SONS OF LINCOLN
Blackwater, West Elizabeth 1894The sun was close to settling down as the colors of the sky merged to create a visage of peace and quietness over the bustling small town of Blackwater. The harbor still active as more cargo was hauled from the docked trader steamboats all stored and accounted for the many shops in town that needed them in demand. The local saloon full of life as music and laughter echoed from the popular establishment. The policemen patrolling the streets, guaranteeing the safety of the citizens and their many valuables. Horses and carriages were driven in many directions creating a clapping noise as the animals' hooves made contact with the hard dirt or the solid brick roads in the center of town. All was well, everyone was content with their tasks and daily lives.
Over at the morgue however one young man sat alone in a room, just him and his recently deceased father. Just them alone and no one else to partake in this painful silence.
Looking over his father's stiff body. He was covered with a white cloth and his skin as equally pale, no more than a couple days since his death. The process of decomposition had yet to take full affect. The Hispanic boy's face was full of pain and sorrow, yet no tears were shed, not even in solitude. A paper laid on the nearby desk and it read the following: Lincoln Loud. 1851 - 1894.
Exiting the room the mortician approached the boy and waited for him to settle in after having the misfortune to identify the body of a loved one. It wasn't a pleasant business, but it was respectable in having to prepare the final farewell to the many souls that have left this earth behind.
"Is everything in order?" The man asked the boy.
"Yeah…that's my father alright." Bobby sighed.
It hurt to admit it, hurt to utter those words out. He was still in a state of disbelief and confusion. He saw the body and it still felt so unreal regardless. He held in a strong composure, refusing to show any weakness of any kind, but his face and tone of voice betrayed that objective from being fulfilled. That man was his father. The man who taught him to read, to write, horse ride and appreciate all aspects of life was gone from this world. It was now just him and his mother, had been for a long time now anyhow.
"The arrangements have already been made to transport the body back to Armadillo, New Austin. The elderly mortician updated the grieving young man.
"Tomorrow at sunrise your father's casket will be shipped by train. My colleague at Armadillo has started the preparations for the funeral. He added.
Bobby nodded in approval and headed out the door.
"Thank you for the service."
Exiting the building Bobby stood in place ignoring all activities around him as he remained deep in thought. Raised all his life in the wild state of New Austin and adapted to its brutal dry heat, his clothes didn't pack much to slow him down. A pair of black worn out riding boots alongside a pair of gray and patched up rancher pants being held up by cotton suspenders onto his faded white everyday shirt with a black vest over it. To add more to his outfit Bobby wore his old duster that has always protected him from the raging dust storms back home and his bitch colored outback hat to shade his head from the ever present sun.
He was brought back from his thoughts by the police offer that now stood before him.
"You lost boy?" No actual signs of concern from the officer as he waited for an answer.
"Uh...no, just heading back to the hotel is all." Bobby replied.
"Mmm... don't be causing no trouble you hear." The officer said back and walked away.
Bobby watched him leave before rolling his eyes in annoyance. He travels up north and now everybody in West Elizabeth has their eyes set on him. Are Latinos that rare up north? Not to mention his holster that carries his .22 Colt revolver, that sure is enough to cause paranoia among the white folks around these parts. Also the same reason he brought himself a gun along with him, can't be too careful in white America.
Checking a letter he held in hand, Bobby put it away in his satchel and walked down the road.
Reaching the train station he loitered around for an hour until the sound of a train's engine roared in the distance. The passenger train came into view and gave out it's whistle as the brakes were pressed and the locomotive began to slow down. Once reaching a complete halt, the conductor announced their arrival and many of the passengers began disembarking. One by one Bobby kept his eyes open on all the people filling up the railway platform until he finally spotted him.
One of the last to walk down the steps another man older than Bobby but still younger than thirty years of age came into full view.
Standing a few inches taller than Bobby and of white ethnicity. He wore a bulldogger hat that concealed most of his wild hair and kept it in place. A subtle yet still growing unshaved beard decorated his young, rough face. A dark brown rugged leather vest with a gray with white and red striped flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Wearing a pair of fingerless riding gloves and a pair of old dirty black jeans with a brown gun belt and two loaded holsters on both sides of his hips. His boots black with spurs which clanged with each step he took. Most people would give him a second glance, for he had the look of a dangerous individual.
He looked lost and somewhat confused as he looked around the station. Bobby came towards him until the other guy finally noticed him.
"...Bobby?"
"Hey Lemy." Bobby offered him a hand with a weak smile.
"You got big, bro." Lemy returned the smile and shook his half brother's hand.
"It's been a few years. So much has happened." Bobby said.
Both walked together down the platform to the area where cargo was either shipped or received. Bobby stood back and waited for Lemy as his older brother spoke to a man. Showing him a ticket the man took it and nodded. One of the train boxes was pulled open and a beautiful Wild Bay Mustang was led out and handed over to Lemy. Petting it with care Lemy spoke softly to the animal and led it away from the train station as Bobby followed.
"Nice horse." Lemy nodded back in approval.
"Yeah, Slayer and I go way back. He's never wronged me or abandoned me. The perfect companion in this wild world." Lemy proudly said.
"Slayer?" Bobby raised an eyebrow.
"It's a good name." Lemy patted him with more approval.
Both said nothing as they carried on down the road with Slayer in tow. Eventually Lemy spoke up and finally asked him the million dollar question.
"So...is it him? Is...he really...dead?" Lemy asked.
"Father's dead." Bobby calmly replied.
Lemy made a face at the confirmation. His own emotions were a mystery even to himself, after all it's been so long since he and Lincoln spoke to each other and that last conversation was more of a shouting match than anything socially civilized. His fist to Lincoln's face a final farewell as he rode off and never saw him again. To hear of his demise left him shook beyond all comprehension and the best he could do was to come all the way from his beloved western frontier and link up with his brothers for one last and proper goodbye.
Arriving at the stables Lemy handed over Slayer and paid the stable boy to feed and water him.
Both walked back towards the morgue while catching up as they grew up apart. All of them did, but family they still were.
"How's your mother, Bobby everything good at the ranch?" Lemy asked while lighting up a cigarette.
"Mi mama is fine...well she's devastated, but refuses to show any weakness at all. She was always a tough woman, Tio Bobby is staying with her while I'm over here. It's been rough, long before dad even died." Bobby explained.
"It's been rough for us all." Lemy added, "Dad... he's... he's always been all over the place. Could never settle down. I'm surprised he actually stuck around with you for more than a year."
Bobby looked at his brother and he could see the resentment in his eyes. It was true, Lincoln was too much of an adventurous spirit, too committed to the world and it's many mysteries to ever be shackled down. That was his life and he lived it till the end.
"Hey have you heard from Lyle?" Bobby asked as both stood outside the Blackwater Saloon.
"Not really. Honestly I'll be greatly surprised if he did show up." Lemy confessed.
"Yeah me too…" Bobby sighed.
Reaching the morgue Bobby and Lemy walked in and after getting permission Lemy was allowed to see his late father for the last time.
Being alone in such a dark and cold room brought shivers all across his body, even more so with that specific cadaver awaiting for him to approach. With a swallow of nervousness the young rustler slowly moved to a step at a time, incher closer and closer until he could see his pale face now in unison with his signature white hair. In public Lemy was excellent at keeping his cool and not compromise his position, until somebody pissed him off of course, but right now all alone in this room his walls were crumbling down faster than he could rebuild them. He never believed himself to ever weep for the man, yet here he was ready to shed tears for a father he barely had in his life and only fight with whenever he was actually around.
"Dad...what the hell?" Lemy whispered.
"All the fights, all the dangers and near death experiences and all it took was a single bullet?" Lemy shookly placed his hand on the table, "Why...didn't you just stay home? Why didn't you stay with us? With Bobby at least?"
Lemy lifted his right hand and wiped away a tear as he failed to produce a smile, "You and I had a few good fist fights back...in the day, but I never wanted you gone...I just wanted you around. I'm sorry...its stupid to say this, but I'm sorry for everything. I'm even more sorry that you'll never get to see them even more."
Some time passed before Lemy exited the room and put back his hat on. Bobby looked at him and could only see the redness in his eyes. Patting him on the shoulder both brothers walked out and down the street of Blackwater in silence. The pain was mutual between them, their father despite mostly being absent from their lives and having different relationships with the man was still their father.
"I don't think Lyle is going to show up." Lemy finally spoke up.
"Yeah, I reckon much." Bobby replied as they arrived at the saloon, "At least we got each other for now. Let's get drunk shall we?"
They gave each other a knowing look before pushing the forest open and entering the lively establishment to drink away their thoughts of misfortune. Just in time too as the clouds grew dark and amassed together. A clear sign of incoming rainfall.
As the rain started pouring in the night sky took over engulfing the Blackwater and the entire region into darkness aside from the third quarter of the moon still shining a spec of light for those traveling these dark lonely and dangerous roads during nighttime. With the many townsfolk lighting up the lanterns around town and running indoors as the light rainfall started to increase in strength.
As both brothers drank at the saloon and catched up on each other's lives a third brother was making his approach to town.
A lone rider came down from the north. Crossing the great plains as the rainstorm produced nearby lighting followed by roaring thunder. The rider's horse felt startled, but the man under the raincoat calmed the agitated beast and carried on forward to town. Reaching the north side of Blackwater he silently rode until coming into view of the Blackwater Hotel. As he unmounted his horse and walked inside the hotel down the road Lemy and Bobby carried on with drinks on their hands.
"I'm happy for you Bobby. I...mean it." Lemy slurred his words as Bobby took another swig of his bottle.
Both brothers were slowly but surely feeling the effects of the alcohol running down all their veins. While Bobby was an occasional drinker, Lemy on the other hand drank till the last drop was consumed or passed out hard on the floor. Although this social drinking of theirs wasn't one of celebration it was still camaraderie among a pair of brothers who have only each other to somewhat grieve over their fallen parent.
"Living the good life with ya' mom...and making an ho-honest... workers wage...and...stuff?" Lemy failed to keep his balance, relying on the countertop to prevent his fall to the wooden floor.
Bobby could only snicker at his brother's inebriated state, only having six full drinks while the Hispanic was barely on his third.
"It's honest work, but how I wish it paid more." Bobby replied.
"...is it because you're...M-mexican?" Lemy bluntly asked.
"Apparently." Bobby agreed with him.
Lemy slammed his hand on the countertop startling a few fellow patrons, "Fuck them! I betcha you work h..har-harder than any of them lazy.. assholes!
Bobby tried to calm him down not wanting any trouble. Last thing they needed was to get arrested and locked up on the same day that they were meant to transport their father's body back to Bobby's home. Anyhow there was something that he needed to tell Lemy, something regarding their father's death, but he was hoping that Lyle would be present to discuss the matter in hand. Guess Lemy was right after all, he ain't showing up, just them two.
"Hey Lem-"
He was interrupted from his own sentence as he eyes the doors opening wide open and allowing a gust of wind and rain to enter the warm building and disrupt the chatter, pianist and poker game in the corner of the room. The figure walked in and looked directly at them both. Removing his wet hoodie, both Lemy and Bobby saw their brother Lyle in person.
"Hey bro!" Lemy happily waved at him.
Lyle kept a humorless stare at his two brothers and walked towards them in silence. The other patrons went back to their own conversations and dealings, some grumbling about letting in some rain into the large main room.
"Lyle. I wasn't sure you'd come." Bobby stood in front of his brother.
"I'm here baby brother. No need to ponder on it." Lyle spoke up leaning on the counter to the left side of them both.
Lyle's demeanor was more serious in comparison to Lemy and Bobby's, but again those two have been drinking for awhile now. Still wearing his brown raincoat most of his outfit was obscured from wandering eyes, but his boots were visible for all. A pair of wrangler boots covered by some chaps of an unknown animal. Lyle hadn't changed much from the last time they had seen each other. With the hoodie down his long silk ash blonde hair was tied in a knot and his very effeminate features still stood out. Wouldn't be too long before some drunkard approached him with a dirty proposition much to his chagrin or deep annoyance.
"It's nice to see you two." Lyle added before tossing some coins to the bartender.
"I was honestly expecting you to be in prison by now." Lyle gave Lemy a sideway glance.
"Well...lucky me. Better than living off of worms and twigs in those cold ass mountains of yours." Lemy spat back at him.
"Come on guys. Let's just...act civilized." Bobby pleaded.
On that cue Lemy and Lyle both looked at him with great delusions in their facial expressions
"Little brother... there's no such thing as... civilized." Lyle gave out a sarcastic smile.
"The world is changing, but...but we are still the...same people." Lemy added and downing another drink, "All that's changing is the newer toys and ways to kill each other off. Before guns there were...swords and axes and stuff...before that...uh, sticks and stones and before that...just your two bare hands."
"Touche to that." Lyle toasted before drinking his shot of whiskey.
Bobby said nothing else and allowed the mood to settle down. All three of them were here now, brought together by the death of their father. A man that meant a different thing to each one of them. It's been so long since the last reunion and why waste it away before going their separate ways again. After all it was Bobby who wrote to them all feeling it was appropriate to have the sons of Lincoln Loud together again and face this dilemma as a family.
"Let's take a seat so we can talk about...dad."
Taking a seat at the farthest table the brothers sat down to talk about their reasoning for being here in the first place, Bobby knew his, but had yet to learn his brothers'.
"So how did he die?" Lyle quickly asked.
He didn't appear affected at all and was speaking in a nonchalant tone. He was too calm and collected for a man whose father's corpse was still cold and stored away just a few blocks away from them. Lemy didn't say anything, but it was clear they both wanted to know what the mortician and sheriff's office had said in their official reports. Bobby being the youngest felt odd having to be the one to relay such news and guide this conversation, it made him feel too important to his personal liking. He had always preferred lingering in the background, but this was their father and he did get here first, so it was pointless to argue against it.
"Dad's stagecoach was raided just as they were crossing the Upper Montana River from Big Valley to the Great Plains. Sheriff states that all belongings were stolen and that all...all passengers...were...killed." Bobby's lips quivered at that last word, finding it too hard to express.
"Damn." That was all Lemy could muster.
Lyle said nothing and waited for Bobby to add anything else.
"He was...it was a single bullet that did him." Bobby continues on with much reluctance, "One bullet to the back of his head from a handgun to be exact."
Lemy raised an eyebrow as his brain was processing this given information. Lyle remained silent thinking on his own before looking up at Bobby.
"I'm sorry you had to see him like that. Better me or Lem here, but you didn't deserve to see that man's body like that." He offered Bobby his sympathy which was much appreciated.
"Was he on his knees?" Lemy suddenly cut in.
"What?" Bobby asked back.
"Was dad's body on the ground or inside the coach?" Lemy specified.
"I... I'm not sure...why?" Bobby could see Lemy's brain at work.
"What does it matter? The man's dead, not much to do now." Lyle scoffed.
Lyle wasn't one to show much restraint in regards to people he felt no kindness for and unfortunately his father was one of those individuals. Again it surprised Bobby that Lyle had actually traveled all the way down here to see a man that he felt no love for. It wouldn't be fair to compare as Lincoln had actually spent some quality time with Bobby and stuck around to properly raise him, yet failed to do much of the same for Lemy and Lyle. It always dawned on him if his brothers felt any sense of jealousy and bitterness towards him, but he could never detect it, maybe it was just his own mind overthinking for they have always been fair and brotherly to him for all the times they got to meet up which weren't that often.
"It's just...odd is all." Lemy quietly said before taking another drink.
"So the old man got his...huh." Lyle said without much interest, "Anything else?"
Bobby pulled out his satchel that he'd been carrying around since arriving in town. Placing it on the table he opened it and pulled out a set of written papers as well other items. Those items were a fountain pen, a compass and some cash, eighteen dollars to be exact.
"This was dad's. It arrived by mail at the post office at least six hours before his death." Bobby told them as they each examined the items in question.
Lemy grabbed the money and easily divided for them three, six dollars equally. Lyle placed his portion away and grabbed the compass while Bobby grabbed the pen. They were surprised to see this much cash being delivered by mail. Then again there was not much they knew about their father's actual source of funds, he was always out and about around the country.
"What's all this paperwork here?" Lyle grabbed one of the letters and looked at it.
"Not sure, I haven't checked it out myself. Was waiting on you guys to read them together." Bobby responded.
There were four pages in total with only one of them used to draw some sort of crude map of sorts. The rest were in his hand writing, each one having something different to say. Lyle, Bobby and Lemy each grabbed one of the written pages and read them over in their heads.
As they read they all could hear their father, Lincoln's voice narrating as well.
"It's been hard these past couple of weeks. Having to lie low and keep anyone from fully profiling me. Not sure if crossing state lines is enough to avoid my pursuers, but it has bought me some time. Strawberry has been a good safe spot, but eventually I have to move one. Hopefully I still have time to make things right and put that man away for good. Wasn't my intent to get involved, but his business just became my business. I pray that those bastards dare not approach my family. I'm certain that Lemy and Lyle are safe and hard to track down, but Bobby and the others I deeply fear for their safety." Lemy read.
"I don't know why I'm writing any of this down, but if something were to happen to me then it's best that they know it first hand I suppose. Spoke to Clyde on the telephone. Big Valley isn't safe anymore and I gotta move now. My best bet is Blackwater down south. From there I can take a steamboat over to Saint Denis and purchase a second one up the Mississippi until I can reach Chicago. I'm so close to finding it, so close to finally settling down and giving my family, my kids the life they deserve, but first I need to bring that man down." Lyle read.
"Half of the map I have cut in two. One in this satchel and the other on my person. If either is stolen at least I have my memory to recreate either halves. I'm certain that greedy bastard has his lapdog using all available resources to track me down. How I deeply regret ever becoming affiliated with that heartless man. How I wish to see my kids, all of them one last time. Bobby and Ronnie Anne are down west just a day's ride away, but their safety is far more important. I hope they can forgive me, all of them. We will become a very rich family after all is said and done. The life they deserve and will acquire is worth my absence." Bobby read.
As Bobby kept staring at the words in bewilderment the others followed suit. All equally confused by the letters Lincoln had written down.
"Who the fuck is Clyde?" Lyle spoke first.
"I fucking knew it." Lemy said next.
"Was dad...dad was hiding from someone." Bobby added, "Is that why he never visited us? He was protecting us all?"
Lyle scoffed at the idea as he took the letter of Bobby's hand and read it over. Lemy stroked his chin and murmured some words to himself. Bobby took the other papers and read them as well.
"What the fuck is all of this?" Lyle said.
The other two shrugged, the name was foreign to the three of them, but apparently that man whomever he was had some sort of vendetta against Lincoln and from the looks of it Lincoln had something he wanted.
"Guys." Both brothers looked over at Bobby.
"Was dad after a hidden treasure?"
"You're reaching brother." Lyle replied as he looked over the map which was in fact cut vertically, "But...maybe?"
"Holy fuck! Son of a bitch!" Lemy spoke up, "What if what happened to Dad wasn't just a random assault? I mean come on! Bullet to the head, these letters which are clearly his handwriting talking about enemies of his hunting him down. A fucking map to add!"
All three of them sat in silence, mulling over everything that had just been learned. The laughter of the drunks and fellow merry men in the background mixing with the music of the piano created an odd environment that didn't add up to the swirling sentiments that the three brothers were experiencing. This was meant to be a simple gathering that would see them give out their final farewell to a father that was never there, but had now indirectly created more questions for them to solve and fully understand.
Lyle shook his head in frustration and placed the map down, "This is stupid. I just came to see the man's corpse for myself. I ain't taking no part in this game of his."
"No one is asking you too." Lemy eyed him, "But if this is real, if dad was really after some hidden treasure and this map is proof enough, I'm taking that chance and see if I can find it."
"Lemy I know you're an idiot, but be real for a minute." Lyle rolled his eyes.
"Hey you may be in love with living a harsh life in the mountains, but I could really use that gold." Lemy pointed his finger at Lyle.
"Gold? Already making assumptions I see." Lyle crossed his arms.
"Well, what else could it be? Diamonds?" Lemy raised his hands in the air to make a point.
Bobby stayed quiet as they argued back and forth. Is this what father died for? A treasure map that may or may not be authentic? He did travel a great amount was this the reason why? Just how long had he been pursuing this solo expedition? It really made him think hard about it. His mother never did tell him the reason he never stuck around, he always believed it to be that Lincoln had a long distance job. That had been the case since he was sixteen years of age when he took off and would only reappear or write every so often for the next seven years until this current moment. If Lemy was right and dad had been hunted down and executed then the other half had been stolen off of him. If this treasure was real it had killed a man and also killed any chance at reconciliation with his estranged children.
But then again, he did say that he was doing it for them all.
"For fucks sake man! This is pointless, let's just bury the damn man and go about our separate lives. I ain't entertaining this idea any further and neither should you." Lyle sternly looked at Lemy who looked back at him in defiance.
"Like I said, I could really use that money... princess." He worded that last part with heavy mockery which clearly struck a nerve on his younger brother.
"Fuck this, fuck you and fuck him. Even in death he won't let us be." Lyle stood up from the table and looked over at Bobby.
"Bobby this is meaningless. If he got in trouble it was his own damn fault, don't go die for a coward that abandoned us all." He placed a hand on his shoulder and tapped it before walking away.
"I'm gonna go see the dead bastard, after that I'm gone. It was good seeing you two."
"Come on Lyle, let's just…" But Lyle had already walked out before Bobby could finish.
Lemy gave Lyle the finger and took another swig of his bottle that had been sitting there losing its cold taste to the room temperature. It was always like that between them two. Always hard for them to share a similar understanding and not smash heads due to different ideas and personalities. This was the reason it was hard for them two to ever be in the same room together. Even harder to carry on a conversation without it devolving into insults and threats. Not much Bobby could do as they were their own man and nobody had the right to tell them how to behave.
"Bobby, what do you think?" Lemy asked him.
"Lyle just doesn't want to have nothing to do with the old man, but this might actually be something worth checking out." He added.
"I have to take dad back to Armadillo tomorrow morning, I'm sorry but I promised mom to be home soon." Bobby twirled his fingers, feeling bad at letting his big brother down.
"Hey it's okay. Go bury dad, but if you're really interested you can come meet me up at Strawberry afterwards, that was his last location according to this letter." Lemy smiled.
"Just how certain are you about this supposed treasure of his?" Bobby questioned him.
Did he want it to be real? It's been so long since he had left New Austin, hell he'd spend most of his life in the county of Cholla Springs. The idea of going on an adventure, a treasure hunt to be exact sounded fun and appealing to him. Also as a bonus he would spend time with his brother who he barely got to be around with. A final thought was the idea of the hidden fortune itself.
"It's worth a shot." Lemy shrugged.
"Well…" Bobby thought it over before smiling, "I could use that money too."
"Alright little brother! This is gonna be fun." Lemy patted him on the back.
"But Lemy...what about the people that were after father?" Bobby asked and both got serious.
"Don't worry about it, we'll get our answers. In due time we will get all the answers. Might even learn the name of the fucker that killed him too." Lemy assured him.
Putting everything away and settling down they enjoyed the atmosphere of the lively saloon. Lyle was out, but they at least tried. It was just them two now. As both drank some more a drunkard had walked or better yet stumbled towards their table and rudely slammed into the wooden furniture.
"Hey you two." The man appeared to be stupid drunk. Case in point his red face and goofy smile and not to mention the atrocious breath of alcohol.
"Shame on you f-for letting t-that...fine blondie walk away like that!" He burped out before grinning, "I could have shown that young girl a fun time in my room. That ass of hers...must feel wonderful… wrapped 'round me fingers I betcha."
Before Bobby could correct him, Lemy stood up and did it for him.
"That's my brother you sick fuck!" He punched him square in the mouth.
The music stopped, the chatter halted and everyone in the room froze and saw the man land on his ass first before dropping the rest of his body down to the floor with the man's head bumping hard. Bobby stood up and frantically looked over at Lemy who was clearly attempting to balance himself as the alcohol was slowly contaminating his brain. Two other men approached and Bobby already knew that shit had gone sideways.
"Maurice? You shithead is getting it now!" One of them kneeled down to check on his unconscious friend.
"Bring it you deadbeats!" Lemy raised his fists.
Bobby saw all three of them encroaching on each other. He could see a man on the far side of the building exiting out to the terrace. Most likely looking for a police officer for he and everyone else in here knew what was about to go down. Seeing the other man approach him with an angry expression, Bobby had no choice but to raise his fists too.
"God damnit Lemy!"
Across town Lyle had entered the morgue and requested to see his father's body. It was weird for him to even be here. Having sworn to never speak or see the man again after that fateful day, yet still be here to do both even if the man was already dead. Being left alone, Lyle felt disturbed at the sight of him. There he was lying motionless on the operating table. No clothes, no worries, just a never ending rest. It took him a while to gain the courage to approach the body as his legs had clenched up and feet became glued to the floor.
Each step he took his heart jolted with electricity. His breath became heavy and eyes got wide and frantic.
Finally Lyle was in front of his father. A father that he had not seen in over seven years. A man that had left him and his mother to fend for themselves. The very same man that he swore to kill if he ever saw him again.
It all felt surreal.
It all came at once for the young man, all the anger, the resentment and even the sadness.
"So this is how our story ends?" Lyle asked him.
Lincoln was dead and he understood, but regardless of it all Lyle had so much to lay off his chest.
"As much as I would love to know you're burning in hell for leaving us, I know Mom would want to see you again up there where she is and deserves to be... unlike you." Lyle angrily said.
"I read that letter of yours. Claiming to worry about us. Wanting to protect us. What a load of horse shit nonsense. Lemy has always been at odds with you and Bobby is a good kid despite you bailing on him too, but I can see them forgiving you. Me? Your death is the best forgiveness I can think of." Lyle harshly said as he placed his hands on the table.
"You...left us...left us for...some fucking stupid treasure that may not even be real?"
Lyle snarled at the body and raised a fist almost intending to punch his father's face, but relented. His eyes began to turn red as small tears traveled down his face. It hurt, it hurt so bad, it hurt even more to know that this conversation was pointless, after all he's speaking to a corpse.
"You son of a bitch! I hate you! I fucking hate you so much! Why? Why couldn't you stay? Why... fucking why? I needed you, mom needed you. Piece of shit, rot in hell for your sins!" Lyle couldn't contain himself any further and allowed a deep cry to escape his throat.
Bowing his head he finally let all the pain out and sobbed over his father's body. His tears stained his father's pale face as they continued to drop. He needed this. A closure between them both, other than that he felt obliged to be there for his brothers as well.
The rain had stopped and in its wake it left only mud and puddles everywhere. Leaving the building Lyle took some deep breaths and wiped his face. It was done. He came and saw him, now it was time to go. He should go see his brothers and say goodbye.
Walking back to the saloon he took a turn and bumped hard against someone else. Grabbing onto the man's shoulders, Lyle slammed him against the brick wooden wall of the building.
"Watch it dumbass!" He shouted.
"Lyle!"
"Bobby?"
Letting go Lyle looked around and back at him, his little brother looked spooked or agitated. Was he running? Why was he breathing so hard?
"What's wrong? Where's Lemy?" Lyle asked him, before quickly dropping his face down to his typical deadpan stare, "What did that idiot do?"
"Fight...broke out...police showed up. He's locked...up." Bobby caught his breath as he explained.
Lyle crossed his arms on his chest and rolled his eyes in either frustration or annoyance, "Tsk...that moron can not be still for more than a damn hour without stirring up shit."
"We gotta bail him out somehow." Bobby said.
"...what?" Lyle blinked once at him.
"Come on man, it wasn't necessarily...well...he did throw the first punch, but yeah." Bobby failed to find a clear reason to excuse their brothers reckless action for being arrested.
"Bobby I gotta go. He'll be fine. Just spend the night in jail is all." Lyle leaned on the light post.
"I guess…" Bobby agreed before looking at his brother, "You going already?"
Lyle sighed and nodded at him.
"I know you wanted to spend more time together, but I...I...just have to go. I'm sorry. I'm sure that moron will still be by your side. Especially so that you two might actually think about that silly treasure hunt of dad's."
Lyle leaned over and hugged Bobby giving him a strong squeeze. Who knows when they would meet again, maybe never, maybe this was the last time, but maybe they would cross paths again, nothing is truly set in stone. Lyle came and saw, now it was time to go.
"Take care brother." Bobby told him.
"Good luck on that wild goose chase." Lyle mocked him playfully.
Saying their goodbyes Lyle walked back to the hotel and unhitched his horse. Mounting the animal Lyle waved at Bobby who stood by the hotel's entrance and watched him go. It was now a long, lonely road back to the Appalachian mountains. Maybe he should stay a bit longer and wait till sunrise instead of traveling in the dead of night, it was already midnight. Many bandits and predators are roaming out there. No, he would be fine, he'll just camp near the river and continue at sunrise. He did feel exhausted after all, but physically and emotionally, rest is what he needed the most right now.
As he rode on he couldn't stop thinking about Lemy's stupid ass getting arrested. What a moron, he was surely drunk too he bet. He also thought about the idea of their father's fables treasure. It greatly pissed him off, but at the same time intrigued him, though he would not admit it.
Even if it was real, what use was it to him?
He's made a simple and quiet life all on his own. Just his cabin and all that nature could provide for him. He had no use for modern materials, no fancy clothing, no expensive watches, fine brandy or even the desire to simply call himself a rich man. That life did not attract him, he found it dull and boring. Then again his brothers may need it for actual reasons. Bobby has his mother to look after and Lemy, well who knows? Probably wanting to buy some land. The more he thought the more his mindset started to take shape.
"Those two are going to be so lost without my help." He muttered.
Riding on he came across two rider's coming into town. Not much about them, just a pair of cowboys and nothing more. That's what he thought until he came at an earshot of them.
"He better be here." One of them said.
"He took the train to Blackwater. That Loud boy thought he could dodge his bounty by coming this far east, well not with us hot on his trail." The other said.
"We've lost track of him for a week now, like I said he better be here." The first one argued.
"Shut up already, let's just go to the sheriff's office and ask for him, surely someone may recognize the name of Lemuel Loud." He assured and unknowingly greeted Lyle who was slowly passing them.
Lyle pretended to be riding on, but just slowed down and looked back at the two men who were clearly bounty hunters. They were going to the sheriff's office, Lemy was currently holed up in the sheriff's office. Lyle had no idea how big of a bounty his brother had, but depending on the size he could be spending more than just a simple night in jail if found. Lyle looked back at the long road ahead leading into the darkness of the night and back to bright lights of Blackwater. He let out a loud groan in response to it all.
"For fucks sake!"
Yeah, really had this one swirling around my head for awhile now. I do love RDR2. I'm still working on the others, my hiatus is over