“The big house up the hill,” I say to my new friend. “Who lives there?” He surveys me carefully.
“Why you askin’ me?” he says.
“Just wondering,” I say. “Thinking I could do some business there.”
“That right?” he replies and turns away. Then he turns back. “You and yer hedge whore can move on. G’arn.”
We don’t dawdle. The fresh air feels light in my lungs and we put distance between ourselves and the ale house.
“Let’s call it a night,” I say to Gallie. “That went downhill fast.”
“And I thought you were bonding there for a while,” Gallie says, looking back as a wave of uproarious laughter comes from the building. We’re setting out for the path that leads to the house when I hear oi, wait. We turn to see two men approaching us. One of them is my bar friend.
“Where yer goin’?” he asks. “We was just gettin’ acquainted.” This feels like a boatload of trouble. “Yer never introduced me to yer lady.”
“That ain’t no lady,” the second man says without humor.
“Was just bein’ polite.” He looks at me. “Why don’t yer go up to the old ‘ouse and knock on the door? See ‘oo lives there. Me and yer lady have some business meanwhile.” He grins and promptly grabs Gallie by the breast. Before I can plan my next step, the blur of Gallie’s fist has come into direct contact with the kid’s face causing his head to snap back and his body to drop. The second goon looks down in shock then launches at Gallie, fist raised. I step in to intercept but he’s fast and I take an electrically painful blow to the jaw. Then Gallie wraps an arm around his neck, jerking his face down to meet her upcoming knee. The first kid has gotten up by now and I deliver a full-force kick to his groin. He doubles up and collapses. I look back to the ale house and see there’s a gaggle of men outside the door. I squint and I’m pretty sure they had been at the same table as these two.
With an unspoken consensus they charge at us. We run. Gallie hikes up her skirt and we make for the ridge. My hope is that they’re too drunk to keep up. This hope is dashed when I look over my shoulder. They’re shouting words I’m not understanding but there’s no mistaking the sentiment. One of them catches up and tackles me to the ground. I look down just in time to see Gallie’s foot connect with his nose. The others have slowed to a trot, confident of catching us, laughing and contemplating their prey.
Then I hear someone shout “get up” with authority. I turn to see two redcoats each with a flintlock rifle pointed at us. I get to my feet as does the kid who’d tackled me. I’m nursing my pulsating jaw and him his bloodied nose. “Unless one of you wants a new arse, I suggest you fuck off home.” There’s a belligerent hesitation from the young drunks. “Now!” the soldier bellows and they raise their rifles to take aim. Gallie and I turn to run up the slope, not stopping until there’s forest between us and the town.
TWENTY-EIGHT
We fall to the ground panting. It’s a gibbous moon and there’s enough light to see Gallie’s face creased in laughter.
“You’re fucking demented,” I say. “You enjoyed that.”
“Yes and yes,” she says. I laugh, too. I lean up on my elbow and touch my jaw lightly.
“You hurt? Let me see.” She gets close and inspects my jaw. I feel her breath on my cheek. I look into the compassionate eyes examining me. Strands of hair resting on her forehead are fluttering in the evening breeze as she pulls closer for a better look. I see the laugh lines around her mouth. I wish I had the guts to ... She kisses me with warm lips and I kiss her back as we fall into the soft grass. I feel her hands pulling up my shirt, caressing my stomach. I run my hand up her leg, lifting her heavy dress to her thigh. Breeches have a lot of buttons and Gallie helps me, laughing. Then I roll onto her, kiss her on the mouth, and become lost in the starlight.
We lie watching leaves flit over the surface of the moon.
Gallie puts her lips to my ear. “We need to find another kind of foreplay.” I smile. So there will be a next time. A cool breeze rises and the trees rustle. I feel myself on the verge of sleep.
“We should go back,” I say.
“Let’s stay here a bit longer,” Gallie replies. “I’m not ready for that smelly barn.” I hold her hand and roll on my side toward her.
“Where did you learn to do all that?” I ask. “That was savage.” She affects hurt and I chuckle. “Not that. The self defense.” She smiles but doesn’t answer. “Except that you have a cat, I don’t know much about you, do I.”
“I like it that way,” she says and now I affect hurt. “Okay, what do you want to know?”
“Let’s start with family. You know a hell of a lot about mine.”
“Mom, mechanical engineer. Dad, chemical engineer.”
“Ah, so you’re from good diverse stock,” I say. “Siblings?” She’s quiet and it takes me a moment to see the smile has gone. “I’m prying, I know. There’s plenty–”
“No, no, it’s fine.” She sits up. “Yes, a sister. Older sister.” The pitch of her voice has
