August 4, 1900

Tombstone. 

Early this morning I walked over to the hotel and talked with Sabi as we played with a puppy who was nearby. Sabi told me last night she got too much paint up her nose and that she saw a dead lady. 

“Oooooh Miss Trin was lookin pretty bad when she came home last night. I asked her what was wrong but she... She didn’t wanna talk about it much. Said some lady died in front of her.” 

“ Yeaaaah I had a nightmare about her. Poor lady was singing as sweet as any birdy, then she had holes in her face and was ded!!!” 

“Miss Trin was upset,” I frowned. 

“It was skeeery," Sabi nodded. 

“I tried to make better but it didn’t work. She so tired and tried to sleep. But then she kept waking me up in the night.” 

“Aww…" 

“Guess she had dreams too.” 

“Yah I only had the one. I guess the tea Miss Lilly gave me made me sleep anyways. She had such a pretty voice. I wish nobody hurt her and wrecked that,” she said and I looked down. “What’s a matter Nat?” 

“I worried for Miss Trin. I never seen her so upset. And I worry for you. Did you see it happened?” 

“Was she friends with the lady or something?” 

“She didn’t say much but she did say she talked to lady. Right before she died.” 

“Naw, but they brought her body in to tha clinic while I was laying right near by! It was terrible!! Veeeery skeery. She was soooo still. Almost like she was a doll and not a person. I went and looked for my mommy for a hug but I couldn’t find her. Guess she and daddy went out. They really should make havin guns against tha law. Make em throw lollipops like us! If they did that then this lady could still sing and only have a sticky face. I sure hope she wasn’t some poor kids mommy….” 

“Miss Trin no tell me. She didn’t tell me who lady is.” 

“I ain’t never seen her before. I never even said hi cause I didn’t feel good. Maybe if I said hi she woulda not been fightin. Hey Nat?” 

“Ya?” 

“Is Miss Trin gonna ’dopt you?” 

“I dunno. But I like livin with her.” 

“She is a real nice lady. I ’dopted her as an aunty back when she was all alone. I am glad she gots you now." 

“Maybe I adopt her as aunty.” 

“Yeaah!” 

“Guess no one making breakfast this mornin’.” 

“No, don’t seem so. Guess it’s cookies again…” Sabi shook her head sadly. 

We saw Aly come over then and ran out to hug her. We talked about the person who died and Aly said that it was sad when people got angry with each other. Mr. Alex came over then and greeted us. I was so excited to see him back and went to hug him tightly. 

“I think guns should be ’gainst tha law,” Sabi declared. “Then everyone can throw lollipops like us kids!" 

“I don’t think so Sabrina. Because you know what? Even if they are against the law they are still gonna exists, which means, the bad people are still gonna get them, while the good people who follow the rules won’t be able to protect themselves," Aly said. 

“Trin told me bout this big horse she took care of wit Jimmy. He was biiiiiiig she said,” I told Mr. Alex. 

“Oh yeah?” he smiled down at me. 

“Uh huh. She said she wished you around. She be so glad to hear you home!” 

“I sure am glad you’re home,” Aly smiled at Mr. Alex. 

“We no sleep much last night," I told them and then looked over at Mr. Alex. “Mr Alex you has eggs?” 

“Yeah we’ve got a lot of eggs.” 

“We has breakfast?” 

“Sure, we can have breakfast,” Mr. Alex nodded. 

“Bacon too. but shhhh don’t tell the neighbour,” Mrs. Aly giggled and we laughed. 

“You has pigs?” I asked. 

“Nope, I bought it,” Mrs. Aly said. 

“Oooh.” 

“A good treat once in a while, Like them doughnuts miss Bree makes.” 

My tummy was growling and we talked about where to eat breakfast. We went to the hotel and Sabi said she wasn’t hungry still since seeing the dead lady and Mrs. Aly insisted that she had to eat something. I told them that Miss Trin kept waking up from bad dreams and how she wouldn’t tell us who the lady was. 

We complimented the breakfast and Mr. Alex said he had to go out of town for a few days.

"Oooh guess what! Miss Trin taking me on trip in two days!” I told them. “We going up to this place called Canda." 

“Wow, all the way to Canada?” Mr. Alex looked at me. 

“Her mama and brother are there. She want me to meet em and see Canda. She has horses and stuff up der.” 

“Have you been staying at the orphanage Nat? Miss Angie is ok with this?” Mrs. Aly asked. 

“Miss Angi said it okay if I stay with Trin. She no want me anyway.” 

“Good.” 

“Miss Trin said dey used to live on a ranch.” 

“Listen to what miss Trin says then when you go, that’s a real big, strange place for a little girl. An adult even,” Mrs. Aly instructed. 

“I never leave Miss Trin side. I a bit nervous to go on train though.” 

“Canada is nice. Yo’ll like it,” Mr. Alex said. 

“And I gonna miss Jimmy. I wish he coming with.” 

I told Mr. Alex that I really missed him as we ate our breakfast and Sabi wandered off. “Dey got us in twouble for going in caves," I told them. “Big Jimmi and Rebel lady yelled at me and Jimmy. Same with Mean ole Cas. But Miss Pet said we could go. To the ones with the bats. The Apache tears she called ’em.” 

“I don’t know the cave with the bats,” Mr. Alex said. 

“But Big Jimmi and Mean ole Cas said we was trepassing. If we was big we woulda gone jail. But cos we was little he said they could whoop us fer it if we do it ’gain.” 

“Nat that place isn’t safe, those signs are up for a reason. And that is private property,” Mrs. Aly said.

“But Miss Pet and I went together and she said we could go. Not to the caves, Miss Aly. I mean not the mines The caves. Miss Pet said Jimmy and I cud explore.” 

“That place don’t belong to miss Pet. She might not know it was private property. Adults are wrong sometimes too. Yeah I mean the mines too.” 

“No no not the mines. We was in caves. Different. Mines scary. I no go back there. I hurted my arm there. I could show. When done food.” 

“You should stay in town and eat candy,” Mr. Alex said and I sighed. “That's what kids are supposed to do.” 

“Maybe I just curl up and read a book. That’s all we get to do,” I sighed. 

“Yep, reading is good.” 

“No get fun even when big people say we can.” 

“Nat those hidden places aren’t safe either because bad people like to hide there,” Mrs. Aly said. 

“But Miss Pet…” I sighed. “Never mind I just read all time then I not get in twouble. And teach Jimmy how read and write. He learning good. He find a word in town den we go to blackboard in school And he has to write it with me from the board on wall. We learned ‘bank’ and ‘bats’.” 

Mrs. Aly headed out to get some work done and Sabi came back to join us for breakfast. I asked Mr. Alex if I could show him the bat caves and Sabi said she was going to lie down for a bit. 

“Really?” I looked at Mr. Alex, surprised he would let me show him. 

“Yes, Nat. If it looks dangerous though, I don’t want you going back there.” 

I sighed and nodded as we headed out of the hotel. 

Benson. 

I led the way to the caves, though I knew what he was going to say about the caves. “Miss Pet said Apache tears in der,” I told him. 

“Why do yo think there are Apache tears in there?” 

“Well Miss Pet said… the calvary killed off all the men of the village while they were hunting. the women looked for them for days. when they found them, it is said they cried so much from sorrow, that it formed crystals, the apache tears.” 

“So it’s not because some apache fell down and died in there?” he nodded.

“She said the Renegade Apache dwell on the mountain range. She said they sacred so we no take em. I dunno why men not found..” 

“She’s right, it’s best to leave them where yo find them,” Mr. Alex said. 

“Come in and look!" I took his hand and we walked into the cave. “See? The blue crystal things. Those tears.” 

“Hmmm. Those are very interesting.” 

I looked around and found some paper sticking out of the rock. “Mr. Alex look!” 

“What’d you find?” 

I showed him a journal and said, “It written by Apache lady. You know Apache?” 

“No, I can say two or three words and that’s it. Ask Miss Trin,” Mr. Alex shook his head. 

“Miss Trin knows??” 

“She does. She’ll help you read that,” he nodded. 

“Cool! Maybe it by lady looking for men.” 

"It might be.” 

I took the journal andput it in my pocket. I showed him around the caves and told him, “This where Miss Pet said we could go.” 

“This place looks okay for you to explore,” Mr. Alex said and I grinned wide, jumping up to hug him. “Just make sure you don’t go too far in and get lost. sometimes caves can go really deep.” 

“I won’t go ’lone eider.” 

“Good idea." 

“I never go dis far ’lone. Always with Jimmy or someone. I think we close to your house?” 

“Yeah we are.” 

“They said dis was Benson. Dat where you live. Let’s go back to Pearce. I tink Miss Trin would be glad to.” 

“Sure. That would be nice to see Trin,” Mr. Alex nodded. 

“She real upset last night," I said and we headed back to town. 

*** 

A few hours later, I talked with Miss Adriana about how I hadn’t slept much and was worried about Miss Trin. We talked about how someone had died in front of her last night and how I took Mr. Alex to see her. I told her all about my upcoming trip to Canada and Joe came over as I said I hoped Miss Trin's family liked me. 

Payton came over too and we talked about how I was going to get Miss Trin to help me learn how to talk Apache ‘cause of the journal I found in the caves. Payton said it was a great idea and we talked about my trip to Canada some more, since Miss Trin’s brother would be getting married. The three of them started talking about Miss Adri and Mr. Joe's wedding and I wandered off to the news office to get some reading done. 

A while later, I wandered outside and found Jimmy talking with Miss Adri and Mr. Joe. I hugged him tight and greeted him. They were joking about dead people or something and I remembered Miss Trin’s awful night before and went quiet. 

“Miss Trin said she saw someone get killed in front of her last night,” I told them. “She woke up lots with bad dreams.” 

Miss Adri wandered off and then I told Jimmy, “Oh Jimmy, Mr Alex is back! I told him bout horse.” 

“Oh he is? Miss Trin saw he animal doc.” 

Payton talked about having a new mother and she said someone was looking to adopt her. 

“Miss Angi kinda jes agreed Miss Trin was better fit for me as caretaker than orphnij,” I told them. “So I don’t tink she care I take trip with her.” 

“Shoot… Lookin’… Jimmy you seen Mrs Cross yet today?” Payton asked. 

“No, I no see her I don think,” Jimmy shook his head. 

“She was lookin for you yesterday at the orphanage.. about payin you for the work you did. That’s great Natalie… so you sorta have a mom now too. An heard rumor.. Mrs Cross wants ta adopt Jimmy!” Payton smiled. 

“Oh gosh, I will look fer her soon den...I may have ma too...Miss Joan wan be fosser momma to me,” Jimmy told us. 

“Oh," I look down. 

“Really? I aready someone wan me too, I wish I take Natalie wit me do...she my bes frien ever,” Jimmy said. 

“An she said that anyone of us kids that needs ta work we can work on her ranch,” Payton said. 

“It no matter who we live with. We still explore and do stuff and get in twouble no matter where we go,” I sighed. 

“Yeah.. we were a family at the orphanage first. nothin an no one can change that,” Payton nodded. 

“Jimmy, Alex thought the caves were neat,” I told him. 

“I miss Mr Alex, he my fishin buddy,” Jimmy said. “I tell him about the burpin fish, and he unnerstood.” 

“So.. if Miss Trin is goin on a trip.. who is gonna be protectin things .. Mr Kriss can’t do it all himself,” Payton tilted her head slightly. 

“Miss Aly and Mr Ansar is here. And da rangers.” 

“OH yah.. they are always runnin round .. forgot bout them.” 

“I do it…!” Jimmy pulled out his slingshot and shot rocks down the boardwalk. “I fassern all de outlaws..” he chuckled. 

“Was gettin worried cause .. Mr Kris is nice an all.. but he can’t shoot straight,” Payton looked at Jimmy and giggled. “Yes you are Jimmy.” 

“Miss Trin’s brother gettin married. I hope dey like me,” I said. 

“Wha ya drawin Misser Joe?” Jimmy asked him. 

“A a new dingy I promised somebody,” Mr. Joe looked up. 

“I bet dey love ya Natalie..jus like Miss Trin,” Jimmy hugged me tightly. 

“Dat da boat we talkin bout?” I grinned. 

“You are cute .. smart .. and proper Natalie whats not ta like,” Payton looked over at me. 

“Yep small little boat that will take two of ya," Mr. Joe said. 

“Dat my idea,” I nudged Jimmy. 

“Yeah so you an Jimmy can sail off an get married,” Payton smirked. 

“We gettin married?” I giggled and looked at him. 

“I thot dingy was was Misser Fat Bill was...I haer peeple say he dingy and fat all de time,” Jimmy said, looking from me to Mr. Joe. 

“So it needs a name then,” Mr. Joe laughed and we giggled. “Natjim. Or the Jimnat.” 

“Ewww, marry a girl, she might got cooties,” Jimmy looked at me and laughed, but I took his hand. “We be on de SS Cootie!” 

“Well .. she hugged ya already .. so you got cooties and that is the perfect name for your love boat,” Payton giggled more. 

“So who is going to own the boat?” Mr. Joe asked as he continued to sketch in his notebook. 

“Uh huh, an now you got cooties...we cootie pack,” Jimmy ran over and hugged Payton. 

“The cootie gang,” Mr. Joe chuckled. 

“We’ll take on lollipop gang. Cooties against Lollipops!” I giggled. 

“Who be head cootie?” Jimmy asked. 

“Da boat was my idea!” I raised my hand. 

“Yes.. Nat is head cootie and it should be a boat for both of you .. so that way you have somethin together .. to keep you together," Payton agreed. 

“Natalie be Capin Cootie..” Jimmy chuckled. 

“Cootie pirates.” 

“A love boat then for Nat and Jimmy,” Mr. Joe said. “Hmmm needs a pirate flag,” he said and drew one. 

“De cooties who steal the gole booty!” Jimmy laughed.

“But Payton you on boat too!” I told her. 

“Yeah.. but the boat is mainly yours an Jimmy’s,” Payton nodded. 

“Yah Payton, you a cootie too,” Jimmy agreed. 

“You has to look out for bad guys! Den tell Jimmy and he get dem with slingshot!” I said. 

“Will do,” Payton nodded. 

“But I not be mean like other lollipop gang and make you two do all hard work. Dat what dey wanted me to do in school. Didn’t wanna trade with me. So fine we make own gang. Nice gang. We keep people safe not throw stuff at em.” 

“Misser Joe you make big nuff for Payton too?” Jimmy asked him. 

“Okay kids, think I have enough ideas I will start work on it,” Mr. Joe said and paused. “I’ll try and make it sit three but only a little boat in a little pond.” 

“Lolipops are suckers, we de good gang,” Jimmy giggled. 

“We like sheriffs. Dey da bad guys,” I said and we waved goodbye to Mr. Joe as he headed off. 

“Well.. um… have things to do,” Payton rolled her eyes and said. 

“We need hideout. I know! Jimmy, it perfect hideout!” 

“Oh, where at?” 

"Come on guys!” I said and ran towards the library, but stopped by the clinic when I saw people in there. I saw Mr. Chris in the clinic with Ms. Zan and said, “Sowwy saw Mr. Chris in clinic. Had to make sure he okay. Dat what we do. Make sure people okay. Right Jimmy?” 

“Right!” he nodded and the three of us headed to the library. 

We went upstairs in the library and closed the door in our secret hideout behind the bookshelves. “We can meet here and talk bout the good things in town. And how we helped people,” I started. “So let’s see… Today I tried to make Miss Trin feel better and brought her her best friend." 

“That can be our Cootie loot barrel,” Jimmy chuckled. 

“Mr. Alex went to visit her. Cause I knew she sad. What you guys do today?” 

“I helped show a new guy aroun a bit today..he kina funny do.” 

“Oh ya? What his name?” 

“Ummm...it rilly long..Tomas E Wall ace or sumtin like dat." 

“Huh. You know… Miss Trin had man over other night." 

“This man funny talk, he act all I dunno, fancy.” 

“Fancy?” 

“Yah, he say he from eas...he sell wild water I think.” 

“I remember! Miss Trin said Thomas’ name dat night! He from Phill somethin or other. I was listenin’ on da top of stairs. Don’t tink Miss Trin knew I was awake." 

“Yah, dat wha he sed..Philli sumthin..he dress funny too.” 

“Good you showed him ’round,” I giggled. “Dat your one good ting for today!” 

“Yah, I fraid he hurt himsef...he no how liv in west.” 

“You has to pertect him den.” 

“Maybe Miss Trin protec him..he mention her name..I think he like her.” 

“When we has boat we can take it out and has meetings on water! Oooooh he does? Maybe dat will make her feel better.” 

“He call her fine lady, and perty, and smart, he even say she delicate.” 

“What delcate mean?” I grinned. 

“Yah, we have boat meetings,,we run off lolipops if they have boat. I dunno...maybe he meen she soft and nice.” 

“Hmm…. I ask her. Jimmy I found book with Apache journal. In caves.” 

“You did?” 

“I gonna get Miss Trin to help me speak it so I can read it! More smart to learn it den Spanish. Den we can understand what dey saying all the time.” 

“I hate Spanish. Too many big wurds.” 

“No one talk it. Why we learn it?” 

"Maybe dey take over America some day.” 

“Oh yeah I talked Mr Finesmith teacher. He said it good I teach you read and write. Our words were still on the blackboard.” 

“Miss Trin, and Miss Paisley think good too.” 

“Payton? What good thing you do today?” I asked, looking over at her as she’d gone quiet. 

“Me… Made someone very happy,” Payton smiled. 

“Who you make happy?” 

“My hopefully soon to be new momma.” 

“Payton have you been to her ranch yet?” 

“Oh.. and I actually payed for somethin that I was gonna take without payin for,” she said and looked over at Jimmy. “Yup Jimmy.. we would be sharin a room if we are gonna stay over night and workin on the same day though… It’s a big house though.. lots of horses too.” 

“Jimmy, Miss Trin tell me bout big horse you saw,” I told him. 

“Yah for sure, her firs hous I see with inside outhouse.” 

“You saw that too.. that was somethin huh?” Payton nodded.

“Yeah, I pulled the string on it, and thot I broke it,” Jimmy said. “Oh I show you big horse sumtime Natalie...he frienly..but he big as a wagon.” 

“Least you didn jump out of your pants .. I thought I had .. scared me so much with that wooosh it does,” Payton giggled. 

“I wonner where water go...I no unner on room below,” Jimmy chuckled. 

“Maybe there is a box under it .. between the downstairs and upstairs,” Payton shrugged and looked over at me. “Maybe you could come work with us on the ranch Natalie.” 

“That would be fun,” I nodded. 

“That way you won’t feel so bad if Jimmy gets adopted .. cause he will live right there and you would see him everyday.’ 

“I think I go home and read s’more. I see you guys later k?” I looked at them. 

“Ok have fun!” Payton said. 

“I think I better head to the stables and get some work done myself,” Jimmy said. 

“Yeah.. I start tomorrow there,” Payton said and we headed off to get work done.