Tykota's Woman(73)

"Yes, I do. For so long I have had to keep this locked inside me, because there was no one to talk to."

Tears seeped out of Adelaide's eyes and ran down her face. "Tom... didn't love me. He had other women. He never bothered to be discreet but flaunted them in my face. He would take them to parties we were supposed to attend together. He drank too much, and I always made that the excuse for his behavior."

"Adelaide, I am so sorry! But he must have loved you if he married you."

"He said he never had, that he had married me to show off to his friends. He told me that when we had been married less than a year."

Makinna held her close, feeling her heartache. "This pain will pass with time, Adelaide. We will go through this together." She brushed the hair from her sister's face and wiped her eyes with her handkerchief.

"I don't want to stay in San Francisco. It is a town where I have been humiliated, and if I remain there, I will only be reminded of that humiliation."

"What do you want to do? Should we go back to New Orleans?"

"I want to move to Texas."

"What? Here?"

"I loved it here the moment I stepped off the stage. I want to sell everything Tom had in California. He was wealthy. I can do anything I want to do."

"But what would you do here in Texas?"

"I don't know. Make a new start. I have always wanted children, but Tom didn't. Maybe I will even find a new husband and start a family."

Makinna was troubled. "Let's go on to San Francisco and take it one day at a time. You may feel differently once you have had time to think."

Adelaide shook her head. "I will never feel differently about San Francisco. I was never happy there, and if I remain, I will always remember that unhappiness."

"You know I will do whatever it takes to help you.

Adelaide touched her sister's cheek. "I want you to be happy, too, Makinna. You deserve happiness. I know how many years you tended to Mother when she was ill. She wrote me letters telling me how you were always so cheerful and never complained."

"You should get some rest now," Makinna said, standing and fluffing up the pillow. "We have three hours before dinner."

Adelaide agreed with a weary nod, and she fell asleep the moment her head rested on the pillow.

Makinna stood at the window. She hadn't known what her sister's life had been like, and neither had their mother. Adelaide had suffered rejection and humiliation, but Makinna was determined to help her put her past behind her and start anew.

But, as far as Adelaide's wanting to come back to Texas, Makinna had every hope that she would forget that notion once they reached San Francisco.

San Francisco was bustling with activity. The noise from the crowded streets was a welcome sound to Makinna's ears.

When the stage stopped at the Butterfield office, both sisters were helped to the ground by an attendant. "Mrs. Johnson, I believe your carriage is waiting for you at the Golden Horn," the man informed her. "Accept my sympathy, and know that we all feel the loss of your husband."

"Thank you," she said, taking Makinna's hand and rushing across the street, dodging a heavy freight wagon.

Adelaide set such a fast pace that Makinna had to catch her breath when they finally stopped at the Golden Horn Hotel. Makinna thought they would go inside, but instead Adelaide approached an elderly Oriental man, who bowed respectfully to her.

"Hong Lee, see to our luggage. We want to leave right away."

"It shall be as you say, mistress." He bowed again and hurried across the street.

In no time at all, the two sisters were seated in a carriage lined in red velvet. Two matching black horses took them on the journey up to Knob Hill.

The house was imposing, massive, almost Gothic, with gables, arched windows, and ornate overhanging eaves.

Adelaide shuddered. "Isn't it hideous? I detested this house from the moment I first set foot in it. It never was a home."

Makinna tried to find something positive to say about the monstrosity. "It bespeaks wealth."

"It does that. It was exactly right for Tom. He loved the garish house and grounds. I can't wait to sell it."

Makinna stepped down from the carriage and helped her sister. Seven servants stood lined by the door waiting for them.

"Don't you feel like royalty?" Adelaide asked almost hysterically, tears brimming in her eyes. "Tom always insisted that we be greeted by all the servants whenever we returned from a journey."

Makinna gripped her sister's arm. "What you need to do is lie down. You are exhausted."

Adelaide stopped before one woman who stood apart from the other servants, her arms folded front of her, her demeanor somehow arrogant. "Caroline, now that my husband is dead, there will be no further need for your services."