“How did you sleep?” Tessaline slid Jase’s coffee mug to his hand. It was early in the morning, but Jase had to get going soon.

“Fine. I slept fine.” He groaned. Jase didn’t mind sleeping on the couch, what unsettled him was the interrogation he knew was coming the next morning.

“Still not gonna tell me what kept you last night?” Tessaline slumped forward over the table.

Jase remained silent. He sipped the coffee a few times to stay occupied. Tessaline patiently waited for him to respond. Her big eyes stared at him, making him uncomfortable. Eventually, she couldn’t take it anymore. She stood up from her seat, slamming two palms on the table.

“What is it, Jase? What? Is there someone else?”

Jase raised his eyebrows, then shook his head. He gripped his mug tight. “It just has to be that, doesn’t it?”

“Why should I believe otherwise? If I’m wrong then…” Tess tried to swallow down the pain in her chest. Her eyes quickly began to squint to stop tears.

Jase stood up and went around the table to console her.

“No. Don’t touch me,” she jerked.

He remained by her side, speaking over her shoulder. “Tess, there’s no one but you. I swear. You just have to trust me on this.”

“You always want me to trust you, but you never want to earn it.”

“I’ve been trying to earn it for five years,” His voice rose.

“Shh,” said Tess, holding a finger to her lips.

“Why are you shushing me?”

“I can’t let you wake up the others.”

“The others?” Jase poked his head around.

“Yeah, that’s right,” Tess held her chin high in defiance, “While you were out, I allowed some guests to stay the night.”

“Guests?” His neck turned red. But his fury broke into a hybrid of shock and worry when his gaze fell on something behind Tess.

Tessaline turned around to see. “Lilian?”

“Oh no, she named it,” Jase interrupted.

Tess pinched his arm. “What are you doing up so early?”

“I- I…” Lilian stood shyly between the walls of the hallway, in her pink chemise nightgown. Her pigtails touching to her ankles.

“Come sit,” Tessaline reached for her. “I’ll make you some coffee.”

Coming over to the dining table, Lilian’s spine was stiff at the sight of Mister Jase. The man looked like a redheaded wind! His freckled, soft nose bridge, squinting eyes, and peaceful lips alluded to an amiable, inviting side to him. While his strong jaw and overall physicality added a mature edge to him.

“Lilian, this is Jase.” Tessaline gestured to her friend/beau.

Lilian was speechless with Jase towering over her. Standing any closer, she was sure her head would barely reach his chest. His eyes were the hues of honey and lime, bearing a forever innocence or pondering within them. Lilian held out her hand, attempting a mutual shake to his. But Jase’s firm grip forced her hand limp as he turned it linear and shook.

“Very nice to meet you, Jase. We didn’t have this pleasure last night,” Lilian said, remembering how she saw him stumbling around in the kitchen. “I am Lilian Tr—”

“I know who you are,” He quickly halted her.

Lilian looked confused. How could he claim such a thing? Even Tessaline stopped what she was doing to look at him.

Jase cleared his throat, “I saw you in the weekly paper.”

Then it made sense. Lilian had just recently debuted, so of course, her article would have made it to the public by now.

“Yes, right. My debutante profile.”

Jase pulled out the chair for Lilian. He smelled like lemongrass and chamomile with an earthy hint of clay. There was clear tension in the air between Tessaline and Jase. They did not speak to each other as Tess went over to the cupboard to get the coffee beans and started grinding them on the table beside the window.

“So, Mister Jase,” Lilian started.

“It’s just Jase.”

“What do you do?”

Jase stiffened at Lilian’s question, bringing his coffee mug to his lips.

“Jase works at the Truit and Company Lathe Factory,” Tessaline answered for him.

Lilian looked to Jase, surprised he didn’t deny Tess’s statement. “Um, sorry, you said he works there?”

“Yes, what else would he do?” Tess continued grinding the coffee beans.

This couldn’t be. Once Fredrick Truit died, the factory shut down. Her Aunt Barbra would be renovating it soon.

Jase’s honey eyes stared at Lilian, holding in them an earnest plea for her to say nothing. She drew her brows together in confusion, yet obeyed.

Jase took one last swig of coffee, tilting back his head. “Well, I’ll be off.” Tess didn’t answer him. He stared at the back of her, somberly. “I love you.” Then he walked to the door, putting on his coat and cowboy hat.

“Could you leave Jaundice here?” Tessaline blurted, refusing to look at him.

He nodded, knowing she didn’t see. But the moment his hand touched the doorknob, she ran over to him.

“Wait, Jase.” She caught his jaw with one hand and drew his face to hers. His large dimensions in contrast with her tiny person. He allowed the kiss, easing one hand on her hip.

Lilian didn’t know much about kisses, but she could tell they were each doing it for a different reason. Jase, out of love. Tess, out of fear.

Without saying anything else, Jase left. Tessaline looked at Lilian, giving her a sad grin. Lilian returned the same. Guilt, hitting her like a switch from Aunt Krishta's hand. And boy, could that woman whip.

“Oh no,” Tessaline gasped. “He left his lunchbox again.”

Lilian jumped up from her seat. “I’ll take it to him.” She took the box from Tessaline’s hands.

“Are you sure?”

“Of course.” Lilian smiled widely at Tess, backing out through the door. The cold hit her, instantly. As soon as she was outside, “Now, where is that liar?”

She heard a neigh and a grunt coming from just around the house. She followed the noise to Jase. He was hooking the horses up to the wagon. Lilian approached shyly, still not used to being confrontational.

She rubbed her arms furiously. Her nightgown, flowing in the frigid wind. Her feet, becoming oh so numb.

But noticing the number of horses he was taking, she postponed her anger to ask, “How will any of us get to town.” Lilian remembered that she and Paul were not meant to stay long and needed to buy gas for their car.

“I left Jaundice over there,” Jase replied, pointing to the stable where a lean yellow horse stood. A wooden plank above his stall beared the word “Jaundice” in streaky white paint. Poor horse. That name did him no justice.

Then Lilian remembered why she approached Jase. She placed her stern expression back on her face. Thrusting the lunchbox at him, she proclaimed, “You forgot your lunch.”

He reached out to take the tin box from her—

She swiftly pulled her hand back, “Also. You lied.”

Even with the large hat that shaded his eyes under the cool light of the early winter morning, Lilian could see them declaring his fear.

“Don’t tell Tess.”

“Why shouldn’t I? She deserves to know you are out of a job.”

“Right. And I should be the one to tell her. Just not now. Please, you don’t know how she’ll react. Every day she”— He pressed his lips together— “she fantasizes leaving me.”

Lilian blinked at his statement. His emphasis on the word “fantasize” made her feel a slight empathy for him. Then she remembered last night and shook it off. “But where are you going, now?”

“I’m gonna fix this,” he said, coming closer, raising his palms at her. “I'm gonna find new work in town.”

Lilian stepped back to maintain distance. “That’s not what you were doing yesterday.”

Jase scrunched his nose, “How would you know what I was doing yesterday?”

Lilian’s cheeks heated in embarrassment. “I saw you. Last night. You were drunk.”

Jase’s eyes widened in recollection, “That was you?”

Lilian nodded.

Jase sighed, dragging a hand across his face. “Look, I am not a perfect man. And last night was an accident. And it won’t happen again. I swear.”

Lilian wasn’t sure to believe him or not. He did lie, and he seemed knee-deep in his own dilemma, but there was nothing deceptive-looking about him.

“Please. Lilian. Lilian Truit?”

Hearing him say her name in his soft, sweet accent, felt nice. The corner of his mouth curved up all too charmingly. “Miss Lilian Truit?” Then, grin lowered, his eyes took on a sympathetic gaze. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

Then it occurred to Lilian that she was the niece of the man that owned the company that employed Jase. It was her uncle's passing that caused all of this. Jase couldn’t help that his job was lost. He was just one of the other poor workers who were let off. And most likely, they too were afraid to tell their loved ones.

Lilian looked down at her bare feet. “She won’t hear it from me.”

Jase nodded. “Thank you.” He came close again, his honey eyes locked on her. If Lilian wasn’t getting goosebumps before, she was now. As she suspected, her head reached only a few inches above his ribs. One unruly curl ringed his eye. She noticed it had a tan hint to it. His hand brushed over hers as he removed the tin box from her grip that she held at her side. “I need my lunch.”

Tessaline, front, Lilian, middle, Paul, back. That’s how they rode to town. Though Jaundice was a rather thin horse, he managed without so much as a grunt. Lilian on the other hand, was not at all used to riding horseback. Especially bareback. Their altitude was nerve-racking. Lilian could feel the large muscles of the horse pulling, tightening, releasing under her. His heavy trot, causing imprints in the dirt. The thought of being trampled by even the smallest of these beasts made Lilian uneasy.

“Careful, Tess!” Lilian freaked as she felt the slightest jump. She squeezed Tessaline’s torso with two arms wrapped around. Her face pressed against the back of Tess’s updo.

“We had to get over that rock. Stop being so paranoid,” Tess said with an annoyed tone.

“Leave her alone,” Paul snapped. “She’s never done this before.” He leaned in closer to Lil. Stabilizing her sides with his hands.

Tessaline, sighed agreeably, “Then, why don’t you calm her?”

Lilian’s rapid breaths were bringing her to the brink of fainting. She felt sorry for Jaundice being the cause of her terrible experience, but this was utterly traumatic.

Paul slipped his arms around Lilian’s waist. “Calm down, Lilian,” he whispered through her hair.

Lilian kept her knees up as high as possible, hoping Paul wasn’t sneaking peeks at her legs. Not having ever ridden in her life, she never saw the need for buying a split skirt. But she bought a derby hat. Idiot.

“Don’t let me fall, Paul.”

“Never,” he said. “Now stop worrying. I hate to see you worry.”

Lilian trusted Paul would hold onto her much more than she trusted Tessaline to steer towards flatter plains of ground. He’d take care of her. And if she did fall, he was capable of mending her.

Her anxiety cooled when they caught sight of the town entrance. A long sign above read: Welcome to Brord Village.

Passing through the streets, Lilian half-forgot the horse she sat on, looking around at the many shops there. None of it was as industrial as Hiplum, but it all was intriguingly quaint and beautiful. She felt an ounce of shame for never coming to see this charming town that her uncle’s factory– originally her inheritance– was located in.

Lilian noticed that on every door or window was what looked like a letter M inside a firy wreath. Mr. Muggri’s Stamp of Approval, as Lilian remembered it.

Lilian craned her neck to look at Paul, knowingly. He smirked.

Everyone who’s anyone knows who Mr. Muggri is. Whatever building bears his stamp must be about quality service.

“I’ve never seen that stamp before. Is there some kind of celebration going on I don’t know about?” said Tess.

“You don’t know? That’s Mr. Muggri’s stamp of approval,” Lilian informed.

“Mu-who?”

One Week Ago

“M-u-g-g-r-i. Muggri.” He smiles a bright, clenching smile. Showing off his white teeth. A sign of good health and genes.

The mayor of Brord sits back against his leather seat, arms crossed. His eyes, centered on the suspicious man across from his desk. He lets out a dragged breath. “Mr. Muggri, all I want to know is, why are you here?”

Muggri opens his hands on his lap, “I came to bestow.”

The mayor raises an eyebrow dubiously. “Really?” He leans forward over his desk, resting his arms atop. “Look. I know what it is you want here.”

“Is that so?”

“I know you just want my endorsement. Like every delegate you meet.”

Muggri pretends to stifle a laugh. “‘Want’ is a strong word. More like ‘appreciate’. It’s you who needs my endorsement more than anything.” He leans over with his arms on the desk to mimic the mayor and stares him down. He sets the mister-nice-guy facade aside. The mayor’s bodyguards brace themselves for any threat. So do Mr. Muggri’s. “Let’s be honest with ourselves, Mr. Mayor. The people of Brord don’t like you. Your weak. Neglectful.”

The mayor blinks at Muggri’s statement. His strong, leaderly facade is in no time shattered.

“A shersul follower,” Muggri adds with a telling look.

The mayor’s eyes widen.

“Not too good at keeping secrets, my friend.” He pats the mayor’s cheek.

The security point their guns his way. He shoots them one threatening look, his eyes turn black, and suddenly the guns are lowered. Muggri brings his attention back to the mayor. His mouth twitches.

“Next election, they won’t pick you.”

The mayor gulps in fear. “If I’m nothing to you, then why are you here? Surely you wouldn’t help me for nothing.”

Mr. Muggri sits back in his seat. “Why do you question my generosity? All I want is a picture of me and you, shaking hands in front of this beautiful town. You know, a little publicity.”

“More than you already have? Why?”

“Because–” Muggri scoots in his seat– “and this is a funny story actually– one day I was sitting in my office. And I got this”– He holds up his hands like he’s hanging a frame– “big ol’ map on my wall.” He leans forward again. “You know what? I saw your little city. And when I did, I said– what did I say, Spencer?”

A young man standing in the corner of the room looks up and grins, “‘You need a blessing,’ sir.”

Muggri brings his hands back up, “I said, ‘You need a blessing.’” Then he stretches that intimidating smile back on his face. “Be blessed.”

Tessaline dismounted Jaundice to lead him through the narrow streets and make space for Paul and Lilian. But Lilian was not going to stay on the horse another second. And Paul would not be led anywhere.

There were a few traders there, calling out from along the street by and by. Greengrocers, watch sellers, shoe shiners, streetsweepers, and paperboys. But the streets weren’t busy at all.

The first place they came by was a small orphanage. An old lady poked her head out the window. She was placing a pie on the sill. Tessaline approached her with a sad look on her face.

“Hi, Ms. Cora.”

“Oh. Hi, Tess. Is there something wrong?”

“I just wanted to let you know I don’t have anything for you this week. I’m sorry.”

“There is nothing to apologize for, Tessaline. You know I don’t mind.”

The old woman pointed to her pie. “Want to come in for a slice?” She looked to Lilian, “I’m sure your friends would love some.” She smiled a sweet motherly smile that reminded Lilian of Aunt Krishta. “I do make the best plum pies if you ask around.”

Lilian smiled back. “I don’t know about that. Unless you’re able to best my maid, Gracie.”

“Why don’t you come in and see?” replied Ms. Cora, accepting the challenge.

“That’s nice,” Paul interrupted, “but we have somewhere to be.”

Ms. Cora looked disappointed, and a little offended.

“Excuse him,” Lilian apologized. “We can spare a moment. Right, Paul?” The smile she flashed at him was slightly threatening. Paul tacitly conceded.

They were invited inside, walking through a dark classroom to a relatively small dining room. A yellow rug lined the floor under a long wooden table for seating many children, draped in a yellow gingham tablecloth where doily coasters were laid, upon which stood tall glasses of water.

Ms. Cora’s pie was certainly something to praise. The woman watched with anticipation as Paul and Lilian chewed. “Well?”

Lilian dabbed her lips with a napkin, swallowed, and smiled. “Scrumptious.” She admitted that much but refused to discredit dear Gracie.

Ms. Cora grinned contently. She sighed like something amazing just occured. “It’s so nice to see that you have found each other.” Her eyes switched between Lilian and Tessaline.

Tess looked up from her plate, “What?”

“Tess, I would have expected you to be more happy. At least introduce me to your friends.”

“They’re not my friends.”

Lilian felt a pang of disappointment. She was sure Tessaline and her shared a mutual rapport.

“But… But she…” Ms. Cora pointed to Lilian.

Tess looked in the direction of Ms. Cora’s hand. Something in her eyes gave Lilian the impression that the Tess she had so easily conversed with only the night before, was not the same person now. This Tess looked scared and unwilling to trust anyone. Like in the forest. “She what?”

Ms. Cora’s face held some indecipherable expression. “Do you never read the newspapers, Tessaline?”

“You know I don’t waste a penny on paper.”

“Waste? Li’l lady, have I not taught you well? Have I not taught you about the importance of being informed.”

Tess nearly choked on her pie slice. She loathed Ms. Cora’s admonishment.

“Taught her?” Lilian said. Suddenly the topic was changing. “Are you her mother?”

Ms. Cora said, “Goodness no. But Tessaline was one of my children here after her mother died.” Ms. Cora smiled, “She was such a rowdy li’l girl just like her mother. Looks like her, too.”

Tess continued eating her pie, uncomfortable with herself being the topic of the table. She wanted nobody to know her business.

“You don’t really take care of all your children alone, do you?” asked Paul. He finally decided to let himself be known.

“Before my husband died, we opened up this place,” she gestured around her. “Witherman’s Home for Children. It was supposed to be a haven for children who were either orphaned, homeless, or forced to work abroad to help their families. Some parents just want their sons or daughters to be given better treatment. After my husband, Todd Witherman, died, I did all I could to make my services known to the public. Asking for no more than small donations. Eventually, word got out about Ms. D.C. Witherman’s Home for Children. And to my surprise, not only did I receive donations directly, but the church began funding us, too. And then help came from volunteers all over Brord.”

“And you never remarried?” asked Lilian.

Ms. Cora shook her head. “I would never give up my name. Or else, I can’t exactly call this Ms. D.C. Witherman’s Home for Children, can I?”

A shrill ‘achoo’ came from behind the cracked mahogany doors of the room along with a few shushes. Ms. Cora rolled her eyes. She pressed a finger to her lips, telling her guests to stay quiet as she stood up and crept over to the doors. She grabbed the handles and flung them open.

“Alright. That’s enough eavesdropping.”

In, flooded a teem of children. They ranged from a number of ages and all made a loud ruckus. “Hey, Tess!” some of them shouted. The rest went around to greet the two newcomers who came to visit. A few of the older boys surrounded Lilian, blundering as they attempted to flirt with her. And so was the case of the older girls to Paul. There was one child who wrapped himself in a blanket, looking awfully ill. He stayed a good measure away from Paul and Lilian only because Ms. Cora told him to. There were also other women in the room: Ms. Cora’s volunteers.

The room was in no time crowded. Lilian saw that across the room, Tessaline was being tackled by a group of little ones who were elated to see her. Lilian wasn’t sure why but as she listened to all the children’s overlapping dialog, she felt a feeling of comfort and hominess. Like she felt back in Corlu, but better.

Some girls even came up to Lilian to ask what life is like for a rich girl. “What are the schools like in Hiplum?” one girl asked.

“Well, at Hiplum Academy, I had a loaded curriculum. I had Algebra, Chemistry, Literature, etcetera. Not to mention all the extracurricular as well as Etiquette class.”

“Did you have to share your room with anyone?” The girl acted like she was annoyed that that was just what she had to do.

“I had two roommates in my dormitory. But we hardly spoke, and with our conflicting schedules, there were few times we saw each other before the end of the day.”

Lilian thought about the faces of the girls she knew in Hiplum. Not one of them, did she have anything in common with. Lilian knew nothing about getting to know strangers, then. She only went to H.A. for Paul’s sake. Before that, Aunt Krishta homeschooled her.

“Girls! Boys! Stop overwhelming the guests,” Ms. Cora shouted. “Who wants pie?”

Immediately, little hands were raised. They each sat down to take an equal slice that Tessaline so honorably cut for them. The older kids grimaced at their small portions.

Lilian noticed Paul’s foot tapping under the table. He glanced at his wristwatch frequently. What was his problem? He was usually so calm. It’s not like they were in a hurry to buy gasoline.

“Don’t let her discourage you,” Ms. Cora whispered in Lilian’s ear, catching her off guard.

“Huh?”

Ms. Cora grinned, “Tessaline is allergic to the word ‘friend’. She doesn’t like to get attached. But I know it’s what she needs. And I know that’s what you can be for her. In fact, I know much more.”

“What do you know?” Lilian was not sure why her response was so casual, but judging by the old woman’s expression, she knew she asked the right question.

“There’s not much I can say. I feel I’m being shushed by El. What I can say is that Tessaline has been through a lot in her life. You seem like someone who could help her out of her depression.”

“How can you say this? You haven’t known me long.”

“Yes. But I know Tess. She wouldn’t let just anybody follow behind her on the street unless she liked them to some extent. Listen to me,” Ms, Cora leaned in. An urgency in her tone, “There is a lot she hides. A lot she runs from. Tess is tough and timid for a reason. But one thing about Tess— once you meet her, it’s hard to give up on her. Please don’t give up on her. If anyone, I hope not you.”

Lilian drew her brows together. Why was this woman pressing on her with such a responsibility? In Ms. Cora’s eyes, Lilian could see she wanted to say more if not beg.

“I really hope not,” she ended.

Paul moved his head behind Lilian to tell Ms. Cora that he appreciated the time they'd spent and that the pie was delicious, but they had to get going.

“Oh that’s fine,” Ms. Cora replied. Then she faced the children. “Miss Lilian and Mister Paul have to leave, now. Tell them goodbye.”

“Goodbye, Lilian. Goodbye, Paul,” they said in one accord.

Paul, Lilian, and Tessaline left the home. Lilian was just turning around to catch up when she felt a small hand clasp hers. She looked down and saw the little boy with the blanket over him. He looked about five years old. She shuddered when she realized he was actually blind. “Err, aren’t you sick?”

The boy cheesed at her. His colorless eyes were still but seemed to know exactly where she was. “Are you afraid you’ll catch it?” his voice cracked and squeaked as he spoke.

“No, I just meant, aren’t you supposed to be inside?”

“I have to tell you something,” he twisted his neck to listen for anyone around them. Somehow he detected Paul and Tess’s presence. “Come here.” Still holding her hand, the boy walked farther back. He then adjusted the blanket over his shoulders.

“What is it?”

“Shersul was here,” the boy whispered.

“He was?” Lilian gasped. The memory of his bright face behind the train flashed before her eyes.

“He told me to tell you to... ‘give it up’.”

“Give what up?”

“He told me you’d know.”

Lilian didn't know what the boy was talking about. This could mean anything. Should she give up on finding her purpose? Should she give up on being Tessaline’s friend?

“It had something to do with him.” The boy pointed somewhere beyond Lilian. She turned around to see that his finger unmistakably landed on no one other than Paul. Paul looked at her suspiciously, wondering what they were talking about.

She turned back to the boy, not wanting to believe it. Give Paul up? “No. Not Paul. It isn’t Paul, is it?”

The boy nodded.

“Wait a minute. How did you even see him?”

“I didn’t. I sensed him. His soul. It’s Shersul’s gift. You have it too.” He tilted his head, “Why don’t you embrace it?”

Lilian ignored that. “And you’re sure Shersul said this?”

The boy took Lilian’s hand again. “Lilian, when El speaks…” he paused while raising his sparse eyebrows, “you listen.”

Then the front door of the building opened up. One of Ms. Cora’s volunteers stood by the threshold. “Hugh! Get your snotty hands off Miss Lilian and get in here!”

“Alright Ethel, quit it! I said what I had to say.” He glanced one last time at Lilian, then ran up the steps and into the home.

The streets of Brord had little distance from one side to the other. There was no distinct pavement. Tessaline showed Lilian just how convenient everything was in relation to each other. Lilian was glad to have spotted the post office. She couldn’t wait to send Aunt Krishta consistent updates on her new life in Brord. It was not too far a walk to the convenient store. Paul could have jumped for joy as he went inside, but he remained collected. Tess and Lilian stayed outside.

Lilian noticed familiar red hair from far off and couldn’t help but shake her head. It was in fact, Jase. Either he was looking for a job at the saloon or more likely, he was looking for something else. Lilian placed herself in front of his view, so Tess wouldn’t see.

Tess looked at Lilian. “So… What’re you gonna do after this?”

Lilian realized she hadn’t thought about that. “I’m not sure.”

“Do you have a place to stay?”

“I just expected I’d rent a room at the inn.”

“Oh, okay.”

“But as far as work, I have no idea.”

“Oh. Shame.”

Lilian could have sworn that it looked like Tess wanted to say more. But she didn’t. And she didn’t say anything the whole way back to her house.

“That’s a mighty fine machine, right there,” Jase marveled at Paul’s automobile.

Paul was glad to be given the opportunity to gloat. “Yes. It’s my newest one. A Roi-de-Belges. Look.” He stepped up and pushed the driver seat, making it turn to reveal a gap through to the back of the car. “It swivels.”

Jase shrugged. “Nice. But I don’t see the point.”

“The point is progress,” Paul said, stepping back down. “Imagine the ability to one day go faster than a horse. Without all the work of feeding or cleaning your means of travel.”

Jase smirked, “We have trains for that.”

Paul’s eyes flickered in frustration, “Yes, but that’s public transportation. Imagine every individual having access to one of these. Someday and soon, all you will see is modern vehicles on the streets.”

Jase laughed heartily. Lilian, who was carrying her baggage to the car, saw him and nearly stopped breathing.

“Thanks, but I’ll keep my horses. And there is no scientist who’s gonna stop that.”

“Doctor. Future doctor,” Paul corrected him.

“Well, excuse me,” Jase said, jestingly bowing. He went over to Lilian, taking her baggage from her.

“Thank you,” she said, “but there’s more.”

Jase gave her the same look of shock that Paul had.

Through the grass, Tess approached carrying some more of Lilian’s possessions. “You know, Lilian,” she grunted, “when people say ‘you come with a lot of baggage’, it’s never a good thing.” She limped along heavily.

“Sorry,” Lilian apologized. “I see I have a problem.”

“I’ll take that,” Paul rushed over to Tess to outdo the number of suitcases Jase had already packed into the car. “So anyway, like I was saying. The automotive industry is going places. So is oil. I promise you.”

“If you say so, pal.”

Jase and Paul already seemed to be getting along. But Tess only seemed to be keeping her distance from Lilian.

“Jase, let’s not take too long. The sun’s about to go.”

“Don’t worry, woman. I'm movin’.”

Lilian smiled at Tess.

“What is it?”

“He called you ‘woman’.”

“I know.”

“He loves you.”

Tess huffed. “I know.”

“But you don’t love him?”

Tess stared at her feet. “Knowing myself and how often we fight, I don’t think it is love.”

“But you're practically a married couple.”

“No we’re not. It’s more like we just play house. He wants to marry me. Asks me every day. But he doesn’t know the favor I’m doing him in saying no.”

“Why do you say no?”

“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I have trust issues.”

Lilian kept quiet for a while. The problem was, Tessaline might have a reason not to trust Jase. And Lilian wouldn’t say a word to her about it.

“So, Tess,” Lilian said, “I want you to know that I had a great time getting to know you.”

Tess looked down, kicking the dirt at her feet. “What can I say? I'm an interesting person.”

Lilian grinned. “A remarkable person.” She held out her arms as a request for a hug.

Tessaline allowed it, but she kept to herself. She wasn’t the type to hug.

“I hope to see you again,” Lilian said. For some reason, this felt like another loss. She walked over to Paul, who was struggling to pick up the last suitcase.

“Need help?” Jase stood by, crossing his tanned arms.

“I got it,” Paul refused. But it took too long to put it in the first time, so Paul knew it would take him long now. “Alright, go ahead.”

Jase bent down and held up the other end. Still, Paul could hardly hold his end.

“Paul,” Lilian placed a hand on his shoulder. “Let the man do it.” She immediately regretted her statement when Paul looked at her with a heartbroken glare in his eyes.

“Ha, ha, ha. Whew!” Jase laughed. Then he lifted the suitcase up and threw it into the car.

“I mean, the other man,” Lilian recanted.

Paul bit back his embarrassment. He climbed into the vehicle, forgetting his role to assist the lady first.

Lilian was about to get in, herself.

“You’ll be alright?”

Lilian stopped to look in Jase’s eyes. “Yes.”

He helped her in. Lilian did not look at him too long, giving him no more than quick glances. Jase glanced one more time at Paul, “Paul, you uh– you fill this thing with gas, right?”

“Yes.”

“And I bet you like to keep it up, too. Is that correct?”

“Of course.”

Jase smiled smugly, “Then I guess it ain't that special.”

Paul looked too confused, “What? How?”

“‘Cause you still gotta clean it and feed it.” he winked, and walked away to Tessaline’s side.

When they came to the inn, Paul ranked by the side of the road. They agreed to leave most of their stuff in the vehicle. Above the entrance was a wooden sign that read: Sweetgum Cottage Inn. Inside was a more modern interior than the rest of the town. The floor was mostly oak. A bar to the left was tiled black and red. The canary yellow walls were beautifully trimmed. There were a sufficient amount of lights hanging all around the place. Paul and Lilian came up to the front desk. Paul tapped the bell. Up sprung a man with a unibrow and curly mustache.

“Hello. The name’s Pete. What can I do for you?”

“We want a room,” Paul said.

“Ah, don’t they all. Well, it’s seven-twenty-five for one. Unless I’m being too presumptuous.” He raised one side of his unibrow.

“Two rooms.” Lilian insisted, “We’ll take two.”

“Okay,” said Pete. “How many nights?”

“Uh, one, I think.”

“Okay. And will this be a separate payment?”

Lilian looked at Paul, hoping he’d be generous enough to pay for the both of them. Paul looked at Lilian.

“If you need a moment I understand,” said Pete, and he crouched back below his desk.

“If I pay, I’m paying for one,” Paul said.

“It will only be about fifteen dollars. You're rich, remember?” Lilian argued.

Paul looked around him, then leaned close and lowered his voice, “We are not foreign to the idea of sharing a room.”

Lilian blushed and looked around, herself. “Paul. You know good and well that it is no longer proper.”

“Since when have I ever cared for what’s proper?”

“Maybe you haven’t, but I have. Always.”

“Says the one who was going to wear a purple derby hat all the way to Brord.”

“Tsk, we all have our spasms, Paul. You know that is not the same.”

“You were willing to share back at Tess’s house.”

“Ugh, I can’t believe this is really up for discussion.”

“What changed?”

“What changed is we are in a small town with people we don’t know, and word travels fast. You know how Tess says they treat her. Reputation is everything.”

“It’s not like I’d enjoy you.”

Lilian shivered at the thought. “I didn’t say that. But we can’t act the way we used to here. This isn’t Hiplum. It isn’t the tracks.”

“By El, it isn’t.”

Lilian was not sure what Paul meant by that. Paul reached into his pocket, pulled out a wallet, and wrote a check. He tapped the bell again. “Pete.”

Pete sprung back up. A piece of bread, hanging out of his mouth. He chewed it in, then gulped it down.

“Right, then. Who’s name is this under?”

“Paul Partridge.”

Pete reached up at the board behind him and gave Lilian and Paul a key each with the number of their rooms engraved on the metal plates that were attached to the key ring. “You’ll find your rooms on the second floor to the right in ascending order.”

“Thank you.”

Paul and Lilian took the elevator to the top floor. The rooms 23 and 24 were theirs. Sleep was calling them both. Lilian looked at Paul with a silent goodnight. They went into their separate rooms.

Lilian tried to keep from falling asleep. She was afraid of revisiting the same dream but it was no use to keep fighting. Soon she was there again, standing over her uncle in the middle of a wasteland. She hears him restate the same words, “I’m sorry.”

“No!” Is Lilian mistaken or did someone else say ‘no’ at the same time as her?

Another person runs up from behind Lilian into view. A little girl with beautiful fair hair. Lilian can not see her face. The girl falls on her knees at the side of the dead man. “Papa!”

“Papa?” repeats Lilian. She inches forward. The girl continues to sob. Lilian touches the shoulder of the little girl’s nightgown. The girl lifts her head and turns her neck to see Lilian. Lilian is stunned by the girl's visage. Silver eyes. Red lips. Pale skin. It is Tessaline.

Spring 1880

Felix Truit walks into the cafe. The familiar classy choice scent of the area mixed with the dark rawness of coffee beans greets him on this fine day. He is excited to tell his brother the big news. As he wanders down the floral carpet past the many tables and booths, he spots his twin brother sitting by the fourth window to the back. Their special booth. He and his brother always meet at 7 am. For it is always around this time that this booth alone is generously lit by the sun. As it is now- leaving a gold haze on his brother's hair- blessing it. Felix chuckled to himself. Of course, he has his head hidden behind a newspaper again. Freddy always likes to be informed about what goes on in the world.

Felix approaches. “Hey.”

“Hey,” Freddy responds, dropping his paper. “Muggri is at it again. He just secured a contract with fifteen farmers. He's going to help them mass produce their goods to most regions.”

“Is that so?” Felix feigned his interest.

“That man is a dominant shareholder in many industries. I have great respect for him. Although, I must say, the more he accomplishes, the more cause for concern. I know everyone thinks he can do no wrong, but for having as much power as he does, I find it hard not to question what it's all for.” Felix discontinues. He grimaces at his older brother who can’t seem to stop grinning. “Well, you seem to be in a good mood.”

“It’s a beautiful day,” was Felix’s excuse. “How’s your wife?” He says looking down at the ring on Freddy’s finger. “Honestly you're embarrassing me with this ring, brother.”

“I wear it because I want the world to know. You know how the ladies are when they think I’m you. And Krishta’s fine, she’s…” Freddy looks down at his ring, “She’s still coping over the whole… issue.”

Felix nodded solemnly, “Is she still angry with me?”

“I am afraid so, but I don’t blame her. Is there no nicer way to tell a woman she is unable to have children?”

“I’m sorry that I’m so blunt. Meant nothin’ by it, Freddy.”

“Nothin’?” Freddy squinted, then shook his head. “You're sounding more and more like that girl you're always with, every week.” He raised his coffee to his mouth.

“I’ll have you know that that girl is my fiancée.”

Freddy dropped his cup, and his jaw followed. “She- she said yes?”

Felix’s grin stretched into a smile. “I came to ask if you’d be my man of honor.”

Without hesitation, Freddy’s hand lifted to shake Felix’s. “Absolutely. But…”

“But what?”

“What are you going to tell Mother?”

“Mother? Mother will never know.” He leaned against the back of the booth.

“Felix, don’t be stupid. Mother has her mind set on hitching you with Lady Agapov.”

Felix crossed his arms. “Hmph, Agapov. Mother understands no noble girl’s got a chance with me. Not even Lady Agapov... Though she is pretty.”

“See!” Freddy pointed at him.

Felix flinched.

“Right there. I saw that smirk. Marriage isn’t a game, Felix. Are you sure you are even ready?”

Felix ground his teeth and sat up, “Course I am! What- you think I’d be unfaithful?”

Freddy raised his brow in a telling manner. “With all the girls you charm…”

Felix threw down a dismissive hand. “You know what, forget it. I don’t need this sort of criticism from my younger brother.”

“Alright. You want to go there? Sure. You are the older twin. And as the older twin, you carry the birthright and the most responsibility. But you play too much. You know you do.”

“Sss, you’re working your way out of being my man of honor.”

“Come on, Felix. I don’t want you to get discouraged, but I think I at least owe you a glimpse of reality. If Mother finds out- which she will find out- You will be taken on the carpet-”

“Does Mother run my life?” Felix said as he tapped his fingers on the table. “It isn’t fair, Freddy. You get to live how you want, marry who you want. And it’s all okay because you always do as you’re expected. Mother never bothers you about your life choices. Mother always loved you more than me.”

“That’s not true.”

“Yes. Yes, it is.” Felix got up, placing his hat back on his head. “See you at the wedding.”