by Bonnie Tharp
After the kids slipped out of the room, Regina waited for the elevator bell to ding before speaking.
“Sam talked with your doctor this morning. This episode was a serious warning.”
“I know.” Annabelle closed her eyes. “Don’t scold.”
Leaning over the bed rail, Regina said, “You’re going to have to make some lifestyle changes immediately or the next one could be fatal.”
“You’re right, but it’s not fair to the kids to make them eat baked chicken and steamed vegetables every day.” Annabelle frowned.
“It can’t hurt the kids to eat a more healthy diet.” Regina straightened her spine. “I took inventory. You all eat way too much junk food. They can have it for special occasions, but every day isn’t good for any of you. See what the nutritionist suggests.”
“So, you’re taking over for me?” Annabelle’s eyes filled.
“No, it’s just my opinion. Ask the doctor.” Regina dropped her arms. “We’ll get Tillie to help us create some heart healthy recipes that taste good.”
“Okay. But . . .” Annabelle closed her eyes.
Reaching out, Regina patted her cousin’s hand, the opaque skin splashed with age spots. “It won’t be so bad.”
“Tillie can make anything delicious.” The corners of Annabelle’s mouth lifted. The drab room brightened as the morning sun peeked around the building.
“Absolutely. The kids won’t be deprived. They’re smart. They’ll adjust.”
“Thanks.”
Pulling up a chair, she leaned toward the bed.
“Tom called this morning.”
“Oh, mercy,” Annabelle said. “Maybe, we’re being too critical.” She turned to face her cousin, her frizzy hair flattened from lying on the pillow. “But, he can’t have the kids. They don’t even know him. I’m afraid, Regina. I’m in no condition to handle him right now.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be around. So will Sam. If that doesn’t work, we’ll sic Tillie on him.” She squeezed her cousin’s hand with care. “What do you want me to do about Peggy skipping school?”
With surprise, Annabelle’s mouth dropped open. “You’re asking me, not telling me?”
“Yes, but, if you want my opinion, I’ll give it.”
Annabelle closed her eyes for a moment before responding.
“I think Peg’s afraid she may have caused my heart attack, so she’s suffering right now. She already has to spend time in school detention. Let’s see if that cures the skipping before we do anything more.”
Nodding her head, Regina sighed. “We never would’ve dreamed of doing something like this when we were children.”
When Annabelle opened her eyes, they were sad.
“That’s true. When I get home I’ll give the therapist a call. She may know what’s going on in Peg’s head. I’m just not sure.”
Regina got up and paced the small space between the bed and the window.
“Okay. One more thing, what did you ask Sam to do? And why were you in such a hurry?” She wrapped her arms around her body.
“Doc Josh’s warning scared my panty hose off. I got really paranoid and asked Sam to draw up a Power of Attorney.”
“And?”
“And, make you guardian of the kids if I’m gone.” Annabelle struggled to scoot up in the bed.
“That’s what I thought you said yesterday. Good thing you’re in here or I might just clobber you.”
“I’m sorry.” Annabelle stared at her cousin.
With a nod, Regina sighed. “I understand.”
The elevator bell dinged and the children’s voices and squeaking tennis shoes echoed down the hallway.
“Kids,” Regina muttered, looking toward the ceiling, her hands upraised.
Tad and Megan tussled over the bag as they came into the room. Peggy snatched it out of their hands. “Kids,” she said, handing it to her grandmother. “Smells good in here, like a flower shop.”
Regina struggled not to smile. “Come on, you’re going to be late for school.”
“Can’t we skip?” Tad asked, winking at his older sister.
“No, you can’t.” Regina and Annabelle said in unison.
Peggy’s cheeks were crimson.
“Fine. It was just a thought, you know . . .” He stuffed his hands in his pockets.
The children each gave Annabelle a kiss and went out into the hall.
“We’ll be back later.” Regina followed them out. There was more activity in the hallways than when they’d arrived earlier. The smells of institutional food and antiseptic made her stomach flip-flop. “What a way to start the day.”
“Did you say something?” Peggy asked.
“Not really. We’d better hurry.”
Megan ran to keep up with the long strides of her companions, so Regina slowed her pace. “We’ll drop you and Tad first, little one. I have business in the office at the high school.”
She heard Peggy’s intake of breath but kept her eyes straight ahead, leading her charges with purpose and no small amount of dread.
Chapter 9
TWO DAYS PASSED quickly for Regina, but not so for Peggy’s detention. Wednesday broke with a mild drizzle and sixty-four degrees, the perfect temperature for spring in Kansas. Daffodils were popping their yellow heads and the greening tree buds almost made them look full again. Regina felt glad that Peggy could finally ride the bus and wondered what Annabelle’s return home would bring. Joe and Tillie volunteered to pick her up from the hospital so Regina could stay at home to wait for the kids’ buses.
She laid chocolate sandwich cookies in concentric circles on a china plate, placing it on the kitchen table. Pulling down four plastic tumblers, a necessary addition to the household since the children had broken most of the glasses, she smiled. Her mother never would’ve dreamed of using plastic. “How gauche!”
The clock struck three. She sat down in the window seat and watched for the two older kids. The neighbor’s pear tree, now in full leaf, obscured her view to the corner. Through the crack in the open window, she smelled the sweetness of spring.
She heard the two teens long before she saw them pass by the tree. They were laughing. When they came into view they seemed to bounce down the sidewalk. Tad dodged the backpack Peggy swung at his head. Regina moved to the porch swing, hidden by the shadows and smiled again. You missed out, Mother. Kids can be great fun.
Peggy had resumed wearing her hair in a ponytail since her not-so-secret hickey—that no one spoke about—had disappeared. It swayed back and forth with each step. Regina worried that raging hormones would get the best of Peggy.
The corn colored spikes that normally crowned the top of Tad’s head had wilted, but a smile lit up his face.
“Oh, stop.” Peggy giggled. “You made that up.”
“I did not.” Tad thrust his chest out. “Katie said I was cute and kissed me. I swear.” He pounded his chest with his fist.
“Well, Katie is a dope.” Peggy pushed past her brother. “Hi Regina.”
“Hello, you two.” She stood and led them into the house.
The screen slammed, just missing Tad’s heels. “Katie says I’m a hunk for my age.”
“A hunk of what? Cheese?” His sister cackled.
Regina called over her shoulder. “How was your day?”
“Fun, no detention,” Peggy said. “Thank God it’s nearly summer. I need a tan.”
“Yeah, whatever. We’re finishing up stuff, cleaning and running relays during PE. I’ll probably win a medal,” Tad said.
“Right, the geek medal.”
Regina hid her smile behind her hand. “There are cookies in the kitchen. Why don’t you pour some milk, please, Peg?”
“Cookies? You baked? That’s scary.” Tad turned towa
rd the food.
His sister poked him in the ribs. “Great. Thanks, Regina.” She took her brother’s arm and he dragged her through the dining room, the magnetic pull of sugar propelling them both. The time for pushing her “little” brother around was nearly gone. Peggy hissed between her teeth.
“What did I say?” Tad asked.
Regina heard the next bus, knowing Megan would be along shortly. All three of the children were different. Had her daughter Beth lived, she would be a few years older than Peggy and probably in college.
“Regina?” Peggy watched her brother’s cheeks protrude from the number cookies he’d popped in his mouth at once.
“Hum?”
“Do you have a cell phone?” Peggy asked.
“No, but Sam does. He uses it for business. Why?”
“All of my friends have them. They’re so nice for checking in and stuff. Don’t you think I should have one for my birthday?”
“Gram can’t afford it,” Tad said, chocolate cookie coating his teeth.
The enthusiasm slid off the young woman’s face. “You’re probably right . . .”
A squeal of car tires drew her out of her musings. “What the devil was that?”
The older children were still verbally fencing in the kitchen when the clock struck the quarter hour. Something wasn’t right. Regina pressed the heel of her hand on the knot forming in her stomach. Walking out on the porch, she went down the steps and followed the short walk to the curb. Once she’d cleared the neighbor’s bushy pear tree, she looked down the street. The bus was still parked at the corner, its warning lights flashing. She checked her watch. Three-seventeen. “Where is that child?”
The screen door banged against the jamb.
“Isn’t that Megan’s bus?” Peggy asked.
“Whassup?” Tad said.
Regina shaded her eyes with her hand, her forehead creased.
The three of them started walking down the sidewalk, the pace picking up with each step. A crowd of neighbors gathered as kids spilled from the bus. The sound of a siren some distance away caused them to break into a run, Regina trailing behind. Tad’s long legs ate up the distance to the corner in a hurry. Panting, Regina caught up to the older siblings.
“Excuse me, excuse me.” Tad shoved his way forward, Peggy at his heels.
“Where’s Megan?” Peggy shouted.
Even with all her height, Regina couldn’t see what lay in the street.
Oh my God . . .
She wouldn’t finish the thought. Regina shouldered her way through the crowd. Sweat and accumulated body odor assaulted her nose.
Peggy and Tad were kneeling over the prone body of their little sister. Tad stroked Megan’s hair while Peggy held her inert hand.
“It was my job to protect her.” Tad choked on the words.
One leg was twisted like a broken doll. Blood dripped from the abrasions on Megan’s forehead into her hair and onto the pavement. Road-rash dotted with blood and pebbles covered her exposed flesh. Her eyes were closed. Megan’s chest looked distended.
Oh wait, her backpack is still on her back. Keep it together, Regina.
“Peggy. Tad. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” said a skinny teenage boy. His body shook and perspiration soaked through his sweatshirt. “I didn’t see her, I swear. Peggy, I’d never hurt Meg . . .”
Looking up from her sister’s crumpled body, Peggy’s eyes held the young driver’s for a moment. Recognition made her gasp. “Miles?”
Tad lunged for the driver who wasn’t much bigger, although he had to be a good two years older. “She’s my sister. You stupid jerk!” Tad’s overflowing eyes were filled with rage.
Grabbing him around the waist, Regina locked her hands together, glaring daggers at the shook up young driver. “It was an accident, Tad. Beating him up won’t help her, although it would probably make us both feel a little better.”
Bowing his head, Tad’s chest heaved. “I should’ve been here, maybe I could’ve . . .” Taking a deep breath he looked up once more, eyes focusing for the first time. “Miles? What the . . . ?”
The name Miles finally penetrated Regina’s foggy brain. The driver was Peggy’s boyfriend. Chills slipped down her spine while her palms began to sweat.
Oh, my, God. This is too surreal.
Swallowing with some difficulty, Regina said, “Tad, it’s certainly not your fault. The bus driver said she called 911, so help will be here any second. We have to keep it together, okay?”
He nodded. Regina still felt his pounding heart, but loosened her grip. Her stomach flipped over and she thought she might vomit.
Crap. How can her little body survive being struck by a car?
The EMS vehicle pulled up beside the bus. A police cruiser with lights pulsing to the beat of Regina’s heart stopped behind it, blocking the street.
“Stand back, please,” said the bald police officer. He leaned down and put his big hand on Peggy’s shoulder. “Young lady, let the paramedics have some room.”
Staggering back, Peggy looked at Regina, tears streaming down her pale face. Her hands shook and her jaw quivered.
The two young paramedics checked Megan’s vitals, assessing her condition. The snow-white gauze they applied to her bloody wounds soon blossomed red. They splinted her leg with care and placed a cloth neck brace beneath her lolling head. When they lifted her onto the gurney, her arms fell limp at her sides. The little girl’s eyes didn’t open.
A sob broke from Regina’s throat, but she couldn’t form any words. Tears fell from her chin. Sweat bathed her upper lip. She’d never felt so helpless in her life.
How do I fix this? The kids were my responsibility, and look what happened. What am I supposed to do now?
Tad stood rigid in Regina’s arms, while Peggy clung to her. Time seemed to slow. Their neighbors stepped back, forming a horseshoe around Megan. The family stood in its curve.
“Is her mother here?” the blonde female paramedic asked, looking at the crowd.
“Her mother’s dead. I’m her temporary guardian.” Regina stepped forward.
“We have to take her to the hospital. She’s unconscious, her leg is broken, but her vital signs are stable . . .”
“Can we . . . go . . . with her?” Peggy asked, gasping between syllables.
“No, I’m sorry, only an adult. If she wakes in the ambulance she’ll want to see a familiar face.” The paramedic covered the unconscious Megan with a blanket and began stowing her gear.
Straightening her shoulders, Peggy squeezed her brother’s hand. “We’ll be fine, Regina. We’ll try to get a’ hold of Gram, but she’s probably on her way home by now.”
“Don’t worry,” the officer said. “I’ll be here for a while.”
“Tad, run and get my purse,” Regina said.
The boy dashed away, reappearing in a couple of minutes, his chest heaving and his face crimson.
Touching his cheek, Regina tried to smile her thanks. He nodded his understanding. She turned and followed the gurney into the back of the ambulance. Regina looked at the pale-faced teens holding hands. The female paramedic pulled the doors shut then knelt beside the unconscious child.
“Here’s her backpack.” She handed Regina the purple bag covered with pink flowers and Hello Kitty. “It protected her.”
Taking the road-scarred bag, Regina clutched it to her chest. One side was torn and stained with blood, a flower ripped part way off, like a dying bloom.
I never believed in guardian angels, until now. The ones that made this bag deserve our thanks. Megan gets a new one in any color she wants. Even purple.
“Ready!” the paramedic shouted. The siren wailed as they raced away.
Regina yearned to touch Megan’s soft face, but she didn’t want to get in the way.
Chapter 10
THE POLICEMAN stayed while Peggy called the hospital, but Annabelle had already left. Peggy felt the walls were too confining, the house hollow without Megan and Gram. Ms. Pickles sat at the top of the stairs watching the door.
“Gram’s on her way home,” Peggy told the officer. “We’ll be fine until she gets here.”
“Yeah, we’re not little kids.” Tad threw back his shoulders. “But thanks for hanging around.” The officer shook Tad’s offered hand and gave Peggy his card.
“You give me a call if you need anything. I patrol this area most days.”
“Thanks.” Peggy clutched the card with a trembling hand. He had already crossed the yard when Peggy called out. “Sir?”
He opened the car door and paused. “Yes.”
“What happened to Mi . . . the driver who hit her?”
“He was taken downtown for questioning. He passed the field sobriety test.”
“Will he be arrested?” She asked.
“I don’t know yet, young lady. You just take care of yourselves, okay?”
“Okay.”
The officer shut the door and started the car. Before backing out, Peggy could see him talk on his radio. Then he was gone.
“I’m going to go see if I can find Joe and Tillie’s cell numbers.” Tad went back inside. Peggy heard drawers bang and the sound of things hitting the floor. There would be a mess to clean up, but she didn’t care. Sitting on the porch swing, Peggy took a deep breath. It hurt her chest.
Why did bad things have to happen? Dumb question. That’s life, dork. And Miles? Why did it have to be Miles who hit my baby sister with his stupid car?
She rested her chin on her hand, her feelings about Miles a jumble.
The slamming screen door made Peggy jump.
“Can’t find it. I’m going across the street to see if one of them stayed home instead of picking up Gram.”
She reached for her brother’s hand. “I’m sure they both went to get her.” He sat down and started to rock the porch swing. He smelled of soap and sweat. Normal. The warmth of his solid form and the swinging motion soothed Peggy’s frazzled nerves.