Under the name Thaddeus Jones Kid Curry was assigned a bed at the mission where he would be attended by a visiting doctor and several nuns.
"Mr. Smith, about your cousin," the doctor began. "We still know so little about the brain. All I can offer is if he wakes up he can make a one hundred percent recovery."
Heyes blinked back the tears that were forming in his dark eyes. "You said 'IF' he wakes up? You're telling me he might not."
The doctor tried to be as reassuring as possible. "Like I said, we still know so little. I do know from previous cases such as this it seems to help if you talk to them, touch them..." He glanced to the religious icons in his midst. "And by all means pray." With that the doctor departed leaving Heyes to his vigil.
Heyes pulled a chair up to the side of the bed. He gazed at his cousin, his corn colored curls spilling onto the pillow like a halo. Heyes sat. He reckoned everyone looked angelic when asleep. Curry seemed particularly so. And he looked so young, so very young.
Gingerly he took Curry's hand in his own. "Well, this is going to be one time when I'm talking that you can't tell me to shut up," Heyes told him. But in his heart he would have given anything to hear that familiar agitated voice saying, "Shut up, Heyes." "Do you remember when we were in Wickenburg? There was that Finrock guy who kept trying to get us to leave town. It was funny. He kept saying he really did like us. I guess that's what folks call irony. Liking someone so much you want them to go." Heyes stroked Curry's knuckles with his thumb. "I bet you're wondering what that has to do with the price of beer in Red Rock." Heyes had to swallow the lump that had formed in his throat before continuing. "See I'm the selfish sort. I really do like you too but I'd kinda like it if you stuck around for a while. And the doctor, well, he says it would help to talk to you and let you know I'm here." He paused. "I wish you could let me know you know I'm here." Heyes put a firmer grip on his hand. "If you hear me squeeze my hand." There was no response. "Okay, you rest now. Later you can squeeze my hand."
Heyes closed his eyes and offered a silent prayer. The next thing he was aware of was a nun shaking his shoulder. "Mr. Smith," He lifted his head from the mattress where he had fallen asleep. The nun smiled at him. "Mr. Smith, may I get you some tea or coffee?"
"How long have I been asleep?"
"A few hours, maybe. Did you want anything?"
Heyes nodded. "Yes. My cousin here to wake up."
The nun smiled serenely. "We are all praying for him."
Heyes relented by answering her first question. "Some coffee would be great."
The nun left. Heyes continued his one-sided conversation. "Sorry, I fell asleep on you there, Kid. I guess my chatter even bores me." He ran his hand over Curry's hair, then tried another approach. "Now listen here! I'm in charge of this gang and I'm telling you to wake up." Curry remained unmoving.
Heyes turned his petition back to G-d. This time his silent prayer was accompanied by an onslaught of tears that he did not even try to stop.
He leaned over and whispered in the kid's ear. "Damn you, wake up." As he straightened he dropped a light kiss on Curry's forehead not even knowing why. It just seemed the thing to do.
"Mr. Smith." The nun had returned with his coffee.
Her presence caused a slight twinge of embarrassment and Heyes tried to explain what she had just seen. "I understand," she said handing him the mug. "You love him."
For whatever reason Heyes suddenly felt the need to unburden himself. "No. It's not that. I mean it is that. I don't want to lose him because I love him. But like I told him before I'm selfish. I don't want to lose him because HE loves ME."
The nun bowed her head. "I'm sure he'll be fine. Your being here will be of great help."
Heyes started to sip the coffee then changed his mind. "I hope he knows I'm here."
"I believe he does." Then she could not help adding with a grin, "He probably even knows you kissed him."
Heyes quickly feigned interest in the coffee.
Sensing his discomfort the nun made a hasty retreat.
Heyes set the mug on the table beside the bed. Just his luck Curry would know he did that. He could see himself slamming into the wall because his cousin's reaction certainly would be to send him flying across the room. He looked upon Curry's face. He had to invent some reason for the gesture that would be acceptable. "You see it's this way... I figured maybe it would shock you so bad you'd wake up and slug me."
Much to Heyes' surprise Curry's head turned and a slow smile spread across his face. "Just don't ever kiss me again," Curry said in a slightly complaining tone.
Heyes' eyes went wide. "Kid, you're awake!" He was so overjoyed that in his excitement he did kiss him again.
"Oh, Heyes," Curry whined. "I told you not to do that again."
Heyes' exuberance had attracted the doctor and the nun who entered the room together and were amazed to see Curry awake.
The doctor made a quick check. "I'm absolutely dumbfounded. I must admit I did not expect him to come around this soon."
The nun looked to Mr. Smith. "That would be the power of love," she said. "Knowing one is loved... and knowing there is someone who needs you to love them."
And, of course, G-d's love, the greatest of all.
THE END