Oh, the cleverness of me!
Adelaide Chappel / Posted August 16, 2020
"Secret recipe?"
Laughing, Addy shook her head. "Nah, not really secret, just herbs and whatnot, things I picked up treatin' horses." She laughed again. "Not that I think yer a horse or nothin'."
"If it gets better like this, I'll be on my way tomorrow or the day after. No need to take up your bed and hospitality for too long."
"Oh, nonsense. Christmas is comin' up in a couple days, I ain't puttin' ya out of th' manger on Christ's day!" Her smile widened. "Yer welcome here, we can figure things out, there's always room, an' Weedy likes ya. Besides, Buster is teachin' that kitten'a yers ta catch mice!"
While it might be cramped in the small room, Addy was more than happy to have Jay here, and with the influx of folks from Whitefish, space was at a premium.
Storyteller / Shared NPC
Posted August 29, 2020
Jay still couldn't read her. Addy seemed sincere about him staying there and not having to leave on Christmas whilst still not over the worst. But he was worried that word had been sent out that there was a stranger in her house who was babbling incoherent things that sounded and aweful lot like a bank job.
He took another sip of water and looked at her.
"What have you been up to while I was out cold? Did you go into town to ...buy some food?"
He motioned for her kitchen. "I should probably chip in. I have a little bit of money. It's in my jacket...inside pocket."
He tried to get up again to go and get the money for her but he was so unsteady on his feet that he sat right back down. A second attempt was supported by her furniture, which allowed him to cross the room on shaky legs. "Darn, I feel like I'm onehundred years old....do I look that old to you?"
He hadn't shaved or washed in days. That was probably something he should tackled soon if he wanted to stay inside her place.
Oh, the cleverness of me!
Adelaide Chappel / Posted August 31, 2020
"Ya look like Metheusela's grandpappy!" Addy declared with a laugh, "an' I don't need ta go inta town, barn here's right in th' middle." Come to think of it, he really hadn't had much chance to look outside in the daylight, so it made sense that he might not know that they were just off Main Street.
"Don't gotta pay, but if ya want..." She shrugged. The money could go into the funds that she was setting aside for Weedy, or a 'rainy day', whichever came first. "Or ya can take that money an' we can go on over to th' mercantile an' get ya a razor an' new shirt, might be better spent that way. Not like ya ate much since ya got here nohow."
Storyteller / Shared NPC
Posted September 6, 2020
When she mentioned the razor and shirt, he looked down at his clothes. His shirt had been washed but there was still the bullet hole in it and it looked grubby. He probably also smelled very bad but right now he was just glad to be able to stand on his own two feet.
"My apologies for my appearance, Addy. I think I need another day before I can go anywhere."
Jay was feeling too weak to walk more than a few steps but he suddenly felt hungry and thirsty.
"I'm actually thirsty and hungry now....I can pay you for your food. I've got some money in the inside pocket of my jacket. Maybe the boy can buy some more food."
He walked back to Addy and sat down with a lot of care, then put his head in his hands.
What a mess. How had he ended up getting shot by an old lady. She seemed so harmless? But Jay had underestimated her, just like he never would have expected Addy to take him in.
One thing he had to remind himself off was that he should leave as soon as his condition permitted it. No matter how nice she was.
The sheriff might already be looking for him.
That same afternoon a man came by her place and asked to speak to her.
"Have you seen four men? They were seen setting Whitefish on fire after they had robbed the town. Two headed towards Kalispell...ugly looking bastards....bad teeth and all....you drive a Station Wagon...did they cross your path?"
Oh, the cleverness of me!
Adelaide Chappel / Posted September 7, 2020
"I'll admit as ta how ya don't smell'a roses," Addy chuckled, "but ain't like ya had time nor chance ta do something fer it, 'sepcially since it's too cold just ta dunk in th' trough."
Grabbing a bowl, she ladled some soup into it, then handed it to Jay, along with a spoon "Don't fret now on payin' me back, not fer now, there's time, 'less ya plan on runnin' out, an' don't look ta me yer in any shape fer that, leastways fer a while."
She really did trust that he would make good on his debt, even if she wasn't concerned about it, and she doubted that he would leave without saying anything. "Fer now just eat an' rest, an' tomorrow we can see 'bout gettin' ya to th' bathhouse an' made all pretty!"
+++++++
Later in the day, Addy was grooming her horse when a man came into the barn, asking questions.
"Have you seen four men? They were seen setting Whitefish on fire after they had robbed the town. Two headed towards Kalispell...ugly looking bastards....bad teeth and all....you drive a Station Wagon...did they cross your path?"
"Been too bad ta be out on th' roads recently, 'cept fer th' rescue ta Whitefish." Frowning, she shook her head. "Heard stories 'bout yahoos causin' trouble...as if it weren't bad enough with all th' snow an' whatnot. But I can't say as I've seen naught but survivors. Might want ta talk ta Marshal Gueyer, he might know somethin'."
She have to take extra precautions if such men were running around the territory, and she was glad for having Jay here to help, just in case.
Storyteller / Shared NPC
Posted September 13, 2020
Jay had been laying in her bed to rest but when he heard the voice and the question, he had first frozen, then reached for his gun to hide it under his blanket...in case he'd come in.
Instead he heard the man thank her and leave.
Jay breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the door close. He was surprised that Addy never had any questions or suspicions about him but he was glad that he didn't have to lie her in the face.
When she came back, he pretended to be asleep to avoid any uncomfortable situation.
A few days later he was finally able to get out of bed and walk around a little longer.
"I think it's time to get some clothes and a haircut." He announced since he looked like he had lived in the forest for many days.
"Could you show me the barbour?"
Oh, the cleverness of me!
Adelaide Chappel / Posted September 15, 2020
"Oh, praise th' good Lord in Heaven, miracles do happen!" Laughing, Addy rolled her eyes as she teased Jay. "Gettin' ta where them cats is spendin' more time in th' barn than in here, as yer gettin' a bit ripe!"
She was teasing, sort of, but she did understand that his condition wasn't his choice, as he hadn't had the strength before this to do anything about it, and she drew the line at bed baths!
"Weedy!" she called out the door, summoning the boy. "Show Mister Jay here where th' bath house is, then show him where ever else that he needs ta go." She handed Weedy some coins, then glanced at Jay. "That oughta cover anything ya need."
Storyteller / Shared NPC
Posted September 27, 2020
Weedy was happy to show Jay where the bathhouse was.
There was only half a swinging door to mark the entrance, which made Jay wonder how many times the boy had caught a glimpse of Miss Addy in there. Judging from his curious eyes, he wanted to see what Jay looked like under all that hair and clothes but he shoed him away. "You can go now. Maybe ask Addy if she's got any other clothes I could borrow."
Then he went inside to find a large water bucket and some soap. There was also a brush to scrup yourself with.
The water would be icy cold now, since there was snow outside. In his underwear Jay stared at the barrel for a while and then decided to just go for it.
Of course the water was freezing but just when he was inside Weedy came back with a large pot of hot water from the stove, which at least warmed the rest up a little bit.
"Thanks but don't worry about getting more, I won't be in for long." Jay shivered and then quickly lathered himself, mindful of his wound, scrubbed a bit, took one long dive under the surface and then came back out with an unpleasant sound.
"Holy shit...was that ever cold." His skin had turned red and there was no towel or fresh clothes.
"Weedy!!! Clothes or a blanket, anything!"
The wind blew right through all those gaps in the wood.
Oh, the cleverness of me!
Adelaide Chappel / Posted September 29, 2020
Weedy ran in asking for clothes Addy shook her head and chuckled. "Somewhat thought that he'd run to th' mercantile an' take care'a that before he got unclothed." Ah, well, maybe he hadn't understood.
"Take him this," she handed the boy a blanket, then added, "Just have him come back here, I'll run over an' get him some clothes."
She was chuckling to herself as she trotted across the street to the mercantile. It had been a while since she'd specifically shopped for a gent, and she had to guess on the size, erring a size larger than she thought she'd need and haggling with the clerk to swap for the proper size if need be.
In the mean time, Weedy went back to Jack with the blanket, closing his eyes as he held it out. "Here you are, sir. Miz Addy is fetching you proper clothes. Do you need help with the bandages?"
Storyteller / Shared NPC
Posted September 29, 2020
By the time Weedy got back Kay had decided to at leadt put on his long underwear again because his skin had turned red with goose bumps all over in the cold air. He'd only just gotten over a hefty fever and didn't fancy another one.
When Weedy showed up Jay reached for the blanket to wrap it around himself, jump on his boots and quickly return to the small heated room.
"Bout time." He groaned to the boy.
Then he sat very close to the fire and drew the blanket over his head.
"I'd appreciate your help, young man."
He was now in a better mood because he was warming up.
"I hope she took my money. She's too generous!"
The shop clerk was a little curious who the large shirt and pants were for.
"Weedy isn't this tall yet, is he?"