Into the Frontier: Damsel of Distress

3. The Tilda Turnaround

It's mid-day and the sun is really beating down heavy. Will need to find a hat. The streets are as filthy as I expected and the buildings are as warn down as the tavern but who am I to complain. I'm stood here in the mud adding to the dirt in my boots. Waiting has never been my strong point but I have to say this is worth it. 

The young girl from the tavern, her name is Haylee as I found out, comes out of the ticket office with her travel bag in hand and head down. She holds her other hand up to her face hoping not to be spotted and makes her way across the horse trodden street to me. My hands come out to hold her shoulders and she looks up at me.

"Last train for the week leaves soon. I, I don't have long to say goodbye." her head goes back down, she drops her bag  and I bring her in for a hug.

"Oh don't worry darlen," I rub her back. "I'll find you some day, when you're all settled in." she pushes away slightly but only to see my face.

"I can't thank you enough, hell how could I?" Her eyes well and a tear falls but she isn't sad, I made sure of that.

"No need, none at all. You helped me out and I guess its the least I can do." Honestly what did I do really? Guess I just reinforced her own choice and helped her put it in motion.

"I'll never forget you..." She stumbles realizing that she never learnt my name, even after all this.

"Emily. And I 'm sure I'll never forget a pretty face like yours." We both share a giggle but it stops as quickly as we start.

"Emily. Well I'll make sure you don't forget me," she kneels and reaches into her bag. "This was my Dads but I wont be needing it much." Out comes the perfect ranch hat. Just like the one I wore before dumping it for that royal gown.

Taking it from her I silently nod my appreciation and try it on for size with a smile. No stranger has been this kind to me. Of course it is a perfect fit even if it isn't quite the right shape. I hug her tightly again and kiss her cheek I guess for good luck. She picks up her things and begins to walk away.

Stopping just short of the station door she turns to give a short shy wave. I return the gesture with a kissed hand and a blow to the wind. Timidly she catches it and puts it to her chest. As a final act between us strangers I trip my hat and turn to leave, I try not to look back.

As night approaches I find myself in a tavern with a joke of a name and a less than welcoming sign. Springwater in the desert, what a laughable idea. Have I probably had too much to drink? Yes. Should I really be making my own plans to move on? Of course. But am I an alcoholic that hasn't had a strong drink in over a week? Absolutely.

So I sit at the rough wooden bar, on my rickety stool drinking the finest whisky the stinking barman could find under the floorboards. Its awful, but a drink. Also seems that leave the bottle is an all too common request because I didn't even ask. The first few pours went down instantly but now I've decided to slow down and enjoy the numb feeling before passing out.

This place is full but only one other patron sits at the bar. A rough looking gunslinger with a large duster and partially hand made attire. Can't read his intentions, honestly looks like he just crawled on hand and knee out of the Ragged Waste. He sips at an equally revolting  liquid and just begins to light a half smoked cigar.

Guess I'll take my chances. I finish what is in my glass and slide it down the table to meet him. He looks up and I flick my hat up in an I don't give a flying fuck manner then grab my bottle and make my way down. The stool next to him only has three legs but I sit and set my bottle down. No reaction, just a cloud of smoke.

"New here cowboy?" Genuine question covered with drunken sarcasm.

"Not interested." A blunt response. Do I still look like a show girl? Guess these are performance clothes really.

"Oh," of course a tipsy snort follows. "I'm not after money if that's what you think... not for that anyway."

"Alright cowgirl." Another sip of drink and drag on cigar. Very blunt indeed.

"Suit yourself, just thought we could both use the conversation." Dick. Oh well didn't need it anyway, it's just the drink. Better find somewhere to stay.

Not sure where to go to. The street looks infinite in both directions and I don't know which way I should take. Right. Is there an end, can't even see a sign for a room? About a hundred yards from the bar I decide to down the rest of my drink. Realizing the lightness of my head I collapse onto a wooden step and take a short nap.