[[ pre-dawn, milliways, upstairs ]]

[almosthonorable]

whitetextiswhite

[ the lonely light of morning ]


He's blinking in the darkness, already upright and swinging his legs over the side of the bed before he knows why.

Then the rapping -- light but insistent -- registers.

"Hold on just a minute, gotta -- "

He yanks on his pants and pulls his undershirt over his head, then pads to the door barefoot.

"The hell's the -- "

He's squinting, running his free hand through his impressive case of bed-head.

" -- Kate?"

Comments

[almosthonorable]

"Kate."

He's frowning now, wondering just what the hell's happened as he steps to the threshold and puts a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Come in here and sit down, just for a minute. I got a chair with your name on it."

[ikissdhimbck]

She doesn't move for a moment or two.

Her gaze seems to come unfocused again.

But, eventually, she nods, small and sharp and shaky, and lets Ben lead her to an armchair in the corner of his room.

[almosthonorable]

He flicks on the lamp on the dresser as they pass it, then settles on the edge of the rumpled sheets and turns on the light on the nightstand for good measure.

"You want somethin' hot to drink, or some water? I can go get it from Miss Bar."

[ikissdhimbck]

She shakes her head in much the same manner as before, looking tense.

"No."

She only has one thing on her mind.

"Ben," she begins again, dragging a hand through her hair. "Please. I... I need you to do this for me."

[almosthonorable]

Studying her, it's a minute before he speaks.

"And I need you to tell me why. Somethin' happen?"

[ikissdhimbck]

She bites her lip, taking a few steadying breaths.

She doesn't want to tell this story.

"Y-you 'member that friend back in Green Lake I was tellin' you about?" she murmurs, voice hitching.

"The one keepin' an eye out for me?"

[almosthonorable]

He knows he isn't going to like this, not one bit.

Gently, "I do."

[ikissdhimbck]

"He was killed today."

[almosthonorable]

The creases on his forehead deepen, and he takes in a slow breath.

"Tell me what you can."

[ikissdhimbck]

Her face twists in an ugly expression as she tries to hold back the tears.

She shakes her head.

"It was my fault," she chokes, voice catching somewhere high in her throat.

Her tiny hands are two white-knuckled fists on either side of her legs.

[almosthonorable]

He's shaking his head before the words are completely out of her mouth.

"I don't believe that -- but honey, you gotta tell me what happened."

[ikissdhimbck]

"We was... I was... Ben, they burned my schoolhouse."

She holds his gaze, trying to get her emotions under control.

"Everything... the sheriff said he was gonna hang him. S-so I... I tried to... We were rowin' across the lake when they caught up with us and he just... he..."

She shakes her head again, pawing numbly at the bloody side of her blouse.

[almosthonorable]

It doesn't make sense. They wouldn't've tried to hang this friend unless he was a criminal --

Ben's eyes drop to the bloodstain; it's dried, but he has to be sure.

"You hurt? Bleedin'?"

[ikissdhimbck]

Her eyes are earthward, and for a long time she doesn't respond.

Then she shakes her head, slowly.


"It isn't mine."

[almosthonorable]

He rises and tugs the quilt from his bed.

Crossing the space between them, he wraps the thick patchworked cotton around her slight shoulders and crouches, trying to catch her eyes.

"Start at the beginnin' for me, Kate. Somethin' happen at the schoolhouse?"

[ikissdhimbck]

"No..."

She's starting to feel frustrated. Why is this so hard?

"It was Trout. He saw us and... he's the one who ruined the school, and the sheriff wouldn't come..."

She swallows thickly.

"He shot him. Took his boat out and... I was right there, Ben, and I couldn't... he was just so much stronger..."

She knows she isn't making much sense, but her brain is still shrouded with fog from the events of her day.

[almosthonorable]

"Trout," he echoes evenly.

'The sheriff wouldn't come.'

"The mayor's son?"

[ikissdhimbck]

She nods.

"If it weren't for that god damned motorboat, we would have made it."

[almosthonorable]

The lines around his mouth tighten.

"Why'd he do this to you and your friend?"

[ikissdhimbck]

Her brow creases.






At length, she looks up, blue eyes catching blue.





"Because it's against the law for a negro to kiss a white woman."

[almosthonorable]

"Christ -- "

He rocks back on his heels, ass hitting the hardwood; an elbow rests on one knee while he drags a hand through his hair.

"I'll see if Miss Bar'll loan us a Peacemaker for you."

[ikissdhimbck]

Something subtle flickers across her features, her eyes widening ever-so-slightly in hopefulness.

"An' you'll show me? You'll teach me what you know about shootin'?" she murmurs.

[almosthonorable]

"Doc know 'bout this?"

It's not an answer, but it's not a 'no,' either.

[ikissdhimbck]

Given the way her face falls, that was entirely the wrong question to ask.

But she doesn't flinch from his gaze.

"I'm not askin' Doc. I'm askin' you."

Carefully, she leans forward, placing her small, cold hands on either side of his face.

"Please, Ben. You said if I ever ran into any trouble, that I should come find you.

"Well, I'm in trouble, Ben. I need you. Please?"

Her eyes search him out desperately.

"Please?"

[almosthonorable]

"No, I meant -- I'm askin' if he knows 'bout -- "

The look on her face and her palms on his cheeks cause his ribs to tighten.

"If he knows 'bout what happened."