iaintwildbill (iaintwildbill) wrote in voicesinmyhead, @ 2007-06-26 20:48:00 |
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Current location: | Sweetwater, Kansas Territory |
Current mood: | contemplative |
Entry tags: | jimmy hickok, prompt #02 |
Prompt #2 - Family
Lots of people back in Missouri and Illinois know who my daddy was. William Alonzo Hickok was one of the most well known abolitionists of his day and a lot of people felt he was a good man. He fought for somethin' I still believe in, but it doesn't make him a good man. Or maybe it does, but... it sure don't make him a good father or a good husband to my momma. Polly Butler Hickok was a gentle lady who took a whole lot more punishment than I think I could ever stand. She took care of the whole lot of us kids and there wasn't a thing in the world she wouldn't do for my daddy. To bad he didn't always feel the same. The Underground Railroad always came first. I learned a hell of a lot from that time, riding with him to Panton's Mills station in the dead of night. A lot of things I learned, I'd like ta forget, too.
But that ain't here nor there anymore, and I ain't in Illinois any more. I'm in Sweetwater and if I were ta be completely honest, the family I got here is just about the best a man could ask for. That ain't sayin' I don't love my brothers and sisters back home, 'cause I do. It's just that I've been through so much with everyone here already. Kid, Cody, Buck, Ike... Lou... they're like brothers to me. Teaspoon's a hell of a man and probably the smartest I know. He don't always make sense sometimes, but when he does, it's like he's openin' a huge door for ya and all ya gotta do is listen to get through it. Aw hell, now I'm soundin' like him.
Anyway, there's the Marshal of Sweetwater, Sam Cain. I think I'd kinda like to be like him one day. He's seen it all, and you can tell sometimes, when he thinks you ain't lookin'. He ain't ever come out and said it, but he used ta be a gunfighter. And he's head over heels for Emma Shannon.
*locked from everyone*
*sigh* Emma. I made a plain fool of myself with her. Thought I was in love with her and all but told her as much before she had ta let me know we couldn't be anything more than friends. Lookin' back, I think she's right. It wasn't love. Not like the kind I thought it was. I just admire her a lot, ya know? She's a strong lady and the best damn cook I ever knew. She takes care of all of us boys and makes sure that we get a soft bed and a warm meal. She's just an amazing lady, but really, I've been kinda lucky as far as amazing ladies go. My momma and my sisters were all strong, stubborn women. Emma, too.
And Lou. Louise. I almost laugh every time I hear Emma call her Lulabell. It just don't seem ta fit her right, ya know? I mean, maybe it's just 'cause I didn't know she was a girl for so long, but I think Lou fits her better than anything. And you wanna talk about a strong lady. Ain't no woman in this world that rides as tall or shoots as straight as her. Hell, she'd give half the men a run for their money, too. I know she gives me a run for mine. I admire the hell out of her and I'd do just about anything ta keep her safe. 'Course, unlike some people, I know she can take care of herself. Kid don't always seem ta get that. It's like he wants ta put her in a glass case where no one can touch her, but... he don't seem ta get that she don't want that. She's wild, kinda like an untamed colt. Kid wants ta tame her, but... sometimes, they're just untamable. Lou... *laughs* she's definitely untamable.
*unlocked*
I don't suppose I'd trade any of 'em. Well, 'cept maybe Cody when he gets ta talkin'. I swear, he's got a mouth that just don't quit. If he ain't talkin', he's eatin. If he ain't eatin', he's sleepin' and you can bet he's snorin', too. I'd trade him alright, but I don't think I could get anybody ta take him!
Just kidding, Cody. I wouldn't trade you. None of you. Not for anything on this earth.