Behind the bar at the Long Branch, Sam filled two beer mugs, and slid them over to Matt and Doc as the three continued to chat. The batwing doors flew open, and Kitty marched in, followed by Vivian Claymore looking abashed and out of place. Kitty shot Matt a look that clearly stated: Don't join us - I'll fill you in later. She grabbed 2 glasses, snatched a bottle of good whiskey, and went to the rear of the room. Vivi silently joined her, and without making eye-contact, they sat down across from each other. Kitty filled the glasses. "My guess is your only experience with alcohol, is a glass of celebratory champagne now and then, so sip this slow." Vivi lifted a glass in the air, looked at it hard and did as instructed. "Whoa, kinda burns." She put the glass down and sighed. Kitty crossed her arms on the table. "Is that what you've thought of me all these years - a childless whore?" "No, no." Vivi slowly raised her eyes and looked at Kitty. "I'm ashamed and embarrassed, that I chose to say words I didn't believe, just to hurt you. I was terrified - terrified that if Mathilda didn't accept what I wanted for her, she'd be ruining her life. When it seemed you weren't taking my side, I lashed out." Kitty's eyebrow flew up, "You sure did." "Kitty, what I said was horrible, mean and untrue, but surely you know how much I've always respected and admired you - your independence and your bravery. When we were kids you'd think nothing of climbing the highest tree to get us apples. And remember how, at the age of 8 or 9, you stood up to old Sister Scholastica, when she punished the wrong child. You're an amazing person Kitty, and you've built a fine life. The things I said were unforgivable, yet I hope you can find it within you, to forgive a mother who let her irrational fears for child, strip her sanity away."
A few seconds passed, and Kitty offered a slow and thoughtful nod. Vivi took a long drink from her glass "What about me, Kitty? Do you think I'm just a pathetic little wife who meekly begs her husband for things, and is afraid to speak her mind?" Kitty shook her head, "I spoke in anger too. You're not afraid of Jason. If you were, you'd have said so in your letters, and I'd see it in your eyes. Creating a peaceful environment is part of who you are. That's why, back in the day, when my father brought anger and chaos into my mother's life and mine, you were my place of refuge. Prioritizing harmony in your home doesn't mean you're pathetic and scared, you just have your own way of handling things. Vivi, we are very different women. We understand each other, but we wouldn't trade lives for all the money in the world." Vivi smiled wryly, "I wish I'd realized sooner, that Mathilda has the right to find a life that suits her too, instead of being sure that I knew best."
The woman fell silent, sipping their drinks, and feeling the ice between them melt. "Kitty, Mathilda will be all right, won't she? "She'll be more than all right. You raised an amazing and gifted young woman." Vivi lifted her glass. "Let's toast to Mathilda." Kitty clinked her half empty glass against Vivi's. "To Mathilda and to us." The ladies swallowed the last of their drinks, and Vivi got to her feet. "I'd better send Jason a telegram. I have to let him know I'm bringing Mathilda home, but only for a visit, before she heads off to Topeka. Poor Jason, it will be hard for him to get used to the idea, but I know how to help him along." She smiled at Kitty and hurried off.
Late the Night
Sighing with satisfaction, Kitty snuggled closer to Matt and rested her head on his broad, naked chest. He wrapped his arm around her and chuckled, "I wish I'd been a fly on the wall when you and Vivi went at in Mathilda's room. From your description, it musta been something to see." "Not a fine moment for either of us, but Mathilda got her mother to listen, and like I said, Vivi and I had a good talk in the Long Branch."
She felt Matt slowly and stiffly shift his arm,"So Cowboy, you didn't tell me what happened to that left shoulder of yours." "What do you mean?" She rolled her eyes. "I'm not blind, deaf and dumb, Matt. You have a new scar, your shoulder's stiff and you told me all about Stu Sullivan's capture, expect for the details of exactly how he resisted arrest." Matt kissed the top of her head. "I should know there's no point in not telling you things. So - Sullivan got a knife in that shoulder. Doc tended it. It's stiff but it'll be fine."
They grew quiet, but Matt knew what Kitty was thinking. He'd been having those thoughts too. "Yep, another wound - this body of mine's taken a beaten over the years. The one leg in particular, and that limp will only get worse. When I stop and think, I admit to myself, there's only a year or so of marshaling left in this body of mine. Besides, I see big changes in this town, this state, the whole country. Good changes, that I'm proud I helped bring about. But, there's rightness to having younger men take up the torch from here, and push things forward." Kitty gently rubbed his chest, making circles with her fingertips. "Then Matt, we should start talking about life after your badge - the kind of thing you want do next, and about us. I know we expect we'll marry, but I - we have to make decisions on what our married lives will look like. Ready to do that?" Matt pulled her closer without answering. He'd been a lawman since he lied about his age to be hired as a deputy. The badge, with it's call to duty, had been with him since his teens. Thinking of life without it was a challenge, on the other hand, surviving it was an unexpected blessing, especially surviving it with someone at his side. Kitty turned her head and looked in his eyes. "Well, ready to start that conversation?" "Yep." He gave a firm nod. Challenges are meant to be met, and blessings embraced. "I'm ready."
Two Days Later
The depot was busy with passengers boarding the train from Dodge to New Orleans, and all points in between. Mathilda Claymore, bags in hand, looked up at Matt Dillon. "Marshal, in the Lady Gay Saloon you saw me at my most naive and frankly, my most stupid moment. But you didn't treat me like a foolish child. You always listened and considered what I said. I thank you for that." "We all make mistakes, Mathilda, that's how we learn. You've got a good head on your shoulders, and a real strong spine. You're gonna do fine. Just remember, if you need my help in any way, I'm a telegram away." She reached out and shook his hand. "Thank you, I will remember that."
Vivi held Kitty by the shoulders. "I know our friendship is still healing from the terrible fight I started, but won't you come back and finish your visit? You were barely there a week, and planned to stay at least three." "Vivi, we still are and will always be friends, and hopefully we'll laugh about that fight one day, but you should have true family time while Mathilda's in New Orleans. Besides, I'm somehow enjoying Dodge more than ever; seeing my friends, and running my business. My bartender Sam does a good job keeping it going, but an owner's touch is different. And, Matt and I - we, well..." Vivi kissed Kitty's cheeks. "I know, I'll mail the trunk you left at my place as soon as I get back."
Mathilda walked over to say goodbye to Kitty, and Vivi sought Dillon out. "Well Matt, it's been a pleasure meeting you, despite the conflict we had about my daughter." He took off his hat, "The pleasure's mine, Vivi." She signaled for him to lean over so she could whisper in his ear. "Listen, when the day comes for you and Kitty to marry, I expect an invitation. And I have a word of advice. Don't expect everything about your marriage to roll along a well worn path, if you know what I mean." He straightened up and gave a crooked smile. "This is Kitty we're talking about." Vivi looked into Matt's clear blue eyes - Dang, Kitty sure picked the right man.
The locomotive whistle sounded twice, as a last call for passengers to come aboard. Matt helped the ladies climb into the car, and watched with Kitty as the train lurched forward, and sped into the distance.
"Matt, what was that whispering Vivi was doing in your ear?" "Oh, something about getting a wedding invitation. And implying that a certain marriage may not exactly be bound by every tradition - something like that." Kitty laughed out loud. "That's why we have to keep talking. But right now, I have to get back to the Long Branch, and you have a pile of work on your desk." She took his arm and they went down the walkway, Matt shortening his strides and Kitty lengthening hers until they were perfectly in sync. She looked up at him and smiled. "I don't know if I mentioned this, Cowboy, but I sure am glad to be home."
The End
AN: Thank you readers for sticking with the story, and for your great comments and plot ideas. I love them all. Sarah, Beverly and GSwatcher, I'd reach out to you individually if I could.