By:
Mary
"Well, now",
thought Hoss moodily, "Ain't it just like
everyone to
forget...."
He led Chubb into the barn, removed the saddle, and tethered the
dusty animal. He brought out the brushes, starting at Chubb's
head,
grooming his horse, talking softly to him.
"Don't know why
I
thought they would remember, " he told the
listening horse, "Guess they're too gol-durned
wrapped up with that
little brother of mine...." His usually-cheerful face was sombre as
he continued his task, crooning to Chubb between mutterings to
himself.
Thing was, it was his birthday. He had THOUGHT there would at
least
be a special dinner, or that his family would wish him a good day,
but no one had said a word, all day. He could have sworn Hop
Sing
had hidden something behind a cupboard door when Hoss stopped by
the
kitchen on his way out, but Hop Sing seemed as usual, and nothing
was said.
It had been a long day, and a tiring one. After he finished
grooming and feeding Chubb, he would get some bread and cold meat,
and maybe just turn in early. He felt tired, sore, hungry and
discouraged.
Walking slowly across the dusty yard, he rubbed the back of his
neck, wondering if he just might have a bath, or if he would just
skip it. The house seemed strangely quiet....usually by this
time
there was a clatter from the kitchen, and voices drifting out the
open door. The door stood closed, and there was no sound from
the
kitchen, no drifting smells of supper cooking. He frowned a
bit,
thinking glumly that everyone must have gone into town. With
a
deep, deep sigh, he opened the front door and walked into the house.
He stood stock still, his eyes roaming the great room. There
were
DOZENS of people there.....Pa with a huge grin on his tanned face,
Joe beaming, Hop Sing grinning ear to ear. Lots of the hands,
Sheriff and Doc and many townfolk,
some closer neighbours. They all
started to laugh and talk and holler "SURPRISE!!",
all at once in a
sudden tumult of sound. Hoss's
eyes travelled from one familiar
face to another, delight starting to spread across his own broad
face. The dining room table was turned into a drinks table,
with
bottles and glasses. Through the window, he could see long
trestle
tables groaning with a picnic buffet.
His eyes lit on a family of new neighbours
from
over by Virginia
City, resting on a pretty, little dark-haired gal, her hair bound
in
a deep blue velvet ribbon. He has spotted her in town a few
times
lately. His grin widened as she smiled at him, and he made a
note
to talk to her some when things quieted down. He winked at
her, and
she blushed charmingly.
The chatter and good wishes and general merriment washed over
him.
Folks crowded around, patting his arm, telling him how surprised he
had looked. Tipping his hat to the back of his head, rocking
on his
heels, his eyes fixed on a particular dark haired girl smiling
shyly
at him, Hoss threw back his head and laughed.
Not "the end", but a beginning.....