PT.8
My Family, My Choice!
Festus came running out of the post office. "Matthew! Matthew! It's from Miz Kitty. It's from Miz Kitty!"
Doc, swiping his mustache was laughing. "He'll never change, Matt. He'll never change."
"Festus, ok, ok. Let me have it." Matt was smiling but his face was now flushed. Everyone in the street was watching. The three men walked towards the office.
"Well, is she alright? Is she coming home, Matthew?"
"Well for heaven's sake, will you let him read it?"
"Ok, you ol' ninny."
"Will you two stop?" Matt said. "I'm trying to read my letter. Yes, Festus, Kitty's alright. She's on her way home."
"Matthew, where she a been all this here time?"
Doc looked at him. "That is none of your business."
"Well, don't she a knowd that we bin a worrin' on where she's bin?"
"Festus, I'm sure Kitty will tell us everything when she gets back." Matt answered.
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
(Yes, the author knows Oklahoma wasn't a state until 1907 and that Tulsa and Broken Arrow didn't exist then. But this is fiction. Go with it.)
In a small town just outside of Tulsa County, Frank Reardon was passing through. He had been down in Texas. He was on his way back to his place in Montana. He figured he'd stop, rest and replenish his supplies. He had himself a few beers, then got his supplies.
And while he was loading, something caught his attention. He walked across the street. Slowly he walked up behind this pretty lady and said, "Now, what on earth is the second prettiest gal I know, doing in this here little town?" And he slid his arms around her only to have her turn quickly and slap his face. "Wow. It's me. Frank. Frank Reardon."
"Look, mister, I don't know who you are and I don't appreciate strange men taking the liberty of putting their hands on me."
Just then a rather large man came out of the general store. "Maggie, honey. You ok?"
She shot Frank a look and said, "Yeah, Joe. I'm fine. Can we go now? People in this town are strange."
"You just have to get used to being around people, honey, that's all. Let's go. We'll go home now."
Frank stood there with the most surprised look, still stunned at the slap. "Why didn't she know me?"
On the ride, Joe said, "Maggie, did he do something to you?"
"No, just a bit too friendly. That's all."
"Well, honey, you've been gone an awful long time. You have to re-adjust. Remember we still don't know where you were or what happened to you. But that's not important. You're back now and I'm never gonna let anyone hurt you, ever. I'm just sorry I wasn't there that day to protect you."
"Oh, Joe, please don't do that to yourself." She smiled at him placing her hand lightly on his cheek.
Dodge City
Frank Rode into Dodge a few days later. He walked directly into the Long Branch.
Doc and Festus were at a table. "Hey! Hello, Frank! Come on over here and have a drink with us."
"Doc, Matt around?"
"I guess." Frank was surveying the room. "Who you looking for, Frank?"
"Doc, I think I'm losing my mind."
"What?"
"Doc, Kitty here?"
"Well, no."
"What did he do this time?"
"Who, Frank?"
"Matt. What did he do to make her leave this time?"
"I'm sorry, Frank, but you're not making much sense."
As Frank was talking, Matt came in behind him. "Frank Reardon, you Ol'…"
Frank turned. "Matt? What happened? Why's she down there? And why didn't she know me?"
"Wait a minute. Frank, what are you talking about? And who are you talking about?"
"Kitty, Matt!" Frank was now getting frustrated.
"Frank, down where?"
"Matt, I just rode up from Oklahoma."
Now Matt was smiling. "Frank, Kitty's in New Orleans. Actually, she's on her way back. Well actually she should have been back oh, a…"
"Matt, I was in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and I saw Kitty. And when I snuck up behind her, she slapped me."
Matt laughed.
"Matt, she didn't know me!"
"Come on, Frank."
"Matt, I mean it."
Now Matt's face dropped. He realized he wasn't kidding anymore.
"And a man came out of the general store and called her Maggie. She left in a wagon with him. Matt, I've known Kitty and you a long time. That was Kitty! I'd bet my life on it."
TBC