"Always",Pt.17

                                                                                   Pt.17

                                                                                “Always”


There was a Long Silence….The Young woman for a Minute turned her back to Kitty and Mary….
Then, Kitty motioning for Mary…to be still…moved forward ….Look!  I.., I.. Don’t know why ..,
You think.. I….Just Shut up!  She screamed at Kitty…  You Murdered My Father!      He may not have been the most Loving…? But, he was all I had!… and you took that away from me..  So Why should you get to live your Life… and be happy?    Look I don’t even know who you are???  Or Who your father is?
Don’t you mean was.. HE’S Dead !…Remember You Shot Him!   I’m Sorry I don’t know Who or What your talking about?   Maybe if you tell me….Who…You…  Look let’s start with Who you are?
Again, the Young Woman sat Silent…. Then in a very quiet slightly sobbing Voice……Sarah!
My name is Sarah…. Well, Sarah,    I’m sure there’s been some sort of mistake here….   No!  his men told me everything!    They said the Redhead woman from Dodge…Murdered My Father!   They said you Shot him ..over an argument.   What was it Money?…My Father was a Rich Man… And I know you work in a Saloon..    Mary stomped her foot…in anger…  My Momma owns her own Business!…she didn’t need anyone else’s Money.     Shhhh, Mary Let me…it’s ok.   Sarah ? Where did this happen?    Sarah didn’t answer… come with me… I want you to see….  She lead Kitty and Mary to the side of the House…and around the back…to a garden area…there stood Two headstones… When Kitty and Mary looked down..
And Sarah handed them a lamp…Kitty inhaled deep!    First she saw Elizabeth, Beloved Wife and Mother
Then beside, it was a more recent Grave.. Beloved Husband and Father “Harlen Shaffer”   Kitty Exhaled.


Oh, Sarah!..  I,.. How do I begin to tell you….?   You need to know.. What really happened.
How your Father really Died.    And Why!   I do Know…You Shot Him To Death!, Sarah said.
Yes, I shot your Father…, But I shot him in self-defense …and I was protecting my family. My pregnant
Daughter, and two small grandsons.. from your father and his men.   I don’t believe You! She screamed.
Sarah it’s true…   I don’t think you knew your father the way other people did?   I’m not saying he wasn’t good to you…   But he was different with other people.    Kitty now had both hands on Sarah’s shoulders..
Honey, Please, you need to listen to me.. You need to hear this….If you will listen I’ll tell you everything?
Kitty walked her back to the house….Please, Let sit… Let me tell you from the beginning…?  With a little hesitation…and slightly tear-filled eyes…   Go on….  Here sit…Mary Just watched.. and listened…


About six months ago …My daughter Beth, Mary older sister, wrote me telling me there was a problem
And they needed help…My husband was away…. So I traveled to Springfield, Colorado  this is where they lived.   Beth explained to me ..this man, Your father was trying to force, all the ranchers to sell their properties to him…Shaking her Head.. Father wouldn’t do that! Sarah interjected.    I’m sorry Sarah ,but, Yes He was …anyway.. when they wouldn’t go along ..he made threats, and with some…followed through..
He even hired some of his men to kidnap Beth husband , to try and take advantage of her vulnerability, being a woman alone.. with young Children.  Well, My being there interrupted his plan … I wouldn’t back down.  So that night.. Your father.. and two of his men ..came to My daughter’s Ranch…in the middle of the night…I believe with intention on Harming us…and burning down the Home, possibly with us in it…
But, I heard them …I hid my Daughter and the children…to protect them.. What about yourself,? Sarah asked.  Sarah…. What about You? Answer me!    Kitty looked away, briefly…not wanting Mary to hear this part…He brutally Beat me…so when I could make my way, crawling in the dark to where I knew I had a Gun…I aimed at his shadow and SHOT!     And Yes…It Killed Him!… But if he had his way that night ..
He would have Killed me and My Family!      Mary, was now sitting crying on a chair in a corner….
Kitty just stopped talking….Sarah sat in tears…but Silent!       Then…Is Beth alright?…with furrowed brow
…What?    Your Daughter.. is she alright?   Yes.  Her babies?… Yes.   Her Husband?   Yes. 
And this is all true?   Every word?     Oh, Sarah….. Kitty moved to place her hand on her shoulder.. but she pulled away…    

                                                                                    TBC