17: Beth

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#CC9900" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="047005a0dwnjzk.gif"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cassies Writing"><U><B>home</B></U></A><B>     | </B><B> </B><B> </B><B>  </B><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>Cassie's Writing</B></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id53.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="1: New Orleans"><U><B>1:  New Orleans</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id54.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2: Mary Margaret"><U><B>2:  Mary Margaret</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id55.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="3: Rumrunners Row"><U><B>3:  Rumrunners' Row</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id56.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="4: Speakeasy"><U><B>4:  Speakeasy</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id57.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="5: Sys Deal"><U><B>5:  Sy's Deal</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id58.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="6: Reunion"><U><B>6:  Reunion</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id59.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="7: Disaster"><U><B>7:  Disaster</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id60.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="8: Petofi"><U><B>8:  Petofi</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id63.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="9: Cuddeback"><U><B>9:  Cuddeback</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id64.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="10: Angelique"><U><B>10:  Angelique</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id65.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="11: Making Plans"><U><B>11:  Making Plans</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id66.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="12: Chicago"><U><B>12:  Chicago</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id67.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="13: Nora"><U><B>13:  Nora</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id68.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="14: The Gypsy"><U><B>14:  The Gypsy</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id69.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="15: The Trap"><U><B>15:  The Trap</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id70.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="16: The Gift"><U><B>16:  The Gift</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><B>17:  Beth</B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id74.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="18: Together Again"><U><B>18:  Together Again</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id75.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="19: Petofi Strikes"><U><B>19:  Petofi Strikes</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id51.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Taking Wooden Nickels"><U><B>Taking Wooden Nickels</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>17:  Beth</B></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div>      CaraLinda gently guided Kristin back with a soothing voice.  She took her back through the years of her own life, right down to her birth in 1897.  There was a pause, and then CaraLinda began to go back further.  "Do you remember a time when you were known by another name?"</div> <div>      "Yes," Kristin said softly.  "I was called Beth."</div> <div>      "Can you see the last time you were called Beth?"  CaraLinda asked.  Kristin stiffened, her eyes wide with fear, and Quentin leaned forward anxiously.  CaraLinda put her finger to her lips.  "Listen to me, you will see the vision, but you are safe.  It will not be happening to you."</div> <div>      "I was running…running from Quentin.  I thought he was Count Petofi, and I fell off the cliff," Kristin said very softly.  Quentin bowed his head and bit his lip.</div> <div>      "And before?"</div> <div>      "I was hurt because I didn't realize that Angelique was forcing Quentin to marry her.  I thought I wanted to help Count Petofi.  I didn't realize how evil he was."</div> <div>      "And before that?"</div> <div>      "Quentin was cursed.  I just wanted to help him.  I wanted us to be happy."</div> <div>      "Why?"</div> <div>      "I love him."</div> <div>      Quentin's eyes filled up.  Although open and expressionless, a single tear fell from Kristin's eye and rolled down her cheek.  CaraLinda spoke soothingly to her; asking her to shut her eyes again and then slowly bringing her forward again until they were at the present.  Then she said, "I will count to five, and when you wake, you will remember who you are now and who you were then.  One…two…you are beginning to wake up…three…your eyes are beginning to open…. Four…almost awake…five…open your eyes!"</div> <div>      Kristin's eyes opened.  Dave gripped CaraLinda's hand tensely as Kristin looked around expectantly.  Her eyes met Quentin's, and she dissolved into tears.  "Oh, Quentin!" she cried.  He got up from his chair and moved swiftly to meet her, crushing her to him.  "Oh, Quentin, I didn't think I would ever see you again!"</div> <div>      Their tears mingled together.  "Beth!" he said, and then he put his mouth on hers.</div> <div>      Dave pulled out a handkerchief and was unashamedly wiping his own streaming eyes.  "Lord, Lord, I'm glad to see some of these things end up right!"  he said.</div> <div>      "Softy," CaraLinda said softly to him.  He leaned forward and brushed away one of her own tears.</div> <div>      "Speak for yourself," he said gently, kissing her on the cheek.</div> <div>      "CaraLinda, I don't know how to thank you," Quentin said, his voice breaking.  "You've helped us so much…"</div> <div>      She waved her hand in a dismissive gesture reminiscent of Magda.  "We have much work ahead of us.  Enjoy good things from small favors while you still may!"</div> <bR> <div>      Quentin and Beth immediately returned to Lincoln Park, sitting on the bench with their hands clasped.  It was still afternoon and sunny; they had so much to say to each other.  They talked about him first; old habits die hard.  He told her all about his travels right up to the recent troubles.  He couldn't tell her everything about Petofi; not then.  Not when they'd only just really found each other again.  By the time they finished talking about his adventures, they were both hungry.</div> <div>      Beth knew of a nicer restaurant close by.  She went there frequently for lunch, but they also served supper.  Before they got up to go, Quentin kissed her again.  It was like a miracle to him--the same brilliant blue eyes and delicate high cheekbones; the same soft lips--and yet it was all so different too. She was a little older than when he'd last seen her, but only a couple of years.  He felt Beth respond to him and then pull back.  Still the same reserve, too, in public.  He put his arm around her waist as they walked, and he felt her arm shyly move about his own.  Apparently, she wasn't THAT reserved anymore.</div> <div>      After they ordered dinner, he said, "Now it's your turn.  Tell me about you.  Everything you haven't already told me."</div> <div>      In this life, as Kristin Elsbeth Janssen, she'd grown up in a community in Minnesota with a large Norwegian community.  She was the youngest; she had an older sister and an older brother.  At home, they spoke Norwegian and German-her parents' native languages. They went to the Lutheran church.  Times were hard for the family, very hard.  When he was old enough, her older brother had moved here, to Chicago and had found work in a meat-packing factory.  He'd worked his way up; he made a decent wage now and was able to support his wife and children comfortably.  Her sister had married and stayed near her parents.  "Norma is--different," she explained.  She didn't seem to want to elaborate other than to explain, "Norma wanted to stay in our home town.  There are some people who are--like she is--and she married a very nice man.  A machinist."</div> <div>      Kristin was also different; she felt pulled in a different direction.  She'd always wanted to be a doctor; her family thought it was a funny idea.  She used to practice on her pets and friends.  After her brother moved to Chicago, she begged and begged to be able to join him.  She wanted to get a job and go to nursing school.  Her parents eventually gave in and let her go.  She showed no interest in any of the boys in the village, and they trusted Eric to make sure she married a good Lutheran boy.</div> <div>      Kristin, although an obedient and docile child (very much like Beth, thought Quentin), was not about to allow her brother to dictate her life.  He got her a job at the plant, and she signed up for a night class.  Even though she was working full time, she passed her class easily.  Her instructor, recognizing her motivation, recommended her for a scholarship.  She was thrilled.  She took more courses.  In one of the courses, having to do with first aid, she met Seamus Ryan, a rookie policeman with the force.</div> <div>      Quentin felt the first stirring of foreboding.  "Are you going with him still?  Or did you marry him?"</div> <div>      "I married him," Beth said softly, putting her hand on Quentin's.  "But, Quentin, he's dead.  He was shot on the street three years ago…" She stopped talking, becoming emotional.</div> <div>      "I'm sorry," Quentin said, truly sympathetic but also glad that this man wasn't going to be a complication.</div> <div>      Beth smiled at him, struggling with her own conflicting feelings.  She was able to talk again.  "The thing is, Seamus was a Catholic.  We had to get married secretly by a justice of the peace.  The Church wouldn't marry us, and the pastor refused us, too."  Quentin grimaced.  "And the families!  My parents were so upset--my father hardly could look at me or speak to me.  And they were very angry with Eric, too, because he hadn't looked out for me the way he was supposed to. Eric was angry with me, then, too.  And Seamus' family!  They were better about it, but they were quite shocked, too.  But at least they had a party for us, and they treated us kindly afterward.  My parents and Eric hardly spoke to me at all that first year."  Quentin shook his head in disgust.</div> <div>      Beth continued her story.  She didn't have to work; she took nursing classes during the day and Seamus walked a beat.  She was able to complete her coursework with honors.  Her family had finally come around and accepted her husband, heathen though he was, and were able to be civil to them.</div> <div>      By now, the check had come and they were on the street again.  They walked along, arm in arm.  "That awful Prohibition was what killed Seamus," Beth was saying softly.  "The gangsters here went wild.  There were shootings all the time.  Everyone thinks that Mr. Capone is such a hero, and he is a very friendly kind of man.  He has done some good things for the city, and he jokes with people--but Quentin, he's a very dangerous man.  Seamus would tell me stories about him and his partner, Mr. Torrio.  His partner has gone now, did you know that? He was almost killed by a rival gangster.  And they can't prove it, but everyone knows that they've had people killed.  Mr. Capone has so much money from bootlegging, he can afford to pay policemen more than what they earn from the city."</div> <div>      "What about Seamus?  Was he on the take?"</div> <div>      "That was the problem. He wouldn't do it.  But so many of the others did, even his partner.  Seamus told them he wouldn't lie if he were ever asked about it.  So there was a robbery, and he and his partner went to the call.  His partner was supposed to back him up, but something went wrong.  His partner left him there alone, and the robber shot him.  It took him two days to die, Quentin.  He'd been shot in the abdomen.  A belly wound--the worst possible thing that can happen to you.  You bleed to death on the inside, slowly.  And it hurts."  Beth's tone had turned bitter.  "In those two days, he told me what he thought had happened to him."</div> <div>      "But you couldn't do anything," Quentin said.  It wasn't a question.  He knew the answer.</div> <div>      "I just took the money they collected because I needed it.  They all came to the wake.  All dressed up in their fine uniforms---even his partner.  I wouldn't talk to him when he came to me to give me his 'condolences'.  And even Mr. Capone made a statement.  He called it a 'tragedy' that a law enforcement officer would be killed in the performance of his duty."</div> <div>      "Then you started working for that doctor?"</div> <div>      "I couldn't work nursing shifts at the hospital anymore.  Not after Seamus died, because--welll, there's just so much I need to tell you still, Quentin.  But we're almost home."</div> <div>      They stopped at the corner.  "When did you move back in with your brother?" Quentin asked.</div> <div>      "Not long after Seamus was killed.  My parents wanted me to come home, but I didn't want to go."</div> <div>      "Thank God you didn't," Quentin said softly.  "I might not have been lucky enough to find you in Minnesota."</div> <div>      Beth smiled thinly.  "Eric and Anika offered to let me move in.  They didn't want me to be alone.  They have a large house." She indicated the large comfortable looking house across the street and a block or so away.  "I have a private entrance.  It's comfortable."  They stood looking at each other.  Then Beth looked down.  "I really should go.  It's late."</div> <div>      Quentin couldn't stand it.  "Beth, please don't go.  I've missed you so much, and I need you so."</div> <div>      "I need you, too, Quentin, but I don't see how--"</div> <div>      "We'll find somewhere to go. Stay with me.  Please, Beth.  I need you."</div> <div>      "I--I can't."  She seemed on the verge of saying something else but either was unwilling or unable.  Her eyes filled with tears.  She squeezed his hand. "I want to, but I just can't come with you right now."</div> <div>      "Don't send me away, Beth," he pleaded.  "Please.  I love you, Beth."</div> <div>      "If I let you come in with me, can you be very quiet?  There are other people in the house, and I don't want them to know yet--"</div> <div>      "Trust me," he promised.  She looked at him a little doubtfully but then slowly nodded her head.</div> <div>      "Come with me," she whispered.  They walked to the house; she led him into the backyard and to a window.  "Wait for me here, Quentin.  I'll let you in."  He grabbed her by the shoulders and kissed her passionately, impressing the urgency of his need on her.  She disappeared into the darkness, leaving him to muse that this reminded him of his other wild nights of climbing in and out of windows, up and down ladders, and going over roofs. </div> <div>      After what seemed like an awfully long time, the window slid open noiselessly.  He climbed in easily.  It was dark in the room, but his eyes were accustomed to the dimness because he'd been standing out in the dark for so long.  He could see her sitting on a bed.  It must be her bedroom.  He moved toward her, and she reached out and took his hand, guiding him the rest of the way to the bed.  "We have to be very, very quiet," she whispered.  "And you mustn't stay all night, Quentin.  I don't want Eric to be angry."</div> <div>      "Whatever you say, Beth," Quentin said.  He pulled her to him.  "I love you so much!  You have no idea how much I've missed you!"</div> <div>      "I do now," she whispered.  He could feel her tears, wet on her cheeks.  He kissed her deeply and gently pushed her back on the bed.</div> <bR> <div>      He meant to go; he really did.  It just felt so good lying nestled together like two spoons.  She fit into the curve of his body and he was able to touch her and caress her.  He also became aroused again and was surprised at how easy it was to just slide in and make love this way. He'd never tried that with anyone else and found it very much to his liking. He found he could reach her breasts easily to play with and caress them, while nuzzling the back of her neck. She liked it too; he could hear her stifling her moans of pleasure. After that, they murmured together lovingly.  The last thing he remembered was her saying, "We can't fall asleep."</div> <div>      The door opened--that's what woke him up.  His movement woke Beth, and he heard her gasp.  Quentin looked sleepily at the little child standing in the doorway staring at him.  "You're NOT my daddy!" the child said accusingly, turned, and ran down the hallway.  </div> <div>      "Peter!" Beth cried out, alarmed.</div> <div>      "Is that one of your nephews?"  Quentin asked, still sleepy but unpleasantly aware that once again, he'd caused trouble for Beth.  He got up and searched for his pants.</div> <div>      "No, my son," Beth snapped abruptly, sounding frantic, searching for her own clothes.</div> <div>      Quentin had his pants half-pulled up.  He stopped, shocked, and looked at her.  She looked terrified.  They could hear the child crying, "Uncle Eric!  Uncle Eric!  A man is hurting my mommy!"</div> <div>      "I didn't mean for you to find out this way," Beth said, beginning to cry.  Quentin pulled his pants up and fastened them.  He put his arms around her.</div> <div>      "Hey, it's all right, Beth," he said trying to sound reassuring even as he tried to absorb what she'd told him.  At that moment, all hell broke loose.</div> <div>      He heard a roar:  "ANNIE!  Call the police!"  It sounded like a large animal was charging toward the door.  Beth jumped and squealed in fright, dropping her undergarments.  The largest blonde giant Quentin had ever seen stampeded into the room.  Oh great, he thought, more angry big brothers.  Beth pulled the sheets up to her chin; she was still naked. He moved his body in front of her to protect her, which further enraged the giant.  He was as tall as Quentin but much broader and muscular.  His fists were like two huge hams.  His face was a terrifying sight: his eyes bulged and his coloring somewhere between the red of a tomato and the purple of an eggplant.  </div> <div>        Quentin pulled Beth, sheets and all, out of the bed, placing her behind him.  The giant advanced on him.  He backed up, moving Beth along behind him, still trying to protect her.  "You raped my sister, you son of a bitch!" the giant roared and threw a punch that knocked Quentin into Beth and sent both of them to the floor.</div> <div>      Quentin felt like a sledgehammer had hit him.  Too stunned to move, he wasn't ready for the next assault--a very solid kick to his abdomen that knocked all the breath out of him.  He felt the giant's hands on him, pulling him up.</div> <div>      "No, Eric, no!  He didn't rape me!" Beth was screaming.  "Please don't hurt him!"</div> <div>      Some of that must have registered on the giant because he suddenly let go of Quentin, turned, and slapped Beth so hard she fell on the bed.  "Whore!" he spat out. That was enough for Quentin.  He charged the giant, throwing punches into his middle.  It didn't take long to realize that his punches were virtually ineffective.  The giant hit him in the face again, and Quentin stumbled backward and sat down on the floor, hard.  Beth was back up, and Quentin jumped up, too.  He caught her and swung her around before she could claw her brother's face.  "Beth, no!  Let me handle this!" he said, setting her on the bed.</div> <div>      He half turned and was knocked down again.  The hands reached down and pulled him to his feet.  He put his arms up to block the punch.  "Eric, stop!  It's not what you think!" he yelled, trying to get the enraged man to listen to him.  "I didn't rape her!  We're MARRIED!  Do you hear me, MARRIED!"</div> <div>      Eric had him by the upper arms and proceeded to shake him furiously.  Then he shoved him down on the bed, where he landed in an unceremonious heap next to the sobbing Beth.   His two hands grabbed his crewcut blonde hair and pulled, hard.  He roared.  Quentin wasn't sure if it was in pain or in rage.</div> <div>      "Married!"  Eric shouted.  His eyes looked wet with tears of rage or grief.  "Have you lost your mind, Kristin?  Married!  To him?  Who IS this?"</div> <div>      "His name is--his name is--" Beth paused, horrified, realizing she couldn't remember Quentin's alias.</div> <div>      "Frank," Quentin supplied helpfully.  "Healey."  He winced.  Another Irish name.</div> <div>      "And just where did he come from?  You've never brought him home before!  How could you be married to him?"  Eric continued to shout.  Beth's face crumpled, and she began weeping.</div> <div>      Quentin put her arm around her.  "Look, you're upsetting her.  Would you stop yelling so we can talk about this?"</div> <div>      Eric turned on him.  "You shut up!" he roared.  Quentin's jaw set.  In the doorway, a tall, plump blonde woman appeared surrounded by several wide-eyed children.  The woman was holding a baby girl of about 3, who was crying loudly.  Eric turned and snapped, "Anika!  Take the children out!  Now!"  The woman turned obediently and began herding the children away.  They were all talking at once.  Beth continued to sob, and Eric turned back to Quentin.</div> <div>      "Look, obviously we have a mess here, but we really need to talk about this.  And you really need to stop yelling at my wife and upsetting her," Quentin said to Eric.  He was very angry and wanted to start throwing punches at this giant idiot but he controlled himself for Beth's sake.</div> <div>      Eric spat at the floor, at Beth's feet.  Quentin stood up, hit him squarely on the jaw and was surprised to see the giant go down.  Eric was back up immediately.  He threw three punches at Quentin, one right after the other.  Then he turned and stalked out.  Quentin sat up, holding his aching head.  The room was spinning a little.  He was aware that Beth was down on the floor with him, arms around him, still weeping.  There was more loud banging and shouting in the house and then abrupt silence except for the sound of Beth's sobs.</div> <div>      He managed to put his arm around her and pulled her to him.  "God, I'm sorry, Beth.  This is all my fault."</div> <div>      "No, it's not," Beth wept.  "It's my fault, too.  I didn't want it to happen this way, Quentin."</div> <div>      He felt like crying himself.  He rocked her, trying to comfort her.  "Beth, I'm like the kiss of death.  I'm really sorry I caused you all this trouble."</div> <div>      She pushed herself away to look at him.  "What do you mean, you're the 'kiss of death'?  Why do you talk like that?"</div> <div>      "I just seem to bring trouble on the people I care about wherever I go.  I'm like some Typhoid Mary or something," Quentin replied.</div> <div>      "Don't talk like that!"</div> <div>      "Didn't you listen when I told you about the mess I'm in?"</div> <div>      Suddenly, Beth began to laugh.  "Oh, Quentin!"  She said, doubling over.</div> <div>      "What are you laughing about?"</div> <div>      She must've been hysterical because she kept laughing.  Then she indicated the room.  "This!  It's just so…so…typical!"  At that, Quentin started to laugh too.  He kissed her.  "Oh, Quentin, I love you so much.  But why on earth did you tell Eric we were married?"</div> <div>      "Because I didn't want him to think badly of you, and I didn't think it could get any worse than it was anyhow." He stroked her hair and was completely confused because Beth laughed until the tears streamed down her cheeks again.   "Besides, I want us to get married.  Don't you?"</div> <div>      "Oh, Quentin, you know I do, but we only just met each other again," Beth answered, still laughing and crying at the same time.</div> <div>      "That doesn't matter, does it?  We've already known each other a long time.  We were going to get married before."</div> <div>      "But that was a different life time.  I remember everything now, but it doesn't mean that I don't have an entirely new set of circumstances.  I have a new family here.  I have children.  I didn't think things would happen this quickly."</div> <div>      "Children?  More than one?" </div> <div>      "That was something I wanted to talk to you about," Beth said.  She wasn't laughing or crying anymore.  She was looking at him very seriously, very sadly.  "Children, Quentin.  Seamus and I had two children together.  I was pregnant when he was killed. Peter was just a baby."  Quentin was too stunned to reply.  The fact that Beth had been married was enough of a shock, but to find out now that she had two children was positively mind-boggling.  "You see why I became so upset that you told Eric that we were married?  Quentin, I don't know if you'd still even want to marry me.  You don't know the children, and they don't know you.  How can we do this to them?"  He didn't answer her.  She pulled away from him.  "It matters, doesn't it?  You're sorry you said we were married."</div> <div>      "Oh, hell, no, Beth," Quentin said, rousing himself.  "I'm not sorry about that.  It's just that--I don't know; I guess I didn't realize how different your life would be.  I still think of you--you know--then--".  He saw the look on her face.  "Beth, I love you.  I've always loved you.  I'm not going to lose you again.  It doesn't matter about the children.  They're really little, and they'll learn to like me, don't you think?  And I like children, Beth.  Really."</div> <div>      She'd begun to cry again, in earnest.  "Oh, Quentin, I wanted everything to go right this time--I wanted you to have the time to meet the children and get to know them and my brother--"</div> <div>      "Please don't cry, Beth.  I'm sorry.  I shouldn't have asked you to let me stay.  But we can't change what's happened, can we?"  He soothed and held her.  "Beth?  Let's go get married.  Now."</div> <div>      "Now?"  Her voice scaled up in shock.  "Quentin!"</div> <div>      "Why not?  I said we were married.  Let's DO it."</div> <div>      "But, Quentin, the children--"</div> <div>      "That giant bull of a brother of yours has got them.  I don't especially feel like asking him to give them back right now.  I don't even know where they've all gone.  But the children will be safe, won't they?  Let 's go to the justice of the peace NOW, Beth.  Then we'll really be married!"</div> <div>      She was shaking her head, partially in disbelief and partially in shock.  Then she began to laugh again.  "Oh, Quentin!" she gasped.  She threw her arms around his neck.  "Are you sure?  Are you really sure?"</div> <div>      "Beth, let's go get married NOW before anything else happens!"  Quentin declared, thinking: like before I change my mind.  Two children! A giant brother with an obvious dislike for his new brother-in-law.  Angelique.  The ever-present danger of Petofi.  Beth watched his face changing and looked fearful.  He focused on her again.  "Beth, where's your best dress?  Why don't you put it on? Come with me back to Nora's house.  I'll get a suit and we'll find a justice of the peace."</div> <div>      "Nora?" Beth said haltingly, doubtfully.</div> <div>      "Don't worry.  She doesn't have to see you."</div> <div>      "But who will be our witnesses?"  Beth wondered.</div> <div>      Quentin thought.  "There's my friend Dave.  We'll get him," he decided.  He noticed that Beth still had a stunned expression on her face as she picked out a pretty lilac dress and began to get dressed.  He put his shirt on and hunted for his socks and shoes.  Beth had finished dressing and was looking at herself in the mirror, trying to arrange her hair.  Tears streamed down her face.  He went to her and put his arms around her.  "Please don't cry, Beth.  I know this isn't the way you wanted it, and I'm sorry.  Do you have a friend who might be home?  Someone you'd want to be there?"</div> <div>      "No, not really," Beth wept.</div> <div>      "Listen, Beth, we'll get married here and we'll deal with your brother and the children, and then we can have a real wedding.  What about that?"</div> <div>      "Oh, Quentin," Beth said, sobbing onto his shoulder.  He held her until she'd composed herself.  She looked at him closely.  "Are you sure?  Are you really, really sure?"</div> <div>      "Yes, I'm sure.  And I'll take care of that business I have to, and then we'll go away, you and me and the kids.  We'll travel, like you always wanted.  We can go to Europe for a while.  You wanted to go to Vienna…"</div> <div>      She began to smile through the tears.  He felt relieved.  They were ready to go.  No one was around; the house was empty.  Beth closed the door behind them.  She took Quentin's hand and let him lead her away from her home.</div> <bR> <div>      No one was home at the Billings' house, to Quentin's immense relief.  He was able to bring Beth inside and up to his room to change.  She still seemed to be in a stunned state, and he hoped she would be all right.  He was already trying to think what they would do next after they got married.  He didn't really want to stay on here; he doubted that they'd be welcome at Beth's brother's house. There was the children to think about.  He didn't even know both their names.  Maybe this whole thing WAS crazy…and yet, he didn't want to lose her again.  She'd meant so much to him before; she'd done so much for him, and he'd really loved her and really had intended to marry her if not for Angelique…</div> <div>      "Beth, are you all right?" he asked, concerned, looking at her from the mirror.  He was tying his tie, adjusting it to make sure it was straight.  She looked really pale.</div> <div>      She smiled wanly.  "I'm all right.  It's all so sudden--it hardly seems real."</div> <div>      He turned to her and kneeled beside her, holding her hands.  "This is real, Beth.  I know it's not the kind of wedding you deserve, but I promise you I'll give that too you--no matter what.  Do you believe me?"</div> <div>      She put her hand on the side of his face.  "You're the same, but you seem so different, too, Quentin."</div> <div>      "I hope you mean better when you say I'm different."</div> <div>      She nodded.  "I noticed it in the way you were with your niece.  And with my brother--I don't know.  You seem more--" She stopped, trying to think.  "I don't know what the word is.  More--mature, maybe."</div> <div>      "Well, I hope so.  But I guess we'll have to see.  I still seem to make some pretty stupid mistakes," he said.  Then he added hastily, "I don't mean about you, Beth.  This is no mistake.  I should've married you long before.  I just mean stupid things like not waiting for the time to be right.  I never should've asked you if I could stay the night.  I made things such a mess for you."</div> <div>      She smiled, and this time the smile was more like her old self.  "This is what I mean, Quentin.  You wouldn't have cared before."</div> <div>      "Oh, Beth, I really love you so.  I always have, you know."</div> <div>      "I know," she whispered.  She leaned down and kissed him.  He put his arms around her, wanting her again.  He was tempted to lay her back on the bed and make love to her again.  He knew she'd let him, but he stopped himself.  It wasn't easy, but he sat back on his heels.  </div> <div>      "We'd better go," he said huskily.  "The next time we do this, I want it to be right.  I want you to really be my wife."</div> <div>      A single tear slid down her face, and she smiled.  She really was beautiful, he thought.</div> <bR> <div>      Their next stop was Dave's place. He could sense that Beth was nervous, but that was just because she didn't have any colored friends. He knocked at the door and wasn't too surprised when CaraLinda opened the door and peered out sleepily.</div> <div>      "Ah, you!"  She said, with a smile.  Then she saw Beth.  She opened the door to let them in, looking at Beth curiously.  "All dressed up," she observed, "and it's not even Sunday.  This looks very serious.  I better get Dave."  She disappeared into a back room.</div> <div>      "Isn't that the singer?" Beth whispered.</div> <div>      "Yes, looks like Dave got lucky, too."</div> <div>      Dave came stumbling out of the back room.  He looked like he'd gotten dressed in a hurry.  "Hey, Franky, what's up? Why you here durin the daytime?  And you don't see no one else here, okay, buddy?"</div> <div>      "We're getting married," Quentin announced.  Dave's jaw dropped open and CaraLinda's eyes popped.</div> <div>      "NOW?"  She exclaimed.</div> <div>      "Now.  We need to ask you a favor.  Will you witness for us at the justice of the peace?"  Quentin asked.</div> <div>      Dave shook his head as if to clear it.  "You never will stop surprising me, will you?"  He laughed and stuck his hand out.  "Well, first of all, congratulations."</div> <div>      "Thanks, Dave."</div> <div>      Dave turned to Beth and smiled.  "Well, I ain't gonna ask you do you know what you're getting yourself into. But I'm happy for you."</div> <div>      "Thank you," Beth said shyly.</div> <div>      "Dave, where they gonna get married?" CaraLinda asked.  "I hope you ain't Catholic?"</div> <div>      "No, but what difference does that make?"</div> <div>      CaraLinda shrugged.  Dave asked, "You want us to witness for you?  What justice of the peace you gonna go to?  Some won't do it if we're there."</div> <div>      Quentin hadn't thought of that.</div> <div>      "It don't matter," CaraLinda said.  "We'll ask Al.  He knows someone."</div> <div>      "Ah, I wouldn't want to bother him," Quentin said nervously.  "Really…" He could feel Beth tensing up beside him.  "Isn't he kind of preoccupied with…you know?"</div> <div>      "He don't suspect nothin `bout you and that foolish cousin Phillip!  Besides, this makes him trust you more!     Come on, we'll get dressed, and then we go," CaraLinda said firmly.  "You sit down.  We have some hooch.  You have a drink to relax while we get ready."  She poured two small shots and then pulled Dave along with her to the back room.</div> <div>      "Quentin," Beth said, sounding frightened.  She didn't entirely understand the conversation.</div> <div>      "Don't worry, it'll be all right," Quentin said, but he wasn't so sure himself.  He swallowed the shot in one gulp.</div> <div>      "Maybe we'd better take some time to think about this…"</div> <div>      "I don't want to.  Have the drink.  You'll feel better."  She shook her head no, looking more frightened.  "Beth, come here."  He held his arms out.  She came to him and he pulled her onto his lap, cuddling her.  "Look, this whole thing is crazy, I know.  But you know we should've done this a long, long time ago."</div> <div>      "I know," she whispered into his ear.  "But, Quentin…Al Capone!"</div> <div>      "Ssh, it'll be all right.  He just knows someone who can marry us, that's all." Quentin began to kiss her, and after a moment, she kissed him back.</div> <div>      "Stop that, that comes later," Dave said from the doorway.  He and CaraLinda were back, both dressed in their best go-to-church clothes.</div> <div>      They decided to let CaraLinda ask the gangster about a justice of the peace that would be willing to marry them; she knew him best and got along with him pretty well. Quentin preferred to stay out of his sight, if at all possible.  As it turned out, not only was he flattered to be consulted on the offbeat request, he insisted on having the ceremony performed at the club.  </div> <div> He'd come out to speak to Quentin and Beth. As he approached the table where Quentin, Beth, and Dave were seated, he looked like a benevolent gentleman.  Quentin broke out into a sweat, though, worrying about all the complications occurring with their plans to get Bartelli.  "So you are the happy couple, eh?" he asked. He looked at Quentin, and his eyebrows shot up.  "Phil's cousin!  The kid who talked to the sy-cologists, right?  Piano player, right?  What's this about, no family wedding?  No church?"</div> <div> Quentin said nervously, "We're of different faiths.  And we don't want to wait."</div> <div> Capone looked at Beth with great appreciation.  "I can understand why not!  And this is?" </div> <div> CaraLinda said: "Mr. Capone, Miss Beth Ryan." Capone took Beth by the hand and gallantly kissed it.  She was very pale.</div> <div> "You're not Catholic?  Don't need a priest?"</div> <div> "No, we're both Protestant," Quentin replied.  </div> <div> "Oh, well, we won't hold that against you," Capone said, with a chuckle. "I know a guy could marry you.  And we'll all witness for you two. Throw you a little party after.  On me."</div> <div> "Thank you, Mr. Capone, that's very kind of you.  But you don't have to--" Quentin began.</div> <div> The gangster held his finger up.  "Stop that.  A wedding is always something to celebrate.  That, and the birth of a baby.  I won't hear no more.  I'll take care of it from here."  He went back to his office, presumably to start making calls.</div> <div> "How can he be so nice?" Beth wondered, distraught.  "That man is a killer!"</div> <div> "Hard to figure," Dave agreed.</div> <div> Capone sent word that a justice of the peace would be there at four. He liked the timing because the cocktail hour would be starting at around then, and he wanted to have a little reception for the couple--on the house. The band would be gathering then to practice, and it would be chaotic.  Beth worried about her children, but agreed when Quentin said they'd leave immediately afterward to get them.</div> <div> "I was thinking, we need to decide where we're going to go," Quentin said.  "We'd probably better check into a hotel.  We can come back here before four.  Then we'll have a place to go after we get the children--I don't want us to stay at Nora's."</div> <div> "And I don't think we'll be comfortable at my brother's," Beth put in.</div> <div>      "Not only that, but I just remembered something," Dave said.  "You two need to go get a ring."</div> <div>      "Jeez, that's right, Dave!"  Quentin could've hit himself.  He was glad Dave remembered.  Wouldn't that have been the icing on the cake to this whole crazy thing?  "Come on, Beth, let's get a ring."</div> <div>      Beth stood up.  "I want to call the house and make sure the children are all right."</div> <div>      "Children?" Dave asked.  He looked at Quentin, his eyebrows shooting up.</div> <div>      "Don't tell me again you don't know any other white boys like me," Quentin said.</div> <div>      "No, I was just gonna say--" Dave began.</div> <div>      "That I get into the most interesting messes," Quentin finished.  "Thank you.  I've heard that one more than once too."  They laughed.  Quentin put his arm around Beth and they walked toward the door.  "All right, now about the children-the boy is Peter, and what's the other one's name?" Dave whooped behind them.  Quentin half turned.  "Oh, shut up, Dave!  I never wanted a boring life!"  He turned back around and steered Beth to the door.</div> <bR> <div>      The first thing they did was check into a hotel.  He had Beth wait for him in the lobby.  He explained to the clerk that he would be back later with their luggage; that he was getting married that afternoon.  The clerk grinned at him and congratulated him--a much different reaction from the other clerk in the other hotel.  He went to the lobby and, taking Beth by the elbow, said "Let's go get a ring for you.  We'll pick out the most expensive one they've got."</div> <div>      "No, the prettiest one," Beth corrected.  "It doesn't have to be expensive."  Beth had tried on a few rings and then saw something interesting--two rings that fit together, one inside the other.  "I've never seen anything like that before," she remarked.</div> <div>      "Oh, it's for a double ring ceremony," the clerk explained.</div> <div>      "What is that?"</div> <div>      "Well, the groom gets one too," he explained.</div> <div>      "Oh."  Beth nodded, and then moved on.  A muscle in her face twitched, just slightly, but Quentin saw it.</div> <div>      "Can we see those rings?" he asked, and Beth turned to him in delighted surprise.  He wasn't sure he liked the idea of wearing a wedding ring, but it probably wouldn't fit anyway.  His fingers were long and slender, and the one ring he owned had to be ordered special.  So actually, it wouldn't be his fault, and he would look better in her eyes because he'd tried.</div> <div>      Beth tried on the smaller of the two rings and admired it.  He looked at the gold band in his hand and felt a little shudder.  Married!  And with two children.  Yet, he didn't want to lose her.  He had to do this.  He tried to slip the ring on, sure that it would be too big.  Too his surprise and consternation, it fit.</div> <div>      "How about that?  That's the only set we have, and it came back because the ring didn't fit the gentleman.  It was too small," the clerk said, pleased.  Quentin stared at the band on his finger and didn't say anything.</div> <div>      "Well, this is just a little too big for me," Beth said, sounding disappointed, looking at Quentin.</div> <div>      He swallowed hard.  "Can you fix it?"  He asked the clerk.  "We're getting married at four."</div> <div>      "Well, I'll tell you.  I can add a little piece that'll keep it tight to her finger.  If you want the set, I'll sell it to you.  After the wedding, you come back and we'll order her one to fit. She can use this one until the new one comes in."</div> <div>      He felt like he was shaking all over.  "What do you say, Beth?"</div> <div>      She was looking at him, with a doubtful expression in her soulful eyes.  "Do you like it?"</div> <div>      He swallowed again.  "Well, I'm not used to it."  He looked at her.  "But I could learn to get used to it, couldn't I?"</div> <div>      She smiled.  "You're telling me the truth.  Thank you for not lying to me."</div> <div>      "Can you engrave the rings later, too?"  Quentin asked the man.</div> <div>      "Sure.  Anything you want, sir."</div> <div>      "Okay, we'll take them," Quentin decided.</div> <div>      Leaving the store, Beth slipped her arm around his waist first.  "Thank you, Quentin," she said softly. He could almost hear what she was thinking--that he was doing this just for her.</div> <div>      "Anything for you, Beth," he said, and he really meant it.  He would've kissed her again right there on the street, but she beat him to it.  Usually so reserved in public, Beth stopped and faced him, placing her arms around his neck.  Fine--let everyone see.  She whispered into his ear, "Anything for you, Quentin", and then she kissed him.</div> <div>      Then she reminded him:  "I want to call the house and see about the children."  They found a phone booth.  Quentin stood at her elbow while she made her call.  If Eric answered and gave her a hard time, he was ready to snatch the phone away and give the man a piece of his mind.  Luckily though, it was the sister-in-law, Annika, who answered.  He listened to Beth's side of the conversation, explaining that they would be back for the children later.  There was a pause, and Beth said, "Well, all right, but would you please have a few things for the children ready in case we do have to leave?  I don't think it'll turn out very well."  There was another pause, and then Beth asked to speak to the children.</div> <div>      As he listened, Quentin felt a little guilty about the two children being abandoned like that.  He tried to convince himself that they weren't abandoned; they would be fine and were probably being taken care of by their aunt just fine.  Besides, they were really little, and they'd get over it.  When Beth hung up, she wiped her eyes and sighed.  "Well?  Are they all right?" Quentin asked.</div> <div>      "They're fine," Beth said, with a small smile.  "They were upset at first, but Annie's kept them all pretty busy all day.  She was surprised we weren't there when they got back, and the children were worried.  She's telling them that we've gone out to a party to celebrate being married."</div> <div>      "Not a lie," Quentin said, reassuringly.  "Did she think we were going to stay there?"</div> <div>      "She was surprised we wouldn't be, but Eric's been at work all day, so she doesn't know what will happen when we go home--back there.  She did agree to pack some things for the children in case Eric--well, in case he's still angry or if you aren't comfortable there--"</div> <div>      Quentin thought he'd prefer to be alone with Beth at the hotel but didn't say anything.  "Let's just play it by ear."  He pulled his watch out and looked at it.  "Let's go back.  It's nearly four now."</div> <div>      There was a loud cheer from the people in the club when they came in.  Beth turned a bright pink color.  CaraLinda came forward to meet her.  "We wondered what was keeping you!  You come with me, doll, and we make you beautiful!"</div> <div>      "Wait," Quentin said, pulling the box with the rings out of his pocket.  He fumbled with it and then pulled out the one for his finger.  He pressed it into Beth's hand.  "Don't lose it."  Beth smiled and allowed herself to be led away by CaraLinda. </div> <div>      Dave tapped him on the shoulder.  He stuck his hand out under Quentin's nose.  "You want me to be your best man, I guess you better give me the other one.  I won't lose it."  He looked at Quentin's face.  "You okay, Franky?  You look kinda sick again.  This another idea you need to get used to?"</div> <div>      Quentin had broken out in a sweat.  "I need a drink, Dave."</div> <div>      "I guess you do, son. C'mon.  Mr. Capone said this whole party is on him."  Dave led Quentin to the bar, where the other men slapped him on the back and the women blew kisses at him.</div> <div>      "Is he here?"  Quentin asked.</div> <div>      "Nah, he had to go take care of business somewhere."  At Quentin's questioning look, he said, "No, it ain't about that devil-man!  He's got a whole buffet table set up for you.  That JP is here, too.  We'll get you your drink, first.  Then I'll go introduce you."</div> <div>      "Are we getting married here in the bar?"</div> <div>      "Shoo, man, what kind of host you think the man is?  We all gonna go into his office, then come back out here."</div> <div>      Quentin nodded, relieved.  He took his drink and gulped it.</div> <div>      "Boy, slow down," Dave admonished.  "You ain't getting shot, you know."</div> <div>      Quentin sighed.  He could tell Dave lots of stories.  And he could just hear Dave's reaction now.  The drink was beginning to relax him.  His hands didn't feel like they were shaking anymore.  Married!  And a stepfather--all in one day.  "Dave," he said, taking another swallow.  "She's got two kids.  Two."</div> <div>      Dave put his hand on Quentin's shoulder.  "Listen, Franky, you remember what I done told you about being a daddy?  You'll be okay.  But if you aren't the one for getting into the most interesting messes I've ever seen, my name ain't Dave Fisher."</div> <div>      "Oh, God!"  Quentin said suddenly.  "My name!"</div> <div>      "Whatcha talkin about?" Dave asked, puzzled.</div> <div>      Before Quentin could answer, CaraLinda tapped him on the shoulder.  "The bride is as ready as she'll ever be, sweet cakes," she said to Dave.  "Why don't you bring the reluctant groom to the rev and we'll join you there?"</div> <div>      "Reluctant!"  Quentin protested.  CaraLinda smiled and patted his cheek.  She winked at him and slipped back through the crowd.  "Dave, what does she mean?  She's not going to tell Beth that?"</div> <div>      "Relax, Franky!  Come on, she's just funnin you.  Let's go."   Quentin followed Dave to Mr. Capone's large and extravagantly furnished office.  The justice of the peace was waiting there.</div> <div>      "Ah, at last," he said, in a thick Irish brogue.  "And who is it I'm marryin' then?"  He looked from Dave to Quentin.</div> <div>      "Me," Quentin said weakly.</div> <div>      "And might I know your name and that of your intended?"</div> <div>      Quentin was hesitant.  Trying to be helpful, Dave answered, "Frank Healey and Beth Ryan."</div> <div>      "No, that's not it," Quentin disagreed.  The JP looked confused, and Dave gave him a questioning look.  "That's not my legal name.  I should get married under my real name, and that's Quentin Collins."  Dave looked surprised and shrugged.  "It has to be legal, so there's no question about it," Quentin added softly.</div> <div>      "I don't understand none of this," the JP said.</div> <div>      "You don't need to, mister reverend," Dave said.  "You just need to marry my friend and his lady, and then just forget who you just married."</div> <div>      "Well, I won't have no trouble there," the JP assured them.  "With the forgettin, either," he added.</div> <div>      There was a light knock at the door, and Beth stepped in, followed by CaraLinda.  CaraLinda had dressed Beth's hair with flowers and pinned a corsage to her shoulder.  She'd also managed to find a small bouquet of summer wild flowers.  Beth looked radiant as she approached Quentin and took his hand.  Quentin looked into her eyes and was sure he saw himself reflected there.  He wanted so badly to kiss her, but the JP was clearing his throat.  They turned to face him.</div> <div>       </div> <div>      An hour later, and after a few drinks more, Quentin was feeling playful.  He whispered into Dave's ear, who grinned and nodded.  He went off and spoke to the piano player, and Quentin grabbed Beth's hand.  "I have a surprise for you," he said.  "Come over here."  He pulled Beth through the growing throng of well wishers to the piano and had her sit beside him on the bench.  Dave was ready with his trumpet and blew the opening notes of the tune that had become popular and one that Quentin liked: <I>Yes Sir, That's My Baby</I></div> <div>      When Quentin started to sing, Beth covered her mouth with her hands.  She'd never heard him actually sing before.  CaraLinda joined in mid-way through the song, and encouraged the crowd to sing, too:</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>"… that's my baby</I></div> <div> <I>No sir, I don't mean maybe</I></div> <div> <I>Yes sir, that's my baby now</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Yes, ma'm, we've decided</I></div> <div> <I>No ma'm, we ain't gonna hide it</I></div> <div> <I>Yes, ma'm, you're invited now</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>By the way, by the way</I></div> <div> <I>When we walk up to the preacher I'll say</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Yes sir, that's my baby</I></div> <div> <I>No sir, I don't mean maybe</I></div> <div> <I>Yes sir, that's my baby now</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>By the way, by the way</I></div> <div> <I>When we run into the preacher I'll say</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>I'll say yes sir, that's my baby</I></div> <div> <I>No sir, I don't mean maybe</I></div> <div> <I>Yes sir, that's my baby now!"</I></div> <div>      </div> <div>      Overwhelmed, Beth laughed and cried.  She clapped when the song was over, threw her arms around Quentin, and kissed him more passionately in public than she ever had in all the times they'd been together.  The crowd cheered.  Quentin pulled back a little, then leaned to whisper in her ear:  "I want you, Beth."  He took her hand and put it on his pants to show her how much.  He knew they couldn't be seen from behind.  "Can we go to the hotel first before we go get the children?"</div> <div>      The voice that whispered back was hoarse with passion, "Yes.  Now.  I don't want to wait anymore, either."  She kissed him again, more gently this time.</div> <div>      They endured the good-natured shouts and well wishes of the crowd as the left the club and walked to the door.  Dave met them there.  "You all's gonna ride with me," he said.  "I'll take you wherever you want to go, but you need to go in style.  I'm the best man, see, and I know what's proper."  He looked like he was about to explode with good humor.</div> <div>      Dave drove them to the hotel, discreetly ignoring them in the back seat, necking and caressing each other.  Since Quentin had already retrieved the key, they didn't need to check in with anyone, and didn't have to explain their lack of luggage (still).  They went directly to the room, where Quentin unlocked the door and opened it.  Then he pulled Beth into his arms, lifting her up.  Kissing her deeply, he carried her through the doorway and kicked the door shut with his foot.  He carried Beth to the bed.</div> <div>      Their lovemaking didn't have the same fiery passion he'd had with Angelique, but this was infinitely more satisfying.  He knew her so well, every line and curve of her beloved body.  There were things he could do to please her that he'd learned from Angelique, and things he could teach her to please him.  Best of all, he didn't have to worry about being slapped or pinched after he climaxed, and that was something he hoped to do several times before they had to go back "home."</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id70.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="16: The Gift"><U>16:  The Gift</U></A>    <A HREF="id74.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="18: Together Again"><U>18:  Together Again</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id51.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Taking Wooden Nickels"><U>Taking Wooden Nickels</U></A>    <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Cassies Writing"><U>Cassie's Writing</U></A></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>