Just some snippets of conversations and memories the boys have on the trail. (This piece may have additions once in a while)

LIFE AFTER AMNESTY

"Heyes, do you think we'll really get this amnesty someday?" Kid asked as they rode slowly in the scorching temperature of the Arizona mountains.

"You having doubts, Kid?" Heyes asked.

"It just seems like we've been at this a very long time and ain't made no progress."

Heyes smiled sympathetically. He'd been having the same doubts recently. Wyoming was now on the fourth governor in two years and each governor seemed more reluctant than the last to consider amnesty for two outlaws with ten thousand dollar rewards on their heads and facing twenty years in prison.

"Kid, you think about what your going to do when we do get amnesty?" Heyes asked.

"Amnesty is so far away, it don't seem sensible to try to think that far ahead."

"You're so interested in guns, maybe you could open a gun store somewhere."

Kid laughed. "The Kid Curry Gun Shop. I bet I'd get a lot of customers. Every two bit gunslinger would come just want to out draw me. And one day one of them would succeed. "

"Okay," Heyes agreed. "Maybe another line of work. How about farming or ranching?"

"They both take a lot of seed money. Do you think any bank is going to loan Kid Curry any money?"

"You're quite the pessimist this morning, Kid."

"What are you going to do, Heyes?"

"You'll just laugh if I tell you."

"No I won't. Promise."

"Well, I'd like to go to college."

"College?"

"Yep. Become a financier."

"What's that?"

"Somebody that handles other people's money."

"So, robbing people legally?"

"No, They invest people's money, makes people more money. A financier earns a percentage of the profits."

"Sort of like, if you play poker with my money, and you win, you get a percentage of the winnings?"

"Sort of. A financier invests in businesses, companies, not gambling venues."

"You want to get married ever?" Kid asked

"Probably. It would be nice to be settled, have a wife and children. How about you?"

"I don't think I'm the husband type."

"Too many oats to sow?"

"No, it ain't that. I don't want to stay in one place. I like moving around. I'm just tired of being on the run. I want to move around when I want to, not when I have to."

"So maybe the cowboy life would suit you?"

"Maybe for a few years. Can't do that kind of work as you get older."

"You could become a Bannerman Detective. They move around a lot. Plus, you have an inside advantage on the working mind of an outlaw."

"Yea, me and Harry Brisco could become partners. No thanks."

"You could go to work for the Winchester Company or the Colt Company. Why I bet you could work your way up to designing guns, or travel around the country selling guns. That way you wouldn't have to stay in one place very long. Kill two birds with one stone"

Kid thought about that and smiled. "I like that idea."

"And I bet either one of those companies would be proud to have the fastest gun in the west working for them. It could be a selling point."

"And as a financier, you could sell investments in the company."

Heyes laughed. "Maybe I could."

"So in a round-about way, we'd still be partners."

Heyes smiled. "Kid, no matter what, we will always be partners."

UNTOLD RICHES

"Kid, how much money you got?" Heyes asked as the two men on horseback rode slowly down the dirt road that stretched for miles ahead of them.

Kid reached into his vest pocket and brought out a small handful of coins. He opened his fist and began counting. "Two dollars and twenty-seven cents," he announced. "How much you got?"

"A dollar, forty-five," Heyes replied without bothering to count the money in his pocket.

Kid was quiet while he calculated the total sum

Heyes remained silent but rolled his eyes at the amount of time it was taking Kid to tally their life's savings.

"Three dollars and sixty-eight cents," Kid said proudly.

"Enough for a hotel room and two steak dinners with sixty-eight cents change, or enough for one poker hand and a couple of beers. What's your vote?"

"I get to vote?" Kid asked

"Sure, but if we disagree it will be a tie vote, in which case..."

"We flip a coin," Kid said, finishing the sentence.

Heyes smiled. "Who's coin?"

"Not yours," Kid replied.

"So what's your vote?" Heyes asked.

"With sixty-eight cents change, I call dibs on a bath," Kid replied.

"Give me a coin, Kid. I guess we're flipping for it."

Kid chose a shiny Indian Head penny and handed it to Heyes before putting his money back in his vest pocket.

"Call it," Heyes said, tossing the penny in the air.

"Heads."

Heyes caught the penny with his right hand and slapped it on the back of his left. He held his left hand out for Kid to inspect. Kid shook his head and sighed heavily.

"You'd better get a damn good poker hand," Kid said.

"Kid, if anybody can turn that three dollars into ten dollars, you know it's going to be me," Heyes said confidently.

"True, Heyes. But it's also true that if anybody can lose that three dollars faster than I can draw my gun, it's gonna be you, too."

Heyes frowned. "You need to have more confidence in me, Kid."

"Oh, I have confidence in you, Heyes. Just not when it comes to money."

"You think you handle money better than me, Kid?"

"Proven by the fact that I have more money than you, Heyes.".

"If you really were rich, what would you do with all your money?"

"How did I get rich?" Kid asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, did I get rich from robbing banks? Did I get rich from hard work?" Did I get rich from inheriting the money from some rich relative? Did I get rich from swindling some old lady?""

"I never realized there were so many ways to get rich. What would you do with all your money?" Heyes asked.

"One thing I know is I would sleep in a real bed every night?"

"You'd buy a house?" Heyes asked

"It could be at a hotel bed. I told you I don't want to settle in one place," Kid said and then a smile broke out across his face. "It could be a sleeper car on the Union-Pacific Railroad," he exclaimed excitedly. "I could travel in my sleep."

Heyes smiled. "What else would you do with your money?"

"I don't know, Heyes. I've never had more than a few dollars at one time, except when we were robbing banks and trains.. What would you do if you were rich?"

Heyes smiled, enjoying the thought of being more than comfortable financially. "I think I would buy a casino and just keep wracking in more money."

"So no amount of money is enough for you?"

"No amount of money is enough for anyone, Kid. Look at the owners of railroads, banks, newspapers. They all just keep working and just keep adding to their wealth."

"I don't think I would even want that much money,"

Why not?"

"Cause there will always be someone wanting to rob me."

Heyes laughed out loud. "You've got a good point, Kid."

THE KID BECOMES A MAN

Kid Curry laid on his back on his bedroll, his head resting on the seat of his saddle. It was well after midnight but he couldn't sleep. The full moon cast a soft light around the camp sight and camp fire crackled and snapped. Kid glanced over at his partner, snoring regularly in his sleep.

Kid smiled and closed his eyes. His mind wandered back over his life. The childhood abruptly ended at the age of ten when soldiers raided the Curry Kansas farm, slaughtering his parents, two sisters and older brother, his year at the Valparaiso School for Wayward boys that had proven to be a reformatory for two boys who, at that time, did not need to be reformed. He jerked his head to scatter those thoughts into the recesses of his memories. They had not been pleasant years and, had it not been for his cousin Hannibal Heyes, Kid doubted he would have survived.

He thought about their first job after running away from the Boys School. Somehow seventeen year old Heyes had managed to convince the owner of the Bar T ranch that he and his thirteen year old cousin, Jed could hold their own as capable ranch hands, a feat in itself as neither of the boys had ever done ranch work before. The other ranch hands had accepted the two boys, even taken them under their wings, and taught them to be men.

But Heyes had always been protective of Kid, overly protective as far as Kid was concerned and Kid had struggled to make Heyes see he was growing up. He was becoming a man, albeit a young, man. The other ranch hands had watched Kid develop his fast draw and skill of accuracy, had seen his body develop strong muscles, had witnessed his increasingly protective guard over his less gun-skilled cousin. By the time he was fifteen, Kid could hold his liquor as well any any man, could out draw every hand on the ranch, and with icy cold blue eyes, could intimidate anyone with thoughts of hurting himself or Heyes.

But Heyes still treated him like a boy, giving little consideration to any of Kid's ideas, adamantly restricting anything beyond conversation with any of the saloon girls, and keeping a tight rein on any of Kid's attempts at independence. Kid was growing increasingly resentful of Heyes' control and was determined to prove, if only to himself, he was no longer a boy.

Kid smiled as he thought back to one particular Saturday night. As usual, all the ranch hands were primping for a Saturday night in town, more specifically, a Saturday night at the saloon where liquor, poker and women flowed freely.

It was his seventeenth birthday and he spent the afternoon primping as much as the other hands. He had taken a bar of soap down to the lake and spent the better part of an hour washing the week's worth of dust and grime from his body. He had shaved the youthful stubble from his face. He put on his best jeans, his royal blue shirt, and his leather vest. Topping off the ensemble with his wide-brimmed brown hat. He carefully counted out ten dollars from the small pouch that held his life savings, before putting the pouch back carefully under his mattress.

Today, Jed Curry was a man. A man with a plan.

Heyes and Jed pushed open the batwing doors and walked up to the bar. Heyes raised two fingers to the bartender who then brought them each a beer. Heyes turned to Kid and raised his mug of beer.

"Happy birthday, Kid."

Kid nodded, smiled, and touched his mug to Heyes' before taking a long gulp of his beer. Heyes turned his back to the bar, rested the heel of his boot on the brass footrest near the floor, and carefully sized up the poker tables. Finding one to his liking, Heyes pushed away from the bar, grabbed his beer, and headed to the table. "I'll see you later, Kid," he called as he walked away.

Kid didn't bother to turn around. He knew Heyes' mind was not on him, or his birthday. He gulped down the rest of his beer and ordered another, dropping twenty cents on the bar to pay for his two beers. Heyes could settle his own debt.

"Jed, haven't seen you in here for a while," Kid turned around at the sound Annie's voice. He'd been hoping Annie would take notice of him being there. Annie was young, maybe twenty Kid guessed. She had heather blonde hair that she let hang loosely down her back. She had the most beautiful blue eyes Kid had ever seen. Being around her always made him feel nervous in a good way.

"Happy birthday," she cooed

"How did you know?" Kid asked

"I heard Heyes say it. How old are you?'

"Seventeen."

Annie smiled seductively and gently ran her arm up and down Kid's arm. "You're turning into quite the man... Buy a girl a drink?"

Kid raised two fingers to the bartender who brought Kid another beer and Annie a shot of whiskey. Kid put two bits on the counter. He took another long gulp of his beer. Annie sipped at her whiskey.

"Want to celebrate your birthday?" Annie asked.

Kid turned his head to see if Heyes was watching but Heyes was seated with his back to Kid. He looked at Annie and smiled. "That's the plan," he said

Annie's eyes scanned Kid head to toe to head. She smiled as she reached down and took Kid's hand. "Follow me," she and led him away from the bar and slowly up the stairs. Kid again glanced in Heyes' direction but Heyes was obviously focused on his poker hand.

Annie opened the door to one of the rooms and Kid hesitated for a moment. Annie gave his hand a gentle tug and he followed her in, kicking the door shut with his boot.

"I've been waiting for you for two years, Jed. Ever since that first time I saw you walk in."

Kid blushed. "Me too," he said. "For you."

Annie smiled. She moved closer. She slid her arms around his waist and moved in closer till he could feel her soft breasts against his chest. He was both nervous and excited at the same time and he lowered his head and kissed her, surprised by her passionate response.

Annie gently pushed him back until the back of his legs hit the bed and he sat down. Then she slowly pulled away and took a few steps back.. He watched her as she slowly and seductively undressed. He felt his own body changing, growing.

She stood naked in front of him, smiling. "Now it's your turn," she said.

Kid pulled off boots and gun belt and then removed his vest and shirt. She admired his bare chest.

"Wait, let me do the rest," she said

He slowly stood up and Annie seductively removed his belt and unbuttoned his jeans. Kid smiled and leaned down to kiss her again. She wrapped her arms under his and rested her hands on his shoulders. The she let her hands move down to his hips and lowered his jeans and long johns in one smooth move. Kid stepped out of his pants and underwear.

Annie took a step back and her eyes very slowly traced his body. She smiled approvingly. "I think this has been well worth the wait," she said.

Two hours later they still lay in the bed, wrapped in each other's arms. Kid had never felt such contentment. He wanted the night to last forever.

"So, did I make your birthday memorable?" Annie asked.

Kid smiled. "Best birthday ever," he replied.

Annie smiled. "Ready to go back downstairs?" she asked.

"I don't ever want to go downstairs," Kid replied.

Annie laughed. "Jed, you've got a lot of oats to sew and you're going to break a lot of hearts."

Kid looked concerned. "Did I break your heart?" he asked earnestly.

Annie smiled. "No man is every going to break my heart, Jed. But you probably came the closest. Come on, we gotta get dressed and go downstairs.

Reluctantly Kid climbed out of bed and dressed. He helped Annie fasten her corset and kissed the back of her neck.

"What do I owe you, Annie," Jed asked.

Annie turned around and looked into Kid's amazingly blue eyes. She shook her head slowly. "This was on the house. Happy birthday, Jed."

Kid opened his eyes, startled to find himself lying on the ground on his bedroll. He heard Heyes still snoring. The fire was almost burned out so Kid pulled himself to his feet and added some wood to the fire. He made coffee and set the pot in the embers to warm. He sat down on a log near the fire and thought of Annie. He wondered where she was now, if she was still a saloon girl or if she had found some cowboy to settle down with. He hoped she was as happy as she had made him that Saturday night so long ago. .

WAR THOUGHTS

"Kid, what's on your mind?" Heyes asked as the two rode slowly along the dirt path that some folks referred to as road.

"What makes you think there's something on my mind?" Kid asked.

"Cause we've been riding in silence for the last half hour. I know you're not a talker when it comes to other people, but you're usually pretty chatty when it's just you and me traveling."

"Uh," Kid responded.

"So, what is it your pondering so hard on?"

"Just... thinking,"

"About what?"

Kid sighed. He wasn't sure he wanted to talk about his thoughts. Whenever he broached the subject, Heyes usually cut him off, telling him the past was the past and there was no point harping on it.

"Kid?" Heyes prodded.

"War," Kid said quietly.

"Heyes frowned and was grateful to be riding lead so Kid could not see the frown."

"What about it?" Heyes asked, wondering if he should let Kid go there with his thoughts

"Don't worry, Heyes. I'm not thinking about our families specifically, just war in general," Kid said as if reading Heyes' mind.

"Alright, what about war in general?"

"Well there can't be no war lest there's soldiers,"

"And?"

"Well, take this last war. There were plenty of soldiers on both sides."

"And?"

"And for some reason, they just couldn't be satisfied with killing each other. I been thinking about why soldiers and armies can't be satisfied with just killing each other; about why they all feel they haveta kill just regular folks as well."

"Did you come up with an answer?"

"I think so."

"So what's your answer?"

"Greed. Plain and simple."

"That sounds like a right smart answer, Kid. Greed for what?"

"Food, possessions, land. The north was greedy for more land in the south. The south was greedy for more land in the north."

"And being a border state, Kansas just got caught in the middle."

Kid nodded.

"Kid?"

"Yea?"

"Why do you think we robbed banks?"

Kid thought about it for a minute "Greed," he reluctantly admitted.

"So are we any different than the soldiers and the armies?"

"Yep."

"How so?" Heyes asked, intrigued by Kid's quick response.

"We never kilt nobody over our greed."

Heyes was silent for over a minute. "Kid?"

"Yep?"

"You think if the soldiers had let them, our folks would have just handed over the food, the possessions, and the land?"

No,"

"What do you think that says about our folks?"

"Are you saying they was greedy, too?"

"No. I'm saying they were...noble and very, very brave."

"Cause they put up a fight for what was theirs?"

"In part... Did you every stop to think that maybe they were protecting you and me?"

"You and me?"

"I bet they knew it wasn't a fight they could win. But they also knew you and me were out fishing, away from the homesteads... Safe from all the bullets, all the perils of war... I think we can be very proud of our folks, Kid. They died so you and me wouldn't."

"If that's so, I bet we sure would be a disappointment to them."

"Why?"

"Becoming bank robbers, having bounties on us?"

"You don't think they would be proud of us for seeing the errors of our ways?"

"I guess they would at that." Kid smiled thinking of his father being proud of him.

"Heyes?"

"Yea?"

"I'm glad we're related."

Heyes smiled. "I am too, Kid

DEATH

Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry rode slowly along the shoreline of the Great Salt Lake in southern Utah. It was a hot day in the salt desert and they were thankful for the occasional soft breeze that blew in off the lake. They had no particular destination in mind other than to stay out of Wyoming as long as possible.

Heyes looked out across the blue water that seemed to stretch on for miles. His mind wandered and he made no effort to draw in his thoughts or spend much time focused on any particular topic.

"Heyes?

No answer.

Heyes?"

No answer.

Heyes!"

"What?"

"I asked you what you were thinking about?"

"Not much of anything in particular. What about you?"

"I'm too hot and tired to be thinking... But it did occur to me how good a cold beer sounds right about now."

"You're right about that."

They rode silently for a couple of miles

"Kid?"

"Yea?"

"You ever think about dying?"

"Dying?"

"Yea, dying."

"I try to avoid that line of thinking, Heyes. Not good for a gun fighter to focus on dying"

"Oh."

"Heyes?"

"You every think about dying?"

"Ordinarily I'd say no, but I have been for the last five minutes or so."

"So, what are you thinking, about dying?"

"I don't know...Just about how it's inevitable."

"That's true. I mean we all have to go sometime."

"How would you like to go, Kid?"

"Don't matter."

"You mean you don't care how?"

"No, I mean it don't matter how I want to go because I know how I will go."

"So how will you go?"

"One day someone's gonna call me out and they're going to be just a hair faster then me. It's... what was that word you just used?"

"Inevitable?"

"Yea, inevitable."

"You don't think you'll reach a ripe old age, Kid?"

"Heyes, who's gonna call out some old man and how many old men do you know that are still fast draws?

"I see your point, Kid... I hope your wrong though."

"Thanks."

Again they rode in silence.

"Heyes?"

"Yea?"

"How do you think you're going to go?"

"I'd like to go in my sleep. You know, peacefully. But I think it will be more like you... Not a fast draw mind you,... but a bullet.

"Heyes?"

"I hope you're wrong, too."

"Thanks, Kid.