Soiled Dove

by Brenda Adcock

  Cyrus and Amelia waited near the back door of Mrs. Covington’s Rooming House while Hettie entered through the front door and made her way to the back. It was the middle of the night and the house was quiet as she unlocked and held open the back door. Cyrus had to turn sideways to make his way past Hettie. They waited as she relocked the back door and led them to her room on the second floor.

  She unlocked the door to her room and struck a match for the light next to the bed. Amelia took the quilt from around Loretta’s body and spread it over Hettie’s bed, careful to avoid getting blood on the bedcovers. When Hettie had made the room as bright as possible, she turned toward the bed.

  “Dear God!” she said. “She’s…she’s naked.”

  Cyrus removed his coat and rolled up his shirtsleeves. “If you could bring us some warm water and clean cloths it would be very helpful,” he said looking at Hettie.

  “Are you a doctor?” she asked, unable to tear her eyes away from Loretta’s naked body.

  “No, but I studied to be one before I became a man of the cloth,” he said. “Amelia, as soon as we have her cleaned up, you and Miss Hettie should leave.” His face reddened slightly.

  “Why?” Amelia asked.

  “She may have been…be injured in

  her…um…private area. I will need to check,” he said quietly.

  Amelia snorted. “Like I ain’t seen that before, Reverend.”

  Hettie stood at the foot of the bed, her mouth agape, looking between Cyrus and Amelia. She finally cleared her throat and said, “I helped my sister deliver her baby last year. I can assist as well.”

  “First, get the water and cloths,” Cyrus said gently. He hesitated a moment before reaching down and stroking Loretta’s hair. “And a funnel of some kind if you can find one.”

  Within a few minutes, the small room was a flurry of semi-quiet activity. Hettie and Amelia carefully washed dried blood from Loretta’s face and from cuts on her side and abdomen. When they finished, Cyrus carefully opened Loretta’s mouth and peered inside, manipulating her jaw. He took each arm and felt along its length, bending her elbows. Hettie handed him a funnel she found in the kitchen. He pressed the wide end against Loretta’s chest and placed the smaller end in his ear and closed his eyes in concentration.

  He instructed the two women to help him turn Loretta onto her side as gently as possible and knelt next to the bed, placing the funnel on her back. When he stood a few minutes later, he was smiling. “Her heartbeat is strong and although I’m certain she has several broken ribs, her breathing sounds fine, so I don’t believe her lung has been punctured.”

  “I’ll see what I can find to wrap her ribs with,”

  Hettie said.

  “Good,” Cyrus said. “Umm…Amelia?”

  “What?” the girl asked as she looked up at him.

  “I know you girls use something for…to…you know…prevent diseases and…well…pregnancy,” he said uncomfortably.

  “I think Loretta rinses herself out, but she makes her customers use a cover. You know that, Cyrus,”

  Amelia said nonchalantly.

  He cleared his throat and glanced at Hettie. “Yes, I know, but I don’t think Jack used a cover when he did this. The skin is badly torn.”

  “Oh,” Amelia said. “I didn’t bring anything for that, Cyrus.”

  “I saw a hot water bottle in the bathroom earlier this evening,” Hettie volunteered.

  “That would work, but it might already be too late,” Cyrus nodded. “We can try though. Amelia, you and Hettie see what you can find that we can mix with the water. Something acidic.”

  “For what?” Amelia asked.

  Hettie reached over and took Amelia by the arm.

  “Come with me. I know what to look for.”

  Cyrus raised a questioning eyebrow as he looked at Hettie. “And we’ll need something to catch the fluid as it passes out of her body,” Cyrus said quickly.

  While he waited for the women to return, Cyrus sat on the edge of the bed and used his fingers to brush Loretta’s hair back, looking at her once beautiful face. “I’m so sorry this has happened to you, Retta,” he said softly. “I’ll do what I can and hope it’s enough.” Without another thought, he slid off the bed and knelt beside it, interlacing his fingers as he said a silent prayer. Unexpectedly, a hand found its way to his hair and stroked it. When he looked up in surprise, Loretta’s swollen lips were trying to move.

  He grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips.

  “Don’t try to talk, Miss Loretta. You’ve been badly injured.” She nodded slightly, taking a ragged breath.

  “Amelia and Hettie will be back in a minute,” he said.

  “I’ll try not to hurt you any more than necessary.”

  When Hettie and Amelia returned, Hettie assisted Cyrus while Amelia held Loretta’s hand. By the time they were finished, Amelia’s hand was white from being squeezed hard and she had to shake it to return circulation to her fingers. Hettie handed Cyrus two small white tablets and helped prop Loretta up far enough to swallow them. Whether from pain, the pills, or exhaustion, Loretta fell into a deep sleep as they cleaned up the room.

  “You did a wonderful job, Reverend,” Hettie said as they carried the basin to the bathroom and emptied it. “Perhaps you should have become a doctor after all.”“Where did you get the laudanum tablets I gave Loretta?”

  “From my doctor before I left Indiana. I don’t need them and thought they would help.”

  “They will give her time to rest. I decided not to complete my studies because I couldn’t tolerate seeing all those people suffering in pain everyday,”

  he smiled. “I decided to save their souls instead.”

  “And what about your own soul?” she asked.

  “I’m still working on that, Miss Hettie, I’m sad to say,” he frowned.

  “Loretta is a prostitute, is she not?”

  “Yes, she is,” Cyrus acknowledged. He turned to face the young woman and lifted his chin a little.

  “And I have been her customer on several occasions.

  As a matter of fact…”

  Hettie held her hand up to stop him. “It would not be my place to judge you, Reverend. I am a sinner, as well.”

  “I highly doubt that, Miss Hettie,” he smiled gently.

  “I have been with a man out of wedlock,” she said as she looked away. “That is why I am willing to travel west to leave my sinful past behind and start anew.”

  “We all make mistakes, my dear. That is why we can be comforted by our faith in God. He forgives our mistakes and makes us whole again.”

  “Do you really believe that?”

  “Considering my profession and my own sins, I suppose I have to,” Cyrus smiled.

  “Your flock is extremely fortunate to have a man who understands what sin is.”

  “Somehow I don’t think they would agree with you,” Cyrus frowned. “I am somewhat in the same situation you are. I have accepted a new position in Colorado where I can rebuild my life and renew my faith. This was my last trip into St. Joseph.”

  A WEEK LATER, Loretta was able to push herself up on a stack of pillows. Her injured ribs made it difficult to take a deep breath and the bruises on her body and face were beginning to fade although they were still clearly visible. Amelia sat beside the bed, scooping up another spoonful of oatmeal and bringing it to Loretta’s mouth. It tasted good, even though Amelia had gotten a little carried away with the sugar. Loretta winced slightly as she took the oatmeal into her mouth.

  “Too hot?” Amelia asked.

  “No, it’s fine, sweetie. I’ll be glad when my lip heals though.”

  “Cyrus says it will in another week or so. Same with the other cuts, but you might have a couple of little scars. Gonna take longer for your ribs though.”

  “Yeah. I’d kill to take a deep breath,” Loretta said with a small smile.

  A light tap at the door startled Amelia. She stood quickly and set the bowl on the nightstand
. She walked to the door, leaned closer to it, and whispered, “Who is it?”

  “Cyrus and Hettie,” a soft female voice said.

  Amelia looked back at Loretta and smiled, then opened the door. Loretta noticed Cyrus was holding the hand of the familiar looking woman beside him.

  “You’re looking much better today, Miss Loretta,”

  Cyrus said as he crossed the room to stand next to the bed.Loretta reached out and stroked his arm, attempting a crooked smile to protect her lip. “Thanks to you, Cyrus. You saved my life. I’ll never be able to repay you,” she said quietly as a tear escaped from her eye and rolled down her cheek. Her hand quickly brushed it away. “I’m sorry.”

  “You should contact the police,” the woman next to Cyrus said tersely.

  Loretta looked at her curiously, trying to remember where she had seen her before. “I’m a whore,” Loretta snapped. “The police are frequent customers to my employer’s establishment. It’s not likely they would do anything.” Loretta looked at the woman through bruised and swollen eyes. “Do I know you?”

  “I’m sorry. My name is Hettie Tobias. I spoke to you and Amelia for a few minutes the day before you were…assaulted. In that little café.”

  Loretta looked at Amelia in disbelief. “You went to a total stranger for help?”

  “There wasn’t no one else, Retta. You know the other girls wouldn’t have done a damn thing,” Amelia said defensively.

  “Language, Miss Amelia,” Cyrus reminded her softly.

  “Sorry, Reverend. If it hadn’t been for Cyrus I couldn’t have gotten you out of there. Jack would have come back and finished you off for sure.”

  “It’s all right, Amelia” Loretta looked at Hettie. “I thought you were leaving for someplace out west,”

  she said.

  “I’ve postponed my journey,” Hettie said, glancing up at Cyrus, a light blush coloring her cheeks.

  Cyrus cleared his throat, a smile teasing at his lips. “As it happens, Miss Hettie and I are both traveling to the same town in the Colorado Territory.”

  Loretta lifted an eyebrow, looking at Cyrus and then back toward Hettie. “Reverend Langford is a fine Christian man.” She was unsure what Hettie actually knew about her relationship with Cyrus or what he might have told her.

  “Hettie knows,” Cyrus said softly. “I’ve told her everything.”

  “Then she’s a fine Christian woman,” Loretta smiled.

  Cyrus sat on the edge of the bed and took Loretta’s hand. “Um…we were thinking, Miss Loretta,” he began, looking at Hettie. “Jack is looking everywhere for you and Amelia. Miss Hettie and I thought perhaps the two of you might consider traveling with us to Colorado.”

  “I’m not afraid of Jack Coulter,” Loretta said defiantly. “But I sure as hell ain’t workin’ for him again.”

  “Perhaps all you need is a fresh start,” Hettie said, touching Loretta’s arm. “Once you get there you can do what you advised me to do and follow your heart.”

  Loretta thought for a few minutes. “I will give you the money to purchase tickets for us, but all my belongings are at Jack’s.”

  “You can take some of my clothes. I think we’re about the same size.”

  Loretta shook her head slightly. “Thanks, but I can afford to clothe myself. Take part of my stash and purchase two or three dresses for me. I might as well start a new life with everything fresh.”

  “I checked at the depot and the next train to Pueblo leaves in three days,” Cyrus said. “It will take three or four days to get most of the way to our destination by train. I know you’ll be in a great deal of pain because of your ribs. Do you think you can stand the jostling around?”

  “Reckon I’ll have to.”

  Chapter Five

  “I DON’T SEE anyone familiar,” Cyrus said softly as he knelt in front of the wooden wheelchair holding a woman who wore a heavy black mourning dress and adjusted her lap quilt. A black veil attached to a wide-brimmed black hat covered her face.

  “How much longer before the train arrives?” she asked.

  Cyrus withdrew a silver pocket watch from his vest pocket and flipped it open. “Half an hour. If it’s on time. Are you doing all right?”

  “I’m smothering in this damned dress,” she said.

  “Language, Miss Loretta. And patience,” he whispered as he stood and patted her lightly on the shoulder.

  “As I recall, Reverend, patience was never one of your virtues either.” Loretta chuckled as she remembered Cyrus’ inability to contain himself when he spent an evening with her. The chuckle was followed by a fit of coughing which caused her to wrap her arms around her ribcage to lessen the pain from her damaged ribs.

  “Leaving town, Reverend Langford?” a familiar voice asked as Cyrus leaned over Loretta.

  “There, there, Mrs. Tobias. It won’t be much longer now,” Cyrus soothed. He smiled as he watched Jack Coulter approach. Dressed impeccably as usual, Jack puffed on a cigar as he glanced around the depot platform at the passengers waiting for the westbound train.

  “How are you, Jack?” Cyrus asked, resting a hand on Loretta’s shoulder and squeezing lightly. “What brings you down here today?”

  His eyes scanning the platform, Jack shrugged.

  “I’m just keeping an eye out for a couple of friends I’m expecting to be here.”

  “Are they coming in on this train?”

  “No. Probably departing and I wanted to wish them well.”

  “Really?”

  “Have you see Retta or Amelia while you’ve been here?”

  “No, I haven’t. I had planned to say goodbye and wish them both well before I left, but I was asked to assist a friend in getting her mother on board the next train and didn’t get the chance. I hope you will give them my kindest regards.”

  Jack laughed and leaned closer. “I’m sure you’ll miss them, especially Retta.”

  Loretta sat quietly in the wheelchair, barely daring to breathe as Jack continued his conversation with Cyrus.

  “Oh, Cyrus. There you are!” Hettie said as she walked quickly across the platform. “Are you feeling all right, Mother?” she asked as she knelt beside the wheelchair.

  Loretta nodded slightly and brought a glove-covered hand under her veil as if to wipe her nose.

  “We should get mother into the shade, Cyrus. It’s getting terribly warm out here,” Hettie said.

  Jack removed the bowler from his head and bowed in Hettie’s direction. “I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure, ma’am. I’m Jack Coulter. The Reverend and I have known one another for quite a while. I’m sure I would remember such a lovely woman as yourself.”

  “Hettie Tobias,” she answered as she shook Jack’s hand. “Reverend Langford and I only met a few days ago. My mother’s health has not been good lately and this trip has taken a toll on her, I’m afraid.”

  “And what might your destination be?”

  “Colorado. I’ve accepted a teaching position there and my mother, a widow, is making the journey with me. I feel much better knowing I will still be able to care for her.”

  “How long ago did your father pass away?”

  Hettie’s eyes shifted quickly to Cyrus. “Last month. It was quite unexpected and our travel arrangements had to be hastily made. That’s why it was such a blessing when I met Reverend Langford during our layover here in St. Joseph.”

  A whistle sounding in the distance snapped everyone to attention. Small black puffs of smoke from the approaching train’s stack created a buzz among the waiting passengers. Some began rounding up small children and hoisting luggage from the platform, anxious to begin their journeys.

  “Have you made arrangements with the station master to take Mrs. Tobias aboard?” Cyrus asked.

  “Yes, he said it might be best to wait until everyone else boarded to avoid delay,” Hettie said.

  “If you’ll excuse me, I should check Mother’s trunk. I had a difficult time with the latch this morning and wouldn’t wan
t it to come open unexpectedly.”

  “It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Tobias,” Jack said with a charming smile as he tipped his hat. “I hope you have a pleasant and uneventful journey.”

  “Thank you,” Hettie replied. She turned and quickly made her way to the far end of the loading platform toward the luggage dolly.

  Jack extended a hand to Cyrus. “The girls and I will certainly miss you, Reverend,” he said with a wink. “If you decide to make a visit this way again I hope you’ll stop by. You’ll always be welcome.”

  Just as long as I pay up front, Cyrus thought as he took Jack’s hand. He watched Jack leave and stroll down the platform. He leaned over Loretta’s shoulder and mumbled, “That was a close one.”

  “How is Amelia?” Loretta whispered.

  “Hettie’s gone to check on her. It won’t be much longer.”

  HETTIE MOVED QUICKLY down the steps at the far end of the platform, stopping halfway down to see where Jack Coulter was. Sure the coast was clear, she made her way to the large cart filled with trunks and valises. Pretending to examine the locks on a large black trunk she said, “Are you all right in there, Amelia?”

  “It’s hotter than the devil’s own hell in here. How much longer?” a muffled voice asked.

  “The train is nearly here. Once the train departs I will go to the baggage car and let you out. Jack Coulter is here.”

  “Oh, no!”

  “Sh-h-h. It’s all right. He stood less than two feet from the wheelchair and didn’t have any idea who was in it. Be patient and you and Loretta will both be safely away from here.”

  Cyrus and Hettie waited until the final passenger boarded before rolling the wheelchair to the steps onto the passenger cars. Hettie smiled as she glanced down the empty platform and saw the trunk being loaded into the baggage car which was five cars from theirs. She looked over her shoulder and saw Jack Coulter leaning against the wall of the depot watching as she and Cyrus prepared to help her

  ‘mother’ onto the train.