Chapter 20
Boston
Monday 15th December, 1873
"What happened to you Colleen" Angela asked as soon as she found her best friend, seated on a bench in the garden.
"He's just like Ethan. He's abandoning us" Colleen cried.
"He's not like Ethan, Col! You know that! Have you forgotten how many times you told me how much you love him and how much he means to you? And that he's the best father in the world? Where did all this love go? It vanished, as did your brain" raged Angela.
"I... I don't know! I just feel angry at him for wanting to leave us here alone"
"But he doesn't WANT to leave you here alone" Angela shouted.
"How do you know? How do you know he's not just like Ethan"
"You've told me yourself that he's not like Ethan. But you told me so when you were in you senses... when you knew what you were saying! Now you don't know what you're saying my dear, so stop arguing with me"
"OK, Angie. But, if he's not like Ethan, than why is he abandoning us just the same? Did we do something wrong"
"No. He just... has no choice"
"I don't want him to die, Angie! I need him" Colleen wept as she leant against her friends' shoulder, letting out all the tears she had inside her.
Colorado Springs
Monday 15th December, 1873
Dorothy approached Horace, who was in his office.
"Any telegrams from Boston, Horace"
"It's the tenth time ya ask me the same question! No, there are no telegrams" replied Horace irritated.
"Why don't you do like me Dorothy: just sit here, so as soon as something arrives, he'll tell you" interjected the Reverend, who was seated on a bench near Horace's window.
"Oh no thanks! I have much more important things to do" she said as she started to leave.
Suddenly she saw Loren approach, so she decided to wait for him.
"There are no telegrams from Boston Loren" she teased the old man.
"I don't come to check if there's news from Boston! I come to collect my mail" grumbled Loren.
"But ya already collected it Loren! Ya know it only comes once a day" said Horace.
"Have I ever told ya what a great idiot ya are, Horace" barked Loren.
He started to walk down the steps of the post-office, but suddenly stopped and turned around.
"Oh OK. I'll admit it, I came to see if there are any telegrams. So, do ya have news" insisted Loren.
"NO! An' it's the last time I'm sayin' it! Look, if I receive any telegrams, I'm gonna stick them on the train's blackboard over there, together with the notices of late arrivals of trains. Now leave me alone" shouted Horace.
"What if something happened to Michaela an' the children on their way to Boston" asked a worried Dorothy.
"Then Brian is capable enough to contact someone from here and ask for help, so don't worry" the Reverend reassured her.
"Have ya told Cloud Dancing 'bout this" Loren asked Dorothy.
"Ya think I should"
"Well, he's Sully's best friend. I think he should be the first one ta know" replied Loren.
"OK. I'll go an' tell him"
She left the depot, mounted her horse which was tied to a post in front of the Gazette, and rode to Cloud Dancing's teepee.
"What do you want" said Cloud Dancing, not even turning to face her.
Dorothy was taken aback"I... I need to tell ya somethin'."
"That we're not meant for each other? Well, I already know that."
"It's not that! I mean, I want ta talk 'bout that, but now there's somethin' more important"
"What is it"
"Sully's been shot in Boston. He's dying... I mean the doctors say he won't make it."
"How do you know" he asked, turning to look at her for the first time since she arrived.
"Michaela's received a telegram from her mother an' I read it as well. Michaela left for Boston some hours ago."
"And Brian and Katie are with Michaela"
"Yeah, she took them with her."
"When... when was this telegram sent"
"Early this morning."
"You think I'd manage to go to Boston"
"Well, I'm afraid not. Remember you'll always be safe while you remain here, but I fear that if you board a train on your own and go all the way to Boston you'd be arrested, or worse... and I don't want anything to happen to you Cloud Dancing"
"So, you suggest I stay here, and just pray the spirits"
"I think it's the best solution."
Dorothy turned to leave.
"Thanks for the information" Cloud Dancing replied before Dorothy walked away.
In the meantime, Teresa was alone in the school while the pupils were having their break. She put her hands on her belly and caressed it. Suddenly the door opened, and her husband came in.
"Hey there" he smiled as he made his way towards her.
She rose from the chair and let him sit down. Then she sat again, this time on his lap and he put his arms round her.
"What's the matter" Jake inquired.
"Nothing. I... I was just thinking."
"'bout what"
"About Michaela... and Sully."
"Yeah, me too" Jake sounded sad as well.
"YOU DO" Teresa couldn't recognise her husband's attitude.
"Yeah, I do! I mean, Sully's a nice bloke once ya get to know him, once ya accept the fact he's like an Injun, an' that there's nothin' bad 'bout that! He's a normal person like all of us. He's a loving father and a wonderful husband. I never really liked him, but lately, well, I started to look at him in a different way, an' I realised I had been wrong 'bout him all the time, as has been Loren! I... I'm sorry for what's happening ta him! I... I'd cry if he died. He... he's an important figure here in town" confessed Jake.
Teresa was dumbfounded and couldn't believe her ears. Was that really her husband, the Jake Slicker she had married some time before?
"You really think so" she asked him.
"Yeah, sure I do! I wouldn't have said that if I didn't really think it. An' what was ya thinkin' 'bout"
"I... I was thinking about Michaela. It must be terrible for her to go on with life, knowing her husband is about to die, and having two little children to raise and another one about to be born! She must feel really torn to know that her son or daughter will never have a father, or that she'll have to face all difficulties alone! I... I don't think I'd manage! I couldn't raise a child on my own Jake, without your help and support. I... I'm very sorry for her. I... I always hated her for silly reasons, but when I got to talk to her, to know her better, I realised, as you said, that's she a wonderful person. She doesn't deserve all this suffering, after all she has done for this town"
"Neither does Sully if it comes ta that! We can do nothin' 'bout it unfortunately. Just stay here an' wait. How... how can we ever be the same? I mean, Dr. Mike will never be the same again, an' neither will be her children. An' what 'bout us? Will we ever be the same"
"Jake, let's stop speaking of him as if he's already dead! Why don't we rather think he's going to live, and that we'll all celebrate Christmas together"
"Yeah, I think you're right! I wish we could do somethin' ta help"
"But what can we do, we can't go to Boston"
"We can do something Teresa! I have an idea! Why don't you find the Reverend and ask him if we can reunite all town in church, so we pray for Sully? It's the best thing we can do"
"You're a genius my dear" said Teresa.
She kissed him softly and left his lap.
"I'll go talk to the Reverend immediately. I'm sure he won't refuse, so in the meantime, go find Grace an' Robert E and ring the bell! Let's reunite the town an' pray" she said closing the door behind her.
Boston
Monday 15th December, 1873
Brian slowly entered Sully's room as Michaela and Mary went out. As his eyes accustomed themselves to the dark room, lit only by candles lying on two tables on either side of Sully's face, he just wanted to run out of there and never return. But something refrained him.
He slowly approached the bed and looked at his father's face. How could this be? Why should he always have to loose his father? Why was it always happening to him? He was afraid to even touch him, as if the man lying before him was already dead.
"Hey pa. I... I knew that this day would come, I mean the day when I'd have ta say goodbye to you forever. But I never imagined that this day would be so soon! When we first left Boston this morning to come here, I kept thinking that they had all been wrong, an' that I'd come here and see you on your feet waiting to return home. But now... seeing you here, well, they were right. Ya're really leaving us. How... how can ya do such a thing to us? We are your family, an' we need you. You just can't pack your bags and go to heaven! How could you let these men do this to you? You've fought off so many bad guys, and you couldn't win over these? I... I can't believe ya're doin' this to me! Ya can't leave me here alone. I need you! I need you to be my father! I need to go fishin' with you! I need ya to help me build my inventions for the school, to watch me grow up! To see me go to College or see me go to the army like you! I... I need you so I can share these emotions and unforgettable days with you! And I need to share them looking into your eyes, not at your name on a grave. I know that Ma will be there, but it's not the same. I... I already thought I'd lost you once when ya fell from that cliff. Goin' to your funeral that day, even if I knew you were alive, well it left a very bad impression on me! I don't want to go to your funeral again! I know all children must go to their parents' funerals, and I accept that fact, but I don't want that day to be tomorrow for me pa! I... I want ya ta see me grow up, an' getting married maybe! I want you to be proud of bein' my father! And I want to be proud to introduce you to my friends 'This is my father!' I... I don't want to say 'My father's dead'! I don't want to" Brian sat down on the chair trying to wipe away his tears.
"You asked me to take care of Ma an' Katie for ya while you'd be away. Will ya ask me to do that again, now that you're... leaving for somewhere else? I could do that you know, but how will we raise your baby? You can't go and leave this child without a father, and you can't leave me either! I... I always wanted a father, but when I realised Ethan never loved me, I learnt to look up at you as my father! I know we already said this, but I think its the best conversation we ever had together, and I feel like remembering it, since these are the only things that seem I'll have to remember you! You... you were the one always there in my life, always there to love an' support me! Ya helped me go through the most difficult times in my life, you always had faith in my capacities. I... I'll miss our talks about the Cheyenne and about the army and so on! But... most of all, I'll miss not havin' ya round at home! It will be too empty without you! Ya... ya can't go Pa, not now that we have really become a family, including Matthew who had his name changed just to feel even more a part of it! Please, don't go" Brian put his back against the chair and went on crying.
After a few minutes he just couldn't take it anymore. Without looking back he left Sully's room, leaving the door open.
Back in the corridor, Mary and Michaela sat down next to Elisabeth. Soon afterwards, Katie and Tom returned. Katie was asleep on Tom's shoulders and he gently put her on Michaela's lap.
Elisabeth asked Tom"Don't you have exams tomorrow"
"Yes we do. But we already studied last week for them" replied Tom as he sat down.
"Then maybe you should go do some revisions" suggested Michaela.
"We're staying here with Matthew" interjected Mary.
"Oh no! You're going straight home! Alex has permission to do tomorrow's exam another day, but you don't! So, go an' study! I appreciate what you've already done" said Matthew, as he and Alex joined the family.
"Mat, we're your best friends, and we're not leaving" stated Tom.
"OK. Do as ya like then" Matthew and Alex moved in front of Michaela"Ma, this is Alex, my fiancée."
"Fiancée? You didn't tell me you had asked her to marry you Matthew" exclaimed Michaela taken by surprise.
"I proposed to her yesterday but I had no time to tell ya"
"Oh, I see! Well, welcome in the family my dear! I've heard only nice things about you! Take care of him for me, will you" Michaela said, hugging Alex.
"Thanks! I've heard wonderful things about you too Dr. Quinn" Alex replied.
Yet, as soon as Michaela sat down again, she started crying, so Alex suspected she had said something wrong.
"What's the matter Ma" asked Matthew.
"It... it's just that everyone seems to be pairing up and finding the love of his life, and... and I am losing my husband" Michaela sobbed.
Matthew sat beside her and took her in his arms. Katie woke up and jumped down from her mother's knees, sensing she'd soon be squashed, and seeked refuge on Tom's welcoming lap.
Michaela put her head against Matthew's cheek. She just couldn't stop crying. Why was this happening to her? Why to her Sully? If only someone could answer these questions... So she could just try to find comfort in her family.
Tom put his arm round Mary's shoulders and she nestled closer. Rebecca and Justin returned from their walk and sat down with the group. No-one said a word. The silence was only broken by Michaela's crying and Mary's and Alex's sniffing. But soon, two pairs of footsteps could be heard in the corridor, when Angela and Colleen returned. They joined the group without saying a word.
"Why don't we all say a prayer" asked Jason, breaking that uncomfortable silence.
Everyone nodded and each started a silent prayer, for the safety of a father, of a friend, or of a stranger. But there was someone who prayed for the safety of a loved one, of her soul mate, who was about to leave her forever.
Suddenly a man approached the group. Alex ran towards him.
"Father" she shouted as she hugged him.
"Hey Alex! You OK" James asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Good. I was getting worried about you so I came to see if you're OK! I'm still not used to you returning home late you know"
"You'd better get used to it, because I'm engaged now father"
"How is Mr. Sully"
"He... he's getting worse. There's nothing else to be done."
Matthew and Michaela stood up and went over to Alex and her father.
"Hello Mr. Parker" Matthew said.
"Hello Matthew. Pleased to meet you again even if in such a tragic situation. I'm very, very sorry for what happened to your father! You have my full sympathy."'
"Thanks. Come an' meet my Ma" and they moved towards Michaela"This is my mother, Dr. Michaela Quinn"
"But, isn't your surname Sully" James was puzzled.
"I kept my maiden name, Mr. Parker" said Michaela as James kissed her hand ceremoniously.
Suddenly, Brian came out of Sully's room. Since the door was left open, James could catch a glimpse of Sully lying on the bed. Without even asking permission, he entered and just stared at Sully. Michaela, Matthew and Alex followed him.
"Oh my God! I know this man. He... we met in the train two days ago. We... we talked about wedding rings. He wanted to buy one and..." babbled James, not believing his eyes.
He then looked at Sully's hand and saw the wedding ring. So he had really bought it!
"He... he's my father" Matthew said softly.
"I... I'm sorry! And to think I actually knew him! I thought I had recognised you in a photo he showed me, but wasn't sure" James replied.
Michaela went over to the side of the bed again, and softly touched Sully's face. He was getting weaker. She sank in the chair and started crying again. The others quietly left the room...
"Alex, Matthew, I know it's not the right time to say this but you two have been given permission not to sit for tomorrow's exam. And you Matthew, have also been given permission not to sit for today's exam, which is now over by a lot anyway. You'll be excused and will be allowed to do them another time, when you want, before school closes for Christmas. However if... if all this turns out wrong, and you really can't manage to do the exams before Christmas, I'll try to arrange for you to do them in January as soon as you return to University" said James as they were out of the room.
"Thanks a lot Mr. Parker" replied Matthew.
Tom and Mary approached them.
"Hello Mr. Parker" Mary smiled.
"Hello Mary, Tom" he greeted them.
"Could you obtain a permission for me and Tom too so we miss tomorrow's exam" asked Mary.
"If it's just for you two, I can do it! Tomorrow you're excused from school"
"Thanks Mr. Parker" Tom was pleased.
"Oh you're welcome! Al, would you like me to stay here and take you home with me when you're ready to leave? Don't worry, I won't hurry you or interfere" James asked.
"Thanks father, but I'll come home by myself. There's no use for you to stay here."
Elisabeth rose form her chair and approached them.
"We'll bring her home in our carriage, Mr. Parker" she said.
"Oh, thanks! I'm reassured now! So Al, your mother and I will be waiting for you at home."
James hugged his daughter before leaving for home. Shortly afterwards, Peter approached the remaining group.
"Sorry it took me so long to arrive but some people needed my help rather urgently" Peter said.
"It's OK Dr. Walker. I think there's not much more you can do than Michaela anyway" said Elisabeth.
"Michaela's in there" he inquired, pointing at Sully's door.
"Yeah she is. Why don't ya examine him an' see if there are any changes" asked Matthew.
"I'm sure Michaela can see the changes for herself if there are any, but since you asked me to..."
Peter entered the room, followed by Matthew, Brian and Colleen, along with Elisabeth, Jason and Rebecca. But Alex and Angela stayed in the doorway, while Tom and Mary remained in the corridor, trying to hold Katie away from seeing her father.
The scene before them was shocking. Michaela was no longer seated in the chair but was kneeling on the floor with her head in her hands, resting atop of Sully's chest. Peter took Sully's hand in his and checked for a pulse, but found none. He looked at the others in the room and then at the ones in the doorway, and just shook his head sadly. All understood the bitter truth. Silence loomed in the room for a while, soon replaced by their crying.
Suddenly, Katie spotted her father from between Alex and Angela. She let go of Tom's hand and ran into the room, jumped on the bed and shook Sully's shoulders.
"Pa... pa! Come pway! Pwease" she said.
But she got no answer. The only thing she got was pity and more cries from all those present. Yet she didn't give up. Mary could not take it any more. She went past Alex and entered the room. She grabbed Katie and tried to put her on the ground, but the little girl didn't want to leave.
"Papa! Wake up! Come pway" she kept asking.
But still she got no answer. So she finally gave up and started crying too. Mary managed to put her on the floor, wanting to pull her out of the room...
Katie resisted with all her strength to Mary's attempts to carry her outside, while still shrieking so loud that she could be heard in the whole corridor…
End of Chapter 20
