Kid
Meets Aunt Martha at the Blue Magnolia Bordello
Denise
Meyers
Kid and Heyes had been
separated for a few weeks having taken on separate jobs; when someone had
recognized Kid and the relentless hunt began.
His running had been hard and fast. Going on for days without a hint of
a break. Exhaustion was his constant companion offering really bad advice that
led Kid straight into some serious mistakes. He was so worn that he was in dire
need of rest real soon. Because if he didn’t…. well he just wasn’t going to go
into that line of thinking. Heyes would a frowned on it if he were there and he wouldn’t have let either of them think on
it.
Something fine on the wind caught his attention and made
is empty stomach twist in hunger. Now it also voiced it’s
opinion and demanded that Kid pay attention since it had kept silent until now.
Arguing with himself he knew it was a risk, but he
also knew he needed to take it. So he headed in the direction of where the
smell was the strongest coming to a ridge he held up
some and let his eyes adjust to the night. He was able to make out some black
boxed shadows down below set with a few flickering lights winking like beacons.
“Gonna have to do it,” he sighed wearily as he swiped a
gloved hand through his hair leaning a little forward in his saddle while
resting on the horn. He returned his hat to his head, sat up and tugged the
reins to the right nudging his heels into the horse’s flanks.
Moments later Kid tied his horse to a tree just behind
what he figured would be the saloon, and worked his way up through the alley.
He paused checked both directions cautiously stepping out. It was late, but the
doors thankfully weren’t closed yet, so he took the chance.
Behind the dark wooded bar a bald headed little man looked
up when he heard the door creak open. “Sorry, mister.
We’re closed,” he said not missing a beat toweling a bar glass while he eyed
Kid cautiously over the rim of his round spectacles.
Kid looked as haggard as he felt, and pleaded. “Please, I
just need a little drink, some food and a couple of minutes to rest.”
“Sorry. I said…”
But the barkeep was cut off, interrupted by a womanly
voice, “ K…”she coughed, “Thaddeus is that you,
sweetie pie?” One of the older saloon girls had looked up from her cards upon
hearing his young desperate voice melting her heart at seeing him so beaten.
His dejected eyes glanced at the voice that called him
recognizing it, “Betsy McCaferty?” He met the woman long ago in another time
and place, when he and Heyes had split up over some stupid argument and she had
convinced him that it wasn’t worth the trouble to be stewin’ over it and that
he really belonged with Heyes. The two even though they were family there was a
bond that linked them so deep that they were never meant to be separated like
that. She even lightheartedly suggested that when the two them were done sowing
their oats; that when they got married that the house would have to be built
big enough to house their two families. And that the women that they married
would have to be comfortable with each other as well and understand and embrace
this extraordinary connection.
Just as he acknowledged the older woman she leapt from her
seat quickly reaching around him with a supporting arm leading him to her seat.
“Frank a whiskey.” She barked briskly.
Frank turned around reached for the good stuff hidden under
the bar and snatched a ‘clean’ glass, then wobbled over to her. He filled the
glass set it on the rounded table sliding it across to Kid. Following that up
in a gesture of a welcoming greeting set the full bottle down in front of Kid
topping it off with a curt nod of approval. Kid reached for the drink, in
response saluted, the ladies set around him, then lifted his glass higher to
Frank, “Much obliged,” he thanked them.
Betsy removed Kid’s hat and ran her middle-aged fingers
through his hair, she never could resist doing that to the curls that framed
his sweet face, thinking back to the last time she had done it. Lifting his
chin gently her emeralds crinkled at the corners darkening with concerned. Her
gaze swept over his face settling onto his dull and stressed topaz eyes.
“Where’s your horse, honey?”
“Out back Betsy,” was his reply weak but audible enough.
With that little bit of knowledge she charged into action
like a cattle drive boss heading out onto the range. Facing the girls the
orders issued forth. “Lillith, get changed. Go out back and get the horse over
to Reiter’s. Tell Tom to take the tack hide it. He knows where. Then I want you
to tend to the horse. It’ll be needing some oats,
water and a good rub down. Don’t forget to toss a blanket over it to. It’ll get
cold real quick. Jesse go with her give her a hand.
Penny, Abigail go into the kitchen and whip up
something. Mable draw a good an’ hot bath, Candy give
me a hand getting Thaddeus upstairs into a room.”
It seemed to Kid, that by the way all of them moved this
was something they had all done before. Taking the bottle and glass he let her
help him up the L- shaped carpeted staircase to the
second floor down the corridor.
“Betsey, I…” he stammered.
“No need to sweetie I know. Don’t you worry about a
thing,” she comforted him.
Only a half smile managed to work it’s
way onto his lips. “I can’t stay long,” he said cryptically.
“Nonsense. You’ll stay as long as
you need to. Trust me darlin’ you’ll be fine with us. You just let me handle everything,
and all will be fine.” she insisted.
“I appreciate that, but you don’t know.” he tried.
“I do and more than you think. I’ve gotten pretty good a
being a safe heaven. And the sheriff don’t care none either. He doesn’t like to
be bothered. He likes things to be quiet, the less work he has to do the
better. Besides, just lookin’ at you makes my heart crumble, and I know how
your cousin would be if anything happened to you. I couldn’t bear to see him
devastated either.” She fed him a warm motherly smile. “Just trust in me, ok?”
“All right,” he agreed reluctantly very reluctantly.
<*><*><*><*><*><*>
After a nice hot bath, and some food, he felt some of the
burden lift off of his shoulders. But he couldn’t afford to relax. He had to stay
vigilant his survival relied on it.
A knock sounded at the door, it was light, and by the way
it sounded it was feminine. But his hand still rested cautiously on the grip of
his pistol.
“Mr. Jones, Miss Betsy asked me to come bring you some
things.” The light voice spoke.
Kid walked over to the door turned the knob, cracked it,
looking behind her then to the sides.
“Oh it’s ok. Isn’t nobody here
ceptin’ us dance girls and Miss B. Can I come in?” she reassured him.
He held the door wide for her and she pushed in. Her arms laden with a large bundle. She turned and her cute
little nymph-like face brightened. “Miss B wanted me to give you these and said
you were to give me all the clothes you had on. So as we
could get them washed. And I’m to wait right here until I get every
stitch.” She insisted adding a slight nod to emphasize that she meant business
offering him her load.
A soft chuckle left him the first bit of humor he felt in
days. “ Every stitch huh? And you’re supposed to stay
here until I give ‘em to ya?” he teased; a slight gleam returned to flicker in
his eyes. He took the clothes from her dropping them on the bed.
“That’s right,” she asserted all tough like. “ It ain’t like I don’t know what a man looks like if that’s
what you’re afraid of.” She planted her hands on her hips. “
I can turn my back, if you need me to, for your privacy, but I ain’t
leaving.” She twirled around demonstrating her point.
“No, I don’t think you would even if I insisted. That loyal to Betsy huh?”
“Yup.” Her corn silk ponytail bobbed
once to emphasized the word and added, “She takes care of all of us. We’re
like one big family.”
“So Betsy does this stuff all the time?” he looked up
curiously thrusting his leg into the trousers while trying to balance on the
other foot.
“Yesum,” she responded proudly.
“I take it then she’s got a system.” He managed to get the
other leg in too, finishing by fastening them.
“Yes she does. Nearly everyone in town is in on it. Everyone
has a job to do and we do it pretty well, I might add.”
“Many come here getin’ the same treatment?” He slipped one
arm into the shirt then the other.
“Most do. And they usually reward Miss B and we all share
in that.”
“What’s your name?” His tired fingers worked the buttons
through the holes. He never remembered that being such a hard task.
“Candy.”
“A might young aren’t ya?” His hands slipped the tails of
the shirt into the trousers tucking them in.
“Not as young as you may think, I look younger than what I
am Mr. Jones.” She explained peeping over her shoulder.
He had pulled up the suspenders looping them over his
shoulders. Kid picked up the pile of clothes he folded as he switched each
article.
“Miss Candy, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” he smiled as
she turned around, entertained by the mischief that danced within her slate
gray eyes.
“Likewise, Sir. I’m
sure.” Their hands touched briefly under the clothes. He felt her warmth and
sincerity and it felt good.
Having them secure in her arms she twisted heading toward
the door.
“You leavin’?” A bit surprised
after her covert flirtations.
“You need your rest. But I’m sure that after that anyone
of us will be willing to keep you company for spell. Then she added coyly,
“Even if…it’s just for company and nothin’ else.”
His hands were on his hips and he bent his head and shook
it. “ Alright Miss Candy.”
<*><*><*><*><*><*>
Downstairs in the small kitchen the girls were gathered around
the table reporting to Miss Betsy that all the tasks had been completed and
that they would be ready act when the time came. Betsy nodded as each girl
spoke and was pleased that all had been tended to, all properly.
“Alright girl’s let’s call it a night since it’s well past
“Yes Mam! You’ve been so good to us that anyone who’s
special to you will get special treatment from us,” Abigail said eagerly
clarifying her loyalty.
“ We’ll take good care of him and make sure that when he
leaves, he leaves because he wants to not ‘cause someone’s draggin’ him outta
here,” Mable added in an effort to reassure Betsey.
“And if Mr. Jones is needin’ some
extra attention I won’t mind lendin’ a hand to that,” Penny winked suggesting
some naughtiness.
Lillith and Mable grinned shaking their heads in unison.
“Don’t nobody get no mind of
keepin’ Mr. Jones warm. If anyone’s gonna be doin’ that it’ll be me,” Candy
declared defensively protecting what she felt was her territory.
“I don’t want any fighting. Is that understood!”
Betsy commanded in her gentle yet authoritative voice.
“ We understand Miss Betsy.” They
agreed apologetically ashamed that they had gotten carried away.
“Now since Candy already has tended to Mr. Jones it’s only
fitting for her to be continuing to do so. He’s used to her and I’ll bet feels
comfortable trusting her,” Betsy reasoned.
She looked around, taking notice that no one hesitated or
showed contempt. All were in quick and full agreement.
“Off to bed now, with the lot of ya.” Betsey directed as a
lazy smile softened her kind face.
They all scurried out of there.
<*><*><*><*><*><*>
She took the neatly folded clothes off of her bed wrapped
them in some linen and placed them in the box that she had pulled out from
under the hole in the floor boards. When things were safe she’d have them
washed, but for now this would have to do. She closed the lid and set it in and
pushed it back out of sight. Then she carefully replaced the boards making sure
the fit was right. Replaced the rug and heaved the small side table over the
top. She returned the lamp another items to the tabletop and visually swept the
room to see if everything was in its proper place.
She changed into her dressing gown and slumped into the
seat of her vanity. She removed the pins that held her ruby locks atop of her
head letting them cascade down over her shoulders brushing them. She stared
into the mirror through into the reflection of the painting that hung over her
bed.
Magnolias. The painting was filled
with beautiful blossoms that in reality had such a sweet and wonderful
fragrance. But these Magnolia’s were special there were none in the world
except for what was in the painting and the twin that hung in the saloon just
above the mirror behind the bar. These unique Magnolia’s were blue; a blue that
she had seen in the eyes of a young man full of happiness and as bright as a
clear sunlight day. The day that Heyes came into town and Kid and Heyes got
back together.
Betsy flung back
the covers blew out the lamp on the table and climbed in. Now they were the
same ones she had seen when she had first met him gloomy like a menacing storm
on the horizon.
This was going to be the toughest jobs that they would do.
She liked Kid a lot. She cared for him way back when and determined then that
she would do whatever it took to protect him. And if anything happened to him
she would be overcome. But not as devastated than his cousin would be. She
couldn’t bear seeing what it would do to him if she failed.
<*><*><*><*><*><*>
The floorboards creaked
alerting him to a presence just outside his door. Two possibilities, either it was
one of the girls or it was someone he didn’t want sneaking in which offered him
two options. Out of instinct he chose the only sensible one. He reached up
quietly sliding his gun from his holster, resting it on his chest. His eyes
fixed on the unhurried turning knob. The door opened, followed by a pale wispy
fabric that caught up the reflection of the moonlight bestowing upon the cloth
magical qualities.
The tension of his
grasp relaxed a bit, yet he remained vigilant. It could have been one of the girls.
Candy had suggested that one of them might come in. As the figure tiptoed
further into the room he recognized the petite sprite that floated in. He allowed his finger to slip away from the
trigger onto the side where it rested when he wasn’t going to shoot. He closed
his eyes to pretend to be asleep. The lower end
of the bed dipped when she climbed on making the whole thing rock.
Delightedly he had hoped she would be the one to keep him
company tonight since he wasn’t up to getting used to someone new anyhow. He’d
let her stay, it would feel good to have someone next to him, but that would be
it. She was too young no matter what she said and he was too much of a
gentleman to indulge in his needs. And even if he wasn’t and she was older, he
was simply just plum tuckered out for anything else.
She slithered under
the blankets lifted up his arm and tucked herself under. He was amused that she
didn’t try and wake him to ask him to put the gun away. Rather she just ignored
it and simply got cozy. Soon after sleep called in it’s
markers and claimed him.
<*><*><*><*><*><*>
The night grudgingly gave way to the light yet satisfied
that it handed over the watch without incident. Unfortunately the same couldn’t
be said after the sun cleared the horizon assuming its post. Excited voices
filled the corridor, Candy and Kid both shot up. He moved his arm carefully to
avoid hitting her.
Tossing the covers back he leapt to the door poised for
action. He could see her kneeling clutching at the bedding in anticipation.
Within minutes for some reason he couldn’t figure she bounded from the bed
flinging the bedcovers smoothing them out, then
tucking them in.
“Girl what in blazes are you doin?” he questioned
bewildered.
“My job, Mr. J.”
“Your job? Can’t
that wait?”
“Nope.”
Her answer wasn’t helpful at all. She confused him even
more when she picked up his hat, boots and gun belt taking them to the door and
leaned an ear it.
Her eyes flickered toward him, “Almost, get ready to
move.”
Quizzically he glanced at her like she was mad.
A disembodied feminine voice, seem to land against the
door, “Candy, it looks like we need to get ready for your sweet Aunt Martha I
hear she’s coming real soon.”
It was Abigail.
“I’m all set, I just need to get dressed,” Candy replied.
He figured it out. It was code. They were keeping to their
promise.
“Girl you need to hurry up then time’s a wastin’. Need any help?”
Candy paused; surveying the room her eyes spied the bottle
and glass. “ Just a little. Looks like some drunk left
the saloon stuff up here oh and his dirty socks too.”
Kid frowned the same time his eyebrows rose to his
hairline.
“Not you,” she mouthed. She grasped the knob opening the
door. “Time to leave Mr. J. You need to follow me and
do what we tell ya.”
“Lead on.” He said letting her take the lead.
She swung the door open charging into the hall. Abigail
stood off to the side as the duo made their way down the hall to the end into
another parlor. Then the girl walked in gathered the remaining things heading
for the saloon and the laundry.
Candy barreled through the entry closely followed by a
befuddled Kid. Candy whirled around tossed him the gun belt and threw the hat
and boots to two others who were primed by an open hole in the floor. They
caught the gear and dropped it in, and put back the flooring. They also
replaced the rug straighten it.
Together heaved up a trunk settling it on top of it all.
Female hands grabbed at him pulling him over to a chair
stripping him.
“Hey!” he protested.
“Not to worry Mr. J. Just let us do what we got to do.”
Candy reassured as she was tossing clothes over the dressing frame.
“What size do you think?” Penny asked.
“Probably the largest ones we’ve got. He’s real tall.”
Lillith answered.
“ Style?” Mable requested.
“ Old and widow like. That way a veil
can help cover his face.”
“Whoa! Wait a minute.” His comprehension finally caught up
to their plan. “There ain’t no way…”
“Shush, Mr. J. it’s the only way. Why Billy the Kid and
the James boys were here a spell back.”
“I’m not them.” He denied.
Slight giggles from Penny. “We know you’re much better
lookin’ and cleaner.”
“It’s the only way Mr. J. Miss Betsy would insist upon
it.” Candy tried to reason with him peering from behind the screen.
“Look there ain’t no time. We got
to hurry!” Jesse snapped.
One of the girls went to grab for his gun.
“Sorry Mam. You can’t have that.” His eyes gave that clear
warning that it wasn’t something to be negotiated.
“Let him keep it we’ll work it in somehow,” Lillith,
decided.
<*><*><*><*><*><*>
Betsy was as cool as a cucumber. She was smartly dressed
in one of her more showy dresses with her hair done up just so. With simple
makeup that enhanced her beauty it gave her a depth of character without being
extravagant. Frank, ever quiet and unconcerned stood polishing the glasses with
his towel whereas she stood at the opposite end of him nearer to the stairs
allowing her arm to casually drape on the bar.
“Gentleman I can assure that I have not entertained any
criminals in my establishment. We had one gentleman in here but he’s long
gone.”
“Look Mam. There is no other place that varmint could a
gotten off to ‘cept here. Now me and my men are gonna search this place.” The
unkempt leader ordered waving his hand about.
“I really must protest!” She insisted, stomping her foot
for added effect. “There is no one here for you to find.”
“Well just see for ourselves Mam if you don’t mind. And
even if you do well I don’t care,” he signaled for the gang to splinter off to
begin the search.
Two rather semi- intelligent shabby rascals climbed up the
stairs. They searched every room giving them a cursory glance while shoving the
doors against the walls to check if anyone was hiding behind. Seeing under the beds was easy so there really was no
need to walk into the spartan rooms.
After inspecting half of the rooms Lillith and Abigail
strolled out in their under things as the two letches leered after them. Being
the actresses that they were the girls exaggerated their sway and a seductive
smile. The rogues lost themselves into the feminine vision before them so much
that they took off their hats remembering some of their manners. As the girls
disappeared around the corner it took them two a few minutes to recover with
the taller lean one shaking himself clear of the
cobwebs. When the shorter tubby one didn’t recover so
quickly, he whopped him with his hat to get him back on track.
“Mind what your’n supposed to be
doing Cleft. You know we ain’t got time for playing.”
“But Zeke, they looked good enough to eat.” He got whopped
again.
“Don’t you let my sister hear that.
She’d skin ya then tan your hide.”
“”I know,” he whimpered fearfully.
Finally they got to the door the one that Kid was hiding
behind. So they burst through thinking they had caught him red handed. But much
to their embarrassment they only stumbled on the rest of the girls gathered
around an older woman dressed in somber respectable clothes. The older lady
appeared to be the focus of their attention.
“Hey ain’t you got no manners?” yelled Penny.
“We ain’t open for business yet. We need to have some time
to ourselves ya know!” added Mable in an equally feisty attitude.
“ It ain’t often that Candy’s Aunt
Martha comes to visit, and it’s getting tough on her cause she’s getting so
old.” Jesse added with vigor sounding like she was about to attack them.
Aunt Martha sat there on the high back chair, fluttering her
fan furiously, that announced her displeasure. In a matronly voice she said, “ Girls, settle down. Now I do not appreciate being
interrupted young man. It would do you well to mind your manners.” With that
Aunt Martha snapped her fan against her left hand.
Intimidated the two posse men removed their hats again in
respect and apologized. “We are truly sorry Mam. But…”
All of the girls glowered at them teeth nearly bared like
wolves succumbing to rabies, fist clenched either in their laps or at their sides.
“I will accept no excuses.” She slapped it against her
hand again emphasizing her annoyance.
“Yes Mam. No excuses.” The two brow beaten, turned sharply
on their heel quickly trying to get through the door. But
finding it very difficult for the both of them to squeeze through at the same
time.
The girls and Aunt Martha had to stifle their laughs at
the comedic scene. First the two clowns would step back wait and try plowing
through the doorway, wrestling a little and trying it again. Finally they pushed
hard enough and got through and made darn sure to vamoose hastily.
Candy got up from her seat across from Aunt Martha to shut
the door. She turned around to exchange satisfied smiles with the group. Now
the plan was to wait for the all clear sign.
Epilogue
Heyes stretched out, crossed his ankles leaned back
resting against his saddle, “So wanna tell me how’d you
manage to loose that posse?”
“Luck and smarts I guess.” He led on.
“From what I heard it was a lot of luck and smarts. They
were really on your trail, like a bloodhound.”
“Like I said, luck.” He settled up against his saddle too
dropped his hat down over his eyes geared for sleep.
Heyes shot up as the realization slammed into him like a landslide.
“Wait a minute. They said you were over near Weaverton.”
“So now what’s that supposed to mean?” he said
halfheartedly showing little concerned.
“ The Blue Magnolia’s over there. Betsy McCaferty’s place.” Heyes
declared in victory.
“And…” Kid still wasn’t buying what Heyes was trying to
sell. He wasn’t going to let him goad him.
Heyes started to
chuckle.
Kid flipped up his hat to stare at him. “What’s so funny?”
“Your luck.”
“What about my luck?” he was on his elbow now. Heyes got
his attention and Kid was losing, as he always did.
Heyes laid back again, replaced his hat as a smug look
settled in on his handsome features.
“I said Heyes, what about my luck?”
Heyes peeked out from under his hat, a
“And they would be?” Kid was getting annoyed.
From a deep sigh, “Aunt Martha.”
“We don’t have an Aunt Martha.” He settled back down too,
puzzled by Heyes’s remarks. Dropped his hat on his face.
He bolted upright, “ Aunt Martha!
Heyes how do you…” Kid noticed a new grin growing on Heyes’s face.
“Never mind. Good night Kid”
“Go to sleep Heyes.”
The end