Freda's Place

February 6 Mother has been gone exactly one year today.  Jack Gray woke up on February 6 a year ago today and decided that would be the day my mama breathed her last.  So much has changed since then and I have a hard time believing she'd be proud of what I have become.  I had to do the horrible thing I did that sent me on the run.  Of that there is no doubt and I believe Mother would understand that.  But the choices I have made since then might trouble her.  At the very least, she would be puzzled as to how her "good boy" turned into a woman on the run from the law.  Now, I am in Philomenaville, far from home.  Not that there is anyone or anything left for me back east anyway, so being far from home doesn't make any real difference that way.  I have met some fine folks here, but I don't dare get close to any of them.  That nice lady detective has even invited me to come stay with her and her husband, Mr. Rolley, on their fa...

January 25 I think I shall not leave my room this day.  It seems whenever I do, I come upon something that so vexes me as to distract me from my work for hours, if not days.  Saturday, I took a walk in the park and came across that pretty lady publisher, Miss Frostbite.  In truth, I had hoped to see her.  Not only because she is so attractive and vibrant but because I have heard that she plans to start her publishing business here in Philomenaville with a book written by local authors and poets.  Miss Trolley told me the lady publisher has said she would like to meet me.  Well, now she has met me and I did not make the most favorable of impressions.  I came upon the pretty woman as she sat on a park bench next to none other than my own former suitor, Heximer Thane, of Alma, New York.  Mr. Thane had his arm thrown casually behind Miss Frostbite and she didn't seem to mind one little bit.  I tell you right now I minded even though I have no...

January 23 Well, it seems that Mr. Heximer Thane's newfound interest in the lady publisher who just moved here from New York City has been good for me in more ways than one.  Of course, there's been the expectable relief that he is not so likely to recognize me from back home now that he is not following me around town, watching my every move.  It's also made it so I can focus on writing my novel.  I've been back to work on that every single day since the day I first saw Mr. Thane with that red head, Miss Frostbite.  I heard Miss Trolley call that lady a tart, but she doesn't look like any fancy lady I ever did know, not that we had any back home, but I can imagine what a fancy lady would like like and I'm sure Miss Freda Frostbite doesn't look like one at all.  I also heard-- I think it was from Miss Patti, the librarian -- that the new lady plans to publish a collection of writings by local authors.  I wonder of she'd be interested in looking at my b...

Cybil Wheeler was to be cast as Juliet.  Of course, she was.  That was an inevitable fact.    The boy had walked to that audition sure that this was his chance to gaze into his muse's eyes on a daily basis with no one becoming the wiser.   Lee volunteered to be the first one to stand on the stage and take his turn at reading the hero's famous monologue from the play's second act.    "But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?" began Lee Graham with all the surety of  a Barrymore taking to the boards.  It seemed the boy was a shoe-in to play the love-struck hero of Shakespeare.  Everyone in the audience, those other brave children who had come to try out for the play, leaned forward in their seats entranced by the boy who stood before them, professing his adoration for the lovely Cybil Wheeler, who everyone knew, even before she had her turn to read for the teacher, would be Juliet.  ...

January 9 As if having that Heximer Thane mooning after me all over town wasn't bad enough!  I thought I was in the clear when I told him once and for all there could be no romance between us.  But now the man has gone and gotten himself made constable of Philamenaville!  Lord help me, what on Earth have a done to deserve having that man not just settled into my new home town, but settled in as an officer of the law!  I tell you there isn't enough alcohol or pipe tobacco on Earth to ease my mind about that! Lu watches from her window as the new constable makes his rounds.

One day the teacher in Alma decided her class should put on a play.  She chose Romeo and Juliette , saying it was high time her students learned about the marvelous work of Mr. William Shakespeare.  Auditions were to be on a Friday after school.   At first Lee Graham showed no interest whatsoever in participating in scholastically sponsored dramatics.  Even when his teacher, Miss Laslow, told him there are never enough boys who try out for parts in the theater, Lee shook his head, no.  Even when Mrs. White and Esther tried to talk him into reconsidering what they considered to be a surprisingly unadventurous choice.  "I've never known you to avoid a challenge," said Mrs. White.  "I bet he's chicken," said Esther, trying without success to goad the boy into auditioning for the play.  Even Lee's own mother could not convince him to try stepping out onto the boards of Alma's tiny theater.  "I don't think so," the boy told Poll...

January 3 It's been a quiet week since I got Mr. Heximer Thane to quit calling.  Not that I haven't seen him in town.  No, I've seen him alright.  He's strutting around, looking like the cock of the walk now that he's the new constable.  Miss Patricia has announced what the new book is for the library book club.  Wonder if it's safe to start socializing again, now that Mr. Thane has left me be?  I suppose there is only one way to know for sure.  Maybe I should get a new dress? 

When Lee was 14 years old, he met a nice girl named Cybil.  Cybil moved into the Episcopal Church rectory in Alma when her father was called to be the priest at the very church Lee had attended ever since the first night he went there with Mrs. White and her party for Christmas Eve.    Polly had joined the church after that first Christmas with Mrs. White too. Josiah Graham was furious when he found out his family had become church-goers.  Luckily for all concerned, it took  several years for him to notice.  It wasn't 'til one October when he was too sick with bronchitis  to travel around selling his Bibles that Josiah Graham learned his wife and son had joined the "Bible-thumping throng."  Lee always thought it odd a Bible salesman would speak so disparagingly of believers.  The boy asked his father about that once.  "How come you don't like church-goers, Dad?"   "Becau...

December 29, 1900 I had yet another uncomfortable encounter with Mr. Heximer Thane today.  This time, he actually came calling at my room over the stable.  Luckily, I already had my hat on, intending to head straight out the door to do my marketing.  Mr. Thane told me right away he wanted to have a serious talk with me.  That set off my warning bells.  I tried to tell him I was in a hurry but he said, "Miss Lu, it seems like you're always in a hurry to run off whenever we meet.  I can understand why, what with me being unemployed and having no home to offer a lady and all.  So I've come to tell you I am going to try to become a man worthy of a lady such as yourself." "Uh," I said trying to think of what to say to cut him off. "This very day, I plan to meet with the mayor and offer myself up to replace Philomenaville's constable.  I hear they been needin' an officer of the law in this little town for quite some time and the job's ...

Chapter Six, Part Two, Christmas With Mrs. White -- Santa Clause!   Snow was falling as Polly and her children walked back up Main St. behind Mrs. White and Esther.  This seemed like this was the Christmas Lee had always hoped for.  Here he was with the mother and sister he loved, in the company of friends.  The snow was perfect, making the whole of Alma look soft and fresh.  He didn't mind the cold at all, realizing that by morning this snow would be just right for sledding.  If only he had a sled!  Then it occurred to him to wonder if somewhere in her great big house, Mrs. White had a sled he could borrow.  Lee let go of his mother's hand and doubled up his pace until he stood between Mrs. White and her lady servant.    "I was just wondering, Ma'am...I don't mean to be pushy...but I wondered if maybe you own a sled?"    Mrs. White stopped dead in her tracks and Esther stopped in her own.  The both loo...

December 22, 1900 It's almost Christmas.  For the first time, I actually hope to run into Mr. Heximer Thane.  He will probably the last person from home I ever see.  Mother, I miss you!

Chapter Six, Christmas With Mrs. White, Part Two by Lulabelle Gimlin The light supper Mrs. White referred to was the biggest meal Lee had ever seen. "That sure is a lot of food," the boy cried as he ran ahead of the women, little Livie racing after him equally delighted.  "Lee!" commanded Polly.  "Livie!  I'll not have you running in Mrs. White's lovely home!  You both know better than that!"  "Oh it's no worry," said Esther.  "The Mrs. and I are glad to see your children enjoy themselves, isn't that right, Mrs. White?"  "It certainly is," she smiled.  "But Polly is a good mother trying to teach her children how to behave in company, so we must support her in laying down some rules for her youngsters."  Then she turned to Livie and Lee, her eyes twinkling as she said, "You two know Santa Clause is coming here tonight, don't you?"  "Santa?" asked Livie.  "H...

Well, that Heximer Thane darn near ruined the potluck, at least for me.  He showed up at Miss Sister's house on Pine Street all laden down with boxes.  It seems he found himself a job out at Grey Corner and has money to spare now.  Why he can't just keep his money and himself in Grey Corner, I couldn't possibly tell you!    He was about three hours early.  Miss Trolley and I were in Sister's kitchen baking our selves half to death.  I swear we made enough cookies and fudge to fix up the whole town for a whole year of Christmases!  Miss Trolley had her head in the oven so I went to get the door.   There he was, big as life in Miss Sister's doorway.   He had about four presents to put under the tree for this party.  And big bunches of fresh cut flowers for Miss Trolley, Miss Sister and me.  Where he got those flowers I will never know!  The whole of Philo County is buried in snow and there is not a fresh flo...

Chapter Six, Christmas With Mrs. White by Lulabelle Gimlin The Christmas before Livie died, Josiah Graham was away in San Francisco.  He left two days after Thanksgiving and stayed gone until the end of March.  That winter was the best of Lee Graham's life.  Knowing Polly's husband was away, Mrs. White invited the young mother and her to children to spend Christmas in her home.  "You can bring your children to my place the afternoon of Christmas Eve and we can walk to church together." She meant the little church in Alma.  Polly had never been there.  In Wellsville, she'd attended the Methodist church with her parents.  Since coming to Alma with her husband, Polly never felt church was a place for her.  She'd gotten married because she had to and most everyone knew it and her husband was not what one could call a "man of God."  Josiah Graham was more a man of the world than one destined for hea...

December 5, 1900   I swear that Miss Trolley could talk the socks off a hobo's frozen feet in the middle of winter!   And I swear I haven't the sense to say no to anything that woman asks!  I have agreed to be in charge of a gift exchange to take place at the great big after-church Holiday Potluck to be held a week from Sunday.  What in tarnation was I thinking?  Everyone in town will be there!  Everyone!  That includes Mr. Heximer Thane from Wellsville, New York and the town-constable too, assuming he crawls outa his bottle long enough to stagger over to Miss Trolley's cousin, Sister's, place for the festivities.  I suppose I could go ahead and arrange the gift exchange in advance and then fake sick when the big day comes.  Of course, faking sick didn't work out so well for me last time, so that's probably not the best idea I ever had.    Maybe I should just leave Philomenaville, especially now that I know folks hav...

This is me, Stephanie, the typist behind Freda and Lu, Hester and Fanny.  It's December and I find myself in the mood for Christmas this year, which is actually fairly unusual for me.  In the solid world, I live in Florida.  Yes, we do Christmas here, but it's just not the same as what can be done in virtual worlds.  The result is that this year, I'm doing Christmas up in style in Second Life.    Freda has a winter place, a cozy log cabin with a fire place and she's even decorated.  Believe it or not, Santa is there, riding his Harley!  Freda's Winter Place will be the site of several holiday events.  Freda is also re-establishing her haunted hide-away and has decided that will be a fine place for a Winter Dance Party.      Lu is also celebrating the season in Philomenaville.  In spite of her private worries, Lu is helping Miss Trolley, the lady detective, to plan a town potluck for the holiday.  This m...

Chapter Five, Polly Sets Priorities by Lulabelle Gimlin On Lee's ninth birthday, a telegram came for his Mama.  Polly had never received a telegram before and was apprehensive from the very moment she heard one had arrived.  The man behind the counter at Alma's general store told her when she came in that morning to buy fixings for a sumptuous birthday supper, which was to include an apple cake.  "Missus Graham, that messenger boy from the Western Union Office in Wellsville was here a few minutes ago.  He brought something for you."  The shopkeeper, a burley man named Ben Carver, reached under the counter and handed a brown envelope to Lee's mama.  "I was gonna walk it up to your place, but, since you're here..."  Polly Graham read the telegram silently as all the shoppers and the shopkeeper looked on, waiting to see if she would be happy or sad when she finished.  It was impossible to read emotion on the woman's face.  That was n...

November 29, 1900 Mercy me!  I've just come home from sharing a most harrowing Thanksgiving dinner with that nice lady who owns the detective agency, Miss Trolley.  I was mighty glad to be invited because I woke up Thanksgiving morning feeling pretty blue. it being the first year without Mother to cook the turkey and spend the day helping her.  Of course, it's also the first year without my father to wreck the dinner she prepared, so that's the silver lining in that cloud, isn't it?  I know it's a horrible, awful sin to be glad about someone's death but when Miss Trolley asked everyone at her table to say something they were grateful for on Thanksgiving, I thought in my head that I am grateful my father isn't here in Philomenaville (or anywhere else) to cause trouble and hurt folks.   That man was a mean brute and I will never regret what happened that last day before I left home.  He deserved to die and I will never forgive him for what he did to ...

Chapter Four, Almost Thanksgiving by Lulabelle Gimlin The day before Thanksgiving the year Lee's mother was expecting his baby sister, Josiah Graham returned from one of his long trips out west. He  said California was the very best market for bibles.  He said all them Spanish conquistadors and the priests they brought with them had laid a fertile groundwork for modern-day bible salesmen.  Evidently that autumn's trip west had been a particularly lucrative one.  Lee's father came home in a better mood then usual and he brought his family presents.  For Polly, there was a set of wooden embroidery hoops, along with needles and thread and cloth.  "A fine little lady who lives in Sacramento helped me pick them out for you, Polly.  I met that gal on the train from San Francisco and we had such a nice time and she was about your age, so I figured she'd know what you would like."  Truthfully, Polly had never been much for sewing and had no ide...