"Our First Thanksgiving"

Matt invites Kitty over for Thanksgiving

The sun had already begun to dip below the horizon, casting a soft amber glow over Dodge City. The usual hustle of the town had quieted, with many people staying home to celebrate the holiday. The streets, once busy with traders, drifters, and cowhands, now felt almost peaceful. The air was brisk, and the first hint of winter's chill was starting to settle in. It was Thanksgiving, and for Matt Dillon, it was shaping up to be like any other day, until Kitty came into his life.

Matt had spent many Thanksgivings alone, as he had with most holidays. As the town's marshal, he was often too busy to celebrate with his friends, Doc and Chester. He always told them he had a job to do keeping an eye on Dodge's streets, ensuring things stayed in order. Matt didn't give the badge a rest, even for holidays.

This year, though, something felt different. He had come to care for Kitty, and the bond between them had grown over the months since her arrival in Dodge City.. Her presence had changed his life in a way he wasn't expecting. She was more than just a companion he had drinks with at the Long Branch.

Kitty, too, was feeling something she hadn't experienced in years: the desire to truly celebrate Thanksgiving. She'd spent many Thanksgivings in the past in various places, most of them not exactly warm or family-oriented. Her last memorable Thanksgiving had been with her mother, shortly before her mother had passed away. That Thanksgiving Kitty and her mother shared a feast of gumbo, jambalaya, along with some turkey. It was times like this when she really missed her mother.

The saloon had been relatively quiet that day, with fewer customers than usual, and she found herself with more time than she knew what to do with. Normally, she would have worked through the day, but this year was different. Thanksgiving would not be another lonely holiday. She would be spending it with Matt. She had wondered if Doc and Chester would be joining them, but Matt informed her they had been invited over to the Widow Babbit's place for dinner. Chester would be in heaven over there. Widow Babbit was known for her extravagant feasts. To boot, she agreed to make specklety gravy for Chester.

"Matt invited me over for Thanksgiving," she had told herself, as she slipped into a simple, but elegant dress. The idea of spending the holiday with him, just the two of them, was both comforting and thrilling. Kitty knew that their relationship was still new, yet it felt as though it had been years in the making. There was a sense of peace between them, and a deep, unspoken understanding.

As the evening arrived, Kitty left her room, locking the door behind her. She descended the steps and left the Long Branch.. Kitty walked to where Matt rented a private room away from the jail, her heart racing with anticipation. The crisp evening air bit at her skin, but the thought of being with Matt made her feel warm inside. Kitty quickened her step.

When she arrived, Matt was waiting for her, leaning casually against the doorframe, his Stetson hat removed for the occasion. A string tie was neatly tied around his neck and a tweed coat replaced his usual vest. Even his badge was absent. Matt Dillon looked more like a man than a lawman in that moment.

Kitty stepped inside, and the warmth of the fire greeted her. Matt's room was small but cozy, lit by the golden light from the hearth and a couple of oil lamps. The table was set with simple plates and utensils, and in the middle of it all was turkey, surrounded by mashed potatoes, green beans, and homemade cornbread.

"Evening, Kitty," Matt greeted her with a soft smile.

"Evening, Matt," she replied, giving him a quick, nervous smile. "I—I wasn't sure if I should bring anything, but it looks like there's plenty of food here. I had no idea you could cook." Kitty observed the spread on the small table in the middle of the room.

"Besides son of a gun stew, I really don't have too much talent in that department." Matt pointed to the table. "Had to rely on a little help from Delmonico's" he added with a chuckle.

Kitty couldn't help but smile at the effort Matt had put into the meal. It was clear he hadn't spent hours in a kitchen, but the meal was made with care, and that was enough for her. "It looks wonderful," she said softly.

As they sat down to eat, the conversation flowed easily between them. They talked about the little things—the town, the weather, Chester's latest antics. Matt spoke little, as usual, but there was an ease in his words when he did. Kitty, for her part, was quieter than usual too, content to simply be with him. She hadn't realized how much she had missed this, just being in someone's company, without the noise of the saloon. Matt too hadn't realized how much he needed to be relieved from the weight of the world on his shoulders.

When they finished the meal, Matt poured them both a drink. Kitty took a sip of her amber colored whiskey. "Do you ever miss it?" Kitty asked softly, breaking the silence. "The way Thanksgiving used to be, when you had family around?"

Matt twirled his whiskey around in his glass. He turned his head to look at her, his gaze thoughtful. "I don't think I've ever had a Thanksgiving like this one," he replied, his voice steady. "I guess you could say I'm getting used to the idea of spending it with someone who means something to me."

Kitty's heart skipped a beat. She had been wondering how Matt felt about her, and hearing those words felt like something close to a confession, something tender and real. "I'm glad I'm here, Matt," she whispered. "This feels like home."

Matt gave a small, genuine smile. "Me too, Kitty. Me too."

The rest of the night passed quietly, the fire burning low as they sat together in the comfortable silence that had settled between them. There was no rush to go anywhere, no obligations or interruptions. For once, it was just them, no law to enforce, no saloon to tend to just two people who had found something special in each other.

As the evening drew to a close, Kitty glanced over at Matt, her eyes soft and filled with something more than gratitude. "I think this is one of the best Thanksgiving I've ever had," she said, her voice quiet but full of meaning.

Matt looked at her, his face breaking into that rare smile that made her heart flutter. "I'm glad, Kitty," he replied, his words simple, but the meaning behind them clear.

Not wanting Kitty to walk through Dodge City alone, Matt walked Kitty back to the Long Branch. Before leaving, under the veil of the darkness of night, Matt leaned down and gave Kitty a sweet, yet simple kiss on her lips. Kitty, even though she was still full from the meal, hungerly accepted. At that moment Matt and Kitty both realized they had found something far more precious than the Thanksgiving feast they had shared. They had found each other. And that, in the end, was all they really needed.

The end of this story. Happy Thanksgiving!