CHOICESCHOICES
They were in the process of making plans to ride after Lou, when the bunkhouse
door opened and Rachel stepped inside followed closely by Teaspoon. Rachel and
Teaspoon took in the concerned faces of the boys, the bundle of bedrolls on
each bunk and the fact that Lou was nowhere to be seen.
“What’s going on boys? You all look as if you lost your best friend?” Teaspoon asked calmly.
The riders exchanged glances. Kid was the first to speak. “ It kind of looks that way, Teaspoon. Not that we think anything like that has happened.”
Teaspoon and Rachel exchanged puzzled glances. “Will somebody tell me what the hell Kid is talking about.” Teaspoon demanded.
“It’s like this. Lou’s run off. None of us heard her leave the bunkhouse. When Buck arrived at the station a little while ago and put Racing Moon in the barn, he discovered that Lightning wasn’t in his stall. He came and woke us up and we found this.” Jimmy said, handing Teaspoon Lou’s note. Teaspoon shot them all a concerned look, cleared his throat and then began to read aloud the words that Lou had written.
‘Dear Teaspoon, Rachel, Boys,
I’m sorry if my leaving like this causes any of you pain. I just couldn’t
bear to say goodbye to you all in person. It has never been my intention to
hurt any of you, although it seems that is exactly what I have done over the
past few months. After my mama died, I never thought that I would ever have
a complete family again. I have dreamt about earning enough money to buy
some land so that I could bring Jeremiah and Theresa home to live with me.
That dream is what led me to the Pony Express and all of you. You’ll never
know how much all of you have changed my life. Never before I have known
such a man as you Teaspoon. Over the past year and a half, you have been the
father I thought I would never have. Rachel, I can’t tell you how much your
friendship and love has meant to me. To think that I almost passed up the
opportunity to be your friend. Jesse, don’t be so eager to grow up. Listen
to Teaspoon, he knows what he’s talking about. Noah, don’t let other
people’s prejudices dictate how you feel. Cody, don’t give up on your
dreams. Ike I’ve never someone that could say so much with so few words.
Buck, always follow your heart, both halves of it! Jimmy, it doesn’t matter
how other people see you, it only matters how you see yourself. Kid, I’ll
always carry a piece of you with me. Be happy. Love Lou’
There were tears in the stationmaster’s pale eyes as he finished reading Lou’s letter. Several moments passed before anyone spoke. Each was lost in their thoughts of the female rider. Rachel’s quiet sobs echoed through the bunkhouse. Teaspoon removed a kerchief from his pocket and handed it to her.“Thank you.” Rachel said softly.
“You’re welcome.” Teaspoon said, then turned back toward the riders. He leveled Jimmy and Kid with a stern look. The other riders exchanged uneasy glances. Kid and Jimmy braced themselves for the browbeating they knew was coming. Both were wondering if they were going to have a job by the time Teaspoon had finished bawling them out.
“I guess that I didn’t make myself clear enough the other day when I told you that I would fire you if you did anything else to make Lou upset. Or maybe you boys weren’t paying attention! Despite what you boys may think, I don’t talk just to hear the sound of my voice! I expect you boys to listen to what I tell you! Jimmy, Kid, what do you think should happen now?” Teaspoon told them angrily.
“I suppose you should fire us Teaspoon, but I hope you won’t.” Kid said quietly.
“And why is that?” Teaspoon asked.
“You’re going to need us to help find Lou. Teaspoon, you can’t have a bunch of hot-headed, stubborn boys with diverse personalities to live in close proximity day after day and not expect them to fight.” Kid said.
“Speak for yourself Kid. I don’t know why anyone would want to fight with me. I’m so easy to get along with!” Cody added quickly.
While they were all a little fed up with the way Jimmy and Kid had been acting lately, he didn’t want Teaspoon to fire them. His comment did the trick, easing the tension in the bunkhouse and bringing a smile to Teaspoon’s face. Kid and Jimmy both shot him a grateful look.
“I suppose I could let you slide this time, allowing how you’re right! “Sides we’re family. I couldn’t throw you boys off the station for fighting than I could Cody here for snoring too loud!” Teaspoon exclaimed, slapping Cody on the back as the others burst out laughing.
