The return

Chapter 11

Buck returned the next day about dinner time. He had tried to put his heart in order but had not succeeded. He didn't know what to think and what he felt. He just wanted to be with Joy.

"Rider coming", Noah yelled to warn Cody of Buck's arrival. The boy immediately came out ready to receive the bag from his companion.

"How's it going mate?", Noah asked.

"I really don't know Noah, I don't know. Now I just want to go to Joy.".

Noah didn't answer, knowing the evening was going to be difficult for both of them. The night before Joy had told of meeting Buck's father and everyone was aware that he would not have taken it well at all.

Noah offered to fix his friend's horse. Buck came in to say hello and said he wanted to join Joy right away. He washed, changed and went to her.

As soon as he was gone, Noah communicated to the others what they had just said. Everyone hoped it would end well.

Joy was very nervous. She knew Buck would be arriving at any moment and wanted to find the most appropriate way to approach the conversation. Dinner was ready and she was arranging the last things in the kitchen when she heard a knock.

"Who is it?" she asked.

"Buck" was heard to answer.

"It's open darling, come in, how many times have I already told you that you don't have to knock, this house will soon be yours too" and she left the kitchen to meet him.

"You're right, I still have to get used to the idea", he replied as he took her in his arms.

"I missed you so much, I couldn't wait to run to you" and he kissed her.

"I missed you a lot too. How are you?" and in the meantime made him sit down at the table.

"I don't know Joy, I don't know if I'm more dumbfounded or furious."

Meanwhile, Joy had gone to the kitchen to get the already hot dishes.

"Have you made a decision?" she asked him as she sat down at the table.

"There is no decision to make. I don't want to see that man again."

"But Buck..."

"There is no but Joy, I already told you"

"I understand you, but don't you want to know the whole story?"

"For what? To bring up painful memories and explode all the hatred I feel for him?"

"No, but to get a complete picture of the story"

"I already have my mother's version and that's enough for me"

"Yes, but could you know something more that would help you understand"

"There's nothing to understand, it's the usual story of a bloody white man who takes by force everything he wants without thinking about the consequences of his actions"

"What if it doesn't?"

"Joy, which side are you on?" Buck said, banging his fork on his plate.

Joy decided she couldn't put it off any longer, she had to tell him about the meeting with his father.

"I'm on your side and that's why in your absence I went to talk to your father", she said in one breath waiting for Bcuk's explosion of anger.

"What have you done? But are you crazy?"