Levicy McCormick came to Mr. Tunstall when she was just 11 after a sudden tragedy that changed her forever. during her time at mr tunstall's place she made friends with the regulators but what happens when she meets none other than the wild Billy th...
This story starts off the day before my 18th birthday and exactly a week before He came. I was in the kitchen chopping vegetables for the stew I was preparing for supper, the boys were outside working. It was just another day. I heard the door open and knew it was one of the boys.
"Howdy, miss McCormick," I heard Steve say as he leaned against the table. I could just picture the smirk on his grimey face without even looking at him, "Oh, please, Steve you've known me long enough to call me Levicy." I said grinning at him, it's not that I liked him and charley flirting with me but in a way I kind of did, it sort of made me feel sort of special and neither of the boys were bad looking either even though Steve could've bathed more than he did.
"You'll be 18 tomorrow, perfect age for marriage" he said with a sly grin, "what are you implying master Steven?" I said imitating Mr. Tunstall. We both laughed and right when Steve was about to reply, The rest of the boys came in stomping and making all sorts of loud ruckus, stopping Steve from saying what he wanted to say. "Hey, Dirt face what are ya doin with my woman?" Charley laughed as he wrapped his arm around my waist, "Oh now both of you quit. Go on and get washed up and into your supper clothes, it's almost ready" I said in the same tone a mother would use.
"Yes, ma'am!" Steve said excitedly as they all went. At dinner, we all sat where we always sat leaving me at the other end of the table opposite from Mr. Tunstall and in between Chavez & Doc.
"Now, I believe we all know what tomorrow is," John trailed off, "It's Miss McCormick's birthday!" Charley said excitedly as he nearly choked on his food, "That is correct, Charles, but eat with your mouth closed, it's more polite" John said, always sounding intelligent and sophisticated.
"John, I don't see why my birthday is so important, I mean I'm just gonna be a year older, just another year closer to the coffin" I said watching all the boys raise their heads at me and look at me as if I should be put in a mad house. "Miss McCormick, it's when we celebrate the day of your birth. We're all thankful for that day, I can't imagine what it would be like if you weren't here with us, my dear" John said full of sincere, my heart throbbed at that, "I don't know what I'd do without you guys either."
"But I don't want a big party." I said,
"Of course, dear." John said while giving a side smile to Doc and Dick. ______________
On the day of my 18th birthday, it was also the first day of spring and of course, against my wishes, The guys were throwing me a party. They invited Alex and his wife Susan, Alex was Mr. Tunstall's lawyer, He was a good man and he was wise and I always knew we could trust him no matter what.
Since it was a special occasion, John made us dress in fancy, presentable clothes.
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(This is the dress she wore)
I put on a nice dress that Susan had given me last year and just left down my long curly strawberry blond hair.
"My, Oh my, Levicy you look absolutely beautiful!" Susan gushed as she seen me while coming in. "Thank you, Susan, you're looking great too.", "I just can't believe how grown up you are! It feels like yesterday that you were just a little skinny thing with a rats nest for hair." Alex chuckled, Gee, Alex thanks for the compliment, I thought to myself but just smiled anyway to be polite.
"So, any suitors been comin around for our sweet Levicy?" Susan asked, moving some hair out of my face, still admiring my face. I think this was a special day for Susan more than it was for me or any of the guys. You see, ever since I came to live with John, Susan has always treated me like a daughter, she taught me everything there was about being a lady. In fact, she was there when I got my first period and calmed the guys down when they were running ramped around the house. She and Alex never had any children so I guess I was the closest thing to it for her.
"Yep, that would be me!" Charley exclaimed as he wrapped an arm around my waist, "Meet the new Mr. McCormick!" Charley grinned at everyone who just looked plain confused but John just smiled and laughed in amusement. "That's not how it works, Charles" John said, "Yeah, She wouldnt marry you anyway, I'm the new Mr. McCormick!" Steve declared with his lip packed with tobacco like it usually is.
"Who said anything about me getting married at all?" I asked only to have everyone look at me with a shocked expression "What are talking about? You'd make a great wife! Everyone knows you're one of the most beautiful girls in New Mexico," Doc said "Not just that but you're a great cook, you're kind, you almost never complain and you have a lot of patience, after all, you put up with us everyday." Dick joined in while placing a glass of whiskey in my hands, the truth is I never wanted to get married. Marriage just seemed like some cruel scam to me and I most certainly did not want to become some boring housewife who worshipped her husband and spat out his children whenever he wanted me to have one like some dog breeder, I also didn't want to just cook meals and clean dirty dishes the rest of my life. I was young and I wanted to be free and have adventures, besides love just seemed unrealistic and make believe like in fairytales, I'd seen what falling in love did to my mom and I refuse to make that same mistake.
John raised his glass to make a toast and everyone followed, "To Levicy, I remember when I first saw you. You were so young and little and frail. When I brought you here, you didn't trust anyone and you were constantly afraid of every move someone made, then you got better and even though it breaks my heart and makes me feel like some old man, today I see that little frail girl become a beautiful, kind, educated, and brave self respecting woman. Although you may not be my real daughter, I've always considered you as one. I hope today is a great birthday and I hope you have many more!" John said with tears in his eyes.
I ran up and hugged him tight, he kissed me on the cheek and everyone cheered, clinked their glasses together and drank until they were tipsy.
----------------------------- After opening several presents and exchanging stories about the old days, Dick brought out the cake. I smiled at everyone as we sat at the table. "Well go on make a wish!" Doc said as he and everyone smiled at me. I closed my eyes and I didn't have to think too hard on this one, I wish that I could have the adventure of my life someday and maybe become famous! I thought to myself and blew out the candles. Little did I know, that adventure I wished for might come sooner than I thought...
