PT.4
Masks We Wear?
She stood standing, smiling at him as Matt stood and pulled out a chair. "I have to ask, how did you know who I am? I'm not from these parts."
"Ahhhh, Matt, I could never forget you."
"I'm sorry, miss, have we met before?"
Just then John returned with a drink in hand. "Here you go, dear, white wine."
"Thank you, John." She said smiling but never taking her eyes from Matt.
He was now getting nervous. Who was this woman? How did she know him? And why can't he remember her?"
"Matt, allow me to introduce Mrs. Maryellen Sullivan."
Matt nodded, "Mrs. Sullivan."
"Oh, Matt, you don't need to stand on formality. It's Mellie, remember?"
Before Matt could answer, he was surprised by Kitty's voice. "Well, Mellie, is it? I see we meet again, but then again, "WE", now pointing with a finger back and forth from Maryellen to herself, "never actually met did we?"
John looked puzzled. "Kitty?"
"Oh, John, I'll leave ahhh.. Mellie to explain it to you."
Matt rose, taking Kitty by the arm," Kit, can we talk over here for a minute?" Leading her out onto a balcony.
They walked through two French doors that looked out over a beautiful garden area.
"Kit, honey…."
"Matt, please don't." She turned away, not wanting him to see her facial expression. "I asked you who she was and you said…"
Spinning her around. "Yeah, I said I didn't know and I still don't."
"Well then, Marshal, let see, hummmm, "Don't stand on formality, Matt. It's Mellie!" She said in a sarcastic tone. "That didn't sound to me like you didn't know and it sounded pretty personal to me."
"Look Kit, if I know her, I don't remember her."
Huffing out a breath," Young, pretty, blonde, what's not to remember?"
"Honey, come on, I'll clear this up. You'll see." He moved up behind her wrapping his arms around her.
Not wanting to give in, she tried to pull away. "Matt. That's not gonna work."
"OK, let's go back inside then. Please?"
Her jaws were still tight and shoulders stiff but she agreed. "Oh, alright." She walked ahead of him.
Back at the table, John looked at Maryellen. "What just happened?"
"Oh, John, it's nothing. Matt and I are old friends."
"You are?" He asked.
"Yes, from many, many years ago."
"And Kitty?"
"Oh, don't know her at all."
"Then why did she say…."
Placing her hand on his… "John, we can discuss all this later. I'm famished."
Matt and Kitty returned to the table.Kitty looked at John. "John, I'm sorry. I just needed a breath of fresh air."
John continued to tell Kitty about all the work he had been doing in New Orleans, all the while she watched the way Maryellen looked at Matt.
"I'm sorry John, I guess I'm more tired than I thought, would you mind walking me back to my room?"
Matt stood. "Kit, if you want to…."
Throwing up a hand. "NO! No, you stay. Seems you two have some catching up to do." Then turning to John. "John?"
John quickly stood. He looked over to Maryellen. "Be right back." And he walked away holding Kitty's arm.
Matt sat there, rubbing his hands together, with his head down. "OK, how do you know me? And why don't I know you? John said your name is Maryellen Sullivan? That name doesn't mean anything to me."
Reaching over to touch his hand. "And it wouldn't, Matt. Sullivan is my married name. I'm Maryellen Doyle. Little Mellie Doyle. Or that's what you always called me."
Matt stopped and thought. "Maryellen Doyle? Doyle? Wait a minute! Braids, skinny little girl…"
Now she was laughing. "I'm afraid that's me, well was me. That was some time ago, Matt. You broke my heart. After I waited for you the night of the big dance. I never forgot you, Matt."
She reached again for his hand but he pulled away. "Maryellen, I'm sorry I don't remember and If I hurt your feelings, well then I'm sorry but that was, gosh, we were kids."
"It was like yesterday for me, Matt."
"Maryellen, look…"
"Mellie, Matt. Please? You gave me that name remember?"
"Look our lives are different now," he toldher. "You got married, and John…?"
"Oh, I got married to get out of Texas, Matt. My husband, he was a doctor that came through San Antonio. My pa wasn't well and Ma wanted me to have a better life, so along came William. But now he's gone and John... Well, John's a wonderful man. He worked with William in New Orleans. We were all good friends."
"Well, Maryellen… Mellie, I have a different life. A life with Kitty and a town that depends on me."
"Yes, I know about your town. Dodge City." She tried to move closer to him. "Matt, I could come to Dodge City and…"
Taking her by the shoulders, "NO! I just told you…"
Letting out a sigh, "Yes, yes, I know. Kitty was it?"
Now standing , "This conversation is over." And he walked away.
Then under her breath… "No. No, Matt. Not that easy!" Then she smiled.
John was walking Kitty through the hallway toward her room. "Kitty, honey, what happened back there?"
"Oh, John, maybe you should ask Maryellen."
"Honey, I'm asking you."
"John, if she is the person you were waiting for all night, well, she's been here. We… I… well, they…" now talking a deep breath, "were dancing earlier and she seemed to be quite familiar with him. He says he doesn't know who she is." Raising a brow.
"Well, Kitty, I met Maryellen a few years ago through her husband, William Sullivan. He's a doctor in New Orleans, well.. was. He passed away a while back. And well, we were all good friends and I took it upon myself to look after her."
Cupping his face in her hands, "John, you don't have to explain any of this to me. Well, John, thank You for inviting me, us, tonight. I think I'm just going to get a good night sleep."
"Kitty?"
"HUH?"
"I'm sure there's a good explanation for all of this. You'll see. Talk to Matt."
Leaning up and kissing him on the cheek. "Thank you, John. We'll talk later. Good night."
"Good night, Kitty."
After closing the door, John turned and walk down the hall and came upon Matt. The two just stopped and looked at one another.
TBC
