Six Years From Now

Part Eleven: New York, 1894

Winnie listened intently as Sarah began telling her story:

Five years ago, when I was eleven, I was walkin' to work. I happened to run into a fella on the way. He was young, probably in his late twenties, but he seemed old. And sad. So I asked him what the matter was.
He seemed surprised to hear me. He looked down at me, and I smiled back.
Finally he said, "I'm on the run."
"From who?" I asked.
"No one in particular."
"Then why are you running?"
"I have a secret."
That got my attention. "What is it? I won't tell," I said.
He sighed and looked at me again. "You remind me of someone..." he said with a distant look. "Keep the secret?"
I nodded.
He leaned down and whispered it to me.
Of course I didn't believe him, but that was okay. We talked a few minutes more.
"What's your family like?" I asked him.
He sighed. "My ma and pa live far away. My brother and I travel a lot. He likes New York. Maybe you'll see him around one of these days."
"What's his name?"
"Jesse," he said as he stood up to leave.
A clock chimed and I sprang up. "I'm gonna be late!" I said as I turned to say goodbye.
But he was gone. I never saw the man since.

Winnie's eyes were wide with shock. "You met Miles?!"
Sarah smiled. "So that's his name. I always wondered..."
"Why didn't you say something to Jesse?"
"I didn't know it was him until yesterday, when his leg righted itself and he came out of a burnin' building unscathed."
"Did you tell him, then?"
"Of course! I wouldn't keep somethin' like that!"
"How'd he take it?"
"Numbly, like everythin' lately. He's never been like this before. And," Sarah said, "I suspect it has to do with you."
Winnie nodded. "You're right. He wanted me to drink the water, but..."
"I'm glad you didn't. The less people that have to do with it, the better," Sarah said.
"But it crushed Jesse when I said no," Winnie protested.
"It's not an easy situation, but the root of your problem is this water. Jesse and you never woulda even met if it hadn't been for it."
"But I'm glad I met Jesse!"
"But his immortality's caused you a lot of problems. Crutchie told me about the man in the yellow suit," Sarah said.
"He did?"
"Yeah. He said-"
Hugo came through the door with an armload of crates. "Afternoon, Miss Jacobs," he said as he set them down.
Winnie and Sarah both stood.
"Sorry for not helping," Winnie said.
Hugo waved it off. "You don't have to-"
"Yes she does!" Kathrine called up the stairs.