FRIDAY MORNING,
OCTOBER 6, 1871
- That’s Just the Way It Is -
On Friday morning, Poppy opened the shed door and peeked out. Ticktock unfolded her legs and followed Poppy to the door.
The sun was bright and the fresh air smelled clean as a strong breeze blew across the waterfront. The lake shimmered like silver.
“We needs to find food for both of us and I needs a bathroom,” Poppy said to Ticktock. “You greedy goat! Spillin’ all the grain from the pail—and then eatin’ it all up. Now there’s not enough for today.” At least there was some parched grass around for the goat to eat.
Poppy attached Ticktock’s leash and walked toward a park with a privy and fresh water. She tied Ticktock to a tree while she went into the outhouse and then washed up at a public fountain.
“I sure wish I could take a swim or bathe somewhere. I feel so scummy,” she told the goat. Ticktock looked up at her as if she understood. Poppy had two crackers left in her sweater pocket. She gave one to the goat, who snatched it quickly with her tongue. “If you eat slowly, like me, it will last longer,” she told Ticktock. She counted the money in her pocket. Now she had four dollars and some change. She could get something to eat from a vendor with a cart, someone who sold fruit or hot dough. That way she wouldn’t have to take her eyes off Ticktock.
It was time to think about stowing away on one of the steamers tied up nearby. It would be a big enough problem to get on board and hide herself—not to mention with a goat, too.
But she had to protect Ticktock. After tonight, Ma Brennan and Mr. Plant would be out to get them both.
As she started up the path toward the street, she saw two boys heading her way. Oh, no! It was Four Fingers Foley and his pal, Patrick Cahill! She turned and headed in the opposite direction, but it was too late. “Hey, Poppy!” Fingers yelled. “Stop! I got a message for ya!”
Poppy started to run, but Ticktock, who was sniffing and gobbling food from an overturned garbage pail, pulled hard against her. And in one quick minute, the boys caught up with her.
“Leave us alone!” Poppy yanked frantically on the goat’s leash.
“Aw, calm down. We ain’t gonna hurt ya,” Patrick said. “We got a message from your chum, Justin Butterworth.”
A message from Justin? “What does he want?”
“I dunno. We saw him yesterday,” Fingers told her. “He said to tell you he needs to see you right away.”
“And to come to his house … or somethin’.” Patrick scratched his head.
“Oh, sure! I’ll do that. They’ll throw me in jail,” Poppy exclaimed. “They thinks I stole somethin’ and I never did.”
“Yeah? Then what are you doin’ with his goat?” Fingers asked.
“Tryin’ to save her. Ma Brennan’s lookin’ to kill her ’cause … well, never mind. It’s none of your beeswax anyhow.” Poppy bit her tongue. Would they tell Ma that they’d seen her with Ticktock?
“How come you two are such chums with Justin? You were always beatin’ up on him,” Poppy said.
“Well, he’s not so bad.” Fingers patted the goat. “He was lookin’ everywhere for you. He said for you to go to his house.”
“Ha! Not in a pig’s eye!” Poppy started to walk away.
“We’ll tell him what you said,” Patrick promised. “We may see him at the Methodist church tomorrow. We’re goin’ to get new clothes.”
Fingers snickered. “Justin threw up all over me when I punched him. Ruined my best sweater.”
“Do you want us to tell him anything?” Patrick asked. “About the goat?”
Poppy thought about it for a few moments. “Yes. Tell him I took the goat to hide her from Ma Brennan. She said she’d make her into a stew or throw her into the dog pit. That’s why I took her. Not to steal her.” She put her hands on her hips. “Can you get that right?”
“We’re not stupid,” Fingers snapped. “Why would Ma Brennan give two hoots about that goat?”
“’Cause she’s tryin’ to get even with me for … oh, like I said, it’s none of your beeswax!” She pulled Ticktock away and began walking toward the road.
“You ought to go to the church yourself with your messages. Then you can get some clothes. You’re a mess, Poppy!” Fingers yelled after her.
Poppy could feel her face redden. Her pretty dress wasn’t pretty anymore. She would never be one of the nice girls. But that’s just the way it was.