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Story Hour
"Here There Be Vampires" A Promise City, Arizona Story Hour
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<blockquote data-quote="orchid blossom" data-source="post: 2824878" data-attributes="member: 12815"><p><span style="font-size: 15px">Sad Tidings, April 28, 1882</span></p><p></p><p>At 6:00 P.M. Kate and Ginnie are sitting down to dinner at the El Parador Cantina when David Melany enters the building. Mr. Melany works part-time for Western Union, a company that has thus far had only limited business as Promise City as the town is still lacking telegraph service. He has in his hand a telegram that would have arrived on the Wells Fargo stagecoach. He speaks briefly to Pedro and is then directed to Kate. He thrusts a clipboard in front of her and says, “Mrs. Kale, I have a telegram for you. Please sign here.” So does so and he leaves</p><p></p><p>She sees that it has been sent from her father from Boston. It reads:</p><p></p><p><strong>Dearest Katherine:</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>It is with sad regret that I must inform you that our dear friend Ralph Waldo Emerson has passed on. Services will be held in the afternoon this Sunday, April 30. I realize that with you being such a great distance away it is unlikely that you will be able to attend but wanted let you know prior to your hearing of this through the newspapers. I sincerely hope that life continues to be good to you and look forward to your next visit. </strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>Your loving Father</strong></p><p></p><p>Kate handed Ginnie the telegram with a shaking hand. She had known Mr. Emerson her entire life. He had defended them when her father was gone.... and now he was gone. She fumbled with her handkerchief, trying not to break into tears in the middle of the Cantina.</p><p></p><p>“Ginnie, I think we must speak to our teacher,” she said finally. “I know you don’t like Boston, so you don’t have to come if you don’t want to. But I would be glad if you will.</p><p></p><p>Ginnie is non-committal and replies, “Whatever you wish Mrs. Kale”. </p><p></p><p>They head up to Gonzales’s mansion, where they find him busy transcribing one fo the Latin texts. </p><p></p><p>He waves them over and comments “This is fascinating....nothing magical of note but a truly dramatic story. it was written in the sixth century during the fall of the Roman Empire. The author is a priest from what is now either a non-existent or renamed town somewhere in the Alps near what is now the Italian and Swiss border. He writes this final chapter as most of the community has fallen to the Germanic barbarian invaders. He and most of his congregation have retreated to the church where they have erected fortifications for their final battle. He writes how he will hide this text and other holy books in a section of the stone wall that would survive the burning of the church.”</p><p></p><p>“What a horrible time to be writing, knowing you likely won’t be alive in a matter of hours and hoping your words will survive.” Kate handed her teacher the telegram and waited while he read it. “I would very much like to attend. He was always so kind to us, and.....” She stopped and lifted the handkerchief to her face. “Will you help?”</p><p></p><p>Gonzales replies, “Why of course. I enjoyed my conversation with the man last month and am also saddened to hear of his passing. When would you like to leave and is there anybody who you would like to bring with us?”</p><p></p><p>“No one that it would be appropriate to bring,” she said with a little blush. “And my friends are just starting to enjoy some quiet time, I don’t want to drag them away.”</p><p></p><p>“I believe that the sooner we leave the better in case there are any arrangements that you would like to make Ma’am. We need to remember that the message just arrived and if we “popped in” to quickly there would be questions of our method of transportation.</p><p></p><p>Also I would like to be able to acquire some materials while we are in Boston as the quality is often much better. It would be to our advantage if we planned to get there quickly place any orders for items to mail and then come back at a slower pace with things that we need at the ranch the school and possibly the shop or cantina that would be impractical to mail.”</p><p></p><p>Kate said, “Ginnie’s right about the timing, although I think I got a little lost in the explanation. No matter what we are going to have to explain how we get there so fast, but we need be in no hurry to get back. It’s a good opportunity to get some things, as Ginnie said.</p><p></p><p>It’s already late today, and even later in Boston. Perhaps if we leave tomorrow afternoon?”</p><p></p><p>Gonzales says “Tomorrow afternoon would work well, that will give me time to bring my good suit over to Wongs Laundry to have cleaned and pressed.”</p><p></p><p>“I’ll have to get my black gowns out again. I had hoped not to need them again for a long while. And we will have to find something appropriate for Ginnie to wear as well. It’s a good thing I hadn’t planned to start school for another week or so, or I’d have quite a few arrangements to make.”</p><p></p><p>Kate sat down and slid her arm around Ginnie’s waist to hug her and sighed. “It will be nice to go home again, I just wish it was under different circumstances. Mr. Emerson will be missed by my family; he was the best friend we could ask for. I can’t remember a time when he wasn’t part of our family.” She brought her handkerchief up to her face again and wiped her eyes. </p><p></p><p>“Will we stay a few days in Boston then? Ginnie and I can look for those things she mentioned, and I think a talk with my parents is in order. I cannot imagine going home and not telling them about my condition. Although what I’ll tell them, I don’t know.”</p><p></p><p>“Ma’am Kate there is no reason why you need to tell your family anything if you don’t want to. The ring that has your image in it will mask any... umm “condition” that might be visible and you have already taken on one orphan there would be little surprise if you took on another in a few months especially a little boy to make a matched set of children.</p><p></p><p>I have some dark dresses and there is some material that would be appropriate in the back of the dress store. Although this may not be a happy occasion I believe that we may enjoy ourself when we head back to Boston and there is no reason that we can’t make it profitable as well.”</p><p></p><p>“We absolutely should enjoy ourselves,” Kate said, “and I intend to do so. I’m sure to shock all of Boston society by doing things I shouldn’t. Starting by not wearing black except for the day of the funeral. You’ll have to tell me some things you’d like to do, Ginnie. I’d like to go to the theater or a concert myself. It’s a shame we can’t bring Mr. Booth, I’m sure he’d enjoy that.</p><p></p><p>You’re right about the ring, dear, but I’m not ashamed of having this baby. I don’t want to hide it; I want to enjoy it. And I want my mother with me when he comes. I’m not afraid that they’ll be angry or turn me out or any such nonsense. I just hate for them to feel disappointed in me.”</p><p></p><p>Manuel says, “Well, if you really wanted to bring Mr. Booth we could. He already knows that I am a wizard, you’ve told him before about my using travelling spells to bring you places, and I can bring up to three other people with me when I cast the spell. I would just have to cast it from somewhere other than my workshop, as I prefer only my ‘little birds’ to know of my magical rooms.”</p><p></p><p>“We could use the town house, since we’re all moved in now. I’m not sure it would be appropriate to bring him, nor that he could get away from his work. But perhaps I will ask....” Kate said, blushing hard. She was thankful for her teacher’s kindness in not teasing her over her last statement. After the quiet moment she said, “Well Ginnie, you and I should go home and get packed. You have a much better business sense than I, so you can fill me in on what you think we should do on our trip, and before we leave.</p><p></p><p>I should let the others know I’ll be gone, and.... Well, there’s plenty to be done.”</p><p></p><p>Ginnie says, “Well I believe a list of items that might be needed by the school would be in order. I would like to bring the stock of lace that I have ready made as it will get a much better price in Boston. We should also check with Dorita to see if there is anything that she needs or wants while we are there and maybe go to one of the big libraries to see what is coming out.</p><p></p><p>There is also a possibility that we may want to see a publisher, some of the adventures that have been happening in Promise City would make fine penny novels even if we needed to call them fiction. I would like to see a museum if we have the time but other than the funeral and going to my family gravesite I would like to limit the dead people interactions.”</p><p></p><p>“As would I,” Kate agreed. “I’ve had quite enough of the dead for a while. I’m sure we’ll have time to do everything we wish. The only real limitation is how long our teacher is willing to be gone. We can get the list inorder tonight, and go down and ask Dorita what she might need now.</p><p></p><p>Mr. Gonzales, we’ll see you again later tonight, or maybe tomorrow morning. Thank you for everything.”</p><p></p><p>Kate and Ginnie went back downstairs into the Cantina, then into the kitchen looking for Dorita. After Dorita read the telegram, Kate said, “Your Grandfather is going to take us to attend the funeral, and we’ll probably be in Boston for several days. Perhaps a week. Is there anything you would like us to get for you?”</p><p></p><p>Dorita says, “Yes, I would want spices and teas that would be available in a port city. I will also check with Joseppi, Boston have good sized Italian population so things he will need for his recipies also available there.”</p><p></p><p>“We might take up an entire rail car on the way back,” Kate smiled. “We’re not leaving until tomorrow afternoon. You can give us a list before we leave and we’ll get you whatever you want.” She paused. “Has Mr. Booth been in yet tonight?”</p><p></p><p>Dorita gestures towards the door and says, “He arriving for supper just now.” Kate sees the well-dressed man, in a blue-pinstriped three-piece suit, white silk shirt, and navy blue floral patterned tie arrive and sit at his usual table.</p><p></p><p>She leaned over and hugged Dorita. “I’m going to miss you while we’re gone. Thank you, Dorita.”</p><p></p><p>Kate took a deep breath, looked at Ginnie, and the two walked back into the Cantina and over to Conrad’s table.</p><p></p><p>“May we sit? I have some news,” Kate said and handed him the telegram.</p><p></p><p>A warm smile crosses over his face and he says, “Certainly Kate. Good news I hope....” He takes the telegram and reads it. “Oh...I am sorry to hear this. He was a fine poet and author, I’ve read many of his works. I gather from this that Mr. Emerson was close to you.”</p><p></p><p>“Yes. He’s been a good friend to my family for as long as I can remember. He helped take care of us when my father was gone to the war, and after when he came home and had to learn how to get along without his arm.”</p><p></p><p>Kate wiped her eyes and dropped her voice. “Our teacher is going to take us tomorrow afternoon. We will stay a few days, perhaps a week and I wondered.... I wondered if you might like to accompany us.”</p><p></p><p>Conrad is surprised by this. She sees a sense of fear in his expression as he says, “To get there in time....you mean....magical travel?”</p><p></p><p>Kate reached into her bag and pulled out a powder, which she then dropped in the flame of the candle. “It’s the only way to get there in time. We are waiting to leave so there is some time between when I would have gotten the telegram and when we arrive.”</p><p></p><p>She wrung her hands in her lap, her speech getting faster. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked. It’s terribly inappropriate, and you’d have to take time away from your work. And really, why would you want to make a trip just now. I’m sorry.”</p><p></p><p>“Oh, Katherine....it wasn’t inappropriate to ask at all. I would love to visit with your parents and also be beside you at your time of grief. I am honored that you asked me. </p><p></p><p>Work should not be an issue at all. Kate Higgins recently hired another gambler so it is no longer just myself and Normie Wilkie. The new man is a Canadian who deals both Poker and Faro by the name of Wendall Spaulding. So I can let her know tonight that he can have my table until we return.</p><p></p><p>My only hesitancy was regarding the magical travel. Kate, I am fascinated with the concept of magic and hope to someday be able to harness some of those energies myself. But it is also something unknown to me....tell me, does it hurt at all? Are there any after-effects to it?”</p><p></p><p>“It doesn’t hurt,” she said gently. “I haven’t noticed any after-effects myself, although it can be a bit disconcerting being in one place then suddenly in another. The only thing to be careful of is to make sure you know your destination. Mr. Gonzales has gone to my home before, so it will be no trouble.</p><p></p><p>We will all stand together over a brazier, Mr. Gonzales will say a few words and toss a powder in, then we’ll all grasp hands. That’s all there is to it.”</p><p></p><p>Kate grasped his hand. “I’m glad you’ll come with us. Despite the reason, Ginnie and I plan to enjoy our trip. Concerts, libraries, museums, and of course shopping. I thought you might like to enjoy what a big city can offer for a change.”</p><p></p><p>Conrad looks like he is about to say something else and then pauses and slightly shakes his head no. “That sounds fine Kate,” is his response.</p><p></p><p>Kate tilted her head to the side. “That’s not what you wanted to say. Go on, tell the truth,” she said lightly. “I’m quite aware that my idea of fun isn’t everyone else’s.”</p><p></p><p>“Umm, err, well. I was wondering, might it be possible on this trip to make a side trip down to New York City? It would only be a half-day’s train ride from Boston.”</p><p></p><p>“I think that could be arranged,” she said and squeezed his hand. “To be honest, I thought being so close might be an inducement to your coming along.”</p><p></p><p>Kate and Ginnie stayed at the table as Conrad ate his dinner. “Well Ginnie,” she said finally, “I should get over to the Lady and let them know I’ll be gone for a while starting tonight. We can decide what we need to do before we leave tomorrow, and you’ll need to run and see Mary Kelley.</p><p></p><p>Conrad, I’ll let you know when you come in for your breakfast when we’re leaving. It will be tomorrow afternoon, probably not too late. It will be further along in the day in Boston. Thank you for coming with us. I... it will be good to have you there.”</p><p></p><p>“Kate, I am delighted to accompany you. I look forward to visiting the fine city that I’ve read about and heard much of but never had the opportunity to visit until now. And I could not have found myself a better tour guide than you.”</p><p></p><p>“We’ll do our best to make sure you enjoy yourself. We should go, there’s quite a lot to do before we leave. I’ll see you tomorrow.”</p><p></p><p>Kate leaned forward and blew out the candle. She made a quick trip to the Lucky Lady to let the others know that she wouldn’t be available for the next week before going back to the townhouse.</p><p></p><p>It was nice to have her own home again, small and simple as it was. Sometimes she missed the business of the Cantina, being able to just walk out of her room to find company. But here she could go about in her dressing gown if she liked, which is what she changed into as soon as she got home.</p><p></p><p>Not long after she had popped a big bowl of popcorn and settled herself with Ginnie at their little kitchen table to decide what they needed to get.</p><p></p><p>In between bites of popcorn which Ginnie washes down with very cold milk a list begins to appear; supplies for the school including ink, slates and chalk pencils along with books for some more advanced subjects geometry, architecture and updated farming practices.</p><p></p><p>“I’d like to get some really nice silk threads for some of the more complicated lace work I’ve been putting off and there are some things that we could use as components that will be more available in a well stocked spice shop or apothecary than there is around here. I could use another good lace needle too. I’m afraid that if I break the one I have from my mother there really isn’t anything available to me here.”</p><p></p><p>Kate said, “I’ll have to educate myself in agriculture. Or perhaps I could get Sonoma to come in and give a few lessons, she always knows what to do for the ranch. I have some books on order with Mr. Lacey, but his selection was very limited.</p><p></p><p>We can get you several needles, as many as you want. The thread will be no trouble either. I imagine we’ll have to argue hard to keep my father from trying to pay for everything. And I’m sure we’ll both come back with a lot of new clothes. Maman will insist on that.</p><p></p><p>I know some places with beautiful fabrics and threads, and I was a regular at several Apothecaries. They won’t find anything strange about me wanting any number of exotic things.</p><p></p><p>I’d like to get a few instruments and art supplies, as well as some books for learning French and perhaps Latin. There won’t be much call here for those, but I’d like to offer them as extras, perhaps an optional hour at the end of the day, or a week tacked on to the end of the term for those who would like exposure to those subjects.”</p><p></p><p>Ginnie looks straight into Kate’s eyes. “By the way where is your relationship going with the gambler who’s fallen head over heels for you? I know you said you don’t want to marry him because you think he’s going to resent you or something but you glow when he comes into the room and he’s ready to die for you. What else are you looking for here in the west? He may not ride very well but not every prince comes complete with the white horse and you actually have enough of those beasts to outfit an army anyway. </p><p></p><p>Heck he’s ready to get blinked halfway across the country just because you asked him and you knew what he was going to ask before he did what else is there?”</p><p></p><p>“It’s not that I’m looking for something more, or for a prince charming. I got over that particular fantasy a long time ago. </p><p></p><p>I don’t know quite where it’s going. I think... I think I could marry him, when the time comes. It’s just too soon. His offer came in order to protect my reputation. And I know he also saw it as an opportunity, but if I had accepted neither of us could ever be quite certain of the other. He would always wonder if I’d only married him to make my life easier, and I would always wonder if he wished he hadn’t asked.</p><p></p><p>I still have too much of the past hanging about me to give him what he deserves. I just wasn’t prepared to love again so soon. I need a little more time so I can be sure....</p><p></p><p>It’s very confusing, Ginnie, and that’s no way to start a marriage. And, after all, his offer was to give my boy a father. It’s too late for that now. I don’t even know if he’d want to marry me now.”</p><p></p><p>“Bloody hell Ma’am Kate! He jumped in front of a bullet for you and that wasn’t just to save your baby! With the life expectancy in Promise City and the amount of trouble we seem to be able to get into just trying to eat dinner why can’t you just start by being here today? He loves you, you love him get over the doubt and second guessing of his actions and just ask him if he really wants to marry you and get this thing over with.”</p><p></p><p>Ginnnie looks at Kate with a twinkle in her eye. “After all if he tries to hurt you I’ll just kill him and dump the body where no one will ever find it If our teacher doesn’t do it first.</p><p></p><p>Marry him and be happy because you’re driving me crazy with the googly eyed stuff. Maybe after the wedding the mushyness will die down a little and we can get back to... well as close to normal as our lives ever are.”</p><p></p><p>“Ginnie!” Kate sat back in the chair as if she’d been physically pushed. “I...” She tried several times to speak, but nothing coherent came out. Maybe she was right. Maybe propriety and doubts were just a way of hiding.</p><p></p><p>“I hate to tell you this, Ginnie, but if you marry the right person, the googly-eyes don’t go away. Well, not completely anyway. You’ll find that out some day.</p><p></p><p>I’ll think about what you said. For now, I’d say taking him to meet my family is a big enough step.”</p><p></p><p>Kate paused for a moment. “How would you feel about Conrad being part of our family, Ginnie?”</p><p></p><p>“Isn’t he already? the only thing difference is that he lives in a different house. As long as I’m not responsible for him I’m fine with him. He seems to really love you and I don’t think I have to worry about him touching me and if he tried it I think I could take him out without much of a problem. Maybe we can teach him to do dishes or laundry or something useful. At the very least he could help pay the bills and that would be a good thing although I’d think that with the amount of trouble we seem to get into anyone who would want to associate with us should have his head checked.</p><p></p><p>Do what makes you happy, it’s way past time.”</p><p></p><p>Kate got up and wrapped her arms around Ginnie. “Oh, I love you,” she said and held her tight. “You’re right, he is already part of our family. I would never consider him if I thought he’d hurt you, but I don’t sense that in him. And Dorita thinks he would be a good father despite the fact that she thinks he cheats at cards.</p><p></p><p>It’s a good thing we’re charming enough girls to be desirable even with all that trouble we get in to. Let no man say life with us would be dull, even if we do make him wash the dishes.”</p><p></p><p>The girls finished their list making and spent a quiet night at home. It was still a new thing to be in the house at night. Kate hadn’t realized how accustomed she’d become the sounds of the Cantina. The heavy silence in the house was a stranger, and Kate was comforted by the fact that Ginnie was just in the next room.</p><p></p><p>In the morning Kate cooked a simple breakfast, the only kind she could so far. They ate and ran their days errands, making ready for their week’s absence. By a little bit after noon they were in the Cantina having one of Dorita’s good lunches and waiting to meet Mr. Gonzales.</p><p></p><p>Kate is initially surprised to see Gonzales and Booth arrive simultaneously from outside, although when she sees each carrying cloth covered packages on hangers she realizes that they both have come picked up their newly washed and pressed suits from Wong’s. They join her and Ginnie at the table for their final meal in Promise City for the immediate future. “</p><p></p><p>Manuel lights the candle on the table and lets Ginnie do the honors of the powder and incantation. Conrad says, “I’d love to learn how to do that at some point.” </p><p></p><p>Gonzales replies, “That could probably be arranged, we could work out a trade of some sorts. According to Mother Jaminez you know how to find me lots of interesting items in the wilderness that I can make use of. “</p><p></p><p>“Ginnie’s quite good at that too,” Kate said. “I seem to be the student lagging behind. You’ve been to Wong’s? I got out my black dresses again this morning. They would just get all wrinkled again when I pack them, so I’ll have them pressed at home. When do you think we should leave?”</p><p></p><p>Gonzales says, “Any time you would like at this point.” Conrad asks, “Where would we be staying in Boston? Kate, I assume that you and Ginnie will stay with your family, but I wouldn’t want to impose. I don’t mind paying for hotel rooms for both myself and Mr. Gonzales.”</p><p></p><p>“You won’t be imposing. I’m sure Papa will want Mr. Gonzales to stay, and there’s no reason you can’t as well. Believe me, there’s plenty of room. Mr. Tucker is still staying there, and as far as impositions go, that one is much larger.</p><p></p><p>Of course, if you’d be more comfortable I’m sure we can find you a good hotel. Boston is full of them, and often in the middle of quite a few things to do. Let’s leave right after lunch. I hate the reason we’re going, but I’m anxious to see my family. I didn’t see my brothers or my little nieces last time I was there.”</p><p></p><p>Ginnie says, “I believe that I have everything I need to leave whenever we are all ready. Perhaps we should leave from the back room of our house it is quiet and closed so there would be little chance of anyone accidentally seeing us leave.</p><p></p><p>“It will be a safe place to return to, as well,” Kate agreed. “Dorita should have a list for me. I’ll go check with her and then we can head over.”</p><p></p><p>She went into the kitchen and collected Dorita’s long list of supplies, including Joseppi’s needs. She kissed the elven woman good-bye and went back into the Cantina. </p><p></p><p>Once everyone was finished eating, Kate led them over to the house, going in the back door to the kitchen. The room was dominated by the wood-stove Mrs. Bauer had left behind when she fled with Juan Gomez. Simple shelves stocked with food-stuffs and dishes lined one wall, and a working counter was attached to the opposite wall. The table and chairs were set in the center of the room and covered with a simple lace-edged table cloth. A vase of flowers sat in the center of the table.</p><p></p><p>Kate went to the back window and pulled the curtains closed, cutting the light in the room. “We should be private enough here. Professeur aime, did you need to see my home again, or do you remember well enough?”</p><p></p><p>He states, “I remember it well. Mr. Booth, so that you will know in advance we will be arriving in a stable in the carriage house of Kate’s parents.” Conrad nods. Gonzales indicates that he will nod when they are all ready and for Conrad to then grasp his right hand and Kate’s left hand.</p><p></p><p>The brazier is lit and the powder is dropped, filling the room with the pink smoke. Gonzales begins the incantation and nods. Conrad’s grip on Kate’s hand is like a vise and she sees perspiration on his forehead and fear in his eyes. As soon as the spell begins it ends, with Kate now seeing the familiar setting of her childhood home with the associated smells of the carriage house. Conrad continues to firmly grasp both her’s and her teacher’s hands.</p><p></p><p>Kate smiled at Ginnie and let go of the girl’s hand, laying it instead over Conrad’s. “It’s over,” she said quietly. “We’re here, safe and sound.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="orchid blossom, post: 2824878, member: 12815"] [SIZE=4]Sad Tidings, April 28, 1882[/SIZE] At 6:00 P.M. Kate and Ginnie are sitting down to dinner at the El Parador Cantina when David Melany enters the building. Mr. Melany works part-time for Western Union, a company that has thus far had only limited business as Promise City as the town is still lacking telegraph service. He has in his hand a telegram that would have arrived on the Wells Fargo stagecoach. He speaks briefly to Pedro and is then directed to Kate. He thrusts a clipboard in front of her and says, “Mrs. Kale, I have a telegram for you. Please sign here.” So does so and he leaves She sees that it has been sent from her father from Boston. It reads: [b]Dearest Katherine: It is with sad regret that I must inform you that our dear friend Ralph Waldo Emerson has passed on. Services will be held in the afternoon this Sunday, April 30. I realize that with you being such a great distance away it is unlikely that you will be able to attend but wanted let you know prior to your hearing of this through the newspapers. I sincerely hope that life continues to be good to you and look forward to your next visit. Your loving Father[/b] Kate handed Ginnie the telegram with a shaking hand. She had known Mr. Emerson her entire life. He had defended them when her father was gone.... and now he was gone. She fumbled with her handkerchief, trying not to break into tears in the middle of the Cantina. “Ginnie, I think we must speak to our teacher,” she said finally. “I know you don’t like Boston, so you don’t have to come if you don’t want to. But I would be glad if you will. Ginnie is non-committal and replies, “Whatever you wish Mrs. Kale”. They head up to Gonzales’s mansion, where they find him busy transcribing one fo the Latin texts. He waves them over and comments “This is fascinating....nothing magical of note but a truly dramatic story. it was written in the sixth century during the fall of the Roman Empire. The author is a priest from what is now either a non-existent or renamed town somewhere in the Alps near what is now the Italian and Swiss border. He writes this final chapter as most of the community has fallen to the Germanic barbarian invaders. He and most of his congregation have retreated to the church where they have erected fortifications for their final battle. He writes how he will hide this text and other holy books in a section of the stone wall that would survive the burning of the church.” “What a horrible time to be writing, knowing you likely won’t be alive in a matter of hours and hoping your words will survive.” Kate handed her teacher the telegram and waited while he read it. “I would very much like to attend. He was always so kind to us, and.....” She stopped and lifted the handkerchief to her face. “Will you help?” Gonzales replies, “Why of course. I enjoyed my conversation with the man last month and am also saddened to hear of his passing. When would you like to leave and is there anybody who you would like to bring with us?” “No one that it would be appropriate to bring,” she said with a little blush. “And my friends are just starting to enjoy some quiet time, I don’t want to drag them away.” “I believe that the sooner we leave the better in case there are any arrangements that you would like to make Ma’am. We need to remember that the message just arrived and if we “popped in” to quickly there would be questions of our method of transportation. Also I would like to be able to acquire some materials while we are in Boston as the quality is often much better. It would be to our advantage if we planned to get there quickly place any orders for items to mail and then come back at a slower pace with things that we need at the ranch the school and possibly the shop or cantina that would be impractical to mail.” Kate said, “Ginnie’s right about the timing, although I think I got a little lost in the explanation. No matter what we are going to have to explain how we get there so fast, but we need be in no hurry to get back. It’s a good opportunity to get some things, as Ginnie said. It’s already late today, and even later in Boston. Perhaps if we leave tomorrow afternoon?” Gonzales says “Tomorrow afternoon would work well, that will give me time to bring my good suit over to Wongs Laundry to have cleaned and pressed.” “I’ll have to get my black gowns out again. I had hoped not to need them again for a long while. And we will have to find something appropriate for Ginnie to wear as well. It’s a good thing I hadn’t planned to start school for another week or so, or I’d have quite a few arrangements to make.” Kate sat down and slid her arm around Ginnie’s waist to hug her and sighed. “It will be nice to go home again, I just wish it was under different circumstances. Mr. Emerson will be missed by my family; he was the best friend we could ask for. I can’t remember a time when he wasn’t part of our family.” She brought her handkerchief up to her face again and wiped her eyes. “Will we stay a few days in Boston then? Ginnie and I can look for those things she mentioned, and I think a talk with my parents is in order. I cannot imagine going home and not telling them about my condition. Although what I’ll tell them, I don’t know.” “Ma’am Kate there is no reason why you need to tell your family anything if you don’t want to. The ring that has your image in it will mask any... umm “condition” that might be visible and you have already taken on one orphan there would be little surprise if you took on another in a few months especially a little boy to make a matched set of children. I have some dark dresses and there is some material that would be appropriate in the back of the dress store. Although this may not be a happy occasion I believe that we may enjoy ourself when we head back to Boston and there is no reason that we can’t make it profitable as well.” “We absolutely should enjoy ourselves,” Kate said, “and I intend to do so. I’m sure to shock all of Boston society by doing things I shouldn’t. Starting by not wearing black except for the day of the funeral. You’ll have to tell me some things you’d like to do, Ginnie. I’d like to go to the theater or a concert myself. It’s a shame we can’t bring Mr. Booth, I’m sure he’d enjoy that. You’re right about the ring, dear, but I’m not ashamed of having this baby. I don’t want to hide it; I want to enjoy it. And I want my mother with me when he comes. I’m not afraid that they’ll be angry or turn me out or any such nonsense. I just hate for them to feel disappointed in me.” Manuel says, “Well, if you really wanted to bring Mr. Booth we could. He already knows that I am a wizard, you’ve told him before about my using travelling spells to bring you places, and I can bring up to three other people with me when I cast the spell. I would just have to cast it from somewhere other than my workshop, as I prefer only my ‘little birds’ to know of my magical rooms.” “We could use the town house, since we’re all moved in now. I’m not sure it would be appropriate to bring him, nor that he could get away from his work. But perhaps I will ask....” Kate said, blushing hard. She was thankful for her teacher’s kindness in not teasing her over her last statement. After the quiet moment she said, “Well Ginnie, you and I should go home and get packed. You have a much better business sense than I, so you can fill me in on what you think we should do on our trip, and before we leave. I should let the others know I’ll be gone, and.... Well, there’s plenty to be done.” Ginnie says, “Well I believe a list of items that might be needed by the school would be in order. I would like to bring the stock of lace that I have ready made as it will get a much better price in Boston. We should also check with Dorita to see if there is anything that she needs or wants while we are there and maybe go to one of the big libraries to see what is coming out. There is also a possibility that we may want to see a publisher, some of the adventures that have been happening in Promise City would make fine penny novels even if we needed to call them fiction. I would like to see a museum if we have the time but other than the funeral and going to my family gravesite I would like to limit the dead people interactions.” “As would I,” Kate agreed. “I’ve had quite enough of the dead for a while. I’m sure we’ll have time to do everything we wish. The only real limitation is how long our teacher is willing to be gone. We can get the list inorder tonight, and go down and ask Dorita what she might need now. Mr. Gonzales, we’ll see you again later tonight, or maybe tomorrow morning. Thank you for everything.” Kate and Ginnie went back downstairs into the Cantina, then into the kitchen looking for Dorita. After Dorita read the telegram, Kate said, “Your Grandfather is going to take us to attend the funeral, and we’ll probably be in Boston for several days. Perhaps a week. Is there anything you would like us to get for you?” Dorita says, “Yes, I would want spices and teas that would be available in a port city. I will also check with Joseppi, Boston have good sized Italian population so things he will need for his recipies also available there.” “We might take up an entire rail car on the way back,” Kate smiled. “We’re not leaving until tomorrow afternoon. You can give us a list before we leave and we’ll get you whatever you want.” She paused. “Has Mr. Booth been in yet tonight?” Dorita gestures towards the door and says, “He arriving for supper just now.” Kate sees the well-dressed man, in a blue-pinstriped three-piece suit, white silk shirt, and navy blue floral patterned tie arrive and sit at his usual table. She leaned over and hugged Dorita. “I’m going to miss you while we’re gone. Thank you, Dorita.” Kate took a deep breath, looked at Ginnie, and the two walked back into the Cantina and over to Conrad’s table. “May we sit? I have some news,” Kate said and handed him the telegram. A warm smile crosses over his face and he says, “Certainly Kate. Good news I hope....” He takes the telegram and reads it. “Oh...I am sorry to hear this. He was a fine poet and author, I’ve read many of his works. I gather from this that Mr. Emerson was close to you.” “Yes. He’s been a good friend to my family for as long as I can remember. He helped take care of us when my father was gone to the war, and after when he came home and had to learn how to get along without his arm.” Kate wiped her eyes and dropped her voice. “Our teacher is going to take us tomorrow afternoon. We will stay a few days, perhaps a week and I wondered.... I wondered if you might like to accompany us.” Conrad is surprised by this. She sees a sense of fear in his expression as he says, “To get there in time....you mean....magical travel?” Kate reached into her bag and pulled out a powder, which she then dropped in the flame of the candle. “It’s the only way to get there in time. We are waiting to leave so there is some time between when I would have gotten the telegram and when we arrive.” She wrung her hands in her lap, her speech getting faster. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked. It’s terribly inappropriate, and you’d have to take time away from your work. And really, why would you want to make a trip just now. I’m sorry.” “Oh, Katherine....it wasn’t inappropriate to ask at all. I would love to visit with your parents and also be beside you at your time of grief. I am honored that you asked me. Work should not be an issue at all. Kate Higgins recently hired another gambler so it is no longer just myself and Normie Wilkie. The new man is a Canadian who deals both Poker and Faro by the name of Wendall Spaulding. So I can let her know tonight that he can have my table until we return. My only hesitancy was regarding the magical travel. Kate, I am fascinated with the concept of magic and hope to someday be able to harness some of those energies myself. But it is also something unknown to me....tell me, does it hurt at all? Are there any after-effects to it?” “It doesn’t hurt,” she said gently. “I haven’t noticed any after-effects myself, although it can be a bit disconcerting being in one place then suddenly in another. The only thing to be careful of is to make sure you know your destination. Mr. Gonzales has gone to my home before, so it will be no trouble. We will all stand together over a brazier, Mr. Gonzales will say a few words and toss a powder in, then we’ll all grasp hands. That’s all there is to it.” Kate grasped his hand. “I’m glad you’ll come with us. Despite the reason, Ginnie and I plan to enjoy our trip. Concerts, libraries, museums, and of course shopping. I thought you might like to enjoy what a big city can offer for a change.” Conrad looks like he is about to say something else and then pauses and slightly shakes his head no. “That sounds fine Kate,” is his response. Kate tilted her head to the side. “That’s not what you wanted to say. Go on, tell the truth,” she said lightly. “I’m quite aware that my idea of fun isn’t everyone else’s.” “Umm, err, well. I was wondering, might it be possible on this trip to make a side trip down to New York City? It would only be a half-day’s train ride from Boston.” “I think that could be arranged,” she said and squeezed his hand. “To be honest, I thought being so close might be an inducement to your coming along.” Kate and Ginnie stayed at the table as Conrad ate his dinner. “Well Ginnie,” she said finally, “I should get over to the Lady and let them know I’ll be gone for a while starting tonight. We can decide what we need to do before we leave tomorrow, and you’ll need to run and see Mary Kelley. Conrad, I’ll let you know when you come in for your breakfast when we’re leaving. It will be tomorrow afternoon, probably not too late. It will be further along in the day in Boston. Thank you for coming with us. I... it will be good to have you there.” “Kate, I am delighted to accompany you. I look forward to visiting the fine city that I’ve read about and heard much of but never had the opportunity to visit until now. And I could not have found myself a better tour guide than you.” “We’ll do our best to make sure you enjoy yourself. We should go, there’s quite a lot to do before we leave. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Kate leaned forward and blew out the candle. She made a quick trip to the Lucky Lady to let the others know that she wouldn’t be available for the next week before going back to the townhouse. It was nice to have her own home again, small and simple as it was. Sometimes she missed the business of the Cantina, being able to just walk out of her room to find company. But here she could go about in her dressing gown if she liked, which is what she changed into as soon as she got home. Not long after she had popped a big bowl of popcorn and settled herself with Ginnie at their little kitchen table to decide what they needed to get. In between bites of popcorn which Ginnie washes down with very cold milk a list begins to appear; supplies for the school including ink, slates and chalk pencils along with books for some more advanced subjects geometry, architecture and updated farming practices. “I’d like to get some really nice silk threads for some of the more complicated lace work I’ve been putting off and there are some things that we could use as components that will be more available in a well stocked spice shop or apothecary than there is around here. I could use another good lace needle too. I’m afraid that if I break the one I have from my mother there really isn’t anything available to me here.” Kate said, “I’ll have to educate myself in agriculture. Or perhaps I could get Sonoma to come in and give a few lessons, she always knows what to do for the ranch. I have some books on order with Mr. Lacey, but his selection was very limited. We can get you several needles, as many as you want. The thread will be no trouble either. I imagine we’ll have to argue hard to keep my father from trying to pay for everything. And I’m sure we’ll both come back with a lot of new clothes. Maman will insist on that. I know some places with beautiful fabrics and threads, and I was a regular at several Apothecaries. They won’t find anything strange about me wanting any number of exotic things. I’d like to get a few instruments and art supplies, as well as some books for learning French and perhaps Latin. There won’t be much call here for those, but I’d like to offer them as extras, perhaps an optional hour at the end of the day, or a week tacked on to the end of the term for those who would like exposure to those subjects.” Ginnie looks straight into Kate’s eyes. “By the way where is your relationship going with the gambler who’s fallen head over heels for you? I know you said you don’t want to marry him because you think he’s going to resent you or something but you glow when he comes into the room and he’s ready to die for you. What else are you looking for here in the west? He may not ride very well but not every prince comes complete with the white horse and you actually have enough of those beasts to outfit an army anyway. Heck he’s ready to get blinked halfway across the country just because you asked him and you knew what he was going to ask before he did what else is there?” “It’s not that I’m looking for something more, or for a prince charming. I got over that particular fantasy a long time ago. I don’t know quite where it’s going. I think... I think I could marry him, when the time comes. It’s just too soon. His offer came in order to protect my reputation. And I know he also saw it as an opportunity, but if I had accepted neither of us could ever be quite certain of the other. He would always wonder if I’d only married him to make my life easier, and I would always wonder if he wished he hadn’t asked. I still have too much of the past hanging about me to give him what he deserves. I just wasn’t prepared to love again so soon. I need a little more time so I can be sure.... It’s very confusing, Ginnie, and that’s no way to start a marriage. And, after all, his offer was to give my boy a father. It’s too late for that now. I don’t even know if he’d want to marry me now.” “Bloody hell Ma’am Kate! He jumped in front of a bullet for you and that wasn’t just to save your baby! With the life expectancy in Promise City and the amount of trouble we seem to be able to get into just trying to eat dinner why can’t you just start by being here today? He loves you, you love him get over the doubt and second guessing of his actions and just ask him if he really wants to marry you and get this thing over with.” Ginnnie looks at Kate with a twinkle in her eye. “After all if he tries to hurt you I’ll just kill him and dump the body where no one will ever find it If our teacher doesn’t do it first. Marry him and be happy because you’re driving me crazy with the googly eyed stuff. Maybe after the wedding the mushyness will die down a little and we can get back to... well as close to normal as our lives ever are.” “Ginnie!” Kate sat back in the chair as if she’d been physically pushed. “I...” She tried several times to speak, but nothing coherent came out. Maybe she was right. Maybe propriety and doubts were just a way of hiding. “I hate to tell you this, Ginnie, but if you marry the right person, the googly-eyes don’t go away. Well, not completely anyway. You’ll find that out some day. I’ll think about what you said. For now, I’d say taking him to meet my family is a big enough step.” Kate paused for a moment. “How would you feel about Conrad being part of our family, Ginnie?” “Isn’t he already? the only thing difference is that he lives in a different house. As long as I’m not responsible for him I’m fine with him. He seems to really love you and I don’t think I have to worry about him touching me and if he tried it I think I could take him out without much of a problem. Maybe we can teach him to do dishes or laundry or something useful. At the very least he could help pay the bills and that would be a good thing although I’d think that with the amount of trouble we seem to get into anyone who would want to associate with us should have his head checked. Do what makes you happy, it’s way past time.” Kate got up and wrapped her arms around Ginnie. “Oh, I love you,” she said and held her tight. “You’re right, he is already part of our family. I would never consider him if I thought he’d hurt you, but I don’t sense that in him. And Dorita thinks he would be a good father despite the fact that she thinks he cheats at cards. It’s a good thing we’re charming enough girls to be desirable even with all that trouble we get in to. Let no man say life with us would be dull, even if we do make him wash the dishes.” The girls finished their list making and spent a quiet night at home. It was still a new thing to be in the house at night. Kate hadn’t realized how accustomed she’d become the sounds of the Cantina. The heavy silence in the house was a stranger, and Kate was comforted by the fact that Ginnie was just in the next room. In the morning Kate cooked a simple breakfast, the only kind she could so far. They ate and ran their days errands, making ready for their week’s absence. By a little bit after noon they were in the Cantina having one of Dorita’s good lunches and waiting to meet Mr. Gonzales. Kate is initially surprised to see Gonzales and Booth arrive simultaneously from outside, although when she sees each carrying cloth covered packages on hangers she realizes that they both have come picked up their newly washed and pressed suits from Wong’s. They join her and Ginnie at the table for their final meal in Promise City for the immediate future. “ Manuel lights the candle on the table and lets Ginnie do the honors of the powder and incantation. Conrad says, “I’d love to learn how to do that at some point.” Gonzales replies, “That could probably be arranged, we could work out a trade of some sorts. According to Mother Jaminez you know how to find me lots of interesting items in the wilderness that I can make use of. “ “Ginnie’s quite good at that too,” Kate said. “I seem to be the student lagging behind. You’ve been to Wong’s? I got out my black dresses again this morning. They would just get all wrinkled again when I pack them, so I’ll have them pressed at home. When do you think we should leave?” Gonzales says, “Any time you would like at this point.” Conrad asks, “Where would we be staying in Boston? Kate, I assume that you and Ginnie will stay with your family, but I wouldn’t want to impose. I don’t mind paying for hotel rooms for both myself and Mr. Gonzales.” “You won’t be imposing. I’m sure Papa will want Mr. Gonzales to stay, and there’s no reason you can’t as well. Believe me, there’s plenty of room. Mr. Tucker is still staying there, and as far as impositions go, that one is much larger. Of course, if you’d be more comfortable I’m sure we can find you a good hotel. Boston is full of them, and often in the middle of quite a few things to do. Let’s leave right after lunch. I hate the reason we’re going, but I’m anxious to see my family. I didn’t see my brothers or my little nieces last time I was there.” Ginnie says, “I believe that I have everything I need to leave whenever we are all ready. Perhaps we should leave from the back room of our house it is quiet and closed so there would be little chance of anyone accidentally seeing us leave. “It will be a safe place to return to, as well,” Kate agreed. “Dorita should have a list for me. I’ll go check with her and then we can head over.” She went into the kitchen and collected Dorita’s long list of supplies, including Joseppi’s needs. She kissed the elven woman good-bye and went back into the Cantina. Once everyone was finished eating, Kate led them over to the house, going in the back door to the kitchen. The room was dominated by the wood-stove Mrs. Bauer had left behind when she fled with Juan Gomez. Simple shelves stocked with food-stuffs and dishes lined one wall, and a working counter was attached to the opposite wall. The table and chairs were set in the center of the room and covered with a simple lace-edged table cloth. A vase of flowers sat in the center of the table. Kate went to the back window and pulled the curtains closed, cutting the light in the room. “We should be private enough here. Professeur aime, did you need to see my home again, or do you remember well enough?” He states, “I remember it well. Mr. Booth, so that you will know in advance we will be arriving in a stable in the carriage house of Kate’s parents.” Conrad nods. Gonzales indicates that he will nod when they are all ready and for Conrad to then grasp his right hand and Kate’s left hand. The brazier is lit and the powder is dropped, filling the room with the pink smoke. Gonzales begins the incantation and nods. Conrad’s grip on Kate’s hand is like a vise and she sees perspiration on his forehead and fear in his eyes. As soon as the spell begins it ends, with Kate now seeing the familiar setting of her childhood home with the associated smells of the carriage house. Conrad continues to firmly grasp both her’s and her teacher’s hands. Kate smiled at Ginnie and let go of the girl’s hand, laying it instead over Conrad’s. “It’s over,” she said quietly. “We’re here, safe and sound. [/QUOTE]
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"Here There Be Vampires" A Promise City, Arizona Story Hour
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