September 30, 1900

Tombstone. 

This morning I walked over to the group in front of the vegetable stand. I talked with Ruby, Miss Angel and Mr. Ben. Mr. Adrian came over then and Mr. Ben gave us a tomato. 

“Wow! Thanks Mr. Ben!” I grinned and started to eat it. 

“Least I could do after the big gun fight,” he smiled over at Miss Lacey as he gave her one too. 

“Big gunfight?” I asked. 

“Yeah well ya know nothing to really talk about. Them law men stepped outta line and I just had to shoot all five of them.” 

“Wow five!?” I exclaimed. 

“Or was it six?” Mr. Ben looked over at Miss Lacey. 

“Whaa? All five of them?” Ruby blinked. 

“I think it was six,” Miss Lacey nodded. 

“I think every once in a while I gotta show em who’s boss around here,” Mr. Ben said. 

“Was my Auntie Aeryne one of em?” Ruby asked. 

“No, no.. I haven’t seen her,” Mr. Ben said. 

I asked Ruby what she’d been up to as she and Mr. Ben continued to talk. She said that she had been spending time with her mother a lot. Jimmy ran over then and I ran over to give him a big hug. 

“Jimmy!!!! I haven’t seen you in forever!!!” 

“Yeah I know, where you and Miss Trin go?” he laughed as I tackled him. 

“Well we went to Louisiana for the weekend but I just been restin’ from the trip and stuff. Before that I wasn’t real excited to go out to town much but I’m gonna start more. Can’t hide at home forever.” 

We talked about Ruby’s new bike and then she ran off to the Black Diamond meet and greet. “What you wanna do, Jimmy?” I asked him. 

“Oh wow, I dunno Natalie, Miss Irelund not like it when I go outside of Tombstone, I got in trouble for going to Black Diamond.” 

“Jimmy... I decided somethin’. Ya know how they told me the wrong age and how I thought I was three years younger for so long?” 

“Yeah.” 

“I decided... I never gonna forget nothin’ ever again. I’m gonna remember everything. So I’m startin’ to write a journal ’bout everything that happens so I never forget. And no one can ever tell me somethin’ happened when I know it didn’t.” 

“How you gonna do that? Yore head might esplode everywhere, it get too big…” he chuckled. 

“It’ll all be on a paper. I already can start to remember everythin’. Go ahead... test me. I tell ya bout somethin’ that happened in the past. Since July cause that’s when I came to Tombstone.” 

“Next I see your hide, Ben Stolen, you best have a sponge in one hand and a bucket of water in the other!” Miss Pet yelled from down the street. 

“I dunno what to ask...you too smart fer me." 

“Mommy has it too... She remembers everything so she’s teachin’ me how to do it too.” 

“You having fun with Miss Trin?” he asked, but I could see his frown. 

“I remember first day I came to Tombstone. I met Mr. Alex and named the ducks in Black Diamond. Yeah Miss Trin’s great! How come you frowning?” 

“I just miss my ma and pa. I still no get paper writed to my pa.” 

“Oh I sorry. You wanna see what’s goin’ on down the street?” 

“Yeah I guess so, sound like Miss Pet not too happy.” 

“Maybe we can cheer her up!” 

We walked down the street and there were lots of people in front of the hotel. Miss Pet shook her head and was stomping on some ants. “No.. But this wasn’t how I intended to spend my evenin’,” she muttered. 

“Wow there’s lots of people!” I looked around. 

“Well hello there Jimmy, Miss Natalie.” 

“Yeah .. maybe I should,” Mr. Adrian said.

“Hi people! Is that... Mr Mayor???” I looked over and blinked. 

“Jimmy, I am scheduled to do the story for you kids, not Sunday, but the one after,” Miss Nim said. 

“Hello yougins. Come closer,” Miss Lisa said. 

“Ya know…” Mr. Lonnie said. “I thought Miss Pet was a preacher lady, but ya know what? She’s workin’ in the hotel as a cleaning woman. Honest, I seen her and talked to her.” 

“I am writing my very own troll story for you,” Miss Nim told us. 

“I might have a thing or two in my jacket you would like,” Miss Lisa said. 

“Okiedokie Miss Nim, you gonna tell us all bout them Bridge Trolls?” Jimmy asked. 

“Yep, its all about one special bridge troll,” she nodded. 

“Jimmy! This here’s the mayor of Tombstone!” I introduced him to Jimmy. 

“Where be your shoes youngin?” Mr. Adrian asked me. 

I looked down and said, “Uh… I gotta wear shoes? Why do I gotta wear shoes?” 

Miss Pet balled her hands into fists and said, “Oooh he best not be seen without cleanin’ aids, I tell ya,” she looked at the rug again and sighed. “Hell, who am I foolin’? He ain’t gonna clean it. He’ll just ask Lacey to do it and leave me a dime for my troubles.” 

“My feet won’t breathe then,” I said to Mr. Adrian and then remembered what Miss Lisa said about eating kids and moved closer to him. “She mean lady,” I whispered to him. 

“Well little one .. at least when you work in the Docs office .. you’ll be wearing shoes?” Mr. Adrian asked me.

“Oh sure there I do,” I nodded. “Don’t want my feet to be covered in blood and stuff.”

“Mayor wise, maybe you should hire me as the sheriff of this town,” Mr. Lonnie smiled. “You know I am the fastest draw in all the west. Yup, I am. Just ask the deputy sheriff, I showed her the other night.” 

“Ooohhh, tut tut… She’s not mean,” Mr. Adrian told me. 

“She said she ate children!!” I cried. 

“Let me tell you a story about Miss Lisa,” Mr. Adrian cleared his throat. “You see…” 

“Guess we get storytime early,” I muttered. 

“C’mere Natalie, I have something for you,” Miss Lisa held out her hand and I snuck closer to Mr. Adrian. 

“Long ago.. Miss Lisa was lost in the desert.. and really scared,” he said. 

“Natalie, I sat a bear on the ground for you. Please take it. My gift to you,” Miss Lisa smiled. 

“Then… what happened was…” Mr. Adrian went on. “She was told by an old indian wise man.. to walk out the way she came! To find her way home. So…. She took it quite literally… and walked backwards out of the desert.. and found her way home! We have no idea why, but to this day every now and then she says the direct opposite of what she means.” 

“So she eats big people?” I asked and buried my head against his chest. 

“Well no.. but here is a good example,” Mr. Adrian said. “She just asked for my hankerchief… yes?” 

I nodded and asked, “That mean she don’t want it?” 

“WHAT SHE MEANT WAS .. she wanted to go over there.. to pick up MY HANKERCHIEF that she dropped OVER THERE and STOMPED on the ground,” Mr. Adrian said. 

I giggled and looked over at Jimmy. “You believe him?” 

“This here is a gift for you… from her,” Mr. Adrian pointed down. “Now get your bear.” 

“So that means it ain’t a gift for me? Or it’s for someone else?” 

“It’s yours. She’s had a moment of clarity.” 

“But…” I looked at him, confused. 

“Git your bear,” Mr. Adrian said. “Go ahead. It’s special.” 

“That means she really meant it, the bear is yours,” Mr. Lonnie whispered. 

“You don’t have to take it… but I’d really like you to have it,” Miss Lisa smiled at me. I looked at the bear and took it and Jimmy and I thanked her for the bear. 

“There you go,” Mr. Adrian smiled. 

“Well she ain’t eaten us yet…” I looked up at him. 

“Yet…” he nodded and I buried my face into his jacket. I tugged his sleeve and he gave me an empty glass. “Oh here you go… Got it from the Crystal.” 

I looked at the glass and shook my head. We continued to talk with people in front of the hotel and Miss Angel said that Mr. Adrian was right about Miss Lisa. As we continued to talk, Miss Lisa pretended to scare us but it didn't really work. 

“The more you change the way you look at things .. the things you look at changes,” Mr. Adrian said after a while. “It’s good advice.” 

“But Mr. Adrian…” I looked at him. “Blood is blood. It red. It come from people when they hurt. If I stare at it for hours, it still blood.” 

“If you think so,” he replied. 

“But Mr Mayor, no matter how you polish a turd, ain’t it still always a turd? That hat my pa usta say,” Jimmy pointed out. 

“A what boy?” Mr. Adrian looked at him. 

“See?” I pointed at Jimmy. 

“A turd, what you call poop,” Jimmy insisted. 

“Oh my… Such language little vone..” Miss Angel shook her head. 

“Well um… See… I don’t think I’d be .. touching that,” Mr. Adrian said. 

“See, blood and turd is still blood and turd,” I said. “No matter how long you look at it or how many different ways.” 

“Not sure what your father did for a living but… I commend him for …trying,” Mr. Adrian told Jimmy. 

“I didn’t say the word he did, that a bad word,” Jimmy promised and I looked down, thinking about what my real parents did for a living. 

“Kids say the darndest things,” Mr. Lonnie shook his head and spoke softly. 

Mr. Adrian headed off then and Angel looked over at us. “Natalie, vat the mayor meanz iz, the more you learn about something the more valuable it can become, and change how you think of something or somevone like how blood iz blood but youre learning about how it keepz uz alive and sutch.” 

“Guess we won that one, Jimmy! How can blood or turd become valuable? Other than when blood’s in us and keeps us alive?” I asked. 

“Maybe if we polish it, it become a diamond, like with coal,” Jimmy suggested. 

“Maybe we try it sometime Jimmy,” I giggled. 

“You don’t get a diamond from coal by polishing it Jimmy,” Miss Nim said. 

“Maybe ven your older you’ll understand mayor viise’s vrods,” Miss Angel chuckled at me. 

“But I see it , first it coal, then perty shiny diamond come out,” Jimmy said. 

“Is it because of what I said? When you look at blood when it’s on the ground, it’s a bad thing…” I said. “But when it’s in us it helps us keep alive so it’s a good thing. Right? But when it’s on the ground it means someone shot someone or somethin’ and that’s bad.” 

“Ok kids, bed time, go home now n stuff!,” Mr. Sniper said then. 

“James, help me catch these two kids, I think they fat enough to eat now,” Miss Lisa said. 

“But…” I hid behind Angel. 

“But he dozent mean look at form a literal point either also figuratively,” Miss Angel said. 

“Yeah, cause it could all run out then you look like a prune…” Jimmy chuckled. 

“Jimmy run!!!” I exclaimed and we ran to the clinic, terrified. Miss Angel knocked on the door and we let her in, but then I locked the door quickly. 

“Now Natalie, calm down,” Miss Angel said to us. 

“But…” I cried. 

“Miz Lisa iznt vreally going to eat you.” 

“They’re chasin’ after me and Jimmy!” 

“She’z playing a prank on you. So know bezt vay to deal vith zis?” 

“Well it’s mean and I don’t like mean people!!!” I cried. 

“You get her back,” Miss Angel gave me some money and said, "Go to zeh bakery and get a cream pie, and ven she comez running after you throw it at her.” 

“No ya ain’t!” Jimmy cried and ran past.

“Jimmy! Come in quick!” I shouted out then and said, “Mr James you leave my best friend alone!” I looked around and shouted, “Jimmy! Where are you? He’s probably by the horses Miss Angel. I gotta find him!” 

“Go get your pie and ve can go find him,” Miss Angel nodded. 

I went over to the bakery and got a pie and then went over to Miss Lisa and threw the pie in the direction of Lisa and James and missed completely, running towards Jimmy who was hiding in the office at the stables. 

“Jimmy! I threw a pie at em!” I ran over and hugged him tight, pulling him close. “I was so scared but Miss Angel she said.” 

“Shh…..” Jimmy said as we heard someone coming over and then he exclaimed, “Miss Angel!!!” 

“Iz alvright little vone,” she insisted. “Am here.” 

“They chase me all over,” Jimmy told us. 

“Why they so mean Miss Angel??” I clung to Jimmy who was breathing heavily and shaking. 

“Now don’t vorry you two. Zeh arnt vreally going to eat you,” Miss Angel insisted. 

“Well they still chased us!” I said and rubbed Jimmy’s back. “It’s okay Jimmy we safe here.” 

“So you both need to fight back, zer going to pick on you long z you show your scared of zem.” 

“But… That don’t sound right,” I shook my head. 

“Get yourselvez some rotten eggz and ifin zeh come to chase after you pelt em vith them,” Miss Angel nodded. 

“Miss Angel, you hand me that gun above door. I show em,” Jimmy said after looking around. 

“Now now… No need for violence. I didn’t mean it in zat vay.” 

“Jimmy’s right,” I nodded and reached for the gun too. 

“How you know they not mean to eat us?” Jimmy asked. 

“Zeh ave no reazon to eat children Jimmy zeh are doing it to pick on you both.” 

“They mean to us cause we not wear guns. Like Miss Stacey and my mommy. We’re gonna get killed just like them,” I started to cry and hid against Jimmy. 

“So show em vat for get some rotten egz and hit zem vith them the smell vill make them leave yha alone.” 

“This why I stayed at home for so long. I was scared to come to town,” I mumbled. 

“Iz no need to be scared of zem Natalie zher not that mean zeh juzt picking on you both,” Miss Angel said. 

Jimmy looked under the table and brought out a bat. “Here we go Natalie… Where’d you find that?” 

“It under the table, I not know it there.” 

“I want one!” 

“Now you cannot go and hurt miz Liza and mizter Jamez little vone,” Miss Angel insisted. 

“But they gonna hurt us!!” 

“I not hurt them if they not try hurt me...I promise,” Jimmy insisted. 

“It not fair!” I cried. 

“No they’re not, Natalie. A joke iz a joke.” 

“It’s not!” I cried. “Not till they say it is!! ’sides, Doesn’t Mr. James work with Mommy? How can he be mean???” 

“I not like Miss Liza...I hear bad things about her,” Jimmy said. 

“He doze. Iz how I know iz a joke. He vould looze hiz job ifin he hurt you Natalie. And Miz Lisa, vhile not the bezt behaved vwoman, she’d never hurt a child,” Miss Angel promised. 

Jimmy looked at his bat, then at Miss Angel, and put the bat away. “I just never been chased like dat Miss Angel over a joke..they both chase me all over town..I scared.” 

“Iz no need to be. Iz vhy I said fight back but not vith violance but vith pranks back,” Miss Angel said. 

“Yeah Miss Lisa chased me and I ran to the clinic and locked the doors,” I said. 

“But if they try hurt us, I promise I get my bat, and gonna play Davy Crockett with their bones,” Jimmy said.

“They hurt us by scarin’ us,” I folded my arms across my chest. 

“So get rotten eggz they’ll stop chaseing yha if you throw thoze at em,” Miss Angel said. 

“Where we get rotten eggs?” Jimmy asked. 

“Am sure zer ar e a few chicken coupz about that avnt been attended to in a vhile.” 

“Oh oh I know Natalie…don't worry, we fix em good.” 

“What we gonna do?” I looked at Jimmy. 

“I tell ya later.” 

“I dropped that bear, Miss Angel,” I grinned finally. “I not keepin’ it.” 

“Now you too be good and rember no hurting them physically but your velcome to scare em back alvright?” Miss Angel looked between us. 

“They made us breathe hard and shakin’. That’s physically,” I said. 

“Okie dokie Miss Angel...when I get through, they wont bother us no more,” Jimmy said. 

“So scare em back Natalie,” Miss Angel nodded. 

“Hey Jimmy?” I said then. “Maybe you could walk me home? We can talk ’bout it when we get there. They don’t know where we live.” 

“Sure Natalie. Let’s go the back way,” he said and we headed out of the stable towards home. 

I closed the door and sat at the table, looking over at him. “So what we gonna do Jimmy?” 

“You know what a mud pie is right?” 

“Uh huh I think so.” 

“Where you mix dirt and water and make mud pies..” 

“Yeah…” 

“Well what I plan to make, won’t be using mud,” he chuckled. “Gonna make horse pies.” 

“We gonna make turd pie??” I giggled. 

“Yeah, horse turds.” 

“Wow! That’ll scare em away for sure!” 

“I can make up a bucket full, and when we see em, we throw em at em!” 

“From the roof so they don’t see us,” I giggled. 

“Uh huh...turd bombs,” he laughed. 

“We can hide above the Epitath building!” 

“I can get plenty of horse poop from the stables.” 

“It’ll be perfect!” 

“Maybe I find some rotten eggs to add to it.” 

“I was real scared tonight,” I told him. 

“You and me too, I try lead em away from you...I saw you in clinic...that why I not join ya.” 

“You’re the bestest friend ever,” I went to hug him. “We’ll get em back.” 

“Well you like sister to me Natalie, I protect ya best I know how,” he hugged me tight. 

“Uh huh! Mr. Thomas and Mommy went dancing last night!” 

“They did?” 

“Uh huh! Mommy came back real happy.” 

“I really like Mr Thomas, he so funny, he like Miss Trin a lot.” 

“Uh huh. I think she just scared to get married though. She said it means more when two people show the world they love each other without some silly paper.” 

“Yeah, well Mr Thomas say he probably never get married, he say that way he not get hurt, but he won’t let no one hurt her either.” 

“And well... she said too lots of men went and poofed on her. So then they gonna be happy anyway and everyone knows it! And we’re kinda like a family just not like normal. Mommy wearin’ half Mr. Thomas’ heart around her neck.” 

“Yeah I think so, Mr Thomas act so funny when he come back, he like all happy, and singin, and talk about her till bedtime.” 

I giggled and hugged Jimmy tight. “We has the best family ever.” 

“Yeah, he have the same necklace,” Jimmy said. 

“Maybe I make you bracelet,” I grinned. 

“I was gonna get you and Miss Trin a surprise, but Mr Joe not get to it yet.” 

“Oh yeah? I think Mommy said he gone for a trip or somethin’.” 

“Uh huh, I big porch swing for the house, for all us to sit in.” 

“Oh wow! I won’t tell her! That’ll be so fun!” 

“So how you like Louisiana?” 

“It was fun! Mommy showed me this really cool newspaper office with books and shelves everywhere!” 

“Did ya eat aligator?” 

“Nu uh. But we went on a boat!” 

“I heard they eat alligator and shrink heads down there,” he giggled. “Oh a big boat, or small boat?” 

“A big boat! We went out on the lake!” 

“Oh wow, I bet that was fun.” 

“It was so much fun! There were fishies everywhere but Ma didn’t wanna fish.” 

“Did you see the crawfishies?” 

“Uh huh! They were so cool!” 

“They got pinchers and look funny.” 

“Yeah!” I giggled and we continued to talk until bedtime. 

September 18, 1900

Black Diamond. 

This morning I found Payton and Mr. Alex having breakfast in the coffee shop in Diamond. I went to greet them and asked, “You making food Payton?” 

“Sure am.. have a seat an I can get ya breakfast!” she grinned. 

“Thanks! Breakfast would be really nice,” Mr. Alex smiled and we took a seat at the table. 

“Mrs Rye got ya workin’ here now too Payton?” I asked her. 

“Yup...helpin her when she is here… and doin a bit myself when she ain’t,” she looked between us. 

“That’s fun!” I smiled. 

“That’s great to help out in here. I bet you get to sample some of the goodies,” Mr. Alex said. 

“An Mr Cole has the animal clinic just across the street where all the horses is…” Payton nodded and smiled. “I always has ta sample.. make sure it tastes good fer the customer. So.. we has pancakes.. eggs an bacon.. eggs an ham.. donuts. muffins?” 

“Eggs and bacon!!” I grinned excitedly. 

“I’d like eggs and bacon too. And a muffin,” Mr. Alex smiled. 

Payton nodded and headed to the stove as she started to make breakfast. She put a muffin on a plate and then asked, “Anythin ta drink? Coffee.. milk.. juice?” 

“Coffee please,” Mr. Alex said and she poured a cup of coffee, handing it to him. He thanked her and said, “This is good coffee. Just what I needed this morning.” 

“Well that’s good ta hear… you guys keepin busy at the clinic ?” she asked with a smile. 

“It’s been quiet,” Mr. Alex replied as we started to eat our breakfast.

“Ya.. I don’ think the clinic here in Diamond has a doc.. Means I has ta go to the one in Tombstone every month .. when I needs.. stuff,” she blushed a bit. 

“Um, oh yeah,” Mr. Alex nodded but I looked at her confused, not understanding.

“But spose thats ok .. Doc Jess says I am jus growin up faster than other girls.. not that I want ta though…” Payton nodded. “But .. guessin that if yer quiet over there ain’ no one gettin shot.” 

“Payton, mommy told me ’bout that Indian guy you saw. The one that made her scared. You find out who he is yet?” I asked. 

“No,” she nodded. “Thought it was someone that was mad at Nora fer fightin with Swift an havin ta get the law to take him outta the orphanage.” 

“Ohh…” I said and looked at Mr. Alex. “Mommy thought it mighta been a man from her past. A real scary man... I ain’t got that far in the journals yet.” 

“Oh yeah?” 

“Yeah.. Millard Jeffery an Nora gots ta arguin with Swift .. yeah she mentioned that.. but .. dont’ think it was,” Payton said. 

“Yeah she thought it was some Indian Chief guy she knew. But then she felt better cause of what you said ’bout the other kids and she thinks it must just be that.” 

“Well.. Mrs Rye said fer me ta gets up in the mornin dress an come straight here cause its quiet here in Diamond,” she nodded. “Yeah .. this guy was injun but .. he was only wearin a smaller head dress.” 

“That was delicious. I need to head out though. Thanks for breakfast, Payton,” Mr. Alex said as he finished his breakfast. 

“That was real good!” I said as I finished eating. 

We said goodbye to Mr. Alex as he headed out and Payton took away the plates. Payton looked at me and asked, “So.. you sure yer ok Natalie?” 

“Yeah I fine... Just worried about mommy.” 

“I am sure she is ok.. I take her food an drinks sometimes when she is at this office an I am here” 

“That’s good. I think I gonna do some more reading.” 

“Yup .. plan ta do it often as I can.. make sure she eats..” she tilted her head. “So.. with it bein slow at the clinic in Tombstone what you been doin? an.. why did ya ask bout my check up?” 

“It’s getting interesting. Been reading lots. In the journal Mommy just moved to Nebraska to be closer to her Indian friends.” 

“Ok,” she nodded and giggled. “If ya ever want ta give me a check up jus say so.. doc Jess didn’ have the right forms for the orphanage when I went… You gonna have yer homework done for school right?” 

“Yeah I think so but I just gonna write somethin’. I don’t know how to make much stuff.” 

“Same here.. but .. got some paint an paper. Gonna try ta paint some Egyptian art.” 

“Cool. I think I gonna read. Thanks for breakfast, Payton.” 

“Ok… You’re your welcome Natalie. Stay safe, okay?” 

“I will try.” 

“Well.. need ta try hard.. if ya get hurt its gonna be hard ta doctor yerself!” 

“Uh huh!” I giggled and we smiled as we waved to each other and I headed out to find somewhere to read. 

September 15, 1900

Tombstone. 

This morning I walked over to the sheriff’s office and greeted Miss Angel. “How are you?” she asked me. 

“I okay, how are you?” 

“Am good had a good pazt few dayz.” 

“I’m worried about mommy,” I admitted. 

“Oh?” 

“She’s been real quiet and won’t tell me ’bout it. Just says there’s lots from her past she’s thinkin’ about.” 

“Am sorry to hear zat.” 

“I think it has somethin’ to do with Indians but I not sure. Gonna read more of her journals today to find out.” 

“Hopefully she vill open up and talk about it soon. Iz not good to hold thingz in.” 

“She says I can keep reading cause it’ll be there... It just ain’t easy for her to talk ’bout I think,” I nodded. 

“Some people ave a hard time telling zer feelings.” 

“Well I gonna go read a bit.” 

“Alvright be good,” she said and I wandered off to find a quiet spot to sit and read. 

September 13, 1900

Tombstone. 

This morning I walked over to the school and hesitated before going in. Miss Tracy was going to be teaching and I really wasn’t sure if I wanted to be there. Payton greeted me though, and I told her, “I’m not sure I wanna go today. But I know I have to if I’m gonna be a good doctor. This is the teacher that pulled my hair that one day.” 

“Well ya was sittin on the boys side.. an I know enough bout medical stuff ta know we ain’t got what boys gots .. like daddy said.. the stem broke off the apple wif us girls,” she giggled and shook her head. “But ..I understand how ya feel.. though.. rules is rules.” 

“She didn’t even say nothin’. Just came over and did it. And I was still new. Scared me from school but Ma convinced me to go back, and some others did.” 

“I know.” 

“Then I started workin’ at the clinic and Mr. Alex showed me how important it was.” 

“Sometimes things happen .. an you are very important .. to a lot of people .. and to some your more important than ya even know.” 

“No I mean how important school was.” 

“That too,” she giggled. “Ya jus have ta behave long enough to be in school.. an its only an hour.” 

“I got to see Jimmy last night. He and Mr. Thomas went to Texas this week. Jimmy and I rode around on our horses.” 

“Oh... well that is cool.. I have horses too.” 

“Yeah? What’s your horse’s name?” 

“Well.. I have Kriscoff Gambit.. hes my favorited.... an I has Buckey .. I ride him mostly.” 

“Oh wow. Mine’s named Velvet. She’s a real nice horse.” 

“Very nice.” 

Poppy came over and greeted us and asked, “Does ya know who we gots as a teacher this morning?” 

“Mean lady who pulled my pigtails,” I told them. 

“Miss Traci,” Payton said. 

“Miss Traci ain’t so bad,” Poppy said. 

“We havin da review before the exam,” Payton told us. I got nervous but she said I could sit next to her and she would help me with it. 

We continued to talk until class as more people arrived and then Nora and I talked about our homework of finding five words that meant the same thing. Miss Traci opened the door then and we walked inside the schoolhouse. I went to feed the bird and then went to sit beside Payton. She smiled at me and patted my back encouragingly. 

I raised my hand then and looked at miss Traci as she nodded to me. “Yes? What.” 

“I um... I sorry for sittin’ on the wrong side that one time. I was just new and I didn’t know no one here yet. ’Cept Jimmi.” 

“Well… I was just teasin’ you. And when you runned off I felt kinda bad.” 

“But it hurt, Miss Traci. But I’m gonna be a doctor. So I know I gotta be here.” 

“As far as I’m concerned, if’n you come to class… that’s all I really care about.” 

“Really? You don’t care what side we sit on?” 

“Well we should try to follow the rules but mostly I owe you a ’pology... cuz I truly was teasin’ and you took it bad and for that I am sorry,” she smiled sweetly. 

“It’s okay Miss Traci. Now I know you not mean it mean.” 

“Now let’s get goin’.” 

“Yes ma’am,” I smiled, feeling much better now. 

“So, for the last several classes I have been teachin’ a survey of art,” Miss Traci went on as Payton put her notes down so I could see them and get caught up with things for class. “And now it’s time to get ready for the final examination. So today we will be doin a quick review of the material and at the end I’ll tell you about how to prepare for yer test. So… I made a point over and over about what art is. So… can someone give me a definition of what art is?” she looked around. 

Nora raised her hand and Payton smiled as she said, “The creation of things to make things look nicer.” 

“Nora?” Miss Traci asked. “Alright. Creation…” 

“Aw, well, see, I were just gonna say... Yeah, somethin’ made as pretty,” Nora said. 

“Who else?” 

“To show how we feelin’,” I guessed. 

“Creation....something made...pretty...feelin better. Excellent. Art goes to yer what. Feet, head, heart, belly?” 

“Stuff what makes people think,” Poppy said. 

“Oh good,” Miss Traci smiled. 

“Heart and head,” I answered. 

“Excellent. Really really good. Art is a creative expression. Art is always made… created by someone. It makes things mostly for their beauty, or prettiness, Nora. Or their power to make you think and feel. Which means to your emotions to yer feelings. And it isn’t always nice. Art can make you confused, or even angry, or happy. It all depends on two things: The creator of the art and the person who looks at it or interacts with it.” 

Nora raised her hand and when called on she asked, “Well uh, See, now, how’s somethin’ as pretty gonna make me angry?” 

“Well the thing is,” Miss Traci explained, “Three people lookin’ at the same work of art. Might come away with three different feelings and sometimes, a piece of art is not so much pretty as it is powerful. Let’s look at this painting here,” she pointed. “Well it’s a copy of course. Who remembers the name of this painting?” 

Payton looked at it and said, “Mona Lisa.” 

“Excellent. And where it hangs?” Miss Traci asked. “And it was painted by Da Vinci.”

“The Loover,” Payton guessed. 

“The luge,” Poppy guessed. 

“The Louvre,” Miss Traci giggled. “But that’s good. So… Each one of you in turn tell me what you feel when you see this painting, which is thought to be the most famous and valuable single painting ever made. Go ahead just shout it out.” 

“Confused,” Poppy said. 

“Alright,” Miss Traci nodded. 

“Hmm.. makes me feel.. like sophisticated,” Payton said and I played with my hair, not sure how to answer. 

“The woman who sat for this picture was a noblewoman,” Miss Traci smiled. “So she was sophisticated most likely.” 

“Well, uh... I reckon it makes me nervous right now ’cause I ain’t got no idea what I’m feelin’ ’bout the paintin’, Ma’am,” Nora admitted. 

“Well that’s okay too,” Miss Traci said. “How about her smile? People been talkin about her smile for hundreds of years. And the background. What is it?” 

“How come?” I asked curiously. 

“Well cause it could be smug, happy, sad. No one is sure,” Miss Traci answered. 

“Oh. Didn’t Mr. Davinci write down what he wanted her to feel like?” 

“Looks like she’s got a tooth ache to me,” Poppy observed. 

“Nope,” Miss Traci told me. “He just panted her and left it to the rest of us.” 

“Well that don’t help,” I muttered. 

“And that, class, is the point. Art is what you want it to be. To yourself. In yer mind and in yer heart. Now art comes in many forms. Mostly it is created, and mostly but not always it can be seen or even touched. But dance and music are also forms of art. So… There is a word I used that means the kind of art.” 

I raised my hand and Miss Traci nodded to me. “Don’t forget writin’. Ma’s been giving me her finished case files to write stories about and share with people. That shares how we feel bout what happened in history. Like Sherlock.” 

“Certainly. Literature and poetry, and plays like from Mister Shakespeare. All art.” 

“Umm.. dance an music.. would be.. performin arts?” Payton asked. 

“And together they form some of the media,” Miss Traci said. 

“Mr. Shakespeare made lots of plays,” I commented. 

“Of course,” Miss Traci nodded to Payton. “Dance, music, stories are all a medium. And taken together are the media of art. And it includes almost anything made to be appreciated.” 

“Like what Miss Paisley does!” I exclaimed. 

“And it is as old as humans. This here was found by some kids in France. And is painted on the wall of a cave over six thousand years ago and even right here in Arizona Territory. You can find art left behind by the ancient injuns, if you look close up in the hollers.” 

I raised my hand and said, “That’s like at those caves in Benson! With the Apache Tears. There’s drawin’s on the caves outside.” 

“Exactly. So the urge to create is deep within all of us. Even the ancient Egyptians they would decorate tombs with paintings of the dead person’s life. Very colourful, and they tell a story. Now that is another thing about art in any medium, normally the artists has something to say it is up to you to come up with what the message means to you. The need to make art is in every culture. This is from ancient India six hundred years ago,” she showed another picture on the board. “This is from Japan where they love saying a lot with the smallest number of things. And here they combine two media: drawing and calligraphy, which is the art of writing. We even did this in class right here when the class combined an old Japanese poetry form called Haiku with calligraphy, and wrote this poem, which I wrote out in Japanese Kanji script and put over a painting of Arizona.” 

She turned the page and said, “So here we have poetry, calligraphy, landscape painting, all together. In the early days, much of art was based on religious beliefs. This is from a famous sculptor called Michelangelo and is in Saint Peter’s, in Rome. Carved out of marble. And here on this wooden panel is the Buddha, which is the guy in the Buddhist religion. And it is a wooden carving medium. But these symbols were important to the artist,” she said, continuing to flip the board’s sheets over to show different pictures. “But other subjects also give artists the ideas they come up with. This is a painting from a Dutch painter called Rembrandt and it is really huge for real and hangs in a museum in Holland. And is about soldiers and noblemen.” 

“Those are sophisticated people, like Mona Lisa,” I whispered then. 

“How about this one,” she turned to another painting. “It is from a French painter who is still paintin’.” 

“Well, uh... It’s kinda... Blue... An’ green,” Nora said. 

“Very colourful, uh huh. This is called Impressionism.” 

“Why?” I asked. 

“It uses bold colors. Sometimes even in little dots all taken together to form the picture. It is the artists interpretation or impression of a scene.” 

I raised my hand and asked, “What’s impressionism?” 

“It is what I just said. A bold use of color to show you what the artist saw. Not necessarily what was there but what he saw.”

“Oh. So Impressionism means bold?” I wondered. 

“Well yes and interpretive. Expressionism, on the other hand… more true to life,” she showed us another picture. 

“I thought all art was interpretive…” I looked at her with confusion. 

“Well it is but some is more realistic and good for the eyes and some goes straight to yer heart and head like this. This is called Starry Night. By Vincent Van Gogh.” 

“I like that one,” I grinned, seeing my favourite painting revealed. 

“So does this look like a starry night?” Miss Traci asked.

“Ain’t that the feller what choped off his ear?” Poppy asked. 

Payton looked at me and smiled and then looked over at the teacher, pulling her foot up to play with her toes while watching. “Yeah, wif lots a stars.” 

“Or does it look like the artists idea in his head of what it might be to him?” Miss Traci smiled. “Would you think this is expressionism or impressionism from what I just covered?” 

“Impressionism,” Payton said. 

“Well how realistic is it? Or how much does it bring out an idea?” she asked and turned to another, more scary picture. “This is called The Scream. And it might even be scary.” 

“That poor man,” Poppy commented. 

“Or give you a headache. Then some art is just a good drawing or painting and this is from an American artist named Remington. And is of cavalry right here in Arizona. So… art comes in many forms. It says something to you that the artist wanted you to think about. It can include many types or media. This is called an equestrian statue,” she showed us another picture, “Which means someone sittin on a horse. But things that take up room. Or that are made to look like people or horses or whatever are called sculpture. The photo of the girl there is pretty new. Made out of a metal called bronze. Here next to me is a reproduction of an old Greek statue of a woman. Would have been carved outta marble, but it’s sculpture. Tryin to show you what someone might have looked like in the artist’s head. Another art form or medium is architecture. Which is the art of building and public spaces.” 

“Like… houses an buildings?” Payton tilted her head a bit. 

“Exactly. Or monuments. This here is Stonehenge in England, made thousands of years ago.” 

“It’s… a bunch of big rocks,” Payton nodded. 

“Probably a religious thing no one is sure,” Miss Traci said. “Well it is but the artist put them in a special shape.” 

“Wow,” I exclaimed as she showed us the picture of the stones sitting in a circle. “Didn’t know rocks could be religious.” 

“Ain’t that somethin’!” Nora exclaimed. 

“Well here is a temple made outta. Stone, from ancient Egypt,” Miss Traci showed us a picture of the pyramids. “And of course the biggest things ever made on the planet are the great pyramids, which were really tombs and have rooms inside.” 

“They had most of their statues carved to look like their gods,” Payton nodded. 

“So an architect designed them,” Miss Traci nodded. “Or somehow about them?” she showed us another picture of pyramids. “So you should be able to see that art does not have to be complicated at all. It can be very simple, like a Japanese drawing like a Japanese drawing. Or even a pyramid, which is simple but powerful. You cannot see it without getting something inside. In yer head or heart, like maybe just ‘oh my gosh’.” 

She showed a picture of the Acropolis in Greece and said, “This building is from Greece, and the columns and carvings all to express the artists feeling of what a large building could be. Now one thing about seeing these old things in a black and white photo and they are also old and weathered. But when they were made they could be quite colorful. Great architecture can be about practical things that are used.” 

Turning to another picture she said, “This here is a photograph of a aqueduct, which is a bridge that carries water in it. It was built by ancient Romans in France and is still used to this day.” 

“Huh. Ain’t that somethin’,” Nora smiled. 

“So it is a practical thing. It moves water across a river to a town. And people on the lower bridge level.” 

“Wow…” I shook my head in awe. 

“But the architect or artist that designed it figured out how to also make it beautiful.” She showed a picture of the colosseum and said, “This the ancient colosseum in Rome. Over forty thousand people could get inside to watch sporting events let’s say. Still there.” 

“Wow! A sporting event?” I looked at her. 

“Uh huh. They had big fights inside,” Miss Traci said. 

“Like boxing?” Poppy asked. 

“And of course again religion was and is a big part of large building,” Miss Traci said and then answered, “Kind of like boxing but sometimes with animals.” She showed the Notre Dame cathedral picture and said, “Large churches in Europe are called cathedrals. This here is Notre Dame or Our Lady in Paris France.” 

“Oooo.. we have a nice lookin church too,” Payton said. 

“There are dozens of them across Europe and every one of them mostly started as a small church. And then they got bigger and bigger and finally they built the cathedral. Some took a hundred years or more to make. And inside they are very beautiful and meant to make you feel the presence of God.” 

“Wow… That’s a long time ta be workin on buildin somethin,” Payton commented. 

“It is. And very expensive of course,” Miss Traci nodded. 

“Yeah, I mean... they was buildin’ that buildin’ for a whole hundred years?” Nora asked. 

“Sometimes. Fathers would have sons that would grow up building the same thing.” 

“Hope we not gonna have to know all this for the test,” I blinked, muttering. 

“And they would pass down the secrets of building,” she said and then showed a picture of the Taj Mahal. “This is a photograph of what many think is the most beautiful building ever made. It is in India and is called the Taj Mahal.” 

“It’s really somethin’, Ma’am,” Nora nodded. “All curvy an’ round an’ all.” 

“But you can see that the artist had something to say! It is a monument to a woman. S she must have been something else,” Miss Traci smiled. 

Payton poked me in the arm and looked up at the picture and giggled as Miss Traci showed a picture of a gold collage. “And other art forms like jewelry we have just cuz they are pretty and also valuable,” Miss Traci explained. “Made outta gold and silver and platinum. Right from mines right here. And jewels.” 

“Gold,” Payton grinned. “Ooo perty!” 

“Here is what rubies and sapphires and diamonds and jade and opals and emeralds look like when the gem artists cuts and polishes them,” Miss Traci changed the picture. “And for thousands of years people love to wear pretty things. Like from Egypt. And India. Gems and gold and silver.” 

“Ohh... Well, that’s real pretty,” Nora grinned. 

“And even injuns make beautiful jewelry. They like silver and turquise stones. Now… for our next session, I give you all two choices,” she looked around. “For the exam… you can take a written test or you can make something. Bring in yer art. Any medium.” 

“Make somethin’, ma’am?” Nora perked up. 

“It can be sculpture, painting, drawing, music, a building.” 

“I know what I am doing,” Payton looked at me and smiled. 

“But listen,” Miss Traci giggled. “YOU have to make it yerself.” 

“How ’bout stitchin’, Ma’am?” Nora asked. 

“That would be fine,” she nodded. 

“Can it be a writing?” I asked. “Based on soomethin’ that happened here in town?” 

“It sure can. But you have to bring it to class. Whatever you create all by yerself. And we will have a show and tell of our creations. You have to say what medium it is and tell how you made it and maybe why. So I think probably you will all go for that choice,” she smiled. 

“More fun than writin’ a test,” I giggled. 

“But it has to be yer own not something you buy or get from someone else,” she said. “I think so too and I don’t have to grade them. And if you do it you get an automatic A,” she smiled. 

“Oooh!” Nora grinned. 

“So that will be my next class so get going cuz I’m not sure when I am on. Any questions?” 

Payton raised her hand and asked, “Does the library have any books for Egyptian art?” 

“Well I believe they might. It might give you some inspiration. Ok then. Until next time… Class… is… DISMISSED!” 

“Yay!” We all shouted and jumped up, thanking miss Traci for the class. We headed outside and Payton asked me, “Natalie.. do you have a project ta do?” 

“Yeah I gonna write about somethin’ mommy worked on.. Or maybe I’ll write about me and Jimmy goin’ for a horse ride.”

“Yeah that sounds great!” she giggled. 

“Don’t know if people would wanna read bout mommy’s cases. They hear about em all at court anyway. Maybe I could write ’bout how Miss Traci said she was sorry. And how we gotta be the bigger person and say we was sorry first to get other people to say they’re sorry.” 

“Well.. yeah.. guess.. I think yer mommies cases would be better though.” 

“I dunno… Seems like lots of work.” 

“Well.. pick a small case.” 

“Maybe more ’bout the ones from recently. Not the ones from long ago.” 

“One that was interestin .. yeah like one of them,” she nodded. 

“Think I gonna go find her. Maybe she can tell me which one to do.” 

“Yeah maybe. I am sure I want to hear about it. I need ta get to the library an look for some books on Egyptian art.” 

“Okay but the newer stuff... with people who was actually around.” 

“That would be fun ta read!” she nodded. 

“Okay! I gonna go write then. I’ll see you later Payton!” I said and ran off to get to work. 

September 12, 1900

Tombstone. 

This morning I was sitting in the clinic writing when Mr. Stone came in. I greeted him and he asked, “You ready to do some cleaning today? I want that clinic spotless.” 

“Yeah!” I nodded and went to the sink to wash my hands to my elbows with soap. I went around to all the beds and took the sheets off, then replaced them with new sheets. I went to put the kettle on and started to boil water. I went to get the broom and started sweeping the floor. “Hey there’s no more carpet anymore too! That makes it easier!” 

“Yes, that carpet was not a good idea in here. It was always getting stained.” 

I went to open the door and started to sweep the dirt outside. I went back to the kettle and took the water, pouring it into a bowl on the counter. I wheeled the cart with the tools over and started dropping them into the water to clean them, being careful not to splash myself. 

“You’re doing such a good job, Nat,” Mr. Stone smiled and I grinned at him. 

I continued to set out the tools out on a towel and let them dry. I got a rag and made it wet with the water and soap and went to wash the windows, and the ones in the door too. I smiled when I saw the windows were sparkly clean, even on the outside, and walked back in to Mr. Stone. “I think I’m all done.” 

“You are so fast and efficient!” 

Mr. Max, Mr. Stone’s friend, limped into the clinic then. He was clutching his leg with his hands as blood dripped between his fingers, and he collapsed on the floor with a grunt of pain. 

“Max! What happened? Did you get shot?” Mr. Stone asked with concern. 

“I managed to crawl over here,” he nodded and looked at us, his face pinched in pain. I looked at him with worry and looked over to Mr. Stone. 

Mr. Stone ran over and slipped his arm around him to help him to the exam table. “Nat, go wash up and get a cloth. Put pressure on this while I wash up,” he ordered.

“Okay Mr. Stone,” I said and went to get the cloth, washing it with water. I took it back to Mr. Max and held it on the spot where he was shot. “It’s okay, Mr. Max. You’ll be okay.” 

“Thanks Nat,” he nodded to me. 

Mr. Stone took out a pair of scissors and said, “Nat, I’m going to need you to grab some stuff for me. Needle, thread, wash cloth, bowl of hot water and soap, alcohol, and bandages.” I went to the counter and grabbed everything he just listed and put it on a tray. I wheeled the tray over to him and looked up at him. Mr. Stone slipped the scissors into the fabric of Mr. Max’s pants and cut them open to see the wound. “Who shot you?” 

“Um…” Mr. Max looked at him with a sheepish grin. 

“Don’t tell me you messed with some girl,” Mr. Stone sighed. 

“No. This is far more embarrassing,” he chuckled. 

“Yeah?” 

“Ma didn’t shoot you did she?” I looked between them. 

“I shot myself. While cleaning my gun. No your ma didn’t shot me,” he chuckled again at me. 

“What?” Mr. Stone blinked. 

“This hurts like a son of a bitch. Don’t you have anything for the pain?” Mr. Max asked then. 

“Oh yeah. Sorry. And watch your mouth around Nat,” Mr. Stone got out a bottle of laudanum and gave him a spoonful. “That should begin to take affect soon.” 

I blinked at the sound and looked at Mr. Stone. “Maybe some willow bark?” 

“Willow bark isn’t strong enough for this,” he said. 

“Oh.” 

Mr. Max swallowed the medicine and said, “Thanks.” 

“Nat, hand me a cloth and the bowl of hot water,” Mr. Stone said and I handed him the cloth and the bowl of water carefully. He washed the wound and cleaned the blood away, then handed the dirty rag back to me. “Now alcohol.” I reached for the alcohol and handed it to him, taking the dirty rag and putting it on the counter to clean later. Mr. Stone wiped the alcohol soaked rag across the wound to disinfect it and Mr. Max let out a scream. “Max, I have never heard you scream like that.” 

“That hurts!” he cried. 

“Don’t be such a baby. Nat, can you hand me the opium powder, please?” Mr. Stone asked and I went to get the opium powder, handing it to him. He sprinkled it on the wound and said, “That should take some of the sting out.” 

Mr. Max layed back and closed his eyes. “Just get this over with.” 

Mr. Stone probed around to find the bullet and pulled it out with a pair of tweezers, dropping the bloody projectile on the tray. He held out his hand and said, “Nat, needle and thread.” My eyes went wide seeing the bullet that was in Mr. Max and nodded, getting the needle/thread, handing it to Mr. Stone. He began to shut the wound closed, tying each black knot carefully as I watched intently. He wiped the area clean and held his hand out to me again. “Bandages.” I went to get the bandages from the cupboard and handed it to him. He took the roll of linen and and wrapped it around the leg gently. “I can’t believe you shot yourself.” 

“Not a word to anyone about that,” Mr. Max opened his eyes and glared at Mr. Stone, pointing a finger at him. 

He held up his hands and chuckled, “Doctor patient privilege. I won’t say a word.” He turned to me and said, “You too. Remember we have to keep things quiet that we do here. We don’t want to embarrass our patients.” 

My eyes grew wide watching the two of them and I nodded to Mr. Stone. “Yes sir.” 

“Are we done?” Mr. Max looked down at his leg. 

“Yeah, you’re done,” Mr. Stone handed him a cane. “You’ll need to use this for a few days. Stay off it as much as possible. Keep the bandage clean and dry. I’ll change it tomorrow and look at it to make sure no infection is setting in.” 

“What are you gonna tell Ma, Mr. Max?” I asked as Mr. Stone helped Mr. Max off the table. 

“Thanks, Alex,” Mr. Max grunted as he leaned on the cane. “I don’t know. I’m embarrassed to tell her anything. I’ll just try to hide the limp.” 

“Anytime, Max,” Mr. Stone looked at him seriously. “Be careful, okay?” 

“Ma’s pretty smart. She’ll see that cane,” I said. 

“I’m my own worst enemy. But, I will be. Thanks. She is. If I tell her what I did, she’ll never let me forget it though,” he said and I tried to hide a giggle. “Nat, don’t you dare run to her and tell her! I might just hide out in the hotel for a few days.” 

“I know better, Mr. Max,” I promised. 

“Good girl,” he smiled. 

“You need to rest,” Mr. Stone said. “Want help back to the hotel?” 

“No, that’s okay,” he smiled at us both. “Thank again,” he said and went to limp out of the clinic. 

“Time to clean up, Nat. Again,” Mr. Stone chuckled and washed his hands, then began to pick up the mess. I nodded and went to heat up the water again. “You did a good job, Nat. What did you think of all that?” he smiled at me. I took the water back to the bowl and put it in, getting the tools Mr. Stone used and began to clean them, growing quiet as I worked. “You okay, Nat?” 

“I um…” I set the clean the tools on the towel to let them dry. He looked at me and I started to get nervous as my hands were shaking and I set the tools down. He walked over and put his hand on my shoulder and I bit my lower lip, looking down. I really didn’t want to cry in front of hi.m 

“Nat... did that upset you?” 

“He... He shot himself?” 

“Well, he didn’t mean to.” 

“But…” I turned to look at him. “What if ma…” 

“Remember the other day when we talked about accidents and how they sometimes happen? Like when you broke your ankle?” 

“That won’t kill me though. A gunshot could.” 

“Your ma isn’t going to shoot herself. Or you.” 

“Mr. Max did. He just as smart as Ma.” 

“I’m actually shocked Max did that. He’s really good with a gun. I’’m not sure what happened there. In fact, he’s the first person I’ve ever treated who shot themselves.” 

“Really?” 

“Yep. Hardly ever happens!” 

“Oh. I just… It’s easier when it’s... someone else shooting someone.” 

“Though now I’m a little worried about Max. There must be something going on with him if he did that.” 

“Cause then the law people put away the bad guy.” 

“Right.” 

“But… Now... if somethin’ is goin’ on with Mr. Max... He won’t let Ma help him.” 

“He might. He trusts your ma. He’s just a little embarrassed right now.” 

I nodded and he smiled. “I’m sorry I got upset I just…” I looked down. 

“So, aside from being worried about getting accidentally shot, what did you think of the procedure?” 

“It was easy enough.” 

“Did you find it interesting?” 

“What was that stuff you gave him to eat? Instead of willow bark?” 

“That’s laudanum. It’s made with opium and alcohol. It works pretty fast and it helps with the pain.” 

“Oh.” 

“Opium when used correctly is a very powerful medicine. Your ma hates it… but I used it a lot.” 

“Why does Ma hate it? I remember sorta readin’ bout this undertaker guy who had it upstairs when she went to talk to him ’bout buryin’ her best friend.” 

“Well, sometimes people don’t use opium correctly. They use it for fun instead of for medicine and she knew some people who did that. Yes, that’s the man.” 

“Oooh.” 

“It gives her bad memories.” 

“In her journal she was real sad ’bout that,” I nodded. 

“So I only give it to her if she absolutely need it. She was. And I usually have to fight with her to take it,” he chuckled. 

“So now what?” I asked. 

“I’m really proud of you, Nat. You were quick with what I asked. That how you can help any of the doctors here. It’s nice to have someone hand you the items you need.” He rubbed his hands over his face and exhaled loudly. 

“What is it, Mr. Stone?” I looked at him with worry. 

“The more I think about it, the more worried I am. That’s just so unlike him.” 

“I’m gonna write down ’bout our work today.” 

“Good, Nat!” he smiled. “I’m happy with your work today.” 

We finished our paperwork and then headed out of the clinic to get some other work done. 

*** 

This evening I walked down the street and talked with Miss Jess and Mr. Crazy for a bit. Sabi came over and we saw Mr. Garth taking his guns out and checking his bullets. I hid behind the other kids and they asked how I was doing as we heard Sniper and Mr. Garth talking. They were making up song rhymes and it was a fun distraction. 

I said then that I had to go talk to Mr. Alex after a while and went over to him and Ms. Aly, looking down as I walked. “Hey Nat!” he smiled. “How’s your evening going?” he asked his wife. 

“Productive. I just arrested Garth, with the help of Ansar. He’s typing up the report now.” 

“That’s great!” he smiled and I didn’t want to interrupt them, but I knew I couldn’t talk to anyone else about how I was feeling. “Hey how are you Nat?” he looked over at me. 

“I um..” I started but then Ms. Aly took his hand and gave it a kiss. 

“I think green looks better on you than it does on me Nat,” Ms. Aly chuckled. 

“Thanks Miss Aly..” 

“Nat, come on over here,” Mr. Alex smiled and I walked over to him. 

“I think I... Need to talk to you, Mr. Alex…” 

“Sure, Nat. What’s wrong?” 

“I dunno if I can in front of Miss Aly though. Cause it um.. About what happened this morning.” 

Ms. Aly raised an eyebrow and said, “Mr Alex and I don’t have any secrets, and I’m no judge.” 

“Ohhh. Well, we can probably talk about it in front of Aly.” 

“But Mr. Alex said that everything that happens in the clinic has to stay between the patients and the doctors.” 

“It’s a medical thing,” he looked over at Ms. Aly. 

“Okay. Then I can respect that. I’ll be around,” she smiled. 

“If you say it’s okay then I’ll talk about it with her too. I just didn’t wanna break a rule.” 

“We shouldn’t talk about it out on the street maybe,” he said. 

“I should do a patrol before my Birdcage thing tonight,” Ms. Aly smiled. “Hun, I’ll be around so you two can talk.” 

“Okay love. Hey Nat, why don’t we go in your ma office,” Mr. Alex looked at me. 

“Okay,” I said and followed him upstairs into the office. “I sorry I took you away from Missus Aly,” I said as we sat down. 

“That’s okay. What’s going on Nat?” 

“I saw Mr. Garth with his gun out and he was cleanin’ it and I got scared.” 

“Nat, people clean their guns everyday.” 

“But when I saw it…” 

“I have only ever treated one patient with that problem.” 

“I thought of Mr. Max and I got scared,” I looked down. “And then I got scared cause I got scared.” 

“What scared you? Are you afraid that will happen again?” 

“I dunno it was just seeing it.. And it made me think ’bout it. And I just... I hid behind the other girls.” 

“Was it too much for you to assist with that this morning?” 

“I hope not,” I shook my head. “I think it was just ’cause it was my first time... and someone I knew.. Don’t you ever get scared, Mr. Alex?” 

“Of course I do. Everyone does.” 

“I think it’ll be different when it’s someone who shot someone else. I just hadta.... talk to you cause... I was scared. That I was afraid.” 

“He didn’t mean to shoot himself,” he nodded. 

“I know… And you’re right, accidents happen,” I stood then. “I think I’ll be okay. It wasn’t the gunshot wound that scared me. I just didn’t like seein’... someone I like get hurt is all. That make any sense, Mr. Alex?” 

“I know what you mean, Nat. Max is one of my closest friends. I didn’t like seeing that either. Or when Aly or your ma gets shot.” 

“Right.” 

“But that’s why we do this job. So that we can help then when they need us.” 

“Yeah. Like they couldn’t help Miss Ashley… That’s why I wanted to do it. So it wouldn’t happen again.” 

“Exactly. If you have the knowledge, you can make a difference. That’s what I try to do.” 

“Can I go outside and try to find Jimmy?”  I asked. “I haven’t seen him in a while. I miss him.” 

“Sure, you can. You feeling better?” 

“Yeah. Thanks, Mr. Alex. I just... needed to talk to you and get away from those men with the guns.”

“You’re welcome Nat,” he nodded and hugged me tight. 

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Mr. Alex.” 

“Don’t worry. Max will be alright. In part, because of you.” 

“And you too.” 

“Go have fun with Jimmy So it wouldn’t happen again.” 

“Okay!” I said and headed outside. 

I went to the orphanage and hugged Jimmy tightly as he came outside. “NATALIE!!!!!!!!” he exclaimed. 

“I missed you!!!!! Where have you beeeeeeeen?????” 

“I took a trip with Mr Thomas!” 

“Oh yeah? Where you guys go?” 

“We went to Texas...I got to see the ALAMO!!!!” 

“Wow!!! That’s where um.. those people fought and stuff right?” 

“Yeah, all these Texas guys fought these Mexicans, and died, but then they kick butt later and made em give Texas up to the Texans.” 

“It was so different without you here Jimmy.” 

“I also eat this thing called a taco!” 

“What that?” 

“It’s this flat round thing, its white, filled with meat and cheese, and onions and something called salsa, was really good.” 

“That sounds yummy! Hey Jimmy you wanna go for a horse ride?” 

“Oh it was, and the Mexicans, they speak funny, unlike what the teacher try teach us, it sound different,” he said and I giggled. “Sure, I missed riding my horse.” 

We went to the stables and waved to Mr. Alex and the others as we passed by. We untied our horses and then me and Jimmy rode up to the ranger fort near the Apache village. We looked around and saw that no one was there. Jimmy found a mine as we kept riding and it was real dark. Then he showed me a shack where he sometimes hid. After a while we went to Diamond to play there.