October 19, 1869

Colorado Springs. 

This evening I walked out into the street and saw Amelia. I smiled and waved to her, greeting her. “How are you doing?” I asked, seeing a man down the street. 

“That’s my pa. Mr. Day,” she informed. “Come meet him.” 

“Okay,” I said and followed her over to the man. He nodded to me and tipped his hat and I said, 

“Good evening, Sir.” 

“Pa, this is Miss Trin. Miss Trin, meet my Pa. Mr. Day.” 

“Trin Paige. Pleasure to meet you, Sir,” I held out my hand to shake his and he slowly extended his hand, shaking mine firmly. 

“Buenos noches,” he said. 

“Just in visiting your daughter, Sir?” I smiled hearing the Spanish. “Ah, tú hablas español? Como estás?”

Amelia folded her arms and huffed a bit under her breath. “Miss Trin you speak spanish?”

“A little, yes,” I smiled. 

“He by way of Peurto Rico. He speaks little English.” 

“Enough to get by... I studied it in school for a year but didn’t get very far with it. I know how to conjugate verbs, and I know a few key phrases.”

“Muy bien, gracias. Y usted?” Mr. Day asked. 

“Ah, yo es bien. De dónde eres?” I asked and winked at Amelia who put her hand over her mouth and giggled. 

“Estoy de Puerto Rico.” 

“I’m afraid that’s about as far as my Spanish goes... I really should have studied conversational instead of grammatical spanish,” I nodded to Mr. Day. 

“Oh it’s fine. He don’t speak much any how.” 

“I can understand him when he speaks, but trying to come up with the phrases on my own is a challenge. So Amelia you were giving your father a tour of the town?”

“Yes ma’am.” 

“Don’t tell him what I actually do for work,” I leaned over and whispered to her. 

“Just about to show him my restaurant you can see if you like as well. Just got it no furniture yet though.” 

“I would love to see it! If I’m not intruding?” I looked between them. 

“No, you’re fine.” 

“Lead the way then!” I smiled and followed her to the restaurant. I walked out to the back with them and saw the patio overlooking the river. “Look at this view...”

“Todo la cervesa,” Day said and I chuckled. 

“Pa! Pa need something to drink.” 

“Dos cervesas por favor, eh don day?” I winked. “Shall we go to the saloon then?”

“Cafe, por favor.” 

We headed to the saloon and I poured them a couple of drinks. Amelia wanted some whiskey but I whispered, “You sure, Amelia?”

“Yes ma’am,” she nodded and smiled at her father. 

We continued to talk about the area and the man still felt a bit uneasy of being so far from home. Amelia drank her whiskey completely and I was worried about her, since I had suspicions that she was pregnant from our talk. She asked for another whiskey and instead of pouring her whiskey, I poured some water in the glass when she wasn’t looking. She asked me about it and insisted she could handle it. We talked about Day’s work and Amelia said that she thought about taking her father to Amiville but then changed her mind. 

Amelia stood to go pour herself another drink and I reached to grab her arm. She insisted that she was getting water and then we heard a loud noise and saw that Day had fallen over. I went to help him up and I suggested that she takes him home for a rest. Amelia told me she’d moved to the house above the general store and we helped her father out of the saloon. 

“Can we talk outside a minute?” I asked her when the man was passed out on the bed. 

“LAWWWWD LAWWWD!” she cried and put a wet towel on his face. 

“He’ll be fine, just needs to rest,” I insisted. “You haven’t told him, have you?”

“I think he maybe nervous he out his home way... Good Lord no. If I tell him, he will want to kill every man he see.” 

“I understand,” I nodded. “It’s why I didn’t want to give you alcohol in the saloon.”

“I told Frank he was coming and frank say he want to meet him. Oh Miss Trin, I’m fine. Think it’s just a little woman’s day problem, that’s all.” 

“Are you sure about that?” I looked at her, not believing it. 

“Well with good pray I do. Don’t know how to tell him if so, imma have to sneak to see the doc when he sleeps.” 

“You should,” I nodded. “Soon. I’m worried about you, Amelia.”

“No don’t worry I’m fine, trust me,” she peaked into the room again and we heard him snoring. 

“Think imma tell miss mayor for that house back wednesday, so papi can have a room.” 

“I still think you need to see a doctor.”

“Oh I will, I showed her the place today but was so excited I forgot to mention it.” 

“I’m glad you’ve found a place to live... and that it’s so close to my office.” 

“Wish she had something bigger. Just use to big places. Not sure how I’m gonna decorate that place.” 

“There was nothing else bigger? You’re sure?”

“Nope.” 

“Well hopefully something will open up... In the meantime I should let you get back to your father. Have a good night, Amelia. I’ll come find you tomorrow,” I waved and walked down the street.