She tried to peel me off the pavement, tried to insinuate sometimes I am in danger of going too far.
Not Nineteen Forever (by the Courteeners)
Joe sat with one foot up against the table and the other resting against a chair rung. The glass of whiskey still sat on the table where it had been for the last half hour. He’d wanted a cold beer when he first entered the saloon, but somehow he’d ended up here instead, nurse-maiding some poor, drunken British dandy.
The fellow had managed to give his name as William Thomas Baines, the Third, no less! Joe had been wondering just how he’d gotten into the seat he was in when Hoss finally made his way back through the saloon door. Hoss was much better at taking care of strays than he was and it was Hoss who had scraped poor William Thomas Baines, the Third, off the floor in the first place. Others were stepping around him and ignoring the man who had drunk his way into a puddle. It was apparently Joe’s job to keep him in the chair while Hoss went looking for some answers.
“Hoss! Find anything on our friend here?”
Baines looked up and tried to focus on the giant who loomed over him. “Friends? I’ll drink to that!” He sloshed his glass towards his lips and almost made it. The liquid dribbled down the front of his shirt and onto the chair as he mumbled something incoherent. To Joe it sounded something like he didn’t have any more friends, but he couldn’t be sure.
“Yep. He’s got a room over at the hotel. Been there three days and it seems he’s done nothin’ but drink since he got here. I got his room key off the clerk so let’s take him back to sleep it off.”
As Joe shifted to stand up, Hoss leaned towards Baines and grasped at both hands. The drunk wobbled on his feet and both brothers moved to take a side each.
It was an almost comical affair as they wrangled the man out the door and up the street towards the hotel. All the way there, Baines rambled about the beautiful countryside in England and how the willow trees drooped into the water by the river. He stopped at one point and stared at his own reflection in the mercantile window.
“No wonder Father and Mother disowned you!” He almost spat the words at himself as Hoss and Joe dragged him onward.
“You know, the only one who really tried was Elsie.” Baines’ face took on a faraway look as he stumbled into the hotel foyer. “My sweet baby sister.”
It was like tackling a calf for branding as the trio stumbled up the stairs and Hoss unlocked the door. As they dropped Baines onto his bed, he flung an arm over his face and sighed.
“Elsie said I drank too much. You know, she tried to peel me off the pavement.” Baines hiccuped as he tried to contain a sob. “Tried to insinuate sometimes I am in danger of going too far. But another continent isn’t far enough.”
I enjoyed all of these in the forum, but it’s nice to have them together in one place where library readers can also enjoy. Every bit is a testament to your word skills and character insights which makes it really hard to pick a favorite, but you know I have great fondness for the way you write Roy Coffee, and I especially loved the conversation with his old friend Ben Cartwright. 🙂
I think that’s one of my favourites too as Roy is such a great character to write. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed reading them all again.
This gives a glimpse of what Paul really goes through. I love Jake’s relaxed manner about life.
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment on each one. These are such fun to write and some of them are bubbling away as possible extended stories. I’m glad you have enjoyed them.
I enjoyed this…Adam doing what he has to for his little brother, ignoring his own need for sleep. But then keeping Joe sleeping would bring a bit of peace.
Happy to see these here! Remembered most of them as I was reading through — fun stuff! I still want to know about Hoss’s broken arm … ??
Thanks as always for writing and posting!
I’m still waiting for him to tell me the story. He’s been very sheepish about it! As soon as I get the scoop, I will write the rest of the story.
Love how Roy’s calm eventually gets to the root of the problem with Morgan. A dangerous situation diffused.
Sad existence for a man but maybe now he’ll get some help to find himself again.
Adam is blessed to have two paths to follow, but that doesn’t make it any easier to choose.
Oh I do love this one. Ben and Roy sharing crazy and insane memories. Perfect use of the quote.
Oh, so funny. That’s Joe. All his lies are always wishes. No wonder he never saw lying as wrong.
Candy and Joe are a dangerous combination. They get each other into trouble or get each other out of it. The problem…it could go either way. *smirk*
Great use of the prompt. Marie certainly was balancing on that wire until Ben tipped her life to the side of love.
Love the sentimentality here. “Like running into an old friend.” Warm memories fill the heart.