Chapter 41: The Estrangement Between Father and Son
Johnny slowly drove the wagon back to camp. As soon as he stepped inside, he saw Ms. Grimshaw in a heated conversation with Hosea.
Their expressions shifted between solemnity and relaxation; one could tell at a glance they were reminiscing about those turbulent years of the past.
Johnny didn't disturb them, instead silently driving the wagon into the camp and parking it next to Dutch's tent.
Then, he began to unload the various supplies from the wagon onto the ground, piece by piece.
Just then, the two who had been chatting so enthusiastically noticed Johnny's return and stopped their conversation.
Seeing this, Ms. Grimshaw immediately called out to the girls in the Gang, telling them to come over and help set up the tent.
Hosea walked quickly toward the wagon. When he saw a brand-new Gunsmith Workbench sitting inside, his eyes widened, and he shouted in shock:
"Good Lord! Johnny, did you go and rob the gunsmith in Valentine?"
Hearing Hosea's exclamation, the people nearby cast curious glances, all wondering what this large machine actually was.
Seeing everyone's curiosity, Johnny smiled slightly and explained while continuing to move things:
"Don't go guessing wildly; this wasn't stolen. I bought it with hard-earned money from Blackwater Town!
I bought it so I could practice the skill of modifying firearms properly.
Don't forget, I kept all those old guns from the ODriscoll Gang instead of throwing them away just so I could show off my skills once I had this workbench!"
With everyone working together, the tent was quickly set up.
Johnny began moving his belongings inside. He first moved the supplies piled on the original wagon into the tent, then turned back to put the remaining firearms back onto the wagon to prevent them from getting damp.
However, at that moment, Tilly, standing nearby, suddenly noticed something strange.
Among the items Johnny brought back was actually a double bed! Her gossiping heart was instantly ignited, and unable to contain her curiosity any longer, she asked:
"Johnny! You live alone, so why did you buy such a large double bed? Could it be... hehehe..."
As Tilly spoke, a sly smile appeared on her face, causing the surrounding people to burst into laughter as well.
"It's because I saw that Mr. Matthews is suffering from lung disease. If he continues to sleep on the damp ground, his condition will surely worsen.
So after careful consideration, I decided to live with Mr. Matthews so it would be easier to take care of him," Johnny replied with a serious expression.
Just then, Dutch, who had been smoking in the distance, slowly walked back and happened to overhear Johnny's words.
When his gaze swept over the tent that had suddenly appeared, he immediately understood what was happening.
The corners of his mouth curled up slightly in an imperceptible smile. Then, walking over with steady steps, he spoke:
"Look at our kind and caring young man! Not only does he know how to care for the girls in the Gang, but he also shows great concern for his injured and sick companions as well as his elders.
This kind of spirit is exactly what our Gang needs!
In contrast, some people only know how to blindly evade their due responsibilities, and even dare to constantly complain about their own father in front of everyone. It's truly disappointing!"
After speaking, Dutch's gaze drifted, intentionally or otherwise, toward John not far away.
Hearing Dutch say this, everyone first cast their eyes on him, and then, as if by some unspoken agreement, they all turned their heads to look at John, who was eating nearby.
John suddenly felt an ominous premonition, as if he were being watched by countless eyes. He turned around and found that it was indeed the case.
Johnny realized this was a good opportunity to break the ice, so he took Dutch's hand and walked straight toward John.
He then said, "I don't think any father in the world wants to have an estrangement with his child, but he usually can't let go of his dignity as a parent, and that's how conflicts arise.
Lately, there have been many rumors in the Gang about Dutch, saying he murdered a so-called innocent girl in Blackwater Town. So, let our leader clarify for everyone exactly what happened."
Dutch was also quite surprised; he had simply been too lazy to explain such a small matter to John, yet rumors had actually spread through the Gang. Fortunately, this new recruit had given both sides a way out.
He could also take this opportunity to restore his authority.
"John! My son, how could you think of me that way?
At that time, you were hit by a bullet and nearly lost consciousness. You only saw me kill a seemingly innocent girl, but why didn't you consider that this person was the very enemy who caused your injury?
Perhaps this person was a Pinkerton Detective disguised as a civilian? I admit that what happened in Blackwater Town was a failure of my judgment, but you shouldn't think of your father this way, should you?"
(The man in the top hat from the first game once explained the truth.)
When John learned the truth of the matter, he felt his face burning. A powerful sense of shame surged into his heart like a tide, making him feel utterly mortified!
At this moment, he was filled with immense regret, his heart overflowing with self-reproach and remorse.
He deeply regretted having left the Gang he once considered home, and even more so, he felt heartbroken that he had actually suspected the father who had always cared for him because of an unrelated outsider.
Just then, little Jack, standing nearby, noticed his father was quietly sobbing. Without hesitation, he ran over and tightly hugged John.
In that instant, little Jack seemed to forget those cold looks his father had given him before; all the unpleasantness vanished into thin air.
Perhaps this is just the way the unbreakable bonds of kinship work.
Watching this deeply moving scene, a gratified smile appeared on Hosea's face as well.
However, he didn't just stop there. He slowly walked up to little Jack and began speaking kindly of John in a soft voice.
After all, as an experienced elder who understood the ways of the world, Hosea knew very well that one must never belittle a parent in front of a child; one must maintain the image and dignity of the parents in the child's heart.
With the misunderstanding completely resolved, Johnny's hanging heart finally settled.
He smiled slightly, then turned and walked away gracefully, like a cool breeze that leaves no trace, keeping his contribution hidden deep in his heart.
He sat quietly in his tent and began to calculate his next plan.
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