"Ruin and Redemption"

Rebecca's Changed Circumstances

“Yeah, Izzie. They say it’s a psychological disorder. But you look pretty sane to me. And I have to say, I like you. It’s probably my misfortune you don’t want a man; I haven’t met anyone like you in some time, if ever. But, you seem sane enough aside from wanting a woman for yourself. I suppose it doesn’t hurt anything, especially since there are other women like you. I may have met one or two; I'm not sure completely. But I don’t suppose you shouldn't worry too much about it.”

“You want me, Izzie?”  Mindy asked incredulously.

“Yeah, an’ I think that’s why I blew out the other kneecap, Mindy. He woulda had plenty of trouble getting’ back here even with one gone, wouldn’t he? I think I blew out one for Joe an’ one for myself! An’ God knows I didn’t want him comin’ back anytime soon, but I sure didn’t plan on him getting’ sepsis and bein’ close to death. I actually feel sorry now.”

“You shot Derrick, Izzie?” Josiah asked, surprised at his sister. He had never known her to use the gun except as a threat against another person.

“Yeah, an’ I guess now it’ll be my fault if he dies, Josiah,” Izzie admitted guiltily.

“No, Izzie, there was something else? Wasn’t there? Something about the doctor?” Josiah asked.

“Yeah, he didn’t use antiseptic. He didn’t sterilize his tools. Lizzie begged him to” Mindy said. “...She doesn’t know, Josiah. Should I tell her?”

“Nah, Mindy. Not now. Let’s hope he lives. Maybe she should hear about it then. Not while he’s sick, an’ not if he dies…Izzie, I wish I didn’t know, but I said I wanted the truth didn’t I? So it isn’t yer fault fer bein’ jealous of me an Mindy. You’re really jealous, when we, when we used ta make love?”

“Oh, Josiah, don’t say used to!” Mindy couldn’t help herself.

“I can’t Mindy. Not right now. Maybe later. Maybe after I talk to Rebecca, and, and maybe after a little time, too.”

“You’re not leaving me are you, Josiah?” Mindy asked, heartbroken. Surely Josiah wasn't leaving her, just when he'd finally made it back.

“No, Mindy; I’m not leavin’... I’m just visitin’ Rebecca while you visit Derrick. Izzie you’ll take her won’t you? He’s really sick isn’t he?” Josiah asked, just to make sure.

“Yes, I’ll take her if she still wants to go. Yes, he’s too sick to do anything Joe. I’ll take her,” Izzie answered.

“Woodrow, can you take me to the tavern on the horse? I doubt I can manage alone my first time like this. It’s been awhile since I was on a horse. If Rebecca isn’t there, we’ll go to her house a few miles away. Hopefully she isn’t…busy,” Josiah finished. He really needed another female to talk to, one with experience dealing with men.

“Well, Izzie it looks like we’re going our separate ways," Woodrow sighed, "but I will see you later tonight, I hope. It would give me sweet dreams to see your face before I retire, though sadly I can’t provide the same for you, it seems,” he finished longingly.