A visist to town

On top of the wagon, Adam was gently swaying from side to side. Getting closer and closer to Virginia City, he started to feel slightly sick. His heart started to race and his breathing slightly increased. You'll manage, Adam. Don't let this get to you. You did the right thing. He tried to convince himself. Driving into town, Adam pulled his hat deeper into his face. Waves of sounds and smells drifted over to him. He could faintly hear the clatter of glasses and voices engrossed in discussion from the Silver Dollar as he drove past it. On the other side of the street was a group of young women chatting and laughing. They were showing off their new clothes to one another as one of them whispered something to the others, her eyes fixed on Adam. The other women followed her stare until they also rested on Adam's still swaying form. Their chatting and laughter died down immediately. Their gazes turned icy, their expressions blank or in some cases, they even displayed anger. With their stares stabbing into his back, Adam continued driving down the street. To his misfortune, it was a busy day in Virginia City. People were running errands, miners decided it was a good day to get a cold beer, a stage coach just arrived and children were playing on the street. Adam stopped in front of the general store and got off the wagon when a group of playing children almost tumbled into him. The biggest kid in the group was still laughing when he turned to Adam to -as Adam assumed- politely apologize for the mishap when suddenly his breath caught in his throat and his eyes grew wide with recognition. The other kids behind him all turned pale simultaneously.

"We did nothing wrong Mr. Cartwright! It was an accident!" The biggest kid said as soon as he found his voice again. Adam watched as they slowly backed away from him and then, as if there was a silent signal only they could hear, they turned and ran.

"Run! Run before he gets you as well!" One of the fleeing children screamed. Great, Adam thought, now, I've got everyone's attention. Shoving his hat even deeper into his face to avoid eye contact with the onlookers, he hurried to enter the general store and get the tasks over and done with. The store was empty except for Hank working at the counter. He was holding a sheet of paper, presumably an inventory list, as Adam made his entrance and silently walked up to the counter.

"Hello Hank. I'm here for restocking our supplies on the ranch. Here is a list of the things I need." Adam gently pushed the list across the counter. Hank didn't even look up from the inventory list when Adam spoke to him. He slowly lowered the clipboard and looked at the list on the counter with a grimace. He then picked it up between two fingers, holding it at an arm's length away from him.

"No problem, Mr. Cartwright. They'll be loaded onto your wagon. Now, if you excuse me…" Hank turned his back to Adam focusing on the inventory list again, not even feigning to get the supplies for him. By now, Adam was fuming. Mr. Cartwright? It was only a month ago Adam and Hank were swaying from side to side, an arm draped around each other's shoulders in a brotherly manner while blaring out a song.

"Hank, I did the right thing and you know that! Your behavior is immature and you should know better to treat me like this! I'm disappointed in you." Adam felt exhausted again. His hands were slightly trembling and he was glad Hank still had his back to him.

"I think you should leave now, Adam." Hank almost spat his name this time. "Gladly." Adam breathed, barely containing his anger. Before he went through the door, he looked at Hank's back once more. "When I get back from the post office, I'll better find the supplies on the back of my wagon! Or I need to get back in here." With that, Adam left the store feeling slightly sick again. Back on the street on his way to the post office, he received the dirty looks from people passing him by. He quickly got the mail and stuffed them into his jacket pocket when someone behind him spoke up. "Adam! How are you holding up?" The voice behind him sounded kind. Am I imagining things now? Adam thought as he turned to investigate. Behind him stood his favorite sheriff, smiling at him in a friendly way.

"Roy," Adam smiled at his friend. "I'm holding up, you know me, Roy. If Hank stops sulking, grows up and provides me with the supplies I asked for, it'll be fine." Adam said while shoving a thumb in the store's direction.

"Is he denying service to you? Should I have a talk with him? Maybe someone needs to put him in his right mind again." Roy said, the scowl on his face proving his genuine displeasure with the whole situation.

Adam felt gratitude for the man before him. "Thanks Roy, but I already had a talk with him, I promise you that. I also trust you that not a word of any of this reaches Pa. I don't want him going berserk in town on townsfolk, who are clearly misguided considering this matter. They will snap back to reality eventually."

"I hope for that as well…" Roy added. "I won't mention anything directly to your father about this, but if he asks me about it, I will not lie to him. I don't like interfering with family matters, but you shouldn't keep things from your father, Adam." Roy rebuked him. Adam had expected an answer like that and nodded at Roy. After assuring him he'd be able to deal with Hank and all the glares he got, he waved goodbye to Roy and walked back to the store. When he got back, he found the supplies loaded onto his wagon and let out a breath of relief. "Good boy." Adam mumbled while getting back on the seat. Reins in hands, Adam steered the wagon and its carriage back on track towards home. After arriving, he helped Hop Sing to stash away everything and afterwards, he joined a few hands who were working nearby. He worked with them until supper was almost ready. Adam washed up before he joined his family at the table. Ben was just getting reports from Hoss and Joe about the work they accomplished and which problems still had to be tackled.

"We should take a few more hands with us for that next time." Little Joe just finished. They all looked up when Adam joined them. "How was day in town?" Joe asked his older brother. They all waited for an answer. Of course, the way Adam had been treated after the trial didn't go over their heads, so all of them intended to check if the treatment still went on. Looking from face to face, Adam put on a nonchalant expression while talking. "It was fine. Really busy today. I put the mail onto your desk, Pa." Adam took a break while chewing on a piece of roast beef. "Oh, I also met Roy. He is sending his regards to you. But he seemed quite busy with that many people out and about." The other three Cartwrights exchanged looks. They all knew that if Adam wanted to hide something from them, he usually succeeded. And because he was good with that, they didn't know if the things he said were part of a pretense or part of the truth. All of them having their own thoughts to brood over, they sat in silence while continuing to eat. After he finished, Adam said goodnight, wanting to retire early and ascended the stairs. In his room, he bathed his feet again and discovered with great relief that the blisters were healing nicely. He put on a pair of fresh socks, crawled under the cover and tried to shut out all unpleasantries. At some point, he drifted to sleep.