Maggie, who had taken the pup from Miss June and was leaning up against the counter, said, “Most cows don’t mind bein’ milked.Takes the pressure off their teats.Why, they need to be milked every morning and evening.”
“All right,” Peter said, echoed by Lizzie.“We’ll do that.”
“Why, you can even milk her three times a day if you want, and if you can use the fresh milk,” I said.“You could milk her in the morning, then late afternoon, and again in the late evening.That might be a wise thing to do, since you got five mouths to feed—and since three of you are still growin’.”
I wasn’t sure where this knowledge came from, except that I’d grown up on a farm, way back when, before the gang, before the killin’—and way before Oscar.
“I expect we can manage that,” Maggie said.“Then we won’t need to worry ’bout keeping the morning milk fresh all the day, since we’ll get more at suppertime.”
“True.”
“I’d like to learn how to milk the cow,” Cal said.“Then, if we all know how, there won’t be a lack of hands available to do it.I reckon ’tis gonna take a lot of work to get this place up and runnin’.And we’ll all have to get along together.You ready to do that, Peter?Lizzie?”
“Yes, Momma.We want to help,” Lizzie said, grabbing Cal’s skirts and cuddling up to her.The absolute adoration in that child’s gaze was heartwarming to see.
“Yes, Momma,” Peter said, with a smile.“I’m strong, and I can help Miss Maggie build and fix stuff, I reckon.”
“Yes, I’m sure you can, Peter,” Cal said.“You’ve already been the biggest help to me, and I do thank you for it.”
Peter stood straighter.“Well, ain’t I the man of the house?I gotta be strong and protect the rest of you.”
He seemed puffed up with himself, which on the one hand was pleasing to see, but on the other hand, ’twasn’t fair that he thought he was better’n Cal or Lizzie, because he was a boy.
I was about to say something when Oscar beat me to it.He was leaning against the counter beside Maggie, petting wee Teddy, who rested happily in her arms, and he eyed the youngster with a serious air.
“You don’t gotta be the man of the house, Peter.You’re ten years old.I think, between Maggie and your momma, you got enough strength around this place.”He put a hand on Peter’s shoulder.“Now, you’re strong, I know that, and you’re capable—’course you are.You been helpin’ your momma manage for a long time, and that’s mighty fine of you.But now Maggie’s here to help out, and you need to enjoy bein’ young and carefree for a time yet.”He glanced at Cal and Maggie, who seemed to appreciate what he was saying to Peter.“I reckon if you can keep Lizzie and Samuel safe and entertained, that would help your momma out the most.And they’ll ask for your help when they need it, I’m sure.But you ain’t the man of this house yet, and even when you become that, you need to know that Maggie and your momma are quite capable of runnin’ things.”
Peter looked sober, and he nodded.“Yes, sir.”
“You understand me?Don’t put your childhood behind you just yet, and don’t look at men as stronger’n women, cause they ain’t.Women are plenty strong, and menfolk shouldn’t beat them down they way they often do.”
I cleared my throat, and I had to look away.’Twas touching to see Oscar protect for Peter what he’d never had—that precious childhood that he’d had to leave behind awful early.My gaze met Miss June’s, and she seemed to be thinking the same.
“I won’t, Oscar.I promise.”
“That’s good,” Oscar said.He stood and gave Peter’s shoulder a pat, then made a grand gesture with a bow, to invite me to the stove.
“Well, Jimmy, you better start cookin’, else these here children are gonna get mighty upset.Can you imagine?They ain’t never had an omelet before!The injustice of it!”
I shook my head with amusement at my husband’s theatrics and made my way to the basket of eggs that was sitting on the counter.I happened to glance at Trick, and I noticed that she was watchin’ Cal in a way that made me wonder if there was more to their friendship than she was admitting to—or p’raps would be very soon.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Goodbye
There were few dry eyes at The Angel when we had to bid our farewells three days later.We’d made so many friends among the girls who worked there.There was always some sort of drama going on between them, although any major disputes were settled by Miss June.’Twas an entertaining environment for the most part.And ’twas refreshing to be among folks who didn’t hold any moralizing principles o’er the pleasures of sex and the right to enjoy one’s body, even if these girls were forced by society to prioritize getting paid.I knew ’twas a job like anything else.Aspects of it were enjoyable, and other parts were a drudgery.At least, at Miss June’s well-run establishment, these women were spared the harsher aspects of their profession.
Even Trick seemed sad to be leaving in some ways, although she was excited to venture forth on a new path as Maggie, in a place that was hers and Cal’s to manage the way they liked, and where they didn’t have to be at the whim of strange men all the time.
Miss June thanked us again for coming all the way from Port Essington to help her and told us we’d always have a place at The Angel if we ever needed it—and that she’d miss us greatly.
“We’ll miss you, too,” I said, giving her a hug and a kiss.“Thanks for lookin’ after me—and after Oscar last fall.We might not have survived without your kindness.”
“I’m happy to put my skills to use, Jimmy,” she said, smiling.“I hope you’re able to make your journey home unscathed.”
“God willin’.”
Oscar made a sound.“You ain’t even a religious fella.Why you lookin’ to God to protect us?”
