Hondo I. Sackett
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Hondo took the boxes and separated some items into different boxes in the front of the truck. He left them there to setup extra speakers to tie into the outdoor sound system on the camper. Macey past him and went to help Valentine. Hondo met up with her as they crossed paths. Hondo: Got some things for Tonya, and new boots and a dress for each of them. Figure they could wear them tonight at the surrender. They need to be there. Valentine: Good. And I agree. They need to see it end. Hondo: Always be some out there but since they were hurt by this I want them there. Where is Zoey? She should be helping you too. Valentine: She curled up next to Tonya and fell asleep. I just didn't have the heart to wake her. They looked so sweet. Hondo: Well, that's all good an' such but they need to be a part of the family, responsibilities an' all. Valentine: They haven't been out of the slavers' clutches for but two days. Hondo: I know they have had it rough. There will be time to rest, play, and acclimate. This isn't going to be their home so no use acclimating now. We have no routine here so nothing for them to get used to and we are on a working mission, and though we take time to celebrate, we aren't on vacation. What they need is to learn us as we need to learn them, and they need to feel a sense of purpose. It's not healthy to let them stew on what they have been through, nor sit around while they need to be active. It's still dangerous out there. We need to be proactive in their training. Valentine: You're right but I don't see how letting her out of helping now has anything to do with that. Hondo: Once probably doesn't hurt but my point is that there is other times she can rest and we can't get into the habit of coddling them. Valentine: If you think not best. Hondo: I do. I will wake her up and send her out. Tonya has the bio-pill in her still and will be groggy so she'll need more time. Valentine: That I agree with. Hondo: We'll talk about it more later. Valentine: OK. Sorry. I just. . . Hondo: You always did have a real tender heart, my sweet thang. They need that but they need a firm hand too. I'm not good on the feelings stuff. That's why I have you. We won't always agree on how to raise them, but we need to let each other use their strengths to do the best we can. Valentine: Always a step ahead of me. You are right. Hondo (grinned): How I love to hear you say that! Valentine (laughed): Oh you! Hondo: OK. Better get movin' we have a party to start! Hondo went inside and into the bedroom. He woke up Zoey first by gently shaking her shoulder. Hondo: Zoey? Zoey? Kitten, it's time to wake up. Zoey: Hmm? Hondo: Time to get up. Zoey sat up and rubbed her eyes to get the sleep out of them. Zoey: Hon. . . uh, daddy. What's going on? Hondo: We are going into start our party here soon. Go help you momma get things ready so you can get changed. I got you some new cloths for the party. Zoey: Really? Hondo: Yup. Now come on, scoop. Your sister has medicine in her to help her heal. I need to get her up but that will take longer. Zoey: OK, daddy. Zoey slid off the bed to her feet and walked out to help Valentine. Hondo sat on the bed beside Tonya. He stroked her hair and called to her. Hondo: Tonya? Come on, girl. Time to wait up. She moaned and rolled over. Hondo: Come on, fox. Wake up. I know what you're goin' through, but ya need to get up. Tonya (mumbled): Whaa? Hondo: Tonya, you don't want to miss the party, I know, so wake up. Tonya: 5 more minutes, dad. Hondo: Hey, you are like me aren't ya? Wake up hard even without the Pill 'O' Healin' in ya. Tonya slowly opened her eyes. Hondo had left the room light off so not to hurt her eyes. The only light in there shown from the other room. Tonya: That time already? Hondo: Yup. Now sit up. I need to check the arm. Hondo helped her sit up and took the bandage off. Tonya: Hopefully I didn't bump it in my sleep. . . Wait. Where is the wound?? Hondo: Gone. How does it feel? Tonya: Sore . . . And weak. Hondo: It will be. You can use it but doesn't over do it. It will hurt easily if you try anything too strenuous but you can use two hands while you eat now. Tonya: I can't believe how well that worked. . . Oh is my mind cloudy. Hondo: It will do that to you. It takes a lot out of you to heal like that. I'm still exhausted from my ordeal 4 days ago. Now, I got you a dress and some nice boots to go with it for the party tonight. After that deep sleep you probably got sweaty so you should take a shower. Tonya nodded. She tried to stand up but fell back to the bed. Hondo: You alright? Tonya: Just a bit dizzy. Not fully awake yet. Hondo: Know how it feels. Let me help you. Hondo helped her to her feet and into the bathroom. Hondo: OK. I'll leave you to it. I'll have VAL bring you your clothes. OK? Tonya: OK. Thanks, dad. Hondo: No worries. Hondo left the camper and got the dresses. VALENTINE was about done by then. Hondo stopped her on his way back. Hondo: Tonya needs some clothes. She's in the shower now. Here is her dress and boots and here are Zoey's. Sorry. I'd have got you something but we can get better back home and you had a few nice ones here. Valentine: No, that makes sense. Besides I have plenty of clothes. You know me, I wear clothes out of necessity and because they are practical. Never was into clothes shopping or owning a bunch. Hondo: I know. I don't know how I go so lucky, though. Valentine: And don't you forget it. Hondo: I have a couple small gifts for Tonya in the truck. I thought I was gonna hafta wait until we got back to get her something nice but Fernando reminded me we had the start of what I wanted and I got the rest in town, partly thanks honor fame. Valentine: You got the? Hondo: Yup. Valentine: If she wants one as bad as Zoey thinks she does she will love it. Hondo: I hope so. Before long everything was set. Hondo had put on a nice pair of black jeans and a grey snap up western shirt with black roses embroidered on the yoke, a grey hat and polished black boots as well as a black leather vest. Though a party he still had two revolvers visible. Valentine worth a blue western style skirt and white blouse with a black and turquoise vest, and black boots. Zoey’s new clothes were a black western style skirt, with turquoise blouse, and black and turquoise boots. Tonya had a green, knee length, sleeveless dress with a black jacket and black boots with red accents. All three of his women looked might fine. Soon with, the other three girls and the two boys came out dressed in their best followed by the others. Karl was given some respectable duds too and was allowed to join in on the edge of the party but was mainly still a look out. He was learning that he had to pay the price for the words that came out of his mouth. Hondo cranked up the sound system playing a mix of country, blue grass, classic rock, and occasionally a random song of other genres that was either good to dance too, or fun to listen to.
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