Chapter 34 "Festus: The Babysitter" (Part 1)

*Disclaimer/Warning: I feel I have to write this for those who think I've never seen a Gunsmoke episode or that these stories are more "Little House On The Prairie." This story is totally out of cannon. I started this series after seeing episodes that had Matt dealing with different children. Here's a list of some of those episodes. 1. "Bloody Hands" (season 2): Matt shows a few boys how to track. 2. "Little Girl" (season 6): Matt was wonderful with Charity Gill. 3. "The Bounty Hunter" (season 11): Matt patiently listened to Amy Jensen as she told him Billy Pierce ate a toad. 4. "A Baker's Dozen" (season 13): It was so nice seeing Matt hold one of those triplets. I know there are more episodes, but I'm not going to list all of them. I felt if Matt was so natural and great with kids that were not his own, then he would be so with his own child. Since the Gunsmoke writers/producers didn't put Matt and Kitty together with a child, we fan fiction writers have taken it upon ourselves. Please keep in mind that not all Gunsmoke episodes had Matt in gun fights and chasing outlaws. There were also lighthearted and even humorous episodes.

*This story will mention Amy Jensen. I know she was probably around eight years old in the episode, but she's going to be a little older in this story.

It was towards the end of the day, and Matt was sitting in his office finishing up some paperwork, while Festus was cleaning his gun. Being that it was the end of the day, normally Matt would head on home after finishing the paperwork, but this time he was waiting for Amy Jensen. She was going to come home with Matt and watch Ruby for a couple of hours while he and Kitty had an evening to themselves. They planned on having supper at Delmonico's. Matt crossed his last t and dotted his last i when the door to the jail opened. Mrs. Jensen walked inside.

"Hello, Mrs. Jensen," Matt greeted. "Is Amy outside? I brought the wagon to take her to the house. Ruby has been looking forward to spending this evening with her."

"I'm afraid that's why I'm here," said Mrs. Jensen. "Amy woke up this morning with a scratchy throat. We were hoping she would feel better later on, but that hasn't happened. Her throat is still scratchy, and she's been sneezing. We didn't want her around Ruby and give it ta her. I'm really sorry."

"There's no need to apologize," Matt reassured. "I hope Amy's feelin' better soon."

"Thank you, Marshal," said Mrs. Jensen. She turned to open the door and left the jail.

"Well, I guess that changes the plans Kitty and I had," sighed Matt. "It's too bad. We were really lookin' forward to this evening. Oh well, we'll just have ta do it some other time."

Festus had been listening the entire time. He didn't want Matthew and Miss Kitty to have to cancel their evening plans. "Now, Matthew, there ain't no reason that you 'n Miss Kitty can't spend time together this evenin'."

"Festus I think the fact that Amy can't watch Ruby is a good reason. Ruby can't stay by herself," Matt reminded Festus.

"I know Miss Ruby can't stay home by herself," said Festus. "I can stay with the youngin."

Matt thought for a moment about Festus' offer. He really was looking forward to some alone time with Kitty. However, could he trust Festus with his little girl? Wait a minute. What kind of question was that? Of course Matt could trust Festus with Ruby. Besides, it was only going to be for a few hours.

"If you don't mind watching Ruby, I'd really appreciate it," said Matt.

"I don't mind at all," said Festus. "It'll be great spendin' time with my godchild."

Another thought crossed Matt's mind. "What about the jail? Aren't you supposed ta be watching it tonight?"

"Newly and I were supposed ta watch it," Festus replied. "But I reckon he won't mind none if I was with Ruby for a few hours. He's over at his gunsmith shop. I'll mosey on over there right no w and let him know the plans."

Festus went over to the gunsmith shop to tell Newly of the plans. As Festus suspected, Newly had no problems with the slight changes. He too wanted Matt and Kitty to have some time to themselves.

"Alright, Matthew," said Festus as he returned to the jail. "Newly knows what's goin' on. He said he'd be here directly. I'll get old Ruth 'n follow ya home."

Matt and Festus were about to walk out, when Doc walked in. By the looks of it he could tell that Matt was getting ready to leave. Doc could also see that Festus was getting ready to leave.

"Where do you think your'e goin'?" Doc asked Festus. "I thought you and Newly were going to watch the jail tonight."

"It jest so happens I'm gonna follow Matthew to his place and watch Miss Ruby," Festus responded.

Doc pulled on his ear and swiped at his mustache. He looked at Festus and then at Matt. "I thought Amy Jensen was going to watch Ruby for a few hours this evening."

"She was, but Mrs. Jensen stopped by and said Amy isn't feeling well," Matt replied. "It sounds like she's getting a cold. They thought it would be best to stay away from Ruby, so she doesn't get sick. I agree."

"So you're gonna let him watch my granddaughter?" Doc asked Matt as he pointed to Festus. "Have you lost your mind?"

"Now listen, ya ol' scudder," said Festus. "I ain't gonna let nut'in bad happen to Miss Ruby. She's my godchild and I love her dearly. And I know if I did let anything bad happen to her, Matthew here and Miss Kitty would kill me."

"You can add me to that list," said Doc.

"Alright you two," said Matt, trying to stop the argument. "We have to get goin'. Kitty's gonna wonder where I am."

The three men walked out of the jail. Doc walked to Delmonico's to grab a quick bite to eat. Matt went to his wagon, and Festus went and mounted Ruth. Matt and Festus rode off to the Dillon house.

Kitty and Ruby were at home. Kitty was heating up some leftovers of pork chops and potatoes for Ruby and Amy to have for supper. Ruby was sitting at the table doing her favorite activity, coloring.

"Momma," said Ruby, getting Kitty's attention. "Do you think Amy wants to caww lor with me?"

"I'm sure she will if you ask her," said Kitty.

Kitty noticed how Ruby took her time saying color. A couple weeks ago Ruby was upset after Sunday school. Kitty asked Ruby what was wrong, and Ruby told her that Toby Stollman called her a baby because she talked like a baby. Both Matt and Kitty knew Ruby couldn't say her L's, but other than that she spoke clearly. Nevertheless, Kitty assured Ruby she didn't talk like a baby, but told Ruby she would help her work on saying her L's. Ruby was all for it. So for the last couple of weeks, that's exactly what Kitty and Ruby did. Kitty told Ruby it wouldn't be long until she could say her L's without even thinking about it.

Both Kitty and Ruby heard the front door open, telling them that Matt arrived home with Amy. However, after Matt shut the door, they heard another distinct sound, Festus' jangly spurs. Kitty and Ruby looked at each other.

"That sounds like Uncle Festus," said Ruby.

"It sure does," Kitty agreed. She was about to suggest they go and see what was going on, but Matt and Festus walked into the kitchen.

"There's my little gemstone," said Matt as he lifted Ruby out of the chair. He gave her a hug and a kiss, put her down, and then walked over to Kitty. "Hello, sweetheart." He pulled Kitty in his arms and gave her a gentle kiss on the lips.

"Daddy, where's Amy?" asked Ruby, beating Kitty to the same question.

"Mrs. Jensen stopped by the jail and said Amy wasn't feeling well," Matt answered. "But that's okay because Uncle Festus said he would stay with you while momma and I are gone for a little while."

Ruby had a look of concentration on her face. She turned to Festus. "Will you color with me?"

"Well golly bill, Miss Ruby," said Festus. "Of course I'll color with you. We'll have a great time while yer parents are gone."

"Yay!" Ruby exclaimed.

"Festus, I really appreciate you doing this," said Kitty. "I just finished heating up some leftovers for supper. If Ruby eats all the food on her plate, there are some cookies over on the counter. You can help yourself to the pork and potatoes while I get Ruby's plate ready"

"I could smell the vittles when I walked in," said Festus. "It smells wonderful."

Kitty walked the food over to the table and set it down. She dished up Ruby's food and cut up the meat for her. After preparing Ruby's plate, Kitty poured Ruby a glass of milk. Festus got his plate ready.

"Momma's gonna go and change her dress, and then daddy and I are gonna get goin," Kitty said to Ruby. "We'll come back in here and give you a kiss before we leave."

Kitty and Matt were in their room changing their clothes. Kitty put on a deep green dress that looked great with her red hair. Matt put on a darker pair of pants with his tweed coat. Kitty always loved the way he looked in that coat. When they were done changing their clothes, Matt and Kitty went into the kitchen to kiss their daughter goodbye. Before leaving, they told Festus what time to put Ruby to bed.

Festus had finished eating his supper and was waiting for Ruby to finish hers. It wasn't too long before she was finished. After Ruby finished, Festus took their dishes and put them in the wash basin. He had supper previous times at the Dillons and knew that Miss Kitty cleaned the dishes afterwards. Festus decided he would do the same thing. But first, he brought the plate of cookies to the table.

"How many cookies does yer momma let ya have?" Festus asked Ruby.

Inspiration suddenly struck Ruby. Uncle Festus didn't know that her momma only let her have one. "I get four 'cause I'm four years old."

Festus wasn't sure if Kitty allowed Ruby to have four cookies or not. But he didn't think Ruby would lie and the answer seemed logical, so he let her take four cookies. Ruby was very pleased that Uncle Festus let her have four cookies. Festus washed the dishes while Ruby ate her cookies.

"Alright Miss Ruby, the dishes are clean," said Festus. "Are ya finished with them there cookies?"

"Mmmmhmmm," Ruby answered, chewing the last piece of her last cookie.

"Golly bill, Miss Ruby," said Festus. "I swear ya got just as much cookie on yer face as ya did in yer tummy." Festus grabbed the cloth he washed the dishes with and cleaned Ruby's face. "Now that yer all clean, what do ya wanna do?"

"Let's go in the parlor room and play with my toys," Ruby responded. "We can color later."

"Sounds good," said Festus. He and Ruby went into the parlor.

Meanwhile, Matt and Kitty were on their way to town. They decided to take the buggy and not the wagon. They also decided to drive more slowly than they normally would. Matt and Kitty really weren't in a big hurry to get to Delmonico's. Both wanted to spend as much alone time as possible with one another. They loved their daughter immensely, but needed this time with one another.

TBC

*Author's Note: Part 2 will focus on more of Festus' babysitting of Ruby and Matt and Kitty's time together.