The stars were coming out as Doc left the jail and almost bumped into Festus. The deputy was standing like a statue right in front of the door and Doc regarded him with exasperation. "What are you doing?" Festus looked at him vaguely and the old man pushed him towards the street. "Come on, you heard what Matt said. We're going to my office."
Doc walked across the street, matching his stride to the deputy's leaden pace. He started up the stairs, got to the top and unlocked the door, then turned to look down. Festus was only on the third step and the old man waited patiently as the deputy dragged himself up the stairs. He finally reached the landing and Doc stood back to let him in.
The old man lit the lamp and hung up his hat, pointing to the examination table. "Sit down." Festus seated himself and Doc took his hands, turning them over and catching his breath at the sight of the deputy's left thumb. The nail had been torn clean off and Doc's throat tightened at this mute testimony to Festus' devotion. He took a deep breath and said, "It looks worse than it is, except for your thumb here. I need to take care of that, but it's going to hurt. Do you want some laudunum before I get started?" The deputy shook his head, remaining silent as Doc worked on him and only flinching when his thumb was wrapped. "Festus, I'm afraid that's going to be very sore for quite a while, but it'll be all right. Let me know if you need anything for the pain."
"Much obliged, Doc," said Festus softly, standing up.
Doc opened a bottle of whiskey. "Want a nightcap?" The deputy hesitated and Doc poured two drinks and handed one to him. Festus took it and sat by the door, staring at it as if it was the most interesting thing he had ever seen. Doc leaned against his desk, sipping at his drink. "You know what I kept thinking about today?" Festus mumbled something and the old man said, "A lot of things were running through my mind...people I've known, places I've been, all the things I've done and all the things I'd never get a chance to do..." He paused until Festus looked up, then went on, holding the deputy's eyes with his own. "The one thing I kept coming back to was a day...must be more than six years now..."