“And in return?” asked David.
“In return, new town residents have a say in voting and a certain amount of protection. They also have access to community services.”
“Why would we agree to this?” asked David.
“The way I see it is, you will be incorporated sooner or later by someone. Probably Raton or Trinidad, I would guess. If you are part of Weston, you have a friend, now two with Jason, who hold prominent positions in town matters. It’s possible I could change the Sheriff’s mind, but he’s pretty dead set on the idea already.”
“I’ll talk to him and tell him where he can stick his proposal!” said David.
“That’s not a good idea, David. I’ve seen enough in town to know conversations like that with the Sheriff don’t end well. Right now, he has an empty jail and that usually doesn’t last long. I’m not saying anything is for sure yet, but if I were a betting man I would say you will be sitting inside Weston territory by month’s end. On a positive note, you could trade goods on Saturdays. These kids here have bought pancakes, yo-yos, frozen seafood, and even Chance over here,” he said, pointing to the sleeping lab. Fact is, it’s not so bad right now, and we even have a restaurant still open and sell them beef from time to time. How would Mark be getting a surgery up on the mountain right now?”
“I see your point, James, and I’ll think on it, you have my word. It sounds like you’re saying I had better choose sides before it’s chosen for me.”
“That’s how I see it, old friend. You’re out of town right now but not far enough, unfortunately. Some cities or towns will be very interested in your group and provisions sooner or later, and at least you know where you stand here.”
“Can I get a drink?” asked David.
“Sure, whatever you want.”
“A Scotch would be great—probably against doctor’s orders, but what isn’t?”
“How long are they going to keep Mark?” James asked.
David relaxed a bit, nearly snorting his Scotch through his nose.
“What’s so funny?” asked James.
“Kelly.”
“Kelly?”
“No…Calleigh, Mark’s new friend at the hospital. Doc Walter’s girl promised to take good care of him.”
“Is that so?” asked James. “She’s maybe 16 or 17—about his age, I think. Nice girl and a distraction for more than a few young boys around here, from what I’ve heard. How many his age up at your place now?”
“That would be none, I’m afraid.”
“You may have yourself a problem then, and sooner than later!” replied James.
“I know,” replied David. “That I surely do. To answer your question, though, they will keep Mark about three days, they said, with checkups after that.”
* * * *
Mark slept, if you could call it that, on his back for the first time he could ever remember. The leg surgery was done and they said it went well. His chest ached, and any sudden move shot a sharp pain into its center. He refused a catheter and was helped to the restroom only once by female nurses not named Calleigh. By morning, he only had three questions. Did she have a boyfriend? How was he going to make it back home up the mountain? And when could he see her again?
“Good morning, Mark,” she said, waking him with a hand on his shoulder.
“Ah…oh, good morning, ma’am,” he responded.
“They call my mother ma’am,” she responded, “but Calleigh is fine.”
“Sure,” he said, feeling a bit foolish. “They call my dad sir but me... I’m sorry. I was trying to make a joke, and I lost it. Maybe it’s the medication, or I don’t know...”
“Maybe it’s me?” she said, smiling and reaching down to hold his hand.
Mark didn’t respond, only stared off into nothing. “Are you okay?” he heard her ask from miles away.
“I don’t feel so good,” he managed to get out before it went dark.
“All available doctors in here now!” called a nearby nurse down the hall. Word got around quickly, and a team worked on him, mindful of his injuries.
David and Jason walked inside as he regained consciousness, rushing to his bedside.
“What’s happening?” asked David.
“It’s a side effect of his concussion,” said one of the doctors.
“Where is Dr. Walters?” demanded David. “Where is he?”
“He’s home resting after a 24-hour shift,” said a nurse. “He should be back in…well, any minute now.”
David talked with his son, waiting for the one doctor he trusted.
“I have a lot of cases right now,” said Dr. Walters, walking in the room. “Mark is a priority patient, as you are a personal friend of the Mayor, but there are others—many worse off than Mark—who also have fathers demanding to speak with me.”
David sighed and paused before speaking. “My apologies. I understand your position, Doctor, and I only want what’s best for my son… What happened?”
“He had a complication from the concussion and blacked out. I’m going to want to observe him for another day or two. Trust me, he can’t get better care anywhere. Once he is released from my care, you will all be back out of town, and I can’t do much more from here besides sending you home with meds, unless you can get back down here for regular checkups.”
“We’re not too far out,” said David, as the first perks of in-town living hit him straight in the face. “All we have is the four-wheelers, though. I’m guessing that’s not recommended for Mark anytime soon.”
“I don’t even recommend it for you right now,” Dr. Walters responded. “I’m not sure if you’re in the market for a truck, but there’s a guy, a farmer not far out of town. I’ve treated his whole family for years and they have a few running trucks for sale. I’ll tell you up-front, though, they are not cheap. It’s probably why he still has
