The Story Of Red Dead Redemption

Chapter 60: Jamie Gillis

"You know, they're just using you, saying things you want to hear."

"You don't know anything! And I was perfectly fine on my own!" Jamie said angrily, but since Arthur put him on the horse, he hadn't struggled and sat obediently.

"I know you might not like to hear this, especially since rebellious kids don't listen to those who care about them. But I believe you understand. The reason I'm taking you back is simple: your sister cares about you, and I want to pursue her again. So, you need to come back with me. That's all there is to it," Arthur said with a smile.

Honestly, Jamie used to be a kid who followed Arthur around. He wasn't exactly well-behaved, but he wasn't a bad kid. Now, it seemed he was just going through a rebellious phase.

Hearing Arthur's words, Jamie's expression changed. He asked excitedly, "Is it true?! You're going to pursue my sister again! That's great! You might not know, but she always pays attention to news about you. She reads the newspapers several times to make sure you're safe. Even though I don't think you'll ever be my brother-in-law because my father won't agree, I hope you succeed in winning my sister back."

Tsk, what does a kid know about love?

But after hearing this, Arthur patted Jamie's head—old habits die hard—and then asked curiously, "So, you seem pretty clear-headed now. What were you thinking before? Did you really plan to live with those people on the mountain for the rest of your life, living like a caveman?"

Jamie lowered his head, as if recalling something, and his mood dropped again. He said, "They are my friends, and, Arthur, stop patting my head. I'm a man now, and I've been enlightened..."

"Bullshit enlightenment. You better tell me the truth, or I'll throw you over the horse's back. I'm not your caring sister," Arthur threatened. He wasn't going to indulge Jamie, well, not all the time.

"Alright, alright, I'll tell you. I just wanted to find a better world... Am I a complete fool, Arthur?" Jamie suddenly burst into tears.

Tsk, he's still just a kid.

Arthur patted his head and said, "I don't know if you're a fool. But wanting to find a better world isn't something to be ashamed of."

"I missed you, Arthur. So, have you made up with Mary?" Jamie asked through his sobs, curious.

Arthur wasn't sure if their last meeting counted as making up.

Arthur told Jamie, "Yes, I think we've made up, as long as I can bring you back safely."

"Okay, for my sister's happiness, I'll go back with you," Jamie said reluctantly.

"Haha, like you could run away now. Time flies, Jamie Gillis. The last time I saw you, you could only see my backside. You weren't as troublesome as you are now."

Jamie protested Arthur's way of reminiscing but, seeing Arthur after so long, his mood suddenly improved. He said proudly, "Humph, if you hadn't pulled me off the horse, I would have shown you my progress. My riding skills were taught by you, after all. You wouldn't have been able to catch me."

Arthur, feeling good, said with a smile, "Lucky I only taught you to ride. But, by the way, Chelonianism? Do you really believe in their stuff?"

Hearing Arthur bring this up again, Jamie said seriously, "They are really good people. They were very kind to me."

Huh? Kind to him? Arthur, being a bit of a cynic, couldn't help but think about money. He asked, "Did you give them money?"

"Of course, I did. They rely on charitable donations to operate," Jamie answered confidently.

Arthur was impressed. Of course, they were nice to him; he was giving them money.

Jamie continued, "I just wanted to believe that someday, something good would happen in my life... But now it seems that's not going to happen. So, Arthur, can you untie me? I promise I won't run away. If my sister sees me tied up, she'll blame you."

Hearing this, Arthur grumbled and untied him, then said, "You're pretty clever for someone who believes in the Turtle Cult."

"Shut up, Arthur, and don't mention it again. I suddenly feel like I was really stupid, like my father always said, 'You'll never amount to anything' and 'You're not man enough.'" Jamie mimicked his father's tone perfectly.

Arthur could already picture that annoying old man.

Jamie, it seemed, had been holding in his complaints for a long time. He continued to vent to Arthur, "Every day at home, I had to listen to my father's words. I knew I had to leave that house because I couldn't take it anymore."

"Your father is a bully and a coward. Don't listen to him."

"Hey! Don't say that about him," Jamie protested.

Arthur continued helplessly, "Then what do you want me to say, Jamie? That he's a good father? A good man?"

"I don't know, but I'm sure he doesn't want me to see you," Jamie said, looking down.

Not mentioning this was fine, but now Arthur was angry.

Logically, Arthur couldn't blame the man for trying to keep him away from Mary, but the old man was really hateful. To prevent Arthur and Mary from being together, he quickly found Mary a 'suitable' husband.

As they neared Valentine, Arthur took a deep breath to calm down from the bad memories of the old man and said seriously to Jamie, "When you get home, make sure to convey my sincerest malice to your father."

*****

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