We live in what is a typical western town of the day I suppose. Big enough that you wouldn't know everyone, yet it seemed somehow that everyone managed to know what everyone else was doing. The railroad finally reached us a few years back and moved beyond. Business was expanding faster than the sawmill could make the boards. So many new people were arriving every day there was hardly place for them. And of course along with them came the undesirables with their saloons, drinking, fights and bawdy houses. The churches tried to keep up but there was only so much that could be done other than petition the town council to keep them in the lower part of town. Not to say there wasn't a good side. So many things we needed now came on the train. New bolts of material, furniture, and other wished for goods that we have done without for so long.
Many wonderful people arrived and new jobs were everywhere. Sam Wallace, the owner of the General Store was building on to his business. Elizabeth, his wife, is my dearest friend. She is much stronger of will and steadfastness. My husband, Thomas, an excellent carpenter, was doing the work and had more work impatiently awaiting him when that was finished. Buildings were going up faster than men and supplies were available.
We both had sons that had just finished learning their numbers and letters and would now be leaving school, ending their further education against my most ardently spoken wishes, and joining their Fathers in their business.
Oh my, I am prattling on. I believe in good faith, should I have any yet to appeal to, that I write selfishly looking for a reason, some excuse perhaps, to forgive myself, to elucidate these new feelings with some desperate hope of stifling or repressing them. I cannot continue. Yet, I fear I cannot stop them for in leisure moments from my housework, they consume me. My dear Elizabeth, my confidante, tries to console, advise, yet she has her own... aberrant feelings, velleity... I suppose, to suppress. She has grasped the cross, yet I willingly followed in our folly. Oh what our penance for our meddling.
As I have already said my husband, Tom, is putting an addition on Sam's store. I walked down to the store taking chance of the dust and the sun with my parasol as I am fragile and fair of skin. I had need to pick up some flour and cinnamon and thought I might tarry to see my dear Elizabeth. Oh, yes, I am Anna.
I believe here I must step back and let my fingers, pen and inkwell continue this alone as my thoughts are fraught with the emotions all this has brought about. It is as best as I perceived it to have happened knowing the events as I do now.
As I came upon the dusty boardwalk it was quiet of hammering and I stepped into the front door. There wasn't anyone about and I walked to the drygoods counter. Hearing voices from the back I walked closer and, I must make clear without intent or purpose, overheard Sam talking to my Tom.
I stepped back hearing mention of earlier sexual adventures of which I had no part and no wish to hear of. I believe I am no prude and I bear up to all of my husband's wishes. Though I fear I did not feel the intenseness that he does, his goodness and devotion to his family has earned my most willing submission to his needs whenever he wishes. He is my husband... and admittedly I take some inner pride in acceding to and providing for his pleasure.
Yet, at the sound of them speaking of my son I stepped closer.
"Tom, them boys are growed up now. They'll be startin work with us. They're done with their schoolin now and I think we ought to give 'em a little celebration to make 'em men. What do you think?"
"Sam, I think Tommy's ma would skin me alive if I figure what you're thinking."
"Yeah well, her and Elizabeth don't need to know now do they. Me and you, Tommy and Jimmy, we could make a little party out of it. Play some cards, have a few drinks and I'll get a couple girls from one of the saloons over at Carsonville. It's a big town and nobody will much know us or them. Hell Tom, we'll have it right here in the back room of my place after closing and dusk. I got a couple good feather beds in the loft I can bring down and put in the new store room you built. It's still empty."
"I don't know Sam, I'd sure hate for Anna or Elizabeth to find out. There would sure be hell to pay. You know them two are thick as molasses. They'll both be wantin to get them boys married off in a few years."
"You let me take care of that Tom. We'll set it up fer next Saturday night. Elizabeth and your Anna will be at the Women's Club meetin."
Anna quickly slipped out the front door and scurried to see Elizabeth.
"ELIZABETH... ELIZABETH... oh my God we have to stop this," she cried breathlessly.
Elizabeth looked up from her kitchen table curiously as Anna hurried through the screen door.
"For heavens sake, sit down sit down. Stop what Anna?"
"Oh Liz," she cried in a panic. "Our husbands, you won't believe what they are about to do. Our sons, oh my God our dear babies, they are going to get them mixed up with some saloon floozies. I overheard them at the store. It's to be this Saturday when we are at our meeting."
"What ever for Anna? Why would they do such a thing?"
"They said to celebrate becoming men. Oh Liz, they can't, they just can't. Who knows what kind of awful saloon girl they'll get. They could get some dreadful disease or something, they're so dirty. Oh my God Liz, we have to do something. If anyone finds out, none of the good girls will have them for husbands," she cried as she dropped into a chair holding her head.
"Are you sure? This has to be Sam's idea. That man. It would be like him. Oh I'm so sorry Anna. We have to think of something, someway to stop this. Our Saturday meeting is out."
"Oh please Elizabeth, you are so good at thinking of things, what can we do?"
She clasped Anna's hands in hers, "I'll think of something, I promise, we won't let this happen to our boys. I know I can outwit Sam. Look, Sam will be home soon. Go home and act as if nothing has happened. Don't worry Anna, some how we'll take care of this."
Anna quickly made her way home becoming furious at her husband for allowing such a thing. No flour, no cinnamon, so no desert tonight for him. Nothing else either, she would have a terrible headache. That would be certain.
Elizabeth turned to her work, fixing the evening meal. "Well Sam my husband, you devil. What have you done?" Elizabeth thought smiling to herself. Her thighs tightened as little shivers slipped through her nicely rounded hips. "There must be some way..." a wary smile on her lips as she pondered Anna's words. Sam was a wonderful provider, husband and Father, yet she knew, there was something more... missing.
Sam closed up the store and went home. Soon enough his mercantile would be twice the size with Tom's good work. It would be as big as the ones at Carsonville. Which reminded him of what he needed to do.
"LIZ, ELIZABETH, I'm home dumplin. What we got fer supper tonight? I'm so hungry I could bite a runnin heifer right in th.."
"SAM... NOT ANOTHER WORD IN THIS HOUSE!"
"Now, did you have a good day?" she asked giving him a peck on the cheek. She wiped her hands and finished setting the table.
"Good enough." Sam grunted, thinking a man can't say a word in his own home.
"We're having some white beans, sweet cornbread, ham bits, green onions and some fried potatoes. I've made a rhubarb-strawberry pie for desert. Jimmy should be in soon. Go yell for him and I'll finish up here."
Sam grunted and pushed his way back from the table. He just couldn't get over how Liz could put together somethin so good. Never figured what such a good lookin woman seen in him. Her long dark curls hiding naturally tan skin. He shook his head to clear the obvious salacious thoughts nudging in at the corners.
"Jimmy, you'll have to mind the store for awhile tomorrow. I have to run in to Carsonville to look at some new hardware."
"Sam, I'll ride with you. I want to look at some things that we should probably stock in the store when Tom is finished with it."
