The mornings at the St. Cloud residence typically went by the same. Servants would rise first and prepare the house for their employers. Occasionally someone would receive a visitor all who never stopped being curios about the Fairchild sisters. Selene and Taitiann worked hard. Miriam no longer objected to their work; preferring not to be seen. Word had spread that the sisters were good seamstresses and friends of the St. Clouds recommended friends keeping them busy throughout most of the day.

Taitiann arranged the clothes in piles so they could be uniformly returned to their owners as Selene worked the sewing machine. Taitiann carefully pinned the surname onto the top article of clothing, checking everything twice. When she noticed a stray stack of shirts she looked over her shoulder at her sister.

"Who's are these?"

Selene wiped her forehead and looked up. "Mr. St Cloud's shirts."

Taitiann picked up the top shirt and examined it. "Ira St. Cloud?"

"Jessop St. Cloud, I'm afraid. I didn't think he'd want our services but his mother forced them on me."

Taitiann refolded the shirt. "He'll be gone back to Louisiana soon."

Selene nodded. "I don't know if I should consider that a relief or not." She shrugged. "Better get his shirts to him. We wouldn't want him accusing us of thievery."

Taitiann took the shirts in her arm, then picked up a basket that contained a client's clothing. "I haven't given up on him."

Selene smiled weakly. "You're always so strong."

Taitiann sighed. "I'll take these on over to the owner," she said nodding to the basket. "You think Miriam will want to come with me?"

"I haven't spoken to her," Selene said. "She won't even come out the room."

"I'll ask anyways," Taitiann said. She left the parlor and walked the short distance down the hall to the room that Miriam used. Setting down the basket she knocked on the door. "Miriam, I'm going out do you want to come with me?" When there wasn't an answer she knocked again. "It isn't snowing...we could—"

"No thank you."

"Well...are...are you sure?"

"I don't want to go anywhere. Just go away."

Taitiann stood at the closed door for a moment longer then picked up the basket and went on her way. Before leaving the house she decided to return Jessop his shirts. When she got to his rooms he was coming out his office. She set the basket down and hurried up to him in the hall. "Mr. St. Cloud. I noticed you were on your way out, but I wanted to give you these."

Jessop had been staring her down but now his eyes went to what she had in her arms. "My shirts," he said taking the top one and letting the folds fall out. "I've been looking for this, it was torn and I needed to have it fixed." He took it by the arm and examined the seam that had been damaged. Upon seeing nothing he checked under the other arm. "It's fixed." He glanced at her. "You can't even tell it was torn. Did you do this?"

Taitiann shook her head. "My sister, Selene. I hope we didn't offend you...we hadn't asked and—"

"This is my favorite shirt." He stuffed his room key in his pocket and proceeded to unbutton the shirt he was wearing.

Taitiann reared back as he exposed his naked flesh. She was surprised he was so pale underneath.

Jessop put on the other shirt and fastened the buttons. Smoothing it down over his chest he held out his arms. "It still fits nice too. Did you repair these too?" He took the remaining two garments. "You know I have other clothing that could use fixing."

"I'll talk to Selene," Taitiann said.

"How much do I owe you?"

"Sir, I couldn't take your money." Taitiann held up her hands as he took his billfold out. "But perhaps there is something else you could do for me."

Jessop's thick dark brows creased at the very thought of doing a colored woman a favor. "Girl, don't ask me to help your father again?"

"No, sir," Taitiann said quickly. "I'm sorry if I caused any offence, really I am. You must think me awfully disrespectful."

Jessop smiled at her apprehension but quickly forced the amusement from his face. "What do you want?"

Taitiann started slowly. "Well...I was wondering...hoping you would teach me law."

Jessop's brows raised high and he stepped closer to her. "You want to learn law? You a woman...a negro woman?"

"Charlotte E. Ray studied law," Taitiann said. "She is—"

"I know who she is," Jessop interrupted. "You're the tough one aren't you? The son your father didn't have?" He smirked. "I've seen you outside with your bow and arrow and I can tell it's more than just for hobby."

"My father taught me to hunt," Taitiann said. "He provided meat for us that way but he also worked very hard. He has seven daughters, sir someone had to learn how to hunt."

"And now you want to be a lawyer."

"Not exactly—"

"I hate to disappoint you but I don't think your father would be too pleased if you studied such things. Ray may have made the bar but that doesn't mean it's a woman's career."

"What's not a women's career?"

"Andrew. You're here," Jessop greeted the man as he came up the stairs.

"I've been waiting for you downstairs. Who is this?"

"This is one of my father's guests," Jessop explained Taitiann. "She wants to study law."

"Really?" Andrew said looking at Taitiann. "Steal a chicken or two and you'll learn the law around here quick." He snickered and look to Jessop to join him.

Jessop looked back at the young woman as she wrapped her arms around herself and lowered her head, submitting to the laws that governed their society. He thought it a shame for he had been enjoying their discussion.

"Come on, Jessop time doesn't wait," Andrew said hurrying down the stairs. "We'll take you're surrey if you don't mind."

Taitiann stood alone in the hall listening to the two men descend the stairs. Taking a deep breath she eased the cut to her flesh and returned to the basket. Checking the address she hurried to make the delivery.

/

                When Jessop returned that afternoon his mother confronted him before he escaped to his rooms. "I don't believe you, Jessop. You let Taitiann walk to the Roberts in the cold."

                Jessop turned around on the stairs. "Who are we talking about?"

                "Taitiann, the youngest of the Fairchild sisters. You could have given her a ride in the surrey. I would have."

                 "And bring scandal down on both our heads." He descended the stairs and took her hands. "Mother, I know you mean well but don't you think it's time you abandon your charity. Just how long do they intend to stay?"

                "I suppose they will leave with your uncle, but Jess—"

                "And when is Uncle leaving? The doctor already said he can't help Jethro." He kissed his mother's forehead. "I love you, Mother but this is getting redundant." He suddenly turned away from her when he heard piano music. No one ever played the old baby grand. "What's that?"

                Natty suddenly looked sympathetic. "That's Annie." She said wringing her hands. "She and Ira are trying to learn some new music."

                Jessop stood still as a stone, listening to them playing the instrument, missing notes and laughing about it. "Well they sound terrible."

                "Oh, Jessop." Natty sighed placing her hands on the sides of his face. She looked deeply into his brown eyes as tears flooded hers. "What did they do to my bright boy?"

                Jessop pushed her hands away from him. "I am fine mother, please just leave me alone." He climbed the stairs, slamming his room door behind him.

                The night had drawn away and after sleeping in it, Astrid was relieved when the train station came into view. Winter passengers crowded the platform as she made her way toward them. The man had sent out a search party for her but the night and the weather had prevailed against them giving her ample time to escape. Knowing that they would be back and would most likely search the station she hurried to put distance between herself and them.

                She had no money or anything of real value. All she had was her little sack on her back which now contained the scroll. She hid in the shadows until the last minute when passengers started to board. She searched their faces for someone she could attach herself to. When she spotted two colored women standing near their luggage she approached them and stood close enough to look like she was with them but far enough away to not draw attention to herself. She picked up pieces of their conversation. They were heading west to visit their brother in Colorado. West was good. 

                A man suddenly approached to load the women's luggage on the train and they boarded soon after. Astrid hesitated and missed her chance of sneaking on board. She could feel her stress rising but she remained calm. She thought of Miriam who always kept herself together in stressful situations when all others fell apart. Though at times it made her seem bothered and as mechanical as a motor car, Astrid thought it must be a good quality to have.

                She walked the body of the train staying on the platform and searching for someone else to attach herself too. Standing out among the winter coated crowed was an older white woman who had raised her umbrella to keep the flurries out of her neatly pinned hair. She had two small children with her who must have been her grandchildren. Both the boy and the girl were unruly and ignored the woman's scolding.

                Astrid made her way towards them as the woman fussed at one of the men handling her bags claiming that he wasn't gentle enough. As the man struggled with the luggage a hat box fell of the top and rolled a little ways down the platform. Astrid quickly stopped it and returned it to the woman.

                "There you see," she said to the man. "I told you to be gentler. I won't tip you so much as half a penny." She then turned to Astrid. "You should have his job." She took her hat box. "Come along children."

                "We don't wanna visit Uncle Earl." The boy fussed.

                "I hate Kentucky," the girl said, "I want to stay here with my father." She crossed her arms and sat down, prompting her brother to do the same.

                "Emily, Jonathan, if you don't get on that train, so help me I will switch you both!" Despite her threats the children continued to wine yet the woman never raised a hand to them.

                Astrid approached the children and knelt down before them. "Why are you crying?"

                The girl peeked from behind her knees. "I hate Kentucky."

                "But it can't be that bad," Astrid said. "Otherwise your uncle wouldn't live there."

                "Uncle Earl is terrible," The boy said.

                Astrid sighed. It didn't seem even being polite was going to move the two children. She took her bag off her back and opened it. "Do you want to see something amazing?"

                Both children immediately raised their heads as Astrid reached into her bag and closed her first around a stone. Pulling it out she opened her hand and showed it to them.

                "Ooh," The boy's eyes went wide. "It's so smooth; it would work great in my slingshot."

                The grandmother scoffed at this.

                "You can have it," Astrid said. "But you have to get on the train and go see your Uncle Earl."

                The boy nodded eagerly and jumped up after which Astrid gave him the stone.

                "What about me, what do I get?" the little girl demanded.

                Astrid pulled out the next thing she thought would interest them.

                "A pine cone?" the little girl frowned. The train whistle sounded and the conductor called for all to aboard.

                "My sister used to decorate them and put them in the window." Astrid explained. "Maybe you can make a colorful pinecone for your father when you return."

                The girl snatched the pinecone then, giving Astrid a fright. The woman finally stopped her fussing when she noticed the children were now occupied with their new trinkets.

"What is your name?" Emily asked

                "Astrid."

                "Come along now both of you," the grandmother ordered.

                "I don't want to come unless Astrid can go with us," Emily said taking Astrid by the arm. Her brother did the same and they both turned their lips out.

                The grandmother grumbled. "You, child." She addressed Astrid. "You are leaving out on this train aren't you? Of course you are or you are now at least. If you come along with me I will pay you to settle these children."

                "But I—"

                "Do not object to me." The woman held her hand up. "Just hurry and get on the train." She herded Astrid and her grandchildren on board then let one of the workers lead them to their cabin. He slid the door open and let them file in.

                "Would you like any refreshments ma'am?"

                The grandmother was examining the room and waved her hand at the man, sending him away. "This will do," she said going over to the window.

                Astrid looked around the room. The floor was beautifully carpeted and the windows were cloaked in fine curtains that let in just the right amount of sunlight. There was a place to sleep and on the opposite wall two chairs with a little table in between them. It was like being in a small parlor.

                "Do you know any stories, Astrid?" Emily asked her, forcing her to sit in one of the chairs.

                "I'm not sure." Astrid shrugged.

                "Try," the grandmother said unbuttoning her coat and hanging it up.

                Astrid dare not object again. She had found her way on this train by fluke and she could easily be thrown off it. When she was halfway through the story of Rapunzel she heard raised voices outside. Leaning over the pulled back one of the curtains and looked out at the platform beyond. The conductor was fussing at an armed man who looked like he had been just dragged from the train.

                "You've checked the colored coaches but I will not allow you to molest the rest of my passengers! You're out of your jurisdiction and if you don't get out of here I will call the North Carolina police!"

                Astrid let the curtain fall back into place when she recognized Columbus. Immediately her heart rate increased twice as fast. When there was a knock as the cabin door she sprung to her feet. The grandmother slid the door open and sucked her teeth.

                "Tickets," a voice said from beyond Astrid's view.

                "What is taking so long to get started?" I'd like to arrive in Kentucky before the New Year's comes again."

                "My apologies, ma'am." the conductor said checking the tickets. "We just had some riffraff on the train harassing the coloreds. "We'll be on the way shortly."

                "We'd better," the woman said taking her tickets back. She slid the door closed and locked it then returned the three tickets to her purse.

                Astrid let out a heavy breath. She was actually thankful the grandmother had a harsh attitude. If the conductor had seen into the room she would have been removed from the train and right into the hands of Columbus.

                The train pulled out the station a few minutes later and Astrid collapsed in her chair. Now all she had to do was get off at the closest stop to Oklahoma. Emily and Jonathan fell asleep quickly hugging the trinkets she had given them and after a cup of tea the grandmother did the same, snoring loudly. Astrid remained awake. She opened the scroll and stared blankly at the foreign letters. Whatever it said, whatever it meant, surely it would bring her family justice.