The Show Must Move On

It had been a few days since Jacob and Josie's life had changed. One sister lost, another one gained. But tomorrow the circus would move away and Jacob would have to tell them he and Josie would stay.

For ten years they'd taken him and Josie in. Become like a family to them. Trained them in the circus way. Gave them a craft that would pay.

Put food in their bellies, a place to sleep. Josie girl hadn't said a peep. This was a secret she would keep. Until Jacob broke the news to those in the show. It would be hard to watch them all go.

He had given them excuses for staying at the hotel in BG. Said he wanted to celebrate his Birthday with a lucky lady and Josie wanted to stay in a fancy room with a heated bath. But questions weren't something his circus family often asked.

Not to mention he had still made it to his nightly shows, tonight would be his final performance as they would all soon know. Now was the time to come clean and confess. But at goodbyes, Jacob wasn't the best.

Too many had already been said during his twenty-three years. The show moving on without him filled him with fear. How would he provide for Josie here?

Josie had decided to stay at the hotel. She said she was not feeling well. But Jacob knew she was upset. Wasn't ready to say goodbye just yet to the only life she'd known.

Her only home, too young to recall, her short life on the farm before this all. Perhaps that was for the best. Let Jacob tell them, let Josie rest.

Tonight Josie would surely cry. As the circus packed up and she said goodbye. With a heavy heart, Jacob rode towards the tents. The day was young, though he already felt spent.

He could smell the bacon frying from a mile away. Hear the animals and folks beginning their day. A roar from the cats getting their meat. A giggle of a child so sweet.

A hammer striking iron and a woman's song. Sounds of his life for ten years long. The smell of hay and laundry blowing in the wind. Folks making their way for breakfast to begin.

He slipped off his horse and breathed in deep. Saw a small head, from under the tent peep. One of Ferdinand's daughters, little Sophie. Grinning up at him mischievously.

Chocolate on her dimpled cheeks. Quite the little sneak. She slipped out of the tent as he bent down with a grin. "Hey, Jake where ya been?"

"I've been around Soph. Got into your ma's chocolates again?"

"No, sir. I'm going straight. Ma says I'm giving her grey hairs aplenty. She got mad when I asked her how many. She got crossed when Papa laughed. And now I'm hiding cause I don't want my bath!"

Jacob chuckled and patted her curls. Ferdinand had 2 boys and six girls. He had been around to watch them all grow. Had played with his oldest son when he first joined the show.

Everywhere he looked, a memory-filled his head. This was what he dread. Saying goodbye, never knowing if he'd see them all again.A new chapter of his life about to begin.

He chuckled down at Sophie. He could remember a time when Josie was that small. He was going to miss them all.

He told her to cut her poor Ma a break, gave her a peppermint stick from his bag and then his leave he started to take.

As he turned to walk away, "Jake," he heard Sophie say, " You look about to cry. Why?"

"No, Soph. I just got dust in my eyes."

He had to pull himself together. Before he faced the others. Bea, especially his second mother.

The morning was crisp and clear, at the food tent, most of the folk were gathered near. Iron Pete with three plates full, next to him sat Tiny Tim up on a stool. Shooting the breeze and flapping their jaws. Samson's head touched the top of the tent he was so tall.

Ferdinand was grabbing a bowl of oatmeal. For his youngest child who began to squeal. Jonah sipped coffee but had nothing to eat, Fatima scowled as she didn't eat meat but for her snakes, it was certainly a treat.

Across from her Joe, skinny was as a skeleton, though he ate as much as ten men. Sarah had two of her legs dancing a jig on the chair, while several of the acrobat's children giggled and stared.

Millie and Nan gossiped about a handsome man, a townie who kissed Millie under the stands. A young rousty with mighty big britches. Had the others in stitches. When he swaggered up to Iron Pete and challenge him to a meet. Wrestling out in the dust. Iron Pete pinned him quickly without much fuss. 

Bea had Liza and Monty's s baby bouncing on her knee. While Monty played cards with Tony and drank his tea. Monty's wife Liza tried to get their oldest son to come down from a tree.

"Hey Jake, you're up next to take Pete down," said the rousty, who was still pinned to the ground.

"Yes Jake, you want to get beat again boy? Just like Troy?" Taunted Iron Pete, before he got back up to his feet.

"I trust your Birthday celebrations went swell. You will surely have to tell. Tell us all about it. How big were her-"

"Tony, enough of that talk in front of the little ones," scolded Bea, "Jacob did you have fun, and do you have a kiss for me? I haven't seen you much in days? And where's our sweet Josie anyway?"

Jacob smiled and ambled over to Bea. Gave her a kiss on the cheek and one for the baby on her knee.

Little Diego, his godson was getting big indeed. Jacob had been shocked the day they had picked he, picked him for such an honor. And now he was leaving the show. Wouldn't get a chance to see his Godson grow.

Diego held chubby little arms up to Jake. Into his arms, the child he did take. For a moment Jake did hesitate. He thought of his reasons to go and to stay. He and Brandy weren't getting along anyway. He had imagined their reunion going a different way.

Now Brandy was stubborn and a child no more. She and Lou had been forced to whore. That cut him deep. And their secrets she continued to keep.

Lou was dead and buried. And her lover, Brandy had married. Jacob did not like Bruce one bit. Thought he was a piece of shit but most of all Jacob was terrified. That another sister would die. He didn't think that he could handle... and things with Ruechari were also a gamble.

Her life was complicated, he felt in shambles. Right now should have been a happy time but last night he'd drank himself to sleep with a bottle of wine. After Josie had gone to bed. More regret to list in his head.

He was screwing up raising her, a job of which, he'd always been ill-equipped. Bea must have seen something on his face, because his hand, she did take.

"Are you alright my boy? Or something wrong with Josie? Please tell me."

Jacob exhaled a deep breath, "Nothing quite like that. But there's something I need to tell you all. I found out my sister Lou lived in BG. But she passed away just recently. But my other sister Brandy is alive. I reunited with her at Lou's graveside. So with a heavy heart, I have to say, In BG Josie and I will stay."

The tent erupted in questions from many mouths at the same time. Along with some choice words from those who did dine.

Jacob waited for it settle down, while Diego squirmed and wiggled around. He gave the baby his necklace made of leather to play with while folks got themselves together.

"Both good news and bad. For you, I am glad, that you found your sister Brandy. I'll miss you my boy, but do what's best for your family. And anytime you and Josie, want to come home, you'll know where we'll be. You know the circuit we plan on running this season. You're always welcomed back, but hopefully, you'll have no reason."

Bea gave Jacob a hug and had tears in her eyes. Jacob willed himself not to cry. For he would surely never live that down with these clowns. For weeks they'd given Samson hell. Over his drunken crying spell. 

Afterward, he answered their questions best he could. Though he didn't tell them everything like he should. The details of Lou's death still painful and raw. Besides they didn't really need to know it all.

He stayed for quite a while. Diego and the other children helped bring a smile. He held it together, not a tear shed but he knew the worst lay just ahead.

After tonight's show would come the tears and goodbyes.And not just from Josie Pie. He promised to come back early tonight to see Bea. They were as close as can be. Then he headed into BG.

First to the general store to get paper and some ink. Writing to Polly took him longer than one would think. Three crumpled up papers in the waste bin. Before he had something he could in good conscience send.

Next, he penned several letters to some big newspapers out west. Advertisements in those papers, in case Will and Tom had left. Left Santa Fe, the last place Brandy knew them to stay.

To Santa Fe, he sent a telegram. Hoping it would fall into his brother's hands. To contact him at the hotel in BG, was where he would now be. Next, he went to Tent City. To try and patch things up with Brandy.

To swallow his pride, invite her to the show tonight but the cottage was empty no one in sight. He slid her an invite. Under the door, right then he could do nothing more.

He mosied on back to the hotel. Made sure Josie was fed and stayed with her a spell. They spent the day lying low, sharing memories of the life they know.

Jacob calmed her fears. Told her they'd fit in here and in time, BG would become home indeed.

As dusk grew close, they dressed in their circus clothes. Josie's eyes were red but dry, "Ok Jake, I'm ready to say goodbye. And the give my best performance tonight."

He kissed her forehead and held her tight. "I'm sure you'll be quite a sight. You'll knock 'em dead alright."

"You do the same brother of mine. Let's go have a great time!"

And brother and sister were certainly a sight to behold, to those attending the sold-out show.

Arguably the best performance ever, pulling out all the stops and all their tricks. No one in the crowd would've guessed they were heartsick.

Brandy was a no show and it made Jake a bit angry and upset. But he didn't let it get to him, the crowd had seen nothing yet!

He breathed fire twenty feet high, lighting up the night sky. He juggled fire and walked through a ring of flames. He certainly lived up to his name, Jacob the master of the flame. The crowd chanted his name, the high he felt was insane.

The same for Josie. The crowd had thrown flowers at her feet but the show must move on. All things did come to an end and when the crowd left, the sadness set in.

The Craven siblings said their goodbyes. Jacob did his best not to cry but most in that tent didn't have dry eyes.

Bea was especially distraught. Not their mother by birth, but circumstances brought. To them Bea was never an oddity.

More than just a bearded lady folks traveled miles to see. She was proud of them, wished them well. Promised to one-day visit BG for a spell. Jacob kissed his sleepy godson on the brow. Gave him back to his mother, and managed to walk away somehow.

Josie was sniffling with a satchel full of trinkets and mementos. Given to take with her wherever she goes.

Jacob put his arm around his sister's shoulder.

One chapter of their lives drew to an end.

Another ready to begin...