Read without ads and support Scribd by becoming a Scribd Premium Reader.
See Premium Plans
 
By Maz McCoyHe watched their faces; mouths dropped open, eyes wide in astonishment at the speed of his partner’s draw. Heyes shoulders visibly relaxed and he let out the breath he had beenholding. Kid was fast, lightning fast, faster than he’d ever be. Kid practiced, he cleanedhis gun until sometimes it quite literally shone and his speed continued to save their lives.The man opposite Kid at the poker table had no idea who he was talking to when hecalled the young blond man a cheat and a liar, as he threw down his cards in disgust. He pushed back his chair, with dramatic outrage and glared at Kid. The man’s face began toturn red with anger, as two cool blue eyes met his own.Heyes tried to reason with him but the man wasn’t listening. Kid sighed and slowly pushed back his chair, rising to his feet to face him. His voice was calm. He was beingvery reasonable but the man wanted only one thing. He went for his gun.And then there were the gasps and the wide eyed expressions, as Kid out drew him. HisColt pointed unwavering at the man, who could only stand and wait to see what the blondman would do next.Some said Kid had a gift and Heyes had to agree that he did. He was the fastest he’d ever seen; the fastest gun in the west, but that was down to hours of relentless practice.Kid didn’t pull the trigger. He met the man’s gaze, allowing him to know what could have been. Allowing him to live. The ability to do that, in the heat of a life and death situation;to judge in a split second when not to pull the trigger; to Heyes that was Kid’s gift. Hegave others in turn, the gift of their lives back.Heyes smiled.“Whatcha grinning at?” Kid asked, as he twirled his gun a couple of times beforedropping it into his holster.“You,” Heyes told him, rising to his feet.“Me?”“Yep.”“You’re weird sometimes Heyes, you know that?” Kid told his friend.“C’mon, I’ll buy you a beer,” Heyes said, placing a hand on his partner’s shoulder, asthey turned towards the bar. “After that, I could sure use one.”1
 
By Denise Craig"I don't know Kid, I guess...I guess the year I got the cannons." Heyes smiled at thememory. "It made the battle I was trying to win, a sure thing. How 'bout you? What wasyour favorite Christmas present?""That's easy, the pocket knife. I remember I had wanted that knife for two Christmas'. Pakept saying, "Next year, when you've out grown the leprechauns. I remember walkingaround on tiptoe trying to seem taller," Kid laughed.They were sitting by the fire, cups of coffee in their hands as the snow swirled aboutthem. It was not something that they intentionally brought up...the past. Tonight however,it just seemed as if the memories needed to be spoken and shared."I always loved Christmas. I remember the smells... cookies, candles, the tree. It allseemed so magical somehow." Kid blushed slightly, he really hadn't meant to say that outloud, he had been thinking it and it had just come out. He looked over at his partner, surehe was about to be teased.Heyes just looked at him, a wistful look in his eyes. "I know what you mean, and then theexcitement of Christmas morning, it was..."Heyes faltered, looking at the floor."Magical?" Kid smiled."A gift. The gift of family, friends..." Heyes looked up, "...the magic..." here he did smile,"...the excitement. All of it. A gift that kept giving. It held the gift of good memories."Kid smiled back. "Yeah Heyes, I think you're right. Merry Christmas partner." He raisedhis coffee cup as the clock struck twelve."Merry Christmas Kid." Heyes met Kid's cup with his own. " Merry Christmas."By CD RobertsA large gloplet of salted water welled up in the corner of Hannibal Heyes’ right eye. Itlatched onto one of his lower eyelashes, three in from the nose side, pooled up, anddribbled down his face.“It’s, it’s indescribable,” he managed to choke out, “I don’t know what it is about it, butit’s…” and here his voice quavered and wavered out.“…um unique,” finished the Kid for his partner. “Boys, that’s gotta be just about themost, um, well, the most orange piece of clothing I’ve ever seen.”2
 
“Thank-ee, Kid,” said Kyle proudly.The Devil’s Hole Gang nodded in agreement.“We had to search real hard to find that vest. It had to be just right to show how much weappreciate the leader of our gang for leading us in such a successful hold up. We wantedsomething unique,” the Preacher said.“It’ll sure stand out on our next robbery,” added Lobo.“We wanna show everyone our leader is real special, and we’re real proud of him,”whined Kyle.Wheat looked over jealously. It wasn’t the gift of which he was jealous. He figured it hadto be about the ugliest piece of clothing he had ever seen, orange with red paisleys patterned on it. The kind of thing that was guaranteed to give its wearer a headache. Hewas jealous of the attention Heyes was receiving.“You know, some of us here contributed to the success of that there hold up,” he began.“I know,” said Heyes, “this vest, well, it belongs to everyone in this room.” He held it upin all its glory, and the Kid and Wheat flinched at the sight of it.“I don’t know what it is about it, but it reminds me of something,” and here Heyes brokedown in tears, sobbing uncontrollably.“Reminds me of a warthog run over by a wagon,” muttered Wheat.The Preacher gave Heyes a comforting pat on his back, which only contributed to thesensitive man’s gulps and sobs.“Boy, Heyes sure is deep,” observed Kyle.Lobo nodded sagely. “That’s ‘cause he’s got deep thoughts, and all those deepmemories.”“I’m sorry boys,” Heyes managed to mumble out, which wasn’t easy, as his head was onhis arms on his lap, and he was still crying, “I don’t know what’s come over me.”“Oh hell, here we go,” grumbled Wheat, who stood up and opened the door. “I’m goingover to get some grub, any of you coming with me? I think I can stand to miss thissession.”Kyle looked over, clearly torn between food and his loyalty to his leader. But it was clear Heyes needed their help, and he decided to remain, at least until his stomach rumbled out3
Search
Search History:
Searching...
Result 00 of 00
00 results for result for
  • p.
    • Notes
    Load more