by Joy Redmond
Will felt his face turn red when the girls giggled.
“I’ll do my best to remember that. I was only trying to be polite. You really don’t have to bite my head off!”
Rose laughed. “There goes that temper again.” She patted his face.
Rose’s touch made him feel weak in the knees. But he wasn’t about to apologize. He looked over his shoulder and stuck his tongue out at the girls.
The girls giggled louder.
“I’ll bring the iced-tea out in a jif,” Sudie yelled.
Will followed Rose across the back yard. The grass looked like a green carpet, just like the front yard. And flowers were blooming all around. Then he saw the woods that began a few feet from the gazebo. Is this paradise? They took a seat in the gazebo. A soft breeze was blowing and the trees in the woods seemed to be calling his name. He wanted to run through the woods, chase squirrels, and be a child again, just for a few minutes. Being an adult was hard. His emotions were on a seesaw. One minute he had the stirrings of a man. The next, he wanted to be a little boy.
Sudie brought the pitcher of iced-tea and two glasses and placed them on the small table. “You two have a good afternoon. Me and the girls are gonna take our Sunday afternoon nap.”
“Thank you, Sudie,” Rose said.
“Thank you, Sudie,” Will said. She sure has given me the once over, more than once. She’s cute as a button, but I’ve been warned about her kind. He looked over at Rose. Raven hair, dark brown eyes shaped like almonds, and skin just a tad lighter than a grocery sack. Those bright red lips are painted on, but they sure stand out against her beautiful complexion.
Rose picked up her glass of tea and took a sip. “So, Will Hennie. Do you mind telling me about yourself? You’re very intriguing.”
“What do you want to know? There’s nothing interesting about me. I’m just plain ol’ me.”
“Where did you come from, and how did you end up on the street? You say you’re educated and I can tell by the way you talk, you are indeed. And you’re a gentleman. That’s a rare breed in this part of the country. Yet, you say you have no parents. No home. You were begging from strangers because you were hungry. It doesn’t add up.”
“It’s a long story, Rose. One you won’t believe. One I can’t believe and I lived it.”
“Try me. Take it from the beginning. I’ve got all afternoon.”
“You want the whole story? Starting from as far back as I can remember?”
“Start wherever you’d like.”
How can anybody resist giving her anything she wants? And she thinks I’m interesting. That’s interesting to me. “Then here we go.”
Rose settled back in the chair and ran the cold glass up and down her throat.
For the next two hours, Will told his story. His voice cracked a few times but he stayed strong and didn’t shed a tear.
Rose seemed to be a sponge, soaking up every word, never breaking eye contact.
Will drained the last drop of tea from his glass and the pitcher was empty, too. “And there you have it. The whole story of Will Hennie. California bound.”
“And do you have any money in your pockets? California is a long way from here.”
“No, ma’am, er, I mean, Rose. I’m as busted as a rotten pumpkin. But I’ll manage. I did before.”
“How would you like to work for me? I’ll pay you well and then you can start your travels with a little spending money.”
“What kind of work would I do in a brothel?” This is getting too weird.
“I need a bartender and a bouncer.”
“I know nothing about bartending and I don’t even know what a bouncer is.”
“I can train you in one day. Easy-peasy. What do you say?”
“I’d like to take a walk in the woods and let my brain figure out some things, Rose.”
“You take a walk and think about it. You know where to find me.” Rose headed toward the house, and Will tingled inside just watching her walk away.
Will walked through the woods, his mind spinning like a top. Oh, Miss Marylee. I don’t want to make you ashamed of me. But if you’re looking down, you know I’m in a fix. I need money. I want to come to California and visit your final resting place so I can pay my last respects. A man has got to do what a man has got to do. Mr. Tom told me that.
Will sat down on a stump. He looked upward. “I’m sorry I got mad at you, God. I just lost my mind from grief. Would you please tell Gram and Miss Marylee to show me a sign that will tell me what to do? I’m as confused as that eight-year-old boy. Here I am in the woods again, wondering what I should do. Wondering which way to go.”
Will heard a rustling sound. He looked behind him. What? There in the underbrush was a fawn. Its eyes seemed to be talking to him. He walked over and picked it up. The fawn nestled into his arms and gave a soft and happy cry. “Don’t worry little fellow. We’ll go find something for you to eat.”
He carried the fawn back to the house and into the kitchen. He opened the Frigidaire and took out a bottle of milk. He poured some into a saucer, but the fawn wouldn’t drink it. “Okay. Let’s try something else.” He opened the bottom bin in the fridge and took out a head of lettuce. He peeled off a leaf and held it to the fawn’s mouth. The fawn quickly ate it. “Good boy. Or girl.” He peeled off several leaves and the fawn seemed to be as hungry as he had been.
After the fawn had eaten, Will took it outside. Beside the house he saw an old rocker that looked as if it were a hundred years old. He pulled it out into the yard and sat down, hoping it would support his weight. He started rocking the fawn and a song Gram used to sing to him came to mind. He rocked and sang about a twinkling star. He couldn’t believe the song suddenly came back to him.
Within a minute, the fawn was sound asleep. Will stroked its fine fur and his heart filled with joy.
I’ll stay put until this little fellow is big enough to make it on his own. He needs me just like I needed Miss Marylee and the other boarders. I’ll be giving back what was given to me. Love. Plenty of love.
Chapter Eighteen
Will rested his head against the back of the rocker and closed his eyes. Suddenly, he was kissing Rose’s sweet lips and she was running her hands through his hair. She whispered, “I love you, Will Hennie.”
Will jerked and opened his eyes, realizing he’d been dreaming. He wondered how long he’d been asleep. He rubbed the back of his neck to work the kinks out. The fawn started squirming and kicking. “Hey, what’s wrong? You’re wiggling like a worm in hot ashes.”
Will put the fawn on the ground and it took off running into the woods. “Don’t run off.” He ran after the deer, through the underbrush and passed several trees, looking in all directions. He was almost to the stump where he was sitting a few hours ago. The fawn came running toward him. “I understand. You had to do your business. I thought you were gone and I’d never find you. Are you hungry, again?”
The fawn moved his head as if it were nodding yes. “I swear you’re as smart as Red.” He stooped to pick up the fawn, but it took off running toward the house. “You’re fast as lightning for such a little scrapper. Look at that little tail wiggle. Wiggles! That’s your name. Since I don’t know if you’re a buck or doe, the name will fit either one. Hold up, Wiggles, I’ll feed you.”
Wiggles was waiting by the rocker when Will caught up. He squatted on the ground and rubbed Wiggles ears. “You’re a beautiful little thing.”
Rose’s sweet voice said, “What have you got there, Will?”
“A baby deer. I found it in the woods. We’ve spent the afternoon together while the rest of you slept. We took a little nap, too.”
Rose bent and rubbed Wiggles’ ears. “In all the years I’ve been here, I’ve never seen a deer. If its mother comes looking for it, you’re going to be in big trouble!”
“I don’t think it has a mother. Like I said, we’ve been out here for hours. No doe has shown up. I took the liberty of feeding him lettuce while you and the
girls were asleep. I hope that was okay.”
“That’s fine. I’ll always feed a hungry animal, even one like you,” she said, and patted his face.
“Is it okay if I take Wiggles in the house? I think he’s hungry again. I’ll work for what he eats and pay you for it.”
“Bring Wiggles on in. The girls will have a fit over him. And don’t you worry about the food. Just make sure you take him outside every thirty minutes or so. I don’t want deer shit in my house.”
“Don’t worry. He just went, and I’ll watch him. I would have asked if I could feed him earlier but I didn’t want to wake you. As a matter of fact, I didn’t know where to find you, and I wasn’t going to go through your house without permission.”
“I wasn’t asleep. I was in my office. I get all my bookwork done on Sunday afternoons. It takes a long time to get my books balanced. I always make my bank deposit on Mondays and I do my shopping. Bring Wiggles in, let the girls fuss over him, and I’ll give you a tour. That’s if you have decided you want to work for me.”
“I think I will. But just long enough to save up enough money to afford a train trip to California.”
“That’s fine with me.”
Will picked up the deer, but Wiggles didn’t want to be carried. He wiggled until Will put him back down. “Then I guess we can follow you,” Will said with a laugh. “Feisty little booger.”
Wiggles ran to the door ahead of Will and Rose. Will opened the door and Wiggles ran into the kitchen as if he knew where to find the food. Will heard the girls squeal. “They just got the surprise of their lives,” Will said. He and Rose laughed.
When Will and Rose entered the kitchen all four girls were trying to pet and pick up Wiggles at the same time.
“How do you like our new guest?” Rose asked.
“Where on earth did this precious little thing come from?” Belle asked, as she gathered him into her arms. Wiggles kicked and she put him down. Wiggles ran over to the Frigidaire.
“He’s hungry. He won’t drink milk, I’ve already tried that, but he sure does like lettuce,” Will said. “I found him in the woods this afternoon. I think he’s an orphan. But it might be a she. Anyway, the name is Wiggles.”
Rose said, “I think it’s a he, so feed him the rest of the lettuce. He’ll probably eat any raw vegetable. If we’ve got carrots, see if he likes them. I’ll restock tomorrow.”
All four girls were delighted with Wiggles, and they were busy feeding him when Rose took Will’s hand.
Will’s whole body was tingling as Rose held his hand and they walked down the hallway. They walked through the small parlor and into a large adjoining living room. Will’s eyebrows arched at the sight of two vending machines looming suggestively amid a profusion of chairs and sofas of all sizes, shapes and vintage. In the middle of the living room was a staircase with banisters on both sides with fancy carving in the wood.
From the living room, Rose proceeded into what she said had once been a dining room. “I converted it into a dancing area.”
Not one stick of furniture was in the room, just a big, garish jukebox and a soda-pop dispenser squatting along one inside wall. On the other end of the room was a long, wood structure that Rose called a wet bar. Behind the wet bar were shelves that held liquor bottles and glasses.
“Pay attention. The left side of the second shelf holds real liquor, mostly whiskeys. The paying customer gets the real stuff. However, some of them insist the girls have a drink with them. Now, the right side has whiskey bottles too, but they contain tea mixed with food color to give them the right look. The girls get the tea. I won’t allow my girls to get liquored up. I want them to keep a clear mind and quick wits at all times.”
“Got it,” Will said. “How do I fix the drinks?”
Rose picked up a shot glass. “Fill it to the line at the top. Not a drop more. Then pour it into this size glass,” she said, as she reached for one. “They’ll get whatever pop they want out of the machine. Pour the soda-pop in with the whiskey, then take a spoon and stir. Some will want a straight shot. Just fill the shot glass and hand it to them. Easy as pie. See the two sinks under the bar? Keep warm soapy water in the right one, and keep clear water in the one on the left. Dunk all glasses in the soapy water, then dunk them in the clear water, then put them on the drain board. When you get a few minutes, wipe them with a towel and put them back on the shelf. I keep bar towels over here.” She pointed to a small shelf at the far end of the bar. “That’s your lesson in bartending.”
“I can do that.”
They left the dance area and Rose walked across the hallway, reached down her dress top and took out a key. She unlocked another door. “This is my office. I’m the only person who is allowed in here. I keep my money locked in a strong box until I can take it to the bank. This is where I do my book work, and in the mornings I like to read and not be disturbed.”
Will noticed two walls were lined with bookshelves and the shelves were filled. She’s got more books than Miss Marylee. I wonder what kind of material she reads. “I love to read. I’ve spent the past ten years with my nose in a book. The past two years, I’ve been reading about murder trials and reading my law books. I want to be a lawyer someday. I’ve gone as far as I can with correspondence courses. Someday I hope to attend a university and get my degree. Then hopefully pass the bar exam.”
“That’s wonderful, Will. Don’t ever lose sight of your dreams. You’ll get that law degree and I predict that someday you’ll be a famous lawyer.”
I hope you’re right, Rose. I was all set up to go to a university, but as you know, my funds went up in smoke. Right now I have no idea how it’ll work out for me, I just know there’ll be a way. My life got turned upside down, but I’ll get it right side up as fast as I can.”
“That’s the spirit! Any time you’d like to borrow a book, just let me know and I’ll unlock the door for you. You’ve got a sharp mind. I like that. I love to read history. But I have a variety of reading material. One can’t gain too much knowledge. Reading is the best way to fill our heads and learn about other places. I see the world as I read. It’s a cheap way to travel.” She laughed. “Come on, I’ll show you the rest of the house.”
Rose locked her office. They headed down the hallway and she unlocked another door on the left side. “This is my bedroom. Nobody ever comes in here either. My brassiere holds a few keys, and a derringer.” She reached down her cleavage and pulled out a tiny, gold gun. “One bullet, but I always make sure I’ve got it pointed in their chest in case I have to pull the trigger.”
Will gasped. “Have you ever shot anybody?”
“Not yet. But I’ve come close. I’ve peppered a few fat asses with buckshot. When I throw them out and they decide they’re coming back, that’s when I grab the shotgun. I keep it behind my lounge chair.”
Will’s forehead broke out in sweat. Holy shit! Maybe I still need to get. But I need some money. Maybe I won’t have to stay long. She said she’d pay me well. I figure one month and I’ll be on my way.
Will looked around the large bedroom. He had seen pictures in Miss Marylee’s magazines with all the fancy furniture, the beautiful spread on the bed and the pretty throw rugs. Her room resembled an elaborate suite in an expensive plaza. “Nice,” was all he could say.
Rose walked across the floor and pushed open a small door. “I have a private bathroom. I won’t use a tub, sink or a commode that another person has used. I’m fussy that way.”
Rose headed out of the bedroom and Will followed. She shut and locked the door and dropped the key down her bosom. “There’s six small bedrooms upstairs and a two bathrooms. My girls live up there. That’s where you’ll be patrolling the hall. Shall we go upstairs?”
Rose didn’t open any of the bedrooms upstairs. She merely told Will to leave his bartending duty every thirty minutes when the girls were entertaining upstairs. He was to walk down the hall, stop by each door, listen carefully, and if he heard anything that sounded as if one of
the girls were being roughed-up, then he was to kick down the door, and toss the john out the upstairs window. “Most sounds are normal. You’ll learn to know the difference in time.”
You have no idea how many times I’ve heard the sounds. I didn’t know what was going on then, but I do now.
“We work six days a week. Monday through Saturday. We open for business at six in the afternoon and we get everybody out by midnight. All doors are locked, lights are out and we sleep until nine in the morning.”
Will scratched his head. “Rose, isn’t your kind of business against the law?”
Rose laughed so hard, she braced herself against the wall. “Honey, I’ve got the law in my pocket. The sheriff, deputies and the Chief of Police are my best customers. And hot shot lawyers come in from three states. We can get by with anything in this house.” She smiled, winked and whispered, “Even murder!”
“Murder!” Will repeated.
Rose patted his cheek. “Don’t worry so much. Do you still want the job?”
“Yes, Rose. But only until I can get back on my feet, so to speak.”
“Good. Now let’s go rescue Wiggles from the girls.
“Rose. Would you mind if I fix a pallet for Wiggles and me in the back bathroom. If I put him back outside, he’ll be scared and he might run off. We’ll be fine in there.”
“I have a better idea. Go get Wiggles then I’ll show you where you’ll bed down for the night.”
She’s going to put us in the outside shed. That’s fine. It’s not like I’m not used to it. He went into the kitchen, picked up Wiggles and was headed for the backdoor when Rose said, “Come with me.”
Will followed Rose down the hall. She stopped and unlocked her bedroom door. “This way, you two.”
What? “You mean we can make a pallet on your bedroom floor? That’s mighty kind of you, but honestly, the bathroom floor or the shed out back will do us fine. We’re not particular.”
Rose said, “Do you see that big bed? I do believe it’ll hold the three of us. Wiggles can sleep in the middle.”