Author Note - This story is a drama with friendship at the center. It will be hard at times for Henry however the story ends with hope for him.
I hope you enjoy it and thank you for reading!
"Why don't you come with us today?" Lucas asked Henry as they sat outside the Queen of Hearts saloon.
"Maybe next week. I just don't know…" Henry trailed off in thought.
"Next week will be the same answer." Lucas was worried about his friend who had seemed restless since his return to Hope Valley six weeks ago.
"I don't belong there. I don't belong anywhere honestly. Maybe I shouldn't have come back this time. So many memories that I can never erase from my mind. Blowing up that mine may have helped some. Not for me. Not for me." Henry bowed his head and closed his eyes.
"Henry, no one blames you for the mine disaster. Everyone knows the truth of what happened. It came out in the trial." Lucas sat quietly as the minutes passed with Henry remaining with his head bowed.
"You should go. Elizabeth will wonder why you are late. I will be honest, I don't know. But you should go." Henry opened his tear-filled eyes and looked at Lucas.
"I can stay. She will understand why I wasn't there today. Have you eaten anything yet? Gustav should be starting breakfast just about now." Lucas stood up hoping Henry would agree.
"We can meet later after you go. I know it matters to you and you should be there. Right now I will go eat breakfast and then go to my room." Since Henry's return, he had moved into a room above the saloon. He didn't need much anymore. Just a place to sleep and somewhere he could read.
"I will save a seat next to me if you change your mind. We will get through this one day at a time. Please just don't push me or Elizabeth away. You are not alone." Lucas patted Henry's shoulder before he turned and started heading to the Sunday church service.
Henry watched as Lucas walked up the street. Part of him wished he would go but what would he do there? He had never read the bible. As a child, he didn't have time for church. He had to work to support himself. Henry grew not to trust as every time he opened his heart it would get broken.
He pushed everyone away before he could get hurt. Now all he did was hurt. Old wounds had been reopened. Which he had worked so hard to bury deep inside.
Three hours later
"Coming" Henry called as he heard the knock at his door. He quickly got up and picked up his table and shoved the pile of clothes under his bed. Good enough he thought as he walked to the door.
"Geez, Henry. Did you get lost on your way to the door?" Joseph Canfield teased as Henry opened the door.
"Hey come in," Henry smirked and laughed as he opened the door further to let the pastor into his room.
"I just wanted to come and check on you. Lucas told me today how worried he is about you." Joseph sat down on the chair across from Henry.
"I wish Lucas hadn't said anything to you. I am fine." Henry looked out the window unable to look at him.
"Henry, you don't seem fine. You are starting to push people away. The people who care the most about you. It has been weeks since we have talked. Now Lucas said you don't even see him. He only saw you by accident today when he dropped off paperwork at his office." Joseph noticed Henry had lost more weight since he last saw him. His beard was longer looking like it had been awhile since being trimmed. These were clear signs he was struggling more than he would let on.
"I've been busy." Henry sighed and closed his eyes.
"I know I am not your pastor Henry. However, I would hope you would consider me your friend." Joseph looked at Henry who still hadn't looked at him since he sat down.
"You will regret that. So will Lucas." Henry rubbed his neck.
"What will we regret?" Joseph asked concerned.
"It doesn't matter. It just doesn't matter." Henry got up from his chair. He walked to the window watching as a few kids were laughing as they walked out of the pharmacy carrying ice cream cones.
"I did have a reason for stopping by. Could you help me, Henry?" Joseph had an idea of how he could help two people he cared about.
"Help you?" Henry turned to look at the pastor for the first time.
"Yes. You know my son Cooper. Well, he decided to stop going to church. We tried to make him go to church and that just made him act out more. We also tried to have him spend more time with me but I am not reaching him. He keeps butting heads with Minnie. I don't want to lose my son." Joseph could feel the pain and worry as he thought about his son.
"What could I do? As you can see I am struggling myself." Henry asked, confused.
"Yes, but I think you could help each other. I have seen how you are with kids. You have a soft spot for them even if you try to hide it. Sometimes helping someone else can help heal our pain. Please think it over. If you are interested, meet me at the church Saturday at 10 am." Joseph got up from his chair and walked to the door.
"Sure, I will think about it," Henry said goodbye to Joseph. He had never thought Joseph would ask him for help. Especially with his son. What would Henry do other than tell Cooper that he wasn't someone worth listening to?