June 3, 1899

Tombstone. 

This morning I woke up from my deep sleep and went to clock in before heading outside and closing the door. I went to the hotel kitchen and made myself a coffee, taking it with me as I walked around doing the rounds. 

I walked back to the hotel and talked with the group in front of the hotel. “Trin can you do me a favor and when you see Tye or Peta tell them I quit the hotel please?” Vic looked at me as she sat down. 

“What? Why?” I looked at her. 

“Quit?! Why?” Pet blinked. 

“I am Pet very much. Well Trin I don’t agree with how they see things or treat new people. I’d rather not be associated with them.” 

“Well, Victoria, I’m sorry to hear that. What will you be doing now?” Pet asked. 

“I am not. I am actually very pleased and happy to be away from that.” 

“I’ll be sure to let him know,” I sighed. 

“I am going to focus on my farm. Getting married soon and having a family.” 

“Really?! That is good news! Have you known him long?” Pet asked. 

“I am happy very happy. It’s not like we are getting married today but yes he is a great man and I love spending time with him. We are taking the time to get to know each other. I just well my farm takes me away.” 

“Well, congratulations hon,” Pet said. 

A few others joined us in front of the hotel and I eventually said, “I still haven’t seen Tom.” 

“I am sorry, Trin I am sure he is around don’t lose heart,” Vic said. 

“Oh that fella you thought was dead?” Peta asked and I nodded. 

“Or give up. People do that too easily when it’s worth fightin for,” Vic said. 

“I keep hearin’ people say they seen him,” Peta said. 

“Chet talked with him once... Haven’t seen him around at all. They do?” I looked at her hopefully. 

“Er… yes?” 

“Who’s seen him? Where?” 

“I can say I have not seen this Tom. What does he look like Trin?” Vic asked. 

“Uhhh... I’m sorry I really can’t remember. I just heard people discussin’ people who’d seen it, and it may have been that Chet fella,” Peta said. 

“I just wish he’d show up already. Apparently he told Chet that a ‘miss trin’ has his medical papers so he remembers my name... But I don’t have anything of his…” I said. 

“Ya got his medical papers? What kinda medical papers?” Peta asked as Vic squealed when Nhil came over. 

“I guess that’s what he said. Didn’t really get it either. I said I don’t have anything from him. So I don’t know what he’s goin’ on about but the fact that he mentioned my name has to be promising.” 

“Hmm... could be the crazies,” Peta said. 

“Ohh yer sweet on him?” Ru asked. 

“We dated from for months… But then I stopped hearin’ from him. When I moved to Tombstone Chet told me that he’d died in a fire back home. But then Chet said he’d seen him alive but he remembers nothing,” I explained. “And I haven’t seen him still so I won’t believe it until I see his face…” 

Vic went on about Nhil and how great he was as conversation continued. Pet talked about the first women’s society meeting where Nellie gave her story to fifteen women. She said that next month, the first woman to graduate from medical school would be coming to town. Nhil commented on how he was glad he wasn’t in the room with fifteen women there. 

Sirus looked at me at one point and asked when I became a deputy and I said, “Just recently actually. Realized I wasn’t doin’ much as a Pinkerton ’casuse I had no authority to do anything productive... Decided to get a better badge.” 

“Yep. Pinkertons generally... don’t do much,” Peta nodded. “And law could use more hands, I hear.” 

“Was touch and go... Being shot twice in the same arm don’t really heal quickly, ya know?” 

“Yeah but deputy… gettin’ shot don’t seem productive either.” 

“That’s why I’ve gotta get better. Gonna have to take you up on that target practicin’ sooner or later,” I winked. 

“Yep Tye mentioned that, uh, you need some more practice,” Peta nodded. 

“Oh did he, Peta? I was a lot better than I thought I was gonna be…” 

“Errr... yeah! I’m sure that’s what he meant.” 

“Was more used to sniping than the running around and shooting... But I guess I chock every gunshot up to experience. Besides, gives me somethin to do, right?” I winked at Sirus. 

“So..umm..ya got any warrants on any bad folks?” Sirus chuckled. “I recon...gotta walk that path that you think best for yerself.” 

“Oh yeah. Lotsa folks think they come to town and they’re immediately good shots. It takes practice,” Peta said. 

“Sure does,” I nodded and looked at Sirus. “You know I can’t release that information.” 

“I mean not that id rat anyone out or anything like that.. I’m just nosey and all,” he said. .

“I’ve got my ways,” I smiled at him slowly, but then I frowned, knowing I might be in over my head with Cole as an information, and shook off the doubt. 

We continued to talk about how Tye had been busy a lot lately and I continued to reflect on how frustrating it was that Tom wasn’t really around like Chet said he was. We talked about Tombstone and how it drew us in. I talked with some people in front of the saloon including a man named Enki. After a while, I headed back to the office and did some paperwork.

*** 

Tonight I went to the town dance and was surprised to see Sniper there, a man who’d hung out with Buckshot Bill back in Amiville. He told me to join in the dance so I did, trying to leave the past behind me where it belonged.