PT.6

Chances

Maggie Sat holding her breath while Kitty waited for her to finish her answer. Then finally there was the answer. Kitty ears went numb. She couldn't believe what she had just heard. The whole room went quiet.

"Misses Maggie Hughes"

Yes, she said it. She didn't imagine it. Maggie was married to John Hughes. Kitty didn't know what to say. "Oh, Maggie, honey…"

"Miss Kitty, I know it's been a few years since I've seen him, but I'd know that man anywhere. When I saw you come from the restaurant, I know I saw him. That man he was there talking to you.

Nodding, Kitty looked down. "Yes, Maggie, it is John Hughes. He came in the same day you did just hours after you. Several other gamblers all came in to play. Maggie does he know you're here?"

Maggie shook her head. "No, I don't think he saw us."

"Honey, how long has it been?" Kitty asked.

"About three and a half years. The boys were quite small they don't even remember him. He really tricked my grandparents and me into thinking he was such a good man. It wasn't until after they died that he changed."

"Oh, Maggie, honey, I hate to break it to you but men like that… it was always there. He just waited for the perfect moment."

Sounds like you've been there yourself, Miss Kitty?" Maggie observed.

"Maggie, my father was just like John Hughes. Never really knew him, always chasing that next great deal."

"How'd your mother deal with it?" Maggie asked curiously.

"Momma? Momma loved him blindly. I lost her when I was very young. That's when I came to be with Paneca Sykes."

"She the older woman you talked too?"

Kitty nodded. "And that's where I know Kate from. Kate was a few years older than I was."

"Miss Kitty, my folks, you think they'd be in San Francisco still?" Maggie asked suddenly.

Kitty turned slowly, taking Maggie by the shoulders. "Oh, Honey, you're folks….. Maggie …. Cole, Cole Yankton… Honey, he's dead. I'm sorry. It happened here in Dodge, many years ago. He tried to rob the bank and he was shot."

"And Kate?" Maggie asked.

"I don't know, honey. I haven't seen or heard anything about her since I left them in San Francisco, many years ago." Kitty sighed.

Maggie just dropped her head. "Well it's just as well anyway. She left me a long time ago.

"Oh, Maggie, I'm sure she thought she did what was best for you." Kitty tried to reassure her.

"Yeah, I guess she did." Maggie said sadly.

Later on….

The game was deep in play. Maggie went back to the room with the boys.

Kitty changed and descended the stairs, noticing Hughes at the table. She just floated around the room, mingling with her customers, watching the games. "How's it going boys?"

"Hang around, Miss Kitty, could always use a little Lady Luck at the table!" One of the men said.

"Oh, yeah. Sure about that Wilson? She smiled patting his shoulder.

"Sure I'm sure. They're cleaning me out! You always were my lucky charm." He answered.

So just for fun, Kitty stood behind Wilson's chair and for some reason he won the next few hands. Out of excitement, he jumped up and swirled her around, kissing her on the cheek. "Heee haw!"

After a few minutes two teenage boys came through the doors. "Pa, Pa, Ma sent us fur ya Pa. Said not ta' come home without 'cha' Pa."

Wilson, looking all red-faced, "Well fella's the ball and chain beckons! I'm out!" Gathering his winnings, he left. Two others had dropped out by now as well. It was getting late into the night. Kitty was watching closely. She had always heard rumors that Hughes never played a fair game and the last thing she wanted was a shooting going on while Matt was gone.

"So, Miss Russell, I noticed you taking such an interest in our game here tonight." Thinking he's going to cozy up to her. "Little lady, why don't you pull yourself up a chair, right next to me here, and I'll show you a few little pointers."

Tilting her head, with a cocky smirk. "Why that is so kind of you, Mister Hughes. You don't think it will be to complicated do you?" She said with a sarcastic tone, one he didn't pick up on, but Sam did.

Sam was saying under his breath,…" This poor guy has no idea."

"Mister Hughes, I've played a few friendly hands of poker in my day." Kitty said casually.

"Well, not that I care to play poker with a woman," and he sighed, "but three handed poker... ugh…. ok sit. I'll deal with it."

Now chuckles could be heard around the room. The local regulars are aware that Kitty knows poker!

The first couple hands went average, then it started. Little by little, she was winning hands one after the other. He was flabbergasted. He knew he couldn't accuse her of funny dealing because she even won when someone else dealt. After a few hours, she had all the money at the table.

"Lady, this can't be happening." He grumbled. "You said you play friendly games."

"Why, I believe this was a friendly game." Kitty grinned. Don't you gentlemen?" The others just nodded, then said. "Yes, Ma'am."

"I'm not done." Hughes spit out.

"Oh?" Kitty said. "It looks like you are. It looks as though I have all your money."

"Miss Russell, let's make one last bet!" He said.

"And what would that be, Mister Hughes?" She asked suspicious of him.

"Split the deck, one card each, high card wins." He answered.

"What are we, or shall I say, you, betting if you win?" She was a bit intrigued.

"Since you have my money, I'll put up these two deeds. They're good properties, worth a lot. And if I win,…Ha Ha Ha,…"

Just his laugh made Kitty's skin crawl."

"…. I Get YOU!"

Kitty looked stunned. "What?"

"That's right, I get YOU. You will be all mine!" He grinned evilly.

"Are You Crazy?" She asked.

"Not a gambling woman, Miss Russell?" He taunted her.

Everyone in the room was now holding their breath.

"It's all about chances. Chances. Just chances, Miss Russell." He watched her closely. "Barkeep, fresh deck please?"

Hughes shuffled the deck as did Kitty. She had a huge lump in her throat and was feeling nauseous. The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Kitty could feel her insides shaking. The cards were fanned out across the table.

"Lady's first."

Kitty reached and slid out a card.

Hughes repeated the motion.

"Well, go on." She said looking across the table. "It's your loss." She said with her best poker face.

As he flipped the card, her eyes widened, her concentration was broke at the sound of a familiar voice.

"Kitty, what's going on here?"

TBC