SOMETIMES
THE PAST COMES BACK...SOMETIMES
THE PAST COMES BACK...© 2000
A few days later the riders were approaching the town limits. All of them silent as the buildings rose up from the plains. Kid wanted to ride up to Lou and tell her how much she meant to him, why they had to do this; there was so much he wanted to say, but sensing her nervousness decided not to, fearing he would only add to her worry. He knew she was digging deep within herself to muster all of the courage she had; and even though he knew it was plenty, he knew she was probably doubting herself. He hoped she knew how deep his feelings ran and that if anything happened to him that would have to be enough. He wanted to tell Jimmy to take Lou back with him and to look after both Lou and Seth, and to be sure that Robert didn't get anywhere near either of them - but he knew his friend - he knew he'd do everything in his power to protect Lou and her child if he wasn't around to do it.
Each of the riders full of dread and worry over the unknown, they pulled to a stop. "I guess this is where we'll split up Kid" Jimmy eyed Kid worriedly. "You stay outta site - you hear me?!" he spoke like he knew Kid would defy him. "Yeah, Jimmy" he looked sheepishly at him "I hear ya" - not promising him anything.
Kid looked at Lou and without words told her he loved her more than anything in the world and that he believed in her. She smiled at him and mouthed "I love you" silently. He nodded and rode ahead of the two. Her heart breaking; she didn't have such a good feeling about what was about to happen.
After Kid was out of site, Jimmy and Lou headed into town. As they approached Lou's house they noticed it was in shambles, it didn't look like anyone had lived there for quite a while. Cautiously they pulled their horses to the hitching post out front. Jimmy's well-trained eyes surveying the situation, alert for Robert or any other trouble. The dismounted, Lou's heart beating so loudly she could swear Jimmy should be able to hear it. As they walked in the front door, which was ajar, she had to gasp at the site. Furniture was overturned, items were strewn, all the pictures were either off the walls, broken or hanging lopsided and broken- as if a tornado had struck. Fear gripped her heart as she realized the tornado that destroyed her house was Robert.
Her first reaction was to cry and to try and pick up some of the things that were so tattered, but then just as quickly, she realized that this part of her life was in the past, and everything she had left behind somehow belonged to Robert, she would let all of this go.
Jimmy gave her a few moments to compose herself. "Lou" he hesitated until she looked at him "he ain't here" was all he said.
With her thoughts becoming more rational she looked to Jimmy for answers. "Where do we look Jimmy, what if he's gone, how will I know?" she was relying on him for guidance. He was at a loss, he didn't like seeing her this way.
"Let's go to the saloon" he answered, "I'm sure some low-life over there will know" his eyes on Lou trying to read her thoughts (Hell, only Kid can do that) he thought.
"Maybe he's just away as usual" she stated mostly trying to comfort herself - "We'll just wait for him". She was slowly losing the courage she had approached the house with. It had taken her a good part of the mornings ride to build it, but she felt herself losing it as she realized the confrontation with Robert would not be today. She sighed and breathed a little easier.
They mounted the horses and headed toward the saloon. They both expected to find it quite deserted, considering it was only mid-afternoon. As they got closer they could tell there was some activity and Lou was relieved that at least they might get some answers as to Robert's whereabouts.
Meanwhile Kid had ridden in through town before Jimmy and Lou and had passed slowly by the house that he had only seen once. He silently prayed that Lou would not be too upset by the condition it was in. He continued through town until he reached the bank. He stepped inside to complete his transactions. He planned to meet Jimmy and Lou later, where they had camped for the night. He'd just finish here then head back out there, to sit, wait and worry....
Jimmy and Lou entered the saloon and immediately Lou saw Robert. Her heart stopped. Robert was sitting at a table drinking whiskey with a saloon girl on his lap and laughing loudly. Jimmy had never seen Robert, but judging by the look on Lou's face, the man making all the racket must be him.
CHAPTER 1 - CHAPTER 2 - CHAPTER 3 - CHAPTER 4 - CHAPTER 5 - CHAPTER 6 - CHAPTER 7 - CHAPTER 8 -CHAPTER 9 - CHAPTER 10 - CHAPTER 11 - CHAPTER 12 - CHAPTER 13 - CHAPTER 14
TO BE CONTINUED...
