Serial Novel – Rebekah Lyn Books

Go West~Chapter 10

Go West

by DiVoran Lites

Chapter Ten

Aldon

After putting the ranch to bed, Aldon arrived at his loft sanctuary and stretched on the cot in a state of annoyance. Sunday was the one day in the week when he let up on the ranch work. Half the afternoon, though, he had sat at the table listening to what was called conversation. The other half had passed showing Enrico the ranch. The man wanted to know how to run it and the worth of it. You’d have thought Signor’s grandson planned to inherit it.

Too bad we couldn’t have started Ellie’s riding lessons today, he thought. And then, oh, well, no use crying over spilt milk. As Ma says, “it has enough water in it already.”

He picked up the Bible from his bedside table and opened it to the Psalms. Lately, he had come to believe that the Master spoke to him whenever he read David’s words.

Soon he laid down the Bible, checked the level of kerosene in the lamp, and propped his back against the wall. Holding a lined tablet propped against his drawn up knees he started writing to his surviving brother.

Dear Bill,

It’s Sunday and the chores are done. I’m sleeping in the loft these days because the house is filling up with people. I sleep fine until the new cockerel starts in. Mother named him Chanticleer the Twenty-Fifth. He practices crowing anytime of the night or day. Howling Coyotes set him off and at three-thirty in the morning, he has to notify us that the train is arriving in the valley. He must think the headlight is the sun. I recollect when your voice was changing. We never knew if it would come out deep or squeaky. Sorry we gave you a bad time, brother. Paul’s and my voices changed too, we should have been more understanding.

How are you doing in Hollywoodland? We would like to see you. Don’t see much of Ma, either.

Pastor Rudd has been encouraging us to read the Bible. I think it’s helping me get over the war some. I lost many friends, but it was better for us fliers than for the men in the trenches, by far.

I’m beginning to believe that praying is going to help us know what to do about the possibility of losing the ranch. I sure would hate to see that happen after our dad and granddad kept it going so long, with us in mind. Right now, I can’t see how we’d get along without Signor Solano’s lease money, but sometimes he talks about going back to Italy. If he does that before we get a plan, we’re sunk.

The Appaloosa is fine, thanks for asking. I named him Chief. He’s got all the colors, white, russet, black, and some sorrel. He’s a beauty of a mustang. There’s a few more up there I’m interested in, too. They are wild and they belong to anybody who can catch them. The winters are hard on them and we can give them a good home or maybe sell some. Come on home and help me bring them in

Remember I told you about the young woman who was coming to work here? I picked her up at the train station about suppertime yesterday. Her name is Miss Elizabeth Morgan. I’m thinking on asking her to take Cookie’s place on the cattle drive. After all, she came west to have some adventures.

Write and tell me about your stunt job and the horses in your remuda. I’m glad you got away for a while. You don’t have any broken bones yet, do you? I’m sure you’re their best rider. I’d put you up against anyone when it comes to horses. Tell us when you star in a moving picture show and we’ll go to town and see it.

Say, Bill, have you come across any of those flappers yet? The reason I ask is that I’m trying to figure out if Miss Morgan might be one. Mother always told us to stay away from women who bob their hair and wear lipstick and Miss Morgan does both. She’s independent, too like you hear about women being these days.

Miss Morgan says she’s a mechanician. I call it mechanic. She wants to work on the automobiles. It makes her mad that I don’t take her serious. I heard about those ambulance drivers and the women in America who did all kinds of driving during the war. That was fine, but I’ve never yet met a woman who could clean spark plugs, change oil, or patch tires, nor one who’d want to.

I’m going to teach her to shoot and fish. Do you think she ought to use the Sharpe’s or the Remington? No question which fishing rod she’ll use, yours, of course, if it’s okay?

Oops. The barn cat leaped up to see what I was doing and to rub her cheek on the end of my pencil. She can’t stay long, as she has four kittens to feed, so I stopped to pet her for a bit. Her purr is so loud it sounds like a tractor starting up.

We brought a colored woman and her granddaughter home from town. She was Cookie Fisher’s wife. You remember how he called our cattle drive his vacation. I don’t feel like writing about what happened to him, now, but I’ll tell you later.

Write soon.

Best Regards, from

Your brother, Aldon

Go West~Chapter 8

Go West

By DiVoran Lites

Chapter 8

Ellie

“Pastor, you’re invited to the Fitzgerald’s for coffee. We have something to discuss as a community.” Aldon said. “You’ll remember meeting Kenny and Mr. Fitz at the livery yesterday, Ellie. Come along, you’ll be involved, too.”

The Fitzgerald’s parlor was spacious and comfortable. It held a mix of old and new furniture, which included enough chairs for everyone. Kenny and his mother served the coffee in china cups and set out plates of delicate pastries. Signor Solano and Father Contenti, who had changed out of his vestments, sat on either side of the inactive fireplace. Ellie, Molly, Aldon, and Pastor Rudd arrayed themselves around the room. Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald sat together on a Victorian couch. After helping his mother serve, Kenny disappeared.

Aldon introduced Ellie to Mrs. Fitzgerald and Father Contenti. The priest stood and smiled at Ellie. She didn’t know whether to bow or shake hands, but Aldon moved her on as Father Contenti sat down again. The godly man folded his hands waiting for the din of conversation to fade. His snow-white hair lifted in a breeze from an open window. As he began to speak, Signor Solano nodded his head in affirmation obviously knowing what was coming.

“I have called you together to ask for your help. You heard about the Negro man who worked at the saloon.” The priest looked at Aldon.

“Yes, Sir.” He always worked the cattle drives and round-ups with us, called it his vacation.” The room fell quiet for a moment.

“Did you know he sent for his wife?” Mrs. Fitzgerald asked.

“Did she get here?” Aldon nodded a serious expression in his eyes. “She arrived with a small child on Friday – her granddaughter. She has no job and they have no home. We’re wondering if you might look after the two of them at the ranch for a while.” Father Contenti seemed to be asking Molly for her opinion.

“Is she a good worker?” Molly asked. “With so many coming to stay at the house, I’m going to need more help.” Molly crossed her legs at the ankles and leaned back.

“She has helped me a good bit since she’s been here. In fact, she made the pastries.” Mrs. Fitzgerald picked up a plate of baked goods and passed it to Mr. Fitzgerald who made everyone laugh by lifting his pinkie finger as he made a show of choosing the perfect treat. “She’s a fine cook, but the child is quite young and needs someone to look after her all the time. We just can’t manage it.”

“No, Mrs. Fitzgerald, you cannot.” Father Contenti spoke in a firm voice. “You have too much work already for the three of you: the general store, the livery, the movie theater. We could have Mrs. Fisher …”

“She asks that we call her Kate,” said Mrs. Fitzgerald breaking in. “She doesn’t talk much, but I did learn that she and her husband have saved for her fare and a cabin here for many years. The child’s name is Seraphina. Her mother and father are in prison for robbing banks.”

“At first we thought Kate might relieve the Fitzgeralds of looking after the parish house and me, but there’s one thing we need to consider,” said Father Contenti.

“The clan,” Aldon said knowingly. “They’ll be on the look-out for Kate and Seraphina, especially since the two of them passed through Denver, then Artesia and on here to Clifton. The clan seems to know everything these days.”

“Yes.” Father Contenti agreed.

“They aren’t primarily after people of color,” said Mrs. Fitzgerald.

“No,” said Aldon. “They’re after Jewish people and Catholics, and anyone who might take jobs their families could do. To be honest, they haven’t hurt anyone too badly, yet. I don’t think, however, that they’d hesitate to come after someone like Kate do you?” We will be happy to take them,” said Signor entering the conversation. “Perhaps Miss Morgan could help look after the bambina?”

“Of course, Signor,” Ellie said. “I am in your employ. I am not familiar with children, but I will do my best.”

“Signora Solano, my dear wife, will be delighted to help. It is what she needs to fill her life.” Signor Solano lifted his head listening as the sound of the noon train whistle sounded over the valley.”

“Your grandson has arrived.” Standing, Aldon pulled his gold watch from his pocket and glanced at it. “Right on time. Shall we go meet him? Molly, will you and Mrs. Fitz help the woman get ready for the ranch? Ellie is coming with us to the station.” He lifted an eyebrow in Ellie’s direction and she nodded yes. “Quentin, can we prevail upon you to bring a load of people to the ranch in your Bearcat? Molly will give you a sandwich for your trouble.”

***

Five minutes later, Aldon, Ellie, and Signor Solano got out of the Ford and hurried to the boardwalk to watch for Signor’s grandson. When Ellie spotted a young man in a white suit and Panama hat with an umbrella on his arm, she knew it was Enrico. With soft, dark curls resting on the collar of the suit, he resembled a poet from the days of Rosetti. The Signor sagged momentarily against Ellie, so she slipped her arm around his thin waist to support him. He soon straightened his shoulders and stood tall waiting to greet a boy who had become a man. Enrico paused to set his Panama at a jaunty angle. When he looked up and saw his grandfather, his face lit with the smile of an angel. Aldon retrieved Enrico’s small case and paid the porter who had been carrying it.

Signor Solano threw his arms around Enrico. When they both began to cry he took a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed first at Enrico’s tears and then his own.

“Name’s Aldon Leitzinger,” said Aldon moving to shake hands.

Ellie would learn in the weeks to come that Enrico’s entire family had been scattered at the beginning of the war. Signor Solano had decided to leave him in boarding school in Switzerland so he could finish receiving the excellent education he was getting there. When peace came, his parents were dead and he wanted to come to America, but his grandfather said he must finish at university. He had a degree now and was ready to move into the next phase of his life.

After putting Enrico’s suitcase in the car, Aldon opened the back doors for the two men and they got in. As Ellie got into the passenger seat, she glanced back at them and saw that they were now holding hands. She was so happy for dear Signor Solano to have this new joy in his life.

Go West Chapter 6~Ellie

Go West

DiVoran Lites

Chapter Six

Ellie

“Top o’ the mornin’ to you.” The bed jiggled bringing Ellie out of a numbness of sleep. “Didn’t you hear Mister Cock-o-the-Walk this mornin’?” She recognized Molly’s voice. It rang with heartiness and good cheer and it annoyed Ellie beyond measure.

“I didn’t hear anything,” Ellie shaded her eyes with her hand as sunlight streamed in through the lace curtains. “What time is it?” she asked.

“Seven o’clock. I thought you might be wanting a bit of time to get ready and to have some rhubarb pie, fresh baked this mornin’. The milking is done. The chickens are fed. The sow is nursing her squealers. The garden is watered. Aldon has the Ford ready to go and Mr. Solano will be waiting in the front seat in one hour. The missus doesn’t go to church. She’s a heathern and still in bed as far as I can tell.” Molly turned around and left the room forgetting to close the door behind her.

“Okay,” Ellie sank back into the pillow to think. We’re going to church. Signor Solano goes, but the signora stays home. Aldon is driving. I’ don’t want any breakfast; maybe I’ll snooze for one more minute.

“Come on, let’s get going,” Molly was back. She pulled off the covers and when she opened her eyes, she realized that Aldon had not removed any of her clothes. He was a gentleman, indeed.

“No rest for the wicked,” Ellie said, hearing her grandmother admonishing her to rise and get to work. Sitting up and looking around the room, she spotted her trunk. She knew Aldon had brought it upstairs and figured he had taken off her shoes, straightened her on the bed, and covered her. How thoughtful. Maybe he’d turn out to be a good man to know.

The trunk sat on its end, so all she had to do was open it as if it were a giant book. It had hangers and drawers and would have been worthy of a trip on the Queen Mary. Grandmother had tried to send her off in high style, but she hadn’t filled the trunk because she didn’t want to seem ostentatious. Even so, it took her a minute to decide what to wear.

The traveling suit would be dressier and warmer, but she had slept in it for several nights and it wasn’t what Grandmother would call, “fresh,” anymore. The blue jersey would have to do, even though she wasn’t fond of the long waists on dresses these days. She’d be glad when the styles changed again and she could buy a completely new wardrobe. On the other hand, now that she insisted on becoming independent, she wondered whether she’d make enough money for clothes. I wish Grandmother would stop my allowance as I asked, thought Ellie. Her deposits in the bank here don’t speak well of her confidence in me.

She hurried down the hall to the bathroom, sponge bathed and rushed back to slip into silk knickers and a crepe de chine envelope. She hoped no one would notice she was corsetless. The corsetiere at the store had fitted her before the war, but ambulance drivers needed to be able to move freely in their work so she had left those particular garments at home. She gloried in being able to get in and out of automobiles and bend over when necessary, but most of all, she had developed a fondness for breathing. People still gossiped about girls who were free in their dress and behavior, calling them flappers, Modern Millies, or vamps. Ellie realized she must be careful not to fall into that category. She ran a brush through her hair but the air was so dry and full of electricity that it rose like a halo around her head. Grabbing her blue cloche hat she pulled it down to hide her hair. Thank Heaven it was proper for a lady to wear a hat anywhere she went.

“What can I do to help,” she asked Molly in the kitchen.

“Sit down and eat.” Molly placed a piece of pie and a cup of cold milk on the table before her as she complied. Ordinarily I would consider the red juice against the white plate artful, but now it reminds me of gallons of blood pouring from hundreds of screaming bodies during the war.

“I saw Aldon carry your violin case up last night,” Molly said. “Or is that where you keep your eyebrows?”

“What?” It was too early for riddles. “No, my violin.” Ellie brought out her salesgirl smile, and then realized Molly was referring to her thin eyebrows. She knew they weren’t as thin as they could be, but she also knew that older women often disliked the new ways as much as younger people disdained the old ones.

“If God wanted us to have thin eyebrows, he would have drawn them on like I hear the floosies do.”

“Yes, ma’am. I can let them grow if you want,” said Ellie. She was on her way to independence. She was determined not to risk offending anyone and giving them an excuse to fire her.

“Eat your breakfast.” Molly frowned. “We need to get going.”

Ellie took up the fork and tasted the pie. It was so tart it made her ears ring. She grabbed the milk and gulped it down.

“I put six cups of sugar in that pie, my girl,” Molly said. “Eat it up, now. We’ve waited a long winter for this rhubarb. Have you had your spring tonic yet?

“No, ma’am, but I’m sorry I can’t eat it.” Ellie stammered. “I’m just not hungry.” Ellie crossed her fingers hoping not to suffer repercussions for lying.

“You liked the milk though?”

“Yes, it was good.” Ellie nodded and kept on nodding until she realized she must resemble a bobblehead doll.

“That there milk is from our own Brunhilda,” Molly said with a smile. “It’s got a lot of cream in it.”

“I can tell!” Ellie confirmed.

“Aldon will teach you how to milk her. Everybody ought to know how to milk a cow. Well, now, if you’re not going to eat the pie, scrape it into the bucket under the sink, and we’ll give it to the pig, she’s eating for thirteen. I gotta admit, even with all that sugar, it’s still a mite tart.” She walked out laughing to herself and Ellie knew everything was all right for the time being.

Go West Chapter 5~Aldon

Go West

DiVoran Lites

Chapter Five

Aldon

“Ah yes, my new compagno.” Lia stepped into the hallway and embraced Miss Morgan saying, “Welcome, we will have wonderful time together.” Aldon had learned that compagno meant companion, so apparently Signora had big plans for using the newly hired Chicagoan. Molly, however, meant to use her for a kitchen maid. In all this scrambling, Aldon hoped there would be time for him to teach her to ride.

“Giovanni is asleeping in his room, but won’t you come in?” The Signora was always hungry for company. Aldon couldn’t blame her; the ranch was a good piece from town. But Aldon was concerned about the city gal’s need for rest.

“Come on, we gotta get movin’.” He tugged on her elbow, but she jerked her arm out of his hand and gave him a dirty look. Even so, she went along the corridor with him.
*
“Home sweet home,” He flung open the door to the room he’d slept in most of his life. The plank floor was clean, and the dresser that his grandfather had fashioned with cherry wood, glowed with polish. His old quilt lay across the foot of the bed. He now preferred to sleep under the thick, woolen army blanket he’d been allowed to bring home after his service in the Great War.

“If you keep going in the same direction we were headed, you’ll come to the bathroom,” he told her standing aside so she could enter the room.

“Thank you for everything.” Miss Morgan’s voice was cool and distant. He wondered what kind of a savage he appeared to her, manhandling her as he just had. He vowed to do better from here on out.

“If you can wait a few minutes, I’ll fetch your trunk.” He left then but sensed her slipping from the room and down the hall to the new bathroom with its long, German-made bathtub and flush toilet.
*
When he returned with the trunk, she was lying across the bed still fully dressed, but now sound asleep. She didn’t stir when he removed her boots, rotated her by her feet until her head was on the pillow, and covered her with the quilt.

In the barn, he checked the tires on the Touring car for air, put them on the car, jacked it off the blocks, and lowered the car to the ground. He made sure of the oil level, then after filtering the gasoline, he funneled it into the tank. Tomorrow would be the automobile’s first time out since autumn, and he was looking forward to getting behind the wheel. Mechanical things always worked for him. But he didn’t know much about females. Ma, fed the boys, kept them clean, and tried to make gentlemen of them, and one of the things she insisted upon was that they knew how to treat a lady. Another was that they never kept company with the other kind of woman. She told them what to look out for so that they didn’t fall into a lifetime of having their hearts broken.

He grabbed the clean clothes Molly had laid out for him in the barn, picked up his towel and soap, and headed for the lake in the light of the stars and the crescent moon. The lake was one-of-a-kind as far as he knew. Of course, he hadn’t seen every lake in the world, but this one had a hot spring at one end, and a place where the creek entered by waterfall at the other. In winter, they plunged into the perfect warm water to bathe and in summer; they cooled off in the cold. What he liked was that both had shallow parts and deep parts. What he didn’t like was the place in the middle where the water stayed tepid. He’d take hot or cold any day, but not the wishy-washy stuff in between.

He got out, dried off, and dressed, appreciating the clean clothes. Molly said she didn’t mind washing for him because she admired him for keeping clean. He mentally thanked his mother, Nancy, who had trained him that way. He did wish Nancy would come on home where she belonged. He didn’t get why she thought her sister Gertrude needed her more that he and Molly did. She’s the best mother anyone ever had, he thought. She helped us stay morally clean by having us read the Bible to her every night before bed. She talked things over with us so that we understood how to work, how to save our money, and how to get along with other people. Dad taught us all about ranching. He never spared the rod where it might be needed for discipline, and I’m thankful for that, too.

He lay down on the cot in the loft alcove and pulled the heavy army blanket up to his chest. As soon as he let his body relax, his mind got to work again. He was back in his BeBe flying over France and into Germany not knowing whether he would die or return home a cripple. He rolled over and deliberately turned his mind to the young woman he’d just met. I hope she and I will be good friends, he thought. I’ll see her again tomorrow. And maybe sometimes we can talk. I’ll plant more wildflowers in the garden, she’ll probably like those. He had many good things to think about: the songs he’d play on his mandolin tomorrow at church, the young woman, and driving the Ford Touring car to church tomorrow.

DiVoran’s Promise Posters, Paintings from Go West as well as other art can be purchased as note cards and framable art

Creative Arts.