Tombstone.
I limped down the street this morning and looked everywhere around me, cautious wherever I walked. Joe looked over at me and greeted me, “Hello hop along.”
“Y’all find any gold at all?” asked a woman standing nearby.
“If ya find gold, you keep quiet about it,” Joe paused and looked at the woman.
“Folks’ll swarm to you like bees to honey if they find out you’ve got gold,” I nodded in agreement.
Joe headed off towards Ghenna then and Zan looked over at me. “Hey Trin how are you feelin?”
“Hurts like hell, thanks Zan. You?”
“Good but we need to talk…” Zan glanced towards Kate’s.
“We do?” I asked.
“What the hell?” James Wallace walked out of the saloon then and I cringed as he looked at me. “How the hell are you still alive trollup? I shot you down dead in the street last night.”
“Well we might have to delay that talk Trin,” Zan grinned oddly.
“You shot me in the leg, James. Can’t die from a gunshot wound there. Gonna take a lot more than that to kill me,” I told him.
He spit at the horse and swallowed some whiskey, pulling out his gun. “Well how bout we finish it for good right here and now sweetheart…”
I jumped behind Zan and looked at her. “Zan! I need your help here. I’m not getting in a gunfight with him again. Already injured me once this week.”
“I Lady, ifn ya don’t want me blowin ya off that horse, I suggest you move outta the way,” James said then.
Zan nodded and kept her horse between us and I glared at him. “Just keep walking, dang it. Let it go.”
“Y’all can’t shoot at an injured woman, you meanie!” the woman who’d talked about gold exclaimed.
I backed up more and glared at James. “I mean it James. Put that damn gun down.”
“Tell ya what mister .. James.. I am not armed.. but . Why don’t you just put that up and let this go for now hmm?” Zan held her hands up.
“Aley thank God. Tell me you’re armed,” I looked over then.
“Just as I figured, another trollup backing up a trollup, useless as the whore in whorehouse over there,” James glared.
“You are quite lucky I am not armed or I would take you down a notch just for that,” Zan smiled tightly.
“Some problem, Miss Trin?” Aley asked.
I wished I could just shoot him but my leg was still in too much pain. “Aley, I need your help here. He’s got a gun pointed at me. Threatened to finish the job he didn’t finish yesterday,” I told Aley.
“Best you keep movin my man, ifn ya don’t wanna join these two,” James threatened.
“Y’all ain’t got no law here?” A stranger asked.
“Sir, holster your gun please,” Aley ordered.
“Not till I plant these two whores in the ground where they belong...so you best be getting along,” James threatened.
“Yes ma’am we do but lots of them are off helping with Helldorado things,” Zan eyed James again.
“Shut it, James. Move on,” I glared at him.
“Oh Lordy, such language…” a stranger said.
“I am of few words, Sir.....remove the weapon from the hands,” Aley threatened.
“Aley please... I’m too... My leg still hurts from where he planted a cannon bullet in it yesterday,” I told him.
James backed up a bit, pointing his gun at the horse. “Don’t even think about it sweetheart. It will be the first to go.”
“This is the man that was at the saloon in Bisbee. He’s going after Thomas and wants me out of the way! Lucky Jimmy is out of town or he’d go after the kid too!” I told Aley.
“Shore do Trinny dear, if I cant have ya, my brother can’t have ya either..and since you and this other is together, might as well take care of ya both,” James said.
“I repeat, I am of few words, remove the weapon from the hands, Sir!!” Aley exclaimed.
I headed over to the fence and leaned against it, feeling too much pain as James looked at Aley and said, “My boy, ya just made the last mistake of yore life...you had yore chance to walk away, now you can join these two.”
“I’m tired of repeating, Sir!!” Aley said, getting angry.
“Oh just shoot him already!” the man sighed.
“Aley!” I leaned against the post, feeling like I was going to fall over from the pain.
James raised his gun and pointed it to fire at the group. Zan spun the horse towards me to cover me as I fell to the ground from the shock. I felt frustrated because I couldn’t do anything and Chris came over then. Zan told him to move me inside and he looked at me, shouting, “C’mon Trin. NOW! Inside Kate’s, Trin!” Chris said and I gripped him, trying to walk with him.
“I ain’t threatening, it’s a promise I am going to kill the three of ya,” James promised.
Chris gripped his guns and told me, “Stay in here.”
“Shoot an unarmed woman and you will get lynched for sure mister,” Zan shouted to him.
“Stay in here Zan, are you ok? What’s going on here??” Chris asked, but then walked out to join Zan outside. I threw my cane angrily across the room, watching from the door.
“I repeat, I am of few words, remove the weapon from the hands, Sir!!” Aley exclaimed for the last time.
Chris drew his gun then and I went to pick up the cane again, watching as James was shot down. Aley shook his head and said, “I had warned… You can not threaten defenceless women.”
“Is he dead?” Zan asked and I walked over, wanting to know that answer too.
“I don’t know,” Chris shook his head.
I fainted from the shock and when I came to I called out, “Chris? Thomas? Zan? Chris?”
“Thinking we might need a doc for her as well.. if he is even alive,” Zan nodded.
“Someone find a doc!” Chris shouted.
“Trin are you ok.. “ Zan looked down at me.
“Chris... is he... Is he…?” I tried to run out, in spite the pain I was feeling, and gripped for Zan.
“I... I’m not sure…”
“I can not stand braggarts...and those who threaten defenceless people,” Aley shook his head.
“He wanted... to kill me…. And Thomas…” I cried out, leaning against Zan.
“Well it’s a good thing you are safe,” Reb said.
“Yes he told me.. he said you were dead. that he killed you, I didn’t tell him different,” Zan said. “And said Thomas was next.”
“You saved our lives... all of you... Thank you…” I said tearfully, looking between Aley and Chris.
“Now he is enjoying a bit of land on the face,” Aley laughed.
“Guess we are even huh?” Zan kept a hand on me.
Chris drew his gun then, pointing it at James, who lay in the ground. Zan lifted her hand towards him and said, “Noo love no.. no call for that…”
“Don’t shoot now, sir,” Aley warned.
“If he ain’t dead he will be and that will be cold murder,” Zan said and Chris hanged his head, sighing as he holstered his gun. I cried on Zan’s shoulder as I watched.
“This is cruelty,” Aley pointed out.
“What have I done…” Chris nodded.
“You’ve saved my life, Chris,” I told him tearfully and went over to hug him gently, crying on his shoulder.
“He has received quite what he deserves,” Aley said.
“Thank you Sir... for whatever you did before I got here,” Chris told him. “It’s all ok now Trin… If he’s not dead yet, he will be before a damn doctor gets here! Scuse the language, ladies.”
“Love.. relax.. it’s over.. lets get Trin sat somewhere to rest a bit,” Zan touched Chris’ arm.
“Thank you Sir, was providential your arrival,” Aley told him.
“I…” I looked over at Aley, but then looked back down at the man who wanted to kill me.
“Is he…” Chris asked as Zan went to check for a pulse in James’ wrist.
“No need for a doc.. unless they wanna say he is sure enough dead.. and he is,” Zan shook her head and I blinked more tears, leaning shakily against Aley.
“You need to rest, Miss Trin,” Aley looked at me.
“I... can’t... he…” I shook my head.
“He…?” Aley asked me.
James coughed up blood then, blinking his eyes open slowly. “Trin,” he whispered and I gasped, clinging to Aley.
“Lord, take this man into your place and do as you see fit... I pray he finds peace in his last moment... And forgive me, your humble servant... for what I have done... Amen,” Chris bowed his head.
“Triiiiiin," James whispered, and Zan got out her gun just in case. “T....tell Thomas….”
“Zan dear... He’s gone…” Chris told Zan.
“Gone? He was talking.. how is that gone?” Zan asked.
“Look close…” Chris said.
James dropped a picture of himself and Thomas with their family together as kids and said, “Tell Thomas I… l… loved him…” he said and then fell dead, spitting out blood.
“He can’t hurt you. Or anyone,” Chris promised and Zan holstered her gun.
“How could you love him! You tried to kill him!!!” I blinked and took the picture, seeing the two brothers. I wanted to kick him, but I was in too much pain. “I need... Thomas... drink... something…”
“I would like to trample him as I did with criminals, when I was a marshal,” Aley said.
“Let’s go get you a stiff drink.. Christopher can look for Thomas..” Zan looked at me, turning from the body of James. “Okay love?” she looked at Chris.
“Of course. Where could I find him?” Chris asked.
“Pearce… Our house in Pearce…” I started, feeling shaky.
Chris headed off and we went into Kate’s for a drink as Bree joined us. I tried to calm down and relax, but I was in too much shock, staring down at the floor. It wasn’t long before Chris and Thomas walked in and he looked around asking, “What the…?”
“Trin, do you feel like talking to Thomas?” Chris asked me.
“Hi Bree, Zan…what’s going on?” Thomas asked. “Trin!! You ok love?”
“It was James.. “ Zan looked at him.
“Thomas? He’s….?” I looked over at Thomas and blinked as I reached for him, shaking my head as a fresh set of tears fell as Chris whispered to Zan.
“What is it baby, tell me?” Thomas asked.
“James he... and Zan... and then Chris... and the horse... and Aley…” I tried, but I could barely control my thoughts as my mind was spinning.
“James? What about James...did he hurt you again? Where is he?” Thomas looked at me, confused.
“He’s… dead…” I looked down, crying more and held him the picture James gave me before he died.
“He’s having a talk with Jesus right about now, Thomas,” Chris sighed.
“Chris what is she talking about?” Thomas turned to him.
“He came after her again. Zan and the gentleman outside confronted him, as I understand…” Chris said.
“Trin, where did you get this?” Thomas blinked and stared at the picture.
“He said.. he... lo…..” I started but broke down, falling in his arms.
“When I got here, all I saw was James waving a gun around threatening them... He shot at Zan... and I... finished him,” Chris looked down.
“You did right thing, Chris,” Bree said. “I know is hard to bear but Zan at risk."
“He had his gun... at me… Zan blocked me… He wanted to kill me!!” I exclaimed and cried against Thomas.
“I will leave you in peace I hope…” Bree said.
Thomas grabbed me in his arms and hugged me tight. “Oh my God, thank you Chris! He already shot her last night. Thank you all of you for saving her life.”
“It’s over Tom... it’s…”
“It’s okay baby… but this picture… where?”
“He gave... he gave it to me.. He told me to tell you... that he loved you… Then he... died….” I told him. Thomas looked at me and then broke down himself, holding me close.
“Thomas, I didn’t know what else to do. Can you forgive me?” Chris asked him.
“Chris, you did what you had to do. There is nothing to forgive, he would have killed Trin and Zan both, I know it,” Thomas reached for his hand and Chris gripped it tight. “I owe you big time Chris..you saved many lives,and probably kept me from prison.”
“I have to turn myself in,” Chris nodded.
I stared down in shock, upset that I couldn’t even defend myself because I’d been wounded. “Turn yourself in...for what?” Thomas asked.
“I killed a man, Thomas. Self defence or not… I’ll do what’s right and see what happens.”
“You killed a man who was trying to shoot others...you did nothing wrong.”
“I hope the good Lord and the law sees it that way.”
“I will testify on your behalf if I have to Chris… you did Tombstone a great favor.” Thomas held me closer and kissed my cheek softly. “It’s ok dear, I am here...its all over.”
“He can’t go.... he can’t go to jail. It’s not right. I…” I started.
“Chris I will do everything possible to keep you from going to jail...I promise,” Thomas looked at him.
“Thank you, Thomas... Odd that there wasn’t a deputy in sight though,” Chris said.
Zan walked in then and looked at me and Thomas, touching Christopher’s hand with a smile. “Well now this was not what I had in mind about us getting together. It is going to take a while , you know? For you all to get over this..”
Thomas smiled wearily at Zan. “Yeah, not quite the get together I had in mind either.” He sighed deeply and drank down his beverage and then said, “Damn that burns going down.”
“And you,” Zan said as she looked at Chris.
“I can’t believe I am saying this, but I want him to get a decent burial...I mean no matter what, he was my brother,” Thomas aid and I stayed quiet, still in shock.
“Oh.. did you .. get the picture Thomas? Did you tell him what he said?” Zan looked at us.
“She did,” Thomas nodded and wiped tears from his eyes.
Chris shoved his gunbelt off behind the bar and onto the floor. Zan stood and walked around and picked up the guns, sliding them back to Chris. “Put them back on please,” she told him.
“I’m a preacher. I’m supposed to LEAD people to God, not SEND them to Him!” Chris exclaimed.
“Chris... you saved my life with those guns. Put them back on,” I finally spoke.
“You saved more than one life today.. if you had not been there.. to help. Maybe Aley could not have done it,” Zan told him.
Chris looked from Zan to me and reluctantly put his gun belt back on. Chris looked over and said, “Chris, I am afraid it ain’t God he is visiting right now...I am sure the devil has him and they are throwing a party down there.”
“What if it was Leo.. would you want to be unarmed then?” Zan bit her lip.
“You’re right, love…” Zan sighed.
The door swung open and I reached for my guns, but then saw that it was just a woman named Alex that I’d met before. Suddenly out of nowhere, everyone wished me happy birthday. I had completely forgotten it was my birthday too, but they hugged me as I said, “Thanks everyone! Glad to still be alive for it!”
“Happy Birthday my love!” Thomas kissed me softly.
“I’m... I’m fine... I didn’t... Right... birthday…” I blinked as Alex asked me if I was okay. “I’ll... I’ll be okay... it’s a new year.. a fresh start... the past is behind us… Or at least... working on it being…”
Chris and Zan headed out then to take in the events for Helldorado and we stepped outside too as I told Alex what had happened. Thomas met Aley and thanked him for his help in the events that had transpired.
After a while, Thomas put his arm around me and asked, “You going to be ok love?”
“In time, dear,” I said and thanked Aley for his help again. “Dear I think I should go home and lay down.”
“I think that Miss Trin need to rest a little,” Aley agreed.
“Yes, I think that’s a great idea dear. You have been though a lot,” Thomas nodded.
Pearce.
Thomas and I headed home after we said goodbye to Aley and I fell onto the couch, exhausted in every sense of the word. “We’re home baby,” Thomas exhaled as he locked the door.
“I think I will spend the weekend here... work on my novel... Try to... heal.”
“I think that’s a great idea love. You need the rest, and I have some things to take care of now.”
“Like adopting Jimmy officially? Now that you’re free to do so?” I looked at him.
“Yes, and seeing James gets buried properly. No matter how he was, my parents would want that, and so do I.”
“I understand it’s just hard... for me to agree since he just tried to kill me,” I nodded. “But I know he’s tried to kill you in the past too.”
“I know baby. But he’s my brother...I just....gotta put him to rest finally....see it myself.”
“I know.. You need that closure.” I put a hand on his cheek and said, “I’m here for you, darling. I mean that.”
“Trin! What do I tell Jimmy? Do I tell Jimmy?”
“I think you need to, yes. I think you need to tell him that his father was killed. I’m not sure you need to include the part about him trying to kill us though.. But he needs to know his father is dead. And I think he needs to be at that funeral.” I watched him break down again and I held him close as he cried. “Oh sweetheart….”
“Trin…why? Why did he have to do this? he was my brother, but I hated him so much!” Thomas shook as he held me tightly, crying.
“I don’t know love... I don’t know…” I said and rubbed his back, letting him cry.
No comments:
Post a Comment