*Got great news today! So relieved everything came back negative*
"There ya are Miz Kitty," Festus said stacking the last crate of bottles in the store room of the Long Branch.
"Thank you, Festus," Kitty said marking the inventory down. "Can I buy you a beer?"
"Much obliged, but Matthew wants me over at the jail," Festus said slapping the dust from his clothes.
"Alright then," Kitty said putting her tally sheet away. "How about later?"
"I be here," the hill man said leaving the stock room.
Stepping out of the Long Branch, he saw the wagon belonging to the Whipple's orphanage parked in front of Doc's office.
Turning away, he headed for the jail instead. Festus stepped inside just in time to see Matt putting Billy into a cell.
"Matthew," Festus said as Matt locked the door. "What's happened?"
"Festus," Billy said agitatedly. "I didn't mean to do it! Really I didn't!"
"Calm down now, Billy," Matt said stepping away from the cell. "Billy here got angry with Mr. Whipple and pushed him."
Festus had only seen Billy a few times in the past two years since he had convinced Matt, Doc and Judge Brooker to place him there. While he had grown into a sizable adult, his mind continued to be that of a child.
"Mr. Whipple gonna be alright, is he?" Festus asked meeting Matt's eyes.
"Doc said, it's just a gash," Matt replied. "He don't think it's life threatening."
"What ya gonna do with Billy, Matthew?" Festus said quietly.
"That's going to be up to Judge Brooker," Matt said with a sigh, knowing how Festus felt about the simple minded man.
"What happened, Billy?" Festus said walking over to the cell.
"Mr. Whipple taught me how to shoot, Festus," Billy said softly.
"He did?" Festus said just a little surprised as Billy nodded and then continued his story.
"But he wanted me to learn how to hunt," Billy replied running his hand though his hair. "But I can't kill no animal, Festus! And he keep pushing me and pushing me to do it!"
"And you just got mad and pushed him, did ya?" Festus asked gently.
"I didn't mean it," Billy said tears coming to his eyes.
"It's alright, Billy," Festus said slowly. "You just take a seat over there and I'll talk ta the judge and see what we can do."
"Mr. Whipple said, he didn't want me there no more," Billy stated as Festus nodded.
"Now don't worry bout it," Festus said stepping away from the cell. "I'll figure out somethin."
Shutting the door between the cells and Matt's office, Festus shook his head as Matt looked up from his desk.
"Don't get your hopes up," Matt said evenly. "You know there isn't any other choice Festus."
"I know," Festus said sadly. "I was just a hoping, he wouldn't have ta go to the county home."
"I know," Matt replied pursing his lips. "But it's the best place for him now."
Later in Brooker's office, Festus pleaded with the judge and Matthew to give the man another chance.
"I'll take him," Festus said looking at Matt and the Judge. "I was able ta do it last time, I know he'll listen to me!"
Brooker looked at Matt, the Marshal shrugged his shoulders as he looked at Festus.
"It's against my better judgement," Brooker said stapling his fingers together. "But I'm willing to give Mr. Haggen the chance to see what he can do."