I strolled into the post office and the first person I saw was Micky. He was leaning so far over the counter that his floppy straw hat nearly fell off. Fortunatly, the little English postman secured it to his head. "Hey Mike," Micky said when he saw me, "You know Peter's comin' back today?" "Of course he does you twit," said the British accent from behind the counter, "That's the only reason he ever comes here." I laughed and looked over the counter which is the only way to see Davy Jones back there.
Davy was an immigrant from England that came here in he was fourteen. He later worked as an apprentice for the postman and got the job when he retired. Unfortunatly, the previous postman was six foot two and Davy is five foot three. The post office always looks empty since the counter is so high. But there aren't too many folks in our small town so everybody knows that you can't be sure the place is empty until you've looked behind the counter.
"Wake me up when Pete gets here," Micky yawned as he sat down on the bench. He owns the farm next to my ranch. His overalls were covered with the spring mud and his dusty hat was pulled down over his face. He had been living here ever since I can remember. We all went to school together. I would sit in one corner of the room with Peter while Davy and Micky would sit in the other and we'd shoot rubber bands from across the room.
The door swung open and a tall girl with short, frizzy hair strolled in. She looked at Micky and said, "I take it he's not here yet." "Nope," I told her. "What time is it?" she asked. "Two-thirty," I said looking at the big clock in the bank across the street. "Figures," she muttered, "He ain't due `til three." Judy leaned over the counter and watched Davy assort the mail. I was glad she wasn't talkin' to me. My tomboy cousin Judy can be downright annoying. There were only two single girls in our town at that time and she was one of them. The other was Gigi, a Spanish chick that flirted with all the guys in town, especially my ranch hands. This was the only flaw in an otherwise perfect town. But it was soon to be removed.
We heard a familiar horse and rider stop in front of the building. We all went outside to greet him. "Hey Pete," Judy grinned looking at the clock, "Right on time." "You kiddin'," Micky laughed, "Peter's alway's back on time." Peter didn't say anything as he dismounted. He just grabbed some papers and motioned for us to follow him into the post office. He laid the stack on the counter and waited to Davy to step up on his stool to explain.
"My boss gave me a new assignment," he said, "I'm only back for a week. Then I'll be gone for about eight months." "What's this?" Davy asked looking at the papers, "You're never gone for more than two." I looked at the form on top of the pile. "Mail order brides," I read aloud, "For only a small cost, you can have the wife of your dreams...mumble mumble...Just fill out the form, send it back, and you'll have a woman within a year...mumble mumble. You will recieve information about her and a bill before she arrives." I looked at Peter. "That is the most rediculous thing I have ever heard of," I said, "You can order everyting through the mail nowadays, but a WOMAN?" "I dunno," Davy said thoughtfully, "I kinda like the idea." "You would," Peter scowled, "I'm the one who has to get them." "How?" Micky asked. "I'm to go to Europe," Peter explained, "There's ads over there for girls to come to America for cheap. They just have to get hitched to whoever they're delivered to. I have to fetch `em, bring `em here, and give them to whoever responds to this ad."
I felt sorry for Peter. For some time now, he's been a delivery man for Sears and Robuck. Whenever he's home he stays in the upstairs room of my cousin’s house. I don't worry. She'd never let any man even touch her but I still don't know why she let's Peter stay there.
Davy looked at the ad. "I don't see what's so bad about
it," he said, "All you're doing is paying for some poor foreign girl to
come to America and get a new start in life. It doesn't say you HAVE
to get married." "Yeah," said Micky, "You'd just have to give her
a place to stay and maybe a job." "I still say it's ludicrous," I
told them but they were already filling out the forms. I started
thinking, "But we do need more girls in this town...Maybe I could hire
her as a cook." I picked up a form and looked for a pencil.
CHAPTER TWO: GETTIN' THE GIRLS
PETER'S JOURNAL
June 23
Today, the ship came to France. I have 15 girls so far.
They all wanted to see Paris, but we had to stay in a town called Le Havre
and wait for all the French girls to come aboard. I got about 10.
There's supposed to be 12. I only have tomorrow morning and then
it's off to the next port.
June 24
The other two boarded at the last minute this morning and now we're
on our way. We should be there by nightfall. One of the French
girls (who was late) is named Vanessa. She showed me her papers and
she’s getting hitched with, do I dare say it?, DAVY! She claims to
dislike the British and she's taller than him. I shouldn't have told
her that I knew him. She keeps asking questions (her English is kinda
shakey) but I didn't say how tall he is or where he's from. She'll
find out soon enough.
June 26
We just left Germany and are traveling up the coast. The Germans
had no trouble getting here on time. Most are very young. One
in particular is a very shy and very small blond, Alissa. Her papers
say she's going to be delivered to MIKE!? I can't imagine her on
that big ranch with all those cows and horses or even in that huge house.
When I told her about it she almost changed her mind. I had to convince
her that just cuz Mike's a big guy (tall anyway) she does't need to be
afraid of him. She seems to be afraid of everybody here `cept me.
I just wish she'd stop calling me Mr. Tork.
July 1,
Last stop, Ireland. I now have to put up with 42 women for four
months until I can get rid of them all. `Cept three. A new
one, Diane, came on today. She's to be delivered to Micky.
She keeps saying that his last name sounds Italian and that she can't stand
Italians. I had to explain to her that even if Dolenz is an Italian
name, Micky has so many different kinds of blood in him that he don't know
what he is. He even claims to have some Indian in him. I would
consider him an American. Diane isn't so sure. She wants to
meet him first.
October 15
I just delivered Helga to Mike Fink in Kansas City. Now I only
have the three left to take home. Diane has proved to be a great
cook. She can do anything with potatoes. I won't tell her that
Micky can't stand potatoes. Vanessa's a flirt. She always wanders
around and eyeing guys but she doesn't try that on me. Alissa is
still afraid. She just sits in her seat on the train and twirls her
hair. I told them that we'd be home soon. Vanessa's excited,
Diane is sober, and Alissa is scared out of her wits.
CHAPTER THREE: MOVING IN
ALISSA'S VIEWPOINT
We got off the train in the city of Wichita Kansas. Mr. Tork said that we have to ride horseback the rest of the way. He said it was cheaper than stagecoach. One of the horses was his very own. It was a beautiful golden one with dark eyes. The other belonged to a friend of his. It was a dark chocolate brown one with a black mane. I climbed up behind Mr. Tork. Diane and Vanessa rode the other one since Diane's the only one with a riding skirt.
The whole way there I could hear Vanessa complain about the dust and wind. Then I saw a small town. Before we got there we ran into another rider going the same way. At first I thought is was a man but then I heard Mr. Tork call her Judy. "So these are the girls huh?" she asked looking at us, "Which one's my cousin's?" Mr. Tork put his thumb over his shoulder at me. "Kinda young ain't ya?" she asked. I scowled. "I'm eighteen years old," I said proudly. One thing I'm touchy about is when everyone thinks I'm a little kid. It's the only thing that overcomes my shyness. "Well," said Judy, "She's got some spunk. That's good. Yer room'll be ready when you get home Pete." She rode away and I figured that she was Mrs. Tork. But Mr. Tork explained right away that she put him up in her house and that was it. He didn't say anything else until we got to town.
We stopped in front of a strange building. Mr. Tork got off the horse. "Vanessa," he said, "Come with me. You two stay here." Vanessa climbed down and he took her into the building. I looked through the window but didn't see anyone in there until a little man came out from behind the counter. "I guess that's her man," Diane said. The little man seemed nervous. His eyes twinkled and he kept wringing a hanky. I couldn't see him very well but I wasn't afraid of him. "Why he's not much bigger than me," I thought, "I wish I could have been his girl."
Mr. Tork came back and mounted again. We rode to the outskirts of town to a funny little farm. There was a dirty ol' man sleepin' in a rocking chair on the porch. When we rode up he said, "Oh it's you Peter." Then he fell out of the chair. "Peter!?" he yelled. Mr. Tork laughed. His name is Peter but I can never bring myself to call him that. The other guy wasn't really old, just dirty. He kept stumbling over trying to put his shirt back on. "You got it backwards Micky," Mr. Tork laughed. I was relieved. I didn't want to stay with a dirty farmer who didn't know how to wear a shirt. Diane looked disgusted. She dismounted and went into the house with the Micky guy but not before he put the horse in the barn. I assume he was the friend it was borrowed from.
We then rode up to another house. It was a lot bigger and there were three men standin' by it but I wasn't lookin' at them. I was lookin' at this wild gray horse buck around in a corral with another guy riding it. "Looks like he's breakin' in the new colts," Mr. Tork said. The man was thown off the horse and it calmed down. He walked over to us as Mr. Tork dismounted. "Hullo Pete," he said dusting himself off, "You're back are ya?" "And I ain't leavin' for a month," Mr. Tork laughed. "Hey Mike," yelled someone from the corral, "Mind if I have a go at it?" "Even if I said `No' you'd do it anyway," the man called back. It was that Judy girl again. I didn't get a good look at her the first time and I still couldn't tell what she looked like. Then I remembered. "Mike?" I thought, "Isn't that the name....?" I looked at him. "You must be Alissa," he said. He held his arms up to me. Naturally I took hold as he swung me down from the horse. On the ground, all I could see was his belly when I looked straight ahead. I looked up at him and he looked down at me. He put his hand above my head and raised to his and then lowered it again. "Aren't you a little young?" he asked, "Or are you just short?" "I'm not short," I said boldly, "You're just tall." I couldn't believe I said that. Suddenly I was afraid again. I was being sassy to this giant skinny guy. But he just laughed and said, "Hoooeeey, Not even Davy could've come up with that one."
CHAPTER FOUR: THE PARTY
JUDY'S VIEWPOINT
There was a big party after Peter came back to welcome the new girls, but he refused to go. "Tell me about it when you get back," he called from the attic. He'd been sleeping for hours and never came out of his room. I had to set food out for him before I left.
The party was held in the city hall. Most people dressed
up but not me. No one expects me to anymore. I saw Micky and
his woman. "Come on Diane," he said, "What's so special about that
pin anyway?" "It was my mother's broach," she cried, "I promised
not to lose it!" She started throwing a fit and Micky ran over to
Mike. "I dunno what to do man," he said, "She drives me crazy!"
"Okay," Mike said, "I'll get her to calm down, if you'll help me with my
girl. She won't talk to anybody." He pointed to the little
blond twirling her hair in the corner. Micky agreed and Mike walked
over to Diane. "What seems to be the matter?" he asked her.
"My mother's broach is lost," she sobbed, "I can't find it anywhere."
"Okay, calm down," he said gently gripping her arms, "When did you have
it last?" "By the buffet table," she sniffed. Mike walked her
over there just as Mr. Frizby, the owner of the bank, was drinking some
punch. "Hey!" he yelled, "Alright, who spiked the punch?!"
Mike took the glass, looked in it, reached in, and pulled out a large pin.
"It ain't spiked Mr. Frizby," Mike told him, "It's pinned." Everyone
laughed as Mike gave the girl her broach. "Oh thank you," she said
and she kissed his cheek. Immediately, she blushed. "I'm sorry,"
she said, "I was just.." "Don't worry," Mike said rubbing his cheek,
"But you really oughta explain to Micky." She blushed again.
Mike explained to Micky and he didn't seem to mind. "Don't
worry about your girl," he said, "Davy's handling it." Sure enough,
Davy was introducing the blond to Mr. Webster. He had a knack for
getting people (especially girls) to speak up. "What about his chick?"
Mike asked. "Oh yeah," Micky said, "Davy wanted me to get her to
stop flirting with everybody." He looked at Diane. "If it's
okay with you of course," he added. "Oh yes," she said.
Micky went over to the French girl who was flirting with Mr. Babbit. She then ignored him and started with Micky. When the guys all got their girls back they were better behaved. I had a lot to tell Peter when I got home.
CHAPTER 5: COMPLAINTS
DAVY'S VIEWPOINT
"I work in a post office," I’d say to myself, "But it's turned into a complaint office." Micky came in for his mail that morning complaining about Diane. "Do this Micky," he mimicked, "What a filthy little house. Take a bath Micky. You look like a pig. Sleep in the store room. This kitchen's too small. Go to the post office and mail this for me." Diane was always complaining according to Micky. He comes here daily just to get away from her. "You poor thing," Vanessa said as she leaned over the counter and twirled his curly hair. I was teaching her to be a postmistress and she was learning fast. The only problem was her flirting with any guy who came in. Of course she did tease me quite a bit but not just me. I glared at her when Micky left. She just grinned and walked off tossing her long, black, curly hair.
Alissa came in later that day. I talk to her and sometimes she'll talk back. I alway's ask if she's getting along with Mike but the answer is always the same, "He scares me." "Oh come on," I told her, "Mike looks tough but he's a pussycat. He scared me too when I first came here but he's not so bad. It's just that he's a Texan and everything is big in Texas and he likes it that way." "But this is Colorado," she said, "I get lost in that house too." I couldn't help her there. I would constantly get lost in that gigantic house but my solution was never to go there. I only go to Mike's ranch whenever I feel like riding his horses. I changed the subject by talking about my childhood ambitions of being a jockey. She left and Vanessa came back. Vanessa had the opposite problem with my house. I live in the small apartment above the office. It's perfect if it's just me but she's always bumping her head.
Peter walked in. He had been staying home for nearly a month
now. I gave him four envelopes. "What are they?" I asked,
curious. "Wedding invitations," he said looking at them, "One is
Mr. Webster's," he said. Mr. Webster was having a wedding and retirement
party and a lot of people were invited. Everyone in town knew Mr.
Webster who worked at the bank for forty years, but no one knew who he
was marrying. "I guess some of those guys are actually gonna marry the
girls they ordered," Peter grinned. I couldn't decide on whether
to marry Vanessa or not. If I did, I would need a larger house but
maybe she wouldn't flirt anymore. I knew that Micky couldn't stand
Diane but he didn't have the heart to tell her so. Mike couldn't
even get Alissa to speak to him yet.
"So," I asked, "Who else is gettin' married?" "Rob Roy
Fingerhead and Miss Olivia Quagmire from Pittsburg," he said, "Jon Lemmon
and Yoko Olo from Chicago, and Mike Fink and Helga Kowinolski from Kansas
City." "I guess you're gonna go traveling again huh?" I said.
"Yeah. But there's one problem."
"What's that?"
"The Pittsburg wedding is gonna be real big and fancy."
"So?"
"I need to have an escort."
"You mean a date?"
"No, an escort."
"Same thing," I thought. Just then, Judy came in.
"Hi Judy," I said. "Hey Jude," Peter said. "Hi guys," she said.
Peter is the only one who can call her Jude but no one really knows why.
She sighed as she looked at her mail. "All travel brochures," she
complained, "I wish I could travel...See the country...See the big cities...sigh"
Judy often dreamed like that. She's never been anywhere further east
than Texas or further west than New Mexico or to any major cities except
Houston. "I wish I could go east," she said, "Just once."
I grinned at Peter. He stared at Judy. She looked
up, "What?" "Weeellll," I chuckled, "It's rather ironic you said
that. It just so happens Peter needs someone to escort to a few weddings
in Pittsburg, Chicago and Kansas City." She looked at Peter, "He's
kidding right?" Peter grinned and shook his head. "It'd be
perfect," he said, "You could see the east and I'd have an escort."
"But..."
"You did say.."
"But..."
"We'll leave next week," Peter said as he walked out, "Be sure
to pack a nice dress." "I hate dresses," Judy groaned as she hit
herself in the head with the brochures, "I never should have opened my
mouth."
CHAPTER 6: ON THE ROAD
PETER VIEWPOINT
It was a long train ride to Pittsburg. I sat next to a sulking Judy. This was the only wedding that required an escort but I figured that I might as well take her to the others too. Out of boredom I looked around the car at the other passengers. Nothing interesting was happening so I decided to look in the other cars. I wandered into one where a poker game was going on.
"May I join you?" Judy asked the players. I hadn't realized that she followed me. "Ya got any cash?" said a big, ugly man. "Ten bucks Peter," she asked me, "Just ten." "Hey mister," said an even bigger man, "Give yer wife the money and lets see if she's any good." Wife? They wouldn't let me explain since Judy had already snatched ten dollars from my back pocket. "Thank you Peter," she smiled as she sat down to the game. I couldn't watch. I went back to my seat.
When we bought the tickets, the man there thought we were married. Even the conductor assumed that Judy was my wife. They only gave us one room on the train so Judy was to get the bed and I was to sleep on the floor. Maybe I stayed in her attic but in the same room? She wouldn't even let me touch her. Now, even the big ugly guys playing pocker assumed we were hitched. It didn't help that we always wore gloves either.
Judy returned shortly and dumped a pile of bills in my lap. "Judy!" I said, "You didn't!" "I quit while I'm ahead," she said, "Besides, that's just your half." I counted out $120 in my lap. I should have remembered how good she was a poker. We used to play for pennies when we were kids and by the time she was twelve she had won enough to buy her own horse. Now she had beaten these ugly guys who kept an eye on her for the rest of the trip.
I was glad when we got to Pittsburgh. Those guys were gone and I hoped never to see them again. At the wedding, Judy was again assumed to be my wife. We had gotten used to it by now but she still complained about the dress. I didn't think she looked half-bad in a dress. I told her that at least this was the worst wedding and we could get it over with.
I showed her the Sears and Robuck store there and she was quite impressed. I had to pick some items for the company to deliver. "Maybe you could help me out," I told Judy as I handed her a list, "Think you could get some of these things for me?" She understood. I'm always embarrassed when women order personal items and I usually ask Mrs. Weatherspoon, the sales lady, to get them. Judy went to the women's department and I got the other orders.
When I returned I couldn't find her. I asked Mrs. Weatherspoon where she went and she said, "Oh yes. Your wife picked up the um..items..and then she went that way." She was pointing towards the wedding section. I didn't get it. Judy wouldn't need a new dress would she? No. I asked another saleslady and she said, "Oh yes. She's trying on her dress now." "Are you sure?" I asked. The lady described Judy exactly so I asked, "Can I see her?" "Don't be silly," she laughed, "The groom can't see the bride in her gown until the wedding. She'll be out soon. Oh, and Congratulations!" I sat down to think. "Judy?" I thought, "Trying on a wedding dress? Well I know she isn't marrying me. Who then? Mr. Webster?" Suddenly, I felt hurt. I didn't know why but I felt that I didn't want Judy to get married.
Judy found me and we left to catch the train to Chicago. She didn't say anything and I didn't ask. After that wedding I showed her the Sears and Robuck headquarters. We met my boss, Mr. Robuck, and he gave me my paycheck and a watch for Mr. Webster's retirement present. He and his wife also assumed we were married. Mrs. Robuck took Judy into another room and she came back with a trunk. "Nice lady," she said, "She said all this stuff was surplus so she let me have some." "They do that a lot with me," I said, "What'd you get?" "Well," she said, "The other girls wanted swimwear. And I got them some wedding dresses." "Wedding dresses?" I asked. "Do you think they're gonna stay single much longer?" she asked. Judy was right. With all the young single guys in our town, if Davy, Micky, and Mike didn't marry their girls, someone else would. On the train to Kansas City that night, I couldn't sleep. We were stuck in the same room again and the foor was freezing. Judy was conked out on the bed. Out of curiosity, I looked in her trunk and counted four wedding dresses.
The Kansas City wedding wasn't fancy at all. Mike Fink was getting married in the local tavern. When we got there, Judy started acting nervous. When I asked her why she said, "I could swear I saw those poker guys here." "Don't be silly," I said, "Poker guys don't go to weddings." I don't remember when, but soon after that she vanished.
As I was looking for Judy, I thought I saw Mr. Webster. I tried to ask him if he'd seen her anywhere but he ran off. I saw him get into a stagecoach and ride away, but not before seeing a short-haired woman in there with him. I thought it before but I was sure of it now. Judy had run off to marry Mr. Webster.
CHAPTER 7: THE RITIREMENT PARTY
MIKES VIEWPOINT
I was surprized to see Peter return without Judy. He was
sobbing and couldn't speak. "Peter!" I said shaking him, "WHERE IS
MY COUSIN?!" "She went away," Peter cried, "This just doesn't seem
to be my day." "Where did she go?" I asked calmly. "I don't
know," Peter sniffed, "But I found this in my room in Kansas City."
It was a note that read:
Dear Pete,
I've run away. Hope you understand.
Jude.
"She ran away with Mr. Webster," Peter sobbed, "I saw them leave."
"That's rediculous," I told him, "She wouldn't run away with an old man
like him and I'll prove it." We went to the church where the wedding
and retirement party were to be held. I had to explain to Davy, Micky,
and the girls what Peter thought happened. "Don't worry," I told
him as he handed Mr. Frisby a little white box, "Mr. Webster will be here
and you'll know that my cousin didn't run away with him." "I hope
you're right," Peter sniffed.
Just as Mr. Frisby was showing everyone the watch for Mr. Webster,
a telegram arrived. After a long pause he read it aloud:
Mr. Frizby...stop...Sorry...stop...cannot attend...stop...I've run
away and taken all your money...stop...Wish you were here to help me spend
Mr. Webster.
The police checked the bank and indeed the money was gone.
I remembered that Mr. Webster thwarted twenty-seven robberies and each
time Frizby promised him a raise. Not only was the money gone, but
so were all the jewels, coins, papers, and Judy.
Peter nearly died. "She's gone Mike," he cried, "She ran
away with him for the money." I didn't believe it. I knew my
cousin and she'd never do that. "Come on," Davy said, "We've got
to find them."
We all went to Kansas City, where both Mr. Webster and Judy were
last seen. Our only clues were Judy's note and Peter's testimony.
Davy and Micky went to trace where that stage went to so they could find
Webster. Peter and I sat in the tavern and studied the note.
"You're sure she didn't run away?" Peter sniffed. "Positive,"
I said, "I know my cousin. Look at this note. Is there anything
unusual about it?" Peter looked and then said, "There is. She
called me `Pete'. I hate it when people call me that." "And,"
I added, "She signed it `Jude'. She'd never call herself that."
"What's this?" Peter asked stroking the paper. He rubbed it gently
with a pencil. Someone had written on another paper on top of this
one. The words "Kansas City Station Casino" appeared. "Mike!"
Peter yelled jumping up, "I know who kidnapped Judy! It was the poker
guys! She said she saw them and she was nervous! She didn't
run away and get married!" I didn't understand completely but he
explained it to me on the way to the casino.
"So she beat these guys at poker?"
"Right."
"And they kidnapped her cuz they were mad?"
"Right."
"I still need to know one thing."
"What?"
"Why were you so upset when you thought she ran off and got married?"
Peter looked at the ground. "I don't know what it is,"
he said softly, "But whenever I thought of her with someone else...I got
angry...I wanted her to...stay...with...me." Then, it hit me like
a ton of bricks. "Peter," I told him looking into his eyes, "You
were jealous. You didn't want her with anyone else but you.
You wanted her all to yourself. You're in love with Judy."
CHAPTER 8: CONFESSIONS
JUDY'S VIEWPOINT
I sat at the poker table with a gun in my back. I had won every round for nearly two hours now. I kept anticipating Peter coming in to rescue me from these, ugh, ugly people. I wished he would come. "Maybe he thought I really did run away," I thought, "Maybe he doesn't care about me at all. Uh oh, the skinny guy just pulled an Ace out of his shirtsleeve."
Just then, a guy even uglier than all of the other dirty rotten
poker players stepped into the game. It was my cousin Mike. An even
uglier lady was behind him. "Peter?" I thought, "Peter in a dress?"
Mike winked at me and dealt the cards. I beat him easily. A
few rounds later, he squinted his eyes, wrinkled his nose, and nodded.
He wanted me to lose on purpose. I did and lost all eight hundred
dollars I won for the kidnappers that night. They grabbed me and
pushed me out the door.
I was heaved into the street. "What kind of a poker gal
are you?" one scowled. Another picked me up and slapped my face.
I was being tossed from one to another, each heaping insults and throwing
punches. Thank goodness Mike and Peter showed up. Peter got
them off of me and Mike knocked them out, one at a time. "It's about
time you got here," I told Peter, "I guess is was pretty smart to go and
get Mike for help."
He said nothing. Next thing I knew, he was holding me to
his chest and weeping into my hair. I stared at Mike, "What's with
him?" "I'll let him explain it," Mike grinned as he took his winnings
out from down Peter's dress, "I have to get my guitar out of the pawn shop."
I looked at Peter. He was still sniffing quite a bit so
I asked, "Mike put up his guitar?" He nodded, "We needed the money
for the game. They don't know Mike but they would've recognized me
so I had to dress like this."
"How did you find me?"
"Your note. It had the casino engraved in it."
He showed it to me.
"I hate it when people call me `Pete'"
"I hate it when people call me `Jude'"
"But you let me call you `Jude'"
I looked down. I never told anyone why I did. I decided
to change the subject so he wouldn't find out. It didn't work.
I looked up and wiped Peter's tears away. I still didn't
know why he cried like that but I was afraid to ask. He held me tighter.
"Judy," he asked, "Why were you trying on a wedding dress in Pittsburg?"
I gasped, "I can explain! I was just looking...For the others...not
me...That lady just assumed it was for myself and pushed me into trying
one on before I could explain." It was true and it looked like he
believed me but I still didn't get it. "But why are there four in
your trunk?" he asked. I bowed my head and blushed. "Mrs. Robuck
saw me looking at that one," I confessed, "It's the same kind I tried on
in Pittsburgh. I didn't want to take it, but I think she put it in
there anyway." Then I looked up, "What were you doing in my trunk?"
It was his turn to blush. "I'm sorry," he said, "I couldn't
sleep and...I was curious...and...and.."
"What?" I asked. "I thought you were getting married," he said, "To Mr. Webster." I had to laugh. "That ugly old man?" I said, "Where'd you get that crazy idea." "I saw him at the wedding," Peter answered, "He wouldn't speak to me and he ran off in a stage with a short-haired girl. And then I got your note. And when I got home, Mr. Frizby got a telegram from him that said that he really did run away. AND he robbed the bank! I thought he bribed you." I put this together in my head. Peter thought I had run away with an ugly old cout and bank robber for a bribe? "That is the most rediculous thing I have ever heard," I said finally, "Hopefully Mike put it out of your head." Peter nodded.
He looked me in the eyes. "Judy, if you ever run away with someone, promise it'll be me." "What?" I asked stunned. "Never mind," he said turning away, "Forget I said that." "No," I said quickly, "You said it and you can't take it back." He looked back at me. "I didn't know you felt that way," I said. "Neither did I," he said turning away. "Well," I said after a pause, "I feel the same way about you. I always did." He turned, "Why didn't you tell me?" "My reputation I guess," I said shrugging, "Tomboys aren't supposed to fall in love. And if people knew about you staying in my house they'd start talking."
Suddenly he was holding me again, "Run away with me Judy. I want you all to myself." I hugged him saying, "Of course I will Peter." I looked at him and then leaned up to his ear and whispered, "By the way, you look good in a dress."
CHAPTER 9: FINDING WEBSTER
MICKY'S VIEWPOINT
"Tell me again," I asked Davy, "Why do I have to be the girl?" "Because," Davy sighed as he adjusted my wig, "A) Someone has to wait for Mike, and Peter, and hopefully Judy. B) The other has to keep an eye on Mr. Webster. C) He knows both of us and you need a disguise. and D) We only have one dress and it's too big for me." We strolled over to the casino where Mr. Webster was gambling with the stolen money. I walked in, alias Mrs. Arcadian, and stood behind him. Gigi, the girl he must have really run off with, was on his other side. I said nothing but stood there in my blond wig, purple dress, and cowboy boots. Luckily, a large fan was included with the purchase of the dress, which I held directly in front of my face.
We had left a message back in Kansas City for Mike and Peter to take the last train to Clarksville. I couldn't get it out of my head. I sort of wrote it in a poetic form, almost musically.
Mr. Webster strolled around to other various games. The roulette table, craps table, slot machines, and every time, I followed him. He didn't notice, but Gigi did. She confronted me while Mr. Webster was getting some drinks. "What are you doing," she snapped, "following my man around?" "Who's to say he's yours?" I grinned. That was a mistake. I always thought girl fights were dumb, but I never thought I would start one.
We were at each others throats. Pulling hair, kicking, yelling, scratching, the works. It lasted until she managed to pull off my wig. Everyone stared as Gigi leaped up off the floor yelling, "It's a MAN!" I grinned and waved at everyone looking at the curly-haired guy in a dress sitting on the floor. Mr. Webster had tried to sneak away but Davy had come back with the others by now. They blocked all the exits and I confronted him. "This man has been gambling with stolen money," I announced. I noticed the several policemen and bouncers in the casino earlier and had tipped them off. They arrested Mr. Webster and took him away.
As we rode the train home, I couldn't help but notice how intimate
Peter was getting with Judy. Mike explained the whole thing and warned
us about an upcoming wedding. I was out of the dress by now but I
couldn't help chuckling at the thought of Peter in one.
Mike also gave me the note we left for them to come to Clarksville.
"Peter added on to it," he said, "Sounds like a song don't it?" Under
my original messege, Peter had scrawled another in pencil.
My messege was:
Take the last train to Clarksville
And I'll meet you at the station
You can be here by two-thirty
Cuz I've made your reservation. Don't be slow.
Peter wrote under it:
Oh no no no. Oh no no no.
Cuz I'm leaving in the morning
And I must see you again
We'll have time for coffee flavored kisses
And a bit of conversation. Oh
Oh no no no. Oh no no no.
And I don't know if I'm ever coming home.
I have a feeling that Judy helped him out with that.
CHAPTER 10: SCANDAL #1
DAVY'S VEIWPOINT
It was quite a wedding. The decorations from Mr. Webster's unused wedding were used. When Judy threw the bouquet, it landed in the cake. When Peter threw the garter, it gave Mr. Frizby a black eye. A lot of the town gossips were trying to start rumors that Peter and Judy had, you know, them living together before and, well, Mike put a stop to that. No one would have even believed they were getting married if they didn't watch them take the vows.
Anyhow, life wasn't the same. The Sears and Robuck Co. established a store in the building next to my post office with Peter as the manager. He stuck around now with his new wife. Micky still came in to complain about Diane. Vanessa still blew kisses to everyone in town that was young, male, and single. Alissa was still afraid of Mike. Not a lot of people came to the post office now. They bought stuff from next door instead of ordering it. Now I only had to deliver letters. I started getting lonely.
One day, I was sitting on my new stool. It was high enough
for people to see me sitting, alone, behind the counter. Vanessa
had gotten a new job as a seamstress and opened her own little place down
the block. I was writing a letter to me mum when Alissa walked in.
She often came here to get away from the big scary house. "Hullo,"
I smiled at the sight of some company. "Hi," she said softly, "Can
you mail this for me?" She handed me a letter. "Alright," I
said. It was addressed to Germany. "It's to my mother," she
sighed. "May I ask what it's about?" I asked her. I wasn't
really curious. I just wanted to keep her around for conversation.
She stood on the step below the counter. "I want her to come get
me," she said. I nearly fell off the stool.
Okay, I DID fall off the stool. "You're leaving?!" I asked
getting up. She nodded. "But you can't leave!" I told her,
"Wha...What about Mike?" "I can't stand it!" she said, "Not him,
not that house, not those strange guys always looking at me." I knew
she was about to cry. "When I came here," she continued, "I wanted
love, a husband, a home. I'm ignored, I can't even talk to that man,
and I
hate where I live." She was crying by now.
I climbed up on the stool and let her cry on my shoulder. "I still don't want you to leave," I said, "Hold on Alissa, wait a little bit longer. Hold on girl, be a little bit stronger. Hold on for me, help is on its way." She looked up, "You mean it?" "Of course I do," I said, "There must be some way for you to stay without being afraid."
Without knowing what I was doing, I leaned over the counter and kissed her. Her lips were dry and trembling. It was like a reflex, something that had to be done. It must have worked because after I did she said, "Well, maybe you can hold that letter for a while." She hopped down and strolled out the door. That's when I thought I saw curly black hair in the window. That's when trouble started.
CHAPTER 11: SCANDAL #2
VANESSA'S VIEWPOINT
I pricked my finger for the fifth time that day. "Oooh this
#%@* needle!" I cursed. I didn't know any American swear words so
I always cussed in French. I think the phrase "Pardon my French"
came from me. I couldn't believe it. I should have known better
than to trust an Englishman.
I didn't believe it at first when I saw Davy kissing Alissa in
the post office. I was angry, jealous, and bitter. He never
kissed ME before. I started getting plans for revenge. I would
do the same thing he did to me. I would find the perfect man and
kiss him right in front of the little shrimp. Even better, In front
of everyone! I put the sewing down and turned around the "Out to
Lunch" sign.
I saw my target walking down the street. "Micky," I thought,
"Micky would be perfect." I walked right up to him, threw my arms
around him, swung him around so he was leaning back, and kissed his mouth.
It was perfect. We were right in front of the post office and it
was lunch break. Everyone in town was watching. My arms were
getting tired so I hoisted Micky up so I could catch my breath. I
never did.
I'll never forget what happened after that. Micky kissed ME!. "Wait a minute," I thought, "This isn't supposed to happen. I'm doing the kissing here. Not him." All I could do was keep on kissing him back. I forgot all about revenge with David. All I knew was that I was being kissed by Micky and that I liked it.
When we finally stopped, the first thing I saw was Diane with tears streaming down her face. "Oh no," I thought, "I forgot all about her." She started to run off and I chased her. "Diane!" I called, "Wait! I can explain!", even though I couldn't. It was too late. She jumped into Micky's wagon and drove it away. I turned around to see David and Micky in a closed post office. Shortly after, I saw Micky being thrown out of the post office. I ran back to my shop, locked the door, sat on the floor and cried.
CHAPTER 12: SCANDAL #3
DIANE'S VEIWPOINT
I never knew how hard it was to drive horses and cry at the same time. They got out of control and I didn't know what to do. Suddenly, Mike jumped in next to me, grabbed the reins, and stopped the horses. "Woa," he said, "Okay now, let's talk." He sat next to me and looked me in the eyes. All I could do was cry on his shoulder.
"I heard about the whole thing," he said rubbing my back, "I don't
understand what happened but I know you must feel really hurt." "Why?"
I asked looking up, "Why did he have to kiss her?" He looked at me
funny. "What do you mean?" he asked, "I thought that French chick
was kissing Micky?" "She was," I said, "But then Micky kissed her
back." "Is that what has you upset?" he asked me, "What about...?"
"Oh Vanessa," I said, "I understand her. It's just Micky."
"Back up," Mike said, "Why do you understand her kissing him but not him
kissing her?" I looked down, "It's a secret. I can't tell you."
Mike wasn't about to let it go at that. "Why," he asked,
"What secret? Why can't you tell me?" "I promised Alissa I
wouldn't," I told him. "I should have known," he sighed, "That girl
will talk to anyone but me. But I can't help you if I don't know
what this is all about." He had a point and he did deserve to know.
I sighed and told him Alissa's secret.
"Let me get this straight," he said, "Alissa wanted to leave?"
I nodded.
"And Davy didn't want her to?"
"Right."
"So he kissed her?"
I nodded again.
"And Vanessa saw this and got mad?"
"I suppose."
"And that's why she kissed Micky."
He had it all figured out. "But he kissed her back," I said, "That's what I don't understand. I can't go home. I don't know what to do." Mike was scribbling out a note which he folded and handed to me. "It seems to me," he said, "That we just got the wrong girls in the first place. Take this to Alissa. Tell her I'm not mad at her. Seems the only way I can tell her anything is through writing. I'm going to talk to the French chick. I have half a mind to take her over my knee and give her a whoopin'." I looked at him but I knew he wouldn't really do that.
He rode away and I drove to his ranch. But before I left, I thought I saw a curly head rushing through the woods on the hill behind me.
CHAPTER 13: SECRETS
ALISSA'S VIEWPOINT
For some reason, Diane knocked on the door to the bathroom. I let her come in. I usually did my thinking in the bathroom since it's the smallest room in the house. "I have a confession to make," she said, "I told Mike your secret." I gasped and backed away. "Don't worry," she assured me, "He's not mad at you." I looked at the floor. "I heard about what happened in town," I said, "Is that why?" "Yes," she said handing me a note, "This is from Mike." I unfolded and read the wrinkled paper.
Dear Alissa,
I understand if you have feelings for David. It would make
a lot more sense to me if you were with him instead of me anyway.
It's not that I don't like you, it's just that you're more comfortable
with him. I hope you're feeling better.
Mike
P.S. Don't be mad at Diane for telling me your secret. I sort
of forced it out of her.
"I feel like I've underestimated that man," I thought smiling
at Diane. "What?" she asked. "Nothing," I said, "I feel better
now."
CHAPTER 14: A GOOD TALKING TO
MIKE'S VIEWPOINT
When I got to the tailor shop, I realized that Vanessa must have
locked herself in there. Good thing she forgot to lock the back.
She jumped up when she saw me. Her eyes were wet, red, and swollen.
"Siddown," I ordered. She obeyed. "You have a lot of explaining
to do," I said sitting across from her, "Now get started." She sniffed,
rubbed her eyes and started to explain what happened.
"I was angry with David."
"Go on."
"I wanted to get back at him."
"Mmmmm Hmmmmm."
"So I decided to kiss his best friend in front of everybody.
That's all I wanted to do."
"But...Did Micky kiss you back?"
She looked up, "How did you...?" "Diane," I said, "She's
sure that Micky kissed you back. Now is this true?" She nodded,
"I don't know why he did. I was surprized myself. But..."
She hid her face in her hands. I went over to her and asked, "But
what? What is it?" "I don't know what it is," she muttered,
"I just don't know."
It hit me again. Those were the same words. "Vanessa," I said, "What did it feel like when he kissed you?" She paused for a second or two before I got an answer. "Magic," she said, "That's all I can think of. I only wanted to kiss him once but...I couldn't stop." I smiled, "You got it too huh?" She looked confused. "Stay here," I told her, "And don't move. I've got a ranch hand outside and he has orders to keep you in here. I'll be back."
I walked out to find Judy riding up. I had sent her and Peter to go and find Micky. She was a mess: jeans soaked through, white shirt stained brown, frizzy hair clinging to the side of her head, and boots were full of brownish water. "I told you ta find Micky," I said, "Not take a bath." "What, I look clean to you?" Judy laughed, "Some thanks I get for pullin' your buddy outa the crick." "Micky jumped into the creek?" I asked shocked. "He was really messed up," she said, "He wanted to float down the river and end up in either New Orleans or dead on a riverbank. Peter had to stay behind just to keep him from trying again." "I'll be there as soon as I get Davy," I said.
Easier said than done. Davy refused to talk to Micky and I had to carry him out of the post office. "That no-good traitor!" he yelled, "I never want to speak to him again! Put me down!" It was really quite heartbreaking. Davy and Micky had been best friends since they were knee-high to a grasshopper. Okay, so Micky was knee-high to a grasshopper and Davy was knee-high to a flea and both were fourteen. Still, I had to make things right between them.
I slung Davy onto the back of my horse and followed Judy to the creek. "Don't you realize that Micky almost killed himself cuz of you?" I told him. "What?" Davy asked. "Micky threw himself in the river trying to drown himself," I said, "Don't you feel ashamed?" Davy was quiet until we got there.
Judy had to jump off her horse and help Peter drag Micky away from the water. He was soaked through more than she was. At first, Davy and Micky just scoweled at each other so I figured I had to break the silence. "Davy," I said, "I know about you kissing Alissa." He spun around and stared at me. So did the others. Apparently, they didn't know. "She told Diane and Diane told me," I explained, "But I'll have you know that I'm okay with it." Davy thought a bit before saying, "You're not mad?" "Course not," I laughed, "You two make a better match anyway. In fact, I have half a mind to let you court her." "Yah mean it?" Davy smiled. He hugged my waist which is all he could reach, "Oh Mike! Thanks a heap." "There is a catch," I said. Davy let go and snapped his fingers as if to say, "Rats, I knew it!" "You and Micky have to make up," I said, "You can't have TWO girls. You might as well let him go with Vanessa." Davy looked at Micky. Micky bowed his head. Davy ran over and him the biggest hug he could muster, "Oh I'm sorry man. I didn't mean to make you try to drown yourself." "Will you really let me go with her?" Micky asked. "Sure," Davy said, "If thats alright with her." I grinned. This was turning out better than I expected.
Micky turned sober again. He wasn't sure if she really liked him or not. "Who am I kidding," he muttered, "She only used me to get back at you." "Don't be too sure about that," I said, "We're all going back there right now to straighten this whole thing out. Judy, you can go back to my ranch and get the others.
Well, everything worked out fine. Alissa never did leave. She stayed in my house until she married Davy. She did mail a letter to her mother though, inviting her to the wedding.
Vanessa and Micky found out that they really did have it in for each other. They courted a while longer and Vanessa taught him something called a "French kiss." Needless to say, they did get married eventually.
Judy gave each of the girls a wedding dress which she saved in her trunk. It was at Alissa and Davy's reception when she announced that she and Peter were going to be parents. I guess Peter didn't know that since he fainted. They had my little niece, Hallie, right after Micky and Vanessa were married.
As for Diane, Micky never did get along with her, even if she was just his housekeeper. So I just decided to take her off his hands and marry her. She loves my house and big kitchen. I love her cooking. And we love each other.
All in all, Davy and Alissa had four girls as did Micky and Vanessa. Peter and Judy had Hallie and later a son, Ivan. Diane and I had a son, a pair of twin sons, and a daughter. It seems that you just can't trust the mail to deliver the right package these days.