Counter Clockwise by Elle Strauss

Author:Elle Strauss [Strauss, Elle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-927547-68-7
Publisher: Lee Strauss

Chapter Nineteen

“Where are we going?” I asked.

This was a strange scenario for me. I used to be the seasoned one, the one who did the teaching and the leading, not the one who was taught and led. In the 1860s, I was the expert, but here in the twenties, I was green and inexperienced in every way. I was familiar with Boston in the present and in the nineteenth century, but this version, though it had a few similarities to each, was changed enough that I felt lost.

“I’m not sure,” Nate said. “I wouldn’t mind eating, and we need to find a place to sleep.”

“Both of those things require money,” I said.

His lips tightened. “They do.”

So how did one make money on the fly in Boston, in March, 1929? I doubted there was a movie filming, so working as extras was out. And besides, I was no longer interested in acting gigs.

“We need to get downtown,” Nate said. We heard a tram approach, and his green eyes flickered with sentimentality. “You up for it again?”

I knew instantly that he was referring to the times when we hitched a ride on the back of buggies in the nineteenth century, or that time we had to run and hop a train.

“I am,” I said.

Nate crossed to the other side, and when the trolley passed, we both ran to catch a bumper. I held on tight, crouching low so the folks on the tram, especially the ticket guy, wouldn’t see us. It was growing darker but still light enough for some witnesses to shout and holler. I hoped they didn’t draw the attention of a traffic cop.

I kept my eyes set on Nate, waiting for his signal to jump. He mouthed, “Now,” and I lowered myself and broke into a run as my feet hit the ground to keep from tripping and face planting. I wasn’t graceful, but I avoided tearing my dress or skinning my knees, which was a bonus.

Nate waved for me to cut through an alley to the next street and I scampered after him. I was surprised at how much construction there was. Boston was a boomtown in 1929. It seemed like everyone had money to burn. If only they could see into the future like Nate and I could. Their optimistic outlook was soon to come crashing down.

I still had to talk to Nate about what had happened in Hollywood. He’d jumped into his leader/protector role he often took with me, but the softness was gone from his eyes when he looked at me.

“Nate, I need to get back to why I came to see you today.”

His paced picked up slightly. “I know why you came, Casey.”

I tugged on his sleeve. “Please, can we talk about it?”

“Go ahead and talk.” He didn’t slow, so I kept my strides long to keep up with him, which was a little tough in this tube dress. I hiked up one side above my knees.

“That latest picture, it’s not what it looks like.

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