DEAD/ALIVE - Chapter Seventeen
Kid was already sitting in the hotel restaurant with an empty plate in front of him sipping a cup of coffee, when Heyes came in looking bone tired. He made his way to Kid and sat down heavily. He crossed his arms on the table and laid his head on his arms.
Kid eyed his partner for a minute before he said, "By your expression I don't think you're tired in a good way. She stand you up…"
"Is that a joke?" Heyes said, turning his head, so his chin rested on his arms.
Kid laughed, "Sorry... poor choice of words. I don't pretend to know everything about women, but Clem? How long we known her? There are many things you can say about her, but number one is, she is a tease. I think you let another part of your body do the thinking because it sure were't your brain" Kid looked around, "Where is she?"
"Sleeping like a baby when I left." Heyes said bitterly.
Kid held his hand up, attracting the attention of a waiter who quickly hurried to their table.
"Sir?"
Kid cast a questioning eye at Heyes. Heyes sighed as he sat up.
"Whatever he had and coffee...the stronger the better."
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Heyes had taken his last bite of food, when Clem made her appearance. She was beaming, and started chattering away the minute she took a seat between the two men. It was too early in the morning and Heyes wasn't in the mood. Kid was nodding his head periodically, but Heyes could tell he wasn't listening either.
Clem stopped mid sentence when she realized neither man had heard a word she had said.
"Oh Heyes! Really?!" She said in a hushed whisper, "Are you still pouting? And you Kid, what's your excuse?"
"Sorry Clem but I ain't had enough of my morning coffee to listen. Just ask Heyes...at least three cups before I hear a word."
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A response from Soapy waited for them at the telegraph office.
Always welcome. Do you know a Jane? If so please invite. The more the merrier.
Heyes handed the telegram to Kid. After reading it he looked at Heyes.
"Soapy has no idea what he is in for."
"Not a clue," said Heyes with a laugh.
Heyes started to write out the telegram to Jane, but paused.
"Think we ought to extend that invitation to Kyle?"
"Yeah...if he's still alive." Kid said with a smile. " Soapy did say 'the more the merrier'... and what could be 'merrier' than Jane and Kyle together. You do know Heyes this might be our last invite to Soapy's."
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"No!" Heyes said firmly. "I'm going into that bedroom...alone...and I'm getting some sleep. And after I wake up I'm going to find a game." Heyes pointed a finger at Kid and then Clem, daring them to argue with him. With a satisfied grunt, Heyes went into the bedroom and closed the door.
Kid looked at Clem who said, "I don't know why he is so proddy."
Kid only shook his head.
"Umm…"Kid started. Clem raised a questioning eyebrow. "Could you help me get Joanie a present?
"Of course!" Clem said suddenly interested. "Do you have any ideas? Because I have some ideas."
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Kid was worn out and Clem was getting irritated that Kid didn't share the same enthusiasm for her suggestions.
Kid looked frustrated, until he spotted a store displaying fine gems in their store front window. He walked past Clem with her hands on her hips. She started to protest until she saw where he was headed.
He really is serious about this gal, thought Clem with a smile. She joined him in the store and stood side by side as he looked at the stones. Clem pointed out the largest stones, but Kid remained firm that that was not Joanie. It wanted something delicate and unique.
He finally selected a small emerald.
"Excellent choice. What size do you wear?" He said addressing Clem
"Oh no no no, it's not for me."
Size? Kid had no idea. He looked at Clem's hand.
"Don't know."
"It can always be resized, Sir."
Kid thought for a moment, then nodded.
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"Please Clem, not a word to Heyes."
Clem clutched Kid's arm as they walked back to her house. The air already had a bite to it. She leaned close, using Kid's body to block the wind and for warmth.
"My lips are sealed," She said, tipping her head up so Kid could see her smile.
"Promise?"
"Promise." Clem said happily. She knew something that Heyes didn't know, and nothing could make her happier.
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By the time they got back, Heyes was already up, dressed and ready to go find a poker game.
"Where you headed?" asked Kid.
"Thought about the Crystal Palace. Been a long while since I lightened them of some money."
"Want company?"
"You looking? Or did you mean me?" Heyes asked with a smile, casting a quick look towards Clem then back to Kid.
"Don't like you going out on your own without someone covering your back. Denver is a might big to think everyone is friendly to losing."
"That's what I like, a partner that cares." Heyes could tell by Kid's expression that he wanted to talk to him in private. Most of the conversation was "show" for Clem.
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"So…? What you want to talk about?"
"I bought Joanie a ring."
Heyes stopped, " Like a marrying ring?"
"No Heyes. It ain't like that." Kid thought for a moment, "I think they call 'em a promise ring."
"What are you promising her if it ain't marrying? That you won't sleep with whores? Or-?"
Kid cut him off with a shake of his head. Heyes could tell Kid was getting flustered trying to explain.
"Well, I guess it's to show her how much I love her."
"I'm sure she knows that Kid without spending a chunk of money."
"God Heyes, anyone ever tell you what a romantic you are?" Kid said sarcastically. "Plus I told Clem not to tell you."
Heyes laughed, " So you trying to see how quick she tells me or tries to blackmail you?"
"I knew she wouldn't be able to keep her cute little mouth shut. So don't let on that you know."
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If anyone were to see Kid they would have thought he was sleeping. His hat was pulled low over his face, with his arms and legs crossed. He was strategically situated so he could watch Heyes' back and keep an eye on the bar mirror. He had played at a separate table next to Heyes'. He had done a fair amount of winning before he decided to quit while he was still ahead.
He watched Heyes reel the other players in. It was almost magical. He would start out losing, then slowly win a hand here and there. Nothing to draw too much suspicion or ire. Kid marveled at Heyes' seemingly infinite patience. He knew he had already sized up his opponents, studying their tells and their betting habits, before he would start to slowly increase his winning hands. When he felt uneasiness from a player and his smooth talking hadn't charmed him, Heyes would intentionally lose even if he had the winning hand. Heyes could work a table all night, which is exactly what he did. By the time Heyes was satisfied with his winnings, he pushed away from the table with a nod and a touch to his brim, it was dawn.
"Gentlemen."
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DEADWOOD, SOUTH DAKOTA
Kyle had decided playing a mute had it's advantages. For one thing, people were nicer. They were more tolerant and patient. The only bad thing was being around Jane there wasn't much chance to talk. It was listening or pretending you were listening and nodding. He watched Kid do it sometimes when Heyes went off explaining one of his grandiose ideas. Kid would get that sleepy eyed distant look. Kyle wondered if Kid thought of pussy cats too. Nah...probably not.
The disadvantage was communicating through writing. Didn't take much writing for an outlaw. A lot of gun pointing conveyed the message pretty damn well. But he managed to get by. Even picked up spelling a few words, being he didn't have much to no education. His Pa said it was a waste. What had reading and writing have to do with hard work and sweat? But as Kyle recalled his pa did little to none of that. The most effort he put in was scraping enough liquor money and swinging a switch.
So when the telegram arrived Jane looked at Kyle and Kyle looked at Jane.
"Who in the fuck would send us a telegram being neither one of us can fucking read?"
"Well maybe we can decipher some of it to get some idea." Kyle laid it on the table and ran a hand across it, straightening it out. Jane crowded close. She reeked of alcohol but Kyle was used to it; teased her that her perfume was extra strong today.
Kyle knew it was a mistake the minute it left his mouth. The more Jane drank the less she appreciated his attempt at humor. Her eyes narrowed, but before she could start berating him he redirected her attention to the telegram.
"What dumbfucker sent it?"
"It's from a J and a T," Kyle said proudly. He did know his letters and the sound they made. "His face screwed up in concentration. "Don't rightly know a Jaa...Jaa...John?" Kyle shook his head. "Taa…Taa...Tom?"
Jane was staring at him wild-eyed.
"How about fucking Joshua...Thaddeus?"
Kyle thought for a moment, then his face brightened. "I think you might be right."
"Well we still ain't figured out what they fucking want. I guess I'll have to find someone with more learning than us two."
"Doc?"
"NO! No fucking way! That man don't need to know nothing about my fucking business. Maybe the fucking Jew Sol would read it. He don't strike me as someone that's going to go around spreading other people's fucking business to strangers."
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"Seems like them boys are headed for fucking California...asking if we wanted to meet up around Christmas. Said there was someone that might want to see me. Me of all fucking people. I'm reckoning that's where Joanie settled. The only person that ever gave a damn about me."
Kyle gave Jane a hurt look. "And me." He said quietly.
Jane stopped realizing she had hurt Kyle's feelings. She was trying hard to be more aware of what spilled out of her mouth without thought. It wasn't working out too well.
"Monkey...If you didn't fucking care I would have chased you away long ago with my fucking crude ways." She slapped him on the shoulder. "You are the best. Not once have you fucking drawed on me or raised a hand. Shows you're a fucking true friend."
Kyle beamed. "Well you know you can add Heyes and Kid too."
"Yep…Joshua and Thaddeus." Jane nodded, "You're right. I can fucking count my fucking friends on one hand 'stead of one finger. I sure miss them boys."
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Author's note: Small reference to my short story "Pussy Cats."
