Chapter 37
"All ready, sweetheart?" Michaela smiled, squeezing Brian's shoulder as he finished the glass of milk in front of him.
"S'ppose so… hey… Colleen… didn't the Reverend say Steven's Ma's gonna come fit us for our costumes, today?" Brian shoved the final mouthful of breakfast into his mouth, looking across at his sister, who was scraping the leftovers into a bowl for Pup.
"Yeah… thought so… and Miss Dorothy's gonna have the script ready Monday, too… so we can start rehearsing properly," she replied, looking strangely between Michaela and Brian, noticing her mother's polarized mood swing.
"And just who are you, then?" Michaela cupped her chin in her left hand watching the boy's face light up with interest.
"A guy… and I have to kiss her…" Brian chuckled with embarrassment, pointing to Colleen, who rolled her eyes, finding Brian's coyness quite cute.
"Only on the cheek, Brian…" Colleen shook her head, Michaela raising an eyebrow, watching the children banter playfully.
"Nah… and at the end, when we…" Colleen gave him a mockingly serious glare, reminding him that the ending was a secret. Brian trailed off quickly, breaking out in a wide grin as he pushed his chair back and took his empty plate over to Colleen.
"Oh, you're not going to tell me?" Michaela dropped her head, pretending to be upset.
"You'll see Ma… it's a surprise!" Brian headed towards the back door, disappearing quickly to help his older brother prepare the wagon for the trip into town.
"Can't quite believe that's the same child as last night, somehow…" Michaela raised her eyebrows in disbelief, finishing the cup of tea in front of her thoughtfully.
"And he ain't the only one… you've certainly woken up on the right side of the bed this morning…." Colleen ventured, hoping Michaela would take the compliment warmly.
"Let's just say… I'm feeling… relieved…" Michaela began removing the spare utensils and unused cups from the table, stacking them back on the shelf across the room, Colleen nodding in silent understanding, no further words needing to be spoken.
"So… ah… do ya know if Sully's comin' for supper tonight…" Colleen asked, unable to hide her smile; a result of Michaela's good mood, as well as the remembrance of the pair of them dancing the afternoon of the auction.
"I guess so… seems to be a Friday night tradition… of sorts…" Michaela scanned the room, spotting her medical bag on the mantelpiece over the fire.
"Yeah… and it really bothers you… sure…" Colleen flashed a cheeky grin in Michaela's direction, drying her hands and making her way towards the front door.
"Colleen…" Michaela attempted to sound disapproving, however merely bursting into a slightly self-conscious chuckle, medical bag in hand, she followed Colleen through the front door, closing it behind them.
"All set?" Matthew asked, seated in the wagon, Brian by his side.
"I think so." Michaela settled into the wagon between the two boys. "Matthew… what have you got planned for today?" She took the reins.
"Gee-up," She encouraged, Bear moving forward obediently.
X.O.X
"Your arm looks fine, Louise… does that hurt?" Michaela gently palpated the young child's lower arm, her fractured radius now appearing completely healed.
"Uh-uh," the four-year old girl replied with a bright smile, watching with intrigue as the Doctor moved her arm gently, rotating her hand delicately.
"Now?" Michaela repeated, the young girl's bubbly smile sufficing as response.
"Oh, thank-you so much, Dr. Mike… we were just so worried, ya hear all sorts a stories 'bout deformities and children livin' in pain… but she's good as new…" Mrs. Harrison commented, Michaela quickly checking the girl's radial pulse, lifting her down from the examination table.
"She's a strong girl… and you did the right thing bringing her to me straight after… was it the horse, Louise?" Michaela bent down to confirm the events leading up to the broken arm six weeks ago.
"Yeah… was just practicing ridin' Phantom… and I couldn't reach the reins… that's when I slipped… and 'oww'…." She indicated towards her arm, her childlike exuberance being maintained throughout the story.
"'Oww' was right, sweetheart… you tell your Ma though, if you arm starts hurting anymore…" Michaela led the girl by the hand to the door, Mrs. Harrison handing her the five dollar coin gratefully.
"I'll make sure she stays off that horse, too… not until you're six, young lady…" Louise's mother took the young girl's arm, leading her through the Clinic door out onto the porch.
"If there are any problems, don't hesitate to come see me again…" Michaela returned the small girl's friendly wave, before retreating back inside, clearing up the remainder of the girl's sling and bandages, about to check her appointment schedule when there was a knock at the door.
"Come in…" Michaela glanced at the list in front of her, checking that she didn't have any appointments due for the rest of the day.
"Afternoon, Michaela…" Dorothy entered the clinic, a slightly reserved smile on her face.
"Dorothy… everything all right?" Michaela removed her apron, laying it gently across the examination table.
"Fine… wondering if you… ah… nothin'…" Dorothy suddenly felt a nervous quietness fall over her.
"Afternoon tea?" Michaela raised an eyebrow suspiciously, a knowing smile appearing on her face.
"Ah… only if you want to… didn't want to ah… disturb you… just Loren got sick a me fussin' 'round the store… was gonna head over to Grace's…" Dorothy rambled, realizing her double-talk was beginning to confuse even herself.
"Don't be silly, you're not a bother… I just saw my last patient, everything seems quiet here… I'd love to…" Michaela crossed the room; Dorothy remaining perched uneasily against the door, Michaela's cheerfulness throwing her into uncertainty.
"You would? Michaela… I… are you all right? You seem… I mean… you look…" Dorothy shrugged, realizing how petty her now unwarranted concern had been.
"Everything's fine… let's go…" Michaela rolled her eyes, slipping a hand around Dorothy's shoulders as they made their way out onto the porch, Michaela closed the door as the pair strolled side by side towards Grace's.
X.O.X
"Oh, Sully… that just looks absolutely magnificent!" Michaela exclaimed, as Matthew placed the freshly roasted turkey down on the edge of the table.
"You're welcome… didn't think I was gonna have any luck… but then… just appeared outa nowhere…" Sully watched as Matthew carefully began slicing the meat and transferring it onto people's plates.
"Yeah, Sully… it's great…" Brian reached eagerly for Colleen and Sully's hands, knowing that the sooner they started the blessing, the sooner they could eat.
"Thanks, Brian…" Sully took his hand, the five of them lowering their heads, Colleen quickly taking care of grace, everyone hungrily beginning to devour their supper.
"So, what's happening tomorrow, Sully? Can we go swimmnin'?" Brian had become accustomed to their regular Saturday outings.
"No, Brian… need to speak to ya Ma 'bout tomorrow…" Sully met eyes with Michaela briefly, unsure as to whether she still wanted to proceed with the pre arranged meeting.
"You do?" Michaela frowned, something niggling at her, although unable to recall specific details, very unlike her.
"Later…" Sully dismissed with a small smile, Michaela's jovial mood refreshing, however somewhat surprising.
"Aww, Sully… is it a surprise? I wanna know… please?" Brian begged, turning to Sully with his most pleading pout.
"Brian…" Colleen warned, Michaela glancing at Sully indicating for him to discuss whatever it was he was planning freely, having absolutely no recollection of the week before.
"Well… thought I'd bring Cloud Dancin' and Snowbird around… tomorrow afternoon… go fishing… or swimming… whatever someone wants…" Sully had turned to Brian's expectant face at that point, only seeing Michaela drop her fork to her plate out of the corner of his eye. Nonetheless, Brian's excited giggle was no distraction however, and he turned back to her with a worried glance.
"You said you didn't mind…" Michaela cut him off instantly, Matthew and Colleen appearing visibly apprehensive.
"No… it's fine… I'd just… forgotten…" She slowly grasped the fork in her left hand once again, her mind clouding with emotion, her anxiety unwittingly building.
"Didn't think you sounded too sure last week… wanted to double check. You know you don't have to… they'll understand…" Michaela had glanced from each of the children's faces as Sully spoke, Matthew and Colleen looking apprehensively supportive, Brian remaining naively enthusiastic.
"Sully, I said it's fine." Michaela's voice was resolute, everyone slowly absorbing themselves back in the food on their plates, Sully glancing across occasionally between mouthfuls, trying to meet Michaela's gaze.
X.O.X
"Am serious, Dr. Mike… you're havin' second thoughts… and it's cancelled…" Sully had stepped out onto the front porch, the children busy inside, Matthew and Brian playing checkers, Colleen reading.
Michaela turned, looking around at the voice, staying seated quietly on the top step. Sully crossing the small distance to her side, taking a seat an appropriate distance from her.
"No… I… I'm not having second thoughts, by any means… I'd just... forgotten." She shook her head lightly, surprised at her memory lapse.
"Well… you were pretty upset last week… ain't no problem… I'll go and…" Sully was about to continue, Michaela and he speaking simultaneously.
"I was just…" She stopped looking across at him, each breaking into an amused chuckle, Sully gesturing for her to continue.
"It's nothing… I just… I wanted to apologize for last week… I know I've not been the best company recently…" Michaela watched as Sully began studying her face again, his eyes moving slowly, not saying a word.
"What… what were you going to say…?" Michaela swallowed uneasily in response to Sully's lingering stare, knowing he was only being himself, however starting to feel thoroughly uncomfortable.
"Well… what I was gonna say… weren't what I am gonna say… what I am gonna say, is that I'm… real proud a ya… and I want you to know. Cloud Dancin' and Snowbird both just want you to be comfortable… Now Snowbird's worried 'bout ya… she really looks up to you… Cloud Dancin' feels ashamed… feels responsible…" Sully watched Michaela's face drop, as she looked away, realizing what they were both really talking about.
"I know… but there's no reason… it wasn't like he was…" Michaela let her eyes drop closed but fluttered them back open immediately when her consciousness was overcome by a flashback.
"He knows that… but ya can't help it… you don't think I feel just as… responsible?" Sully noticed the opportunity to broach the subject, sensing Michaela would be in a more receptive mood.
"Sully… don't…" Michaela looked across at Wolf, head on his paws, watching them from the grass.
"We need to… talk about this…" Sully saw his hand move automatically from his knee, about to reach for her, however quickly dropping it to the step, realizing he didn't want to push her again.
"Just not… yet… I just… I've missed the children… you… please, I just want some time to enjoy that… I don't want to remember, yet…" She trailed off, drawing a strained breath.
"You ain't ever gonna forget, Michaela… neither am I… it ain't about forgettin'… it's about being able to live in spite of rememberin'." He reached for her arm, expecting her to pull away. Slowly, their gazes moved from his fingers locked lightly around her small wrist, upwards, until they were facing each other, both their eyes filling with tears.
"When you're ready, Michaela… I'll be here…" Sully released his grasp, Michaela let her eyelids close softly, hearing him stand and make his way back inside.
"Who's winnin'?" Sully folded his arms with a slightly forced smile, sitting on the edge of the bed behind Brian.
"Matthew… he jumped on me twice… now I'm trapped…" Brian raised his arms in playful defeat, Matthew chuckling devilishly, moving the checker piece one step forwards.
"You've thrashed me plenty a times… this is payback…" Matthew responded, Brian moving his single remaining piece to the only available square.
"Sorry little brother…" Matthew shrugged his shoulders, triumphantly carrying out the final jump, removing Brian's piece from the board.
"Aww, man…" Brian hung his head, Sully patting his shoulder in condolence.
"You'll get him next time… 'sides, only a game…" Sully managed to capture Brian's attention away from his recent 'tragedy', the small boy crossing his legs and changing the subject.
"Are Cloud Dancin' and his wife really comin' over tomorrow? Did Ma say yes?" Brian diverted his focus swiftly to the new conversation, Matthew glaring doubtfully at Sully as he packed up the game.
"Yeah… she did… thought we'd go down the creek, you can go swimmin', or just fish if you want?" Sully offered, starting to wonder just how the reunion would be carried out.
"Swimmin'… ain't been swimmin' in ages…" Brian's eagerness surfaced immediately, Colleen's attention being pulled from the book she was engrossed in.
"Dr. Mike… really said yes?" Colleen repeated, barely believing it.
Sully nodded, with a warm smile, Brian frowning as he slowly pieced all the information he'd be storing together.
"But the Indians hurt Ma… ain't she mad at him… ain't she scared a him?" Brian turned back to Sully, pulling himself forwards, splayed across the middle of the bed, head in his hands.
"No, Brian… because… you remember, it was the renegade Indians who hurt Dr. Mike… Cloud Dancin' and Snowbird feel bad about what's happened… So tomorrow, Brian… I'm gonna stay with Dr. Mike, Cloud Dancin' and Snowbird, we're all gonna talk for a bit… you and Colleen and Matthew can go swimmin'?" Sully offered, Matthew nodding supportively, indicating he would once again keep his siblings under his wing.
Brian nodded, understanding as much as was possible given his tender age.
"Sully? I don't gotta hate Cloud Dancin', do I?" The young boy looked up, his mind in conflict.
"No, Brian, 'course not. You just remember Cloud Dancin', Snowbird, and the rest of the Cheyenne villagers are still our friends." Sully reassured, and rubbed the boy's back. Colleen and Matthew exchanged not-so reassured expressions. This wasn't going to be easy.
X.O.X
Saturday, 8th July, 1869
One Day Later
X.O.X
"Perhaps this is not a wise decision?" Cloud Dancing, Sully and Snowbird dismounted their horses still fifty or so yards from the homestead.
"No-one's sayin' this is gonna be easy… but we have to try. Dr. Mike assured me she's ready… and just as long as we take things slowly… it'll be fine." Sully brushed the man's upper arm, seeing his mournful nervousness.
"He is right. We have not got the right to be afraid... we are not the ones with reason to feel fear…" Snowbird observed, she and Cloud Dancing noticing the homestead in the distance.
"The spirits have spoken of trouble… of great pains to come… I fear this meeting is what they speak of…" Cloud Dancing, Snowbird and Sully watched as Michaela and the children appeared from behind the front door, each lining up along the porch railing, Brian spotting the approaching trio immediately, pointing eagerly.
"It will be all right… Come…" Snowbird reached for her husband's hand, continuing their slow walk along the path leading to the homestead.