Ready or Not (Aggie's Inheritance)

by Havig, Chautona

  Lost in thought, William pushed his chair away from the table without a word. Before leaving, he started to speak, but Luke preempted him. “Look, Markenson, I know this was none of my business, but I had to say something, especially after you asked me to let you know if you could ever help. Aggie has a huge burden on her shoulders, and she’s doing great. But, well, she can only handle so much, and I think it’s our job, as Christian brothers, you know, to make sure we don’t add to that burden.” Luke sighed and then added, “Think what you will of me, but let’s agree that Aggie needs our help. The only reason I called you was to try to help you see how you can help.”

  William grew increasingly angry at the thought of Luke interfering in his and Aggie’s lives. The fact that he’d invited comment eluded him in his growing fury. He nodded curtly at Luke and pushed his way out the door, holding it for a businesswoman as he did. Unaccustomed to being corrected or advised, the officer didn’t appreciate the interference. Deep down, however, William also suspected that he was bothered by the fact that Luke was probably right. What he couldn’t decide, was why Luke was willing to help his friendship with Aggie. He’d been sure Luke had his own ideas about a so-called friendship with Aggie.

  * * *

  Aggie awoke wondering why William had never returned her call. It was after seven o’clock, but the house was silent, and everyone still slept soundly. Aggie climbed out of bed and wandered into the kitchen to make her favorite cup of coffee. She found the coffee open and spilled in the corner of the makeshift kitchen. With a weary sigh, Aggie poured a glass of iced tea and went out to sit on the porch. She wondered, yet again, if she’d ever have anything untouched and destroyed by meddling fingers.

  As she drank in the beauty of the sunlight dancing across the lawn and reveled in the scent of alfalfa growing in the field across the road, visions of lovely wicker furniture and hanging plants for the porch flooded her mind with dreams of how things would be, and prayerfully soon. For now, she sat on a picnic bench that one of the children dragged out of the back shed. As she ran her fingers over the rough surface, she saw WJN carved into the wood and wondered who WJN had been. How long ago had he carved his, or was it her, initials in this bench, and why? Was it done idly and without thought, or was there purpose or perhaps rebellion in doing so? Did some little boy, long ago, carve his secret love’s initials into the bench that now occupied a place on her porch?

  Aggie heard the crunch of footsteps and saw Mrs. Dyke walking down her driveway toward her. It took the elderly woman some time to come, but Aggie sensed that she wouldn’t want help. Not wanting to wake the children, Aggie just smiled and beckoned warmly. She dashed into the house and found a couch pillow to set down for the elderly woman.

  “Good morning, Mrs. Dyke. So happy to see you today.” Aggie hoped that she was telling the truth. She still hadn’t decided if the elderly woman was friend or foe.

  Mrs. Dyke looked at the glass of iced tea and smiled. “Out of coffee?”

  Aggie laughed and nodded. “I would give anything for a real cup of French Crème, but this’ll have to do.” Mrs. Dyke smiled and then patted Aggie’s knee.

  “I am going to tell you something about young William. He feels bad about the way he acted yesterday, but he didn’t know quite how to tell you. I am here to ask you to accept a dinner invitation with him next Friday night. Do you think you could forgive him enough to go?” The eager woman seemed impatient for an answer.

  Aggie was flabbergasted. Opening her mouth and then closing it again, twice, Aggie answered. “I’d be happy to, I think. I just don’t know who would watch the children… and, well, I guess I don’t understand why he didn’t ask me himself.”

  Mrs. Dyke smiled and appeared delighted. “Aggie, hon, it’s hard for a man to say he’s sorry. I think he just needs a bit of encouragement and help. Meanwhile, I’ll watch the children if need be, but I bet old Zeke Sullivan would love to help that nephew of his watch them. I overheard him braggin’ on those kids of yours just the other day.”

  Aggie hesitantly agreed and promised to let the older woman know if she needed sitting services. Looking down at her unsatisfactory iced tea, Aggie suddenly tossed it into the lilac bush and turned to her new friend. “Mrs. Dyke, were you serious when you said you would be willing to watch the children? I would really love some real coffee, and this just isn’t cutting it.” She paused to watch the older woman’s face before continuing. “Would you mind if I ran to the store? Everyone is still asleep in there, and you’d likely just fall asleep from boredom, but I sure would appreciate it.” She was almost holding her breath in anticipation. This was the first time in over four months that she might have a chance to do something just for her.

  Shooed from the house, with instructions not to come back for a couple of hours, Aggie drove away, feeling both free and guilty at the same time. Mrs. Dyke sat on the sofa with a Jane Austen movie, snickering at the hidden jokes that so many of today’s generation would miss. Aggie had the van windows down and the wind was doing a number on her hair, but she felt carefree and enjoyed the trip.

  Driving toward the store, Aggie passed a little café. The name on the storefront made her smile. Interested, she turned back and parked out front. Someone had an imagination. Walking to the door, Aggie noticed Luke sitting at the corner window table, Bible laid out in front of him and intent on what he was reading. She watched him pause, take a couple of notes, and continue reading. A man tried coming out of the door and Aggie’s startled “Pardon me,” caused Luke to look up. He smiled and motioned her over, but Aggie ordered her coffee first.

  “Morning, Luke. I am playing hooky!” Her bright smile and carefree expression were welcome changes from the past few weeks of strain and fatigue. She took a long drink of her coffee before continuing. “It’s just eight, and I’ve already had a full day!”

  Luke looked startled and checked his watch. The look of dismay on his face was comical. Beginning to apologize, Luke was silenced with Aggie’s ringing laughter. “Luke, you are the first person I have ever heard of who lost track of time while reading the Bible as an excuse for being ‘late’ to work. Relax and enjoy yourself. The work’ll wait. So, what are you reading?” She glanced around her, a look of blissful contentment on her face. “Oh, doesn’t this place smell heavenly. I’ve missed writing college papers in my favorite coffee shop until all hours of the night.”

  The next thirty minutes were spent discussing James and contrasting his words with the Apostle Paul. They chatted over their very different styles of coffee like old friends. Luke saw a deeper side to the sometimes-scatterbrained Aggie, and she saw his deep faith and struggles with accepting that he couldn’t fix every problem that came along.

  Luke seemed embarrassed to share his favorite verse with Aggie, but finally said, “I remember James chapter four where it says ‘to him who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin’ and I remind myself that if you know the right thing to do then it’s ok to do something.”

  Aggie smiled and agreed. When nine o’clock rolled around, Aggie sighed. “I sure wish it was ten. I’d love to go have my hair washed and trimmed. It’s looking so ratty these days. I just can’t see expecting Mrs. Dyke to stay any longer.”

  Luke watched as Aggie looked critically at the ends of her hair. He couldn’t see anything wrong with it but concluded that he’d never understood his sisters on this point, so why would Aggie be any different? Her sigh, combined the look of resignation and determination that set into her features, made him realize that she had probably not been able to do much of anything just for herself since assuming care of the children.

  “Aggie, A Cut Above is open now. Go on over and then go get you some coffee for home. I’ll go over and relieve Mrs. Dyke. I can do some work on the kitchen while the kids play.” Silence followed. Aggie had learned to read Luke and realized that he wasn’t finished. “Actually, maybe I’ll scrape the outside trim while they play. It seems safer somehow. I’ll take the ph
one with me too.”

  Aggie snickered inwardly but tried not to laugh. She couldn’t tell if Luke was joking or not. His eyes were looking at the Bible in front of him, but he was almost too still. Finally, Aggie couldn’t take any more suspense. She leaned way over the table and tried to peer at him. His head came up, and Aggie saw the twinkle in his eye. Trying not to spew her coffee into his face, Aggie choked it down, coughing and wheezing, until Luke pounded her back out of sheer desperation. The action, thoughtful though it was, didn’t help, and Aggie finally begged him to stop.

  Though she knew that she would have a very sore back the next day, Aggie laughed and joked with Luke all the way out to the curb. They parted company and went their own ways, each with a completely different project in mind. Aggie headed toward the hair salon, praying that they would have an opening for a walk-in. She reflected on her conversation with Luke and thanked the Lord again for friends who shared her faith.

  Luke, on the other hand, drove away troubled, though unsure as to why. Shaking off the somber mood that threatened to overtake him, he stopped at the store, bought another jug of juice, drove to Aggie’s place, and sent Mrs. Dyke home with profuse thanks. The woman had no doubt that she’d been a blessing when Luke was done thanking her for Aggie’s sake.

  Rounding up the children, he sent them all out back to play while he worked on scraping the trim. After a time, Luke noticed that Vannie was off by herself, swinging on the back porch swing. The poor girl looked exhausted. Wondering if he should do anything, Luke decided just to observe her for a while. The third time he heard Vannie snap at, and then send one of the twins away, Luke decided to talk to the girl.

  “Vannie? Are you all right?” One of his characteristic pauses surfaced before Luke continued. “You don’t seem to be quite yourself.” He placed his hand on her shoulder and waited for her answer. The girl seemed near tears, but eventually she spoke.

  “I’m ok, I guess. My stomach hurts-- sort of. I have a headache too, and these guys won’t leave me alone for even a second.” Vannie’s voice was irritated and tense.

  Luke smiled down at the girl and gave her shoulder another squeeze. “Sweetheart, why don’t you go lay down with a good book, and maybe take a Tylenol while you are at it.” Vannie sniffed and nodded. Luke, noting how she seemed to walk slowly and listlessly, prayed.

  Two hours later, Luke called the children in to wash up for lunch. Halfway through making sandwiches, he heard Vannie crying from upstairs and calling for Aggie. He started towards the stairs when Aggie came rushing in.

  Aggie heard Vannie upstairs and ran up three steps at a time calling, “What’s wrong? Where’s Vannie? Why’s she crying?” Luke smiled, despite his concern, and went back to praying and making sandwiches.

  Aggie’s cry brought him running to the stairs. “Luke, I’m taking her in. Something is terribly wrong.” Sending Vannie out to the car, Aggie turned to Luke and whispered, “Please check the bathroom and make sure it’s, well, clean. I don’t want to frighten the children, but she has to be seen immediately. Something’s wrong, Luke, the girl is--” Aggie’s voice dropped to a low whisper in order to avoid frightening the nearby children, “she’s bleeding!”

  Turning away, Aggie grabbed her purse from the table where she’d dropped it and headed back out the door. Understanding dawned on Luke’s face, and he called to Aggie. “Aggie, think!” but she just shook her head and rushed out the door. Luke’s repetitive admonition to, “Think, Aggie” angered her, but she kept running. Just as she started to climb into the van, she looked up to see Luke shaking his head and calling again, “Aggie, think!”

  Exasperation finally got the better of her, and she yelled as she tried to start the van, “I don’t have time to think! I have to get her to the clinic!” With that, she started the van and tore down the driveway and onto the highway. Luke stood on the porch still shaking his head and wondering how long it would take for Aggie to realize the trouble.

  Aggie tried to be calm and rational. Driving with one hand, she held Vannie’s hand and prayed with the girl and then tried reassuring her. “I’m not a wise mother with lots of experience. You are probably just sick, and this is completely normal. For all I know, I have had some similar illness and just can’t think of it right now. I just need to have you checked out in case it is serious, because….”

  Sudden understanding hit Aggie like the proverbial ton of bricks. “Ohhhhhhhh,” was all that she managed to say. Vannie’s silent sobs ceased, as she watched Aggie struggle between embarrassment and laughter.

  “Vannie, honey, I think you are just fine. Um, well, this is pretty normal. Did your mother ever tell you about this happening sometime?”

  The girl’s clueless look answered Aggie before Vannie could speak. “Well, let’s just go on to the clinic so that nurse that was so nice to Tavish can help me explain it. You’ll be fine. Really.”

  Aggie’s sudden calm manner seemed to reassure Vannie, and an hour later they enjoyed sundaes at the local ice cream shop, giggling like old friends. The nurse had been helpful, and Aggie showed her appreciation almost effusively. Vannie was just relieved to discover that she wasn’t going to die of some horrible disease.

  At the end of the day, Aggie realized that she and Vannie had broken some invisible barrier that had seemed to pervade their relationship from the beginning. They shared a secret, and it was a pretty special one. Vannie seemed to have forgotten that Luke was aware of it, and Aggie decided not to spoil things by reminding her.

  She called her mother that night and recounted the story step-by-step. Mrs. Milliken laughed, until her husband had to take the phone, while she used her inhaler to breathe again. When she finally was able to come back to the phone, Aggie asked the one question that was on her mind. “Mom, Vannie’s twelve, why didn’t Allie tell her before now?”

  “Well, honey, you and Allie were almost sixteen when you guys started, so Allie decided to make this a special turning thirteen kind of thing.” Knowing Allie, Aggie knew this was not only likely but logical as well.

  “What about school? I thought they taught this stuff in health classes!”

  “It still requires parental consent. Allie preferred to handle these things herself.”

  Aggie said goodnight and decided to go have a chat with Tina. Before she could boot the computer, the phone rang. Aggie debated not answering. The idea that it could be William with exclusive details to Vannie’s situation was discouraging. With a sigh, fear, and trepidation, Aggie answered.

  “Aggie? It’s Luke.” Aggie said hello and waited. She knew he’d have to talk eventually. “How’s Vannie? She doing all right? I just wanted to see how she’s doing before I go to bed.” Aggie smiled and sent a quick thank you via p-mail.

  “She’s sleeping well with ibuprofen and a heavy dose of chocolate. I told her that she could have all the chocolate she wants this week, and she didn’t have to ask.” Aggie smiled at the memory of Vannie’s pleased face when she’d heard the news.

  Luke sounded nervous as he spoke again. “Aggie, would you mind if I tell my mother what happened? With four daughters, somehow I think she’d relate.” Aggie thought about it before agreeing.

  “I just don’t want it to get back to Vannie that you shared with anyone. She looks up to you, and I’d hate to break that trust. Please ask your mother to be discreet.” Luke assured Aggie that his mother would understand and said goodnight.

  Aggie says: Hey, you won’t believe what I did today.

  Tina says: Coming! Give me a second to pay the pizza guy.

  Aggie says: Pizza again!

  Aggie says: I’m talkin’ to myself. How are you today, Aggie? Fine, Aggie, how are you? I’m doing great, thanks. Hey, did you hear what you did today, Aggie? No, I didn’t. Well, your niece started her period, and you flipped out like she was dying and rushed her off to the clinic, praying that they could help her. No way, Aggie how could you be so blind. Oh, I don’t know, maybe because I’m sleep deprived. Luke kept telli
ng you to think as if that does any good when you’re in full panic mode. The good news is, she seems to have opened up a bit.*twiddles thumbs* *contemplates the meaning of life* *finds lint in her belly button* *gags*

  Tina says: You didn’t. Tell me you didn’t. That poor girl!

  Aggie says: I know. It was awful. I think I was so relieved that she was fine that I forgot to apologize too.

  Tina says: Well, she’ll understand even more, later.

  Tina says: Did you say that she seemed to open up?

  Aggie says: Not only that, but somehow, I think she almost likes it. That nurse said something right!

  Tina says: Just think you only have to go through this, four more times.

  Aggie says: :P Don’t remind me.

  Aggie says: I still have to apologize to William. He hasn’t returned my call yet.

  Tina says: Really? Hope he’s not too upset!

  Aggie says: I don’t think so. He sent Mrs. Dyke over this morning to break the ice and invite me to dinner on Friday.

  Tina says: REALLY? WOW. The FIRST DATE… oh, wait… it’ll be your first date EVER won’t it?

  Aggie says: Yep. Hard to imagine going out at all, much less with someone you just gave a good old-fashioned tongue lashing to!

  Tina says: Well, maybe you will get a chance to apologize Friday night. What are you going to wear?

  Aggie says: Probably just a skirt and top. I didn’t bring any of my good clothes when I came down here, and once I got here they seemed out of place. He’ll just have to take me as I am.

  Tina says: Well, be sure to wash your hair and dry it just before you go. It has such a great shine when you do that.

  Aggie says: Well, I am not trying to impress him with how shiny my hair can be, but I am glad that Luke talked me into going to the salon this morning.