She smiled. “You already said that, George. I know you love me, but not like you love Dottie."
He nodded again. “I want to spend the rest of my life with Dottie,” he said. “Can't we be friends?"
“We are friends, George. We just took it too far."
“Will you come back to work for me Maggie? I need you."
She smiled again.
“You coming, Maggie?” someone shouted from the cab of the fire truck.
“I have to go, George."
“Maggie?"
“I'll think about it."
Now it was George's turn to smile. He watched Maggie climb on the back of the red truck and admired her as the vehicle headed back to Dot. He slowly returned to the wreck and retrieved his cellular telephone and tire tool. When he was again behind the wheel of his car, he punched the programmed button for the Korner Kafe.
“Sewana?” he asked when a female voice answered.
“Yes."
“This is George. I won't be back today. Close the place if you have to."
“Are you okay, Mr. Bennett?"
“I'm a little shook up. Dottie Frank has been in a bad accident. I think she's going to be all right, but I'm not sure. I'm going to hang around and see if there is anything I can do."
“We won't close the restaurant, Mr. Bennett. We'll do the best we can."
“Thank you, Sewana."
He cranked the car and headed for the clinic. There was no sign of the ambulance. When he entered the waiting room, he shielded his eyes against the bright glare of the overhead fluorescent lights. He stood at the circular desk until a young lady he thought should probably still be in grade school approached him.
“I'm George Bennett,” he explained. “A friend of Dottie Frank. Is she going to be all right?"
“Dr. McGee is with her now, Mr. Bennett. Why don't you wait with Mr. Frank and his wife?"
George turned, saw Billy and Tracy sitting in a corner of the room and joined them. “Any word?"
Billy shook his head. “She probably has a concussion and that gash on her head in going to need stitches. Unless there are some internal injuries, she should be in fairly good shape. She's lucky to come out of that wreck alive. The damn truck is totaled."
They sat quietly for fifteen minutes. Finally, George asked, “Is that girl behind the counter old enough to work here?"
Billy laughed. “I've known her since she was born. She's at least twenty-five now, George."
Bennett shook his head with a wry grin on his face. “I'm really getting old, Billy. She looks like a child to me."
Tracy chimed in. “She's married and has a boy who's already in school."
“Unbelievable,” George muttered. “Billy, what do you suppose caused the accident?"
Billy's expression turned grim. “I don't know. A state trooper is out there now, trying to make sense of it. Someone must have run her off the road, or maybe even sideswiped her and left the scene."
“Her truck is ancient,” George observed. “I suppose there could have been some kind of mechanical failure."
Billy nodded. “It's possible, but I keep it in good condition for her."
George watched the slender hand on the wall clock jerk forward one second at a time and he began to count. Why do I do that? he wondered after counting 3,000 seconds. I'm forever counting things for absolutely no reason.
Billy and Tracy stood up and George followed the focus of their eyes. Dr. McGee was approaching from the left. There was blood on her white coat, but she was smiling. George, too, stood as she arrived.
“She should be just fine, Billy,” Dr. McGee said. “She has multiple bruises all over her body—especially across her thighs where the lap belt dug into her—and I put twelve stitches in her forehead. She's going to have a humdinger of a headache."
“Thank God,” George said.
“Of course, she also has a concussion. I don't think there will be any complications, but I want her to stay awake under careful observation for twenty-four hours. Billy, can you or Tracy stay with her?"
“Of course, Mary Lou,” Tracy said.
“If for any reason you can't keep her awake, or note any abnormal behavior, call me immediately, no matter what time it is."
Tracy nodded.
“Is there anything you can give her for the pain?” Billy asked.
“I don't want her heavily medicated until the danger of complications from the brain trauma is passed. Sandra Dollar's remedy is as good as anything I can prescribe."
“A double dose of Alka-Seltzer Plus?” Billy asked incredulously.
“I don't recommend a double dose,” Dr. McGee said with a hint of amusement in her voice, “but it works for me. I'll have one of the nurses bring her out in just a few minutes."
As Dr. McGee disappeared behind swinging double doors George asked, “Will you let me stay with Dottie?"
Both Billy and Tracy turned towards George, but neither spoke.
“Look,” George said. “I think the world of Dottie. I owe her. I've caused her so much grief. I didn't mean to, but that's the way it turned out. Tracy, you have your job at the hardware store and a husband to look after, and Billy, you don't have anyone to help you at the Super Save but that half-witted teenager. Let me do this for you—for Dottie."
“Maybe we'd better let Dottie make the decision,” Tracy suggested.
They heard Dottie before they saw her. “This is ridiculous,” she groused. “I can walk. I don't need to be carted around in a wheelchair like a cripple."
The swinging doors swung open. “Stop this damn thing and let me walk like a normal person,” Dottie continued to complain. “Billy,” she shouted when she spotted him. “Get me out of this contraption."
“She's all yours,” the nurse said with a wink as she set the brakes on the chair.
“Get those do-hickeys out from under my feet so I can stand up, Billy."
Billy squatted down beside his mother and took her hand. “Calm down a minute, Ma. We have something to ask you."
“Well ask it and get me out of here."
“Dr. McGee wants you to stay awake for twenty-four hours."
“I know that."
“She wants someone to stay with you."
“No need for that. I'm fine."
“You don't look so fine, Dottie,” Tracy joked. “You remind me of a raccoon with those bruises under your eyes."
“Raccoons take care of themselves and I can take care of myself."
“One of us is going to stay with you Mom, whether you like it or not. The decision for you to make is which one of us would you prefer."
“I don't want either of you missing work on my account,” Dottie said with determination in her voice.
“That settles it then, Dottie,” George said. “I'll be your keeper for the next twenty-four hours."
She stared at him for several seconds and when she spoke, it was with a subdued voice. “I don't remember much about the accident, but I do remember waking up and finding your face in front of mine, George. They tell me you saved my life. I guess I owe you.” She looked at Billy. “He's going to rape me, you know."
“Mother!"
George shook his head. “I get the message,” he said. He turned and walked slowly away.
George sat in his car for a few minutes until the overwhelming desire to weep abated. He drove to his restaurant, unloaded the onions, and locked himself in his office. The tears came then. He didn't understand them, but he let them flow. Finally he reached for his handkerchief and laughed in spite of himself when he remembered why his back pocket was empty. He walked to the coffee table and pulled a handful of tissues from a box, dried his eyes and blew his nose violently. You're getting old, George, he thought.
He went back to his desk, looked up Tim Dollar's number and placed the call.
“Sandra, this is George Bennett. How are you?"
“Fine, George. And you?"
“Fair for an old man. Look, I need to get in t
ouch with Maggie and I don't have her phone number."
Sandra hesitated. “George, I apologize for saying this, but I'm not sure Maggie wants you to have her number. I'll ask her if you like and call you back."
George made an effort to control his anger. “Maybe you'd be so good as to give her a message?"
“Of course."
“She knows that Dottie Frank was in a bad automobile accident this morning."
“Oh, George,” Sandra said, “I didn't know. Is Dottie all right?"
“Many bruises, a gash on her forehead and a concussion. She's lucky to be alive. She's at home now, but she won't be able to work for a few days. That's why I need to talk with Maggie. I thought maybe she could run Dot's Diner until Dottie is back on her feet."
“George, hold the phone a minute. I think Maggie is in the back yard."
In a few minutes, Maggie was on the line. “Of course I'll do this for you—for Dottie. Do you need me right now?"
“It's eleven o'clock, Maggie. The lunch rush will begin in less than an hour."
“I've already taken a shower after this morning's activity. I'll come right now if it's okay with Sandra. She's nodding her head. I'm on my way."
“Thanks, Maggie,” George said, but she had already hung up.
George opened his office door and nodded at several customers who seemed to be staring at him as he made his way to the cash register. Sewana stopped him.
“George, you look terrible."
“I'm just worried about Dottie Frank. I'll be okay."
“No. I mean you really look terrible. You are dirty and your clothes are filthy. You need a bath and a change of clothes."
George looked down at the front of his shirt and pants and started to laugh. “I must be getting senile, Sewana. I've been crawling on my belly through a layer of pine needles and mud and it never occurred to me that I got dirty in the process. I'm going home, Sewana. I'll see all you good people in the morning."
On the way to his home on the golf course, George waved at Maggie as her Blazer passed on the way to Dot's Diner. The old biddy will probably accuse me of trying to steal her business while she's out sick, he thought. The tears returned.
The hot churning water of the Whirl Pool relaxed his rebelling muscles and his spirits began to rise. He slid lower in the tub until only his head remained above water. “Damn it, you old biddy, I'm not done with you yet,” he said aloud just as the telephone began to ring.
He decided there was no point in trying to answer it. The machine would pick up before he could get to a phone anyway. Probably just a telemarketer, he thought. He slid back into the cradle of the tub and settled his head on the headrest. He dozed, but woke quickly as visions of a smiling Dottie Frank danced in his head. She was beckoning him to come to her.
“Old fool,” he muttered as he climbed out of the tub.
When he was dressed he went to his study and played the one message on the answering machine.
“George, this is Billy. I called the restaurant, but they said you were at home. Look, Mom is terribly embarrassed about what happened at the clinic. You can understand that she was still in a bit of shock. She was trying to make a joke with the rape thing. She would like you to stay with her if you are still willing. I get the impression that she wants to spend some private time with you. She said it would give her a chance to talk with you about the offer you made her. Tracy is with her now."
George smiled as the machine tape reversed and reset. “Yes!” he shouted.
Chapter Eighteen
“How's she doing?” George asked when Tracy opened the front door to Dottie Frank's house.
“Okay, I think,” Tracy replied. “She's terribly sore right now, but she's in her pajamas and resting in bed. Come on in."
Bennett followed Tracy Frank to her mother-in-law's bedroom and smiled hesitantly as Tracy announced him.
“Well don't stand out there in the hall,” Dottie said. “Come on in. You act like you've never been in a lady's bedroom before."
George smiled as he approached the bedside. “It's not that, Dottie. I'm not one hundred percent certain I am welcome."
“George, I'm sorry about the rape comment. I didn't know you can't take a joke."
“Oh, I can take a joke all right—when I recognize it as such."
“Okay,” Dottie said with a smile on her face. “In the future I'll preface all jokes with something like, ‘Okay George. Get prepared. Here comes a funny.’”
“Have you had lunch?"
“No, and I'm powerful hungry."
“Good. I brought a couple of burgers and fries with me. I left them in the living room. I'll be right back."
“You mean I have to eat Korner Kafe food?"
He grinned. “Actually, I stopped by Dot's Diner and picked these up."
“Hey,” she said as he reached the bedroom door. “That reminds me. I asked Billy to call June at the diner and tell her to close up. Turns out you have Maggie Skinner filling in for me and we don't have to close the place after all."
“You're welcome,” he said.
“What right do you have to meddle in my affairs?"
“Now Dottie,” Tracy said when George was out of earshot. “Behave yourself. He was trying to do you a favor."
“I know, but let me have a little fun with him."
“Well, at least let him know up front that you're joking, like you promised."
“Not much fun doing it that way,” Dottie replied.
“Tracy,” George announced when he returned. “I have a burger in here for you, too."
“George, I appreciate it, but I'm not hungry. I'm going to get on back to the hardware store. Now Dottie, remember your promise."
“I'll behave."
“She's a good daughter-in-law, George. Billy couldn't have done any better. You gonna leave those burgers in the bag or are we going to eat them?"
George laughed and piled the burgers and soft drinks on her bedside table. As he inserted straws in the lids of two cups Dottie said, “You didn't get but three? Good thing Tracy left."
“You can have all three if you are that hungry."
She grinned at him as she took a huge bite out of her sandwich. She washed it down with a swig of Pepsi and said, “Go ahead, George. Two Dot's Diner burgers are enough for me, but I'd need three or four if they were the pitiful things you serve at the Korner Kafe."
He pulled a chair next to the bed and unwrapped his burger.
“I thought Maggie was working for the Dollars now,” Dottie said.
“She is, but I asked her to fill in for a few days until you are back on your feet."
“Don't you think you should have checked with me before taking over my affairs?"
“Dottie,” he said, “I was trying to help."
“You did good, but you should have checked with me first."
“And I suppose I should have checked with you this morning before dialing 911?"
“Of course,” she said. “For all you know I may like being pinned in my truck hanging upside down and bleeding all over myself."
“Uh, Dottie. Are you joking now?"
“Damn. I forgot to warn you,” she said as she burst out laughing.
While they finished their meal they discussed the efficiency of the Dot Rescue Squad, the expertise of the Dot Clinic and the curative powers of Alka-Seltzer Plus.
“George,” she said when he returned from disposing of the trash. “I'm not joking now. We have a little problem."
He looked at her expectantly.
“You remember the TV commercial where the little old lady cried, ‘I've fallen and I can't get up'?"
“Sure."
“Well, I have to pee and I can't get up."
He smiled as he bent over her. “You think I've never seen a woman pee before?"
She placed her left arm around his neck as he slid his right arm under her back and began to lift. “Have you?” she asked.
He scooted her around so that her f
eet touched the floor, knelt and put on her bedroom slippers. “There has to be a first time for everything.” He placed his hands firmly under her armpits and lifted. She groaned against the pain from her bruised muscles and for a brief moment, their bodies met. Quickly he moved beside her and placed his right arm around her waist as she moved her left arm over his shoulder.
“You trying to get a quick feel?"
“You're joking again, right?"
“You're learning."
With George's support, Dottie moved painfully across the bedroom floor, but when they were in the bathroom, Dottie said, “Now we come to the hard part. I think I can get my britches down, but I don't think I can get my butt on the toilet seat."
“Perhaps I can close my eyes and still help."
“Let's try it."
George shut his eyes and playfully put his hands to his face.
“Okay, Clown. Keep your eyes closed and slip your hands under my arms."
She tried to guide his hands but before they found her armpits, they brushed against her ample breasts. “Okay,” he said. “I've got you."
She groaned as she struggled against his support enough to push the pajama bottoms to mid thigh.
“Ready?” George asked as he felt her straighten up. “Assume the position."
She sat down with another loud groan. “All right,” she said. “Keep your eyes closed and get out of here."
George extended his arms, found the wall and groped his way to the door.
He shut the door and she immediately called out, “Damn. George, close your eyes and come back in here."
“What's wrong now?"
“I don't want you listening to me tinkle. Get in here and turn a faucet on."
George laughed as he felt his way back into the bathroom, located the faucet and turned the knob. “Anything else, your majesty?"
“Just get out of here and let me get on with it."
George stood outside the door whistling. He heard the toilet flush.
“Okay, I'm through,” she shouted. “Close you eyes and come back, but follow my directions this time."
“Beautiful lady,” he said as he exaggerated the waving of his extended arms, “your wish is my command."
“Come a little closer."
“This okay?"
“Another foot or two."
Sintown Chronicles II: Through Bedroom Windows Page 21