Always a Criminal

 by Adeline S. (ages 14-17)

 

“Until we can get to Jed, let’s focus on the Carters.”  A brown haired man nearing his fifties stood up from a soft, ugly green chair at the front of the room.  “Now everyone back to work.”  With that the man started toward a round, wooden table in the center of the room.  The people around the room straightened up from where they were relaxing and a soft murmur replaced the quietness as plans were made for the next few days.

That over with, the man turned to a brown haired girl sitting on the table.  The girl sat straighter as he approached, her legs tucked underneath her. 

“Stella, I want you to come with us to Fresno.” 

Stella cocked an eyebrow. “Youngest Carter girl?”  She guessed.

He nodded.  “She might tell you something, and you can have an ear in the younger circles, see if anything’s been leaked.”

Stella swung her legs over the edge of the rough table.  “Oh good.  Maybe I’ll be invited to a party and have to wear itchy, scratchy clothes.”  She hopped off the table and shuddered.  “I hate dresses.  Do you know how restricting they are?” 

The man smiled slightly, and looped an arm around her shoulders. “I’m sorry, Stella, but this is important.  A lot is riding on this.” 

Stella sighed, her shoulders slumping. “I know.”  Her head jerked up.  “Do I get to take Firefly?”  She asked, her brown eyes hopeful.

The man squeezed her shoulders, then let go.  “Of course.  Now go get ready.”  Stella smiled and dashed up the steps to the door, but stopped before leaving, slowly turning around.  “Thank you, Father.”

-------------------------

“Andi!”  Cory called, running after her. 

Andi stopped and Cory fell into place beside her. 

“Do you want to go fishing next week?  Pa said I could take the day—” 

“Excuse me, could you tell me where the lumber yard is?” 

Andi and Cory turned at the sound of the soft spoken words.  A brown haired girl wearing overalls stood before them, her hand on the bridle of a beautiful black Appaloosa.  The girl smiled shyly. “I’m Stella Blackmon.  My brothers are at the lumber yard.  I need to find them.”  She unconsciously rubbed the tip of the mare’s nose. 

“The lumber yard is over there.”  Andi said, pointing.  “Do you want to walk with me?  I have to catch a ride with one of the hands anyway.” 

Stella smiled gratefully.  “Do you mind?  That would be great!”  

“Not me,” Cory said, frowning.  “I have to get back.  Pa’s gonna have my hide as it is.”  He turned back to Andi.  “So what about it?  Want to go fishing?” 

Andi nodded.  “Sounds great.  See you later.”  Cory dashed down the street.  Andi jumped off the sidewalk and glanced at Stella.  “C’mon.  The lumber yard is this way.” 

“I’m Andi Carter,” Andi said as they made their way to the edge of town, the black horse following after Stella.  “That back there was Cory.  His father runs the livery.” 

Stella nodded.  “That’s good to know.  We might need to board our horses sometime.”  She gestured to the mare.  “This is Firefly.”  

Andi raised her eyebrows.  “Firefly?” 

Stella grinned.  “When she was a foal, she used to run around trying to snap up all the glowing fireflies at night, so my Uncle Willie named her Firefly.”  Stella rolled her eyes.  “She still tries to eat fireflies, though it’s a lot less cute now.”

Andi laughed.  “That must look awfully funny.  I’ve never met a horse before that tries to eat fireflies.”  Her brows scrunched together.  “Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a firefly.”    She frowned. 

Stella shrugged.  “Not many have in California.  I’ve only seen them before because we live near Santa Monica, and there are lots of fireflies there.”  Her face lit up.  “Maybe I can show you some while we are here.  My uncle is coming soon and we can send a wire to him to bring some here.”

“That’d be cool,” Andi murmured, only half listening.  It would be cool to see fireflies, but she didn’t understand why some new girl wanted to go to all that work for a stranger.  Andi glanced back at Stella.  Then again, that may be the exact reason.  Stella may have been trying to make some friends while she was here.

“My horse is named Taffy,” She said as they turned a corner, reaching the lumber yard.  Stella glanced at her.

“Maybe we’ll be here long enough that I can see her.  I’d like that.”  Stella looked around.  “There’s my brothers,” she said, pointing to two men from the meeting. 

“That’s Allen,” Andi said, gesturing to the older ranch hand they were talking to.  They lapsed into silence as Andi and Stella came hurrying over.   

Allen smiled kindly at Andi. “You ready, Miss Andi?” 

Andi nodded.  “Yep.”                  

“Andi,” Stella said, standing next to the two men.  “These are my brothers, Felix and Clyde.”    

 “Howdy.”  Andi said, then turned back to Stella.  “It was nice to meet you, Stella.  Maybe I’ll see you around.” 

Stella nodded and smiled.  “Yeah.  That sounds good.”  Andi clambered into the wagon and turned back to wave as Allen slapped the reigns and they rode away. 

Stella faced her brothers to find them grinning at her. 

“Nice job, Stella,” Felix said as Clyde nodded. 

“Yep.  Step one completed.”

------------------------------

Several days later Stella glanced behind her as hooves pounded in the dirt.  Felix brought his brown paint to a halt beside Stella and slid from the saddle.

“Felix!”  Stella said, grinning. 

Felix grinned back as he unbuckled one of the saddle bags strapped to his horse.  “Uncle Willie has arrived,” he said, pulling out a glass jar. 

Stella’s smile widened as she took it with one hand, holding Firefly’s reins with the other.  “Thank you, Felix.”

“No problem.”  Felix glanced away then looked back at her, his smile gone.  “I need to talk to you about something, Stella.”

Stella shifted, her happiness slowly disappearing.  “Okay.” 

Felix looked around unhappily, then focused on Stella.  “Listen Stella, I didn’t want to do this, but rumor has it that you’re getting close to the Carter girl.  Too close.” 

Stella pressed her lips together, narrowing her eyes. “That’s all it is, Felix.  A rumor.  You can’t trust rumors.” 

Felix stepped closer, and Stella quickly glanced around the street, spotting Cory at the far end of the street, hurrying toward them.  Firefly snorted.  

“Not here, Felix.  We’ll talk later.”  Stella said, exasperated. 

Felix barely glanced at Cory.  “Stella,” He leaned close, serious.  “Just don’t get close to her, okay?  Don’t become friends.  We don’t mingle with that kind of folks.  Remember, once a criminal, always a criminal.”  Stella glanced at Cory, but not before she caught the sincerity in Felix’s eyes.  She whipped her gaze back to Felix as Cory drew to a stop within feet of them.

“Okay.  We’ll talk later.”  She hissed. 

Felix stepped back, shaking his head slowly.  “Trust me, Stella.  Don’t get close.”

“Okay.  Later.”  Stella repeated. 

Felix shook his head, and muttered something under his breath as he turned away. 

“What was that all about?”  Cory asked, coming to stand beside her, his eyes wide as they watched Felix stride across the street.  “He doesn’t look happy.”

“He’s not.”  Stella shook her head, dismissing Felix’s warning.  “It doesn’t matter.  Here, you take these.”  She held out the glass jar.  “C’mon.  Let’s go find Andi.”

Cory looked at jar.  “What are those?” 

“They’re fireflies.  They flash in the dark,” she explained when Cory looked at them blankly. 

“Ooohhh.  That’s cool.  Say,” he said, grinning.  “We can make Andi think we have something nasty.  Let’s go find her.” 

Stella grinned back, and they both set off down the street, Firefly trotting behind. “Andi!”  Stella called as she and Cory caught sight of her heading toward Justin’s lawyer office.

 Andi turned and smiled, but it disappeared when she noticed Cory hiding something behind him.  She took a step back. “What?”  Andi asked, looking suspiciously from Stella to Cory. 

Cory grinned mischievously.

“Look!”  Stella said and Cory pulled out the sealed glass jar with several small bugs climbing about inside. 

“Oh!”  Andi drew in a sharp breath.  “Are those fireflies?” 

“Yep,” Stella said proudly.  “My uncle arrived today and brought them.”  She smiled as Andi stared at the creatures inside the jar.  “You should see them at night.  They’re really amazing.  Especially when there’s a lot of them.” 

“Maybe Justin will let you come over and stay the night.  You can sleep in my room.”  She offered. 

Stella’s face lit up.  “Really?  Maybe I can bring Firefly and we can go riding.” 

Andi smiled, shrugging.  “I don’t see why not.”  She looked at Cory.  “Do you want to come over tomorrow?” 

Cory quickly agreed and they began making plans as they started toward Justin’s law office.

 Stella smiled and started after them.  Suddenly, Felix’s warning echoed in her head.  “Don’t get close to her, Stella.  Don’t become friends.”   

Surprised, the force of his cold voice knocked her back a step, her happiness short lived.  Stella swallowed hard and hurried to catch up with Andi and Cory.

----------------------

“Sure,” Justin agreed, placing a stack of papers on the side of his desk.  He glanced at Stella.  “So long as your family is okay with it.”

Stella nodded.  “They’re always fine with things like this.”

Justin looked dubious, but he nodded.  “Alright.”

“What are you working on?”  Andi asked, plopping down in one of the chairs in his office.  Justin frowned at the stack of papers. 

“The murder trial.”  Justin sighed.  From the corner of the room, Stella’s ears pricked up. 

Cory straightened by the window, eagerly awaiting more information.  “What’s happening with it now?” 

Justin leaned back in his chair, shrugging.  “Jed Hatton and the trial is moving north.”  He tweaked one of Andi’s braids.  “You and the town will have to find something else exciting to talk about.”

Andi and Cory groaned.  “I shoulda guessed that would happen.”  Cory slumped against the window.

“What’s this all about a murder trial?”  Stella asked from the corner of the room. 

Andi jolted upright.  “I forgot you wouldn’t know about that.” 

Justin smiled kindly at Stella.  “A baggage clerk was killed here recently and the prime suspect is Jed Hatton.  It’s all the town’s talked about since it happened.”

“And now they’re taking him away.”  Andi grumbled, slumping again.

“I’m sure something else exciting is bound to happen.  After all, nothing is ever dull for long around here.”  Justin smiled at Andi and stood up.  “I’m finished here for today, so let’s get back to the ranch.”  He looked at Cory as they walked outside into the hot sun.  “You coming too?” 

Cory shook his head.  “Nah, but I’ll be over tomorrow.”  He looked at Andi for confirmation. 

She nodded.  “Yep.” 

“Wait!”  Stella cried before Cory could take off.  She unscrewed the lid and carefully scooped up a wriggling firefly from inside.  “Here,” She said, handing it to Cory.  “Now you can see it glow.  Just put it into a glass jar and release it when you’re done.” 

Cory cupped his hands around the firefly.  “Gee!  Thanks!  Bye!”  He left with the firefly safely tucked away.

Justin chuckled.  “He’ll probably go home and feed it to his lizard.” 

Andi made a face and climbed up next to Justin in the buggy. 

Stella shook her head, shrugging.  “He can try, but I haven’t seen many lizards eat fireflies.” 

Justin chuckled again and grabbed the reigns.  “You want to ride with us or ride your horse alongside?”

“I’ll ride Firefly, thanks.”  Stella held out the glass jar to Andi.  “Can you take these?  I don’t want to drop them.” 

Andi nodded, setting it on the seat next to her.  “Sure.”  They waited as Stella untied Firefly from the hitching post, then Justin slapped the reigns, urging the horse forward.   

 An hour later they arrived at the ranch.  Justin stopped the buggy and Andi hopped out.  Stella brought Firefly to a halt beside them and slid from the saddle, looking around.  She nodded.  “Nice spread.” 

“Thanks.”  Andi said from beside her.  “Justin said you can put Firefly in the corral.” 

Stella nodded and together they took care of Firefly, putting her saddle and bridle in the tack room and turned her out in the corral. 

Later that night, Stella had a hard time staying awake until Andi fell asleep.  After a long time she rolled out of bed, careful not to disturb Andi.  She silently pulled the nightgown Andi had loaned her over her head, revealing her overalls underneath.  She stealthily pulled on her boots and walked to the balcony doors.  She softly closed them behind her and slung her leg over the railing.  Stella quickly climbed down and jogged across the moonlit yard to the corral. 

Firefly greeted her with a soft nicker and nuzzled her shoulder as she led her out.  Stella shut the gate behind them, swung up onto Firefly’s back and nudged her into a gallop.  Stella whistled one clear note as a cabin hidden in the hills came into view. 

“Wondered if you were gonna show.”  Clyde stepped out from behind a tree as Stella dismounted. 

She glanced at him and tethered Firefly to the post outside the door. “Course I was.  It just took longer than I expected to slip away.”

 Clyde clapped her on the shoulder and followed her into the cabin.  Plates and coffee cups littered the table and bedrolls were scattered around the room.  A rough wooden door led to a tiny room at the side of the house. 

“There you are!”  Felix bellowed from where he sat at the table with their father and uncle.  He tipped his head back and grinned at Stella as she and Clyde came over.  “Thought you were a goner.” 

Stella rolled her eyes.  “Like that could happen.”  She focused on the maps on the table.  “What’s happening?”

Her father tapped his fountain pen against the table.  “We’re making plans.”  He leaned forward.  “What have you learned, Stella?”

Stella shrugged and sat down at the table, a hard lump in her stomach.  She didn’t want to tell them anything.  If she hadn’t learned anything, then they might have to stay longer.  She fixed her eyes on a town circled on the map.  Merced. 

“I don’t think Jed told the Carters about the stash if he knows about it.  The topic came up at suppertime and I just so happened to steer it in the right direction.”  She shrugged.  “That’s what I’ve gathered from this week too.” 

Her father nodded.  “That’s what we thought.”  He frowned, staring at the table, deep in thought.  Suddenly he looked up, realizing they were all still there.  “You can all go to bed.  We leave tomorrow morning.  Make sure you’re ready.”  He waved a hand at their uncle as everyone started to get up from the table.  “Except you, Willie.  We need to make plans.”         

Felix and Clyde blocked Stella as she turned toward the door.  “Where do you think you’re going?” 

Stella scowled at them.  “I have to go get Firefly’s tack.  I left it at the Carters because I thought I was going back.” 

“Let her go,” their father spoke from the table.  He focused on Stella.  “Get your stuff and come right back.  We have a big day tomorrow.” 

Stella nodded and tried to push past her brothers as their father and uncle went back to making plans, but they blocked her way again.  Stella growled in frustration, looking up into their faces.  They stared silently back at her and it suddenly dawned on her what they wanted.  “I did what you said, Felix,” she said, looking from brother to brother.  “I distanced myself.”  She swallowed. 

Felix reached over and squeezed her shoulder.  “Good.  I know it’s hard, but we don’t belong in their world.  We can’t ever forget that.” 

Stella nodded silently and Felix and Clyde stepped aside.  Clyde patted her gently on the back as she passed.  She smiled at them over her shoulder and quickly escaped outside.  Firefly lipped her hand as she untied her.  Stella gave her a quick hug and speedily mounted, urging her forward.       

Soon, the Carter house came into view, and Stella slowed Firefly to a walk, her heart heavy.  Stella kept Firefly to the few shadows, making the ride longer.  Stella brought Firefly to a halt beside the barn doors and dismounted.  She pulled open the barn doors and led Firefly inside.  She dropped the reins to the floor, knowing Firefly would stay and entered the tack room.  She grabbed Firefly’s saddle and carried it out.  She hoisted it up onto Firefly’s back and cinched the strap tight, returning a moment later for her bridle. 

“Where have you been?”  A voice demanded. 

Stella whirled around to find Andi leaning against the door post.  The bridle dangled from her hand.  Andi placed her hands on her hips, looking from Firefly to Stella then back to the partially saddled horse.   “You’re leaving.”

Stella shifted and opened her mouth to speak, then closed it as something dawned on her.  “You’re not surprised.  Why are you not surprised?” 

Andi laughed bitterly.  “Stella, you really can’t think I didn’t notice something was off.  You and your family—” She struggled to find the words.  “You’re just different.  And y’all have been acting strangely since we met.  You couldn’t have thought I wouldn’t put the pieces together.”

Stella stared at her, white faced and frozen.  “How much do you know?”  She whispered, fear coating her voice. 

Andi shrugged.  “I overheard a conversation about some stash of loot hidden away.”  She frowned.  “Though I don’t know why you would think we knew anything about it.  Why is that?” 

Stella slipped on the bridle over Firefly’s nose, relieved.  “No reason,” she said, tightening the straps. 

Andi shook her head.  “I think there is a reason.  There’s been a reason to everything else you’ve done.”  She lowered her voice.  “Like our friendship.  That was just to get close to our family, wasn’t it?”

Stella shook her head.  “Yes.  No.  At first, but then…”  She sighed.  “Things changed.  I really did enjoy being your friend.” 

Andi pushed off of the barn door.  “Yeah, well that’d make two of us.” 

“I’m sorry,” Stella whispered. 

“Me too,” Andi blew out a breath.  “Maybe when this thing blows over we can start again.”  She gestured to Firefly, waiting and saddled.  “What were you doing out here, anyway?”  

Stella swallowed.  “I have to leave, Andi.  We’re heading out tomorrow morning.”

Andi’s eyes snapped to her.  “What?”   

Stella rubbed Firefly’s nose.  “Y’all don’t know anything about—anything, so we’re leaving.”

“About what?”  Andi asked, exasperated.  

Stella fingered Firefly’s mane.  “I really can’t tell you.  You already know too much.”

Andi sighed and an uncomfortable silence descended.  

After a moment Stella released a long breath.  “I have to go, Andi.  They’ll come looking for me soon.”  She stared at the ground, scuffing her boot against the dirt.  “I would appreciate it if you kept this all to yourself.” 

Andi shook her head.  “You know I can’t do that.”

Stella smiled sadly, shrugging.  “It was worth a shot.”  She swung into Firefly’s saddle.  “I will always remember you,” she said sincerely, focusing on the reigns in her hands.  

“You can come clean, Stella.  God will forgive whatever you’ve done.”  Andi shrugged.  “And so will most of the people around here.” 

Stella shook her head.  “You don’t know what we’ve done, Andi.  You wouldn’t say that if you did.”  Under her breath she whispered, “Once a criminal, always a criminal.” 

And’s brow furrowed.  “What was that?” 

  Stella’s head jerked up.  “Nothing.”  She gathered the reigns in her hands.  “Now, I have to go.” 

Andi stepped aside.  “Ok.”  She gestured to the open barn doors.  “Go.  But think about what I said.  God will forgive you.”

Stella nudged Firefly forward.  “Thanks.  Bye Andi.”  She whispered as they walked past.  Outside, Stella urged Firefly into a gallop.  She glanced back once to see Andi standing by the barn watching her.  Stella forced her eyes forward and they disappeared into the hills.  

Andi watched until Stella disappeared, then turned back to the house.  Andi quietly let herself inside, then stood on the threshold for a moment, wondering if she should wake her family.  After a moment she headed up to her room.  She quickly changed back into her night clothes, but Stella’s desperate voice wouldn’t leave her mind.     

God, please help Stella know you’re with her.  She really needs you right now.  Show her you are with her.

Comforted that God would take care of them, Andi snuggled under the covers and closed her eyes.  There would be enough time in the morning to tell her family about the mysterious bandits that had been watching them all week.