Cha'Nara's Gift

Chapter 19

Chapter 19 Something to Remember

Emily Picks up the Story

Between Christmas and New Years, Deak and I were busy as Hell, getting our bank accounts in order, things set up with our tax accountant, (making sure he realized we would be "out of town" for an extended period) Deak had to finish out the gun auction, selling (and banking) the last of our gold, so it was a surprise and a relief that we celebrated New Years eve "quietly." Deak stocked up on booze, a couple cases of Coors for Cha'Nara, bottles of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon for Rachel and Emily (I got her away from the Tequila) Emily's parents joined us as we sat around enjoying each other's company and watching the count down to 2013 from Times Square. "So, Rachel, what are the thoughts of a woman born in 1854 getting ready to ring in 2013, how does it feel to be the oldest person in the world?" asked Deak. Rachel laughed and said "I feel wonderful, isn't there some book that has all the records for things like that?" "The Guinness book of World Records," said Deak "But I don't think you'll get in it, somehow I don't think they would understand." We all laughed at that, Cha'Nara did a job on the beer supply, showing no signs of drunkenness, Rachel was somewhat shocked by the dancing they were doing on the New Years shows on TV. "Wait 'till you see me get going, when I'm feeling good," I said. "It is very lewd dancing all the same," added Rachel

My folks called it a night around 11:00pm we partied until 1:30. At midnight Deak got kissed by three women, but he was feeling no pain by then so he just stood there and smiled. The next morning we drove into town for breakfast, stopping at "Lee's Family Restaurant" we took a booth at the back, Cha'Nara reasonably disguised, had pancakes and eggs along with orange juice. The rest of us had bacon and eggs French toast juice and coffee, Rachel engaged in her favorite pastime, watching people of the 21st century go about their business, I think she was trying to figure out how the coped with things that totally baffled her. We discussed final preparations for tomorrow's departure, returning with some cases of fruit, vegetables, various seasonings. Also included were medical books, all the medicine we could get our hands on, gas and oil for the generators and chain saws, plus a small wind generator to recharge the computer and run one electric light. We were also bringing a solar panel to operate another charger. Deak planned to carefully stack all this stuff and have Cha'Nara "zap" it with her "Dahampa," after breakfast. Rachel asked that we stop at the Catholic church, doing as she asked, she went in and remained for about an hour, we began to wonder what was going on ,Cha'Nara was getting pretty antsy when she came out, looking relieved about something. "I unburdened my soul" was all she would say, I guess she confessed her sins to a priest. She also asked that we drive around town a little more, "I would like to take one last look around at the future, you're world, one last time."

"You know Rachel, If you would truly want to stay here, that could be arranged," "I have thought about it very much, but no, I am a woman of my time, just as you are one of yours, there is much of you're world I will never understand, I still am not sure why God chose me to see it, perhaps his reasons will be revealed to me at a later date, but I merely wish to fix in my mind the things that are to come, many may accuse me of lying or of telling tales, but I will always know." We drove her around past car dealerships, fast food restaurants, out past the airport, and other icons of the 21st century. We spent the rest of the day finishing out the last minute details and stacking things up for "Pip" to "disappear." Cha'Nara and I rechecked all the navigation data, by 8:00pm everything was "Go" for our return.

Mom fixed a terrific "last" meal, pot roast, her specialty, a veggie quiche for Cha'Nara and chocolate cake for everyone. In the morning, I hugged her and dad told them I would probably return in a week or two, we then walked to the barn climbed in, and took our places in Cha'Nara's craft. A quick check, then Cha'Nara initiated the proper sequence, then minutes later we were back in 1878 three days before Christmas.

Deak Picks Up the Story

We were defiantly back in 1878, the cold darkened interior of "Hanger 51" told us all we needed to know. Slowly we clambered out of the "unit" each one carrying a large pack loaded with Christmas presents, personal gear, food, clothes ,everything we could stuff inside. We would have to make a return trip later to make everything we "disappeared" with "Pip's" little device reappear, and deal with the various items, coming along the fruit and vegetables along with the spices and other condiments would go over to Alice's place, the gas and oil would remain here.

As we walked over to the hotel and saloon, I could hear someone playing the piano, who actually sounded pretty good, it was nearing on dusk, so the evening crowd was just starting to arrive. We entered the hotel first intending to put everything in our rooms but female squeals indicated we were spotted. "They're back, they're back!" sounds of commotion from the saloon brought an excited Annie, Sarah and Jenny; we were immediately mobbed by Emily's "girls" "Ooh Rachel, your back! How was it what was it like?" "Miss Emily, Miss Emily!" Oooh!" We dropped our bags and Emily was able to calm everybody down, "Ladies, just settle down, yes we're back, we bring gifts, and joy, but all in due time, let us get squared away, and all questions will be answered, I'm sure all you have questions for Rachel, she's seen things beyond your wildest dreams, but all in due time, all in due time me pretties!"

Ben showed up a few minutes later, rushing over to Cha'Nara giving her a big hug, then the two of them quickly "disappearing" to Cha'Nara's room. Emily got a quick report on what had been going on since our departure, mostly the usual run of drunk miners and saddle tramps, most of the problems sheriff James was able to deal with, I'd check with him in the morning for a more detailed report. The crowd was light tonight so Emily called a meeting at midnight after the saloon closed, "Ladies, listen up, I've got presents of all of you, plus other "goodies" but right now I want Rachel to tell all of you in her own words the things she's seen." The other women crowed around Rachel, still amazed at her new "look", a subject they had been chattering about all night. Rachel sat on the edge of a table ,and began; "Never doubt anything Miss Emily tells you. Like you, I tended to doubt things she told me until I traveled with her, Deak and Cha'Nara to their time, just the previous evening I celebrated with them the new year, that being the year 2013," There were gasps and uttering's all around Rachel continued, "I've ridden in machines that travel speeds unknown to anyone now living, I've actually driven one of these machines, I have photographs here of me driving it, in fact I have photographs of many amazing things I have seen with my own eyes, many wonderful and yes, even terrifying things await us in the future." Rachel then passed around the pictures she had taken, plus some I took of her. Her little pin also drew comment, I told everyone this was passed out at the 1939 Worlds Fair, but Rachel was the only one who could honestly say she really had seen the future.

Before long Sally showed up, Emily greeted her and told her to stop by Christmas morning, she had something for her, they then talked privately for a few moments while Rachel's pictures were being passed around. The fact that Rachel could personally testify with proof the trip she had taken with us boosted her stock with the other girls, Rachel was always the more somber one not given to exaggeration.

Things went on until almost 2:00am, by then everyone was pretty much talked out. We made sure Cha'Nara was OK, Ben must have departed an hour ago, I'd talk to him in the morning. I struggled with the oil lamp trying to get it to stop smoking and stinking as we were going to bed, but then "welcome back to the 19th century" I guess.

Ben showed up early and gave me a report on what had been going on. He had spotted some men riding through town, a few days ago, two of them he was sure were the Small brothers, those guys I had threatened to kill, "You know what happens if they show up Ben I won't cut them any slack!" Ben helped me carry the fruit and veggies along with the spices down to his mother's restaurant, Lucinda greeted us and showed us where to put everything. I took my usual place at our "table" inviting young Ben to sit with me; Emily would show up presently, so I bought Ben breakfast. Ben's mother and Lucinda chatted when the could, Sheriff James and Ned Albright showed up and I invited them to sit and have breakfast as well. Ben asked me if there was anything that needed doing but all I could say was, "Nothing really, go see if Pip needs any help unloading the craft, I know we left some stuff in there last night. Ben wolfed down his meal and scooted off to find Cha'Nara, ever eager to be with her and on "Official" business to boot!" Pretty soon Emily Annie and Rachel joined us at the table, I knew the sheriff and Ned held 19th century opinions of Emily's "girls" but they were gentlemen and held their tongues, (besides, I think Ned had visited Jenny a couple times and couldn't really say anything.)

"Ben tells me he saw what he thought were the Small's ride through town the other day sheriff," I casually mentioned, "Don't know, wouldn't recognize 'em" said James. "Be advised that I warned Ed I would kill him and his brother on sight if I ever saw them in town," I said. James replied, "You've got no legal reason to kill them, don't do something you'll regret, as long as they don't cause trouble, there's nothing you or I can do!" I furrowed my brow and shrugged, "Yeah I know sheriff, you're right, but the fact that they dared to ride through town after what I told them means they're "testing" me, they'll be back."

The sheriff and Ned began to ask Emily and I about our trip, apparently hearing about Rachel's experience already. "So son, how much did you get for your gold," "Well sheriff, in December of 2012 gold was running at a little over $1,690.00 an ounce, we hauled in something like$43,000.00 dollars!" Both men about fell out of their chairs, gasping in amazement. "Lord almighty!" exclaimed Albright; I cannot believe gold would sell for that much." I smirked, then said, "Actually guys, you know what really brought the most money? It was all those guns, I had a Civil War Colt's Dragoon go for almost $8000.00 dollars, and an especially nice Winchester 73 went at auction for $3,500.00. That "Yellow boy" you thought wasn't worth much Sheriff, sold for $4,500.00." Both men were thinking in terms of 1878 dollars and simply shook their heads.

"I'll tell you guys something else, you know what really surprised me, was an Indian saddle I took, pretty much as a last minute thing went for $20,000.00 apparently there's only one other like it in existence."

I let them chew on that bit of information for awhile, "Tell you what guys, keep you're eyes open, anything unusual in guns anything especially nice Indian stuff, grab it, I'll see you get a "nice" little "finders" fee, OK?" As the sheriff and Ned Albright got up to leave, James said, Deak, stop by my office this afternoon, Ned here will be there and another fellow you might be interested in as well," "Sure thing sheriff," I said.

Emily showed Mrs. Miller the spices and modern day condiments and what they were used in, Franks Louisiana hot sauce got her interest, Emily told her what it was used on, Emily also explained the role tomatoes played, since they were not commonly used in foods at this time, she really had to do a "sell" on Alice and Lucinda, we brought back tomatoes, green peppers mustard, ketchup, steak sauce, the aforementioned hot sauce, carrots, some Vidalia onions, chili powder, and several other things I had forgotten. Emily promised the two women she would stop by tomorrow and help them prepare meals using the things we brought. I went back over to the hotel to find Pip and have her operate her "Dahampa" so we could put everything away, I took the wind generator over to the hotel as well as the solar panel I placed the extra ammo we brought in a iron box in the "hanger" I brought several boxes of that new critical strike ammo they're making for cops to see if it's any good, Ben and Cha'Nara helped me carry the rest of what I had brought over to the hotel and store it in our office.