Jesse's Song

Chapter 2

Newly O'Brien rode his mount slowly down the dusty streets of Dodge City, stopping outside the Long Branch Saloon. He dismounted and landed tiredly on the street, leaning against his horse for a moment. It had been a long ride and the events of the past days hung heavy on him.

Laughter spilled from the Saloon and Newly raised his head, staring at the doors. He knew the people he most did not want to see were inside: people he had to tell who he had left behind.

Knowing there was no way to avoid what he had to do, Newly walked towards the doors of the Saloon and pushed them open. It was crowded for as late as it was but his eyes caught sight of Matt, Kitty and Doc seated at their usual table. He walked hesitantly towards them and stopped by the table.

Kitty Russell looked up and smiled. "Newly! You're back! When did you get in?"

"Just now, Miss Kitty," he said, nodding to the others as they greeted him.

"Sit down and join us for a beer. Where's Festus?" she asked, turning to look behind him.

"Yeah, it's not like him to pass up an opportunity for a free beer," Doc said with a smirk on his face.

Newly glanced at Doc and the others quickly then looked down to the floor. "He…uh, didn't come back with me. He….well…something happened and he … he couldn't bring himself to come back."

Silence met his statement. He's all right, isn't he?" Matt said in concern after a moment.

"Yes, sir. Physically."

"Physically? Maybe you'd better sit down and tell us what happened," Dillon said tersely, leaning forward.

Pulling out a chair from the table, Newly sat down heavily, running a hand over his face, and began his story. A few minutes later, the story told, Kitty laid a hand softly on Newly's arm.

"So, his friend died in his arms?" she asked quietly, unshed tears in her eyes.

Newly nodded briefly. "It wasn't his fault, but Festus…well…Festus felt he'd let him down. Said if he hadn't had a badge pinned to his chest, he would've run with Jesse."

"And he decided to run cattle to Denver with this Carpenter?" Dillon asked, frowning.

"Yes, sir. Guess he felt it was his only choice. He didn't think he could come back here and he…he said he couldn't serve a law that…well that done what it done to Jesse."

"What kind of man is this, Carpenter?" Dillon asked, squinting at Newly.

Newly shrugged, keeping his eyes on the table before him. "Carpenter seems like an all right fellow, I reckon. He's a man of his word, I can tell ya that. Some of his men are a bit rough but, that's drovers for ya, I guess. I tried to tell Festus it wasn't his fault. Told him he should just come on home with me but…" Weariness and guilt overwhelmed Newly and his words trailed off.

"Matt, I think you should go after him," said Kitty leaning towards Matt. "Bring him home."

Matt shook his head. "I can't do that, Kitty. He needs to make that decision on his own. Forcing him to come back isn't the answer."

"I agree," Doc said, speaking up for the first time. "As much as I think he'd be better off here, ya can't make him come back. He needs to work it out in his own mind."

"That's what he said too, Doc. He did tell me to tell you all that you were the best friends he ever had and he was sorry, especially to you Marshal that you need to find someone else to deputy." Newly reached slowly into his shirt pocket and pulled out Festus' badge. He stared at it briefly, then handed it to Matt. "He said it cost him too much to wear this. Said I was to give it to you to give to your next deputy."

Dillon reached out a hand to accept the badge, rolling it between his fingers. "Think I'll just keep it till he wants it back," he said softly, staring at the metal in his hand.

"If he wants it back," Doc said quietly, then rose quickly from the table and walked out into the night.

The three remaining stared after him. "He's gonna miss him," Kitty said sadly, gazing out the door.

"We all are, Kitty. Only, Doc would never admit it to himself or anyone else," Matt said softly. Rising, he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder before walking out, his head down.

Kitty and Newly sat together, neither speaking for a moment longer. Rousing herself with a shake, she turned to look at Newly. "You look tired, Newly."

"I sure am, Miss Kitty. The past couple of days have been pretty tough. I just wish I could have done something. Or that we hadn't gone down to the saloon that night. Or that we hadn't even stopped in that town at all."

"But you did, Newly. What's done is done. We just have to believe Festus will come back to us, because we do need him here. He may not know it, but we do. Now, why don't I buy that drink and we can call it a night?"

Newly shook his head without looking up. "Thanks Miss Kitty, but I'd just as soon get my horse taken care of and go on to bed. It's been a long couple of days. I'll see you tomorrow," he said rising and walking slowly out the door.

Kitty placed her arms on the table and stared down, her eyes filling with tears at the thought of what Festus must be feeling and the thought of him never coming back. Cattle drives were dangerous places and bad things happened all the time.

Giving herself a shake, she told herself that Festus could take care of himself and that he would be back. Leaving Sam in charge of the bar, Kitty headed slowly up the stairs and to her room. Maybe in the light of day it wouldn't seem so bleak.