Changing Realities (Part 7)

Chapter 12

Dao-Ming arranged for a tray of bread and cheeses to be brought up as we drew our bath. The hotel was truly a first class establishment, as it was one of the first in the United States to have hot and cold running water, although very primitive by modern standards. Having a hot bath without first having to heat the water over a fire was a new experience for me (I later learned that this was achieved by ingeniously wrapping the pipe carrying the water from the rooftop tanks around the kitchen’s chimneys).

I tied a light silk robe around my thoroughly exhausted, but utterly satiated, body just before the server arrived with the food. As he entered the main room, I realized that he must have heard the noise we had been making because his face was redder than any beet. That realization set my own face aflame. Noticing my reaction, Dao-Ming trilled her wonderful laughter.

As he placed the tray of food on a table, the young man glanced over at me, undoubtedly noting my sweaty body with my hair plastered to me wherever it touched, and though I didn’t think it possible, turned even redder than when he had entered.

“Uh, enjoy your, uh, stay, ma’am,” he stammered as Dao-Ming handed him a substantial tip.

“Oh, we are,” Dao-Ming replied, winking at me and flashing me a somewhat wry smile. I was busily trying to stifle my own smile threatening to cross my lips.

I couldn’t really blame him for his obvious embarrassment, as lesbians (which he clearly inferred we were), while not exactly uncommon in 19th century America, were not nearly as open – and vocal – in their activities as the two women standing before him appeared to be. If he knew the truth, he probably would have died where he stood or denounced us as “witches,” which was still a thing in Philadelphia at the time, albeit most infrequent.

Dao-Ming collapsed into my arms as we exploded into laughter not ten seconds after the door closed. It was a solid five minutes or more before we could catch our breath. It only occurred to me somewhat later in my many lifetimes since that day our reaction to the gentleman’s discomfort, which really was decidedly funny, was somewhat out of proportion, not to mention my abrupt acceptance of my situation.

Still, even through our mirth, the questions to which I required answers only she could provide, were again rising to the forefront of my mind. I resolved to get the answers, by whatever means necessary.

We helped each other to our feet, still giggling.