Willa Mansi

Me and Rose

Bud was right. Rose was a great horse. I often let her lead me from place to place. When I went inside buildings, she waited outside and never wandered far off. When I talked to her, she often bobbed her head or whinnied in reply. I was never lonely during the day. But at night, when the quiet circled me, I ached for home.

I still remembered nothing, so I had no idea what "home" was....but I wanted it.

"Well Rose, what's this?" I looked down at the small encampment. It was a group of three campers, semi-circled together. Children played in a field of tall grass and I could hear their laughter. It warmed my heart.  I slowly rode down the hill and rode up to within a few yards of the kids.

I heard the sharp click of a shotgun behind me, "That's far enough."

I raised my hands, "I mean you no harm."

"Who are you?" he asked, he was closer to me now.

"Doc Willa," I turned slightly and smiled at him, "I'm just passing through."

He uncocked the shotgun and put the barrels up on his shoulder. He frowned up at me, "You a real doctor?"

"I know a few things," I nodded. I did know a little anatomy and general practitioner stuff from studying out of the books I carried with me. If I learned it from the books or remembered it, I didn't know and I didn't care. It was remembering and that was all that mattered.

"I said, can you look at her?" the man said harshly and it snapped me awake.

"Sure," I blinked, "who is she?"

"My wife," he shrugged, "I don't know anything about babies."

"I can look," I smiled and he pointed to a camper. I got down, grabbed a bag and followed him.

"Here she is," he opened the door and I heard a moan. "This is a doctor. Dr. Willa," he told her, holding out his hand to me.

"Hi," she smiled up at me and held out her hand.

"Are you folks living here alone?" I took her hand and sat on the edge of the bed.

"We had neighbors but they either got shot or moved away," she started panting and moaned.

"Can you help her?" a young woman walked over to us. "She's my sister," her voice shook and her eyes welled up with tears.

I nodded, "What's your name, hun?" I held out my hand to her.

"Carrie," she started to cry as she took my hand.

"Oh none of that!" I pointed at her and pulled her close. "I'm going to show you just what to do and everything is going to be fine."

"Just fine," she nodded and got down on her knees, next to the bed.

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"She's just beautiful," Carrie beamed proudly down at the baby in her sisters arms.

"You're a great doctor," I touched her shoulder.

She looked up at me, "You did it!"

"I helped," I winked, touched the baby's arm and quietly left the camper.

The father walked up to me with his hand out. I took it and he pumped it excitedly, "Thanks Doc. Thanks for everything."

"No problem," I slapped his arm and he let my hand go. I frowned, "Now as soon as the baby is strong enough, you're gonna do as I said?"

"Sure Doc," he nodded, "I got the map you gave me. I'll find Pop and the others."

I looked into the dark woods, "The sooner the better. I don't like you guys out here by yourself."

"I promise, Doc," he nodded and we smiled at each other.

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As the days turned to weeks and months, I kept riding. I found myself searching for people and trying to talk them into going to Hotel City. I knew Pop and Bert would make them feel welcome and that Bud would keep everyone safe. 

I had sent as many as I could and when my supplies were low, I found myself 20 miles from Hotel City. I could move on and get supplies elsewhere, but going home for a visit sounded nice too. It was strange that I felt like it was home, but it did.

I was there within a few hours. I could see that Hotel City had a small outcropping of campers to the left and I smiled. It seemed the little family had made it. As I got closer to town, I saw others had made it too. I couldn't help but feel proud that I had made the town grow.

I stopped Rose in front of a barn at the end of town. "Can I help you?" a man asked as he came out.

"Can you care for her, while I check things out?" I smiled.

"Sure," he nodded and watched me get down. "Now we have a real peaceful town, thanks to the Sheriff we got. I wouldn't make trouble here. He's a real badass."

"I'm just a doctor passing through," I laughed, untying my two bags.

"We got a doctor," he frowned.

"I'm just passing through," I nodded and he turned to Rose.

"Come on sweet girl," he purred to Rose as I walked away.

Kids played in the street and I saw a woman in a yard, hanging laundry. It seemed like a nice town. I heard voices in the Hotel and climbed the stairs. As I crossed the threshold, I saw men playing cards at one table and women sewing at another.

"As I live and breath!" Bert wailed, ran up to me and threw her arms around my neck.

"It's Mama!" I hugged her off her feet and gave her a twirl.

When I put her on her feet, she touched my ribs, "Not much meat here. Let me fill ya up!" she laughed and walked off. She went behind the bar and shouted over her shoulder, "Take a seat!"

"Will?" a man said from behind me.

I turned and smiled, "Hey Pop!" I held out my arm and he gave me a good natured hug.

He slapped my back and took a step back. He looked me up and down. "Mama's right. You look skinny," he looked into my face, "A beard too?"

"It itches," I scratched my chin.

He slapped my shoulder, "We'll get you a shave after you eat."