A Time to Heal, Chapter 4 "Differences"

This story contains plot elements from the Season 11 episode of Gunsmoke entitled “Seven Hours to Dawn” written by Clyde Ware, original air date September 18, 1965.  Directed by Vincent McEveety. 

Doc slipped quietly through the door after he knocked twice and no one answered.  Spying two still forms under the covers, he hesitated a moment, but then tiptoed around to Matt’s side of the bed to give his patient a quick examination.  Matt’s pulse was steady and his temperature was normal.  No sign of fever, thank heavens.  Doc’s mouth turned up at the corners when he noticed Matt’s large hand possessively holding Kitty’s smaller one between them on the bed, his fingers laced in hers.  If Doc were twenty years younger, he’d have given Matt Dillon a run for his money for the chance to be the one holding Kitty Russell’s hand…

Glancing over at the beautiful redhead lying peacefully beside Matt, he was struck by how young she looked with her hair down, soft curls escaping from the blue satin ribbon holding it.  Without her usual paint, he could see those charming little freckles sprinkled across her nose and chest and the sweet, rosy flush of sleep on her cheeks.  He shook his head in consternation at the thought of what she’d been through these last horrifying hours. 

Doc tiptoed back toward the bureau where he placed his bag, and froze in alarm when a floorboard squeaked loudly.  When he heard no signs of stirring from the bed, he dug carefully through his medical supplies.  Precisely measuring out an additional dose of laudanum into a glass, he scratched a quick note to Kitty on a scrap of paper to give it to Matt when he awoke. 

Intent upon leaving the two to sleep in peace, he turned from the bureau to find Kitty sitting up in bed watching him silently.  She gently extricated her hand from Matt’s embrace, slid quietly out from under the covers and walked toward him. 

“Goin’ somewhere, Doc?” she murmured.

“Well, Kitty,” Doc whispered.  “I left you this laudanum for Matt when he wakes up.  He’s got four bullet holes in him, and he’s gonna need something to ease the pain for a few days.”

Kitty winced at his words, and Doc put his hand on her arm.  “I think he’s gonna be just fine, Kitty.  We just need to keep him in bed for a while.  I know he doesn’t like taking pain medication, but at least it will make him stay put until he mends.”

Kitty pulled her arm from Doc’s grasp, looking away, and answered, “I know, Doc.  He’ll pull through alright.”

Doc sighed regretfully and began, “Kitty, I know you’re upset with me…”

“Doc, I don’t wanna’ talk about it…”

“No, I just need to explain…”

Just then, they heard a muffled groan, and Doc and Kitty both hurried to Matt’s bedside.

“Matt, how’re you feeling?” Doc asked, turning Matt’s head so that he could see the wound on his temple.

“Like hell…” Matt said through gritted teeth. 

Kitty rushed to get the dose of laudanum, looking anxiously to Doc who nodded his head at her. 

Doc cajoled, “Now, Matt, I know you don’t usually like to take pain medication but…”

“Shut up, Doc, and give it to me.”

“Alright!  No arguments from you, huh?  That’s good,” he chuckled.  “That’s very good.”

Matt grimaced as he swallowed the bitter liquid Kitty held for him.

“Well, Matt, since you’re going to be down for the count for a while longer, I think I’ll go get some supper.  Kitty, you want me to bring you something?”

“No, thanks, Doc.  I’ll just…”

“Nonsense.  You and Matt both have to eat.  You’ve got to keep your strength up.”  Doc turned, brooking no further argument.  “Get some rest, both of you, and I’ll be back later with something to eat.”

With that, Doc nodded and closed the door firmly behind him.

Matt grunted and tried in vain to get comfortable.  Kitty sat carefully beside him on the bed and adjusted his pillows until he eased back and sighed. 

“Just lie still and the medicine should start working soon,” Kitty whispered as she soothingly stroked the warm, bare skin of his arm.

Matt’s voice was quiet.  “What was all that business about, Kitty?”

“What ‘business’?”

“Between you and Doc…  I heard you arguing.”

“Nothing, Matt.”

“You told him you didn’t want to talk about it.  What didn’t you want to talk about?”

“Matt, really…”

“Kitty, tell me.  Why are you upset at Doc?”  Matt coughed and held his bandaged side.  “Does it have something to do with what you said to him this morning after I shot Mace Gore?”  His blue eyes seem to penetrate her but his pained voice was no more than a whisper.  “Did you really think I was dead?”

Kitty’s eyes welled as she fought to steady her voice.  “Matt, let’s talk about this when you’re feeling better.”

Moving stiffly, Matt grasped Kitty’s hand and held it tightly.  “Honey, I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”  His lips brushed her fingers as he said hoarsely, “But, you know, whatever Doc did to make you mad, whatever he had to do, I think he probably did it for a good reason.” 

Kitty bit her lip as she smiled gratefully at Matt, her vision a blur through her unshed tears.

Matt’s blue eyes were half-closed as the laudanum took hold of him.  He tugged Kitty closer and closer, until her lips met his for a sweet and gentle kiss.  Then he determinedly pulled her down on the bed next to him and said drowsily, “Doc would never do anything to intentionally hurt you, Kitty.  He loves you dearly.”

She lay on her side as close to his body as she could get without hurting him, hot tears splashing soundlessly from her eyes onto the white cotton sheet.  She started to answer him, but then she saw that he was sleeping peacefully, his pain thankfully forgotten.   

To be continued…

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