Chapter 51
The couple of weeks that followed did not bring any improvement in Lou's condition, and Kid tried to carry on day by day as best as he could. Every day he spent hours by Lou's side, wanting to believe with all his heart that she would eventually wake up. He just couldn't give up on her. Everybody seemed to think that he had imagined that Lou had opened her eyes a couple of weeks ago, but Kid was completely sure that he hadn't dreamt or imagined that. He had clearly seen her big brown eyes and nobody would make him believe otherwise.
Too many weeks had passed since Louise had fallen into that deep slumber. Since the rest of her injuries had already healed, the doctor had stopped coming to the ranch to see her. There was nothing he could do but wait, and apart from the concussion, there was nothing else he had to see to. Kid felt very lonely and not even the continuous presence of his friends and the children made the feeling disappear. He needed Lou and without her he felt incomplete.
Although he kept busy around the ranch every day, his mind was never far from her. The memories they had made together kept replaying in his head, leaving a terrible longing inside the Southerner. He just couldn't accept that he would only have those memories from now on or that their life together had been ruined forever. Lou couldn't remain in that condition permanently. As Rachel always said, Louise was strong and it might take her some time, but she would come back from where her mind had gone to sooner or later.
Yesterday while he and Buck had been trying to break a horse, the animal had kicked a section of the corral fence, breaking and splintering the boards. So today after they had finished the usual chores and working with the horses, Kid and Buck proceeded to repair the damaged fence. While the Southerner held the board against the wooden posts, the Kiowa hammered the nails into it and secured the planks strongly. At some point he began whistling a lively tune while he maneuvered the hammer expertly. Kid looked up at him with curiosity and asked, "Something going on with that girlfriend of yours?"
Buck stopped his movements at the question. "Why do you say that?"
"Well, my experience tells me that a woman's usually involved when a man sounds that cheerful."
Buck hadn't been aware that he had been whistling and suddenly felt very embarrassed and awkward. "Sorry, Kid, I didn't mean to …"
"Don't be stupid," the Southerner cut him off mid-sentence. "What's going on … or rather ain't going on in my life doesn't mean you can't feel or sound happy. I'm glad that at least somebody has reasons to smile." He paused to let out a sigh and asked again. "So tell me, what's going on?"
Buck couldn't repress a contented smile at the corner of his mouth as he said, "Esperanza's back from Saint Joseph and we're going to the social tonight." The girl had been away in the city, visiting some relatives and Buck had gone almost crazy since he hadn't been able to see her in a few weeks. When he had seen her this morning, he had almost jumped of joy.
"Oh the social," Kid repeated in a low voice. Rachel had offered to take the children there with her tonight and Doritha had been nagging him for days about going to the dance. Kid wanted to believe that she insisted so much out of good-will, seeing as how low he was feeling lately, but anyway sometimes her suggestions were a bit too much to bear. How could she think that he'd be willing to have fun while Lou was so sick?
Doritha's presence in his house was becoming too tiresome. Kid often felt like being on his own with his thoughts and worries, but Doritha was always around in a too cheerful mood and talking about nonsense. And what irritated him the most was when she urged him to cheer up and get over the situation. Get over what? He wasn't going to get over Lou because there was nothing to get over. She was his present and his future. More than once Kid had been about to snap at her, but his good senses had advised him to hold his tongue and not pay any heed to what she said. He knew that he would like her to leave the house but so far she hadn't hinted that she planned to leave Rock Creek any sooner.
"There'll be other socials and I'm sure you and Lou will be there. And then you'll think of this time as just a memory," Buck said, snapping his friend out of his thoughtfulness.
"That's what the spirits are telling you?"
"Uh… well … they're being a bit unclear lately, but … personally I think a good and strong woman like Lou can overcome anything."
"Thanks, Buck. That's what I hope too," Kid replied wearily and after a second's thought he added, "And now let's call it a day."
"And the fence?"
"It'll still be here tomorrow," the Southerner answered, shoving he tools into the box. "You need to get ready for your girl and … well … I want to see Lou as well."
Buck nodded and before walking away he said, "Give Lou a kiss from my part."
Kid gave him a half smile and then plodded towards the house. As soon as he stepped inside, he heard somebody whimpering and sniffling and instantly spotted Theresa crying on the sofa. "Hey, Tessie, what's wrong?" he asked as he crossed the lounge with long steps and sat down next to her.
"Nothing," the girl cracked, turning her head away from him.
Kid softly placed his fingers on her face by her chin and turned it back to him slowly. "It doesn't look like nothing to me," Kid said, wiping her tears with the rear of his index finger. Theresa folded her arms over her chest, a mannerism almost identical to her sister's, and pressed her lips together.
"Is it something that happened at school?" Kid asked while passing an arm over the girl's shoulders. "Did the other children pick on you? Somebody do something to you?" Theresa shook her head to the questions and the Southerner continued, "Did you and Jeremiah fight?" Theresa shook her head again, but didn't try to talk. "Tessie, you know you can tell me anything. We're friends, aren't we? If you have worries about your sister or something else you should let it out. It's not good to keep it inside you." Theresa looked at him with big eyes but didn't say a single word. Kid waited a few moments for her to talk but when he realized that she wasn't in the mood, he said, "All right, honey. I won't bother you anymore. Just come find me when you're ready to talk."
Kid was rising to his feet but stopped short as Theresa's voice sounded loud and clear. "When are you going to send us back to the orphanage?"
"What?" Kid almost stuttered, dropping back onto the sofa. "What are you talking about? Why are you asking me that, honey?"
"Mrs. Maxwell says we'll have to go back to the orphanage because Louise is going to die," Theresa explained, her lips quivering and her eyes filling with tears.
Kid cursed Doritha under his breath and cupping the girl's face between his hands, he said, "That ain't true. No matter the circumstances, nobody is leaving. This has been your home since the moment you two set foot in here and that ain't gonna change. And … Lou ain't gonna die. We ain't gonna let her."
"But how can we do that?" the girl asked with a hiccup.
"I don't know, honey," Kid admitted with a bitter expression. "But you're doing so great when you talk to her and tell her how much you love her. I'm sure Lou can feel you're there for her."
"I miss her, Kid," Theresa muttered.
"Me too, honey," the young man admitted with a sigh. "But I'm sure she'll be back to us soon."
"I wanna tell her so many things, show her my pictures and the presents you, Mrs. Dunne, Marshal Hunter, Jimmy and Buck gave me for my birthday last week."
"Well, you can start by telling her all that as you always do." The girl nodded and after rising to her feet, she turned to Kid and gave him a hug. "I love you, sugar bear," the Southerner said, using the nickname Lou had for her little sister.
"I love you too, Kid," the girl replied and then proceeded to climb the stairs towards the bedroom where her sister had laid for over a month now. Kid stared after her while replaying the conversation with the girl silently in his mind. He was so furious with Doritha that when Theresa was out of his sight, he jumped to his feet and started to call the lady's name in a rage.
Doritha appeared, coming out of the study when she heard Kid calling her with a strange quality in his voice. "Kid, I'm here. I was trying to write some letters in your study. What is it you want?"
The Southerner didn't waste any time in formalities and blurted out, "What the hell did you say to Theresa?"
"What?" the woman let out with a confused frown.
"All that about Lou dying!"
Doritha shrugged her shoulders and replied in a very calmed voice. "I didn't say anything that wasn't true. I just repeated what the doctor has been telling you for weeks."
"Lou ain't gonna die!" he barked loudly.
"Kid, she has been unconscious for over a month now," Doritha retorted, hating to see how blind he could be about Lou and her condition.
"I know that," the young man replied with gritted teeth, "but that doesn't justify what you said to Theresa. She's very young and it was dang cruel."
The woman ignored his words and stubbornly continued what she had intended to say for some time. "Kid, even if she won't die, she might never wake up or if she does, she could turn into an idiot."
"Don't say that!"
"No, Kid! I have to," the woman insisted. "It might sound cruel to you, but you have to think about all the possibilities. You can't take the responsibility of looking after a sick person all your life!"
"Of course I can!"
"And those two children!" the woman continued, turning a deaf ear to his words. "They're nothing to you. Nobody would think less of you if you send them back to the orphanage. And you can easily find a hospital where Louise could be well cared for."
Kid was shocked with each word she uttered. "I ain't sending anybody away!" Kid barked boiling with anger. "Lou and I weren't … aren't married, but she's my wife in all senses. This is her home, and I'll be there for her come rain or high water. And Jeremiah and Theresa are my family too. Don't ever say anything against them, ever."
"Kid, listen…"
"No, you listen!" Kid cut her off curtly, pointing a threatening finger to her. "Stop meddling in my matters. Keep away from my family and keep your opinions to yourself. Otherwise, you know where the door is!" Without waiting for her answer, he went past her and stormed out of the house. Right now he couldn't stand Doritha's presence and needed to let some steam out. Without even thinking about it, he plodded towards the stables and began grooming and brushing Katy. That was what he always did whenever he was troubled or angry since it helped him to calm down. Today he was furious beyond control and after finishing with Katy, he continued with the rest of the horses.
A couple of hours later Rachel came to pick up the children to go to the social as she had promised. Theresa seemed to have forgotten the reason that had upset her so much and both siblings sounded very excited to go to the dance. Kid also caught a glimpse of Buck all groomed driving the buckboard on his way to collect his lovely lady. Kid wished things could be that simple for him and Lou, but right now all he could do was dream about the future.
Later Kid went to prepare something for Louise to eat and after he fed her, he went back to the stables. The Southerner stayed outside till late in the evening. He didn't feel like coming across Doritha and having to listen to anything she had to say. Only when he noticed the light in the room where the blonde woman was staying, he came back into the house. Taking one of the few books that he had on the shelves, he got ready to wait for the children to come back from town. Kid had hardly read three pages when he heard the wagon pull up outside. He walked out onto the porch to receive them and after bidding Rachel good-bye, the three of them went back into the house. The children talked excitedly about their first dance while they tasted the milk and cookies that Kid always gave them before going to bed. As he listened to them, Kid felt glad that at least the social had managed to raise their spirits just a bit. Not long afterwards the two siblings were cozily in their beds and fast asleep.
Kid headed for his bedroom, carrying an oil lamp to see his way in the dark house. He left it on top of the dresser and its light fell directly on Lou's face. The Southerner stared at her for a few minutes and then started to undress. After Lou's main injuries had healed, Kid had started sharing the bed with her again. He felt better having her by his side and sleep came more easily to him when he felt her presence. The first weeks after the accident Kid had suffered a period of sleeplessness and every night he ended up sitting by Louise. At least now he was able to sleep; otherwise, he wouldn't have the energy to look after her. Lou needed him and he'd hate to let her down.
Kid slid under the covers while he said, "Gosh, Lou, I've had such a terrible day today. You can't imagine just how bad." That fight with Doritha had left him shaken all day long and her terrible words about Lou and the security she had uttered them with had scared him out of his wits. "Thank God it's over." He leaned across the bed and planted a kiss on her lips. "Good night, honey. I love you." He dropped his head on the pillow and for a few moments he stayed wide awake, still feeling the nerves troubling him. Kid took Lou's hand in his and kept stroking it, feeling that the contact of her skin soothed him. Little by little his eyes felt heavy and when sleep finally overtook him, her hand was still between his.
The night hours passed slowly and the only sounds in the room were the soft intakes of air of the young man. Only one light burned on top of the dresser where Kid had left the lamp that night. He had gotten used to having a light in the room as it made it easier when he checked on Lou if he woke in the middle of the night. Flickering shadows played in the ceiling, which was the first thing she saw when her eyes slowly opened. Louise kept staring at the game the light and darkness were playing on the surface above her. Her head ached terribly and her whole body felt completely stiff and sore.
Very slowly she moved her head to the side and saw the sleeping young man next to her. She kept staring at his face and the movements of his chest with an impassive expression. After a while she averted her eyes and tried to get up, but in a first moment she couldn't. Louise kept trying stubbornly, and in the end she managed to lift her trunk. Pain coursed all over her body and the room started spinning around her. She closed her eyes and remained in a sitting position for long minutes. The dizziness subsided and she opened her eyes again. Carefully she removed the quilt from over her legs and slid them out of the bed. Louise stayed on the edge for a few minutes before she tried to stand up. She scooted over towards the foot of the bed and taking hold of a metal post tightly, she managed to lift her whole body. Her legs felt like jelly, but Louise stubbornly fought the urge to give way. Her breathing came labored and in puffs and with great difficulty she started to take the first steps. A pair of slippers lay next to a rocking chair and with a strenuous effort she managed to slide her cold feet inside and grabbing a blanket that was hanging from the chair she wrapped it over her shoulders. With a sigh Louise grabbed the knob and opened the door. Her trembling legs let her out of the room and she finally stumbled along to meet the world after so many weeks.