what was your nightmare about if youre ok with us asking?
It was about my dad. He normally ignored me when Mama and I lived with him, but sometimes he'd be in a really bad mood and take it out on us. The nightmare was more like a memory, I guess. I could actually smell the alcohol and feel the blows. It still kind of hurts.
2. All I Want For Christmas Is You | A Very TF Christmas Masterlist | 4. Baby, It’s Cold Outside
A/N: Again, thank you @kesskirata and @green-socks for beta reading!
Rating: M
Pairing: Santiago “Pope” Garcia x Named OFC (Vanessa/Nessie)
Word Count: ~1.4k
Plot: Santi gets cozy with a crush while he’s dressed as the jolly man in the red suit.
Contains: lots of flirting
"Nessie, how do I look?" Santiago asks while adjusting his fake white beard.
"You look good," Vanessa smiles while adjusting his floppy hat.
"Yeah? You think the kids are gonna know it's me?"
"Nah." Vanessa scrunches her nose and shakes her head. "You sure Santa doesn't need a little helper?" She steps into his space.
"Well uh, Santa might need help taking this suit off later." Santiago licks his lips as he glances down at hers.
“Actually, I think I prefer you with the suit on,” Vanessa teases, leaning in closer to him. “At least some of it.”
"Sorry to interrupt!"
Santiago and Vanessa immediately take a few steps back from each other upon Frankie's presence.
"But Santa's services are needed right now," Frankie says, yanking on Santiago's sleeve.
Santiago winks at Vanessa before letting Frankie drag him away.
"Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad!"
"Santa knows Spanish?" Tess asks no one in particular. "He also looks different than he did last year."
Santiago walks out into the common area wearing the oversized Santa get up, fake beard and all. Benny usually plays Santa for the kids, but he had to work. He drops the giant sack he carried on his shoulder and starts pulling gifts out one by one, handing them to the children they each are addressed to.
"Ari!" Santiago hands the wrapped gift to her.
"Thank you, Santi- uh. Santa!" Aracely quickly corrects herself. She walks back to her spot near Frankie. "I'm not a kid anymore. I shouldn't be getting presents from Santa."
"You gotta get married or have a kid to not be considered a kid anymore," Frankie tells her.
"What about you? You and Emily aren't married nor do you have kids yet and you don't get gifts from Santa."
"I'm different." Frankie shrugs smugly.
"No you’re not. It's because you're a viejo." Aracely laughs.
"Shut up. Respect your elders." Frankie tries to hide his smirk.
Just then, the doorbell rings and Frankie breaks off from the crowd to answer it.
“Benny! You made it!” Frankie gives his friend a big hug. “Merry Christmas!”
“Merry Christmas, Fish! You’ve met Sam before, right?” Benny asks.
“Yeah, it’s nice to see you again.” Frankie shakes Sam’s hand. “Welcome in.” Frankie steps aside to let his new guests in.
“You guys hungry? Want a drink?”
“I’m fucking starving. Did you save me some of your mom’s chicken stew?” Benny asks as he and Sam follow Frankie into the kitchen.
***************
“I’m sorry. Wish we could stay longer, but you know.” Tom points to Tess who is asleep on his shoulder.
“Don’t worry about it. As always, thank you for coming,” Frankie says. “Good to see you again, Mol-- Oh! Wait, stay here, guys.”
Frankie runs off to the kitchen. After a quick moment, Frankie comes back with a large bag and hands it to them.
“What’s this?” Molly looks into the bag and finds tupperwares of leftovers.
“My family always makes a ton of food every year and there’s always enough to literally feed the Army. Please take it,” Frankie says.
“This is very generous,” Molly says.
“Don’t worry about it. Everybody’s leaving with a goodie bag. I don’t want the food to go to waste.”
“Thank you, man.” Tom nods. “We appreciate it.”
“I know she liked the empanadas,” Frankie points to Tess. “So I threw a few extra ones in there for her.” Frankie winks.
“Thank you so much, Fish. Merry Christmas.” Molly goes to hug Frankie.
“Get home safe, guys.” Frankie pats Tom’s shoulder.
Most of the people have already left, mainly Frankie's family. The ones still around are mostly hanging out in the backyard gathering around the patio table drinking and bullshitting.
"Fish, do you ever wash any of these or just throw them in the attic with your fake, plastic tree? Because that beard probably smells worse than Benny's jock strap after a week of training for a fight," Santiago says, inciting laughter from everyone before taking a sip of his beer. After all the kids left, he took off the hat, jacket and scratchy beard, leaving him only a white tee and the baggy red and white pants being held up by suspenders.
"Fuck you," Benny spits out. "My jock strap smells like roses."
"It must be you Pope because I Febreeze the shit out of it," Frankie laughs. "You guys want another round?" He points to the group.
"I'll take another!" Benny hands Frankie his empty bottle.
"Nah, just gonna nurse this one.” Will shows him his still half full bottle. “I gotta drive, especially since this one is clearly not stopping anytime soon," Will points to his brother.
"I can drive Benny home," Sam offers.
"Danggoo," Benny slurs as he bows his head.
"You are so wasted," Sam laughs.
Frankie shoots Will a look while holding up the empty beer bottle.
"I still gotta drive." Will shakes his head. "But thanks."
"I'll take one!" Aracely jumps in.
"You get nada,” Frankie scoffs.
As Frankie heads inside the house to get some more beer, someone else steps out.
"Mija, ready to go?"
"Sì, mama. Good night, everyone! Merry Christmas." Aracely hugs and kisses everyone goodbye. With Will, the hug lingers a little longer and a little tighter.
"Take care, kiddo." Will kisses her forehead and ruffles the top of her head after they pull away from the hug.
"You too," Aracely smiles before leaving.
"Hey, Will. I heard you made Ari cry," Santiago says when Aracely is out of earshot, nudging his head towards the house.
"Who told you that? It was Fish, wasn't it? Fucking snitch." Will shakes his head.
"You made Ari cry?" Benny looks over at Will with sad puppy eyes. "Sweet little Ari who's had a crush on you since she was like ten?"
"Okay, I let her down as gently as I could," Will says, putting his hands up in defense.
"That poor girl." Benny shakes his head. "You shot her right in the heart."
"You're a cold-hearted killer, Ironhead." Santiago shakes his head while looking at him in fake disapproval.
"Whatever, man. There really is no tactful or nice way to turn down a kid who has had a school girl crush on you for so long." Will takes a sip of his beer.
"Hey, speaking of crushes, what's up with you and Nessie?" Benny looks over to Santiago.
"I don't know," Santiago shrugs. "I think there's something there. We've been flirting heavily all night."
Vanessa was in the service with them and has known the guys for a long while now. Within the last year, she and Santiago have become closer and their feelings for each other became very apparent.
The patio door slides open, getting the attention of some of the people. Santiago watches as Vanessa walks over to him and hands him an ice cold beer.
“Muchas gracias.” Santiago takes the bottle from her. “Where the hell have you been?”
“I was helping Emily clean up a bit.” She then hands Benny an ice cold bottle.
"Grassy-ahss," Benny replies as he takes the bottle. "What happened to Fish?"
"He's saying bye to his aunt and uncle," Vanessa answers and then plops herself down on Santiago’s lap.
"Oh, hey! Hello!" Santiago smiles at her.
"Hi, Santa," Vanessa giggles. "I was hoping I can tell Santa what I want for Christmas," She leans into his ear and whispers.
"That depends. Have you been naughty or nice this year?" Santiago asks quietly.
"Whichever answer will give me what I want, Santi baby." Vanessa smirks.
“And what is it that you want?”
Vanessa leans in closer so her lips brush against his ear.
“I want to go down Santa’s chimney,” she whispers while running the palm of her hand over his chest.
“Oh!” Santiago pulls back and looks at her with his eyebrows up to his hairline. He wets his bottom lip with the tip of his tongue as he tries to read Vanessa's face.
A balled up piece of napkin hits Santiago's face. He flinches and then the two of them look over at everyone.
"Get a room!" someone mocks before chuckles break out.
"You wanna get out of here?" Santiago asks, turning his attention back to Vanessa.
Vanessa nods. Santiago gently nudges Vanessa off of him and stands up.
“Alright, it’s time for Santa to have his milk and cookies. Good night boys and girls.” Santiago gives everyone goodbye hugs and kisses. “Get home safe everyone. Merry Christmas!” Santiago salutes them.
“You good to drive?” Will asks.
“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of him.” Vanessa winks at the group as she leads him into the house holding his hand.
Santiago smirks at the Miller brothers and Sam, points to Vanessa, and then flashes a thumbs up before he finally steps inside the house.
Elizabeth "Long Liz" Stride née Gustafsdotter (27 November 1843 – 30 September 1888)
Elizabeth was born on a farm called Stora Tumlehed in Torslanda parish, north of Gothenburg, Sweden. The family were lower middle class and conservative Lutherans. Although education for children was limited, it was deemed important that even girls be able to read so that they could read the Bible. At the age of 15 Elizabeth was confirmed, signalling her entrance into adult life and commitment to God.
A month before her 17th birthday in October 1860, Elizabeth set off for Gothenburg, half a day's walk away, to take up employment as a domestic servant. As in other European countries it was commonplace for young women to seek employment as a servant to gain experience of domestic life. For the lower middle classes this "apprenticeship" was to prepare her for marriage and running her own household, as well as to provide her with some money to put towards her dowry and to purchase clothing, linens and items she would require for married life and motherhood. Moving to a more urban area also created more opportunities to find a spouse.
Elizabeth's sister Anna had already moved to Gothenburg a few years earlier and was working for a shoemaker, who she would end up marrying in 1864 (not uncommon when master and servant were from the same social class). It is possible that Anna may have assisted her younger sister in finding employment but by early 1861 Elizabeth was registered as residing in the Olsson household. The Olsson were by no means a very wealthy family but labour, particularly female labour, was extremely cheap in the 19th Century and lower middle class and middle class families would hire servants to impress their neighbours- even if they did not live in a property large enough to require domestic help. Swedish Law required that employers house, clothe, feed and care for their employees when ill but equally "disobedience" or "visiting inns or other places were alcoholic beverages were served" would lead to dismissal. Working agreements between master and servant were also considered binding and she would be required to work out her terms of employment unless both parties agreed to dissolve it.
Why the Olsson's ended Elizabeth's employment is unknown but census records in 1864 show that she had moved to a neighbouring district, a short walk away. She continued to state her occupation as 'servant' but no information about an employer was recorded. By March 1865 Elizabeth was 6 months pregnant. Nothing is known about the father of Elizabeth's child or the circumstances of her pregnancy, whether consensual or forced; she took that to her grave. Until 1864, extra-marital sex and illegitimate pregnancy was an illegal, punishable offence in Gothenburg. In addition, a law in 1859 that regulated prostitution was introduced in order to attempt to gain control of the spread of venereal diseases, particularly syphilis, as it was believed that prostitutes were primarily responsible for its spread (rather than the men who had sex with them).
Due to her condition, unmarried and pregnant, Elizabeth was suspected of being a prostitute or at the very least a woman of "lecherous living". There were two Police registers in Gothenburg at the time for such women, the first being for women who were known or identified themselves to be sex workers and the second for women suspected of being so- women who were mistresses, who were pregnant single women, women seen frequently alone with men or who were out at night. Elizabeth was registered by the Police as Allmän kvinna nr. 97 (Public woman number 97) and having been placed on that register was obliged to attend the Police Inspection house twice a week for her genitalia to be inspected by a surgeon. Failure to do so would result in a fine or three nights in prison on bread and water. She was also subjected to a curfew and required to "conduct a quiet and silent life". She was prohibited from loitering in the windows or doorways where she lived, she had to "dress in a decent way when appearing in public" and "not call attention to herself". On inspection days the women attending the Inspection house were expected to enter through a concealed entrance in the back, strip off and form a queue. On busy days they women would have to stand naked in the courtyard outside. Elizabeth told Police her parents were dead and one could speculate that this may have been out of shame. Elizabeth never returned home again.
After submitting to a handful of "inspections" Allmän kvinna nr. 97 was found to be presenting symptoms of syphilis, genital warts, a sign of the secondary stage of the disease. She was taken by Police escort to a venereal disease hospital and committed. The hospital had a reputation of treating patients as prisoners and staff were allowed to use force and coercion to keep patients contained until they were pronounced "cured". With no antibiotics, treatment consisted either of mercury or use of other metals such gold, silver, copper or bromine, iodine and nitric acid, ingested and used externally as ointments. The hospital in Gothenburg favoured hydroiodic acid, comprised of iodine and hydrogen. After taking this "cure" for 17 days Elizabeth went into premature labour 7 months into her pregnancy and gave birth to a stillborn girl. She did not provide the father's name on the birth certificate.
When Elizabeth was discharged on 13th May 1864 she had no relations to turn to for support, whether through her own shame or from being disowned. She could not secure respectable employment as her name was on the Police register as a Public woman, so she had no means of supporting herself. If she had not been a sex worker before, Elizabeth certainly resorted to prostituting herself now. The cycle of the syphilis disease was not fully understood at the time and of course Elizabeth had not been cured. By August Elizabeth was back in the hospital for further treatment with silver nitrate, released in September and admitted again in October and declared "cured" in November. Elizabeth's syphilis infection now entered it's latent phase and she was no longer contagious, although untreated syphilis ultimately returns for it's final and terminal stage.
Elizabeth's fortunes changed, however, due to charitable work by women from the Lutheran Church who wished to rescue "fallen" women and would recruit 'public' women and try to reform them to being 'private' women. It seems that it was through this scheme that Elizabeth found herself a role as a maid in Marie Weisner's household, the wife of a German musician. Marie vouched for Elizabeth to the Police by writing a letter taking responsibility for her future good conduct as long as she remained in her service and Elizabeth was removed from the Police register.
As a port Gothenburg was thriving and there was a growing British community in the town and somehow, possibly through her employers, Elizabeth learned of a role as a domestic servant in London. In 1866 Elizabeth, by then 22 years old, emigrated to England to start her new life.
It is not known how Elizabeth and John Stride met, but they became engaged and then married in March 1869. John was in his late 40s and Elizabeth was 25-years-old. There is no record of Elizabeth giving birth and perhaps if she did get pregnant she may have experienced miscarriages, due to having syphilis- which Elizabeth probably thought she had been cured of and would have been most unlikely to have told her husband about. As a woman Elizabeth would have likely been the one blamed for not providing her husband with any children and due to her strict religious upbringing Elizabeth may have believed that her barrenness was punishment for her previous "sins". Elizabeth and John began to drift apart.
In March 1877, eight years into their marriage, Elizabeth left John for the first time and rather than going to the Workhouse took her chances on the streets. However, within weeks she was picked up by Police under vagrancy laws and taken to the Workhouse anyway. John and Elizabeth reconciled but by 1880 her name appeared on Workhouse records more than once. On 3rd September 1878 the "Princess Alice", a pleasure cruiser on the Thames collided with an 890 ton coal freighter, cutting the vessel in half. More than 650 people died and somewhere between 69 to 170 people survived. Elizabeth contrived an elaborate tale claiming that she had been aboard the Princess Alice and lost her husband and nine children and told this tale many times both to other vagrants and to the people she was begging money from, whenever she left John. By December 1881 John and Elizabeth separated for good and Elizabeth took up residence permanently in Whitechapel.
Elizabeth supported herself by "charring", working as an occasional servant for a few hours in order to earn 2 shillings and perhaps a little food, tea and even sugar. A lot of her work was for Jewish families who were prohibited from undertaking any form of work on the Sabbath and Elizabeth had picked up some Yiddish, as well as being able to speak English so well that few realised she was an immigrant. She stayed in "doss houses", most regularly at Flower and Dean street. She also convinced a woman called Mary Malcolm, who had very poor eyesight and a drinking problem, that she was her long-lost sister Elizabeth Watts and Mrs Malcolm would give Elizabeth 2 shillings every Saturday afternoon. John Stride died of heart disease in October 1884 and it appears that Elizabeth's life rapidly spiralled downwards after that as she was arrested for soliciting and for being drunk and disorderly in mid-November. She received 7 days imprisonment with hard labour for her crimes. There is no record of Elizabeth being arrested for soliciting again after this sentence.
Elizabeth took up residence with a man called Michael Kidney who was younger than Elizabeth, enjoyed drinking to excess and was violent whether drunk or sober. Clearly Elizabeth also had a drinking problem at this time. She would make complaints to Police about his abuse but later drop the charges. Elizabeth would leave Michael and stay at Flower and Dean Street, but then return to the relationship, perhaps because it became preferable to scraping a living on the streets and sleeping in a vermin infested doss house. Until her death Elizabeth's arrests for being drunk and disorderly and "obscene language" increased which was likely due to her alcoholism but her increasingly erratic behaviour could possibly also be due to her syphilis infection reaching it's third and final stage when it would begin to attack the brain. Elizabeth began to suffer from seizures but it is impossible to know if these were caused by syphilis or as a result of alcohol withdrawal, which can cause very serious and potentially fatal seizures.
Almost no-one knew where Elizabeth was actually from. She told many different stories, never provided the real names of her parents and although she had friends none of them were particularly close to her. As a result, no-one really knew where she was going, what her intentions were or who she intended to meet if anyone when she walked out of the lodging house on Flower and Dean street the evening of the 29th September 1888. Her secretive nature meant that no-one could say what her habits were or where her usual haunts were and no-one could identify that she was involved with any other man than Michael Kidney at the time. At 12:45 Israel Schwartz witnessed a man and a woman having a heated disagreement on Berner Street. The man grabbed the woman and threw her down. Israel then spotted a male standing in pub doorway and thinking that this male intended to chase him off he panicked and ran away. Fifteen minutes later Louis Diemschutz, on his way home, discovered Elizabeth's body, lying on her side in a fetal position holding a paper wrap of sweets in her hand.
Elizabeth was an enigma and she died an anonymous woman, another murdered drunk, degenerate, prostitute as far as Victorian society was concerned. It is not known if Elizabeth’s family was ever traced and informed of her death. Elizabeth, the third canonical victim of Jack the Ripper, was buried in a pauper's grave on the 6th October 1888. The only person present was Sven Olsson, a clerk from the Swedish Church.
[Source: The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold (2019)]
