"Hey, you ever wonder who would win a draw between us all?" JD's voice broke through the hot summer silence that hung in the air around Four Corners. Seven men sat in various places on the porch of the jail of the town, all except for Vin Tanner, who stood behind the other six leaning against the wall of the building in the shade, grinning. Buck Wilmington laughed.
"You trying to start trouble, son? That's just the kind of thing people might wanna figure out on a day like this." The week had been slow, and the seven were, for lack of a better term: bored. Buck looked over at his best friend, Chris Larabee, and saw a familiar glint in his eye. Holding up his hands in mock surrender, Buck exclaimed, "No way Chris. I ain't challengin' you. I remember what happened last time."
Chris smiled, then hid his grin under the brim of his black hat, and went back to whittling a piece of wood. This got the attention of the others.
"Wait a second, gentlemen." Ezra intervened. "Exactly what incident would you be referring to, Mr. Wilmington?"
Chris looked up at the gambler, then to Buck.
"Yeah, what happened?" Nathan Jackson was smiling at the thought of a story that might embarrass Buck. This was bound to be good.
"Thanks a lot, Chris." Buck's voice was embarrassed and strained.
"Hey, I didn't say a word Buck. It was all you."
Buck opened his mouth to protest, but closed it again when he realized Chris was right. The look of confusion on Bucks face made Josiah burst out laughing, and soon Vin, who had been quietly standing behind them, laughed too. Chris smiled bigger, almost losing it completely, but managed to keep his composure.
"Do tell, Mr. Wilmington." Ezra smiled broadly, knowing they were making Buck uncomfortable, and they were all loving every minute of it.
"You can't get out of this one, Buck." Chris didn't look at the scoundrel as he spoke to him, not wanting to laugh at the look on his face. Sighing, Buck exclaimed. "It's no big deal or nuthin'. Hardly worth tellin'."
"Oh, I'm not sure about that Buck." Josiah told him.
Sighing again, Buck finally agreed to tell the story. "The first time me and Chris met, he was drunk, and was causin some trouble in a bar down south. I was the lawman, so I had to intervene. Hadn't even been on the job for a month. So, I come bustin in the place, and Chris challenges me to a draw. I accept, and we moved outside."
Buck paused, looking up from the dirt and saw that six faces were watching him. Chris' were highly amused, and Buck just gave him a weird smile.
"So we go out on the street, we draw, and, he beats me quick. Faster than anything I've ever seen. Even shot me. Bullet went right through my sleeve."
"Wait a sec, you mean, Chris was drunk and he still beat you?" Vin asked trying his hardest not to laugh.
"Yeah." Buck looked over at the gunfighter, who was now just smiling off down the street. The five other men cracked up laughing.
Buck turned to face JD, who had been silent since he'd started the whole thing. One look at Buck and he stopped laughing. He turned serious for a second as he spoke to Buck.
"Sorry Buck." Then he couldn't help it and JD started laughing again.
Brushing off some dust off his pants, Chris stood up. He turned to JD and stared hard down at him. The young man stopped laughing again instantly, and stared at Chris, the slightest hint of fear evident in his eyes.
"Stand up, JD." Chris' voice was all business, and JD stood slowly as the others watched, no longer laughing. JD only came up to Chris' neck, and Chris still looked down at him.
"You think you could do better?" Chris' eyes squinted under his hat, and his eyes drilled holes into the young man.
"Uh, no." JD tried his best to keep is voice was steady, but he knew it wasn't working. For a second, JD looked down at his feet. It was all Chris needed. While JD's head was down, he looked past him to the others, and a genuine smile lit up his face. It was gone in a second as JD lifted his head.
Ezra got up and left, knowing what Chris was doing, and knowing he would not be able to keep a straight face. Josiah followed him, erupting into laughter as soon as he was out of earshot, but Nathan, Buck and Vin stayed, wanting to know what Chris had in mind.
"Then I suggest you best not laugh at others, especially your elders." Chris was going to say something more, but the look on Vin's face at the 'elders' remark made him burst out laughing, and Nathan, Vin, and Buck joined in. JD stood there for a second, not sure what had just happened, then he got it. A smile slowly crept across his face. Then he too began laughing. When they had all recomposed themselves, JD spoke up. "Remind me never to bring up things like that again." With a pat on the back, Chris and the others led JD to the saloon. JD was getting better and better at tolerating the groups teasing. One day, though, he thought, I'll get even. He loved the
West.
The End
