Chapter 36

Four days soon turned into five. Kid took some food into the room where they were holding Jimmy. He had not spoken a word since seeing Kat's grave. He had just sat there. Now he just laid on his side on the floor staring at the wall. Kid walked in and sat the plate beside him. He never turned his eyes to him. Kid picked up the other still full plate and carried it out the room. He walked back into the other room with Teaspoon and Cody.

"I see he still ain't eating." Said Cody.

"He ain't eating or drinking anything. He is just laying there now." Said Kid.

"He is grieving himself to death. Now you see why I thought it best not to tell him." Mumbled Teaspoon.

"At least he's quiet." Said Cody though he himself was worried.

"They should be getting close by now. I hope they are alright." Said Kid.

"I'm going in to sit with Jimmy for a few. Cody, maybe you can ride into town. See if they have sent word." Teaspoon said as he stood and stretched.

Cody got his hat and walked out the door. Kid walked outside to sit on the steps. Teaspoon made his way into the room with Jimmy. He sat in the chair and crossed his arms.

"Maybe you should eat something. Make you feel better."

Jimmy didn't answer. He just laid on his side on the floor facing the wall. Teaspoon stood and eased over to look. He eased down. His eyes were closed. He reached out and moved his hair off his face. He knew that he had not eaten or drank anything going on a week now. He was pale but he was breathing. Teaspoon backed away from him and went to sit back in the chair. He sat and closed his eyes. He jumped awake a few hours later upon hearing Jimmy stir. He went to look over at him. He was pulling and looking at his ropes. He looked up at Teaspoon.

"What's going on? Where am I?"

"Here with us."

"Why am I tied? I'm so hungry that I feel sick. Thirsty." He said coughing.

"Jimmy?"

"What?"

Teaspoon helped ease him up to a sitting position. Kid came in and Teaspoon sent him out for water. He came back in with a glass. He held it to Jimmy's mouth so he could drink.

"What are y'all doing? Why am I tied and so damn hungry?"

"It's complicated." Said Teaspoon.

"You think that it is over?" asked Kid.

"What? What is over? What is he talking about?" Jimmy asked.

"Son, it's a long story and one that is gonna be hard to believe."

"Can you untie me now? My hands are numb."

Kid went to untie him when Teaspoon grabbed his wrist. He shook his head.

"Fraid we can't do that. Not until we hear first."

"Hear? Hear what? What the hell is going on?"

"We'll bring in some more hot food. Just sit tight."

Teaspoon and Kid left hoping for any news.

It was three more days before the letter arrived. Lou had written and said that it was finished. It was over and that he should be fine. They would meet them back at the station. Cody sat and told Jimmy the story from the beginning. He listened intently but didn't seem to fully grasp the seriousness of it. Jimmy had no memory of Kat or anything that had happened since she had come to town. He took the news as if it was just a wild story that was being told to him and had not truly happened. Two days later, the group left the homestead to head back home. The group made their way into the station a few days later. Lou rushed out to hug Jimmy. Buck looked at him for a few before hugging him as well. Emma cried.

'Glad you are back.' Signed Ike.

"I'm glad to be home." Jimmy replied.

Teaspoon and Emma watched as he walked off to the barn.

"How's he doing?"

"Confused as to why we kept him tied up. Angry too, if I had to guess but confused mostly. Cody told him the entire story, but he acts like he doesn't believe it. He doesn't remember a thing."

"Nothing? Kat?"

"Nothing. Not even from day one. It's just a blank page. Almost like she never existed."

"Gracious."

"It's for the best." Teaspoon said as he patted her arm before walking away.

Lou walked over to find Jimmy watching the sunset. She smiled as she made her way over to him.

"Beautiful today." She said.

"What? Oh yeah, that."

"You were looking at the sunset, weren't you?"

"That too. But I was watching that swing out there."

"The swing?"

"Yeah. I feel like I should go sit awhile."

Lou watched as he walked out into the distance. She watched him sit on the swing and stare out at the prairie. Jimmy let the swing gently sway feeling the breeze on his face. He took a deep breath. He wasn't sure why he felt this sadness welling from deep within. It was almost like he had lost a part of him. He sat and watched the sun go down. He just wished that he had known who she was, or who she had been.

The End.