Chapter 16
Jimmy saw Kimberly every other day for the next week. He asked Teaspoon if he could start seeing her every day. Teaspoon had spoke to her and she had readily agreed. He watched Jimmy's mood lift a little. Kid had wanted to try to take a turn again and when he asked Jimmy, he said it would be fine. Teaspoon smiled as he watched them walk through town. Things were possibly starting to look up. Teaspoon turned to see Lou walking up.
"How are things, Lou?"
"Fine, I guess."
"Something the matter?"
"Can I talk to you inside?"
"Come on in."
They walked to stand inside his office. He shut the door. He waited for Lou to start.
"Teaspoon, this girl that Jimmy's been talking to, how well do you know her?"
"I don't really. She plays the organ at church. Why?"
"I've never seen her family in town. They live right outside of town but they never come in town. I think that's odd."
"Kimberly comes to town and gets a few things. What brought this up?"
"Honestly Teaspoon, Jimmy has been having problems ever since I got back with Kid. I know it's my fault that he's drinking. I accept that but don't you think it's odd how he just stopped."
"Maybe she got through to him. She said she used to help people where she used to live. I think she was just what he needed."
"But he was seeing her every other day and it was a nightmare for us to get him there, and now he seems almost too eager to go. Not to mention he wants to see her every day now. Don't you think you should go see what they're doing?"
"Lou, what's making you so suspicious about this girl? I thought you would be happy to get our Jimmy back?"
"That's just it. He acts anxious when he goes and happy when he gets back. I'm telling you to please go see."
"Louise, does this have anything to do with her being a young lady that has got his attention? You're actin a little jealous."
"That's not it at all! I'm with Kid now and that's where I want to be. I just know what's happened in his past and I think you should find out more about her. That's all."
"Lou, are you sure that's it?"
"It is." She said as she turned to walk away.
Teaspoon sighed and rubbed his face as he watched her go. Maybe he would take tomorrow and be Hickok's shadow.
The next day dawned bright. Teaspoon walked over to the bunkhouse to start his day with Jimmy. He waited on the porch for him to come out. He finally eased out door.
"Well, what we got goin on today?"
"You're my babysitter today?"
"Sure am."
"Don't you think y'all been following me enough? Ain't it time."
"No it ain't been long enough. Now what can we do today?"
"Nothing."
"Well I got the day off from town, let me think. Let's go clean up my room. Then let's go eat in town. I'm paying."
Jimmy grunted but followed behind him. As the day wore on, Teaspoon noticed Jimmy got more restless. He started to pace and look around. He had to force him to eat his lunch. When he said it was time to go meet Kimberly, Jimmy did seem anxious to get there. Teaspoon walked over and pulled a chair outside the door to sit. Jimmy walked in and closed the door behind him. Teaspoon pulled his hat down on his head and closed his eyes.
"I see you have a new friend today." Said Kimberly.
"Yeah. It's starting to get under my skin."
"It's ok. This will help you relax." She smiled as she pulled out the bottle again.
Jimmy smiled back at her as she poured the shot. She had been letting him have half the bottle before she let him leave. It was just enough to make him happy and keep him coming back without being too overly drunk. It was time to get down to business. She had another target in a few days to attend to.
"I was thinking that maybe you could take me for a ride. Just us so we can talk about everything."
"They would never let me go."
"You can't keep letting them treat you like you are less of a person. They run you over and push you around."
She had spoke again to Teaspoon about letting him come by himself but she just couldn't persuade the old goat. It was time to put her other plan into motion. If she couldn't earn the old man's trust, then it was time to use Jimmy's feelings to turn him against them. Time was ticking and money was being thrown away. She never did it where people could see. She always did it one on one and then she vanished. She watched Jimmy's expression as she poured him another drink.
"Just ask him."
"He ain't gonna do it."
"So you are just going to let them tell you what to do. What happened to the strong man that I first met, the one who fought with everything that he had for himself."
Jimmy didn't answer. He stared at the floor. She poured some more.
"Meet me at the river tonight." She smiled.
"How?"
"Can't you sneak out? I'll bring more of this with me. We can talk and drink then I'll get you back before daylight."
Just then the door started to open. Kimberly put the bottle on the floor behind the desk. Teaspoon peeked inside.
"It was mighty quiet in here. Thought I'd just look in and see. Maybe you can give me a few tips on my boy here." Teaspoon said as he walked closer.
"Well that's up to Jimmy, really. I promised not to say anything about what we discuss here." She said.
Teaspoon pulled up a chair beside Jimmy. Jimmy wouldn't look at him. He didn't say anything.
"So Miss Kimberly, where are you from and how did you learn all this?"
"Well really neither from here nor there. I don't rightly like to talk about my past." She said. She could use this old nosy man to her advantage.
"Fair enough. We all got ghosts in our pasts it seems." Teaspoon replied as he looked over to where she was sitting on the desk. He saw the glass pushed behind her.
"I wouldn't say that I have ghosts, I've just been through some bad times. I feel like I've learned from my past in order to help others."
"That's a good way to put it." Teaspoon said watching Jimmy.
"Jimmy, how much longer you think you're gonna be?"
"I ain't sure." He said looking the other way.
Teaspoon smelled it on him when he spoke. He frowned and looked back toward Kimberly.
"Care to tell me what was in that glass there?"
"What glass?" Said Jimmy.
"He means this one." She said holding it up.
"That's the one." Said Teaspoon trying not to show his anger.
Jimmy looked down.
"It had whiskey in it." She said matter of factly.
"Why would you have that here and why do I smell it on him?"
"It was a test."
"You're not that great of a liar. I see why he wants to come here all the time. You've been pouring him that poison, ain't ya. What do you have to gain by this?"
"If you must know, he couldn't just stop so I give him a little each day."
Teaspoon stood up angry. He turned toward Jimmy.
"Get up, we're going and you ain't gonna come see her again. Lou was right. I should have checked in a long time ago."
Jimmy knocked the desk over. He got in Teaspoon's face.
"You can't tell me what I can or can't do! If I want to see her then I will!"
"Settle down! Lou was right about her all along. I should have listened to her."
"Lou! Why the fuck does she care anyway?! Why the fuck do you care?! Go ahead, listen to Louise. Everyone else does."
"Jimmy, that's enough. She came to me cause she was worried about you just like the rest of us."
Jimmy pushed Teaspoon away from him.
"Don't touch me! No one gives a damn about me! All they do is drag me along to make you happy! I'm over it!"
"Jimmy!"
Teaspoon went to grab his elbow. Jimmy spun and punched Teaspoon in the jaw. Teaspoon fell back against the wall. Jimmy froze as disappointment filled his face. He walked over to Teaspoon and helped him up.
"I'm sorry."
"Come on. Let's go. We need to have a chat. Goodbye Miss."
Teaspoon pushed Jimmy out. Kimberly winked at him as he walked through the door. He would come. She was sure of that.
