said with conviction. She went to the door and pulled on it, aware it may be locked but trying it all the same. She felt the heavy padlock bang against the solid wooden door as she drew back the latch and shook it. Resolved that there was no getting out that door, she looked around the room for another avenue. The small room was cluttered with sleeping mats, rope strung cots and clothing hanging from rope across a corner. The girls had been forced to wash them in a tub in an opposite corner. They had used the same water to bathe. A small stove sat next to it. The girls had used it to heat water, make tea and were now burning incense, in preparation to say their prayers. Jai followed the small tendrils of the incense's smoke as they rose and dispersed around the room, then to the ceiling where a small ornately carved wooden vent drew them outside.
"Help me," she asked, "up there," she said pointing to the vent.
The girls followed her gaze, "It is small, but…" said MeiLan, "you may just be small enough, if we can remover the cover."
"Careful though if you are seen by Wang Lee's men you will be beaten or worse," added another girl.
"And we will be beaten for helping her," complained another.
"Then do not help me," said Jai, "I can do this myself," she said with conviction, though she wasn't sure how. What would Alexandra do, she asked herself. Her friend was a mischievous one, but inventive. Jai looked around the room, trying to figure out how she was going to reach the vent near eight foot above her head. She locked her gaze on the small cot. Pushing her way through the girls, she approached one, pulled of the thin blanked and then stood the rope base up against the wall. It was just over four foot long and still too short for her to reach.
MeiLan walked over, calling two others to follow. They held the sturdy wooden cot, as MeiLan climbed the ropes of the base. Once at the top she called for Jai to follow. MeiLan encouraged Jai as she got her to climb on top of her shoulders. Once there, Jai stood precariously reaching for the vent that sat about a foot from the ceiling and wall Joint. She grabbed a wooden rafter and held on with one hand while she tried to push at the vents cover. It was wedged in solid, but not nailed, so with some effort and the ball of her palmed hand she tapped and tapped until it lifted slightly.
"Here," said another girl, offering her a stick they had used to prop their makeshift clothesline. Jai took it and poked at the vent hard, sending it clear of its frame. The vent made a loud thud as it hit the bamboo tiles of the roof and slid away. They all held their breath for a moment, waiting to see if any of Wang's men had heard the noise. Once it appeared the men were not coming, MeiLan helped Jai up through the small hole.
Jai quietly sat on the roof and turned to look down at her friends below. "Thank you," she said. "My ancestors have warned me; you should not stay either," advised Jai.
"We have nowhere to go," said MeiLan. "You are lucky little one; go find your Samantha peng."
"Zhu ni fú rú dōng hǎi; I wish your luck be as immense as the Eastern Sea," called Jai before she headed carefully over the roof top.
Once she reached the side of the roof, she scaled the next roof, the roof of Lee's apothecary shop, then the residence. There was an open balcony and doors where she could hear Lee arguing with one of his men about his business affairs, including the brides that were to be shipped out soon. She heard her name mentioned, and discovered that she was not to be shipped with the girls. He was expecting the Westerners to come for her. Wang Lee was headed for a business meeting at Saint Beatrice's Institution, and In case the Westerners came before his return, gave his man strict instructions of the dollar amount that was wanted and then added an additional amount for Jai's legal papers. This would release her from his indenture.
Jai moved away from the opening, crouching low, until she came to another roof then another. Once she felt she was far enough away from Lee's dwelling she stood up, hoping to get her bearings. She looked out across Chinatown, with their tiny close-knit roofs and alleyways. Then, past them to the developing dusty horizon of San Francisco and the many new building sites. There were a few tall buildings, but she did not recognise any of them.
The Occidental was new and should have stood out. However, dusk was setting in, and though there was a full moon rising, the buildings were all dark shadows. She got a glimpse of the bay. At least she knew the Occidental was somewhere towards that horizon, so she continued along the rooftops until she came to a large gap. A major road lay below, and the boundary of the Chinese sector. Jai leant' over looking for a place she could scale down, when suddenly she heard shouts coming from behind. Startled she looked up, but lost her footing and fell over the side, landing hard on the pebble stone road below.
Jai lay there, almost unconscious for some time before she opened her eyes, winded and gasping for air; nothing hurt, but she couldn't breathe well and her vision was fuzzy. Little by little she took in a breath and her surroundings became clearer. It was getting dark now, and a cold breeze chilled her. Jai tried to stand up, but her arm gave way with an immense pain and she fell again to the ground. She tried again this time using her other arm, and was successful. She hobbled to a set of crates and some discarded packing straw, and lay down. Just to rest, she thought, as she closed her eyes. Just to rest for a little while.
It was much more than a little while when she finally awoke. Jai looked up at the still very velvet sky and wondered what time it was. She hoped it was now close to dawn. Determined to keep moving towards the city, she pushed herself up on her good arm and crawled out of the crate. No sooner had she stood up than a small wagon came pelting down at her. Jai tried to turn and jump out of the way. She thought she had made it, until she fell and then heard and felt the pain of the wagon wheel as it ran over her leg. She dragged herself back to the crates; this time she collapsed exhausted and in agony.
It was here Maverick would find her many hours later. She had heard her name being called. Again the whispers calling her to wake, to call out to Maverick as he searched the alleyways of Chinatown. But she couldn't move, she could call out; she could only hear and imagine his nearness. She wanted to cry, but she couldn't even do that. So, she cried silently as the wind carried Mavericks calls all around her. But, then all of a sudden Jai could feel him, pulling at the straw, moving the crates, yelling her name. He gently picked her up, and then she was being carried. Maverick had found her and he was running. She was safe, and he was running away with her clutched to his chest. Jai cried with tears of joy, thanking her ancestors for bringing them together.
~oOo~
Adam lead Samantha and Alexandra gently down the hall way not too far away from the examinations room, but far enough that could hear nothing of the medical procedures taking place.
The judge joined them. "They are safe now, Miss Crawford?"
"We gotta help them, dad," said Alexandra.
"The doctors and nurses are doing what they can Alexandra. We need to leave them to it and stay out of their way."
"I know that dad, I'm talking about helping them in other ways." Alexandra turned to the judge and put her hand up. "I got something ta add", she announced. "I think I may be able to add an inrightful summation of how we all come ta be together on this and I reckon we was here ta help each other."
"Do you mean Insightful?" asked the Judge.
Adam shrugged, "She probably means that, but who knows," he smirked.
"No I means what is right, dad, and with some of what I believe ta be right," said Alexandra. "Yer see Samantha, we done meet the Judge's daughter and grandson, on our way here afore we meet you, Mr Maverick and Jai." She turned back to the judge. "Judge, we meet Mr Maverick on the stage after we done seen Jeffery, but Miss Crawford she already knew Mr Maverick and tried ta rob him of his Pappy's thousand-dollar bill. She needed it for a poker game so that she could pay Jai's uncle… the bad uncle, but of course we didn't know that at the time, cause we was too busy trying ta get Jai away from Hook Hand George who was gonna sell Jai. Miss Samantha was trying ta save Jai and make sure she got safe back to her uncle. We was coming here ta save my momma from the institution so the Monsignor could help her; on account she was in jail for murder and being crazy but she wasn't neither. She had lead poisoning and a bad man killed Darcy and done blamed it on my momma, cause with lead poisoning ya forget things. Mr Kennedy fought ta get my momma outta that institution cause she didn't kill nobody and the sheriff from Elk and my attorney a Mr Jarrod Barkley of Stockton proved it and got her verdict tuned over…"
"Overturned," corrected Adam and looked to the judge hoping he'd clarified Alexandra's explanations.
The judge nodded.
"But, the judge weren't you. It were a new judge who was busy trying ta catch up with all these other cases that you shoulda had. This other judge, he let, let the bad traitors of the institution convince him that my momma, even though she weren't no murderer, was still crazy, and shouldn't be let out. But we was lucky cause President Lincolns been visiting; something ta do with the railways, but no one's supposed ta know. Though I reckon he's gonna be a might happy that we done caught all those bad men at the institution that's been shipping gold to the south. Mr Lincoln wants ta free slaves, and make America one nation; built with all kinds of different folk; trying to make a new and better world. I reckon that means the Chinese too, and people like Jai, who jist want ta be the best citizens that this new world peoples can be proud of as well as her ancestors.
Jai really wants ta be with Samantha and Samantha wants ta be with Jai, and Maverick well I reckon he likes looking out for both of them, even though he travels around a lot. But, home is where yer heart is; home is being with the people that love ya. I reckon you could help Jai and Samantha become a real family and all. I know Samantha's a bit fond of gambling an all, but well she's always had ta do that ta survive. She don't cheat though, and she puts her money ta good use like saving Jai from her evil Uncle trying ta sell Chinese children to other bad men. The Monsignor he knows how hard it is. We meet him on the boat too at the big poker tournament. Him and Miss Samantha both won. The Monsignor used his money ta buy another medical wagon for this here hospital. I don't know ifin ya believe in God, Judge but it sure is a co-in- si-dent…"
"Coincidence…"
"Yep that too, dad. Sides there were a few dents and bumps along the way, including a few dents ya tried ta put in my backside." She scowled at her father before looking back k at the judge. "Fact is Judge; that we all done run into each other along the way without no real bad dents, jist new friends. It's like all our stories had to get mixed up with each other so that we can each all finish want God needs us ta do."
Both the judge and Adam had tried to interrupt on several occasions, but Alexandra was in one of rants. Samantha had lost Alexandra's train of thought and just stared back at the rooms, worried about Jai and Maverick and not really focusing on anything else around her.
"Sorry," said Adam to the Judge; his cross-eyed expression revealing his confusion. "Once she starts it's hard to stop her."
"I'm not sure I could follow all that, but… Well I think I understand your dilemma, Alexandra, and Samantha's. I have an idea. Mr Cartwright, tell Mr Maverick and Miss Crawford I will meet them at their hotel room. I believe they are staying at the Occidental."
"It might be best we meet at the Empire House. Its close by and Alexandra and I are staying there. Besides, Wang Lee's men know Maverick and Samantha are at the Occidental. I think I'll be able to convince Samantha to come back with us for a while."
"If we're not there, we'll be here, Judge," assured Alexandra.
"Good Idea. I'll get back to you then as soon as possible," said the judge and made his way out onto the busy streets of San Francisco.
Adam turned to Samantha. "Sam why don't we go across the street, there is a small coffee shop, there is nothing we can do here for a while."
"I'm scared; Adam I don't want to leave them."
Just then Sister Gabriel came out of the room, slowly guiding Brett. Samantha turned and ran into his arms. "Brett, you're hurt."
"No I'm not; a few scratches and just a little tired," he answered.
"He is fine Miss Crawford," said Sister Gabriel. "Really. I've cleaned his wounds, but he needs to still rest up a bit. He put himself under some strain, probably just worry. We often cope with the dramas of things well at the time, it's when it's all over one can go weak at the knees."
"Sisters' right, Samantha. Brett has been searching all night. He has to be exhausted," added Adam.
"I'm right here, you two," scoffed Brett. "I'm fine; really."
"Oh Brett!" sighed Samantha, hugging him close and letting tears of relief flow down her cheeks. "Thank you; you found Jai, thank you, I'm so… I was so worried about you both…I love you both so much, and I never want to feel the kind of fear I felt last night ever again."
"What about Jai, Mr Maverick, she looked hurt bad," asked Alexandra.
"I'm not sure Alexandra. She's unconscious. I'm pretty sure her leg is broken, but I don't know more than that. The Monsignor is taking good care of her."
"Please sit down, Mr Maverick. I'll bring you a cup of tea," suggested Sister Gabriel.
"Thank you," he said and took a chair sitting against the wall.
Samantha looked back at the room; worry creasing her brow once more. Maverick pulled her to him. "Hey, did you say you love me. Me- Brett Maverick? I remember a time you could decide between my brother Bart and Me," he teased trying to break her tension, though pretty proud of himself for winning her heart- finally.
Samantha smiled. "True; it was a hard one, but you…" she whispered and stroked his check, "Were always the one with debonair and charm. "
"I like that," he smiled, and kissed her hand as she bought it down from his face. Samantha looked back towards the examination room once more. Again Maverick squeezed her hand. "If it's any consolation, I think Jai knows I found her."
"Where did you find her, what happened to her," asked Samantha.
"After we caught up with the girls being shipped out to the goldfield; Wang's Brides. I went back to the constable's station. One of the girls told me Jai had escaped not long after arriving at Wang Lee's. I approached Wang Lee, and asked where she was. He wouldn't help, not without a promise from the law, that if he helped find her, they would think about dropping the charges of fraud. I felt like punching the man in the nose. Judge Carey was there. He said; if we found the girl, safe, he would discuss it with another judge and see what could be done, however there were other charges that he would have to face. Wang Lee offered to take us to the place where he had held the girls and question some of his men, but the constables and the judge wouldn't take a chance in releasing him; concerned that he would hide somewhere in Chinatown. Then a young girl, one of Wang Lee's brides, stepped forward and said she would be able to take us there. She described how Jai had escaped. So I went with her to Hop Ming's and then we went to Wang Lee's apothecary. We snuck around the back behind his shop. There was a small room. MeiLan, explained how Jai had got onto the roof. Hop Ming and MeiLan went searching one way, and I the other, trying to follow where she could have safely scaled the rooftops."
Brett looked at three sets of eyes engrossed in his story, and took a huge breath. "I could find no sign of her, but I felt I was going in the right direction. It was like the wind was whispering to me. I looked up, I could see the Bay; its full moon shining. I believed Jai would have seen the same thing. She is a tough little thing; I think she would have been trying to get back to us. So I kept looking up, weaving my way through the narrow streets of Chinatown. I wasn't concentrating on who was watching me though, and before I knew it two large men stopped me. I looked around for Hop Ming, hoping he could translate for me, but he was nowhere to be seen. I thought they may have been Wang Lee's men, so I made out I was looking to buy some opium. I pulled out my bill fold and offered them, the few notes I had there. They smiled, and nodded, then told me to wait, before taking the money. I gave it to them. Then all of a sudden one of the men hit me. I landed against the wall. I pulled out my gun, and told them to go… before I shot them and took their dead bodies to the constables, where they would be buried in a white man's grave never to join their ancestors. Luckily they took my advice," he said rubbing his brow.
"I waited until they were clear of the alley way and then took off. I was sure they would return with extra men. It took me hours, but I finally came out at the main road bordering the alleys. I was relieved, but still worried about Jai. I had found no trace of her. I crossed the road, towards a lamp light, hoping that Hop Ming would come by and tell me he had found her. The wind picked up again, and I pulled my coat up around my neck. A stray cat screeched as it chased a rat, near some discarded crates. That's when I saw her, well I couldn't have because she was behind the crates, but I saw her, or heard her or… Someone called to me. I don't know how." Maverick shrugged, "It's strange, but I just knew she was there. I ran and pulled the crates out of the way. She was unconscious and I could see that her leg was broken. I picked her up gently, but she moaned and struggled. I told her it was me… then she just sighed and went limp in my arms. I panicked and then ran; ran for the life of me; scared she was dying."
"Oh Brett, do you think…"
"I think Samantha, that she is going to be okay, someone's looking out for her, I just feel it," said Brett with all sincerity.
"You have been looking out for her Mr Maverick," said Alexandra. "You and her ancestors I reckon. Jai talks about her ancestors all the time. They's are honourable ancestors. I reckon, jist like us finding the Monsignor and Judge Carey, lake the angel Virgil, helping us ta get momma out of the institution and catch Jai's mean uncle all at the same time."
"You may be right, Alexandra," smiled Brett.
Sister Gabriel returned with some tea and handed the cup to Brett. "Here this will help. It has two teaspoons of sugar, but I think you need it," she said.
As Brett started sipping his tea, Monsignor Twoomey came out of the examination room. Samantha jumped and started towards him. Maverick started to stand, but the monsignor put his hand up indicating everybody should just stay where they were; he was coming to them.
"Well, Mr Maverick you're looking better already," he commented.
"Jai? Doctor how is she?" asked Samantha.
"Thanks to Mr Maverick, she's alive. I don't know how much longer she would have survived out there if you hadn't found her. She's a very lucky little girl."
"So she's going to be alright?" asked Alexandra.
"I think so. She's not out of the woods yet, though. Jai is still unconscious so it's hard to tell. She has had a fall, but luckily I don't think it was from too great a height. Her arm and her ribs seemed to have taken the brunt of the impact. Her arm is broken, and her ribs bruised, but her breathing is pretty good; not laboured, so I don't think she broke any ribs, or punctured a lung. She has a nasty bump on her head, but again I don't think it is too serious. She is responding to pain: a good sign really."
"But she's not awake, that can't be…" said Adam.
"I believe it's just her body dictating a sort of hibernation, so that she can heal. The best we can do is keep her calm and rested. I have given her a powder for the pain and we need to watch for infection. The next day or two should see some improvement. Again we know more when she wakes up. I'd like one of you to stay with her for tonight, even in her semi-conscious state, she seemed much calmer when Mr Maverick was there."
"I'd like to stay," offered Samantha.
"I'd be happy for that Miss Crawford; however, I would prefer Mr Maverick to stay. I think we should watch him too, so it would be much more convenient if they were in the same place."
"Okay, but can I see her?" asked Samantha.
"Of course. But, keep her quiet, rest is nature's best healer, Miss Crawford along with love."
"Come," said Sister Gabriel. "I'll take you to her."
Samantha's smiled, as tears welled up in her eyes. She followed the young nurse down the corridor and disappeared into the ward.
"I suggest when Miss Crawford returns, that the rest of you head off for an early supper and then rest. You can't do anything until the morning."
"We can see Momma and Jai then too," said Alexandra.
"Yes, you can. But, both my very special patients need rest now, Alexandra, and so do you all," ordered the Monsignor.
"Miss Samantha's coming back to stay at our Hotel. The judge is gonna meet us there, or here," offered Alexandra.
"Hmm, he's supposed to be resting too," said the Monsignor sounding annoyed. "Virgil has been missing for over a week, mistreated and malnourished. And now he's still running around- far too much, if you ask me."
"We all have, I'd say," said Adam. "You're the Doctor; we all need the rest."
"Yep, We've all been running around, like blue ass flies," offered Alexandra.
Maverick and the Monsignor tried in vain to suppress their chuckles, while Adam shook his head. "Alex!" he scolded.
"What Dad, that's what them big buzzy flies are called, Uncle Hoss calls them that. He says Uncle Little Joe's always chasing girls; running around like a blue as…"
"I know. Enough. Don't say it again," warned Adam.
~oOo~
After Samantha had visited Jai, Maverick returned to the ward to spend the night. Adam and Alex also took the opportunity to pop in on Katherine. She was resting peacefully, and the Cartwright's and Samantha Crawford headed out for an early supper and then onto the Empire House for a good night rest.
Samantha graciously accepted Adams recommendation that she sleep in Alexandra's room at their suite. The young woman was exhausted, but a little more relaxed. She washed up, hung her dress and got into the small but comfortable bed. She was asleep within minutes. Alexandra on the other hand was fidgety as Adam tried to help her wash and dress for bed.
"Dad, it's still light outside," complained Alexandra.
Adam sighed and went to the window, and pulled the blind down. "There," he said, as the room transcended into darkness.
"Now it's too dark."
"Alexandra settle down. I'll leave the door slightly ajar, I'm going to read for a while," he said.
"Okay," sighed Alexandra. "Oh! I forgot to say my prayers," she suddenly announced and jumped out of bed.
Adam was almost out the door, then stopped and stood quietly, his arms crossed and his hands tucked under his armpits. He watched Alexandra as she knelt on the floor leaning her elbows on the thick mattress, then clasp her hands together.
"Dear God,
Thank you for a lovely day, even though things were a little scary still. But I had a lovely day with momma, she laughed and looked better. We got the chance ta remember how much we love each other. Please look after her, and make sure she never feels sad. I have ta go home soon, and that will make me sad, and her probably, but please jist help her make it for a little while and help her to remember all the good things that we talked about today. God also, please could you help Jai. She's hurt real bad, but I'm figuring with doctor Monsignor's help she'll be okay, though a little help from you and maybe her guardian angels or ancestors will be a mighty big help too. More importantly, help Jai, find a lovin' family. There's two people there ready and waitin'- Samantha and Mr Maverick. They ain't married, or anything, but I reckon they love each other and I know they love Jai. And I know Jai loves them. Can you help make them a family too? I gotta admit; It seems like it's supposed ta be, so I hope I'm not spoiling ya surprise, or anything, cause I reckon you had a plan of some sorts with us all coming together like this. Finally Lord, make my daddy happy too and not so worried all the time. Grandpa Ben says he's always been a worrier. Look after everybody at home and get some rest yerself, yer done a big job today. Amen."
"I'm happy Alexandra," said Adam.
"Yer are?" She smiled.
Adam nodded, and moved to help her get back into bed. He tucked her in and kissed on her forehead. "Okay sleep, now. I'm sure God took notes," he chuckled.
"He don't need to dad, he's got a very good memory, and when he gets really busy, trying ta be in all different places at once looking after everyone's soul, he has all these helpers; you like the apostrophe's. He's got angels and saints, but the apostrophe's when they died, they become saints, and lots of peoples become angels."
"Right, angels," he added kneeling down beside the bed he tapped her nose, then tucked her arms under the cover.
Alexandra, untucked them and through her hands out in front of her. "Yeah, and they's have all different types of Jobs, like some make sure he's getting enough ta eat, some are like secretaries and make appointments for him, some are like sheriffs and guards, so that when he has to sort out some bad guys, he's not in much danger. Then there's the ones that make him practice his miracles, and remind him that he's got visitors when they come ta heaven," she gesticulated animatedly.
"He's lucky to have all that help," said Adam as he stood up and stretched ready to head out the door again.
"We're his helpers too, dad."
"Yep," said Adam, as he started to close the door, slightly.
"Dad?"
Adam sighed," Yes, Alexandra?"
Alexandra sat up in the bed. "Are you mad at momma?"
"No? What gave you that Idea?"
"I heard ya say it one time ta Grandpa, you was mad at her cause she didn't tell you about me. Is that why yer don't love her like you love Miss Marty?" asked Alexandra.
Adam blew out a small breath. He tucked his hands in his pockets and walked slowly back to the bed and sat on the side close to Alexandra. "Okay, first Alexandra, you shouldn't listen in people's conversations, we've talked about this before. And yes; I guess I was mad at your momma when I found out about you and she didn't tell me for nine whole years. I felt hurt that she didn't trust me and that I'd missed out on some very special times with my little girl. I know a little more now about why, she didn't tell me, but I guess, I still feel cheated. I love your momma, but not in the same way I love Marty. Maybe that's because we were very young when we first meet, and as we got older and weren't around each other, the love never got a chance to grow into what it may have had the potential to be. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"Yeah, kinda. Jist don't be mad at momma, about me, I mean. I don't know about afore I was born, but momma was a real good momma. She loved the theatre and her momma, and Grandpa William and Molly. We had the best family. And when we went back to the theatre we had Ivan and all them folks as well. I was looked after real good. I was a little bit naughty though…"
"I don't believe it," scoffed Adam mockingly.
"Yeah I was dad. But momma was always trying real hard ta make everybody happy. She never told me you were my dad, but she never said any bad things about you either. She jist said you couldn't be with us because you had ta be at university and then with your pa and you brothers. She said we couldn't go and live with you and them, cause well… they's weren't use ta a lot of people. And, Momma didn't want ta leave her momma, either."
"I guess we were both too young then," said Adam.
"They talked about, Adam Cartwright; but like you was another person, and only cause Molly and Grandma Willameena said that I should know about you jist in case anything happened to them. Momma never had any beaus though, she said she didn't like the idea of having a beau an all, telling her what ta do and not work in the theatre. Molly says she was real scared of men she didn't know. I think that was because that Frank Hallett was so mean. She thought all men would be jist as mean."
"Did you ever meet your Grandpa Pater?" Asked Adam.
"Uh uh," Alexandra shook her head. "I don't think he was a very good man either, dad."
"Why do you say that? When your momma left Elk the first time, Grandpa Ben wired him. He seemed to be looking forward to having Willameena and Katherine coming home."
"Maybe, but then I don't think his wife liked them coming home. Momma left afore I was born, and we went ta live with Grandpa William and the carnival people. They were real friendly. Grandpa was the ring master, and he could yell louder the Grandpa Ben and used big fancy words like you. He was grand. But we had ta leave there, and go back ta Elk."
"Do you know why?"
"Not really, but that's when I had ta pretend I was a boy most of the time. I think Grandpa Pater found out momma had her baby, me. He wanted her to go back to live with him and his wife on the plantation. They didn't want Grandmama Willameena or Molly to come though. And then when they's thought I was a boy and not a girl they didn't want momma or me ta come either. Molly said it was because Grandpa Pater' s brothers didn't want a bastard boy heir in their mist. A boy bastard worse than girl bastard's dad?"
"Alexandra don't say that word. And no, they are children, innocent children."
"It's jist that they's weren't blessed by god in a marriage, right, dad?"
"That's how some people see it. But, the law allows a man to claim his children born out of wedlock. There are many families that are isolated from towns and preachers, and don't get to have a real wedding until after their children are born. They aren't considered illegitimate."
"So that's why yer mad at momma, cause she let me be a ba… illegitimate."
"No baby. Besides your Momma, had a birth certificate drawn up for you. Remember? On that certificate, it says I'm your dad. I accepted that in a court of law, so you are not illegitimate. Okay so no more about that. I am not mad at your momma, just sad that we couldn't share your childhood together. I love her, because she is your momma, and a very special person to me, in my past and in my future. That will never change, and that's all we should think about."
"Good Dad, cause I think momma done been worrying about it, and she can't remember an all, and I think she thinks she done something awful, so I jist reckon she should jist be happy now that we got her here with us."
"You are a little wise old soul, Alexandra," smiled Adam.
"That good?"
"Yep, that's good. Now sleep, you're a weary old soul and all your questions are making me very weary too." Adam leaned down, kissed the top of her head and quietly left the room.
TBC Chapter 23 Angels in our Midst.
A.N. Sorry for the wait, and short chapter, but it just can't be helped: Big shout out to Lajoci, for betaing this taking the time out with her very busy life too. For those wanting me to get Adam back to Marty, it will happen, but not until the end. The next story will develop their relationship and hopefully a bright future together.
