It was lunch time as JD, Buck, Vin and Ezra sat around a table eating their
meals. Ezra took his pace and was just half way while a famished Buck asked
for a second refill. JD barely ate, playing with his food, twisting it
around his fork.
"May I dare to ask Mr. Dunne, what is it that troubles your soul this much?"
Ezra sensed JD's uneasiness to stay with them. The kid seemed ready to fly
any time.
"Well... he is just going to ride with Casey this afternoon... and talk
about... serious stuff," answered Buck as he took a gulp of beer. "Right JD?"
"Yes... but I'd really love if I had not to... talk." JD shook his had and
sank his chin deep in his hands.
Vin touched his shoulder trying to cheer up his young friend. "You know
she's a great girl. And a caring heart, too."
"I am certain that she will not turn her back on you. This young lady does
love you, Mr. Dunne. Let's just hope for the best." Ezra looked
sympathetically at the anxious sheriff who, seated beside his lover, was so
afraid of losing his girl friend. Not to mention his reputation. As well as
Buck's.
JD nodded and rose from his chair. "Thank you for your words. I gotta go
now. See ya later." The last words were directed just to Buck who tenderly winked
one eye in response.
As JD crossed the saloon's doors he heard Vin and Ezra asking Buck about his
girl. Buck's laugh was filled with pleasure. JD sighed as he realized that
it's for this girl that he would hurt another girl's feelings...Oh...You
know you should have talked about it before... so damn much earlier... Now
he had no choice.
+ + + + + + +
Exiting Four Corners main street JD met a smiling Casey waiting for him.
"Hey JD!" She waved a hand at him. She was already on her horse, dressed as
usual in her creamy blouse and brown pants. The difference was that instead
of two braids her hair was tied in a high pony-tail. She was cute and
exuberantly happy.
"How are you Casey?" JD smiled too, touched by the contagious happiness
emanating from the girl. "Ready to run?"
"Sure I am! But look what a brought us... I mean to you!" She took a
small bag and threw it at him.
"Honey candies!" JD's eyes almost popped out their sockets. "Love them!"
"Yeah... Aunt Nettie knows...she sent them to you."
"Why thank her for me!" JD grinned ear to ear. "Now... bet you can't catch
me!" and in a cloud of yellow dust he left her behind.
"Oh no... John Dunne, you don't dare!!" Casey yelled, and in a few seconds was
at JD's horse's tail.
+ + + + + + +
It was close to dusk and both were exhausted. They had come back to Nettie's
ranch and now sat under a huge tree covered with flowers.
In companionable silence they chewed all the honey candies as the sky went
from a baby blue to pink and orange tones.
"Casey... can we talk?" His voice was very low and tremulous.
"Aren't we talking?" Her voice had a trace of amusement. She looked intently
at her friend and saw his inner fight. "JD...what is it? You've been quiet
this last week...and today you barely said ten words..."
"Yeah... sorry..." He wished he could explain things for her, that at least
his voice cooperated. His heart was exploding and he felt his body starting
to sweat coldly.
"God... I've been rehearsing this... but now! I am lost..."
Casey took one of his hands and tried to understand what was going on..."JD
please say what is bothering you! I'm scared, I've never seen you like this..."
"We are friends right? Good friends?" He forced himself to look in her eyes.
"Of course we are JD..." She frowned then gave him a shy smile. "Best friends!"
"You know what everyone around keep saying about us, don't you? That we
should be more than that..."
"Hmm...yes. But I don't care."
"You don't? Why?" Now he was confused...
"Oh JD... I don't think I want to compromise so soon... I'm a kid with no
desire to lose her toys yet. And even though I had tried to change...
remember that sorry scene I did when Buck introduced me to you? I'm not
ready..."
"Oh...I see." He was speechless. The young man felt relieved that he would
not
seriously
break this sweet girl's heart, but still felt the need to tell
her the truth. "I asked you that because I... I've been seeing someone else for
awhile. Actually I love this person."
Casey tilted her head to one side, studying his face. It's obvious that
there was more... "JD! Why did you never mention it? Who is she?"
"Promise that if I tell this you won't start screaming or go out and tell
everybody about it? Because that would be a tragedy."
"I would never do such a thing!" Now she was indignant. "Why do you think
I'd do that?"
"Because this person is not a she, is not a girl... it is a he. And he is
Buck." There... he finally said that. "We are together for real. I know it's
too soon to speak like this but...it's real..."
Casey had never let go of his hand during the entire conversation. JD felt
her grip intensify and looked at their joined hands. She stayed with him.
She never left him...
Still distracted by her hold on him and his own thoughts and fears, he
missed the first sob that escaped from her mouth. But then came a second...
and a third...
"You're crying!! Please don't do this Casey...please..." Damn...he would end up
crying too... "Tell me what are you're feeling...please don't be sad..." With
these last words he embraced her lightly.
"I'm not sad JD... I'm scared... how can you...you two...how JD?"
"Casey... I don't know how ... just know that we found each other... and
it's fine. And I'm so happy..."
"Are you?" She sniffed one last time and retracted from him as he nodded.
Drying the tears that spilled over her face she gazed at him "Are you
sharing him?"
"What?" her words made no sense.
"Buck is known for not being the most faithful man in the world...at least I've
heard... Oh sorry JD... I am a cry baby..." and again tears were running down her
cheeks.
"Ok, you can cry all you want... oh and he is trying to behave...okay? You
don't have to worry about it..."
"But I worry JD... I care about you... OH!! And right now...What
are you going to do? What is he going to do? Geez JD...it's so confusing..."
"Yeah... I suppose it is." After running his hands through every pocket from his vest and pants
he found his hanky and gave it to her.
"Thanks..." making a major effort to stop that silly crying she smiled at
him. "I must look like a monster..."
"I am not a cute sight either, I guess... See my froggy eyes? Two monsters we
are... Two monster friends?"
"Oh sure! Believe me JD, we are friends even if right now I don't understand
you very well..." Her breath was still uneven. "Ah... and you also can trust me
because no one will know about it. I'll keep your secret."
"Thank you my sweet friend Casey. Thank you so much." He gave her a tight
hug that almost left her breathless and with broken ribs.
"JD! Watch out! Look what you did to my hair! What am I going to say to Aunt
Nettie?
And they were laughing again.
+ + + + + + +
As JD entered his darkened bedroom he found himself being enfolded by strong
arms and soothing hands. He was tired and now he would relax.
"How were things love?" Buck whispered close to his ear while his fingers
cradled his nape and ran through his hair. He felt so loved, so secure.
"Better than I could imagine. We're still friends." His voice came out muffled
as he buried his face in Buck's chest. "Still good friends Buck".
"Good... now rest love..."
"Need you Buck..."
"You have me. Let's lay down huh?"
"Good idea... Buck?"
"Yes lover?"
"I do love you...you know?"
Instead of an answer JD received a passionate kiss.
He was happy.
The End
