Five hours later, Brian hurriedly strapped his books together, neglecting to say goodbye to Steven, before running from the door of the schoolhouse along the meadow, and over the bridge. His pace never faltering until he arrived at the Clinic door, knocking quickly, reaching for the door handle just as it was opened from the other side.
"Ma!" Brian smiled, rushing into the room to greet her.
"School all right?" Michaela turned to glance in Sully's direction, Sully smiling at the boy clinging to her skirt.
"Fine. Is Colleen all right, Ma?" Brian brushed off her question, realizing his sister wasn't in the room.
"Why do you ask that?" Michaela smoothed his hair over the top of his head, Sully shifting his weight awkwardly, realizing Michaela had no recollection of Colleen's outburst.
"Coz she left school at recess, ain't been back all day. Thought maybe you'd know where she was?" Brian reached his right hand into his trouser pocket, finding a gum drop and slipping it into his mouth.
"That's not like Colleen," Michaela frowned slightly, looking back across the room as Sully cleared his throat about to speak.
"Michaela, she," Sully was about to discretely informed Michaela of Colleen's earlier presence; however was cut off by the sound of footsteps sliding into the room.
"Colleen!" Brian cried gleefully, conflicted by the sullen look plastered across the young girl's face, hands firmly fixed in her pockets.
"Colleen, your brother tells me you weren't at school for most of the day, is there something wrong?" Michaela tried to question the girl, receiving a glare of contempt in reply.
"I don't wanna talk about it. We goin' home or what? Got chores," Colleen's voice was husky and low.
"Of course. Sully, would you like to join us for supper?" Michaela felt Brian tugging lightly on her arm impatiently, following his slowly towards the door.
"I would, however I think another night would be more appropriate. I'll bring something around tomorrow evening?" He looked between Colleen's flabbergasted response to Michaela's offer before replying tactfully, not wishing to hurt Michaela's feelings either.
"Fine," Michaela replied, Brian having located her medical bag on the desk and handing it to her, his desire to get home more than obvious.
"Tomorrow," Sully smiled at her momentarily, before crossing the room, the four leaving at the children's encouragement.
~.~
X.O.X
~.~
"Thank-you, Robert E," Michaela watched as Brian settled himself contently in the wagon, before pulling herself awkwardly up beside him, Colleen being the last to join them.
Reaching for the reins, Michaela felt them pulled instantly from her loose grip, Colleen remaining silent as she started the horses, beginning their journey home.
"Colleen?" Michaela queried, still at an odds trying to explain the girl's slightly aggressive behavior.
"I'm drivin'," Colleen muttered under her breath, Brian quickly redirecting the conversation from his seat on Michaela's right side.
"Colleen, where'd you go anyway? The Reverend was real worried, so was Becky," Brian leant forwards to address her.
"Never you mind," came the final reply, Colleen narrowing her eyes as she directed the horse home, Brian soon dismissing her and proceeding excitedly to recount his day to a slightly hung-over Michaela.
~.~
X.O.X
~.~
"Dr Mike doin' any better?" Grace looked subtly from the pie she was slicing to the man appearing beside her.
"Yeah, just left with Brian and Colleen. That's what I wanted to talk to you about," Sully nodded gratefully when Grace paused long enough to pour him a cup of coffee, taking several sips whilst Grace quickly delivered the afternoon tea to several tables.
"Sorry 'bout that," Grace smiled, returning her attention back to Sully, the pair attempting to ensure their conversation looked as trivial as possible.
"Thing is, she woke up about an hour ago, her normal, well, usual self these days. She seemed real embarrassed at first, but I didn't make a big deal of it, just brushed it off. Asked her how she felt, said she just had a headache and that was it. Thing is, I don't reckon she remembers any of it, not after she started drinkin'. Just then, when Colleen arrived back in the Clinic, Dr Mike acted nothin'd happened," Sully shrugged.
"That'd probably be it, Sully. My pa used to drink somethin' shockin' every night, come home from workin', start on it, if'n he didn't start before he arrived home. It'd worn off by late evening, but he never remembered what'd happened, he'd ask ya the same things he had hours before and you'd answer him, got used to it after awhile, I guess but maybe that's it?" Grace suggested, Sully continuing after processing her words.
"You're probably right about that. Just never thought Dr Mike'd, ya know. Tried to ask her what had happened, why she'd done it, but she didn't want to talk about it," Sully's eyes searched Grace's for an explanation, his concern evident, however not extreme.
"All Myra told me was, some girl got hurt over at Hank's, and Dr Mike'd left the room lookin' real poorly, next thing Myra knew, Hank'd said she'd drunk four shots of whiskey in a row. That's when Myra brought her back to the Clinic and I took over," Grace poured herself a cup and coffee, glancing around at the thinning crowds before gesturing to Sully that they take a seat.
"Four? No wonder she was throwin' up. Just wait 'til I see Hank," Sully shook his head, distracting himself with another sip of coffee.
"Myra tried to make it clear though, weren't Hank's fault. I'm thinking Dr Mike knew exactly what she was doin'. She was real upset Sully, I'm not sure, but I think it was something to do with the girl she had to treat. Had blood stains on her hands and she was gettin' real upset 'bout it, so managed to help her get the blood off. That's when she started talkin'," Grace lowered her eyes towards the tablecloth, before meeting Sully's eyes and shaking her head.
~.~
X.O.X
~.~
"Come on, Brian, go get changed, you gotta feed the chickens and milk the cow whilst I start dinner," Colleen climbed down from the wagon, the young boy frowning in objection, turning to Michaela immediately.
"Maaa," Brian tugged on her skirt, remaining tightly pressed to her side still seated firmly in the wagon.
"Oh, will you cut that out! Stop whining like some little baby! Now I told you to go do your chores!" Colleen narrowed her eyes, her arm quickly raising to indicate in the direction of the barn.
"Colleen, there is absolutely no need to yell at your brother like that," Michaela took a breath, the young girl cutting her off hastily.
"That sure is easy for you to say, I'm the one doin' all the work 'round here! You just do what you feel like, don't matter about any of us!" Colleen dropped her hand to her side, Brian's eyes widening in unparalleled horror, never have seen his sister this angry.
Michaela, her mouth dropped open slightly, looked from Brian back to Colleen, before climbing down off the wagon, and attempting to console her daughter.
"Colleen, has something happened at school? What's made you this angry?" Michaela brought her left arm from her side, about to place in around the girl's shoulder, Colleen emitting a totally exasperated huff of fury, turning, and running towards the homestead, slamming the door behind her.
"What's the matter with Colleen, Ma?" Brian whispered, Michaela lifting him awkwardly from the wagon, the boy thoroughly traumatized.
"I don't know, sweetheart. Oh look, there's Matthew. Here, you hold onto Bear until Matthew can help you get him into the barn," Michaela handed the boy the reins, before heading towards the homestead.
"Brian, will you and Matthew give us a few minutes inside, all right?" Michaela waited until the small boy had nodded in understanding, before continued up the steps towards the wooden door of the homestead.
~.~
X.O.X
~.~
"Colleen?" Michaela closed the door quietly, seeing the curtain drawn around the children's beds.
Crossing the room, she sighed, determined to get to the bottom of the situation.
"Colleen? Colleen, may I come in?" Michaela paused, her hand rested awkwardly on the white curtain, knowing she had to respect the children's right to privacy if she expected them to respect hers.
"No!" Came the immediate reply, Michaela having no choice but to respect the girl's wishes, looking forlornly around the homestead.
"Well, can you at least tell me what's made you so angry?" Michaela drew a hand to her temple, her self-inflicted headache returning.
"You don't even remember, do you!" Colleen's voice grew louder, Michaela stepping backwards quickly when the girl pulled the curtain open, her face read with fury.
"Colleen, I," Michaela swallowed, the young girl's pure rage startling her.
"I saw you! This morning, at the Clinic. You were too drunk to even know I was there!" Colleen's eyes bore directly into Michaela's, the young girl unable to withhold the truth any longer.
~.~
X.O.X
~.~
Brian and Matthew turned from tending to the wagon when they heard Colleen's raised voice from inside the homestead.
"Matthew, is Colleen gonna get in trouble? Ma says we're not allowed to yell at each other," Brian gripped the wheel on the side of the wagon tightly in his right hand, Matthew directed his attention back to unbridling Bear, sighing as his mind tried to process what was going inside the homestead, with his younger brother's demands to be acknowledged.
"I dunno, Brian. Think Colleen's been findin' it real tough lately, picking up all Dr Mike's chores, well as her own, well as school too. Take this into the barn for me while I bring Bear." He handed Brian the horse's tack, the small boy complying, his angst at the continual raised voices coming from the homestead evident, as he awkwardly strode towards the barn.
~.~
X.O.X
~.~
"Colleen, I didn't know. When?" Michaela, her head dropped in shame, looked between her hands and Colleen's face.
"When you were throwin' up. Ya even gonna tell Matthew? Or is this just gonna be some little secret? Can't believe you'd ever do such a thing! You're always goin' on about Hank and all the drinkin' that goes on over there, and then when Jake was drinkin' last year, you didn't tolerate it for a moment. You're no better than him!" Colleen finished, although only because she was out of breath.
Michaela, her eyes dropping closed momentarily, realized that everything her daughter had said was true. She'd done what she'd criticized so many others for doing. Running her hands over her nose and mouth, before letting them drop be her sides, Michaela looked upwards before eventually trying to look Colleen directly in the face.
"You're right. I'm sorry. There's no excuse for this. I'm sorry I let you down," Michaela felt the tears spring to her eyes once again, her breathing strained as she forced herself not to start crying.
The time, Colleen refused to give into the sheepish expression on Michaela's face. The usually sympathetic and compassionate girl was too riled with understandable selfish concerns.
"Will you stop that! You ain't cried for three weeks, so now you're startin'? Save it, Dr Mike. I've tried everything I know how to keep things goin' 'round here; cooking meals, washin', takin' care of the animals, Brian included. I didn't mind up until a point. I wanted ya to get well and all. But there ain't nothin' wrong with ya, if you're traipsing off to work each day, spending half the night tellin' stories to Brian, goin' over to Hank's for a couple a whiskeys whenever ya feel like it! How long's this been goin' on for anyway? Since you got back to work? When?" Colleen her hands pressed firmly on her hips bellowed, Michaela barely keeping up with the speed of her accusations.
"Colleen, I swear today was the one and only time I will ever allow this to happen. I didn't mean for it to, but you do have a point. Everything's back to normal, there's no reason you need to be doing extra chores. I guess, I honestly just didn't realize how much I was expecting of you," Michaela reached forward to grasp Colleen's hand, surprised when the young girl permitted the action.
"I wasn't aware of the extra burdens on you. I was too wrapped up in Brian and wanting to get back to work," Michaela finished, Colleen realizing home life wasn't the extent of her troubles.
"Ain't just that, Dr Mike. It's been school, too. Stuff we ain't told ya about, coz we didn't want ya thinking the whole town was talkin' 'bout ya," Colleen glanced at Michaela's slightly concerned frown, however indicated for her to continue.
"Ya know Benjamin Avery's been actin' out the worst. Teasin' Brian, getting all the boys to," Colleen drifted off awkwardly, her jaw trembling just recalling the event from several weeks earlier.
"Tell me, Colleen. No more secrets," Michaela squeezed the girl's hand tighter, bracing herself for what she suspected would be replication of some of the town's people taunting.
"Benjamin came 'round the back of the schoolhouse, where I was talkin' with Becky. Said Brian was hurt, so I went 'round and he'd got all the boys, pretending to be dog soldiers," Colleen drew a breath, a tear trailing down her cheek as she continued. "They all started chasin' me, Benjamin grabbed me by the arm, pulled me onto the ground, actin' like it was one huge game. All the boys were joining in with war cries and crowded 'round me. Brian came running over and they were teasin' 'im. Like he was Sully, and couldn't rescue me," Colleen, her eyes fixed on the fireplace several feet away, could not bring herself to look at Michaela, instead, continued her account.
"Benjamin was on the ground next to me, holdin' my arms. I didn't really wanna go along with it, but thought if I fought back it'd just encourage 'em more. Then he got a belt, tied it 'round my wrists, Ma. That's when I knew I wanted it to stop. Brian was getting more scared then, Cal had his foot on Brian's chest, holdin' him down, and I tried to tell Benjamin that he was goin' too far but he was just laughin', coz I was strugglin' exactly like they wanted. Then I heard the Reverend yelling and Benjamin untied me. That's when Brian ran home, Ma," Colleen sighed, slowly raising her head, seeing her own tear-stained face mirrored in Michaela's.
"We didn't wanna tell ya. That's why Matthew hit Benjamin. Thought you'd just feel worse if ya knew. You were right when you said about Matthew fightin' at church. But it's worse not knowing, keepin' secrets," Colleen let her gaze drop again, Michaela taking a step towards her, both reaching forwards for a soothing embrace.
"I'm sorry you children have had to cope with so much on your own. I'm sorry it's because of me," Michaela sobbed, her left hand stroking the girl's blond hair tenderly, Colleen resting her head on Michaela's shoulder, letting her eyes drop closed, beyond words.
~.~
X.O.X
~.~
Matthew and Brian had remained in the barn for a solid ten minutes, having returned Bear to his stall and fed the horses. The pair sat down on a nearby bale of hay, each resting their chin in their hands. Brian was the first to speak.
"If Colleen and Ma are fightin' is she gonna go live with Miss Olive?" Brian looked from the straw-covered ground to his older brother, his face filled with childlike mortal fear.
"Don't you go thinkin' stuff like that. Colleen's just been doin' too much 'round the place these last few weeks. She and Dr Mike'll sort it out." Matthew rested his arm around the boy's shoulders, Pup, who had been sitting beside Brian the entire time, suddenly whimpered, pulling himself to his feet.
Matthew and Brian looked between each other suspiciously before noticing Colleen and Michaela appear in the doorway.
"Come on inside. We all need to have a talk," Michaela glanced across at Colleen, who nodded to Matthew that everything was all right, Brian rushing desperately to Michaela's side.
"Colleen and you ain't yellin' no more?" He questioned, the four of them pacing back towards the homestead.
"No, Brian, everything's all right. We've just decided that it's time we get a few things out in the open," Michaela bent down to pick him up, engulfing him in a tight hug as they arrived by the back door.
"Is Colleen gettin' in trouble, Ma?" Brian questioned as they arrived through the back door, the young boy sliding from Michaela's arms down to the floor.
"No, Brian, no-one's in trouble. How about we all take a seat around the table," Michaela looked nervously across at Colleen, as everyone did as they were instructed.
"To begin with, I know Colleen's been finding these past few weeks extremely tiring, and I have apologized to her for burdening her with extra chores and responsibilities. That is now going to stop. In addition to this, Colleen's enlightened me as to the troubles you two have been having at school recently. However, it appears as if this has been improving?" Michaela raised an eyebrow in Brian's direction, the young boy eager for the opportunity to contribute.
"Sure has. The Reverend spoke to 'em, and Benjamin ain't called ya an Indian whore since, ow!" Brian grasped his left arm defensively, having received a sharp smack from his older brother.
"Matthew!" Michaela chastised, overreacting more so as to be able to ignore Brian's comments.
"Sorry," Matthew lowered his head, Brian rubbing his arm a few more times, giving him a slightly superior look, since he'd been reprimanded.
"What I would like us to discuss thoroughly for a moment now, is the issue of secrets. I understand that there have been situations, that you feel you've not been able to share with me. I'm not angry about this, I understand you children were trying to do the right thing. However, we can't be a family if we're keeping things from each other and, as I tried to tell you several weeks ago, keeping secrets is just going to hurt people's feelings in the long run." Michaela looked between each of the children in turn before adjusting her clasped hands in front of her, drawing a breath. "I don't care what people say about me, about, my time away. What I cannot deal with is the three of you talking about me behind my back. I don't care what's going on out there, I want to hear about it. No matter what it is, I'll hear about it eventually," Michaela lowered her gaze Matthew frowning and turning to look at Colleen questioningly.
"Told Ma about the stuff Benjamin'd been doin'," The young girl hung her head, Michaela reaching to her left, to place an arm around Colleen's shoulders.
"And she was right to do so, but there's something I need to talk to you three about too. Something I'm not proud of, however I can't expect honesty and openness from you if I'm not prepared to abide by it also." Michaela brought her right hand to her temple, her dull headache still lingering, hoping at least Matthew would be able to understand.
"You all right, Ma?" Brian slipped from his chair opposite her, pacing around the table to her side, his eyes widening in panic.
"I'm fine, sweetheart," Michaela pulled him onto her lap, wrapping her arms around his chest, looking nervously between Colleen and Matthew, Colleen aware of the disclosure to follow.
"Earlier today, one of Hank's girls, was hurt. I attended to her, however I suppose, seeing someone like that; hurt, scared, I didn't realize that it was going to make me feel upset, too," Michaela lowered her head, idly beginning to straighten Brian's overall strap on his right shoulder.
"Did ya cry, Ma?" The young boy moved his head to look at her, his face filled with compassion and as much empathy as he could have been expected to possess.
"No, I didn't cry, Brian. I did something I'd never, ever thought I'd do, I," Michaela felt her lips moving slightly, unable to form the words in her mouth. Looking to Colleen, the young girl lowered her head, managing to get the necessary sentence out.
"Had too much to drink," Colleen whispered, looking up to see Matthew's eyes move wildly, his jaw dropping subconsciously.
The four remained sitting silently, Colleen and Matthew exchanging glances between each other. Brian, absorbed in replaiting Michaela's hair, appeared unaware of the revelation that had just occurred.
"At the Saloon? Dr Mike, did Hank," Matthew scrunched his fists together defensively, about to get to his feet.
"No, Matthew, it wasn't like that. Hank offered and I, took the glass," Michaela looked down at Brian's child-like concentration, still surprised he had not commented.
"Still, he had no right to even offer," Matthew growled, feeling overwhelmed with protectiveness towards his mother.
"He was only trying to help. I just should have refused the drink," Michaela sighed, watching as Brian triumphantly finished the attempted hairstyle.
"Ain't like ya gotta be perfect all the time, Dr Mike. I'm real sorry I yelled at ya, too. Guess I just was shocked," Colleen remembered the incident in the Clinic earlier that day.
"You saw this, Colleen?" Matthew pressed on, Brian actually appearing to now try and follow the conversation.
"Yeah, went to the Clinic at recess. Ma, was, pretty drunk," Colleen placed each word delicately; as if separating the word 'Ma' from 'drunk' would somehow diminish it's relationship.
Brian had, by that time, heard two words he'd understood and gasped lightly.
"Ma was drunk? You mean like Jake was last year? Ma, you're not gonna get like Jake, are you? Please say you're not gonna get all sick like what you said he was," Brian struggled for breath, unknowingly pulling tighter on Michaela's hair as he spoke.
"Oww, Brian no." Michaela pried her long hair from the child's agitated fingers, "I, I promise, it will never happen again. I wanted to tell you however, because I don't want there to be anything we feel we can't discuss as a family." She addressed the older children as she concluded her sentence.
"Dr Mike's right. Ya hear that Brian?" Matthew sought out his younger brother's attention, receiving a quick nod of agreement.
"Does anyone have anything else they wanted to talk about?" Michaela stroked Brian's shoulder, the small boy looking between each of his siblings expectantly, both shaking their heads quickly. Brian quickly searched his brain, one question coming instantly to mind.
"Colleen, can we make a pie for dessert tonight?" He raised his eyebrows, Michaela leaning forward to rest her chin in her hands, unable to stop herself from laughing.
"Sure, Brian, wanna help?" Colleen smiled, the boy jumping from Michaela's lap to the bench, Colleen placing the necessary bowl and utensils in front of him.
Matthew remained quiet, Michaela eventually realizing he was gazing in her direction.
"Dr Mike, is there? I dunno, I feel like, I mean, I'm the oldest. Is there anything I can do to help?" Matthew, his mouth nervously dry, his hands resting on his thighs, attempted to offer his support.
"No, everything will be all right," Michaela locked eyes with him, her expression warm and grateful.
She and Matthew remained at the table for several minutes longer, watching as Colleen and Brian began making their pie. Their eyes locking once again, Matthew returned Michaela's temperate smile, before getting to his feet and returning outside to finish his chores.
~.~
X.O.X
Friday, 4th June, 1869
One Day Later
X.O.X
~.~
"Oh, thanks so much, Dr Mike. I didn't know where I was gonna go. I mean, Horace offered and all but, ain't right," Myra placed the heavy brown suitcase on the edge of the bed, Michaela hovering in the door of the upstairs recovery room.
"It's no trouble Myra, really. But what are you going to do about Hank?" Michaela queried, proud that Myra has decided enough was enough and left him, however very much aware of the fact that Hank would not be pleased about the turn of events.
"Don't much care. Told him, he can call the law, throw me in jail, whatever, but least I'll still be safer than workin' for him. Suzie done the same too, 'cept she never had no contract, so just went back to her folks in Soda Springs," Myra began unpacking her bags, hanging up various items of clothing in the nearby wardrobe.
"Surely he wouldn't get the law involved though? That would be too much like effort for Hank?" Michaela, the corner of her mouth upturned ever so slightly, smiled, Myra chuckling under her breath in acknowledgement.
"That's what I thought. 'Sides once Horace and me are married, ain't nothin' Hank can do," Myra paused from hanging clothes away, as she gazed off dreamily for several moments.
Michaela remained silent, leaning against the wooden frame of the door, noticing the enchanted excitement creep across Myra's face. What had originally been a smile of support subtly dropped from Michaela face, as she found herself tinged with envy at the engaged woman's happiness. Never normally permitting herself to feel jealousy for another, this very rare realization found Michaela pondering her own future.
Was she to spend the rest of her life alone? Would she and Sully ever recover what they'd once shared, could she expect that of him, or any man now?
Unaware of her head dropping downwards, Michaela felt a hand lightly brush her shoulder.
"Dr Mike, you all right?" Myra tilted her head, studying Michaela's lost expression.
"Oh, sorry Myra. Yes, everything's fine," Michaela drew a breath, quickly focusing back on their previous discussion. "So, when do you and Horace think the wedding will be?" Michaela distracted herself by enquiring as to the wedding details.
"Well, we weren't gonna tell no-one but, oh, I just can't keep it a secret! Last night, Horace came over to see me and I told him I was leavin' Hank first thing. So we started talkin' about the wedding and and Horace said given that Hank could call the law at any time, we shouldn't wait, 'sides, he said he wanted to make it real special. So we're gonna go to Denver on the Monday stage. Get married there, then stay for a week or so, have a real holiday like. That way, everything shoulda settled down with Hank by the time we get back," Myra had clasped her hands together, jumping up and down excitedly as she described Horace's plans for their elopement.
"Oh, Myra, I'm so happy for you both. You're going to have a lovely time," Michaela, her enthusiasm only somewhat renewed, reached her arms out to engulf Myra in a tight hug, more to hide her slightly dismayed expression than to emphasize her elation.
"Thanks, Dr Mike," Myra returned the embrace, the pair only pulling away when a loud yelling was heard from the street below.
Moving quickly out onto the balcony, Michaela and Myra soon determined the source of all the commotion.
"Myra! Myra, you ain't gonna get away with this! Just wait 'til I wire that judge. He'll soon sort ya out," An aggressively intoxicated Hank staggered out from the Saloon, arriving in the middle of the main street, quickly locating Myra on the balcony above him.
"Leave it be, Hank. Horace already told ya he'd refuse to send the wire. You want somethin' done about it, gonna have to go get the Judge yaself, 'sides we'll be married by then, so ain't nothin' ya can do!" Myra gripped the rail of the balcony, more annoyed by the public display than Hank's anger.
"Oh, is that so, is it? Might just have to take care a that then, won't I," Hank walked around in several small circles eventually reaching his hand to his holster, starting in the direction of the telegraph office.
"Hank!" Myra gasped, attracting attention from several passersby below.
Sully, Wolf by his side, approached from the other direction, along the edge of the main road towards the Clinic porch. Having heard the passing dialogue, he noticed Hank remove the gun from his belt, Sully darting quickly behind a wall, so as not to be seen.
"Ain't nothin' ya can do to stop me. Can't be gettin' married without a man now, can ya!" Hank looked down at the gun, a vengeful smile appearing on his lips.
"Hank, just calm down," Michaela, her arms clutched to Myra's shoulders, pleaded.
Myra was about to run back inside to approach him when Michaela saw the shiny metallic object fly through the air.
"Wait!" Michaela pulled gently on Myra's arm, the pair watching as the tomahawk made contact with the gun, sending it dropping to the dirt below. Hank, his reaction time greatly diminished due to his level of intoxication, stared momentarily between his now empty hand and the gun at his feet, trying to make sense of what had happened.
These several seconds gave Sully the chance to arrive at his side, picking up both the gun and his tomahawk.
Jake and Loren ran from the barber shop in response to all the yelling.
"Gonna need someone to take charge a this for awhile," Sully handed the gun to Jake, he and Loren looking between Sully and Hank in confusion.
"Hank here was just threatenin' to fix it so Horace and Myra wouldn't be gettin' married. Best if you keep him and the gun separated for a while I reckon," Sully caught his breath.
Hank narrowed his eyes at Sully, his anger building by the second.
"Can't do that, it's my property," Hank snidely replied, turning towards Jake.
"He's right there. We ain't got no one 'round here with the authority to confiscate personal property," Loren reluctantly informed his friend, Jake frowning as he thought.
"You're right. Only a Sheriff or a Mayor has the right to do somethin' like that and we ain't got neither. Sheriff would have to be sworn in by a Judge. Mayor would just have to be nominated by the majority of the town council," Jake, thinking very quickly, still holding on to the gun firmly looked up at Michaela on the edge of the balcony."
"Hey, Dr Mike? You got any objection to me bein' Mayor? Then I can keep this thing away from the like's a him," Jake gestured to the gun in his right hand, noticing Horace arrive at his side, having been informed minutes earlier, running straight from the telegraph office.
"None whatsoever, Jake," Michaela called back loudly, her hands still supportively wrapped around Myra's shaking shoulders.
"What about you, Horace? if I'm Mayor I can rightfully confiscate this thing," Jake raised an eyebrow not expecting any hesitation.
"Ya got my vote all right," The extremely nervous man replied quickly, Jake turning in Loren's direction.
"Congratulations, Mayor Slicker, that gun is all yours," Loren added his vote, realizing that with a four-fifths majority they had themselves a new town Mayor, and just in the nick of time, too.
"That settles that, then," Jake nodded, adjusting his vest proudly, as he and Loren began their slow retreat back to the barbershop.
"This is all your fault, pathetic injun lover! I'm gonna get you for this," Hank spat in Sully's direction, the pair watching as the crowd dispersed around them.
"Hank, violence ain't the way ya solve problems. What'd you expect me to do, let ya blow Horace's head off?" Sully stepped closer towards him, realizing his aggression was mostly due to the alcohol.
"All right for some, ain't it? What've I got now, eh?" Hank looked between Myra and Sully, his anger seeming to mellow.
"Ya gotta just accept it, Hank, she loves someone else. Ain't nothin' ya can do about it," Sully lowered his voice, trying to show concern for Hank's obvious pain.
"Yeah and least I only lost her to the likes a Horace, not some injun. Ain't that right, Sully," Hank whispered hoarsely as he took a step closer, the men less than two feet away now.
"Sorry Hank. I ain't bitin'," Sully straightened his head, mustering all the strength he could to dismiss Hank's insensitive remark.
The bartender scoffed under his breath, lowering his voice further as he locked eyes with Sully.
"Ya still want her, don't ya. After that savage had his filthy hands all over her!" Hank raised his eyelids just enough to be able to glance from Michaela, still standing besides Myra on the balcony, although neither having any comprehension of the conversation taking place below, back to Sully.
Sully felt his eyes widen in reaction to Hank's words, the tension in his body building, as he willed every muscle in his body not to give in. The energy and anger releasing from him through a drawn-out growl, Sully turned and took several steps away from the intoxicated bartender. As he felt the ground under his feet, Sully's body was filled with momentary relief; he'd restrained himself from physical violence.
Taking two additional steps in the same direction, Sully heard a light chuckle emanate from Hank's mouth, still walking until he processed the words that followed:
"Well, 'least she'll know what she's doin'. Won't have to break her in so to speak," Hank whispered, his final three words uttered with mocking delicacy.
Sully, his body frozen by the end of Hank's comment, felt himself move quickly, aware of the air rushing past him as he leapt across the short distance between them, arriving on the ground, Hank's stunned body being crushed underneath him.
"You are gonna take that back," Sully felt his hands tighten around the collar of the bartender's shirt.
"Sully!" Michaela, still standing beside Myra on the balcony the other side of the street, pleaded to him; her call drawn-out, shocked at this sudden display of violence.
Sully turned at the sound of her voice, giving Hank the opportunity to retaliate against him, his right arm pulled back above his head. About to pull himself off the intoxicated man, Sully turned back, receiving an unexpected blow to the forehead.
"Come on, injun boy. Reckon you're so good at fightin'," Hank slurred, throwing another punch to Sully's chest.
The moments that followed saw the men locked together in a struggle of honor, neither willing to swallow his pride by pulling away. Sully soon found himself lying on his back, Hank's liquored breath hot and ragged only several inches from his own mouth. Pushing against his shoulders with as much strength as he could mutter, Sully managed to roll the bartender over several times, successfully avoiding another punch to the forehead, however making no attempt to cease the brawl.
Loren and Jake, halfway between the Saloon and the barbershop reacted to Michaela's voice, turning and immediately retracing their steps to arrive beside the dueling men. Loren gestured quickly for them each to fill buckets of water from a nearby trough, dousing the men without delay.
Sully felt the freezing water hit his head, trailing down his neck and back, before he managed to react. Pulling himself from Hank, he awkwardly got to his feet, still slightly bent over as he caught his breath, checking that he had not been hurt.
"Bunch a schoolboys, oughta know better," Loren chastised, Hank appearing more shocked by the drenching than by the fighting.
"Weren't nothin', just a bit a fun, ain't it?" Hank smirked in Sully's direction, before heading back to the Saloon, pushing the doors aside loudly, and disappearing into the blackness within.
"Ain't like you Sully," Loren muttered, watching as Sully pushed his hair back from his face, suddenly remembering hearing the sound of Michaela's voice. Turning quickly back towards the balcony, he only saw her hair sweep across her shoulder as she stormed back into the recovery room, disgusted by the preceding events.
Myra caught his eye with understanding; she knew just how cruel Hank could be when he put his mind to it. Sully felt his chest drop to his stomach, his lungs filling with regret.