A Knife to Slice CH 5
Chapter 5: A Bag Of Treasure
A bag of treasure
CH 5
BY: Wolfa Moon
SUM: Just what are these items? Will Ezra wake up?
DIS: Don't own. I think I wrote Josiah Out of Character.
CH1 Excerpt
Who cares about his first gift from his father? Now only a scrap of fur remains of the stuffed lion.
Who will touch parchment so old that the corners are no longer a perfect angles? A deck of cards given to a boy told to 'entertain yourself' and 'stay out of the way'. Always stay out of the way unless you're useful.
Who cares about the ribbon? A long piece of red velvet. Worn in places. A symbol of his one true love. Ezra plays with the ring on his finger. He remembered her. His love.
What will people make of the drawling? Mere scribbles on a bible pages. Only two colors. Yet it filled the good book. A welcome home gift for daddy. Yet daddy never got to receive it from his daughter. Having to find it when he scavenged through his house home after coming back form battle.
Would they remember her smile? Would they remember her laughter? He would as he closes his eyes. Remembering a time that he twirled her in the air. Making her fly like an angel.
Ezra looked at his treasure. Sure there is money. But that is all it is. Just money. Scraps of paper with legal ink marking it as worth. The scribble on the bible page worth more than any pot he won.
Time to move on.
A bag of treasure
Chris had become a fixture in the room. Pawing at the gambler to accept his help. The alpha going out of him, but he is it. Yet the alpha is suppose to protect his pack. Ezra is part of them. Sure he is a black sheep. No, He is a wolf in sheep's clothing. And the wolf that is part of the seven. Pack who bit, scrapped, tore at the sheep's hide upon him. Making him bleed. Confusing his own blood with his cover. Or is it?
Vin had gone out to where Ezra had done his dead. Seeking revelation. He had found the only gift that was given to him from the seven. Unknown to Ezra that Chris had loaned Vin the money to pay for the gift. Now the knife sheathed in Chris' gun belt. Not going to keep it. Just holding the present until the gambler felt better. And would use it in protection not in harm. Even then he would have to keep an eye out. What got to him more are the items in the small folded piece of leather. Expecting to see the gamblers gold. Surprise upon finding Ezra's true treasures. Each item taken care of with loving priceless love.
Bypassing the smaller items he took the biggest of the items out. Or was once. A bible that had seen better days. Especially before the fire had hit. The book singed yet still readable. Chris held it in his hand. Learning so much about the gambler. Especially how their past intertwined. Looking along the family line. It is the family McCoy bible. Looking along the signed tree of family past. Then the most recent. Daughter: Laura Reinette McCoy & Husband: Phineas Ezra Standton. Shortly scrawled under that was Daughter: Violet Reinette Standton. Ezra had been a father. A husband. They are more alike then they seemed. Everyone knew of Chris' skeletons. But Ezra had his buried. Burned to ash and mixed with wind to fly to heaven. Remembered by a man who had broken under duress. Who six men and a town had broken. Knowing he had time now to sit with his demons. Fighting over what he had done and how to correct. Skimming the book he had found drawings and scribbled inside pages of the book. What made him smile sadly are when he finds the pages of a young girl learning to write her name. Turning her O in her name into a smiley face. A child. No picture had been found amongst the items. They must have all burned in the fire. Or Ezra didn't have the money for one. Which Chris doubted. But you never truly know a man's past. Look at what a burnt bible taught him.
Ezra had so much depth. They only saw a cover. The sheep. Yet with this. Chris saw the beautiful wolf underneath. Worthy to be an alpha of his own pack. Not to be alone. He wasn't alone, once. Beginning to start his own small pack. Just as Chris had done. Then in a moment.
Gone.
ABT
Vin had taken a spell to sit with his friend. Chris never left unless Vin, who he trusted would not hurt, is with Ez. The rest of the pack trying to get him to rest. Chris did rest. Resting his head on the side of the cot where Ezra lay. Never leaving his side. Trying to make up, repent. Vin had looked over the bible. Knowing what it is. But what got him are the other items. The scrap of fur. Wondering its purpose. Figuring it out that it once belonged to a bigger item. This the only loving piece left.
It hurt to think that money is the only thing the gambler loved. Learning that money is just that. Nothing. Yes it helps. But these are what truly made him. The group learning so much about the man. Vin had taken in Ezra's room. For Ezra had given him a key to his room. Offering him warmth when the weather too rough for his wagon. Much obliged.
Remembering those moments spent together. The knife a gift of thanks. Listening to Ezra speak poetry. Entrancing him of great works he had never heard before. Sweetly spoken words. Closing his eyes, Vin remembers a time when the voice broke.
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling place.
And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
(She walks in beauty: Lord Byron)
Ezra had finished it. But never spoke it again. He had to ask Mary to teach him it. For it is a lovely piece. And if it could melt the walls of his friend he would learn it for him. So the next time he broke upon speaking it. Vin could help him finish it. To allow Ezra to know he had a friend.
ABT
Buck had taken one look at the lace-embroidered ribbon and knew the story that it told. Stunned to silence that the man who lay still before him had found love. Had loved. Given to the old fashion of ways of hand fasting. His mother telling of ancient love bound together by a thread. Witnessing it between two women in the house. For they catered to all. Love is love. And to each their own. And this ancient ceremony Buck saw how deep the love is. Done in secret before official in a bible of god.
To be my life partner, To walk, run, and dance this new path together, To love, care and share, To let the winds dance between us, Let the fires burn within us, And the waters flow through us.
ABT
"Sacrilege."
Josiah cringed at the desecrated bible. Snatched quickly from his hands when anger seethed through his lips. Chris holding it protective to his chest as a hurt pup. Nurturing the sacrilege and disgrace at it. Not seeing the true color mix with words. Vin standing in front of Chris to protect the object. Seething he let them be to a godless world. How could they defend such sacrilege?
Praying in a pew for the soulless and damned. Counting himself amongst them. The door opening at the back of the church didn't' make him stir. Nor did the clang of familiar spurs as they walked toward him. Why is he here? He hasn't moved once and now here he is. The alpha maintaining order.
Chris stood in the pew in front of him. Thrusting the book so he could see what the sacrilege really is.
Loving pictures from a dead child to her abandoned father. Josiah made to reach for it but Chris held it back. Still protecting it. Josiah could only nod. He understood. But it hurt. Chris walked away but stopped at the entrance. Josiah still didn't make a move.
Chris turned and walked out. Josiah closed his eyes. Still seeing the drawings of a mountain in psalms. And the little girl drawling herself sticky with a dog. A bow in her hair. His son had a family. Had something once to fight for. All gone now.
He had them. Did he? Not able to face the image of their comrade in that state. How could they have done this? Looking up to the sky for forgiveness. Too late.
ABT
Nathan could only observe their lone, renegade, thief of a wolf lay their comatose. Book in lap researching anything he could on this condition. He wanted to send for a real doctor but was vetoed. Fear that the doctor would send their wolf to a cage. A cage to be studied and left to the crazies of the world. Chris snapped at that. Threatening to steel Ezra right then and there. Take him someplace safe.
To bad Ezra didn't believe himself to be safe.
ABT
Ezra is safe in his mind but not to the outside world. In his cabin away from them all. Walking in an open field horse reins held in hand. Letting his little one ride in the saddle like a big girl, all on her own. Smells of home cooking drafted over to them. He had peace.
ABT
Ezra took in a deep breath and sighed heavily. Chris moved at that. Closer to the injured. It was the first major sign of movement. There and gone. But then another deep breathe in. A tray is placed on the chair beside them. Chris glances over at Vin who brought the tray laden with food. And the smell. A fresh cherry pie.
"Mrs. Potter got several bushel's in. Heard Ez was in a bad way. She made it for him." Vin sighed, there was more. Wondering if he should reveal what is being spoken. Chris stared at him. Seeing that there is something else. Nodding his head encouraging Vin. Vin sighed. "There are rumors going around. None of them good." Vin lifted up a napkin off the food. "People are wondering who got to Ezra. Some say he dealt to the wrong people. Other's are saying...um… you did it. Drag his ass back to town and not leaving his side in order for him to not pull anything. But Mrs. Potter asked is this because of the medical supplies he requested." Resting his hat on the bedpost. "Seems to have been requesting them for a while." True the pack had scene the stitching of wounds. Wounds he had hidden from them when the rest had fought together against a common foe. To bad none of them saw how their lone wolf had limped away at the end of fights. Feeing unwelcomed to join. Nathan took a insult to him not coming to him for help. Vin had to remind him that whenever they were in the presence with each other. There is always an unkind remark. Ezra guess didn't want to deal with that. Even asking Mrs. Potter to order special supplies. But when Emmett came to Nathan for suture and meds and the items that Ezra had procured not being used she began to speculate. Chris nodded through some of the details. "The piece of information is the pie. It's not her recipe but one Ezra gave to her." Vin ran a hand over his face. "Ezra confided in her about his wife and daughter." That is why Mrs. Potter has no problem for letting Emmet and Alice. "So I asked her about that. She told me, 'Ezra is a complicated man.' Talked to her about how his family had a small farm in the upper Georgia. Outside a metropolis. Problem being that their house was a stop in the railroad." Chris looked over at that. "Seems there was a mole in their group. Gave them the Stanton name. Ezra at the time fought for his home. Hiring slaves to help tend his farm. His cover for having them. But…" Chris could finish. It didn't end well. "Ezra serving not able to help his family defend themselves. Coming home to a charred remains."
"How did she learn this?"
"Ezra talked to her. She listened. They would exchange stories. Also wondering why I was suddenly taking a high interest in Ezra. Since I never had before." Chris looked at him. Vin nodded. They hadn't taken time to invest. Vin had somewhat. "But she saw the friendship that budded between us. Especially when I bought the knife. I remember now." Waking an old memory. "About time he had a friend." Repeating her words. Vin sank into the chair looking at the heavy breathing body. "Is he okay?"
"Started doing that when you arrived with the food?" Both looked at the tray. Especially the cherry pie. It smelled divine. Ezra's recipe.
"Maybe," Chris picked up the knife. Smearing some of the filling on it then spreading it over the gambler's lips. Watching some trickle inside. They waited. A pink tongue came out to lick at the filling. Chris jumped for joy inside. Doing the action again and again till a whole slice had been scooped clean. Ezra making humming sounds with each taste.
ABT
Ezra sat on a swing the pie plate empty on his lap. Looking at the scenery. The farm, trees, horses prancing in the dusk. A weight descended onto the swing beside him. His beautiful wife, Laura, closing her eyes to take in the last rays. The last rays. Ezra shuddered. This is not right.
"Laura?" she turns to smile at him.
"Yes Phineas." Ezra smiled then concentrated.
"You're not here are you?" Things began to shift in his vision.
"No my love. I am here, but not." Ezra closed his eyes. He is dreaming. Such a good dream. He didn't want to leave but he had figured it out. This is not real. But was once. Something he wanted. She tilts her head at him in that way trying to get past his barriers. Seeing right into his soul. He shimmered with emotion. He didn't want to go. But it wasn't real. "I don't want to go." She touched his face.
"I know. But you could never live a lie." Calling him on himself. For she is apart of him. "It's not your way. You can't fight it." He had tried on the outside. Ending up here while living a lie. Never truly able to live it.
"I want to though. This time I do." He moved a hand to her face. Caressing, taking in her warmth. He missed her so much.
"But you won't be happy. Living in the shadows. You never liked is a child and you won't have it now. Especially with us." Ezra wants this lie. Want to stay here. He had been living a lie out there why not here. "You know better." Ezra gripped onto her tightly. Holding her one last time. Pulling her close. Smelling her hair. Her smell.
"I miss you." He didn't want to go. But he had to. Never one to live those lies. He had lived so many. Even now living one. Hating ever moment. Never himself. Bleeding through at the cracks. Blood spilling over the mask. Mask over the mask but not a mask. His true self. Coming to the surface once again. The family man. The man who would do anything for family. Protect till he couldn't any longer. Hide the pain away. But he can't hide anymore.
He took the place in one last time. His family farm. Generation to generation on his father's side. Gazing back to his wife. His beautiful wife. Her red tints shimmering in the dusk rays. Heart speeding in beats. His beautiful Laura, his love. Parted but never apart. Running a hand along her check. Stepping closer he feels her warmth. Her breath on his check. Tears on his face. She doesn't want him to leave or is it himself who is bleeding through. Tears on his own face.
"I love you so much." She rests her hand on his face.
"I love you more." He kisses the breaths out of her. Part they stare into each other's eyes. Sadness, grief. Emotions he had dealt all with before for them spill to the surface. But this one will hurt the most. She takes his hand and leads him inside. Through the kitchen toward the back two rooms bypassing their room she opened the door. He stares at it afraid. They are long gone but the hurt still there. This dream so real. They so real. Laura squeezes his hand. Strength. Ezra takes a deep breath and opens the door.
There on the bed is his little queen. His flower that he help seed and nurture to grow to this state that was her finale. Gone before her time. Sadly he went to her bed. She turns to face him.
"Are you sad daddy?" Ezra can't speak. This is a dream but it is the memory when he had to go off to war. His finally live moments with his family. With his beautiful child. Hair dark but the red highlights inherited by both shinning in the candlelight. Eyes that are a reflection of his. Staring at him with the brightest of emotions. True love.
"I am," and he is again. The knife twisting further. More blood to the surface. She moves in and hugs him.
"Don't be sad. I'm here." Ezra holds her close to her as tight as he can.
"I know you are," lying to himself. Hating this. A part of him that always made him bleed and cry out in the night.
"What wrong?"
"I have to go away." She moves back to look up at him.
"Can I come too?" Breathe hitching.
"Sorry darlin. Not this time."
"Next time."
"Of course."
"Promise." Ezra gulped for air.
"I promise." He had every intent of it. When the war end he would take her anywhere she wanted. Things never go as planned.
"I love you daddy." She hugged him tight. "You are the bestest."
"That is not a word." He laughed sadly.
"It should be. Cause you are." He hugs her close to him. Kissing her on top of her hair. Tears running down his face. Looking through the tears he spies Laura by the door. The light keeping her in shadow. A shadow. Ezra hugs Violet tighter. Let him have one final moment. Let him have this one finale lie.
A wolf howls. Ezra jerks at the noise. Scaring him. Saddening him. Pulling back he smiles at her. She smiles at him. It is time soon. Moving in they exchange kisses. Then they rub their noses together.
"Good night Daddy.
"Good Night my Little Queen."
TBC…
A/N: I cried during the end. Not sure where to leap off from here. Some ideas but who knows. Thank you for reading. Reviews decreed.
A bag of treasure
CH 5
BY: Wolfa Moon
SUM: Just what are these items? Will Ezra wake up?
DIS: Don't own. I think I wrote Josiah Out of Character.
CH1 Excerpt
Who cares about his first gift from his father? Now only a scrap of fur remains of the stuffed lion.
Who will touch parchment so old that the corners are no longer a perfect angles? A deck of cards given to a boy told to 'entertain yourself' and 'stay out of the way'. Always stay out of the way unless you're useful.
Who cares about the ribbon? A long piece of red velvet. Worn in places. A symbol of his one true love. Ezra plays with the ring on his finger. He remembered her. His love.
What will people make of the drawling? Mere scribbles on a bible pages. Only two colors. Yet it filled the good book. A welcome home gift for daddy. Yet daddy never got to receive it from his daughter. Having to find it when he scavenged through his house home after coming back form battle.
Would they remember her smile? Would they remember her laughter? He would as he closes his eyes. Remembering a time that he twirled her in the air. Making her fly like an angel.
Ezra looked at his treasure. Sure there is money. But that is all it is. Just money. Scraps of paper with legal ink marking it as worth. The scribble on the bible page worth more than any pot he won.
Time to move on.
A bag of treasure
Chris had become a fixture in the room. Pawing at the gambler to accept his help. The alpha going out of him, but he is it. Yet the alpha is suppose to protect his pack. Ezra is part of them. Sure he is a black sheep. No, He is a wolf in sheep's clothing. And the wolf that is part of the seven. Pack who bit, scrapped, tore at the sheep's hide upon him. Making him bleed. Confusing his own blood with his cover. Or is it?
Vin had gone out to where Ezra had done his dead. Seeking revelation. He had found the only gift that was given to him from the seven. Unknown to Ezra that Chris had loaned Vin the money to pay for the gift. Now the knife sheathed in Chris' gun belt. Not going to keep it. Just holding the present until the gambler felt better. And would use it in protection not in harm. Even then he would have to keep an eye out. What got to him more are the items in the small folded piece of leather. Expecting to see the gamblers gold. Surprise upon finding Ezra's true treasures. Each item taken care of with loving priceless love.
Bypassing the smaller items he took the biggest of the items out. Or was once. A bible that had seen better days. Especially before the fire had hit. The book singed yet still readable. Chris held it in his hand. Learning so much about the gambler. Especially how their past intertwined. Looking along the family line. It is the family McCoy bible. Looking along the signed tree of family past. Then the most recent. Daughter: Laura Reinette McCoy & Husband: Phineas Ezra Standton. Shortly scrawled under that was Daughter: Violet Reinette Standton. Ezra had been a father. A husband. They are more alike then they seemed. Everyone knew of Chris' skeletons. But Ezra had his buried. Burned to ash and mixed with wind to fly to heaven. Remembered by a man who had broken under duress. Who six men and a town had broken. Knowing he had time now to sit with his demons. Fighting over what he had done and how to correct. Skimming the book he had found drawings and scribbled inside pages of the book. What made him smile sadly are when he finds the pages of a young girl learning to write her name. Turning her O in her name into a smiley face. A child. No picture had been found amongst the items. They must have all burned in the fire. Or Ezra didn't have the money for one. Which Chris doubted. But you never truly know a man's past. Look at what a burnt bible taught him.
Ezra had so much depth. They only saw a cover. The sheep. Yet with this. Chris saw the beautiful wolf underneath. Worthy to be an alpha of his own pack. Not to be alone. He wasn't alone, once. Beginning to start his own small pack. Just as Chris had done. Then in a moment.
Gone.
ABT
Vin had taken a spell to sit with his friend. Chris never left unless Vin, who he trusted would not hurt, is with Ez. The rest of the pack trying to get him to rest. Chris did rest. Resting his head on the side of the cot where Ezra lay. Never leaving his side. Trying to make up, repent. Vin had looked over the bible. Knowing what it is. But what got him are the other items. The scrap of fur. Wondering its purpose. Figuring it out that it once belonged to a bigger item. This the only loving piece left.
It hurt to think that money is the only thing the gambler loved. Learning that money is just that. Nothing. Yes it helps. But these are what truly made him. The group learning so much about the man. Vin had taken in Ezra's room. For Ezra had given him a key to his room. Offering him warmth when the weather too rough for his wagon. Much obliged.
Remembering those moments spent together. The knife a gift of thanks. Listening to Ezra speak poetry. Entrancing him of great works he had never heard before. Sweetly spoken words. Closing his eyes, Vin remembers a time when the voice broke.
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling place.
And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
(She walks in beauty: Lord Byron)
Ezra had finished it. But never spoke it again. He had to ask Mary to teach him it. For it is a lovely piece. And if it could melt the walls of his friend he would learn it for him. So the next time he broke upon speaking it. Vin could help him finish it. To allow Ezra to know he had a friend.
ABT
Buck had taken one look at the lace-embroidered ribbon and knew the story that it told. Stunned to silence that the man who lay still before him had found love. Had loved. Given to the old fashion of ways of hand fasting. His mother telling of ancient love bound together by a thread. Witnessing it between two women in the house. For they catered to all. Love is love. And to each their own. And this ancient ceremony Buck saw how deep the love is. Done in secret before official in a bible of god.
To be my life partner, To walk, run, and dance this new path together, To love, care and share, To let the winds dance between us, Let the fires burn within us, And the waters flow through us.
ABT
"Sacrilege."
Josiah cringed at the desecrated bible. Snatched quickly from his hands when anger seethed through his lips. Chris holding it protective to his chest as a hurt pup. Nurturing the sacrilege and disgrace at it. Not seeing the true color mix with words. Vin standing in front of Chris to protect the object. Seething he let them be to a godless world. How could they defend such sacrilege?
Praying in a pew for the soulless and damned. Counting himself amongst them. The door opening at the back of the church didn't' make him stir. Nor did the clang of familiar spurs as they walked toward him. Why is he here? He hasn't moved once and now here he is. The alpha maintaining order.
Chris stood in the pew in front of him. Thrusting the book so he could see what the sacrilege really is.
Loving pictures from a dead child to her abandoned father. Josiah made to reach for it but Chris held it back. Still protecting it. Josiah could only nod. He understood. But it hurt. Chris walked away but stopped at the entrance. Josiah still didn't make a move.
Chris turned and walked out. Josiah closed his eyes. Still seeing the drawings of a mountain in psalms. And the little girl drawling herself sticky with a dog. A bow in her hair. His son had a family. Had something once to fight for. All gone now.
He had them. Did he? Not able to face the image of their comrade in that state. How could they have done this? Looking up to the sky for forgiveness. Too late.
ABT
Nathan could only observe their lone, renegade, thief of a wolf lay their comatose. Book in lap researching anything he could on this condition. He wanted to send for a real doctor but was vetoed. Fear that the doctor would send their wolf to a cage. A cage to be studied and left to the crazies of the world. Chris snapped at that. Threatening to steel Ezra right then and there. Take him someplace safe.
To bad Ezra didn't believe himself to be safe.
ABT
Ezra is safe in his mind but not to the outside world. In his cabin away from them all. Walking in an open field horse reins held in hand. Letting his little one ride in the saddle like a big girl, all on her own. Smells of home cooking drafted over to them. He had peace.
ABT
Ezra took in a deep breath and sighed heavily. Chris moved at that. Closer to the injured. It was the first major sign of movement. There and gone. But then another deep breathe in. A tray is placed on the chair beside them. Chris glances over at Vin who brought the tray laden with food. And the smell. A fresh cherry pie.
"Mrs. Potter got several bushel's in. Heard Ez was in a bad way. She made it for him." Vin sighed, there was more. Wondering if he should reveal what is being spoken. Chris stared at him. Seeing that there is something else. Nodding his head encouraging Vin. Vin sighed. "There are rumors going around. None of them good." Vin lifted up a napkin off the food. "People are wondering who got to Ezra. Some say he dealt to the wrong people. Other's are saying...um… you did it. Drag his ass back to town and not leaving his side in order for him to not pull anything. But Mrs. Potter asked is this because of the medical supplies he requested." Resting his hat on the bedpost. "Seems to have been requesting them for a while." True the pack had scene the stitching of wounds. Wounds he had hidden from them when the rest had fought together against a common foe. To bad none of them saw how their lone wolf had limped away at the end of fights. Feeing unwelcomed to join. Nathan took a insult to him not coming to him for help. Vin had to remind him that whenever they were in the presence with each other. There is always an unkind remark. Ezra guess didn't want to deal with that. Even asking Mrs. Potter to order special supplies. But when Emmett came to Nathan for suture and meds and the items that Ezra had procured not being used she began to speculate. Chris nodded through some of the details. "The piece of information is the pie. It's not her recipe but one Ezra gave to her." Vin ran a hand over his face. "Ezra confided in her about his wife and daughter." That is why Mrs. Potter has no problem for letting Emmet and Alice. "So I asked her about that. She told me, 'Ezra is a complicated man.' Talked to her about how his family had a small farm in the upper Georgia. Outside a metropolis. Problem being that their house was a stop in the railroad." Chris looked over at that. "Seems there was a mole in their group. Gave them the Stanton name. Ezra at the time fought for his home. Hiring slaves to help tend his farm. His cover for having them. But…" Chris could finish. It didn't end well. "Ezra serving not able to help his family defend themselves. Coming home to a charred remains."
"How did she learn this?"
"Ezra talked to her. She listened. They would exchange stories. Also wondering why I was suddenly taking a high interest in Ezra. Since I never had before." Chris looked at him. Vin nodded. They hadn't taken time to invest. Vin had somewhat. "But she saw the friendship that budded between us. Especially when I bought the knife. I remember now." Waking an old memory. "About time he had a friend." Repeating her words. Vin sank into the chair looking at the heavy breathing body. "Is he okay?"
"Started doing that when you arrived with the food?" Both looked at the tray. Especially the cherry pie. It smelled divine. Ezra's recipe.
"Maybe," Chris picked up the knife. Smearing some of the filling on it then spreading it over the gambler's lips. Watching some trickle inside. They waited. A pink tongue came out to lick at the filling. Chris jumped for joy inside. Doing the action again and again till a whole slice had been scooped clean. Ezra making humming sounds with each taste.
ABT
Ezra sat on a swing the pie plate empty on his lap. Looking at the scenery. The farm, trees, horses prancing in the dusk. A weight descended onto the swing beside him. His beautiful wife, Laura, closing her eyes to take in the last rays. The last rays. Ezra shuddered. This is not right.
"Laura?" she turns to smile at him.
"Yes Phineas." Ezra smiled then concentrated.
"You're not here are you?" Things began to shift in his vision.
"No my love. I am here, but not." Ezra closed his eyes. He is dreaming. Such a good dream. He didn't want to leave but he had figured it out. This is not real. But was once. Something he wanted. She tilts her head at him in that way trying to get past his barriers. Seeing right into his soul. He shimmered with emotion. He didn't want to go. But it wasn't real. "I don't want to go." She touched his face.
"I know. But you could never live a lie." Calling him on himself. For she is apart of him. "It's not your way. You can't fight it." He had tried on the outside. Ending up here while living a lie. Never truly able to live it.
"I want to though. This time I do." He moved a hand to her face. Caressing, taking in her warmth. He missed her so much.
"But you won't be happy. Living in the shadows. You never liked is a child and you won't have it now. Especially with us." Ezra wants this lie. Want to stay here. He had been living a lie out there why not here. "You know better." Ezra gripped onto her tightly. Holding her one last time. Pulling her close. Smelling her hair. Her smell.
"I miss you." He didn't want to go. But he had to. Never one to live those lies. He had lived so many. Even now living one. Hating ever moment. Never himself. Bleeding through at the cracks. Blood spilling over the mask. Mask over the mask but not a mask. His true self. Coming to the surface once again. The family man. The man who would do anything for family. Protect till he couldn't any longer. Hide the pain away. But he can't hide anymore.
He took the place in one last time. His family farm. Generation to generation on his father's side. Gazing back to his wife. His beautiful wife. Her red tints shimmering in the dusk rays. Heart speeding in beats. His beautiful Laura, his love. Parted but never apart. Running a hand along her check. Stepping closer he feels her warmth. Her breath on his check. Tears on his face. She doesn't want him to leave or is it himself who is bleeding through. Tears on his own face.
"I love you so much." She rests her hand on his face.
"I love you more." He kisses the breaths out of her. Part they stare into each other's eyes. Sadness, grief. Emotions he had dealt all with before for them spill to the surface. But this one will hurt the most. She takes his hand and leads him inside. Through the kitchen toward the back two rooms bypassing their room she opened the door. He stares at it afraid. They are long gone but the hurt still there. This dream so real. They so real. Laura squeezes his hand. Strength. Ezra takes a deep breath and opens the door.
There on the bed is his little queen. His flower that he help seed and nurture to grow to this state that was her finale. Gone before her time. Sadly he went to her bed. She turns to face him.
"Are you sad daddy?" Ezra can't speak. This is a dream but it is the memory when he had to go off to war. His finally live moments with his family. With his beautiful child. Hair dark but the red highlights inherited by both shinning in the candlelight. Eyes that are a reflection of his. Staring at him with the brightest of emotions. True love.
"I am," and he is again. The knife twisting further. More blood to the surface. She moves in and hugs him.
"Don't be sad. I'm here." Ezra holds her close to her as tight as he can.
"I know you are," lying to himself. Hating this. A part of him that always made him bleed and cry out in the night.
"What wrong?"
"I have to go away." She moves back to look up at him.
"Can I come too?" Breathe hitching.
"Sorry darlin. Not this time."
"Next time."
"Of course."
"Promise." Ezra gulped for air.
"I promise." He had every intent of it. When the war end he would take her anywhere she wanted. Things never go as planned.
"I love you daddy." She hugged him tight. "You are the bestest."
"That is not a word." He laughed sadly.
"It should be. Cause you are." He hugs her close to him. Kissing her on top of her hair. Tears running down his face. Looking through the tears he spies Laura by the door. The light keeping her in shadow. A shadow. Ezra hugs Violet tighter. Let him have one final moment. Let him have this one finale lie.
A wolf howls. Ezra jerks at the noise. Scaring him. Saddening him. Pulling back he smiles at her. She smiles at him. It is time soon. Moving in they exchange kisses. Then they rub their noses together.
"Good night Daddy.
"Good Night my Little Queen."
TBC…
A/N: I cried during the end. Not sure where to leap off from here. Some ideas but who knows. Thank you for reading. Reviews decreed.