Hondo I. Sackett
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After seeing their camper it was all the 4 ladies could talk about or think about. Ruth tried to calm the other three down and hide her own excitement over it, but the latter was easier than the first. They were sure they had lost. They had been stuck in that truck for a few days. Joanna had tried to hide how scared she was with anger, the younger two had just cried, and so that had left Ruth to try to comfort them and prepare them for the harsh realities of life. They we're all good looking, strong women. She knew they would have been most likely sold as sex items. It was told that every once in a while a nice looking, strong girl was bought as a wife by men in areas with few women or by ones who didn't have the time or the know-how to court one. Often these women did well, but she knew it was too much to hope for. Now, here they were. She still held her emotions in check as best she could. She knew home might not be there but she couldn't help hope it still stood and everyone was alive and well. There was no hope, then there was that night the guns were heard, then appeared the dark haired man in the EMT coat and the blond cowboy who didn't stop fighting or helping though badly wounded. She didn't know how they had kept going throughout the day as they were going all night and all day so far, and the cowboy had been wounded but he didn't stop. their strength gave her hope that they would make it. She wanted to laugh and cry at the same time but now was not the time. Valentine knew how anxious they were to go to the camper alone, to look around and settle in. So, she made sure the bulk of the work was done first, then when it came down to the end she told them that herself, Macey, and Moro, who had joined them, could finish. Ruth tried to object but she was half carried out of Hondo and Valentine's camper and into their own before she could protest. Ruth stood in their camper, hands clasped and looking around. The younger two bounced on the lower beds while Joanna climbed up into one of the top bunks and flopped back. Ruth: I don't know how we can ever repay them. Joanna: Put your hands between your legs and you'll find your way. Ruth: Jo! You heard them. No messing around! Susanna: What do you mean, Jojo? Ruth: She doesn't mean anything. Now Jo, you were raised better than that! Joanna: You rather have someone take it from you? This whole deal has shown me things. Ruth: Such as? Joanna: Life is short, use it or lose it, and virtue and purity is a currency to be spent or stolen. I'd rather spend it than have it stolen. Besides, who better to spend it on than our Saviors? Susanna: What do you mean by that, Jo? Esther: She means sex with the cowboy and Mr Fernando. Susana: Sex!?! Ruth: Esther, please. Susanna, none of us are having sex with them, Right Jo? Joanna: Whatever. Ruth: OK. Enough of that. We need to get stuff situated for living in here. Susanna: But won't we be home soon? Joanna: What home? It's all gone, most likely. Susanna: But Ma and Pa? Joanna: Probably d. . . Ruth interrupted. Ruth: We don't know anything. We will see when we get there. I hope everyone is alright but we have to prepare for the worst. But no matter what happens we will have each other. Joanna: Whoopie. Ruth: Jo! Now we have lots to do as we need to help everyone else as we can too. We owe them a lot. Joanna: I wonder which one has the bigger "D"? Ruth: Joanna Katherine McDonald! Susanna: "D"? Esther: She means dick. Susanna: Dick? Oh, penis. Ruth: Susanna! Esther! You three weren't born in a barn! You were taught better! Just because we have had some hard times doesn't mean we can act like savages! Joanna: Well, if I'm going to be raped I'd rather not be a virgin when it happens. Ruth: Jo! After all they have done you would go against their wishes? Joanna: Men say no but they don't mean it. I bet you if the goods are offered they'd take without second thought. Ruth: No they wouldn't. They are honorable men. But like Fernando said if you push too far . . . Joanna: Come on, now. Don't tell me you haven't thought 'bout one or both of them tearing off your dress and doing you? Ruth (blushed): I . . . I . . . Joanna: See? And I'm the bad one. Ruth: Jo! OK, So I admit it. They are both handsome and they saved us. I have romanticized about it in my head but first off they said no so no. Second as far as Hondo goes, would you want to Hurt Valentine after all she has done for us? Joanna: Hurt her? No. But if he isn't going to be faithful now is the time to know. Ruth: They are married! Joanna: Technically no they aren't. They say they are but she told me they never had a ceremony or anything. Just pledged themselves to each other. Esther: That's sweet! Joanna: eh. Ruth: It is sweet, Esther. And we aren't going to ruin it, are we, Jo? Joanna: Come on, forbidden fruit is always sweeter. Besides there's always Fernando, though he might like them younger. You seen the one he calls daughter? Looks nothing like him. Ruth: When did you become such a horrible person, Jo? Joanna: Oh get over yourself. We were just talking. I didn't mean it. They are both nice guys, of whom I'd love to have one of or both do me, but I won't ask it's just a fantasy so chill! Ruth: OK. Enough already. Just please don't ruin things for us by trying something. Joanna: yeah, whatever. Ruth: And I need your help. You are the next oldest. I need you to set a good example for our sisters. It's up to us to raise them if something happened to the folks. Joanna; Damn it, Ruth! I know! Just . . . Oh forget it!! With that Joanna stormed out of the trailer and out to the tree where Hondo had sat to think. She gritted her teeth as she looked around she looked up at the sky and yelled, "WHY?!? ". She hit the tree with a closed fist then held her hand as she hurt it. She looked up at the sky again with tears in her eyes and muttered, "why?". She then fell to her knees sobbing. Ruth settled the other two down and set them to some tasks then went after Joanna. She looked around camp for a moment until she saw her huddled under neath the tree off a ways. She walked up to her and stood by here for a moment under she hunkered down near her. Ruth: Jo? Joanna (sobbing): why? Why?? It's not fair it's just. . . Not. . . Ruth: I know. I know. Ruth pulled Joanna onto her arms and Joanna didn't resist but wrapped her into a tight bear hug. She whispered between the sobs. Joanna: Never leave me. Please don't leave me. Ruth: I'll never leave you. Tears streamed down Ruth's face as she held her cousin in her arms. She knew more troubles lie ahead but they were together with good people. They would make it through. They would make it. (edited to fix spelling and some broken sentences.)
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