Chapter Twenty-Four

"Fellas, I am being moved to another dormitory. It's fishy. Mr. Peterson said I am not supposed to have anything to do further with you or my Grandfather will send me to military school-He said Mother is of unsound mind. They are going to send her away. I just saw her the day before yesterday at dinner. She was just fine. Just fine. Meeting with Mr Peterson about marrying Nick-So, we will leave messages for each other in Professor Wigg's class or archery. Meet at the Underground. I am going to act like I don't know you until we figure this out. Let me know what Nick says." He spoke in measured moments of fury, confusion, and logic.

Chip and JT looked shocked. "Is this a joke?"

"I wish."

James David ducked out into the hall and left the boys alone.

"I can't be seen with you just in case someone tattles."

JT watched him out, "Blazes Chip. This isn't right."

"Nope, I need to talk to my Father. I am skipping the next class. Stomach ache. Going for bismuth."

"No way, cousin. I am going with you. We ate the same bad fish at lunch."

—&—-

The boys told their dormitory mother they had the gripes and were heading to the apothecary. They were convincing and she told them a story of a bad experience with fish she had. They listened to her story dutifully and nodded at her long-winded description. They long had perfected the skill of charming women of all ages to get their way—-except for Elisabeth and their other aunts, and of course, Grandmother Victoria. She could see through them in an instant but still gave them their way.

JT and Chip caught a ride into San Francisco proper on the grocer's cart to the apothecary. They waited until he left and took a rig to the Palace.

"Miz Maris was staying here. Father at Uncle Jarrod's brownstone. If she's not here, we will head to their home."

"We will have one of our fathers send a message back that we are staying over with them 'illness of course."

The boys ran straight into Nate Springer in the lobby.

"Both your fathers are upstairs, room 6022. Mrs. Autonberry is resting."

Chip and JT's faces fell fearing the story was true, "Is she unwell? Not herself?"

Nate furrowed his brow, "What makes you ask that?"

They spat out the story from James David and his wish for them to see what had happened.

Nate looked furious, "Upstairs both of you. Tell your fathers exactly, I mean exactly what you just told me. Tell them I am heading back to Judge Turner's. I was waiting until tomorrow but I may be running out of time."

The boys tentatively got into the elevator and went to the sixth floor. They knocked on the door and Jarrod answered with a crack in the door. When he saw the boys, he opened it wide and embraced them. The boys were caught off guard by the grand show of emotion. They saw Nick on high alert on the other side of the room. Jarrod locked the door behind them. Nick rushed over and hugged them too. He ran his fingers through their hair and crumpled it.

"Before you say anything, we know it was wrong to skip school. But it is important."

Jarrod cocked his head, "And?"

They took turns spilling out James David's story and Nate's

Jarrod and Nick's eyes filled with fury. The boys had never seen their fathers in such an agitated state. An awkward silence ensured for quite a few minutes as they digested the story.

Jarrod began in a measured tone, "Boys, you will need to stay here tonight. I will send a note about your stomach pain. I assume it hurts after hearing such a story today about a lady you admire. First of all, she is of sound mind and completely sane. You have my word. She is, though, very emotional after the events of the last few days."

JT asked, "What has happened if we can ask?"

Jarrod looked over at Nick still holding his hand protectively on Chip's shoulder. He still hadn't said a word. He imperceptibly nodded at his brother to continue.

He proceeded, "Mr. Autonberry is not in favor of the marriage. And he is threatening to take James David away from his mother. He has said some unpleasant things and yes, questioned Maris's mental state. I assure you she knows her mind. She is resting because she has been crying quite a bit and isn't sleeping."

Both boys' eyes were huge with surprise.

Chip spoke for the first time with a Nicklike fury, "What does he have against my Pa?"

"It's anyone who would take Maris away from his home."

"That's not natural," Chip commented.

"We concur,"

JT asked, "What is Uncle Nate working on?"

"Women have few rights in the courts. He is going to be appointed her conservator, her guardian so her father-in-law cannot take advantage of her."

"Why can't my father?"

"He's too close to her. They might say he is taking advantage of her. Nate is a highly respected man in the state with an unbesmirched reputation. No one can challenge his being named as such. "

"Can't my Pa just marry her? Husbands can take care of their wives."

Nick finally spoke up, "Not yet. He could take James David away from his mother and I can't cause that to happen."

"Oh." and the room fell silent as the words sunk in.

The door opened and Maris walked out in a quilted robe with long braids. Nick immediately went to her side. He walked her to the settee. Her eyes were swollen and hollow with dark circles.

"Come boys. I want to send a hug back to James David and you two are the closest people to my boy."

The boys quickly framed her petite self and hugged her. She started crying and the boys continued to hold her.

Nick and Jarrod watched in respect for the boys and Maris.

She dried her tears, "Let's get some supper ordered. You boys gave me an appetite or maybe I figure you two are starving. I pride myself in knowing my boys." with her kind, weak smile.

—-&—-