Joanne Bischof

by The Lady

  She’d tucked a dime in her reticule for a new block of ice, and with the iceman due soon, Ella hurried back to her apartment and settled down on the steps until the wagon came. She paid the man her coin for a small block, and he kindly carried it up to the apartment. When he was gone, she pulled out paper and pen and set about writing that letter. But what to ask for?

  Rent money or a train ticket. Either would burden her parents.

  Then she remembered Charlie’s offer of money. Much more than she’d spent on his behalf, it felt impossible to accept.

  Oh, how she hated money! Ella dropped her head in her hand. After writing half of the letter and abhorring every word, she decided to finish it that evening and traded the pen in her hand for the cool touch of the stair railing as she climbed up to the roof. Perhaps a few minutes in the greenhouse was in order. She plucked the strawberries that were finally ripe, pleased with the red handful that easily filled a handkerchief.

  Holland would enjoy such a treat. Charlie, too, and Regina. The notion need only circle her mind once more, and then she was downstairs in her room. Tired of being starched and pressed for job interviews, she dug through Margaret’s ribbon box and unearthed a cheery, blush-colored sash. As billowy and soft as a tumble of chokecherry blossoms, Ella tied it about the waist of her skirt and formed a festive bow in back. Her braid was windswept so she tucked a few loose strands into place and bound the end with her favorite ribbon. Then her feet were carrying her across the street and along the three blocks that led to the fairgrounds, strawberries now nestled in a small basket.

  She found Lorelai just as Charlie told her to and the plump woman waved Ella on through.

  “The lad’s paid yer way, love.”

  “Thank you.” A little thrill shot through her at the thought of seeing him. And the way he was waiting for her.

  Ella walked across the grounds, taking in the sights, sounds and sweet, buttery smells all around the striped Big Top and beyond. As the noise and festivities faded away, she passed the red circus wagon, thinking of Angelina and her kindness. A moment later, Ella was being greeted by Regina just outside of Charlie’s tent. “Ciao, mia cara.”

  “Hello.”

  The small woman hung an apron on a clothesline tied between two wagons. The low draped line was already half full. Regina’s skirts, damp at the hem, were bustled up around her knees as if she’d been stomping on the laundry in the wash bin. Holland sat in the grass, poking green blades into her mouth, and Ella kept busy keeping them out, which was no trouble once she used the berries as distraction. Red lipped, Holland crawled into Ella’s lap and settled there.

  Kissing her warm, blonde curls, Ella wished her heart could hold this joy always.

  Regina tipped over her wash basin and leaned it against one of the brightly painted wheels of Charlie’s wagon. Hands to her stout hips, she tilted her face back and closing her eyes, stood in the sun for several moments. Ella watched the small woman with a full heart. Thankful for all that she did for Charlie and Holland. The goodness that she poured out on a pair of people who needed her so desperately.

  Suddenly Charlie barreled around the corner, tugging off his top hat as he vanished into the tent. He thunked about for a moment, no doubt looking for what he needed to clean the paint from his face. “Little Joe’s under the weather. Lost his voice,” he called back, seemingly to Regina. “The village needs a talker until Sam finishes his show and can take over. I told them I’d fill in for a few hours, so I’ve gotta get ready.”

  Water splashed in the basin. Trickled as he scrubbed.

  “You won’t have time to rest at all,” Regina called. “And you have company.”

  The water silenced. Charlie stepped back out, running a towel over his hair. He glanced around, eyes settling to where Ella knelt on the grass. “Well, hello.”

  “I brought strawberries,” she blurted.

  The side of his mouth curved up. “That’s nice.”

  “She brought them for sharing, Charlie,” Regina scolded amiably.

  With him standing there, lit by the sun, Ella saw him again as she had in her dream. Her hopes. But just as quick, she made herself circle back to reality. Oh, Ella. You cannot have this.

  “And now you’re leaving.” Hands on her stout hips, Regina shook her head.

  Smiling, Charlie looked at Ella. “She doesn’t like it when I spiel for the village.” Clearly in a hurry, he ducked back inside.

  Ella picked up the baby and followed him in.

  “Because…” Regina straightened her skirt as she followed. “He gets no rest.”

  After smacking a theatrical kiss to Holland’s round cheek, Charlie started on the buttons of his vest. “I’ll rest tomorrow.” He yanked it off and tossed it beside his coat on Regina’s partition. “Now…” Rubbing his hands, he looked at Ella. “Would you like the grand tour? I know you haven’t seen much of this place, and if you want to come with me, I could show you some of the sights.” He loosened a portion of the tent canvas tucked under the wagon wheel and from the dark space tugged forward what seemed a rather heavy chest. He shoved it into the center of the makeshift room with a grunt. “So what do you say?”

  “Um…”

  He cast an impish glance at Regina. “Maybe it’s not a good idea after all.” He squinted at Ella. “I don’t even know if you can juggle. Probably can’t even sing. Come to think of it, I doubt you could hop on one foot without falling over.” He slid a black and white striped garter onto his wrist, then tugged it up his shirtsleeve so that it wrapped his upper arm.

  Laughing, Ella shook her head. “What are you talking about?”

  “If a talker’s gonna have an assistant, they might as well be talented. But maybe you can just enjoy the sights.”

  She liked that idea. The time spent with him.

  His face went serious. “Unless you came here for another reason?”

  She had to fight a smile. More so when his eyes filled with mischief. He palmed a trio of small balls and slid them into a canvas sack, followed by a deck of cards and other items.

  “What is all that for?” she asked.

  “That,” he said, moving the sack aside with his boot, “is what I’ll be doing.”

  He picked up a green silk scarf then tossed it aside for a thinner, red one which he tied around his neck, sliding the knot just off to the side. He buttoned up a glossy black waistcoat, then clipped a shining pocket watch to the vest.

  Digging around in the chest again, he tossed aside a thick plume of a feather, a bowtie, and last, a curved cane. Finally, he lifted up a small, tattered top hat. He slid it on his head, tilted it to the side…down…and in that charming way of his, he smiled at her.

  Ella stared at him, wishing she could hold back time.

  He slid on black fingerless gloves, tucked a coin inside each wrist, then wagged his fingers theatrically as he studied the contents of the chest. “Oh!” He dug around then lifted a small wooden box. He pulled out a cigar, stuck it in the side of his mouth, then gave Ella a playful wink. Rising, he shoved his mess mostly inside the chest. “Ready?”

  Out of the tent they walked side by side. Charlie tugged at his waistcoat then slipped the cigar into a hidden pocket. As they left the camp of tents and wagons, drawing toward the midway and other public paths, spectators passed to and fro. Children with treats in hand pointed to the many wonders to be seen, and men in bowler hats trailed behind, ladies on their arms. Ella wondered what it might be like to walk in such a way with Charlie. She couldn’t help stealing a glance at him only to realize that he was doing the same.

  It was a look that stole straight into her, straight to the place in her heart where she knew she should put a stop to what was happening here, whatever this was between them. But for the life of her, she didn’t want to. Maybe these days with Charlie were reckless, but how could something reckless make her feel so…whole?

  Suddenly Charlie stopped.

  Ella peered up to see that they were standing in f
ront of a partition made up of banners and great sheets of draping canvas. Colorful posters advertised the different acts to be seen within. She perused them and from the corner of her eye saw Charlie yank one down, crumple it. Pocket it. He slid her a glance that had her wishing it lasted longer for all that lived in his expression.

  But then he tapped his cane against the largest poster of all. Not so much a poster, she realized, but a canvas banner that hung from above his head to the ground. Stepping closer, she ran her fingers over the ornately painted words, her heart heavy.

  Living Freaks.

  He was beside her. “I just need you to know something. I’m going to be saying things that will be very harsh. Maybe not to other people, but to me it feels that way. The acts that I’ll be talking about are my friends. They’re the very people I want you to meet.”

  “I see.”

  “Do you?”

  She could see how important this was to him.

  “I only do this so that the village gets business and in turn that will take care of them. This is their livelihood. My job right now is to turn as many tips as I can. Maybe even clear the midway. But, please…just know that I don’t think of the exhibitioners inside this way. I’m just doing a job that has to get done. And it’s for them.”

  She touched his arm, struck by his sensitivity. “I understand.”

  A burden seemed to lift from his shoulders.

  Peering back up to the banner she read, “Village of Oddities. Sideshow Spectacular.” She quietly read the rest. Living Freaks. The Greatest Human Oddities Known to Man. So this was what Charlie would be announcing to passersby.

  “If you feel like wandering around outside of here,” he began, “there are some exotic birds in that marquee over there and just beyond are the elephants. If you don’t mind sawdust in your shoes.” He pointed to a gray tent nearby. “That’s a fun little comedy show which I think starts soon. And that one…” He motioned toward a larger brown tent that, by the sound of it, was housing a rowdy crowd. “Please don’t go in there.” He looked around a moment, looking about to say more. “I need to get started.” He gave her a crooked smile then walked to the entrance of the partitioned sideshow.

  A large man ambled up and exchanged a few words with him. By the way the man was touching his throat, Ella sensed it was the talker who’d lost his voice. Charlie patted him on the back, and with a nod of thanks, the man stepped to the side. Charlie turned. “Ladies an’ gents!” he bellowed.

  Ella’s jaw fell at the change in his voice.

  “Step right up ’ere and see the world famous Village of Oddities. One a the great-est shows on earth!” Charlie arced a hand toward the entrance. “Feast your very eyes upon a man with no arms, no legs…” He rambled on and a small crowd gathered.

  From his pocket he withdrew the deck of cards and she realized he’d slipped his sack aside already. He fanned the cards out to the promenaders standing around. “Could use a bit ‘o help. I’ve lost me queen, an’ I’m feelin’ lonely without her.”

  Chuckles shifted through the press of people and several stepped up to draw a card. Finally, a youth waved what must have been a queen overhead. Charlie tousled the lad’s hair and gave a grand gesture, admitting him in with no cost. The boy all but ran inside and his parents had to pull out coins to follow.

  And to a cluster of giggling young women, Charlie strode over and made a show of pulling a nickel out from behind a redhead’s ear. “For you, love.” He winked.

  The girl blushed and Ella nibbled her bottom lip, knowing just how charming he could be.

  He gave the girl her admittance fee and grinned down at her three friends who went over to where they paid their own way. With more giggles, they hurried in to keep up with the one who had just been admitted into the private village. Charlie flashed Ella a mischievous smile as if to say, that’s how it’s done.

  Enjoying the sun on her shoulders, Ella walked over to the man she thought was the talker. He stood in the shade and smirked at something Charlie said to the crowd. Ella introduced herself as the nurse who had tended to Holland, then asked how he was feeling. He hoarsely told her of his symptoms, and fearing that it was the same infection, she shared the remedies that worked best. She promised to send over the herbs she had left.

  His thanks was quiet, but so filled with gratitude, she only wished she could do more.

  Leaving him to save his voice, Ella moseyed around awhile, seeing the colorful birds in their gilt cages and then the elephants just beyond. Not really wanting to watch a comedy show, she circled back to the village where Charlie had a rapt crowd’s attention as he called out the mysteries of the human body they could see within.

  Ella got in line and followed the people through the entrance. When she got to a panting Charlie, she pressed a coin into his hand and looked up into his handsome face.

  He regarded her with open pleasure. “Be on your best behavior, lass,” he said loudly.

  Ella blushed but gave him a little salute. “Yessir.”

  Inside the village, she walked through the various tents and looked upon the people displayed, but with each face and oddity exhibited, each name, her heart grew sadder. She tried to think as the other spectators might—simply to look upon the strangers for entertainment sake. She wondered if she would have before knowing Charlie. She hoped not. And now, knowing that those on display were his friends, she passed through the village with a heavy heart.

  Beautiful voices spilled from a white tent and Ella stepped that way, past the sign with elegant text and a picture of Angelina and her sisters. The three young ladies sang from a decorative stage, their voices stunning and the harmonies holding the audience’s rapt attention. The song was slow and melodious, one she’d never heard before. Spotting her, Angelina gave Ella a little smile. Her hair draped her right shoulder, plunging to the floor in glossy waves. As did her sisters’. The viewers watched in hushed rapture, and Ella savored two full songs before slipping back out.

  A fire breather sipped from an amber bottle, and she ducked as he moved a torch near his mouth and shot a flame for the spectators watching. Their applause ruptured as Ella hurried along until her feet drew her to a tent she hadn’t noticed before. Perhaps because there was no crowd moving in and out. Stepping nearer, Ella saw marks in the dust as if a sign had stood there but moments ago. She peered up to a board dangling from a chain across the entrance of the tent. It declared that the act would begin at six and that an additional fee was required. Some kind of finale?

  Like bats from a cave, a pair of kids darted out, under the rope, but not deep enough when they knocked it to the ground. They giggled as they ran off. Ella glanced around and then picked up the end of the rope. She went to fasten it back in place when she noticed how still and quiet the air was inside. The tent completely empty.

  She tilted her head, peeking into the dim stillness. Not empty.

  There in the center was a wagon, much like Charlie’s or Angelina’s but instead of wooden walls, it had bars. All around stood torches on stands, unlit but blackened. Carefully lowering the rope back to the earth, Ella took a few small steps into the tent. On the plank floor of the wagon metal chains draped about. She stepped nearer, daring not to touch the bars, only to see that those chains were shackles.

  Shackles. A pain struck her heart. Surely they didn’t…

  Surely they didn’t put a person in there.

  Just beyond the tent, the sisters’ singing was soft and sweet. Wanting to be free of this tent, Ella slipped back out. The warm sun greeted her as did the call of birdsong.

  “Miss Ella?”

  She spun around only to peer up at a man on stilts, a box of bagged popcorn in his hand. He plucked one free and held it down to her. “From Charlie.”

  “Oh. Thank you.”

  The man tipped a striped hat and ambled away. Ella pinched a kernel and the buttery goodness melted on her tongue. The breeze stirred her hair as she circled around to the entrance of the sideshow to where
Charlie worked. She smiled at the funny accent he was feigning and the tricks he did for the youngsters. The way he drew the ladies in with his charms, the men with his dares. Did the man never run out of stamina?

  Ella settled on a bench with her treat. Charlie worked a few more minutes, then another man, dressed much like he was, stepped through the crowd. Perhaps his replacement. They swapped handshakes, then Charlie strode over to her. The sun glistened on his skin as he tugged the garter from his arm. He leaned in to whisper, “I hope I haven’t spoiled your dinner.” He took a pinch of popcorn.

  She squinted up at him. “Which reminds me—you haven’t eaten. What would you say to me making you an early supper? And Holland and Regina if they’d like to come along.”

  He grinned, and with that sparkle in his eye, doffed his top hat, then pressed it to his heart.

  C H A P T E R 1 5

  __________

  They returned to his tent to find a note that Regina and the baby were off to the market. To Charlie’s relief, Ella settled down in the grass outside the tent while he changed into regular clothes in his wagon. With a few hours of daylight left, they headed toward the circus entrance and passed through.

  “I never seem to see any other performers going out this way,” Ella said.

  “Maybe they just never leave.” She didn’t look convinced, so Charlie motioned the way they had come. “There are other ways in and out for us.”

  “But you don’t use them?”

  “I like to think that I can go this way just like anybody else. It annoys Lorelai to no end. Plus…” He looked at Ella after they crossed the street. “It would be prudent if I didn’t take you any other way.”

  She wasn’t the first outside woman to come and go from the back lot. He couldn’t risk people thinking his pleasure in her company was of a different nature; he meant to protect her with all the dimes this cost him. Folding her hands together, she walked quietly beside him, cute as a button in her blouse and skirt. Bound like a present with that bow cinching her waist.

  Much too distracted by the sight of her, Charlie made himself look down at his boots as they walked.