Chapter 5 Darling Be Home Soon
Matt Dillon was reluctant to accept Doctor Adams' dinner invitation for one o'clock the day after arriving home, but did so anyway. Who was he to turn down a free meal? Both men ordered the prairie chicken, which was that day's special. Normally Matt would have preferred a steak with all the trimmings but he wasn't particularly hungry. He felt less guilty leaving the cheaper meal on his plate. Knowing the reason for his companion's lack of appetite and mood, the physician made every effort to distract the big man from what ailed him.
Doc wasn't above teasing his younger friend so he quipped about unrequited love and who should be sitting with them, making sure Matt understood he didn't mean a foursome. To gain the best reaction from his good-natured prodding he waited to share the telegram that had arrived as the physician reached the bottom of the stairs leading up to his office. Adams, though he'd read it while waiting for Dillon to join him, gave no hint of its contents until after they ordered. As soon as Joe left them the town doctor handed the wire to the melancholy man across from him to read. Suddenly the lawman's mood improved 100-fold – Kitty was on her way home. She'd caught the train out of Wichita that was scheduled to arrive in Dodge by six this very evening.
The altered mood instantly perked up Matt's appetite. He not only finished the prairie chicken and everything that went with it but also devoured two pieces of apple pie. Adams was pleased with the effect learning of Kitty Russell's imminent return had on his dinner companion. It fit well with the good doctor's plans to do all he could to facilitate an eventual marriage of the two people he loved like family. When Matt stated his intention to provide the always-hungry Chester, who was watching the jail and prisoners, with a steak dinner the good doctor told the waiter to add it to his bill. He also agreed to help the marshal carry three trays of mutton stew, paid for by contract with Ford County, along with the jailer's steak to the jailhouse. Chester was bothersome far more often than he'd prefer yet he was family too.
Adams left the two trays he carried from Delmonico's on one of the chairs outside the jailhouse before walking back to his office. Matt carried the other two inside, balancing them in the crook of his left arm while grabbing the handle to open the door. "Chester, these are for the prisoners," he announced, setting them down on the table. Fetch the rest for me so I can get my paperwork done before going to the depot."
It never entered Chester's mind there would be more meals than prisoners. All he could focus on was his stomach rumbling in anticipation at the aromas rising from those covered Delmonico's trays despite eating a huge plate of enchiladas with a heaping side of chili less than two hours ago. He was so intent on his hunger the jailer failed to realize there were one too many trays. By the time he came back through the door his boss had uncovered one of the trays.
"Take the two you've got to the cells. I'll handle this last one," Matt informed the man who'd become like a younger brother to him in the past five years. "Maybe after you eat we can play checkers. No need to rush taking the trays back."
A couple hours later Matt leaned back in his chair, his long legs crossed and stretched out on top of his desk. Chester was returning the trays to Delmonico's and wouldn't be back until five. It gave Matt a chance to ponder what awaited him. He smiled to himself as his thoughts turned to, in his eyes, the most beautiful woman in the world. He'd meet her at the depot in that surrey the two New York writers left behind when he and his assistant unceremoniously put them on a departing stage. He hoped it would accommodate her luggage and whatever she bought in Wichita.
Such thoughts vanished when he heard the office door open. Looking up Matt saw it was that new girl.
"I strolled over here after I spotted that gimpy flunky of yours downing a beer while leaning against the Long Branch bar. I figured you could use some company other than those three gamblers you arrested last night," Mabel Hastings murmured as she leaned over him in his chair.
"I need to do my job" Matt stated as he shifted in his seat to increase the distance between them. "If you committed a crime, there's an empty cell out back."
"Of course I didn't! I thought with the door to the cells closed we might find a way to get to know each other better until your pesky deputy or whatever returns." She made certain her meaning was clear by again leaning close to him.
Matt shifted his position by removing his long legs from his desk to more easily move his body away from her. To avoid being backed into a corner the lawman countered her next attempt to lean into him by rising to his full height and glaring down at her in displeasure. He didn't want to be rude to a woman but she needed to accept he wasn't interested in pursuing a physical relationship. His new posture at least caused her to straighten up and step back several paces.
"Marshal Dillon I see I'll have to work harder at getting you to properly welcome me to Dodge City," she proclaimed while placing her hands on her hips. "Two can play at your game. You wouldn't want the town's citizens to think you expect certain favors in order for me to keep my job. However, I'd be most appreciative if when that Chester fellow returns you'd escort me to supper at Delmonico's then to the Long Branch."
The big man stared back at the exasperating woman as if he were facing a hard case out to make a reputation by killing the famous Marshal Dillon in a very public gunfight. He closed the distance between them but only enough to reach the knob and open the side door. "Get out now!" he commanded, pointing the way with his left hand. "Leave me to catch up on paperwork," the lawman growled before she finally exited.
Despite complying with his order, Mabel had to get in the last word. "I leave you to your oh so important work for now. I'm sure I'll see you later," she retorted in a come hither voice.
As soon as the pesky blonde departed Dillon got to work on the stack of papers that had accumulated during the three weeks he'd been gone. He started to make a dent in it but couldn't keep his mind from pondering what he'd do upon Kitty's return. There was so much he needed to tell her. Only his redhead would understand every nuance of what troubled him. He pictured them at home in her rooms, sharing brandies on the settee or sitting next to each other with their backs against the bedframe as they grasped as much private time as possible. Responsibilities weighed heavily on both of their shoulders, but particularly his. The badge came with the compelling duties of an oath.
Matt Dillon sighed in resignation to his fate as he turned his attention back to one of those duties, the never-ending paperwork. He steeled himself to be content with only part of his mind on his reunion with Kitty Russell. While waiting the few remaining hours until she set foot on the platform felt like an eternity, their initial time alone would fly by. Even a short separation seemed to be a lifetime after spending over three weeks apart.
"Come and talk of all the things we did today
Here
And laugh about our funny little ways
While we have a few minutes to breathe
Then I know that it's time for you to leave
But, darling, be home soon
I couldn't bear to wait an extra minute if you dawdled
My darling, be home soon
It's not just these few hours, but I've been waiting since I toddled
For the great relief of having you to talk to"
The lawman at his desk sifted through a stack of the latest wanted posters, not entirely surprised to find his prisoners weren't on any of them. Again, he allowed part of his mind dwell on that initial private time together that would begin with her stepping off the train. Dillon knew his thoughts of a future together were merely wishes. His life could end any moment. Still, it would be wonderful if only a quarter of his life had past – highly unlikely considering his chancy job and the fact he'd turned 31 his last birthday. He consoled himself that Kitty, more than anyone else he knew, had the ability to see beyond the surface to the inner man – the person he truly was and could be.
"And now a quarter of my life has almost past
I think I've come to see myself at last
And I see that the time spent confused
Was the time that I spent without you
And I feel myself in bloom
So, darling, be home soon"
Matt needed that great relief she brought to him. That understanding led him to think maybe someday he could give her what she deserved. What a crazy dream! Reality as he saw it made the future he imagined impossible. As much as he loved her, and she him, expecting Kitty to stay by his side until that far off pipedream someday was only fooling himself. She'd find someone who could provide all she deserved in a man. On the other hand, what if he did manage to live long enough to retire and his enemies were too old to interfere with their lives? Then Marshal Matt Dillon could possibly shoot the moon.
"Go
And beat your crazy head against the sky
Try
And see beyond the houses and your eyes
It's okay to shoot the moon"
Upon coming to that conclusion Matt thought maybe he shouldn't shoot the moon but simply make it clear, by his actions and voiced inclinations, that she was an essential part of his life. Realizing the implications of his reflecting on her return Dillon was finally able to concentrate enough to get to the bottom of the paperwork pile. He signed off on the last one when the train had to be no more than 15 minutes out. If the soon to be no longer lonely man strained his ears he could almost hear its whistle.
AN: Lyrics are from the Loving Spoonful's Darling Be Home Soon
