Summary: Roy Coffee, faced with losing a job he loves, must learn to prepare for the future with Joe Cartwright’s help. References to the episodes “The Stillness Within” and “No Less a Man.”
\nRating:\u00a0 G\u00a0 \u00a02,970 words<\/p>\n
Written for the 2024 Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar<\/p>\n
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Bonanza <\/p>\n Hope in a Dimming World<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Roy Coffee squinted at the eye chart on the wall on the other side of the room. Despite the blurriness, he could make out some of the curved letters but most of the others looked to be jagged lines.\u00a0\u00a0He pressed his lips together, tilted his head back a mite, and squinted further so his eyelids were nearly shut.<\/p>\n \u201cCan you make out any of the letters?\u201d asked Dr. Martin.<\/p>\n \u201cA few, I reckon,\u201d said Roy. \u201cCan\u2019t tell for sure if that\u2019s a G or an O but I\u2019m gonna say it\u2019s a G.\u201d<\/p>\n The doctor scribbled down a couple of notes before placing the clipboard and pencil on the nearby desk. \u201cSit down and let me take a look at your eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n Roy did as told and clasped his hands together in his lap, rubbing one thumb over the rough skin on the back of the other hand. He sat ramrod straight as the doctor looked at each eye with a magnifying lens.<\/p>\n Dr. Martin set the lens down and picked up the pencil. \u201cFollow this with your eyes,\u201d he said. \u201cDon\u2019t move your head.\u201d<\/p>\n The sheriff tracked it until it was out of sight.<\/p>\n Dr. Martin jotted again then said, \u201cYour peripheral vision is nearly gone. Tell me honest, can you see the letters on the chart?\u201d<\/p>\n Roy looked down at his hands, as if ashamed to answer the question. One corner of his mustache tugged down with his upper lip as he screwed up the courage to reply.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cSeems like there\u2019s a black spot in front of me all the time. It ain\u2019t that big but it sure makes reading hard. Sometimes I don\u2019t see someone comin\u2019 up beside me on the sidewalk and I get caught by surprise. My hearing\u2019s good enough but I don\u2019t recognize everyone\u2019s footsteps.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow do you do your job? Right now, I mean,\u201d said the doctor.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, I rely a whole lot more on Clem.\u201d Roy snorted and said, \u201cI let on sometimes that my aches and pains are too much so Clem can do the rounds for me.\u201d<\/p>\n The doctor tapped the pencil against the clipboard a couple of times before setting both on the desk. \u201cI\u2019ve read about an eye condition in which drusen form on the eye\u2019s retina. What\u2019s known of it comes from dissections of eyes from various animals as well as cadavers at medical colleges in Europe.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0He paused for a moment before adding, \u201cI\u2019m sorry – there\u2019s no treatment or reversal.\u201d<\/p>\n Roy\u2019s mustache twitched along with his mouth. He broke the moment of silence with, \u201cI\u2019d always heard the old go blind but I didn\u2019t think it\u2019d be me. If I can\u2019t see I can\u2019t go on with sheriffing. If folks think I\u2019m losing my sight they\u2019re not gonna trust me with protecting them or this town.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0He forced himself to stop rubbing his hands together then asked, \u201cHow long have I got?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d said Dr. Martin. \u201cIt progresses differently for reasons we don\u2019t understand but the end result is the same for all.\u00a0\u00a0Blindness.\u201d He leaned forward and squeezed his friend\u2019s shoulder. \u201cI know this isn\u2019t what you want to hear but you\u2019ve got to start planning now, for when you can\u2019t see.\u201d<\/p>\n Roy merely nodded his head in response.<\/p>\n The doctor pushed back from his friend, making room for his patient to stand. \u201cI\u2019m sorry to give you this bad news so close to Christmas.\u201d<\/p>\n The sheriff had no reply. heaved himself out of the chair and stood as if the weight of the world rested upon his drooping shoulders. He set his hat upon his head as he shuffled to the door and exited the office. It seemed as if the sky were no longer as blue, as if the sunlit streets were no longer as bright.<\/p>\n \u201cAfternoon, Roy,\u201d said Joe Cartwright as he passed the sheriff on the sidewalk.<\/p>\n Roy grunted a reply without caring how it would be interpreted.<\/p>\n He stepped into the office, hoping to find refuge in work. His hope was dashed by Clem.<\/p>\n \u201cDid you see this?\u201d Clem asked as he waved a letter.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat?\u201d asked Roy.<\/p>\n \u201cThe governor thinks two lawmen is one too many for Virginia City. I guess we\u2019re not thought of as a wild town anymore. What am I supposed to do?\u201d The question came out as a whine.<\/p>\n Roy took the letter from Clem. The older man put on his spectacles and cocked his head to better focus on the writing, but it didn\u2019t help. He picked up the envelope and saw his name in large script.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy are you opening my mail?\u201d Roy asked.<\/p>\n Clem shrugged.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWe\u2019re both the law. I figured it might be important enough to open now rather than when you got back.\u201d<\/p>\n That got Roy\u2019s dander up. \u201cI ain\u2019t so old you gotta fear me getting lost. I wasn\u2019t gone so long you might\u2019ve thought me dead!\u201d<\/p>\n The deputy slashed the air with his arms. \u201cFor all I know, you put a bee in the governor\u2019s ear to get rid of me.\u201d<\/p>\n Roy pointed at the younger man. \u201cDon\u2019t you go makin\u2019 accusations you can\u2019t back up.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0He took a breath, planning to count to ten, but only got to two. \u201cMaybe you planted the seed that I\u2019m too old to be sheriff of this town.\u201d<\/p>\n Clem\u2019s eyebrows drew together and he glared at the sheriff. \u201cI\u2019m not trying to push you out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo you admit you wrote the governor?\u201d<\/p>\n The deputy\u2019s mouth dropped open and hurt reflected in his eyes. \u201cI did no such thing!\u201d He sputtered, trying to find words to prove the sheriff wrong, but none came to mind. Clem stalked to the door then slammed it behind him.<\/p>\n Roy crumpled up the piece of paper then threw it at Clem\u2019s desk. He paced the length of the for several minutes as his temper cooled, regretting the outburst. \u201cClem shouldn\u2019t have opened the letter,\u201d he muttered. \u201cFigures the governor didn\u2019t send glad tidings of joy.\u201d<\/p>\n He returned to his desk, removing his spectacles before sitting down. Feeling a headache coming on, he rubbed his temples in hopes of easing the dull, throbbing pain.<\/p>\n The staccato rhythm of boots on the boardwalk caught his ear and he knew who was coming before the door opened.\u00a0That boy walks as if he\u2019s the mayor of this town<\/i>.<\/p>\n The door opened and Roy said, \u201cI could tell it was you, Little Joe. Your boots always give you away.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe stood before the desk, arms crossed over his chest. \u201cI was at the Silver Dollar. Clem came in lookin\u2019 like someone shot his dog. He said you\u2019d told him to get.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat ain\u2019t true,\u201d said Roy.<\/p>\n \u201cSure seems true enough,\u201d said Joe, \u201cthe way you\u2019re sitting here in misery.\u201d<\/p>\n Roy took a deep breath and exhaled slowly through pursed lips. He grabbed up a pencil to keep his hands busy as he leaned back in his chair. \u201cDoc told me I\u2019m going blind.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not the end of the world,\u201d said Joe.<\/p>\n Roy felt as if he were looking down on himself as his temper exploded.\u00a0\u201cIt is for me!\u00a0\u00a0If I can\u2019t read wanted posters, I can\u2019t protect this town. If I can\u2019t see, someone might get the drop on me and then what? Prove to folks who already think me too old for the job they\u2019re better off without me stumblin\u2019 into things or arresting the wrong person for a theft? How am I gonna pass the time in the evenings \u2013 imagine the flames dancing in the fireplace?\u201d<\/p>\n Lost in his own anger, Roy didn\u2019t notice the rising color in Joe\u2019s face or the younger man\u2019s clenching fists. Roy drew back from the finger pointed in his face as Joe spat words at him.<\/p>\n \u201cThe world went dark for me after that nitro explosion but you\u2019re talking as if you\u2019re blind right now. I learned to eat, dress myself, walk into a room without bumping into everything. So can you. Feeling sorry for yourself won\u2019t change anything. Meanwhile, you still have your sight so do your job.\u201d<\/p>\n Roy flinched at the door\u2019s slam. He leaned back in his chair and puffed\u00a0his cheeks as he blew out a breath. He feared the permanent night of blindness yet he knew Joe was right.<\/p>\n Life couldn\u2019t just stop.<\/p>\n The chair creaked as he shifted his weight to stand.\u00a0At least my hearing ain\u2019t going, too<\/i>.\u00a0\u00a0He walked over to the window and pulled the curtain aside. People went about their everyday business, walking along the boardwalk or riding horseback on the street.<\/p>\n The sheriff exited his office and headed over to the mercantile for sweets. He figured a penny\u2019s worth of candy would lighten his mood. Folks greeted him in passing and Roy responded with a touch of a finger to the brim of his hat.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat can I do for you?\u201d asked Mr. Anderson as the bell jingled over the mercantile doorway that was decorated with streamers and pine garland.<\/p>\n Roy reached into his vest pocket and felt several coins. He judged their heft to determine if he could pick out the penny without looking. Disappointment rose like bile in his throat at the dime between his fingers.<\/p>\n \u201cHow about you pick me out some sweets?\u201d asked Roy as he pulled money out of his pocket to find the penny.<\/p>\n \u201cA dime\u2019s worth?\u201d asked Mr. Anderson.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, just a penny.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you in the mood for?\u201d the storekeeper asked.<\/p>\n \u201cAnything but licorice,\u201d said Roy.<\/p>\n Anderson chuckled and pulled a paper sack from underneath the counter. \u201cLittle Joe was in here not five minutes ago, asking if I could order some braille books. You figure he\u2019s planning to donate them to the orphanage?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI dunno,\u201d mumbled Roy.<\/p>\n \u201cI told him I wouldn\u2019t know where to begin. It\u2019s not as if they\u2019re in one of the catalogs.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHmmm,\u201d Roy answered.<\/p>\n \u201cWell here you go,\u201d Mr. Anderson said as he handed the sheriff the filled bag.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you,\u201d Roy said as he handed over the penny.<\/p>\n The bell jingled as he left the mercantile. He popped a sweet into his mouth \u2013 a licorice drop \u2013 and frowned as he headed back to his office.\u00a0\u00a0A man on horseback, in a hurry, got his attention.<\/p>\n \u201cClem!\u201d<\/p>\n With his deputy gone, Roy sat down hard on the bench in front of his office. After a quick look up and down the street, he spat the piece of candy into the dirt.<\/p>\n \u201cTsk, sheriff!\u201d said Mrs. Woodhull as she approached on the boardwalk, making her way to the seamstress.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou\u2019re setting a bad example for children.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t see no children,\u201d said Roy in a testy tone.<\/p>\n Mrs. Woodhull harrumphed as she continued up the boardwalk.<\/p>\n He plopped down on the bench and chose another piece of candy from the bag. His lips puckered at the sourness of a lemon drop.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n After finishing his evening rounds, Roy dimmed the lantern on his desk.\u00a0Might as well get used to the idea<\/i>. He shut his eyes tight and set off for the empty cells, one arm outstretched to feel for the doorframe. This was a path he\u2019d walked day in and day out for years, so familiar he was sure he could navigate it with his eyes closed.<\/p>\n \u201cOw!\u201d<\/p>\n His thigh caught the corner of Clem\u2019s desk. He used his fingers to trace\u00a0the edge of the desk to avoid bumping into it again. Positive his path was clear, he took five steps. His boot hooked the mop leaning against the wall near the doorframe and he stumbled forward, opening his eyes to see what he could grab onto nearby.<\/p>\n Roy clutched the bars of a cell door, which swung with his weight. He lost his balance, and his dignity, as he slipped to the floor.<\/p>\n \u201cReckon only thing hurt is my pride,\u201d he mumbled.<\/p>\n He leveraged the cell door to pull himself up and took stock of the aches and pains.\u00a0Just the usual<\/i>, he thought.<\/p>\n Feeling defeated, he returned to his desk and the lantern. He turned up the light then shuffled off to his room at the back of the office.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n In the morning, Roy sipped a cup of coffee as he shuffled papers around on his desk. Times like this he missed Adam\u2019s house-keeping skills.<\/p>\n At the sound of familiar bootsteps, the sheriff braced himself for another talking to. He raised the cup of coffee to his lips as the door opened.<\/p>\n \u201cRoy, I want to help,\u201d said Joe.<\/p>\n \u201cHmph,\u201d was the sheriff\u2019s reply.<\/p>\n Joe placed a thick paper on the desk and leaned over, resting his palms on either side of the paper. \u201cI borrowed this from the orphanage. When I lost my sight, Pa hired a teacher to show me how to fend for myself. She taught me how to read using my fingers. Let this be my Christmas gift to you – I can teach you, if you\u2019ll let me.\u201d<\/p>\n Roy cocked his head but couldn\u2019t make out letters with any clarity.\u00a0\u00a0He reached out with his free hand and ran his forefinger across the paper, surprised at the raised dots.<\/p>\n \u201cThese dots represent letters of the alphabet and numbers. Once you know each letter by feel, you start putting them together to make words. When you can make words, you can read a book.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIs this that Braille printing? Mr. Anderson told me yesterday that you\u2019d asked about ordering books.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe went over to Clem\u2019s desk then wheeled the deputy\u2019s chair over to Roy\u2019s desk. He tapped the sheet and said, \u201cYou won\u2019t be cut off from the world once your sight is gone or relying on someone to read to you. While you get to know Braille letters, I\u2019ll write Adam to ask him to send some books with raised printing. Those books are like any others but you can feel the letters on the page. That\u2019ll help you practice reading with your fingers.\u201d<\/p>\n Roy set his cup down and felt the raised dots with both hands. \u201cLittle Joe, I never thought I\u2019d hear you eager to teach, unless it had to do with impressing a gal.\u201d<\/p>\n Joe laughed and gave a friendly slap to the older man\u2019s back.<\/p>\n *<\/p>\n After lunch at the International House with Joe, Roy returned to his office to study over the Braille sheet. He looked up at the sound of the opening door and slipped the paper into his desk drawer as Clem stepped inside.<\/p>\n It was as if the two lawmen hadn\u2019t ever exchanged heated words. The younger man hung his hat on a peg and went over to his own desk but paused as if he wasn\u2019t sure whether to take a seat or pack up the few personal belongings.<\/p>\n Roy leaned back in his chair, his sigh nowhere near loud enough to cover the squeaking of the spring.<\/p>\n \u201cJust have a seat,\u201d Roy said. \u201cYou\u2019re makin\u2019 me nervous you\u2019ll do something we\u2019ll both regret.\u201d<\/p>\n Clem did as told and leaned on the desk as if bracing himself for coming bad news.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been givin\u2019 that letter from the governor some thought. Perhaps this town only needs one lawman after all.\u201d Roy raised his hand to prevent Clem interrupting.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI\u2019ve been sheriff here since, well, since Virginia City nearly began. I wasn\u2019t exactly a spring chicken then. This town ain\u2019t as wild nowadays even though the miners can stir up a ruckus with cowboys and tear up a saloon on a Saturday night.\u201d<\/p>\n The deputy\u2019s badge hit the desk with a clink. \u201cI suppose this is the nicest speech a man can have when getting fired.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNow hold on a minute,\u201d said Roy. \u201cI never said nothing about you losin\u2019 your job. I figure it\u2019s gettin\u2019 time for me to think about retiring and leaving the hard work to someone younger.\u201d<\/p>\n Roy stifled a chuckle at Clem\u2019s raised eyebrows and open mouth. It wasn\u2019t often he surprised a person and it gave Roy a warm feeling in his chest knowing this was a gift Clem truly appreciated.<\/p>\n \u201cBut you were just re-elected last year,\u201d said Clem.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou still got a year to go.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cConsider this my Christmas gift to you. I\u2019ll stay on for another six months and I\u2019ll start gettin\u2019 folks used to the idea of a new sheriff. This way, I can teach you most of what I know and you\u2019ll get experience in the job before the next election.\u201d<\/p>\n Clem walked over to the sheriff\u2019s desk, his arm extended to shake the other man\u2019s hand. Roy smiled and firmly clasped his deputy\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n Roy swept up loose papers on his desk and shuffled them into a neat stack. He handed them to Clem. \u201cYou can get started by sortin\u2019 through all these wanted posters. Toss out the ones for those who\u2019ve been caught and tack up the ones we need to keep an eye out for.\u201d<\/p>\n Clem smiled and nodded before heading to his desk.<\/p>\n Roy cracked open his desk drawer and slid a couple of fingers inside to run them across the Braille letters. He\u2019d been a lawman for most of his life, the majority of his time in Virginia City. His duty was to serve and protect the people of Virginia City but those same people had become his family and some, like the Cartwrights and Dr. Martin, had become close friends.\u00a0\u00a0His world was going to dim, in months or maybe years, but friends wouldn\u2019t let him flounder in the darkness.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The End<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Prompt: Braille printing, 1829 <\/p>\n Link to Day 15 of the Bonanza Brand Advent Calendar – The Stamp Effect<\/a> by Cheaux<\/p>\n
\n~*~*~ Advent Calendar ~*~*~
\n* Day 14 *<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n
\nCharacter: Roy Coffee<\/p>\n