The Drink

Have you ever wondered what was said or maybe not said after Will Stambridge left Dodge City and Matt and Kitty walked arm in arm to the Long Branch for "a lady who could sure use a drink" and from a "man who's ready to buy". Well, lets say we find out.

Matt graciously let Kitty in the bat-wing doors of the Long Branch ahead of him. Kitty had been through what could easily be called an emotional roller-coaster. Yet for her it really wasn't as bad as most people might think. She was one lady who's feet were planted firmly on the ground and who's head was "on straight". But she wasn't perfect by any means either, nobody is and she knew that just as well as the next person. When they got inside, Kitty walked to the bar and asked Floyd for a bottle of her private stock then she and Matt went back to the Office. It was quiet back there and neither of them really wanted to be out with the busy afternoon crowd. They sat down at the small round table that she kept back there and for a moment just breathed a sigh of relief. "You know Matt, I don't want to go through that again any time soon but I must admit that it showed me one thing" "And just what was that, if it's OK to ask?" "I think you know that answer" "You're right about that" " I wouldn't want to change anything with us either." "I know that the way things have to be with us can be hard but I remember when I got back-shot and you said you wouldn't change anything about those seventeen years, well, Kitty I know it's not always easy but I wouldn't want you any other way either". " I have never known a woman that I could be more proud of or admire more". "You work hard at what you do and you do it better than most men." "You care about people and things around you and you even care about this Marshal here in Dodge who can't imagine what his life would ever be like without a certain red-headed saloon keeper in it". "Oh, Matt, I love you too!" "And I love you Kitty!" They held each other close for a few seconds and tenderly kissed. By this time the daylight was turning to dusk and night would soon be there. They decided to head upstairs and sit by the fire where it was warmer. They sat there for the next few hours just quietly talking and looking a the fire as it danced in the dark.