Discovering Time

Robert

It's hard to believe Anita, let alone understand the words she uses on a regular basis. Stories of time travelers have been popular in Scottish lore, but I've only heard of them sparingly. The most likely explanation, though it is not one I find favor in, is that she dabbled in prostitution or dance for a while, then has a bad experience that made her want to forget her life choices. This suited me fine really, as everyone deserves forgiveness. The alternate though was unthinkable, and frankly kind of stupid.

I moved her over to the Rose-Craves house as Shelby told me, where they found respectable clothes for her. Afterwards, she was pretty intent on leaving town.

"You can't be so stupid" said Shelby. "The train doesn't even reach this part, and a carriage could be overtaken by Indians or thieves. You need men protecting you, let alone guns. You definitely don't want to travel by foot - they'll think you're a servant or prostitute."

"Is there anything you can do for her?" I asked.

"I wanted to teach" says Anita, "But I don't have much experience. I can read stories to kids though. I'm very good at that."

"No use reading if you don't know about farming. Maybe you can be an assistant teacher" said another lady.

"Can't you count money?" asked Shelby.

"I'm really bad at math and numbers" answered Rita. "I was good at engineering though. I can make some mad machines."

"Well I guess the only option for her, Robert, is counting money" said Stacey.

This made sense. I nodded my head.

"I won't do it!" protests Anita.

"Hun" said Stacey, "The only other option is to become a Lady of the Night. We would take care of you if that's what you desire. You don't want to get married to any of the men in town. None of them have a dime to their name. Maybe..:. Maybe you can marry Robert. He is a respectable gentleman, and he's never partaken here."

I look at Anita. Anita looks at me.

...

Father is pleased, and takes no time in getting us married. Perhaps he believes the longer I loiter in bachelorhood, the more tempted I am to sin; or maybe he's been worried I was heading in a downward spiral the whole time.

None of the townspeople notice anything. It's just as well. The upper class families are so happy that a marriage is going on in the lower class after years of adultery and sin that word spreads around all of them. They give us a new house on the hill even though we can't afford it. The house is small, but bigger than where I was. It's furnished with a bed, a living room, and a kitchen stocked with supplies.

Anita does not want to sleep with me. Part of me was hopeful to touch a woman after so long, the other part of me is relieved I don't have to be susceptible. I don't need to get attached to anyone anyway. I have too many demons to bargain on a marriage, let alone kids.

I suppose you can say that I am lonely. You wouldn't be wrong. I find Anita young, dependent, annoying, and not at all fit to be living out here. I'm only providing a service any proper Christian would provide until she settles into our marriage or finds a way to skip town. Until then, she's allowed a place at one of the food stores and it keeps her busy before she has to come home and be forced into a conversation with me.

Some of my buddies have been saying they've known some men to go missing after a longer shift at work. There's no explanation other than a few missed hands and limbs.