Cotton & Lace

Reed's Ride

I created a soft spot amongst the trunks and crates using quilts so that we could rest.

I watched Sadie as she pulled her chemise and slip over her body. Every bit of the fabric clinging to her perfect body, each curve just barely hidden under the clothing. My eyes wandered to her stomach, knowing that a part of me, a part of us was growing there despite everything she had been through, despite the war, and despite the world trying to keep us apart. I smiled, thinking of what life would be like with her, in our own home, with children running about, and her beautiful smiling face greeting me every single day.

"What are you smiling for?" she said asked with a grin.

"Oh, nothing, just thinking about how pretty you are" I replied with a wink.

"The turn down service you requested, ma'am" I motioned towards the makeshift bed and then held out my hand. She smiled and curtsied before taking my hand. I helped her down onto the pile of quilts. She laid down and I laid close beside her, taking in the scent of her hair, the smell of honey and sunshine lingering.

The sound of the train lulled us both to sleep rather quickly. Tomorrow would be a new day and a new place. As long as we stayed on our toes, we could disappear unnoticed and start a new life.

I awoke the next morning as light began shining through the cracks in the train car. Sadie was still asleep and I didn't want to wake her. I quietly slid out from under the blankets and got dressed. I wanted to try to figure out where we were and where this train would stop.

I opened up the train car door a bit and poked my head out. It was mostly country side with a few houses sprinkled here and there. The temperature was cooler though and so I knew we must be headed north. I left the train door cracked a bit so we could have some sunlight and fresh air. I began looking through the crates for something to eat as I knew Sadie needed to nourishment after all the excitement and with a baby on the way.

I found a crate with some canned goods and set up a makeshift table out of a trunk. I used more quilts to make a seat for us both and then set out a humble spread of food using the canned goods. Shortly after, Sadie awoke, rubbing her eyes and smoothing down her hair. She walked over to me and kissed me on my forehead.

"madame, breakfast is served!" I said while presenting the table.

She sat across from me and began picking at the food. Her face was pale and she looked different now. I assumed the excitement and travels were just wearing on her and decided to pay it no mind as I began eating as well since I was famished myself.

We were both silent as we ate. I was enjoying the meal even if it was cold. Sadie startled me when she jumped and ran to the train car door and struggled to push it open. Narily getting the door open enough in time, she began spilling the contents of her stomach to the wind. She dropped to her hands and knees and hung her head out the door while continuing to be sick. I quickly stood and ran over to her and gathered her hair in my hands and spun it up into a bun. I could hear her soft whimpers in-between gagging. Once she had stopped I pulled her back inside and wiped off her mouth with the end of a quilt. I pulled out my canteen and gave it to her. She took a drink and then crawled back to the makeshift bed. I walked over and covered her up. I went back to the table and cleaned up and then sat against a stack of crates. I didn't want to disturb her.

Most of the day she wearily crawled back and forth between the train car door and the bed. I didn't understand how she could continue like this when surely her stomach was empty. Each time I helped her as much as I could but I was beginning to worry that she needed a doctor. I had never known a pregnant woman before. Was this normal? Would she always be this way? I pondered every scenario in my mind.

Several days passed, each one exactly the same. Every morning she ran to the door to empty her stomach and it would continue throughout the day. Some days she would eat and drink and be content for a little while, others she would be sick immediately. Each day I tried to figure out where we were and where we were headed, without any luck. I took short naps throughout the days and nights, usually propped against the crates. I wanted Sadie to be comfortable and knew if she had to fuss over me then she wouldn't relax.

After several days the train whistle began to blow. I knew this was a signal that we were approaching a town. I stood and quickly started going through trunks and collecting items we would need. I wanted to have a few things so that we would not look like we were on the run. I packed a trunk and then changed my clothes.

"Sadie...I need you to wake up and get dressed...quickly." I gently touched her shoulder to shake her awake. She opened her eyes wide staring at me in a half awake state. Without a word she stood and gathered some clothes and began trying to dress herself. I went to her and helped her into her corset and dress. I took her hand and we went over to the train door. I poked my head out to see that we were approaching a busy train station.

"Sadie, as soon as this train stops we are going to slip out the door and act as though we have been here. okay?" I said.

She nodded drowsily.

The train eventually came to a stop and I stepped out, then picked Sadie up by her waist and set her down, and then grabbed the trunk. We locked arms and made our way through the station. I found a map and figured out that we were on the coast. I began searching around and saw that we were in York.

Perfect. I thought. This should be far enough away for now.

I went to buy us a carriage ride to a nearby hostile. The carriage man loaded up our trunk and helped us settle in. We took a short ride into town and were soon being ushered to our room.

I sighed with relief to finally have Sadie somewhere more suited for a lady.