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In the first Red Dead Redemption, John Marston, Jack's father, couldn't swim, a fact that had often put him at a disadvantage. It seemed Jack was destined to follow in his father's footsteps in that regard since John couldn't teach him, at least until now. Caleb chuckled, a warm, genuine sound that carried across the water.
"I sure can," he called back. "Why? Don't tell me you can't swim, Jack?"
Jack bounced on the balls of his feet. "No, I can't! But I want to learn! Please teach me, Uncle Caleb! Please!"
Cain barked in agreement, tail wagging wildly.
Caleb swam to shore, chuckling as he stood in the shallow bank and let the water drip down his frame. He ran a hand through his wet hair and knelt to Jack's height.
"Of course I can teach you," he said warmly. "But first, go ask your ma and pa, alright? Make sure they're okay with it."
Jack nodded so fast it looked like his head might fall off. "Okay, Uncle Caleb!" he yelled, then turned and sprinted back to camp, Cain galloping beside him.
Caleb stood there, wringing water from his hair, when he saw Jack returning not long after, this time flanked by Abigail and John.
Caleb straightened, nodding toward them as they approached.
John had his arms crossed, that familiar squint in his eyes. "So you wanna teach Jack how to swim, huh?"
Caleb nodded, calm and open. "Yeah. It's a good skill to have. Especially around rivers. And don't worry, I'll keep him safe. That is, of course, if you're both alright with it."
Abigail looked Caleb up and down. She didn't look skeptical exactly, but concerned, as any mother would be.
"Are you sure you can keep him safe, Caleb?" she asked. "He's just a boy. And that water can drag even a grown man under."
"I know," Caleb said gently. "But I'm not going to throw him into a deep current. I'll stay right by him. Start small. Let him get used to it at his pace."
John's expression didn't change much, but he did give a faint nod. "You trust him, Abigail?"
She looked between John and Caleb, then down at Jack, whose hopeful eyes pleaded up at her. She sighed.
"Alright. But only shallow water. You stay close to him."
"I promise," Caleb said, placing a hand over his heart. "My honor."
Jack whooped in excitement. "Yay!"
Cain barked again, tail going wild.
John gave Caleb a once over. "Just don't let him think he can start crossing rivers by himself."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Caleb said with a smile.
As John and Abigail stepped back to give the two space, where they retreated to a nearby log, close enough to watch, far enough to give them space. On the other hand, Caleb motioned Jack over, and together they stepped into the water.
Caleb turned to Jack. "Alright, Jack. First rule of swimming, respect the water. It's fun, but it can be dangerous if you don't take it seriously. Understand?"
Jack nodded solemnly. "Yes, sir."
"Good. Now, let's start with floating."
Caleb guided the boy slowly, first letting him get used to the feel of the water, then showing him how to float, how to kick gently, and how to move his arms. Jack listened well, eyes wide with wonder, and Caleb kept one firm hand under his back the entire time.
Jack spluttered and coughed at first, but under Caleb's patient instruction, he quickly got the hang of it. "See? You're a natural," Caleb said, grinning as Jack kicked his legs, propelling himself forward in a clumsy but effective doggy paddle.
Jack beamed. "This is awesome, Uncle Caleb! Can you teach me how to dive next?"
Caleb laughed. "One thing at a time, cowboy."
From the shore, Abigail's tense posture gradually relaxed as she watched Jack's progress. Even John looked vaguely impressed, though he'd never admit it.
On the other side, Mary-Beth sat beside Tilly again, watching quietly as Caleb taught Jack how to paddle in the shallows.
"He's good with him," Tilly said softly.
Mary-Beth smiled. "Yeah… he really is."
Cain barked again and leapt into the river too, sending a splash across them all and making Jack laugh so hard he nearly sank.
Then the peaceful moment was interrupted by the sound of heavy boots crunching on gravel. Bill stomped into view, his usual scowl in place.
"What the hell's goin' on here?" he grunted, squinting at the river.
"Swimmin' lessons," John said dryly.
Bill blinked. "Swimmin'? Who the hell needs to learn that?"
"Jack does," Abigail said sharply. "And Caleb's kind enough to teach him."
Bill's gaze flicked to Caleb, then back to Jack, who was now attempting a (very uneven) backstroke. For a moment, something almost like envy flickered across his face. Then he snorted.
"Waste of time, if you ask me."
Caleb, waist deep in the water, called out, "You're welcome to join us, Bill. Bet you could use the practice."
Bill's face darkened. "I ain't gettin' in no damn river."
John smirked. "Scared?"
"I ain't scared!" Bill snapped, his temper flaring on cue. "It's just stupid*!"
Caleb exchanged a glance with John, both fighting laughter. Some things never change. "Alright, Alright. Easy Bill, no need to listen to John."
Bill just snorted at that and then walked away.
By midday, Jack was exhausted but triumphant, having managed a semi coordinated breast stroke from one end of the shallows to the other.
"I did it!" he crowed, scrambling onto the bank.
Caleb ruffled his wet hair. "Yeah, you did. Next time, we'll work on diving."
Jack's eyes lit up. "Really?!"
"Really."
Abigail approached, handing Jack a towel. "You did good, sweetheart." She glanced at Caleb, her expression softer now. "Thank you."
Caleb nodded. "Anytime."
John, lingering a few steps behind, gave Caleb a curt nod and a smile, the closest thing to gratitude he'd muster.
As the little family headed back to camp, Jack chattering excitedly about his new skills, Caleb waded back into the water to rinse off.
Mary-Beth appeared at the shore, holding out a fresh shirt for him. "You're good with him," she said quietly.
Caleb took the shirt with a smile. "He's a quick learner."
She hesitated, then added, "It's nice seeing you like this. Not just the guns and the jobs, but… this."
Caleb's chest warmed. "Yeah. It's nice for me too."
Their eyes held for a long moment before Mary-Beth glanced away, smiling. "Don't forget, we've got plans in Rhodes today."
"Wouldn't miss it, my lady."
After that Caleb made his way behind Pearson's wagon where a clean barrel of water was kept. He grabbed the metal ladle hanging off the rim and poured several scoops over his head and shoulders, the coolness refreshing against the early summer heat.
It was quiet back here, just the distant murmur of camp life behind him, the whistle of birds in the trees, and the occasional clatter of a pan or clink of a bottle from Pearson's chaotic culinary kingdom.
He dried himself quickly with an old cloth hanging nearby, then reached into his satchel, retrieving pieces of his chosen outfit. Today wasn't just another day, it was an outing, and he intended to look the part.
He pulled on his Clairmont Outfit, a clean, cream colored shirt with a tailored dark brown vest and a long tan coat draped over his shoulders. It wasn't flashy, but it gave him a refined look that made him appear just as comfortable in a saloon or a bookstore.
Instead of using the usual hat that went with the outfit, Caleb reached for the wide brimmed Vaquero hat from one of his older ensembles, dark, sturdy, slightly curved at the edges from use. It gave him a rugged charm that softened the formality of the rest of the outfit.
With that, he looked like a man with a story, half gentleman and half mystery.
Once dressed, he adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves, tucked a small knife discreetly into his boot just in case, ensured his gun belt and two holsters filled with his Navy and Schofield, then headed toward the wagon that would take them into Rhodes.
Mary-Beth and Tilly were already waiting near the passenger wagon the gang used for traveling into town. It had seen better days, scratches along the side, some patched woodwork here and there, but it still ran smoothly enough.
When they saw him, Mary-Beth's face immediately lit up with a smile, and even Tilly gave an approving nod.
"Well, don't you look like a man ready to rob a train and recite poetry," Tilly quipped.
Caleb grinned and tipped his hat. "Ladies."
Mary-Beth giggled softly. "You clean up nicely."
He walked up beside her and offered a hand. "Only the best for our little day out."
Tilly gave the two of them a teasing look, arms folded and brow raised. "Alright, lovebirds. It's already noon. We don't have all day to moon over each other. Let's get going before Dutch thinks we're plotting treason."
Caleb let out a wry chuckle while Mary-Beth gave an exaggerated sigh, clearly amused but mildly flustered.
"Way to ruin the mood, Tilly," Caleb said.
Mary-Beth added with a playful pout, "Can't you just let us have one quiet moment?"
Tilly was already climbing onto the back of the wagon, smirking. "Nah, I live for this."
Caleb helped Mary-Beth climb up onto the wagon seat, his hand lingering just a moment longer than needed as she settled into the shotgun position. Then he walked around to the other side and hopped into the driver's seat.
With a gentle flick of the reins, he called out, "Here we go!" and the horses responded, the wagon creaking into motion as they rolled out of Clemens Point and onto the main road heading for Rhodes.
The rhythm of hooves clopping along dirt blended with the rustling leaves and chirping cicadas. The breeze was light, but enough to rustle Mary-Beth's skirt and the brim of Caleb's hat. The open road before them seemed peaceful, at least, for now.
"So," Caleb said, glancing between them. "We really are on an outing today. But I want to remind you both, don't do anything that'll attract attention. If you overhear something worth knowing, tell Dutch, Hosea, or Arthur when we get back. But keep your heads down, alright?"
Mary-Beth and Tilly both nodded, though the mischief in Tilly's eyes hadn't faded.
"I know, I know," Tilly said from the back. "Keep a low profile, blend in, all that. Besides, I wouldn't dare interrupt your *date* any more than I already have."
Mary-Beth whipped around in her seat, her cheeks reddening again. "Tilly! You promised no more teasing!"
"I lied," Tilly said innocently.
Caleb laughed, unable to help himself. Mary-Beth turned her glare to him, but it only made him laugh harder.
"Sorry, sorry," he said, waving a hand. "But honestly, you are kinda cute when you're flustered."
Mary-Beth huffed and crossed her arms, looking away, but the small smile curling at the corner of her lips betrayed her.
Once the laughter had settled, Caleb cleared his throat.
"By the way," he said. "I've already been to town a couple of times before. Once with Hosea and Arthur, and then with Arthur and Sadie."
"Oh?" Mary-Beth asked, curiosity piqued. "What for?"
"Supply runs," Caleb said. "General store, hardware, usual stuff. But, when I went with Arthur and Sadie… we had to pose as a married couple."
Mary-Beth blinked. "Wait, what?"
"Yeah," Caleb said with a sheepish grin. "Used the name Tacitus Kilgore. Sadie and I played the roles. Had to keep the store owner from poking around too much."
There was a short pause.
Mary-Beth gasped, eyes wide. Then, without realizing, she puffed her cheeks and fell silent, turning back toward the road. Her arms crossed a little tighter.
Tilly caught it immediately when she realized Marybeth was silent. "Well now," Tilly said, drawing out the words. You mean to tell me that you Caleb played house with Mrs. Adler? In town? Actin' like two of you were affectionate pair of husband and wife?"
...
Name: Caleb Thorne
Age: 23
Body Attributes:
- Strength: 7/10
- Agility: 6/10
- Perception: 8/10
- Stamina: 7/10
- Charm: 5/10
- Luck: 6/10
Skills:
- Handgun (Lvl 2)
- Rifle (Lvl 2)
- Firearms Knowledge (Lvl 2)
- Past Life Memory (Lvl MAX)
- Knife (Lvl 1)
- Blunt Weapon (Lvl 1)
- Sneaking (Lvl 2)
- Horse Mastery (Lvl 3)
- Poker (Lvl 3)
- Hand to Hand Combat (Lvl 1)
- Eagle Eye (Lvl 1)
- Dead Eye (Lvl 2)
- Bow (Lvl 2)
- Pain Nullifier (Lvl 1)
- Physical Regeneration (Lvl 0)
- Crafting (Lv1)
- Persuasion (Lvl 2)
- Mental Fortitude (Lvl MAX)
- Cooking (Lvl 2)
- Teaching (Lvl 1)
- Germanic Language Proficiency (Lvl MAX)
- Inventory System (Permanent - 5x5x5)
Money: 513 dollars and 45 cents
Inventory: 1111 dollars, 2 gold nuggets, 1 gold bar, 4 silver rings, and 1 Double Action Revolver
Bank: 320 dollars, 4 gold bars, a large bag of jewelry, and 3 gold nuggets