Chapter 3
'Now I know I'm dreaming,' thought Kitty.
"An angel? Yeah right. Where are your wings? I would say you're someone who's had a bit too much to drink," Kitty told the man.
"Trust me my dear. I'm an angel and you are the only one who can see me. Last night you were upset about Matt going to Hays before Christmas and possibly missing spending the holiday with you. You then said you wish the badge didn't exist. I've been assigned to show you what Dodge City would be like if the badge did not exist."
Not having the energy to argue, Kitty decided to play along. "Fine you're an angel sent to do an assignment. Do you have a name?"
"Charlie's my name," Charlie answered.
"Okay, Charlie, if you would excuse me, I have some errands to take care of before I have to work," Kitty said.
"That's no problem, but I should let you know that part of my assignment is to follow you around. Don't worry. You're the only one who can see me," Charlie told Kitty.
Kitty still didn't believe Charlie. As she was walking towards Mr. Jonas' general store, she once again saw Matt. "I forgot to ask if we're still on tonight for dinner at Delmonico's," Matt said to Kitty.
Before she answered, Kitty realized that Matt didn't even acknowledge the man who stood next to her. "Yes, I believe we agreed on 7:00. I should be able to get some time off for supper," Kitty responded.
"Great, I'll see ya then," Matt said and headed back to his place of business.
Charlie knew what Kitty was thinking. "I told you that you're the only one who can see me. If Matt could see me, I'm sure he would've asked who I was. Now I want you to act as if I'm not here. Just go about your business."
"That's easier said than done," mumbled Kitty.
Kitty did her best to ignore Charlie's presence. She completed all her errands and after a while it was easy to pretend Charlie wasn't there. Time came for Kitty to go to work. She worked serving drinks to the customers and did some work in the office. Seven o'clock rolled around and Matt walked in to pick Kitty up for dinner.
"Are you able to leave now?" Matt asked.
"Yes, just let me tell Sam I'm leaving," answered Kitty. She told Sam she was leaving and would be back in an hour.
Matt and Kitty enjoyed an uninterrupted meal at Delmonico's. They both ordered steak, potatoes, and green beans. Kitty couldn't remember the last time she shared a complete meal with Matt. It always seemed that someone or something would interrupt them. 'I could get used to this no badge thing,' thought Kitty.
Dinner finished, Matt walked Kitty back to the Long Branch so she could finish her shift. As they were walking to the Long Branch, they walked by Doc's office. It was then that Kitty realized she hadn't seen Doc all day.
"I just realized that I haven't seen Doc all day. I wonder what he's been doing," Kitty said.
"He's a doctor. My guess is doctoring," Matt replied. "It's not like we're best friends with him."
Matt's response was unsettling for Kitty. What did he mean that Doc wasn't their best friend? Of course he was! She then realized that Chester hadn't been around either. She was afraid to ask about Chester.
They arrived at the batwing doors of the Long Branch and walked inside. "I'll be back at the end of your shift," Matt told Kitty.
"Sounds great. I'll see ya then," Kitty said.
After Matt left, Kitty went into the office. Charlie was in there too. Kitty turned towards Charlie. "Why would Matt say that Doc isn't our best friend and where's Chester Goode?"
"It was the badge that helped Doc and Matt become friends. Before you arrived in Dodge, Matt was shot just above the knee. Doc removed the bullet. It was that operation that started their friendship. No badge. No bullet. No friendship. In regards to Chester Goode. He's a deputy, but not in Dodge. He works and lives in Missouri. No badge has a bigger impact than you think. This is just the beginning.
