Jealously and kindness.

“Abigail ready?” she nodded adjusting her hair before being met by Jack sitting in the back of the wagon, “Can we get candy when we get there?” Jack badgered and laughing James looked back and asked, “Finished the book?” “Almost only three pages left!” “How about this, you read it out and if you get stuck, I’ll help and if you finish it by time we get to town I will buy you some candy?” “Okay Uncle James!” he nodded before concentrating on the path heard, “You can make him read yet everyone else struggles...” “Pretty simple really... Sometimes no matter what age the person is they need to see the benefits of what they are doing and if they can that plus a reward for finishing the task weeps it’s own rewards... I could teach you if you wanted?” “Jack first and if we live that long then me. Thank you again James!” he nodded before looking out over the road asked, “It has been bugging me for a while...” “What?” “It’s just the way Arthur treats John and the way you get on. Is there something between you or was?” she nodded before confessing quietly to not distract her son, “Yes, when John left... well I was alone and Arthur acted like a father to him, filling the gap that John left. We never got sexual but there was always a connection between us both!”

The theatre wasn’t luxury and was more of a small room but still fitted perfectly for its purpose, Jack sat in the front whilst Abigail sat next to James watching her son watch the show before watching the screen becoming more and more fascinated by the projection and how it all worked, however towards the end her head slumped against his shoulder tired from the previous days work. However, her drowsy posture soon stiffened back into alive as she stood up with the others taking James’ arm whilst they walked behind Jack, “What now?” Abigail asked feeling her grumbling stomach, “How about I send these correspondence of whilst you get Jack his treats and provisions... we can eat whilst it’s being prepared!” she nodded taking Jack’s hand who held the list drawn up by James trying to read to his mothers encouragement as she held the money provided by James own back pocket before walking before adjusting his hat walked on in to the mailing service.

“Ooo what do I have?” I looked at Abigail who laughing spoke, “I like to pretend I can read... what are the options?” I looked down before smiling spoke, “Jack why don’t you read it?” he studied the menu before saying, “Beef Stew $3, lamb heart and potatoes $5, prime rib with gorgeous, creamy dauphinoise potatoes for $7 and Lobster Bisque for £6” Abigail smiled before sighing spoke, “Prime ribs sounds nice but $7 is too much for a meal...hmm? What about you Jack?” “What is a lobster?” James smiled before saying, “It’s a sea animal, red with claws, it’s like a crab but larger and longer, tastier to!” “Can I try it?” Abigail snapped back, “No. it’s too much!” James leaned over before stating, “One prime ribs, one Lobster Bisque and I will have the lamb heart and your finest bottle of wine!” he nodded before Abigail glaring at him snapped, “What’s the meaning of all this? I told you it was too expensive” “Simple, you may never get a chance to taste such a food again. Let me spoil you two!” she nodded as Jack studied the surroundings, “It’s nice here!” “Blackwater has some nice places to, the thing is: it’s a lot busier and louder then in the West” “Can I ask you question?” “Of course Jack... what is it?” “Dutch keeps promising to go back to the West, why?” Abigail looked at me causing me to nod and say, “I will be truthful to you because Dutch wouldn’t and neither would the law... Dutch believes going West is far from civilisation and thus free from law and people judging you, you will be free to do what you want with little to no worries. However, if you are going to survive requires hard work and determination which actually means you aren’t as free as you would like. Living in settled areas is easier as everything is there but you feel more boxed in and people judge you. The fault is not so much the dream but the realisation of the people in your gang. Dutch see’s the law enforcement as a group of men ensuring people do what they tell them, we are actually following laws to ensure people’s safety and everyone is given a fair chance in life!” he nodded before asking, “So we are the bad people?” “In idea no, because we do have corrupt people running the country and enforcing the laws but in your methods to survive yes... you kill, rob, steal, vandalise... all crimes for good reasons. Robbing a bank benefits your gang but...” “Effects the town people live in!” “You need money to trade and live, when all your savings are there you have no money left to live!” he looked at his mother before asking, “Why are we there?” “Because like the town people, we are trying to survive!” “But isn’t the law after us because we are doing bad things!” “Yes but we do it only to survive!” “You could all get jobs...” “It’s not that simple Jack!” “Mom, you told me that I can’t wander off at night because it’s dangerous, why should I follow that rule when you don’t follow another rule saying you can’t **** people or steal from someone else?” she stopped before trying to think of an response James stepped in, “Come foods here, let’s enjoy it and save this conversation for another night!”

The food wasn’t the best but after having a few dishes of Pearson’s Stew this was a million times better, Abigail loved the taste of her ribs whilst Jack tasted the bisque loving the taste of lobster and of course this led to them tasting each other’s and then James’ lamb heart and the drinking of wine, “I really enjoyed this, the ribs were so juicy!” Abigail chuckled wiping the rest of the juice from her lips watching the road as the light started to fade, “Is he?” she nodded before saying, “Asleep, so what do you think of us all?” “I like to know more about the people before judging to be truthful. Pearson however seems like nothing more than a terrible cook or more like a cook with no idea on how to use seasoning. Susan is a major bitch...” “Susan is one of those diehard loyalists, she’s been there as long as Dutch and Hosea and hates it when the women don’t work. A previous lover of Dutch actually and because of that thinks she has more authority over everything apart for the triad. She is jealous of Tilly and Mary because of their looks especially Mary because Dutch likes her and that’s why she dishes out the endless insults!” “Yeah she tried to burn Mary’s writings earlier, she cowered to me though!” “Like I said, just like Dutch she hates the law. She actually hasn’t really done anything illegal apart for being part of the gang, she don’t steal or anything like the others...” “Strauss seems so shifty!” “Loan shark!” “I know that, I’ve talked to the victims!” “He is part of the brains like Dutch and Hosea! I see what you are doing... You’re trying to fish for information about the gang members?” “I am trying to distinguish between the good and the bad or more like the salvageable and unsalvageable” she nodded before going to speak was met by him silence her, “What?” she whispered before groaning James spoke pulling his hood up, “Horses tailing us... whatever you do make sure you duck and tell Jack to stay down!”

The horses caught up and counting them counted five who swarmed around the wagon, “Wow, wow wow easy boy’s!” “This is the O’Driscoll’s territory and you haven’t payed the toll!” “I never knew you owned this road!” “Why don’t you step down from the wagon before your wife and son get hurt?” James looked back seeing the back two members focus on looking at the resources in the wagon and nodding at Abigail she nodded starting to lower herself, “Let’s see what you have in your pockets!” “I wouldn’t do that if I was you...” “silence...” and sighing James stated, “Have it your way!” lifting his arms before flicking his wrist saw the blades slide out and go through their throats using one as a shield before grabbing a throwing knife from the robber threw it at the shooting man before drawing his pistol shot the two back O’Driscoll’s with a single shot each between their eyes. James looked back before pulling the knife out of the body looked back to see Jack watched amazed and Abigail stare wide eyed, “How?” “Let’s just say... that’s one of the reason they have sent me to take your gang down, anyway let’s get you back home!”

“Pearson, Grimshaw provisions!” “What how?” Dutch queried walking out with Molly taking his arm, “My own back pocket. We have food, medicine, ale and ammunition to last two weeks!” “Thank you son!” “Don’t call me that, hopefully this will show I ain’t going to betray you like you think!” he nodded offering a bottle of whisky and taking it knocked it against Dutch’s bottle. “Thank you for today James, Jack loved it and that food was some of the best that I’ve ever had. Thank you!” he nodded receiving a kiss and nodding replied, “I enjoyed it, it’s important Jack has a father figure in his life, I never and I have done so many questionable things; I don’t want that for him, he’s a smart and observant kid as you saw earlier on. Anyway, Sleep well Abigail!”

“Enjoy your evening Abigail?” John spat walking up to James and her causing Abigail to snarl, “It’s nothing John; you know I’m yours. James just took me and Jack out; to get him out of here for a bit; he has actually made me think about things!” “Like what...?” “At least he’s acknowledges Jack and tries to help him, more than you who refuses to accept the child as his” “Excuse me?!” “Yes I said it, it’s all up to Hosea and Arthur to help educate Jack and now James, not once have I ever seen you take a book and try and help him read!” “Abigail I ain’t the father material... it’s just...” “I get it, you think I was trying to sweep Abigail off her feet, don’t worry about that from me; I like another which is something I wouldn’t give up on! Anyway, I’m turning in for the night. Goodnight both of you!”