Root of Evil
by Holly
Chapter Two
"Ohh" Slim was lost for words, but quickly recovered. "Well this certainly calls for a invitation to stay for supper�Jack?"
The old man wiped another tear. "Most kind Slim, most kind...isn't it Jesse?"
Jess grunted something that sounded like 'please y'urself" and led the way indoors.
Andy rushed up to greet them. "Slim! Jess' grandpa came in on this afternoon's stage. He's here to stay, isn't that great?"
Slim looked surprised at the pile of travel bags stacked by the door.
Jess turned to Jack and said firmly, "No. He ain't stoppin'. Are you?"
"Well, I was kinda hoping..." His voice faded as he saw the cold expression on Jess face. "But I would hate to be a burden on anyone. Could I borrow a horse? If Jesse here would prefer me to go back to town now, rather than wait until the stage tomorrow�" He looked to Jess who showed no sign of sympathy. "Well it's a while since I rode a horse, but I'm sure I will manage. After all these years apart, I would dearly hate to upset you boy. Perhaps you could visit with me in the hotel...there is a hotel, isn't there?"
Slim looked to Jess, an unasked question in his eyes.
Jess sighed, "OK! OK! Stay! I'm goin' to wash up before supper." And he disappeared back outside, slamming the door behind him.
Slim went to follow, but the old man stopped him. "Oh leave him be. Jesse always did have a hot temper just like his pa. He'll cool down. It musta been a shock to the boy to suddenly find his nearest kin after all these years. Him and me was always close, you know, Mr. Sherman. He isn't as bad as people think. Wasn't altogether his fault he got into all them scrapes. But I guess you know that, eh?"
Slim nodded, "He sure has a temper alright"
"Did I see a race goin' on out there earlier?"
"You sure did. I beat him by a mile." Slim smiled at the memory.
"Well, that ain't hard to do. Jesse always was a loser. Oh he tries, but his dear dead mother used to worry herself near to death over him."
Slim came to Jess' defense. "He's worked hard since he's been here Jack. I have no complaints. I would like to consider him a friend."
"Oh, Slim boy, please don't misinterpret what I say. Jesse is tryin' real hard. I have no doubts about that. He has just left it a bit late, that's all. When's supper?"
Andy piped in "Soon as Jonesy gets back from Mrs Jackson's. She's got the best apples ever. Jonesy's makin' an apple pie tonight."
"Well, I'll surely look forward to that," Jack said. "Now, if you'll show me to my room, I would like to rest awhile. I'm not getting any younger you know".
Jonesy was busy in the kitchen when Slim came in to see if he could be of help. Jonesy put a finger to his lips and steered Slim to the far side of the kitchen. Satisfied they couldn't be overheard by anyone in the living room, Jonesy whispered, "Slim, that old man sure is upsettin' Jess. That boy is like a bear with a sore head. Why he has hardly spoke two words all evenin.'"
"I know. I'll have a word with him. Try to sort it out."
Slim returned to the living room where Andy played with one of the cats.
"Andy, you seen Jess?"
"I think he's outside"
"Thanks." Slim went out onto the porch. Jess usually sat there if evenings were fine, but not tonight. There was a light in the barn so Slim crossed the yard and opened the door to look inside. Sure enough Jess was in Traveller's stall.
"Jess, supper's nearly ready. You comin' in?"
"I'm not hungry." Jess continued to stroke Traveller's nose. He didn't look up.
Slim moved closer and stood the other side of the stall where he could look Jess in the face.
Jess carefully avoided eye contact.
"Jess, what's up? You've been acting like you don't want your grandpa here."
"I don't."
"Why?" Slim asked. "He seems real pleased to have found you."
"I just bet he is," Jess said with feeling.
"I know it's none of my business Jess, and you can tell me to mind my own business, but what is going on between you two?"
"Nothin'."
"Oh, come on! You know that's not true."
"Slim, butt out will ya'?"
Slim sighed, "Okay, but I think you are being real unfair Jess. When all's said and done, that's an old man in there. He isn't going to be around forever. He might have done things to upset you in the past, but I think he is trying to patch things up before it's too late. The journey here has taken its toll. He's exhausted. Why don't you make a effort to meet him half way? At least try to be polite."
Jess continued to pet Traveller. "You don't know what he's like."
"I judge by how I find, Jess. No one should know that better than you. I don't write someone off because of what they did in the past. Everyone needs a second chance."
Jess' head snapped up. His eyes flashed with anger. His voice trembled with emotion. "I don't need any lectures from you! What the hell do you know anyway? Now, back off! That� that poor old man in there is poison! Oh, what's the use?" Jess pushed past Slim and stormed off into the darkness.
His chair was empty during supper.
Slim woke up and rubbed his eyes. Jess wasn't in his bed although it had been slept in. The blankets lay in a tangled heap on the floor.
Slim washed and dressed and by the time he emerged into the main room, Jonesy and Andy were eating breakfast.
Slim looked around, then asked, "Where's Jess and Jack?"
Jonesy indicated with a nod of his head, "Jack had his breakfast. He went out lookin' for Jess."
"Where's Jess gone? There's work needs doing."
"Now why ask me? When that fella takes it into his head to be awkward, boy! can he be awkward. Went slammin' outta here this mornin.' No breakfast, not a word to no one."
Slim snatched a hunk of bread and cheese on his way out and said he'd be back in time for the afternoon stage.
He made his way towards the barn. As he approached, he could hear raised voices.
Jess was shouting, "I told you to get out! You're not wanted here! If I have to throw you off the ranch myself, I will!"
Slim pulled open the heavy door and stood, silhouetted against the sunlight, as he stared at Jess and his grandfather standing toe to toe.
"That's enough!" Slim snapped as he entered.
Jess turned and took in a deep breath, "Slim."
"Jess, I can't deal with this. There's a ranch to run. Now you either work here, in which case you go and saddle up, or you don't, and I sort out what you've got comin,' but I don't ever want to hear you order anyone off my place without my say so. Understand?"
Jess nodded. With his head bent, he walked past Slim and Jack leading Traveller from his stall.
Slim sighed and went outside followed closely by the old man.
"Slim, hold up a minute son."
Slim stopped and turned. The old man gripped his arm and said, "I'm sorry you had to be a part of that Slim. Jesse didn't mean what he said you know. He might be sickin' for something."
Slim looked at the wrinkled face, staring into his eyes. The blue eyes and long lashes were the image of Jess'. There was no doubt they were related.
"I'm sorry too, Jack. I really don't know what's getting Jess so upset. Maybe you could tell me? What's going on between you two."
"I know less than you. The last time I saw Jesse, he was just sixteen maybe. I can't remember the exact age. My daughter had five children you know."
"Yes, Jess mentioned it."
"Did he tell you I lost all of them? Only Jess, his sister Francie, and his big brother Aron were left after the Banister gang raided the place. A terrible time. I had never expected to have to bury a child of mine. That was bad enough, but to have to bury almost the entire family, to have the survivors burnt and frightened. I was ill myself at the time, shock I suppose." He pulled a handkerchief from his long black coat and wiped it across his mouth before continuing.
"Then when Jesse went off, I was too ill to stop him. You know, I needed him so badly. I begged him to stay, but he just up and left." Pale blue eyes fixed on Slim's face.
"Just like he'll do to you, one day, I reckon. Jess never knew nor cared how his goin' off like that affected Francie, or Aron for that matter. That boy used to idolise Jess� a bit like your Andy... Jess done broke our hearts. He's good at that."
Slim looked across to where Jess was busy loading tools onto the buckboard. Andy was trying to help, running back and forth collecting odd items Jess called for.
Slim's eyes narrowed as he thought how devastated Andy would be if Jess just rode out like he had done all those years ago when he left this old man to cope with the aftermath of the Banisters raid.
Would Jess really do that to Andy? Just ride away without a thought? It was hard to imagine, but then, look how he had spoken to his own grandpa, his own flesh and blood. Maybe Slim was finally seeing the darker side of Jess Harper. He couldn't be that wrong about Jess could he? They had been getting on so much better lately. But looking at the expression of hatred on Jess' face as he stood in the barn ordering his grandpa to leave certainly made him think he might have misjudged Jess Harper after all.
"I think maybe it might be best if you did stay in town, at least for a day or two." Slim suggested.
Perhaps if the old man were in town, it would give Jess time to think things through. Then maybe he and his grandfather could try to rebuild their relationship.
"Well, if you think so. I don't want to cause you any more trouble. I know how Jess can be."
Slim smiled at Jack. "The afternoon stage is due around three. When you get into town, ask for Mrs Spencer's boarding house. It's real cosy and cheap. I'm sure in a day or two Jess'll calm down and be in to see you".
"Do you really think so? I need to talk to him. It's important."
"Sure. He just needs time..."
"I hope you're right Slim. His sister has gone off to Galveston to work. Poor Aron... well, I can't talk about that. Jess was his mother's favorite. I need to make things right between us for her sake, God rest her soul." He looked across to where Jess was sitting on the buckboard, impatiently waiting for Slim. "I won't keep you from your work Slim." Then in a broken voice, "Tell Jess I bear no grudge and hope he'll feel the same."
Throughout the morning Jess never said a word. He just went about his tasks in moody silence. When they stopped to eat at noon, Slim decided to try to make conversation, but it was hard going. He received the barest answers or just grunts of acknowledgement. Finally, he had enough.
"Jess, what in the tarnation has got into you? You're acting as if that old man back there is some kind of demon! I know you, or at least I thought I did. You aren't the kind to treat family so bad."
Jess turned to Slim and said firmly, "I told you I want him out of here. Gone!" His voice lowered as he continued, "You, Andy, and Jonesy are my family now." He turned his face away as if he didn't want to see the reaction to his words.
Slim stared at Jess, he couldn't believe he'd heard him right. "I thought only the other day you were talking about leaving, moving on?"
"A man can change his mind can't he?"
"Yeah, I guess. But Jess, you can't deny that old man. He needs to talk to you. Look, why don't you just give him a chance. Listen to what he has to say?"
"NO!" Jess interrupted. "Slim, I'm not interested" he pleaded.
"I can't believe that Jess. If you meant what you said about us being family, you can at least listen. Until you sort this out with your grandpa, it will always be there. You know it will."
Jess looked up, misery in his eyes. "Slim you don't know what you're askin'."
"I think I do. I know you well enough to know you would never get yourself all wound up like this, less it meant something to you. I don't like you doing this to yourself. Surely you can at least try to come to an understanding with Jack so when he leaves, he won't think his journey here was a complete waste?".
"Maybe."
"You'll do it?" Slim wasn't going to let it drop until Jess agreed.
Jess looked across and the corner of his mouth twitched, trying not to grin.
"Okay, for you I'll talk to him, but that's all. Then he leaves."
"That's all I'm asking" Slim grinned." If you go now you'll see him before he takes the stage."
Jess nodded 'ok', unhitched Traveller from the buckboard, and rode off in direction of the ranch. Slim breathed a sigh of relief. With a little bit of luck, by evening, all should be peaceful again.
But he couldn't have been more wrong. He walked in that evening to find Jack still there. "I thought you were going into town for a while," he said tossing his hat onto the peg by the door. "Jess here?"
Jonesy came through from the kitchen. "He's in the bedroom with Andy, helpin' him with his cipherin'."
Slim sat down and began to tug off his boot. "Been a long day. Did you and Jess talk, Jack?"
The old man shook his head. "No, not yet. I know I said I would go to town Mr. Sherman, but I have given it a lot of thought and have come to the conclusion that Jesse and I can't go on like this. Delaying it even for a few days wont help, he needs to hear what I have to say now."
"Right." Slim kicked off the remaining boot before rising up, and going to Andy's door. He opened it and went inside. A moment later, he re-emerged followed by Jess.
"Sit down Jess." Slim ordered.
Jess glared, but did as he was told. Sitting opposite Jack.
"Now, you're going to listen to what Jack has to say."
Slim turned to Jack and nodded, giving the old man the go-ahead.
Jack coughed to clear his throat then said, "Jesse, it's like this. I want you to come home with me."
Slim looked to Jess and waited for his answer knowing it could affect all their lives. He wanted to interfere, to say he wanted Jess to stay. But he didn't want to come between Jess and the only family he seemed to have left. He clamped his lips tight shut.
Andy, having followed Jess from the bedroom, stood frozen. The silence lengthened as everyone waited for Jess to say something.
Jess' blue eyes were focused on the tabletop, veiled by dark lashes. His mouth twitched once or twice as the silence lengthened. Finally, he said quietly, "Why? After all these years, why do you expect me to drop everything? For what�?"
"I'm a very wealthy man�"
"I KNOW THAT!" Jess spat.
"And it makes no difference? None? When I can make sure you want for nothing ever again."
Jess stood up. "I don't want your money! I don't want you!"
Slim caught hold of Jess' sleeve. "Steady, Jess" he cautioned.
"Oh? You want I should accept his offer?" He asked, eyes blazing.
"Well, I expect you to hear what he has to say. All of it." Slim said. "Then the decision is yours, Jess. I don't have any say in your family business."
Jack tried to calm things, "Jesse, I know we have had our differences in the past�"
"Oh yes! We sure have" Jess said, emotion making his voice shake. "Most of 'em in the woodshed!"
"You needed discipline."
"Not your kind I didn't!"
"Jesse, please..!"
"Oh, that's rich! Please�? PLEASE!? How many times did I ask that? Beg you... and you just whopped me anyhow... still got the belt, have you? How about the whip? Still got that? I seem to remember I broke the cane."
"You were a sinner, Jesse," Jack pleaded.
"Well, I still am! So you're wastin' your time. Why not go into Laramie. There's a church there. You can go pray for me before you get the next stage outta here!"
"I can't just leave you. We're kin. Please Jesse, come back with me. Aron needs you."
Jess closed his eyes. "Isn't there anything you wouldn't do? You know as well as I do that Aron is dead."
"No, he isn't."
Jess shook his head. "I don't believe you."
"I hired a private detective. He found Aron in a Yankee hospital. A northern family took him in and nursed him. He's alive Jesse. But he isn' well. Never will be again. He has lung disease. He asked me to come and find you. Jesse he wants to see you before he goes to join the Lord."
"YOU'RE A LIAR! " Jess shook his head "Aron is dead! Francie saw him... she saw him die."
"No, she only saw him shot. You're wrong. He lived."
"No." Jess whispered, tears welling in his eyes.
"Jesse, please, we all made mistakes. Those days are long ago now. The war did bad things to us, but there is opportunity here to lay those ghosts to rest, to be a family again. Please Jesse. Come with me. Help me care for Aron."
Slim could see Jess was at breaking point. "Jack, maybe you should give Jess time to think. Jonesy go hitch up the buckboard. Take Jack into town. See him settled at Mrs Spencer's."
Jonesy nodded and asked Andy to go help him hitch up. Once they had left, Slim turned to Jack. "Perhaps you should go and pack your bags Jack." Though soft, his tone brooked no argument.
Once alone, Slim turned to Jess. "Jess, I want to talk to you ab�"
"Not now Slim!"
"But�"
"NOT NOW!" Almost a shout, then softer, "look, it's just a bad time, okay?"
"We need to talk Jess. I need to let you know whatever you decide is okay. I know things didn't go well between us at the beginning, but we seem to be getting on real well lately, and Andy loves you as much as if you were a brother� What I guess I'm trying to say..."
"Why is everyone pressur'n me? I don't need this!" Jess slammed the door on his way out.
Slim followed but stopped on the porch and watched as Jess headed across to the barn. Andy came from where Jonesy and Jack were just leaving for town. "Where's Jess goin' Slim? He isn't leavin' too is he?" the boy asked.
"No Andy. Guess he's gone to see Traveller." He wrapped a arm around his brothers shoulders and led him back inside the house.
Jess came back a few moments later and disappeared into the bedroom he shared with Slim and Jonesy. Slim breathed a sigh of relief, and went to make coffee. Perhaps now Jess had had time to think and they could talk calmly. He yelled, "Hey, Jess, you want a coffee?"
A muffled 'sure' was the reply.
He carried the full, steaming mugs of Java from the kitchen to find Jess sitting at the table looking relaxed. Setting down the coffees, he sat too and said "I guess today hasn't been easy."
"Never is if Jack is around," was the reply. Jess sipped the coffee.
"Jess, I just wanted to say you always have a home here whenever you want it so if you decide to go back with Jack, know you can always come back here if it doesn't pan out."
Jess didn't answer, just continued to swallow the hot liquid. Finally, he put the mug down and looked at Slim.
"That's good to hear Slim. You've been a good friend, and Andy has been..." He never finished the sentence. He stood, reached down beside his chair, and pulled out a saddle bag.
Slim's smile died on his face. "What's that?" He asked, already knowing the answer.
"I'm leavin' Slim."
"Going with Jack?"
"No." Jess swung the bag over his shoulder and walked to the fireplace. He lifted the slate of wood and took his gun, long hidden, from it's hiding place.
"Jess, that isn't the way."
"You're wrong Slim. It's the only way. I need to get outta here. Move on."
"Run away you mean."
"No."
"You call it what you like Jess, but in my eyes, you're just running."
"Okay, so I'm running. At least on the drift I don't get this grief."
"Jess, you can't run away from this. Wherever you go, it'll be there. You know it."
"So I've managed this long, haven't I?"
"Sure you have. But you stand there and tell me to my face, that these last six months you haven't been happy here. Haven't thought about staying?"
Jess chewed his lip, reluctant to admit anything. Finally he said, "Slim, you gave me a home when I wasn't even lookin' for it. I hadn't had a bed to call my own for more than a couple of months at a stretch until I came here. Andy was like the brothers that I lost. Jonesy, well, he was a real mother hen even when I didn't need one. Sure the time here has been good, but I never made no promises, not to you, nor anyone, about committing to stayin'. I'm sorry iffen you thought different. I guess it's best I leave now."
"Wait a minute Jess. You said we gave you a home, a bed... well, to my way of thinkin' least you can do to repay that is to stay just until the fencin' is finished," Slim pleaded. "Just one more day."
Jess sighed, "Aww, Slim, that just makes this harder."
"Would it really make such a difference? Jack is in town, you can spare us one day, can't you?"
Jess threw the saddle bag onto the couch. "Awright. One day."
"Good, one day." Slim echoed knowing it was the best he could hope for as Jess seemed determined to go. He tried to tell himself Jess might have left anyway, but Jack's arrival had not helped at all. It might have been easier to accept if Jess were leaving to be reunited with family he cherished rather than to avoid someone who, if Jess was right, had made his childhood years unpleasant to say the least.
As they sat drinking more coffee Slim said, "What Jack said about your brother, Aron, do you believe him?"
"No,Slim. I don't. Aron's dead. Francie, my sister, wrote me. Sure, he made it through the war, but he shot himself. He isn't dyin', he's dead. Been dead nigh on two years now."
"But why would Jack lie like that?"
"Cuz he ain't got nobody left, 'cept me. He needs people. Trouble is they don't need him. Anyone he ever had, he drove 'em away. He's an evil man Slim. He never will accept he's the sinner. It's always everyone else."
"And what you said about the woodshed� that true? Did he really lay a hand to you?"
Jess grinned, but his voice was sad. "Yep, he sure liked them trips to the shed. He sure did. With me kickin' and yellin'... never did no good. Everyone was far too scared to stop it."
"Jess, stay"
"I can't"
"You can"
"No"
"I'm asking, please. This could be your home."
"I'm all packed. Ready to go."
"Don't be so damn stubborn! I... we, need you here."
"No you don't Slim. Look at all the troubles I've brought. Things around here were real peaceful 'til I rode in."
"Oh yeah? What about..."
"Well, I didn't help."
"How can you say that? Look at this place since you arrived. Besides them Indians are just pricklin' for a chance to bust off the reservation. We'd be one of their first stops. Your gun could be invaluable."
Jess grinned then began to giggle.
"What is it?" asked Slim, mystified at what was so funny.
"You," Jess snickered.
"Me? What about me?"
"Never thought the day would come you'd say you appreciated my gun after all that fussin'when I first rode in."
"I'm not talkin' about speed, Jess, or showing Andy how to gunfight. I'm talking about protecting this ranch and my brother from raiding Indians when every gun could mean the difference."
Jess gazed into Slim's eyes all traces of laughter gone. "I swear I'd die to keep Andy safe Slim . You and Jonesy too, need be."
"How will you if you're off driftin' again?"
No answer.
"Stay."
"Jack goes. I don't want him around here."
"If that's what it takes, fine. You tell him or shall I?" asked Slim.
"I'll ride into Laramie day after tomorrow."
"Why not tomorrow?"
"You said it yourself, the fencin' needs finishing."
"So you'll stay� for good?"
"I guess I'm saying. I'll delay leavin'."
"That's all I'm going to get, isn't it?"
"Yep."
"Guess, it'll do for now. Thanks."
"I was wondering how much it would take to make you grovel, Sherman."
Jess ducked the coffee mug. It missed by a whisker.
