Olivia goes West

Chapter 8

That evening Bridget and Tony prepared a nice meal of potato salad, with a generous helping of cheese from the rally to go with it.

"Y'know, I never thought I'd say it, but I think Waul's really turned over a new leaf," Bridget said as they were discussing the rally, "An' that Ratigan fellow's so charmin'."

Olivia frowned, slowly nibbling on some cheese. She couldn't believe Ratigan and Waul were able to fool everyone.

"I wouldn't believe it for a second if it weren't for da fact dat Wylie's supporting them," Tony replied, "Makin' Waul da new Sheriff like dat? Pretty bold, ya gotta have confidence for something like dat."

"Olivia, I saw you with Tiger and Filly," Bridget said, turning to their new foster child, "What did you think? Isn't it grand someone finally came into town to do something about the way we're livin' here?"

Olivia was silent for a while. They wouldn't believe her if she told them the truth. Besides, tomorrow, she and Fievel were going to take care of everything themselves.

"I guess they seemed nice to me..." she lied.

Tony chuckled, "Ya gotta remember she's a little girl, Bridge. How much did you care about politics at dat age? We're probably boring her to tears."

"I cared a lot about politics at that age, thank you very much." Bridget replied, "Those British cats were causin' a cheese famine in Ireland back then and I was very outspoken against it."

"Well we can't all be as politically-inclined as you. As fer me I was too busy trying to get enough to eat to worry about elections and all dat."

"Yes I know, the hard streets of New York. And every night you were sleepin' in Orphan Alley. Saints be praised we ain't got problems like that in this town."

Olivia rested her cheek on her fist and slowly ate, strangely not feeling as hungry as she should have given that she'd had nothing but a sandwich all day. But, not to be rude at her first dinner at the Toponi household, she ate until the plate was clean.

"May I be excused from the table, I'm awfully famished," Olivia asked, before confessing, "I didn't sleep too well las' night, I was scared, y'see..."

"Oh you poor lass," Bridget said with sympathy, "I know this has gotta be the hardest time in yer life. We're here for ya. If you wanna go to bed early, just wash up and get ready first. An' try to think about happy things."

Olivia nodded and got up, heading to the bathroom to take a quick bath (with the curtains to the window closed tight). She then changed into her nightgown, brushed her teeth, and headed to bed, hoping that her sheer exhaustion would outweigh her fears tonight. Cuddling the teddy bear her daddy made for her, she curled up beneath the covers, slowly dozing off.

At the Mousekewitz house, Cat R. Waul's change of heart was the talk of the table over dinner.

"Bah, I don't care vhat anybody says, a cat is still a cat," Papa said skeptically, folding his arms.

"You weren't there Papa, Wylie Burp himself thinks Waul's changed," Tanya argued, "I know he tried to kill everyone, and I was ready to never trust him again, but...I guess I always thought there was at least a little good in him, even if it was buried deep."

"He did give us zis nice slice of cheese vhen ve vere running low," Mama chimed in.

"And when I got in line to get the cheese slice, Waul said something to me about getting me a job as a saloon singer again," Tanya said, a certain dreamy air in her voice, "He promised he'd make sure it was tasteful too, and I wouldn't be forced to do anything I didn't want to."