The Card: a different perspective inspired by Rowdy Tanner by the poet

The Card by Rowdy: A Different Perspective

I received the card in all its splendor along with six others from Andy, our newly appointed postmaster, the a few days before Christmas. He still felt uncomfortable around the peacekeepers and knew he could trust me with delivering them. I thought it odd that not one was addressed to Chris.

Things had been going well between me and Chris, or so I thought. He had been coming round to see Billy and he occasionally smiled at me. We actually had conversations that did not revolve around Billy or the town. I could actually see the look of concern and compassion in his eyes.

He came in as I opened the envelope that was addressed to me. I handed him the rest of them addressed to Buck and the others as I opened the envelope.

The handwriting was delicate and written by a woman. It was on some of the finest stationery I had ever seen.

We had started our usual morning banter. I remember some mention about the holidays when I finally released the card from the envelope.

He saw my face go white and I felt him catch me as he ran around the desk to put his arms around me as I fell.

Damn her! Damn her for destroying a man that had wanted nothing but to be left alone. I felt the darkness surround me as he took the card from my hand.

When I woke, I found myself in my bed in the back room with Nathan by my side. He had his card beside him. It was unopened, but I now knew the handwriting. My face ashened as he looked at me and placed it in his pocket.

“No harm done. How're you feelin' Mary? Chris sent me over and went to the saloon. He said you was feelin' a mite poorly. Sent me to check on you. You were out of it when I came to see you and now you look as if you've seen a ghost” he said.

“The card” I managed to say. I felt the darkness once more.

When I came to, Vin was by my bedside. He had that same look of concern when Billy had run off. I was grateful but wondered about Chris.

“Billy is with Mrs. Potter and we are all worried about you fainting. I managed to get more than three words outta Chris and he told me he sent Nathan after ya. Yer lessons told me what I needed to know and I saw the rage in his face. He hurtin' somethin awful” Vin said as he took my cold hand in his.

“Vin I need to see him” I managed to say in barely a whisper.

“Mary I don't think that's good idea right now. He's got his head so deep in a bottle...” Vin's voice trailed off and my tears came as I felt the darkness come once more.

The next time I came to, sitting beside me was Josiah.

“How long have I been out and why is this happening?” I asked the big man.

“Mary you keep passing out like this and the town will wonder if you're with child. Now knowing you the way I do, if you were, it would be an immaculate conception” he said with a wink.

“Josiah how is he? He blames himself, I know he does, but this wasn't his doing and we have to make him see that. More importantly we have to find her and make her pay for the harm she has done to Chris” I said as I finally felt my strength returning.

“He's in his room, but he's in no condition to see you. Regarding that damsel from hell, we all have a score to settle. Only God knows when the time will be right and he hasn't decided to tell us when that will be.” Josiah said as he helped me up.

He knew from the look on my face that nothing would deter me from seeing Chris. He placed an arm around my waist and made sure that I was steady before opening the door and watching me take a few steps. I found the strength to make it through the door and to the boarding house where I promised to keep the door open for propriety's sake.

I knocked on the door and got no answer. I then tried the knob and found that it turned easily under my hand. He was there on the bed, half dressed and unconscious. I had seen him hurt before and stayed by his side. Now he was hurting emotionally from a woman he thought he deserved. She wasn't worth the air he breathed.

I managed to dampen a cloth and went to wipe his forehead. He grabbed my wrist before I could lay a hand on him.

“Chris you're hurting me” I said as I felt the grip lessen.

“Mary leave me alone. I'm not worth it” he replied as he turned away from me.

“But you are. You are to me. I'm so damned sorry for all the pain she caused” I said as I knelt on the bed and turned his head to face me.

“Wasn't your fault. This all started long ago. I got you into this and now the only way I know to get you out of it is to keep you as far away from me as possible” he said.

“No Chris, you and the others will find her. She made me part of this when she sent that note while you were healing, and she is bound and determined to keep me a part of this till it ends. Does she know something I don't? Did she see it in your eyes when you were away from Four Corners?” I asked. I needed to know.

“Mary I'm no good for you, I'm not worth it.” he said as he slurred the words and fell asleep in my arms.

I cradled him as I would Billy and felt him rest. Sleep took us both as the sky turned to night and the stars shown through the window. We hadn't heard the last of Ella, but I would damned if she spoiled the holiday for us. That would be my taste of revenge as I held Chris safe in my arms for this night and for what I would hope to be many more to come.