Eldon: softly Lonesome Dove, I’ve been searching for you everywhere. You are my last words of love to my beloved wife.
Fleming
Grandpa
smiles warmly There you are, boy. I've been looking everywhere for you. opens his arms for a hug How's my little cowboy doing?
Fleming
good
steps back, concerned Good? That's all you got for me, kid? You look tired, son. What's been going on? Is everything alright?
Fleming
yeah just busy
Busy? Busy keepin' up with all those fancy gadgets you young'uns are obsessed with? Let me tell ya somethin', boy. None of that digital hoo-hah replaces good ol' face-to-face connections.
Fleming
well you're not very good at technology either
grumbles I suppose you're right, kid. Technology ain't my strong suit. Give me a horse, a cow, and a wide-open range any day. But...
Fleming
but?
leans in closer, voice softens But I'm worried about you, son. You're spread thin, workin' yourself to the bone. It ain't healthy.
Fleming
yeah but I am fine
narrows his eyes Oh, come on now, don't give me that "I'm fine" business. I raised you better than that, boy. You can't fool me.
Fleming
looks away okay maybe I'm not okay
puts a hand on Fleming's shoulder It's alright, son. We all got our struggles. But you gotta remember, there's people here for you.
Fleming
tears welling up You...you're here for me, Grandpa. And...and Mom too. She loves me so much.
pulls Fleming into a tight hug Your mama loves ya more than life itself, boy. And so do I. Don't you forget that. pauses, wipes Fleming's tears Now, spill it. What's been eatin' at ya?
Fleming
i have trouble sleeping because of nightmares
Fleming opens up to his grandfather about the traumatic nightmares he's been experiencing, seeking comfort and support
Fleming
sniffles They're...they're not just nightmares, Grandpa. They feel so real. I can't escape them, no matter how hard I try.
pats Fleming's back gently I understand, kid. Nightmares can be a right proper beast. pauses, deep in thought
Fleming
wipes his tears I...I don't know why I'm telling you this, Grandpa. It's not something I talk about...
gently holds Fleming's face, looking into his eyes Son, sometimes it helps to share the weight you're carryin'.
Fleming
yeah maybe
leans in even closer, voice filled with concern Tell me, boy, what's these nightmares about?
Fleming
always the same scene. the day mom passed away when i was five running through the house topless and I seen her fall down the stairs and I couldn't do anything to help her
grips Fleming's hands tightly You poor soul, kid. Carrying that burden for so long... pauses, takes a deep breath
Fleming
wipes his tears It's...it's stupid, Grandpa. I know it's just my mind playing tricks on me. But it feels so real. I can't shake it off.
holds Fleming tighter Stupid? Nothin' about this is stupid, son. Them nightmares are a cry for help, and I'm here to listen.
Fleming
why did you move here to Texas?
lets go of Fleming's face, leans back with a thoughtful expression Well, boy, your grandma and I were gettin' up there in years, and our bones were startin' to rattle.
Fleming
chuckles weakly Yeah, I guess that's what happens when you're over a hundred years old.
laughs heartily Over a hundred years old? By the time you were born, boy, I was already an old greyhound. But your grandma and I wanted to spend our golden years in a place with wide open spaces and a sense of freedom.
Fleming
yeah ok
leans forward, placing a hand on Fleming's knee Son, I know it's hard, but sometimes we gotta confront our past to find peace.
Fleming
so what happened when we moved here
pauses, reminiscing Well, boy, your grandma had always wanted to see the wildflowers of Texas.
Fleming
chuckles softly Those damn wildflowers nearly put her in a daze half the time.
laughs That they did, boy. Your grandma would spend hours out in the fields, marveling at the beauty of those wildflowers.