Chapter 45 "A Mother's Day Picnic"
Author's Note: The idea for Mother's Day started in 1907 by a woman named Anna Jarvis. It became an official holiday in 1914 by President Woodrow Wilson. Even though Mother's Day did not exist during the time of Gunsmoke, I decided to write a story with a Mother's Day theme. This is for all the moms, grandmothers, godmothers, aunts, etc. Thank you, themarshalswoman09, for the idea of a Mother's Day story for Kitty.
The Jail
Matt and Doc sat in Matt's office enjoying a cup of coffee and a game of checkers. Normally Matt was attuned to the game whenever they played, but today Doc could see that Matt's mind seemed to be elsewhere. "Are you gonna focus on this game, or do you wanna stop?" Matt was caught off guard by Doc's question. "I'm focused on the game." Doc tugged on his ear. "Oh, you are? I just moved two of my pieces and you didn't say a thing." Matt looked at the board and then at Doc. "Well, if you win, it's because you cheated."
Knowing that Matt was not in the mood to continue the game, Doc moved the game board aside. "Tell me what seems to be bothering you." Matt took a drink of the dark black liquid in his cup. He put the cup down, but kept his focus on it. Matt took a deep breath and answered Doc. "It's Kitty." Doc didn't know what answer he expected from Matt, but he certainly didn't expect that. "Kitty? What's wrong with Kitty? Is she alright? Has she been feeling sick?" Doc was now concerned. Kitty was like a daughter to him. If she had been feeling poorly, certainly she would've come to him.
"Oh no, nothing like that." Matt wanted to quickly douse Doc's fear that something was wrong with Kitty. "You had me scared there for a minute. You said Kitty was bothering you. What about her is bothering you?" Another thought occurred to Doc. "Is your marriage going alright? The two of you seem to love and cherish one another." At least that's what Doc saw in their eyes when he saw them with each other. But maybe things were different when Matt and Kitty were alone. "Doc, I love that woman with every fiber of my being, and I know she feels the same way about me. We have a beautiful little girl that we both absolutely adore. I guess Ruby is part of my concern in regards to Kitty.
Doc didn't say anything. He waited for Matt to continue. "Ever since Ruby turned six years old, Kitty seems to be sadder than usual. It seems to bother her that her baby is growing up. I obviously can't stop Ruby from growing up." Matt's voice was reduced to a whisper. "And I can't give her any more babies." Doc wiped his hand over his mustache. He knew he had to say something to ease Matt's mind. "Has Kitty said anything about wanting more babies?" Matt shook his head no. "Well, then I wouldn't dwell on that. I think what Kitty needs is some special time with Ruby, time away from home."
Matt liked the idea of Kitty and Ruby having special time together, but not away from home. "Doc, you know how I feel about my girls traveling without me." "Oh shaw! Kitty and Ruby are more than capable of taking a trip together. Kitty has taken plenty of business trips in the past by herself. Just make sure they don't take a stagecoach." Matt rolled his eyes. He and Doc were both well aware of Kitty's luck with stagecoaches. "I'll consider mentioning that to Kitty." Doc stood up to leave. "I need to get back to my office." Opening the door, Doc left the jail, leaving Matt to contemplate what Doc had told him.
The Dillon House
Matt and Kitty were putting Ruby to bed. Ruby was kneeling in front of her bed, saying her nighttime prayer. "God bless momma. God bless daddy. God bless Grandpa Doc. God bless Uncle Festus. God bless Uncle Newly. God bless Uncle Sam. God bless Buck. God bless Ruth. God bless Aunt Bess." Realizing Ruby was about to bless the entire Ronniger family, Kitty spoke up. "Why don't you ask God to bless the Ronniger family, instead of each one separately?" Ruby turned to look at her momma. "Alright, but I hope God doesn't get mad that I cut my prayer short." "I'm sure he won't get mad." Kitty assured Ruby. Ruby turned around and finished her prayer. "God bless the Ronniger family. Amen." Ruby stood up, climbed into bed, and under the covers. Kitty arranged Annie and Lulu on the sides of Ruby and bent down to give Ruby a kiss. Upon receiving her kiss from her momma, Ruby sat up. "Oh no." Kitty looked at Ruby with knitted eyebrows. "What's wrong?" Ruby turned to her left and then to her right. "I forgot to ask God to bless Annie and Lulu. Kitty now realized Ruby was stalling. "You can do that tomorrow night. It's time to go to sleep. Goodnight, baby girl." "Momma, I'm a big girl." Ruby reminded her momma. It was Matt's turn to give Ruby a kiss goodnight. "No matter how old you are, you will always be our baby girl and our little gemstone." He bent down to give his daughter a kiss. "Sweet dreams. We'll see ya in the morning."
After leaving Ruby's bedroom, Matt and Kitty walked out to the parlor. Kitty walked over to the fireplace mantle and picked up a picture of Ruby. Ruby was six months old in the picture. The picture was taken in Spearville. The three of them had taken a small trip there five and a half years ago to get out of Dodge for a few days. Matt knew now was a good time to bring up Doc's suggestion to Kitty. "Have you ever thought about you and Ruby taking a trip together?" Kitty turned around and stared at Matt. "By ourselves? I didn't think you liked us traveling alone." She knew how Matt felt about her and Ruby traveling without him. "Yeah I know, but you just seem to be having a hard time with Ruby getting older. I thought some time alone with her might help."
Kitty had a feeling it wasn't Matt's idea for her and Ruby to spend some time together. "You said something to Doc about the way I've been lately." Suddenly feeling guilty, Matt slowly nodded his head. "I"m sorry, Kitty, but you've made me worried. I hate ta see ya so sad. Doc suggested you and Ruby spend some special time together. I think he's right. The two of you can celebrate you being a wonderful mother to Ruby."
Kitty wasn't upset with Matt. "Any time I'm with her is a special time. We don't have to take a trip to do that. A picnic as a family after Sunday services would be just wonderful." Matt thought Kitty would jump at the chance to take Ruby on a trip. He was taken back when she said would rather go on a picnic. "I'm surprised you're turning down a trip." Kitty smiled at Matt. "If I'm going to go on any trips, I'd rather go as a family and make memories. That's why I want us to go on a picnic as a family. Besides, I wouldn't be a momma if it weren't for you." Matt slightly blushed at Kitty's declaration. "Come on, Mrs. Dillon. Let's go ta bed." Kitty always got a trill when she could make Matt blush. Even after all these years, she could still do that. "Lead the way, cowboy."
Salt Creek
Sunday had arrived. Kitty was finishing getting ready for Sunday services, while Matt was trying to explain to Ruby the reason they were going on a picnic after Sunday services. "What do you mean the picnic is to celebrate momma? She already had a birthday." Ruby was confused. "We're not celebrating her birthday. We're celebrating that she's such a great momma to you. Ta celebrate, we're gonna spend some special time together at a picnic." You could almost see the gears in Ruby's mind turning. A minute had passed, when a smile slowly spread across her face. "I think I understand. We're having a 'We love momma' picnic." Matt chuckled. "That's a good way to look at it."
Kitty entered the parlor all ready to go. She noticed that Ruby was wearing her little Stetson hat she received for her birthday. "Ruby, you are not wearing that hat to Sunday services. Please go and put on your Sunday hat." Ruby was about to argue, but then remembered today was a special day for momma and decided against arguing. "Okay, momma." Ruby took her Stetson off, went to her bedroom, and returned with her Sunday bonnet.
The Dillons left Sunday services and rode out to Salt Creek to have their picnic. Ruby loved the idea of celebrating her momma. Before leaving their house, Kitty packed a picnic basket of ham sandwiches, hard boiled eggs, and some apples. She also packed some cinnamon and sugar to sprinkle on the apples. Matt packed the canteens. Ruby packed her coloring books and coloring sticks so she and momma could color together. "Are you sure you don't want to spend time with just you and Ruby?" Matt asked Kitty. "I already told you that I want you to come along, unless you don't want to go." "I definitely want to go. A picnic with my two favorite ladies sounds mighty fine."
"Aright ladies, this looks like a perfect spot for a picnic." Matt brought the wagon to halt. After climbing off the seat, Matt helped Kitty and Ruby get down. Matt grabbed the picnic basket from the back of the wagon, while Kitty grabbed the checkered blanket and the canteens. Ruby carried her coloring book and coloring sticks. "Matt, help me with the blanket." Matt put the picnic basket down and took two corners of the blanket. He and Kitty spread the blanket out.
With the blanket spread out, Matt put the basket in the middle of it. "I don't know about the two of you, but I'm gettin' hungry." Ruby put her stuff down next to the basket. "My tummy sure is hungry." Kitty probably could have waited an hour or so to eat, but didn't want to keep Matt and Ruby waiting. "Well, I guess it's settled. We'll eat now." Kitty opened the basket and pulled out three plates. She gave one to Matt and kept the other two so she could put food on them for her and Ruby. Kitty prepared Ruby's plate and then her plate. When Kitty finished putting food on her plate, Matt piled his plate with food. The trio enjoyed the ham sandwiches, hard boiled eggs, and apples sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar.
After they finished eating, Kitty packed up the picnic basket, and Matt carried it to the wagon. He returned to his family. "I think I'll take a nap. That delicious food has made me sleepy. You girls enjoy some time together." Matt reclined on the blanket and folded his arms behind his head. He closed his eyes and was soon breathing deeply. Kitty knew what Matt was doing and appreciated it. "Ruby, you brought your coloring books and coloring sticks. You and I can do some coloring together." A smile spread across Ruby's face. Coloring was one of her favorite pastimes, and doing it with her momma made it even better. "Sure!" Ruby decided she was going to give her picture to her momma. "Momma, don't look at my picture. I wanna surprise you with my picture." "Don't worry. I won't look. I'll be too busy coloring my own picture."
For the next half an hour or so, Kitty and Ruby colored their pictures. Kitty probably could have finished hers sooner, but she took extra time. She could see that Ruby was really trying to take her time, and Kitty didn't want to rush her. Not only that, Kitty didn't want to rush the time she was spending with Ruby. Ruby finished her coloring and looked at her work. Satisfied with what she saw, Ruby turned to her momma. "Here, momma. Will you tear this page out? I colored it for you." Ruby handed Kitty her coloring book. Kitty accepted the book and admired the picture Ruby colored. "You did such a neat job coloring. I love it. I'll tear it out when we get home. That way it won't blow away." "Okay, momma."
Ruby had been sitting for a while and decided she needed to stretch her legs. A little ways down the creek she spotted some flowers. She knew how much her momma loved flowers. "Momma, let's go pick some flowers." Ruby pointed to the flowers she wanted to pick. "We can do that, but we need to tell daddy where we're going so he doesn't worry about us, if he wakes up while we're gone." Kitty shook Matt's shoulder to wake him up. Matt opened his eyes and stretched. "Are you ready to go?" "No, not yet. I just wanted to let you know that Ruby and I are going to walk over there and pick some flowers. We didn't want to worry about us, if we weren't here when you woke up. I hope you're not upset that I woke you up." Matt sat up. "Of course not. I'll wait here while the two of you pick flowers. We'll head back home when yer done."
Matt watched Kitty and Ruby as they wandered off to a patch of flowers. Both of his girls really seemed to be enjoying themselves. More importantly Kitty seemed to be enjoying herself. Matt hadn't seen her this happy for several weeks. He just hoped this happiness would continue for Kitty.
"Momma, there are so many pretty flowers to pick," said Ruby as she started to pick some wild violets. "There most certainly are," Kitty agreed. "I'm gonna pick you a bunch of flowers to take home," Ruby said as she continued her task of picking the flowers. Kitty picked flowers too. She would add hers to Ruby's bouquet, or have two separate bouquets, one for the kitchen table and one for the table in the parlor.
Rattle. Rattle. Rattle. Both Kitty and Ruby heard the familiar sound of a rattlesnake. Kitty turned and saw the snake was within striking distance of Ruby. Ruby saw the snake and was petrified. Kitty whispered to her. "Ruby, stand very still. Don't move." Matt had also heard the rattling and quickly jumped into action. Kitty was relieved when she saw Matt coming. She didn't want to yell for him in fear that it would spook the snake. Matt quietly got into a position where he could shoot and kill the snake. BANG! The snake was instantly dead, and Ruby hit the ground. She was always told to get to the ground when she heard gunshots.
Kitty quickly went over to Ruby. Matt holstered is gun and went to Ruby. Kitty crouched down and helped Ruby up. "It's okay, sweetie. That gunshot came from daddy's gun. He killed the snake." Ruby grabbed her flowers and stood up. She looked up at her daddy. "Thanks, daddy. I was almost a goner." Matt and Kitty caught each other's gaze. "I'm glad you came along." Matt nodded. "Me too." Ruby spoke up and broke the tender moment. "Do you like my pretty flowers? They're for momma." "Pretty flowers for a pretty momma," Matt replied. "Let's head home."
The Dillon House
Matt and Kitty left Ruby's room, quietly shutting the door behind them. The little girl was exhausted. She was asleep the moment her head hit her pillow. "Matt, today was absolutely wonderful. I will cherish it for years to come." Matt smiled at Kitty. "I'm glad you had a wonderful time. Are you going to write about it in Ruby's memory book?" Kitty tried to stifle her yawn, but failed. "Yes, but not tonight. I'm too tired. I'll write in it tomorrow, while Ruby is in school." The house had been locked up and everything outside had been taken care of. "I'm pretty tired myself. How about we go to our room and retire for the evening?" Kitty liked Matt's suggestion. "That sounds like an excellent plan."
It didn't take Matt and Kitty long to get ready for bed. The longest task for Kitty was removing her hairpins, but not today. Today she simply pulled her sides back in a ponytail and let the rest of her hair hang down. She didn't need hairpins when she did that. As the couple climbed into bed, Matt gathered Kitty in his arms. "Matt, I want to thank you for suggesting I spend some time with Ruby. It's exactly what I needed. She's growing up so quickly. Maybe we could make a tradition of this." Matt gently rubbed his hand up and down Kitty's back. "You're a great mother, Kitty. Ruby is so blessed to have you as her mother. Maybe some time in the future a day will be set aside once a year to celebrate all mothers." "Mmmhmm. That would be nice," Kitty sleepily mumbled before drifting off to sleep. Matt kissed the top of Kitty's forehead. "You and a lot of mothers out there certainly deserve it."
The End of this story.
Happy Mother's Day!