Chapter 6

It was early afternoon when Preston came riding into town, upset and irritated. He was on his way to the clinic when he saw Dorothy departing from the establishment.

"Dorothy," he descended his horse.

"Preston," Dorothy dipped her head.

"Is Michaela in?" He inquired.

"Um, no," she replied. "I was just looking for her myself. Colleen and Andrew are in if you need something."

Preston huffed.

"What I need to dependable employees," he huffed.

"What do you mean?" She inquired.

"What I mean, Dorothy is that if Sully isn't going to finish my home, he could have given me the common courtesy of a notice."

Dorothy pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders.

"You don't know?" She realized.

"Know what?

"Preston, Sully was found passed out at your homestead three days ago. He and Michaela haven't been in town since."

The banker blinked in uncertainty.

"What happened?" He fidgeted.

"Haven't heard anything."

Dorothy sighed and turned her back, walking to the general store.

"Dorothy," Loren smiled at her appearance.

"Loren, I need to order some things for the press," she handed him a list.

"Sure thing," he took it. "You uh, hear from Dr. Mike and Sully yet?"

She shook her head.

"Loren, I'm worried about them," she said. "It's not like them not to come to town for three days."

Loren nodded in agreement.

"Not after a scene like that," he pressed his lips together. "Maybe you should ride out to their homestead."

"Well, Loren, I don't want to invade their privacy," she turned her at.

She noticed Cloud Dancing walking towards the clinic and she politely excused herself from her brother-in-law.

"Cloud Dancing," she greeted.

"Aho," the Cheyenne approached.

"What brings you into town?" She inquired.

"I am bringing medicine for Dr. Mike," he replied.

"Did you hear about Sully?" She asked.

He had and he knew his brother wanted to keep things private, but his silence gave her the answer; so, he nodded.

"How's he doing?" Dorothy went on.

"He is fine," Cloud Dancing replied. "Excuse me, Dorothy," he smiled and entered the clinic.

Dorothy stood there momentarily. She didn't want to be nosey or over step her bounds, but she knew something was up. So, she made up her mind to visit the Sully homestead, if her friends didn't come into town.

XXXXX

After his brief encounter with Dorothy, Cloud Dancing made his way to the homestead. Upon arrival, he remained a way off, taking in the scene and considering how he would approach his brother. Sully sat on the front porch, with Katie in his arms. The baby slept peacefully as her father gentle rocked her.

"Aho," the medicine man descended his horse.

Sully smiled at his presence.

"Cloud Dancing," he remained seated, not wanting to disturb his daughter.

"She feels safe," Cloud Dancing motioned to the young one.

Sully stroked her blonde whisps of hair. He knew why his brother had come, but he didn't want to be the once to breach the subject.

"And you?" Cloud Dancing said.

"What?" Sully looked at him.

"What do you feel?"

Again, Sully gazed at his baby. He felt content in this moment, but buried under that satisfaction were waves of emotions, that he was not prepared to deal with.

"I'm all right," he whispered.

"The town asks about you," Cloud Dancing took a seat beside him.

Sully lowered his head.

"Bound to find out," he said.

"Would you rather they not?" The older man wondered.

"Maybe…for now."

"What does Dr. Mike say?"

"I gotta take it easy," he replied. "Rest, medicine…"

A moment of silence passed between them, until Sully spoke in a low voice.

"Cloud Dancing."

The medicine man leaned close.

"Why did this happen?" Sully kept his gaze downward.

Taking in a deep breath, Cloud Dancing paused; he often asked the same question.

"The spirits do not always tell why such things happen," he replied. "But they will provide an answer, a way if you are willing?"

Sully sighed.

"Was a time when that made sense to me," he said. "But now…I…" he fell silent.

"You are afraid," Cloud Dancing said.

Katie shifted in her father's arms and without a word, he drew her nearer.

"Never felt this kind of fear," Sully whispered.

"It is not only physical," Cloud Dancing reasoned.

Sully looked at him.

"I don't know about the spiritual," he said.

Cloud Dancing didn't understand his meaning. Sully was always a deeper than the surface kind of man. He understood the intangible meaning of things and people. Yet, now Cloud Dancing saw a void in his spirit, one that he wasn't sure how to help.

XXXXXX

After dinner, Sully had gone upstairs to sleep, he was growing more tired these days. It was night now and Michaela descended the stairs to check the house before turning in herself. Upon descension, she noticed a faint illumination coming from the kitchen.

"Brian," she drew near.

"Oh," the boy didn't hear her approach. "Hey, Ma."

"What are you still doing up?" She inquired.

"I…couldn't sleep," Brian spoke slow and had a faraway look in his eyes.

Sensing her son's worried disposition, Michaela went about preparing some warm milk. Brian was aware of his mother's actions, but remained silent. After a few minutes, she poured two mugs and joined her son.

"You seem to have a lot on your mind," Michaela spoke in a gentle tone.

A tone that Brian was familiar with and comforted by. Although, she wasn't his birth mother, Brian was young enough when Dr. Mike adopted them that the majority of his fondest memories were accompanied by that voice. Hers and Sullys. Thinking back on all the shared conversations and memories, he was eased by her presence, but somehow found it difficult to breech the subject.

"Do you want to talk about it?" She inquired.

Brian took a sip of the warm milk and shrugged, slightly.

"I don't know," he said.

"I understand," she said.

Brian looked at her, his brows furrowed.

"You do?"

Michaela nodded and reached for his hand.

"And so will Sully," she stroked his knuckles.

Brian lowered his head and gathered his thoughts for a moment.

"Ma," his voice was lower than a whisper.

"Yes?"

"I'm scared," their eyes met.

Michaela took in a breath, attempting to control the heavy emotions she felt.

"I am too, sweetheart."

"Not just of what's happening but…" he fell silent.

Michaela gave him a moment, yet he did not continue.

"But what, Brian?" She pressed, gently.

The boy pressed his lips together.

"I don't wanna…hurt you," he sniffed.

Michaela moved closer to him and put her arm around his shoulder.

"Oh, Brian, you're not going to hurt me. I understand, but when it's when we don't share our pain that we hurt one another."

"But you're already so worried about Pa," Brian said.

"You're right," she nodded. "I'm very worried about your Pa; but my pain isn't greater than yours, Brian. We all love Sully and we're all hurting for him. And if we can express our pain and go through it together, that's how we heal."

"But…what if…" Brian's lips quivered with emotion. "What if he doesn't heal?"

Tears welled in Michaela's and before she could find any words of encouragement, Brian went expressing his fears.

"Ma, is…what if…" the boy paused in fear.

"It's going to be all right," Michaela read the look in his eyes.

Brian swallowed hard.

"Is he…" he couldn't find the words.

Michaela's throat tightened with emotion

"I won't let anything happen to him," she pulled him close. "I promise."

Brian let a few tears escape as he held onto his mother. They remained in a comforting embrace for quite a while, unaware of Sully's presence on the stairs. He was trying so hard, for his children and wife, but he could feel the weakness caving in on him, the pain increasing and a heaviness weighing on him as he returned to his bed with feeble steps.