Chapter 17

Teaspoon walked Jimmy back to the station. He took him inside the bunkhouse. The other boys were there.

"Boys, I need a few."

"What happened to you, Teaspoon?" Asked Cody.

"Nevermind that. Jimmy and I need a few minutes."

The others nodded as they got up and left. Teaspoon walked closer to where Jimmy was standing.

"Jimmy, that wasn't right what she was doing. You can't go back. I shouldn't have trusted her."

"You can't tell me what to do."

"Son, I only want to help you. I thought she was but she ain't. There is something odd there that I can't quite put my finger on. Just stay away from her."

"You can't keep me here."

"I can lock you back up if I have to."

"Try."

"I ain't gonna fight you. Lay down and take it easy. We'll talk again after supper tonight." Teaspoon turned and walked outside.

He saw the others sitting around the steps. He saw them watching and waiting.

"Boys, I made a mistake. I'm gonna need all of your help with this one. Jimmy ain't gonna see that girl anymore. We have to make sure he stays here at all times."

"He hit you?" Asked Kid.

"Water under the bridge. Whose up next when Lou gets back?"

"I am." Said Noah.

"The rest of ya, I need eyes on him at all times. Lou came to me with suspicions about that girl. She felt like something was off. She was right."

"Why would she want to do him wrong?" Asked Cody.

"I don't know. All I know is that he is to stay away from her. Keep him out of town and here."

"We'll try."

"Good. Give him some space just make sure he doesn't leave. I'll see y'all at the table." Teaspoon said as he walked over to his room at the barn.

Teaspoon and the others made small talk around the table that afternoon. Jimmy pushed his food around on his plate.

"If you don't eat, you're gonna waste away." Said Rachel to Jimmy.

"Ain't hungry."

She looked over him at Teaspoon as the others got quiet. Lou sat across from Jimmy having rode in awhile ago. She kept looking over at him.

"Ya have to eat at least half that plate afore ya can get up." Stated Teaspoon.

"I'm not a child." Whispered Jimmy.

"If you didn't act like one, then he wouldn't have to treat you like one." Said Lou.

"It's ok, Lou. Don't say another word." Said Teaspoon.

"No, go ahead Louise. Say what's on your mind. Oh wait, you already ran to Teaspoon to talk behind my back!"

"I didn't talk behind your back. I'm worried for you."

"Jimmy, let it go." Said Kid.

"Yeah right, of course you would say that. It's true, precious Louise just can't leave me alone. She has to try to take away any kind of happiness in my life! She wants me to be miserable just like the rest of you!"

Teaspoon took a deep breath. The room was about to explode.

"Leave her out of this!" Yelled Kid.

"Why?! She is the one that caused it all!"

"Jimmy, she just wanted what's best for you!" Yelled Cody.

"Shut the fuck up, all of ya!"

"Stop!" Yelled Buck.

Teaspoon saw it heating up. Rachel backed away.

"You know that ain't true! I loved you Jimmy! I just..." Said Lou.

"That's right! Loved! Everyone hear that!" Jimmy yelled cutting her off.

"Stop it Jimmy! That ain't how it is!" Lou yelled back.

"It is ain't it! Did you think it would be funny to just throw me down like that?! All of y'all only come to me when you need something and I'm damn sick of it! Especially a backstabber like Lou."

"You leave her out of this! You made the decision to throw your life away!" Yelled Kid.

"I'll show you just how I'm gonna throw it away!" Jimmy screamed back.

"Hold it! All of ya!" Yelled Teaspoon.

Jimmy jumped up flipping the table over. Lou, Buck, and Ike jumped back out of the way. Kid charged at Jimmy. Kid hit Jimmy as hard as he could. He fell back against the bunks. Kid was coming at him again. Jimmy kicked him knocking him down. Cody ran over to grab Kid. Teaspoon ran over to Jimmy along with Buck. Ike stood by Lou and Rachel. Jimmy picked up a chair and flung it at Buck. It hit him across the chest knocking him to the floor. Teaspoon tried to push him back against the wall. Jimmy turned and pushed Teaspoon down. Jimmy turned and ran out the door.

Rachel looked at the food tossed everywhere and the broken furniture. Teaspoon eased back to his feet. Cody watched Jimmy ride off into the darkness.

"Everyone alright?" Asked Teaspoon.

"Yeah, I think so." Said Buck standing up as well.

"Go saddle three horses. We have to get going." Said Teaspoon.

"Maybe we should let him go." Said Kid.

"We can't let him down like that. Cody you go to the school. I'll head to the saloon. Buck you follow his tracks but I think he'll head into town."

They nodded and went to start looking.