Summary: Ah, Springtime, where everything is new and fresh again, and a man’s fancy turns to…well, what do you think a man’s fancy might turn to? OC options – “Georgia on My Mind”, “Me and Bobby McGee”.
Rating: G, Word Count: 2291
Georgia On My Mind fit perfectly with the series I’m presently writing. I used the concept in a small scene in the next story, Only One Returns, in the series.
Jamie was wondering about issues of love and romance so he had a question for Adam.
“How did you know Georgia was the one for you? I mean, was it because she was so pretty? I mean, she’s well, very attractive.”
“I know what you’re saying. Yes, I noticed the physical attributes, but lots of women have those. No, it wasn’t her looks that caught my heart, it was her spirit, her joy, and her almost fierce pride and stubbornness. After a while, I couldn’t imagine life without her in it. No matter what I did, I had Georgia on my mind.”
“So you asked her to marry you?”
“Well, that’s rather the funny part. You see, I think she asked me, or told me, in no uncertain terms that the only way she was staying with me was to be married to me so I said yes. She said well are you going to ask me, and I said that I thought she had already. Of course I did ask her because that’s what you’re supposed to do if you’re the man. It seemed a bit silly as we had already settled it, but she does like things to be done traditionally too.”
“See, that’s the hard part about women. They want to be like men and have all the same rights and things, but then they don’t want to be like men and want to be treated different. Who can keep track of all that?”
“Whoa, there’s the fallacy of your thinking. Women don’t want to be like men at all.”
“They don’t?”
“No they want equality, liberty, and justice which men have or at least most white men have. We’ve got a stagecoach driver who wants to be like a man, but that’s unique. Women want to be women and be treated accordingly. But women should have rights too.”
“It all makes more sense when you say it. When RoseMary says it, it never comes out that clear.”
“Is she the waitress in the restaurant that seems to be the source of all our lunches?”
That got Jamie blushing.
“I’m sure it’s all very new for her too. You should bring her out to the ranch for dinner or invite her to dinner with us. We could all talk about it.”
“Thanks, Adam. That would be great.”
My story is loosely based on the song.
Me and Bobby McGee
Each time Spring rolls around – the warmer days, the growing grasses, the wildflowers blooming – the memories hit me like a freight train. It’s been so many years, a lifetime really, but once a year it seems like yesterday.
When it happens I just have to get away, be alone to remember, and to get through the pain. I know my brothers don’t understand but Pa does, in a way.
Out here, in the wilderness, with nothing but the calls of birds and the azure sky above me, I can let the memories loose. She was so beautiful, so full of life. We filled each other to the brim with love and joy. A soft breeze caresses my cheeks and ruffles my hair – just like she did. I close my eyes and she appears. I’m losing myself once again to the time when I was eight, and it was just me and Bobby McGee.
“Whatcha lookin’ at?”
Looking up I saw a redheaded girl with a mass of freckles over her nose and cheeks. Her blue eyes sparkled.
“Some pictures.”
“Can I see?”
“Sure.”
She dropped onto the grass, her pale yellow calico dress billowing out around her. My eyes locked on her pretty face until she tapped the book, and giggled.
Time stopped as we studied the pictures, talked about books we wished we had, and about our families. In no time I felt I’d known her all of my life. Funny, she said the same thing.
As the days drifted by we created imaginative stories, we ran through tall grasses and picked wildflowers, we laughed. Filled with joy and life I lived for each moment I could spend with my sweet Bobby.
One foggy morning I waited at our meeting place but she never came. Panic was building inside as I searched for my best and only friend.
“Pa, where’s Bobby? I can’t find her anywhere!”
Pa’s large hand rested gently on my shoulder as he turned me to face him. What did I see in his eyes? Sorrow, empathy….fear? “Son, Bobby’s gone. They left before dawn. They’re turning back.”
I broke from my Pa’s comforting grip and ran alongside all the wagons searching for hers, for her golden red hair and smiling freckled face. All was gone, vanished like a wisp of smoke on the wind. I gasped for air from the panic, the running, and the tears.
“NO! Bobby, please come back, please…!”
Pa’s strong arms drew me into a warm, safe hug against his barrel chest. I kicked to be free, to go find Bobby, but finally I collapsed into Pa’s reassuring grip. He carried me back to our wagon, put me on the seat beside my baby brother before climbing up.
After several miles, I found I had nothing left in me. I was empty. Timidly I glanced at Pa. He must have sensed it for he gently smiled at me and put his arm around me.
“I know it will be hard to let her go. Keep the memories close. They’ll be what make the days brighter and the years warmer. A first best friend, like a first love, is very special and never forgotten.”
An eagle cried out as a chipmunk scurried under a bush. Opening my eyes tall grasses changed to a sparkling lake. The sun was setting. My family would be waiting dinner.
Taking a deep breath of the pine-filled air, I felt a peace inside once again. Warm memories now filled my mind and my heart. Those times, all those years ago, were the best for me, and Bobby McGee.
Dust filled the air as the bodies of two boys in their mid teens rolled around on the ground, fists flying in all directions.“Stop it this instant! I will not tolerate such behavior Joseph Cartwright and Robert McGee!” Miss Gibbs stood glaring with her hands on her hips, attempting to shout over the children who were circled around the melee. “Stop it, I say, or you will both be expelled from school!”
A dark-haired girl of fourteen crossed her arms around her middle and beamed with satisfaction. Having two boys fighting for her affections made her heart soar. MaryAnn could not wait to comfort the victor and possibly place a tender kiss on his injured face.
When Joe was momentarily distracted by his teacher’s persistent shouting, Bobby McGee landed a full blow to his chin. The larger boy was then able to extract himself from the young Cartwright. Bobby quickly located ‘his’ girl and sauntered toward her while Miss Gibbs checked on the loser. Joe watched with dismay as MaryAnn slipped her arm through Bobby’s. She kissed her fingertip and gently touched the cut on his cheek that was beginning to swell.
The two boys heard little of the lecture Miss Gibbs gave them after sending the rest of her students into the schoolhouse. His fists clenched, it was all Joe could do not to tear into Bobby again. He desperately wanted to knock the smug smirk off McGee’s dirty face.
Later that evening, Joe sat fuming on his bed. His father had sent him to his room after supper with a reprimand that any further fighting at school would result in serious and protracted limits to his freedom and social life. But it was MaryAnn’s words prior to the fight that hurt even more than the cuts and bruises on his body.
“You’re real cute Little Joe, but Bobby sings me songs and tells me he loves me. He’s gonna take me away from here and give me a good life. I’ll be free. Just me and Bobby. Won’t have to live under my Pa’s thumb anymore. You don’t say those kind of things to me, Little Joe. If you loved me, you’d want to be with me, you know, WITH me.”
A light knock on his bedroom brought Joe from his frustrating thoughts.
“Can I come in?” Adam called softly from the hallway.
“Not in the mood to talk.” Joe crossed his arms tightly across his chest.
“I’ve got pie.”
Joe frowned, but then snorted a little laugh. “Yeah, sure, come on in.”
Adam held out a piece of pie and glass of milk to his youngest brother when he reached the bed.
“Thanks.”
Adam watched as Joe savored his first bite.
“So is she worth all this?”
Joe paused before taking another bite. He reached for the glass on his nightstand and took a big gulp and then set it aside. Swiping his left hand across his mouth, he looked up and shrugged.
“There are lots of pretty girls. Most of them want something. If she’s only concerned about what’s in it for her, I would suggest letting her find that elsewhere.”
“What makes you an expert on girls?”
“Don’t claim to be. All I know is that when I give up my freedom, I’m going to be darn sure the woman is worth it.”
Adam saw Joe’s face relax; so he turned and headed for the door.
“Hey, Adam.” Joe lifted his plate toward his brother paused in the doorway. “Thanks — for everything.”
Adam nodded and winked before closing the door behind him.
Adam walked up to Max.“Hello, Max.”
Max turned to Adam.
“Hello, Adam. Are you enjoying the dance so far?”
“I am. Thank you.”
“I’d like you to meet Georgia McGee and her brother Bobby McGee. Georgia, Bobby, this is Adam Cartwright,” Max introduced the brother and sister.
“It’s nice to meet you both,” Adam replied shaking their hands.
He held Georgia’s hand a little longer then released it when she looked down at his hand.
“They just moved here from Boston.”
“Really? I was born there and went to school back east. I wonder if I may dance with Georgia, if you don’t mind, Bobby?”
“No, please, go ahead,” Bobby said.
Georgia smiled as she took Adam’s hand and began to dance.
Later that night, Adam laid on his bed, his hands behind his head thinking about the dance. Georgia had told him about life in Boston and her father deciding to come west to start his law business. Her mother had been anxious for them to move west having heard of the wild tales of the west. Georgia and Bobby were ready for adventures in the west. Adam had introduced them to his family. Hoss and Joe had taken turns dancing with Georgia. Adam knew it was a good evening and fell asleep.
The weeks went by and Adam and Georgia spent time together. One day Georgia overheard her brother threaten Adam with his life to take care of Georgia.
“Bobby McGee, Adam is a gentleman, unlike someone else I could mention,” she snapped.
“An older brother has a right to protect his little sister,” Bobby replied.
She rolled her eyes and the couple left to go for a ride.
A few days later Hoss walked down the stairs and saw Adam playing his guitar.
“That sounds nice. You all right?” Hoss asked looking at his brother in concern.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just got Georgia on my mind,” Adam replied.
“What all are you thinking about?”
“I’m thinking about breaking up with Georgia.”
“What? Why? You two are perfect for each other,” Hoss said in surprise.
A smile crossed Adam’s face.
“Oh you!” Hoss said.
“Actually, I’m thinking about marrying her.”
“That’s wonderful. When are you gonna ask her?”
“I’ve gotta talk to her pa first.”
“You better get to her soon before someone else does.”
“I guess so. I’ll go now.”
Adam rode to the McGee’s house and saw Georgia crying. He rushed to her.
“Georgia, what’s wrong?” He asked worriedly.
“Pa says we’re moving to California. I told him I didn’t want to. He said I have to go.”
“Where’s your pa?”
“Inside.”
Adam went in to talk to Mr. McGee.
“Mr. McGee, I came to ask for your daughter’s hand.”
Michael McGee looked at him then drilled him with questions and Adam answered.
“You have my blessing.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
Adam went out and proposed to Georgia. A month later, they were married.
