August 23, 1900

Tombstone. 

This morning I walked through town and Payton ran over to me and grabbed me in a big hug. “NAT!!!” I clung to her and buried my face against her shoulder. “I’m sorry bout not trustin you an all.. I told Miss Trin everythin…” 

“Ma found me and told me you was here. I proud of you.” I looked over and saw a man I didn’t know and said, “I don’t know you.” 

“Well I found out… I am really terrible at lyin’,” Payton nodded, giggling softly.

“Because I am new in town… I just got here this morning,” the man said. “My name is James.” 

“That good thing to be bad at,” I looked at Payton and nodded. “I’m Nat. My mommy miss Trin.” 

“Oh yes, I met your mommy a little while ago,” Mr. James said. 

“Well.. I had more people than I thought that care bout me,” Payton giggled and looked at Miss Paisley, and she smiled at her. 

“Bout time you figured dat out,” I nudged her. 

“A lot of people care about you Payton. You too Nat,” Miss Paisley smiled. 

“Where Mr Alex?” I looked down. 

“I have not seen him today,” Miss Paisley said as Payton reached for something she set down by the office and gave it to Miss Paisley. 

“He gonna help me learn how to do things in the clinic.” 

“I made that.. want you to have it,” Payton said to her. 

“It is very nice!” she smiled. 

“I painted it from lookin at a picture of indian art .. think I got the designs right.” 

“I got Indian bunny from Aunt Rye last night. I don’t know what to call it.” 

“Thinking of bunny names will be fun!” she said, setting the vase down that Payton had given her. 

“Mr. James what you think I should call it?” I asked him. “It’s a her. She be friends with Winston,” I looked at Miss Paisley. 

“Now you can show it off in Dutch Annie’s,” Payton smiled. 

“Hmmm...I don’t know....I never named a rabbir before,” Mr. James said. 

“Oh be carefull… Bunnies get very friendly,” Miss Paisley giggled. “They will not need Dutch Annie’s,” Miss Paisley giggled.

“Mr. you know what they do there?” I asked Mr. James. 

“Yes I do, I think,” Mr. James laughed. 

“They work hard and they are all really nice ladies ,” Payton giggled and nodded. 

Mr. James said, “Play cards and talk a lot.” 

“Dat’s it?” I looked between Mr. James and Miss Paisley. 

“Yep, that’s it,” Mr. James and Miss Paisley both nodded. 

“I don’t think that it. They hidin somethin there, Payton. Or we’d be ’llowed to go in,” I insisted. 

“Course… you know we kids ain’t allowed round gamblin…” Payton smiled. 

“Well, we just want a place all to our selves sweetie,” Miss Paisley said. 

“They have card table in other saloon and we can go in there…” I said.

“That’s right, no kids allowed around gamblin,” Mr. James insisted. 

“They are tryin ta protect us kids cause outlaws like goin ta Dutch sometimes.. an us kids shouldn’t be around them.” 

“Dutch? Outlaws?” I blinked. 

“Even outlaws like ta gamble,” Payton said. 

“I was almost shot in there Nat You know TJ?” Miss Paisley asked. 

“Outlaws is out in the street too. We not go there either?” I nodded. “I know TJ. He used to be Ma’s friend.” I saw a boy walked over on crutches and asked him, “How you get hurt?” 

“Yeah… no Natalie. We have ta get off the street when they start ta shoot.. but when ya got them in Dutch Annies its got now where ta hide,” Payton nodded. 

“Well, I was dancing with TJ and one night a man did not like that. He drew his weapon, and if he fired he would have shot me instea of TJ. TJ shot him dead,” Miss Paisley. “That is why no kids Nat.” 

“It was a long time ago,” the boy said. “Got ran over by a wagon when I was real little.” 

“Sound like bad place. What your name?” I asked the boy. 

“Sammy, what’s yours?” 

“Natalie.” 

“Oh, thass a pretty name. You been in Tombstone long?” 

“Um.. I moved here... July 17. I remember my journal.” 

“Ok. I been gone a few months, long story.” 

“Why you gone?” 

“If I tell you folks will get upset with the indians.” 

“You can tell me. I reading bout Miss Trin’s journal and she like Indians. I won’t hate em.” 

“Well it wasn’t really their fault.” 

“Den no reason to hate em.” 

Payton wandered off then and Sammy explained, “I was out walking along the creek and one of ’em made me go with him to the village ’cause he thought I was an indian took by the white folks. ‘Cause I’m so dark. Then they got into big arguments mongst themselves ’bout what to do with me.” 

“What happen?” 

“Some of ’em thought I should stay ’cause they was convinced I hadda be part indian. Some of ’em said get rid of him, he’s useless ’cause he’s only got one leg. Took ’em months to decide to just drop me off at the edge of town. Last night.” 

“Wow… Dat no good.” 

“Well I’m here. But they didn’t treat me bad or nuthin. Let me run with the other kids.” 

“Sounds like me.” 

“Oh?” 

“Dey didn’t know what to do with me in Missipi so dey put me on a train. With da other kids. I decide to get off here in Tombstone.” 

“So did someone ’dopt you?” 

“Well... I was at the orphnage for a week… But Miss Trin no like how Angi treated me. So she talked with the mayor and stuff and became my caretaker I guess. Now I just call her Ma cause that’s how it feels.” 

“Oh? Ms. Angi’s runnin’ the orphanage now?” 

“No.... She was der when I got to town. Not no more.” 

“Who’s got it now?” 

“Some mean lady name Mrs Irueland. Or however you say it.” 

“Oh. She was runnin it when I got kidnapped.” 

“You got kidnapped?!” 

“Well yeah, that brave made me go with him.” 

“Oh yeah. I sorry I no sleep much since fire.” 

“But up in the village I found out he’s not very bright. What fire?” 

“Two nights ago.” 

“Where? Your house?” 

“Jimmy and I watched from balcony as Mr Garth got hired by someone to get people out of house next door to our house. When dey wouldn’t come out he blew house on fire.” 

“Yikes.” 

“It was scary. We thought my house go on fire next.”

“Yeah a little bit. You live here in town?” 

“Over in Pearce.” 

“I thought things was quieter than that over there.” 

“Ma kept sayin she moved der cause it quiet but now not so much.” 

“Ah. I lived in Benson before.” 

“Ohh.” 

“Not sure what’s gonna happen to me now.” 

“I guess you live at orphnage now.” 

“Well Ms. Joan has kinda taken me in for now,” he said and I cringed at the name. “She didn’t want me stayin at the orphanage. Kinda insisted.” 

“I no like that lady.” 

“Why?” 

She keep tellin my bes friend what to do and takin him away from me.” 

“Who’s that?” 

“Jimmy.” 

“He a orphan?” 

“Uh huh but Miss Joan want to adopt him.” 

“Hmm… Well I ran into my brother this morning and he says our mom’s away a lot these days. He’s kinda fendin for himself.” 

“Kaden… Kaden Halsey. Kaden Foxtrot. He was Kaden Halsey when we met.” 

“Oh.” 

“He ain’t been in town much, he says. Too busy takin care of things at home. I prolly need to go on back there and help him. ‘cept sometimes i think i’m more hindrance than help.” 

“I bet you help lots where you can.”

“Oh yeah, I’ll try anything.” 

We looked over and saw Mr. James was still quiet and thinking and I saw Lisa walking towards us. “She mean lady too,” I whispered to Sammy. 

“And I eat kids too,” Miss Lisa winked and I blinked. 

“She’s got ears like a bat,” Sammy whispered back. 

“Cause I’m an outlaw, I hear everything,” Miss Lisa moved closer and whispered, and I snuck behind Mr. James. 

“If you’re and outlaw how come you’re not in jail?” Sammy asked. 

“Cause I’m just that good,” Miss Lisa winked. 

“Outlaws ain’t good. Outlaws are bad,” Sammy shot back at her. 

“She said she there when they burn house next door,” I leaned up to Mr. James and whispered. “I dunno her name.” 

“You ever been in jail?” Sammy asked Miss Lisa. 

“I was once, yes. But the gang broke me out.” 

“Ah. You also need to think about perspective, too. Robin Hood was considered an outlaw, too,” Mr. James reminded.

“But Mr James… Dat don’t mean she good person. She not stop fire.” 

“When the need arises. And we ain’t much different at times,” Miss Lisa looked at me. “I didn’t stop the fire cause the men inside had killed one sheriff and wounded the deputy.” 

“Well a long time ago I run away to Mexico and the way kids lived there made me look rich. Woulda put me on the wrong side of Robin hood I guess,” Sammy said. 

“I was actually there to help the law that night,” Miss Lisa told me. 

“Ain’t good to start fires,” Sammy told her. “Ya never know where they might go.” 

“But what if fire got our house?” 

“But don’t tell anyone, it will ruin my bad reputation. But it didn’t, did it?” Miss Lisa asked. 

“It coulda.” 

“So you worrying bout nothing.” 

“Came awful close.” 

“Them that mess with fire are gonna get burnt sooner or later,” Sammy said. 

“Just adds to the excitement, don’t it?” Miss Lisa chuckled and I cringed, looking down. 

“It’s ok, Natalie. There’s no fire here now,” Mr. James insisted. 

“Now come over here little girl, let me see if you are fat enough for me to cook for dinner,” Miss Lisa smirked. 

“Hey!” Sammy moved to Miss Lisa’s side to defend me and I clung to Mr. James leg. 

“And she ain’t gonna eat ya, neither,” Mr. James shook his head and I glared at the woman. 

“I don’t like her,” I said and looked at Sammy. “Tanks.” 

“She scary,” Sammy nodded. 

“She mean.” 

“I know you don’t.....I won’t let her get ya as long as I am around,” Mr. James promised. 

“Tanks Mr James.” 

Sammy said goodbye and headed off and I looked up at Mr. James. “Maybe you help my mommy, Mr James. She Pinkerton.” 

“We were talking about that earlier. Sounds like she can use a little help.” 

“She already has sleepovers with Mr Thomas but maybe you could work at office with her. She work lots.” 

“I will help her as much as I can.” 

I grinned and hugged him tight. “Why mean lady say she eat me?” 

“I think she was just tryin ta scare ya. I don’t think many people really eat people in these parts….”

“I hope not. I should go home and start readin’ more journals. I see you later Mr. James!” I said and headed home. 

August 22, 1900

Tombstone. 

This evening I walked over to the orphanage, looking around for Jimmy. I waved to Jeff and shuffled my feet quietly. 

“There’s Nat. How are you today?” Mrs. Rye asked. 

“Where’s Jimmy?” I asked. 

“I ain’t seen Jimmy at all Nat,” Jeff nodded. 

“What’s that in your hand?” I frowned and looked at him. 

“It is my bear that Mr. Cole and miss Rye gave me.” 

“Miss Paisley gave me one when I came.” 

“He is a sheriff and his name is Duke.” 

“Mine is named Winston.” 

“Oh Natalie, I made something for you last night,” Aunt Rye said. 

“You did?” I looked at her with tired eyes as I greeted Millard who came to join us. Aunt Rye pulled out a stuffed bunny and I grinned. “It’s a bunny friend for Winston!” 

“Hey can I see?” Jeff asked and I showed him the bunny. 

“It was just something I thought you would like,” Aunt Rye said and I went to hug her, holding on for dear life. “I hope you like it.” I nodded a bit and then saw flames in my eyes when I closed them and started to tremble a bit against her. “By the way your mom was looking for you today, did you see her?” 

“I did yeah…” I said and moved the bunny over to Jeff’s bear.

Jeff made his bear shake his paw and said, “Hi there bunny. I’m Mr. Duke.” 

“Hey, I didn’t realize it…” Mrs. Rye smiled. “Your bunny is a indian. And Jeffery’s bear is like a cowboy sheriff.” 

“Oh wow how odd that is huh?” Jeff giggled. 

“Hi Sheriff Duke. I named... Um.. Uh…” I acted the bunny out but then stopped. “I dunno what to call her. Um…”

“Take your time, you don’t need to name it now,” Mrs. Rye said. 

“I too tired, Mrs Rye,” I wiped my eyes. 

Jeff giggled and shook his bear some. “I’m just a happy sheriff and I like everybody.” 

“A special name will come to you, Nat,” Mrs. Rye said and then looked at me. “Nat, why don’t you go get some sleep?” 

“No. No sleep,” I shook my head. “No closing eyes.” 

“Well why not?” Jeff asked. 

“Her name.... Bugs. I see flames, Jeff. From next door. Big red and orange. And Mr Garth laughing.” 

“Flames where?” Mrs. Rye asked. 

“Next to our house. Last night. Jimmy and I we watched it. They didn’t know we was there.” 

“A fire was by your house?” Jeff asked. 

“Oh yes, I did hear about that,” Mrs. Rye said. “I am so glad you all are alright.” 

“The one beside ours,” I nodded to Jeff. “Mr. Garth did it. I told Miss Trin.” 

“I don’t like that man,” Mrs. Rye said. 

“But.. why would he burn someones house?” Jeff asked. 

“I dunno if people inside. I dunno who live there,” I said. “I never met them… Cause he was hired to get people out. Miss Stormy and Mr Mike were there.” 

“I sure not like Mr. Garth at all,” Jeff made a mean face and looked down. 

“I did not like him over here chasing you yesterday,” Mrs. Rye said. 

“I no fall asleep cause when I close eyes I see the flames,” I looked down. Payton wandered over and I greeted her. “Hi Payton…” 

“So you are little Payton,” Mrs. Rye said as Jeff and Payton greeted each other. “Jeffery told me you were getting adopted… I am Mrs. Rye.” 

“Yeah, that’s Payton,” Jeff nodded. 

“Pleasure Miss Rye... well I am hoping to be adopted .. if everything works out.. adults can be impatient sometimes,” Payton curtsied as I tried to come up with a name for my bunny. 

“Yes, they can. I am just settling in Bisbee. Mr. Cole and I… I have been spending time with the children here. Would like to help here if I can,” Mrs. Rye said. 

I saw Mill waving at Jimmy and ran to hug my best friend. 

“That would be grand Miss Rye,” Payton smiled and nodded. 

“Jimmy you sleep last night?” I asked him and he hugged me tight. 

“No, not one bit.” 

“Me neither. Ma and I played cards.” 

“I just sorta roam roun las night…” 

“Look what Mrs Rye gave me. It a bunny but I don’t have name for it.” 

“Awe. It’s a cute bunny wabbit.” 

A boy named Stanley came over and we all greeted him as I asked, “What should I name it Jimmy? I too tired to think.” 

“What are ya’ll doin’?” Stanley asked. 

“Just sittin’ here. Was gonna play with my bear but I not want him to jump in the creek,” Jeff said. He wants to but I told him no.” 

“Look Jimmy.. Jeff’s bear is a sheriff. And I think Mrs Rye told me my bunny is a Indian.” 

“I dunno...oh wow, dats cool!” Jimmy grinned. 

“Your… bear?” Stanley asked. 

“Yeah, my sheriff bear,” Jeff nodded and we greeted Swift Fox as he came over and I introduced myself to Stanley. 

“Stanley, Mr. Cole left you something behind the building if you would like it,” Mrs. Rye said to him and they walked around to find whatever it was, and Jeff ran after them. 

“Jimmy I wore my pants so it easier to bike,” I told him. 

“Natalie, you tell Miss Trin bou las night?” 

“I did,” I nodded. 

“What she say?”

“She gonna talk to Mr Ansar. He the only one who can do somethin’. But she use my note as statement of some kind.” 

Miss Lisa walked over and Jfef told her she could probably jump the creek off the bridge and she said she probably could after she ate him up. Jimmy told me that he couldn’t sleep at all last night and I agreed, saying I kept seeing the fire. He said he kept thinking about Miss Aeryne and I wondered if those guys ever came out of that house. I told Jimmy I needed to do something before I thought about it too much and Jimmy said he was afraid of telling his mother anything. I asked Jimmy if he wanted to go see if anyone was in the clinic but then I looked over at Millard. 

“Hey Mill... What should I name bunny?” 

“Stew,” he said. 

“I no eat bunny,” I frowned. 

“Yeah, yeah and taters,” Jeff giggled. 

“Tater like Mr. Ansar?” I asked. 

“Yeah like them kind!” 

“Did you eat the stew the other night, Nat?” Mill asked but I shook my head. “It was good,” he shrugged. 

“Sounds it.” 

Mill looked down the well and had an evil grin on his face as he said, “I see a dead body down in the well!” 

I frowned and walked down the street, not wanting to see more dead bodies. I heard Mr. Chris and Miss Zan but saw Mr. Garth in front of it and ran quickly past them, almost running into Sniper inside the saloon. 

I hid behind Mr. Chris and he asked, “What’s ging on, kiddo?” 

“You alright Natalie?” Ms. Zan asked. 

“Mean man set fire to house next door is outside,” I told them. 

“Next to here?” Mr. Chris asked. 

“To my house. Where me and Ma Trin live. Two people inside.”

“Who did it? Did you see?” 

“Mr Garth did it!!!” I pointed outside. “I wrote ma a note. She gonna talk to Mr Ansar cause he only one who can do somethin,” I said and hugged my native bunny. 

“Who was inside the house?” 

“I dunno. Two men yellin out but I don’t know em. We watched from the balcony. Didn’t see em come out.” 

“Probably ran out the back,” said Mr. Kinney. 

“Miss Aeryne layed on the floor. Mr Mike and Miss Stormy were there. Mr Garth said he were hired. To get them out of house. Then he set fire to it. And it burned right NEXT TO OUR HOUSE!!” I cried. 

“Oh my,” Ms. Zan shook her head. 

“Jimmy and I thought our house burn next. Well, my and Ma’s… Not mine and Jimmy’s” 

“Are you ok though? You seem very upset which is understandable,” Ms. Zan said. 

“I not sleep last night. Jimmy didn’t either. Kept seein flames,” I told her. “He wanted to run out and put out fire but I stopped him. Said we had to stay inside.” 

“You made the right call,” Mr. Kinney said and I clinged to Mr. Chris. 

“Natalie, have you let the law know about this?” Mr. Chris asked. 

“I told Miss Trin. She was gonna tell Mr Ansar.”

“Ok.” 

“But we no see him yet today.” 

“Come buy vegetables and support the starving kids at the orphanage!” Jeff shouted then. 

“This bull crap again…” Mr. Garth muttered and I started to walk outside. 

“Shut it Jeffery, or I’ll be having dinner!” Mr. Garth shouted at Jeff. 

“Why you burn house down???” I looked at Mr. Garth. 

“Natalie…” Ms. Zan looked at me with concern. 

“You can’t be eatin’ me!” Jeff shouted. “I am the king!” 

“Why don’t ya mind ya own business?” Miss Lisa asked. 

“It is my business! Was next to my house! So it my business!” I cried at her as the others talked nearby and I glared at Mr. Garth. 

“Well if ya gonna tell the story then tell it right or shut ya mouth,” she said to me. 

“Dat how I saw story!! I not see you there!” I looked at her.

“Them veggies are rotten people!” Mr. Garth shouted. 

“Hey little miss, why don’t you come with us and take a look at these vegetables,” Ms. Zan looked at me. 

“But…” I started. 

“Well you don’t to,” she smiled. “I’m not your boss, just thought you might want a tomato or something.” 

“But he…” I frowned and walked across the street. 

“I was there too, little girl,” Miss Lisa said. 

“No they ain’t! Come see for yourself, folks!” Millard shouted. 

“And that ain’t the way I remember it,” she said. 

I rolled my eyes and headed home. 

August 21, 1900

Tombstone. 

This evening I ran over to the orphanage and snuck up behind Jimmy, tickling him. 

“Hey Natalie!” he grinned. 

“Jimmy… Jimmy…” Miss Joan called for him and he turned to greet her. 

“Mr. Cole went to another town the other day and found some really nice things for you all,” Mrs. Rye knelt down and told us. 

“Jimmy, see I am okay. You have fun today?” Miss Joan asked him and I sighed as she took Jimmy away again. 

“Natalie. Would u like to come to the ranch? Jimmy go get your prize from her,” Miss Joan ordered Jimmy. 

“Miss Trin told me to meet Jimmy here,” I said. “So I here.” 

“Can I please stay a lil longer? I be home fore dark I promise,” Jimmy begged. 

“I have something for all four of you,” Mrs Rye said and we looked up at her. 

“Natalie. Hello little sweetie pie,” Miss Joan greeted me but I looked away. “Would u like to come to the ranch, Natalie?” 

“I was just telling the children I have something for all four of them,” Mrs. Rye said. 

“Oh hello ma’am. That is nice ma’am,” Miss Joan smiled at Jimmy. 

“Jimmy do you like the color blue or black?” Ms. Rye asked. 

I wandered over with the others to find out what the gift was and then we found bikes there. 

“I wanna hang out with just you,” I whispered to Jimmy after a while. 

“Me too, maybe we can get away afer we get our gif,” he said and I nodded without looking at Miss Joan. 

“Ain’t hey good nough to hang out with us some.. or we aint good nough for them to hang out withs?” Bunni frowned and looked at Miss Joan. 

“Not what I mean. I just mean I no wanna go to ranch,” I looked at her. 

The bikes were really neat and we thanked Mrs. Rye lots as we were all excited about them. Miss Joan made sure Jimmi thanked her for the bike and she told him, “Ok, bring it to Zeth carriage to bring it home. Jimmy, we ride it home, okay?” 

“Yes ma’am,” Jimmy nodded and we rode around on the bikes as Miss Joan asked Mrs. Rye how much she should pay for them, but Mrs. Rye, who said I could call her my aunt, said she didn’t need to pay for it. 

“Natalie, you wanna come eat dinner with us?” Jimmy asked us. 

“Jimmy wanna go ride?” I asked, not wanting to go to the ranch. 

“Sure lets go ride!” 

“Natalie. Jimmy,” Miss Joan said and I rode off, thinking Jimmy was behind me, but Miss Joan followed us. “Natalie, Jimmy asked you a question, Natalie.” 

“Why won’t she let us play?” I looked at Jimmy. 

“Maybe she not hungry Mrs Joan,” Jimmy suggested. 

“I just wanna ride around with Jimmy. We not hang out much on our own.” 

“I understand,” Miss Joan said. 

“He always with you. It not fair. I his best friend.” 

“This is dangerous area, Natalie. I get worried,” Miss Joan said. “See you home, Jimmy.” 

“Miss Trin trusts me.” 

“Bye Mrs. Joan,” Jimmy said.

“Bye,” she said and finally walked off. 

“Come on, Jimmy. Let’s keep riding the track,” I said but then I hopped off to give him a quick hug. “No one steal you away from me. I won’t let em.” 

“I won’t let no one steal you either Natalie..you always be by my side,” Jimmy chuckled. 

“She mean ole lady. I no like her. Always stealin you away from me. And tellin you what to do.” 

“She my ma Natalie, she jus try protec me.” 

“Wanna ride?” I shrugged. 

“Yes!” 

We rode off and I waved to our house in Pearce as we rode around the tracks. We saw someone that looked like Miss Aeryne on the ground and I looked over at him. “Maybe we not s’posed to be here. I got a bad feelin.” 

“Oh no, is she ded?” Jimmy asked, looking at Miss Aeryne. 

“I hope not. Come on let’s go in house and stay safe.” 

“Wait Natalie!” 

“What?” I asked but then I saw Mr. Garth. “Really Jimmy we shouldn’t be here.” 

“Alright boys come on out,” Mr. Garth walked towards the building next to our house. 

“Wha happen Miss Aeryne?” Jimmy asked. 

“Come on. Please Jimmy?” 

“We’re not coming out... You can walk away.. we have no problem with you..” we heard someone shout from inside the house. 

“You kids get out of here!” Miss Stormy shouted. 

“Jimmy come on!” I called. 

“Well, I’ve been hired to bring you in, now make this easy or I get to have fun!” Mr. Garth shouted. 

“Come out ya yella belly shooting at a woman with her guns holstered!” Miss Lisa shouted. 

“Okay... have some fun cause I’m looking forward to it too..” the man on the inside shouted. 

“Natalie! Miss Jessie over der, she a doc!” Jimmy told me. 

“It’s okay Jimmy. I’m not doing things very well right now,” Miss Jess said to him. 

“Come on out then,” Mr. Garth shouted. 

“Miss Aeryne she hurt over there!” Jimmy told her. 

“Come on up then…” the man inside shouted. 

“I’d sooner burn you out!” Mr. Garth shouted back. 

“I don’t believe that…” the man said and he walked up on the roof of the house.

I saw the woman on the floor and told Jimmy, “ Jimmy my house not safe!!” 

“I not like that man Natalie!” Jimmy said. 

“Better wait here kids,” Miss Angeles pulled us back. 

“But Ma’am that my house. Mine and Miss Trin What if she…” I rode over to the house and opened the door quickly. “Okay she not here! Dat good,” I said and went over to hug Jimmy as I locked the door like Miss Trin told me to. “I scared,” I told him. 

“Why not go look out balcony?” Jimmy hugged me, looking more excited than scared. 

“No, Jimmy. They shooting, can’t you hear?” I asked, hearing the gunshots. “Mean ol Mr Garth out there.” 

“But we be up high, no hit us up there!” Jimmy said and ran upstairs. He went out to the balcony even though I called after him and watched from the window. “Natalie, look!” he whispered to me and I walked out to join him on the balcony. 

“What am I lookin at?” 

“See we safe up here.” 

I nodded and hugged him again. “Watch this, Natalie,” Jimmy said. 

“What you gonna do?” I asked. 

“Mr Garth You Stink like horse pookie!” Jimmy shouted after Mr. Garth and my eyes grew wide with fear. 

“It’s okay Natalie, he can’t see us up here,” Jimmy whispered. 

“Wait… I got one. Mr. Garth when’s your birthday?” I shouted down. 

“Since you don’t want to come out, I’ll burn the place down,” Mr. Garth said and I hugged Jimmy tighter as we saw things burning next door. 

“We gotta write bout this and show Miss Trin!” I said as Jimmy shouted ‘fire’ and we ran inside. I watched the house next door going up in flames. “Jimmy I scared!!!!” 

“Natalie if it goes completely, Miss Trin house go too...we got put it out!” 

“No Jimmy we gotta stay in here!” 

“Wha if this house go too?” 

“I dunno!” I cried. “I don’t wanna go out there with all those bad people!!”

“It be okay!” Jimmy held me tight. “Stay here.”

“Don’t go!!” I cried against him. 

“But!” 

“I need you Jimmy! I won’t let you die in front of me too!!!” 

Jimmy started to cry too and said, “I gotta do somtin Natalie...we no let house burn down.” We peered outside and he said, Natalie, get me bucket of water.. I go throw on house.” 

“No Jimmy you die in fire too!” I sniffed and shouted after him. 

“Yeah, momma be mad at me if I die..I go bed wit no supper.” 

“Jimmy I no know what to do!” 

“Let’s ride back Tombstone, see if we get help.” 

“I think we go back inside,” I said after some time. 

“Yeah, I think it over..nuttin we do now.” 

“I don’t see no flames anymore. Let’s go write Miss Trin a note. I dunno who is mr lawperson here. Maybe Mr Ansar help.” 

“I dunno, yah I bet Mr Ansar know. Or Miss Aly,” he said and we went off to find help. 

August 20, 1900

Tombstone. 

This morning I walked into the news office and left Miss Jenna a note saying I wanted to help out with writing for the paper. I walked down the street and met two people named Cole and Rye. I told them how I was hoping to get a job with the newspaper and we talked about how there was a lot of places to live. We met another man named Alex as Jess and Annie came over to join us. Mr. Cole said that they’d lost their home to a bunch of rogues not long ago and that everything had been destroyed. 

“I am sorry. They don’t seem to pray on homeowners mostly law or the bank or someplace in town,” Miss Jess said. 

“And I bet every time bad come to the town young Natalie here gets the story, don’t you young miss?” Miss Rye looked at me. 

“I only just started thinkin’ bout it…” I told them. 

“Well I bet you will find the stories and do great.” 

“What you gonna do for work mister?” I asked him. 

“My friend’s young daughter is kind of like you. She always wanting to get all the news when she could. She has a good eye for details,” said Miss Rye. 

“Not sure yet… am a fair hand with horses,” Mr. Cole grinned. 

“My best friend Jimmy helps in stables. Not lots of horses though..” I told them. 

“Will have to see what is available…” Mr. Cole nodded and smiled. 

“I ope when we find a place to reside I can be of assistance in a church mission or with the children,” Mrs. Rye said. 

I showed them around at the different churches and told them about the different churches. I realized Mrs. Rye didn’t have a gun and looked around for Mr. Cole, getting nervous being unprotected. When we saw him, I ran to him and hugged his leg. Mr. Cole said that he had big fists if he needed to protect us and we continued to walk towards Winslow where Mr. Cole could get a new gun. We talked with Mr. Jimmi and Mrs. Starling and talked about their baby who was nearly crawling now. 

We talked about where they were going to live and Mr. Cole said, “Truthfully it is up to her.. all I need is a place to hang my hat and put my feet under the table…” 

“Would hate to see people settling down and find out their new home has been raised to the ground,” Mr. Jimmi said. 

“And a place to put your gun beside your bed at night sir,” I winked at Mr. Cole but Mr. Jimmi looked at me. “Well it’s true.” 

“Yes it is,” Mrs. Rye and Mr. Cole chuckled. 

“Natalie, you should not be interested in weapons at your age.. try looking for some butterflies or fish.” 

“Hey, I will look for those with her. I love butterflies,” Mrs. Rye said. 

“I don’t mean for me, sir,” I said. “But someone oughta protect us. Otherwise we’ll all end up like Miss Ashley.” 

“Yes or camping with your friends next to the lake,” Ms. Starling said. 

“We have butterflies in Goldfield,” Mr. Jimmi said. “And fish in the lake too. Do you like fishing sir?” 

“Nat if you come round to my house tomorrow you can see Garry if you like,” Ms. Starling said. 

“Yes Nat is worried about my lack of a gun to protect my wife,” Mr. Cole smiled. 

“Young Natalie, always inquisitive in the wrong places,” Mr. Jimmi said. 

“But Jimmi… Miss Ashley died in front of me. She was s’posed to be my mommy. I watched men shoot her cos she didn’t have a gun.” 

“But Natalie.. grown ups talking. Where’s your manners little lady?” 

“So yeah... I want to know there people who can…” I bit my tongue and stepped back. “Fine, you don’t care.” 

“It’s okay,” Ms. Starling cuddled me and whispered, and I hid in her big dress, glaring at him. 

“We have the finest law officers and marshals around in the county. They will be onto this and when they get the villain, they will be looking at me. The Judge,” Mr. Jimmi went on. 

“He not listening. If bad people come right now only person with gun is Jimmi,” I said. 

“Most children are,” Mr. Cole smiled and reached down to hug Mr. Cole against his leg. 

“And my Jimmi will protect you,” Ms. Starling promised. 

“And does that worry you Natalie?” Mr. Jimmi asked. 

“Yes, it does. Shouldn’t it? I watched my almost mommy get shot. I don’t wanna watch that again mister.” 

“Of course I will protect you all. I shall be the first to surrender and tell them Natalie has all the jewelry,” Mr. Jimmi insisted. 

“He is only jesting with you Nat,” Ms. Starling insisted. 

I sighed and looked at Mr. Cole, who looked down and winked. 

“We have law officers almost on every corner, they are just very creative at disguising themselves in the woodwork,” Mr. Jimmi insisted. “Natalie, if you have seen something you think is a crime, you should be looking for a law officer, not me. I’m a Judge.” 

“And then there is always me and Jess to save your lives when you get shot,” Ms. Starling promised. 

“Which happens to me a lot.” 

“Sounds like the ones around my old town…” Mr. Cole chuckled. 

“Mr Cole, if you want a peaceful place to stay, I suggest you look at Benson, Bisbee, Goldfield or even as far west as Pearce,” Mr. Jimmi advised. 

Mr. Alex came over then and I ran to him, hugging him tight as frustration was all over my face. “We talk somewhere?” I asked him. 

“Sure Nat. Where do you want to go?” he nodded to me as he greeted the others. 

“Doesn’t matter,” I muttered.

We walked down the street and went into the ice cream store where Mr. Alex asked, “What’s wrong?” 

“Jimmi mean. He make fun of me.” 

“That’s not nice,” he chuckled. 

“I was talkin with Mr Cole and Mrs Rye about where they could get guns. Cause I didn’t like they weren’t wearin em and we wouldn’t be safe. And Jimmi said I should just think about butterflies and fish.” 

“Nat, guns aren’t for everyone. I don’t wear one,” he looked at me. 

“But…” 

“Adults sometimes don’t take kids seriously.” 

“It’s different.” 

“Why?” 

“Cause you’re not a woman.” 

“What about Mr. Cole?” 

“He wants to get gun.” 

“Ah, okay.” 

“That’s why I was tellin him bout Winslow. But then I told em about Mrs Ashley. And Jimmi didn’t even care. I not allowed to be safe? Or think about how we’d be safe if bad people come? If we here inside we close door and push chairs in front so they no get in.” 

“He probably just doesn’t want a kid to have to think about such serious things.” 

“But out there… Well Payton’s stealin money from banks. What if the people she hang out with… What if they come after me and Jimmy?” 

“Why would they? Have you and Jimmy done something to make them mad?” 

“No... But Payton might. And Payton our friend. We on the SS Cootie. I the captain.” 

“Don’t worry about what other people do, okay? Worry about your own conduct and everything will be okay.” 

“We s’posed to be good guys,” I looked at him. “Not like lollipop gang. And now Payton hanging out with bad people and robbing bank. How I be her friend now?” 

“Sometimes people do bad things but that doesn’t mean they’re bad people. You can still be friends with her. Maybe she even needs a friend more now than ever.”

“I guess…” I nodded. 

“Now… Did those nice new people have any kids for you to play with?” 

“Not really.” 

“That’s too bad.” 

“Yeah. But I met two boys the other day. One boy from the Kaw tribe. You ever hear bout that?” 

“Nope.” 

“From Kansas.” 

“Wow.”

“Yeah he had his own language so I gonna learn it. And Apache. And then a Chinese boy too. Named Xu.” 

“A Chinese boy? That’s pretty far from home.” 

“Uh huh.”

“You like languages, don’t you?” 

“I showed them the Fort for soldiers and showed them where Ghenna was so they wouldn’t go there. Yeah I like language.” 

“Maybe I could teach you some French words.” 

“That would be fun! You French?” 

“Well, I’m part French Canadian. And I lived in Paris for awhile.” 

“Oh wow!” 

“Well, Nat, I have to do some work. Have fun and stay out of trouble.” 

I waved to him as he patted my head and then I went to the library. 

August 19, 1900

Tombstone. 

This morning I wandered down the street and waved to Payton, not sure if I should say hi. She looked at me and asked, “So.. how you doin?” 

“I okay I guess,” I shrugged. 

“Look.. I’m sorry bout things.. I don’t hate ya or nothin.. an .. not mad at ya either.” 

“Feels like ya are. Didn’t do nothin’ wrong.” 

“I know.. it.. well.. it was cause of Miss Ashton... an her ....business.. an her wantin ta be my mom...an you hangin round Miss Trin all the time…” 

“Miss Ashton’s business? And what’s wrong with Miss Trin? She just helps people.” 

“Yeah.. I know.. well.. it’s a long story.. but.. Miss Ashton’s business isn’t .. well.. exactly .. legal.. but its ok cause I guess she didn’t really want a kid I was worried that Miss Trin would arrest Miss Ashton an she couldn’t be my mom,” Payton nodded. 

“Oh... Well I don’t know much ’bout that.” 

“Yeah.. so .. with you bein round Miss Trin .. I stopped trustin you…” 

“Miss Trin the only one who wants me. I guess Jimmy and Miss Paisley and Mr Alex do too but… Most people in this place just get me in trouble for stuff. So now I just... read.” 

“Yeah.. I know the feelin. Well.. if ya still wanna be friends.. I would like ta,” Payton shrugged slightly. 

“Jimmy the only one I have really... Who’s a kid anyway. I did meet some Kaw kid and some Chinese kid yesterday.” 

“Yeah… Chinese, huh?”

“Uh huh. He had bald head.” 

“Bald.. well I guess .. that was interesting,” Payton blinked and giggled. 

“So now I gotta learn Apache and Chinese and whatever language that Kaw kid was talkin.” 

“You got yer work cut out for you then,” Payton giggled. 

“Uh huh. I gettin’ better at Apache though.” 

“Well yeah.. you got a good teacher... so.. Miss Trin.. she say anythin about .. me at all?” 

“Well... I um…” I looked down. “Mr. Joe told me that you was askin bout Ghenna lots… I mighta told her.” 

“Well… that’s okay…” Payton sighed. 

“Cause we not s’posed to go there.” 

“Yeah.. I know... an you were jus tryin ta help me keep outta trouble I guess,” Payton smiled. “You’re a good friend Nat.” 

“I just don’t think you should go there,” I looked at her nervously. 

“I won’t.. Unless I get kidnapped an such..” 

“Who would kidnap you?” 

“Well only one I can think of is Rikki.. she was .. with Miss Ashton several times.. talkin…” Payton giggled. 

“What was they talkin bout?” 

Payton looked down and her smile vanished. “About . horses.. transportin an makin sure they didn’t have brands on em an how ta cover up the brands if they did.” 

“Ain’t that bad?” I blinked at her. 

“Yeah.. real bad.. Miss Ashton could get hung for it .. if its true that its what she has been doin.. though.. the horses we...she got on the ranch.. those Mrs Joan gave to her…” she shook her head. “I was willin ta lie and keep a secret .. all because I wanted a momma.. an a family.” 

“Oh no... that’s where Jimmy lives. He might…” 

“No Nat.. Jimmy is fine.. he is with Mrs Joan.. not Miss Ashton,” Payton shook her head. 

“Yeah but you said Miss Joan…” 

“Yeah… Mrs Joan had the horses an gave them to Miss Ashton . Miss Ashton didn’t steal them… and Mrs Joan bought the horses.. I saw the bill of sale for em when I was workin.” 

“So my little brother is fine.. don’t worry.” 

“But Miss Ashton could be in real trouble,” I sighed, feeling left out when she said the word ‘brother’. 

Payton put her finger to her chin thinking. “An with me gettin seen goin in an out of the bank.. the bank bein robbed... an then me..” she sighed. “Crap, that’s why… Yeah.. I ain’t seen her in a few weeks now.. “ 

“The bank was robbed and you were seen goin out of it?” 

“Oh.. Miss Trin didn’t .. well.. yeah.. I stole a ten .. but that was all the money that was left…” Payton blinked. 

“You stole?!?!?!” 

“I gave it back.. but I was still the only one on the scene of the robbery.” 

“Payton that no good!!! You could get locked up!” 

“I know.. trust me…” 

“Payton you shouldn’t be doin that stuff.” 

“It wern’t on purpose Nat.. an if yer gonna be like a little sister for me ya gotta trust me a bit.. I know it looks and sounds bad.. but I didn’t rob the bank.. I found the ten on the floor in the vault.. all the doors an such were already open…" 

“You still shouldn’t have taken it!” 

“I know… It wern’t very smart of me.. trust me..” 

“Why’d you do it then?” 

“Thought it would be excitin .. bein an outlaw.. an I saw it there, so I just .. snatched it up and ran..saw Miss Trin comin an couldn’t stop runnin.” 

“Yeah but now she gonna wanna lock you up and I caught between ya. I won’t lie to Miss Trin.” 

“No… No Nat. Don’t lie to Miss Trin.. you ain’t caught between us.” 

Miss Jess came over and Payton said that we were just patching things up. I looked down and thought to myself that I was even more mad at her now and didn’t know what to say. 

“Well.. I am sorry that things happened the way they did.. an now I look like an outlaw cause of bein seen with Rikki.. an Garth.. an Mac... an Kid…” Payton side. “Askin bout Ghenna.. an now the bank.” 

“Mac and Garth and Kid??? Who’s Kid?” 

“Not sure really .. seems nice.. he came to the orphanage the other night.. had pie... was wearin lots of bullets on belts an had guns.. he stopped by after all the yellin an shootin was over,” Payton shrugged. “He just looked the type. Had a mask too,” she said and I sighed. 

“But you stole. Even though ya knew it was bad.” 

“I know…” she sighed softly. “So.. your smart.. what should I do?.. I mean .. the gallows are by the orphanage..” she looked at her feet. 

“Well in Sherlock... The way they figure out who did it was by comparin’ prints and stuff. Maybe you should go to Miss Trin and give her your prints. She can write down that ya cooperated or somethin’. And then stop hangin out with those people. They’ll just make you do bad stuff.” 

“It’s not like it was on purpose…” 

“But the more you hang out with them the more you’ll get to be like them.” 

“Yeah…” she nodded. 

“So you should talk to Miss Trin.” 

“Yeah… I will… try…” 

“If you don’t... you’ll look even worse like an outlaw. Then they’ll be real mad with you.” 

“Yeah,” she sighed softly. 

“I gonna go find Miss Trin. Bye Payton. Good luck.” 

“Thanks Natalie.” 

I knocked on the door but she wasn’t there so I wrote a note about the horse theft conversation and put it in her mailbox. 

***

A few hours later I ran over to Jimmy, looking panicked and scared. “Jimmy! We need.... to talk…” 

“Wha wrong? Calm down and breathe,” Jimmy said. 

I saw Mr. Amos and got nervous as he asked, “Is something wrong?” 

“I  surrounded by love in my village, but it burn, does that mean it hell?” Swift Fox tilted his head and looked up at Mr. Amos and I had no idea what they were talking about, but I didn’t want to talk in front of a ranger. 

“Jimmy can we go talk by horses?” 

“Sure…let’s go...bye Mr Amos and Swift,” Jimmy said and we went over to the stables. 

“Jimmy have you.. have you talked to Payton?” I asked him. 

“Yes, I saw her last night.” 

“What she tell you?” 

“She told me she went in bank and now people think she robbed it.” 

“She did rob it,” I nodded. “She told me today she did.” 

“I gave Miss Trin a note telling her all bout it.” 

“No she didn’t. She just took ten bucks.” 

“Yeah but Jimmy that still stealing!” 

“Someone had already robbed the bank before she for there.” 

“She said she wanna be friend but... Now I stuck. Miss Trin gonna want to take her to jail. Mr. Thomas wants to defend her she said. And I’m caught in the middle! And and.. That’s not all.” 

“What?” 

I sighed and asked, “Jimmy you know those horses Miss Joan gave Miss Ashton?”

“Umm, yeah...wha bout them?” 

“She said Miss Rikki been talkin with miss Ashton about them. Miss Rikki bad lady, Jimmy. She wanted to talk bout transportin them without brands on em. Jimmy I read in Sherlock someone got hanged fer that!” 

“Oh no...why Miss Ashton talk to bad lady?” 

I nodded and said, “And Payton live with her sorta. Or wants to. It’s all a mess Jimmy! I told Payton to talk to Miss Trin about givin her her fingerprints like in Sherlock. Makes her look less guilty if she go to Miss Trin and apologize.” 

“Mr Thomas wants her to stay with him at the Bisbee Hotel to keep her safe, until it all done, he will make it all better I am sure.” 

“She gonna be in big trouble, Jimmy. And if Miss Ashton is doin this stuff... she gonna be in worse trouble. Then maybe bring trouble to us.” 

Miss Bree came into the stable and said, “Boo.” I jumped, already scared enough. 

“We can’t worry bout Miss Ashton and Payton too Natalie..we gotta help Payton first,” Jimmy said. 

“Don’t do that, I was listening,” Mr. Amos turned and looked at Miss Bree. 

“But Payton need to talk to Miss Trin,” I told Jimmy. 

“Oh sorry. Really? What’s wrong?” we heard miss Bree talking to Mr. Amos. 

“I scared, Jimmy. She gonna turn out like those mean people and like TJ,” I told Jimmy. 

“I can’t even get her to come home Natalie...she scared to death..Also I saw somtin las night scare me bout her.” 

“What you see?” 

“Natalie, she hav one dose belts, with the little bullets on it, she wearin it.” 

“No!!” I gasped. “Jimmy I don’t think she should be in the SS Cootie.” 

“I not see gun, but who knows...she desprate.” 

“We’re s’posed to be good group. Not bad guys. If they can tell her to do bad stuff maybe she tell us to do bad things.” 

“Jimmy, did you get the cake done?” Miss Bree giggled then and made Jimmy jump. 

“Oh! Hi Miss Bree, ummm yeah, the cake was awesome. Everyone at orphanange love it.” 

“You made cake?” I looked at Jimmy, feeling more left out. 

“Good, I glad,” Miss Bree smiled. 

“No, Miss Bree gave me a cake yesserday at bakery,” Jimmy told me. 

“Yes I watched them for a bit. Yes Nat. Bree knows a lot more than you think.” 

“Don’ worry Natalie. I save you biggest piece!” Jimmy promised. 

“You did!?” I grinned and went to hug him. 

“Yes he wanted you feel better Nat,” Miss Bree said. “I go back to bank. Remember can come to me if need okay?” 

“Miss Bree... Teacher pulled my hair cause I couldn’t sit beside my best friend and my other friend might be bad person,” I  told Miss Bree. 

“See no forget my bes frien,” Jimmy laughed and hugged me, pulling my hair playfully. 

“Yes I heard she did. She needs to be better person,” Miss Bree said. “Lil one wonders why alone?” Miss Bree said about a child who was wandering alone close by then. 

“When you see Payton Natalie?” Jimmy asked. 

“I saw her this morning. I wrote Miss Trin a note,” I looked over to see the child. “Who der?” 

“Nat why this child alone?” Miss Bree asked again. 

Swift Fox came out from behind the wall and I told him it was okay to come out. “I just no want to talk in front of badge man,” I told him. 

“Come on out Swift…” Jimmy chuckled. 

“No hide from me, lil one,” Miss Bree said. 

Swift Fox looked curiously at her and said, “My name Swift Fox.” 

“I will help talk Nat. You be fine and lawman is very nice man I assure you is my friend,” Miss Bree said. 

“Leave it to indians to be sneakin aroun,” Jimmy whispered to me and we giggled. 

“But you ask me if want my help or I not do anything,” Miss Bree said and looked at us seriously. “Indian is my good friend too so no be putting them down you hear me??” 

“Wow she has good hearing to hear your whisper,” I blinked. 

“Yes, I am real god at a lot of stuff,” Miss Bree turned and walked away again. 

“I not put him down Miss Bree...he my friend too,” Jimmy told her.

“Okay, good thing,” she nodded and headed to the bank. 

“Hi Swift Fox,” I went over to hug Swift Fox. “We just talkin bout our friend Payton and if she can still be friend.” 

“Oh hey, yeah I kinda heard everything…” 

“It okay. We just no need more law persons to know bout it. Just need to get Payton to talk to Miss Trin,” I told him. 

“Swift, ummm did you see where Mr Amos went?” Jimmy asked and I looked at him confused. 

“That paleface I talk to before you both come up?” Swift Fox tilted his head. 

“Yes, did he follow you by any chance?” 

“He did for a little,” he nodded, “But we split up. I don’t know if he heard.” 

I nodded with a sigh and said, “There not really more we can do… Other then try to convince Payton to talk to Miss Trin.” 

“Oh, umm ok. Yeah, you’re right. Natalie did she tell you where to find her?” Jimmy looked at me with a worried look. 

“I left Miss Trin a note in her mailbox. I don’t know where Payton went after I talked to her.” 

“Why you both so worried? She not do anything and talked to marshall about the paper thing,” Swift said. 

“Do you remember that place we went, and found bullets after we left?” Jimmy asked. 

“She took money that wasn’t hers from the bank, Swift.” I looked at Jimmy and asked, “Where the mean man was?”

“The paper thing,” Swift nodded. “She told marshall about what she done.” 

“She did?” 

“Yes, but not there, the place with the bats.” 

“Yes last night,” Swift nodded and I looked between them, confused. 

“She did?” 

“I just said yes. you not understand words?” Swift sighed. 

“Okay let’s get things straight,” I said. “This what I know.” 

“Marshal came to orphanage with other people, two women. Don’t know who they are… but she told marshal about what she ‘stole’,” Swift sighed. 

“Ohh. So she already told law person bout it,” I realized and he nodded. “Well then we no need Miss Trin.” 

“You both worry over nothing,” Swift shook his head. 

“Natalie, do me a favor. Go to the bat caves and leave a note for Payton if she not there. I am goin to go find Mr. Thomas and see what he know,” Jimmy looked at me. 

“I don’t wanna go there alone,” I told him. 

“I talk to that paleface too,” Swift looked at Jimmy. 

“Take Swift with you if you want…” Jimmy said. 

“Maybe I should finally meet nice man who sleep on Miss Trin’s couch,” I said. “Ok Swift, I guess we can go.” 

“Why we goin’ where?” Swift sighed. 

“To leave a note for Payton cause um... She might be staying there?” I looked at Jimmy to make sure I was right. “But if she already talked to mister marshal we no need to say nothin to her.” 

“Yes, that’s where she told me to leave a note for her, or look for her if she not aroun,” Jimmy said. 

“What should the note say?” I asked. 

“I don’t know… Just to get with one of us,” Jimmy said and ran off to the corals. 

Swift shook his head and said, “She say she had to go somewhere.” 

“Okay,” I nodded. “I guess we has to go to that place now. I not exactly sure where right place is if not the caves.” 

“Why go? She not in trouble.” 

“I dunno. I don’t get it anymore.” 

“Jus don’t worry about it, she say what she did. Though I take bread and don’t say anything,” Swift said. 

“Not right to take things that aren’t yours,” I sighed. 

“Paleface take things all the time, and I was hungry.” 

“Now what?” I asked, looking down. 

“I don’t know. I tried going out to the Apache lands, but not see anyone,” Swift shrugged. 

“I think we could go to street I guess.” 

“Street, you mean out door?” 

“Dunno what else to do.” 

“You got so worried about friend, you lost what you do,” Swift chuckled. 

We walked over to the bank and waved to Mr. Ansar. Miss Bree said we could have some donuts in the bank and we went in to take a couple. I walked out and Mr. Ansar asked, “Ain’t getting into trouble, have ya?” 

“Nothing you know about,” Swift chuckled as he followed me and came back out with me. 

“Mr. Ansar?” I looked up at him then. 

“Don’t make me lock ya in a cell all night with nothing to eat but dirty dish water,” Mr. Ansar said in a scary voice and I cringed, backing up as he asked, “Yeah?” 

“Is that what you gonna do to Payton?” I asked him. 

“Aw come on don’t scare the youngin’s, Ansar,” Mr. Amos told him. 

“Payton? I didn’t arrest her.. who ever dos will be dealing with her,” Mr. Ansar said. 

“Try, paleface,” Swift Fox mumbled softly. 

“What they gonna do?” I asked. 

“Little fear never hurts them to be on there best behaviour,” Mr. Ansar said to Mr. Amos. 

“I only heard what happened through my sister Andra, and a little boy,” Mr. Amos said. 

“Hmm maybe lock her up and throw away the key to dings and wild crazy deer,” Mr. Ansar said and I cringed, hiding behind Swift Fox.

“What if kid no go to school? What then?” 

“Then you never see them again,” Mr. Ansar shrugged. 

“No I mean... What happen if a kid no want to go to school?” 

“Well then they find you and make you stay in a place you will not care for,” Miss Bree said. 

“Well according to what she said to me, that Payton gave back the money and this morning Payton herself told me something else,” Mr. Amos said. 

“They have to,” Mr. Ansar told me. 

“Well what if they don’t?” 

“I no going to this school,” Swift Fox crossed his arms across his chest.

“Or they go missing…” Mr. Ansar said. “Miss school a crazy ranger will eat ya, starting with ya toes.” 

“Apaches teach you, Swift,” Miss Bree said. 

“Well what if teacher was mean? I want Apaches to teach me. Maybe I should become Apache.” 

“Teachers are s’posed to be mean,” Mr. Ansar said. 

“Then teacher need to do a better job or be fired,” Miss Bree said. 

“Well I’m half, does that count?” Mr. Amos asked. 

“Trin teaching me how to talk like them,” I said proudly. 

“How else ya going to learn?” Mr. Ansar asked. 

“I not apache. Don’t know of them, have not seen them,” Swift Fox said. 

“Teacher pull my hair,” I said in perfect Apache. 

“Teachers not all mean, I know,” Miss Bree assured. “My ma was one I loved her as did everyone.”

Mr. Amos looked at my hair and said, “Guess I’m getting a little better at understanding.”

“Teacher was mean to me. I no going back there,” I said defiantly. 

“All have to do is tell her boss,” Miss Bree said. 

“Who her boss?” I asked. 

“You’re missing out if you don’t go to school. Like candy and fun things,” Mr. Amos said in Apache. 

“No fun things. Only mean girls and mean teachers. And confusing,” I said back in Apache. 

“Maybe Mayor wise or Mr finesmith I no sure abut Miss Angie knows. Maybe tis her,” Miss Bree suggested. 

“Angi, the matron Angi?” Mr. Amos asked. 

“Yes, maybe.” 

“She not matron anymore, Jimmy told me,” I told them. 

I walked up to Mr. Amos and asked him, “If Missus teacher pull kid’s hair and kid no want to go to school no more… Do you put in jail the teacher or the kid?” 

“Only those that wish to harm others.” 

“She harm me. She hurt me.” 

“If more then one person agree’s with it,” Mr. Amos said. 

“I hurt teacher if teacher try to hurt me,” Swift Fox raised a brow. 

“I no go school no more,” I folded my arms across my chest like Swift Fox. 

“Why would that teacher do that to you?” Mr. Amos asked.

“Cause I wanted to sit beside my bes friend and he a boy.” 

“Well wasn’t right to hurt a child but seeing she was trying to keep the class room well ordered I can figure on why.” 

“It weren’t hurtin no one to sit beside each other.” 

“What’s your teachers name?” 

“It no fair, Mr Seth.” 

“Were you listening to your teacher, before she did it?” 

“He just ask teacher name,” Swift said. “Does not matter. I no go to this school anyway.”

“I…” I started, but then paused. “She no tell me nothing, Mr Seth!!” I told him. “All she did was come in the classroom, stand behind me, and say ’uh hem’. Then she pulled my hair. Then I ran out. She didn’t even tell me last time to move. So why this time?” 

“I’d guess you might’ve been talking to your friend when she did what she did?” Miss Libby guessed as she came over to us. 

“Ansar, is there a law about harming a child without a reason?” Mr. Amos asked. 

“I wasn’t though!!” I cried to Miss Libby. “I was just sittin beside him. Class hadn’t even started yet. She was the one who was late anyways.” I folded my arms across my chest again. “I not going back.” 

“Well that’s odd... don’t seem like a good reason to pick on ya for that,” Miss Liby frowned. 

“Not too much a fan of harming a child without talking first,” Mr. Amos said. 

“It not fair Mr Seth,” I said firmly. 

“Where did these children come from? They yours Seth?” asked a lady wearing a black outfit. 

“No,” Mr. Amos shook his head. 

“What you lookin at boy? You have a name?” the lady asked Swift Fox. 

“What if someone came with you to class next time?” Miss Libby asked me. 

“I was a little worried seeing the girl upset this morning,” Mr. Amos said. 

“I have no one,” Swift Fox raised a brow at the lady. “And yes, I have name. It good name. You have name paleface?” 

“I’m going to shove off,” Mr. Ansar waved and headed down the street. 

I looked at Miss Liby and said, “That not the point. Girls always mean to me and now big girls too.” 

“Paleface?” the lady in black asked Swift Fox. 

“I’m not mean to you,” Miss Libby frowned. 

“‘Scuse me?” the lady in black asked. 

“Well... ya could use some sun.... “ Miss Libby said to the woman and was trying not to laugh. 

“Yes paleface,” Swift kept his arms crossed. 

“Well if you can tell me the name I’ll talk to her about it ok?” Mr. Seth asked me. “My name’s Seth Amos and I am a ranger.” 

“I’d like to know the name of the teacher too... perhaps next time she comes into the clinic I can give her a special injection,” Miss Libby nodded. 

“Well ranger, seems this half breed kid has some explaining to do,” said the lady in black. 

“Her name Miss Traci. But I probably the on who was in trouble cause I knew she was gonna lecture me about sittin in the boy’s side. She came back and stood behind me though and I got scared so I ran… Then she pulled hair. She didn’t say nothin, just pulled cause I ran. Cause I was scared

“Half breed?” Swift Fox raised an eyebrow. “I am warrior of my people. I am of the Kaw.” 

“Well if you knew she was gonna be mad, why’d you do something you knew was wrong?” Miss Libby asked. 

“Cause it ain’t wrong!!” 

“But you said it was the boy’s side?” 

“It just that everyone keeps sayin I can’t sit with the boys, but some teachers say it okay. Even Miss Traci didn’t tell me no last time. So why she say one thing one time and then not like it the other?” 

“Hmmm .... well that sounds like the teachers need to be more consistent.... either it is or it ain’t. I agree Natalie... they should be consistent or explain themselves.” 

“Well then I not going to school. Not my fault. I go school with Swift Fox.” 

“Where does Swift Fox go to school?” 

“My opinion is still head to school and always ask about if you can sit with the boys if they will allow it or not,” Mr. Seth said. 

“What you talk about, I no go to school,” Swift Fox looked at me. 

“Exactly Swift Fox,” I grinned and he shook his head, going back to glaring at the man in black. 

“What your name miss lady?” I looked up at Miss Libby. 

“I’m Libby Macbain... Doctor Libby Macbain.” 

I looked over and up at the sign and said, “It says bank, ma’am. You want to get newspaper? I read dat for you too.” 

“That’s right, and what do they keep in the bank?” the lady in black asked. 

“Money.” 

“Right again.” 

“She think I stupid?” I looked over and whispered to Swift Fox. 

“And if you want to be as smart as the doc there you should stay in school and learn how to count money and make something of yourself,” the lady in black said. 

“Don’t know,” Swift Fox shrugged. “Many paleface people seem to think they know more.” 

“I gonna learn languages well ’nough so I can teach em,” I sighed. “I already know most Apache words. Swift gonna teach me Kaw language. And Xu gonna teach me Chinese. And den I get Mr Kris to teach me Navajo.” 

“Can you read, Swift?” Mr. Seth asked. 

“What is read?” Swift blinked at him. 

“I don’t need school. I work in library. Lots of books there. I read most of em.” 

“Books. Library,” the lady in black said. 

“What is books?” Swift looked at her. 

“Maybe you can read to him…” she said to me and looked at him. “They tell stories.” 

“My people tell stories. No need book when you hear it.”

“Books are ways to adventure or knowledge. Like the Bible,” Mr. Seth put in. 

“Natalie... you’re a darn smart young lady... if you want to learn some medicine, you let me know... I’ll teach you some,” Miss Libby smiled at me. 

“Medicine?” I looked at Miss Libby. “Like be a doctor like you?” 

“What is Bible?” Swift asked Mr. Swift. 

“I could help you in clinic, Miss Libby,” I nodded. 

“That you can ask Pet,” Mr. Seth told Swift. “She reads it and I also read it.” 

“Well when you read you don’t have to wait for someone else to tell you about things,” the lady in black said. “You can learn them on your own.” 

“Well, to be a doctor, you have to go to school for sure, and take tests ... but I’d surely be happy to teach ya a few things here and there, and certainly would love the help in the clinic,” Miss Libby said. “However... we do need to get permission for that.” 

“Like if I get wounded again,” Mr. Seth smirked. 

“I find books in library about it,” I grinned. 

“Hear stories pass time,” Swift Fox shrugged. “Good thing to do during day of rain. No need book like Bible. Our elders teach us through stories.” 

“Who are your parents?” Miss Libby asked me. 

“And where does your elders get the stories?” Mr. Seth asked Swift. 

“Me? I stay with Miss Trin,” I told her. 

“I know Miss Trin... I reckon she’d allow ya to help in the clinic,” Miss Libby smiled big. 

“Elders get stories from their elders and their elders,” Swift said. “Stories  passed to tribe over many many suns.” 

“Is that something you’re sure you’d like to do? There’s a lot of yukky things that happen in there,” Miss Libby looked at me. 

“Humm I think many moons…” the lady and black said. 

“Many suns and moons, what is point paleface?” Swift Fox nodded. 

“I dunno, I think about it maybe? I not sure if I wanna be like Sherlock or like Watson,” I told Miss Libby. 

“Stories change with every telling,” Mr. Seth said, “So how can you know what really happened if it wasn’t written down?” 

“Alrighty... well you think on it... and let me know,” Miss Libby grinned at me. 

“Okay, I will,” I nodded. 

“Good point Seth,” the lady in black said. 

“The bible has changed every time it has been written down, no difference,” Mr. Joe said softly. 

“You say you like read so much, what point if no remember?” Swift Fox looked at Mr. Seth. 

“If it was written and someone reads it people remember,” Mr. Seth said. 

“People remember if you tell them too.”

“I think I go read some stuff. Bye Swift Fox. See you later. And bye Mis Libby!” I waved and headed off to read as Mr. Seth told me to talk to him if something was wrong again. 

*** 

This evening I wandered around town and saw Jimmy in the bank. “Hey Jimmy! You not robbin the bank too are ya?” 

“Want a piece of candy Miss Bree?” Jimmy was offering a peppermint candy to Miss Bree and turned to chuckle at me. “No I no robbin Miss Bree...she put my money in bank fer me.” 

“You get money for helpin with horses?” I asked curiously. 

“Oh yes, people give me money sometimes.” 

“I might help Miss Libby in clinic as job. You think I should?” I asked. 

“See if this it,” Miss Bree said. 

“That’s it, thank you miss Bree,” Jimmy said, looking at his bank statement and then turned to me. “I think that be awesome Natalie..wha you gunna do?” 

“I dunno yet.” I looked around and said, “I never been in bank before.” 

“”Well this a nice one Black diamond even nicer,” Miss Bree said. 

“Miss Bree perties bank lady I know,” Jimmy beamed. 

“Aww,” she smiled. “Get you some Nat,” she said, seeing me eye up the donuts. 

We heard shouting in town and wandered outside. We saw Annie and Jeff and talked with them and Mr Bill and some others that were there. I stayed quiet and stood beside Jimmy as Jeff and Jimmy talked about hunting. Some woman said she was nervous about being around children and I asked Mr Kris to teach me how to speak Navajo, but he said it was a hard language to learn. Annie kept trying to sell vegetables even though Miss Jess told her to be quiet. They started to tell us to go inside and Mr. Kris asked Jess why they had to go inside since there wasn’t anything bad going on. 

I started asking people what their birthdays were and told them how to say it in Spanish. Miss Joan came over and Jimmy introduced me to the woman who was going to adopt him. Miss Paisley took us over to the group then and I held Jimmy’s hand. Miss Joan asked if I wanted to come with them to their ranch and I rode along in the wagon and went to see their house in Benson. They showed me around the huge house and then Jimmy and I walked home. 

Along the way, we stopped in Pearce and saw a woman named miss Lilly near where the bat cav was. We talked for a while and then headed home.