She'd timed it perfectly. Matt was out of town, Doc was at the Ronniker's tending to sick children, and Festus was preoccupied with trying to fill Matt's shoes while the marshal was away. The only other person who would have questioned her departure was her friend and bartender, Sam Noonan, and he'd retired to his brother's farm 9 months ago. No one else in town would take note of the number of trunks she had loaded onto the train, and if they saw her board they'd simply assume she was taking a short trip while Matt Dillon was away.

She settled into a window seat as the whistle blasted twice, warning passengers to hurry if they wanted to get on board. The stragglers were still finding seats when the train lurched and quickly picked up speed. Barely aware of activity around her, Kitty stared out the window, and watched Dodge City's buildings shrink to mere dots in the distance. She let out a quiet sigh. 20 years had gone by since she stepped off a stage-coach onto the muddy streets of that town. She'd never forget the first day as long as she lived. It was raining and she was cold and miserable. Now two decades later, she was sure she'd never forget the last day either. It was hot, and sweat dripped down her back as she sat in her windowless office signing documents with Hannah. Once the Long Branch was officially turned over, she hurried to leave a note in Doc's office and then one on Matt's tasks completed, she paused briefly to allow herself to shed a few tears before going to board the train. Now dry-eyed, she looked out the window as the miles flew by. Even by this amazingly fast mode of transportation, it would take over 24 hours to get to her destination, St. Louis, Missouri.

Wheels screeched as stops were made along the way. The train-cars grew crowded with people, as more passengers got on than off. Kitty barely noticed. The further she got from Dodge, the more she pondered what she'd given up, and left behind – a thriving business, dear friends, and most of all the man she'd loved for 20 years, Matt Dillon. Fact was she still loved him, but she'd reached an age, a time in her life, when love was not enough. She wanted and needed a future, and Matt was allergic to even talking about having one. He lived day to day, knowing that in his line of work, each day could be his last. When they met, she was so young, that attitude was fine with her. As years piled it wasn't fine, but it was acceptable. Now, with the age of 40 suddenly not so far away, she knew she needed more. She wasn't even asking Matt to make a big change now. All she needed was a plan, a timeline, something. If they were going to have a future together they had to have some plan for what they'd do when Matt decided to take off the badge, or was forced to. They'd marry, she was sure they both expected that, but then what? How would they live? Would she keep the Long Branch to support them? Matt wouldn't want to be dependent on her earnings, but what kind of job would he take in Dodge after being marshal? She couldn't see him tending bar, or working in the stable. If she sold the saloon they could put that money together with the little Matt had in the bank, and buy a small farm or ranch. But that would mean living miles from town, and hard, hard labor. Even strong, young women, grow old and worn out fast from the day-to-day life of scrubbing clothes, hauling water, cooking, cleaning, sweating over a hot stove to put up preserves to last all winter, all while comforting babies and tending children. Pretty soon it didn't matter how much they loved their husbands, sleep became the precious thing they craved. She didn't want that kind of life. Not that she had to be wealthy, not at all, just comfortable enough in a life that was interesting and good. She was still young enough to have children, and hoped for that too. But building a life meant looking ahead, planning, preparing, setting money aside. It meant thinking about the kind of lives they wanted. Problem was. all that mattered to Matt was today, and at this point in her life, she couldn't keep living that way. So, she had to make a choice. "I need a future."

"Pardon me, did you say something?"

Startled, Kitty turned sharply toward the voice. The gentleman seated beside her was looking at her quizzically. She shook her head. "I'm sorry, I guess I was thinking so hard, I spoke out loud."

The man smiled through his salt and pepper mustache. "Please, don't apologize for thinking hard. In my opinion, more people should try it."

Kitty laughed. "Thank you, you're very kind."

"Kind perhaps, but rude to speak without introducing myself. My name is John Hanover." He pointed to the stern, elderly woman seated across from him. "This is my mother, Elmira Hanover, and beside her my son John Jr., better known as Johnny."

"Nice to meet you all. I'm Kitty Russell."

Johnny bounced in his seat. "I'm 10 years old." Kitty leaned towards him with a serious expression. "Oh my, I would have thought you were older than that."

Elmira's face softened into a smile. "You gave my grandson the greatest compliment one can give a person, that is until they reach a certain age. After that it's the greatest insult."

The 3 adults laughed. Elmira pulled a basket out from under her seat. "I for one, am getting hungry. And of course, I purchased enough sandwiches to feed an army. Please help yourselves. You too Mrs. Russell or is it Miss?"

"It is Miss, and thank you Mrs. Hanover, I'd love a sandwich. To tell the truth, I was – nervous – about this trip, and forgot to pack food for myself."

The older woman chuckled and pointed to the basket "Well, as you can see there's plenty. I also have a suggestion. Since we are sharing lunch, and have many more hours to go in close quarters, I suggest we adults dispense with formalities and use first names. Johnny of course will address you respectfully."

Kitty nodded and chose a ham sandwich. "I like the idea Elmira, thank you." She turned to the 10 year old. "And Johnny, you don't have to call me Miss Russell. Call me Miss Kitty. I'd like that."

Dodge City

Matt rode into town hot, tired and covered with trail dust. He'd spent 4 days, in hellish heat and choking dust storms, looking for signs of the Reynolds gang. Five years had past since the gang was crushed, and their leaders sent to prison. He was done with them, or so he thought. Turned out those men had mean and ruthless sons, who were old enough now, to restart the family business. They were on the move, and 4 days and nights of trying to hunt them down had taught him one thing: these Reynolds brothers were shrewder, smarter and better organized, than their fathers ever were. The gang would be bigger and more dangerous than ever.

He stepped into his office, tossed his hat on a wall-peg, and eyed the piles of work on his desk. He hoped nothing would need much attention right now. Things had been uneasy with Kitty lately, and he wanted to get to the Long Branch to see her. Not that they'd been having big fights. Just an ongoing kind of tension. Kitty kept wanting to talk and plan about the years ahead. He was looking to survive the day. After 4 days apart, maybe things between them would somehow be eased. Determined to race through necessary work, he dropped down in the seat behind his desk. Festus had carefully made separate piles for mail, telegrams and wanted posters, but Matt's eye was drawn to a lone piece of stationary, on one corner of the desk. It was neatly folded and carried Kitty's perfume. Why would Kitty leave a note in his office? He unfolded it, and started to read.

Doc Adams burst through the door waving a note in the air. "Good, you're back. Kitty left this letter up in my office. I assume you got one too." The old doctor saw the look on Matt's face and knew he had. "Matt, my letter says she has a one way ticket. To where I don't know, but she said she'll be in touch when her life get's fully settled."

Matt nodded grimly, barely hearing, and dropped his letter on the desk. Doc looked down and saw the words. I love you Matt, but I need a life that has some kind of future.

"Matt, I don't have to read all of what Kitty wrote to you. I think I get it, and I'm not going to lecture you." Doc rubbed his mustache. "It's just that, Matt, you've done more than anyone else could have, to protect decent folks and make this territory safe for them to live in. And you've done it with no regard to your own safety, health or comfort. As your physician I can attest to that." The old man sighed. "I just wish you'd make some space for your own happiness. Allow yourself to look ahead to a life that's peaceful, enjoyable, good. If you could do that Matt, I can almost guarantee that Kitty would want, more than anything, to be part of it. You deserve it, and so does she."

"I thought you weren't going to lecture me."

"I'm not, I'm going to buy you a beer. You need it." Doc moved toward the door and saw Matt hesitate. "No point in putting it off, Matt. You have to get used to the reality that Kitty isn't at the Long Branch. According to her letter, a woman named Hannah is running it now. Let's go say hello and buy some beers. It's not this Hannah woman's fault that Kitty left town."

Matt pushed himself up from his desk. It was, in fact, his fault that Kitty left, but he was grateful Doc hadn't said those words out loud.

TBC