Page 31 of My Darling Clementine

“I didn’t have to tell him; my father already had but I didn’t know that. I marched into his office, introduced myself as Clem Dennison, Tom’s only child, and son, then tried to bluster my way through. Dressed in his clothes, I looked so much like my father his law clerk fainted thinking I was his ghost.” She snorted, rubbing her eyes. “In his will, my father left everything to his only heir and daughter, Clementine Lorelei Dennison. It took poor Henry another moment to wrap his head around a woman passing as a man.” She chuckled.

“Jim Burdock was my father’s close friend. When they drew up his will, Dad showed him the letter I wrote about how I live. He believed Jim would understand because of his own personal situation. I didn’t know what that meant until Burdock invited me home for dinner and introduced me to his lover, a beautiful young man named Antony, who prefers to go by An.” She smiled. “An’s the one who created the calling cards for me. It amused him to come up with preposterous names for me. His favorite was Clem Carbuncle because, he said, I was a pain in my father’s ass.”

Clem watched Kizzy's cute toes wiggle. “Jim and An asked me many questions about why I pass, how it works, what I gain from the experience; they were almost as curious as you are. I would not be surprised if Mr. Burdock moved out west himself one day, where people take you at your word and you can write your own story. I’ll bet he brings a beautiful lady wife named Antonia.” She shrugged, laughed, and then shook her head, smiling.

“That reminds me.” She made a mental note. “I must send him a wire before we leave town.” She would have a beneficiary after tonight.

“We’ve got plenty of money for the trip. I’m carrying more than enough, which I will hide in several strategic locations throughout the wagon.” Clem reached over and took Kizzy’s hand. “I hired my father’s attorney on retainer. If we need it, Jim will send money.”

“We won’t need it,” Kizzy said with charming confidence. “With your skills, my determination, and this.” She patted the waist of her dress.

“Your stomach?”

“No, I’ve got a bag pinned to my bloomers with seven hundred and eighteen dollars of my own to help get us started. From that we can build a new fortune.” A line of worry crossed her forehead. “Do they have banks out west?”

“The bankers were only a half-step behind the miners,” Clem laughed. “There are plenty of banks with plenty of guards.” She wrapped an arm around Kizzy’s waist and leaned in close. “I’ll help you protect your valuables,” she said, pulling her closer until they sat side by side.

“My money, or the other valuables in my bloomers?” Kizzy wriggled even closer.

Clem grinned and nodded. “Those you can use to start our family.”

Kizzy froze. “Our family?” She looked at Clem sideways. “As in…babies?” She shook her head.

“Family,” Clem insisted as she took her fiancée’s chin between her fingers and kissed her. “We will live as husband and wife, which is a family with or without children. You will be Kizzy Dennison, the beautiful, clever, sassy wife of Clem Dennison, writer, and gold prospector of modest means from Boston.” She kissed her again, pressing more insistently.

“A family of my own.” Kizzy’s voice held a hint of wonder. “I thought, being me, I’d never have one, or a husband either.” She raised both eyebrows.

I know. Me, either. Clem gazed toward the sky.

“What questions do you have for me?” Clem took a breath, steadying herself. Whatever Kizzy wanted to know, she’d tell the truth.

“We’ve talked about almost everything. I only have one question left, but it’s the biggest.” Kizzy fell quiet, her face flushing red. She sat up straight and looked Clem in the eye.

“Do your fists fly when you get angry or drunk? Will you ever strike, or try to beat me? Because with God as my witness, I will kill you in your sleep if you ever take a violent hand to me.” She spoke with calm determination. “Maybe not right then, but as soon as I’m able, and that is a promise.”

“Oh, Kizzy.” Clem’s heart clenched at the shadowed fear peeking from behind her eyes. What had she suffered to ask a question like that? “I promise you; I will never try to hurt you. I’ve never struck a woman in anger, and I can’t imagine ever doing so.”

She sighed. “But, to be honest, I have gotten into fights when I’m angry, and sometimes when I’m drunk. Most times I win, but sometimes,” she smiled and pointed at a space where a tooth was missing, “I lose.”

A tormented voice broke from Kizzy. “My father beats my mother sometimes. Not often, but when he does she cries all night and won’t show her face for a week. I hate him.” Kizzy’s chin almost quivered, but she lifted it. “He used to beat me with a belt, too, but stopped when I grew taller than him at fifteen.”

“Does your mother ever hit him back?” Softening her voice, Clem asked, “Did you?”

“What?” Kizzy looked up, surprise lighting her face. “Of course not.” The dawning of an idea shone on her face.

Clem nodded, eyes fierce. “I’ll teach you to fight so if anyone raises a hand against you, you’ll be able to defend yourself and give as good as you get.”

“You’ll do that?” A shy grin appeared at the corner of Kizzy’s mouth.

“Damn straight, and we’ll get you a proper gun, too, besides that little pistol you showed me last night.” Clem took her hand. “I promise, you will never again feel as vulnerable as you do right now. You’ll be able to protect yourself as well as I can, and I’ll always have your back.”

She kissed Kizzy’s hand. “Don’t worry. Ours will be a peaceful, happy marriage. Oh, we’ll disagree sometimes, we’re human after all. But we’ll never come to blows.”

A brilliant smile lit Kizzy’s face. “Agreed!” She kissed Clem and chuckled. “Then I promise not to kill you in your sleep, Mr. Dennison.”

Clem laughed and kissed her back. “I appreciate that, Mrs. Dennison.”

Kizzy giggled, then pinched Clem’s ear. “I do have one more question for you,” she announced. “You mentioned two working girls who helped you make your first johnson.”