Chapter 4 "Kitty Russell, A Breath of Fresh Air"
Why would I say that Kitty Russell is the last person you would think a doctor would be friends with? That's simple. When I first met her, she was a saloon girl. Doctors and saloon girls usually don't correspond with one another, unless the girl is in need of medical attention. Did Kitty need medical attention? No, she didn't. You're probably more confused or intrigued as ever. Continue reading and maybe you'll understand how the friendship started.
Let me tell you when I first saw Kitty Russell. I was in the cafe having breakfast with Matt. He had his usual, a big plate of eggs, ham, and biscuits. I had settled on some rye toast and a bowl of mush. Matt and I had been talking, when this pretty redhead came in. We both knew she was not from Dodge City. We would've remembered a woman like that. Seeing the carpet bag she carried with her, we knew she must've been traveling on the stage. She had on a light blue dress and a hat to match. Her attire was bright and cheery, but it didn't seem to match her mood. The poor girl looked absolutely miserable. You could compare her mood to the rainy weather outside.
As I continued to eat and talk with Matt, I noticed that the young girl would steal glimpses towards us. Well not towards us, but towards the big lawman that was sitting with me. I'd bet my bottom dollar that she didn't even realize I too was sitting at the table. I was about to say something to Matt, but I stopped. I noticed that he was stealing glimpses of the redhead sitting at the table near the door. I would catch them looking towards the other, but they never looked at the same time. She finished her breakfast before us and left the cafe. When she left, I swear I heard a sigh from Matt.
I didn't think I would see the pretty redhead from the cafe again. The stagecoach pulled out shortly after she left the cafe and I assumed she was on it. I couldn't think of any reason as to why she would want to stay in Dodge City. You can understand my surprise when I saw her working at the Long Branch that night.
Matt, Chester, and I were thirsty and decided to go to the Long Branch for a beer. We usually went to the Long Branch because it was the closest saloon to my office and Matt's office. Its proximity made it convenient. The three of us walked into the Long Branch and Matt and I saw the girl from the saloon carrying a tray of beer and whiskey to one of the tables. I watched Matt keep his eyes on her for a moment and then walk up to the bar. He inquired about her to Bill Pence. Bill didn't give too much information. All he knew was that she was short on cash and needed a job. Matt thanked Bill and led us to an empty table.
I noticed that Matt chose a table where Kitty was working. I knew he was hoping that she would wait on us. He didn't have to wait long. Kitty took the empty tray back to the bar and came to take our orders. She had a smile on her face when she approached our table. It wasn't a forced smile that I've seen saloon girls put on when they approach a table of men. It was a genuine smile. She took our orders and returned a short time later. I was taken back by what Matt did next. He invited her to have a drink with us. He never did that. Kitty accepted the invitation.
For a man that was completely focused on his job and not interested in starting any sort of permanent relationship with a woman, it came as a shock to me and Chester that Matt seemed so interested in the gorgeous redhead that was sitting with us. While Kitty was sitting with us, we not only learned that her name was Kitty Russell, we also learned that she was from New Orleans and had been on her way to San Francisco. The Long Branch wasn't the only saloon she had worked in. She had just come from Abilene. When she had enough money to continue her travels, she would move on.
After hearing that Kitty's plan didn't include a permanent residence in Dodge City, our trips to the Long Branch became more frequent and our stays became longer. We always sat at the same table and Kitty would always join us. I say we and us. Sometimes Matt, Chester, and I would go to the Long Branch to see Kitty. Other times it was just Matt and I. There were times when Matt wasn't able to come with us. I could see the disappointment on Kitty's face when Matt wasn't present, but she still sat and visited with us.
It had been a few months and Kitty was still in Dodge, working at the Long Branch. Not that I'm complaining, but I would've thought she would have made enough money to continue on to San Francisco. Saloon girls made money when they had drinks with the customers in the saloon, but they made more money if they took customers up to their rooms. I made an observation that Kitty didn't do that, at least not while we were there. I wasn't sure if she did so when we weren't there. However, one evening I got my answer.
Matt and I were sitting at our usual table and Kitty was sitting with us. Matt nonchalantly asked Kitty about her San Francisco plans. Kitty told us that she wanted to make sure she had enough travel money and enough money to stay at a decent hotel, if necessary. She informed us that it was taking her a little longer to make the money she needed because she refused to take men upstairs. The only money she was making was the money she made while she worked the floor.
Kitty also told us she wasn't in as much of a hurry to get to San Francisco as she originally had been. She was enjoying the friendships she was making with us. I was happy to hear that, and I know Matt was happy to hear that as well. He would take advantage of the time that Kitty Russell was in Dodge City.
A year had passed and Kitty was still working in the Long Branch. I knew by now that Kitty had enough money to leave Dodge City and continue on to San Francisco, yet she was still here. I knew the reason why she was still here, Matt Dillon. The two of them were becoming closer and I had the privilege of watching their relationship change. I know Matt was still nervous that Kitty might decide to go to San Francisco.
His nervousness was settled when we learned that Kitty was trying to save her money to buy a half interest in the Long Branch. I didn't want to see her leave either, so that was good news to my ears. That was a great sign that Kitty didn't plan on leaving Dodge City anytime soon. A person wouldn't save money to buy a half interest in a business and then leave. To our relief, Kitty still didn't take men upstairs to make more money. She was managing to make more money on the floor. Men enjoyed her company and were willing to pay just to have a drink with her. Kitty was also finding ways to save her money.
I don't think I'll forget the day Kitty was finally able to buy a half interest in the Long Branch with Bill Pence. Kitty came up to my office to tell me she was on her way to the bank to meet Bill and make all the necessary transactions. The smile on her face was contagious. I'm sure my smile was as big as hers. I told her I had to ride out and see a patient, but I wanted to celebrate with her at the Long Branch that evening.
True to my word, I came to the Long Branch to have a celebratory drink with Kitty. Chester joined us. He was also happy for our friend and her accomplishment. I know Kitty was pleased to be celebrating with us, but I also know that she wished she could've shared that moment with Matt. He was in Hays City at the moment. He had to attend a trial. He returned a few weeks later and I am confident that they had their own special celebration.
It seems as though everything with Kitty Russell has been perfect. It hasn't. I've seen the ups and downs with her and Matt. There was the time she was lost out on the prairie with some dude named Jim Rackmill. He turned out to be a decent guy. There was also that time she was taken by the Gunther brothers. They were bank robbers. The biggest down had to be the day she got caught in the crossfire of a gunfight and was shot.
I was sitting in my office when I heard the all too familiar sounds of gunshots. They were close. Without a doubt, they came from the Long Branch. I knew my services would be needed. I was grabbing my medical bag, when Chester came barging through the door. Annoyed, I was about to yell at him. But I didn't have the chance, because he told me that Kitty had been shot. I was not expecting that. For a brief moment I froze. Chester's frantic voice broke my hesitation and we headed over to the Long Branch. On the way there, Chester informed me that she was still breathing when he left.
As we were walking to the Long Branch, I saw Matt was returning from his out of town trip. Looking back this probably wasn't the best thing to do, but I yelled to him that Kitty had been shot. That kind of news shouldn't have been delivered like that to the man who loved her with all his heart. But at that time, I felt as though I had no choice. He literally dropped everything and came to the Long Branch. I wasted no time in having Matt carry Kitty to my office. I'm not going to get into a bunch of details, but thanks to the good Lord and my surgical skills, Kitty survived.
I have known Kitty Russell for almost fourteen years. In that time I have come to realize that Kitty Russell is the kindest, friendliest, sweetest woman you will ever meet. I not only see her as a great friend, but as the daughter I never had. I know she sees me not only as a friend, but as the father she never had.
Speaking of fathers, I remember meeting Kitty's father almost twelve years ago. Wayne Russell was a decent man to have a drink with or eat a meal with. He was not father material. I know this is going to sound bad, but I'm glad he wasn't father material. I can't explain it, but I don't want to compete as Kitty's father figure with another man, even if he is biologically related to her. As far as I'm concerned he doesn't deserve to be her father. I say this with confidence. I don't think she regrets her father leaving her again because of the father/daughter relationship we have built. I look forward to continuing to build that relationship.
Let's see. I've reminisced on my relationships with Matt, Chester, and Kitty. Then there's Festus. I can't forget Festus Haggen. Anyone who has met Festus Haggen, would have a difficult time forgetting him.
TBC