The setting was shocking, for certain, but the way Cal was with these children reassured me that she hadn’t lost her warmth and kindness.She was giving it all to them and maybe didn’t have any left for the rest of us.
“You look after all them kids on your own?”Oscar asked, gazing about the place and trying not to show any kind of judgment in his expression.
Cal stood and reached for a soiled cloth, using it to wipe away some food that had spilled on the floor.“I’m their momma now.”
“Where’d your husband go?”I asked, curious about the state of the place and Cal’s obvious lack of help.
She didn’t look at me, only nodded.“Oh, he had to travel for some work is all.He sends us money when he can, and he’ll be back in a few weeks…hopefully.”
Cal didn’t look all that hopeful.
“Hmm.You got enough to eat?”Trick asked.
“Sure.”
At that moment, Lizzie came back with Peter, who looked about eleven or twelve, with a shock of shaggy black hair and a spatter of freckles on his cheeks.He gazed at the three of us with suspicion and alarm.
“Peter, these are my friends.I used to know them, back before I—I came here.Can you please get some water from the well so’s everyone can have a drink?”
“You got no pump in the house?”Oscar asked, and Cal’s eyes darkened.
“We got a good well.And I got a good boy who’ll go get me water when I need it, ain’t that right, Pete?”
Peter beamed at such praise and nodded, still eyeing us warily.“Yes, ma’am.I’ll go get some.”
“I’ll come, too,” Oscar said, “I need to use the privy.”
“I’ll show you where that is,” Peter said, as if glad to help with something else.And if anyone could win him o’er, it’d be Oscar.
Lizzie crossed her arms.“I can get water, too.I’m strong, and I like to help Momma!”
Trick smiled and crouched near the child.“You do look strong, Lizzie.I’m sure you help your momma out lots.”
Lizzie smiled as she looked Trick up and down.“You wear boys’ clothes.”
“Well,” Trick said, “these are my clothes, and I ain’t a boy.So they ain’t boys’ clothes a’tall.”She looked down at herself.“I reckon anyone can wear these, if they want.”
“I like dresses,” Lizzie said.
“Well, that’s fine.I wear dresses, too.But for riding a horse, trousers make more sense.”
“I suppose,” Lizzie muttered.“Only I ain’t got a horse.”
“That’s too bad.Did you want to ride mine?I can lead her around if you wanna try it.”
Lizzie’s head swiveled, and she gazed imploringly at Cal.“Can I, Momma?Please?Can I ride a horse?”
Cal gave Trick a look of resignation.“Sure.But be careful.”
“Cal, you know I won’t let her come to any harm,” Trick said.
“All right.”
Trick took Lizzie by the hand and led her out front to where the horses were hitched.
Little Samuel pulled at Cal’s skirts.
“Milk, Momma.I want milk,” he said, his face scrunched up.
