Heyes finished cutting the last of the wood for Clem, straightened up with a groan and turned to see her coming over to him a steaming cup in her hand, which she handed over to him. He took a long grateful gulp of the coffee, carrying the cup as he walked over to her small porch and sat down while she perched next to him. "I'm leaving tomorrow, I should be in Yuma by Friday."
She studied him for a minute, her expression serious, then her face broke into a smile as she clapped her hands and said firmly. "You'll write and tell me what happened."
Heyes nodded, though it hadn't been a question and added with a confidence that he didn't quite feel. "We'll head back this way in a couple of months anyway."
ASJ
As the train made its way to Yuma, a restless Heyes alternated between staring out at the shadowed countryside as it sped past him, and pacing the second class carriage. He had chosen this journey, knowing it would be a quiet one as he needed time to think about what he would do when he found the Kid. He was trying not to contemplate there being an 'If.' But his mind was refusing to cooperate and so many questions kept marching through his mind. "What if the Nuns refused to let him in or to even pass a message on?" "What if Kid had moved on?" The letter was well over a month old after all. "What if Kid had only told Clem what he thought she would want to hear?" "What if the decision Kid regretted wasn't splitting up, but going for amnesty?
But the most burning question of all that overrode every other concern, was, if he did track the Kid down, and manage to speak to him, would he even want to re-establish their partnership at all?" Nothing had changed in the year they'd been apart: Amnesty still felt like a distant dream, they would continue to be broke, desperate and often on the run, and none of that was likely to change any time soon. What did re-establishing their partnership really give Kid?
As Heyes stepped down onto the dusty platform, though he still had no real certainty about anything, he still breathed in deeply, appreciatively soaking up the comparative warmth after a few days spent in the chill of Denver. Looking about him, his resolve that whatever happened here, his next trip would be to Porterville, then onto Cheyenne with Lom in tow to demand some answers from the current ass-hat in the Governor's Mansion hardened into certainty. If the worst happened and the Kid wasn't with him, he'd find a way of getting word to his partner about the outcome of the meeting.
ASJ
Heyes walked up to the heavy door of the convent and knocked loudly. There was no response for several minutes, then a small hatch opened and he was faced by a grizzled old nun staring at him suspiciously. "What do you want?"
Heyes proffered his hand through the small hole, but when it was pointedly ignored, dropped it back to his side and gave the woman his most innocent smile. "My name's Joshua Smith, I'm looking for a friend of mine, Thaddeus Jones, you treated him for a bad leg wound a few months ago. Took me while to track him down, but I'm hoping he might still be with you. Or if he's moved on perhaps you have an inkling of where he was going."
Her face flickered for a minute as she studied him, then she said. "He's long gone! We don't encourage men to linger, so as soon as he could walk he left. We didn't ask where he was heading." Then the hatch slammed shut again.
Heyes was left with a small grin on his face, a little surprised at a Nun telling such a bold faced lie. It was obvious from what Sister Magdalena had written that he had indeed lingered.
ASJ
Kid Curry carefully made his final shot, then holstered his weapon with a small flourish and breathed out. As he took in the peaceful atmosphere, with the restful sound of the river below, he sighed and sat down on the small log bench behind him. The thought that had been going round his head for the last week returned, as his mind freed itself from the focus of practising. It was time to move on.
This last year after his impulsive decision to split from Heyes, had proved lonelier and harder than he'd expected, and he was reluctant to return to it. But he knew he couldn't hide here his whole life, so finally he was resolved that come the middle of the month he'd leave, head South. His regret at leaving his partner had only deepened in the long months of being on his own, but at first pride had kept him from taking any steps to find his cousin, and now so much time had passed, he wasn't even sure how to start looking for him, so alone he would stay.
He was so deep in thought, he didn't hear Sister Valeria until she was almost next to him and started, but he managed not to draw his gun, and looked up into her weathered face, which had a small approving smile on it. "Well done, Thaddeus! It seems that we are having a positive influence on you!"
The Kid could see worry under her smile, and wasn't surprised when she said "There was a man looking for you. I told him you'd moved on, but he didn't believe me and I am sure he will be back. I didn't like the look of him at all."
The Kid blinked and his stomach twisted a little at the news, though he tried to keep the worry out of his face. It looked like his leaving was going to be taken out of his hands. Mother Superior had informed him not long after the start of his recovery that most of the nuns knew exactly who he was. Only the novices and the children did not. He remembered the conversation clearly.
"I sense you are in the need of sanctuary, and as women of peace, we are not in the business of refusing such a need so you may stay."
Still not fully recovered, and more than a little bit disconcerted by her perceptiveness he'd not been able to deny his identity convincingly, so he'd been both grateful and more than a little surprised at being allowed to stay.
She'd added fiercely as he hobbled towards the door. "The first time you cause trouble, or bring any down upon our heads, I will expect you to leave with no argument. Is that clear Mr Curry?" It'd been easy to agree to her condition, and now it had come due he saw no reason not to honour his pledge.
It wouldn't take him long to pack up and leave. The nuns had insisted on paying him for his work around the place, so he had enough to buy a horse and some supplies. While his original idea had been to head south, he had now come to the conclusion that he would instead first go to Porterville and demand some answers from Lom. Whatever he found out there, would no doubt help him make the best decision as to what he should do next.
He stood, already beginning to think ahead of which way he would head once Yuma was behind him, in order to attempt to shake his pursuer, and asked quickly. "Sister? Did he give his name?" Because he would have to make his leaving town very obvious to get the attention of whoever had found him as it was the best way to keep the children and Nuns out of harm's way, the Kid hoped he might recognise the name of whoever had found him so he'd have a good idea of the best way to avoid being caught by him. Sister Valeria sniffed and said with some ire. "Wasn't even an original alias! Called himself Joshua Smith, as if I'd be convinced by a Smith looking for a Jones!"/p
The Kid felt his chest tighten, as hope warred with shock, he opened his mouth, then shut it again, before clearing his throat. Whatever was in his expression was causing some alarm to cross Valeria's face and to relieve her worry, he laughed a little, while cursing the the issues the dumb ass aliases Lom had landed on them brought. He asked. "This Joshua Smith? What did he look like?"
"Dark hair, dark eyes, same age as you or there abouts, all wide eyed innocence and dimples. Didn't fool me for a minute!"
The Kid snorted in amusement at her description even as relief flooded him, it had to be Heyes."Ma'am he is a friend, so I can safely wait until after breakfast to leave." He paused and then added softly. "I'd like to say goodbye to the children, but if you don't think that's a good idea I'll understand."
She squeezed his arms gently, her face softening as she said firmly. "Of course you must say goodbye to them, Thaddeus. They would never forgive you or us if you left without a word."
A wave of regret swept over him as he thought about leaving the children. Helen, Jimmy, young Billy, who never stopped asking questions, and reminded him of his cousin as a child. They and so many of the others youngsters had planted themselves in his heart. It would be easier on him to just slip away, but he knew they deserved a proper leaving and as he headed to his small but comfortable room to pack, he found himself grateful that he would be allowed to give them it.
ASJ
Billy looked at him his dark eyes shiny with tears, which he refused to let fall, even as his lip quivered. "You can't go! Who else will teach me about boy stuff?"
The Kid swallowed hard and looked over at Magdalena, not sure how to reply, she came over with a sympathetic smile and said gently. "Father Jacob visits regularly and don't forget Mr Smart, they can both help you."
Billy's face crumpled in and a single tear finally escaped him as he sniffed. "But they're so old, and I can't talk to them like I can to Thaddeus!"
The Kid needing to offer comfort, but short on words, crouched down onto one knee and opened his arms for the boy to come into. For a few awful moments it looked like Billy was just going to ignore him and run off, but then with a small humph he came over to stand just out of reach, his hands on his hips, and his expression fierce.
"Billy." The Kid's throat was tight, and he had to cough to clear it before any more words would come. "Jimmy is only a bit older than you, he can help, and don't forget the other boys at the school in town and your friend Isaac too."
Billy's expression didn't soften and instead his scowl only deepened as he said. "That ain't the same! They'll just pretend they know what they're talking about and I'll look dumb if they ain't right! It ain't fair you're leaving!"
The Kid opened his mouth, then closed it again, unsure of what to say to not make things worse, never mind how to try and make them better, and a glance over at Magdalena gave him no reassurance, because even she looked uncertain. It was then that he realised that there was really only one thing for him to say, he had to give the boy the amount of truth that was safe for him to know. So after taking a deep breath, the Kid said softly."I lost most of my family when I wasn't much older than you. Just me and my cousin survived. We were all each other had,and we stuck together through just 'bout everythin' like brothers. But last year after too many silly arguments we split up." The Kid paused. a little embarrassed at the emotion he could hear in his voice, but continued when he saw that his words were having some impact. The boy's lip still trembled, but he looked interested. "He's in town right now and he can't stay, but he's waiting to see if I'll go with him, and I want to."
As he stopped talking,Billy watching him closely, cocked his head to one side, his face breaking into a tiny smile and after a deep breath of his own, he stepped into the Kid's arms. As his tears soaked into the Kid's shirt, he whispered in a tear choked tone." I understand why you hafta leave now. You gotta go with your family. I would if I could."
As the youngster stepped back quickly and wiped his eyes, the Kid took another deep breath, because he was feeling more emotional than was truly comfortable for him. It was so easy to see both he and Heyes all those years ago in the boy in front of him, trying so hard to be brave when it was obvious all he really wanted to do was to cry.
The heavy silence between the three of them was broken when Helen came running in, a piece of paper in her hand. She took in the Kid wearing his jacket with his bag slung over his shoulder, and came to a stop not far from him, before saying with the hint of tears in her voice."Its true what Sister Valeria told me then" She paused, then in rush of words said."I made you this, so you won't forget us!"
She thrust the paper at the Kid and waited as he looked down at what she'd given him: A hastily though still lovingly drawn picture that showed him and her alongside more figures, including several other children and a few nuns, all standing close together in front of a building, obviously meant to be the orphanage. The Kid laughed softly as he said " I won't forget any of you, I promise." As if he could, or would even want to. After a few moments of studying the picture, with his throat tight and his eyes itching, the Kid folded the paper and placed it very carefully into his jacket pocket with a sigh. Damn this was hard. He looked over at her and she smiled, though her eyes were still overly bright and before running off with just the smallest glance behind her, gave him a quick but obviously heartfelt hug,
Billy stared after her, but didn't move, so Sister Magdalena drew his attention back to her and knelt in front of him, saying something too quiet for the Kid to hear. The boy nodded, and as she stood, walked back over to the Kid, hugging him tight, before he too ran off without looking back.
Sister Magdalena's soft voice broke into the almost painful silence the children's departure had left as she said gently. " You did well with them. And as for your future all I can say is trust in God Thaddeus, and He will not steer you wrong."
The Kid though really not sure he believed her, didn't say anything to disagree, merely gave her a quick arm squeeze, then tipped his hat, but before he could start to walk out, she grabbed him into a firm hug as she said fiercely. "Go with God, Mr Curry, and stay safe. There is much good in you."
Walking out towards the hill leading down into town, the Kid knew he was being watched and turned to see all the children and the rest of the nuns waving fiercely at him as they yelled. "Good Luck."
ASJ
A heady mix of emotions assailed the Kid, making his head ache a bit as he walked the few miles into Yuma. Regret at what he was leaving behind, anticipation and pleasure at the thought of seeing his cousin again, and no small amount of the fear that the way they had split, the uncomfortable months before then, and their time apart would mean that they wouldn't be able to re-establish their partnership, and that he'd be forced to go it alone again. Of course this wasn't the first time they'd come back together months after an argument, but they'd been so much younger then , far less world weary and chock full of self belief, not to mention that a whole new exciting life had beckoned, but now, because they had so little to look forward to, maybe it would just be too hard to achieve a second time. But he was certain that it had been a mistake to leave Heyes, and because his partner had made the first move, it was now up to him to try and close the deal if he could.
The Kid hesitated at the door to the largest of the three hotels in Yuma, paced a couple of times, then firmly telling himself to get a grip, took a deep breath and strode into the small, neatly decorated reception area. There was no sign of the desk clerk, but the register was in clear view, and the Kid saw his friend's name scrawled in his familiarly untidy script. He was here then, but there was no indication of the room he was in. A quick search of the heavy wooden desk yielded a checking in book and keeping a careful eye about him, the Kid peered at it, and saw Joshua Smith Room 6, written in neat copperplate, and with another steadying breath he strode towards the stairs, and went up them two at a time, and when he found room six, knocked firmly on the door.
ASJ
Heyes paced his hotel room as he thought of, and discarded several plans to gain access to the convent, or even just get the Kid out to meet him. A note would likely be burnt before the Kid got to see it, and he knew that trying to convince whichever nun answered his knock to pass on a verbal message left far too much to chance. He could tell them his real name of course, but he really only wanted to do that as a last resort. Which left him with few options, but as he reached the far wall for the fourth time and turned to stride back to the bed, a thought came to him. He could break into the convent today after dark, because sneaking was something he was very good at. Even if he found himself faced with the loaded gun of his partner, he knew his friend well enough that he wouldn't shoot unless he was given no choice, and he was sure the Kid would recognise him before that even came close to happening. Happy that he had at least one workable plan, he began to try and come up with a with a plan b, but a knock on his door drew him out of his thoughts and he sighed heavily as he stomped to the door, sure he had told the slightly too nosy for comfort desk clerk that he didn't want to be disturbed. He flung the door open and a gasp escaped him at just who was on the other side. He swallowed several times, his hands twitching as he fought the urge to pull his partner into a tight hug, unsure of how welcome that would be as a breathy "Kid." escaped him.
Heyes surveyed his friend and was both pleased and a little envious to see that he looked well. When they'd parted ways all those months ago, there'd been a deep weariness in him that at times had been almost painful to observe. That had all but gone, replaced with what Heyes could only describe as a kind of contented peace. His clothes were clean and his hair tidy. Heyes was very conscious of how he himself must appear. He'd lost weight, still so weary that he was sure that he could sleep for a month and still be tired, his hair was in dire need of cutting, and his clothes had most certainly seen better days.
The Kid must have seen all of that, but all he said with a small smile. "You gonna let me in or just stare at me with ya mouth open?"
The seeming calm was belied by both the shake in his voice, and the slight shine to his eyes. So Heyes knowing he was not the only one who'd been assailed by emotion, felt some of his usual confidence return. He stood aside to let his partner in with a small smile of his own. "Well you being here, has sure saved me from having to shimmy up a wall tonight."
The Kid laughed and shook his head, but said nothing, merely made an aborted movement as if to touch him, before letting his arms rest by his sides again. They stared at each other in awkward silence for a few moments, before Heyes sighed, shook off his shock and grasped his friend tightly by the forearms and asked firmly. "This mean what I hope it means?" He still wasn't sure, fearing that maybe the Kid had only come to tell him he had no intention of going with him.
But when Heyes felt the Kid relax under his hands, and looked up to see a broad smile cross his friend's face as he shrugged and chuckled warmly, before saying firmly. "It sure does, Heyes!" The fear faded into relieved happiness and he laughed himself, stood back, before pulling his friend into a tight hug, which the Kid returned with enthusiasm lifting him slightly off his feet as he did so, saying. "Damnit Heyes, do you ever eat?"
ASJ
The Kid watched Heyes tuck into his beef stew with so much enthusiasm that he worried about how long it'd been since he'd had a decent meal. He dug into his own cherry pie, guilt sweeping over him and sighed. The last year had obviously been hard on his friend, and his leaving would only have added to whatever difficulties he'd faced.
Until his accident, and the kindness of the nuns who'd taken him in and allowed him to stay, he'd been in much the same state, which is what had led to his injury in the first place- too weary, too lonely, and far too distracted by both emotions to be careful.
The Kid swallowed his food and cleared his throat bringing his partner's gaze up from his enthusiastic eating. "I'm sorry, Heyes..."
Heyes met his gaze. "Yeah, Kid, leaving weren't exactly one of your best ideas."
The Kid felt his hackles go up, and snapped. "Well,Heyes, we were both lacking in that area then."
He was surprised when rather than huffing, or snapping at him, Heyes instead gave him a slightly rueful smile. "There ain't no formula to going straight Kid, so it takes a bit more working out than how to blow a safe and I know I ain't always got it right."
The Kid subsided at the admission, unused to his partner admitting he didn't always have the answers. It was hardly Heyes' fault that they'd been lied to and let down so many times, and he felt guilt rise again as he said softly. "I am sorry, Heyes, I just... everything got so hard. But I know that leaving wasn't the right answer for either of us."
Heyes smiled broadly at him. "Well now we've got that outta the way, we got plans to make. I'm thinking Porterville first, then maybe Cheyenne, before we drop in on Clem, seeing as she's mostly the reason I found ya. After that we make a decision on what to do next depending on what we been told by Lom and the Governor?"
The Kid took another mouthful of pie, more to give himself time to cover a hitch of breath, as both guilt and sadness hit him at the new uncertainty in Heyes' tone, than out of any great desire, though it was exceedingly good pie. After chewing carefully and swallowing, he managed to say calmly. "Now that's a plan I can get behind Heyes."
Heyes' tone was more familiarly confident, which made the Kid hide a smile in another mouthful of pie when he said."Good, but first I need a bath and a haircut, because even I won't find it easy to convince anyone of anything if I smell and look like a grizzly."
The Kid laughed, glad of the tone as it meant they were well on their way to their normal, more quickly than he hoped and so said laughingly. "You need two bits, Heyes?"
Heyes looked down at himself then over at the Kid, his eyes gleaming, and his smile broadened as he said. "Gimme ten dollars, and I'll get us enough to go to Porterville in style...After my bath and shave of course."
The Kid snorted, pulled out the requested amount from his jacket pocket, careful not to disturb the picture nestled there. Heyes took the proffered note with a smile, quickly pocketed it, before he stood and began walking towards the door, throwing a broad dimpled grin over his shoulder as the Kid grabbed his hat and followed him.
And amazingly enough it was as simple as that, because as he and Heyes walked out into the street, the Kid felt the strange empty space inside him, that not even the children had managed to relieve, disappear, as his world tilted back to normal.
ASJ
Three days later when they caught the train to Porterville, their pockets while not bulging, weren't empty, and both accord and peace lay between them, two things that had been in very short supply in the weeks and even months just before their separation. Neither believed life would be any easier than it had been before they'd split, but as they both had enough firm resolve to get through whatever they faced together, that felt less daunting than it would've if they were alone.
As they sat in comfortable silence in the half full carriage, Heyes cleared his throat and looked over at the Kid, his face sympathetic. "Whatever news we get, we'll go back to say thank you to the Sisters', as I ain't sure I'd ever have tracked you down if they'd made you leave."
The Kid touching the picture still safely stored in his pocket smiled over at his friend. "I'd like that Heyes, I'd like that a lot." With that he stretched out, tilted his hat over his eyes and drifted into a light doze, as he felt Heyes pat his knee, before the rustle of paper told him his partner had started to read the news-sheet he'd bought on their way to the train.