Sunrise in St. Louis

The sun came too early for my liking, but those haunting memories keep me up most nights anyway. So, I resigned myself to lying awake. It was peaceful to be in that little room, and for a moment my troubles were far away. There was silence except for the gentle rhythm of Riley purring in contentment. It was soon time to rise and meet the day as the sun's light grew more intense through the shade covering our sole window in a bunk house near the docks. We don't have much money, so the first order of business is finding work. Really, any kind of work will do. My stomach reminds me that there is a more pressing matter at hand, so I will myself to sit up and throw on my cleanest shirt.

Standing up and bending myself into a deep stretch, I peer out the window from behind the shades to see a scene that could be found in pretty much any city in the country. Markets, stores, and a street teeming with life. A quiet groan from Riley takes my attention away from the outside world. While this place is new, I certainly hope it feels like home to her as soon as possible. Quietly walking over, her eyes are still closed and relaxed. Hopefully my sister is dreaming of innocent, pleasant things. Pulling out some paper, I wrote down a note for her to stay put in the room until I return with food. Placing the note next to her on the night stand, I quietly adjust her blanket to make sure she remains tucked in and at peace followed by a quick peck on the cheek.

Without a word or noise, I slip out the door then down the stairs into the lobby. At the entrance to our little hotel I give a tip of the hat to the maid who is already hard at work on the first floor before walking out into the morning street. The air is fresh from an early morning rain, the damp lingering in the humid air. Montana is high and dry, so to speak, and even in summer it wouldn't be uncommon to have frost instead of dew. Here the air feels thick, but in a refreshing sort of way.

"Okay, where to start for a job…" I think while scanning around the street. The sheer number of places to work feels overwhelming as blocks of concrete and brick stretch out in every direction, even across the mighty Mississippi through the hazy air. Shamrock City was far more compact in comparison. A lot of the shops have yet to open, but large letters on a sign at a booth attract the eye. "Post-Dispatch" is plastered across an elegantly cut wooden board in bolded font.

"Ah ha!" A smile forms across my muzzle. A big city newspaper! Cheap, a lot of pages, and surely a large volume of job opportunities!

Dodging traffic and streetcars, I make my way across the street to find a boy barely older than Riley stocking the booth.

"Hey kid, how much for the Dispatch?"

"Three cents, sir."

"Very good, here's a nickel. Keep the change." I flip him the coin as he tosses me a rolled-up paper. My stomach growls reminding me of the next priority, food. Looking around, I find myself immersed in the streets and overwhelmed by the sheer number of opportunities that lay ahead of me. Luckily, a street cat like that paper kid no doubt has a list in his head for good grub.

"Also, you got an idea where a guy can get some food around here? I just rolled in off the boat."

"Oh yeah, Soulard Market is in the next block over."

"Bless you kid, here's another nickel for your troubles."

The boy's eyes lit up as I flipped the coin into his hands. That's enough for a couple of sodas, or at least getting a sandwich later before he goes home. Still, I got to be careful not to do that too much. Though with the choice between giving a kid some extra change or taking the streetcar, I'd rather spoil the child and walk a block. Ducking through a side street to avoid a traffic jam, I emerged on the other side across from a large brick building with a big sign over the entrance. "SOULARD" in large, bold letters greets me as I slip inside.

The sights and smells fill my senses to the brim. People from all over town, if not all over the country, are here for their daily shopping. Almost anything could be purchased here, and it reminds me of the mercantile building at the center of Butte. This market is far larger though, and there is food from all over the world! Spying a shop in the corner with food I recognize, I count my change and adjust me hat.

"So, where'd you get the food?" Riley says as she stuffs her face in a most unladylike manner.

"Soulard Market a couple blocks away. Sure beats potatoes and barley, doesn't it?"

"Mmhmm…" Riley nods as she scarfs down a pastie.

"And… ta da!" I exclaim, pulling out the newspaper from my pocket.

"What's so great about that?"

"Oh, this isn't just any newspaper, dear sis. The Post-Dispatch is the finest newspaper in the Midwest. And more importantly, look at all these classifieds!" I demonstrate by thumbing through a single section of the paper that is easily twice as thick as the Billings Daily. "If this doesn't net us a job in a couple of days, then I'd be very surprised."

This doesn't attract the reaction I was hoping. On some level, I know Riley understands how important it is to find work quickly. At the same time she's too focused on filling her belly to care. The sum result is only a mild interest from the child.

"Well… I'll save the cartoons for you anyway. Once you're done, we should go take a walk before it gets hot out this afternoon. A farmer I bumped into said that rain will be coming through late tonight."

Out on the Town

A half an hour later, we're out the door. Our possessions safely stored in the room I rented for a second night. In the mountains you could make camp so long as you didn't mind taking on the mild risk of a bear wandering in, but in the big city that's called 'being a bum'. At least I can take heart knowing that we can leave our things for a few hours without some thief making off with our suitcases. Riley alternates between holding onto my hand or tail, an old habit from when she was learning to walk. Soon though she's trying to run off in this brand-new city and I've got to continually keep an eye on her. Telling the girl to stay next to her old, tired brother just seems cruel yet a balance still must be maintained. Unfortunately, it's hard to read a paper, not get flattened by a motorist, and keep an eye on a rambunctious ten-year-old.

"Hey Ethan, look over there! Can we go in?"

I look up expecting some oddity of the city that would no doubt expect a ticket fare, but apparently our tastes are more aligned than I thought. "Lafayette Park" greets us as we walk through the entrance. Flowers blooming, kids playing, couples out on their leisurely stroll. Most seem to be of a higher class that don't have to work at the bottom of a mine or in some factory, but a sign near the entrance makes its intended purpose quite ironic. "For the pleasure and enjoyment of the common people." I suppose on Sundays the scene is a bit different.

"Are you going to keep up or stand there looking at a sign?" Riley prods.

"Alright, alright, I'm coming. Lead the way little miss."

After a loop around the big pond, I see a tree.

"Okay Riley, see that tree over there?"

Riley looks up from the flower she's intently analyzing to see where my finger is pointed. "Yeah, that big oak."

"Very good, I'm going to finish reading the paper. You can explore if you want, but don't wander too far, or leave the park. Got it?"

"Okay!" She says as she stands up and immediately wanders off to explore more of the gardens and greenery, sketch pad in tow. Better to get it out of her system now than to be cooped up in a room with a bored girl who just spent the better part of a month traveling.

The shade is nice, and there's even a bench to sit down on. While the war left its mark, the park feels a lot like a large English manor our company was stationed after the treaty was signed at Versailles. However, there's no time to reminisce, so I start my scan through the classifieds.

Archivist, baker, butcher, salesman, carhop, bellhop, greeter, warehouse worker, plumber, mason, farmhand, clerk, mechanic, the list continued. But what could a rifleman and copper miner do? Well, Sable seemed to be hiring blasters, truck drivers, rail workers, and excavators in a full-page ad, so that will have to be saved for later. Union Pacific was hiring too, but there's no way I could be on the rails for weeks at a time with a kid at home. A more pressing issue was despite all the openings, the wages weren't anything special. Affording rent was going to be difficult. Maybe the University needed a groundskeeper? Surely a good Catholic college wouldn't turn down a wayward son and his orphaned sister, right?

The distinct sound of little feet running up to me brought my attention elsewhere. A bundle of flowers was quickly shoved into my face as I looked up. "Ethan look, I got you flowers!"

"Oh, they are very beautiful. But I think we're supposed to look at the flowers, kitten, instead of picking them."

"Why?"

"Well, if every young lady did that, there wouldn't be any more flowers. We aren't in the mountains anymore Riley; we must play by city rules."

"So… you don't like them? Are you mad at me?" She says, clearly hurt.

"No, of course not. They are very pretty flowers, maybe we can give them to someone who can put them in a vase. Here, I've got something for you in return."

I pull out the cartoons from earlier out, neatly folded. "If you're done exploring, maybe you want to sit down and look through these?"

"Okay! You promise you're not mad about the flowers?"

"No, of course not sweet girl! In fact, this little daisy is my favorite. We'll make her the center of the bouquet when we get back to the apartment. In the meantime…"

I pull out my canteen and stuff the ends down into the water so the poor things can keep drinking. Then it's back to scanning the classifieds. Ten pages later, I've circled at least a dozen leads.

"Well, looks like most of the jobs I'd care to do are in midtown. You want to take the streetcar?"

I knew that Riley would light up at the thought of cruising through town on rails instead of walking. "Yes, let's go! We do have money for a ride, right?"

"Yeah, we can spare some change. Especially if it nets me a job by the end of the day." Truth be told, she has a point, but I'd rather not walk several miles in my best clothing. We'll both be needing a bath tonight as it is.

Exiting the park, we flag down a streetcar. Normally they'd just slow down for me, but with a kid in tow the driver graciously applies the brakes so I can lift Riley up onto the step before climbing on myself.

The lanky dark-furred pilot gave a smile and tapped on the farebox. "Sixteen cents please."

"Very good" The clank of coins dropping into the box prompts the driver to release the brakes on the electric trolley. I let Riley have a seat while I stand nearby, holding on as the car accelerates down the street. While it must have been ten minutes, they seem to fly by. The grandest scene of all was gliding over the rail yard on Jefferson. For a brief minute, Riley and I are able to see pretty much the whole city from the river to the countryside a few miles distant.

"Wow…" I catch her say. I'm glad she's at least enjoying herself.

Soon enough we're a couple blocks north of the University and I decided this will be prime territory for job hunting. "Okay Riley, pull the bell string." She struggles to tug on the string, but eventually signals the pilot to halt so we can get off just as more people, mostly rich young college students climb aboard.

"So where to now?" Riley asks as she holds her hand out for me to grab on to.

"Oh, I suppose we can just start walking up and down the streets. Keep an eye out for a sign or some advertisement looking for work."

"Okay!" She says cheerfully. But after an hour, hunger started to get the better of us. Riley's stomach makes its displeasure known to us both.

"I suppose we should find a place to eat."

"Sorry, that was loud."

"It's alright, you're a growing kid and need food. I could go for some water."

The Café by the Corner

"Hey, what about that one!" Riley points across the street to a little store running down a side street. The small sign sticking out from the wall rocks in the gentle midwestern breeze. It says, "Little Daisy Café".

"Well would you look at that! You predicted it back in the park with the best flower in the bunch. Place looks quiet, probably cheap too, which is even better."

Riley goes to run across the street, but I instinctively pull her back as a car roars past at a stupid speed. "Hey now, that's exactly why I want you holding my hand dear. That guy didn't even see you."

"Sorry…"

"It's okay, that's why I'm here. Now, give me your hand and I'll escort you across like a proper gentleman." I give her a wink at that last part, we both know I'm the furthest thing from one of those stuffy aristocrats.

As we get to the door of the café, another stroke of luck meets us right in the face. "Help wanted: cook, stocker, cleaner. $40/wk."

"That's why you're my good luck charm Riley. See that? Easy job, decent pay, good part of town. And, if you look up…" Both our gazes look up at the three-story building.

"… there may be an apartment for us in there too."

A bell rings as we walk in. A handful of faces look up at us, all customers of the elder variety. However, the prettiest young lady I've seen since France is there to greet us at the register.

"Good afternoon, welcome to the Little Daisy Café! What can I get for you today?" The brunette with a Brooks haircut asks with the cheeriest smile this side of the Mississippi.

"Thank you. Here Riley, go ahead and look through the menu." Then it hits me, why not use the bouquet?

"And for you my dear, it would be quite fitting I think if you could find a home for this bouquet. They'll never make it back to the hotel in this heat anyway."

As hoped, she picks them up with a bright, cheery look. "Oh, thank you! This might help brighten Miss M's day too when she comes in, and I've got the perfect vase."

"Well, certainly glad to brighten someone's day. Does this 'Miss M.' own the café?"

"She does now after Atlas… passed away. I do what I can to keep my godmother's spirits up, and this will certainly have a better chance than a weird cactus."

"Cactus…?"

"Oh yeah, I guess you wouldn't really understand. You both are new faces here, I'm Ivy."

"Ivy… now that's a lovely name. I am Ethan, and this hungry girl here is Riley."

"How nice, taking your daughter out for the day. Kinda hot outside, but it sounds like it's going to rain later, so that should cool things off."

I can't help but laugh. Halfway across the country and people are still assuming incorrectly. "No, Riley here is my little sister. We just came into town."

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to infer you were—"

"It's alright Miss Ivy. I'm twenty-seven, so it wouldn't be so far-fetched. I'm the oldest of our family, Riley here was the last one."

"Well, if Riley is starving, I suppose I should take your order."

"Riley, you get whatever you want, I'm just going to start with a glass of water. I'm too parched for food."

A few minutes later Riley is satisfied with her sandwich. I'm on my second glass of water. "So, Ivy, I can't help but notice that you're the only one working here."

"Yeah, we're a bit short staffed. Usually we aren't busy… at least not anymore."

"Well, I'm not the greatest cook on earth, but I can run a kitchen and do a lot of handywork. As it so happens, I'm in need of a job. Miss "M" wouldn't happen to be coming around anytime soon, would she?"

"That's great! I could sure use you… I mean, we could sure use you. She ought to be around any minute, had a late-night last night."

"Oh, I suppose she must own a few stores like this, if the photos around the walls are to be believed. The wage is certainly good."

"Yeah, after Uncle Atlas passed on, we've been struggling a bit. He was a great man with many businesses, but without him things have gotten hard to keep up. This café right now is the main thing making money."

"Really? No offense, but it's a little on the quiet side."

"Well, you see, we…." Ivy then remembered that some information she wasn't supposed to share with strangers. "This is sort of an exclusive place. Our regulars come here for… business."

I was a little suspicious of this considering the people here, while pleasant, certainly aren't anything special. "Let me guess, Miss M. is looking for someone who can cook, clean, and do a lot of handywork? That would explain why she's hiring at such a good wage."

"Yeah… sure, let's go with that." Ivy's voice and body language is telling me she's being less-than truthful, but she could just as easily not know what this 'Miss M.' is looking for. Just then, the back door to the café opens and in walks what can only be described as a drop-dead gorgeous cat that wouldn't be caught dead in a place like Shamrock City.

The Lady of the House

"Oh, here she is now! Miss M. This guy here wants to be our cook."

The woman proved herself to be even more intoxicating as a thick, yet gentle southern accent rolled off her tongue. "You mean, this 'gentleman' Ivy."

"Oh yeah, sorry sir."

"Please, I'm far from a gentleman Ivy, you can just call me Ethan if you like." I then turned my attention to the boss. "Ethan Kelly ma'am, and at your service. Just got off the river boat yesterday."

Miss M seemed to be sizing me up, scanning every inch of me from the soles of my shoes to the top of my hat. Then, as if on cue, she gave me a comforting smile. "Not a gentleman? Alright, Mr. Kelly. You certainly look like a man of many skills. Where were you working before coming to our fair city?"

"Shamrock City ma'am."

"Where?"

"Oh, my apologies. That's what the locals call it. Butte, Montana ma'am. I was working for Anaconda Copper until our mother passed away this spring."

"I'm very sorry to hear about your loss, Mr. Kelly. I too have lost someone dear to me not too long ago."

"Ah yes, that would be a Mr. Atlas, correct? My condolences, Ivy was telling me about how much Atlas contributed to the city."

Miss M gave Ivy a side-eye before continuing. "Yes, Atlas was quite the businessman. But we've fallen on hard times since his passing. I was hoping someone would show up who could get this café running properly so that it can help fund some of his other… operations that are currently in a spiral."

"Well, I'm certainly not a professional chef. But I can cook, I keep a clean kitchen, and I've been doing carpentry and other handywork on the side now for several years."

"I must say Mr. Kelly, a cat with your skills could be a natural fit here. Viktor is certainly in need of assistance, especially with the car. My… errand boy can be a bit rough on it."

A loud knock on the window pane turned our attention to a grey tabby dressed in a suit that can only be described as… loud. He walked in, water pooling at the cat's feet. I instantly felt like I knew this one.

"Miss M! I've got another… lead to discuss for our… kitchen stock."

I could hear her sigh as Ivy went around the counter and immediately pushed the strange cat into the back of the store. "Rocky, how many times do I have to tell you not to walk in the front! You scare the customers!"

I had to close my mouth to not look so confused. "Let me guess, that's your errand boy…"

Miss M. was pinching the bridge of her nose. "Yes. Rocky is a good man but is a bit… let's say eccentric."

"He does know how to drive, right?"

"Better than Ivy, but that's not exactly a high standard. Anyways, where were we Mr. Kelly?"

Before I could answer, Riley pipped in. "You were about to hire my brother, ma'am."

"Riley!" I glare over at the girl as she sits back down and goes back to minding her own business. "But my sister does make a point. I can certainly be plenty of help around here, especially at the wage you're advertising. I need to make sure Riley here stays fed, dressed, and warm come winter. Eventually I need to get her back into school too."

Miss M thought it over for a minute, looking up at an old photo of her and what I assume to be Atlas. "My love did have a habit of collecting all kinds of wanderers and travelers. If you can do as well as you say, you'll be worth two or three workers. At the moment, I don't think I can pay a full $40 a week, but there is a small apartment on the second floor in the back. It's not being used by anyone, so if you'd take $30 a week plus that apartment, your services would be greatly appreciated here."

"So I've got the job?"

"If you want it, Mr. Kelly."

I couldn't help but jump out of my seat and shook her hand. "Thank you, ma'am, I promise you won't be disappointed."

"As long as you don't try to gift me a macabre-looking cactus, I'm sure you'll do just fine. And as for your sister-"

"Riley, ma'am." She said, finding her manners.

"I've got plenty of books and other study materials for you, young lady. And I'm sure Ivy will absolutely love having you around."

"This is fantastic. Really Miss M, thank you!"

"If I'm supposed to call you Ethan, Mr. Kelly, then you can call me Mitzi. Mitzi May. At least when not in public."

"Thank you, ma'am, … I mean, Mrs. May… I mean, Mitzi. When can I start?"

"Today if you like, though I assume you've got some luggage somewhere…"

"Oh yes, I've got a couple of suitcases back at the bunk house. If Riley could stay here, I'll head over on the trolley and grab our things. Should be back for the dinner crowd."

"The enthusiasm is appreciated Ethan, but we don't really have a 'dinner crowd' to serve in the café. However, there are plenty of things to fixed."

"Very well ma'am, I'll get started as soon as I get back. Riley, are you going to be okay if I leave you here for a while?"

A quick nod gave me the green light. "Very good, now you stay out of trouble while I'm gone. Do as Miss M. says."

Mitzi waited until Ethan left before turning back to Riley. "Alright Riley, let's go find Ivy before Rocky drags her off into some convoluted scheme…"