Chapter 8
Colorado Springs
Monday 27th October, 1873
Brian is in the barn, feeding his horse, before going to school with his parents. Just then Sully enters the barn to talk to him.
"Good mornin' Brian" says Sully.
"Hey pa, good mornin'. Ready ta go" asks Brian.
"No, not yet. I wanted ta speak to you" replies Sully.
Brian looks at him and knows on which subject the conversation was going to be.
"Sure, go on" replied Brian.
"Look, I think ya know 'bout what I wanted ta talk to ya. It's about your surname. Till some time ago, ya believed Ethan would come back, an' ya still thought that Mat an' Colleen treated him badly didn't ya" begins Sully.
"Yeah I did, but not anymore" replies Brian.
"An' what made ya change your mind? I mean, what made ya change your surname? That's my question" replies Sully.
"Well, it's simple. I believed that my father would come back to get us an' take us ta live with him in San Francisco. I believed that Mat was bein' cruel to him an' that he should give him another chance. I believed he really loved us, an' would come back to us sometime... but he didn't. He left an' never came back. He didn't even come for Colleen's wedding, now can ya tell me what kind of father is that? Since Colleen's wedding, I realised that Matthew had been right about him all along, an' that he was right ta be ashamed of him. He doesn't love us. When a person loves another, they miss each other's company. If he loved us he would miss our company an' would come to visit us, somethin' he doesn't do... you are the only father I really ever had, an' I will never thank you enough for all ya did for me, an' Mat and Colleen. I'm sure both Mat an' Colleen feel the same" replies Brian, pausing for breath"Then Mat changes his surname. To tell ya the truth, I never thought about it. But when Mat gave me the idea, I knew that I had ta do the same. It's not only a way of breaking the remaining ties to Ethan, but also a way of thankin' ya for the love ya have for us. You'll have someone to carry on your name, even if ma has a boy, it doesn't matter. We have formed a wonderful family, an' this was the just one thing missing I think. If for ya it's a problem, I won't change my name, but I really love ya, an' since ya are takin' care of me, I find it only right ta have your name. I don't want that when I go to College, or even around here, I have a father of whom I'm totally ashamed an' that abandoned us. When I say my name, I want to be proud to say what a great father I have. That's what happened ta Matthew. He said his surname was 'Sully', because you are a father to be proud of, but if he had said 'Cooper' they would know that he once had a father 'Cooper' who abandoned him, an' then was bein' taken care of by someone else who's surname was 'Sully'. If I change my surname, when I go around, no-one knows I'm adopted. I mean, not that just by saying a surname, people know if you're adopted or not, but I would be ashamed of it! I would be ashamed to explain the whole story, as Mat has been! So, I forget 'bout him, an' the whole world forgets about him, since he was so mean an' cruel ta leave us alone. But, ya know, I am glad he went away! If he'd remained ya would never have been my father, an' if he had taken us with him, ma would never have been our mother! So, at least, he did make us one favour in his life" finished Brian.
Brian finally looked up from the ground where he had been looking all the time, and looked in his father's face. Sully was left speechless, and Brian could see there were tears in his eyes. No words were spoken. Brian simply went to his father, and they hugged each other. Sully didn't know what to say! He was too happy to say anything. He knew he had found a son that loved him with all his heart!
Boston
Thursday 30th October, 1873
"Oh come on Alex say the truth! Admit it" said Mary Hunter, Alex's best friend.
They were seated at their usual table in the University's Cafeteria. Soon, Matthew and Tom Wilson would join them.
"And what should you say then! Admit it that you're in love with Tom" replied Alex.
"OK OK OK I admit it! I'm in love with Tom. Now it's your turn" said Mary impatiently, waiting for the truth to come out.
"Look Mary, we're just friends" replied Alex blushing.
"Even thinking about him you blush and become red like a tomato! Oh come on! We've known him for nearly two months now! Don't tell me there isn't at least a slight attraction"
"Well... yes... maybe there is some attraction" breathed out Alex.
Mary sighed in relief and smiled.
"So, what else can you tell me about him? I talk to him very little" asked Mary.
"Of course! When they come here you have eyes only for Tom" teased Alex.
"Oh come on don't change subject! Tell me about Matthew"
"Well I think you know he's from Colorado Springs, that his father is Byron Sully, his mother is a doctor..." started Alex but was interrupted by Mary.
"... his sister is studying to become a doctor, he has a brother and a sister, etc! I know these things! I mean, tell me what you like about him"
"But, excuse me, didn't you just tell me that you talked to him very little" asked Alex confused.
"Well yes, I talk to him very little, but it doesn't mean I don't know the general information about him! Remember that Tom is his great friend and they talk a lot between them! I want to know what you think about him"
"Well, he's quite handsome, and kind and gentle! And I love his accent, and his way of facing life! He's quite intelligent and remembers laws perfectly as written on the book! He's quite timid sometimes and blushes immediately! But he's a dear! I love hearing talk about horses and how he used to spend his time there. And the Indians! They seem to have a lot of them at home! There's a special one who's their great friend! If I remember right his name was 'Running Clouds'"
"Hahahahaha! Now that's a funny name" laughed out Mary"Did he make the first move"
"Well, not exactly! We just sit near each other in class and go for a coffee after the lectures! Nothing else. Don't worry, if he invites me out, I'll tell you" replied Alex.
"But you arrive together in the morning" pointed out Mary.
"Oh yes, it's because I go to his house so we walk to University together"
"Did he ever take your hands in his" asks Mary curiously.
"Now listen" replied Alex a little offended"I know that we're best friends and that we say everything to each other. We've never asked questions about love affairs, neither of us so can you tell me why all this curiosity? I mean, we're both in love for the first time, I never asked you anything, yet you ask questions as if we're during an interview"
"Well, it's because it's the first time I see you in love that's all" replied Mary, realising that maybe she had been too curious.
She was immediately sorry. After all, Alex was right. "Look I'm sorry. You're right. Let's make an agreement! I tell you when Tom makes the first move, and you do the same"
"OK, it's a deal" replies Alex"And by the way, he did take my hands in his"
"Oh really! Now that's great! Well, so it seems Tom is even more shy than Mat in these things! And I'm not any less" replies Mary as they burst out laughing.
"Oh in that case we can say that we're a group of four shy people in love" said Alex.
"Shall we do something special this year for Halloween" asked Mary.
"Haven't you heard of the University's party? All students are invited. We are to wear a costume and go there eating and having fun! Pity there's no room for dancing, but I'd like to go"
"Sounds interesting! Do we need to buy tickets or pay something"
"No, as far as I know! So, shall we go? We'll tell Tom and Mat as well."
"Yes sure! I love the idea. What shall you wear"
"A cowgirl" said Alex dreamily.
"HA! I knew it somehow! Well... I guess I'll wear a witch costume"
"You think Matthew will wear Colorado Springs' clothes" asked Alex curiously.
"Did he bring any with him"
"I don't know! What do you think Tom will wear"
They didn't see Tom and Matthew approaching.
"Does a costume for semi-idiots exist" said Mary before the others arrived and found them laughing.
"What are you laughing about you two" asked Tom as he and Matthew sat down at their table.
Alex and Mary were taken off guard but Mary soon found the solution.
"Um... we were laughing at 'Running Clouds', the name of your Indian friend" said Mary.
Matthew and Tom both burst out laughing at them, leaving Mary and Alex staring at them speechless.
"It's... not...'Running Clouds'" breathed out Matthew between his laughter"it's 'Cloud Dancing'"
The four young people laughed their hearts out! They were such a happy group! Another person was watching the group from the corner of the Cafeteria, well, not exactly all the group, but Miss Alexandra Parker.
Colorado Springs
Thursday 30th October, 1873
Sully was busily working in his workshop. He had loads of items to do and send them back, and sometimes it seemed to him that it was indeed to much to be handled by a sole person! He liked how things went. He would receive the material and the design from Boston. Then he would make the product and send it back to Boston. After two days he received the payment!
He was earning much more than he thought. He was paying both Colleen's and Matthew's studies, but had had a considerable sum of money left apart each month. In a short time he would be a rather rich man. Who would have imagined it!
Robert E came in and stood in front of his bench. Sully stopped from what he was doing and looked up to talk to his friend.
"Good mornin' Robert E"
"Good mornin' Sully. So how are ya doin'"
"Oh, fine thanks. How's Grace"
"She's fine, even if she's all the time fearing she'll have a miscarriage" replies Robert E rather worried.
"Oh don't worry Robert E. Grace is a strong woman" replied Sully reassuringly.
"Ya mean that Dr. Mike aint a strong woman" asked Robert E, but soon regretted his words.
Sully bit his lip and said nothing. He knew Robert E was right. Miscarriages were just things that happened, and not exactly if you weren't strong!
"It's not about children I came ta speak to ya" said Robert E cheerfully changing the subject"I need ya to make me a cradle"
"Ya said ya hadn't come here ta speak 'bout children" laughed Sully"OK I'll make ya the cradle, but ya'll have to wait a little."
"It's Ok, I aint in a hurry, as long as it's ready when the baby is born"
"Count on that"
"I will. I have ta leave ya now since I had a lot ta do! Thanks. If ya need any help ya know where ta find me" said Robert E as he went out of the workshop.
Just at that moment, Andrew entered.
"Hey Sully" said Andrew.
"Hey Andrew! How are ya" asks Sully, noticing the strange look in Andrew's eyes.
"Oh, just the usual mood" replied Andrew, not quite caring to answer the question.
"Ya haven't answered my question" stated Sully.
"I'm fine... just missing Colleen, that's all. Every time I go to bed I lay awake and think of her. You know, I had come used to her sleeping beside me. I just wish she hadn't left sometimes" replied Andrew.
Sully said nothing at first.
"Well I can understand that. We too miss her at home. But remember that she left for her own good, so she becomes a doctor; an' remember also that in the third week of December she'll be here for two weeks, an' the third week of December is..." replied Sully.
"... five weeks away. Yes, I guess you're right. She had to go, I just wish time flies by" Andrew finished the sentence. Silence fell in the room until Andrew finally spoke up.
"Listen, are you sure you're going to stop building Matthew's house" he asks.
"Well yeah sure. I have a lot ta do, an' since he doesn't want me ta build it anymore, for me it's only a problem less. Why do ya ask"
"Uhm, I would like you to help me build a house for Colleen and I" replies Andrew.
"Of course, have ya told her"
"No, I want it to be a surprise. So will you help me"
"But why aint ya tellin' her? Ya know that buildin' a house costs a lot, I mean, for buyin' the material, an' these aren't really things ta give surprises upon! Maybe she has a plan for how she wants the house, ya know how women are in these things. Ya should wait till she comes here for Christmas, discuss the plan, and then we build it when she's away. What da ya think"
Andrew realised Sully was right.
"Yes, you're right. So I'll leave it for after the Christmas holidays. So you'll help me"
"Sure! To say the truth, it is you who'll be helpin' me an' not the other way round" said Sully and both men laughed out.
Sully had at least succeeded in alighting Andrew mood for the day.
Philadelphia
Thursday 30th October, 1873
"Do ya take sugar in your coffee" asks Colleen.
"No thanks Col" replies Angela"don't you know that"
"Well, I never prepare the coffee in the mornin'" replies Colleen rather ashamed.
"Oh sure! You're always the last one to get up! Hand me the butter please."
"Here take it" replied Colleen handing Angela the butter and sitting herself at the table opposite her.
"So, how are ya goin'" asks Colleen.
"How am I going where"
"I mean, how are ya gettin' on at University" Angela eyed Colleen worriedly and finally spoke.
"Col, are you alright? We do all our School-work together and you know how I am doing. Is something worrying you" Colleen remained silent for a while.
"Oh Angie, I wish I had never left home" sighed Colleen, surprising Angela.
"Why would that be? It seems to me you're doing fine here"
"It's just that I miss them so much! I miss ma's warnings, her advices, I miss Mat's an' Brian's teasing, pa's an' Kathy's laughter..."
"... and you miss Andrew" finished Angela.
"Yeah."
"I can understand you. I miss Manuel as well, even if for you it's probably different, since you're married. But, remember that we'll soon be home, and you'll spend as much time as you want with him" consoled her Angela.
"Oh yeah sure! We'll be home only in a month" replied Colleen sarcastically.
"Look, you can leave whenever you want and go home, this is not a prison. But don't ruin your career. We have to make sacrifices, and can't let go upon meeting the first piece of trouble! I'm sure neither Andrew nor the rest of your family would want to see you abandoning University just because you miss them" Colleen didn't breathe a word.
She just listened to Angela, and weighed her words. She was right!
"You're right, ya little detective" said Colleen smiling.
"That's what friends are for Col! So, shall we go for a walk in the garden before lessons?'
"But we still have ta wash the plates we used this mornin'" pointed out Colleen.
"We can do them when we get back, can't we? Nobody tells us when we have to do things"
"Great idea"
"Shall we do something special for Halloween"
"Well, I dunno! I didn't have anythin' in mind. I think cookin' somethin' special and playin' some games of cards will be a feast enough! Did ya have somethin' in mind"
"No, but maybe we should dress something funny just for ourselves to laugh a little. I have a special meal in mind as well. What do ya think"
"I agree! Ya know, when I'm back home, I'll miss ya"
"Me too. I never had a real friend, like you."
End of Chapter 8
