Boulder Meadow Ch. 03
joeunning
Elijah and Bessy Collins eventually made their way to Upper Canada. Their night on Boulder Meadow resulted in the young couple's dream. Nine months later a little baby boy was born. Elijah was on the top of the world. Life in Upper Canada meant he would no longer be another human being's property, and now he had a son. He found work on a fishing boat, first on Lake Ontario then, later, on a boat that plied the waters of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland. The Collins had other children and lived to see the day Upper and Lower Canada were merged into the Dominion of Canada.
(I stayed in my position, presiding over Boulder Meadow. I do move a little bit each year, but geologic time is difficult for the average human to understand, but that's neither here nor there and I have another story to tell.)
(Many years passed after Elijah and Bessy fucked each other on my face. Hunters continued to hunt around me, adventurous young men climbed the many mountains nearby, the new hobby of photography brought many enthusiasts who often would set their equipment on my face and photograph the meadow and valley. Some would follow the sun and at dusk would photograph me, particularly as the sun bounced off my crevices. Occasionally, a couple engaged in a quick fuck on or near me. None of these were noteworthy enough to recount here, though I did experience the cute backsides of many young girls as their boyfriends or husbands screwed them missionary style on my face. There was one instance sometime around in the first decade of the twentieth century that I found quite stimulating.)
Annie Featherstone was about to be on her own. She recently turned nineteen and her parents told her they could no longer support her along with her five siblings. As the eldest, Annie helped around the small New York city flat where her family lived, but she also cost money and that led her parents to their decision that she leave home. Her father worked various jobs as a laborer, but money was tight, and Annie's departure would mean there was one less mouth to feed.
The building where she lived was crowded with many families, many spoke languages Annie could not understand. And while there were several young girls around her own age, she never felt close to them due to both language barriers and the fact that all seemed to be focusing on helping their own families make ends meet. So, the time came for Annie to find her own way in the world.
Annie's father gave her twenty dollars, nearly a month's wages, on the day Annie left home. Her mother gave her a bag of fresh bread, and with tears in everyone's eyes Annie made her way out of the flat for the last time. She previously had contacted a Mrs. Rasmussen who ran a boarding house for young unwed girls several blocks away. Annie arrived at the appointed time and met with her new overlord, who seemed to have a permanent scowl about her face. Mrs. Rasmussen, Annie only assumed she had a given name, but never learned what it was, read Annie the house rules. All meals were served at specific times, no male visitors without a week's notice requested in writing, lights out at 11PM (at which time the electricity was shut off), no girl could visit another girl's room, etc. Aside from traveling to and from their employers, all external activities needed Mrs. Rasmussen's written approval one week in advance. Most important, the $3.00 rent was due every Saturday by noon.
Despite the rigidity, Annie fell into a pattern. She met another young girl, Marie Heywood, who was about her age but had lived with Mrs. Rasmussen for roughly a year. Marie's room was next to Annie's and the two soon began talking whenever their paths crossed. As their friendship grew, Annie learned more about her neighbor. Marie hailed from a town to the north, grew up on a farm, and had come to the city in search of finding her own way. Marie talked fondly of her home and family but was determined to make her own way in the world. Even though Annie had spent her entire life in New York, Marie came across as more worldly, wiser in the ways of society.
Marie worked at a garment factory and thus had the means to pay her rent. Annie looked several days for work, but to no avail. She was frugal with her father's money, but she also knew that unless she found work sooner rather than later, she soon would be unable to pay her weekly rent. One evening as they made their way to their respective rooms, Annie approached Marie. Even though I was against the rules, Marie invited Annie into her room as she readied herself for bed.
"How did you find your job?" Annie asked. She whispered her question fearing other girls may tattle if they learned Annie and Marie were together.
Marie smiled and looked Annie in the eye. "Join me tomorrow, there are always positions available. But I'll warn you, the rules are very strict, I really wish I could work elsewhere."
Much of what Marie said fell on deaf ears, as Annie's thoughts clung to the hope that she might find employment. A job meant money, and with money she could pay her rent and pay for laundry and live without the fears that came with unemployment.
Always one to push the envelope, Marie's attention turned to her fair friend. Annie's hair was quite like her own, a light, mousy blond that she kept in a pompadour style. Thick and luxurious, Annie's hair fit the style well. Marie's hair was not as naturally curly. Marie had to use curling tongs to achieve a similar look. Knowing Annie would soon need to make her way to her own room, Marie had an idea. Could she shock Annie, and how would Annie respond? While Annie whispered on, Marie was not paying attention. Instead, she began unbuttoning her blouse to change into her nightshirt.
Annie caught sight of Marie's actions and wanted to look away, but as Marie slipped out of her floor-length skirt, Annie found herself staring. Marie's table lamp was the only source of illumination and as Marie stood between it and her friend, Annie could see Marie's small breasts beneath the chemise she wore. Suddenly, Annie snapped back to the present and realized she must leave before evening bed check. She said a quick goodnight, the image of Marie's breasts etched in her mind. Once alone, Marie smiled, finished undressing, and ran her hands across her naked body before she donned her nightshirt. The seed she planted was beginning to sprout.
Annie went with Marie to her employer the next day and was hired as a garment worker. There's no need for more details on the girls' employment, but Annie and Marie worked at the same company for the next several months, their friendship growing each day.
Marie took every opportunity to show affection towards Annie, walking a fine line between companionship and seduction. Annie was a nice person whom Marie respected, but Marie had a precocious side that always pushed her towards risk-taking. The two found many amusements in each other's company. Once comfortable with each other, they often requested time away from Mrs. Rasmussen's to walk in parks or visit the library. At least that's what their permission slips said. While they often went to their intended destinations, they'd take roundabout ways to get there. Marie always seemed to find ways to get Annie away from the crowds where they could speak more candidly.
Though more innocent than Marie, Annie was not unaware of Marie's intentions. Marie often put her face just inches from Annie's as they spoke or watched people playing in the park. Annie allowed Marie to guide her arm in arm as they walked the busy streets. Annie felt comfortable with Marie's touch and always enjoyed the fragrance of her hair. The two girls made sure their actions did not draw the attention of the police or the general public, and they looked alike enough to pass as sisters, or at least cousins, if anyone ever approached them. Once back at Mrs. Rasmussen's they remained vigilant, less their increasingly unconventional relationship be suspected by any of the others they lived with.
Yet as the summer progressed, Marie grew more pensive about her future. One August evening when Annie sneaked again into Marie's room, Annie sensed something was bothering Marie. "You seem distant, is something wrong?" Annie asked.
