Amelia and the Bareback Rider

Chapter One

Even though she knew exactly what to expect, it shocked her. The sudden, forceful yanking from inside her belly button, as though she was water swirling down a drain. The flash of light so bright she closed her eyes, but still her retinas burned. The high pitched sound, just on the edge of something, in the middle of her brain, even beyond her ears, that made her dizzy. Her skin felt like it was shimmering and crawling away, and it made her nauseous. There was only one sure, solid thing in those seconds of terror: she squeezed Cooper's hand tighter.

Then, suddenly, it was over. Amelia slumped sideways in her seat, resting her shoulder against his. He rummaged in a pocket of his jacket and took out a Hersey bar, breaking off a piece and handing it to her. "Here, try this."

"Chocolate?" Amelia asked.

Cooper shrugged. "I thought that if it worked for Harry Potter after he apparates, it might work for us, too."

Taking a bite, Amelia protested, "Spoilers! You know I'm still reading 1950's literature. I just finished Lolita."

He chuckled.

"What?" Amelia asked. She had to admit she was feeling better.

"Spoilers," Cooper replied, swallowing his own bite of chocolate. "You'll see. We just haven't made it to that show yet." He took a deep breath. "Better? Shall we?"

Amelia nodded, and twisted the handle on the door next to her. She stepped out into the grove of trees, Cooper behind her. They stretched and walked to the edge of the ridge, looking down into the valley.

"It looks so tiny from here," Amelia said.

"It is. The population won't reach 50,000 for another three years. But it's already a booming city," Cooper said.

"I've never been to a big city before. Well, you know what I mean," she added quickly.

Cooper nodded. "Me, neither."

"It's so exciting!" Amelia cheered. "And, finally, we're both on equal footing."

"I guess we are." They stood a moment, looking down at the city, letting the idea of a new experience for both of them at the same time sink in. Finally, Cooper said, "Let's go over the plan one more time."

"Cooper, you've been drilling me for days!"

"You can never be too prepared."

"Okay. First, we go to a store to buy stationary. Hopefully a stationary store, so that we can buy the most expensive kind. This will both allow us to both break our paper money for coins and to establish the premise that we are newly-rich gold prospectors from the north. If that is successful, and our money is not questioned, we will locate a rooming house. I will write my letter and post it as soon as possible. And then we wait a whole week before we leave." The last sentence was said with a mild pout.

"Because?" Cooper prodded.

"Because we need my letter with the train details to arrive, otherwise no one will be there to meet us," Amelia grumbled.

"I know you're eager, Amelia, but it's not all bad. Didn't you just say how excited you were to be in the big city? We'll need the time to acclimate and purchase new clothing. Plus, I am hopeful I can tour and get some background information on the fledging science program at The State Normal School, soon to be known as UCLA. This will add credibility to the second part of our journey. Come on, let's get the suitcases."