Ch 22

Four months had flown by. Jimmy's wounds were healed. He tried to walk every day. Cody had made him a fine walking stick with Buck's help. Jimmy sat in a chair on the porch of the bunkhouse. He had moved back in there a while ago. He watched the daily activity. He saw Noah leap on his horse and head off on his run. He looked at the boards. It should have been his run. He had to do something. He couldn't just keep staying here for free. He saw Ike and Buck over at the corral. Cody was inside riding a new horse. He pulled himself out of his chair. Leaning on his cane for support, he eased down the steps making his way over to the others. He usually didn't walk by himself without someone else near but damn it was time. He was halfway across the yard when his leg gave out. He fell to the ground. Kid saw him first then Buck and Ike. They all came running over.

"Jimmy are you ok?" Asked Kid.

"Don't touch me please."

By now Lou had come out of the barn and seen. She ran over. She heard him snap at the others.

"Let's them help you up Jimmy."

"I said don't touch me!"

"Come on Jimmy. It's ok." Said Buck.

"The fuck it is. Go away and leave me alone!"

Lou looked at the boys. She had tears in her eyes. Buck and Ike slowly made their way back to the corral. Kid looked at Lou for answers. She knew that he had been keeping all this bottled up inside. It was only a matter of time before he exploded.

"Come on Kid. Let's go." She looked down at Jimmy before she walked away.

Kid didn't leave but knelt down to him.

"Why? Why you gotta act like this? And to her for God's sake."

"I ain't worth two bits Kid! I can't help it!"

"Jimmy. Calm down. She has been with you every step of the way. Don't do this now."

Jimmy met Kid's gaze. He felt like dirt. Kid held out his hand and waited. Jimmy took it. Kid got him under his arm and hauled him back to his feet.

"Thanks."

"Wasn't nothing. Now go find Lou. I have a few days off. I'm going somewhere. I'll be back soon."

"Where ya goin?"

"Somewhere. Now don't be such an ass while I'm gone."

Jimmy smiled as he hobbled his way over to the barn. Lou heard him coming but she didn't turn around.

"I'm sorry."

"What was that?"

"I said I'm sorry."

"Really?"

"God Lou. Yes I'm sorry. I just can't keep on like this. I'm going to kill someone I swear."

Lou turned around to face him. She walked over and put her arms around him.

"It's ok."

"It's not."

"You have every right to feel that way. Frustrated and angry."

"Why do you stay with me? I don't know how you do it."

"I love you, ya big ass."

"I love you too, Lou. I'm sorry."

"Enough of that. It's over. Kiss me."

Jimmy bent and kissed Lou. He felt his tension melt away.

Kid was gone four days. He rode in on the fourth day. Teaspoon and Kid found Jimmy sitting in a chair on the porch watching the others.

"Jimmy, I been thinking. You can't ride long distances anymore but you do need a job." Said Teaspoon.

"You putting me out?"

"No, I got another idea."

Jimmy saw Noah walking over smiling.

"What's going on?"

Cody and the others made their way over also. Jimmy looked around confused.

"Jimmy, I had something made for you. It took a while to get it right. I went and picked it up." Said Kid.

"You what? I don't understand."

"Son, I am need of a full time deputy. I think you will be just right for the job. Ain't got to ride much." Declared Teaspoon.

"I can't really walk Teaspoon. That ain't gonna work. Why are all y'all staring?"

Jimmy looked nervously over his shoulder as Emma and Lou came to stand behind him.

"I think you can do the job just fine." Said Kid smiling.

"What's going on?" Jimmy asked again.

"Think you can start next week?" Asked Teaspoon.

"What's wrong with all of y'all? I can't walk damnit." Jimmy was getting annoyed now.

"You'll do fine." Smiled Lou.

"What's the hell is going on? How am I gonna walk?"

"With this." Said Kid as he pulled some kind of metal contraption from behind his back.

Jimmy frowned looking at it.

"What the hell is that?"

"Something to help you walk."

"What?"

"Don't be so negative all the time. Let's strap it on." Said Teaspoon.

Jimmy went to turn away from them but Lou grabbed his shoulders.

"Like Teaspoon said, strap it on." Lou commented.

"That thing, whatever it is, ain't gonna help me."

"Sure it will. It's worth a try, don't ya think Hickok." Said Noah.

Jimmy was surrounded. He looked at all of them. He gave in. After all, he couldnt run away. Kid knelt in front of him. Noah came and knelt down also. They slid the metal around his leg. Noah cinched the leather at the top of the metal thing around his leg above his knee while Kid did the same around his shin. They both stood back up.

"Now stand up." Said Teaspoon.

Jimmy looked unsure. He saw all the anxious looks on his family. He sat studying it for a few before he pulled himself to his feet. He stood slowly becoming fully upright. He looked at the others.

"How does it feel? Too tight?" Asked Kid.

"No. No. It's ok."

"Well son, let's take a walk." Said Teaspoon.

Jimmy looked around unsure again. He got his cane and made his way down the steps. The metal flexed when his knee bent making a faint squeaking sound. He walked out to the middle of the yard. He was leaning on his cane like always. Cody came up behind him and swiped the cane. Jimmy wove unsteadily.

"Damnit Cody! I need that shit!"

"You don't anymore. You'll see."

"I'm gonna fall but when I get back up, I'm gonna kick your ass!"

"Now Jimmy, watch your language." Said Emma smiling.

Lou sidled up next to him and took his arm.

"Let's take a walk." She winked at the others.

She pulled Jimmy until he had to take a step. He found that he could put more of his weight on his leg. They went all over the yard and not once did his leg fail. He started smiling. Lou led him back to the others. He was at a loss. He wiped away a stray tear.

"I don't know what this is and I sure don't know what to say. Cept thanks."

"Kid deserves all the thanks, Jimmy. It was his idea." Said Teaspoon.

"I don't know what to say."

"Ya don't have to say anything. This is what friends do for each other."

Jimmy looked at all the smiling faces.

"How the hell did you come up with this?"

"Back when I was younger, I saw an older fella with one sort of like that. I always remembered how odd it was and I really didn't understand why he would have such a thing until now."

"I don't have words."

Teaspoon came and put his arm around Jimmy.

"Well deputy. Ya got a week to get used to that thing before ya start work. Now git to it."

"Yes sir." Said Jimmy smiling.

"I think we all should take a walk, don't you Jimmy?" Said Noah smiling.

"That's sounds really good."

Jimmy took Lou's hand. The entire family walked off laughing in the direction of the pond. Laughter and squeaking was heard in the distance.

"By the way Hickok, you might need to oil that thing. Ya sound like it's dying a slow death." Said Cody.

"Stop talking about my thing."

"That just don't sound right." Laughed Lou.

"Well brace, stop talking bout my brace." Said Jimmy.

"Much better." Laughed Emma.

They all walked away laughing.

The End