This chapter contains a
smattering of plot from the Gunsmoke episode Daddy-O, Season 2
(June 1, 1957) written by John Meston.
“Kitty?”
“Mmm…?”
“Kitty? I’m sorry… Wake up, honey…”
Kitty rubbed her eyes drowsily so that she could just make
out Matt’s form leaning over her bed in the moonlit room. “Wh…what is it, Matt? Is something wrong?”
“I told you I’d be back later to discuss the problem with
your father…” He cleared his
throat. “Here I am…” Matt sighed.
“I’m really sorry it’s so late, but after I got back from the Bugg farm,
there was a brawl out back of the Lady Gay, and Chester and I had to take a whole
bunch of cowhands and two saloon girls to the jail. It was a mess, I’ll tell you…”
She giggled groggily, and he caressed her sleep-flushed
cheek. “Gosh, I’m sorry, honey, but I’m
here now… And why in heaven’s name is
your door still not locked?!” He jerked
his thumb at the door. “I just waltzed
right in here!”
Kitty smiled sleepily at him, “It’s not locked because I was
waiting for you, silly man.” She gave an
enormous yawn. “Did Bill let you into
the saloon?”
“Yeah… Hey, have you
ever thought about putting in an outside entrance to this room? Maybe some stairs leading down to the back
alley? So you don’t have to be so
obvious and go through the public room to…to get here…I mean…”
Beaming happily and raking tousled curls out of her eyes,
she said, “I think that’s a fine idea, Matthew Dillon.” She sat up and patted the bedside. “I’m just pleased you’re back.”
Matt thought she looked so young and sweet, wearing only a
loose, thin, white cotton shift with her hair in a messy braid over one
shoulder. A man could get used to
this. He sat down with a tired sigh, and
she kneeled on the bed behind him, taking off his hat and depositing it on the
bedpost. She helped him remove his boots
and slide them under the bed, then shrug off his vest and shirt, tossing them
on a chair. The pants were the last to
go.
She snuggled up behind him, her body still warm from the
bedclothes, and nestled her chin on his shoulder. She raked her nails slowly back and forth across
his back, causing an involuntary shudder throughout his aching muscles. “Oh, Kitty… “
“Mmm?”
“That feels good.”
“Hard night, huh?”
“Yeah…now tell me what is going to happen tomorrow. When your father is ready to leave for New
Orleans…”
“Well, I told you I wanted to give him a chance to show his
true colors. I’m going to show up for
the trip with no money. To see how he
reacts. Will you go there with me,
Matt? I don’t know what to expect…”
“Sure, I’ll go with you, Kitty. You think you have a pretty good idea what
he’ll do?”
“Unfortunately, yes.
I don’t think he really wants me.
I think he only wants my money.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself, Kitty. Any man would be lucky to have a daughter
like you.”
“He doesn’t think so.
He doesn’t think I’m a proper lady.”
“You’re all the lady I’d ever need…”
“Oh, Matt, you’re just saying that.”
“No, I’m not, honey.”
“You’re so good to me, Matt.
What did I ever do to deserve you?”
Matt could see tears shining in her eyes in the moonlight.
“Because you’re my sweet girl…” He touched her face softly and drew her near
for a kiss. Kitty broke away long enough
to wriggle her nightgown up.
Matt helped Kitty pull the shift over her head and asked,
“What’s this?” It was a key on a green
ribbon tied around her neck.
“It’s yours.”
“Mine?”
“Yeah, yours, Matt.
So I can lock my door and you can still get in. Okay?”
“Okay, honey.” He
pulled the ribbon over her head and looped it around his own neck, hanging over
his heart, for safe-keeping.
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