Tom stepped out of the General Store,on the way to take Ellie Golding to lunch and did a double take, as he saw someone he'd never expected to see again, step down from the recently arrived stage coach and look around her. His heart beat a little faster, suddenly feeling four again, and he looked round, relieved to see no one else had noticed her. Closing his eyes briefly, he took a deep breath and strode over to her, as she hesitated obviously wondering which way to go, and cleared his throat. She looked up at him, and he said far more calmly than he felt."Hello, Ma."

She exclaimed 'Tommy' and went to hug him.

He stepped back from her, irritated by her presumption, and the use of a name he barely tolerated even from those closest to him. Which had the effect of making him feel more in control and a little less nervous, as he said firmly. "Everyone calls me Tom now, even Pa, less he forgets or is feeling real sappy. " He paused and added. "Which is more often than I'd like, but least he's been around to get annoyed at."

Maggie Curry looked around her a little anxiously. "Look, can we go somewhere a bit less public, I need to try and explain."

"Why now Ma?" Tom' hoped he was managing to hide the turmoil of emotions that were threatening to swamp him, judging by her manner, he was sure he doing a decent job of it. He'd studied both his father and his Uncle Heyes and had learnt something from their ability to maintain a poker face however they were feeling, so he'd begun practising his own version in the mirror every morning. He was obviously making some progress, because his Ma looked nervous and her voice was pleading as she said.,"Please son, just give me a chance."

Tom wanted to tell her no, not sure he was ready for this, and pretty certain that there was nothing she could say that would make her leaving make sense. But to his surprise, an overwhelming need to hear her explain in person swept over him, so he shrugged and waved vaguely over at the smaller of the two cafes on the main street. As he said putting as little feeling in his tone as he was capable of. "Millie's won't be busy this time of day."

"Millie's? I remember going there as a child! She must be ancient now."

Tom shook his head. "She died last winter, when most of the town got sick too. Pa took real good care of me, even though he was sick too." Tom almost enjoyed the look of pain that crossed his mother's face, at his deliberately pointed comment.

They sat at a corner table, mostly hidden from view, both with pie and coffee in front of them. Though Maggie was just picking at hers, Tom never one to waste good food was eating with some enthusiasm, as he waited for her to talk.

"I tried to stay Tom, but it just wasn't getting any easier, and I didn't know how to explain how I was feeling to your Pa." She paused and met his gaze. "I'm sorry I never meant to leave you with him."

"Leave me with him?" Tom felt a flash of anger at her comment and he knew his poker face had faltered, but he didn't really care. His Pa wasn't always easy, but she was being unfair. "He isn't some kinda monster! And you've no right judging him!" His voice had risen and she looked nervously round her. "You've been gone ten years Ma! And he ain't never given up on me, not like you gave up on him."

"You don't understand, son."

"Sure I do, Maggie, I understand plenty."

He relished the pain that crossed her face at the deliberate use of her name, and he had to fight the urge to hurt her as much as she'd hurt him and his Pa.

"Please, I want you to come with me. I'm with a good man now, he's willing to give me and you his name, even if we can't marry in the proper way, 'cos your Pa never bothered to divorce me."

Tom blinked, not even sure what to say to that comment, and then stared at her, as just what she was wanting sank in, anger making his jaw tight as he snapped. "I'm not going anywhere with you." With that he pushed his chair back and got to his feet angrily, no longer interested in her reasons for leaving, just eager to get home and see his Pa. Not that he was going to tell him anything about this encounter.

"Well, we'll see what your Pa says about that,"

"You ain't goin' anywhere near my Pa! You hurt him enough. I'm nearly fourteen, old enough to make that kinda decision for myself."

As he stormed towards the door he collided with Heyes, who was just entering. They stared at each for a moment as Heyes put a steadying arm on his shoulder."Woah there Tom."

Tom knew exactly when his Uncle saw who'd been sitting with, as his eyes widened and his grip tightened briefly making Tom wince, before he made an obvious effort to loosen his tight hold as he said. "That who I think it is?"

Tom his throat tight, nodded. "You can't tell Pa!"

Heyes looked at him, his expression worried. "You sure 'bout that Tom? You know how he gets if he thinks he's been lied to."

"Please, Uncle Heyes, I promise I'll tell him when she's safely outta town."

"I'm not sure that's a wise decision Tom, but I guess she won't have nothing to say that he needs to hear."

Tom blinked away tears as he was suddenly assailed by the memory of just how much he'd loved his Ma, and how it'd really felt that his world was ending when he'd been told she was gone. Sadness and anger warred with each other as he said softly. "She hurt us Uncle Heyes and I ain't sure I wanna forgive her for that." He took a breath, not willing to break down, where the woman could see him and said harshly. "I gotta go!" With that he pulled away from Heyes and fled the cafe, eager to see his father.

X

Heyes considered following the boy, but then figured it better to leave him to sort through his feelings, so instead he strode over to the woman who'd caused so much pain. As he looked down at her, he was reluctantly impressed with how firmly she met his gaze as he said. "Well Mrs Curry, long time no see!"

Maggie's voice was steadier than he'd expected as she replied. "Heyes." The past ten years had treated her well, she had far more poise and confidence than he ever remembered her having when he'd known her. Her grey eyes were calm as she met his gaze, and he had an uncharitable urge to unbalance her, so said pointedly. "See you and Tom had a good talk then."

She muttered to herself, "too much of his Pa in him."

Heyes was sure he hadn't been meant to hear that, but couldn't let it go without comment. "Well seeing as he's the only parent he's had to rely on, is that exactly a surprise?"

Maggie's eyes suddenly shone with tears and she looked down quickly. "I suppose I deserved that."

Heyes sat down opposite her and said firmly. "Why'd you come back Maggie, after so long away? "

She met his gaze timidly, before looking down quickly and in that expression, Heyes easily saw the woman she'd been, when she'd walked out on his partner. "I'm pregnant, guess I just wanted Tommy to know his half brother or sister. The baby's father is a good kind man, he looks after me."

Heyes shook his head in sad anger. "So is Kid, and you know he looked after you when you were together, and he would have done so for the rest of his life if you'd let him." Heyes paused and stared at her, and was suddenly as determined as Tom to keep this woman away from his partner as he added harshly. "Did you even know who your husband was at all?"

"I was young, Heyes! I didn't understand what marrying Kid Curry really meant."

Heyes laughed a little bitterly, thinking five years ought to have given her some idea, but he only said. "Wasn't like we didn't try and tell you, Maggie." He stood and looked down at her. "I think it'd best if you're on the next stage outta here, as you've already opened old wounds with Tom and I'm not gonna let you make it any worse by upsetting his Pa."

"What gives you the right to make that decision Heyes?"

Heyes wondered just how she figured she had any right to question his actions and snapped. "Because, lady, I stayed and picked up the pieces you left behind. Kid and me have been through a lot, but I ain't never seen him as broke or lost as he was when you walked out. He had more than himself to put back together, and you know he done a better job then even I expected." He paused and waited till the woman looked up and said with as much finality as he could. "Goodbye Ma'am!"

X

Kid cleaning his gun was surprised when his son appeared in the kitchen, his face pale. He'd not expected him home for hours and feared that he must have had an argument with Ellie or something. "Tommy?" He laid his gun down quickly and stood, even more worried when his son didn't even try and correct his use of the name, he'd decided he didn't like, and simply looked at him, before haltingly walking over and putting his arms tightly round him. Kid was startled, such moments were rare between them, but he quickly returned the hug as he asked softly. "What's wrong, son? You and your girl have a fight?"

Tom pulled away and shook his head, and Kid saw resolution cross his face. "Somethin' like that, Pa. We'll sort it out tomorrow, but I just needed to see you."

Kid wasn't exactly sure that Tom was telling the truth, but unwilling to push too hard, instead wiped his hands on the rag he'd been using to clean his colt and said. "You wanna go fishing? We ain't had time for it in a while." He half-expected his son to decline and simply head to his room to stew, and felt his face break into a wide smile as Tom nodded. "I'll get the nets, Pa!" But then he stopped and suddenly blurted out. "You ever think of Ma?"

The question surprised Kid, but he decided Tom needed an honest answer. "Not as often as I did after she first left, but yeah even now, there are some days she isn't far from my mind. I wonder what she's doing and whether she ever thinks 'bout us."

There was a silence for a minute then Tom spoke softly. "She's back, Pa. I wasn't going to tell you, but it don't seem right lying to you. Makes me as bad as her!"

The Kid stood, shock shooting through him. "Your Ma, she's here in town? That's why you was so upset! I gotta go see her."

"Please, Pa,don't! Ain't gonna do nothin' but hurt you."

Kid still on his feet, but less eager to bolt and head into town asked cautiously. "She say what she want?"

Tom looked down then back up. "Me, so she says. But I ain't gonna go, Pa. I wanna stay here with you and Uncle Heyes"

"I oughta go speak with her."

"I shouldn't have told you Pa!"

Kid walked over to his son and drew him close as he said. "Of course you should, Tom. You know we agreed never to lie to each other, even when it hurts."

"But you'll get mad and yell at her and she'll stay stuff that'll hurt you!"

The Kid managed a smile, amused at how well his son knew him and said. "How 'bout I take your Uncle Heyes with me and let him do the yelling?"

Tom gave him a weak grin. "Uncle Heyes might've already done that, he was in town when I was talkin' to her."

"Huh, guess me and your Uncle Heyes is gonna have words when he gets back."

"You gonna get mad at him Pa?"

The Kid laughed and shook his head. "Depends, son, but I'll try not to."

"That's good Pa. I don't want you and Uncle Heyes to fall out."

The Kid laughed then as he said in some amusement. "Oh, son, you know we've had more arguments then I can count over the years,and it ain't like you've not seen plenty of them yourself. But they ain't often much more than firecrackers, leastwise not since we was barely older than you." The Kid looking into the anxious gaze of his son, licked his lips and with some effort came to a decision. "I tell you what Tom, we'll go into town, see if Heyes wants to join us fishin' and then once I've spoken to him, I'll decide whether we oughta see her."

Tom nodded eagerly and smiled as he half ran to the back room where they kept the fishing equipment. The Kid stared after him, his mind in turmoil, the pain he'd believed long healed, returning to batter his defences and leaving his chest painfully tight.

X

Heyes studied his friend as they fished, easily seeing through his calm air to the turmoil underneath. Tom forgetting easily his oft mentioned dislike for anything he considered childish, was splashing round in the creek, ensuring that their chances of catching anything were practically zero. But Heyes didn't begrudge the boy his fun.

"Kid?" A troubled pair of blue eyes met his gaze. "I ain't sure you oughta see her. Tom has made his choice, don't seem much point in speaking to her."

Kid glared at him and Heyes saw the remnants of his partner's gunslinging stare in that gaze, as his friend asked sharply "If Tom hadn't told me was you going to?"

Heyes unfazed merely shrugged and looked back at Tom still splashing before meeting his partner's gaze. "I hadn't decided yet..."

"Damn it Heyes, I ain't no child that needs protecting!" Kid's voice rose but then with some effort after a glance at his son, he softened his tone. "I have a right to know!"

Heyes sighed, he'd been afraid of this and he was afraid any confrontation would only lead to Maggie blurting out her news and he wasn't sure of just how her being pregnant with another man's child would affect his partner, even after all these years. "You ain't no child, Kid, but you do need protecting from that woman. Think I've forgotten so easy how her leaving hurt you? Seems no point in reopening wounds we've spent ten years healing."

The Kid didn't answer straight away, then asked softly. "How'd she look?"

Heyes sighed and shrugged, suddenly uncomfortable. "Better than you'd like her to."

The Kid snorted at that and turned to look over the creek. "You really think I ought not to see her?" Heyes' heart stuttered at the tone in his partner's voice. He sounded desperately young, and he thought to himself damn the woman.

"Honestly Kid, I don't see the point in it, but it's up to you."

"I think I gotta, Heyes, don't seem right letting her go without having some kinda meeting."

"Well if you gotta, I know there ain't no talking you out of it. But I'm coming with you."

X

Kid stared at the door of Maggie's hotel room, suddenly not sure he wanted to do this, but with a gentle push from Heyes he raised his hand and knocked firmly. He had to take a breath when Maggie opened the door, understanding exactly what Heyes had meant. She said calmly. "Jed, Heyes. Guess you'd better come in."

She peered round them and Kid shook his head at her. "Tom ain't here, he said all he's wanted to say to you."

"You poisoned him against me!" Maggie's voice was slightly shrill and accusing and Heyes felt Kid stiffen, but before he could say anything,Heyes snorted and said sharply. "No Ma'am you did that all by yourself when you left."

Maggie sighed, waved them over to the two chairs either side of the dresser and stood watching from where she leant against the far wall of the room, her arms across her chest, in a manner that reminded Heyes a little uncomfortably of his partner. After a few moments of glancing between them, she said quietly. "Why are you here? If Tom isn't interested in listening to me, it isn't as if we've got much left to say to each other."

Kid flushed then went pale and shrugged. "Ain't real sure now we're here." He paused looked about to turn and leave, then glanced over at Heyes, before returning his gaze back to Maggie and said sadly.. " I guess there's one thing I didn't never understand, no matter how I figured it. Why, iffin you thought so little of me, didn't you come back for Tom? And why leave him at all, your note sure suggested you was going to take him away from me."

Maggie went white and sat down a little heavily on the bed rubbing her arms with a shiver. "When Catherine Markham refused to let me see him, I panicked, I knew you'd soon read the note. Then after I left, one year turned into two, the suddenly ten years had passed."

"That ain't a reason it's an excuse!" Kid snapped and Heyes enjoyed the look of pain on her face, relieved that his partner was more angry than sad, though that brought it's own dangers. He held his breath hoping this conversation, wouldn't descend into a shouting match, that would most likely result in Maggie telling Kid about the baby on the way.

Maggie's gaze flicked over to Heyes, then back to Kid, before she looked down at her hands and said quietly without looking up. "I've met someone, we want to start a new life together, I want a divorce." She finally met Kid's gaze. "Seems odd you didn't do it already, you must have worked out that I wasn't coming back."

Kid laughed bitterly, "Well there weren't no way I was ever gonna marry again, so divorcing you seemed the least of my priorities."

Maggie flushed then and then said faintly. "And now?"

"I'll be glad to, best for me and Tom there ain't nothing left between you and us."

Before Maggie could answer, Kid glanced at Heyes, the stalked out of the room, the door slamming behind him as Maggie and Heyes were left staring at each other in uncomfortable silence until Heyes cleared his throat. "I guess I oughta thank you for not telling him 'bout the baby, but not sure I want to. Goodbye Maggie and good luck."

X

Heyes caught up with the Kid, who was leaning against the wall outside their saloon staring down the main street. "I think you were right, Heyes, ain't done me much good seeing her."

"Well Kid, don't much matter now,what's done is done, and she'll be leaving Tuesday. Now I'd like to buy you a drink, but seeing as we own the best place in town , guess you'll have to settle for some of the good stuff that I got stashed in the office. Then we can head home and let Tom know what happened. He'll be impressed there weren't no yelling."

"Now, Heyes that sounds pretty damn good to me, partner."

And with that he slung his arm round Heyes' shoulder and together they headed into the saloon without looking back.

Notes

In nineteenth century America, divorce was allowed after three years of desertion, as well as a few other reasons, including lunacy and adultery.