PT.25

Kitty and the Governor

Conclusion

Just after breakfast, Lula was in a hurry. She wanted to see Miranda one last time before they headed for the train and it took some convincing for her to get her Father to let her go. But since her grandparents wanted to see some of the town, he agreed.

Susan sat quietly studying John's facial expressions as she finished her coffee and pastries. Waiting for just the right moment.

"Alright, John, Lula and my parents are gone. It's just the two of us, you and me, not the Governor and First Lady. Just you and me, John and Susan. Talk to me, please?"

At first, he continued to stare into the newspaper. Then slightly peering over the top, he could see she wasn't going to just let it go.

Then in a stern but soft voice, "John Peirce St. John. If I have to come over there and rip that newspaper from your hands, I will!"

Now he knew from her tone he had no choice but to talk to her. Sliding back his chair, he dropped the paper. "Susan Dear, let's go into the library. This needs complete privacy."

Ushering her inside the large room and closing the double door behind them, he let Jasper know they were not to be disturbed. He poured himself a shot of whiskey.

"John, its quite early, isn't it?"

"You want to hear this all, don't you, Susan?"

Batting her eyes and nodding.

"Alright, you might as well sit. I don't know where to begin."

Sitting firmly in front of him. "Why don't you try the beginning."

"Alright Dear, well, I guess this all goes back to, I'll say when I was just a boy. My people, they had," swallowing hard, he hesitated.

Susan was saying nothing. She stared straight faced at him. "They had what, John?"

"They had nothing. I left home quite young, tried to fend for myself doing what I could for a boy my age."

Nodding, "Ok, well that's to be expected."

"Let me go on, Dear. When I made my way to New Orleans, some of the men I met, well they looked big and important to a boy like me. Well dressed, everyone that knew them, respected them. Well, I began to tag along behind them so to speak. They'd give me small odd jobs. I'd watch them, learn everything I could from them."

"Well, John, that couldn't have been so bad. You learned a lot. Look how well you've done."

"Susan, you don't understand."

"No, John, I guess I don't. Maybe you need to make it clearer then."

"Susan, these men… these men were… well, they were gamblers and con men and I learned to be every bit like them. I learned every trick and scheme known to man and used them very well. Everything and anything as long as it was to my advantage. And they helped me and when they knew I had an interest in politics, they helped with that too. And now it's coming back to bite me."

"What did you do, John?"

"All the gambling and booze and liquor got me in office and now that I have agreed to back the women and men of the Temperance League, well… All my money supporters are threating to back out and withdraw that support."

" John, Kitty…?"

"Oh, please don't."

"No, John, what I was going to say is, I had the feeling Kitty knew you before coming here to Topeka. And she is from New Orleans. John, she knew you then, didn't she? And Constance La Rouge, she's Kitty's aunt. And I remember her being one of your supporter's."

Now standing in front of her, holding her by the shoulders. "Susan, I have honestly changed my life around many years ago. You and Lula have given me every reason to want a new life and it would kill me if anything ever destroyed that. Susan, sweetheart, I'm not that boy. I'm nothing like that boy in New Orleans. I saw that that wasn't what I wanted in my life and I've changed. You've got to believe that. Please tell me you believe that."

"John, this is a lot to take in. Let me sit with what you've told me then we'll talk about this more. I'll be back."

"Where are you going?"

"To say goodbye to Hope and her Mother. I won't be long. I Promise."

Plaza Hotel

Lula and Miranda were sitting in the dining room, waiting for Hope and Franny to finish packing when Susan entered the lobby. The girls spotted her and waved her in to join them.

Upstairs, Franny and Hope decided to stop and see if Kitty and Matt had checked out yet. Knocking lightly, Matt answered.

"Well, Ladies, come in. I guess you're leaving today as well?"

Franny smiled at him. "Oh yes, Marshal. Work calls."

"Hey it's Matt, remember?"

"Ok, Matt. I'm sure Dodge has been missing you as well."

"Well, I have Newly and Festus and Doc to keep them in line."

The three began laughing. "Don't you mean Newly is keeping Doc and Festus in line?" Kitty said entering from the other room. "Those two will be at one another all day, if someone doesn't stop them. Hello, Fran, Hope. All packed and ready huh? I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm glad to be heading home to Dodge. I think I'll be staying put for a long time."

"Can I remind you of that?" Matt added snickering.

"Oh, don't you get smart, Cowboy. Oh, Hope, where are the girls? I'm sure they are trying to get in as much time as they possibly can. It's so nice how they get along so well. I can't believe how much Miranda grew. Why it seemed like just yesterday you were pregnant with her."

Fran laughed. "Oh, Kitty, I know now we have to realize just how old we really are."

"Bite your tongue, Fran. Well, Cowboy, I'm all packed. I guess we'd better get this show on the road."

Just then the bellman showed up. As Matt opened the door, "Sir, I can help you with those."

Matt looked at Kitty. "I'll never know why women need so many bags."

Swatting him on the back. "Oh, you. Just go on." She said laughing.

Lula, Miranda and Susan were out in the hall. "Well now, this looks like a party."

Kitty could tell by the look on Susan's face something was wrong. "Fran, Hope, why don't you and the girls head down. I want to do a once over in the room, just to make sure. I'll be right behind you. Ok?"

"Sure, Kitty, see you in the lobby." Fran answered.

Kitty looked at Susan and nodded her head towards the door, motioning for her to follow her.

After they entered and closed the door, Kitty inhaled deeply then exhaled. "Susan?"

Shaking her head, and waving her hands up in front of her face. "No, Kitty, wait, please. I know. I know about John and what he was and what he did New Orleans as a boy. He told me at breakfast this morning, so it's still all fresh. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I'm trying to let it all sink in, you know?" "Susan, I… I…"

"Kitty, you knew him, didn't you? Back then? You knew who he was, what he was."

Nodding her head, "Yes, Honey. Yes, I did."

"But why… Why didn't you say anything? Why didn't you use it? You could have destroyed him. Especially after the way he treated you."

Slowly Kitty walked over wrapping her arms around Susan's shoulders. "Oh, Honey. What good would that have done? John was right. I run a saloon. I serve alcohol to men and women and well, let's just say, I'm not proud of everything I've had to do in my life to survive. But I've done my best to change who and what I am. I don't force my girls to sleep with men for money but I don't stop them if that's what they choose to do. Now as for you and John, you have to decide how you feel and if you believe he's changed. And if you do and you love him, can you go on and move past all this."

"Well, Kitty, you said you've changed."

"Yes, that's right. I still run my business, just differently and well…"

"The Marshal, he… he…"

Kitty began to smile knowing what she wanted to ask. Cupping Susan's face in her hands, "Yes, Honey. Matt understands and accepts that I run my business and that I have changed."

"Oh, I'm sorry. That was personal, huh?"

"Well, we'll keep that between us girls. Now, no one has to know any of this. It's up to you."

"I don't know."

"Do you love him?"

"Oh yes, I do, Kitty. I've loved him since the day I first saw him."

"Well then, you go home and the two of you talk. And I think you'll figure this out. Come on. They're all gonna wonder where we are."

With their arms wrapped around one another, they walked down the hall together.

"Kitty Russell, I'm so glad I've gotten to know you."

"Well, same here."

Fran Hope and Miranda made it back to Emporia and Matt and Kitty relaxed, enjoying the ride back to Dodge City. Snuggled up close, watching out the window as the snow fell, leaving a blanket of white.

"Cowboy, have you ever given it any thought to when you'd throw it all in?"

Still holding her tight. "What do you mean Kit?"

"Aw, you know, retiring? The two of us, calling it quits? What'da say, Cowboy? After twenty years? Think we could just run away somewhere, before we're too damn old to enjoy it?"

"Ya know Kit, that's not a half bad idea."

The two just snuggled in closer and gazed out into the falling snow.

Over the Following Year

The Temperance League persisted but St. John shuffled his interest around and reprioritized as not to have drying up Dodge or Kansas his main interest.

Although by 1881, prohibition and temperance did rise up and Kansas was the first state to dry up, county by county. It wasn't until January 17, 1920 that prohibition went nationwide and lasted till December 5, 1933. But to this day there are still many counties across this country that are dry counties.

FINI