THIRTEEN FOR DINNER

Chapter Eleven

ELEVEN

       I’ve been waiting hours for Quillan to come back from town. He left me here, at the mouth of a cave hidden deep in the woods, while he went to buy us some clothes. I asked him how he intended to do that with no money, and then he proceeded to pull out a wad of bills, explaining that his grandparents were collectors and had been accumulating quite a bit of antique money over the years. He came on this quest prepared that’s for sure. 

            I wish he’d hurry and it seems to me he should be back by now. I couldn’t go with him because Steffi’s dress would get me arrested in this time period. He didn’t think it was a good idea for me to stay at the safe house either, which was fine with me because that place stunk to high heaven.  I don’t mind the cave; it’s cool inside, best thing to air conditioning I can get. Still I’m bored as hell and starving. I jump at the sound of rustling and snapping twigs only to see a couple of rabbits scamper by. If I was Katniss Everdeen, from one of my favorite book series, I would have already fashioned myself a bow and arrow and killed those little critters.  Now there’s somebody who didn’t let fear stop her from doing what needed to be done. I wish I was more like her but unfortunately, I’m no Katniss, so I sit and wait for Quillan, not daring to venture out of my safe little spot.

            My mind begins to torment me with dire thoughts suggesting a worst case scenario, like what if something should happen to Quillan. I’d be doomed for sure, left to live out the remainder of my life in the 1800’s, struggling in a world where I know no one. My mind goes crazy with a million hypothetical situations nearly pushing me to tears, when the sound of his voice calls me out of my fearful stupor and back to reality. I’m thrilled to see him and I am sure it’s written all over my face because his eyes sparkle and his mouth spreads into a wide grin.  Damn it Avery, I scold myself for letting my guard down.

            He unloads a few packages wrapped in brown paper and tied with string. He opens a burlap sack and hands me a warm loaf of bread then proceeds to sit out a jar of strawberry jam, a jar of honey, and a block of cheese wrapped in a soft cloth. I am thrilled and there goes my guard again. Next he pulls out a flask and I’m wondering what his beverage of choice is. He catches my eye and smiles, “Sorry Ave, it’s clear water minus the sulfur.” I smile at him, thankful for his kindness yet even happier he shortened my name.  

            I break the bread and spread the strawberry jam with my finger, then lick it clean, while Quillan opens the packages. He pulls out a hairbrush and smiles at me. I laugh while I chew; we both know my hair is a mess. “Was that the first thing you bought?” I ask with my mouth full. He grins and pulls out some hair ribbons and pins and lays them beside the brush.  The next package he unwraps reveals silk stockings and a pair of low heeled boots. I wince not able to fathom sticking my sore feet in those tiny looking shoes. Laying them aside he opens another and by the time he finishes unpacking his plunder, there is a dress, a pair of silk gloves, a parasol, a satin purse, some sweet smelling perfume, a few pieces of jewelry, and clothes for him. No wonder it took so long.

            I hand Quillan a piece of bread dripping with honey. “So what’s your plan? Tell me how you intend to prevent James Faulkner from hanging Lunar.”

            “I don’t know,” he answers, then shoves the entire piece of bread into his mouth.

            I’m shocked, “What do you mean, you don’t know? I thought you had a plan.”

            “I do,” he says wiping the honey off his lip, then sucking it off his finger. “But I’ don’t   have all my bases covered. My plan got me or us back here and will get us at the Faulkner Estate this evening. The rest we’ll have to play by ear.”