The next morning Matt went off to see a couple of money lenders to pay off a few more of Carl's debts. All went well until one man claimed that he was owed more than Matt was paying. Three men jumped him, and Matt managed to fight them off. Seeing the reality of the situation, the money lender stepped forward with his hands out saying, "This has been a terrible misunderstanding. I meant no harm. Here I'm signing – Paid In Full."

Matt then made his way to the hospital. Kitty and had headed there earlier, once again leaving Davy with her neighbor Lorraine. Thankfully Lorraine had taken a liking to Davy, and was not baby sitting only to make money, she seemed to enjoy the boy.

Matt arrived at the hospital and made his way to Iris's room. Kitty was sitting near the bed talking softly.

A weak and tired looking Iris looked up when Matt entered. "This must be Matt." she said in a soft voice."

Kitty looked up and smiled. "Yes, Iris this it Matt."

Matt moved forward, "Iris, I've heard so much about you over the years that I feel like I know you. How are you feeling?"

Iris looked directly into Matt's eyes. She had never seen such clear eyes in her life. She found herself responding to the sound of his voice. To her his voice revealed that combination of strength and compassion that Kitty had often spoke about.

Iris looked at Matt and whispered, "I've heard a lot about you too."

Iris suddenly had a tremendous need to speak to Matt alone. She turned to Kitty and whispered, "Kitty would you mind refilling my water pitcher. I'm getting thirsty."

Kitty nodded, "Of course I wouldn't mind at all." She picked up the pitcher and walked out.

Iris turned to look back into Matt's eyes, "Sit close to me please."

Matt knew that Iris was too weak to speak much above a whisper, so he moved the chair even closer to her bed, sat down and leaned in.

After a moment of silence Iris whispered, "Matt, I know that you have seen a lot of bad and ugly things in your life, probably way more than most people do. Did you ever give up hope that goodness and beauty could exist in the world?"

Matt was surprised by her questions, to say the least. He was quiet for a moment and then answered, "I guess I never thought about it much." He knew that Iris wanted and needed a better answer so after thinking for another minute he added, "Iris when I was a young man, a very young man I saw what happens when people do bad and ugly things, and no one tries to stop them. I reached a point when I knew, deep in my bones, that when I saw those bad things moving in, I had to stand up to them. I had to try to stop them so that decent, good and well, beautiful things could take root. I guess that means that I've never given up hope. Matt stopped and thought for another few seconds before continuing, "You know Iris, that boy of yours carries good in him. It's easy to see even though he is so young. He will grow up to be a good man."

Iris smiled slightly and nodded. She drifted off to sleep feeling more peace inside her than she had felt in a long, long time.

Kitty re-entered the room carrying the pitcher of water. Matt indicated that Iris was asleep. Kitty smiled and kissed Iris lightly on the forehead. Matt and Kitty walked out of the room arm in arm. They'd be come back to see Iris early the next morning.

Early the Following Morning

Matt and Kitty decided to bring Davy to the hospital with them. They didn't tell him that he might see his mother, in case Iris wasn't up to seeing him. They figured that if that happened they could take turns sitting with Iris while the other was with the boy. Also, they knew Nurse Clara would be glad to keep and eye on the boy for a short time if they were with Iris at the same time.

The three entered the hospital. They saw Clara hurrying over to them. She looked at Davy, took him by the hand and said, "Davy, come with me I have something to show you."

Matt and Kitty were confused, but walked towards Iris's room. The doctor intercepted them, "Mr. & Mrs. Russell I'm sorry to have to say this but Iris passed away a little before dawn." He saw the look of shock on Matt and Kitty's faces, but continued. "Late last night she took a turn for the worse and came down with pneumonia. Her fever went up quite high and both lungs quickly filled with liquid. It was almost as if she didn't have the strength to fight." The doctor's voice was filled with regret, "We lost her, I'm so sorry."

Matt pulled Kitty into him. She cried quietly for a few minutes before Matt took her by the shoulders, kissed her gently on the forehead and said, "We have to go talk to Davy."

They found Davy and Clara in the sitting room next door. Kitty walked over to Davy. Clara walked over to Matt and said, "I'm so sorry." She pulled a note out of her bag and put it Matt's hand. "Late last night as Iris was failing, she asked me to write these words down and made me promise that I would give the note to you."

Matt thank her, put the note in his pocket and walked over to where Kitty was sitting with Davy on her lap. Kitty said gently, "Davy, I know you remember that I told you that your Mama was too sick right now to take care of you. Honey, she got very sick and she can't ever come back, I know it's hard to understand these things but your Mama died."

Davy looked at Kitty, "Mama was so sad. Will she still be sad?"

Kitty thought her heart would break and she answered, "No Davy, she'll never be sad again."

Davy looked at Kitty and with all innocence said, "Will I ever have a Mama again."

Kitty hugged him tight to her, "Davy, I'll be your Mama now."

Matt stepped forward, "Davy, I'll be your papa." We will be together.

Matt lifted Davy in his arms, took Kitty by the hand, and not knowing what else to do they headed back to the apartment.

Later that night, after spending the day making funeral arrangements, Kitty and Matt sat in the apartment not saying much. Finally Matt looked at Kitty and said, "Kitty, I have to say this. I know how you are going to respond, but I feel I have to say it anyway. You have to know Kitty, that you are not legally responsible for the debts that Iris inherited from her husband. You could walk away from the rest of them with no legal repercussions."

Kitty smiled every so slightly, "So Cowboy, tell me what's my response."

Matt answered quietly, "Your response is that you want to pay everything off for Iris's sake. You don't want a cloud over her or her name,"

Kitty nodded, "Sometimes you're pretty smart."

Matt suddenly remembered the note that Clara and given him with a message from Iris. He opened the note:

Dear Matt,

Thank you for your words. They left me with a feeling of peace I hadn't felt for a long time and restored a sense of hope that had been shattered. I know that you will be the one teaching my good boy to be a good man. He couldn't have a better teacher.

Kitty knows that I love her, but please remind her.

Iris

With a lump in his throat Matt gave the note to Kitty. She wanted to ask him what words he had said to Iris, but knew that now wasn't the time.

Together they went to bed clinging to each other for comfort.