Chapter 2 A Dillon Family New Year
As the cold winds of winter swept through Dodge City, the festive atmosphere of the New Year's Eve celebration could be felt in the warmth of the Dillon house. It was early evening as the warm glow of the hearth lit up the parlor room. Ruby, full of energy, ran around, trying to help, her small hands struggling to hold a string of a colorful paper chain garland. She had made the garland while home on Christmas break.
"Careful, Ruby! You'll tangle them up if you don't slow down," Matt called out with a chuckle, kneeling beside her.
Ruby gave her daddy an impish grin. "Daddy, it's going to be the best New Year's party I've ever had."
Kitty smiled at the sight of Ruby. "Sweetie, this is the only New Year's party you've ever had."
"That's why it's gonna be the best," Ruby declared. She looked at the paper chain in her arms. "I don't know where to put this."
"Let Daddy drape it on top of the mantle," Kitty suggested. "We'll take it down when you go to bed and you can decorate your bedroom with it."
Ruby, liking her momma's suggestion, gave the paper chain to her daddy. Matt took the paper chain and carefully spread it out near the back of the mantle, so it wouldn't be close to the flames. "That looks very nice!" Ruby exclaimed.
"It sure does," Matt agreed.
"Now what do we do?" Ruby questioned. "Do we play games and eat cake? That's what happens at birthday parties."
"Well, there won't be a cake, but we'll have popcorn and root beer," Kitty replied. "And I thought we could play your new Christmas game, tabletop ninepins."
Ruby smiled and clapped her hands. "Oh boy! That sounds fun! What is New Year's?"
"At midnight, it will be a new year. It won't be 1882 anymore. It will be 1883," Matt explained. "People like to celebrate at midnight, when the year changes."
"I'm gonna stay up 'til midnight to see what it's like," Ruby stated.
Kitty laughed softly, ruffling her daughter's hair. "We'll see about that, honey. You might get too tired before then."
Before beginning their New Year's celebration, Kitty had Ruby get into her nightgown. Matt and Kitty decided they would let Ruby stay up until midnight, knowing their little girl probably wouldn't last that long. If she did fall asleep, Ruby would already be dressed for bed. That evening the Dillons enjoyed several games of tabletop ninepins, ate a couple bowls of popcorn, and each drank a glass of root beer. At that point, Ruby showed no signs of slowing down and going to sleep.
"Is it almost midnight?" Ruby asked.
"Not yet," Matt answered. "We still have a few more hours ta go."
"New Year's is taking forever ta get here," Ruby grumbled. She was anxious to see what it was like for a new year to start.
"Since we have time before the New Year gets here, let's go brush your teeth and get washed up." Kitty didn't wait for a response. She simply led her daughter to the water closet to brush her teeth and wash her face. Once her teeth were brushed and face cleaned, Kitty put two loose braids in Ruby's hair to prevent tangles the next morning.
"Momma, now what are we gonna do?" Ruby asked.
Kitty thought for a moment. "You could color in your coloring books or draw pictures for your grandpa and uncles. It's been a while since you gave them a picture."
Ruby's face lit up. "I'll do both, but I'll make the pictures first." She ran into her room to get her coloring books, paper, and wax coloring sticks. With her arms full, Ruby came out to the parlor and set everything down on the coffee table and got to work.
While Kitty had been helping Ruby, Matt cleaned up the popcorn bowls and glasses. When Kitty returned to the parlor, she found Matt sitting on the couch. She went to join him, snuggling up next to him. Matt put his arm around her shoulder. "Whatcha doing, Little Gemstone?" Matt asked his daughter.
"I'm making pictures for Grandpa Doc and my uncles," Ruby replied as she focused on her task at hand.
"Wonderful," Matt responded. "We can hang Uncle Festus' picture up at the jail. It will brighten the place up."
Ruby finished her artwork and proudly showed them to her parents. "I'm all done. Do you think they'll like them?"
"Those look great, and they'll love them," Kitty admired her daughter's pictures.
"They sure will," Matt agreed. Ruby let out a big yawn.
"It looks like somebody's getting tired," Kitty observed.
"No I'm not," said Ruby as she tried to hide another yawn. "I wanna stay up 'til midnight."
"Daddy 'n I will move over and you can rest on the couch," Kitty suggested. Ruby climbed up on the couch and Kitty covered her with a blanket. Within ten minutes she was sound asleep.
"Should I carry her ta bed?" Matt whispered. Hearing his daughter make her clicking noise as she slept, Matt knew she was in a deep sleep.
"Not yet," Kitty answered. "You can in a little bit. This has been a wonderful evening." Matt nodded in agreement.
After several minutes of relishing in the peace and quiet, Kitty stood up. Matt did the same. Walking over to Ruby, Matt effortlessly lifted her small body into his arms. Ruby didn't even flinch. Remembering the paperchain, Kitty removed it from the fireplace mantel. Matt followed Kitty to Ruby's room. Kitty put the paperchain on Ruby's desk and then turned back the covers on Ruby's bed. Matt gently laid her down. After placing Annie and Lulu on each side of Ruby and covering her up, Matt and Kitty gave Ruby a kiss goodnight, wished her a Happy New Year, and left the bedroom. Kitty watched Matt go into their bedroom and then emerge with his gunbelt.
"I guess it's time for Matt Dillon to go from family man to lawman," Kitty stated.
"I'm sorry honey," Matt apologized. "I wish I could be here at midnight to celebrate the New Year with you, but I'm afraid duty calls. I wanna make sure things stay somewhat peaceful in town. It seems to help to have my presence there on New Year's Eve."
"Matt Dillon, we have never celebrated New Years at midnight with each other," Kitty pointed out. Matt's eyebrows knitted in confusion. Kitty went on to explain. "Before we were married, you would stop by the Long Branch before your rounds, which was before midnight. You would return later that night, after your rounds, which was after midnight."
Matt nodded his head as the memories of their early years came back. "I guess yer right." He fastened his gunbelt around his waist and put on his Stetson. Matt bent down and gave Kitty a soft kiss on her lips. "I'll see ya later, Kitty." He left the house with a grin on his face. Kitty's grin matched Matt's grin. She knew what he had in mind. Kitty went to change into her nightgown and stayed on the couch to wait for Matt.
A couple hours had passed, when Matt returned home. Nothing major happened in town. Matt and Festus broke up a couple of brawls, but that was it. When Matt opened the door and locked it behind him, he found his wife sound asleep on the couch. He silently crept over to her and like he did with Ruby, he effortlessly lifted her into his arms.
Feeling the softness of Matt's suede vest, Kitty knew he had made it home safe and sound. "I'm so glad you're home," Kitty tiredly mumbled.
"Sweetheart, why aren't you in bed?" Matt asked as he walked her down to their bedroom.
"I wanted to make sure I was awake when you got home. I guess that didn't pan out," Kitty replied.
"Stay awake?" Matt questioned. "What for?"
"You did say that you would see me later,' Kitty reminded her husband.
"Oh yeah," Matt nodded. "But if yer too tired…."
Kitty pulled Matt's head down for a passionate kiss. "Matt Dillon, I'm never too tired for you."
The next morning Ruby came into the kitchen with her hands on her hips. "I missed New Years." Disappointment was evident in her voice.
"Honey, you fell asleep on the couch," said Kitty. "Daddy 'n I didn't have the heart to wake you up. You didn't even wake up when Daddy carried you ta bed. You were sound asleep."
"How do you know I was sound asleep?" asked Ruby, emphasizing on the word sound.
"That's simple. You were clicking while you were breathing. When you do that, Momma 'n I know yer sound asleep."
"Did you celebrate New Years?" Ruby asked her parents.
"Daddy had to go ta town and be the Marshal," Kitty replied. "He didn't get home 'til after midnight."
"When I got home, yer Momma 'n I went straight ta bed," Matt answered, obviously leaving out details a six year old didn't need to hear.
"Next year I'm staying awake 'til midnight," Ruby declared as she climbed up onto her kitchen chair.
Later that morning the Dillons took a trip to town. Kitty wanted to talk to Doc about the symptoms she had been experiencing. "Matt, when we go to town, I wanna talk to Doc."
"I wanna go 'n see Grandpa Doc!" Ruby excitedly chimed in.
Kitty gave Matt a look. She didn't want Ruby there with her. "Sweetie, Momma gave me a list of items to get at Jonas' store, plus I'll have a list for the jail. With two lists, I'm gonna need yer help."
Ruby bit on her bottom lip as she contemplated her daddy's words. "Okay, I'll help you, Daddy. But can I be paid like I'm doing a job?"
Matt nodded in agreement. "I think that can be arranged."
"Good. I wanna nickel," Ruby declared as she ran out of the kitchen.
Matt chuckled. "Already has the makings of a good business woman." Kitty, with pride in her eyes, couldn't agree more.
Ruby returned to the kitchen with the pictures she drew the previous night. "When we get ta town, I'm gonna give my pictures to Uncle Newly and Uncle Festus. Momma, will you give this to Grandpa Doc." Ruby handed her picture for her grandpa to her momma.
"You keep that," said Kitty. "You can give it to him after I'm done talking with him."
The Dillons arrived in town twenty minutes later. Matt parked the wagon on a side street between Doc's office and the general store. "I'm gonna go up to Doc's office and talk with him. I'll meet you and Ruby at Delmonico's later" Kitty told Matt.
"Sounds like a good plan," Matt agreed. "Come on, Ruby. We'll go 'n deliver yer pictures, and then head on over to Jonas's store."
Kitty climbed the stairs to Doc's office and tapped on the door. "Come in!" Doc called from the other side. "Oh Kitty, I wasn't expecting ta see you. Happy New Year!"
Kitty stepped inside and gave Doc a hug. "Happy New Year, Curly."
"What brings you here?" asked Doc. "Social call or illness?"
"I wanna talk to you about some symptoms I've been experiencing," Kitty replied. She went on to explain all of her symptoms.
"Kitty, when I hear those symptoms, it does sound like you could be pregnant," said Doc as he swiped his hand over his mustache.
TBC Happy New Year!