Always Prepared

"Do these pills have your name on them?" Tommy commented moving the bottles around on the counter.

"Yes they do." Nate said stepping into the kitchen.

"Is this why you don't come to gym class?"

"Pretty much."

"Are you going to die?" Tommy asked concerned.

"One day but hopefully not for a while, though some days I feel as if it won't be soon enough." Nate said pushing the pill bottles to the back of the counter. "I have some health issues that cause some problems."

"Is that why you look tired all the time?"

"Yep, here's your workbook, I put little marks by the ones you missed, and this one you got right but you spelled heard wrong. You have it herd like a group you need heard…hear with a d."

"Oh okay thanks. What's your first name; it doesn't say Nate on the bottle."

"Nathaniel, Nate is my nick name."

"Oh like Tommy and Thomas."

"Exactly."

"I wish I was smart like you."

"We all have our strengths and weaknesses"

"Thanks for not picking on me and being my friend." Tommy said.

"Same here," Nate said. The boys were waiting for Raylan who had to run a quick errand. Tommy's parents were out shopping.

Tommy made his hand into a gun and pretended to shoot. "I wish my dad would take me to the range sometime."

"You wouldn't shoot with one hand; the gun's too heavy. You would do it like this," Nate said pantomiming holding a gun with two hands.

"Does your dad always wear his gun?"

"Always."

"Does he have another one?"

"Yes but if he ever found out I had taken it out he would kill me."

Tommy looked disappointed but before he could say anything further someone knocked on the door. Nate looked concerned and put his arm out stopping Tommy, not too many people made social calls to the Givens household. He put his other hand up and placed his fingers in front of his lips and said, "shhh."

"Raylan, you in there?" Boyd called out. Nate kept his fingers to his lips. "I just want to talk to you for a minute. How's your boy, doing? I thought it would be good for him to see me alive and healthy."

"What's he talking about?" Tommy asked.

"Nate I just want to let you know I'm not mad at your daddy. He was doing the right thing by protecting you. I wasn't gonna hurt you or Ava though, you believe me right."

Nate moved to Raylan's bedroom and flipped over the trashcan and used it to stand up on so he could reach the top shelf of the closet and get the very gun that Tommy had been asking about. He brought the box down and set it on the bed opening the lid and taking out the weapon. He checked the clip to find it fully loaded with the chamber empty. He ensured the safety was on and took a deep breath. Tommy just stood there his mouth wide open; his eyes wild.

"Who is that guy?" he whispered.

"A friend of my dad's."

"A friend?" Tommy questioned.

"Yeah, it's complicated."

"I guess so, why does he want you to see him alive and healthy?"

"Long story," Nate said as he crept towards the front door where Boyd was still knocking.

Outside Boyd knew Nate was in the house and since he didn't see the car he figured Raylan wasn't around. He had no intention of hurting the boy as he just wanted to talk. This kid could be the key to a lot of things. He had hoped to nurture Nate's interest in his familial history as there was a lot for him to learn. But he knew Raylan would never allow any type of relationship but Boyd thought if he could just have a brief conversation he could perhaps build some kind of rapport and peak the boys interest in his heritage. But a car entering the driveway postponed all of his plans.

"Boyd what are you doing at my house?" Raylan asked as he tipped up his hat.

"Why it's just a social call Raylan." Boyd answered with his signature smile.

"Well here I'm am, so let's socialize."

"You're not going to invite me in? Why where are your manners? Have you been gone so long you have forgotten how to be polite?"

Before Raylan could answer the door opened a crack revealing Nate on the other side. He peeked out his hand down at his side. "Go back in the house Nate," he ordered. Nate hesitated trying to get a better look at the action outside his front door. "Now Nathaniel," Raylan said taking a step towards the door. Nate quickly shut the door. He looked at the gun in his hand and then at Tommy. "I should put it back."

"What if something happens and you need it?"

"My dad is always armed, he'll handle it. We should get away from the door."

"I like it at your house, it's fun," Tommy said grinning. Nate just shook his head.

"Now if you want to socialize you know where you can find me and it is not at my home; my private life is off limits as is my son. So I won't be telling you again to stay away." Raylan explained as he stood near his front door wondering what his son was up to.

"Well now, you have forgotten good etiquette. I guess I won't stay where I'm not wanted. I just wanted the boy to see that I was okay."

"I don't think he was all that worried," Raylan assured.

"Well you pass on my greetings anyway," Boyd said returning to his car.

Raylan watched Boyd pull away and opened the front door to see the boys like deer in a headlight. "What's up fellas?"

"Nothing," they mumbled.

"What's behind your back," he asked his son. Nate made a face indicating he had no idea what his father was talking about. "Let's see," he asked reaching out towards his son.

Nate took a step backwards. Raylan was quickly losing patience; he had used most of it with Boyd and the well was nearly dry. "I'm not asking you son."

Nate brought his hand around complete with gun. "I wanted to have it just in case, I have the safety on."

Raylan sighed. He looked at his son who was pointing the barrel down at the floor as he had been taught and he looked terrified. "I can understand that. Did you keep the front door locked?"

"Yes sir, until I opened which I only did because I heard your voice."

"You shouldn't have opened it then. I can take care of myself. Is there one in the chamber?"

Nate shook his head no. "Why was he here?"

"I really don't know," Raylan said wondering the very same thing. "Tommy you had better head home now…and Tom you might not want to mention this to your parents."

"Yes sir," he answered taking one last look at the firearm in Nate's hand as he departed.

"Have a seat kiddo," Raylan said pointing towards the couch. He stepped over and took the gun away and checked to ensure the chamber was clear and then set it down on the table.

"How long was Boyd out there before I showed up?"

"I don't know maybe five minutes."

"And in those five minutes did you ever think of calling me?"

"Um, I guess not." He admitted.

"That needs to be your first step, you call me and then we can go from there. But I am glad you didn't unlock the door and you stayed hidden and I don't even have a problem with you getting the gun out, but you remember what I always tell you."

"Yes sir; don't have it if you're not going to use it."

"Do you think you could have used it?" Nate's face contorted into something unreadable causing Raylan to look closely. "Well?"

"I think so." He said without conviction.

"There's no thinkin' about it son, you have to know it."

"Do you think Tommy can keep a secret?" Nate asked changing the subject.

"I imagine he will if he ever wants to come back over here. He looked quite fascinated with the gun; I think I might need to have a little talk with him. Curiosity and guns are rarely a good mix." Raylan said in all seriousness.