Deny Thyself

hite apron. "The world would have been better off if God had skipped the creating of men and jumped straight to femal

alone. I am thankful every day for my dear Benjamin. He is a blessing to me. What has you in such a s

me and left. He didn't even pay for the iced tea he drank!" Evlyn sat down on a stool in the corner of the kitchen. "I am

s just soup on an apron. It will com

ng her a small hug. "Think of all your blessings. Y

can say about this job. We t

nued, ignoring Rosa's outburst. "And you

ll smile. "I shouldn't complain. I am sorry. You're rig

udly. "Now, can you get back to the tables before you

alute, she turned on her heel and to

run-down affair, but as the only food-serving establishment in the town, it received a fair amount of busines

ner's owner, Mr. Abner Manass, sitting at the small table a large piece of pie in front of him. "Well, gals." He sa

busy!" Rosa protested. "We're running ourselves ra

see the income an believe me, food ain't sellin' no good. That's all I gotta say." Pus

laimed, dropping his dishes into the

e doubt. It has to be difficult to be a mayor and own

g anything as it is

utting up with him and the terrible pay it's a miracle we haven't lost our minds. If the

g this job ever gave us was a free meal

ch less than we do. We must be thankful for what we

would we do without her calmin

I remember when I was growing up; a family lived across the field from us. The husband was a widower. He was shiftle

aid. Her expressive brown e

oor children?" Rosa asked as

he older children hired themselves out as farm hands or household help.

be blessed; even if we do have the worst job in all of Ameri

rs streaming down Callie's pal

oing to miss you so much!" Sh

Miss me? Callie, what do you mean? Oh, Callie!" Evly

e're going west. President Polk has confirmed that there is gold in California and Benjami

t you tell us soon

from Evlyn and sat down at the table. "I'm sorry. I suppose I should have told you

e. Maybe we would've rejoiced

e harsh!" Ca

dining room. "What's a man gotta do

aving. Nevertheless, I think that you will have a grand adven

back for me so I can r

Why did everything thing she became attached to disappear? Why did everyone she ever loved end up hurting her? Why had she been so stupid to try again with people? She was meant to be alone in life. She

" Wagon master, Tyrone Gurts

still have a cou

le, get too few and you have trouble." Gurtslinger said. "You did

Peter shook his head. "But now I'm not so sure. Rambling is good for a t

ve been dragging her everywhere for the last six years. She hasn't compl

ran a hand through his graying hair. "I've been thinking about retiring. I was planning on making this

or's words. "Thanks, Tyrone. You don't

e mercantile. This town sure knew how to keep its buildings looking nice. Most of the buildings had no paint, which was fine in most cases, but besides paint, they had no windows. Most of the boardwalks were rotti

e with the Syrins gang again?" Peter asked him as

r-happy before they call on us." Gurtslinger said wit

one." Peter reminded him. "You s

turned to face Peter. "You're right though. The Syrins gang is dangerous. They steal you blind; kill as many animals of yours

ess it again." Peter said with a shudder as he thought abo

th such a small train. We'll be viewed

understand why we need to lock the door when the building doesn't even have

a walked the short distance to the room they shared at the boarding house. The days were just beginning

min." Evlyn commented. "Just think of the

nk of the bugs, the heat, and lack o

ld one double bed, a closet, and a chair. It wasn't much but it was satisfying for the pri

heir destination. On the wagon train Callie's taking p

will make it to California safely. And who knows, maybe they

s town, wearing knee-high boots was a requirement if you

ightgown over her head. Rosa unbuttoned her dress and hung it next to Evlyn's.

ed the covers over her as she thought about her father. "I don't know." She paused as she thought of how life had been with her fa

into the bed. "I shouldn't have asked. I ju

lid down her cheek as she thought of the life that could have been hers. No. She did not miss life with the man who took everything from h

Whisper

replied in a

what he did to you, but I want you to know that I

red. She was very thankful for her two best friends. They helped her when she had no one. They pushed their wa

NG OUT MY STORY! IF YO

ND COMMENT M

WANT ME TO CHECK OUT, TELL ME THE TITLE I

OMANCES! ALWAYS LOO

A GRE