Chapter 15
Teaspoon made Jimmy stay in jail for two days. Kimberly came to try to speak with him but he would not utter another word. Jimmy was released to Cody on the third day.
"Don't you got a meeting today?"
"I ain't going back."
"Same time?"
"I ain't going back."
"Same place I would guess."
"I told you I wasn't going back!"
"Look at the time. Let's head on over. Don't want you to be late." Cody said as he shoved Jimmy along to the school.
Jimmy walked in and Cody closed the door standing outside. Kimberly came and looked him over.
"At least they'll fade."
"Don't really care if they don't."
"Sit. Let's talk."
Jimmy slumped down in a chair but didn't say anything. He just stared past her.
"Jimmy, look at me. I have been talking to you for weeks now. The one main thing that I have learned about you is that you are so much better than this and deep down you know it."
Jimmy looked out the window.
"You are a strong young man. A tough young man. I've been thinking. Maybe we've been going about this all wrong."
That got Jimmy's attention as he cut his eyes to look at her.
"Maybe taking the bottle from you is wrong. Maybe it would help you let it all out. Maybe a drink wouldn't hurt."
Jimmy listened and watched as she walked over to her bag that was sitting on the floor. She pulled out a bottle and a shot glass. She sat it down in front of him. He looked at her.
"Maybe a little wouldn't hurt. What do you think?" She smiled at him.
"You're gonna let me have it." He said.
"Sure if you will come talk to me. No running off, no saloon, just me and you. Sounds like a fair deal, don't you think?"
"They'll know."
"No one will suspect a nice church going lady like me to give it to you. Sides just drink some of this lemonade behind it. Should hide the smell." She smiled playfully at him.
"Are you setting me up for something?"
"No."
"Then why?"
"Because James Hickok, I can't get through to you any other way. Sides, I wanted you to start coming on your own so I could speak to you alone. You're too damn stubborn for that. But here's the deal. You don't run off, go to the saloon, or act like an ass. You come to see me every other day like you're supposed to and I'll have it waiting for you."
Jimmy frowned but stared at the bottle she had in her hands. He thought it over as she kept the bottle in his line of sight.
"Ok."
"Perfect."
She filled the glass and handed it to him. She smiled as he tossed it back and closed his eyes. She had him. Now to just get him alone away from his friends.
Kimberly didn't keep Jimmy long that afternoon. She watched as he walked out to Cody. She smiled as she watched them walk away toward the station. He would be back day after tomorrow. She had no reason to think otherwise.
