Bisbee.
This afternoon I walked into the saloon where Cas was spinning records and greeted everyone. I leaned against the bar and asked how everyone was doing and Cas said, “Doin’ great.. no one fell over yet...well I did that one time.. but other than that.. great.”
“That’s good news,” I said and filled my flask up with whiskey. “I probably came just at the end again, din’t I?”
“Hi Trin, well so did I,” Bree told me.
“Well be it the end… you came?” Mikk said with a smile.
We continued to talk and had a good time dancing. I met a Native man named Red Horse and asked, “How are things at the Apache village?”
“Village numbers are shrinking.”
“And Red you tribe can come to cantina and barrels full of stuff just help selves to all ya need for winter,” Bree told Red .
“Thank you,” Red Horse said with a smile.
“Good to hear Ms. Para is at the cafe again,” Cas said as Para and Mikk headed out.
I met Stormy’s daughter and I looked over at Cas. “Hey Cas? Been goin’ over some cold cases of mine... throwin’ out stuff and whatnot. I’m guessin’ Niki Mullery ain’t been around, eh?”
“Not for some time.”
“Might as well trash that one then eh?” I nodded. “Probably already a bounty out on her by now if she ever did come back, makin’ it out of my hands anyway. So I’ve got no open cases... no cold cases… How’d that happen?” I winked at him.
“It’s called efficiency.... it breeds more time for snoozin’,” Cas told me as Spank headed out.
“Yay me then, I guess. Thomas is jealous I don’t have as much paperwork as him.” I chuckled.
“We’ll have to petition the Mayor to have you do a daily state of affairs in town, in triplicate, twice a day. He likes that stuff. Especially usin’ words like ’triplicate’.”
“You have SEEN my master list, ain’t ya? I keep plenty busy findin’ out everything about everyone.”
“He called me a malcontent and a reprobate... so I know he likes big words. And if I ever find out what that means I’ll decide if I agree or not.”
“My daughter might be able to tell ya.” I laughed. “She’s learnin’ all sorts of big words.”
“I am makin’ them spell words at School next time I teach.”
“She sure liked interviewin’ you.”
“Back to the village. I appreciate the fire waters. Stay Safe.” Red Horse sipped the last of his drink and let out a sigh.
“Take care, Sir,” Cas said.
“You as well, Red. Give my best to Chief Mahko, would you?” I smiled at him.
“Sure, I will. Yadalanh.” Red Horse smirked and walked out of the saloon.
“That was interesting.” I looked at Cas. “When was the last time you saw an Apache in a saloon?”
“Actually Monday.”
“Oh.” I chuckled.
“I got no problems with them. Just like anyone else, treat me right and you’ll get it back... treat me bad and that comes back, too.”
“I’ve had a long... history with the Natives. In the middle of my memoirs about that part of my life actually, one I’m looking forward to putting behind me. It’s therapeutic. But I have made peace again with the Apache. I had no choice. It’s part of who I am.”
“None of us got no choice.. or I’d be the king’a England or somethin’ like that.”
“It’s part of my family history. I either be at peace with the Apache or I deny who I am. It’s been a battle I’ve had to deal with and finally overcame when one of them saved my life here in Tombstone.”
“I could just knock on people’s door and say ‘King’a England, what’s for dinner?’” Cas said.
“Anyway... I should find somewhere to park myself and get some writing done.”
“Okay Miss Trin.. I better get goin’ too or I’ll end up sweepin’.”
We said goodbye and I headed home.
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