Ch 9

Two days later, Cody thought he had come up with a great plan. He had been doing chore after chore for two whole days while Jimmy walked by smirking but an idea had finally came to him. He needed to find Jesse. He needed to talk to him before they went to town Friday night. Jimmy made him look like a fool now it was his turn. He smiled as he saw Jesse walking in from town.

"Jesse!"

"Yeah!"

"I have the most perfect plan to get Hickok. He won't ever try to pull anything again after this."

"You gonna do it here?"

"No in town. The dance is going on Friday night. Perfect place for him to make a scene." Laughed Cody.

"What you want me to do?"

"Run to Thompkins store and get me this." Cody slipped Jesse a list and some money.

Jesse put it in his pocket and walked away. Jimmy saw Jesse come from the side of the barn. He then saw Cody come around right behind him. Cody was planning his next move and if Jimmy had to guess, it would be at the dance this Friday. That's ok, he would be ready.

Friday night came along and found all the riders getting ready for the dance. Cody kept watching Jimmy over his shoulder. Finally ready, they all rode into town following Rachel and Teaspoon. They seemed to spread out once they all got inside. Cody walked over to a group of young ladies trying to win their affections. Jimmy had a young lady walk by Cody. She stopped and straightened his coat for him. He asked her to dance but she declined. He asked another girl and started dancing. The young lady walked back by Jimmy as he slipped a dollar in her hand. She smiled as she went on by.

Cody danced two times before he felt the first kick in the seat of his pants. He looked around. He walked back over to the side and Buck kicked him in the pants, laughing. Cody got kicked three more times. He reached around and pulled a piece of paper off his back. The simple note read, kick me, I'm an ass, with a smiley face drawn on it. Cody looked at the others laughing at him.

"Who put this there?"

"Not me." Said Buck

"Don't even look at me. I got out that game a while ago." Said Kid.

Cody growled. Hickok. Another point for him. It was time to show him who the master was. He watched Jimmy put his glass down on the table with Teaspoon and Rachel. He walked over to the snacks. Cody slumped down in Jimmy's chair.

"It's big tonight, ain't it?" Smiled Rachel.

"It sure is. I'm dead tired."

"And you're full of it Billy." Smiled Rachel.

"Is that Mrs. Winslow showing that much skin?!" Asked Cody as Teaspoon and Rachel spun around to look.

Cody took out his little bottle and poured it in Jimmy's drink. He put it back in his pocket.

"I don't see a thing wrong with that dress." Said Rachel.

"I'm sorry. I see it better now. She looks pretty."

"Yes, she does." smiled Rachel as she turned back around to talk with Cody but he was gone. She looked at Teaspoon.

"Never a dull moment with that one." Mumbled Teaspoon.

Jimmy stood at the food table fixing his plate. Jesse stood beside him.

"Jimmy, how can I get a girl to dance with me?"

"Usually you have to ask her."

"I know but I ain't sure how. I really like this girl."

Jimmy sat his plate down and started talking to Jesse. A man came to stand on his other side. Jimmy turned to the man as he spoke. They shook hands. Jesse opened his packet and dumped it on Jimmy's slice of cake. He walked away. When Jimmy turned back around, Jesse was gone. He walked back over to Teaspoon and Rachel. Buck was sitting at the table now as well. Jimmy sat and ate talking with Buck.

Jimmy started feeling off halfway through his food. He stopped and laid his head on his hand.

"Jimmy? You ok?" Asked Teaspoon.

Jimmy looked up through half open eyes.

"Yeah, I'm gonna step out. I'll be right back."

Jimmy went to stand and fell across the table scattering plates of food. Teaspoon and Buck grabbed him by his arms.

"Jimmy, what's going on with you?" Asked Buck.

Jimmy smiled.

"Not a thing." He slurred out.

Teaspoon walked over to check the drinks for whiskey. By the time he got back, Jimmy was causing a scene at another table. Rachel was trying get him to sit down. Buck got him by the arm and was dragging him to the door as whispers were being passed around amongst everyone. Teaspoon met them there.

"Barnett, take him over to the jail while I get this settled here. I'll be over in a few."

Barnett got a hold on Jimmy and pulled him out. Buck and Teaspoon went back in to help upright tables.

"Sorry bout that everyone. Let's get back to our good time." Said Teaspoon as the band started playing.

Lou and Kid watched Jimmy get hauled out in horror.

"This better not have to do with that dumb shit they got going on, Kid."

"I hope not. That's gone too far."

Barnett pulled Jimmy behind him toward the jail. He got him to the door.

"Come on Hickok." Said Barnett trying to push him inside.

Jimmy laughed and pushed Barnett back, hard. He fell and hit his head on Teaspoon's desk knocking him out. Jimmy looked around for minute then stumbled back outside. God he was thirsty. He went to the saloon. Jimmy walked in and up to the bar. He felt his pocket. He had no money but he was so thirsty. He snatched a bottle up off a table and chugged it down. The men at the table stood. Jimmy laughed in their faces.