The Skeleton Key

PT.26

Returning to the Manor, Matt hesitated to bring up the subject of the court case.

Cee-Cee announced lunch would be ready shortly, so Kitty sat quietly in the garden area and poured herself a Brandy. Looking out over the grounds, she remembered over the years as a child, running around the lawns in her bare feet. She remembered hearing her mother and grandmother (Elizabeth) calling to her to come and put shoes on, that young ladies didn't run bare foot outside. And she remembered the sound of grandmother's (Aunt Constance) soft laughter, chasing around behind her hushing them, saying it never hurt anyone to feel the earth beneath their feet. She too was bare foot. Kitty, smiled at the memory.

Lost in the thought she didn't notice Matt standing watching her. Clearing his throat. "Is there room for anyone else in this pleasant moment?"

Snapping out of the thought, "Oh, Matt. I'm sorry. I was just, ah, I was just remembering playing out here when I was little. Matt it seems like a lifetime ago. Where has the time gone?"

"Ah, Kitty, it does go by." Matt noticed her face sadden. "Kit? You alright?"

Thinking for a moment. "Matt? You remember when I asked you once what you wanted?"

"Huh?" He looked up.

"I asked you in the Long Branch when I first started working there."

"Ah, Kit, yeah sure. Uh huh, and I told you I wanted to go fishing more."

Chuckling, she nodded. "Yeah, that's right. But when I asked, that's not quite what I was asking."

"Kitty, what are you getting at?"

"Matt, what I was truly asking was what did you want in your life?"

"Uh, oh, Kit, I guess I never gave it that much thought. I never really thought I'd live that long to make plans in this line of work and wait… Kit, where is all this going?"

Shrugging her shoulders, "Oh, I was just thinking about them, my grandparents and all the years they were separated. Cowboy, when I was a little girl, I guess, I had the dreams all little girls had. You know, to grow up, meet a wonderful man," winking at him, "get married, have a home, a family…"

"Kitty, please…"

"No, Matt, let me finish. I guess when you think about it, or I do at least, will it end with me? I'd like to think it was all for something. But if it ends with me here, now, what was it all for? Once I'm gone, what will I have to show for my life? And whatever that might be, who would be there to know?" Finally shaking her head, putting down her glass and exhaling. "Oh, Matt… Never mind, what's it matter in a hundred years anyway?" She stood and walked into the house. "You coming? Cee-Cee has Lunch ready."

Matt stood, not knowing what to say.

Andre' Bakery

Ramone decided to try once more to talk to Thomas and Rose about letting Emily attend his classes once he was up and running. "Good afternoon, Ramone. Isn't it wonderful that your friend, Miss Russell, is doing so well, now that she was found and back home?"

"Yes, Miss Rose. Actually, that is part of the reason I stopped today. I have some great news I wanted to share with you and Thomas.

"Thomas, Ramone has something to share with us."

Now coming from the back room, "Well now, Ray, what is it?"

"Ok, now hear me out before you respond. Please? You both know what I went through when I lost my sight."

Nodding in agreement. "And?" Thomas said.

"Ok, you also know I've been looking to open a school for the blind."

"Oh now, Ray, you know…"

"Et et, Thomas, please. Hear me out. I have learned so much and there is so much I can now teach these children. You are not always going to be around to take care of Emily. She needs to be able to learn to cope and do certain things for herself and I can teach her these things, if you'll just let me. And… and Kitty, my friend Kitty Russell, has made a most generous offer. You both know LaRouge manor?"

Their eyes widened. "Yes. Yes, of course."

"Well, Kitty is turning the Manor over to me, well, turning it into a school for the children and the shelter. Don't you see? Ana, Cristina and I can do everything we've been trying to do for so long. They can handle feeding and clothing people who are in need and I will teach the blind children."

"Oh, Ramone, how on earth will you find the funds to maintain such an undertaking?"

"Rose, that's where Kitty comes in again, she will be our benefactor."

Inhaling deeply, "I can't believe it. But why?"

"This is what she wants to do. Rose, Thomas, I have known Kitty since I was a child. She is a generous woman, as was her mother."

"But first that big home and then the funding?"

"Yes, Rose, and she wants Emily to benefit from this as well. She is grateful to Emily for her help in saving her life. Please, Thomas, Rose. At least tell me you will think about it and seriously consider it."

After Ramone left the shop, Emily stepped out of the shadows. "Poppa, Momma, please. Please think about what Mr. Ray was saying. I want to learn. I want to learn just like other kids. I want to be just like you and read a book and dress myself and not have you and Momma treat me like a baby for the rest of my life."

Thomas started to wave her off. "No, Poppa, please?"

Now Thomas could see the tears streaming down her cheeks. "Emily? What are these tears?"

"Poppa, please. I really want to be like all the other children. I want you and Momma to see me like other children. I want to go to Mr. Ray's and Miss Kitty's school. Please, please, Poppa?" She wrapped her arms around him in tears. Rose just looked at Thomas tilting her head, shrugging her shoulders.

LaRouge Manor

Reginald entered the library. "Miss Kathleen? Constable Morrow is here."

Nodding, "Show him in." As Mike entered, she greeted him. "Mike, hello."

"Kitty, good to see you up and about. Matt." He nodded at Matt.

"Can I get you a drink?"

"Sure."

While Kitty poured the three drinks, "So, what brings you out here tonight?"

Mike looked at Matt. "Matt? Is this a bad time?"

Now turning, handing Matt and Mike their glasses and studying their faces. "Okay, you two. Is there something you want to share?"

"Kitty, I meant to talk to you earlier but…"

"But what, Matt?"

"We got to talking and…"

Mike broke in. "Kitty, I just wanted you both to know your grandparents gave a legal deposition, before they left, which will be given to the judge to read. That will stand for their testimony and the charges they made against Eduard and Patrice. I guess what I need is a formal statement from you and I need to know what charges we'll be filing on them. But also against Henri' Baldwin for kidnapping and attempted murder?"

Kitty looked stunned.

TBC