Authors: Mercedes Keyes
They reached New York’s harbor in good time and went about the usual business of unloading the cargo. Manny
’s first order of business was to make contact with Garland, leaving Leon to help in the unloading of cargo. Arriving at the hotel that Garland frequented proved to be a futile endeavor. According to the registry, he had not checked in which meant he was probably still out in the search, or on his way back. In either case there was no information for Manny to pick up. Leaving there, he headed for his New York townhouse. He needed to relax, take a bath and change. A couple of hours later, Leon showed up with bad news.
“
We have a problem…I’m sure you’re not going to like this.” He began, sitting before Manny’s desk in his office. “What now?” Manny asked, his hand paused above the open drawer at his side.
“
It seems that it is no longer the army who will be picking up cargo to deliver to their destinations. Due to the constant attacks from rebels against them, whether Indians or the outlaws, either or - they’re being targeted and so need to thicken their forces for protection. Because of that, they can no longer afford the manpower for running deliveries. Just three or four months ago, they were robbed of guns, land deeds and payroll for Fort Le Croix.”
“
What has that to do with us?!” Manny asked off handedly, closing the drawer to make out pay voucher statements as to their due for the cargo they’d brought in.
“
Ummm, much you see; I went and talked with the auctioning clerk and dock agent. We are under contract to supply them with the stated merchandise. They’ve decided that our delivery is not complete until the bars reach their destination.”
“
What?!”
“
Pay in full will not be ours until those bars reach Fort Ferguson and Fort Le Croix. There, the commander in charge will sign our invoices, we return them here…and receive our due and compensation for excess travel.”
“
Bloody hell! They can’t do that!”
“
I said that…but the fact is…you’re wasting your time writing those out. They simply will not use the men they have available on missions of delivery. That is our job. They feel it is up to the merchant company to see to it that all government issued or ordered freight reaches its final destination. Afterwards, we will be reimbursed for the entire cost of travel from here to there…plus for the cargo and shipping fees. That is at least in our favor.”
“
If we bloody live to return and claim it!” Manny shouted throwing his weight back in his chair, tossing the quill down with a disgusted snort. As he thought about it, his head began shaking.
“
This is the las
t bloody time I’ll get involved with the government, wastrels and chickens! They have a whole army of men at their disposal, but I’m to risk my neck, and the necks of my men to fight their bloody battles for them! They’ll have me fighting the goddamn Indians and whatever outlaws might cross our path!” He continued, muttering in anger. Leon gave no reply, after a moment more of watching Manny’s angry scowl, he made a suggestion.
“
Perhaps we should formulate a plan of travel?”
Manny made a face, coming forward to lean on the desk, resting his cheek on his knuckles. Giving it some thought, perhaps he might encounter Garland along the way.
“
I sure hope you have something in mind.”
“
As a matter of fact I do. I mapped out a route of travel. It should save us both time and money. Instead of going across land, we wait for the flamingo to-…”
“
Do you realize that she won’t be pulling in until sometime next month?”
“
Yes I do. That will give you the time you need to rest up ol’man be-…”
“
Leon McNeil! One more old man remark out of you and-…”
“
Many pardons sir,” Leon chuckled. “I just don’t want you doing more than necessary before you’re ready.”
“
You needn’t worry about me, I may be a bit older, but I still have what it takes to put any young pup such as yourself shame! Experience and know how, goes a long way!”
“
So I’ll thank you not to send me off to the pastures just yet.”
“
Yes sir! Still, it will give you, me and the men a little rest before we head out on this trip. Now, I figure by us taking the flamingo it will save us time since she is our fastest vessel to South Carolina, we unload and purchase oxen and wagons for the remainder of the trip to Fort Le Croix first, then back up for Fort Ferguson. From there, maybe stop at Webster Fields for a rest, and then to South Carolina and back here.”
Manny sat thinking it through, nodding his head in agreement. “Sounds good. Well then, I’ll leave it up to you to inform the men, make the plans. As for me, I’m off to visit with Miss West. Maybe we’ll go out for dinner as I explain why I must leave town again in a few weeks. If you should need me, I’ll be at the Hampton.”
* * *
“
Watch my eyes…are you watching my eyes? Hope! Dam
n it, what is wrong with you…en gardé!!” Mike demanded once again as he taught her the art of fencing.
“
No.” She whined letting her rapier down.
“
Hope! Pick it up! Now…en gardé!”
“
No! You stand here on guard if you wish, my arms feel as though they are made of lead. My back aches and I’m tired, tired of these stupid, senseless lessons! You’re mad, you never stop! I’ve had enough!” She complained walking away from him to enter their hut, throwing her rapier down with him following close on her tail. “Listen here little girl-…”
At that she stopped and spun so suddenly he almost collided with her, cutting him off.
“
And I’m not a little girl! I’m a woman, a grown woman of seventeen. I’m tired of you demanding, demanding all I have, yet – you refuse to give anything back!” She wailed on the verge of tears.
“
What in hell is wrong with you!? Don’t you dare start crying, what have I told you!” He barked.
“
I’ll cry if I damn well feel the need! Why in hell – do you care what is wrong with me!? As long as I shoot straight, ride hard, fence fierce, curse tough, and then –(she started laughing hysterically)- walk, talk, dress and act like a lady, that is all that matters to you; only for you to turn around to treat and talk to me as if I were a child - which I am not!”
Glaring at her with narrowed eyes, Mike tried to figure where this mood was coming from, and muttered low. “Is your flux upon you? It must be so, what else could it be?”
“
Ai-i-i-i-i-i-i-ih!!!” She screamed out in frustration. “Maria – come and get him before I kill hi-i-im!” She turned heading for the back room when Maria came in from outside at her call to see her husband following his irate sister. “What is going on?” She asked - he ignored her.
“
Oh this is nice! You say I treat you as a child, yet your behavior backs my claim exactly! You little brat! An ungrateful one at that! You think I’d get a little appreciation for teaching you how to protect yourself!” He shouted behind her. “How to act and look like a lady! And I happen to think it’s necessary that you cuss like a bandit, men don’t always understand,
no
, but when you say, “I said no! Damn you!” They’ll listen. Problem here is, you don’t appreciate these lessons – lessons that will one day serve you well. Damn women! You’re all a pain the ass and it’s usually my ass where you’re inflicting it!” He announced, as he turned to Maria, who was giving him a look of reproach.
“
What?! Why are you looking at me
? I’m standing here trying to figure her out!”
Maria plunked her hands on her hips, narrowing her eyes. “By yelling at her!? By calling her a brat?! By telling her – she and all women are a pain in the a-…”
“
Don’t you dare!” He warned, cutting her off before she could use a word he felt was beneath her. Hope had come up behind him, standing with tears in her eyes, she was appalled.
“
Oh! It’s okay to teach me such words and demand that I use them, but your wife – had better not say such things”
“
Precisely! No man wishes to be with a woman who uses such language! A fowl mouth out of woman is an ugly thing! I won’t stand for it coming from my wife!”
“
You are something else! Do you know this?! Never have I known such a man as you. When I finally meet him, what do I do? I fall in love and marry him! I must have been out of my mind! So what you are saying is – that she not look lady like, so she will offend men – and thus – they stay away?!” Maria argued from his left side, as his sister stood at his right placing her hands on her hips waiting for his answer. He was put out by it, and instead of dealing with his wife, he turned back to Hope.
“
No, she is to look like a lady, but sounding like one – ah, now that is the surprise!” He smiled.
“
So it is true… that is why you teach me as you do!”
“
Look!” He started, ignoring her correct conclusion. “I don’t know what’s wrong with you, but you get that weapon and let’s finish this lesson!” He ordered. Hope crossed her arms over her breasts, pressing her lips in a thin tight line as she stomped and informed him. “I refuse! Not another lesson! No more learning anything until you do one thing that I ask!”
“
What?!” He blew impatiently.
Hope took a deep breath, hesitating because she knew what his answer would be, but forged onward. “Well?” He pressed.
“
I want to go home.” She said softly. His brows scrunched in confusion. “You are home.”
“
No…not here.” She swallowed and said, “Home - as in, Webster Fields.”
His eyes grew large, immediately he was shaking his head. “That’s not your home. No. Ask for something else.”
Hope’s eyes watered up again. “There is nothing else that I would ask, please.”
“
Ask for something else.”
“
There
- is nothing – else! Take me - to Webster Fields!”
“
Webster Fields is not your home. I’m not going back there, neither are you!”
“
Well big brother, that is where you are wrong! I don’t care what you are and I don’t care if she finds out - what you are! All I know is, I want to see my mother. I need to know where she is, and how she is!” A tear fell. “You may not care to see her ever again but I want to find my mother. If you’re so ashamed, that is something you will have to deal with.” She was breathing hard, and he could see determination in her eyes, in her stance.
“
I’ve done all you’ve asked of me, I’ve learned the best that I can. Whether I live through it or not…I’m going to find my mother, I’m going back to Webster Fields. If you force me to go alone, and I should disappear or be killed, you will have no one to blame but yourself. I don’t care anymore. I’m going…the question is…do I go with – or without you.”
“
She’s not there Hope.” Mike said softly.
“
How do you know?”
“
What if she is not?”
“
Perhaps our father will be, the trip will not be wasted.”
Mike stared down at her. She reached up with a quick determined swipe, clearing the tracks of her tears. Her eyes dead set on him so that he knew she was serious.
“
He goes away a lot Hope. He has a wife, Miss Katherine. You think she’s going to welcome us back? There’s no telling what we’d be heading back to, will you please try to understand that.”
“
I’m – going – back!”
“
You don’t even know the way!!!” He bellowed impatiently.
“
Then I’ll get lost or die trying…I’m going back!”
Mike blew out a deep breath with his hands on his hips, letting his head fall back as he shook it. A giant smile lit up Maria’s face. She knew her husband’s,
‘I give in.’
gestures. She leaned past him, her eyes searching out Hope’s …nodding her head with a smile to say she’d won. Confusion clouded the eyes looking back at her.
When Maria straightened gazing up at her husband, she winced from the hard glare he shot her way. Maria played the role of being rebuked and humble as she fought back her joy.
“
You think you know me so well, don’t you? You think I’m going to give in and take her…don’t you? Well I haven’t said – yes, yet! Not yet I haven’t!” He mumbled, knowing that he would. He had no choice, he couldn’t afford to lose his little sister now. She was a part of him, if it meant going into the unknown, by returning to Webster Fields, then so be it – it was time.
“
Go on then, say it. Say yes, because you know as well as I, that it is long past
the day for you to go home. Do not fight so hard what you know is true.” His wife prompted.
Mike’s pressed lips sloped to the side with his brows pinched making a face. Hope gave him her undivided attention as the corners of her own mouth began twitching. She had never seen such a face on her brother before. He was giving in; he was actually going to do it. Even though it closely resembled the early stages of labor, he was trying to get it out.
She swallowed hard positioning herself before him, her gaze encouraging, waiting for the words. Her hands gently took a hold of his. Unable to hold it a moment more he, exhaled gently.
“
Alright…I give in, we go back.”
Hope leapt with a scream, throwing her arms around his neck, crying into it. “Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!” She repeated between kisses to his cheek.
“
All right, all right…” He laughed. “…enough, enough!”
Maria was equally elated, standing by laughing and watching; the children were hovering in the doorway and rushed in to ask more specifically. “
Que paso
papah? When are you going?” Papo asked his father with Lolita standing behind him eager to know as well. Celina stood between her father and Tia; Esteban still in the doorway with Felix drawing close to his mother’s side.