A tall elderly gentleman stood just inside and off to the side of the back door taking in all the performers busy with one task or another. All going about with an intensity rarely found outside the fight ring. He was completely enthralled with everything going on around him when he heard a voice call out he focused solely on that person.
"I'm sorry sir but you can't be back here I'm going to have to ask you to-" Dog boy said briskly only to be surprised that when the distinguished gentleman turned his attention to Walter there was no reaction from him. Well, there was a reaction but none he ever remembered being aimed at him from a normal. There was an uncommon warmth and respect in the gentleman's demeanor aimed at him.
"You must be Walter it's a pleasure to meet you," the man said holding out his hand. "And you're quite right I probably shouldn't be back here, but sadly I know of no other way to leave a calling card for Miss Lettie and Sara."
Almost in a daze, Walter shook the man's hand, there was no flinch or immediate pulling away of the hand. "Yes, I'm Walter the pleasure is mine and I can see how that would cause problems. Whom shall I tell them is calling?" Walter's respect for the man doubled when it was obvious that the man had taken in Walter's condition yet continued to treat him as an equal.
"Ah yes, I'm Horace."
"Horace, Horace…." Walter looked puzzled for a few moments then it dawned on him. "Oh, you're Sara's trainer and manager!"
The gentleman's smiled widened at that and he nodded.
"Come right this way sir, I'll take you directly to Miss Lettie. Sara, unfortunately, is still confined to her bed for the time being." Walter said excitedly.
"How's she taking the bed rest?" Horace asked.
"Well for the past three days she's spent mostly asleep and she's still quite groggy today but not groggy enough to lose at poker." Walter laughed at this. Horace chuckled.
"I bet," Horace said with another chuckle. "Sadly, there are days I regret teaching her the game. Those are the days she wipes the floor with me."
They made their way to the main backstage area where many of the oddities were congregated. All starting to form up behind Lettie. Who turned at Walter's call, upon turning around to answer him Lettie noticed the refined man behind him.
"Horace!" Lettie called out and rushed over to him wrapping him up in a tight hug.
"Miss Lettie, you must let go," Horace said as he brought his hands up from his side. "I shan't be the one to muss up your performance regalia."
"That's near impossible Horace, trust me."
With that said. Horace brought his arms down and wrapped them tightly around the bearded lady giving as good as he got.
All took pleasure in the look of pure joy on the elderly man's face as the two hugged. Though all that witnessed the hug were in awe. There was no hesitation, no holding back Horace held tight to Lettie. They all could see the fatherly love he held for the brunette.
"What brought you here earlier than you planned?" Lettie asked as they pulled away.
"Some things have come up that I need to discuss with you and Sara and some even with your P.T. Barnum," Horace answered then lovingly kissed Lettie's forehead.
"Well hell, can you wait back here for a little bit? We've only to finish our last number for the night and we're going on for it in two minutes." Lettie asked him.
"Of course, I don't mind you should know that by now and it shall be such a sweet treat to watch it from back here," Horace responded with a beaming smile.
Lettie hugged him one last time before taking her spot once again. Horace moved out of their way as the rest of the oddities formed up behind her and those who glanced back at the trainer basked in his sincere enthusiasm for them and their show.
As they made their way backstage after their last number they couldn't quite come down from the adrenaline high which was boosted higher by the sheer pleasure that was written upon Horace's face when the curtains closed. Lettie herself was ecstatic over Horace's presence backstage.
"So, which is better, hun? The view from the stands or from backstage." Lettie asked Horace.
"Neither, the view from the stands affords you a full appreciation of your artwork and how easy you make it look, yet the view from backstage allows you a full appreciation of the mechanics of your work and just how much hard work that you all put into it," Horace replied. "Before we head up to Sara might I meet the rest of your family? And if you all don't mind let me see if I have all of your names put to the right faces."
The oddities looked amongst each other then looked to Lettie who chuckled at Horace's enthusiasm. She stepped to his side then gestured for him to go ahead as the oddities stepped forward to individually shake his hand. All found the same reception that Walter had upon first meeting him which caused all of them to relax even more around him than they normally would around a stranger.
Horace crouched down to Charles's level and held out his hand. "You must be Charles," he said as Charles found his hand in a firm grip.
He then moved onto the next misfit. "Ah, Constantine?" He didn't blink twice at the tattooed man as he nodded.
"Then we have…"
And this is how it went until he met every oddity getting every person right even both sets of twins. The men received firm handshakes and he kissed every ladies' hand. By the end, all of them had a deep respect for the true definition of a gentleman. He non-verbally acknowledged their oddity but still treated them as equals. Even more surprising than that Horace never used a single stage name, he used their given name. They all attributed it to Sara and to a lesser extent Lettie for other than those two the only other ones that knew their given names were the Barnums. Not even the stagehands and the like knew most of their given names. It warmed them to know that this Horace took time out his day to learn their real names
"I'm sorry to say ladies and gentlemen as much as I'd like to stay and get to know all of you I have business to discuss with my charge and her wife," Horace said. "Perhaps afterward we may take some time to do so? I have an even better idea how about you all come for dinner so both my families can get to know each other?"
The oddities looked amongst themselves at the term "wife" for Lettie, they thought it was rather apt. At the dinner invitation and him calling them family started murmurs amidst them.
"I'm sorry Horace, but I think dinner with you tonight is a bit sudden. Especially since I've some soup heating up on the stove and I'm sure some of the rest have their dinners warming up as we speak." At Horace's dimmed look Lettie continued. "But just maybe you could have us over later this week? This way we won't make plans for that day, so we may all join you for dinner and so Zadie doesn't kill you for springing all of us on her, catching her flat-footed."
"You make some valid points Lettie dear. None of you work on Sundays, is that correct?" Horace asked excitement lacing his voice once again. The group murmured that he was right. "Well if none of you have plans for this Sunday would you please come to have dinner with me and my other family?"
The misfits looked towards Lettie for guidance.
"We would love to Horace, send a message with the time to us when Zadie wants us there." Lettie accepted for everyone. "You guys are in for a treat, Zadie is the best cook this side of the Mississippi."
"What's with calling us your family? You just met us tonight." O'Clancy asked his puzzlement clearly etched on his face.
"Ah yes, that. Well, my Sara and Lettie consider you all their family and their family is my family. Not to mention all that you have done for them has not gone unnoticed by me." He answered.
"But how…" Constantine started.
"I've learned about you guys and all you've done through Sara and some from Lettie though since she's so busy with this new job we don't get to see her as often as we would like." Horace cut in. "Not to mention I've become quite the judge of character in my years. And you all are more human than the average Joe, not to mention more real then all my peers." He sneered the word peers. "And no, I don't expect any of you to accept me and my family the same way, we've yet to prove ourselves. Which considering is well understood. Now unfortunately I'm must take my leave since it is urgent that I speak with Sara and Lettie."
"Wait is someone threatening them? If so who? Point us in their direction." Charles demanded.
Lettie and Horace chuckle. "No, no one is threatening them, but if anybody should I have the means to take care of it. Though I would like you to tell me if anybody threatens you all. It's just urgent fight circuit business that Sara and I need to get a handle on since Saturday night was a major coup."
"Ah and we all know Sara doesn't make big decisions even within the fight circuit without Miss Lettie's input." Isla piped up with causing everyone to laugh, then they laughed harder at the rueful look on Horace's face and the quirked brow that Lettie was aiming his way.
"Yes, that one time was a very learning experience, never to be repeated. Do you all find it just as fascinating as I do that Miss Lettie can say so much without saying a word?" He asked them.
"I think everybody would be so if they knew Miss Lettie like we do!" This from Richard causing more laughter.
Lettie sniffed delicately while a ruckus interrupted the laughter, all turned towards the disturbance. Only to find Sara scowling while bulldozing her way towards the group from the depths of the backstage. Completely ignoring Derek who was doing everything he could to try to stop her without physically restraining her.
"Sara Harper Lutz! By all that is holy, what are you doing out of bed?!" Lettie bellowed making everyone but Sara jump.
Her scowl deepened. "If the mountain will not come to Mohammed, then Mohammed must go to the mountain," Sara growled loudly.
Even with her aggravation clear on her face and in her posture, Sara still collected up Lettie's arm in the gentlest manner possible and softly tugged on the big woman. Who happened to pull Sara to a stop with an irked look on her face.
"Where are the manners that mother taught you?" Lettie demanded.
"Up in our home sitting on the nightstand next to my second laudanum dose." Sara huffed attempting to begin pulling Lettie again with no luck.
"Well, you better start using them if you expect me to follow you!" Lettie said with her hands on her hips.
Sara instinctively took a deep breath to reply only to have it cause her to wince and hunch over a little bit. Everybody let out a deep sigh.
"It really depends on the day and topic as to whether your stubbornness is a blessing or a curse, luv. Come let's get you back upstairs, in bed and take your second dose." Lettie carefully wrapped her arm around her lover. "Though it should be your third."
Sara mumbled something that no one caught Lettie leaned closer towards her. "What was that, luv?"
Sara again spoke too low for anybody to hear. Lettie quirked a brow at her.
Sara just stopped herself from another deep inhale. "I wanted one last kiss before I pass out from my second dose." Sara blushed a deep red.
The rest were kind enough to pretend they didn't hear her. Though quite a few were unable to hide their smiles at Sara's adorableness.
Lettie ducked down and pressed a light kiss on Sara's cheek. "Alright you, let's get you back upstairs, Horace has some things to discuss with us. Once that's done we'll get you put to bed for the night."
Derek came over and said. "Let me, Miss Lettie." With that, he carefully cradled Sara to his chest, but Sara stopped him from leaving.
"Sorry, guys I just wanted my Lettie and she was taking too long." Sara apologized abashedly.
"Ah, now that would be my fault I could no longer put off meeting them," Horace said sheepishly. "It wasn't my intention to keep Miss Lettie from you."
Sara chuckled then winced once again. "Finding you down here with them I was no longer surprised at Lettie being late, but it still didn't deter me in what I wanted. I'm actually surprised by the fact that both of you are all ready to head upstairs."
"What we need to discuss is a bit time sensitive and we need to decide in the next few days what we're going to do for the next few months. Besides they all have been invited to Sunday dinner with us." Horace replied. "Now let's get you upstairs, a hot meal into you while we have our talk and let Miss Lettie take care of you."
"That sounds like a plan, by the way, Derek I can walk on my own two feet you know. I did manage to get myself down here."
"True, you could Sara but since you've stopped your forward momentum your pain has skyrocketed I can tell. So, your dignity is just going to have to take a hit." He responded to his bundle, he sent her a significant glance that shut her up.
Lettie said her goodnights to the rest of the oddities and led their small procession back up to their small apartment. Once up there she had Derek set Sara down in the living room, she offered him some supper, but he declined and left. Horace stepped up and gently led Sara to the tiny dining room and sat her down then followed Lettie into the kitchen to grab the dishware that she got down. He went and set the table while Lettie finished with the soup.
All was quiet while the table was set, and supper was dished up. With all three eating Horace dabbed at his lips with the simple linen napkin then started the conversation.
"I've some news, it seems with your win Saturday night we've managed to stir up one inferno of a hornet's nest."
"I don't see how it's just another win. There's always a few that get riled up after one of my wins." Sara looked puzzled.
"Luv, this wasn't one of your typical wins, this was with Ivan the Hammer. He was the only other fighter on the circuit other than you who went undefeated. I have no doubt you painted one big 'ole target on your back with that win." Lettie interjected.
"And she's more correct than you think, son. Every rookie fighter on the circuit is gunning for you now, especially since they really want to make a name for themselves. What better way then by taking down the only undefeated prizefighter there is? Not to mention said prizefighter is a woman who somehow got a lucky hit in, so you truly can't be the titleholder. And they're all chomping on the bit to take it from you."
All three snorts at that. "Well experience will soon teach 'em otherwise." Sara chuckled.
"True, but they're not the worst we need to deal with, most bookies have placed a bounty on your head so to speak. They are not happy with you. With your win, you lost them a large sum of money. And they've taken it up a step because of your policy of not turning down a challenger, the regular boxers will get an extremely large sum of money, but for the average man on the street to take you down they get double the amount. So, now you're getting challenged by both the regular fight circuit and from the man on the street." Horace continued to eat while the two took in what he said.
It was a few minutes but then Sara asked. "Are any of my circle of fighters jumping in on this?"
"Yes, all the ones that don't really know you are jumping at it, there's a few who learned their lesson about you whether or not they know you. Then there are the ones who do know you of which many of them are just shaking their heads over this and a few that are going to challenge you because they need the money. Though we all know how that's gonna turn out." Horace chuckled taking another sip of the delicious soup. "Though again, not our biggest worry. It's the normal's we have to worry about, the bookies want their fights to be street fights."
Sara quickly slurped the rest of her soup down then leaned back deep in thought. While Lettie looked scandalized.
"So, at any time she could be jumped? How are they to know any of those goons actually succeed?"
"Ah, that's one of their stipulations, those fights are to be fought in a ring like a normal bout, but they want them to be street fights with no rules. That way they witness it first hand, so they know whether it happened and two, so they can make more money." Horace sighed as he too finished his soup. "Delicious as ever Lettie, I know you say Zadie is the greatest cook east of the Mississippi, but I've got to tell you that it's honestly a toss-up as to which of you truly is the best.
Lettie blushed. "Thank you, Horace but you always say that."
"That's because it's the truth." He replied.
"Hmm, we'll do it."
Both turn to Sara. "What?" Lettie asked.
"We'll take them all on."
"That's what I thought you were going to say, so I've planned out a few things. Let me tell you what they are, and we'll see what you two think." Horace responded.
As Sara gestured for him to continue Lettie paled significantly.
"Well, first off we're dropping your fights down to two a week down from four. Second, for the next month and a half, your opponents will be the novices just to get them out of our hair. After that, you'll still be down to two bouts a week, but one will be with your fellow boxers and the other will be a street fight with whoever challenges you that week. Third, when one of them do challenge you they have to specify which type of fight it is, street or ring. Your ring fights will be on Wednesday nights and your street fights will be on Saturday nights. And you'll be training every night but those two. And we'll still be training everyone every day but Sundays." Horace sat back watched as both women sat in deep thought.
"That sounds reasonable." Sara agreed.
"And I can get behind her only fighting twice a week, my only worry is these street fights. Where will they be held?" Lettie asked.
"That's one of the things I needed to talk to Mr. Barnum about. I would like to host both fights here. For one, I want to make this to be Sara's home ring, so Sara has home turf advantage. Two, we can keep the fights as even as possible within the ring, fewer objects to be used against each other. Three, so Mr. Barnum can put Sara on his payroll and she can quit working for Branson. It's come to my attention that he's been giving you the worst jobs at his shop." Horace scowled at the thought.
Sara shrugged. "Someone's gotta do 'em. And you know I've experience with all the different type of jobs that come with butchering."
"True, but it's also come to my attention that while he's doing that he's not paying you the correct amount for what you do. I'll not have you, working the worst jobs for the least amount of pay. I did not send you to him for him to take advantage of you."
Sara sighed, she knew there was no changing his mind about it. Not that she really minded, Branson was an ass and hated her guts, thus the shit jobs. Besides, she'll get to spend more time with Lettie should Barnum agree to hire her.
"If you can get Barnum to take me on, I definitely wouldn't turn it down," Sara winced at the sudden thought she had. "Does this mean I'm going to have to sing and dance with y'all?"
Lettie and Horace couldn't help their chuckles. "Yes, luv, it means you're gonna have to learn the songs and dances."
"Just be sure to use your bard magic to keep her in tune, you don't want to scare away the crowd," Horace added.
Sara blushed, and Lettie laughed until it dawned upon them exactly what he said. They both gaped at him though Lettie went paler than a ghost.
Then Sara remembered that Horace had caught the two in an intense song between them back when they were still teenagers. Since Horace had already revealed that he knew of Sara being a mage it shouldn't have surprised the redhead in the least that he made the connection of between music, dance, sorcery, and Lettie. Especially since he knew Sara couldn't sing if her life depended upon it.
"Miss Lettie are you alright darling?" Horace asked in concern.
Lettie could only stare at him in terror and started to hyperventilate. Sara quickly reached out and brought Lettie's face to face her, ignoring all the pain this caused. "Babygirl, hey now there's nothing to fear with Horace remember Saturday night that he's the one that suggested I give our family the jumpstart in boxing? It appears he's always known about us and like he told me if he had a problem with us being mages he never would've taken us on. Now breath with me, nice deep slow breaths."
She came around to Lettie's side of the table and kissed her softly. "It's alright my Lettie. We're still safe with Horace, the only thing that's changed is that the secrets of us being mages and him knowing about it are gone now. And I'm rather glad they are, I didn't like keeping that knowledge from him. He's now one more layer of protection for you and you know how I am about you being protected."
"She's quite right, Miss Lettie. You know I see you as another daughter and our Sara as the son I never had. I honestly believe that you two have been blessed with being mages, and in the spirit of honesty, I'm also rather envious of you two. I have always wished I was born with magic abilities like my sister and cousin. At this point, I'm wishing one of them was a mage, so they could teach you what they know, but sadly my sister is a warlock and my cousin he's a hedge witch. So, there's nothing teaching wise they can help you with, but they can help with understanding your fears. Well, not my cousin so much since he enjoys the quiet country life." Horace said quite earnestly hoping to convey his love and sincerity to his adopted daughter.
Lettie still looked overwhelmed, so Horace got up and went to her as well Sara pulled her up as the two wrapped her up in a giant hug, Lettie could no longer hold it in and she started bawling. First, the acceptance of the oddities of their mage abilities only to find out Horace had known about them almost from the time the first met and his acceptance of it as well was simply too much. Especially since their own family disowned them for being mages.
"Let it out, you're truly safe now, let it all out," Horace crooned softly.
Sara kept one arm around her but used her right hand to brush back her curly hair, smoothing it back and peppering her neck with light kisses.
Lettie sniffled then pushed back into Sara, so she stepped back so that Lettie could step back and look up into Horace's face. "I'm sorry, but I've been, well we've been scared for so long that…"
"Hush now, it's perfectly understandable. You two have been keeping these secrets for so long only to suddenly disclose them to a group of people recently than to suddenly have your manager and trainer tell you he's always known…"
"Father figure and you know that Horace." Sara interrupted.
He lightly waved that away. "My point being is you've both have revealed some dangerous information for this day in age with me and a large group of others. So, it's no wonder whatsoever that your fears are so close to the surface. Now come, Miss Lettie, you need to finish your supper, so we can finish up this discussion and you can process all of this."
"Thank you, for all your understanding in everything Horace," Lettie replied as she stood up on tippy toe to kiss his cheek. "I know you'd never do anything about the fact that we're mages, but really thank you for understanding my fears."
"You are most welcome now come eat." He gently guided her back into her seat.
Lettie sighed deeply then began to finish her dinner. "So, when do you plan to talk to Phineas?" She asked.
"Well, if I can find him I'm planning on talking to him tonight before he leaves for home." He answered.
"Let me go ask someone to let him know we have stuff we need to discuss with him since I doubt you two will let me go get him." Sara offered.
"You have that right." Horace and Lettie said in tandem, causing them all to laugh only to have Sara groan and lean over grasping her ribs.
"Don't make me laugh, it hurts too much still."
Lettie sighed once again. "I'm almost done here go take your medicine and we'll meet in the living room."
Sara got up and pushed her chair back in. "I'll do that once I get someone to go get Phin for us." With that, she took her dishes into the kitchen then left the apartment.
"So, do you think Phineas will go along with this?" Lettie asked looking concerned.
"He's a businessman first, then an entertainer. But either way, he'll jump at the chance to have such a famous prizefighter in his troupe. For the businessman, it's an added profit. For the entertainer that's one hell of a show to have the only woman boxer that steps into the ring with men boxers that's a draw that none can compete with."
"Hmm, I don't know why that I didn't think of that when you mentioned all this in the first place."
"Simple Lettie, your concern has always been and always will be Sara, not profit nor what would draw the crowds. And that's the way it should be, just like Sara doesn't think like that she just focuses on the fight and her opponent and that's also the way it should be. That's why you two have me as your manager. It's my job to think of such things." Horace replied softly and patted Lettie's hand as she finished her food.
Both got up and put their dishes in the sink and made their way into the living room just as Sara came back in.
"He should be here soon," Sara said as she sat down carefully in her chair.
Lettie sighed, shook her head and went to get Sara's dose of medicine from the bedroom. Came back and handed it to Sara with just a brow raised. Sara accepted the glass and noticing the brow just chugged the water down without a word.
Sara leaned back in her chair with her eyes closed. Upon feeling a hand run through her short hair she leaned into the hand. "Hello, Beautiful." She looked up into warm brown eyes.
"Thank you." Lettie leaned down and kissed Sara softly yet passionately.
When Lettie stood back up Sara grabbed her hand. "Will I get more kisses like that if continue to take my meds without any complaints?" She asked with a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
"And if the answer is yes?" Lettie's smile matched Sara's twinkle.
"No more complaints out of me!" Sara carefully sat up straighter with a grin.
Horace chuckled at the twos' banter.
"But that also means no more tearing around the building like tonight," Lettie said with emphasis.
"And no more tearing through the building." Sara chirped causing Horace to laugh outright Lettie joined him.
"You do know you can get those kinds of kisses any time you want right?" Horace gave Sara his own two cents the laughter still warming his voice.
"No, I can't. If I could then I wouldn't have needed to come downstairs to fetch my Lettie from your enthusiastic clutches." Sara shot back playfully as Horace took a seat at the far end of the couch and Lettie sat at the end closest to Sara keeping her hand in Sara's grasp.
The banter flowed between the three when there was a knock at the door. Lettie got up to answer it, she led Phineas into the living room and seated him in the other chair opposite of Sara's chair.
"Many pardons gentlemen, I'd get up but I'm still rather stiff and sore so if you don't mind…" Sara gestured to her sitting in her chair.
Both men waved her apologies away.
"Then down to business, Horace this is Phineas T. Barnum owner P.T. Barnum's Circus. Phineas this is Horace, my manager, and trainer." The two men shook hands and sized the other up.
"No last name?"
Sara and Lettie chuckled and cleared up P.T.'s confusion. "We've known him for eleven years, he's spent all that time as my manager and trainer. We've adopted him, and he's adopted us, and we still don't know his last name. He seems to have an aversion to giving it out."
"What can I do for you, Horace?" P.T. asked looking intrigued.
"There are several things you can do for me. How would you feel about hiring Sara as The grand prizefighter of your troupe?"
"I have a couple of questions. What would I get out of it right now and how would it benefit me in the long term?"
"Well, for the one you would get a small percentage of her winning purses as your circus would become her homering. For two, you would get to charge the crowd for each of her fights. Three, you get the prestige of having the only undefeated pugilist in your troupe," Horace held up his hand to stall whatever P.T. was going to say. "No, she won't be the fight circuit's undefeated fighter forever, but I know she's still got a good ten to fifteen years left of her career.
And she already holds the record for the longest held undefeated title for the New York fight circuit. She's not going to lose it any time soon and even if she should, she would still be a large draw since any boxer in any circuit who hears of her wants a chance at knocking her back to her place outside the ring. And that's just a few things that she could do for you. Once we get this settled we also have another proposition for you."
P.T. sat there and thought about it, they could see the gears turning in his head. Although there was a lot riding on his decision the three of them were relaxed as each knew in their own way that he wouldn't pass up this chance.
"Alright, I can work with that. Though you have me curious, what's this other proposition and how small a percentage?" He asked none surprised by his questions.
Horace leaned forward. "First the percentage is three percent no more, no less. This is not up for negotiation that's the highest that any ring owner gets of the prizefighter's winning purse." Horace paused to wait for Barnum's reaction which was just a sigh and shrug of the shoulders, he waved to Horace to continue. "Since the fight Saturday night there's been a whole slew of fighters and street thugs clamoring to challenge Sara to a fight. Sara has a policy of never turning down a challenge, normally that would only be in the ring, but we've decided we're going to open that policy up to the public. So that she'll also be taking on street hooligans though they will have the choice if it's to be a street fight or a ring fight. It's up to them if there are rules or not.
Now we've dropped her fights down from four a week down to two, fights with other prizefighters will be on Wednesday nights and the bouts with the average man will be on Saturday nights. You see street fights are more brutal than the ring fights, so Sara will need the extra time to recuperate. Thus, only two fights a week. And if you want since they will be challenging Sara you could charge them a fee and we'll let you keep that fee since there's no doubt that Sara will win those. Does that sound reasonable to you?"
"It does, but I do have one question." Horace gestured for him to continue. "Won't you be having them put in their share of the winning purse?"
"No, for the simple reason that only a few will be able to afford it, but there will be a such a fee for the popinjays who think they can take down Sara. And yes, you will still get your cut."
"Is it a deal?" Horace asked P.T. holding out his hand.
Phineas thought about it for a minute then took the gentleman's hand and shook it.
"It's a deal."
"Good, good, I'll be here tomorrow morning with the paperwork drawn up by my lawyer for you to sign. Will you be alright if we use your building to train Sara, the oddities, and my other fighters? It would just be the easiest plus if we do it this way neither of us must worry about the oddities getting attacked. And it will all be after each night's show, so we don't have to worry about tying up your ring or backstage." Horace asked Barnum.
"Sure, I see no problems with that so long as it's as you suggested."
"Alright, then I'll also bring the training equipment tomorrow morning as well and just, so you know the oddities training will start tomorrow night," Horace added.
"That won't be a problem," P.T. and Horace stood and shook hands again. "It's been my pleasure, I shall see you all tomorrow morning." And with that Barnum shook Sara's hand as well and took his leave.
Sara smirks. "You already have all the papers drawn up, don't you? That's the true reason you were unwilling to negotiate on the percentage of my winning purse."
"That was part of it, but the main thing is an I didn't want him to try a scalp you like other ring owners attempt with other fighters. And with all that done, I think you need to put our Sara to bed the laudanum has been kicked in for a while it looks like it's all she can do to keep her eyes open."
"Hey!"
Lettie looked at Horace with a smirk. "If you think she's looking tired now you should see her with the poultice and her dosed on the medicine. Then she's really cute and childlike."
"I resent that!" Sara pouted.
"Resent it all you want, but I believe it to be the truth. Though I think it has to do with how small you are." Horace gave his parting shot as he too left their residence.
Sara grumbled under her breath as Lettie smiled on as they went into their bedroom and got ready for bed which included Sara putting the balm all over the bruises she could see and her lover taking care of the rest. Though Lettie got into bed first and laid on her back, as the tiny woman got in she gently pulled Sara to her and held her as tightly as she dares. Sara lay on her side and ran her fingers soothingly through Lettie's beard, a comforting gesture that Sara only does when she's worried or concerned. She continued to run her fingers through Lettie's facial hair as both drifted off. Lettie promised herself to talk to Sara about it in the morning.