Randall entered his father's room quietly; the drapes were pulled tight, so night light was in the room, other than what could be seen though the drapes, which wasn't much. The General was sleeping but his breathing still seemed ragged, which caused Randall some concern. His motion in the room woke the old man up, who immediately began to cough, again. Randall assisted in giving the General a drink of water to try to calm him down. "You don't sound any better, Pa. Do you want me to apply another mustard plaster?" Randall asked as he helped the General by adjusting his pillows.
The old man shook his head no, "That thing only irradiated me. I want a real doctor, and not that young one. A town this size should have a sage doctor in it," he protested.
"There is a real doctor, but he is also really sick, Pa," Randall stated. "I don't think he'd be well enough to look at you right now, based on what I saw last night," he stated.
"I don't care if he's on his death bed, I want him to see me," the General stated firmly.
Randall nodded, "I'll see what I can do," he said as he walked to the door. "Get some rest and I'll be back as soon as I can," he said before he left the room, closing the door behind him. He sighed heavily. Randall set off to have a quick bite of breakfast before visiting the town doctor to convince him in his ailing state to look at this father. He felt bad for the doctor considering the state he last saw the man. He couldn't imagine how the doctor would be able to care for anyone when he felt so miserable himself.
Zach and Clement were enjoying their coffee, eggs and steak for breakfast. Zach nudged his brother to get him to notice Randall at the door. The older brother walked to the table, "Couldn't wait, huh?" he asked as he sat down at the table.
"Clem wouldn't shut up," Zachariah smiled. "The only way to stop him was to fill his mouth with food," he added. Randall smiled at the comment as he motioned to the waiter so that he could order his food.
Roy took Randall's order and left the room. "So what are you two going to do to day?" Randall asked as he poured a cup of coffee from the pot on the table.
"I just want to look around! I like this place," Clement beamed.
"I guess we're just going to look around," Zach said with a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
"Stay away from the saloons," Randall joked. "You look like hell," he added just as his meal arrived.
"Zachariah might want to see his lady friend," Clement smiled and wiped his lips with the napkin.
"She doesn't like me that much," Zach said in his defense. "She told me she didn't like me, so I left her alone after you left," he eyed his brother.
"That's too bad," Clement sighed. "She sure was pretty."
"Maybe there's a lady in a store that even prettier," Zach smiled as he picked up his hat from the vacant chair and then stood. "You coming or not?" he looked at his younger brother. Zach placed some money on the table.
"See you later, Randall," Clement smiled and quickly stood to follow Zach from the restaurant. Randall nodded and dug into his food.
Doc sat at the back table with Kitty. Festus and Newly had left the saloon to resume their duties, or in Newly's case his job as gunsmith. The doctor chewed on a piece of toasted bread, which he slathered with cherry jam, "This is the fist solid food I've had in two days," he stated with satisfaction.
"Just don't push yourself, Doc. You were in pretty rough shape yesterday," Kitty urged the doctor.
Doc ticked his head in agreement, "I can't recall a time that I was that sick," he sighed.
"You were so sick, you were seeing things!" Kitty half laughed.
"Seeing things? Like what?" the doctor asked as he busied himself with the other piece of toasted bread and the jam.
"Spiders," Kitty frowned.
"Spiders?" Doc paused what he was doing. "What kind of spiders?"
"I don't know, but you said they were everywhere. I scared the heck out of us," Kitty stated.
Doc blinked in disbelief, "That makes me wonder if I saw people in the alley last night, then," he thought for a moment and then continued with the toast. Clearly he was puzzled over the spiders and the people, he may or may not have seen. Kitty patted him on the forearm, "I told you the you were sick," she looked at the doctor with a sympathetic smile.
Doc swallowed do the toast with a slug of coffee, "I guess I was just seeing things," he sighed just as Randall appeared in the doorway of the saloon. Both Kitty and Doc watched the man as he approached the table, "Good to see you up and around, doctor," Randall smiled as he tipped his hat to Kitty.
"I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage," Doc said as ht looked up at the young man.
"I came to see you yesterday, but you were awfully sick," Randall stated.
Doc looked over to Kitty, "So I've been told," he then looked back at Randall. "What did you need me for?" he then asked as he drew his left hand across his moustache.
"It's not me. It's our father," Randall explained.
"What's wrong with him?" Doc took an interest in what the young man said.
"That's the thing, doctor. I don't know. He coughs a lot and he's weak," Randall sighed. "It's not in his nature to be sickly," he added.
"I see," Doc said blinking. "Well, let me get my medical bag and I'll have a look at him," the doctor said as he slowly got to his feet.
"Thanks," Randall said with a hint of relief in his tone. "Look for you up in your office, but didn't find you there. It was the store owner that told me you were here."
Doc appeared a little annoyed that Jonas had seen where he'd gone. He was hoping for a quiet day. "I'll see you later, Kitty," Doc said as he picked up his black felt hat from the chair and placed it on his head before leaving the saloon with the young man at his side. It appeared they were chatting as they left the establishment.
Kitty just shook her head, "Don't push yourself, Doc," she said to herself.