I Know What I Saw, I Was There!
Image Courtesy
of The Writers Ranch
Sam knew something wasn't right with Elizabeth. He'd seen her inside at the dance talking to Malone and soon after he left, she'd come outside after him. Teaspoon was a good friend, and if his daughter was up to no good, Sam felt like he should be the one to let Teaspoon know.
Sam lit his cigar and heard a noise coming from the corral. Thinking that was where Lucas and Elizabeth were talking he headed over there. Instead he saw what looked like Kid dancing with someone.
"Way to go Kid," Sam thought as he chuckled. Kid had spent most of the night helping out at the food table, but apparently at some point he'd caught the fancy of one of Sweetwater's fine young ladies.
Sam was hoping to find out who the lucky girl was when they turned around. "Lou?" Sam was puzzled. Sure Lou and The Kid were always together, but Sam figured they were close like Buck and Ike. But to see them dancing together and now they were kissing! There was no mistaking that it was Kid and Lou, Sam could hear Lou's nervous laugh.
Sam thought he must be seeing things. He knew that this kind of thing existed; he just never thought it would happen in Sweetwater or that he'd ever see it first hand.
Torn between saying something to the couple and looking for Emma, he forgot why he'd come outside in the first place. If anyone could explain what he just witnessed, she could. She'd taken to all the boys as if they were her own.
As he headed back to where the dance was being held, he saw Elizabeth talking and finally remembered why he'd come outside to begin with. He looked for a place where he could overhear the conversation without being noticed. His conversation with Emma would have to wait.
~~~
Torn between what he told Teaspoon and what he'd had witnessed between Kid and Lou, Sam didn't sleep much that night. Luckily, Ben had been their only guest in the jail last night, as he was most nights. Usually after dinner, Ben would soon fall asleep, and that left plenty of opportunity for Sam to try and figure things out.
Setting off early so he could check on Teaspoon and speak to Emma, he left Barnett in charge and headed out.
He rode up as Elizabeth was pulling off in the buckboard.
"Why Sam," Emma said. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"
"Emma can we talk?"
"Sure Sam, come on in. We've already had breakfast, but can I get you some coffee? You look like you need some."
Sam nodded and got down off his horse and followed Emma inside the house. Even though he'd been thinking about it all night, he still had no idea how to broach the subject with her. He waited until they were seated on the coach before beginning.
"Emma, I saw somethin' last night, that's been botherin' me ever since. I figured if anyone could make sense of it, it'd be you."
"Well I can't promise you anything, but what did you see?"
"I went outside to get some fresh air. Well I heard a noise by the corral and looked over to see The Kid dancin'."
Emma chuckled. "Well there's nothin' wrong with dancin' Sam. If I recall correctly, we even shared a dance or two."
"Well that's the difference. It wasn't what he was doin' but who he was doin' it with."
Emma knew what was coming. She'd had a feeling Kid and Lou had stolen a few moments alone together, but she doubted they'd expected to be caught. They didn't even know that Emma knew Lou's secret, and she wasn't sure who else knew. "Now Sam, I'm sure it wasn't what you thought it was."
"Emma," he said as he stood and started to pace the room. "I know what I saw, I was there! Now I know this kinda thing happens..."
"What kind of things? Sam what exactly did you see?"
"Well they started kissin' Emma, right there where I could see it, where anyone walking behind the barn could see them. You know I never expected to see that kind of thing..."
"Sam, what kind of thing?"
"Aw Emma, are you gonna make me say it?" Emma nodded. "Those two boys were kissin' and carryin' on." Emma laughed at Sam's flustered state. "It's not funny Emma, it just ain't right, I tell ya."
"Well Sam, you're right about somethin' not bein' right, but it's not what you think."
"Well what else could it be?"
Emma patted the seat next to her and Sam sat down. "Sam, first of all, they have no idea that I know what you're about to learn. I don't know if any of the other boys know either, so you have to keep this between us ok?" Sam nodded as Emma continued. "What's the first thing you notice about Lou?"
"That he's small for his age? The other boys have already filled out. Maybe he's just a late bloomer, I was."
"Or maybe Lou's not so small for Lou's age? Maybe Lou's about the right size. Maybe about the size I was when I was around that age?"
"What does you bein' small for your age have anything to do with..." Sam shook his head as the pieces started to come together. "You don't mean?" Emma nodded. "He's a she? How? Why?"
"I don't know Sam, but she's proven herself to me and to the rest of the boys, and I don't see any problems with lettin' her go on doin' what she does best."
Sam continued to shake his head in disbelief. That was the one thing he wasn't prepared for. "Well now things make more sense. I was really beginnin' to worry there. But Emma," Sam said with a sad look in his eyes. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"She must have her reasons for doin' what she's doin', and until she's ready to share them, it ain't nobody's business but her own. Do I make myself clear?"