Before I am Famous

It was the summer of 1890. I remember like I remember yesterday. I was taking a train to New York from St. Louis. Me and my partner made a killing stealing rich folk’s jewelry. We met a few years back, we were on the same train, stealing. It was his idea to work together so we can make more. We were in the back of the train and we were drunk and we were arguing. He said I got more jewels than he did. But we always split it fifty-fifty. You know I should’ve known the rule- never trust a thief.
Anyway we were standing outside and the next thing I knew he shoved me off the train. I tumbled and hit my head on the ground. I remember looking at the sky and then nothing.

I don’t know how long time passed but I woke up stinking hot in a bed and a girl towered over me. She was big as an ox, must have stood about 6 feet. Built like a lumberjack but not very fat. Her long blonde hair hung wildly around her. Her round face was sweaty and dirty. She gave me some water and sat down beside me on the bed.

“How long have I been here?” I asked.

“For at least a day. I saw that man push you. Good thing that train was stopping. You could’ve died,” she replied. She seemed nice. I felt comfortable around her. “I came and got you before the damn crows came.”

“Thanks, ma’am. I owe you. My name is Clive Scott,” I reached my hand to hers.

She took it and smiled and said, “Derry Rhoades.”

“Well thank you Mrs. Rhoades.”

“I am no missus, Mr. Scott.”

Of course not, Derry looked of all about 16 or 17. She probably had parents somewhere.

“Okay, sorry, miss. You live here by yourself then?”

“Yup, I do now, my parents died a bit ago,” she said with not hint of sadness in her voice. “You hungry or something? I don’t cook much but I am sure I can get you something to eat.”

“No Miss Rhoades, I am okay right now,” I said to her.

“I’m not much for formalities Mr. Scott, you can call me Derry.”
“Okay then if you call me Clive.”

She smiled and left me. In some odd way, I liked her. Maybe because she nursed me back to health. I don’t know what it was; maybe because she was the first woman to pay any attention to me in a long time.

I looked over the room. It was simple. A chair to my right and a bureau against the wall with my clothes neatly folded on it. There was a small window next to my bed. I could see out the door from the foot of the bed.
I wondered where Derry got to. I didn’t hear her in the house just the tick tock of the clock. I thought maybe I’d get up and look for her. I tried sitting up but my head throbbed and I lay back down. The crickets chirped and I went back to sleep.

When I awoke later, the room was lit by an oil lamp. Derry sat in the chair beside me, sleeping. I coughed a bit and she stirred.

“Are you hungry, Clive?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll be back,” said Derry. She did come back with raw vegetables and bread. She helped me sit. Once my head stopped throbbing, I ate.

“So, you gotta be somewhere, Clive?”

“Not in any hurry.”

“I am not a doctor or anything but I think you should stay here a time longer.” She took my plate and sat it on the floor. She looked at me and smiled.

“So, Clive you got someone you’re going home to?”

“No, it’s just me. I’m like a bird. I just like to be free. Don’t want a girl to tie me down, I guess,” I told her.

I thought at that moment, if she wanted me to stay with her, I would have. That fall must’ve knocked my head loose. Snap out of it I told myself. Derry was just a nice girl who took me in for a few days. She’ll have to understand, there is no room in my life for a woman.

I drifted back to sleep. I awoke the next morning. Derry left me coffee and bread with jam. My head wasn’t hurting so bad, so I ate and slowly got out of bed. I knew I was in the middle of nowhere, I didn’t bother dressing.

I found her sitting on the porch, quilting. Her land stretched far. The tracks weren’t too far from her porch. A water tower stood further down the property.

“Hiya, Derry.”

“She jumped a little and turned to me. “Well afternoon, Clive. Glad to see you’re moving about. Why don’t you come here and sit?” She patted a chair beside her. Derry did her hair today and put on a clean dress. She almost looked beautiful.

“Another hot one, Clive. Probably in another draught,” Derry said.

It was peaceful next to her, just the sound of birds and crickets.

“So, what are you doing?” I asked, not really knowing what to say.

“I make quilts and sell them in Chicago. I make other things like doll dresses. The railroad pays me each month to have the track and the water tower here.”

It didn’t seem like she was in a mood to talk. She was in deep concentration in her work. The train roared through at about 3:00 pm and slowly halted.

I thought about, Billy, my partner. He probably made it to New York by now. I am sure he made a killing. We always did when we took the St Louis-New York route. Hopefully, I still had some of my loot. I never bothered to look, yet.

The train broke her concentration because she looked at me with a crazy glint in her eyes, “So Clive what do you wanna do? There’s a creek a short walk away, that is if you want to cool off.”

“Sounds good to me.”

She helped me down off the porch and we walked together. When we go to the creek she stripped to her chemise and held my hand as we navigated the rocks to a deeper spot. The water felt good.

I looked at her wet body peeping through her clothes. I caught her looking at mine through my drenched undergarments. It had to have been the first time she’s even seen an almost naked man because she stared at me for a little while. Derry moved closer to me.

“Would you think me to forward if I ask you something off-color?” Derry asked.

“It’s just us, you and me. Ask anything you want,” I said.

“Okay. Have you ever been with a woman before?”

“I am 30, of course I have.” After I said that I figured it was kind of
mean. She was only asking a question.

“So what’s it like, Clive?”

I was lost for words, “It is like heaven. The greatest feeling in the world,” I told her. Derry looked away and didn’t say another word about it.

We walked back to the house. She gave me some of her father’s clothes. They were a bit big but at least they were dry. She came out wearing a summer night dress and handed me some coffee. That girl drank nothing but coffee and water. She drank coffee anytime of the day.

We sat in the rocking chairs and watched the sun set. I looked at her. Her blonde hair hung straight and brushed nice. Made me think she got all gussied up just for me. And for whatever reason I liked her more for it.

“Derry, how old are you?” I asked.

“17 now, 18 this August,” she replied.

“You seem much older, I guess. Aren’t you supposed to be getting married or something?”

“I was supposed to. But my parents convinced me not to. They told me I was too young and they needed me so much more than he did. They said it was for my own good. When I’m older I can get married.”

“Sorry to hear that, Derry,” I said.

“Well my parents died only a couple of weeks ago. I go to his farm, and wouldn’t you know, a pretty wife opens his door. I was so sad.”

I reached for hand and she took it. “I am so sorry, Derry. I’m sure you’ll find someone else. Maybe at church or something,” I said while I stroked her hand.

“I don’t go to church. My parents believed we can praise God here. I go to town once a week for my mail, provisions and of the like. I know everyone there, they are all married. But I’ve been thinking of Chicago but it’s hard to leave home,” She finished her story.

This is the most she talked at one time. I liked listening to her voice, it was nice and gentle. She was honest and hid nothing. I felt at ease with her. One thing I liked best was she didn’t pry into my life. There was a part of me that wanted to tell her everything.

She squeezed my hand, “You are so kind Clive, almost as kind as Alastar. Thanks for listening.”

“It’s the least I could do for you; you took me in and took care of me.”

“It’s my pleasure. I’m glad for your company. It gets awful lonely here.”

I got up and hugged her hard. We were in each other’s arms for a bit, when she suddenly broke the grip and went inside. I followed her inside, where she was chopping vegetables.

“I’ll be back; I’m going to get the fish from the smokehouse.”

We ate a good meal on the front porch. The fish had a different flavor, must’ve been whatever she used to smoke it.

“You know tomorrow is Saturday, I’m going to town. Would you like to come with? That is if you’re up to it,” Derry said as she threw the fish bones in the yard.

“Sure would. How far is town?” I asked.

“About 10 miles or so. The train stops there. I go by horse. I’ve got 3 horses.”

I saw them running in the pasture; all big, brown horses.

“I leave pretty early and come back late,” she said.

“I’m in no hurry to go anywhere, Derry. They got a hotel there?”

“Yes,” then she looked sad, “why?”

“I want to treat you to dinner.”

Her face lit up, “Well that sounds very nice. Do you play cards?”

Cards? A woman who played cards was very uncommon. I met a few in St. Louis but they wore fancy dresses and you paid for their company. “What did you have in mind?”
“Poker,” she said.

We played cards well into midnight. She got up, “Well Clive, I’ll get you when I got the horses ready. Good night.”

I stood up to kiss her but she moved quickly into her room. I went to mine. I blew the candle out. The moonlight filled my room. I went to sleep dreaming of Derry in the creek.

She awoke me before the sun rose. I hurried to get dresses. I checked my pockets, the money and the jewelry was still there. I had this gold necklace with a sun shaped charm dangling from it. I decided to give it to Derry. Sure, I had nicer stuff but the nicer stuff will get me more money.
I met her outside. She already mounted on her horse. Derry had a light blue dress on and her hair was done nicely. She was beautiful then. It’s not like I am handsome at all. I’m kind of scrawny and short but I always tried to dress like the rich; which I suppose that’s why I never got caught.
The ride into town was quiet and nice. Being on the horses was a change for me, haven’t been on a horse in maybe 15 years. I traveled the rails city to city.

People stared at us while we tied our horses in front of the general store. The town, Peoria, was a lot bigger than I thought. There was a jail, a store, a hotel, the school, the church and a small train depot.

We went into the store. She led, I followed. I read the paper while Derry shopped. An old man approached her. I watched him. Next thing I knew, she brought him over. “Clive, this is Alastar. Alastar this is the man that was pushed off the train.”

I shook his hand. Derry wanted to marry him? He must have been almost 50. Maybe he already was. Hell, if I knew. I just couldn’t believe Derry could love someone that old.

He talked but I didn’t pay any attention. I grabbed Derry’s hand and held it. He stopped talking said good bye and left. She smiled a little.
She picked up her mail and paid for her goods. We tied the items to the horses.

“Well you ready to eat?” I asked her.

“Yes I’m starved,” she replied.

More people stared; all wondering who I was. Was I Derry’s husband that she maybe met in Chicago? I am sure Derry’s old love was shooting his mouth. I slipped her arm inside of mine and went inside.

“Order anything you want, Derry. Money is no issue.”

After the meal, I pulled the money out of my pocket. The waitress looked shocked about the amount of money I had. Other people gawked as well like they never saw anybody have money before. Derry looked at the money. I paid the bill and we left. I helped her on the horse and went back to her house. When we were far enough away, she slowed her horse and looked over at me.

“Clive, I don’t ask people anything but I have never seen anyone person have so much money on them. Are you a millionaire?” She whispered.
I couldn’t help but laugh, “No, Derry, not a millionaire. Do you really know how I got this money?”

“Only if you want to tell me.”

“Okay then. I’m like Robin Hood, you know the story?”

“Yes, stealing from the rich and giving it to the poor?” She said.

“That’s right. I steal from the rich and I give it to myself, the poor.”

“Hmm,” she said, “Okay well good thing, I’m not rich then.” And she dropped the topic altogether.

We arrived back at her house. I sat on the porch and drank some whiskey I bought at the store. And it felt so good, going down. I haven’t had any whiskey since I was on the train. I loved my whiskey but never let myself get too drunk; seemed to cloud my thoughts. She came out of the house with something behind her back.

“I’ve got something for you, Clive.” She pulled out a small book titled How to Play Poker. I laughed. “I thought you’d need a few lessons after last night,” she said in between giggles.

“Thanks Derry. I have something for you to. I’ll be back.” She sat down in the rocker. I returned. “Okay Derry, close your eyes.” I circled the necklace around her and clasped it. She opened her eyes and looked down.

“I love it, Clive. It’s so beautiful.” Then she hugged me.

I looked into her muddy colored eyes and pressed my lips on hers. I pulled her closer to me. I knew it wasn’t the whiskey, I didn’t have much.
Derry pulled away. In the light of the lamp, her face was flushed.

“Well Clive, have a good night,” she said and went to her room. I heard the door shut.

A storm moved in later that night. In a flash of lightening, I saw her standing at the foot of my bed. She crawled in.

“What’s wrong little girl,” I said, “ you afraid of the storm?”

“Heaven’s no. I just want to be with you.”

I kissed her again and in the hot room, through the thrashing thunder and the jagged bolts of lightening, we shared something good. Because it felt right and she wanted me to. I knew this because she came to me.
The next morning, she was not there. Maybe she went back to her room, this bed was awfully small. I got up and looked for her. I found her sitting on the porch in night dress quilting.

“Mornin, Derry.”

“Morning, Clive.” She smiled at me. I sat down next to her. I wasn’t sure what to say to her. What we did last night, what married people do, what you have to pay for sometimes. Maybe she didn’t want to talk about it.

“I don’t expect anything from you. I know you are going back to your life.

I just wanted to try it that’s all,” Derry told me.

“I’m in no hurry, I’m happy to be here right now, with you,” I said.

“Hmm,” she muffled.

Of course, I wouldn’t mind if we did go to bed together again. I am a man after all. I looked over at her, she smiled at me. We spent the day swimming down at the creek. I just couldn’t help but think about last night. We hauled water back to the house. When night fell, we played cards and she won.

“You know, Derry, you just might as well play poker. You’d make a killing.”

She laughed, “well maybe one day.” She stood up, walked over to me and grabbed my hand leading me inside her bedroom.

It had to been her parent’s room; the bed was bigger and softer. We spent the night together. When I woke the next morning she was still beside me, naked. At that moment, I felt like I was married.

And boy, would I love to be married to Derry. She was fun, took excellent care of me and wanted me to be with her. I could probably do an honest days work, turn my life around. Maybe I waited my whole life for a woman liker her. Or maybe she could be my new partner, no one would ever look twice when a husband and wife move to the baggage car, especially if we say we were honeymooning. I knew deep down she would never want me to go.

I kissed her and she woke up. She crawled over me and dressed.

“I thought we could have some fish today. I better go catch some,” Derry hurried out of the room.

Well she’s pretty comfortable on the money she has, maybe I don’t have to put in an honest days worth of work. After all, she does go to Chicago; I could still do what I know best. I told her and she didn’t care.

I knew I only met her a few days ago, but I made up my mind. They way I look at it I spent the same amount of time with Derry as I would if I courted a girl. Maybe it was time to be kind of settled down or at least have a place to come home to. I rummaged through my loot and found a simple gold ring with a tiny ruby stone. I dressed and ran to the creek. I found her sitting by the creek with her feet dangling in the water, her line tight.

I sat beside her. I grabbed her left hand and slipped the ring on her finger. It was a little big.

“Does this mean what I think it does?” Derry asked.

“I’ve been waiting for a girl like you, Derry Rhoades. What do you say?”

“You know I will,” she said.

I kissed her, laying her to the ground. Later on, she and I caught 2 big trout. I cleaned them and she took them to the smokehouse. Soon, the air was thick with hickory, beechnut, and an odd odor I couldn’t place.

“You know, Clive, I think I love you,” she said as we lay in bed together.

“Just think?”

She kind of giggled, “No I do.”

“I love you to, Derry Rhoades,” I poured us more whiskey to celebrate our engagement. We finished over half the bottle. She was drunk and went sleep. I held her and then got up.

I kissed her and she moved around a little. The moonlight flooded the room and she looked beautiful naked in it’s light. I wanted to do something nice for her.

I grabbed a lamp and walked up to the smokehouse. I opened the door and shined the light in. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Two people must have been Derry’s parents hung in the room.

Their flesh was dried and wrinkled against their bones. They looked like big slabs of beef jerky with bones. I froze in place.

“Sweet Jesus,” I said aloud. What am I going to do? I thought. She never said how her parents died. She must have killed them. Alone out here, easy to commit murder and nobody would know. What happened here?
Then I thought, I could be next. Maybe she would get angry with me and then I’ll be the next smoked ham. I had to go. I had to go to town and report it to the sheriff. Of course, I could’ve just left.

For once in my life, I had to do the right thing, even it’s at the expense of Derry. I was a thief not a killer. I closed the door and walked back inside. I checked on Derry; she was asleep. I dressed and got everything I had. I didn’t want to risk taking one of her horses so I decided to walk. I did take her lantern. See I told you, never trust a thief.

I arrived in town in the morning. I woke the sheriff and told him what I seen. He gathered his deputy and off they went. I bought a ticket for Chicago for the following day. I had to stay a little longer. I got a room at the hotel and asked for a room in the front.

I sat at the window and about 3:30 when the train stopped at the station, I saw the sheriff come back with Derry, with her hands tied behind her back. Alastar rode behind them.

Awhile later there was a knock at my door, it was Alastar.

“May I?” he asked.

I opened the door wider and let him in.

“I just came by because Derry asked me to. She wanted me to tell you that she is not mad at you. She didn’t think that she would be caught because she was planning on removing the bodies, but you came into her life and she was taken in by you,” he said.

“Why did she…” I started to ask.

“Her parents were horrible people. They were mean to her, used to smack her with whatever was handy or just belittled her. They made her feel like no one could ever love her because she was a big girl. And she was good at something and they saw dollar signs. They let farming go and got their money from Derry. They kept record of everything like how much oil she used or how much she ate and charge her for it. For some reason she was always indebted to her parents. I offered her chance at freedom but they told her they needed her because she brought in the money and she owed them so much especially since they had to put up with her,” Alastar explained.

“Do you know how she did it?” I asked.

“She told me she poisoned their coffee. I don’t know if she even knows what she used but laced their coffee and the next morning they were dead. She hung them in the smokehouse because she wasn’t too sure what to do next. She always had someone else making her own choices.”

“Well thanks, Alastar. If you see her again, tell her I had the best days of my life with her,” I said.

“Tell her yourself. She confessed. She’s going to Moline for her trial. I don’t know what’s going to happen to her after that.”

“I don’t think I can.” I knew I couldn’t face her, looking at her behind bars would make me feel more guilty then I already was.

“So where are you going now?” Alastar asked.

“Chicago.”

“Hmm, alright then god speed to you Mr. Scott,” he said.

“Thank you Mr. Boyle. Take care.”

I got on the train the next day and didn’t go back to my old ways. I was scared straight. I arrived in Chicago, got a job, and my own house. I started my life as a normal, working man in a factory. I still fed my thievery urge by stealing from shops.

As the seasons changed, Derry became more and more of a memory. I found the store that sold her quilts. I bought one that looked like the creek we swam in. On the back she stitched her name. I slept with it every night.

Close to a year later, there was a knock at the door. I was shocked to see Alastar and a young lady holding a baby. The woman was stunning. She had pale skin and brown hair fashioned in style. She was a life size doll. She was the direct opposite of Derry.

“Hello Alastar, what brings you by?” I asked.

“May we?” he inquired. I let them in and they sat on the beat up sofa.
“This is my wife Sarah. You’re not an easy man to find Mr. Scott,” he said.

“Maybe I didn’t want to be found. So why are you here?” I looked at his wife again. My lord, she was beautiful. And then it made sense why Alastar loved and still loved her and why I loved her; Derry was wild and untamed. She was nothing like Sarah, rigid, proper, and boring. He only settled for beauty because at least he had something beautiful if nothing else.

“This is your baby. Clive. Yours and Derry’s. Give him the baby Sarah.” She handed me the baby and sat down.

That was the first time I held any baby.

“I don’t understand.”

“You’re the only she has been with. She wrote me and told me that she was with child. She wanted you to take care of her. So when Emily was born, Sarah and I picked the baby up and came to Chicago. We’ve done our part. You do what you wish.” Then they both stood.

“Her name is Emily?”

He handed me the papers, “Emily Scott.”

“What happened to Derry?” I asked.

“She was convicted of manslaughter because of the pain her parents caused her and obstruction of justice and I think degradation of a corpse. She was sentenced to 25 years but she might get out sooner on good behavior,” he told me.

“Thank you Alastar.”

“I did it for Derry. Good luck to you,” he said as he opened the door and he and his porcelain wife left.

Sweet Jesus. I’m a father. I knew Derry changed my life but I never knew how much until Alastar brought me my daughter, Emily. Now I was guiltier about turning Derry in. It was the right thing, wasn’t it?

Maybe I should’ve stayed and helped her bury the bodies. Afterwards we would drink some whiskey and go to bed. I was a criminal. Maybe I should’ve stayed that way. It’s not like either one of us would’ve been caught. We’d still be at her place, two married crooks, watching the train rumble through.

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