PT.5
“ Be My Hands”
Kitty convinced Jessup, to let her check on the Ronniger Children in the upstairs Room.
Actually , besides making sure they were all ok, she had a plan…When she talked to the Kids
They explained to her that Bess and two of the Girls, took a trip.. To see Bess’ Sister in Topeka.
Who was recuperating from a long illness. Being that Josh, had been so exhausted ..and still downstairs
Kitty worked out a plan , For Robbie and Will Jr. to sneak out a window, and try to get into Dodge..
Kitty knew that, Newly was left in charge while Matt was away. But, Also Knew he could get word to Matt, if need be. So, They tied Sheets together, so the two could climb down ,….figuring the three never counted the children, she didn’t worry about them missing Robbie and Will Jr. …Jessup , was getting
Restless about kitty being upstairs so long and started up the stairs after her… just as he reached the top ..Kitty appeared at the door… coming face to face with him, He said,…there you are Red…!looking right into Kitty eyes.. what took you so long? He asked .You singing them lullaby’s ?..rocking them to sleep?. .checking the closet for monster’s?…. Kitty stared right back at him, showing him she had no fear…NO!, the Monster’s are in their Living room! These little one have a right to be scared!… Do you wonder why? You’ve invaded their home, hurt the father.! Jessup grabbed Kitty by the arm and pulled he close to him and said … Red, that may not be all I do before this is all over….then laughed in a creepy tone. Kitty pulled away ..and looked at him very stiff jawed and said .. I told you not to touch me again!
Once they were back down stairs, Doc, kept watching Kitty, wanting to remind her to keep her head…
About her … he knew as well as Matt that ..her mouth sometimes gets her in more trouble.
Both Robbie and Will Jr. did as Kitty had asked them to do… they ran as quickly as they could, In the August heat, even being young boys they were terribly drained . When they reached Dodge, Newly wasn’t at the Marshal’s Office. He had been out on a call . Some one sent for him to come out and look into problem they were having some one was stealing calf’s from their Ranch. Sam, Saw the two boys, and asked them what was wrong and why they were in town alone. ? Sam, was already concerned ,because Doc and Kitty had already, been well overdue returning from their run of checking on the families, outside of Dodge . Kitty had said they’d be maybe a week total , it was close to two weeks now.
Sam, got the boys cooled down and something to eat , then he heard Newly, was back and sent Louie, to get him…Louie ran into the office…. Newwwwly… Newwwwly…. Sam , needs you in the Long branch. Newly hurried as fast as he could… pushing through the batwing doors… Sam, he said.. What is it? Newly ..we have a problem! Well, …. It Doc, and Miss Kitty. Newly looked shocked… What?, what about them Sam? Well, Robbie and Will Jr. here ..came looking for you and said Miss Kitty sent them .. Said there’s trouble out at their place. Newly sat down and looking at the boys, ok, Boys tell me what happened.? Will Jr., started, Well, Mr. O’Brien… and he began the story of the day… Then Newly told the boys to stay with Sam, Will Jr. wanted to go with Newly, but newly objected. No, Will .. Stay here.. it better that way, the less people out there the better, Will jump in again, but it my family out there… Again Newly said I understand Son, but , Please… stay here… ! Let me handle this and besides, I‘m wiring the Marshal he is due back and I need you to explain this all to him just like you did to me … ok? Knowing this would , satisfy the boy temporarily . …….Then Newly , rode off.
Kitty walk over to sit next to Doc… He tilted his head close to her and said …Kitty, Honey.. Maybe it’s not a good idea to push them? Oh , Curly…I know what I like to do to them? Those children are so scared.
, Curly..? Are you ok?.. You’ve been favoring that arm… Doc , just shook his head…it’s fine.. But Kitty knew better… Will, Ronniger was getting weaker… Doc and Kitty, were getting worried, finally..Doc burst out and said.. Look … I fixed your friend there.. Let me see to this man now.. He’ll DIE if I don’t…
Yeah, Yeah,…go on … do what you must…Jessup spouted out… Doc talk the two men into moving Will into the room in the back.. So he could see what he could do. He had Kitty boil some water.. And rip up her petticoat, into strips to use for cloth…. And bandages. But, Watching Doc,… Kitty saw something was wrong. Again she asked…Doc? I know you said before nothing was wrong but, I’ve been watching you.. And something IS WRONG. When you fell…, your hurt.. Is it a sprain?.. Or is it Broke? Doc.. Please?
Ok, Kitty .. When he let her look…. His arm and hand was bruised and swollen… Kitty place her hand to her mouth…and took a deep breath in , Oh Doc! Kitty , I’m gonna need your Help………… sure How?
First with this Arm, he said. I need something to brace it with. Ok, I’ll get you something… and she left and come back with two boards. Then he told her what he needed her to do…. Now Honey ..I’m gonna need you to help me snap this into place when I tell you.. Ok? Do you understand? Oh Doc….
It ok… I’ll be ok… but you need to do this for me, he said. Alright , I‘ll do it, kitty said , but cringed at the thought. A few minutes later , the task was done . And they place the boards on his arm as splints and wrapped them tight to hold. Then Kitty said to Doc…. Curly , How are you gonna work on Will like that? Honey I’m Not. And he hesitated .. tilting her head and looking at him arching her brow… I don’t understand…? Kitty , Honey YOU are gonna be my hands! OH , Now Curly Wait One Minute!
Doc, not letting her say another word, Kitty we don’t have a choice… Will needs us. He will die if we don’t do this.. Honey you can do this. Doc , I know I’ve watch you dig a multitude of Bullets out of Matt
But watching and doing is two completely different things. Kitty I’ll be right by your side . “You’ll be my hands“. What? She said. Doc repeated… “BE MY HANDS” Kitty Will’s running out of Time. OHHHHHH Curly?
Standing Side By Side… Will had been unconscious but they kept the ether handy anyway, Doc, helped
Clean the wound and showed Kitty where to Cut to find the Bullet in Will’s Side…. She was Nervous
Doc kept reminding her to stay calm every so often… he would pat the top of her hands and tell her things were ok. Once Will started to stir… making Kitty more nervous.. Doc used the ether.. And he was off the sleep again. Kitty , grabbed what she thought was the bullet, surprised, she looked at Doc, I think I found it.?. she said….Doc smiled, and said ok, gently… gently pull up and out… she started to pull and lost her grip…. Looking discouraged…Oh Doc… I can’t do this… Kitty , Yes you can honey … try again, he told her.. Slow … go ahead.. Again, she gripped the bullet, and closed her eyes pulled up on it and stood there
Doc, started to laugh… see You did it…! Oh, Heavens… Now what? Kitty’s heart was beating so fast.
Just breath… now we need to make sure he’s not bleeding. Of course he’s bleeding ,She said…Doc knowing she was so nervous… Kitty I mean veins or arteries? Oh, Ok…..she said looking faint.
Meanwhile, Newly was scoping the outer parts of the Ronniger Farm trying to figure if he could handle
This without anyone getting hurt? Thinking to himself that he should have brought along a few men from town… for back-up. It was now Night fall.. and harder to see what was happening……
Back in Dodge…. Matt and Festus, were getting back from their trip to Texas… Matt suspecting something wrong right away… as soon as they started down Front Street. Looking up at the Long Branch,…… For the Light.. Usually on in Kitty’s window, for Him whenever he’s been away. It wasn’t there…….
He know things were ok with them when he left… they had their night together.. And she was ok with thing.
He had, had an odd feeling in the pit of his stomach most of the week… but not sure what to make of it.
Festus, knowing he probably wants to go see kitty first offered to take Buck and Ruth to Moss’
Matt went into the Long Branch … it was Crowded, But Quiet! Everybody was worried, about Doc and Kitty… Matt walk to the Bar… Sam! Marshal, I’m Sure glad to see you ! What is it Sam? Marshal, It Miss Kitty And Doc. They Went out to do Doc’s Rounds… and When they got to the Ronniger’s farm
Well Marshal ………What is Sam? Matt Said anxiously…. There some trouble out there. What?
Sam , Filled Matt in on the whole story, and Before Sam could say anything … Matt was out the doors…..
Almost knocking Festus’ over … Festus’ …I gotta go… where to Matthew? Ronniger’s
Wat Fur? There’s Trouble! Matt answered …… Festus looking puzzled … on the Ronniger Farm? Kitty And Doc’s There… I can’t talk Festus’….. Matt and Festus Rode hard to make it to the Ronniger Farm , not knowing what they were going to find. And if Newly had been in trouble as well.
Now, it was Dark, and when Matt and Festus arrived, They saw Newly outside peering in a side window…
Matt got his attention… They figured.. With one man injured they had an advantage. Newly slipped around to the back window of the room, Doc was in, and tapped on it….. Doc helped
Him in and he let him know that Matt and Festus’ was Out side. Newly ask Doc, about his arm, and about Will …Doc explained to him what he and Kitty had to do…Newly was amazed!
Meanwhile ,Kitty had been cleaning up …Doc’s things..and noticed Harris..wasn’t anywhere around….
Then she heard one of the girls upstairs scream…???? She dropped what she was doing and ran up the stairs…Harris had gone in the room where the Children were and …grabbed …Katie…she was 16 now
And had grown up quite a bit …but still wasn’t very trusting of people just yet? When Kitty came in the Room …Katie yell for her and..tried to push him off… some of the other kids were trying to hit him and tell him to leave her alone.. But he was to strong for them….Kitty tried hitting him on the Head with a vase from the night stand… it was enough to make him let go … Katie ran to Kitty… wrapping her arms around her so tight…Sweetheart it ok..Kitty told her..I’m here… Kitty looked at Harris, You filthy animal, she’s a Child! Laughing ..he said she don’t look like a child… Kitty replied…well she is! Get out of here and get away from all of them…you belong in a cage..! Harris walked out of the room very angry…
Ok, kids ..he’s gone..you’ll be alright now…I won’t let him hurt you …I promise…Katie still wouldn’t let go of Kitty…. Come on Katie …let go now …I’ll go down and get you all something to eat ok? You stay here.. They all agreed.. Put a chair under the door, till I come back…Ok, Miss Kitty, Beckey answered. As, Kitty came out of the room …Harris was waiting… well now Red.. Let’s see ..Your certainly not a Child… are ya? And he grabbed her trying to kiss her and hold her close….
Get your filthy hands off of me!..she screamed…. He tore at the front of her blouse…well now looky at what we got here…now ain’t that right nice….smiling at her….Mister you touch me again and I’ll scratch
Your eyes out!….she said, as she tried to pull her blouse back together…Doc and Newly could hear her from the down stairs room, wanting to help …,but , not knowing how to do just that.
Matt and Festus , were just outside the House…they too heard Kitty voice…Matt was furious!..knowing something was happening to Kitty… he needed to get inside ..and Now! Thinking to himself , Why didn’t I make it back here sooner? Turner was lying on the floor in serious pain, from his leg injury..which gave them an advantage…Newly was already inside and Kitty could distract Harris…so that just left Jessup….
Jessup, was listening to Harris and Kitty, and just laughing…finally he called out ..Hey Red , When your done playing cat and Mouse…I need you to look at turner here ..?…he don’t look so good…? And your Doctor friend …well , he has that bad wing , you know..? Kitty pushed harris away from her ..and with out realizing it ..he lost his balance, and fell down the stairs… Matt and Festus saw that and took that as a sign and at that moment …Matt Kicked in the Door and Yelled …Don’t Move!….Jessup jumped -up and pulled his gun..turned and shot… caught Matt just across the shoulder…. But Matt hit him in the stomach..
Jessup hit the floor! Newly , had come from the back and shot at Harris who was at the bottom of the stairs, and had tried to shoot but missed… and turner was too sick to do anything.. Was still lying on the floor…semi-conscious …from excess bleeding. When Kitty came down the stairs the rest of the way….
And saw Matt ,Festus and Newly….she breathe as sigh of relief….! Kitty walked over to Matt..wrapped
Her arms around him put her head on his chest…Cowboy ..she said .,I’m glad you’re here…
Looking at her and her ripped blouse, Kitty…Are you alright? Yeah, I am Now…I am Now…
Kitty what happened here…..Oh, Matt…It’s a long story…can I tell you later? Let’s go check on Doc and Will. They both went to look in on Doc and Will in the back room…Newly was rechecking Doc’s arm
Newly Smiling said .. Miss Kitty, I must say you did a darned good Job here… smiling back at him…
Why thank You Newly… Looking over at Will..Kitty asked Doc… Doc, is he gonna be alright now?
Kitty, he said…With a lot of rest…and close attention..which I know Bess will give him, He ’ll be just Fine!
After all he had a great, Doctor work on him!…and he tugged on his ear, and swiped his mustache…
Then Matt Festus and Newly..all Looked at Doc …the Newly said .. Doc ?..One question..? What’s that Newly? I understand that Miss Kitty fixed up this splint for your arm…when did this happen?
Oh a few days ago, Doc answered. Well, Then How did you …He stop and Look at Doc then Looked at
Kitty…. Then finished his sentence….How did you .. Take the Bullet out of Will? I didn’t! Doc answered
The room now silent…Festus’ spoke up …well who did it? Doc look in Kitty’s direction…Kitty did.
I instructed and let Kitty “BE MY HANDS” they all looked at one another …Festus’ ..not understanding
Miz kitty ain’t no Doctor….! No Festus ,she not but , she did well, and saved Will Ronniger’s life …
And Helped set my arm. And Matt before you say a word… looking at the astonished look he had…
As many times as I dug bullets out of your hide…who do you think was right by my side helping?
TBC
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