Pt.12

A Promise/A Favor/A Savior

Matt and Kitty, along with Doc, headed back to the farm with Molly, partially for the moral support. Telling her ma wasn't going to be easy and also, at some point, they wanted a chance to talk to these boys alone. Man to… Well, yes, they were going to have to be men now, weather they were ready or not.

As they pulled into the farm, Mary became very panicked, especially when she saw Matt and Kitty. "Why would this woman be coming here? Was this something she wanted to do before being locked up for good?" She wasn't sure she was ready for this or even wanted to speak to her.

Everyone had convinced her, especially Barrister and young Pat Jr., that because of what Kitty did, they were going to suffer. Lose the farm even. Though she knew some of the things Barrister asked her in court, she could have told the truth about just what kind of man Patrick Kinkade really was. But the fear was greater then the law. Her son, Pat Jr., was becoming just like his father. The demands and the beatings, they were still going to come.

"Afternoon, Mrs. Kinkade."

"Marshal." She said in a very low meek voice. "Need something here, do ya?"

"Ma, they brought me back from town, so's I can tell ya what happened." Molly said.

"What's that, Child? What was ya doing in town, alone?"

"I just had ta, Ma. It just wasn't right what they was doing."

"Child, what are you saying?"

"Look, Mrs. Kinkade, maybe we can sit and Molly can fill you in."

"Why's that woman here?"

"I asked her, Ma. I want her here so's you can hear it all. Please, Ma?"

Now looking to Pat Jr. for approval.

"Ma, I…"

Before he could finish, "Son, how about you and your brother take a walk with me and have a talk."

With his back in the air, "Have nothing' ta say to ya, Marshal."

"Son, that wasn't a request." He grabbed Pat Jr. by the shoulder. Sean soon followed.

As they walked towards the root cellar, "Look, I don't know how much you boys knew about how your poppa treated your sister but she needs to be telling your ma. Things happened to her that should never happen to any young child."

Walking in circles, "I heard those things you said Poppa did. That's just not natural."

"No, son, it's not. It's just wrong as were the brutal beatings."

"But women need to be learned."

"Son! Let me tell you something about women. They need to be loved and cared for and treated with respect."

"You have a woman, Marshal?"

"Son, we're not talking about me."

"But, do ya?"

"You could say that."

"And you don't be learnin her to do right?"

"Son, as you get older, and I hope you do, you will learn respect is earned. And your ma deserves your utmost respect. She's your ma. Now, like I said in town, you're the man in the house now. But you the son, respect your ma and care for your sisters. I will be checking on you from time to time."

Back at the house, Doc and Kitty sat at the table. Mary made them coffee, then sat with them. When Molly joined them, she sat between Mary and Kitty, not being sure how her ma would take what she had to tell her.

"So, Miss Russell. Are you here to talk to me before you go away?"

"Ma, no! Miss Russell's not going away. She didn't kill Poppa."

"Child, now we know your poppa was shot in her bedr…"

"No, Ma, it wasn't like that. Ma, please, let me tell you." Molly was trembling and under the table reached for Kitty's hand. "Ma, member the day the doctor came and Miss Russell was with 'um? You was feelin' poorly. Well when the Doc was tendin' you, I took Miss Russell to the barn."

"What?"

"I told her bout the whippin's Ma. The ones Poppa be givin' you, me and Maura."

"Molly, you shouldn't have tol…"

"Ma, I had ta. We be needin' help. And I told her more, Ma."

"What more, child?"

"I told her bout Poppa learnin' me and Maura bout being a woman and us bein' in yer place."

Mary's face looked puzzled. "Don't know what you mean, Molly girl."

"Made her promise ta tell no body but she said she'd help. Kept me in favor."

"Molly, how could you say such things bout your poppa?"

"Cause it's true, Ma. I tried to tell ya but ya just wasn't listenin'."

"How could I know bout such a thing?"

Then from the doorway behind them, they could hear the sobs. "I told you, Ma, but you wouldn't hear it." Coming up behind Molly. "Molly, I'm so sorry. I didn't know Poppa hurt you too."

"Anyways , that night Poppa whipped me and learned me again, hurt me real bad, Ma. So I run to town to find Miss Russell. Sneaked in her room. Told her. She took care of me. Then Poppa came screaming, crazy like. He grabbed his hands bout her neck. She wasn't gittin' air. I yelled at him to stop, but he kept goin'. I found Miss Russell's gun in a drawer, pointed it at him and told him to stop. He was still hurtin' her. Then I shot him. He fell, so did she. I ran cause I thought I shot her too. I was so scared, Ma. Then when every body was talkin' bout what happened, I know'd it was wrong. So I went to town and talked to that nice judge. He said it is alright. He's not gonna whip me, Ma. And the big Marshal, he says, Pat Jr. and Sean won't be whippin' us no more neither."

Mary sat hanging her head, tears filling her eyes.

"Mrs. Kinkade? Would you mind if I check the girls, just to see if they are alright? Then I'll see to you." Doc suggested.

Keeping her head down, nodding, "Yes, Doctor."

Doc walked in the other room with Maura and Molly, winking at them. "It's gonna be alright, girls. Promise."

Mary slowly looked up. "Miss Russell?"

"Yes, Mrs. Kinkade."

"I guess I should start with my 'I'm sorry's'."

"Oh, no, Mrs…"

"No, Ma'am. That day at your place. I was wrong. I'm sorry."

"No problem."

"Then my 'thank you's' for helping' my Molly Girl. Would you have let them put you in jail?"

"I guess so, if it came to that."

"But, why?"

"I made her a promise, a promise and a favor. And I should say thank you, because Molly became my savior. You have great girls, Mrs. Kinkade. And they love you."

The two sat holding hands, smiling at one another.

TBC