PT.4

Orphan Train

The oak was old but still strong, with thick brass bands. It was a bit dusty now, but as she brushed her delicate fingers across the plate that had inscribed initials "KRD", the memories were like a whirlwind in her mind. She meant what she said, that for the most part she knew what was in these trunks. But it had been years since she packed and closed them along with that part of her life. Not for bad reasons but to start a new life with the man she had loved for many, many years and what now has become her family.

"Gamma, are you alright? Gamma?" Caroline reached over, touching Kitty's arm.

Snapping back to the room, she now sat with her daughter Melinda and two granddaughters, Kate and Caroline. Inhaling deeply, then exhaling. "Yes, yes, Dear Girl. I'm fine. This trunk just took me back many years. Thirty, maybe thirty three years."

Now wide eyed, Caroline sat attentive. "Wow! You mean you haven't opened them since?"

Holding back a chuckle, "Yes, Child, since I was young, or shall I say, younger."

Gently opening the lid to the first trunk, there were folded dresses, many that she always kept as favorites. One black off the shoulder, she remembered wearing to several functions. As she pulled it out, Caroline and Kate grew curious.

"Gamma? That is beautiful."

Then following that was a deep ruby red dress. This dress was a Christmas dress.

"Did you go to a lot of parties and wear this?" Caroline was now holding it up to herself and swinging around.

"Well, actually, Dear, every year I would throw a party for all the children of Dodge and surrounding areas."

Dress after dress, Kitty explained what and where that dress was special from, including the beautiful gown she had worn to Governor St. John's inauguration ball.

Then both Kate and Caroline, in tandem said, "You went to the Governor's Ball?"

"Well, yes. Your grandpa and I were invited by the First Lady, Susan St. John, after…" Kitty stopped, undecided if she wanted to tell that story.

"After what, Gamma?"

"Well, let's just say she was grateful to me for helping her out of a bad situation."

"Girls, Gamma saved her and her daughter's life." Melinda added.

"Oh, Melinda." Kitty spurted out. "We don't need to go into that."

"Ma, was this before you were born?" Caroline asked.

"Yes, Dear, it was."

Smiling at the girls who were still very attentive. "Oh, it wasn't until after our long ride home that I convinced your grandpa he should retire from being U.S. Marshal."

But you said you met Grandpa when you were just nineteen." Kate added.

"That's right. Your grandpa was Marshal of Dodge for twenty plus years, before we were married."

"Wow!" Caroline said, exhaling with surprise. "Gamma, you mean you waited for him to propose that long?"

Now bursting out in laughter, Kitty cupped her face in her hands. "Yes, sweetheart, I did. It wasn't always the easiest thing to do but when you love a man as much as I love your grandpa… Yes."

Gently Caroline reached in the trunk, pulling out a satin and lace white dress. "OHHHHHH! Gam! This is beautiful. Your wedding dress?"

Nodding. "Yes, Dear. A very good, dear friend of mine, made that for me when…" Now smiling.

Just then Matt entered the doorway, saying, "When your Gamma took me to church with a shot gun."

Kitty was trying not to laugh. "Now, Cowboy. You stop. You'll have them believing you."

Caroline quickly looked at Matt. "Grandpa, why'd you wait so long? You loved Gam, didn't you?"

"Yes, Honey, yes I did, more then you know. But being a Marshal was a dangerous job and well, I didn't think it was very fair of me to put your Gamma in such danger."

"But she was your woman, right?"

Nodding his head, "Yes, yes she was. But…" Now, he was looking to Kitty for help.

"Caroline, sweetheart, we had to be very discrete because there were many outlaws that your grandpa put in prison that would use me to get to him if we weren't careful."

And without thinking, Kate blurted out. "But they did anyway. So you weren't any safer." Then caught herself.

"Kate, honey, where did you hear?" Now looking at her surprised.

"Oh, just around, stories I've heard."

Kitty looked up at Matt then back at Kate. "Well, Sweetheart," patting the seat beside her, "yes, you're right. Several times, there were a few outlaws that came to town and tried using me to get to Grandpa to trade for what they wanted."

"Did they hurt you very much?" Kate asked hesitantly.

Inhaling, "Some, but that's not important now. What is important is, I'm fine and so is Grandpa and we're here with all of you. Let's see what else is in these trunks,"

As they opened the next trunk, Kate reached for a stack of papers.

TBC