Unshown Moments for A Song for Dying S 10
After Matt left, and Singer, or Martin Kellums, went back to one of his sad tunes, Kitty stood back and continued to listen. She could tell there was something behind the man's penchant for mournful tunes but she didn't know what. She doubted he'd tell her, but she waited until he finished his song and tried anyway.
When Martin Kellums finished his tune, he turned to see Kitty Russell still standing there, watching him. "I'm sorry, I don't feel like much like any more spunk up music."
"That's alright." Kitty answered. "Would you like a cup of coffee?"
Martin shook his head. "No, thank you. Don't feel much like coffee or anything else."
Kitty nodded in understanding as she took a sip of her coffee, sat it down and moved closer to him. "I don't know why Lukens is after you, aside from blaming you for his son's death, but I'm a good listener if you'd like to talk about it."
Martin studied her for a moment, but finally shook his head with a soft smile. "It's a long story." He echoed her words of a moment before.
Kitty returned the smile briefly before sobering again. "Whatever my reasons for coming here and staying here, they don't put me in danger of getting killed."
"Don't they?" Martin tilted his head. "I, uh, I don't talk much but I notice a lot."
"Oh?" Kitty asked.
"I noticed the way you look at that marshal when he's around. And I noticed the way he looks at you. You're not stayin' here cause of this saloon." He watched her expression as he spoke and he could tell he'd hit the nail on the head.
"The marshal and I are friends." Kitty dropped her eyes, uncomfortable under his scrutiny. "Besides, we were talking about you."
"No," Martin shook his head. "We weren't. I was singin' and you were listenin'."
"Uh, huh," Kitty nodded. "And I'm still willing to listen." Martin turned away but Kitty didn't move. "The west is a hard place to live in without friends." She added. "I'd like to be your friend, if you'd let me."
"Like the marshal is your friend?" He asked pointedly, seeing by the answer on her face without her having to say it. "I'm sorry," he sighed. "What's between you and the marshal is none of my business. Just like why Lukens is looking for me is none of yours."
Kitty nodded. "Alright, fair enough." She picked her coffee cup up and turned back towards the saloon. "But if you need help or just to talk, I'll be here."
Martin said nothing as he watched her go back inside. He liked Kitty Russell and he was appreciative of her willingness to help him, but he doubted anyone could help him now. He'd ran too far. It was time he stayed put and let the devil that was following him, catch up and finish it.
Pulling his guitar back into his hands, he briefly tuned the instrument then began playing the only song he could think of that fit the occasion.
"Oh bury me not, on the lone prairie. These words came soft and mournfully. From the pallid lips of a youth who lay on his dying bed at break of day."
END