November 13, 1901

Dear Aunt Krishta,

I am here in Brord. Not much has happened since I left you, other than near-death by a lightning bolt.

NO.

November 13, 1901

Dear Aunt Krishta,

I am here in Brord. Not much has happened since I left you. Paul and I met two interesting folks just outside of town, who let us stay with them for a night. As for those in town I haven’t met many. I hardly see anyone on the streets yet I’m told everyone knows each other.

Paul has been supportive of me since the embarking of this adventure. However, I fear he is not acting like himself. He doesn’t say it, but I know he hates everything.

NO.

November 13, 1901

Dear Aunt Krishta,

I made it safely to Brord. Since I left you, I have made various acquaintances. Paul and I met two interesting folks just outside of town, who let us stay with them for a night. As for those in town, I met a lovely elderly woman, Ms. Cora who runs something like an orphanage. And you’ll be pleased to hear that the whole town seems to be approved by Mr. Muggri himself!

Paul and I are getting along perfectly! He has been excellent company. We are so excited to start our new lives in Brord. We are currently staying at the Sweetgum Cottage Inn. I can see Uncle’s factory from my room. It resides by a beautiful lake. As I look out at the view, I think about home. I think about you and Gracie.

I long for your advice. It has been a fitful start to thinking of my own needs when it was always you who supplied them. I hope to one day meet you again, a better, stronger Lilian. I will make you proud.

With Love, Lilian.

Lilian sat on the side of the bed. It was 8:00 a.m, and she was already exhausted. It was difficult coming up with a correspondence that wouldn't frighten her aunt. The end result was not her best but it would have to do. The recent dream she had remained in her mind, but it made no sense to her. How could she have possibly seen Tessaline as a child? The more Lilian thought about it, the sillier the idea became. Stretching her fingers after long minutes of letter-writing, Lilian heard a yawn but no one was in her room. She realized just how paper-thin the walls were. The proper Lilian would not have been so nosy, but she leaned her ear against the wall to hear what Paul was doing. All she heard was a lot of murmurs. Paul murmurs when he studies. She knocked her knuckle on the wall and waited. He knocked back.

“Paul, come here,” she said.

After a few silent minutes, there was a knock on her door. She jumped up from the bed— first straightening her dress and slicking up her brows with her saliva— and opened the door. Paul stood before her dressed in his pajamas and robe (an improper way to enter a lady’s room), and with his reading spectacles on. He at least took the time to comb his hair before addressing her.

“I thought you’d be sleeping this early,” said Lilian.

“Then I’d have to wonder if you know me at all.”

“You are studying, and I’m in here alone,” Lilian pouted.

The corner of Paul’s mouth curved up, “What shall we do?”

“I want to go out. Meet people.”

“But...” Paul closed the door behind him and leaned closer to Lilian, “It’s cold out there. And we still have a few more hours here.”

Lilian tried to calm her heart as he came near, then passed her to stare out the window. “But I feel like I am being too stagnant. I need to get out and be useful.”

“Useful how? To whom?” He said, looking back towards her. “Lil, have you given yourself time to rest? You are always running about, trying so hard to make something happen. Why not just be?”

Lilian knew the answer to that. How could she just be when El called her to this place? And why had he done so if there was nothing for her here? It was only her third day in Brord and she was already feeling angst. Lilian plopped onto her bed and sighed.

Paul came over and sat beside her. “Hey,” he took her arm and brought her hand to his cheek. The tips of her fingers were smudged with ink. She fell in the wonder of his blue eyes. How could she give him up? He’d kept her sane all this time. “What’s wrong with my dreamer?”

She bowed her head. “I’m no dreamer. I haven’t the slightest idea what I’m doing here or what to do with my life. I have no talents. Uncle Fred is gone, and… It’s easy for people like you to find their passion. It’s as if it found you. But I’ve done nothing for too long. I’ve yet to know my place.” She felt a wetness at the corners of her eyes.

Paul lifted her chin. He held an uneasy expression. His hand cupped her face. It seemed as though he was about to cry. “You’ll know soon enough.” He stared at her silently. Some strong emotion twinkled in his eyes and quivered on his lip. “I just hope you never change, Lil. I hope you stay your hopeful, humble self.” His face came closer. His breath coaxed her eyes shut. “I hope you keep your goodness.”

“Paul...”

“Don’t let your uncle’s death make you unsure of anything. Move at your own pace.” He let his hand off her face, gliding two fingers down her chin, her neck…

“Paul!”

Paul jumped up. “I- I’m sorry.” His fingers dug into his hair, blush creeping up his face. “I know this is not how friends behave.”

“No. Not friends.” But is that what we are, Paul?

Paul gazed at Lilian. He looked at her like he wanted to say something he couldn’t.

“What is it?” Lilian asked. She watched his Adam's apple as he gulped.

“It’s getting harder to read you.”

Lilian stood, meeting with him again. “Then stop trying to read me. Ask me what it is you want to know.”

“It’s the answer I’m afraid of.”

Feeling brave, Lilian took his hand and brought it to her face as he always did. “Look… Look into my eyes. What do you think they are saying?”

He did as she said. She desperately hoped her eyes were glossy enough, their corners crinkled enough, and their pupils dilated enough that they would convey the right message: I love you, Paul Partridge.

Paul nodded as if he understood. “Lilian.” He brushed a loose strand behind her ear. “My dear, dear, Lilian.” He leaned his face to hers.

Lilian took in a breath for what she thought would happen. And then he kissed her cheek… and left the room.

Lilian stood there in her room feeling a conundrum of emotions. She was elated, confused, and devastated. What did this mean for them? Did he really read her? Does he love her?

To ease her mind, Lilian had to get away. She was set on going to that post office Tessaline had shown her. But as she made her way to the lobby of the inn a familiar head of snowy hair met her view.

“So, Saturday, right?” Lilian heard a shrill voice tell Pete.

“Well past six would be fine,” He answers, his mustache and unibrow, rising up.

Tessaline smiled, held a finger to her lips, then winked. Lilian had only one notion of what such a gesture could mean. Did Tess have her mind set on spiting Jase by wiling an older man? She watched as Tess placed her hat on her head and slowly walked away.

“Tessaline!” Lilian called out in a well-maintained welcome.

Tessaline looked in the direction of her name. When she saw Lilian, she darted for the door.

“Wait! Wait.” Lilian was given a chance to catch up as Tess stopped abruptly. “Where are you going?”

“To Miss. Cora’s.” A short clearing of the throat punctuated Tess’s sentence.

“Well, I’m running an errand myself. I’m taking this letter to the post office, and sort of forgot the way. May I accompany you?”

Tessaline abhorred it but she agreed. They walked to- well, not really together. Lilian had to add some pep in her step to keep up with Tessaline’s pace.

“So, Tess,” Lilian started, unsure if she had Tess’s ear. “How often do you come by the inn?”

“Often,” she answered with a gulp. “It’s nothing new that you’d find me there.” She said this like she was afraid Lilian would think otherwise.

“Oh… does Jase know you go there?”

Tess stopped and stared at Lilian suspiciously. “Yeah. Why?”

Suddenly Lilian felt silly. “Oh, it’s nothing.”

“Stop that.”

“Stop what?”

“Looking at me like that. I know when I’m being judged.”

Lilian immediately shook her head. “Oh, no. I’d never. I don’t judge.”

“See, that’s where you’re wrong. Everybody judges.” Tess continued walking. After a time, her pace decelerated, allowing Lilian to walk more easily beside her. Lilian found it thrilling to learn more about the quirks of Tessaline. For instance, she found that when things become quiet, Tessaline enjoys the pastime of humming softly to herself.

“I suspect you can sing, hearing you hum like that.”

“Huh?” Tessaline grimaced as if Lilian said something absurd.

“You can, can't you? I am sure of it.”

Tess just shook her head, faintly grinning. But she quickly dropped her grin as some strange old man approached with an eerie smile. “Tessaline! Hey.”

“Mr. Thomas. I mean, Scott.”

Lilian then remembered what Tess had told her about a Mr. Thomas. She began looking around for an escape.

“How has everything been for you and Jase?”

“You don’t care about me and Jase. And you don’t care for small talk.”

“I care about my money.”

“Well, you don’t have to worry about your money. We’ll deliver like always.”

Mr. Thomas chuckled doubtfully. “I think you trust Jase a little more than you should.”

Tess’s brows furrowed. “What should that mean?”

Mr. Thomas just smirked as if he knew some terrible secret that was powerful enough to break her in two.

Tess pursed her lips and demanded, “What are you talking about?”

He didn’t answer. “Now who is this li’l lady?” Mr. Thomas looked straight at Lilian.

“Um…”

“Anonymous to you,” Tess interjected, stepping in front of Lilian. “You know the rule. We only talk when we have business, and last time I checked, I still have ‘til next month before I pay you again.”

“I think you forgot who enforced that rule.” Scott stepped forward in a menacing manner. “Whatever’s on my property is my property. That’s how I see it. And if this...” his eyes rested on Lilian again, the corner of his mouth was curved open revealing a peek of his stained teeth, “fine specimen is on my property, I think I have the right to know.”

“She’s not. Now move, Scott.”

Scott ground his teeth and fixed his hat. “Someone’s gotta put you in your place, Tess. You got a lotta nerve talkin’ like that to me. I’m the only thing keepin’ ya’ll off the streets.”

“Suddenly, that ain’t soundin’ too bad.”

Lilian did not want to be present in the midst of such dialog. The man seemed as if he would strike a woman. She slowly started in a stride away from Tess and Mr. Thomas. He grabbed Lilian’s arm, yanking her over to his chest.

“Let go of me! Help!” Lilian beat her fist at him.

“Stop! Let go of her!” Tessaline shrieked.

“What are you gonna do about it?”

“You coward! If Jase were here-”

“But he ain’t.”

SMACK! went a musket against Mr. Thomas’s head. The old man fell to the ground. Out from the alley, came their redheaded friend.

“Jase?” Tess exclaimed. And she was not happy. “What are you doing here?”

“Is that any wayda thank me?” Jase walked up to them. “What he do?”

“You should be over at the factory right now.”

“Just tell me you’re ok.”

Tess huffed. “I’m fine. I think Lilian has a bruise.”

Jase took Lilian’s arm in his hand and lifted it up to his eyes. She tried to ignore the propinquity of his forehead to hers. His hands felt strong; certainly strong enough to knock someone over the head, but they had a gentleness about them. As if they could handle the most delicate of things with such care.

“It’s a little red from his imprint, but I don’t think it’s too bad. Does it hurt?”

Lilian shook her head. “Shouldn’t we press charges?”

“You can do whatever you want.” Jase let go of her arm, “But Tess and I need that house. And we couldn’t pay for a lawyer if we wanted to.”

“You’re right about that,” Mr. Thomas interjected, rubbing his head.

“Shut up!” Jase threatened, puffing out his chest, towering over the old man. Lilian noted how his coat folded around his arms as he pushed them back, defining the muscle underneath.

Tess pulled Jase away, forcing him to focus on her. “Now answer me,” she demanded.

Jase looked at Lilian, nervously. Lilian immediately felt the urge to say something. But would it be the truth or a lie?

“We can talk about it later,” Jase answered.

“No. I want to talk about it now,” Tess insisted.

“I was just running a little late. That’s all.”

“This is more than a little late.”

Lilian could see that Jase was getting uncomfortable. She wanted to know what he had been doing, too. But remembering that it was not any of her business, she tried to divert Tessaline’s attention. “Tess, I think I for one am extremely grateful to Jase for being present in my hour of need. A true blessing from El, I should say.”

“But…”

“Now, let’s continue to look for that post office. This letter won’t mail itself and I need your help remembering where it was. Poor Auntie would cry if she didn’t receive a letter as soon as possible...” Lilian guided Tessaline away with one hand on her back. She glanced briefly at Jase with a look that said, I’m helping for the moment; don’t let me down.

“I’m so sorry, Lilian. How’s your arm?” Tess remembered her manners.

“It’s fine. Really.” Lilian pretended the slight bruise was all the injury. But something like that had never happened to her before. For in that scary moment she had felt like she was no more than meat. And knowing that man was still on the street made her question staying in Brord.

Tessaline scratched her head and sighed. “It’s just been hard dealing with this every day. Jase used to tell me everything.”

“Perhaps there is some loving reason behind his secrecy.”

“Whatever that means.”

“You know, Tess, the last thing you should do is stress yourself over him.”

Tess sighed in relief. “You know what. You’re right.”

They walked a little further and surely arrived at the post office. “Ah, great,” Lilian said with joy, holding up her envelope. A pretty red seal on the front of it contained her initials: L.T. “Thank you, Tessaline. I guess I will be seeing you again sometime.” She stepped up to the door.

“You're welcome to come over!”

Lilian turned around, curious and surprised.

“Anytime,” Tessaline added. “If- if you want to.”

Lilian slowly showed a bright smile of agreement. “Of course I will. Thank you. Friend.” And without allowing Tessaline a chance to protest that last bit, she pushed ahead into the building.

Jase had been turned down all day. It was now 7:00 pm and the sky was nearly pitch black. He could not come home late again. He couldn’t do that to Tessaline. His nose ran in the cold. He wiped the snot with his glove. Every day it became more frigid. Cold without snow is insufferable. When will it just snow, already? He thought to himself. But there were more important things to think about. His love for Tess would keep him determined even after all rejection (including her own). There was one last resort, and he silently prayed this one would not disappoint.

“Look, the best I can do for you is twenty-five an hour.”

“Twenty-five what?”

“Cents, of course. What do you think this is? A white-collar position?”

“Twenty-five cents?” Jase refrained from yelling. “That’s half of what your other men make.”

“You’re not just gonna start plastering walls right away. You’d have to go through the apprenticeship, first.”

“Ralph, listen to me. Friend to friend. I handled lathes. I made screws. I’m talkin’ about precision. I can plaster some walls.”

“Jase, you listen to me. I can’t change the rules.”

Jase huffed. “How long is the apprenticeship?”

“You need six-thousand hours.”

“And what’s that in somethin’ I can measure.”

“About eight months.”

Jase groaned.

“Or you could just go work for Bill at the ice cream shop.”

“I can’t go anywhere Tess might be.”

“Ya still haven’t told her?”

Jase shook his head.

“Jase, twenty-five cents is better than nothing. Which is what you’re currently making. Now, how much do you want this job?”

Jase weighed it in his mind. He wasn’t great at mental math but he knew he and Tess didn’t need much. Only enough to take care of themselves and the horses, as well as pay the $13 rent. Twenty-five cents an hour was more than enough. “I’d do anything.”