LITMIR.BIZ

      Chapter 3

      Della slept like a baby. She was awoken by the sounds of birds singing in the tree near her window. She got dressed and tucked the newspaper into her bag and hurried down to the kitchen. Nellie always had breakfast ready. This morning was very different. Della was up early. She had things to do.

      Nellie didn’t sleep too well. Her mind was wondering about Della. Now Nellie had a bit of wanderlust in her. She had had two husbands and lots of suitors. What and how was Della going to survive out on her own? This worried Nellie. She was busy on the stove, still thinking about Della when she came into the room. Nellie turned to see how happy Della looked. She gave her a bear hug. Della said she was starving. Nellie smiled and brought a plate piled high and a cup of coffee. Nellie poured herself a cup and joined Della.

      Nellie dove in. She couldn’t stand it a minute longer. She told Della that she was worried about her and how she was going to be able to make it on her own. Nellie told Della that she could teach her to hunt and survive. It wasn’t easy. Life could be hard. Della was surprised by Nellie’s outburst. Yet she had a feeling that Nellie had something up her sleeve. Della took a sip of her coffee and asked her, “What do you think Miss Nancy will say?” Nellie was about to respond when Miss Nancy walked into the room.

      Both Della and Nellie turned to see Miss Nancy. She looked at both of them. Nellie got up to get her a plate and coffee. Miss Nancy was glad to see Della up so early. Della said that she wanted to go and buy the Bagwell place before someone else did. Nellie stood and looked over the two women. She put her hands on her hip and told them that she was going with Della. No one was going to talk her out of it either! Both Della and Miss Nancy looked at each other. Nellie looked so funny with her hands on her hips. She had that look of determination. Miss Nancy just laughed. She said that she figured that Nellie would want to go with Della. Miss Nancy knew that the wanderlust in Nellie was calling. She threw up her hands and told her to go! Nellie and Della both smiled! Their adventure had started.

      The women sat and talked over their coffee as some of the girls drifted in for breakfast. Miss Nancy had about six girls, including Della working for her. Sally and Jesse heard that Della was leaving and wanted to find out if it was true. Della told them that it was true.

      Gracie walked in about the time that Della had finished her sentence. They were all congratulating Della. Even Gracie told her how happy she was that she was leaving. Of course, Gracie’s motive was to finally be rid of Della. Sally wanted to know who was getting Della’s room. Miss Nancy said that in due time she would let them know.

      Della finished her breakfast and decided to head on over to Jim Langford’s office. She told Nellie and Miss Nancy that she would see them later. As Della left, Gracie watched her back, wondering what she was up to yet not concerned at all.

      Miss Nancy told the girls that she would talk with them later. She left the kitchen and made her way into the Desert Rose. She wanted to talk to Jed Lightfoot, the bartender, about Della leaving the fold. Jed was very happy with the news. He knew something was up when he had to cover for her the night before. He always liked Della and had watched her grow up too. He knew she was bound for better things.

      Jed had something to talk to Miss Nancy about too. He told Miss Nancy that he was concerned about Gracie. He didn’t like how she was acting and carrying herself. Most of the regulars didn’t want much to do with her. They liked Della because she was good-hearted and was soft-spoken. Gracie was plain mean at times and no class. When they found out that Della would be leaving may hurt business some. Miss Nancy listened and knew where Jed was coming from. She knew she had to head things off before things got out of hand. Gracie had started changing. She told Jed that she would go and talk to all the girls as soon as possible.

      Jed turned back and wiped the bar. He knew that Miss Nancy wasn’t going to pull any punches. It was going to be an interesting evening, that’s for sure.

      Miss Nancy headed back to the kitchen. Nellie was finishing up the dishes and planning the evening meal. She even had a cake in the oven. She turned as Miss Nancy walked in and saw the look on her face. She knew it wasn’t good. Miss Nancy told her to go and get all the girls to come to her sitting room. She told Nellie to make it quick. Nellie left in a flash. She knew that Miss Nancy meant business.

      As each of the girls came into Miss Nancy’s sitting room, they were somewhat anxious. Sally and Jesse sat together on the small sofa, Gracie on the piano bench, Beth and Amy sat in the overstuffed chairs. Miss Nancy walked into the room from her bedroom. She walked with a purpose. She asked Nellie to stay. She began by saying that Della was leaving and that she would no longer work in the Desert Rose. Everyone nodded in agreement. Miss Nancy went and sat at her desk. She looked at each of them before she spoke again.

      She said that this means that Della would no longer be a saloon girl and that she would be starting a new life, leaving this world behind. Miss Nancy said that things were going to change. She wanted each of them to put forth their best. She would not tolerate any backbiting or ill will against anyone. She looked at Gracie and told her that she needed to change her attitude. There had been too many complaints. Miss Nancy told her that she was put on notice and that if she didn’t change, then she could go. Gracie just said that she would do her best.

      Miss Nancy looked at Sally and told her that she would be taking Della’s regular customers and that when Della had fully moved out, she could have her room. Sally thanked Miss Nancy. Miss Nancy looked at all the girls again and told them to act like ladies. They represented the Desert Rose and her. “Always do your best.”

      Nellie started leading the girls out. They had to get busy soon. Gracie was the first to leave, and there was no smile on her face. Nellie shook her head. She was glad that Della wasn’t here. Nellie had a feeling that Gracie wasn’t going to hold up to her end of the bargain. She would be more trouble in the long run.

      Nellie headed back to the kitchen to clean up the morning dishes. Her mind was going ninety to nothing, thinking about what needed to be done. All rest on the fact that Della would be able to buy the Bagwell place. In her heart, Nellie knew things were going to be good. She was sad to be leaving Miss Nancy and the Desert Rose but happy to start a new life.

      Nellie looked out the kitchen window as she washed the dishes. Her eyes were not really seeing what was past the window, still deep in thought.