By Nora
Copyright 1999
"Louise? Louise, are you alright?" It was Charlotte's voice outside my door. I wanted to respond, to say something, but my body and mind wouldn't let me. I couldn't even release myself from my fetal position on the floor.
The doorknob rattled some, then I heard the door itself creak open, "My God, Louise, what happened?" Charlotte was by my side in an instant trying to lift me into an upright position. She was quiet, guessing by the state of the room qnd my appearance what had taken place. My cheeks were scratched, and my dress was torn at the bodice. A treasured music box, given to me by my mother, had been thrown against the wall, and was now in ruins on thefloor. "Oh, Louise, I'm so sorry ... maybe if I hadn't been gone..."
I found my voice then, "You couldn't have done anything to stop him, Char-Char-Char-.." I started to sob uncontrollably. Charlotte held me and let me cry. Even in my pain, I thought about how good a friend she was. My only friend, really. She was the only working lady who had been nice to me since I'd first taken this job doing laundry at the brothel. I was never sure why the other women looked down on me.
"We're getting you out of here, Louise," her voice broke my thoughts. "You're just a girl. Wicks may do what he wants with his women, but not with innocent girls. We're getting you out, you hear." I heard, but was too upset to respond. Charlotte was kind enough to stay with me until I cried myself exhausted. She helped me to bed and whispered, "I have to go now- clients are waiting- but I'll check on you later."
It seemed to take me forever to fall asleep, and once I did, I was plagued by nightmares. I could see Wicks, hear him threatening me,and feel his breath on my neck. I tried to pull away, but he was stronger than I was.
"Stop that screaming you little wench!" was what woke me. Had I been screaming? I wish I'd screamed earlier, but when I'd attempted, no sound came out.A knock sounded at my door again, starting my heart to pound seriously. Thinking it was Wicks, I tried to make myself as small as possible and not make any noise. Maybe he's go away. Another knocks, and I started to feel nauseous.
"Louise, it's me, Elenora. Can I come in?" Elenora? She was the new working girl Wicks had recently hired. She was very popular with the gentlemen, with golden curls piled on top of her head, and big brown eyes with long sooty ashes. She had smiled at me once, and her smile was kind, but I had learned by experience to keep my distance from the ladies.
"I- I guess so," I called, not at all sure why she would need me at this hour. She found me in the dark, sat on the bed, and put her hand on my shoulder, "I heard what happened, and well, I'm sorry, Louise. I wish I could undo what's been done. I had a-a generous client tonight, and wanted to give you this." She pressed what felt like a gold nugget in my hand.
"Oh, Elenora, I can't-" I protested, struggling to sit up.
"Take it," she whispered. "It rightly belongs to Wicks, but he'll never know. Listen, there's not much I can do about my life right now, but I'll do anything I can to help someone who has a chance to escape this life. You're still young, honey. Get out while you can. I started as the laundry girl, too. Look where I ended up."
"Does everyone know about me?" I asked.
Elenora brushed off a wisp of hair that was sticking to my damp face, "No, Charlotte only told me. She looked so upset when I saw her. She told me about you when I asked her why. I heard you having a nightmare, and just wanted to do something."
"Thank you," I choked, "I'm much obliged."
"Use it for a ticket out of here, to somewhere where you can have a better life, Louise." I nodded my head, my eyes filling with tears. No one had ever given me such a gift before.
"There now, don't cry," she consoled, sounding very much like a mother.
"Would you feel better if I stayed with you for a while?"
"That'd be nice," I admitted.
She pulled the blankets up to my chin, "You try and rest now. I'll be here if you need me." Just knowing she was there made it easier for me to fallasleep.
The next thing I knew, someone was shaking my arm vigorously. Recalling the events of yesterday, I jumped up, frightened.
"Easy now, it's just me," said Charlotte. I could barely make out her face in the dim, pre-dawn light.
"What is it?" I asked, remembering to breathe again.
"Wicks is passed out- this is your chance to escape. We can get you a ticket for the early stage. By the time Wicks sleeps it off you'll be in the next county."
The stagecoach! I'd better put on my nicest dress, I thought. Then I realized I had not taken it off since yesterday. Now it was not just torn, but wrinkled from sleeping in it, too. I was about to mention this, when
Elenora came in, with her arms full with a dress. "Hurry, get into this. We'll pack your bag while you get changed," she instructed. Quickly, I did as I was told, not even stopping to admire how fine the brown wool dress was. I did wonder, though, where she had gotten the dress, since it was much too small with her.
"Are you ready?" asked Charlotte, just as I was buttoning the last button. I nodded, not quite believing what was happening to meyet.
Elenora put her hand in mine, "Come on, let's get you out of here. We'll go out the back way-just in case."
Thankfully, we got out of the building without anyone noticing us. It was so early that the whole town seemed asleep. A sudden thought came to me as we turned the corner and the depot came in sight, where was I going?
"Where will I be going?" I whispered. Charlotte shrugged, I guess to wherever the first stage leaves for. The important thing is getting away from here. What do you want to do when you get there, Louise?"
"I don't' know. Maybe sew or clerk in a store or something," I mumbled, "Anyway, I'll have some time to think on it. Anywhere but a-" I wasn't sure how to say cat house or bordello without offending my friends. After all, it wasn't them I disapproved of, but the man who ran the operation,
"Anywhere I'm safe," I finished lamely.
When we arrived at the depot, I rapped on the window to call the ticket agent's attention, "I'd like a ticket for the next stage, please."
"You wantin' to go to St. Jo?" he asked.
"Yes, St. Jo," I answered. So it was settled. I would leave for St. Joseph in half an hour.
"Heard St. Jo is a right nice town-lots of opportunities for decent work," Charlotte tried to encourage me.
On to Part Two
