Winter's Refuge
Chapter Seventeen
LOM
I worry about Heyes. The doctor apologized to him. But the warden used harsh words to remind Heyes, and us, that Heyes is a prison of the Wyoming Territorial Prison serving time for murder. His words were ominous and struck the Kid and I hard. Not sure if Heyes heard them. He was just relieved he was receiving treatment for the shiv wound. It looked red and infected, and he had a fever. He had hidden the pain for three long days waiting for the Kid and I to come to ask his question. Hid it rather than take the chance that the infirmary would not be considered general population and he would lose his chance of freedom.
That told me how seriously he took this deal with the governor. But I don't know if he understood the warden's warning that he was still a prisoner. I didn't say anything more to him about that today. He needs to heal.
I worry about the Kid. He's strong and I'm constantly realizing how many ways his strength has grown. His physical strength is obvious. I don't know if I have ever seen a man stronger. But he is strong in purpose, too. I have no doubt that he will take care of Chrissy, Heyes, and their children for the rest of their lives. I'm touched that he considers me part of that family, too. Always good to know I have a place to go when I need it.
When Heyes admitted he had slept with Chrissy, I expected the Kid to explode. I recognized her wooden ring as the kind the Kid knows how to make. I've always thought if she was married to one of them, it was him. The Kid was angry at Heyes' confession, but he has the strength and maturity now to control anger and his temper. He was forced to learn that in prison to survive. I'm sure that Heyes didn't even realize what he was saying. He confessed to a lot of things he had kept to himself for a long time; not sure he even remembered what he said.
The Kid uses his mental control as a shield against showing his emotions. His feelings were always near the surface, his wide smile quick and honest. He found joy in life, in little things. I don't know if that's gone or hidden, replaced by an overwhelming sense of responsibility and duty.
I learned today he had another kind of strength to keep going through pain. His back's been infected since he left prison and I never suspected anything. He works as the town's only blacksmith every day, doing a full day's work in a morning. He and Juan run the ranch, take care of the horses and the breeding operation. And the Kid has infinite patience with Chrissy. He loves her. I can see it, but he holds that close to himself. I doubt Juan even sees it.
As soon as I got to Porterville, I sent him a telegram. I had to word it carefully in case Juan picked it up.
Jed Curry
Three Birds, Nebraska
Did you find someone to help you as we discussed?
Lom
The Kid must have been in town because an answer came back within an hour
Lom Trevors
Porterville, Wyoming
Taken care of.
Jed
I stopped at the mercantile to buy Heyes a book. But my eyes fell on something else, a journal. I didn't buy it that day, but I bought it later and brought it to Heyes on our next visit.
ASJ*****ASJ
Jed "Kid' Curry
Slept past noon. I woke feelin' Chrissy's soft touch spreadin' salve on my back. The stitches pulled and itched, and the salve eased the pain. I sat up when she finished, and she picked up the laudanum.
"No, no more, Chrissy. I've got work to do."
"Later."
I wasn't sure if she meant work later or medicine later. "Yes, medicine later. When I go to bed. Work now." I grabbed my shirt and slipped it over my back. We had a visitin' mare that week and Summer's Song, not Fall's Legend, was standin' stud. They shared a magnificent sire in Fall's Destiny. Summer's Song was younger and new at this but understood what he needed to do. The mare was high strung. Juan watched her carefully as she tried to kick out the fence already.
Juan was in the corral tryin' to corner the mare. He was offerin' her a carrot and she was interested but wary. I waited by the stable to see if he needed my help.
Chrissy followed me and I was glad I knew where she was. I ignored her. I won't scare her again; she needs patience and small steps. I won't fail her again. I thought she would come stand with me and watch but she opened the gate and slipped into the corral. She took the carrot from Juan and shooed him away.
Standin' still, she started talkin' softly. I couldn't hear words, but she was really talkin' to the mare. Approachin' the horse, she held out the carrot. As she ate the carrot, Chrissy rubbed her nose. I watched as she led the mare toward the stable and disappeared in with her. I found Chrissy sittin' in the stall recitin' the beginnin' of Black Beauty to the horse and the mare calmly eatin' oats.
Juan nodded at her and almost smiled.
"She's amazin' with horses," I told him. "I'm goin' to get that book for her. Don't think she has it all memorized,"
ASJ*****ASJ
The next two weeks went quickly. The blacksmith shop was so busy I started goin' an hour earlier . Not sure how much Chrissy sleeps. I hope she doesn't have nightmares like I do. She always leaves her door open and is sittin' in her rocking chair when I go to bed. In the mornin', she used to be waitin' outside my door. Now as soon as I start stirrin', she opens my door and comes in, salve in hand. I always say, 'Good mornin', Chrissy' even if I'm feelin' grouchy at the early hour. I'm cheerful to her. I'm so glad she's gettin' better.
With my back hurtin' less, I began to work harder. In the two weeks in between visits, I made two sets of hinges and designed a belt buckle with three birds. It was crude, more outlines of bird's wings then birds. Made four and melted each of them down before I got one I liked. I went into town the day before my next trip to Cheyenne. I bought a couple of meals from the diner, so we'd have a treat for dinner. Then I went to the sheriff's office. I had gotten over my apprehension, another word Heyes would be proud of me usin', about goin' into Sheriff Birde's office.
"Sheriff?"
"Hey, Jed! How you doing? Must be about time to go on your little trip?" The sheriff was well aware where I went every two weeks, but he was the only person who knew.
"Yeah, tomorrow."
"Good to know. Always get questions why the blacksmith is closed for two days now and then. Just remind them how thankful we should be that you bought the Old Cummings Place. Maybe you should post a couple of days in advance the days you will be closed."
"Thanks." All of a sudden, I was nervous about givin' him the belt buckle. It wasn't professional. I was just learnin' but he'd been a good friend to me since we'd been here. "I ahh…I made you something…If you don't like it, you don't have to wear it. I'm just learnin'."
"Stop with all the excuses, boy, and let me see what you made." He smiled as he spoke. "I ain't had a surprise present since I was a boy. Wife just bakes for the holidays."
I had wrapped the buckle in brown paper and realized it had black grime in the corner. Tried to wipe it off but the sheriff reached and grabbed it from my hand. He didn't seem to notice the dirt on the wrapper as he opened it.
He didn't say anything at first. He took it out and ran his fingers over the birds, then turned it over in his hand and studied it.
"I know it ain't very good. Just wanted to give you something you ain't got to thank you for your welcome to this town."
I was surprised when he looked up at me with wet eyes. "Jed, thank you," he choked out through his emotions. "It's beautiful. My nephew, Jeff, said you did good work, but this is special." He looked closer at my small mark almost hidden on the back and smiled. "Did Jeff tell you my father, his grandfather, was a blacksmith? He never could have made something this fine."
He held out his hand. "Thank you. Thank you. Next time you come into town, I'll be wearing this."
Heyes
Dr. Thompson keeps me drugged. I figured it has to be in the water pitcher he brings each time. He comes about every five hours to look at the shiv wound. He puts a cold rag on my forehead and leaves water in the basin to refresh it. It takes so much effort to take the rag off, put it in the water and put it back on my head, that I don't do it often. I can feel the fever take over my body and my thoughts.
Doctor Arden visited me in my cell. I told him about the dreams asking where Devil's Hole is, about someone pretending to be the Kid. He told me it's the drugs playing tricks with my thoughts. Giving me nightmares. My thoughts are mangled and confused but my wound doesn't hurt all the time anymore. Doctor Arden asked me if Doctor Thompson was putting the salve on my back. I told him yes, sometimes, and told him what I heard Thompson tell the guards. I thanked him for paying for the salve. I think he believed me because he laughed and said, "That sounds like him. I'll talk to him about it."
I know the voice asking about Devil's Hole is not the Kid's. Even in a nightmare he wouldn't call me Han. Maybe it is in my mind, though.
It has to be well over a week that I've been healing. The wound must have been worse than I thought. Doctor Thompson's visits went to once a day, but my medicine was continued every five hours. I told them I didn't need it anymore. "Shut up, convict," the guard tells me when I object to the medicine. So, I am quiet, and I sleep a medicated sleep that must be healing but is not restful.
Dr. Arden must have talked to Dr. Thompson because he spreads the salve on thick each time he removes the bandage. He told me he will remove the stitches soon so I must be getting better.
I fall asleep soon after Doctor Thompson leaves. I am sleepier than normal. Then I have the same dream again.
"Han, this is Kid. Where is Devil's Hole? How do I get there? Going to hide out there. Help me, please."
The Kid would never call me Han. The voice says it is him, but I know it is not. I try to push him away with my arm, but it is twisted behind me. In my nightmare it breaks.
"Han, time's running out. Help me get to Devil's Hole!" There's urgency in the voice…and pleading. My focus is on the pain in my arm now twisted behind my back. The Kid would never hurt me like this. The Kid would never say going to. That's educated English. He'd say gonna. That medicine is messing with my dreams. I will tell Dr. Arden again when he comes. And then the pain stops and the nightmare changes to the dark cell. I know how to get rid of this one. I force my drugged eyes open and see the light in the hall. The nightmares don't go away. They just change.
I am too drowsy to talk to Dr. Thompson when he comes the next day. He gives me fresh water, but I still can't force my eyes to open. So, I sleep and for once dream of cooling water on my back.
But then the nightmare is back, and my arm is forced behind me and twisted. "Tell me where Devil's Hole is, Han. Please, I need riding directions. I forgot how to get there. The posse is chasing me. Help."
The voice that says it is the Kid is back. Always asking about Devil's Hole. It is not the Kid. The language is not right. Kid has amnesty, I remembered. He wouldn't need Devil's Hole.
"Owww!" I scream as my arm is twisted further behind my back. Nightmares don't usually hurt like this.
"Shut up and tell me how to get to Devil's Hole or I am going to break more than your arm. And I will see you are sent to solitary." The voice is Doctor Thompson's. Why is he in my nightmare?
And Doctor Arden's voice is there, too. "What do you think you are doing?"
It's Doctor Thompson's voice that answers. "He knows where Devil's Hole is. If we find out and give it to the marshals and they catch the gang, we will get the reward on all of them."
"Guard." It's Doctor Arden's voice again. "Please escort Dr. Thompson to the warden's office and see that he stays there until I get there."
"Yes, Doctor."
It is quiet in my cell now. The nightmare Kid voice is gone.
"Heyes? Can you wake up?"
I hear Dr. Arden's voice but am too sleepy to answer.
"Heyes, open your eyes!"
I do. Dr. Arden is sitting on my bed looking relieved. He pours some water from the pitcher into my glass and smells it. He throws it onto the basin with a sour look on his face.
"Don't want no more medicine." I tell him as I close my eyes.
"No more medicine, Heyes. Sleep. I'll be back."
"K. Arm hurts," I say but didn't hear the answer.
Jed 'Kid' Curry
Me and Lom met up in Cheyenne before heading out to the prison. There had been no update on Heyes this week and we were worried. Lom thought it was because there was nothing bad to report. I thought that something was wrong.
Just like every time I saw him, I asked the same questions.
"You heard from cousin Lom's sister? Everything okay?" I worry about the baby. I no longer cared if it was Heyes' or mine. It was part of my family and I loved it sight unseen.
Lom smiled at my question. "Fine, just fine. Stole a plate of butter off of the table and ate it under the table."
Lom was throwin' me something, a glimpse into the child's life. And it felt like a lifeline to me.
"Tummy ache follow?" I asked with a smile at the common childhood adventure.
"Yep."
ASJ*****ASJ
The front door of the prison was still intimidatin', terrifyin', but facin' it with Lom at my side was easier. I'd been thinkin' about him lately. He'd been a rock, a home base and a patient big brother to us through the years. He was most definitely family.
Today something was different. When he announced our purpose to visit Hannibal Heyes, we were taken into a small conference room and told to wait. Lom sat but I felt like a caged convict again in a small, dank room with no windows. Lom and I didn't talk to each other. We was worried that Heyes was back in solitary. Lom said later he was thinkin' of ways to get the governor to start Heyes' six month sentence over, but none of his arguments were convincin'.
After fifteen minutes, Dr, Arden came in, greeted us and sat down.
"Won't you join us, Mr. Curry?" Dr Arden pointed to an empty chair across the table from him.
"Can hear what you have to say just fine from here." I had stopped near the door. I wanted to run. My instinct had been to look down and say, "Yes, sir," and do as he said. I looked him in the eyes askin', "Where's Heyes? What's wrong?"
Dr. Arden still was not used to being challenged but I think he expected my response.
"Have either of you men described the Devil's Hole Gang the way it is today to Heyes?"
Lom shook his head and spoke for both of us seein' the anger I was keeping under control. "No, do you think he needs to know?"
"Yes, he does and today."
"Why?" I asked and knew it sounded like a growl. Dr. Arden needed to tell us something and he was takin' a mind doctor's long path gettin' there.
"Mr. Curry, please sit," he asked me again. Lom gave me one of those looks that said please sit so we can get this over with. So I pulled a chair over and sat backwards on it right next to the doctor.
"Why?" I repeated.
"Two reasons. One: He doesn't understand why men from the Devil's Hole Gang would be trying to kill him."
Lom nodded. "Okay and…"
"Doctor Thompson is no longer employed by the Wyoming Territorial Prison. He drugged Heyes heavily and tried to get him to disclose the location of Devil's Hole. He pretended he was you, Mr. Curry, but made a few mistakes. First, he called Heyes, Han."
"I ain't called him that since we were boys," I answered, hearin' what the doctor was sayin' and understandin' that the point were two different things right now.
"And he spoke what Heyes called educated English," the doctor continued.
"Heyes okay?" I heard Lom's voice startin' to echo my anger.
"He has a broken arm. The large doses of laudanum and other medicines gave him severe nightmares. His thoughts were confused from so much time in the dark cell before. I'd been working with him on that. Now he has regressed. He speaks very little. We find him huddled in the corner of his cell. He trusts no one but me."
"We came to visit him. I intend to visit him." Hearin' the state Heyes was in, my heart was breakin', my resolution to see him firm. "You bringin' him here?"
"No. You'll visit him in his cell." Dr. Arden studied me. "I'm sorry if that is unpleasant for you, Mr. Curry, but he feels safest there."
I didn't like the doctor remindin' me that not long ago I'd been in prison. This was not goin' to stop me from visitin' Heyes.
"And you think we should tell him about the new Devil's Hole Gang in his condition?" Lom had leaned forward and was speakin' right into the doctor's face.
"Yes, I do. I think it's important for him to be able to understand why things are happening to him."
"Doctor, why was Dr. Thompson so set on learning where Devil's Hole is? There's an illegal bounty on a friend of ours for the same thing."
"There are violent outlaws up there with large bounties on their heads, especially Mark and Bobby Bell McWinters. That gang has killed seven innocent people in the last three months. Reward goes to the first person who gives information to the US Marshals that lets them ride into Devil's Hole and arrest those men. The informant collects the rewards on every wanted man arrested or killed. That's a lot of money."
I was quiet realizin' what he was sayin'. Ex-gang members couldn't really talk to the US Marshals without gettin' arrested themselves. I hoped none of the old gang still lived there.
Lom stood up. "Let's go see Heyes. This may be tough on him."
Dr. Arden had a look of relief and thanks on his face. "I think it will be his path to healing."
ASJ*****ASJ
We waited in that room for another ten minutes after Dr. Arden left before guards came to escort us to Heyes. I tried hard not to show it, but my feet felt like they were shackled again as I walked down the hallway. In Yuma, the cells were built from rock in the quarry. They were lined up in rows facing each other across a large open dry area that the guards called The Courtyard. Dust and dirt constantly blow into the cells. But I could see the sky every night even when I was in solitary.
Here everything was dark and close. The kind of place that sucks the spirit out of you just walking through it. Heyes' cell was on the second floor, up a skinny metal stairway to a walkway. I saw the lights on the wall opposite the cells. The ones in the middle were lit even though it was daytime. I figured they were opposite Heyes' cell. The cells were empty, the convicts on their work assignments for the day.
The guards stopped at a cell door and looked at us. "If you want privacy, we gotta lock you in with him. If you want the door open, we'll be standing right outside." The words were directed at me.
Lom took charge. "Where will you be if you lock us in?"
"Down the hall in the last cell. It's set up as a place for guard's breaks."
Lom gave me a quick look and I nodded. "Lock us in," he told the surprised guards.
"You sure?" the guard asked me directly.
"Do what the man said," I answered.
Lom
The Kid was showing me a new kind of strength, strength of will. Only those who knew him well could see the hesitation in his step, the flashing looks of fear in his blue eyes. I knew he wanted to run, get as far away from the row of cells, the solid ceiling, the smell of dank, stale air. But he walked right into Heyes' cell, head held high and headed for the man sitting in the corner.
Unlike Chrissy who at first huddled, scared, looking at nothing and refusing eye contact, Heyes' eyes darted around the cell studying the Kid and me. His position was very defensive. His arm was splinted and in a sling.
The Kid ignored it all and greeted him as he greeted him each visit with a hug. He told me later how hard it was to smile when he was alarmed at the sight of his partner.
"Hi'ya, Heyes, how are you?" the Kid said warmly.
Heyes focused his attention on him.
"We came to visit you and you sit in the corner? Come sit on the bed with me. It's okay for you to talk to us in here for now. I got that surprise I was tellin' you abou and Lom brought you a present." Then the Kid sat on the bed. Ignoring Heyes, he started to search through his pockets, exaggerating his actions.
Heyes stood up but did not sit on the bed. He went to the door and shook it. "Locked."
"Yeah, it was the only way those guards will give us any privacy," I told him.
Heyes went over to the Kid and touched his arm, his shoulder and his hair. "Kid? Really you?"
"Who else besides me and Lom would let the guards lock us in here so we can visit with you?"
Heyes looked around and saw me for the first time. His eyes were still uncertain but there was a trace of hope there. "Not telling either of you where Devil's Hole is!" he almost yelled.
I smiled. "Heyes, I can get to Devil's Hole dead drunk and asleep. Don't need you to tell me how to get there."
My answer calmed him, and he looked to the Kid. "Surprise? No key?"
"No key. Something better. But Heyes, Dr. Alden said me and Lom should tell you about the new Devil's Hole Gang. Can you sit and listen to us?" The Kid's words were firm, but his voice was full of concern.
Heyes listened to him. "Really…you? Really….Kid?"
The Kid just patted Heyes' knee. "Who else would give you the blueprint of the three keyed lock?"
Heyes took the paper the Kid held out with wonder, smiling wildly.
I held out the journal. "And I brought you this journal. There's two pencils in there. You can write down your thoughts.
"Thoughts…crazy. No words.," he answered, still he placed the journal carefully on his pillow and held the paper in his good hand.
"Look at it later. Now, listen about the Devil's Hole Gang. Can you do that?" Kid's voice was calm, soft, and coercing. "Its new leader is Mark McWinters." The Kid watched Heyes for a reaction and got the one he expected-anger.
"Threw….out." Heyes' anger spread to himself at not being able to form words quickly. "Violent… unpredi…ctable." Heyes stood up, realized there was no place to pace in the crowded cell and sat back down. "Tell me."
I told him and watched him while I did. The successful gang he had built on being 'nice' robbers, not shooting anyone and not stealing from the common people had changed into something he hated, murderous violent men. He could no longer keep a poker face for more than a few seconds; his emotions were easy to read.
"Wheat…gone?" he asked, struggling to force the words out. I noticed the Kid was sitting close to him, their knees touching. He put his hand on Heyes' knee and looked to me to continue. I went into more recent detail than I had with the Kid. He needed to hear the repeated brutality to accept the change in his gang. No, not his gang anymore, Mark McWinters' gang.
"Kyle…here?"
"No, Kyle's served his time elsewhere and is out. During your trial, it was decided that no other Devil's Hole Gang members would serve time in the same prison as you two. It was thought you had too much respect from and control over them." Heyes and the Kid nodded. "I didn't know that meant the two of you were serving time separately. I would have fought against that."
I could see the painful mental wounds of being separated on each of their faces as they looked at each other. "Soon…together," Heyes managed.
Heyes was listening to me with a blank expression. Not the blank look of Chrissy staring at nothing, but the blank look of shutting out the world and thinking on a problem. So, I continued and let him know that it was Mark McWinters that ordered the gang members in prison to kill him. They weren't vigilant in checking for gang members anymore and those two were overlooked.
Heyes stood up and poured himself a glass of water, then smiled at us. "Water? One cup."
I declined but the Kid accepted. He kept looking at the locked door. I saw he wanted out, but he would steel his expression before Heyes could see.
"The…Hole?" Heyes seemed to be struggling more with his words than the last time we had seen him. Dr. Arden had told us he regressed.
"The US Marshals have offered a big reward for anyone giving them information to find Devil's Hole. They plan to raid it. Whoever gives them the information gets the reward money on anyone they catch there." I saw Heyes finally understand what Dr. Thompson had been trying to do. Instead of upsetting him, it seemed to lighten his mood. Dr. Arden had been right to have him tell us.
"Old…gang…there?" Heyes was looking at the Kid now.
"Don't know, Heyes. Haven't seen any of them in years." There was regret in his tone. I know he considered some of those men his friends. I'd have to ask him if he had made friends in Three Birds.
Heyes looked at me and I saw something different in his eyes. Determination? Anger? It was the same look he would get before devising a major robbery where every detail was planned.
"Find…out?" Heyes asked me.
"Find out, what?" I was not sure what he was asking, but the Kid understood.
"If any of the old Devil's Hole Gang are up there. From what I've seen, Wyoming has got every lawman and citizen riled up to raid the Hole. Outlaws just ain't safe anywhere else." Heyes nodded as the Kid talked and a small grin passed between them.
"Why?" I asked, but I thought I knew. I looked at them both. "I'll find out, but this stays between the three of us, understand?"
"Silence…rule...here," Heyes answered. I knew he was working on a plan to get Mark McWinters and his gang out of Devil's Hole, but he didn't want to catch any of his old gang in the trap. I hoped it would be something to keep Heyes' mind busy.
He had moved on and was studying the drawing of the inside of the lock the Kid had given him. Tracing his finger over a line on the paper, he was lost in thought.
"Key…next?"
"Yes, Heyes, I'll bring the third key next time."
"Books better?"
"If I remember to write down the money I took in each night. How do I record chickens?"
Heyes brows knitted in question. He gestured for us to turn around. It was hard in the small space.
"Chickens? You…buy…chickens? Money…out." He was struggling to talk even this way that made it easier for him just two weeks ago. I could see the sad look on Kid's face at Heyes' condition. He hadn't gained any weight but then the doctor told us he was still recovering from the shiv wound and now the broken arm.
The Kid laughed a true throaty laugh. "No, I didn't buy chickens. Already had almost two dozen. I took some in payment for my work…oh, and a goat. How do I record them?''
Heyes laugh forced us to turn around. There was a spark in his eyes that wasn't there before. "Write…chickens...I…later."
We heard the guards coming toward the cell.
"You…find…out?" He pointed at me.
"Yes, Heyes, I'll know by my next visit."
"You…we…partners?" he asked the Kid. Always the same question at the end. He always needed reassurance.
"Always, Heyes. I got your back."
ASJ*****ASJ
Jed 'Kid' Curry
Heyes looked so small today. He's my older cousin. Always looked up to him even when I grew up. Now he needs me. His speech was worse today. He was always so good at weavin' words into thoughts that could convince people of anything. Now he chooses his words carefully and he has to fight to get them out.
Dr Arden said he's going to be back to makin' brooms the day after tomorrow. Even with his broken arm, there were jobs he could do. And he better do them quickly and correctly. Walkin' through the prison, it was so different from Yuma. And as different as could be from the railroad camps. I don't know if I could have survived this place any better than Heyes. At least I could always see the sky.
Lom was quiet as we rode back to Cheyenne. Finally, he pulled his horse next to mine.
"I read that right. Kid? He's going to work out a plan to catch Mark McWinters and the Gang?"
"Yeah, you got it right and he don't want to catch any of the old gang in his trap," I told him. I weren't sure it was a good idea, and it weren't how I expected Heyes to react to the news. If anyone could figure out how to do it, Heyes could.
Lom was lost in his own thoughts until we checked into the room. I just wanted to get as far away from those prison walls as I could…and get Heyes away from there, too.
After Lom got us a room, we walked down to the doctor's office. I'd promised him I'd come back for him to take out the stitches. Now that I was healin', the stitches hurt more than the lacerations. And they were stiff and itchy.
I focused on thinkin' about a new lock to make for Heyes while the doctor cut the stitches out.
Lom was pacin' in the waiting room just like two weeks ago. The doctor handed me two more tins of salve.
"By the time those run out, you won't need them anymore. You still got the pain medicine?
"I do. Only take it when the pain gets bad. Ain't used it much lately."
"Then he's healing, Doctor?" Lom asked.
"Very well, in fact. Just a few days and he'll be good as new."
As we walked back to the hotel, Lom pointed to the salon. "They got sandwiches in there we can take back to the room."
"Don't want no drink, Lom. Waitin' to celebrate with Heyes."
One thing about Lom, he don't push things when you tell him something. He got a beer while I ordered the sandwiches. We ate them in our room with some apples we bought at the general store. After Yuma, fruit, canned or fresh, tastes like the best thing ever…well, if that fruit happens to be baked into a pie, it tastes just like heaven.
"Lom, got a favor to ask." I was hesitant to ask him, but knew I'd sleep better with salve on my back.
"Shoot."
"Well, er, I need the salve on my back. Would you? If you don't want to, I understand. My back ain't the prettiest thing to see."
"Sure, Kid. Was glad you found someone to put it on you these last weeks. The doctor recommend someone?"
I smiled. "No, Chrissy volunteered. She's been takin' real good care of me. I knew she worked with the prison doctor. She's real good at it." I took off my shirt and turned around. I knew seein' my scarred back again was unpleasant, but he simply took the tin and started puttin' it on.
"Still pain you much?"
"Lom, I been thinkin' about pain. It's a funny thing. When somethin' hurts, that's all you think about. For me, that meant tryin' real hard not to let anyone see that I hurt. But when you heal, and the pain is gone, you don't even notice. The absence of pain is just normal. I still feel some pain in my back, stiffness, too. Doctor says I always will. But the pain from those infected places was always there; I was always tryin' hard to push it aside. And now I don't even think 'I'm goin' to lift this metal and there won't be pain'. I just do it without thinkin'." I stopped. "Sorry, didn't want to go on like that."
"Kid, I'm real proud of you for so many things. And one of them is your deep thinking. Reminds me of how Heyes used to be."
"Think he still is inside, just can't get it out. Maybe plannin' how to catch Mark McWinters will bring it out in him, again."