by June Kramin
Bix was surprised his dad had never talked to him about what was in the shed. He thought for sure he would have gone out immediately after hearing what Bix was given and pitched a fit about wanting them. Maybe he was still judging his father through the eyes of his eight year old self. He silently vowed to try to make an effort for his mother’s sake. Ellie’s farm site offered an almost identical shed. As soon as spring came around, he’d drive them over. Ellie bugged him often to go see them.
“When you’re more healed up, babe. They aren’t going anywhere.”
“Mother hen.”
Chapter Forty-Five
Ellie’s brothers showed up in suits and ties on Friday. Bix answered the door in one as well and was surprised to see them.
“What are you guys doing here and all dressed up?”
“We figured we’d go with you guys. Anyone that collected cars like that deserves a little hero worship at his funeral,” Nate said.
Bix laughed.
“That and the fact that we know our sister. Ellie will insist on going and she doesn’t do so well at these things. I thought maybe we’d just be there for her, too.”
“I appreciate it. Coffee? We still have time before we have to go.”
“Sure,” they both said, walking in.
Ellie came down the hallway and lit up at the sight of her brothers. She walked over to them, still taking it a little slowly, and received careful but strong hugs from both of them. “You guys are going?”
“Sure,” Nick said. “Our grandfathers were probably friends. Why not?”
“There’s no beer after the wake.”
“Yeah, but I bet there will be food.”
She playfully smacked Nick’s chest then leaned in for another hug.
Bix’s parents showed up, surprising him. He walked them in and made the introductions.
“We thought you might want to just take one car there,” Sue said.
“We’ll go with the guys now that they’re here. Thanks though. There’s time for a cup of coffee before we go if you want.”
“Sounds good. You look great, Ellie. How’s your sister doing?” Sue asked.
“I haven’t gone in to see her. Nick?”
“She’s doing good. She’s asleep more often than not when we go though.”
“Speaking of sisters, yours called, Bix. She isn’t making it after all.”
“That’s too bad.”
“I thought it was too good to be true when she said she was coming. You know her and her schedule.”
“All too well. She needs to slow down before she has a heart attack.” He instantly regretted his words.
Walking down the aisle of the church, Ellie stopped when they were about ten rows from the front. She and Bix were walking together, holding hands, and she hadn’t been paying attention. When she saw what was at the front of the church, she planted her feet firmly and jerked Bix to a stop.
“What’s the matter, babe?”
“You didn’t tell me it was open casket.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know for sure, but I assumed it was. Should I have warned you?”
She stood and stared at the casket in front of the altar. The lid was open, but she couldn’t yet see Gramps. She didn’t want to go any further and be able to see him. “Can we sit here?” she asked, pointing to the row they stood next to.
“Sure.”
Nick went in first, followed by Bix. Ellie slid next to him and Nate sat down close to her and took her hand. She smiled up at Bix as she placed her other hand on Nate’s. Bix smiled back, apparently understanding the comfort her brother brought her, and focused his attention up front again. Bix’s parents walked by and took a seat in the front row. They didn’t stop to encourage him to move closer. Ellie was grateful. The ceremony started on time, just ten minutes after they had been seated.
Immediately Ellie’s heart pounded faster. One minute she was looking at the single casket but in seconds, it blurred into a vision of three. She tried to blink things clear, but it was no use. Her heart was pounding and she started shaking.
“You okay, El?” Nathan asked. Her eyes were still lost in her gaze ahead. “El?” Her shaking grew stronger and her breathing became labored. He gave her hand a squeeze. She finally looked sideways at him.
“Help me,” she whispered.
Nate uttered a soft, “Oh boy,” and stood up. He grasped Ellie’s arm and helped her to her feet. The movement caught Bix’s attention and he looked at Nate for answers.
“I got her. You stay put.” Nick went to get up and Nate shook his head no. “Stay here. She’ll be all right.”
Nate walked Elle to the back of the church. She was grateful most of the people there were in rows ahead of them. Only a few glanced her way before returning their attention to the pastor. Once they walked through the doors, Ellie bolted for the bathroom. She sat on her knees in the handicapped side with the door open. She felt nauseas as hell but had to fight the urge to throw up and tear apart her insides. Swallowing hard a few times, she sat down. Nick walked in and handed her some paper towels then sat down beside her.
“Thanks,” she said, spitting into the bowl. “Shit.” Ellie flushed the toilet then rested her head on her arm.
“I should have insisted you stayed home, El. I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. I thought I could do this.”
“You never could do funerals, even before Mom and Dad died. Do you remember the funeral for Ralph?”
“Don’t say Ralph.”
Nate laughed. “You couldn’t even take a quick burial for the family cat. And I’m not even going to show you the scar I still have where you bit me because I flushed your dead goldfish when you were seven.”
“I didn’t want you to flush Gil.”
“Well he was getting fuzzy and gross after three days. I had to.”
She leaned into him and he wrapped an arm around her. “Thanks for coming today. You knew this was going to happen, didn’t you?”
“I had a feeling, but I hoped you’d be okay.”
“What do little girls do when they don’t have big brothers to look after them?” she asked, cuddling into him.
“I’m glad I don’t have to know the answer to that.”
“I really miss them.”
“I know. So do I. Nick and I have tossed back many beer reminiscing.”
“I do love Bix but I…”
“Feel guilty,” Nate said, finishing the sentence that she could not. “Don’t, Ellie. I loved Tony like a brother, but he’s gone. He wouldn’t want you carrying a torch for him the rest of your life. You have too much to offer someone and Bix seems like a great guy. Go be happy, El.”
She stayed cuddled into his chest and wiped away a tear. “I feel guilty sitting in here talking about Tony when today should be about Gramps.”
“From what you told me, he wouldn’t mind. He’d want you to move on and be happy, too.”
“That would be him.” She finally sat upright. “Should we go back?”
“No. That’ll make more of a scene. We’ll just wait in the entrance. It’ll be all right, El.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out a pack of wintergreen gum.
“Bless you,” Ellie said as she accepted a piece.
Chapter Forty-Six
There was a small gathering after the service in the church cafeteria with punch, fruits, and small sandwiches. Bix’s mother was grateful for the offer of help from the church women that knew Gramps and wanted to do this “pot luck” style and all chip in and help. She was far from ready to try to do this at his house and on her own. The Minnesota “hot dish” was also plentiful. The recipe is simple enough — add ground hamburger, throw in a can of veggies, add a can of cream of mushroom soup, top it with Tater-Tots and call it done. Ellie despised hot dishes. She vowed never to force that particular meal on her kids. She picked at a plain turkey sandwich, trying to calm her stomach.
Most of the people in the room were the same age as Gramps,
some maybe a little younger. Nick and Nathan did a fine job of entertaining the older women. They had been flirts for as long as Ellie was old enough to know what flirting was. She was grateful more than ever that they had come along to lighten the mood.
Bix was finally able to break free and make his way back over to Ellie. “You still doing okay?”
“I’m all right now. I’m sorry.” She leaned into him for a hug.
“I don’t care that you couldn’t sit there, babe. Had I known, I would have insisted you stay home. You holding up otherwise?”
“I’m getting really tired of saying I’m fine, Bix.” She leaned up and gave him a kiss. “I’m really great. Actually, I’m looking forward to a beer with the guys soon.”
“I’ll see what I can do about sneaking us out of here. Now isn’t the time to put you through all the cousin introductions. We can hook up with them later, one family at a time so we can spend some good one-on-one time and really get to know them. I don’t want to overload you with a bunch of names and faces. Let me go talk to Mom about getting out of here. Be right back.”
Nathan and Nick made their way over to Ellie. “You guys get a bunch of phone numbers?”
“Eww,” Nick said with a frown. “We’re undersexed, but not sixty-years-old undersexed.”
Ellie laughed.
“We going to the site soon?” Nate asked.
“Bix is making excuses for us right now. We’re not going to the site. Gramps is getting buried beside his wife. It’s an old, small cemetery and they just don’t have the equipment it would take. He’s going on ice till spring.”
“You do know I want to be cremated, right?” Nick said to both of them.
Nate laughed. “Yes, you moron. You’ve been saying that since you were six and I let you stay up to watch that zombie movie with me.”
Ellie tried to stifle a giggle. “Why didn’t I know about this?”
“You and Nance were just toddlers, El.”
“I guess we would have been…” again at the mention of her sister, her attention drifted away. She was glad to see Bix walking over to them.
“Let’s go, people. I promised to stop at the house later, but there’s plenty of time to go for a beer.”
They stopped at the motel so the guys could change. “It seems silly that you have to pay for a motel when you could stay at the house.”
“No worries about the room. We’re trading stays with the owner for our place so it’s not even an expense.” Nick finished pulling his T-shirt on. “You want to go see Nance?”
“Not particularly.”
“Damnit, Ellie. You guys have fought like this your whole life. Can’t you give it a rest?”
“If you guys want to stop in, we can wait here or downstairs at the hospital.”
“We saw her this morning and said we’d be back later. I was just wondering if your stubborn ass was ready to give in.”
“Don’t start with me, Nick. I — ”
“Both of you knock it off,” Nathan hollered. “Damn kids.” He shook his head and looked over at Bix. “How about a beer and a round of darts at Benny’s?”
“Sounds fine to me. Ellie?”
“You want to borrow something to wear?” Nate asked Bix.
“I’m used to suits. This is okay.”
“Let’s roll.”
The anger was forgotten between Ellie and Nick without any apologies. That was mellow as far as one of their squabbles went and it was quickly forgotten. The four of them enjoyed a couple of beers over darts and pool. Ellie loved watching the banter between Bix and her brothers. She was beyond thrilled they’d hit it off so well. It was never a question to her that they would like and accept him, but things couldn’t be any better.
A few old friends showed up. Ellie grew uncomfortable when the attention shifted to her and Nancy and the surgeries. It was easiest to just cut them off and plan their escape.
“It was great to see you, but we really have to get going.” She pulled at Nathan’s sleeve. “Come on, Nate. We’ve got to get back.”
“Sure, El.” He pulled off his baseball cap and bopped Nick on the head from behind as he caught up with an old classmate. “Let’s go, bonehead.”
They arrived at the house the same time as Bix’s mother and father were busy carrying in dozens of disposable containers from leftover hot dishes. They all lent a hand and carried the food in. Bix’s mother wasted no time reaching for plates and loading them up.
“I’m glad you boys are here to help eat some of this,” Sue said. “All of the cousins wanted to head home after the gathering. I guess four hours of mingling at the church is enough. I’m actually glad they didn’t want to come here. I’m more than ready to ditch these heels and kick my feet up for a while.”
“We’ll do what we can to help you with the food,” Nick said as he accepted a full plate.
“I’ll pass,” came from Ellie.
“Still nauseous, dear?”
“No. It’s not that.”
“Ellie hates hot dishes,” Nathan said as he took the plate from Sue.
“Hates hot dishes? How very un-Minnesotan of you, Noelle,” Sue teased. “Can I make you a sandwich?”
“I’ll get it. Thanks though.”
A little later, Sue insisted Bix take Ellie home. She protested only slightly before agreeing to go.
“We’re heading back to the resort tomorrow morning, but we’ll check back on you two in a few days,” Nathan said as he hugged her goodbye. He shook Bix’s hand. “Don’t hesitate to call me if she gives you any trouble.”
“I’ll be sure to do that,” Bix said with a nod.
The next two weeks passed without too much excitement. Bix took Ellie to her follow-up appointments, but she refused to see Nancy every time they went. Bix always managed to sneak away and find Holly and get updates in case Ellie asked. She never did.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Bix’s phone rang. It was Nate.
“Hey. You guys in town?” Bix asked instead of saying hello.
“Yeah. Hey, you with Ellie?”
“Yup. She’s sleeping. What’s up?”
“I know this sounds like a dumb question, but is Nancy with you guys?”
“You’re right. That’s a dumb question. Why? Is she not at the hospital?”
“That’s where I’m calling from. No one has seen her since early this morning at rounds.”
“How is that possible?”
“Dunno. I figured it was a long shot, but you’re who I thought to call first.”
“What about that lawyer of hers?”
“He hasn’t heard from her, either.”
“Well, shit. Let me wake Ellie. I don’t know what to tell you.”
“No, don’t. There’s nothing she can do. I’ll call you if I hear anything.”
“Do that.”
Ellie called out to Bix. “Who was that?”
He walked back in the room. “Nathan.”
“What’s up?”
“Um…nothing really.”
She squinted an eye and stared at him. “I like this.”
“Like what?”
“You can’t lie to me. What happened?”
He sat on the bed. “Nancy is sort of…missing.”
“What do you mean ‘sort of missing’? How does someone sort of disappear?”
“They went to see her and she’s not there. No one has a clue where she is.”
“This is just like her. Apparently she’s not getting enough attention for her surgery so she has to create some excitement and needless worry. She’ll show up.”
“I asked Nathan to call when they heard something.”
“As long as he calls you and not me.”
After almost three weeks Nancy was doing fine but she was still in the hospital. She liked the extra coddling and attention. She was never particularly nice to the staff but she figured they were being paid to be at her beck and call and treated them as such. For someone used to having servant
s, a hospital was the next best thing. Her lawyer visited twice daily. Each time he addressed her treatment of them she replied, “So give them more money and they’ll shut the fuck up.”
All the poking and prodding was getting old. Each test brought back excellent results. There were no problems with rejection or infections. She should be thinking about where to settle in a week or so, but she wasn’t quite sure where to go from here. She couldn’t fly back to Europe yet. She knew she had to return for tests for a while and just assumed stick with the doctor she already had broken in. That ruled out going north to her brother’s resort. The drive back every week was out of the question. The bumps on the road alone would do her in. Her brothers would never take care of her the way she wanted and would only fuss about any personal assistant she had. Besides, the old cabin was dirty and stinky by her standard of living. For the first time in years, she longed for her old bedroom at her house but after the things Ellie said to her, that was not an option.
She roamed the halls deep in thought, with a walker for support and a nurse at her side for assistance. The nurse was called away for a minute, so Nancy took a quick break on a visitor’s bench. After a few minutes, she saw a very handsome man with a large bouquet of long stemmed yellow roses coming her way.
“Some lucky bitch has it good,” she mumbled.
To her surprise, the man stopped and knelt down in front of her. “You doing okay, gorgeous?”
“Peachy, actually,” she replied with a little flirtatious toss of her hair. “Those are beautiful.” She leaned down to smell the flowers. Nancy wasn’t so much trying to smell them as she was trying to make a sensual movement out of the ordeal. Silently, she cursed her hospital gown and wished for something that would reveal a little cleavage.
“I was surprised you weren’t back at work yet. They must have gutted you good.” He kissed her cheek. “I was hoping you weren’t sick of roses yet, but they were the prettiest thing the florist had to offer.”