friend was only in town for the day and you needed extra time. You led me to believe the friend was female.”
Extra time! “I know I did not say my friend was female. If you assumed, I’m sorry. Caleb Sutton is an old friend, and he was only in town that day. I met him when my family first came to Hubbell almost fifteen years ago.”
Ignoring that, Mrs. Tindell said, “If you wish to continue your employment here, you won’t see him again.”
Anger blossomed hot and red behind Norah’s eyes. Yes, indeed, an old bat. “My free time is my own, and there’s been much less of it than you promised. You can’t dictate my private life.”
“I can, and I am. My position in this community is important to me.”
“Your husband owns a saloon!”
“Inn-keeping is a respectable profession with a long history behind it.”
Norah opened her mouth to enlighten the woman about those respectable establishments, then snapped it shut. Mrs. Tindell knew full well what her husband did. That was her problem.
“I’ll be gone before the next thirty minutes pass,” Norah said. “I’m sure you can have the last of my wages ready by then.”
“Your salary is by the month. Today is two days short of the end of your month.”
“I don’t believe you’re that stingy, Mrs. Tindell. Everyone else in town does, but I don’t. I’ll pack my things and come back here to see you.”
Upstairs in the small third-floor room that had been hers, Norah threw the gray dress on the narrow bed, along with the silly white cap and baggy apron she disliked almost as much as Caleb did. After changing into one of her own dresses, she repinned her hair and threw immediate necessities into the box she’d brought them in. She’d have to send someone for her trunk.
Mrs. Tindell still sat behind her desk, spine rigid and not touching the back of her chair. When Norah approached, the woman slid a single ten dollar gold piece across the shiny surface.
“If it is as you say, I’d like to think you are right and the rest of the town wrong. Are you firm in your decision? You’ve been a satisfactory employee in other ways.”
“Yes, I am. My private life is my own.”
“Is he worth it?”
Norah laughed out loud. “No. He’s even worse than you think, but he’s — he’s someone who matters in my life.” She searched for the right words to explain her feelings to herself as much as Mrs. Tindell. “I won’t cast him out.”
To her surprise, the older woman nodded. “You left the gray dress in your room, didn’t you? I’ll put it in with your other things. I hope you don’t regret what you’re doing. Good bye, Norah.”
Norah left through the front door, her box of belongings clutched to her chest, her own coat on her back, and Joe’s over her arm.
The brass horse on the door no longer winked at her. She hoped he recovered from her polishing soon and no one else ever robbed him of his personality.
When she reached Becky’s, Becky would fuss and sympathize and help her plan what to do next. In fact she’d get to visit with Becky as much as either of them wanted in the next few days, not just an hour or so after church.
Except Becky and Ethan hadn’t been at church yesterday. Her steps slowed as memory of her last visit with Becky rose.
She had only half-listened to Becky’s happy babble about her brothers coming to town to escort her to the farm for a week because Ethan was going somewhere on railroad business.
As the reality of her situation struck home, Norah sank down on a bench in front of the bakery, glad to put the box down. How could she have forgotten?
She could have agreed with Mrs. Tindell for a few days and made her grand gesture when she had a safe place to stay. Folding her arms over her stomach, she bent forward, holding the ache inside.
She wanted to go home. Maybe she’d have to come back here and find out if Tommy wanted a better cook for his restaurant or if there was other work for someone like her, but
Extra time! “I know I did not say my friend was female. If you assumed, I’m sorry. Caleb Sutton is an old friend, and he was only in town that day. I met him when my family first came to Hubbell almost fifteen years ago.”
Ignoring that, Mrs. Tindell said, “If you wish to continue your employment here, you won’t see him again.”
Anger blossomed hot and red behind Norah’s eyes. Yes, indeed, an old bat. “My free time is my own, and there’s been much less of it than you promised. You can’t dictate my private life.”
“I can, and I am. My position in this community is important to me.”
“Your husband owns a saloon!”
“Inn-keeping is a respectable profession with a long history behind it.”
Norah opened her mouth to enlighten the woman about those respectable establishments, then snapped it shut. Mrs. Tindell knew full well what her husband did. That was her problem.
“I’ll be gone before the next thirty minutes pass,” Norah said. “I’m sure you can have the last of my wages ready by then.”
“Your salary is by the month. Today is two days short of the end of your month.”
“I don’t believe you’re that stingy, Mrs. Tindell. Everyone else in town does, but I don’t. I’ll pack my things and come back here to see you.”
Upstairs in the small third-floor room that had been hers, Norah threw the gray dress on the narrow bed, along with the silly white cap and baggy apron she disliked almost as much as Caleb did. After changing into one of her own dresses, she repinned her hair and threw immediate necessities into the box she’d brought them in. She’d have to send someone for her trunk.
Mrs. Tindell still sat behind her desk, spine rigid and not touching the back of her chair. When Norah approached, the woman slid a single ten dollar gold piece across the shiny surface.
“If it is as you say, I’d like to think you are right and the rest of the town wrong. Are you firm in your decision? You’ve been a satisfactory employee in other ways.”
“Yes, I am. My private life is my own.”
“Is he worth it?”
Norah laughed out loud. “No. He’s even worse than you think, but he’s — he’s someone who matters in my life.” She searched for the right words to explain her feelings to herself as much as Mrs. Tindell. “I won’t cast him out.”
To her surprise, the older woman nodded. “You left the gray dress in your room, didn’t you? I’ll put it in with your other things. I hope you don’t regret what you’re doing. Good bye, Norah.”
Norah left through the front door, her box of belongings clutched to her chest, her own coat on her back, and Joe’s over her arm.
The brass horse on the door no longer winked at her. She hoped he recovered from her polishing soon and no one else ever robbed him of his personality.
When she reached Becky’s, Becky would fuss and sympathize and help her plan what to do next. In fact she’d get to visit with Becky as much as either of them wanted in the next few days, not just an hour or so after church.
Except Becky and Ethan hadn’t been at church yesterday. Her steps slowed as memory of her last visit with Becky rose.
She had only half-listened to Becky’s happy babble about her brothers coming to town to escort her to the farm for a week because Ethan was going somewhere on railroad business.
As the reality of her situation struck home, Norah sank down on a bench in front of the bakery, glad to put the box down. How could she have forgotten?
She could have agreed with Mrs. Tindell for a few days and made her grand gesture when she had a safe place to stay. Folding her arms over her stomach, she bent forward, holding the ache inside.
She wanted to go home. Maybe she’d have to come back here and find out if Tommy wanted a better cook for his restaurant or if there was other work for someone like her, but
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