The Longest Journey
Disclaimer: Just taking our friends out to play, will put them back when I'm done!
PT. 1
Exhausted after a long trip to the Arizona territory, the ride back to Dodge seemed longer the usual. But Matt could always depend on Buck to push forward even when the trip was long and hard. All he could think about now was he would soon be seeing the wooden buildings in the distance. HOME! Dodge City!
Riding closer, he was looking for the symbol of light and warmth that always got his attention first, the light glowing from the second floor of the Long Branch. He knew she'd be waiting. Two welcoming arms and all the comfort he needed. For years now, this was routine whenever he was away on a trip, her light would burn in the window like a beacon, one he had been thinking about for many weeks.
The beautiful woman he fell in love with many years ago. Kitty was his friend, best friend, companion, confidant and lover. She knew him like no one else ever could.
Coming closer to the edge of town, a questioning look slipped across his face. The absence of the beacon of light. This brought a rise of sadness. Continuing into town and down Front Street, the town was quiet, streets empty.
Heading straight for Moss Grimmick's stable, too tired to deal with anything, he was greeted by Hank.
"Hello, Marshal, welcome home."
"Thanks, Hank, good to be back. Hank? Can you…"
And before he could finish, "I got this, Marshal. You look tired."
"Thanks, Hank, good night."
"Good night." Hank said.
Walking to his office, stopping briefly to look up at the second floor window, then dropping his eyes, saying to himself, "I don't think I did anything wrong. Yeah, been gone a long time, but done this before. I need sleep and to clean up. So maybe it's better I see Kitty in the morning."
Too tired to worry about washing up, Matt collapsed onto the cot in the office.
Early the next morning, Matt rose and headed for the bath house, needing to get rid of the trail dust. Then he headed for the Long Branch. Kitty should be awake, he thought to himself as he crossed Front Street.
He spotted Doc coming down the stairs from his office. "Morning, Doc."
"Well, if it isn't our esteemed Marshal? When did you get in?" Doc asked.
"Late last night." Matt told him. "How have things been around here, Doc?" He asked, but at the same time staring at the Long Branch.
Reading him as well as usual, Doc, tugging at his ear and sniffing as he rubbed his mustache, "Let's get breakfast."
"But, Doc, I was headed for…"
"I know exactly where you were headed, but she's not there."
"Not there?" Matt said with surprise.
"Nope, she's been gone for a week now."
"What? Where? Why?"
"Hold your horses. I'll tell ya but let's get breakfast. I'm starving."
The two men headed for Delmonico's. After ordering their food, Matt looked at Doc. "Ok, so tell me, will ya?"
"Kitty left a week ago for New Orleans."
"Doc? She was fine when I left."
"Just hold on now. She's not mad at you. She got a letter. You remember Panacea Sikes?"
Sure I do. Her mother, well you know what I mean."
"She's not well. And someone from New Orleans wrote Kitty saying she should come as soon as possible. And you know Kitty. And she wasn't gonna wait for you, not knowing when you were coming back."
"Doc, did she say when she'd be back?"
"No, but she did say she'd write me when she knew more."
"Write you?"
"Sure, you big lug. I'm a constant. She knows where I am all the time."
After finishing their breakfast, Matt headed for the the Long Branch figuring Sam had more information. Maybe.
Pushing through the batwing doors, "Morning, Marshal."
"Morning, Sam."
"Miss Kitty's not here."
"I know, Sam, I talked to Doc. Just thought you may know something about when she's coming back."
"Sorry, Marshal. She didn't know. But I'm sure we'll hear from her soon."
"Thanks, Sam." He turned and headed for his office.
As he approached the porch, he heard, "Matthew? Matthew?" Festus was calling from the direction of the post office. I a didn't know you was back."
"Just got in last night, Festus."
"We sure did plum de miss ya. Miz Kitty was a hoping ya's be back soon. But that Miz Panacea Sikes, she was ailing sumthin' awful, Matthew. And Miz Kitty she…"
"I know, Festus. Doc told me all about it. Is that the mail?"
Why sure. I was just gonna de-liver this to Doc. Barney says it's from Miz Kitty."
"Here, Festus, I'll take it to him."
"Sure, Matthew."
He took the stairs two at a time and burst through the door.
"What in thunder?"
"Sorry, Doc, here this is yours."
"And I suppose you want to know what's in it, huh?"
"DOC!"
"Ok, hang on here. Have some coffee." Then Doc began to open the letter, reading quietly.
Dear Curly,
Sorry, I didn't write sooner. I haven't left Pan's bedside since I've been here. It looks bad, Curly. I know you told her about her condition but the Doctor here says it won't be long now. Her heart is so weak and I can't leave her. But I will let you all know when I'm heading back. Doc, have you heard from Matt? I know you'll explain where I am. I hated leaving the way I did but… well. I have to go now. Pan's calling.
Kitty
Matt standing frustrated, "Well, Doc? What she say?"
"Here, you can read it." As Matt took the letter and began to read, "You know, Matt, she could be gone for a while?"
"Yeah, Doc, It looks that way."
"Matt, Panacea was quite ill when she was here, and I don't think from what Kitty is saying that it will be all that long before…."
New Orleans
It was late, Kitty was sitting in a large stuffed chair beside Panacea's bed. There was just a soft glow illuminating the room where the older woman laid sleeping.
Kitty began softly speaking aloud. "Oh, Pan! I dreaded this day so much, for so long. I wish you would have stayed with me in Dodge. I could have cared for you and Doc would have helped you so much. Pan, you know I love you like a mother. You did for me when I needed a woman in my life. I know I wasn't the easiest child to care for but I always loved you."
Then placing her face in her hands, she heard a soft whisper of a voice. "Kitty, Child, don't be sad. We all have our time and this is mine. I always thought of you as a daughter and loved you the same."
Now sitting close on the side of the bed, "Oh Pan!"
"Come, child, let me hold you like when you were little."
Curling up beside Pan on the bed, holding her close. She rested Pan's head on her breast, listening to the sound of her breathing.
"I love you, Kitty, girl. You remember that." Then she closed her eyes and her breathing became shallower.
"I love you too, Pan." And within a short time Kitty felt the life leave her. The warm tears filled her eyes. "Pan!"
Dodge City
It had been several days since her first letter. Matt was pacing his office when the door opened and in walked Doc, holding a letter from Kitty. "Thought you might want to read this."
He took the letter and began to read.
Dear Curly,
Pan, Passed during the night, it's Wednesday. I waited till I had the chance to write. The services are tomorrow. I'll take care of a few more things here, that I was doing, then head back to Dodge. I'll be coming in on the noon stage on Saturday. See you all then.
Kitty
"Ahh, Doc, I should have been here for her."
"Matt, now wait a minute. You didn't know. You'll be here for her when she comes in on Saturday."
Now he was counting down the days. It had been over a month and a half. This time was dragging so slow.
Early Saturday morning, Matt was up and pacing around like a caged animal. Noon couldn't come to soon for him. After breakfast with Doc, he tried to do some paper work but couldn't keep his mind on anything.
"Matthew." Festus came through the door. "You looky like a cat on a hot tin roof."
"What?"
"I say you's look like…"
"I heard you Festus."
"Then what'cha say 'what' fur?"
"Festus, any sign of the stage yet?"
"No, Matthew, ya jest ask me not five minutes ago."
"I know, Festus, I'm just…"
"I know'd. You just waiting fur Miz Kitty to come in on that there stage."
While they were talking, they heard Carl, the stage driver, saying, "Whoa… Whoa…"
Quickly they went outside.
"Where's the Marshal!? Marshal Dillon!"
"Right here, Carl, what is it?"
"Marshal, I was held up."
"Held up?"
"But, Marshal, I'm… I'm awful sorry…"
"Sorry for what, Carl?"
"I couldn't stop them and they just…"
Now the hair stood on the back of his neck. "Carl!"
"Miss Kitty, she…"
Matt grabbed for the door.
"They took her, Marshal! They took her!"
TBC