Monday
Red-eyed from 2 sleepless nights interspersed with crying jags, Vivian Claymore slumped in a chair in her parlor, re-packing wedding gifts to return to the senders. Kitty quietly watched from the doorway, her heart breaking for her old friend. Searches, inquiries and help from the local police had turned up no trace of Mathilda.
Vivian pressed her lips together, trying to hold back her tears. Kitty rushed in and wrapped her arms around her friend. "She's all right, Vivi. You'll hear from her soon." "You don't know that, Kitty." Vivian wiped her eyes with the palm of her hand, like a child. "Mathilda could be lost or hurt or both, and she has no money, she can't even buy food." "Vivi, that's why Jeffrey's out asking their friends and acquaintances if they've seen her. She must be going somewhere for meals, and a place to spend the night. In any event, I know she'll mull things over and come home soon. I believe that, so should you." Vivi forced a smile. "In the meantime come help me. I have to stay busy, or I'll lose my mind." She let out a long sigh. "I sent the girls off to school and encouraged Jason to go to work as usual. Having them here moping about won't help a thing."
Working side by side, packing gifts and writing notes, Vivian glanced at Kitty. "When Mathilda said the wedding was off, I dismissed her concerns. I should have discussed them women to woman. The whole thing took me off guard. Out of nowhere it troubles her that married woman don't have their own money, own their homes and if, heaven forbid they divorce, the man is given the children. I should have acknowledged that yes, that's how society works, but it doesn't mean a wife and mother can't be happy and have a satisfying life. It doesn't mean a woman can't influence her husband or make decisions about the household. I wish I'd had honest talk with her about such things." Kitty set her pen aside and looked into Vivi's worried eyes."And there will be plenty of time to have that talk when Mathilda comes home."
Dodge City
Mathilda Claymore stepped off the train into Dodge City holding a traveling satchel that contained change of clothes, and a drawstring purse that held a comb and the 92 cents she had left, after buying a seat on the train. Feeling very grown up, she spotted an arrow-shaped sign that said Front Street, so took off in that direction. She ambled down the walkway, in her green linen dress and white laced-up shoes, eyes peeled for a saloon. No one at home had mentioned the name of Kitty's place, but that really didn't matter. Any saloon would suit her plan of finding a job and becoming an independent woman, just like Kitty Russell. She went past a stable, a large general store, a dress shop and a bank before spotting a dusty, blue sign - The Lady Gay Saloon. Smoothing down her high-necked, mint-green dress, Mathilde peaked in the window. Grizzled men were scattered about drinking and playing cards. A rotund man with thinning hair was slouched behind the bar, smoking a cigar with one hand, and running a dirty rag across the counter with the other. He looked to be in charge, and so the man to speak to. Mathilda pushed through the batwing doors and marched over to the bar, trying to look like she'd done this kind of thing before. The saloon fell silent. All eyes turned to the pretty, young woman who surely must be lost. Summing her courage Mathilda looked the cigar smoking man in the eye. "Hello, I'm looking for the owner of this establishment." "That's me, Bill Barker's the name." He pulled his cigar from his thick lips, and blew smoke into the air. "You lost or something?" "Why no, Mr. Barker." Mathilda lifted her chin in an attempt to look sure of herself. "I'm looking for a job as a saloon girl. I'm hoping you have an opening." Barker rapidly flicked cigar ashes on the floor, as he scrutinized Mathilda's scrubbed face and fine yet modest clothes. Was somebody pulling a joke on him? "Um, you got any experience?" "Well no, but I learn fast. I graduated from the Ursuline Academy for Girls with very high grades." She again lifted her chin. Bill Barker puffed on his cigar, if this was a joke, it was a real strange one.
"Come on Bill, give her a job, it'll class up the joint." A thin bearded man with hallow cheeks and strange glowing eyes shuffled over, grinning at Mathilda. His gold front tooth glittered bright next to several missing ones. He reached into the pocket of his baggy pants, and plunked a handful of coins on the bar. "Here Bill, I'll pay a good price in advance, to be first when you got her ready and workin'." Bill eyed the coins; money wasn't meant to be turned away. "JEWEL GET DOWN HERE." He looked up to the second floor. A blond with bright orange lipstick and painted red cheeks emerged from a room and leaned over the railing. Her dress was so tight and low-cut, her breasts were close to falling out. Mathilda's eyes grew large as saucers. Jewel tossed back her hair. "What ya want boss. It's kinda early ta be workin' ya know." Bill pointed to Mathilda, who was trying hard to seem confident. She was unsure of what was happening, but determined to see it through. Surely no one meant her any harm. Barker blew cigar smoke into the air. "Jewel, this is my new hire. Take her upstairs, give her some flashy clothes and fix her face. A customer is waiting. Oh, find out her name. If it's too plain, give her a fancy one like you got." Jewel raised an eyebrow at Mathilda. She'd never seen a woman who looked like that, in a place this, but Bill was her boss and he paid her extra for showing new girls the ropes. She shrugged and made her way down the steps. "Come on honey, I got a dress that'll fit ya. Ya got nice hair. I'll have it fixed up in no time, and we'll get some color in the cute face of yours. Ya don't wanna keep a paying customer waiting, do ya?"
Panic seized Mathilda's heart, and her stubborn determination began to slip away. She froze in place, while at the same time wondering if she should turn and run. Jewel gripped Mathilda's wrist. "Come on. The sooner we get you dolled up, the sooner we both get paid."
New Orleans
Kitty and Vivi busied themselves as best they could all morning, while worrying about Mathilda. The front bell rang. They exchanged quick looks and raced to the foyer. Vivi threw open the door. It was Horace, their carriage driver. He saw their faces drop."I'm so sorry, it's just me. I picked up the family mail at the post office. Here you go Mrs. Claymore." With a sigh and a nod of thanks Vivi accepted the envelopes, and started sorting through them. "Kitty, I hope you're not expecting a letter from home. You haven't been here long enough for mail to arrive from Dodge."
Dodge - the word lit up something inside Kitty's brain. Mathilda had mentioned some crazy notion of going to Dodge. But no, she couldn't have done that. Vivi just said Mathilda had no money, so she couldn't have taken a train. They had to keep looking right here in New Orleans.
TBC