Return to Crutcher Mountain (Cedar Hollow Series Book 2)

by Clayton, Melinda

  I want my Grandpa but he is not here. He will never be here again. That is what Mrs. Jamison at church said. “Robby, he’s gone. He’s not here anymore.” I kind of hated her when she said that but that was bad because you are not supposed to hate people. Grandpa is not here and nobody is here. That makes me so sad but I am not a crybaby. I am not. Even if I have tears I am not a crybaby.

  Now somebody is here and I guess they heard me but I am not a crybaby. Then I smell her and she has done her Evening Routine and I know it is Ms. McIntosh because she washed her hair. That is her hair smell. I am glad she is here. I know she will not ask me stupid questions and try to make me have a Breakthrough and I am right and I am so glad she is here.

  She sits down on the floor and puts her hand on my back and rubs it like Grandpa used to do. Then she sings me a song. I don’t know what she is saying but it is a pretty song anyway. She rubs my back and sings to me and tells me people love me.

  She says, “You’re okay. You’re with me. You’re surrounded by people who love you. We’ll take care of you.” I don’t know who the people are who love me and will take care of me but I believe her and then I know it is okay to go to sleep. That’s a good thing because I am very tired.

  Chapter 41

  Friday

  Surprisingly, I slept soundly. I hadn’t expected to after the revelations of the previous night and I was grateful for it. Apparently, the human mind is only capable of processing overwhelming experiences in small quantities. At least, that seemed true for me, since I managed to block out all the troubling thoughts and memories quite successfully as soon as my head hit the pillow. When the alarm buzzed at six a.m., I arose without hitting the snooze button, feeling unexpectedly refreshed.

  I was anxious to call the parent company with Nora to discuss the plan for Robby, and even more anxious to see Mrs. Cortes and learn what she’d found out about my proposition. The phone call would have to wait, since the main office wouldn’t be open until eight, but I was hopeful Mrs. Cortes would arrive early for her breakfast with Robby.

  I dressed quickly and stepped out into the hallway. I could already hear the children up and about, dressing, making their beds and readying for morning group. I made my way past the common area and headed for the kitchen in search of coffee. Mrs. Huffman was there, supervising the breakfast preparations. I greeted her on my way to the coffee pot.

  “Good morning,” she returned the greeting, coming to stand beside me. “Did you manage to sleep okay?” Her tone was apologetic.

  “I did,” I assured her. “You?”

  “Not so much,” she admitted, giving me a wry smile. “Ms. McIntosh....”

  I interrupted her. “Why don’t you just call me Jessie? It seems a little odd, under the circumstances, being referred to as Ms. McIntosh. Wouldn’t you agree? And if it’s okay with the two of you, I’ll call you by your first names as well. It’s a little late in the game for Mom and Dad, but Mr. and Mrs. Huffman doesn’t feel right, either.”

  She broke into a genuine smile then, and I realized it was the first time I’d ever seen it. It made a world of difference. “Yes, that would be nice,” she agreed, and then just as quickly the smile disappeared. “I need to let you know we really are sorry for dumping all this on you. Like Richard said last night, we never could figure out exactly how we should tell you, but last night probably wasn’t the best way.”

  I shrugged. “Last night was a little overwhelming, I have to admit,” I told her, “but I don’t know that there would have ever been a right time or a right place. Obviously, we’ll talk more at some point when things have quieted down. And there’s still the sample you had wanted. I’ll certainly cooperate with that. For now,” I glanced out at the dining room, “let’s just concentrate on making this a great day for the kids. What can I help you with?”

  She looked relieved. “I’ll take all the help I can get,” she said. “We’re going buffet style this morning, with all the company coming. Would you mind setting the plates and flatware out at the end of that counter?”

  I was happy to help, not only because she needed it but also because it kept me occupied while waiting on Mrs. Cortes to show up. Opal had just set the last steaming bin of eggs on the buffet when I caught a glimpse of Mrs. Cortes through the doorway to the common area.

  “Are you all set?” I asked Opal. “If you are, there’s a caseworker out there I need to speak with.”

  “I believe we are,” she answered, “and I thank you for your help.”

  “You’re very welcome,” I told her. “I’ll be back in a couple of weeks and we’ll talk more then and figure out how to go about getting tested.”

  “You have a safe trip,” she replied. “We’ll look forward to seeing you when you get back.”

  I hung up my apron and made my way to Mrs. Cortes, where she stood quietly observing morning group. She turned as I approached and I could tell by her expression the news was good. Before I could prepare myself, she grabbed me in a hug.

  “It’s a go!” she said, and I felt a weight lift from my shoulders.

  “On our end, anyway,” she continued. “Oh, Ms. McIntosh, this is just the best thing that could have happened. The Sloans are so happy they don’t have to give him up, and the agency is thrilled with the whole idea. You’re brilliant!” She let me go and stepped back, clasping her hands in front of her. “I can’t wait to tell Robby.”

  I couldn’t wait either, but we had to until we got clearance on our end. I checked my watch. It was just before seven. Parents were beginning to show up, sitting with their children, chatting with each other, talking with Mr. Paul and Ms. Janice.

  “One more hour,” I told her. “Nora and I are going to call the executive director as soon as the office opens. Keep your fingers crossed.”

  “Fingers and toes, both,” she said. “We’ve got some paperwork to do, of course, and a contract you’ll have to sign, but as soon as you give me the go ahead, we’re set.”

  “In the meantime,” I told her, “I’ve got to stay busy or I’ll go nuts. Are you ready to join the group?”

  “I am,” she said. “I’ve got to meet Joseph’s family. He’s been begging me to let Robby come for an overnight. They’ve bonded over Ninja Turtles.”

  I laughed. “Then let’s get to it.” I followed her into the common area.

  I spent the next fifty-five minutes meeting the parents of the children and answering questions. They were very gracious, thanking me for opening the Lodge and asking if their children could at some point return. Marcus’ mother had brought all the staff a thank you card and a flower.

  “It’s such a wonderful thing you’re doing,” she said. “We love our children; you know that. But sometimes we desperately need a break, just to recharge, you know? This week has meant the world to Marcus and me. Thank you.”

  “It’s meant the world to us, too,” Ms. Janice told her. “We love the kids, all of them, and Marcus is such a sweetheart.” We all glanced over to where Marcus sat laughing at Stacey’s attempt to scoop eggs onto a piece of toast. As we watched, Robby reached over to help her.

  It was true, what Janice had said. We did love all the kids. I did love all the kids. I looked forward to keeping up with them and hoped they would follow through and come back again at some point in the future. I was already thinking a yearly reunion might be a fun idea. I’d have to mention it to Nora.

  And at some point, I needed to thank Robby. By alerting me to the true identity of the Huffmans, he’d unlocked the key to my past in such a monumental way I wasn’t sure I’d ever wrap my head around all of it. It was quite a gift he’d given me, and I wanted him to know that.

  I checked my watch: seven-fifty-five. Time for the call, thank goodness. I excused myself and rushed across the lot to Nora’s office. She was waiting for me.

  “Ready?” she asked, and I nodded.

  Her instincts had proven correct, and she was able to catch the director before anyone else snagged him. Setting the pho
ne on speaker, she explained my proposal. To my relief he was not only supportive, but quite enthusiastic about the idea.

  “I don’t see any problems with that at all,” he said, “as long as the Department is okay with it. In fact, I think that’s a nice, creative way to use the Lodge.” After instructing Nora to draw up a contract for me to sign, he asked how the parent visits were going, wished us a good day, and ended the call.

  I couldn’t believe it had been so easy, and I was so giddy I could hardly stand myself.

  Chapter 42: Robby

  Hi. Well it is me Robby again and I fell asleep last night and now it is the next day but that’s okay because right now it is awesome. Mrs. Cortes talked to Joseph’s family and I am going to spend the night at his house next weekend. Yeah! And his sister is even really cute because she is just a baby so she isn’t mean yet and I can tell she likes me because she laughs at me.

  Oh! And then you won’t believe this but Joseph’s mom asked me if there were any foods I don’t like and I said spaghetti and she said, “Then we’ll make sure that’s not what we have for dinner when you visit.” Can you believe it? Then she smiled at me and she is so nice!

  And then Mrs. Cortes talked to Stacey’s mom and guess what! She said Stacey and I can call each other when we want to. That makes me so happy because I am in love with Stacey and she said she is in love with me too. But don’t tell my mom.

  Anthony’s mom and Marcus’ mom are nice too but they said Anthony and Marcus do not do overnights. I guess Marcus does not do overnights because he wears a diaper and maybe he is embarrassed. His mom said I can come visit him sometime and Mrs. Cortes said she will take me. Mrs. Cortes is doing a great job.

  Anthony’s mom said he does not do overnights because they make him anxious. I am not sure what anxious means but I think it probably means he gets Over Stimulated. She said we can meet and play together some afternoon at his house so that is cool and Mrs. Cortes said she will take me there too.

  Anthony is not Over Stimulated now because he is wearing his weight jacket. He asked Mr. Bryan for it this morning. I think that was a very very smart thing for Anthony to do. He is a very smart kid he just has autism but nobody at this place minds.

  Here comes Ms. McIntosh and she is smiling so big! It is that smile where you can see all of somebody’s teeth and I can see all of her teeth. I guess she is really really happy today. She is coming over to see me and I am so glad. Mrs. Cortes is coming too and I can see all of her teeth too. Wow these people are happy!

  Ms. McIntosh sits down next to me and just looks at me and smiles with her teeth and then she says, “Robby, I have some news I think you might like.”

  I wonder what that could be but then she says, “What would you think about spending more time at the Lodge?”

  And I think she must be teasing me because she already knows I love the Lodge but I can’t stay here because I have to go back to the Sloan Foster Family so I tell her that.

  So then she says, “Yes, but what if you only stayed with the Sloans on the weekends and you stayed here during the week? The van driver could take you to and from school and during the time you’re here, you could do activities with the other kids.”

  I hope she isn’t teasing me because that is exactly what I want to do. I wanted to live at the Lodge. I don’t think she would tease me in a bad way. I think she really means it.

  She is still talking to me. “It won’t be the same kids each week, you know. Every week will be different. And I won’t be here all the time, either, but I will come back and visit every couple of weeks. How does this all sound to you?”

  For some reason my voice won’t even work. I am trying to tell her that is the coolest thing ever but the words are stuck somewhere in my mouth and won’t come out so I just jump up and hug her instead so that she will know how happy I am and now my teeth are all showing too. We are some very happy people.

  “And Robby,” she is saying into my ear and she has her arms wrapped around me, “thank you for telling me about my dad. I didn’t even know I had one until you told me.”

  Ms. McIntosh told me last night that people love me and will take care of me and I believed her and she was right. I think a whole bunch of people love me. I think a whole bunch of people love her too. It is nice to have people who love you. This has been the very best day of my life.

  Chapter 43

  By eleven-thirty the children and their parents were gone, including Robby and Mrs. Cortes. I hugged them all goodbye and reminded Robby that I’d see him again in a couple of weeks. He barely stood still long enough to hear me, he was so busy making plans with his friends. “Make sure to bring your Michelangelo!” was the last thing I heard as the door closed behind them.

  I helped Opal with the cleanup before leaving to join Nora in her office for our meeting with Virgil Young. As I made my way across the lot, I saw Sheriff Moore’s patrol car cruising slowly past the Lodge. He gave me a nod and I waved back, pleased to see that he’d remembered.

  I didn’t know what to expect from Virgil. In some ways I had come to feel sorry for the man. It did sound as if life had taken a hard turn against him recently, but on the other hand, his comments and actions towards both me and Nora were uncalled for and unjustified, and his threats regarding my past were more than a little concerning to me.

  I found Nora accompanied by an older woman in a business suit, laptop computer perched precariously on her knees. “Jessie,” Nora said, standing, “this is Betty Littles from finance. She’s brought Virgil’s pay history with her. We’ll print it out for him as soon as he arrives.”

  We exchanged greetings as I took a seat and Betty tilted the lap top towards my view. “As you can see,” she said, “he’s been paid in full.”

  “I’ve no doubt he has,” I told her. “From what I understand, he and his wife are experiencing some tough times right now. Nora, I think I forgot to mention it to you with everything else going on, but from what I hear Virgil’s wife was recently diagnosed with cancer. People in town seem to think that’s what’s causing his current bad mood.”

  “Oh, that’s too bad,” Nora said, concerned. “I had no idea. I’m sure losing his job at this particular time added exponentially to the stress. Unfortunately, I had no choice. It’s policy. But it does shed a new light on his behavior, doesn’t it?”

  “It does,” I agreed. “At least he was able to find another job. He’s working fulltime as a mechanic down in the village.”

  “Good, I’m glad he found work,” Nora said, “but it makes me wonder if he’ll show up today. I’m sure he doesn’t have vacation time. He’d have to take unpaid leave.” She drummed a pen on her desk and checked her watch. “He’s nearly fifteen minutes late as it is.”

  “Should we call him?” Betty asked. “If he isn’t going to show I need to get back to my office. Fridays are busy in the payroll department.”

  “I suppose we probably should. I’m sure we’ve all got things we need to be doing. Or planes we need to be catching,” Nora said, smiling at me. “I’ve got his home number here.” She opened the file on her desk and began to dial.

  After four rings a machine picked up instructing callers to leave a message. Nora waited for the beep. “Virgil? If you’re there, can you pick up the phone? We’re all here waiting for you up at the Lodge and just wanted to make sure you’re still coming.” She paused, waiting. “Virgil, if you get this within the next few minutes give me a call.”

  She replaced the receiver. “Let’s try him at the garage in town,” she suggested. My guess is that he wasn’t able to leave work.”

  Someone answered on the first ring. “Johnson’s garage, can I help you?”

  Nora set the phone on speaker. “You can,” she answered. “I’m looking for Virgil Young. Is he able to take a call?”

  “Well, he would be,” answered the male voice, “Except he didn’t show up to work today. He ain’t here.”

  “Then it seems we have a similar problem,” Nora
answered, “because he isn’t here, either. If you see him, could you have him call Dr. Nora Wright?”

  “Sure thing,” answered the voice. “And if you see him, tell him to call the garage.”

  Nora disconnected and exhaled loudly. “Well, there you have it. Let’s give him fifteen more minutes. If he doesn’t show, we’ll just assume we’ve been stood up.”

  I felt slightly uneasy. Darryl Lane and Eugene Cooper had said Virgil had never been particularly nice, but wasn’t known for violent outbursts. Clearly, the stress was affecting him in unpredictable ways.

  What if Virgil was already at the Lodge somewhere waiting and biding his time? Everyone was gone. The Huffmans had gone on their date to the diner, the staff had gone home. Only Nora, Betty and I remained. I hated to be paranoid about the whole thing, but I thought I had a pretty valid argument that thus far, the events of my life supported a healthy dose of paranoia. I hoped Sheriff Moore was still patrolling.

  “If he doesn’t show, we could always send him copies of what we have,” Nora was saying. “I’ll document in his personnel file that he didn’t show but we mailed the information. Betty, can you print those out for me?”

  By the time Betty had printed out the needed documents and Nora had readied them for the mail, making the required notation in Virgil’s file, twenty minutes had passed. Virgil was obviously not planning to attend, but my anxiety only heightened.

  “Nora, do you think it’s possible he’s up here somewhere?” I hadn’t wanted to ask, but I couldn’t help myself.

  Nora paused in the shuffle of papers and looked up at me. “Jessie? Are you okay?”

  I wasn’t, actually. My palms were sweaty and my heart rate accelerated. I hated to admit any of that to Nora, especially in front of Betty, but I couldn’t ignore my intuition.