Maggie's Turn

by Deanna Lynn Sletten

  “School must have started by now in Salt Lake City. Why are you still here?” Maggie asked, interested in this faux outlaw’s story.

  Bill twisted one end of his long mustache between his fingers. “I was having such a fun time playing Wild Bill, I decided to take a year off from teaching and continue through the winter. After twelve years of teaching, I was ready for a change.”

  Maggie nodded, understanding perfectly how change was needed sometimes. Hadn’t she just turned her world upside down in only one day?

  “Before I ask about your story, Calamity, I have another question. Can I buy you a late lunch? I’m famished and would enjoy some company with my meal for a change.”

  Maggie thought a moment, but could read nothing more into his invitation other than sharing a meal. And she was starved, too. She agreed, and the two of them stepped out into the bright sunshine and strolled up Main Street to the Midnight Star casino. Bill assured Maggie that Diamond Lil’s, the bar and grill upstairs, served a delicious lunch. And she’d also enjoy the movie memorabilia displayed there.

  Maggie found it amusing that no one looked twice at Bill’s costume while they were walking up the street. And the hostess at Diamond Lil’s merely smiled and said, “Howdy, Mr. Hickok.” She seated them at a table by a window facing Main Street. Apparently, people in Deadwood didn’t think too much of long-dead gunmen turning up on their streets or in their eating establishments.

  After ordering cheeseburgers and fries, Maggie and Wild Bill wandered the room to look at the movie costumes that hung in glass display cases on the walls. Wild Bill explained that actor Kevin Costner owned the Midnight Star, so the costumes and posters were from the many movies he’d made over the years.

  They laughed at the plastic-handled pistols displayed with his clothes from Silverado.

  “Do you think he really used those toy guns?” Maggie asked, surprised at how cheap they looked.

  Wild Bill grinned and shrugged.

  As they walked through the restaurant, they shared which movies they had seen and talked about which costumes had impressed them most. They agreed that those from Dances with Wolves and Robin Hood were their favorites. When their food was ready, they sat and enjoyed it as they talked about their lives before coming to Deadwood.

  “Your turn, Calamity,” Bill said between bites. “What brings you here alone without that family of yours that I know you have?”

  “Is it that obvious?” Maggie asked, frowning at the fact he could tell she had a family at home. “Do I look that settled?

  “No, ma’am. As a matter of fact, you’re quite the looker. But I see a ring on your finger, and you’re dressed like every other middle-school mom I’ve ever known, so that gives you away.” He winked at her, teasing, and Maggie actually blushed at his words.

  “I’m sort of taking a much-needed vacation by myself,” she told him, wondering if it sounded as bad as she thought.

  “Ah, burnout, right?”

  Maggie’s eyebrows rose. She thought she must look really old and haggard if he could tell just by looking at her. He wouldn’t be far off, either. She felt that way.

  Bill only smiled and shook his head. “Nothing to be ashamed of. We all get burned out now and then. Heck, I used to wonder what kept some of those mothers going at the school. They’d have two or three kids in different schools, running from one to another, volunteering their time plus working, plus running a home—not to mention driving kids to sports and music lessons. Who wouldn’t burn out and run away?”

  “Run away.” That stung. Maggie sat quietly, considering what she’d done. She hadn’t planned on leaving. It had just happened. And now, only a day later, she was sitting in a bar with a strange man in a strange town. What had seemed so innocent just seconds ago now seemed like something only a terrible person would do.

  “Hey, Calamity,” Bill said in a soft voice. “Did I say something to upset you?”

  Maggie looked up into Bill’s warm brown eyes.

  “You must think I’m a terrible person. I walked out on my family. How could I do such a thing?” She lowered her eyes to the table and stared at her half-eaten meal.

  Bill reached over and gently touched her cheek, drawing her eyes back to his.

  “Actually, Calamity, I think you’re one brave woman. It’s not just anyone who can see what they need to do to survive and grab it. You did what you had to do, and who knows where it will lead you. At least you didn’t stay behind to confront your other option—going crazy.” Bill smiled at her. “You’ll go home a better person, better wife, and better mother for having had the guts to escape for a while. And you will go home, Calamity. Make no mistake about it. But only when you’re ready. Up here,” he said, touching the side of her head, “and here.” He pointed to her heart.

  Maggie stared at him a moment, taking in everything he’d said. A small smile spread across her face.

  “That’s pretty deep for a gunman-slash-lawman of the West,” she said.

  Bill laughed. “Pretty deep for a history teacher, too,” he added. His eyes suddenly lit up. “Say, I have tomorrow off, and the weather’s beautiful,” he said, glancing out the window. “Have you ever had the privilege of riding up the mountains to Rushmore on a hog?”

  “A hog?” Maggie repeated, laughing. Heavens no! “Why, Bill Hickok, I’d expect you to ride up the mountain on a horse, not a motorcycle.”

  “Well, I believe that if Wild Bill were alive today, he’d ride a motorcycle. But not just any cycle, mind you. A Harley-Davidson. How’d you like to ride up with me tomorrow, Calamity? I promise you, it’ll be a blast.”

  Maggie thought a moment as she looked into his eyes, considering his invitation. It was absurd, of course, completely ridiculous to consider going into the mountains on a Harley with a complete stranger. It was exactly the type of thing that the old Maggie would have never considered doing. Which was precisely why she knew it was the right thing for her to do now.

  “How do I know you’re not a serial killer who lures women up the mountain and disposes of them there?” Maggie asked, half teasing, half serious.

  Bill smiled. “I can give you references. Just ask the local sheriff if I’m trustworthy.”

  Maggie took a deep breath as she formed her next words. “I’m not looking to start anything,” she said. “If I say yes, we go only as friends.”

  Bill nodded in agreement. “Your honor is safe with me, Calamity,” he said with a thick Southern drawl.

  Maggie relaxed and agreed, and they made plans for him to pick her up at her hotel the following morning.

  As they stepped outside into the late-afternoon sunshine, Bill took off his hat and tipped his head while bowing slightly. “Until tomorrow,” he said. He turned to walk down the street toward Old Saloon #10. Only a few paces away, he stopped, turned, and called her name.

  “Calamity Jane!”

  Maggie turned, too, and looked at him.

  “It’s cold in the early morning. Be sure to dress warmly and wear your leathers.” With another tip of his hat, Bill turned and ambled on down the street.

  Maggie gazed after him, her brow furrowed. Tourists brushed past her, but she didn’t pay attention to them as she pondered what Bill had said.

  “My leathers?” she whispered to herself. Then a big smile spread across her face as she realized what Bill meant. “Whatever you say, Wild Bill!” she exclaimed as a woman passed her and frowned. Maggie spun around and headed back up the street toward a specific shop she’d passed earlier.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Andrew was already waiting for Derrick Weis when the sheriff entered the station at eight thirty the next morning. Derrick frowned and shook Andrew’s hand in greeting. “Still no sign of Maggie, I take it?” he asked. Andrew nodded.

  The two men walked into Derrick’s small, cluttered office, and Andrew dropped heavily into the faux
-leather chair opposite Derrick’s desk. Andrew was dressed in a suit, as usual, but he felt tired and nervous. He kept running his hand through his hair and was having trouble sitting still in his seat.

  Derrick studied him but didn’t say anything.

  Uncomfortable under Derrick’s stare, Andrew finally spoke, his voice sounding less confident than usual. “So what do we do now?”

  Derrick pulled a sheet of paper from his desk drawer to take notes. “We need to file a missing person report and get this information out officially. Tell me everything you know.”

  Andrew explained again that Kaia was the last person to see Maggie; he didn’t think she’d come home after dropping Kaia off at school, and he hadn’t noticed any missing clothes or luggage. He was sure she hadn’t packed anything. He gave Derrick the name and phone number of Maggie’s workplace—he’d written it on a piece of paper, because he didn’t know it by heart since he never called or visited Maggie at work. Then Andrew filled out a form describing physical information about Maggie. Height, weight. How the hell should I know? Blue eyes, blond hair. Yes, real blond, not bottled. What had she last been wearing?

  “How would I know that?” Andrew blurted out, pointing to the question. “Who pays attention to clothes?”

  Derrick’s eyes scanned Andrew. “Looks like you pay a lot of attention to your own clothes.”

  “What’s that have to do with it?” Andrew insisted, and then he caught the look of disapproval in Derrick’s eyes. Andrew knew he was losing control. He was already on edge because of Maggie’s disappearance and from the fight he’d had with Kaia this morning. She had insisted on staying home from school, but he’d made her go anyway.

  “You can’t do anything for your mom here,” he’d told Kaia, who replied by glaring at him and calling him an insensitive jerk. And now Derrick was looking at him with that same disapproving stare.

  “I suppose you remember what your wife wore this morning,” Andrew shot back.

  “My wife is a nurse. She wore white this morning,” Derrick replied calmly.

  “That’s not fair,” Andrew countered. “Your wife wears a uniform, like you do. Of course you remember what she wore.”

  Derrick conceded with a nod. “At least try to remember everything you can. Every little detail counts.”

  Andrew stared back at the sheet of paper. He closed his eyes and tried to imagine yesterday morning when he’d last seen Maggie. He’d been preoccupied with his own daily schedule. Noticing his wife’s outfit, or even how she looked in it, wasn’t something he’d thought to do. Besides, it seemed as though she wore the same thing every day. A T-shirt or sweater, jeans or khaki pants. He had no idea which of any of those she’d been wearing yesterday.

  Finally, Andrew gave up. He finished filling out the form and handed it back to Derrick.

  Derrick looked it over a minute before returning his gaze to Andrew. “Is there anything else I should know?” he asked, his tone steady.

  Andrew glared at Derrick. “What do you mean?”

  “Did anything happen between the two of you to make Maggie leave? Did you have a fight recently? Are there problems with the children?”

  “No, of course not,” Andrew answered quickly.

  Andrew ran a hand through his hair again, took a deep breath, and let it out slowly in an effort to relax. He didn’t understand why he was being so defensive—it wasn’t as if he were guilty of something. He didn’t like people prying into his personal life, and he felt as if Derrick was pointing a finger at him for Maggie’s disappearance. He knew that if he didn’t calm down, he’d look guilty as hell over something he didn’t do. Slowly, he lifted his eyes. Derrick stared back at him, frowning.

  “Listen, Derrick,” Andrew said, his tone calmer. “This has been tough. Sorry for snapping at you.”

  Derrick nodded. “I understand. I really don’t want to pry, but anything you can tell me may help us find Maggie.”

  Andrew nodded. “Maggie and I were . . . are fine,” he said, quickly correcting his slip into the past tense. “At least as far as I know. I mean, hey, every couple has their problems, right? We’re no different from anyone else.” Andrew wasn’t about to share the details of his marriage with Derrick. It wasn’t any of his business, and he didn’t believe it would help them find Maggie anyway. But the look in Derrick’s eyes told him that Derrick maybe knew more about him and Maggie than he was letting on.

  “We’ll do our best to find her, Andrew,” Derrick said. “Just let us know if you hear anything. The sooner we have information, the better.”

  Andrew nodded as he stood and then left Derrick’s office. His heart pounded as he walked out to his car. Where could she be? He’d watched enough crime shows to know that if Maggie didn’t show up soon, the chances of finding her would get slimmer with each passing day.

  Andrew went to work as usual but couldn’t keep his mind on anything except Maggie’s disappearance. He didn’t mention it to his coworkers, and he hoped she’d be found before they learned she’d been missing. The way Derrick had looked at him this morning, as if he were to blame for Maggie’s disappearance, had aggravated him. He hadn’t done anything wrong—he was innocent. He’d just been going about his business when, all of a sudden, she was gone. It made no sense at all. Yet Derrick’s question, “Did anything happen between the two of you to make Maggie leave?” hung heavily in the air.

  No marriage is perfect, he told himself. They had their problems. But that was no different from anyone else, right? Yet deep down, he knew that if Maggie had left on her own, he was partly to blame.

  Just before school let out, Andrew left the office. Andrew’s job included securing new advertising from clients, so it wasn’t unusual for him to come and go from the office. He was thankful he didn’t have to explain his absence as he picked up Kaia that afternoon.

  From the moment Andrew picked her up at school, Kaia insisted relentlessly that Andrew should go look for Maggie. When Andrew tried to explain how illogical searching for Maggie would be since he had no idea where to begin looking, she accused him again of not caring that her mom was missing. Andrew didn’t really want to go around asking questions, letting the entire town know Maggie was missing. It would’ve been embarrassing to him, especially if she’d left on her own. He didn’t want to have to explain to everyone he knew why his wife would leave him if that was the case. “Just let the police do their job,” he finally told Kaia, but she disagreed. The tension between father and daughter grew by the minute, making Andrew feel weary.

  When Kyle finally came home, Andrew decided it was time to discuss what they were going to do. Without Maggie around, they needed to come up with a plan to take care of the things she usually did.

  “Listen,” he told the kids after they’d all finished picking at the pizza Kyle had brought home for dinner. “Until Mom comes home, I’m going to need you both to help out around here.”

  Kaia shook her head and snorted. “You make it sound like Mom’s on vacation or something.”

  “Kaia, enough, okay?” Andrew said, trying hard not to lose patience with her. He turned to his son. “Kyle, I’m going to need you to drive Kaia to school in the mornings, and we’ll take turns picking her up.”

  Kyle frowned. “No can do, Dad. I have to be in class by eight, and the college is on the opposite side of town from the middle school. I’d have to drop her off by seven thirty to make it.”

  “Then do it,” Andrew said.

  “No way,” Kaia said. “I’m not sitting around school for an hour before it starts.”

  “Listen, Kaia, you have to give in a little here. I simply cannot drive you. I need to get to work on time.”

  “Your office doesn’t open until nine o’clock,” Kaia shot back. “You can drop me off and still have plenty of time to get to work. It’s only a block away.”

  The frustration of the day’s event
s finally caught up with Andrew. “I’m not arguing with you anymore, Kaia,” he bellowed. “If you don’t want Kyle to take you to school, then you can ride the bus.”

  “What?” Kaia asked, stunned.

  “You heard me. Ride the bus. Your mother may have had the time to spoil you, but I have to earn a living so you can have all those things that you think you can’t live without. From now on, you can ride the bus.”

  Kaia stood, fists clenched, her eyes spitting fire. But Andrew held his ground, arms crossed, matching her stare. Kyle shifted his gaze between the two of them. Kaia turned on her heel and ran up to her room, slamming her door so hard the pictures on the walls of the dining room shook.

  Kyle took a deep breath.

  Andrew stood there, a smug smile replacing his anger from only moments ago. Round one won.

  “Hey, Dad?” Kyle said tentatively. “Maybe it’s not such a good idea to let Kaia ride the bus.”

  Andrew glanced at him. “She’ll live,” he said tersely.

  Kyle shrugged and headed up to his room.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  As Maggie settled in for the night at the Bullock Hotel, she enjoyed the peace and quiet of having the large room all to herself. She loved the Victorian decor, the thick flowered comforter on the queen-size bed, and the antique oak wardrobe where she’d hung her new purchases. After leaving Wild Bill, she’d spent the rest of the afternoon shopping, picking up more personal necessities and a couple of nonessential items that would be suitable to wear on her ride tomorrow. It had been years since she’d spent so much time doing exactly as she pleased, and she felt relaxed and happy.

  Maggie left the television volume on low as she brushed her teeth and got ready for bed. Slipping into new pajamas she’d just purchased, she snuggled into the cushy bed, using both large pillows for herself. She picked up the TV remote, poised to turn it off when a photo appeared on-screen. It was a picture of a middle-aged woman with the word Missing printed underneath it.