Post by sandymarek on Apr 13, 2014 10:56:20 GMT -4
Part 7-6
“Heath” Nick then asks “Did you ever have the nightmares before you came here? Like when you were in Strawberry, the hotel or whenever you worked at other places?”
“Always had them” Heath replies “Ever since I could remember.”
“Whenever you had one in the past” Nick asks “Before coming here, who was there for you?”
Shrugging his shoulders, “Me,” Heath answers.
“What about your mama?” Nick asks.
“When she could” Heath mentions, “Mama wasn’t always there. Had to work, Uncle didn’t always let me be with her.”
“How about your Aunt Rachel or Hannah” Nick asks “Did either of them ever know?”
“They did,” Heath admits, “They would wake me like you did.”
Walking in with a cup of hot chocolate, “Heath,” Victoria asks, “How you doing?”
“Okay,” Heath replies.
“Here,” handing him the cup, “I made you some hot chocolate,” Victoria says.
Taking it from her, “Thank you,” he replies.
“Easy,” she tells him, “It’s hot.”
“Blow on it, Heath” Jarrod urges.
“Mama,” Heath says, “Use to tell me to do that.”
“Your Mama,” Victoria surmises, “Must’ve been a wonderful woman.”
Replying “She was” Heath blows on the steaming hot chocolate as he takes a small sip of it.
“Mother,” Jarrod suggests, “Why don’t you go back to bed, we have it.”
Nodding her head “Okay” Victoria replies “You take it easy okay” to Heath as she takes hold of his cheek for a second or so.
“Okay,” Heath says while continuing to sip on the hot chocolate in between Nick and Jarrod sitting on each side of him.
“Jarrod” Nick then suggests “Why don’t you go and finish your sleep, I’ll stay with him.”
“What if he starts having nightmares again?” Jarrod asks.
“I could handle them,” Nick says.
“You don’t have to,” Heath blurts out.
“We don’t,” Nick says, “But I want to do it, Heath.”
“It’ll wake you,” Heath notes.
“So” Nick says “If it wakes me, then it wakes me. I don’t like you having them Heath and maybe between the two of us and possibly Jarrod as well as the rest of the family we will help you with conquering them.”
“Conquer?” Heath mimics.
“He means,” Jarrod reiterates, “We will help you to get rid of them.”
“Don’t know how,” Heath replies, “Had them since way back.”
“But way back when you weren’t here and you didn’t have any of us around before” Nick then suggests “Now, why don’t you finish your hot chocolate so you could try going back to sleep?”
Replying “Okay” Heath goes back to finishing his hot chocolate. Once he finishes with the cup Jarrod takes it from him and after bidding both of them goodnight he leaves the room.
Nick then says to Heath, “Are you ready to try again and fall asleep?”
Nodding his head “I ready” Heath replies.
“Okay” Nick then asks “Do you need to use the bathroom or anything? Sometimes that will help.”
“I do,” Heath replies.
“Go ahead” Nick insists “I will wait right here for you.”
Replying “Okay” Heath gets up and goes down the hall, quickly uses the bathroom and returns to his room.
Glancing up at Heath as he walks in, “Are you ready now?” Nick asks.
“Think so,” Heath replies. Nick then has him getting back in under the covers.
Lying alongside of him with his hand propped under his head Nick says “Heath, could I ask you something?”
“You could,” Heath replies.
“Did you ever have the nightmares” Nick asks “While working for the Wheelers?”
“I did,” Heath answers, “Had them always.”
“Where did you sleep when you worked for them,” Nick asks.
“Barn,” Heath answers.
Nick says “I remember you saying that. Did they know you slept out there?”
“They did,” Heath answers.
“They said they had you confined because you were violent,” Nick asks, “Did they know of the nightmares?”
“Don’t know,” Heath replies.
“Could you tell me more about what took place?” Nick inquires, “What it was like to work for them? You said Mr. Wells and Mr. Moore brought you there, right?”
“They did,” Heath replies.
“And your uncle arranged the job for you?” Nick asks.
“He did,” Heath mentions.
“You also said” Nick reiterates “They wouldn’t let you go if you wanted to, that you had to be there.”
“I did,” Heath replies.
“Did your uncle know of the nightmares?” Nick wanted to know.
Shrugging his shoulders, “Not know” Heath answers “Maybe.”
“When you first came” Nick brings up “You mentioned that the last job you had
was up in Corning.”
“It was,” Heath answers.
Nick asks, “Did you work for the Wheelers before then?”
“I did,” Heath replies.
“How about if we talk some more tomorrow” Nick suggests “Right now I think we should try getting back to sleep and right now I am having a hard time thinking of what else I want to ask of you. Okay?”
“Okay,” Heath replies.
“Would you like me to tell you another story?” Nick asks.
“If you like,” Heath replies.
“Now,” Nick says, “Close your eyes and I’ll think of a story to tell.”
Doing as instructed Heath closes his eyes and as Nick thinks of a story he wants to tell, he finally comes up with one that is called ‘cock-a-doodle-do’ and while he tells it Heath constantly watches him in between closing his eyes and re-opening them, but as the story progresses Heath manages to close his eyes and fall asleep. As Nick gets to the end he asks, “How did you like that Heath?” glancing over at him he sees his eyes closed, he calls out to him a couple more times before he realizes he is sound asleep.
Staying with him Nick closes his eyes and falls asleep. Two hours later roughly 3 a.m. Heath begins moving about in his bed. Moving his head from side to side on the pillow along with each of his hands that have now turned into fists Heath with tears going down his face begins beating up on the pillow yelling “No! No! No!” and quickly moving onto his back as he kicks the blankets off of him cries out “Mama! Mama! No Mama! Where are you? Mama!”
Feeling the bed moving and hearing Heath yelling out Nick quickly opens his eyes and calls out to Heath. As Heath continues moving his head from side to side on the pillow he continues yelling out “No!” Nick once again calls out to him as he gently shakes him.
Not hearing or feeling him at first Heath continues moving about and calling out “Mama!” with his hands constantly hitting the pillow. After a few more times of shaking and calling his name out Heath begins opening his eyes and glancing over at Nick says, “Nick.”
Replying “I’m here” Nick takes the back of his hand and gently moves it across the top of Heath’s forehead and then down his cheeks, wiping the tears that are going down it “I’ll be right back” he tells him and getting up he quickly exits the room.
Heath lying on the bed just stares up at the ceiling and begins scanning the room.
Returning, “Here, drink this,” Nick handing Heath a glass of water says.
Getting into a sitting position Heath takes the glass and doing as instructed drinks the water. Finishing Nick takes the glass and after placing it on the nightstand nearest him takes a wet washcloth he has in his hands and wipes Heath’s face with it. He then asks, “How’s that? Better?”
Nodding his head, “Better,” Heath answers.
Nick then gets Heath to lie back down on the pillow and after sitting alongside of him he asks, “Heath, whenever you have the nightmares do you always have them again and again during the night?”
Watching as Heath nods his head “You said you’ve been having the nightmares for a long time, right?” Nick asks with Heath reaffirming, “I have.”
“Then” Nick brings up “How is it that you ever got a good night sleep? I mean during the night without waking up?”
“Haven’t,” Heath tells him, “Always had them, always wake up.”
“Then” Nick speculates “That must mean you must’ve gone many years without ever really having any good sleep. I mean one that you slept straight through the night without waking up at all.”
Shaking his head, “Never,” Heath replies.
“Well” Nick says “I am here now and I will be working with you and somehow I will help you with getting rid of them. Oh, it may take a little while but between the two of us we will as we stated before conquer them together. Okay?”
“If you like,” Heath replies, “Don’t want to have to put you out.”
“You’re not putting me out Heath” Nick tells him “I am here to help you and I will do it. Now why don’t you try going back to sleep? Morning will be here soon and I like to see if we could get a couple good hours in before it’s time to get up. Oh, if you should by chance be sleeping at the time I am to get up I won’t wake you, alright?”
“I wake,” Heath informs him, “When it’s light.”
Raising an eyebrow “Very well” Nick says “Let’s see what we could do for now.”
“Okay,” Heath replies.
“Do you mind me staying here with you?” Nick asks, “Or do you not?”
“No,” Heath replies, “I like. Not use to, but I like.”
Smiling “Okay” Nick then bids him goodnight who in turn reciprocates and then starts closing his eyes again.
After making several attempts of opening and reopening his eyes Heath finally falls asleep again. Nick calls out to him a couple times until he’s certain and convinced that he is sound asleep. He then lies down on the pillow and resumes his sleep.
As morning arises roughly 5 am, Nick wakes up from his sleep and as he realizes what time it is, he wipes the sand from his eyes and looks over at Heath who is still sound asleep. Not wanting to wake him, he quietly gets up off the bed, stretches and heads for his room to get dressed for the day.
Once he’s finished, he goes down the hall to the bathroom.
Heath, as the dawn is breaking and a little bit of daylight is appearing through the darkness, opens his eyes. Looking about he sees the lamp on, then he looks up at the ceiling, followed by looking to his right and then to his left. As he is wiping the sand from his eyes Nick walks in and upon seeing him awake, crosses to the bed and bids him goodmorning who in turn reciprocates.
As Nick sits at the edge of the bed he asks of him, “How did you sleep?”
“Fine,” Heath replies.
Raising an eyebrow “I am sure you could use more sleep” and looking into his eyes Nick speculates “But I won’t press it. I know you wake when it’s light and seeing that it is now daybreak you are awake.”
Nick then says “Breakfast will be ready soon and we do have a long day ahead of us before heading out to Pine Lake, so how about if you get up out of bed, get dressed and then use the bathroom so you could get cleaned up or you could clean up first and then get dressed whichever you prefer to do and then when you finish come downstairs and join the rest of us, okay?”
“Okay,” Heath replies.
“I’ll leave the lamp on for you” Nick informs him “When you are ready to leave put it out, okay?”
Replying “Okay” Heath watches as Nick exits the room and then after moving into a seated position he thinks over what Nick just said to do and thinking of what he wants to do, he gets up off the bed and heads down the hall to the bathroom.
Seeing no one in there, he goes in and closes the door behind him. Once he’s finished, he goes back to his room and changes out of his nightshirt into his day clothes.
Downstairs in the dining room Victoria is already seated when the rest of the family begins coming in and as they move to their seats they exchange good mornings with one another.
Victoria and Jarrod each occupy the head, Audra sits to the right of Victoria, Gene sits to her left and Nick sits between Gene and Jarrod.
Glancing about, “Where is Heath?” Gene asks.
“He’ll be right down,” Nick answers, “He’s busy getting dressed.”
“Do you know what I like about this morning” Victoria notes “Towards the past ones we’ve had in the past week?”
“What’s that Mother?” Audra inquires.
“It’s very peaceful” Victoria replies “And for once Nick isn’t yelling or wondering where Heath is or why he’s late” looking over at Nick as she says it “I like the table so much better this way.”
“In a funny kind of way” Nick mentions “Heath made me see something in my self that I didn’t like and as for how I was before, I won’t ever do that again.”
“You have no idea,” Victoria replies, “On how happy that makes me feel.”
“Oh, I do” Nick says, “And I could assure you that is all over with now.”
Part 7-7
Hearing footsteps coming down the steps “That must be Heath” Gene speculates.
Walking in and being greeted by each member of the family, Heath carefully reciprocates as he nervously crosses to the empty chair between Audra and Jarrod. Looking to each of them seated he locks eyes onto Nick and as he nods his head, he carefully takes his seat, Nick then says, “Good boy Heath.”
Patting him on the shoulder, “Heath,” Jarrod adds, “You’re getting there.”
“Did you remember to turn out the lamp?” Nick asks of him who replies, “I did.”
Coming in with the coffee Silas bids the family goodmorning and as he is pouring it he says to Heath “I didn’t see you come in from the outside thiz morning. Did you come down the stairs from your room?”
“I did,” Heath replies.
“How was it?” Silas wanted to know with Heath stating, “Different.”
Patting him on the shoulder “Well” Silas says “It’s a good start.”
“Yes,” Victoria comments, “It is.”
Silas then announces “I’ll be right back with your breakfast. You are probably all starved this morning” as he is walking out of the room.
“Not starved,” Nick retorts, “Just hungry.”
“Well Heath,” Victoria asks, “How was it? Did you manage to go back to sleep?”
“I did,” Heath admits, “Nick stayed.”
“Yes,” Nick concurs, “I stayed with him all night.”
“Did it help?” Victoria inquires with Heath replying, “It did. He told me stories.”
With a crooked smile, “He told you stories?” Jarrod asks.
“He did,” Heath replies.
Curiously, Jarrod asks, “What kinds of stories?”
“Made out of head,” Heath relays.
“What were they about?” Audra joining in asks.
“One was about Big Bad Nick and Little Old Heath,” Heath mentions.
“Big Bad Nick,” Audra mimics, “And Little Old Heath?”
“Interesting” Jarrod replies.
“And the others?” Audra asks.
“Something about a cockling Rooster,” Heath mimics.
With an innocent wicked smile on his face “A cockling rooster?” Jarrod says as he looks over at Nick.
“Yeah” Nick retorts “A cockling rooster. What do you want? It was way past midnight and I had to think of a story to tell and that was the first thing that came into my head at that late hour of the night” as he glares back at Jarrod.
With a smirking giggle “Tell us more about this cockling rooster, Heath?” Audra asks.
“It was about this rooster” Heath reiterates “Only cockling at night, wouldn’t cockle in the morning. And then he had a meeting with a horse, a rat and a rabbit.”
Suppressing a chuckle, “And then?” Jarrod asks.
Replying “I don’t remember anymore. Oh yeah” thinking he adds “And an owl.”
Staring at Heath “That’s because you fell asleep” Nick tells him “You never did let me finish telling it. You went off before I was able to.”
Chuckling, “Well,” Victoria surmises, “I’m sure it was a nice story, Nick.”
“Yes,” Jarrod retorts, “It was lovely,” giggling, “A cockling rooster.”
“Indeed it was” Audra adds, also letting out a little laugh while funning with Nick.
“Did I do wrong?” Heath asks.
“No, you did fine” Victoria adds “And I think what you just told us, livened up the table.”
“It was” Heath brings up “Nick who told the story.”
“It was lovely just the same” Victoria tells him “And you brought a little bit of laughter to the table, something that was missing and we haven’t seen in awhile. It’s good to see.”
“A long while I must add,” Jarrod concurs.
“Yes” Victoria then says “And there is one other thing that I’d like to say that I’ve noticed that you brought to Nick, that maybe he doesn’t realize it as of yet” as she looks over at Heath as she talks.
“What’s that?” Nick and Heath both ask at the same time with Heath’s asking is more of an innocent tone while Nick’s is more of a defensive tone.
“You put some good into Nick” Victoria notes “Some life. When your father died, although you never met him Heath, for quite some time Nick wasn’t himself. He was very distant, very moody and very angry. We couldn’t talk to him, however I think now Nick is finally starting to come around and come to terms with his being gone and you’re being here has helped the situation. The story Nick told you may have been a little strange and different and a little bit amusing, but these are all the things that make Nick, Nick. He does the unexpected and has a way of coming out with things and just has a way about him that makes him unique. And you’re being here seems to be drawing those characteristics out of him.”
“I never thought of that before” Nick mentions “Mother, you just might be right.”
“Nick” Gene urges “Why don’t you finish it now? The story I mean, so that Heath could hear how it ended. So that I could hear how it ended.”
“Yes,” Audra joins in with, “I too would like to hear how it ended.”
Grinning from ear to ear, “So would I,” Jarrod adds.
Rolling his eyes up and shaking his head “Something tells me” Nick comes out with “I’m not going to hear the end of this one.”
“You could be right Brother Nick” Jarrod says “But nevertheless, tell us the story just the same, will you? We’re all anxious waiting to hear.”
Exhaling heavily “Oh, very well” Nick then goes on to tell the story “Once upon a time, there was this cock-a-doodle-do. Now the rooster, this cock-a-doodle-do wasn’t just a morning cockling animal, oh no” he says with a deep stern voice “He was a wake up rooster. When the farmers and the ranchers heard him cockling out there first thing in the morning, everyone knew it was time to wake up. But for this poor old rooster, there came one morning when he wouldn’t cockle.”
Chuckling, “Why wouldn’t he Nick?” Audra asks.
Glaring at her “You know” Nick says “You’re almost as bad as Heath here is. You don’t let me finish telling it. Now listen!”
Apologizing “Oh sorry Nick” Audra says while suppressing an innocent grin.
Resuming the story “Now the difference about this cockling rooster” Nick goes on to say “Is that he could talk to many of the barnyard animals that came around in the morning. You see there was this old field mouse, this owl, this horse and this here rabbit. Now, the rabbit said ‘Hello Rat, its morning, rise and shine. Now the rat said ‘what’s so good about it being morning?” Each one around the table listening is amused as Nick tells the story with Heath observing each member of the family in a curious manner.
Continuing on ‘He said’ Nick says “It’s the beginning of a new day. Now the old owl that was hooting out in a tree said ‘What’s so good about morning? I am a night owl. I wake and hoot at night and sleep in the morning. Now all day long the rooster named Cackler, paced back and forth, back and forth underneath an old oak tree.’
Nick pauses for a second before he resumes “Seeing Cackler pacing back and forth, back and forth, the rabbit came by and said to Rat ‘What’s wrong with Cackler this morning? He’s still talking to himself.”
“He’s been out here all day,” said Rat “I think it’s time for a meeting up at the farmhouse. I’ll go tell him said the horse. So Rat tells the rooster “Cackler, it’s time for a meeting, come over to the farmhouse. So the rooster marched back to the farmhouse and the rabbit asks “Are you okay?”
“No” Cackler answered “I want to be a normal rooster again” Nick then says “But I can only crow in the evening. The horse asks “Like now?”
“Yup” Cackler replies and then upon crowing loudly he says “cock-a-doodle-do!”
The owl tells him, “That was great, dear.”
“But” Cackler says to the owl “It’s not morning” plopping down in a heap on the front porch of the farmhouse “It’s no use,” he informs him sadly.
“They then” Nick continues telling them “Heard Farmer Nick come in and ask “How do you always know when it’s dinnertime, even when it’s not dark yet?”
“Farmer Heath came in and answered ‘Its Cackler! The other roosters would wake me up true, but it was Cackler who always told me when it’s time for dinner and when he heard this, Cackler let out a huge cock-A-DOODLE-DO and another and another and another.”
“When Nick heard him he says ‘Thanks Cackler, I HEARD YOU THE FIRST TIME.” Heath jumps slightly at the loud tone of Nick’s voice and Jarrod watching catches it at the corner of his eye. Nick then says, “The end!”
“Well” Jarrod comments “The ending is fitting I will tell you that. You sounded just like yourself.”
“Nick” Audra brings up “I think you could use more sleep. I think you were either up way too late or way too early depending how one looks at it” laughing she mimics “cock-a-doodle-do?” and then shakes her head.
Looking over at her still giggling, “Oh you do, huh, Missy?” Nick says.
Smiling devilishly “I do, yes Nick” Audra replies.
Gene then says, “How did you like it Heath?”
“Fine,” Heath replies.
“Well” Jarrod says “It sure was a very amusing story Nick, quite entertaining,” as he pats him on the shoulder.
“Yes, it was” Victoria replies.
Still giggling “It was,” Audra then says, “You need to tell more just like it.”
“Well,” Nick notes, “I just might.”
“Did you have anymore nightmares?” Audra asks of Heath.
“I did,” Heath replies.
“I” Nick joins in with “Managed to wake him quickly, so they didn’t last too long.”
“Heath,” Jarrod then says, “I know you like milk and sugar in your coffee.”
“I do,” Heath admits.
“Do you see where it is?” Nick asks with Heath replying, “I do.”
“How,” Nick inquires, “Are you going to get it from where it is?”
Staring at the sugar bowl and milk pitcher at the far end of the table nearest Victoria, Heath pats Audra on the right arm and slowly but carefully asks her to pass them to him in which she graciously does with a smile.
Thanking her, he takes them from her and fixes the coffee how he likes it. Once he finishes he places the lid back on the sugar bowl, stirs the coffee and begins sipping it. Nick asks, “How is it?”
“Good,” Heath replies.
Seconds later, Silas walks in carrying a plate “I made something a little different this morning for everyone” he announces.
“What Silas?” Gene asks.
Placing the plate in the middle of the table “Pigs in a blanket” Silas informs them.
Heath asks, “What is pigs in a blanket?”
“Little sausages” Silas explains “Wrapped inside of a pancake” showing him one “See Mr. Heath?”
Glancing over at it “I see” Heath answers.
“Let me grab the syrup” Silas mentions “And strawberries to go with them” as he once again walks out of the room.
Picking up the dish, Gene fixes his plate and then passes it down to Nick, who in turn passes it to Jarrod who in turn passes it to Heath, who in turn passes it to Audra who in turn passes it to Victoria.
Returning with the strawberries and syrup “Enjoy” Silas then says.
After taking the bowl and fixing her plate with them, Victoria passes it down to Gene who in turn passes it to Nick who in turn passes it down to Jarrod. After putting 4 strawberries on the side of his plate, Heath when he gets the bowl does the same. Observing him, both Nick and Jarrod let out silent chuckles as they look to one another.
After they’ve finished with the syrup and its back in the middle of the table grace is said and then they start eating. Watching as Jarrod starts on the strawberries, Heath chooses to do the same.
Observing, “Heath,” Gene asks, “How come you’re doing what Jarrod is doing?”
Swallowing hard but not answering “Gene” Nick quickly joining in says “Mind your own business. He’s just doing it and let it go at that.”
“Yes Gene,” Jarrod adds, “Let it go at that. Just eat your breakfast.”
Looking over at each of them “Is there something going on” Gene wanted to know “That I don’t know?”
Answering in unison, “No,” Jarrod and Nick reply sternly, “Eat!”
“How you doing there Heath” Victoria asks with Heath replying “Fine.”
As Jarrod cuts up his flapjacks and sausage, Heath following his lead does the same in the exact order that Jarrod does them in. After they both start eating, Jarrod places his left hand on Heath’s right forearm and says with a smile “Heath, you’re doing just fine” Heath once again following his lead returns the smile.
“Mother” Audra asks “Would you like us to pick up the mail when we get out of school?”
“No” Jarrod answers “I’ll pick it up. I have to make a trip into town so I’ll stop by and get it.”
“You’re going into town, Jarrod?” Victoria asks.
“Yes,” Jarrod says, “Would you like to accompany me?”
“I would, yes,” Victoria replies, “When will you be going?”
“In a little bit,” Jarrod informs her.
“What are you getting?” Nick wanted to know.
“Things I think we may need for the trip tonight” Jarrod informs him “I want to be certain we have everything before we make the trip up there.”
“Good thinking,” Nick comments.
“I sure wish I was going,” Gene brings up again.
“And” Jarrod says “You know that you can’t. You have school so forget it.”
Placing his elbows on the table “Darn,” Gene lets out.
While Gene sits there brewing “Mother” Audra suggests “How about the four of us riding into town together?”
“Sounds like a lovely idea Audra,” Victoria says, “How about you Jarrod?”
“Sounds fine to me too,” Jarrod replies.
Victoria then asks of Nick, “Will you be putting a full day in?”
“No” Nick answers “We will stop at 3 or so, giving us enough time to get back here, finish packing and heading out. It’s still a long ride to there and I like us to get there before it gets dark.”
“I agree,” Jarrod says.
“Heath” Victoria asks “Are you still a little nervous about it?”
“I am,” Heath admits, “This is all new to me.”
“I know it is,” Victoria states.
“Heath” Nick then informs him “You will be doing fine. Jarrod and I will both be with you the entire time.”
“I know,” Heath notes, “I just never did any of this before.”
“Heath” Jarrod says “Not only will you do just fine but I think you will enjoy it too.”
“Heath” Nick then brings up “Once we finish eating and everyone leaves we will be going into the kitchen.”
“Okay,” Heath replies.
“What’s happening in the kitchen?” Audra wanted to know.
“Nothing much,” Nick says, “Just something I want to do with Heath.”
After that they continue eating the rest of their breakfast in silence. As they get close to finishing Silas comes in with a pot of coffee and asks if anyone wants seconds.
While Victoria declines the second cup of coffee she as well as Audra and Gene decide to get ready to go into town and get up from their seats. Jarrod, Nick and Heath remain in their seats finishing their second cup of coffee, with Heath once again following Jarrod’s every move.
“Well” Jarrod announces “It’s just us” glancing over at Nick and Heath he says “Do either of you have anything you like to bring up?”
Shaking his head, “Can’t think of anything,” Nick answers.
“Heath,” Jarrod then asks with Heath replying, “No, Jarrod.”
“Well alright” Jarrod swallowing the last of his coffee gets up and says “I’ll see you both later when you get back.”
Walking out of the room Jarrod bids them both a good day.
Part 7-8
Upon finishing the last of their coffee “Heath” Nick asks “Are you finished there?”
“I am,” Heath replies.
“Then” Nick then insists “How about if we go into the kitchen? I have something I want you to do.”
Replying “Okay” Heath gets up and as they exit the dining room Nick who has picked up a couple of the dishes from the table encourages Heath to do the same in which he obediently complies.
Entering the kitchen “I bet you don’t know what I brought you in here for” Nick brings up to Heath who admittedly replies “No.”
“I figured you didn’t” Nick then tells him to place the dishes he has in his hands inside the sink which he once again dutifully complies.
“Now” Nick rambling on says “It seems each morning when you went out to work you never did bring a lunch with you and at the beginning seeing I wasn’t paying much attention to what you were doing and if it weren’t for Duke who was, you would’ve and could’ve gone on all day long without having anything inside your stomach, which isn’t good because you are a hard working young man who needs food inside your stomach to help keep your strength up. So, what you are about to do is learn how to make a sandwich for yourself.”
Swallowing hard, “Not done that before,” Heath states.
“I know” Nick says “That’s why I am here with you; we will be doing this together. You will be making your own lunch while I make mine.”
After rambling on and giving Heath a full run down on where everything is while at the same time asking him what kind of sandwich he would like to make in which he decides on peanut butter and jelly; Nick has him preparing his own sandwich while he works on what he wants.
Finishing, they place their sandwiches in the containers they have on the counter. Next, they work on what kind of drink they will be taking with them. Heath selects apple cider while Nick selects grape drink.
In between retrieving the two thermoses from the cabinet and pouring their drinks into them Nick says, “Now Heath, the reason I am doing all these things with you is so that you know that you could come into this kitchen anytime you want to. Also I want you to know how to prepare your own lunch. I don’t ever want to hear that you went all day long without having anything to eat. You need to eat. However, you don’t always have to make a sandwich for yourself, but right now it is the easiest and quickest to put together. In the future if you ever just want to come back to the house to eat your lunch or if you rather eat whatever Silas or Mother has put together, you could. If either of them or neither of them are here or if they are too busy you could still come and help yourself. That is part of living in this house too, being able to help yourself whenever you need to or just plain want to.”
After placing the lids on the thermoses “Now that we finished that” Nick says to Heath “Would you like some cake to go with us?” to which he answers “I would.”
As Heath is glancing over at it on the counter “Help yourself” Nick tells him “And while you’re at it, how about cutting me a slice too?”
Replying “I could do that” Heath begins cutting two slices of the cake and while Nick is putting the items they are finished with back where they belong and anything dirty in the sink he then says “Heath, I know you like a lot of frosting but I hope you don’t mind taking the cake the way it is; there is frosting on it. You could always have more frosting another time, okay?”
“Okay,” Heath answers.
Standing in the doorway watching the two of them in action, “Jarrod,” Victoria comes over to him and asks, “Are we ready?”
“Oh, sorry,” Jarrod replies.
“Are you watching Nick and Heath?” Victoria asks.
Smiling, “I am,” Jarrod then says, “Nick is giving Heath instructions of how to make his own lunch.”
“At least,” Victoria notes, “Nick is doing what is right now, even if he does overdo it a little, let him.”
“I agree,” Jarrod says as he walks away.
Back in the kitchen Nick has Heath placing the slices of cake into the containers he has on the table.
Grabbing two lunch sacks and handing one to Heath, Nick says, “Heath, put your lunch in this.”
Taking one of the lunch sacks Heath does what he is instructed to do and places his lunch into it.
Once they’ve finished placing their lunches into the provided sacks Nick asks “Are we ready to head out now?”
Heath replies “I guess so.”
Retrieving his lunch “Come on,” Nick says to Heath who does the same. As they are exiting the kitchen and going out the door, “Remember what I told you about what time we start work?”
“Work starts at six,” Heath replies.
“Very good” Nick says “And normally for everyone you’re right it does. However, remember what I told you about the rules for you are different now?”
Walking side-by-side up to the barn “I do” Heath admits.
“Well” Nick mentions “This is some of it. You don’t have to go to work straight at six. And seeing that you don’t know how to tell time and you’re not getting the proper sleep that you need to be getting, you could start your day after you had a goodnight sleep followed by having a nice hot breakfast.”
Reaching the barn and in between Heath saddling up Gal and Nick saddling up Coco, “Heath,” Nick says, “After Gal is saddled up, I need for you to ride up to the North Pasture by yourself. I will meet you there in a little bit. I have a few things I need to tend to here and then make my rounds. Okay?”
“Okay,” Heath replies.
“Perhaps,” Nick says, “Maybe next week sometime I will have you go with me so you get an idea of what I do when making my rounds. It’ll also help you with learning more of the ranch. Would you like that?”
“I would,” Heath admits.
“Well,” Nick says, “We’ll go into it more once we’ve returned from Pine Lake.”
Once Gal is ready and he has his lunch placed in the saddle bag “Go ahead Heath” Nick tells him “I’ll see you in a bit.”
Nodding his head and mounting up Heath heads off towards the North Pasture.
While Nick goes back inside the barn and is about to get started with the work he had in mind, he comes across Heath’s canteen that he left on a hook nearest the stall where Gal was. Upon grabbing hold of it and unscrewing the top, after scringing up his nose and making a grimacing expression on his face Duke walks in and upon bidding him, “Good morning,” Nick quickly reciprocates at the same time he replaces the cap.
Coming over to him, “Did I just see Heath go off?”
“You did” Nick notes “I need for you to stick around for a while, if you don’t mind.”
“What’s happening?” Duke asks.
“Several things” Nick mentions “First I have the unpleasant task of letting Deak and Wheeler go.”
“What have they done?” Duke wanted to know.
“More than,” Nick brings up, “You could possibly know.”
“Like what?” Duke asks curiously.
“I guess you didn’t hear,” Nick says.
“Hear what,” Duke asks.
“On Saturday” Nick explains “When I wasn’t thinking too clearly at the time, they said Heath did something that he didn’t and I threw Heath into the springhouse.”
With his mouth opened wide gaping, “Nick,” Duke says, “I didn’t know you did that to him.”
“Well,” Nick replies, “I did,” grimacing, “I made a mistake, a very bad one.”
“Well,” Duke sighing says, “I’m sure glad you finally came to your senses.”
“So am I,” Nick admits.
Shaking his head in disbelief, “I can’t believe you did that,” Duke says.
“Well, I did” Nick reiterates “I can’t change what I did but I could make up for it. They seem to be trouble for Heath. He knows them and they seem to know him, I mean more than either of them let on. They are also very spiteful when it comes to him.”
“How do you mean?” Duke asks.
Holding up the canteen he has in his hand “See this here” Nick says.
“What about it?” Duke inquires.
“It belongs to Heath,” Nick mentions, “He left it behind. At the moment I’m glad he did.”
“Why?” Duke asks.
Replying “Open it” Nick hands Duke the canteen and upon removing the cap “Now try a sip of it.”
As Duke brings the rim to his lips he notices that it has some odd smell but then trying it quickly and immediately spitting out “What is in there?” he wanted to know with Nick answering “Something I think they put into it. Dirt, maybe or use your thinking cap.”
“Are you sure they did this?” Duke inquires.
“Not completely” Nick says “But I do have my suspicions. Yesterday at lunch Heath didn’t have his canteen on him and when I gave it to him after watching him take a sip I tried it and that is when I came to realize someone tampered with it.”
“And,” Duke asks, “You think they did this?”
“I don’t have positive proof” Nick notes “But I do yes. The only ones on this ranch that I think could and possibly would have a reason to do it or an ulterior motive would be them.”
“You think they have it in for Heath?” Duke inquires.
“I do yes” Nick says “I don’t know why and trying to get anything out of Heath at the moment won’t be easy seeing he doesn’t talk much, but I do have this gut feeling inside that says something just isn’t quite right between them. Now I can’t place my finger on it and I know Heath worked for them at one time but something tells me that if they stay on here they could be more trouble to him. And if my suspicions are correct I don’t want to have them remaining on here, I don’t want Heath to have to feel uncomfortable here, I want him to know that this is home now.”
“Good start” Duke points out.
“Now,” Nick brings up, “I know today is your day off and you had plans but I was wondering would you mind changing them until next week?”
“What’s up?” Duke asks.
“Jarrod and I want to take Heath up to Pine Lake later on this afternoon and we will be gone until Sunday” Nick informs him, “If you could stay around I would really appreciate it.”
“No problem” Duke replies “Just let me go into town and let Jenny know and then I will come back.”
“Go ahead,” Nick tells him, “And thank you.”
“I do like it” Duke mentions “That you are now getting to know Heath, I really am.”
“I am too” Nick states “I still have a long way to go with him, but I have noticed the difference in him already since I’ve eased up.”
“A little bit of patience, understanding and attention sure” Duke notes “Goes a long way.”
“It does” Nick says “And he will be getting more and more of that each day and not just a little but whatever he needs, I will be there to be sure he gets it. And starting next week in the morning when I make my rounds I plan on having him come with me so that he knows what it is I do, it’ll also give him a better opportunity to really see more of the ranch. I was also thinking, when he’s been here awhile of maybe, perhaps letting him run it with me.”
“What a splendid idea Nick” Duke replies “He belongs working alongside of you and helping with running it. And if your father was here now I’d think he’d like that.”
“I think maybe he would too,” Nick says.
Noticing two riders coming, “I think they’re coming now,” Duke notes.
“Come on,” Nick says.
As Duke and Nick exit the barn “Good morning Mr. Barkley, good morning Duke” both Deak and Wheeler say as they meet up.
“Morning!” Nick then says, “Deak, Wheeler, we need to talk.”
“Sure,” comes from Deak with Wheeler asking, “What is it?”
“Let’s go inside,” Nick insists.
Quickly going inside the bunkhouse Nick takes a wad of money out of his pocket and upon handing them both $20 each, “What is this?” Wheeler inquires.
“Take it,” Nick tells him.
Doing so, “What is this all about?” Deak wanted to know surprised.
“Your pays” Nick informs them “I’m giving you both two weeks in advance to go with it, seeing this is short notice, because as of right now your positions here have both been terminated.”
Exchanging shocking glances, “Terminated?” Wheeler asks, “Why?”
“Don’t understand,” comes from Deak.
“There’s nothing to understand,” Nick tells them, “I want you to pack up your belongings and get off this here property.”
“Why?” Wheeler asks, “We’ve been working for you for over a year now.”
“I know that,” Nick replies, “But I don’t like it when I’m lied to.”
“Lied to?” Wheeler says, “We haven’t lied to you.”
“Last Saturday you did” Nick brings up “You weren’t exactly truthful of what took place when it came to the little girl Chrissy.”
Part 7-9
“Oh,” Wheeler says, “You mean the new hand you hired?”
“You said he tried to hurt her” Nick points out “And come to find out that isn’t exactly what occurred.”
“Well,” Deak mentions, “Perhaps we were mistaken. It looked like he was going to hurt her. It must’ve been just a big misunderstanding.”
“Yeah,” Wheeler adds, “Maybe we were just being too hasty. How about if we go find him and tell him we’re sorry,” innocently.
“No” Nick tells them “I don’t want either one of you anywhere near him. Now I don’t know exactly what happened back when he worked for your father’s ranch however as of right now you are both terminated. Also, one of you or both of you tampered with his canteen.”
“Did he tell you that?” Wheeler wanted to know.
“No,” Nick answers.
“Then who is it that said we” Deak asks “Tampered with it?” innocently but defensively at the same time.
“No one,” Nick says, “But you two are the only ones on this here ranch that would have some kind of motive or vendetta against him. I don’t know what it is however something tells me it goes on beyond here. Maybe something occurred at your Father’s ranch, however knowing him for the short time that I have I don’t see him being violent or sneaky. Something just doesn’t add up and I rather you just go. So do me a favor pack up your stuff and leave.”
“Nick,” Deak says, “Think about it, we’ve been working for you even before your father passed away. He hired us. We’ve done a good job and if you keep that one on it’ll only go bad for you. He’s nothing but bad news.”
“Bad news?” Nick asks, “How’s that?”
“I thought you are upstanding people here,” Deak goes on to say, “We thought you cared about the type of help you hire and want working for you.”
“Oh,” Nick states, “I do.”
“Then” Deak asks “Why would you want to keep him on? He’s a bastard, his kind is no good.”
“A bastard?” Nick mimics.
“Yeah,” Deak reiterates, “Didn’t you know you hired a bastard to work for you?”
“Yeah” Wheeler adds “He is no good, Mr. Barkley. He was wild at his uncle’s, he couldn’t control him so he had him working for us. He thought by having him work for us might do him some good. Give him some responsibility but he was so uncontrollable at times that he had to be confined.”
Replying “That does it” Nick quickly takes his right hand and after clenching it into a tight fist brings it up and without warning strikes Wheeler in the face with it. As Wheeler drops to the floor on his backside, “I don’t ever want to hear either of you talking about him like that again. I don’t want to hear anyone referring to him as one.”
Catching sight of Deak, who is about to bring his hand up, “Don’t even think about it,” Duke warns as he places his hands on his hips.
“Now” Nick says “If either of you ever try using those words in my presence again I will take my fist and do more than what I just did just now! And don’t think I won’t, I don’t ever want to hear anyone talking badly about him, now I’ve given you your pays, so go!”
“I suggest” Duke adds “You two go before Nick here follows through on his promise and I too, will be right behind him.”
As they quietly move towards packing up their belongings, “You and your big mouth, Deak!” Wheeler says.
“Me?” Deak replies, “You’re the one who filled up his canteen.”
“Not that,” Wheeler says, “You’re the one who kept going on and on about hiring that bastard.”
“What about you,” Deak continues.
With his hands on his hips “Hurry it up” Nick barks and picking up their speed they quickly grab their belongings and after exiting the bunkhouse they stow it on the back of their horses, with both Nick and Duke right behind watching them.
Looking back “I guess there’s no point in trying to get you to change your minds?” Wheeler asks.
“No chance of reconsidering?” Deak inquires.
Nick stands there shaking his head.
As they mount up and ride off “Did you hear what they said Duke?” Nick says as they go underneath the archway.
“I heard it” Duke replies.
Continuing to watch as they move out of range “That explains some of where Heath got that from” Nick notes.
“Yes,” Duke then asks, “Did they really confine him?”
“Apparently,” Nick states.
“Do you have any idea on why” Duke wanted to know “Or exactly what took place? I don’t buy anything they were saying about his being wild and couldn’t be controlled.”
“I don’t either” Nick says “Although that may explain some of the reasons behind the nightmares he is having.”
“You know of them?” Duke inquires.
“He was having them last night one after the other” Nick mentions “I do plan on finding out more about what took place with them and him.”
“From Heath?” Duke asks.
“Uh-huh” Nick explains “He is the only one that has the answers. I just have to figure out the best way to get him to open up and tell me.”
“That’s true,” Duke then asks, “What is it they said about him being violent?”
“They said” Nick reiterates “He was violent and uncontrollable at times that they had to keep him restrained or confined.”
“He’s not violent,” Duke mentions.
“No” Nick says “He’s not. But I’ve seen him twice where they may consider him being wild or having violent actions.”
A little perplexed, “You have?” Duke asks.
“Yes” Nick states “The first time was when we were in the kitchen the night before after returning from the North Pasture. While he and I were eating our dinner together, I was talking to him, trying to get to know him and there came a moment when he thought I was going to hit him and he flew out of his seat so quickly and while he was on the floor he kept moving about wildly, struggling and trying to move away from me. It took me a couple good minutes to finally convince him that I wasn’t going to hurt him at all.”
“Then” Nick goes on to say “Last night while in the midst of his nightmare he tried to attack me as I was trying to get to him. He didn’t recognize me, in his dreamlike state he must’ve seen me as someone else. He kept kicking and swatting me away or trying to, he even clawed at me. So” exhaling heavily “I’m starting to wonder that maybe they tried cornering him or something which would make him lash out and anyone who is cornered will fight back anyway they could. And, if Heath has been on his own for so long and had no one there to fight for him then that would explain why he did all the fighting himself.”
“Yes” Duke replies “It does indeed. And you bring up a good point; anybody cornered will fight back anyway they have to.”
“Exactly” Nick says “And right now Heath is the only one who knows the real story so I will be working to get it out of him.”
“What if you can’t,” Duke asks, “Get him to tell you what happened?”
“I will,” Nick says, “It may take a while, but I will find a way to get him to open up, maybe he will open up some while we’re up at Pine Lake together.”
As they begin walking towards the barn together “Not a bad idea” Duke brings up, “Maybe he’ll begin feeling more comfortable around you and Jarrod.”
“I’m hoping,” Nick says, “That is what happens. But if it doesn’t, then perhaps I will get someone to look into it. I do want to know what happened.”
“I agree,” Duke mentions, “Perhaps when that report comes through something in there will give you some input on what took place.”
“That is what I am hoping,” Nick reiterates, “So I will hold off on doing one on my own. I rather get it from Heath himself but if that doesn’t work then we will see what that report has in it.”
In between saddling their horses “Good idea” Duke replies “I’ll see you when I get back.”
Mounting up “Enjoy” Nick tells him “Oh, if you should happen to run into any of the men I don’t get to see pass the word that I will be paying them tonight instead of tomorrow. Tell them to be at the bunkhouse at 4 pm sharp.”
Replying “I’ll do that” Duke then rides off.
While he goes into town to see Jenny, Nick takes Heath’s canteen empties it out and places it on the end of his saddle. Mounting up he begins doing his rounds starting with the East Ridge.
End of Story 7
To be continued with Story 8-subtitled: The Long weekend
“Heath” Nick then asks “Did you ever have the nightmares before you came here? Like when you were in Strawberry, the hotel or whenever you worked at other places?”
“Always had them” Heath replies “Ever since I could remember.”
“Whenever you had one in the past” Nick asks “Before coming here, who was there for you?”
Shrugging his shoulders, “Me,” Heath answers.
“What about your mama?” Nick asks.
“When she could” Heath mentions, “Mama wasn’t always there. Had to work, Uncle didn’t always let me be with her.”
“How about your Aunt Rachel or Hannah” Nick asks “Did either of them ever know?”
“They did,” Heath admits, “They would wake me like you did.”
Walking in with a cup of hot chocolate, “Heath,” Victoria asks, “How you doing?”
“Okay,” Heath replies.
“Here,” handing him the cup, “I made you some hot chocolate,” Victoria says.
Taking it from her, “Thank you,” he replies.
“Easy,” she tells him, “It’s hot.”
“Blow on it, Heath” Jarrod urges.
“Mama,” Heath says, “Use to tell me to do that.”
“Your Mama,” Victoria surmises, “Must’ve been a wonderful woman.”
Replying “She was” Heath blows on the steaming hot chocolate as he takes a small sip of it.
“Mother,” Jarrod suggests, “Why don’t you go back to bed, we have it.”
Nodding her head “Okay” Victoria replies “You take it easy okay” to Heath as she takes hold of his cheek for a second or so.
“Okay,” Heath says while continuing to sip on the hot chocolate in between Nick and Jarrod sitting on each side of him.
“Jarrod” Nick then suggests “Why don’t you go and finish your sleep, I’ll stay with him.”
“What if he starts having nightmares again?” Jarrod asks.
“I could handle them,” Nick says.
“You don’t have to,” Heath blurts out.
“We don’t,” Nick says, “But I want to do it, Heath.”
“It’ll wake you,” Heath notes.
“So” Nick says “If it wakes me, then it wakes me. I don’t like you having them Heath and maybe between the two of us and possibly Jarrod as well as the rest of the family we will help you with conquering them.”
“Conquer?” Heath mimics.
“He means,” Jarrod reiterates, “We will help you to get rid of them.”
“Don’t know how,” Heath replies, “Had them since way back.”
“But way back when you weren’t here and you didn’t have any of us around before” Nick then suggests “Now, why don’t you finish your hot chocolate so you could try going back to sleep?”
Replying “Okay” Heath goes back to finishing his hot chocolate. Once he finishes with the cup Jarrod takes it from him and after bidding both of them goodnight he leaves the room.
Nick then says to Heath, “Are you ready to try again and fall asleep?”
Nodding his head “I ready” Heath replies.
“Okay” Nick then asks “Do you need to use the bathroom or anything? Sometimes that will help.”
“I do,” Heath replies.
“Go ahead” Nick insists “I will wait right here for you.”
Replying “Okay” Heath gets up and goes down the hall, quickly uses the bathroom and returns to his room.
Glancing up at Heath as he walks in, “Are you ready now?” Nick asks.
“Think so,” Heath replies. Nick then has him getting back in under the covers.
Lying alongside of him with his hand propped under his head Nick says “Heath, could I ask you something?”
“You could,” Heath replies.
“Did you ever have the nightmares” Nick asks “While working for the Wheelers?”
“I did,” Heath answers, “Had them always.”
“Where did you sleep when you worked for them,” Nick asks.
“Barn,” Heath answers.
Nick says “I remember you saying that. Did they know you slept out there?”
“They did,” Heath answers.
“They said they had you confined because you were violent,” Nick asks, “Did they know of the nightmares?”
“Don’t know,” Heath replies.
“Could you tell me more about what took place?” Nick inquires, “What it was like to work for them? You said Mr. Wells and Mr. Moore brought you there, right?”
“They did,” Heath replies.
“And your uncle arranged the job for you?” Nick asks.
“He did,” Heath mentions.
“You also said” Nick reiterates “They wouldn’t let you go if you wanted to, that you had to be there.”
“I did,” Heath replies.
“Did your uncle know of the nightmares?” Nick wanted to know.
Shrugging his shoulders, “Not know” Heath answers “Maybe.”
“When you first came” Nick brings up “You mentioned that the last job you had
was up in Corning.”
“It was,” Heath answers.
Nick asks, “Did you work for the Wheelers before then?”
“I did,” Heath replies.
“How about if we talk some more tomorrow” Nick suggests “Right now I think we should try getting back to sleep and right now I am having a hard time thinking of what else I want to ask of you. Okay?”
“Okay,” Heath replies.
“Would you like me to tell you another story?” Nick asks.
“If you like,” Heath replies.
“Now,” Nick says, “Close your eyes and I’ll think of a story to tell.”
Doing as instructed Heath closes his eyes and as Nick thinks of a story he wants to tell, he finally comes up with one that is called ‘cock-a-doodle-do’ and while he tells it Heath constantly watches him in between closing his eyes and re-opening them, but as the story progresses Heath manages to close his eyes and fall asleep. As Nick gets to the end he asks, “How did you like that Heath?” glancing over at him he sees his eyes closed, he calls out to him a couple more times before he realizes he is sound asleep.
Staying with him Nick closes his eyes and falls asleep. Two hours later roughly 3 a.m. Heath begins moving about in his bed. Moving his head from side to side on the pillow along with each of his hands that have now turned into fists Heath with tears going down his face begins beating up on the pillow yelling “No! No! No!” and quickly moving onto his back as he kicks the blankets off of him cries out “Mama! Mama! No Mama! Where are you? Mama!”
Feeling the bed moving and hearing Heath yelling out Nick quickly opens his eyes and calls out to Heath. As Heath continues moving his head from side to side on the pillow he continues yelling out “No!” Nick once again calls out to him as he gently shakes him.
Not hearing or feeling him at first Heath continues moving about and calling out “Mama!” with his hands constantly hitting the pillow. After a few more times of shaking and calling his name out Heath begins opening his eyes and glancing over at Nick says, “Nick.”
Replying “I’m here” Nick takes the back of his hand and gently moves it across the top of Heath’s forehead and then down his cheeks, wiping the tears that are going down it “I’ll be right back” he tells him and getting up he quickly exits the room.
Heath lying on the bed just stares up at the ceiling and begins scanning the room.
Returning, “Here, drink this,” Nick handing Heath a glass of water says.
Getting into a sitting position Heath takes the glass and doing as instructed drinks the water. Finishing Nick takes the glass and after placing it on the nightstand nearest him takes a wet washcloth he has in his hands and wipes Heath’s face with it. He then asks, “How’s that? Better?”
Nodding his head, “Better,” Heath answers.
Nick then gets Heath to lie back down on the pillow and after sitting alongside of him he asks, “Heath, whenever you have the nightmares do you always have them again and again during the night?”
Watching as Heath nods his head “You said you’ve been having the nightmares for a long time, right?” Nick asks with Heath reaffirming, “I have.”
“Then” Nick brings up “How is it that you ever got a good night sleep? I mean during the night without waking up?”
“Haven’t,” Heath tells him, “Always had them, always wake up.”
“Then” Nick speculates “That must mean you must’ve gone many years without ever really having any good sleep. I mean one that you slept straight through the night without waking up at all.”
Shaking his head, “Never,” Heath replies.
“Well” Nick says “I am here now and I will be working with you and somehow I will help you with getting rid of them. Oh, it may take a little while but between the two of us we will as we stated before conquer them together. Okay?”
“If you like,” Heath replies, “Don’t want to have to put you out.”
“You’re not putting me out Heath” Nick tells him “I am here to help you and I will do it. Now why don’t you try going back to sleep? Morning will be here soon and I like to see if we could get a couple good hours in before it’s time to get up. Oh, if you should by chance be sleeping at the time I am to get up I won’t wake you, alright?”
“I wake,” Heath informs him, “When it’s light.”
Raising an eyebrow “Very well” Nick says “Let’s see what we could do for now.”
“Okay,” Heath replies.
“Do you mind me staying here with you?” Nick asks, “Or do you not?”
“No,” Heath replies, “I like. Not use to, but I like.”
Smiling “Okay” Nick then bids him goodnight who in turn reciprocates and then starts closing his eyes again.
After making several attempts of opening and reopening his eyes Heath finally falls asleep again. Nick calls out to him a couple times until he’s certain and convinced that he is sound asleep. He then lies down on the pillow and resumes his sleep.
As morning arises roughly 5 am, Nick wakes up from his sleep and as he realizes what time it is, he wipes the sand from his eyes and looks over at Heath who is still sound asleep. Not wanting to wake him, he quietly gets up off the bed, stretches and heads for his room to get dressed for the day.
Once he’s finished, he goes down the hall to the bathroom.
Heath, as the dawn is breaking and a little bit of daylight is appearing through the darkness, opens his eyes. Looking about he sees the lamp on, then he looks up at the ceiling, followed by looking to his right and then to his left. As he is wiping the sand from his eyes Nick walks in and upon seeing him awake, crosses to the bed and bids him goodmorning who in turn reciprocates.
As Nick sits at the edge of the bed he asks of him, “How did you sleep?”
“Fine,” Heath replies.
Raising an eyebrow “I am sure you could use more sleep” and looking into his eyes Nick speculates “But I won’t press it. I know you wake when it’s light and seeing that it is now daybreak you are awake.”
Nick then says “Breakfast will be ready soon and we do have a long day ahead of us before heading out to Pine Lake, so how about if you get up out of bed, get dressed and then use the bathroom so you could get cleaned up or you could clean up first and then get dressed whichever you prefer to do and then when you finish come downstairs and join the rest of us, okay?”
“Okay,” Heath replies.
“I’ll leave the lamp on for you” Nick informs him “When you are ready to leave put it out, okay?”
Replying “Okay” Heath watches as Nick exits the room and then after moving into a seated position he thinks over what Nick just said to do and thinking of what he wants to do, he gets up off the bed and heads down the hall to the bathroom.
Seeing no one in there, he goes in and closes the door behind him. Once he’s finished, he goes back to his room and changes out of his nightshirt into his day clothes.
Downstairs in the dining room Victoria is already seated when the rest of the family begins coming in and as they move to their seats they exchange good mornings with one another.
Victoria and Jarrod each occupy the head, Audra sits to the right of Victoria, Gene sits to her left and Nick sits between Gene and Jarrod.
Glancing about, “Where is Heath?” Gene asks.
“He’ll be right down,” Nick answers, “He’s busy getting dressed.”
“Do you know what I like about this morning” Victoria notes “Towards the past ones we’ve had in the past week?”
“What’s that Mother?” Audra inquires.
“It’s very peaceful” Victoria replies “And for once Nick isn’t yelling or wondering where Heath is or why he’s late” looking over at Nick as she says it “I like the table so much better this way.”
“In a funny kind of way” Nick mentions “Heath made me see something in my self that I didn’t like and as for how I was before, I won’t ever do that again.”
“You have no idea,” Victoria replies, “On how happy that makes me feel.”
“Oh, I do” Nick says, “And I could assure you that is all over with now.”
Part 7-7
Hearing footsteps coming down the steps “That must be Heath” Gene speculates.
Walking in and being greeted by each member of the family, Heath carefully reciprocates as he nervously crosses to the empty chair between Audra and Jarrod. Looking to each of them seated he locks eyes onto Nick and as he nods his head, he carefully takes his seat, Nick then says, “Good boy Heath.”
Patting him on the shoulder, “Heath,” Jarrod adds, “You’re getting there.”
“Did you remember to turn out the lamp?” Nick asks of him who replies, “I did.”
Coming in with the coffee Silas bids the family goodmorning and as he is pouring it he says to Heath “I didn’t see you come in from the outside thiz morning. Did you come down the stairs from your room?”
“I did,” Heath replies.
“How was it?” Silas wanted to know with Heath stating, “Different.”
Patting him on the shoulder “Well” Silas says “It’s a good start.”
“Yes,” Victoria comments, “It is.”
Silas then announces “I’ll be right back with your breakfast. You are probably all starved this morning” as he is walking out of the room.
“Not starved,” Nick retorts, “Just hungry.”
“Well Heath,” Victoria asks, “How was it? Did you manage to go back to sleep?”
“I did,” Heath admits, “Nick stayed.”
“Yes,” Nick concurs, “I stayed with him all night.”
“Did it help?” Victoria inquires with Heath replying, “It did. He told me stories.”
With a crooked smile, “He told you stories?” Jarrod asks.
“He did,” Heath replies.
Curiously, Jarrod asks, “What kinds of stories?”
“Made out of head,” Heath relays.
“What were they about?” Audra joining in asks.
“One was about Big Bad Nick and Little Old Heath,” Heath mentions.
“Big Bad Nick,” Audra mimics, “And Little Old Heath?”
“Interesting” Jarrod replies.
“And the others?” Audra asks.
“Something about a cockling Rooster,” Heath mimics.
With an innocent wicked smile on his face “A cockling rooster?” Jarrod says as he looks over at Nick.
“Yeah” Nick retorts “A cockling rooster. What do you want? It was way past midnight and I had to think of a story to tell and that was the first thing that came into my head at that late hour of the night” as he glares back at Jarrod.
With a smirking giggle “Tell us more about this cockling rooster, Heath?” Audra asks.
“It was about this rooster” Heath reiterates “Only cockling at night, wouldn’t cockle in the morning. And then he had a meeting with a horse, a rat and a rabbit.”
Suppressing a chuckle, “And then?” Jarrod asks.
Replying “I don’t remember anymore. Oh yeah” thinking he adds “And an owl.”
Staring at Heath “That’s because you fell asleep” Nick tells him “You never did let me finish telling it. You went off before I was able to.”
Chuckling, “Well,” Victoria surmises, “I’m sure it was a nice story, Nick.”
“Yes,” Jarrod retorts, “It was lovely,” giggling, “A cockling rooster.”
“Indeed it was” Audra adds, also letting out a little laugh while funning with Nick.
“Did I do wrong?” Heath asks.
“No, you did fine” Victoria adds “And I think what you just told us, livened up the table.”
“It was” Heath brings up “Nick who told the story.”
“It was lovely just the same” Victoria tells him “And you brought a little bit of laughter to the table, something that was missing and we haven’t seen in awhile. It’s good to see.”
“A long while I must add,” Jarrod concurs.
“Yes” Victoria then says “And there is one other thing that I’d like to say that I’ve noticed that you brought to Nick, that maybe he doesn’t realize it as of yet” as she looks over at Heath as she talks.
“What’s that?” Nick and Heath both ask at the same time with Heath’s asking is more of an innocent tone while Nick’s is more of a defensive tone.
“You put some good into Nick” Victoria notes “Some life. When your father died, although you never met him Heath, for quite some time Nick wasn’t himself. He was very distant, very moody and very angry. We couldn’t talk to him, however I think now Nick is finally starting to come around and come to terms with his being gone and you’re being here has helped the situation. The story Nick told you may have been a little strange and different and a little bit amusing, but these are all the things that make Nick, Nick. He does the unexpected and has a way of coming out with things and just has a way about him that makes him unique. And you’re being here seems to be drawing those characteristics out of him.”
“I never thought of that before” Nick mentions “Mother, you just might be right.”
“Nick” Gene urges “Why don’t you finish it now? The story I mean, so that Heath could hear how it ended. So that I could hear how it ended.”
“Yes,” Audra joins in with, “I too would like to hear how it ended.”
Grinning from ear to ear, “So would I,” Jarrod adds.
Rolling his eyes up and shaking his head “Something tells me” Nick comes out with “I’m not going to hear the end of this one.”
“You could be right Brother Nick” Jarrod says “But nevertheless, tell us the story just the same, will you? We’re all anxious waiting to hear.”
Exhaling heavily “Oh, very well” Nick then goes on to tell the story “Once upon a time, there was this cock-a-doodle-do. Now the rooster, this cock-a-doodle-do wasn’t just a morning cockling animal, oh no” he says with a deep stern voice “He was a wake up rooster. When the farmers and the ranchers heard him cockling out there first thing in the morning, everyone knew it was time to wake up. But for this poor old rooster, there came one morning when he wouldn’t cockle.”
Chuckling, “Why wouldn’t he Nick?” Audra asks.
Glaring at her “You know” Nick says “You’re almost as bad as Heath here is. You don’t let me finish telling it. Now listen!”
Apologizing “Oh sorry Nick” Audra says while suppressing an innocent grin.
Resuming the story “Now the difference about this cockling rooster” Nick goes on to say “Is that he could talk to many of the barnyard animals that came around in the morning. You see there was this old field mouse, this owl, this horse and this here rabbit. Now, the rabbit said ‘Hello Rat, its morning, rise and shine. Now the rat said ‘what’s so good about it being morning?” Each one around the table listening is amused as Nick tells the story with Heath observing each member of the family in a curious manner.
Continuing on ‘He said’ Nick says “It’s the beginning of a new day. Now the old owl that was hooting out in a tree said ‘What’s so good about morning? I am a night owl. I wake and hoot at night and sleep in the morning. Now all day long the rooster named Cackler, paced back and forth, back and forth underneath an old oak tree.’
Nick pauses for a second before he resumes “Seeing Cackler pacing back and forth, back and forth, the rabbit came by and said to Rat ‘What’s wrong with Cackler this morning? He’s still talking to himself.”
“He’s been out here all day,” said Rat “I think it’s time for a meeting up at the farmhouse. I’ll go tell him said the horse. So Rat tells the rooster “Cackler, it’s time for a meeting, come over to the farmhouse. So the rooster marched back to the farmhouse and the rabbit asks “Are you okay?”
“No” Cackler answered “I want to be a normal rooster again” Nick then says “But I can only crow in the evening. The horse asks “Like now?”
“Yup” Cackler replies and then upon crowing loudly he says “cock-a-doodle-do!”
The owl tells him, “That was great, dear.”
“But” Cackler says to the owl “It’s not morning” plopping down in a heap on the front porch of the farmhouse “It’s no use,” he informs him sadly.
“They then” Nick continues telling them “Heard Farmer Nick come in and ask “How do you always know when it’s dinnertime, even when it’s not dark yet?”
“Farmer Heath came in and answered ‘Its Cackler! The other roosters would wake me up true, but it was Cackler who always told me when it’s time for dinner and when he heard this, Cackler let out a huge cock-A-DOODLE-DO and another and another and another.”
“When Nick heard him he says ‘Thanks Cackler, I HEARD YOU THE FIRST TIME.” Heath jumps slightly at the loud tone of Nick’s voice and Jarrod watching catches it at the corner of his eye. Nick then says, “The end!”
“Well” Jarrod comments “The ending is fitting I will tell you that. You sounded just like yourself.”
“Nick” Audra brings up “I think you could use more sleep. I think you were either up way too late or way too early depending how one looks at it” laughing she mimics “cock-a-doodle-do?” and then shakes her head.
Looking over at her still giggling, “Oh you do, huh, Missy?” Nick says.
Smiling devilishly “I do, yes Nick” Audra replies.
Gene then says, “How did you like it Heath?”
“Fine,” Heath replies.
“Well” Jarrod says “It sure was a very amusing story Nick, quite entertaining,” as he pats him on the shoulder.
“Yes, it was” Victoria replies.
Still giggling “It was,” Audra then says, “You need to tell more just like it.”
“Well,” Nick notes, “I just might.”
“Did you have anymore nightmares?” Audra asks of Heath.
“I did,” Heath replies.
“I” Nick joins in with “Managed to wake him quickly, so they didn’t last too long.”
“Heath,” Jarrod then says, “I know you like milk and sugar in your coffee.”
“I do,” Heath admits.
“Do you see where it is?” Nick asks with Heath replying, “I do.”
“How,” Nick inquires, “Are you going to get it from where it is?”
Staring at the sugar bowl and milk pitcher at the far end of the table nearest Victoria, Heath pats Audra on the right arm and slowly but carefully asks her to pass them to him in which she graciously does with a smile.
Thanking her, he takes them from her and fixes the coffee how he likes it. Once he finishes he places the lid back on the sugar bowl, stirs the coffee and begins sipping it. Nick asks, “How is it?”
“Good,” Heath replies.
Seconds later, Silas walks in carrying a plate “I made something a little different this morning for everyone” he announces.
“What Silas?” Gene asks.
Placing the plate in the middle of the table “Pigs in a blanket” Silas informs them.
Heath asks, “What is pigs in a blanket?”
“Little sausages” Silas explains “Wrapped inside of a pancake” showing him one “See Mr. Heath?”
Glancing over at it “I see” Heath answers.
“Let me grab the syrup” Silas mentions “And strawberries to go with them” as he once again walks out of the room.
Picking up the dish, Gene fixes his plate and then passes it down to Nick, who in turn passes it to Jarrod who in turn passes it to Heath, who in turn passes it to Audra who in turn passes it to Victoria.
Returning with the strawberries and syrup “Enjoy” Silas then says.
After taking the bowl and fixing her plate with them, Victoria passes it down to Gene who in turn passes it to Nick who in turn passes it down to Jarrod. After putting 4 strawberries on the side of his plate, Heath when he gets the bowl does the same. Observing him, both Nick and Jarrod let out silent chuckles as they look to one another.
After they’ve finished with the syrup and its back in the middle of the table grace is said and then they start eating. Watching as Jarrod starts on the strawberries, Heath chooses to do the same.
Observing, “Heath,” Gene asks, “How come you’re doing what Jarrod is doing?”
Swallowing hard but not answering “Gene” Nick quickly joining in says “Mind your own business. He’s just doing it and let it go at that.”
“Yes Gene,” Jarrod adds, “Let it go at that. Just eat your breakfast.”
Looking over at each of them “Is there something going on” Gene wanted to know “That I don’t know?”
Answering in unison, “No,” Jarrod and Nick reply sternly, “Eat!”
“How you doing there Heath” Victoria asks with Heath replying “Fine.”
As Jarrod cuts up his flapjacks and sausage, Heath following his lead does the same in the exact order that Jarrod does them in. After they both start eating, Jarrod places his left hand on Heath’s right forearm and says with a smile “Heath, you’re doing just fine” Heath once again following his lead returns the smile.
“Mother” Audra asks “Would you like us to pick up the mail when we get out of school?”
“No” Jarrod answers “I’ll pick it up. I have to make a trip into town so I’ll stop by and get it.”
“You’re going into town, Jarrod?” Victoria asks.
“Yes,” Jarrod says, “Would you like to accompany me?”
“I would, yes,” Victoria replies, “When will you be going?”
“In a little bit,” Jarrod informs her.
“What are you getting?” Nick wanted to know.
“Things I think we may need for the trip tonight” Jarrod informs him “I want to be certain we have everything before we make the trip up there.”
“Good thinking,” Nick comments.
“I sure wish I was going,” Gene brings up again.
“And” Jarrod says “You know that you can’t. You have school so forget it.”
Placing his elbows on the table “Darn,” Gene lets out.
While Gene sits there brewing “Mother” Audra suggests “How about the four of us riding into town together?”
“Sounds like a lovely idea Audra,” Victoria says, “How about you Jarrod?”
“Sounds fine to me too,” Jarrod replies.
Victoria then asks of Nick, “Will you be putting a full day in?”
“No” Nick answers “We will stop at 3 or so, giving us enough time to get back here, finish packing and heading out. It’s still a long ride to there and I like us to get there before it gets dark.”
“I agree,” Jarrod says.
“Heath” Victoria asks “Are you still a little nervous about it?”
“I am,” Heath admits, “This is all new to me.”
“I know it is,” Victoria states.
“Heath” Nick then informs him “You will be doing fine. Jarrod and I will both be with you the entire time.”
“I know,” Heath notes, “I just never did any of this before.”
“Heath” Jarrod says “Not only will you do just fine but I think you will enjoy it too.”
“Heath” Nick then brings up “Once we finish eating and everyone leaves we will be going into the kitchen.”
“Okay,” Heath replies.
“What’s happening in the kitchen?” Audra wanted to know.
“Nothing much,” Nick says, “Just something I want to do with Heath.”
After that they continue eating the rest of their breakfast in silence. As they get close to finishing Silas comes in with a pot of coffee and asks if anyone wants seconds.
While Victoria declines the second cup of coffee she as well as Audra and Gene decide to get ready to go into town and get up from their seats. Jarrod, Nick and Heath remain in their seats finishing their second cup of coffee, with Heath once again following Jarrod’s every move.
“Well” Jarrod announces “It’s just us” glancing over at Nick and Heath he says “Do either of you have anything you like to bring up?”
Shaking his head, “Can’t think of anything,” Nick answers.
“Heath,” Jarrod then asks with Heath replying, “No, Jarrod.”
“Well alright” Jarrod swallowing the last of his coffee gets up and says “I’ll see you both later when you get back.”
Walking out of the room Jarrod bids them both a good day.
Part 7-8
Upon finishing the last of their coffee “Heath” Nick asks “Are you finished there?”
“I am,” Heath replies.
“Then” Nick then insists “How about if we go into the kitchen? I have something I want you to do.”
Replying “Okay” Heath gets up and as they exit the dining room Nick who has picked up a couple of the dishes from the table encourages Heath to do the same in which he obediently complies.
Entering the kitchen “I bet you don’t know what I brought you in here for” Nick brings up to Heath who admittedly replies “No.”
“I figured you didn’t” Nick then tells him to place the dishes he has in his hands inside the sink which he once again dutifully complies.
“Now” Nick rambling on says “It seems each morning when you went out to work you never did bring a lunch with you and at the beginning seeing I wasn’t paying much attention to what you were doing and if it weren’t for Duke who was, you would’ve and could’ve gone on all day long without having anything inside your stomach, which isn’t good because you are a hard working young man who needs food inside your stomach to help keep your strength up. So, what you are about to do is learn how to make a sandwich for yourself.”
Swallowing hard, “Not done that before,” Heath states.
“I know” Nick says “That’s why I am here with you; we will be doing this together. You will be making your own lunch while I make mine.”
After rambling on and giving Heath a full run down on where everything is while at the same time asking him what kind of sandwich he would like to make in which he decides on peanut butter and jelly; Nick has him preparing his own sandwich while he works on what he wants.
Finishing, they place their sandwiches in the containers they have on the counter. Next, they work on what kind of drink they will be taking with them. Heath selects apple cider while Nick selects grape drink.
In between retrieving the two thermoses from the cabinet and pouring their drinks into them Nick says, “Now Heath, the reason I am doing all these things with you is so that you know that you could come into this kitchen anytime you want to. Also I want you to know how to prepare your own lunch. I don’t ever want to hear that you went all day long without having anything to eat. You need to eat. However, you don’t always have to make a sandwich for yourself, but right now it is the easiest and quickest to put together. In the future if you ever just want to come back to the house to eat your lunch or if you rather eat whatever Silas or Mother has put together, you could. If either of them or neither of them are here or if they are too busy you could still come and help yourself. That is part of living in this house too, being able to help yourself whenever you need to or just plain want to.”
After placing the lids on the thermoses “Now that we finished that” Nick says to Heath “Would you like some cake to go with us?” to which he answers “I would.”
As Heath is glancing over at it on the counter “Help yourself” Nick tells him “And while you’re at it, how about cutting me a slice too?”
Replying “I could do that” Heath begins cutting two slices of the cake and while Nick is putting the items they are finished with back where they belong and anything dirty in the sink he then says “Heath, I know you like a lot of frosting but I hope you don’t mind taking the cake the way it is; there is frosting on it. You could always have more frosting another time, okay?”
“Okay,” Heath answers.
Standing in the doorway watching the two of them in action, “Jarrod,” Victoria comes over to him and asks, “Are we ready?”
“Oh, sorry,” Jarrod replies.
“Are you watching Nick and Heath?” Victoria asks.
Smiling, “I am,” Jarrod then says, “Nick is giving Heath instructions of how to make his own lunch.”
“At least,” Victoria notes, “Nick is doing what is right now, even if he does overdo it a little, let him.”
“I agree,” Jarrod says as he walks away.
Back in the kitchen Nick has Heath placing the slices of cake into the containers he has on the table.
Grabbing two lunch sacks and handing one to Heath, Nick says, “Heath, put your lunch in this.”
Taking one of the lunch sacks Heath does what he is instructed to do and places his lunch into it.
Once they’ve finished placing their lunches into the provided sacks Nick asks “Are we ready to head out now?”
Heath replies “I guess so.”
Retrieving his lunch “Come on,” Nick says to Heath who does the same. As they are exiting the kitchen and going out the door, “Remember what I told you about what time we start work?”
“Work starts at six,” Heath replies.
“Very good” Nick says “And normally for everyone you’re right it does. However, remember what I told you about the rules for you are different now?”
Walking side-by-side up to the barn “I do” Heath admits.
“Well” Nick mentions “This is some of it. You don’t have to go to work straight at six. And seeing that you don’t know how to tell time and you’re not getting the proper sleep that you need to be getting, you could start your day after you had a goodnight sleep followed by having a nice hot breakfast.”
Reaching the barn and in between Heath saddling up Gal and Nick saddling up Coco, “Heath,” Nick says, “After Gal is saddled up, I need for you to ride up to the North Pasture by yourself. I will meet you there in a little bit. I have a few things I need to tend to here and then make my rounds. Okay?”
“Okay,” Heath replies.
“Perhaps,” Nick says, “Maybe next week sometime I will have you go with me so you get an idea of what I do when making my rounds. It’ll also help you with learning more of the ranch. Would you like that?”
“I would,” Heath admits.
“Well,” Nick says, “We’ll go into it more once we’ve returned from Pine Lake.”
Once Gal is ready and he has his lunch placed in the saddle bag “Go ahead Heath” Nick tells him “I’ll see you in a bit.”
Nodding his head and mounting up Heath heads off towards the North Pasture.
While Nick goes back inside the barn and is about to get started with the work he had in mind, he comes across Heath’s canteen that he left on a hook nearest the stall where Gal was. Upon grabbing hold of it and unscrewing the top, after scringing up his nose and making a grimacing expression on his face Duke walks in and upon bidding him, “Good morning,” Nick quickly reciprocates at the same time he replaces the cap.
Coming over to him, “Did I just see Heath go off?”
“You did” Nick notes “I need for you to stick around for a while, if you don’t mind.”
“What’s happening?” Duke asks.
“Several things” Nick mentions “First I have the unpleasant task of letting Deak and Wheeler go.”
“What have they done?” Duke wanted to know.
“More than,” Nick brings up, “You could possibly know.”
“Like what?” Duke asks curiously.
“I guess you didn’t hear,” Nick says.
“Hear what,” Duke asks.
“On Saturday” Nick explains “When I wasn’t thinking too clearly at the time, they said Heath did something that he didn’t and I threw Heath into the springhouse.”
With his mouth opened wide gaping, “Nick,” Duke says, “I didn’t know you did that to him.”
“Well,” Nick replies, “I did,” grimacing, “I made a mistake, a very bad one.”
“Well,” Duke sighing says, “I’m sure glad you finally came to your senses.”
“So am I,” Nick admits.
Shaking his head in disbelief, “I can’t believe you did that,” Duke says.
“Well, I did” Nick reiterates “I can’t change what I did but I could make up for it. They seem to be trouble for Heath. He knows them and they seem to know him, I mean more than either of them let on. They are also very spiteful when it comes to him.”
“How do you mean?” Duke asks.
Holding up the canteen he has in his hand “See this here” Nick says.
“What about it?” Duke inquires.
“It belongs to Heath,” Nick mentions, “He left it behind. At the moment I’m glad he did.”
“Why?” Duke asks.
Replying “Open it” Nick hands Duke the canteen and upon removing the cap “Now try a sip of it.”
As Duke brings the rim to his lips he notices that it has some odd smell but then trying it quickly and immediately spitting out “What is in there?” he wanted to know with Nick answering “Something I think they put into it. Dirt, maybe or use your thinking cap.”
“Are you sure they did this?” Duke inquires.
“Not completely” Nick says “But I do have my suspicions. Yesterday at lunch Heath didn’t have his canteen on him and when I gave it to him after watching him take a sip I tried it and that is when I came to realize someone tampered with it.”
“And,” Duke asks, “You think they did this?”
“I don’t have positive proof” Nick notes “But I do yes. The only ones on this ranch that I think could and possibly would have a reason to do it or an ulterior motive would be them.”
“You think they have it in for Heath?” Duke inquires.
“I do yes” Nick says “I don’t know why and trying to get anything out of Heath at the moment won’t be easy seeing he doesn’t talk much, but I do have this gut feeling inside that says something just isn’t quite right between them. Now I can’t place my finger on it and I know Heath worked for them at one time but something tells me that if they stay on here they could be more trouble to him. And if my suspicions are correct I don’t want to have them remaining on here, I don’t want Heath to have to feel uncomfortable here, I want him to know that this is home now.”
“Good start” Duke points out.
“Now,” Nick brings up, “I know today is your day off and you had plans but I was wondering would you mind changing them until next week?”
“What’s up?” Duke asks.
“Jarrod and I want to take Heath up to Pine Lake later on this afternoon and we will be gone until Sunday” Nick informs him, “If you could stay around I would really appreciate it.”
“No problem” Duke replies “Just let me go into town and let Jenny know and then I will come back.”
“Go ahead,” Nick tells him, “And thank you.”
“I do like it” Duke mentions “That you are now getting to know Heath, I really am.”
“I am too” Nick states “I still have a long way to go with him, but I have noticed the difference in him already since I’ve eased up.”
“A little bit of patience, understanding and attention sure” Duke notes “Goes a long way.”
“It does” Nick says “And he will be getting more and more of that each day and not just a little but whatever he needs, I will be there to be sure he gets it. And starting next week in the morning when I make my rounds I plan on having him come with me so that he knows what it is I do, it’ll also give him a better opportunity to really see more of the ranch. I was also thinking, when he’s been here awhile of maybe, perhaps letting him run it with me.”
“What a splendid idea Nick” Duke replies “He belongs working alongside of you and helping with running it. And if your father was here now I’d think he’d like that.”
“I think maybe he would too,” Nick says.
Noticing two riders coming, “I think they’re coming now,” Duke notes.
“Come on,” Nick says.
As Duke and Nick exit the barn “Good morning Mr. Barkley, good morning Duke” both Deak and Wheeler say as they meet up.
“Morning!” Nick then says, “Deak, Wheeler, we need to talk.”
“Sure,” comes from Deak with Wheeler asking, “What is it?”
“Let’s go inside,” Nick insists.
Quickly going inside the bunkhouse Nick takes a wad of money out of his pocket and upon handing them both $20 each, “What is this?” Wheeler inquires.
“Take it,” Nick tells him.
Doing so, “What is this all about?” Deak wanted to know surprised.
“Your pays” Nick informs them “I’m giving you both two weeks in advance to go with it, seeing this is short notice, because as of right now your positions here have both been terminated.”
Exchanging shocking glances, “Terminated?” Wheeler asks, “Why?”
“Don’t understand,” comes from Deak.
“There’s nothing to understand,” Nick tells them, “I want you to pack up your belongings and get off this here property.”
“Why?” Wheeler asks, “We’ve been working for you for over a year now.”
“I know that,” Nick replies, “But I don’t like it when I’m lied to.”
“Lied to?” Wheeler says, “We haven’t lied to you.”
“Last Saturday you did” Nick brings up “You weren’t exactly truthful of what took place when it came to the little girl Chrissy.”
Part 7-9
“Oh,” Wheeler says, “You mean the new hand you hired?”
“You said he tried to hurt her” Nick points out “And come to find out that isn’t exactly what occurred.”
“Well,” Deak mentions, “Perhaps we were mistaken. It looked like he was going to hurt her. It must’ve been just a big misunderstanding.”
“Yeah,” Wheeler adds, “Maybe we were just being too hasty. How about if we go find him and tell him we’re sorry,” innocently.
“No” Nick tells them “I don’t want either one of you anywhere near him. Now I don’t know exactly what happened back when he worked for your father’s ranch however as of right now you are both terminated. Also, one of you or both of you tampered with his canteen.”
“Did he tell you that?” Wheeler wanted to know.
“No,” Nick answers.
“Then who is it that said we” Deak asks “Tampered with it?” innocently but defensively at the same time.
“No one,” Nick says, “But you two are the only ones on this here ranch that would have some kind of motive or vendetta against him. I don’t know what it is however something tells me it goes on beyond here. Maybe something occurred at your Father’s ranch, however knowing him for the short time that I have I don’t see him being violent or sneaky. Something just doesn’t add up and I rather you just go. So do me a favor pack up your stuff and leave.”
“Nick,” Deak says, “Think about it, we’ve been working for you even before your father passed away. He hired us. We’ve done a good job and if you keep that one on it’ll only go bad for you. He’s nothing but bad news.”
“Bad news?” Nick asks, “How’s that?”
“I thought you are upstanding people here,” Deak goes on to say, “We thought you cared about the type of help you hire and want working for you.”
“Oh,” Nick states, “I do.”
“Then” Deak asks “Why would you want to keep him on? He’s a bastard, his kind is no good.”
“A bastard?” Nick mimics.
“Yeah,” Deak reiterates, “Didn’t you know you hired a bastard to work for you?”
“Yeah” Wheeler adds “He is no good, Mr. Barkley. He was wild at his uncle’s, he couldn’t control him so he had him working for us. He thought by having him work for us might do him some good. Give him some responsibility but he was so uncontrollable at times that he had to be confined.”
Replying “That does it” Nick quickly takes his right hand and after clenching it into a tight fist brings it up and without warning strikes Wheeler in the face with it. As Wheeler drops to the floor on his backside, “I don’t ever want to hear either of you talking about him like that again. I don’t want to hear anyone referring to him as one.”
Catching sight of Deak, who is about to bring his hand up, “Don’t even think about it,” Duke warns as he places his hands on his hips.
“Now” Nick says “If either of you ever try using those words in my presence again I will take my fist and do more than what I just did just now! And don’t think I won’t, I don’t ever want to hear anyone talking badly about him, now I’ve given you your pays, so go!”
“I suggest” Duke adds “You two go before Nick here follows through on his promise and I too, will be right behind him.”
As they quietly move towards packing up their belongings, “You and your big mouth, Deak!” Wheeler says.
“Me?” Deak replies, “You’re the one who filled up his canteen.”
“Not that,” Wheeler says, “You’re the one who kept going on and on about hiring that bastard.”
“What about you,” Deak continues.
With his hands on his hips “Hurry it up” Nick barks and picking up their speed they quickly grab their belongings and after exiting the bunkhouse they stow it on the back of their horses, with both Nick and Duke right behind watching them.
Looking back “I guess there’s no point in trying to get you to change your minds?” Wheeler asks.
“No chance of reconsidering?” Deak inquires.
Nick stands there shaking his head.
As they mount up and ride off “Did you hear what they said Duke?” Nick says as they go underneath the archway.
“I heard it” Duke replies.
Continuing to watch as they move out of range “That explains some of where Heath got that from” Nick notes.
“Yes,” Duke then asks, “Did they really confine him?”
“Apparently,” Nick states.
“Do you have any idea on why” Duke wanted to know “Or exactly what took place? I don’t buy anything they were saying about his being wild and couldn’t be controlled.”
“I don’t either” Nick says “Although that may explain some of the reasons behind the nightmares he is having.”
“You know of them?” Duke inquires.
“He was having them last night one after the other” Nick mentions “I do plan on finding out more about what took place with them and him.”
“From Heath?” Duke asks.
“Uh-huh” Nick explains “He is the only one that has the answers. I just have to figure out the best way to get him to open up and tell me.”
“That’s true,” Duke then asks, “What is it they said about him being violent?”
“They said” Nick reiterates “He was violent and uncontrollable at times that they had to keep him restrained or confined.”
“He’s not violent,” Duke mentions.
“No” Nick says “He’s not. But I’ve seen him twice where they may consider him being wild or having violent actions.”
A little perplexed, “You have?” Duke asks.
“Yes” Nick states “The first time was when we were in the kitchen the night before after returning from the North Pasture. While he and I were eating our dinner together, I was talking to him, trying to get to know him and there came a moment when he thought I was going to hit him and he flew out of his seat so quickly and while he was on the floor he kept moving about wildly, struggling and trying to move away from me. It took me a couple good minutes to finally convince him that I wasn’t going to hurt him at all.”
“Then” Nick goes on to say “Last night while in the midst of his nightmare he tried to attack me as I was trying to get to him. He didn’t recognize me, in his dreamlike state he must’ve seen me as someone else. He kept kicking and swatting me away or trying to, he even clawed at me. So” exhaling heavily “I’m starting to wonder that maybe they tried cornering him or something which would make him lash out and anyone who is cornered will fight back anyway they could. And, if Heath has been on his own for so long and had no one there to fight for him then that would explain why he did all the fighting himself.”
“Yes” Duke replies “It does indeed. And you bring up a good point; anybody cornered will fight back anyway they have to.”
“Exactly” Nick says “And right now Heath is the only one who knows the real story so I will be working to get it out of him.”
“What if you can’t,” Duke asks, “Get him to tell you what happened?”
“I will,” Nick says, “It may take a while, but I will find a way to get him to open up, maybe he will open up some while we’re up at Pine Lake together.”
As they begin walking towards the barn together “Not a bad idea” Duke brings up, “Maybe he’ll begin feeling more comfortable around you and Jarrod.”
“I’m hoping,” Nick says, “That is what happens. But if it doesn’t, then perhaps I will get someone to look into it. I do want to know what happened.”
“I agree,” Duke mentions, “Perhaps when that report comes through something in there will give you some input on what took place.”
“That is what I am hoping,” Nick reiterates, “So I will hold off on doing one on my own. I rather get it from Heath himself but if that doesn’t work then we will see what that report has in it.”
In between saddling their horses “Good idea” Duke replies “I’ll see you when I get back.”
Mounting up “Enjoy” Nick tells him “Oh, if you should happen to run into any of the men I don’t get to see pass the word that I will be paying them tonight instead of tomorrow. Tell them to be at the bunkhouse at 4 pm sharp.”
Replying “I’ll do that” Duke then rides off.
While he goes into town to see Jenny, Nick takes Heath’s canteen empties it out and places it on the end of his saddle. Mounting up he begins doing his rounds starting with the East Ridge.
End of Story 7
To be continued with Story 8-subtitled: The Long weekend
