A light rain sprinkled down of the bereft scene of the funeral. Faint sounds of thunder rolled ominously in the distance, yet the people of Dodge stayed.
"Ashes to ashes, and dust to dust," Reverend Joe Morgan said as he tossed a small about of dirt into the open graves. He drew a deep breath and looked around at the crowd that had gathered at Boot Hill Cemetery. His eyes finally fixed on the town's doctor, Galen Adams. "This concludes the burial service," he said in a tender voice as he closed his worn bible; clasping it in his hands as looked around again.
Undertaker, Percy Crump and his men waited near the wrought iron fence, next to the lone tree in the Boot Hill Cemetery. They wanted for the town folk to leave before they began to full the two new graves.
Festus Haggen leaned on the crutch that Doc had given him, and he watched the preacher and the doctor. Once he had the opportunity to leave the cemetery he did. Anger swelled in his heart.
Doc stood at the end of the openings into the earth and peered down at the caskets within. The doctor's heart was heavy as he tried to erase the events that lead up to today. He drew a handkerchief over his weeping eyes. He was certain that he would have been the first to die - not Matt Dillon or Kitty Russell, and not the two of them at the same time.
Reverend Morgan slowly walked over to the doctor, "Doc?" Morgan looked at the physician.
Doc slowly looked up into the light blue, caring eyes, "Thank you for coming back to preform the service," he whispered and extended his right hand. Morgan took it and shook the doctor's hand firmly but not hard. It let the doctor know he was there for him as he had done in the past when he had his run in with the law.
Morgan nodded and smiled to try and lift Doc's spirits, "It was the least I could do when I heard about this travesty," the reverend stated in a caring tone. His eyes looked from the graves back to the doctor, "How are you doing?" he asked.
Doc remained silent for quite some time before he tried to answer the question, "I'll be fine," he said in a hushed voice.
Reverend Morgan placed his left hand onto Doc's right shoulder and squeezed it slightly, "I'm sure you will be," he said as he tried to make sense of the situation himself. "Can I buy you a drink?" he asked the doctor.
Doc slowly looked over to the reverend, "I didn't think you could," he said with a touch of surprise in his voice.
Morgan smiled, "Under the circumstances, I think God would permit it," he smiled slightly and patted Doc gently on the back turning him back to Dodge. Boot Hill was a good walk out side the town limits and already people where well ahead of the doctor and the reverend.
The two men walked back to town without sharing a word. Reverend Morgan knew from the accounts that he'd read about that the doctor was taking this extremely hard and it was up to the remaining people in the man's life; his friends to help him through these tragic times.
They stopped in front of the Long Branch Saloon, "Sam runs this now," Doc stated.
Morgan nodded, "Lets toast Miss Kitty and Matt," he smiled. "But I warn you, I'll only have one. You can have as many as you need and I'll pay," the preacher stated.
"Are you sure about this?" Doc asked and pointed skyward.
"Certainly," Morgan smiled. "Doc, I want you to tell me what happened," he said looking deep into the doctor's eyes.
Doc looked down at the muddy street, "I'm not even certain I understand what happened," he sighed.
Reverend Morgan straightened his back and looked up into the damp sky, "There was a time I didn't know what was happening to me, if you recall," he said then looking over to the doctor. "But you, and the rest of Dodge saw me through it," he stated.
A slight roll of thunder rumbled in the distance. "I remember, Joe," Doc said as he looked up into the pale caring blue eyes. "It's just," Doc sputtered.
Reverend Morgan frowned, "What Doc?" he asked.
Doc shook his head and couldn't speak.
"You feel like you could have done more?" Morgan asked.
Doc drew a deep breath and nodded, "Yes."
Morgan's eyes narrowed, "Doc. I read the reports in the newspaper and when I found out that it was Matt and Kitty I asked for more details. You can not take blame for what happened. You are human and their injuries were far greater than what anyone's medical skills could have done," the reverend reasoned.
Doc looked up at Joe, "Well I don't know that! All I know is I let two of my dearest friends down! They died on me!" Doc choked as tears ran down his face. "I should have tried harder!" he said before succumbing to tears.
Reverend Joe stepped forward and took Doc by the shoulder and guided him off the street. The rain was now coming down in torrents. The preacher guided Doc to the Long Branch and the cover of the boardwalk.
Doc swallowed and wiped his eyes, "I'm sorry," he sputtered as he tried to regain control of the tears that were streaming down his face.
"Doc, it's all right. I'm here for you to talk to," Morgan stated and took Doc by the shoulders. "I know this is very hard on you and as much as I can't imagine the pain you are going through, I'm sure it is only scratching the surface," the preacher said looking Doc in the eyes.
Doc blinked and then understood Morgan's position, "I'm sorry," he said.
Reverend Morgan shook his head. "Don't be, Doc. Let's go and talk. It will help," he said with and understanding tone to his voice.
Doc looked down at the boardwalk and still wasn't sure if he was ready to talk about the events. He drew a deep breath, "I'll start with a drink," he said cutting to the point.
Reverend Joe Morgan smiled and placed his hand firmly in the middle of Doc's back, "After you," he tried to smile as he guided Doc to the door of the Long Branch Saloon.