Artists in the Park

"Let's see, how about this for a subject?" Rocky asked his young pupil.

Riley looked at the fair in the distance but shook her head. "Nah. Fairs are fun to be in, but not to draw."

"Perhaps something of nature, then?" He suggested.

Riely simply laughed. "You're funny, Rocky. The park is pretty, but nature is in Montana. Mountains, lakes, rivers, trees… friends… family…" Riley got quiet after that, looking down at her blank sheet of paper. Rocky immediately picked up on the change in mood.

"You miss Montana, don't you Miss Riley?"

Riley hugged her knees before nodding 'yes'. "Ethan says its for the best, but St. Louis is so different. I don't know anyone here; I don't have any friends."

"Well, you have at least one right here." He said, sitting down next to the girl.

"Really, you'd be my friend?"

"And so is Ivy, right? And no doubt Freckle will be a good friend too once you can get him to work up the courage to talk."

"And I like that, Rocky, I do. But you aren't my age, you're Ethan's age."

"That's true, and a young lady like yourself should most certainly have friends your age. But it won't be long until you're in school, right?"

"Yeah, but I'm still going to miss all my friends in Montana."

"Of course you will, but that shouldn't be a reason to not start again. Take it from a guy who has had to start over many times. You can't let the past stop you from having a future. Besides, you've still got the memories, right?"

"Hey, yeah, I do!"

"And those won't be going anywhere."

"Especially because I've got a way to remind myself. You want to see some of the sketches?"

"Of course I do! Go ahead, let's see them."

Rocky was blown away by how good they were coming from such a young person. True, they were clearly still drawn by the hand of a child, but there was true talent there. "Wow, those are really good! It's like a very down-to-earth realism but with touches of romanticism."

"I… don't know what that means. I just thought it all looked pretty and I wanted to remember it." Riley replied innocently.

"Well, that's certainly a legitimate way to create art. But I'll tell you what. Now that you're here in St. Louis, maybe you'd want to create new memories?"

"I guess. But where do I start?"

"Think of the paper as a canvas for life. You've turned a new page, and now you can create something new, embrace a better tomorrow. So, what memory do you want to preserve from today?"

Riley looked around, seeming to grasp what Rocky was saying. But nothing really stood out to her. At least until her gaze came back to Rocky. "Hey, how about you?"

"Me?"

"Yeah, I'll draw one of my first friends here in the city."

Rocky genuinely felt touched by this. "I… would be honored Miss Riley. Draw away!"

"Okay! Go sit by that tree over there. This will be the first time I've drawn people before!"

"Alright, just be sure to get my good side, and leave out the stitches."

Troubled Mind

While normally Ivy would be trying to coax a kiss or flirt with her newest love interest, Freckle noticed that she wasn't her talkative self. In fact, she was quite lost in her own thoughts, like she was distracted. Freckle never felt fully comfortable talking to people. It just seemed so awkward. But sitting in silence as the two paddled around the lake in the rented boat was even more awkward, and he couldn't take much more of this.

"So, um, Ivy. You seem… quiet."

"What? Oh, yeah, sorry Freckle. It's just that Viktor and I had an argument a few days ago, before Rocky took me out to Defiance to find another supplier. He has a whole family somewhere!"

"And that upsets you?" He questioned.

"Well, I thought Viktor was my friend. Friends shouldn't hold that sort of stuff from each other, right? Not only the family, I guess I could understand if it was something he didn't want to talk about. Maybe a broken or estranged relationship. But at the same time he's been getting in between me and any boy who caught my eye. Even you!"

"Wait, I caught your eye?"

"We kissed the other day, remember silly? Freckle, I like you. You're so kind and sweet, but we only met the other week. Before that, there were others. That doesn't bother you, does it?"

"No, no, of course not. But Viktor was interfering?"

"Yeah, broken bones, terrible accidents. That kind of stuff. I'm not some little girl like Riley, I should be able to go out on a date, right?"

"Of course."

"Exactly! But my friend has been going behind my back. Why would Viktor do that?"

"Maybe he's just protective of you?"

"Well, he's the one that needs protection. Look at the state he's in! Bad knees, missing an eye, now a gunshot wound in the chest."

Freckle got quiet, not knowing how to respond. Ivy picked up on the fact that this whole conversation was getting to be quite uncomfortable for the poor boy. "Look, I'm sorry Freckle. But it's nice to have someone to talk to."

"That, I can understand." Freckle replied. "But maybe talking to Viktor is what would put all this behind you two."

"You're right. Besides, I should apologize for yelling at him. I was only trying to help him recover."

"So, you want to go now?"

"Uh… maybe not yet. I'd like to spend at least part of the afternoon having some fun." And with that, Ivy curled up next to Freckle, the two getting into sync with each other as they each took an oar to row. This was the sort of quiet Freckle could get used to, and it was slowly dawning on him that there was something missing in his life, and she was sitting right next to him. Rowing with one arm, he wrapped the other around her. In turn, Ivy was finally feeling some comfort, something she sorely missed in the last few days.

Gypsy and the Gentleman

"Wick, about the money—"

"There's no need to explain further, Miss May. Water under the bridge, and all that."

"You mean that, or are you just trying to be polite?"

"Why couldn't it be both? Yes, I'll admit that it was a breech of trust, but clearly you were desperate, and I could hardly say no to at least helping to keep the lights on."

"You said no before though."

"Well, to be precise dear Mitzi, I said that your business and my business don't mix. And that remains true. There's no way I'd be able to be business partners for a speakeasy. That doesn't mean I couldn't help a dear friend in a pinch though. But I should be clear, stealing from my pocketbook is going to be a one-off offense, right?"

"Of course! And Wick, I do truly feel terrible about the whole situation. I just didn't know what else to do."

"And I'm saying that it's alright, I know you wouldn't have stolen money unless it was needed."

"I guess the question now, Mr. Sable, is what do I do next? The boys, Viktor, Ivy, the band, they're all relying on that speakeasy. If it goes under, we'll all be castaways."

"If they can use a shovel or a typewriter, you could all certainly come to work for the quarry. Mining is booming business, just ask Ethan."

"And where would I be in this offer, you're extending?"

"Would it be so bad to be by my side?"

"I—Wick, I certainly appreciate all that you've done. And you've been a better friend than I have any right to ask for. But… I just can't leave Atlas. Not for a long time."

"I understand, Mitzi, I do. No doubt he was quite a man. And Lackadaisy is quite something as well. Heavan knows it wasn't the liquor which brought me there. But it's troubling to see you so attached to a ghost."

"I'm sure it is, Wick." Mitzi said before brushing aside the topic. "I recall seeing an entire room dedicated to that liquid gold. It was the rocks, wasn't it?"

"Well, that certainly brought an aesthetic I love. But I'm talking about the people, the camaraderie. Even in its diminished state, there's just something about the crew there that I find so appealing."

"And yet it is so close to disappearing for good. I don't know how much longer I can keep the lights on in that place. And God forbid if someone gets hurt or decides to leave… we can't take any more losses."

"If I may be so bold as to offer advice, Miss May, I recall something my father said to me when I was a young boy. He said 'Son, you are no banker, and it will be no good trying to make you follow in my footsteps. I want you to go out there and find what you are good at. Find that niche and use it! Then you'll know success.' And here I am now, a limestone tycoon, captain of industry, a baron of the city."

"That's definitely inspirational, Wick, but how does it apply to Lackadaisy?"

"How it applies, Mitzi, is that you don't need my money. You and the crew need to find your niche, and that's where you'll find wealth and success. Maybe you can't compete with the deep pockets of Marigold or the rustic charm of the little gin joints around the outskirts of the city. But somewhere in St. Louis there is a clientele waiting to be found, so go find it."

"That's very good advice Wick. Thank you."

"And just know, dear Mitzi, that even if I can't support you financially, I'll be there in other ways. So long as those doors remain open, you'll have a customer."

Mitzi then stopped and looked up at the man, his distinguished features and specks of gray hair catching the afternoon light under the tree canopy. She then buried her face into his chest, grateful that at least one bridge hadn't yet been burned.

Veterans

A warm breeze coursed through the trees, snagging a few stray leaves as the air moved past. Spring was giving way to summer, and everything seemed to be blooming. Folks, cats of all ages, were out enjoying the good weather before the heat dominated the afternoons in the upcoming months. While I, of course, could see all of it, there were small reminders of less pleasant parts of my past. The large structure over there looked a bit like a mine hoist, the kites floating in the wind moved like airplanes getting ready to strafe the ground troops. Kids wrestling and playing were too easy to see as men fighting desperately hand-to-hand. A few workers diligently repairing a section of trail through the weekend were striking rocks and dirt with picks, each blow and the resulting crack of steel hitting earth brought me back to the deep tunnels of the mines.

"You really were there, weren't you?" Viktor commented, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"What, the war?"

"You have the look. I thought you might be, eh, message boy. No, you were soldier."

"Yeah, I was infantry. Fresh recruit in the spring of '18. Where were you at?"

"I was in 79 Division. Uh, grey cross."

"Yes, the heroes of Lorraine. That must have been quite a slog."

"Slog?"

"Yeah, you know, like walking in a swamp."

"But ground was frozen…"

"Never mind. I meant it was tough."

"Oh, ya, it was tough. Cold, wet, no good. Where were you?"

"I was in the 308th infantry, 77th Division." I explained.

I could see Viktor's mind working to remember where exactly that was. Couldn't blame him, it was a confusing mess of numbers on a map that changed daily throughout the war. "Liberty Division, Viktor. Statue of Liberty on the shoulder."

He then remembered exactly what we were known for, a tragic tale turned by the press into that of heroism. "You were one of the lost ones?"

"Yeah, that's what the press called us. We lost a lot of good men that week, I can't seem to leave the battle behind me. It's like part of my soul is still over there."

"Ya, many feel that way. I know when a man was there, he always looks far away when quiet."

"So how do you handle it, Viktor? You don't seem like it bothers you."

"It does, but I put time into work. Build maw-scle, take care of business for Atlas, have family."

"But you still feel it sometimes, don't you?"

"Ya. Part of soul is still there too. I fight my own country, you know. Slavs part of empire."

"That's right. The Austrian-Hungary Empire claimed the Slavs, didn't they? So you came here, then went back to fight when Uncle Sam called your name."

"No, I volunteer. Bad idea. Would not do it again."

I tried to stifle a laugh, but it came out anyway. "Vhat's so funny?"

I stopped momentarily to look at Viktor's confused expression. Trying to imitate him, I just repeated, "Oh, yes, very bad idea. Vorst trip to France ever. Bad food, bad bed, cold, always rain and snow." To my surprise I actually got a laugh out of the Slav, which quickly devolved into a coughing fit.

"Oops, sorry. Did I make you laugh too much?"

"No, no, it was funny. Yeah, I don't know what I was thinking then. But I want to know what you are thinking naow as rifleman for Lackadaisy. You have little girl, you should not be working here."

"I realize that, Viktor. But look at Rocky. Look at Freckle and Ivy. Do you really think they'd give this life up if I left?"

"…No."

"Exactly. We have strength together, Viktor. One way or another we are just going to have to make the situation work in our favor regardless of the circumstances. My biggest fear though is leaving Riley alone in this world. That's the one part that still does not sit right with me."

"You may survive." Viktor said, putting a hand on my shoulder. "But you must find a way out, like I am doing. Take advice from old man, Lackadaisy will be your end if you stay too long. And when you find way out, take Ivy with you. Please. Protect her."

Two familiar figures then approached us as we got a hold of ourselves. It was Ivy and Freckle, and while Calvin was his usual timid self, Ivy was unusually quiet.

"What's wrong, Ivy?" I asked. She looked up at me, slightly surprised by the question. "Oh, there's nothing wrong. It's just that, well, Freckle told me some things and—" Without hesitation, Viktor tried to lunge for Freckle, though was unable to get up due to the knees… and the gunshot wound.

"Hey! This is exactly the problem Viktor! Calvin is a nice young man, and you can't even let me finish a sentence without lunging at my boyfriend."

"Boyfriend? You know him vhat, a week? Rocky is dangerous, so that boy is dangerous."

"Dammit Viktor!" She yelled, the cursing taking us all by surprise. "You aren't my father!" Finally, that got Viktor to slump back down, the realization slowly dawning on him that they might be seeing their relationship differently. Of course, this was all making Freckle very uncomfortable.

"Hey, you know what? Calvin and I should leave you two to sort this out. We've got things to discuss of our own. But when we get back, I don't want to see you two arguing anymore, I don't know the full story, but I do know this crew won't last very long if we let these things fester. Besides Viktor, if you're going to leave, it's best to do it on good terms."

Ivy changed from angry to concerned in an instant. "Wait, leave? Where? When? Why?"

"I think it's better if Viktor explains. Come on Freckle, we better give them space."

Making Amends

As Freckle and Ethan left to take a walk on their own, Ivy sat down next to Viktor, both confused and concerned about what Ethan had just said. "Viktor, you're leaving?"

With a heavy sigh, Viktor explained. "Ya. It's time I see family again. Retire from Lackadaisy."

"Does Miss M know about this?"

"Not yet, I want to tell her soon." Looking over, he could see tears forming in Ivy's eyes. She wouldn't look at him, instead looking up at the large oak tree above them. "You're leaving to see your daughter?"

"Uh, ya, how you know about my daughter?"

"That undertaker and his wife in Defiance, Bobby and Elsa. They told me a lot about your history. You had a family this whole time, and didn't tell me? Why?" Now Ivy was looking hurt.

"It was to protect them, wife and daughter. This is dangerous business. Wrong people find out and they could die."

"Yes, but why not me? Aren't I your friend, Viktor?"

"I-I do not know. You were a young girl when I start work for Atlas. But that isn't problem, is it?"

Sniffling, Ivy was forced to agree. "No, it isn't that. I can understand why you'd want your family to stay out of this, but I just thought that I was family too."

"You are family, Ivy. That is why I protect you, tell you to stay away."

"If I'm your family, then why are you leaving?" Ivy asked, tears starting to stream down her face. "Was it our argument the other day?"

"No, not that. I… I am no longer useful. Bad knee, one eye, cannot even breathe well anymore. I am, how they say, old man in job that men die young."

"Oh Viktor! You're very useful. Besides, I… need you. Miss M needs you too. The boys need you."

"And for too long, my daughter and wife… I stayed away too long."

"So that's your final decision then? To retire and abandon the rest of us?"

"No, never abandon! But I… need break. Recover. Fix things like how I fix car."

"Okay…" She said, wiping away tears. "But you better come back soon. And don't even think about retiring!"

"Ya, okay. But when I'm gone, don't get into trouble. Yes? Oh, and if you want me to leave boy alone, Rocky's cousin, have him check on Mrs. Bapka."

"Alright, fair enough." Ivy said, before scooting over and hugging the big Slav.

"Are we friends again?" she asked.

Putting an arm around her, Viktor confirmed it. "Always."

The Veteran and the Rookie

Freckle was, as usual, quiet. We found a bench on another part of the lake. I could see Rocky and Riley on the other side of the water, mixing with the people going by. Knowing that she was still being watched over was all I needed to know to focus on the young lad that was now by my side.

"So, Calvin, you can be honest with me. This whole rum-running thing, it's not exactly what you were hoping to do for a career, were you? That is unless being a cop was just a cover."

He was surprised by the question, looking up at me with big eyes. "No, no, of course not! I want to uphold the law, protect people, make ma proud… It's just… I can't say no if Rocky needs help."

"Well, you know, Rocky despite all evidence to the contrary, is a grown man. It is sweet to see how loyal you two are to each other, you both remind me a lot of my brothers. But I for one wouldn't want them doing this kind of stuff."

"You had brothers?"

"Yeah, two of them. And before you ask, yes, they've passed on, that's why they aren't with me."

"How?"

I sighed, letting that day come back to me and forcing myself to relive parts of it in my mind. "I had fallen ill, they filled in for my shift at the mine. No one expected the collapse and fire. In an instant, they were both gone."

"I'm sorry, I didn't think something like that would have happened to them."

"It's alright, but for the moment their deaths aren't relevant. I guess what I was getting to is that if you want to get into the police academy again and become an officer of the law, it sounds like we're going to need to work on more than just your ability with firearms. Sure, Rocky is more than happy to have someone that can put a lot of bullets into a target quickly, but that's hardly relevant to being on the police force."

"So what do you want to do?"

"Well, to both keep you alive and give you some proper training, I think it would be a good idea to spend time a couple days a week doing real practice, almost like in boot camp. I think that with practice and discipline, you could be quite the lawman in the future. We just have to control that… let's call it mania, of yours."

"Really? You aren't just saying that?"

"God's honest truth, Freckle. Trust me on this, you have more integrity and courage than just about any policeman I've ever dealt with. But you need to know, getting to a point where you can hold a gun and not go crazy is going to take a lot of work. So, before Rocky finds us another job to complete, how about we take an afternoon to go shooting? Just the two of us, no distractions."

"I'd… I'd like that."

"Great! And look, regardless of the line of work your in, don't forget Calvin, you're still a good kid. In a couple years' time you'll be an even better man. You just need some coaching in the meantime. Now, I think it's getting late enough that we should start to head home. Could you bring your cousin and my sister? I'll see if Ivy and Viktor have talked through whatever issues they've been having.

Isabella

As I walked up the path around the lake, the scenery captivated me. This time there were no trenches, airplanes, exploding artillery, or anything else. For the first time in a long time, I was feeling some sense of peace. But no sooner had that feeling materialized that I felt something run right into me, or rather I ran into something. Papers scattered on the ground, and I hadn't even taken the time to look at who I ran into before I was apologizing.

"I'm so sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going. Here, let me help you pick this up before the wind takes it." I quickly grabbed several pieces of paper, stacking them as neatly as I could while the cat I hit did the same with the remaining papers. Glancing at one, I saw the clear signs of this being some sort of report or homework. It was only then that I looked up and locked eyes with a young woman who, in an instant, made my heart soar like an eagle."

"It's alright, mister. I wasn't watching where I was going either. But thank you for helping pick up these papers. I need to get them to my professor as soon as possible or else my report will be late—" She stopped talking after locking eyes with me. As we both stood up, it was obvious she wasn't a particularly tall cat, really only coming up to my neck.

"Woah, tall, dark, and handsome…" She said, though if I was being honest, I wasn't much taller or any more handsome than average. "Ha, then you should see my friend, Viktor. You'd probably think him a giant!"

"Oh, I'm sorry, that was quite rude of me. I didn't mean to suggest—"

"Don't worry about it, ma'am. All the more reason why I should have been watching where I was stepping, running into people is about as rude as it gets. Anyway, here are your papers. They aren't in the right order, but nothing a couple minutes of sorting can't fix, right?"

"Yeah…" She was staring at me a little too long for comfort, and she quickly realized the awkwardness. "I'm sorry, again, for being so rude. It's just that you're eyes, they're a kind of emerald I've never seen before."

"Aye, they're unique, that's for sure. It's the Irish in me, I guess. But gawking at each other isn't going to get us very far. I am Ethan, Ethan Kelly." I stuck out my hand, trying to be a gentleman. Surely Wick would be pointing out all the ways I was screwing this up, but she seemed to be as interested in me as I was in her.

"Oh yes, and I am Isabella Moreno. I'm a student at the university."

"Really? And what are you studying there? One of my co-workers at the café goes to the university as well."

"I'm in a new program for teachers. In my second year, in fact. Had to start over after trying to get into book-keeping."

"Teacher, huh. Say, I've got a younger sister who came with me to start a new life here in St. Louis. I'm afraid she'll be outclassed by a lot of the students in the local schools, and I've been trying to get her to catch up as best as she can before autumn comes around. I don't suppose you'd be interested in being a tutor to a young lady. I'll even pay you for the effort."

"Well, I could certainly use the extra money. But I'd have to meet her, first. Here, why don't you take my phone number."

"Perfect, and I'll give you a location. I work at the Little Daisy Café not too far from here. Easy to get to be streetcar."

After exchanging information, she waved goodbye for now, promising to come into the café and talk further. I wasn't sure if it was the smartest idea to use my little sister as leverage to meet a woman I fancy, but if she got a tutor out of the situation then it was likely going to be beneficial to one or both of us. Besides, there was quite a lot of truth in it, Riley had a lot of work to do to get caught up with her peers in the city schools.

As she walked off, I got a feeling that I hadn't had in a long time, something other than nightmares and regrets, or nostalgia for a time and place I'd never be able to return to. The sun was now beginning its long descent to the western horizon, and the afternoon heat was beginning to wane. Of course, many people were still enjoying the quiet serenity of the park, but for the Lackadaisy crew, we had work to do. Tomorrow was Decoration Day, and there'd be plenty of veterans young and old looking for a place to be at ease for several hours.

Walking up the hill, I saw that Riley, Rocky, and Freckle were already there with Ivy and Viktor. Miss M and Wick had just joined them. Even at a distance, I could feel the sadness at hearing the news. Viktor retiring? I doubt the long-time members of the crew ever thought they'd live to see the day.

An Evening Glass

Later that night, I decided to check in on Mitzi before retiring for the night. Knocking, I slowly opened the door to see a sorry sight. There she was, slumped in her office chair with a drink in hand, not looking the least bit happy despite what was by all accounts a great afternoon. She looked up from her glass and scooted a spare tumbler forward toward one of the chairs on the other side of the desk. "Help yourself dear."

Sitting down, I poured myself a couple ounces. Not enough to get stupid, but enough to feel the sting and the pleasant effects later on. "So, I take it Viktor told you?"

She nodded her head, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Yeah. I can understand why, after all, the poor man needs to recover somehow. But to lose him at a time like this… I, just don't know how we're going to make it, dear."

"Well, you've got Rocky, for whatever that might be worth. His specialty seems to be defying the odds. Freckle will no doubt stick with Rocky for as long as he's needed, and he's a good honest kid. Then you've got Ivy and me, we can help wherever we're needed. Admittedly, I'm not the same caliber of a handyman as Viktor, but I can keep those cars running."

"And I appreciate you all hon, I really do. Don't get me wrong, I do hope that Viktor can find some renewed joy in life, lord knows he's earned it. But it's just…" Miss M stopped to wipe tears away. "Viktor has been here since the beginning. As long as he was here, it was like a part of Atlas remained too, like a one-eyed guardian angel. Without Viktor, it just doesn't feel like Lackadaisy anymore."

"You know ma'am, I'm not exactly a cat of faith. But something tells me Viktor will be back when he's able. The real question is are we going to be able to pull through and get this place back on its feet."

"I wish I had the answer, Ethan, I really do."

"If you ask me, Miss M, the answer is that if there's a way, we'll find it. And if not-"

"Please, don't even mention the possibility of losing the speakeasy."

I patted her arm in response. "And if not, so long as we stick together, we'll be alright. This miner has got your back. That being said, there's a certain young lady I need to put to bed, and I need a shower."

Swallowing my drink, I got up and bid her good night. Closing the door, I could sense the smallest smile come through Mitzi's face. At least I hope it brought her some comfort.