Billy woke up early that morning and went into the woods, picking some wildflowers.
When he got back Missie was setting up for breakfast.
"Morning," Billy greeted, taking off his hat and slowly offering her the flowers, hoping she wouldn't throw them aside.
She stood there a moment staring at the flowers.
"They're for you," he said, realizing he had never picked her flowers before.
"For me?"
He slowly nodded.
She gently took them, smelling them and smiling. "Thank you, Billy."
She grabbed a jar and filled it with some water from the bucket and gently placed them in the jar, admiring them.
"They're beautiful," she said, glancing back at him. "Better sit down and eat some breakfast, you have a big interview today," she smiled.
"Yes ma'am," he smiled, sitting down as she got all their plates around.
He wondered if their relationship was still strained but it vanished when she kissed his cheek as he was getting ready to head out.
"For good luck," she whispered, he nodded and closed the door behind him.
He rode with Mr. Upson to Mr. Matthews ranch. He slowly watched as they rode up on the ranch at all the cowboys that were working.
Once Mr. Upson brought the wagon to a stop he slowly stood up and jumped down.
"Mr. Matthews," Mr. Upson greeted.
"This the one, Mr. Upson?"
"Yes, sir."
"Don't look more than a boy. Can't help but wonder why you think I should hire a kid."
"Billy, sir," Billy greeted.
"Billy what?"
"Antrim. Billy Antrim."
"Yeah. You know, bein' a cowboy's a hard life," he said, pointing his cigar at him.
"Yes, sir," Billy nodded.
"You ride a horse?"
"Yes, sir."
"Use a lasso? Fire a gun? Sleep on your own?" he chuckled.
"Yes, sir," Billy slowly answered.
He chuckled, placing the cigar back in his mouth. "Well, we'll see."
The three of them made their way to a fenced area full of cattle.
"Now, this cowboy's gonna show you how it's done," Mr. Matthews said. "Once he's finished all you got to do is the same thing. You got that?"
"Yes, sir."
Billy watched as the cowboy rode his horse, following the cattle, spinning his lasso when he threw it. It landed on the cattle's neck perfectly.
"All right. Now you git 'em, boy," Matthews said.
Billy nodded, climbing the fence and jumping down, walking to a horse and mounting it. He grabbed the riens, stearing the horse back to where the cattle was. He grabbed his lasso and started spinning it as he followed the cattle, tossing it and missing.
Billy pulled his lasso back in and started over again, spinning it and then tossing it, landing right on the cattle's neck.
Billy dismounted the horse and walked back up to Mr. Upson, Mr. Matthews already walking away.
"God damn it!" Mr. Upson huffed.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Upson. I could've done better," Billy said, already wishing he had just waited a few seconds longer before throwing the lasso.
"No, I'm not upset with you, Billy. Matthews is in with the Santa Fe ring. He clearly knows that I'm investigating how it operates. He was never going to gice you a job just so I could find out more," Mr. Upson explained as they climbed back into his wagon.
"That wasn't about you, Billy. That was him sending me a message."
"Well... He sent me a pretty clear message too, Mr. Upson."
~
Billy walked back into the house, sighing in defeat.
"How did it go?" Missie asked, smiling before it fell away, noticing his face.
"Mr. Matthrews is in with the Sante Fe rings, and because I know Mr. Upson..."
Missie nodded, knowing that he didn't get the job.
"It's alright," she quickly said. "You'll find something else, something better," she smiled.
Billy wasn't so sure about that, however he knew she was hopeful which made him feel better.
"The doctor is here, visiting Joe right now if you'd like to be with your Ma."
Billy nodded, brushing his thumb over her cheek before he walked towards Joe and his shared room.
Ma was already outside the door as the doctor was in the room. Joe was coughing more and was spitting up into a cup.
"How is he?" Ma asked as the doctor stepped out.
"Your son is suffering from consumption."
"Is he gonna die? Is my son gonna die?"
"Younger patients have a much better chance of surviving."
Billy slowly nodded at the doctor that he may leave.
"I wish you good day."
The doctor walked away and he glanced at his Ma who slowly wiped her tears away before she put a smile on her face before entering the room. He slowly followed her.
"Hello. Hey. You're gonna be fine, Joe."
Billy and his Ma sat with him even when Missie brought in some soup, they ate it together in the room.
Eventually he went to sleep and Billy slowly got up and walked out of the room.
Missie was cleaning up after cooking as he walked into the dining room.
"How is he?" She asked.
"Not good, it's consumption."
Missie gasped. "Billy, I'm so sorry."
Billy stood there in defeat.
She quickly came up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck and he wrapped his arms around her waist, holding onto her for dear life.
He buried his head in her neck, not wanting to admit the stinging in his eyes, however he failed when a sob escaped him.
Missie didn't say anything as she let him weap like a child in her arms. She gently brushed her fingers through his hair until he stopped.
"I'm sorry," he aplogized.
"You don't have to apologize to me Billy for your tears."
"I'm sorry about everything, about the job, about Joe, about not being able to marry you."
"Hey, it's alright. It's not your fault."
He slowly shrugged as she dragged him to her bed and the two crawled under the covers. Billy wrapped his arms around her and held her close. Somehow he managed to slowly fall asleep.
YOU ARE READING
Matters To Me
Fanfiction"In a new world of hopes and dreams, met with disappointments and darkness of the real world, Billy held onto the hope that life would get better. It had to, as he looked at the stars, he made a wish, he knew that it had to get better." ~ Billy met...
