Here I am, in the kitchen, making a chocolate cake for the boys. I hear shouting in the front yard and I look out the window. It was Steve and Chavez again. They never stop going at each other's throats. I see Dick ride his horse right in between them and say to knock it off but they don't. They just keep going at it.
I walk out there, with my hands on my hips, looking very disappointed. That usually works. I walk up to them and yell, "Hey! What are you two doing? You guys have been acting like children. Next time I see ya'll doing this again and have to come out here, I am putting you boys into a time out. If you act like kids then I'm going to treat you like kids until you two get along."
They both look down, looking ashamed. I look up and see John coming back. I hear Dick say to them, "John's back. Go get in your supper clothes. Now! BOTH YA!" They glare at him but they do as told. Dick turns to me and says, "How do you do it, Jess? They always listen to you." He is the only one who calls me Jess.
"Well because they know I am the one who cooks their dinner." I respond, cheekily.
John, Doc, and someone else passes us. Steve shoves Chavez but I glare at him. Steve mumbles a "sorry" and continues. Doc jumps off the carriage and walks over to us. Dick greets him, "Glad your back, Doc. Stile hold the rope, inside."
"John bring another hard case in?" Charlie asks.
"Hope it ain't another Mexican." Steve comments. I hit him.
"Mexican-Indian, you son of a bitch." Chavez shoots back. I hit him too.
Charlie just starts laughing a bit. Now we all go back to work. I head back into the house to finish that chocolate cake. Just as I was entering the house I saw Chavez and Charlie giving the new guy, Billy a hard time.
Time went by fast, because now we are all sitting at the table, eating dinner. I put the chocolate cake in the middle of the table and the boys dug right into it. Everybody telling me that dinner and the cake was great. I just smiled back at them and said thanks.
"Well now, look at those appetites. William? Have some more." John said.
He took some more beans and Dick asked, "You ever worked beef before, Billy?"
"Yeah. Worked a little out towards Fort Sumter's way. At Pete Maxwell's place. And uh, got a way with cattle too." Billy.
Steve started to laugh. John didn't like that so he said, "Jolly funny, master Steven. That's no proper table manners."
Charlie leans over to him and says, "And a way with hogs." They start laughing uncontrollably.
John had enough and said, "Congratulations, Charles. You and Steven will be doing the dirty crockery alone, this evening."
Charlie was still giggling but said, "Sorry, John. Struck me funny."
"And to William. Both of you." John ordered.
They both apologized and Dick asked Billy if he killed and man and what he killed him for. Billy just stared at Charlie and Steve and said, "He was hacking me."
Charlie looked scared and Steve made a gulping noise. I couldn't contain my laughter. I saw Chavez have a little smile on his face but it was unnoticed by the others. John stared at me and said, "Jessie, you wouldn't mind fetching the chicken eggs for me, after supper, would you?"
I look out the window behind me, turn around, and immediately say, "No John. Sorry, I couldn't help it." He knows how afraid I am of the dark. You never know what is hiding in it and never know what will be thrown at you.
He gives me a nod and says, "That's what I thought."
After supper is finished we go into the living room and Steve is reading from the newspaper. "There are plenty of men who will never secede..."
"Succeed." John corrected.
"Succ… who will never succeed anywhere." He finished.
"We got a whole room full of them right here." Dick said. Everyone couldn't help but smile.
"Well done. William." John says.
"Yeah, sure." Billy laughs.
"Well, excuse me Billy. Very sorry to offend you. If conjugated to read and write, you'll need more skill with a firearm to succeed in a new world, Billy. So take up the journal, and start off where the other boy left off, or you can go straight back to your home in the streets." John snapped.
Billy takes the newspaper and starts to read. "Young men, who don't know how to do any kind business, have no energy or application, had better stay home near their relatives so they can be taken care of. They are not wanted here and will only come to grief. But men of other prize are practically sure of success." He is done and folds up the paper.
"Splendid. Splendid reading, William." John comments. "Jessie. Will you please read for us now?"
I look up, wide eyed. Everyone is staring at me. John never lets me read since I already know how to and I don't need practice. He only lets me do it on very rare occasions. I smile none the less and start to read. "Young men, who need work, a home, a farm, or family, could easily be found if they cooperate correctly. If they want a good job then they will need to make themselves worthy and known. If young men cannot do any of these requests, then they should stay where they are."
I finish and I see all the boys smiling at me, knowing I loved reading. They know that just lit up my whole night. John smiles as he gets up and says, "Brilliant. Truly brilliant, Jessie. Goodnight everyone."
As he leaves, we all say goodnight back. I am still sitting on the stairs and nobody moves or gets up. I just continue to read the paper in my head. I don't realize someone's calling my name until somebody shakes my shoulder. I look up and see Chavez right in front of me.
"Can I help you, sir?" I tease.
"You did well tonight. Never lose your touch, ok Jessie?" he pleads. I nod and he gives me a smile. "We're heading off to bed. We'll see you in the morning."
As all the boys are heading out they all say goodnight to me and give me a hug. I climb up the stairs and into my room. I hop into bed and close my eyes. Before I fell into a dreamless sleep, I thought, "My life is perfect. It can't get any better than this."