PT.16
My family, My Choice!
That evening, back at the hotel, it was fairly proving to be a very quiet one. Kitty seemed to be very somber.
Matt was not sure really how to or just what to say to her. Or if he should just let her have time alone to sort things out. They went for supper. He and Doc went about normal conversation, both noticing that she barely said a word, nor did she touch much of her food.
Finally Doc reached over, placing his hand atop of hers. "Kitty, honey, are you feeling alright?" She didn't answer right away. "Kitty?"
"Huh?"
"Are you feeling alright?"
"Oh, yeah. I'm fine. Why?" She asked.
"Well, you haven't touched your food." He said.
"Oh, I guess I just wasn't that hungry after all. Look, you two finish. I'm going to go back to the room."
"I'll go with you." Matt spoke up.
"No, no you stay here and finish your supper. I can get there alone."
Then she stood up and started to leave. Matt reached for her hand. "Kit, you sure you're alright?"
Just shaking her head to acknowledge, she walked away.
Matt turned to Doc. "Should I follow her?"
"No, no. Give her some space, Matt. This has been difficult. She needs to process this. You need to be patient."
"Doc, I want to help her."
"I know that, Matt. I know that. So do I, but the best way we can do that, is to let her take the lead. She'll let us know what she needs."
"Doc, when have you ever known Kitty to ask for help?"
"Matt, sometimes I find it hard to believe that you've known this woman as long as you have. But I'm going to chalk this up as worriment on your part. No, she may not come right out and ask but we'll know. We'll know."
"Doc, I just hate seeing her in such…"
"Me too, Matt."
Later, Matt returned to the room. Kitty was going through her usual routine. She had changed and was sitting at the mirror getting ready to brush her hair.
He quietly sat on the bed. "I brought you some pie just in case you got hungry."
Looking at him through the mirror, "Peach?"
"Of course."
She smiled slightly. "Thank you. I'd like that, but maybe later. We can share it. Pour us a drink while I finish?"
Matt got up and poured them both a drink, handed her one, put his down, unsure of his next move. Finally he reached for the hairbrush in her hand. They both stopped for a moment as if talking with their eyes. She let go. He leaned down. She slid in a bit and allowed him to sit behind her. He proceeded to brush out her hair.
After a few brush strokes, Matt could feel her weight fall against his body. With that, he let his arms fall around her. "Kit, I'm so sorry."
"Shhhhh! Don't, Cowboy."
So he just held her tight. She dropped her head back to rest on his shoulder. They were now cheek to cheek. They sat that way for what seemed like forever.
Finally, "Hey, Cowboy."
"Yeah?"
"Didn't I hear you say something about pie?"
Burying his face in the nape of her neck, laughing. "Yeah, come on. It's over here."
He helped her up and they walked over to the bed. She was sitting up on her knees and Matt was feeding her the pie he now had drizzled with brandy.
"Ummmmm! This is good." Kitty was licking her lips where it had run down.
"Ahhh! Wait one minute."
"What?"
"I'll do that, Ma'am." In one quick movement, he, without thinking, placed his mouth over hers. "Ummmm! You're right that is good."
She now realized she was wrapped in his arms in a tight embrace. They were now staring blue to blue.
"Cowboy?"
"Yeah?"
"I… I…"
"You ok?" He felt her tense up.
"Matt, so much has happened."
"Kit, we don't need to talk about this, you know that."
"No, Matt. There is so much we need to talk about."
"Kit, we don't have to."
"Matt, you know I love you."
"Kit, what's wrong?"
"Cowboy, will you… Will you just hold me?"
Matt wasn't sure what was wrong, but he finished changing then they curled up, secure in each others arms.
TBC