Celebration

The party had begun and the loud mouthed and already drunk Sean had started to state his speech to all but mine attention, I sat in the corner is writing down ideas and plotting how I would get the money from its location to selling the valuables back to a dealer and into accounts. The apparent sum of almost fifty thousand dollars. Enough for all the women to live off, at least temporarily. “Always writing ideas down, aren’t you Mr Smith?” Hosea spoke coughing causing me to immediately go to aid him sitting down, “I’m fine James but thanks all the same. What you writing, anyway?” “Trying to plan a way to retrieve the money without compromising my position!” “Wise, considering our situation. Any ideas?” I nodded before asking, “The bounty in Blackwater.... O’Driscoll’s don’t have one right?” “Not that I’m aware of...” “My idea is to spread stories of an easy money earner and emphasise it’s Dutch’s stash. Put both together and they wouldn’t be able to resist the bait and when they are in the situation, they are too stupid to stop. They create an commotion and I retrieve Arthur’s and your stash. I ride in kill them and retrieve the money. Returning back to a safe place to hide it and handing over a small amount claiming the other is lost at the bottom of the sea. I’ll empty my pockets before setting out to find the others. Return for it in a few days and return to you lot...” he nodded before sliding Mary’s document over spoke, “That’s all? Or you going to lie to Dutch again? How much did you earn from that train?” “Hosea...” “Look James, I know what you are doing, just tell me the truth and I’ll help. We both know we aren’t stupid and the camp isn’t going to last.” “I got $3600 for it and the money went to Mary but I’ve been helping the others” he nodded seeing the documents reading the sums saved, “Saving money?” “Camp goes bust the women are going to need money to at least support them for the time being. Abigail and Tilly the main ones. Abigail has jack and Tilly, well we both know how hard it is to earn a decent living as a woman but being a woman and black” “And Mary?” “Well that’s different...” “How so?” “I like her, I mean really like her and if anyone harms her then I won’t hesitate to kill them!” he nodded before pulling my sleeve to make me look at him spoke calmly, “When you get the chance; if she loves you then at the first chance you get take her away from all this. In fact if you get enough money for them take the women, Jack and Pearson away from it but until then you’re right... we need money; so when you find my stash bring an hundred to me and split the rest. Promise me that!” “I promise!” he got up coughing violently before speaking, “Now if you excuse me I need to go out on watch!” “Don’t worry about it, you rest. I’ll take it!” “You sure?” I nodded getting up catching his rifle before heading into the woods sat on the nearest rock beginning to look out.

“No John. We need to think of Jack!” “Abigail, our best chance is to stay with Dutch and the gang!” “John.... Jack’s our son”, “and l don’t know how to be a father!” “It’s called growing up John. Something you haven’t ever done!” “I. Am. Not. Ready. To. Be. A. Father!” “It’s about time you tried!” “We are fine as we are!” “Fine?! Fine?! You were trying to fuck Karen right in front of our son. OUR son, John. How come it’s the other “men” who are raising him or caring for him. I love you but you need to accept your responsibility as father to Jack and my love for you or at least acknowledge it!” “Accept my mistake?! All that matters is out loyalty to Dutch!” I listened in before hearing the small cry of, “Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!” “Jack come back here!” Jack ran the past the others but being stopped by me catching up to him immediately wrapped the boy in an hug, “It’s okay Jack!” he cried into my shoulder before glaring at the two parents stopped to see the boy hug me, “They don’t want me!” “No Jack, it’s just your father being an drunken idiot. Abigail wants and loves you; I like you and Arthur!” “I wish you were my father or Arthur!” I nodded hugging him tighter as he got up and cowered behind my leg to see Abigail weeping and John walking up was met by me smashing him with the butt of my rifle to knock him out, “Thank you James for everything!” “No problem miss, confine him to the tent until he sleeps it off!” she nodded watching Charles and Lenny drag him away, “James!” “Yes Miss Roberts...” “Want some company?” “Nah go and enjoy the celebration” “It’s just... I want to talk!” “Of course then you sit and I’ll listen!” she nodded wrapping her shoal around her tighter to block the light breeze asked, “You heard the argument... what do you think?” “Truthfully? I think he’s lucky to have someone who puts up with his immaturity and bullshit. I also think you are one smart to think of a reserve plan and two a great woman to try and pull him out of this!”

“I just worry about Jack!” “I don’t blame you, he is the chance for you both to be a good person; the chance for you to be a better person. What John did and said was selfish, stupid and heartless. However, saying that a gang that is on the run isn’t the place to be when you are trying to raise a child!” “I know, I know and that’s why we need to think of a solution for his sake!” she nodded before seeing the glaring eyes of Bill and Javier watching their conversation changed it with, “So Mary keeps singing your praises. A caring gentleman, who knows how to treat a lady and respects peoples aims and to quote, “Is attractive piece of manhood” “Well that’s because she is a gorgeous caring, smart and good-willed woman who deserves to have sooo much more than she has and shouldn’t be stuck here with the others. However it’s also because I am soft on her, if you catch my drift!” “She mentioned as much but James... We have this new kid as we mentioned before, the one we had tied to a tree on; Kieran. They like each other to, possibly more... just don’t get too worked up on her because I feel like they are the ones in love!” “If that’s so then. I will make sure they both live to tell the tale and make sure they are both happy before leaving!” “Leaving?!” “Mary deserves good, I’m not going to gun him down because I like her, it would hurt her more and make her hate me more. The disappointment? I’m used it by now, my life’s been full of it but saving those I can is something I can do!” “Heart of gold James but don’t lose focus on the others who need your help.”

Abigail walked up to the others who sat at the table apart for Mary who was sitting alone on the nearby rug writing. “Abigail!” Tilly welcomed drinking from her bottle, “Hi Tilly” “What’s wrong? Your argument with John bugging you?” “No... it’s just James, we know Mary is keen on another but he likes her; I fear for what happens when he realises Mary doesn’t love him like he does her” “So what?” Karen spat drinking another bottle of whisky, “Multiple things... one he leaves and let’s whatever happens happens, however apart for emotions he deserves someone, since he is looking out for us!” Mary looked up hearing them before closing her book looked back at James’ direction who continued to watch for intruders.

The night passed and bottles were drank, Sean chanted and sang whilst the others drank more with the odd comment and insults being flung but now as I was relieved I walked past to the drunk Karen and Sean flirting until Sean was met by, “You and me? Sorry but I want a real man; A man who isn’t a loudmouthed Irishman who cant keep it up...” “Filthy whore, maybe your the reason I can’t keep it up!” “You aren’t exactly a stud boy... now him over there!” she pointed to stop me before flirting spoke, “According to Mary you’re a stud!” “She said that?” “Instigated it!” I winked before walking off was stopped by Mary who holding a whisky bottle listened to the playing music, “Come on James... dance with me!”

I nodded wiping my hands in my handkerchief before taking her hand wrapped my arm around her waist gliding in time with the music, “I’m surprised you didn’t join in the festivities with the others... you are all pretty close!” “I don’t feel the need to get hammered in order to celebrate, much like you!” “I’m just trying to keep an clear head before leaving to retrieve the money” “Must be hard. It’s going to be swarming!” “Worse than that... I am in a difficult position. I’m on the other side trying to help them take you down whilst helping you lot. If I am found out then I will be lynched” “Why retrieve it?” “Because I have my own plan and then after a few more minor jobs, I can help people leave and give them enough money to start anew!” she laughed before drinking another mouthful spoke, “A man well built such as yourself doesn’t need to worry about such problems” her words slurred as she continued to drink, “The women talk about you!” “Oh yeah?” “Yeah... I think Abigail likes you.... sssh... don’t talk her! Karen... thinks...you... are stallion!” “Mary I think you need to lay off the drink a bit otherwise you won’t last the night!” “Would you carry me back to my bed or to yours?” she giggled, I smirked before querying, “And Kieran?” “Oh sweet Kieran! Isn’t like you but still sweet” I nodded as the song finished to leave a temporary silence which was long enough for a drunk Bill to curse and shout at Tilly, “If you will excuse me for a few moments!”

“You Darkie bitch. You are only here to serve us men!” “Bill shut it!” “No. How about you listen to me, you apes doesn’t deserve to be free!” “Bill, I’m leaving!” “Get back here. I’m not finished with you!” “Well I’m finished talking to you, so let go of me!” “Or what? No one cares about you, Dutch wouldn’t care. Half of the men are too drunk to stand up. Now how about you start to undress like a good darkie!” “No!” “Do as I say!” Tilly resisted as I walked behind the tent to see Bill tug at her dress pulling his trousers down silencing her with his other hand as he pinned her against the wagon, “You just had to be a good ape and let it happen!” he tore her dress off as she begged, “Bill please!” “Silence!” he spat forcing more pressure onto her frame until he groaned hearing the boots and spurs clang behind him, “How about you back away from the lady!” “Stay out of this!” “Get the fuck off her. NOOOOWWWW!” he growled sliding his trousers back up throwing his gloves to the floor as Tilly covering her exposed body ran to my side, “About time someone taught you your damn role!” screech Bill who swung his fists to be met by my quickness and agility to dodge before landing my own blows to his side, he fell backwards as I kicked him to the floor, landing shots repeatedly into his stomach and face until he drew his knife slicing at my boots, I picked the crate up and slamming it down over his back **** him back to the floor before lifting the chair swung it over his head causing him to groggily pull himself to his feet bleeding as he swung his knife desperately around. I grabbed a bottle once again dodging him before swinging the glass bottle made contact with his head causing him to drop the knife and me to slam his head on the wooden table before throwing him over the table top and getting up was met by me slamming two more glass bottles over his head forcing him to fall to the ground bleeding. I walked up to him and flicking my wrist revealed the hidden blade gleaming as I held it to his throat, “Thing is... no one would care!” “James stop it!” Javier growled pulling me away with Charles, Lenny and Arthur whilst the others comforted Tilly, “What happened?” “Tried to **** me!” Tilly barked. I looked around seeing the whole gang apart for Dutch who I could see in the distance being led into his tent by Mary. I looked back at Tilly as the others before sighing spoke, “Give Tilly a change of clothes, something sweet and keep her warm and Bill!” I growled drawing my gun, “I think the best thing you could do is put the vermin down!” Hosea looked over before lowering my gun spoke, “Go for a walk, I’ll consult Dutch and Arthur then we’ll decide what should be done!” “Because it’s you Hosea I will listen but hear this, if anyone dares touch her, I’ll gun them down and anyone who dares to try and stop me” trudging away and Hosea holding his gun to Bill’s head snapped, “I’m getting tired of your shit! One more incident and I will kill you myself!”

Half an hour passed and sitting down on the bench opposite Dutch’s tent grabbed my knife sharpened it slowly as the groans and pants sounded from the tent in front of me, until there was silence the grabbing of clothes and the reemergence of the two and Mary look of horror, “James... I... I” she watched the knife be slammed into the table top as I got up to walk up to the pair, “You what? You didn’t mean to? You were lead!” “It’s not like that!” “What...” she went to speak when Molly slapping them both started to argue with the typical “How could you?” and, “I loved you” Mary looked up occasionally at me but seeing only anger and hurt tried to apologise, “You know what? Screw it!” “Jam...” “No, I don’t want to know, maybe later after I cooled off, I just can’t believe you would sleep with him of all people!” she tried to pull my arm but shaking it off trudged off to the broken wagon as far away as I could.

Hours passed and opening my next bottle to throw up and shoot before reloading my revolver, looking over to hear the boots of Tilly walk up, blanket around her neck and body, “James, I’m sorry for what happened!” “Tilly it doesn’t matter!” she drank from my bottle leaning herself closer to me caused me to ask, “How are you? Did he hurt you?” “No, it’s the fact he thinks of me as such instead of any physical harm, I’m just shaken up a bit from earlier” “Dutch will sort it” “Sort it? It will be a slap on the wrists unless he tries it again then Hosea has stated he will kill him!” I nodded before thoughtfully stating, “If you want somewhere safe to sleep then you can sleep in my tent” she nodded hugging me before glaring up at the other pair of footsteps come towards him spoke, “You two are going to need to talk it out!”

“James...” “Yes!” “There’s nothing between us, please let me explain!” “Okay Mary!” “Dutch is the leader of the gang and therefore has the power to dismiss us; he was applying pressure on me to sleep with him... I did it so he would leave me alone!” “Why didn’t you tell me?” “Because you would have killed him and have everyone else after you. I didn’t want to risk your life; I didn’t want you to find out because of this but... at least I don’t have to hide my shame anymore” I sighed before hearing, “I am not like Karen who throws themselves around the camp. I just wanted you to know that and offer my apologies to you and any shame I brought upon you. Anyway... good night James and I’m sorry!”