One of the other passengers, a man she guessed to be about her father’s age passed by, followed by a young girl. Not far behind them was a woman. She presumed she was the girl’s mother.
She slid over to the edge of her seat and peered down the aisle. The family moved to the end of the car. The man opened the door next to the woodstove and helped the woman and child through to the next car.
She sighed. Although she didn’t know the background of the family, she thought the little girl lucky. Wherever they were going, at least they were doing it as a family. Her throat thickened and she swallowed hard to fight the imminent tears. She rubbed her arm just to feel something.
“Hello, madam.” Clarence suddenly appeared by her side. “I must apologize for not asking your name earlier.”
She looked up and smiled. “It’s Mayme.”
“Ah, what a beautiful name.”
“I, um, ate all your sandwich. I’m so sorry.” She rubbed her nose to hide her renewed embarrassment.
Without a word, he reached into his pocket and removed a parcel identical to the first. He winked and said, “I always pack two just in case.”
“Oh. Well thank goodness for that. But. I’m actually hungry again. Can you tell me when it’s time to eat?”
“I came by to let you know just that.” He offered her a kind smile and pointed in the direction the family had gone. “If you go through those doors, and into the fourth car, you’ll find dinner awaiting you.”
“Thank you.” She got up and straightened her dress.
“Make sure you’re careful going from car to car. Hold on to the railings as you step.”
She nodded. “Thanks. I will.”
Clarence took a step back to give her room into the aisle. “I’ll stop by later to make sure you still have both your legs.” He winked and smiled.
She shook her head in amusement and walked toward the door. The car swayed gently but she kept a hand on the seats nevertheless. The floor vibrated beneath her feet as she neared the door. The heavy steel wheels churned loudly on the track. She opened the door and carefully stepped out.
Her braids whipped wildly about her head and freed some errant strands. The dust smelled like the old ice in the cold box that sat in her parent’s kitchen. As a youngster she loved prying the congealed water from the sides of the box.
A pang of loneliness hit her, but her stomach cried louder. She grabbed the railing and carefully stepped over the rattling joint that connected the two cars. She concentrated on not looking at the moving tracks beneath her for fear of getting motion sickness. All at once she was standing on the second car.
The sweet smell of roast beef and mashed potatoes met her as she opened the door to the fourth car. Her mouth watered and her stomach growled.
The small family that’d passed her earlier sat just inside. She looked around in dismay. All of the chairs were occupied. How would she ever be able to get a meal?
She leaned against the wall and discreetly watched her fellow passengers dine.
“Young lady!”
She looked toward the raised hand that beckoned to her.
“There’s a seat over here.” A lone woman sat half turned and waved for her to come over. The table she sat at was small and pressed against the wall of the car. It was no wonder she’d missed the empty seat across from the woman.
She threaded her way past the other tables. Quiet murmurs followed her as she drew closer to the woman.
“Please, sit down.”
She pulled the chair out and sat down. “Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome. I’ll enjoy the company.” She extended her hand over the table. “I’m Betty Coate.”
Mayme shook the offered hand. “I’m pleased to meet you Mrs. Coate.”
She shook her head. “Call me Betty, please. And it’s ‘miss,’ if you feel you need the title.”
Betty’s red hair was stylishly curled on top of her head. A few ringlets hung carelessly over her forehead and in front of her ears. Her red painted lips and long black eyelashes accentuated perfectly plucked eyebrows. A small mole decorated her right cheek. Her eggshell-colored dress was fashionable but not extravagant.
She heard someone tsk-tsk behind her. “My name is Mayme Watson.”
Betty smiled at her. “And where do you hale from, Mayme Watson?”
She heard the tsk again and turned toward the noise.
“Don’t pay any attention to them.”
Mayme looked questioningly at Betty.
“Please, just take my word for it.” Betty leaned over the table and whispered, “There are some on this train who are quite self-righteous. I can’t be bothered with them.”
“Okay. If you say so.”
Betty smiled again and revealed perfect white teeth. “Now, where were we? Oh yes. You were about to tell me where you’re from.”
She straightened her dress and sat up straight, just as she’d been taught in school. “I’m from just outside Chicago.”
“What a lovely city. I’ve been there a time or two. Are you traveling alone?”
“Yes. I’m going to Eagle Rock. That’s in Idaho.”
“Oh. Will you be meeting family there?” Betty unfolded a napkin and placed it on her lap while a waiter filled their glasses with water.
“No. Actually, I don’t really know. Father only told me I’d be met by someone at the station.”
Betty furrowed her brows and sighed. “Well, I’m sure everything will work out fine.”
“Are you going there as well?” She surprised herself by quickly warming to Betty. Even though she was a complete stranger, for some reason she hoped the answer was yes. She was in need of a friend.
“I’m afraid not. I’m booked to ride this iron horse all the way to San Francisco.”
“Oh.” Disappointment washed over her. “What will you do there?”
Betty tapped her lips with a manicured finger. “Let’s just say I’ll be managing a saloon of sorts.”
“That sounds exciting. You’ll get to meet all sorts of new people.” She turned her gaze to the window and watched as vast expanses of moonlit prairie sped by. As she’d slept, a full moon had risen high in the sky. Its brightness illuminated the landscape.
She wondered how many more people were going to ask her what awaited her in Idaho. But truth be told, even she had no idea. She was scared and excited at the same time. Even though her ideas seemed elaborate, she didn’t think they were completely out of the realm of possibilities for a fifteen-year-old girl. Beyond them, she couldn’t imagine what her future held.
She returned her attention to Betty. “Did you always want to do that? Manage a saloon, I mean?”
“No, I can honestly say I never thought life would guide me down this path. My parents had other ideas for me when I was your age. Things changed yet again when my mother passed from consumption. I took care of Daddy until he died a few years later. He couldn’t live without her I guess.”
A waiter suddenly arrived with a plate in each hand. Mayme quickly covered her lap with a napkin and stared hungrily at the food as he set a serving in front of her. Her mouth watered in anticipation of the roast beef, mashed potatoes, and corn on the cob.
“Thank you.” She picked up her fork, stabbed some potatoes, and lifted it to her mouth. She realized the server was lingering. She looked on as Betty removed several bills of money from her bodice and handed it to him.
Her mouth fell open and she pressed a hand to her stomach. “Oh! I didn’t realize I had to pay. I’m afraid I don’t—” She set her fork down and looked at her food in dismay. Her chest tightened and she swallowed hard.
Betty waved a hand at her. “Your meals are included in the ticket price. The wait-staff expect to be tipped. Fortunately I can afford it these days. If you have your meals with me, I’d be pleased to account for you too.”
“Oh no, I couldn’t ask you to do that.” She was aware of several sets of eyes staring in their direction. She was positive they were all focu
sed on her. A sudden need to fade into the background and avoid notice overcame her.
Betty smiled. “You’d actually be doing me a favor by keeping me company. I’m afraid the hours between meals will be quite lonely for me as I suspect they will be for you too. Please. Allow me to do this for you.”
“If you’re sure.” She tentatively lifted her fork.
“I’m positive. Now eat up.”
AS SHE’D BEEN convinced to do, she dined with Betty for nearly every meal for the next week. There were a couple times Betty didn’t show up, but the waiter always assured her that things had been taken care of. She’d wondered what had detained Betty during those times, but was polite enough to never ask, and Betty was not forthcoming with that information.
“May I ask you a question?” Betty said over lunch one day.
She shrugged and took a bite of her ham sandwich. She chewed and swallowed. “Sure.”
“You don’t have to answer if you think I’m being too familiar.”
“Okay.”
“Did you get into some sort of trouble?”
Mayme averted her eyes from Betty’s gentle gaze and sighed. Was it that unusual for a young woman such as herself to be traveling alone without suspicion? Her ears and neck suddenly felt impossibly hot. Would Betty understand? She squirmed in her seat.
“I didn’t think so, but my school master and parents did.” She curled her toes with the admission.
“What on earth did you do?” Betty leaned over the table and whispered conspiratorially, “Did you rob a bank?”
She laughed. “No, nothing like that. They all thought I was getting too close to one of my girlfriends.”
Betty raised an eyebrow. “And that caused a problem?”
“We used to stay up late studying. I got caught sleeping in her bed more than a couple times because we’d just get tired and close our eyes.”
“I still don’t see where that is an issue.”
She looked around to make sure no one else was listening. Fortunately, the car wasn’t crowded and no one sat at the tables near theirs.
“I guess it became a big deal when we got caught with our arms around each other. The house lady came in and saw Mary kiss me on the cheek.” A tingling swept up the back of her neck and across her face as she recalled Mrs. Cooper’s reaction. “The house lady screamed and called us both queer. After that she would sneak around trying to catch us doing something.”
“How many times were you caught?”
“Four. Not counting the first time.” She winced and chewed her bottom lip.
“So five times.”
“Yes, ma’am.” She slid deeper into her chair, awaiting the lecture that was sure to come just like every other time an adult found out what’d happened. But much to her relief, none came.
“Oh for heaven’s sake. People should stop being such sticky-beaks.” Betty pointed her chin at Mayme’s plate and winked at her. “Eat up before your sandwich gets stale.”
She nodded and took a polite bite. As she chewed she watched a well-dressed man approached their table. He wore a grey pinstriped suit over a white cotton shirt. His bow tie was tucked under his Adam’s apple. As he passed, he subtly slid a small piece of paper onto the table near Betty’s elbow. He glanced back at Betty and nodded slightly. Betty winked and put the paper into her bodice.
The exchange confused Mayme and she looked to Betty for an explanation. But it seemed none was forthcoming. She wondered if she should ask, and then decided she wasn’t owed an answer anyway.
Chapter 3
“CLARENCE TOLD ME we’ll be arriving in Eagle Rock tomorrow.” She picked at her food and haphazardly moved it around the plate. She really didn’t have an appetite tonight. Her stomach felt rock hard.
“You must be excited to finally get off this train.” Betty sipped her coffee and then dabbed her lips with the napkin.
“Yes, I suppose I am.” She put her fork down and rubbed one hand down her leg and chewed the thumbnail on the other.
“You don’t sound very convincing.”
“I just don’t know what to expect. To be honest, I’ll admit to being slightly afraid.” She fidgeted further, picked up and gripped her fork so hard her knuckles went white.
“I’m sure everything will work out just fine. Despite your supposed sins, I’m sure your parents wouldn’t purposely put you in a dangerous situation.” Betty reached into her bodice and removed a small wad of money. She flaked off several bills and put the remainder back from where she’d gotten it. She folded the others into a small square and reached across the table with it. “Take this. It’s not much. But if you find yourself in a bind, you may find you have a good use for it.”
Mayme shook her head. “No, I can’t take that.”
Betty shook the money at her. “I won’t take no for an answer. Tell you what. If in a year you find you don’t need it, send it back to me.”
“But how would I find you?”
Betty smiled at her compassionately. “You’d find a way. I know it.”
She took the money and looked at Betty helplessly.
Betty nodded toward her bosom, indicating where she should put it.
Mayme looked around and discreetly slid it into her brassiere, which wasn’t much because she had little to fill it with. “I guess that’s as safe a place as any.” A rush of warmth covered her face. She knew she wore a huge blush and gazed into her lap to hide it.
“It’s as good a place as any.” Betty chuckled. “That’s where I keep all my worldly possessions.”
Mayme realized Betty was referring to her well-endowed chest. She laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
SHE WOKE EARLY and changed into her nicest dress. There was no telling what awaited her when she got off the train, but she was determined to look her very best.
She entered the dining car for breakfast and was disheartened to see her dining partner hadn’t shown up yet. Normally Betty was sipping her second cup of coffee by the time she walked in. But her chair was vacant.
She sighed and slid into her seat. A few moments later the waiter placed a plate with a slice of ham and scrambled eggs in front of her.
“Thank you. Have you seen the lady I normally eat with this morning?”
“Yes, madam. She dined very early and promptly took her leave.”
“Oh.” She tilted her chin down and frowned. “Okay. Thank you.”
“She did ask me to give you this, however.”
She looked up. He held a folded piece of paper. She took it between her thumb and index finger and mumbled, “Thanks.”
She held it in her lap until after he left. Her name was written in beautiful cursive. She unfolded it carefully and began to read:
April 8, 1886
My dearest friend Mayme,
Please forgive me for my absence at breakfast. I had full intentions of sharing a final meal and bidding you farewell, however I have unfortunately been detained. There are times we just can’t control the consequences of a destiny chosen. This is one of those circumstances.
Promise me that when you disembark from this train, you will follow your dreams and not a path others have chosen for you. The west is a dangerous place, but if you have trust in yourself to move forward, you will be safe. You are a strong young lady and I hope you will eventually find someone deserving to own your love.
All the best,
Betty
p.s. Don’t forget your safest asset.
She smiled sadly and carefully refolded the note. She looked around to make sure no one was watching and slipped it into her bodice. During the week she’d been traveling, Betty had made the time go faster even though they’d only seen each other at meals. Suddenly the loneliness she’d felt when she first boarded the train returned. It wasn’t as if she expected Betty to hold her hand when they arrived in Eagle Rock, but her self-confidence might’ve been given a boost had they been able to say goodbye face-to-face.
Although she’d lost her appe
tite for breakfast, she discreetly wrapped the slice of ham in the napkin and slid it in next to Betty’s note. She’d rather be more safe than sorry if her next meal was long in coming.
She returned to her assigned car and double-checked that she had gathered and packed everything. Satisfied, she turned her attention to the much-changed landscape outside. The dull flat prairies had transformed into rolling hills to the south and a high snow-covered mountain range to the north. The train crept up upon and eventually passed a stagecoach. Six bay horses pulled the four-wheeled coach at a hard run. White froth oozed from under their harnesses and streaked down their sweaty hides. The driver leaned forward on his bench seat, snapping the long whip above their backs, as if he was racing the iron horse.
“We’ll be arriving in Eagle Rock in an hour,” Clarence said from the aisle.
She turned and met his kind eyes. “Thank you. I packed early so I’m pretty sure I’m ready.”
“I wish you the best of luck.” He reached into his pocket and with a sly smile, removed a parcel very much like the one he’d given her the first day on the train. “I want you to take this with you. Just in case.”
“Oh, Clarence. You don’t have to do that.” She rose from her seat and moved into the aisle.
“Do you know where you’re going when we get to the train station?”
She frowned. “No. I’m afraid Father arranged everything and neglected to tell me.”
“Then, please, take this. You have no idea where your next meal will come from, do you?”
She shook her head and smiled. “You are too kind. Thank you. I wish I could repay you in some way.”
Clarence handed her the food and placed his other hand on top of hers as she grasped it. “Just stay safe and be well.”
She nodded. “I’ll do my best.”
She spent the remainder of the trip scanning the landscape and glancing at the door where she hoped Betty would miraculously appear to say a proper farewell. The countryside changed but not a single soul passed through the door.
The train’s whistle rose to a deafening pitch as it neared its destination. She reckoned everybody for miles knew of its impending arrival. Horse-drawn wagons and people on horseback traveled the roads in all directions. The constant traffic caused a low layer of dust to hover just above the ground.
After a Time Page 2