DEAD/ALIVE - Chapter Twenty Three
SAN FRANCISCO
Christmas Day
Kyle was beaming when he saw Heyes and Kid emerge from the parlor. Heyes gave Kid a quick look and raised his eyebrows. They were impressed. Kyle was clean…clean clothes, cleanly shaven and clean hair slicked neatly back with trimmed sideburns. Even Jane looked clean or at least cleaner.
"Hi ya boys" He said as went over and slapped them enthusiastically on their backs. He proudly held up his pocket watch and pointed at the time. " Six o'clock just like you told me.." Kyle suddenly looked confused. He hesitated and leaned close to Heyes whispering in his ear.
"We didn't discuss this but...Who are you today? Heyes or Joshua?"
Heyes laughed, "Ain't no secret here, so whatever you want to call me is fine."
"Good," Kyle said with relief. "Cuz that was getting awful hard to remember."
He turned to Kid and whispered, "So what do I call you?"
Kid raised his head and looked past Kyle at Heyes, who was shaking his head.
"Same goes for me too, Kyle. Kid or Thaddeus."
"I guess you can still call me Kyle but Jane still prefers calling me Monkey...kind of got used to it. So whatever you want to call me….Kyle or Monkey is okay."
Heyes and Kid looked at each other and grinned.
Some things never changed.
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Joanie had Jane wrapped in a warm embrace.
"Oh Jane…I didn't think I'd ever see you again," Joanie didn't try to hold back the tears.
Joanie felt Jane stiffen as Heyes, Kid and Soapy stepped out of the parlor. Jane gently pulled at Joanie's arms trying to loosen her grip. She looked away from the men trying to hide her embarrassment.
"Now…now Miss Stubbs." Jane said as she freed a hand and clumsily patted her on a shoulder, "You keep this up and poor Thaddeus here might feel a bit slighted."
Joanie relented and released Jane, patting a kerchief quickly across her face and eyes, before tucking it in her sleeve. "Since you know these two men…"
"Believe me I know them…maybe not in the biblical way…but I've seen them nekked more fucking times than I could count."
"I'd like you to introduce you to Soapy…Soapy Saunders." She reached a hand to him.
"Soapy this is my friend Jane…Miss Calamity Jane Canary."
"Pleasure to make your acquaintance." There was no hint that Soapy was taken aback by Jane's appearance. He stepped forward and gave her a firm handshake.
"And this here is…", Jane grabbed Kyle by his jacket and yanked him towards Soapy. "And this here is my…well…my fucking friend…Monkey."
A smile touched Soapy's lips, as he shook Kyle's hand. "Monkey."
"Well it ain't my Christian name Mr. Saunders and Miss Stubbs…That would be Kyle…Kyle Murtry. Rode with Heyes and Kid here. Part of the Devil's Hole gang. Quite a spread you have here." Kyle looked around in amazement. "You know…"
"Monkey, " Jane warned. Kyle nodded and took a step back, still looking wide-eyed at the lavish house.
"If you would like to get settled before dinner...I wasn't sure what kind of sleeping arrangements you…" Soapy said, addressing Jane.
"One room with one bed is fine. No need to fucking dirty up two rooms or two beds. We ain't like those two fucking love birds…" She smiled at Joanie and Kid. "Me and Monkey live together but we ain't fucking…" Jane hesitated before she started laughing, "We ain't exactly fucking fucking."
Heyes and Kid couldn't hide their laughter.
"You certainly are a colorful person Miss –"
"Just fucking Jane will do."
"Jane," Soapy corrected himself.
"Yeah…I've been told that a time or two.
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"How'd you get Jane clean?' Heyes asked Kyle. Kid leaned close to hear the explanation.
"Well it weren't easy. I had to think and ask myself, 'What would Heyes do?' And I come up with a plan just like you would have Heyes."
"And what was that?" Heyes said, trying as usual, to get Kyle to the point.
"I got her drunker than normal, which was the easy part, and threw her and her clothes all into the tub. Did I mention she was wearing them? She's real docile when she's passed out. Although when she comes to, now that's a different story. Did have me some trouble wrestling her out of the tub. Them wet clothes were sure added weight. By the time I got her out, weren't really no need for me to take a bath as I was soaking wet."
"Guess whatever works," Kid said with a smile. "We appreciated the effort."
"Anything for you boys."
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Jane sat next to Soapy, then Kyle, Heyes, Kid and Joanie.
Kyle was looking at the silverware…picking one spoon up then another.
"Heyes…" Kyle whispered "How come there's two of everything? We 'spose to take them extras with us? Kind of like a gift?"
Heyes laughed, "No, this here is your spoon for soup…them two forks…little one for salad…Nevermind Kyle…As long as you get the food into your mouth no one really cares."
"You know Jane," Soapy said, "You are well known in these parts too. Your reputation–."
"Hear that boys…I got me a 'reputation' "
Soapy laughed as he looked around the table, "Don't we all. I don't know if Heyes and Kid told you about my businesses."
"Well…looking around this fucking place I'm guessing some of it might not be on the fucking up and up."
"Could have said that before, but not now. I have legitimate high end gambling houses. I've added entertainment to one and I was thinking…If you would be so gracious to entertain my guests."
Jane looked confused, "I ain't a fucking singer and I don't think there's enough fucking alcohol in this world for me to take my fucking clothes off or…"
"No. No," Soapy quickly said, "I want you to tell your life story. Riding with Custer…"
Jane snorted, "I'd be glad to set that fucking story straight on that gutless prick. Hero my ass… Let me put some thought into it."
"I would greatly appreciate it." Soapy said.
Joanie leaned towards Kid and lightly kissed his cheek.
"What's that for?"
She smiled and whispered in his ear, "For making this Christmas extra special. And if you are up for it," She smiled seductively, "I'll show you how grateful I am tonight."
"Honey…Don't you worry…I'll be up for it."
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After dinner they all gathered in the parlor. The large tree was brightly decorated, with glass ornaments, ribbons, yarn and strings of popcorn. The smell of the tree and fire in the fireplace was inviting and warm.
Warmed cups of eggnog were sitting on a tray with cookies and various other pastries. Brilliantly wrapped gifts were under the tree.
Soapy stood next to the tree.
"If you would each take a glass I'd like to toast this occasion. To family and new friends."
Soapy hadn't missed Jane's reaction to the eggnog.
"If anyone would like their drink.. strengthened." Soapy said as he held an open bottle of whiskey up.
Jane snatched it out of his hand and took a long drink, before lowering the bottle and wiping a hand across her mouth.
"Sorry," Jane apologized. "But that's the worst…" She shuttered.
"I guess it's an acquired taste," Soapy said with a laugh. "Appears as if you've never had it."
"Hell, I never had a fucking Christmas neither. We was too poor. Taking care of my five siblings at twelve when my fucking folks died. Or was it fourteen?" Jane said as her face reflected the memories of another time in her hard life. She quickly shook it off, "Here Monkey…" She said as she passed the bottle to Kyle.
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Jane hesitated before taking the gift from Soapy. She looked confused, as she turned the gift over in her hand.
"What's this?"
"Well you have to open it to find out," Soapy said with a laugh.
"That ain't my fucking meaning…Why would you give this to me?"
"Because Jane…anyone Joanie cares about…I care about too. Whether you like it or not, " Soapy said with a smile.
Jane stared at Soapy for a long moment, smiled and quickly tore the wrapping paper off.
"Would you fucking look at that!" Jane held up the fancy silver flask. "Whatcha get Kyle?"
"What Heyes and the Kid got. Them fancy cee-gars. Where do you say they were from Mister…err..Soapy?"
"Cuba by way of Florida."
"Cube - a?...Hmm…Is that next to Ohio?"
"Just a little south of Ohio." Soapy said with a wink
"Looks like you'll be giving up your chew…" Kid joked.
"I don't know about that Kid. Can't ever remember being without my plug…even when I was a pup. Miss Joanie.." He cleared his throat, "Would you mind if I touched your present. It looks real soft."
Joanie smiled as he passed it to Kyle. Kyle quickly looked at his hands, making sure they were clean, and carefully took the white fur muff.
Kyle softly touched it as his hand moved slowly over the fur. He closed his eyes. He imagined he could hear the soft purring of his cats, waiting for him back in Deadwood.
He sure missed his pussy cats.
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"Casa Noble," Soapy said as he read the label on the ornate tequila bottle. "Appreciate it boys. Afraid I might be a little old to…"
"Moderation," Kid said with a laugh.
"I remember the last time I had tequila…One of the closest times I've come face to face with death…or wished for it." Soapy said.
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The parlor was soon filled with cigar smoke.
"You know what Indians say about smoke…It's taking your thoughts and prayers to the Spirits." Heyes said, as he watched the smoke float throughout the room.
"Then it appears there's a lot of thinking and praying going on here," Kyle said.
"This ain't too fucking bad." Jane said as she admired her lit cigar.
Joanie snuggled closer to Kid. Kid looked down at her and smiled, squeezing her hand.
"Soon" he whispered as he placed a kiss on her head.
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Fairmont Hotel
Dan Dority swung his legs off the bed when he heard three rapid knocks on the hotel door.
"Come in."
"Talked to my boys. They followed those folks to…Well it ain't the best news."
"And why not?" Dan couldn't hide his irritation.
"Appears they are staying at the home of Soapy Saunders…"
"So?" Dan snapped.
"Lives up on Nob Hill…"
Dan threw his hands in the air in frustration. "Nob Hill? Who gives a shit where he lives!"
"You're talking money and lots of it. Money means power and…"
Dan quickly cut him off, "I don't give a damn how much money he has. Have your men keep watching. All I want are those two…" Dan paused and rubbed his chin. "But we have to find just the right time…I don't want any mistakes."
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