River

Gregor’s

“Good morning,” I greet him when he awakens, Rosalind still held within his arms, hours before dawn. He places the gentlest kiss upon her hair, then extracts himself from their embrace with excruciating care so as to not disturb her. She has again given him exactly what he needs to achieve a couple of hours of rest afterwards.

He goes downstairs, ducks outdoors briefly to relieve himself over the edge of the hill behind the garden, then settles into his study, planning to spend the rest of the night perusing the dock project plans.

“How’s Ayola?” he asks me, usually his first question of any day.

“Very well, my dear, although still missing you. Since you left her at Ellis Cliffs the other day, she has frequently inquired about you.”

He wants to hear it, so I tell him, in her chirping little voice so that he can appreciate the way it sounds, “’Woosh, Woosh’, she kept asking everybody who would listen to her.”

It makes him laugh of course, but also makes him long for her too. She is only an infant, just turning 12 months old this month, but she is an extraordinary being. Like him, she is a Seer. The only other one he has ever met, with one exception. Unlike any other humans, they can each see and communicate with their own Guardians. They have already become bonded to each other, seeing in the other a mysterious radiance that only they can sense. When they touch, they both revel in the sensation caused by the explosive contact of their auras. He loves her deeply, cares for her in a fatherly way, and has structured his entire life at the moment for her benefit.

He originally had no intention of staying in the Natchez area for very long, was just passing through during his endless life of traveling. That all changed the moment he saw her. He has become deeply embroiled with the project to bring steamboats to the Mississippi river. It was his way of establishing himself in this community so as to remain close to her, but he has grown to love the project a great deal as well.

And his wife, of course. Another of his newfound loves. When he arrived here a year ago he was a solitary wanderer, but in that time his life has transformed, to one of love, companionship, and purpose. I am constantly ecstatic to observe his joy.

I believe my next information will add to it.

“I also have news about Ben, one of the flatboat workers you wish to monitor.”

“Oh?”

“He seems to have struck up a blossoming romance with a person of your acquaintance.”

His eyebrows lift and he grins. He always loves hearing about this sort of thing. “Please, do tell!”

“It is with Samuel Duncan.”

“Ha!” he actually blurts out loud, then sheepishly continues in silence, not wishing to make any noise that would disturb Rosalind upstairs. “Really? How on earth? First he tries to rob Samuel and then he tries to romance him? That is an unusual way to start a relationship. What happened?” He is thoroughly delighted to be hearing this tale.

“They met at the Kentucky Tavern where Samuel went yesterday evening to play cards. He has been feeling lonely, as you know.” We have discussed this before. Gregor understands Samuel’s preferences, and feels a great deal of sympathy for his solitude. “He joined a card game with David, Ben, and Stu.”

“How convenient,” he laughs, “just the fellows I need to keep an eye on!”

I smile at him, enjoying the story as much as he is. “Samuel had no idea at all that he was sitting with two of the men who you had rescued him from on the Trace. Nor did David recognize Samuel. Ben, however, immediately saw who Samuel was, remembering him clearly from their brief encounter. He has thought of him often.”

He is silently amazed, waiting eagerly to hear what else happened.

“They shared a mutual attraction, glancing furtively at each other throughout the evening.” My beloved is riveted as I continue the tale. “Neither has much experience with trying to initiate a romance. Your friend Samuel has no experience at all, and did not know how to proceed. Eventually he realized he was so distracted that he was losing every hand at poker, and he said goodnight.”

“Aww!” Gregor sympathizes with his friend, shaking his head and chuckling. “Poor Samuel!”

I am pleased to be able to relate more of the unfolding story. “However -” Gregor’s face lights up with anticipation - “Ben was not so unsure. He followed Samuel out of the tavern, and invited him to help him find a secluded place for Ben to sleep.”

Gregor is literally rubbing his hands together in anticipation, which makes me laugh as I go on. “Samuel was nervous, not knowing what to expect. Ben carefully embraced him, giving him time to refuse, but Samuel accepted his advances.”

“Huzzah!”

“Sadly, however, Samuel became overwhelmed when Ben proceeded to become more physical in his movements.” He wants me to be more explicit, in the mood for a little vicarious thrill after his own evening of passion, so I explain, “Ben used his hand over Samuel’s trousers to grab his….”

“Yes, I get it,” Gregor laughs. “Enough details, I shouldn’t spy too closely on poor Samuel.”

“Samuel backed away and stammered a few words then essentially ran back to his home.”

“Frustrated love! How sad! How are they feeling about it now?”

“They each have spent a great deal of their nights thinking sadly about the lost opportunity to enjoy the other’s company.”

“Hmmm,” Gregor contemplates. “Is Ben sincere? Or is this some kind of ploy to take advantage of Samuel?” He knows that Samuel’s interest would be genuine.

“Ben clearly remembered Samuel from the Trace and always regretted that they had not met under more favorable circumstances. He admired him even then, and was delighted when Samuel stumbled into the poker game last night. He appears motivated entirely by a desire to grow closer to Samuel. He has no illicit motive.” Gregor nods with satisfaction, but I go on. “However, he plans to depart Natchez with David in the next day or two to make another journey up the Trace. Ben feels quite bereft at the idea of having to leave Samuel behind, but he must get back to his home port to find his employer and be placed on another flatboat crew.”

“Well I have solved that problem in advance, haven’t I? I’ve already determined that I should ask David and Ben if they’d like to work for me.”

“It seems clear that Ben will accept, because he has been wishing to find a way to linger in Natchez in an effort to see Samuel again. I do not know whether David will accept your offer of employment.”

“I look forward to finding out.” He grins smugly. “And to giving poor Samuel’s love life a little boost. If I can find love and be happy, so should he, even if he thinks his problem is insurmountable.”

“Indeed, my dear.” I pause a moment, then ask, “How will you navigate the question of whether you remember David and Ben from the Trace, since Samuel does not?”

He tilts his head. “Oh. That is a complication, isn’t it. I wouldn’t want to scare Samuel off by reminding him that his would-be lover was once his would-be robber. But I can’t very well pretend not to know David and Ben, having pretended that I did know them on the Trace. What would you suggest?”

“Do what you do best, my darling, play it by ear. It will come to you.”