She Said Heath

Frantically, Billy Watson ran for the main house to deliver a telegram to Heath. He didn't know what it said as it was not for him, but he knew that he had to get there fast. As he was running he didn't think he was making much speed, that is, until he almost knocked Jarrod smack on the ground.

"I'm sorry Jarrod, but I've got to get this here telegram to Heath,"

"Don't worry about it Billy. There was no harm done. Go ahead. Heath is still in the dining room."

Billy made his way to the dining room, still in a hurry, but walking fast instead of running. As he turned the corner into the dining room. Victoria Barkley looked up, a concerned look on her face. All eyes looked at their mother, then the rest saw Billy standing there. He was out of breath but managed to convey the message to Heath. After acknowledging Mrs. Barkley, he apologized for being in such a hurry. Then he began to talk to Heath about the telegram.

"Heath I went into town with Jake today and the man at the telegraph office stopped me, telling me that I needed to get this to you right away."

As he handed the telegram to Heath, he looked kind of scared.

"Heath, I want you to know I didn't read it,"

The hand said while seeming to be a little nervous.

"Billy, it's ok I know you wouldn't do that," Heath said, smiling up at the hand, making him feel at ease. He excused him and Billy then went back to work.

As Heath opened the telegram, he began to read, when he was suddenly alarmed at the meaning of it.

"Heath, what is it you seem upset?" his mother said

He didn't say a word at first, then lifted up his head looking at her. That's when the family saw the tears streaking his face.

"It's from Faye Keller. She's in San Francisco now, and she wants me to come to her and Mary. Mary has fallen ill, and Faye says that Mary wants to see me as soon as I can get there. she...she doesn't think Mary will live long."

"But Heath how did Faye know that Mary wanted to see you?"

Heath gave her his famous lopsided grin.

"I gave Mary a picture of me before she left here that day. She first saw the picture in Salt Springs as I was laying there in the barn trying to figure out my next move. After all that she and Faye did for me and remembering that she looked at the picture just before they left, I gave her the picture."

Heath looked down at the piece of paper in his hands, realizing that his eyes were getting teary again. He quickly took charge of his emotions.

"I have to go. I just have to. I feel like I owe them both, but Mary, she was the one that went to the store to get more bullets for my gun. She is the one that really risked her life to save mine. Faye and I both knew that she had the better chance `cause she couldn't talk and wouldn't make much noise. Now, don't get me wrong. Faye was the one who had to tell Mary what to do. She just looked at me for reassurance and did what she felt she had to do."

Then, Nick got up from the table. He laid a hand on his brother's shoulder.

"Do you want me to go with you Heath?"

"Thanks, Nick, but no. I think I wanna go alone."

"Hey, wait a minute," Audra said at once. "Jarrod is going to San Francisco first thing in the morning. You can go with him, Heath."

"Thanks, li'l sister. I might just do that." He arose, kissed his mother and sister, went into town to send a telegram back to Faye and to talk to Jarrod.

Linda sat at the secretary's desk. She had only been working for Jarrod a short time, but she had lived in Stockton all her life. She greeted Heath with a sweet smile, which Heath returned, but he wasn't hiding anything from her. She knew that the man in front of her was a very sad man.

"Jarrod," said Linda. "I know you are working on a case but Heath is here and he seems very upset."

"Thanks Linda, send him in please."

She nodded her head and left the room. Moments later Heath emerged and Jarrod knew that Linda was right, his brother was upset.

"Well, Brother Heath, to what do I owe this pleasure?" Jarrod said, while trying to cheer his younger brother up.

Heath at this point was trying very hard to hold his emotions in check. He slowly began to speak again while choking back tears.

"Jarrod I wanted to ask you if I could go with you to San Francisco in the morning. I... That telegram Billy came to give me was from Faye Keller. She wrote to tell me that Mary is ill and wants to see me, and I need to be there, but, if you don't..." He couldn't continue for the tears again.

"Now Heath why would I mind you coming with me?"

"I don't know I just wanted to ask you first is all."

"We'll leave first thing in the morning." Jarrod said, while give Heath

a reassuring handshake.

"Thanks, Jarrod I appreciate it."

"Heath, there is nothing to thank me for. Did Faye mention what was wrong with Mary?"

"Influenza."

"Influenza?" Jarrod repeated in disbelief.

"Yes," Heath told him. "Faye said she was sick first, but then Mary came down with it and she's not fighting it off well."

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By the next afternoon, Jarrod, and Heath had arrived in San Francisco. They had made reservations at the hotel. Then they went their separate ways for the time being. Heath looked down at the second telegram he had received once more to be sure of where to go to find them. It didn't take him very long at all to find the place. He knocked on the door of the theater where Faye and Mary lived. they had a room at the back of the theater. When he knocked on the door a big, black man answered.

"Yes?" the gentleman said,

"I'm Heath Barkley. Faye Keller asked me to come."

"Right this way, Mr. Barkley. They've been expecting

you."

"How is Mary?"

"Not very well, I'm afraid. She's been going in and out of consciousness for the last day or two. The doctor has sent for some stronger medicine that he hopes will turn things around."

So, they made their way into the back room to where Faye and Mary were. As soon as Heath's eyes met those of Faye and the sleeping Mary he was so thankful that he took the train that morning.

"Hello Faye," Heath said to the lady sitting on the side of the bed

tears streaking her face.

"Angel, I didn't hear you come in," She stood up to give him a hug.

Heath couldn't help but smile at hearing her call him angel again. It had been at least four years maybe even five since they met at Salt Springs when Heath went there to guard the town against looters only to defend himself along with Faye and Mary against the other men that were left their to guard it with him.

"I came as soon as I could, How is she, Faye?"

"Holdin' her own is all I'm afraid."

"Well, that's better than nothing really." Heath moved to the other

side of the bed and sat down next to the indian girl.

"Faye, Jarrod came with me. He's got some business here. And I'll stay

as long as he's in town unless something changes with her condition."

Watching the way that Heath looked at the Indian girl and the way that he seemed to care about her as Faye knew that he did, she couldn't help, but smile a little. She could see now that she had made the right decision in contacting him. She knew that she could lean on him for strength and Mary could as well, if only Mary was aware of Heath's presence. Somehow, she just knew that Mary would recover if she only knew Heath was there for her.

As Heath reached for a damp rag to wipe Mary's forehead, she moaned at the feel of the cloth on her skin.

"Mary, it's me, Heath. I came as soon as I could," he was saying as he laid a hand on her cheek. "Jarrod came with me. He went to his office here in town first, but he'll be along later. Just hang on please. Please, Mary? hang on."

Later that evening, the doctor arrived to give Mary the medicine that he had sent for. By that time, Jarrod had arrived to visit with Faye and see Mary.

"Mr. Barkley, I was so scared. I didn't know what to do. Then Mary pointed to her little purse, then she pulled out a picture of Heath and that's how I knew to send the telegram to him."

"I know, Faye," was all Jarrod could say.

"Mother, Nick and Audra send their love." Jarrod said.

"Thank you Mr. Barkley."

"Remember now," said Jarrod "My first name is Jarrod."

"Yes I remember. I just wanted to say Mr. Barkley."

"Well from now on it's just Jarrod."

The doctor said that Mary should sleep for hours. Now that she had this medicine. He even said that he was very hopeful about it. He said he'd seen it work a number of times in his years of practising medicine.

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Three days had passed and Mary seemed to be more alert as each day passed. Heath arose and moved to her side. Her eyes opened and she smiled when she recognized him. He wholeheartedly returned the smile.

"Mary you are gonna be fine. I just know you will. The doctor said the medicine that he gave you, he has never seen it fail. You just rest now ok."

With a nod and another smile Mary went back into a peaceful sleep. Heath stayed by her said until he was sure that she had fallen asleep.

The doctor arrived soon after and he informed them that her fever had broken and that she would be fine.

"Thank the Lord," said Heath and Faye at the same time.

Heath and Jarrod were going to leave the next day. Before they left, Heath went to pack at the hotel. He mentioned to Jarrod that he wanted to say goodbye to them. It was understandable, because Jarrod wanted to do the same. As they left their rooms, they heard a woman saying that she had to see someone, but she was too nervous and she couldn't get it out. Just as they turned the corner, Heath recognized her voice.

"Jarrod, Faye is downstairs."

Jarrod and Heath both thought that Mary had taken a turn for the worse

or worse still...well they didn't want to think that.

"Faye, Faye what is it?" Heath was trying to calm her down.

"Heath, Heath she...she.."

"It's about Mary isn't it? Faye calm down and tell me."

"Angel, remember when we were in Salt springs and you said you believed

in miracles?"

"Yes Faye I do. It was a miracle that we got out of

there alive."

"Oh this is a bigger miracle than that believe me."

"What is?" Jarrod asked.

Faye sat down trying to calm down and compose herself.

"She said,Heath, this morning."

"Faye, come now, you said yourself she hadn't spoken since you knew

her, and that her parents abandoned her because of it."

"I know what I said and it's true, you know it is, Heath. You know that

yourself, you both do."

The Barkley brothers shook their heads in agreement. So both men made

their way to the theater with Faye. When they came in the door Mary was

sitting up in bed.

Mary then smiled. "Heath, Heath Barkley," she said with a smile,

"Angel."

Neither of the Barkley men could believe their ears. Mary had actually

talked.

Heath sat down next to her and she reached for his hand. Then said it

again, "Heath".

Tears filled Heath's eyes and this time he didn't try to stop them.

He then looked at Jarrod motioning him next to him. "Mary this is my

brother, remember him?"

She shook her head yes.

"O.K. Mary, do you know his name?"

She studied Jarrod's face for a long moment then said, "Jarrod, Jarrod

Barkley." She then turned to her friend of many years. "Faye Keller."

No-one could hardly believe their ears. Everyone laughed and cried at

once.

Some things she was not capable of saying, but names she said

perfectly. Even the names of Nick and Audra and Victoria, to whom she

referred just as Mrs. Barkley.

The Doctor came to examine her, then decided that since she was saying

a few words, she should see a speech therapist. They were rare because

it was a new concept in medicine. All agreed it was the best for Mary.

On the train back home, Heath couldn't quite get over what had transpired. Jarrod broke the silence.

What are you gonna say to the family about Mary, Brother Heath." Jarrod said with a big smile and his blue eyes shining very bright. Heath thought for a minute then said with a big smile across his face.

"I'll just tell them that, She Said Heath."