Mystics of the Tuolumne

Antagonism #

"Marie, where is Dahlia?"  Albert had taken a later trolley home.

"I haven't seen her, I assumed she was with you."  Marie Therese had a concerned look about her.  "Could she be at the Veterinary school?"

"Is Robert home?"  Albert looked into the parlor.

"No Albert, he won't be home until after supper."   Marie could see that Albert was getting progressively more distressed.  "Maybe you should go look for her.  Ride the trolley back to school."

"My horse will be faster.  I can saddle him quickly and also ride to the veterinary school."  Robert was off to the stalls next to the carriage house.  He through his western saddle on his mount.  The one with the saddle scabbard. He started hearing Dahlia wishing for his presence.   Albert slipped his Marlin .45/70 lever action rifle in his scabbard after checking the action and assuring himself that is safety was engaged.

After walking his horse to the street, he started at a trot down the trolley tracks.  He increased to a canter for his own comfort and for the horse on the city street.  "Have you seen Dahlia?"  He shouted out to the trolley conductor.  The conductor shook his head, no.

Albert increased to a foolhardy full gallop down the city streets.  When he reached the University Campus,  he sensed confused messages from Dahlia.   As he looked frenetically all around him, he noticed a small crowd near the side of the library.  He saw two people on the ground.  He made a flying dismount and pulled his rifle from the scabbard and switched the safety off.  He easily made it through the crowd with his large rifle.

"Querida mia!"  Dahlia waved her hand in an arch over her head.

""What the hell happened?"  Albert stood in front of her with his rifle at the high ready.

"These two fought.  One didn't think I belonged here.  The other one did.  All those chingaderos don't know and are blaming me."  Dahlia was angry, a dangerous frame of mind.

"Break it up!"  Albert shouted at the crowd.  They continued to mill about, "I said break..." he fired a shot over head, "it up!" The crowd disappeared quickly. 

Dahlia was tending to her defender.  The other combatant stirred and quickly lest.  "I appreciate your defending me, but I am perfectly capable ...."

"Dahlia, enough."  Albert was afraid that the secret of the gifts would get out and make life difficult for both of them.

"But, Albert.  I don't think...."  She was a little hurt.

"I said enough! It is for the best."  Albert was adamant and a touch jealous of the attention  that "Sir Galahad" was receiving."

"Albert.  Everything is fine.  You go home. I'll take the trolley."  She was upset because she was intercepting his jealousy and hostility.

"Fine."  Albert then stormed of made a flying mount and galloped down Telegraph Avenue.

"Sir Galahad" laid his head on Dahlia's lap and looked up at her.  He was mistaking her kindness for affection.  After twenty minutes of covert affection, the young man said he felt better and he arose offering his hand to help Dahlia.

"Again I want to thank you for defending me.  I am touched by your bravery."  Dahlia was being as polite and ladylike as she was taught to be by Ericia.  "Sir Galahad" exchanged calling cards with Dahlia and escorted her to the trolley.

"Oh, it is good of you to come home.  I thought you might get lost in Sherwood forest with 'Sir Galahad'.  Albert by being jealous and sarcastic was totally out of character.

"You my dear Albert, have mixed your metaphors.  Apparently I was paying attention in English Literature while you were mooning over me."  Robert and Marie burst out laughing.  Albert turned on his heel and marched to his room slamming the door behind him.

"Dahlia, these were delivered to you earlier to day by Quicksilver Messenger Service."  Marie retrieved the huge bouquet and basket of fruit.

"Oh, it's from 'Sir Galahad'.  Isn't that gallant?"  Dahlia was excoriation Albert's wound. "Albert, would you like a grapefruit?"

"That isn't funny or charming."  He again disappeared into his inner sanctum.

"Albert." Dahlia was knocking lightly at his door. "Albert, we need to talk."

""Why don't you just telegraph what you want to say to my brain."  Albert was still angry.

Dahlia finished her studies, took off all her clothes and got in bed.  She sent a strong message to Albert as she started breathing heavily with arousal.

"Alright, you win again." Albert was slipped between the sheets on Dahlia's bed.  They made love three times. "I have been a silly ass."

"Yes you have." Dahlia rolled to her side and went to sleep.

"Miss Vaca, I have reviewed your coursework and your marks here this year.  In recognition of your accomplishments, we will be accelerating your coursework in the Veterinary College."  Dr. Allen the chairman of the Veterinary College explained to Dahlia.

"Exactly what does that mean, Dr. Allen?"   Dahlia knew that it sounded good but no idea how good.

"That means, young lady, that you will be able to graduate  two years early if you continue at the pace you are going now."  Dr. Allen was smiling and truly enjoyed this brilliant girl.

At the supper table after the main dishes were cleared.  Dahlia cleared her throat and smiled widely.  "I have an announcement."

"I have one too.  You first." Albert gallantly deferred to his Amor.

"I will be able to graduate with my Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine next June."  Dahlia was so excited she was bouncing in her seat.

"That is wonderful.  Then you will be able to start your practice."   Robert Jr. said.   Marie ran to Dahlia and threw her arms around her and kissed her.

"That is exactly what I was going to say."  Albert laughed.  He then received his round of congratulations.

"Albert, we have to make a guest list of people we want at our reception." Dahlia retrieved pen and paper to start the list.

"I want my family and your family.  I have been studying night and day.  I didn't make many friends."  Albert was being recalcitrant. 

"I want to marry an adult.  Sit down and help me.  You have your officers and men in the Volunteers, your professors, and you had same friends in the Valley."  She started the list and Albert plunked down in a  chair at the library table and looked pensively at the list.