Chapter 21

Two weeks later found Kid walking around fine with Lou. Ike had some bruised ribs but thankfully that was it. He was up with Buck who had only dislocated his shoulder. Both were smiling as they walked past the corral. Jimmy's bruises had mostly faded. He still had slight rings under both eyes but it looked better. He had been sick for over a week upon getting home but thankfully Emma had got him past most of it. He still walked albeit weakly around the station. Cody was just starting to recover. The burn on his chest finally healing. He now sat on the porch with his head back sleeping. Teaspoon walked around thankful to have all his family back. Emma yelled for dinner. Everyone made their way inside to eat.

"Well, I know it's been an interesting past few weeks but next week, we need to get back to business. Who thinks they are ready?"

"Me." Said Lou.

"Me too." Said Kid.

"Same here." Said Buck.

"I'll go." Mumbled Jimmy.

"Oh no sir, you won't. Not yet." Said Emma.

Jimmy groaned and looked down at his plate. Teaspoon smiled.

"We can make it the first week with you three. Jimmy and Ike should be ready the following week. Don't you think, Emma?" Said Teaspoon.

"I guess but I don't like it." She said.

"Thank God." Said Jimmy quietly.

Ike smiled knowing he was ready to get back to normal as well. Cody was the only one not saying anything. He had been quiet since the whole event.

"Cody? You ok over there?" Asked Teaspoon.

"Fine."

"Sure?"

"What do you want me to say? I'm good."

"We just ain't used to all this quiet from you."

"I have a lot of things running through my head at the moment. That's all."

"Can we help you, son?"

Cody looked at everyone's faces. He thought it over for a few before he spoke.

"I just don't understand what happened. I mean I don't remember what all happened and no one around this table seems to tell me much. I know you said I was possessed or something but how did all of you get hurt and why? Who was this thing or whatever? I'm just so confused."

Jimmy and Ike looked to Teaspoon. They had not told Cody anything about what had happened except for the small things since everyone said it was best to let sleeping dogs lie. They felt uncomfortable.

"Well, you know how it happened and you know the tale behind it. Son, sometimes it's best not to worry about knowing more."

"Did I do this? I see y'all look at me different. Was I the evil one?"

"Let's just say that you didn't have any choice in what happened and no, you were not the evil one."

"Did I hurt both of you?" Cody said directly to Jimmy and Ike.

"No. It wasn't you." Said Jimmy quietly which was the truth.

Ike shook his head and looked down.

"I can't seem to move past it all." Said Cody.

"It will get better with time. Let's just let it go. What's in the past is in the past, we need to look toward our future."

Cody nodded.

"I have just the thing for you three to do this week to help you get out some." Said Emma.

"Yeah, what's that?" Asked Jimmy.

"The church social needs volunteers to help set up tables and chairs. I told them that you three would be there bright and early starting in the morning."

Ike smiled while Jimmy laid his head down on the table. Cody perked up.

"A dance? That might just do the trick." He said.

"Yep. Here we go." Laughed Teaspoon.

Conversation went on around the table. Jimmy trying to weasel himself out of helping saying he still felt sick and didn't want anyone else to catch it. Emma arguing that if he thought he could ride then he most certainly could handle chairs. Buck and Ike laughed back and forth. Cody ate and excused himself.

"Still good?" Asked Kid as Cody stood.

"Yeah, better now. I just want to take a short walk."

"Want company?" Asked Lou.

"No. I think I just need a few minutes alone."

Cody walked out and around to the back of the barn. He leaned back and looked out in the horizon. He rubbed his back where the moon had once been now gone. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the small blue sliver. He held it up into the setting sun. He watched the colors of blue dance around inside it. He closed his hand and held it tight.

"I love you. I'll figure out a way and one day we'll be together."

He stood and watched as the sun set.

The End.