Rapture's Rendezvous

“Damn it. Shoot to kill,” Nathan responded angrily. “And tonight, I want you to make sure all of Hawkins-vilie's businesses are closed. Especially the saloons. I will have no one loitering the streets where it is possible for anyone to speak of this thing called the ‘union’ to the coal miners Then if anyone ventures out onto the streets after dark, give them a fair warning to return home, and if they don't, shoot. Don't hesitate. Shoot. I can always bring another shipful of dumb bastards over from Italy. If killing just one of them is needed to show our power over them, if this is needed to encourage them to listen to me, then damn it, do it.”

“And Ruby and her half-wit husband? You know that he succeeded in surviving our attack the other night. You know that information can be exchanged at Ruby's by the men while they're gamblin'and whorm'.”

“You go to Ruby. Order the house shut for the time being,” Nathan said. Then he chuckled, saying further, “And you tell Ruby to remember what happened to Clarence that one other time when he didn't succeed at coming through the attack as well as the other night. Remind her that if I can order my men to castrate a man, I can also order them to do worse to a woman.”

“Okay. As well as done. Then what about your wife?”

“I have ways of taking care of her,” Nathan said. “And you be sure nothing happens to her brother and father. They are of use to us. Remember that. When the time comes, we'll just take care of them all at one time. • Do you understand?”

“Yeah. Sure.”

Maria's hands went to her throat. She began to tremble violently, then crept back on to her bedroom, closing the door gently behind her. Was it all truly happening? How could anything such as this happen in America? She and her family had been transported to a place of war. She threw herself across the bed, sobbing. How would it all end? Oh, what could she do … ?

A sudden determination seized her. She rose from the bed with a set jaw. She knew that she couldn't solve anything by weeping like a baby. She had to warn Michael. Only by doing so could any of them have any hope for the future. She hurried to her closet and searched beneath the hat boxes, then cringed when her fingers made contact with the cold steel of the gun. She wrapped her fingers around it and pulled it out, holding it away from her, looking at its pearl handle and the glint of the steel of its butt. It was a threatening piece of equipment to her. But she knew that she needed it. After hearing Nathan speaking with his representatives, she knew that everyone needed to be armed. Wasn't he ready to shoot them all as though they were dogs?

Hiding the gun inside her beaded purse, Maria crept to her door and opened it, listening once again. There were no voices surfacing from the parlor. Maybe they had gone. She would just have to take that chance. Ruby's house was her destination. Ruby needed to know, as well as Michael. Maybe Ruby and Clarence could even manage to get to Michael and warn him. Maria knew that she couldn't travel to Creal Springs. She knew that it would be too risky. Nathan Hawkins's representatives were everywhere . . . like hornets . . . ready to attack.

Tiptoeing, Maria began her descent on the staircase. She clutched at her purse, feeling its extra heaviness, wishing she had no need for a gun. But it was her only protection now. Michael's arms were no longer around her. . . her Papa and Alberto were deep inside the bowels of the earth. When they came to the surface, what would be awaiting them? Would the fence frighten them too much? Would her Papa's health weaken even more seeing that he was a prisoner for sure in this land of. . . freedom . . . ?

“I've got to quit worrying and hurry onward,” she whispered to herself. “I must move through the Indian grass just like the Indians must haveall those years ago. I mustn't let Nathan's representatives see me. I have to get to Ruby's before they do. Maybe Clarence can figure out what to do.”

But Maria felt coldness circling her heart when she remembered Nathan's words about Clarence and what Nathan had ordered done to Clarence all those years ago, and now what Nathan threatened to do to Ruby

Inching her way down the hallway that would lead her past the kitchen, Maria's breath came in short gasps. She still wasn't sure about Mama Pearl. Could Mama Pearl be trusted?

Maria stopped and listened, then swung around when she heard footsteps approaching. When she saw Mama Pearl moving toward her, Maria stood as though frozen, now not knowing which way to turn. Mama Pearl would know that she was planning to leave, because Maria held her purse tightly in her hand. And Maria hadn't been known to leave through the back door. Mama Pearl would have many questions.

“And where ya'all headin', Sweet Baby?” Mama Pearl asked, wiping her hands on an a

pron, eyeing Maria questioningly.

“Out,” Maria whispered. “I need . . . some . . . uh . . . fresh air.”

“But ya'all were ahready out this mohnin',” Mama Pearl said, lifting a heavy brow. “Why on earth do ya'all needs to go out again? Ain’ ya'all a feisty thing?” Mama Pearl cackled and moved on past Maria, into the kitchen.

“Mama Pearl,” Maria said softly, looking from side to side.

“Yes'm?” Mama Pearl said, lifting a rolling pin, placing it onto a wad of pie dough in the center of the kitchen table.

“Please don't tell Nathan I'm out, should he ask,” Maria blurted, flushing.

“Lawdy be. Why's riot?”

Maria cast her eyes downward, fidgeting with the beads of her purse. “Well, Mama Pearl, you know how busy Nathan is,” she said softly. “Why worry him about my . .. uh . .. restlessness.”

“Sho’ nuff has been keepin’ his nose to the grindstone lately,” Mama Pearl said, puffing as she pushed the rolling pin back and forth. “Just did see him leave with those workin’ men o’ his a minute ago. Guess the poh soul will be workin’ till nightfall. Yes'm, Sweet Baby, I guess yo’ be right. I won't speak of any restlessness to him. Mighty sweet of ya'all to care so much.”

Maria felt the heat of her anger inside herself, hating to pretend a liking for the man who had so recently humiliated her in such a degrading way. She forced a smile. “Yes. I do worry about him being so involved,” she said, then moved toward the door.

“Goin’ the back way, Sweet Baby?”

“I like to walk through the vineyard,” she replied weakly. “Reminds me of Italy.”

“Yes'm. I understand,” Mama Pearl said, giggling softly.

Maria rushed on out the back door, stopping to breathe a deep sigh of relief. She had gotten past Mama Pearl without any difficulty. Now she had to be sure to evade the watchful eyes of all of Nathan's representatives. She moved toward the thickness of the vineyard, then stooped, hiding as she moved quickly from one row to the other, glad to finally reach the tall Indian grasses that would lead her to Ruby's house.

The sun beat down on her head and back, making perspiration bead her brow and her heartbeat become erratic, making her become almost lightheaded, but she continued to push her way through the thickness of the grass until she finally reached the fence. She moved slowly around it, watching all around her for any signs of movement, and when the dogs came barking and howling at her, she began to chew her lower lip, knowing that alone was reason for discovery.