Chapter 1

Jimmy took his time riding back towards Rock Creek. It had come to the place where he hated going home. He hated returning because she would be there. She would be there with Kid. Louise had broke it off with him a few months ago. He had been seeing her for only about six months but to him, those six months had been his everything. His hopes, his dreams, and just perhaps the promise of a brighter future had been crushed with her words that day. He should have known. Lou had belonged to Kid since day one. She was destined to be his wife. He always loved the ones that he couldn't have or either didn't love him back. He knew he should have never acted on his feelings. She had called it off with Kid and for a few, he just it lay. Then she started talking more and more to him. They started getting closer and he let her in when he knew better. He courted her for six months until that fateful day that she had ultimately killed him. He thought things were only looking up for him until she said those words.

'Jimmy, I feel like this isn't what I want. I love Kid. He was my first love and the one I can never forget. I've been talking to him again lately and I feel my heart drawn to him. I'm so sorry. I never meant to hurt you in any way. I love you Jimmy. Please don't take this the wrong way. Please understand.'

So naturally, I did what I do. I told her whatever and walked away to never look back. But I did look back. That time with her had given me hope for myself. Now as I slowly rode back in from yet another ride, I realized that I was indeed hopeless. There weren't much use fighting it anymore. I was to become what the world had already made me out to be.

The door to the bunkhouse flew open as Jimmy walked inside. Cody and Buck were the only ones sitting in there. They flinched as the door slammed back shut.

"Ride ok?" Asked Buck.

"Fine."

"We're going out tonight. You want to go?" Asked Cody.

"Nope."

Jimmy grabbed some clothes and went to wash up. Buck and Cody looked across the table at each other.

"We got rid of all the Kid and Lou drama but now we got one angry ass bear to deal with every day." Said Cody.

"I know. I just don't know what to say to him. Maybe we shouldn't say anything at all. Just let him get over this on his own."

"Buck, she called it off months ago. Don't you think it's about time?"

"Ain't sure. I think I'm going to talk with Teaspoon. See what he has to say. Something has got to give."

Buck walked and eased his way onto the porch looking around to make sure Jimmy wasn't in sight. It had seemed to become a thing with all of them. They would look for Jimmy before making a move anywhere in order to just stay out of his way. Buck saw it was clear so he made his way walking over to Teaspoon's office. He went and woke Teaspoon from his afternoon nap.

"Teaspoon? Can I talk with you for a few?"

"Sorry, ya caught me off guard. I was just resting my eyes for a minute. What's on your mind?"

"I think I speak for everyone when I say this. You got to do something about Jimmy."

"Why, has he been fighting with y'all lately? If so I ain't heard if it."

"No. It's just. You know. It's gotten to the point where we can't take much more."

"Buck, I know. I see how he has changed but he hasn't missed a ride or any of his chores. He has been doing his job. I tried to ask him about it the other day but I couldn't get anywhere."

"But Teaspoon, it has gotten to the point where we all just try to avoid him. It's crazy when you have to look around to make sure that one person isn't there just so you can walk around. It's hard to be in the same bunkhouse with him every night."

"I'll talk to him again. I know it's hard but we all know Jimmy. When something's eatin at him, he has to figure it out on his own and it takes time. But, I'll see what I can do."

"Thank you. It's getting to where we can hardly stand to be around him."

"I'll talk to him as soon as I get the chance."

"Shit. Here comes your chance. I got to go. And this didn't come from me."

Teaspoon watched as Buck went out the back door just to avoid running into Jimmy. He walked by Teaspoon's office and didn't even stop to speak. He was looking at his feet while he walked.

"Jimmy!"

He stopped and took a few steps back to the door.

"Yeah."

"Come on in and have a seat. It's been a while since you stopped in here."

Jimmy grunted and flopped down in a chair. Teaspoon tried to study his face but he kept turning away.

"What's the news?"

"Nothing that I know of."

"Jimmy, ya ain't heard nothin interestin. Lord this town is gettin boring then."

"Nope. Nothing."

"Well how was your ride?"

"What do you want, Teaspoon? I know you didn't just stop me to make small talk."

"If you must know, I have been getting some complaints lately about your attitude."

"I should have figured as much. Those sons of bitches always talk behind my back."

"Now son, stop it right there. They ain't trying to start anything. It's just that life in the bunkhouse has been kinda rough lately. I want to know what's going on."

"Nothing is going on."

"I can see for myself that ya ain't yourself. What's wrong, son, and how can I help? The boys have been going out of their way to avoid you and it has to stop. We all got to get along."

"Avoid me. That's all they do is avoid me. No one gives a damn about what's going on in my life! All they want to do is stay away from me! Well they can get their wish!" Jimmy said as he slammed his fist on Teaspoon's desk.

"Now hold it! I ain't saying that to piss you off even more! I am asking what's wrong so I can help you."

"No, you're only asking cause they don't want to be around me." Jimmy walked out the door.

Teaspoon watched his troubled boy storm off. He sighed. He never has been the easy one.