June 12, 1914

Temptation. But I promised my mother a return to celibacy until I marry and more deeply, I fear dying young in a woman’s bed. My honor is my word and it is not lost on me the fickle feather of fate fell next to a brothel.

The girls are always up for any card game in the afternoon. They are all dressed up and have no place to go. Today, we played partners cribbage. Nellie and Phyl versus Syl and me. I can tell the twins apart now. Visual inspection while photographing revealed Syl had a small mole on her left breast. The games were heated no matter the combination of partners. We pegged out for the win and the bantering continued.

“We just can’t be beat,” Syl exclaimed.

Nellie dropped her cards face up and pointed, “I had the cards to win.”

“Me too,” Phyl displayed hers, winners as well.

“Next time,” I consoled.

Nellie reached up and stroked my chin to the ear and pushed my hair back. “I sure like the color of your hair.”

“Thank you.”

“Let’s take a walk,” her eyes flashed lust.

“Not today.”

“Julius, I think of you all the time. You make me shudder and have soft, pretty moans in my dreams. “

“Really?”

“Come on Julius give me a poke. It will be on me.”

I started laughing.

Her shocked expression turned to mirth and then to laughter which spread around the table. “I meant no charge.”

Madame Ollie listened, looked at Nellie and walked to us saying, “Julius I’ve given you a pretty long leash. The girls enjoy your company and posed for your camera with less and less clothing. Just remember no photographs of the act.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

She looked around the table and the ladies smiled obediently. “In return, I have a favor to ask.”

“Of course, what is it?”

“I have a brother in Denver with a daughter, my niece, and she is coming of age. Since I have no children, he hopes I’ll remember her in my will. She is a sweet girl and has a Bat Mitzvah on Saturday.”

“I’ve heard of Bar Mitzvah.”

“It’s the female celebration of adulthood. The Roman Jewish Society started it over 2,000 years ago. It faded with time but is having a revival. She won’t read the Torah or give a blessing, but it will be a special ceremony of happiness. I’m invited and I’m afraid to leave the girls with Freddie. He gets a vile temper with drink. So, I’m giving him and Jose the night off.”

“And you want me to...” I hesitated with a questioning gaze.

“Just watch the place; I’m taking the girls with me.”

“Oh good, that’s a relief. Does your brother know you’re a ..ah.. bringing six guests?”

“The people in Denver think I’m a woman of wealth and live with it in Steamboat Springs. He’s happy I’m bringing my friends. We don’t visit often.”

“Seems simple enough.”

“Just don’t let anyone break in or burn the place down.”

“Doesn’t seem as easy now.” I reluctantly acknowledged.

“You’ll do fine.”

I smiled submissively and watched from the corner of my eye Nellie picking the queens out of the deck of cards. Then inquired to Madame, “How long do you expect to be gone?”

“The train should return before business on Sunday evening. Thank you, Julius, for keeping an eye on things, I appreciate it.”

“My pleasure, happy to help.” Then she brushed my hair back with her hand saying, “I like the color of your hair too,” and walked away hips swaying.

Nellie pushed the cards to me “Let’s cut the cards for a poke. High card wins.”

“Wins what?”

“Well, I win you and you win what you want.”

“Ten Dollars.”

We had the lassies’ attention. Phyl quipped, “He’ll never do it.”

Flo shouted across the room, “Five bucks says, he will!”

“I’ll take that bet,” Syl confirmed.

“Me too,” Phyl added.

Meanwhile, when Nellie looked up at the betting ladies, I furtively palmed the King of Spades. She lowered her eyes to me and with a devious grin cooed, “Let’s make it interesting. If I cut a queen, I get you and you have to pay.”

“Unless I get a higher card like an ace.”

“Yes, dear.”

“Ladies first.”

She turned over the Queen of Hearts and of course, I showed her the King. She was outraged because she had cheated and lost. Flo screamed, “Wahoo, pay me, pay me,” to the twins.

“The bet was about sex,” they yelled.

“The bet was about winning. He and I won. Pay me, pay me,” she nodded brazenly to both.

“Not a chance.”

“Yes, you will.”

Edith started singing Nearer my God to Thee loudly, a poor distraction.

Madame Ollie crossed her arms, drilled me with her eyes, glanced at the back door and then smirked.  Apparently, she was going to let the dust settle by itself.

I quickly left the chaotic room and snuck down the back stairs. I laughed, “I’ll get my ten spot later.”