Hell and Determination (2 page)

 
                                                         C
HAPTER TWO
      Jo tossed and turned her mind in a turmoil her Pa repeating the words over and over, “I gave my word,”  which meant more to him than his own daughter, she had known for a long time there would be no love lost between them though to what length he’d go she couldn't imagine till this very day.
                   Brandon was her main concern how irrational she had been, allowing him to manipulate her so easily.
The pulse in her head seemed to beat against her brain has she fought desperately with sleep, there seemed no way out her Pa had offered to buy her wedding outfit, Brandon was arranging the date with the reverend, if only she could disappear, Disappear!  The answer stirred her in the face all this time, she jolted from the bed the cold floor boards penetrating her feet, and she strolled towards the window wiping away the condensation, before peering out at the flowing river.
               Could this be the night playing games with her boggled brain, or could she find the courage to start a new life on her own?
               
               The following morning Jo watched as her Pa and Giles made their way down the mountain pass in the clapped out pickup.
She felt jaded with the restless night and the morning chores made her weary, with the last of the fire logs resting in the nook of her arm she made her way indoors placing them as she did every day, carefully on the stone hearth.
               Still fresh in her mind the thought of her own independence no more subordination, the more she toyed with the idea the more stretched her nerves became.
Maybe it would be easier to marry, though the thought of spending the rest of her life with Brandon brought no consolation.
            Lidia was aware of her sisters torment even though Jo proved stronger in mind, never once had she felt any envy there had been times she wondered how much more Jo could take, but she always came smiling through in defence. She was no longer sure what was going on in her mind, though she had a feeling that life would never be the same.
         The eggs she had collected had been placed on the table and she peered around the doorframe looking for her sister.’“Jo,” Lidia called.
         “Up here” she replied, “wait I’m coming down.”
Lydia stood wide eyed and speechless watching as Jo descended the wooden ladder that served has a stairway, transformed into the male species in denim jeans and Giles’s felt cowboy hat, her hair tied on top of her head with only one fine strand to render her true identity.
“Well what ya think,” Jo asked displaying her transformation.
“What am I supposed to think?” Lydia replied not sure how to respond and wanting to tread carefully in case her sister was heading for a nervous breakdown.
“Would anyone in town recognize me like this? I doubt it,” still unsure what purpose it was meant to serve, “come on Jo what’s this all about.” I’m leaving .I have had no life since Ma died  and that was too long ago to recall, I have no intentions of being a slave for anyone else.’
Lidia understood her eyes heavy with concern as she gripped her sister's hand in comfort, “Be careful Jo -where will you go?
“I've checked  the timetable for the bus route to Seattle, and I’ve saved enough to last a few weeks once the fare had been paid, which believe me will take a large chunk, I have all my documents and hope to find work, but please not a word to anyone, will you walk most of the way with me? I could do with some support.”
                        With the large canvas bag over her shoulder Jo headed down the mountain pass glad of Lidia’s company ,discussing various topics from their childhood days, three years between them and she had always felt a closer bond with Lydia , Giles was only eleven months her junior and always sided with her Pa, maybe it was a man thing, he followed his Pa’s footsteps working for Brandon and his brothers at the logging company,  Pa had taken him to work and Brandon would run him home , until the truck was ready which Pa had forked out for him.
         Feeling like a high spirited fugitive she turned and waved for the last time, with only ten minutes to purchase her ticket she halted for a moment checking no hair had become loose, then made haste has though her life depended on it.
          Jo slumped down on the rear seat not daring to glance through the window for fear of anyone recognizing her.
         Her arm resting on the canvas luggage her breathing becoming easier she relaxed speculative of what lay ahead, she appreciated the next few hours catching up on some well-deserved sleep.

                                                   
    CHAPTER THREE
Jo tried to focus after the well-rested journey glancing through the window has the driver reached his destination. She had underestimated the enormity of Seattle her Pa had driven there on numerous occasions to purchase goods that were unavailable in Fork Ridge. Never had he mentioned the large shopping malls, Pike Place market place and the waterfront.
             She inside felt like a bubble waiting to explode amidst the building excitement, with her rucksack in one hand and Giles’s cowboy hat in the other she toured the downtown market, folk coming and going in all directions.
            Evening was drawing in fast and she had no idea where she was heading, for almost two hours she roamed the busy streets and avenues, finding herself at the waterfront.
             She released the zipper on her bag and retrieved her warmest sweater, feeling has dull as ditch water as her stomach rumbled, and the chill from the Pacific Ocean swept across the bay.
          Rising from the bench she turned towards the lights that filled the buildings of Seattle and went in search of a coffee in one of the stores she had passed earlier.
Finding consolation as her nose followed the aroma of the burgers that simmered in the cosy snack bar? Sinking her teeth into the juicy burger to alleviate the empty feeling in the pit of her stomach, at the same time drowned her fries in tomato ketchup, the onions dangled from the corner of her mouth but she didn’t care has she sucked them back inside.
            When at last the hunger had subsided she soberly sipped the coffee from its large mug, taking in her surroundings and wondering where to spend the night.
            She smiled knowing darn well why the woman behind the counter observed her with curiosity. She was hefty with a pleasant personality,
“everything okay honey? I’m not rushing you but if there is anything else, you better ask now.” ’I’m keen to find a place to stay for the night,” Jo announced suddenly feeling rather childish.” ‘Let me guess, not from around these parts are you honey? So you won't be wanting the prices of those fancy hotels, from the Rockies are you?’ she asked, quite pleased with herself has Jo answered.
With her head held high she retrieved her belongings and headed towards the door.
“Hold your horses honey didn't say I couldn't help.”
‘Really,’Jo acknowledged turning on her heels in surprise.
                 “Yeah there’s a spare room at my place, nothing flashy. Park yourself back down be through in a minute.”
 
                 The following morning Jo rose lazily from the bed, placed a shirt over her naked body and drew back the blinds. She stretch and inhaled triumphantly her thoughts on the day ahead and of Betsy has she preferred to be called. For hours they had talked discussing various topics. Jo had mentioned her reason for coming to Seattle, and Betsy had offered to have a word with her brother this morning, she was sure he would be able to offer her employment in the fish canning factory once her work permit came through till then she could help out in the coffee bar to cover her keep.
             By noon that day she had learned the basics, to be polite and courteous at all times, unless you owned the place Betsy stated humorously, then you could also speak your mind.
Jo took great pleasure in her work, pinching herself from time to time recognition finally sinking in, no matter what the future held in store she would always hold Betsy in the highest esteem if only for being there at the right time.
            Jack eyed the young woman behind the counter as she busily prepared the fries and eggs he had ordered, she shone like a ray of sunshine on a cold winter morning, but this was not winter and the beauty was has real has the Mona Lisa.
          He admired his sister she was the logical type, never went headlong into anything and he gave her credit where this one was concerned, the extra business had soon covered the pay checks.
          It had been two months since she arrived in Seattle, and now he had come to offer her work in the shed though watching the way she had with the customers he wasn’t sure it was a good idea, his sister agreed so the choice belonged to Jo.
After the hard decision they both realized the strength of her ambitions, not that they could blame her after everything she told them over the last few weeks, it was pure guts and determination that drove her to the beneficial side of her dilemma.
             Betsy would never admit what it meant to lose Jo, she had in a way helped replace the loss of her only child, she understood too well the pain her Pa had suffered for she had endured has much twenty years ago when her dear husband had died then the loss of her daughter, oh she understood alright, but never the long vendetta.
It hurt to leave the coffee bar at closing time, arm in arm they strolled along the waterfront, she glanced sideways admiring the way Jo tilted her head in that dignified manner.
                          Jo smiled giving her arm a knowing but gentle squeeze.
Has they turned to cross the gentle flow of traffic she felt Jo freeze, Betsy practically dragged her companion amidst the oncoming traffic. “For God's sake are you trying to get us both killed? She announced almost has shaken “It’s him, I know it was, he was watching from the other side of the street.”
“Are you sure? There’s no one there now.”
“I could have sworn it was him, maybe I imagined it,” knowing Brandon like she did she was convinced he would have introduced himself to Betsy.
                           As the night drifted by Brandon soon become a thing of the past, she bathed then turned into the comfortable bed, she lay dreaming of her good fortune and the possibilities that lay ahead.
                          Jo followed to what Jack called the shed, she would soon become one of the old hands he had said, the stench didn’t do much to convince her.
She was biding her time the thought consoled her, time to save enough for a fresh start, not that she wasn’t grateful never would she forget Betsy and Jack for their kindness.
                       Five Thirty she placed her overall in the locker provided, bent her head forward and ran her fingers through her hair, giving it a gentle shake till the curls came back to life.
She then proceeded through the main gate, Jack was out of breath by the time he caught her up, “My you're a tough one to catch,” he laughed as he placed her arm through his, “Betsy will have my guts for garters if I allow you to walk back on your own, especially after thinking you saw lover boy last night.
                    Jo was glad of his company and pecked him on the cheek to say thanks” I thought you stayed till late,” she said has he escorted her through the traffic.
                “Not tonight, I’ll drop you off at the cafe then I have a meeting to attend” he acknowledged in his joyful way.
Betsy beckoned for Jo to help behind the counter making her feel like part of the family, she rambled on about the day’s events, eventually asking how she had fared at the canning factory. Laughing has Jo held her nose in mock amusement.
                 It was ten O'clock when they locked the door of the snack bar, Jo longing for her bed after the meal Betsy had prepared.
Jo slept peacefully only to be wakened by Jack’s pleasant banter has he knocked on her bedroom door, she glanced at the clock on the bedside table lordy! She muttered forcing her body from the comfortable bed.
             She laughed has Jack opened the door and the pungent aroma of fish consumed her nostrils, “will I ever get used to this? She asked pulling a face, has he walked to the locker room enjoying her

Playful
chaff.
           It became Jo’s job carrying the buckets of waste that were to be transferred to another department for heaven knows what, cat food she presumed as she slipped around the scaly tiled floor, taking part in the pleasant conversation that flowed back and forth along the busy isles. Her overall covered in a paper suit and thick paper boots protecting her shoes, what a sight she thought as she maneuvered her body, bucket in either hand back and forth to the rear of the shed.
        Her legs ached as they dangled from the counter in the restroom taking a well-deserved break.  Scott Duvall admired the way Jo coped, always joking and making most of what came along.  He had offered to escort her to the cafe tonight as Jack would be working late, it would be a pleasure to escort this lively young woman who seemed full of the joys of spring, it was on his way to the gym which he spent an hour in the evening.
           Five thirty the usual chaos echoed around the shed has everyone been eager to make their way home. Jo lingered near the entrance waiting for her escort as she promised Jack she would, she hardly recognized the handsome figure that came towards her, his brown curly hair falling loosely on his collar a smile that would capture the heart of any woman.
           She enjoyed the light conversation as they strolled around the Pike Market area; he held her hand through the oncoming traffic has though it was a natural thing to do, “Fancy a walk round the stalls? He asked observing her curiosity watching has some of the marketers were already packing up for the day.
       As she entered the cafe Betsy glanced at the clock, smiling as she realize Jo was not alone, “my you had me worried for a while take a seat I suppose this is our Jacks idea,” she announced in Scot direction, wondering what Jack had up his sleeve this time.
“I suppose you're both hungry.”
“Not for me, but I won’t say no to a coffee,” Scott declared as he seated himself down across from Jo.
Betsy observed the admiring glances wondering if this was the start of a blossoming friendship.