New Home, New Life (Laramie FanFic)

Chapter 2

It was nearly sun up when Jess' stomach woke him. He removed the covers, only to get right back under them because of the temperature in the room. He looked around for the pants he wore yesterday. Spotting them, he leaped out of bed and hastily put them on, the shirt quickly followed. He quietly exited the room and made his way to the other end of the house. Jess scanned the kitchen for something to eat or drink. He was hungrier than he realized and his stomach was telling him to eat now, before it was too late. A smell caught his attention and his eyes rested on a steaming pot of coffee. Once he found a cup, he carefully took the pot off of the stove and poured the hot liquid into the cup. He slowly took it over to the table and sat down. He let the heat warm his face, while the smell brought back cheerful memories. Memories of mornings when Ma would take a small break before starting the day with a meal for the family and he could be with her, just him and her, no other sibling around to interrupt this time he enjoyed so much. It had been dark too, just like now...

The kitchen door opening made Jess jump and the memories vanished. Mary brought in a bucket of milk, and set it on the counter before coming into the main room with dishes. She stopped and smiled at Jess.

"Good morning, early riser."

"Morning," Jess mumbled as he took a sip of coffee and tried not to make eye contact.

"Jess, what are you...do you like coffee?" Mary asked with a surprised expression when she spotted the steam rising from the cup.

Jess wiped his mouth with his hand and nodded, peering down at the liquid.

"When did you decide you liked it?" Mary finished placing the plates around the table and leaned on the table with both hands.

"Since I could walk."

"Oh? Well that is quite young."

"M'ma din't think so!" Jess frowned at Mrs. Sherman.

"Ssh. I'm sorry, Jess. I'm just surprised because most children don't like the taste."

"Well I do!"

Mary put her finger to her lips, then put a hand on Jess' arm, he flinched and shook the hand off.

"Jess, easy. I don't know what you think I'm doing, but I'm only trying to learn more about you."

"I don't want ya t'know nothin' about me," Jess stated softly.

"Alright, if that is the way you want it. I'm going to make breakfast." Mary walked to the kitchen and started the fire.

Slim awoke to a dim light shining in through the window. He propped himself on one elbow and rubbed the sleep out of one eye. Gazing around the room, he noted that Andy was still asleep. He slowly peeked over the edge of his bed and saw that the lower bunk, where Jess slept, was empty and the sheets were thrown in a heap on the ground. Slim leaped down and walked over to his brother's bed.

Slim shook his brother's shoulder and whispered, "Time t'wake up, Andy."

"Huh?" Came the sleepy reply.

"The sun is up and so should you." Slim grinned and gently punched Andy.

Andy jumped at the impact, but closed his eyes again, "Oh..."

"Andrew!"

"Slim, le'me sleep." Andy whined and turned over on his side away from his brother.

"Fine." Slim gently swatted his brother's head and began to dress for the day.

As Slim was leaving, he saw Andy get out from under the covers. The older Sherman grinned and left the room.

He stopped and eyed Jess who was sitting quietly at the table. With a shrug Slim made his way to the kitchen, ignoring the motionless boy at the table.