It was shortly after breakfast and Gille was working as best he could at
putting the boarding up on the frame for the additional outhouse. After the
animal pens and one privy had been built, it was decided there would be enough
of the wood left from the crates to build a second one. Mitchell had done the
framing last evening and had left Gille with the simple job of hammering up the boards. He
was almost finished when Yancey approached him.
“Gille, you’re just the man I’ve been looking for. The doctor sent me to
remind you it was time for your physical,” Yancey greeted with a smile.
Gille signed deeply. He was not about to put himself through any
examination by any doctor. No one was going to see he didn’t even own skivvies.
It was bad enough they could see how badly worn his clothes were. “Sorry,
Yancey? I’m busy right now. Another time, okay?” He turned and began to hammer again.
However, the nurse was not going to be easily dissuaded. “I’m afraid it is not okay, and this job will have to
wait, Gille. We are trying to stick to a schedule, and we need everyone to keep
their appointments. Besides, it is important for you to have this exam. It
won’t take too long, and you can come right back here afterwards,” Yancey
patiently explained.
“Look, I have a job to do here and I don’t know about you, but I’m tired
of having to take a shit while squatting over a hole in the ground whenever the
other outhouse is in use. Besides, I’m
perfectly healthy so why don’t you go bother someone else?” he responded
tersely.
“No one is suggesting you put this task on hold indefinitely, Gille. Nor
is it a question of how healthy you think you are. The doctor has a perfectly
legitimate reason for requesting everyone to have a medical and that includes
you. Now stop arguing and come along,” Yancey firmly insisted.
Gille turned, waving the hammer in Yancey’s face to make his point. “I
don’t know how to make this any clearer, but I’m busy. I have no need or
interest in a physical exam. I did not volunteer for this. You and your doctor
just put my name down and you can just as easily take it off. Now take a hike
and let me get on with what I’m doing!” He tried to turn back to continue his
work, but Yancey took hold of the hand that had been swinging the would-be
weapon.
“I’d watch whom you were waving
this at, young man!” Yancey admonished and quickly disarmed Gille by taking the
tool from him.
Taking offence at being so easily manhandled and being called ‘young
man’, the thin control Gille had over his temper shattered. He pulled back and
swung wildly at Yancey, but the stronger and more experienced man easily
restrained him by holding Gille’s hands behind his back.
“Let me go!” Gille shouted, struggling to release himself from the
larger man’s grasp.
Thomas and Aiden who had been talking nearby, looked up when the
shouting started and witnessed Gille’s attempted assault on Yancey. They
immediately ran towards the two men. Aiden took hold of the struggling irate man and
pinned him to his side like a small child.
Thomas looked between Yancey and Gille. “What’s the meaning of all
this?”
“This young man is refusing to come to the infirmary for his physical,”
Yancey calmly informed the two council members.
Gille was angry and frustrated. He swung his leg back and kicked the
large Scotsman hard on the shin. “Let me go, you brute!” he yelled.
Aiden turned the smaller man slightly and landed a hard swat on the seat
of Gille’s britches. “There’ll be none of that, laddie!” he scolded and pulled
Gille back against his side.
Gille struggled for a moment or two but soon stopped when he realised it
was gaining him no ground against the mountain known as Aiden Shea. ‘I’ve done
it now,’ he thought to himself. ‘My life was bad enough before. What’s going to become of me now?’
“Wheesht, lad. Dinnae fash yerself. ’Twill all work out,” Aiden cooed in
an attempt to calm the skittish man.
“Gille, do you not recall what was said after dinner a few evenings ago,
and the rules the council put forth about fighting?” Thomas asked. “This cannot
be allowed to pass without consequences. The council will have to decide on
what the repercussions will be. However, I can promise you that assaulting
another member of this community will not be tolerated.”
“Why can’t you just leave me be?” Gille cried. “You can’t make me see
your damn doctor!”
“Aiden, will you escort Gille to the mess hall, please? We need to sit
down to discuss this calmly and rationally. We’ll bring the other council
members in to talk this through,” Thomas said quietly, shaking his head at how
such a small thing could have come to blows.
“Aye. Come with me, Gille,” Aiden patiently insisted, steering him
towards the large tent while using his own bulk to shield him from the few
curious onlookers milling about. “Back to yer chores, lads! ’Tis none of yer
concern.”
Thomas turned to the nurse. “Yancey, we’ll need you to attend and explain
things from your point of view.”
“Alright, Thomas. Shall I go and request Lakota’s presence?”
“Yes, please, I will need his input as he is a member of the council,”
Thomas replied. “I’ll locate Troy and Larry.”
Realising an impromptu meeting was about to take place, Walker quietly
ushered Thad and Jordan out of the mess hall in order to allow the men involved
as much privacy as possible. He was holding the tent flap open as Larry came
jogging up. The ex-marine looked questioningly at Troy, who had also just arrived.
The tutor shrugged, as he likewise had no idea as to what had necessitated an
emergency meeting.
Lakota came in a few minutes later, with Yancey in tow. Now that all the
council leaders were present, everyone took seats in a circle with Aiden still
at Gille’s side. The big Scot was prepared to grab onto the young man should he
attempt to run.
Thomas addressed the assembly. “Gentlemen, we have an issue here that
Aiden and I felt needed to be dealt with by the council.”
“Can you give us a brief description of what has taken place?” Troy
asked, glancing first at Gille and then at Thomas.
Thomas looked towards Yancey. “Aiden and I witnessed Gille arguing with
and then taking a swing at Yancey. I
would like Yancey first to explain the situation from his point of view and
then Gille from his.”
“Gille was late for his physical and the doctor requested I remind him
of it,” Yancey began to inform the five men who made up the council. “Gille
made it known that he was not interested in accompanying me to the infirmary.
He was holding a hammer at the time and I was forced to take it from him.”
“Were you threatened with the hammer?” Thomas asked for clarification.
“The hammer was raised, and I took preventative measures to keep the
situation from getting any further out of control,” Yancey explained, not
wanting to make more of it than there was.
Gille listened to this with his head hanging in embarrassment.
“Why are you so adamantly against being seen by the doctor, Gille?”
Larry asked softy.
Gille didn’t know what to say. Could he possibly be more embarrassed? “I
don’t like doctors,” he mumbled. “And besides, who are you to say I have to see
him? I ain’t sick and I shouldn’t be
made to go!”
“There are many among us who are uncomfortable with medical
examinations, Gille,” Troy quietly spoke up. “But we all voted in support of
the council’s decision that physicals were needed.”
Gille looked up defiantly. “No doctor’s gonna go pokin’ at me, sticking
me with things and touching in places that he’s got no business touching!”
Lakota gave the young man a gentle look. “Gille, when was the last time
you saw a doctor?”
“I seen you at breakfast,” he replied sarcastically.
“Och, ’tis no need to be disrespectful, laddie,” Aiden patiently admonished.
Lakota waited indulgently. “Gille, have you ever had a medical
examination?”
Thomas looked at the young man squirming on the log bench and when no
answer seemed forthcoming he firmly instructed, “Gille, would you kindly answer
the doctor, please.”
Gille shook his head. “No, I ain’t never had any examination. I’ve
always been healthy, so I don’t need to start seeing a doctor now.”
“Gille, there is an advantage to being seen by a physician before
becoming ill. It is a great deal simpler to prevent illness than cure it,”
Yancey commented in an easy manner.
“Well I don’t like it. I just want to be left alone. Why can’t you all
do that? Just leave me alone?” he asked, his voice shaking.
Thomas looked thoughtfully towards the young man. “Gille, you are a part
of our community and we care about everyone here. Part of that caring includes
making sure you are healthy and stay that way. Another part is not just leaving
you alone but involving you in all that we are. We’ve been cut off from our
homeland and we need to work together to make a new life here and like it or
not, you are a part of that life.”
Aiden moved closer and gently placed a large arm around the young man’s
trembling shoulders. “Now what would be the real reason for ye wanting us to
leave ye alone, lad? Is there something yer not telling us?” he kindly
inquired.
Gille shook his head, trying very hard to keep the tears from falling.
“You all have fancy schoolin’ and clothes and words to say that makes
everything seem so important. I’m just a poor man. I got nothin’ to offer here.
Don’t know why you’re so interested in me being healthy or seeing some
high-learned doctor.”
Lakota gave a sad smile at Gille’s speech. “We are all equal here,
Gille. A formal education and nice clothing don’t make anyone more important
than someone else. What is important is that we learn to trust each other and
share all that we have to make this community grow and be strong.”
Gille looked around the room. He saw concern and acceptance in every
pair of eyes looking at him. “Truth?” he asked. “You all think I’m as important
as you are?”
“Yes! We are all equally important to the success in building a new home
for ourselves, Gille,” Larry hastened to assure him.
“Are you willing to accept that, Gille?” Thomas asked the young
man.
Gille smiled slightly. “I guess so.”
“That’s the lad!” Aiden praised and patted him encouragingly on the
back.
“Now then, there remains the fact that every member of this community
has to be treated equally in the rules which we lay down,” Thomas spoke
seriously. “Gille, do you have anything to say about the physical attack you
attempted on Yancey?”
Gille shook his head sadly. “No,
sir. I was wrong. I lost my temper and for what it’s worth, I am sorry.”
“You never actually intended to use the hammer as a weapon, did you,”
Larry stated more than questioned.
“No, sir! I just wanted to be left alone. I’d never hit anyone with a
hammer!” Gille responded vehemently.
“Yancey and Gille, would you both wait outside the tent for a short time
while we discuss this matter as a council? We will call you back when we’re
done,” Thomas requested.
“Of course,” Yancey answered and immediately headed outside.
Once the two men had left, Thomas looked around at the assembled
council, his eyes landing on Aiden’s as he spoke. “Well, gentlemen, what are
your opinions?”
“Stands to reason the lad ’twill be expected to have a physical,” Aiden
stated as a matter of fact.
“I think that needs to be ensured,” Lakota answered. “He is obviously
contrite and regrets his actions. However, we cannot allow such actions to go
without consequences. We need to maintain discipline that would be a deterrent to
anyone doing what Gille did.”
“Although I suspect it will be difficult for him, I feel he should be
given lines to write,” Troy suggested. “I will ensure he completes whatever
amount we decide upon and assist him as necessary.”
Thomas nodded. “Yes, that would be acceptable as part of his punishment
but given the physical nature of the crime, I believe something more is
required. Possibly something in the order of extra chores.”
Lakota looked up. “I think I have an idea that might also help him
overcome his fear of doctors and medical practices. I believe a few hours of
duty in the infirmary might be in order.”
“Sounds reasonable to me,” Larry agreed.
“Would an hour a day for one week sound too much?” the doctor asked.
“Nay, but ’twill have to be later in the day as Gille is part of the
farming team, is he not?” Aiden commented.
Thomas nodded. “Yes, but I’m sure it can be worked into the late
afternoon or the evening immediately after supper. How many lines would you
consider adequate, Troy?"
“Taking into account his limited education, I think twenty would
suffice,” the group’s educator replied after giving it some thought.
“Are we all in agreement as to this then?” Thomas asked.
Larry and Troy nodded in response to Thomas’ question.
“Aye!” Aiden cast his vote.
“I feel it is a just decision,” Lakota added.
Thomas walked to the tent flap and opened it to the two men waiting to be summoned. “Gille, Yancey, would you please come back in.”
“Gille, it is the decision of the council that after you have apologised
to Yancey, you will take your physical examination. In addition to that, as
punishment for your attempted assault on our nurse, you will write out twenty
lines under Troy’s direction. You will also be required to spend an hour each
day for one week helping the doctor in the infirmary. This will be done after
your other chores for the day and you will start today right after our evening
meal.”
Gille’s lips quivered but he steadfastly held back his emotions. “I
accept your decision, sir.”
“It is a fair one, Gille,” Yancey’s softly spoken words were meant to
provide comfort.
“Unless anyone has further business, I would say this meeting is over!”
Thomas announced, getting to his feet.
The need for a hasty council meeting and subsequent decision on how to
deal with Gille Wheaton’s attempted assault against his nurse had left a bad
taste in Lakota’s mouth. Not that he’d felt the decisions made were wrong, it
just rubbed against his nature to force a patient into an examination. He was
used to his quiet but powerful presence having the desired effect of persuading
patients to see situations his way.
The doctor had noticed Gille when they first landed on the beach, but
then who wouldn’t notice such a fine-looking young man. He was beautiful with
pale blond hair softly curling around the angelic face, and eyes so blue they
made the ocean jealous. He’d obviously seen better days. His clothes were
tattered and ill fitting, the sole on one of his shoes flapped with each step
he took, but none of that hid his handsome features.
Thinking about him, Lakota felt a flush of arousal which he quickly put
down. He needed to be professional about this. He gave himself a mental shake
and prepared for the arrival of his recalcitrant patient.
Gille was nothing short of mortified by both his behaviour and the
council’s ruling over him. Not only was he to be made to take his physical, but
he was to spend time every evening for a week working with Yancey and Lakota in
the infirmary, scrubbing and cleaning or whatever other menial chores the two
found for him. What a great start to his new life on this island!
Now he was being led by the giant Scotsman and the nurse to the
infirmary where like it or not, he was to be examined by the doctor.
Lakota looked up as the three men entered the tent. “Welcome, Gille,” he
offered in greeting. The young man in question looked nervous and would not
meet his eyes. “Why don’t you sit down, and we can begin. I’d like to ask you
some questions about your health history and I’d like you to feel free to ask
any questions you might have of me.”
Gille begrudgingly sat on the log the doctor had indicated. He glanced
up to where Aiden and Yancey stood then returned his gaze to the ground in
front of him. “I got no questions,” he said, shaking his head.
Lakota decided the young man would feel more comfortable without the
audience. “Aiden, Yancey, thank you for your assistance but I think Gille and I
will be fine on our own now.”
Aiden looked momentarily doubtful, fearing the young man might make a
break for it, but a reassuring nod from the doctor set his mind at ease. “Verra
well, doctor, I’ll see ye later.”
Yancey had quickly learned to pick-up on Lakota’s cues. “I’m due a bit
of a break.”
Lakota took a seat beside Gille and reached out a gentle hand to tip the
young man’s face up so they could make eye contact. Clear blue eyes met his own
deep brown ones and he felt a momentary tightening in his chest. ‘Gods, this
was a beautiful man!’ He had to shake his head to clear it of thoughts a doctor
had no business having when with a patient.
Drawing a deep breath, the large native pulled his thoughts back to the
matter at hand. “Gille, it seems to me that we have got off to a rough start
and I’d like to change that. I promise you I will do everything in my power to
make this as comfortable as possible. However, I do need some help from you in
answering a few questions and letting me give you a look over. Okay?”
Gille was mesmerised. This big dark man was speaking to him so softly,
his voice deep and hypnotic. Gille found himself nodding and wanting to do
whatever this voice asked of him. “Okay, I can do that.” His own voice squeaked, and he blushed thinking he sounded like a kid.
They quickly covered the initial questions and answers with Gille
confirming Lakota’s suspicions that the younger man had never received any
previous medical care and other than a few childhood illnesses and a bad cough
which had lasted most of the prior winter, he’d been remarkably healthy.
Though shy, Gille had answered all of Lakota’s questions about his
limited sexual history. Having only had two previous sexual partners, one of
whom was the sheriff who had assaulted him, there wasn’t a great deal to tell.
“Now, I’d like you to move over to the table and take off just your
shirt so I can begin the upper-body part of the exam, alright?” the doctor
asked kindly.
Gille slowly unbuttoned the threadbare shirt and shrugged out of it. The
sight of the smooth, lightly muscled torso gave the doctor further pause before
he could begin the physical. Though a little on the thin side, Gille was still
incredibly alluring.
There was something in the gentle touch of the doctor’s hands and the
look of the deep, almost black eyes that the younger man found very appealing.
Before Gille knew it, he found himself becoming aroused. The moment he had
dreaded arrived when the doctor asked him to remove his trousers. He slowly
undid the buttons and lowered them to the ground. He blushed deep red when his
naked genitals were exposed to the air, feeling even more humiliated by his
obvious erection.
Lakota hoped his smile and soothing tone would calm the younger man’s
embarrassment, but it only seemed to further his state of arousal. Sounding
brisk and professional, he declared as a matter-of-fact, “nothing to feel embarrassed
about, Gille. It’s quite common for a young man such as yourself to have an
erection during this type of exam. Just try to relax. You can lie down on the
table and cover yourself while I get some things I need,” the doctor assured
his patient as he handed over a blanket.
Lakota walked to his storage case and took his time, supposedly looking
for what he needed but in reality he was attempting to calm his own desires.
‘What the hell is wrong with you, Evans?’ he admonished himself. ‘You’ve
examined hundreds of attractive men. Why is this one making you feel like some
horny teenager?’ All the reasoning in the world was not relieving him of these
feelings. If he wasn’t careful, this young man was going to be his downfall.
But God, the fall would be worth it if it brought Gille into his life.
Still aroused but somewhat calmer, Lakota returned to the examination
table with a small pot of petroleum jelly.
“Now, I’m going to proceed with the genital and rectal exam I explained
to you. I’ll try to be as quick and painless as possible, okay?”
Gille blushed furiously but suffered through the exams stoically. He
kept praying the whole time for his raging erection to deflate but if anything, he felt harder. Once the exam was complete, Lakota told him he could dress and
go get something to eat. He gratefully slid off the table holding the blanket
in front of him, but it slipped from his hands. He bent to pick it up and as he
stood his face moved within only inches from the doctor’s crotch. There was no
mistaking the impressive tenting in the front of the trousers; Lakota was as
hard as he was.
Two men’s eyes met and Gille was sure he could detect a slight redness
under the beautiful bronzed skin.
“I…you’re…” Gille could not find the words to express his thoughts.
Lakota knew he had to defuse this moment. “Gille, you are a very
attractive man and I would like very much to get to know you better. However,
this is neither the time nor place. I still have another patient to see and I
believe you have a task to complete. Yes?”
Gilled could only nod.
“This evening after dinner, you are assigned to assist me here in the
infirmary. There will be some cleaning up you’ll need to do, and I’d like to
show you a little about what is involved in medical care. After we are through,
perhaps you would like to take a walk with me along the beach. We could talk
and get to know one another.”
Gille smiled. “I’d like that very much. I’ll see you at supper?” he
asked as he began inching towards the exit.
Lakota laughed. “Yes, but before you go you might want to put your
clothes back on.”
Gille flushed again as he quickly donned his clothing and hurried out of
the tent.
After checking the appointment list and noticing that Nathan was to be
his next patient, the doctor decided one of the things he would discuss with the
tailor was the possibility of getting Gille some decent clothing. Lakota had
noted the lack of underwear and knew he was not going without for the sake of
ease, as had young Galen. This poor kid just didn’t have any. He realised that
nothing of his would fit the lad, but maybe some things could be cut down. He’d also have to see what could be done
about the young man’s shoes. They had no cobbler in their midst, but surely
someone had spare shoes or boots that could fit Gille’s feet.
With that resolve made, Lakota left the infirmary with plans to procure a
late lunch that he felt sure Walker was keeping warm for him.
Much later, after the last of his two patients of the day departed,
Lakota sat down to complete his notes for today’s physical exams and wrote:
Nathan O’Sullivan, age 28, a tailor. This man is of robust heath, with
no visible scars or deformities. He claims the usual assortment of childhood
illnesses with no other disease or injuries mentioned. He obviously involves
himself in more physical activities than his choice of profession would
suggest, as he is lean and firmly muscled. He demonstrates strong leadership
skills and has a calm intelligent nature.
Lakota closed his record book and stretched his aching back. ‘Time I put
more effort into physical exercise myself,’ he thought, knowing that spending
his days with his patients and his books was taking its toll on his normally
well-toned body. His mind wandered to thoughts of Gille and he hoped the
younger man liked to walk and swim. Suddenly his body began to respond to the
idea of other physical activities he would like to do with the beautiful lad.
He would have to concentrate very hard not to allow that kind of thinking to
interfere with keeping a level head when with Gille. It wouldn’t be appropriate
to have the young man thinking he couldn’t control his urges.
Samuel looked once again for Wayne to invite him to join him for their
evening meal. He frowned for a moment when he thought of how often they just
seemed to miss each other but decided there was nothing he could do about it.
After all, Wayne was his own man and owed him no explanations. But he was
extremely curious about Wayne’s behaviour lately and he slowly shook his head as
he debated whether or not to check up on him. In this new environment and with
so much happening recently, it would be easy for a sensitive young man to be
overwhelmed and take foolish or careless chances. He sadly shook his head at
the thought of eating yet another meal without Wayne’s company.
Gille arrived at the mess hall feeling hungry for more than just food. All he could think of this whole
afternoon was seeing the doctor again. He scanned the tent and quickly realised
that Lakota had not yet responded to the dinner bell. He held back from joining
the line of men pouring in from around the campsite, as he didn’t want to eat
before the doctor even arrived. He was hungrily watching the others fill
their plates when a large warm hand closed in on his shoulder.
“Do you plan on just watching
or are you going to eat?” Lakota asked with a laugh.
“Hi! I thought I’d wait for
you so we could eat together.” Suddenly shy, he added, “that is, if you don’t
mind?”
“I think I would mind if you
didn’t,” Lakota replied huskily. “Let’s get our food before it’s all gone.”
After exchanging a few words
with Walker, the two men found a spot away from the rest of the crowd and dug
into their meals. Lakota was happy to see the younger man had a healthy
appetite. He sadly realised that Gille was overly slim because he had simply
not had enough to eat. Well that would change here. They had plenty of food in
store, a long planting season ahead and ample wild game and fish. They were
lucky too to have both educated and life-experienced men amongst them. And now
here was this beautiful man looking at him with longing in his eyes. ‘Perhaps
life here,’ Lakota thought, ‘might bring me the one thing I’ve been lacking
before, true happiness.’
TBC…
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