A Duchess in the Pacific

Eight

Sometimes- there's God so quickly!

- Tennessee Williams, A Streetcar Named Desire

The cacophony of the sounds from the streets of Melbourne pounded Duchess' ears as she stood on the ship's deck. Her feet were aching to touch the solid land and even breath the polluted air. She was biting the inside of her lip in anticipation of a hot shower and fresh clothes. But first she was going to find the nearest newspaper and see what was written about her parents.

Duchess held on loosely to Leckie's hand as they got off the ship. "Told you we would take care of you." He said as they both found themselves amongst the throng of Australian men and women who were so outwardly grateful for the U.S Marines. She nodded at him with a faint smile.

Her eyes caught sight of a newspaper stand and she began to politely push through the crowd.

"I'll catch up to you guys, I'll be fine." She called back to Leckie. He obviously understood she was desperate to find answers but watched her go protectively, mindful that she was not being pushed around by the crowd who didn't know her.

"Excuse me, Sir!" Duchess yelled over the noise of the crowd and the sound of the trucks starting, carrying off the men. The man working at the newsstand looked over at her.

"Crikey! You're Jack Kingsley's daughter!" He yelled with wide eyes. Duchess' eyebrows arched up immediately in surprise.

"How did you know that?" She asked anxiously.

"well your face has been in about every bloody paper I've sold in the past four months." He explained and flipped open a newspaper to a picture of Duchess's face. Beneath her photo read:

Katarina "Duchess" Kingsley missing since August. If you or anyone you know has seen her please contact Jack and Frances Kingsley- her concerned parents.

The ad went on to list their contact information and state that anyone with valuable information about her whereabouts could expect a handsome reward.

They're alive! They're alive! Oh thank God, thank God, thank God.

Tears were stinging Duchess's eyes and her heart began to pound. She began to dive into her pockets for change but couldn't find any. The man from the newsstand came around from his side of the stand and held his hand out with change in it. Duchess whipped her head up at him, happy tears falling from her eyes and coating her cheeks. The man shook his hand slightly for her to take the change.

"nearest payphone is just down the street, but I'd ask Edna at the flower shop next door. It'll be quieter." The man explained, putting a hand on Duchess's shoulder. She nodded vigorously trying to comprehend anything at this point.

"Thankyou thankyou thankyou." she repeated over and over again.

She grabbed the change from his hand and hugged him, kissing his cheek as well. It was remarkably out of character for her, but she was bursting with elation. She wiped tears desperately from her cheeks and began down towards the flower shop. Out of nowhere she gained some semblance of consciousness and stopped on her heels. She turned back around and ran back to the man.

"What's your name?" She asked. The man laughed.

"Keith. Keith Adderly." He replied.

"Keith, you're about to come into some money." She said excitedly with a laugh and turned to run back towards the flower shop.

Duchess burst through the door, buzzing throughout her body, and trying to remember the last time she was this happy. The Australians in the store turned around to look at her, annoyed at first, but once they recognized her they donned raised eyebrows and slack jaws. Duchess began to explain herself, asking for Edna, and telling her that Keith said she could use the phone. The patrons of the store pushed her forward in front of them, more than willing to let her cut in front of them. Edna emphatically waved Duchess to come behind the desk over the phone. Duchess rushed over, thanking everyone repeatedly.