by Debbie White
“Don’t worry about anything. I’ll explain later. Right now, you rest and get better. We need you home.” She patted him on the arm.
Just then the hospital door flew open and in walked a nurse, pushing a cart along. “Time to take his vitals,” she sang.
Annie backed away, while the nurse did her job. “I’ll be right back. Just going to make a call,” she said, showing her cell phone and waving it around to the nurse.
“How’s my little buddy doing?” Annie asked her friend, once she answered.
“He’s fine,” Vicky reassured her. “He’s playing with Scott’s keys, and whatever else we can find to entertain him. Scott did run back over to your house and grabbed the dogs … and some diapers.”
“Oh, Vicky, that’s so nice of you all. I wanted to update you on Grandmother and Auntie. They made it over to Milly and Robert’s, and I guess they’re having a big old hurricane party!”
Vicky laughed into the phone. “Man, see what we are missing because Jack fell on his head?”
“I know, right? I guess Grandmother and Auntie are in sheer delight being over there. Jack’s grandparents are there, too.”
“I can only imagine what poor Milly is going through. She’s probably pulling her hair out.”
“I talked to Mary. She and Danny are over there, too. I guess they’re making margaritas and all this food before the power goes out.”
“If the power goes out,” Vicky corrected.
“How are the winds?”
“They’ve actually died down some, but you know what they say …”
“The calm before the storm?” Annie pulled her bottom lip in.
“Let’s think positive. So what’s your plan?”
“Jack’s going to insist I leave to be with Ashton. I don’t know how dangerous that will be. I’m going to check with the guards here, and see if I can get any more updates about the news before I make my decision. Jack is out of the woods and just requires rest. He’s safe here.”
“Okay, well whatever you do, let us know before you do it.”
Annie agreed to Vicky’s terms and then bid her goodbye. She walked down the hallway that led to the reception desk, and spoke with the volunteers who were manning it. They gave her all the details they had on the storm and then directed her to watch the news. She moseyed over to the seating area, where she sat, taking in the weather reports. She spotted a Keurig machine in the corner and popped back up, making her way over to fix herself a cup of coffee. She kept her eyes and ears on the television as the coffee dripped into her cup. Taking her cup, she drew in the smell of the fresh coffee, while she listened to the latest. Apparently, the worst of the storm had blown over. Just like a lot of these storms, it had fizzled out before it came ashore, but not before it brought minimal flooding to the downtown area and a few isolated power outages. This storm would go down in history as being minor. Letting out a sigh of relief, Annie took herself and her cup of coffee back to Jack’s room to tell him the good news.
With Jack sleeping soundly, Annie didn’t want to wake him, and instead leaned over and kissed him goodbye. “I’ll be back. I’m going to go be with our little boy,” she whispered, kissing him once again. She pulled up and began to move when he caught her hand with his. “Oh, you’re awake.”
“I’m drifting in and out. Michael said I'd be doing that for a while.”
Annie raised her brow. “He came in, then? Michael saw you?”
Jack nodded. “Said that next time I want attention, I should try asking for it, instead of falling in a storm and hitting my head, knocking myself unconscious.”
Annie laughed. “He did, huh? Well, for the record, it was a little dramatic, I must say.” She squeezed his hand.
“Ho ho ho,” he mocked.
“Listen, good news, the storm is passing, and I can be with Ashton. Michael said he’s keeping you overnight, so I’ll be back tomorrow to get you, okay?”
“Sounds good. Give my boy a big hug from his accident-prone daddy.”
“Jack?” Annie said, tilting her head to the right.
Jack blinked and then nodded.
“How did the accident happen? Do you have any recollection now?”
Jack brushed his hand through his hair. “Yeah, I went to bend over to tug on the rope for the boat, and I guess a gust of wind came up and slammed me down on the deck, head first. I managed to roll over onto my back, but then realized my wrist was hurting badly. I then blanked out. Really, when you think about it, it shouldn’t have knocked me out, but I guess I’m a lightweight.”
“No, you’re not a lightweight. The wind was forceful. It was like dropping a couple of hundred pounds on a wooden surface. You might have hit your head on something before falling, and just don’t realize it.”
Jack drew in a long breath and let it out loudly. “Well, whatever the case may be, I’m going to be okay, and except for a sprained wrist and bruised pride, I’ll be home tomorrow.” He winked at her, causing her to smile.
“I’m going to call a cab. Know any good drivers who are willing to brave some rain?” she coyly asked.
“Call Richard.”
“Yeah, I can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“Because, while you were lying on a dock bleeding, and then rushed to the hospital, those guys were having a hurricane party.”
Jack’s eyes widened.
“Fortunately, Grandmother and Auntie made it there, too.” Annie shook her head side to side.
“Oh, your family fits in so well with mine,” he said, chuckling.
Annie leaned over and placed her mouth on his. His lips felt dry, probably from being out in the elements for so long. She breathed in his scent, but instead of the earthy sensual aroma she’d normally get from a combination of his shower gel, deodorant, and their laundry detergent, Annie took in the smell of bleached linen, dried blood, and rubbing alcohol. She wrinkled her nose.
“I’ll check with Michael on the way out, to find out what time to pick you up tomorrow. Get some rest. I have a feeling we’ll have some cleanup to do out at Sweet Magnolia.”
“What about the bakery?” Jack asked.
Annie began to wobble, her eyes growing to the size of saucers. She’d forgotten all about her beloved little cupcakery. She pulled in her bottom lip to try and stop it from quivering.
“Now, Annie, don’t get worked up about the bakery. It’s probably just fine,” Jack said, trying to calm the second storm brewing.
Annie pulled out her phone and dialed a number. “I need to find a way back to Vicky and Scott’s. Who over there hasn’t been drinking and can come get me?”
“Robert. We’ll send him,” Mary said.
Annie could hear all the chatter coming from the Powell household. She swore she could hear Grandmother’s cackle from a distance. She pursed her lips. “Okay, please tell him to hurry.”
Annie sat back down near Jack’s bed. “Your dad is coming to get me.” She bent over, retrieving her purse, and slipped her phone inside. “I guess he’s the only one who hasn’t tasted the juice, yet.” She smiled broadly and then reached out and slid her hand up and down his arm.
“I can’t wait to get out of this hospital bed and go home.” He dropped his head back onto the pillow.
“Soon, babe, soon.”
Annie looked up when Robert entered the hospital room. He rushed over to Jack and patted his leg. “Son, are you ok?”
“Just a little sore. I’ll be all right,” Jack answered.
“How did this happen?” Robert pulled up a chair beside the bed and sat.
“I went down to the dock to check on Lady Powell. A gust of wind knocked me right on my butt.”
“He hit his head on something and was knocked out,” Annie said, cutting in.
Robert nodded. “Well, do what the doctors tell you to do.” He stood.
Annie stood as well and leaned over the bed, kissing Jack on the forehead. “I’ll be back tomorrow to get you.” She stepped back a
nd a slow smile quirked her face.
“Bye, babe.” His forlorn look and disappointing tone told her he wasn’t looking forward to sleeping at the hospital.
“Get some rest.” She blew him a kiss as she exited his room.
Chapter Eight
“Thanks so much for picking me up, Robert.” Annie buckled her seat belt.
“No worries, glad to be of help. You sure you don’t want to come back to the house?”
Annie shook her head. “I want to go get Ashton. He’s probably confused and wondering what happened to Jack.”
Robert nodded, keeping eyes on the road. Now, the rain was coming down even heavier.
“So much for the storm passing us,” she said, peering out the window.
“Said by eight o’clock tonight, it would be moving up the coast and eventually going out to sea.”
“Those clouds look so ominous, though,” she said, stretching her neck to see them, a tone of worry in her voice.
“We aren’t out of the woods yet for tornados. That’s a real probability. Why don’t you pick up Ashton and the dogs and come back to the house?”
Annie turned her head and stared at her father-in-law. He was one of the sweetest men she’d ever met—except Jack, of course. “Okay, that sounds good,” she said, almost whispering.
Traffic came to a standstill on more than one occasion, but Robert had the patience of Job. Annie muttered a few unladylike words under her breath, but not Robert, who remained calm. He weaved in and out of cars with such ease, and never once did she hear any four-letter words from him. After a grueling ninety minutes, they pulled up to Vicky and Scott’s.
She unbuckled her seat belt. “I’ll just be a minute.” She bounded out of the car and headed to their front door.
Annie rushed to Ashton and picked him up, pecking kisses all over his face and head. “Mommy is here. I told you I’d be back.”
“How’s Jack?” Vicky asked.
“He’s doing well. Michael was the doctor on duty. Can you believe it? He said he should be good as new and discharged tomorrow. Robert, Jack’s dad, is waiting for me out in the car. We’re going to go over to their house for dinner.”
“He was a little doll. He’s so precious. I know he missed you, but he was so good,” Vicky said, stroking his little head.
“Thank you,” Annie mouthed before she leaned in and kissed her friend on the cheek.
“Yep, makes us want to have kids of our own,” Scott yelled from across the room, sitting on the overstuffed armchair with Buffy on his lap and Isla down at his feet.
Annie shook her head when she saw her lazy pooches. “I see they got comfortable pretty quickly,” she said, motioning to the dogs.
Scott chuckled. “They’re good dogs. You have a great kid and good dogs. Now, that husband of yours …” He chuckled some more.
Annie smiled. “I think you’d make great parents. And I think you should get a dog. Every child needs a pet …” she said trailing off, realizing she may have hit a delicate spot with them. Annie hoped and prayed they would succeed in adopting. Scott and Vicky could give a child everything they’d ever dreamed about, and more. “Okay, guys, thanks again. Love you both,” she said, waving to them as she made her way to the front door.
“Be careful out there. The rain is coming down in buckets,” Scott said as he approached the entryway, with Isla and Buffy following him.
“Robert is the safest driver I know, besides Jack.” She winked. Annie hightailed it out the front door, shielding little Ashton as best as she could. She opened the back seat, and the two dogs jumped in. Holding Ashton on her lap, she said, “We need to go to our house. I need to get some dry clothes, diapers, and his car seat.”
Robert pulled the car up front so Annie could stay as dry as possible.
“I’ll be as quick as I can.”
Annie grabbed the diaper bag and stuffed it with diapers, wipes, some finger foods, his sippy cup, and a bottle–just in case. She opened the drawers to his dresser and tossed a footed sleeper and another change of clothes into the bag. She sighed. “I must be forgetting something, but what?” Then it dawned on her—a phone charger. Her battery showed it was at less than twenty-five percent.
She ran out of the house and heaved herself into the front seat, breathing heavily. Grandpa held Ashton while he messed around with the steering wheel. She brushed her wet hair back with her hands. “I need to get the car seat out of my car. Can you drive around back?”
After a few minutes of struggling with the car seat, Annie finally got it out of her car and into Robert’s. Little Ashton rode in the middle with Isla and Buffy on each side. He occasionally let out a giggle, causing Annie to look back. She laughed out loud. Isla and Buffy were licking the drops of water off of him.
“Smells like wet dog in here,” Robert said, wrinkling his nose.
Robert helped by gathering the dogs and grabbing the diaper bag. Annie had Ashton. They headed inside the house. Immediately, Annie could hear music and a sudden bellow of laughter, along with chattering going on.
“This must be the place where the party is,” she said.
Robert nodded. “It’s never a dull moment around here. Throw in a hurricane, and you have to celebrate.” He held out his hand to take Annie’s jacket. She wiggled out of one arm, while she transferred Ashton to her hip, then she positioned him to the other side so she could get the other arm out.
“Annie,” Mary sang as she wrapped her arms around her and kissed Ashton.
“Mary,” Annie said with a little wariness in her voice.
“Come join the party. We have food, drink—”
“I hear. It sounds like it’s a great one. Too bad Jack isn’t here,” she said, cutting her off in a lofty tone.
Mary stepped back and eyed her sister. “We’re all sorry that Jack got hurt. This party is not about celebrating him not being here. Take a chill pill, Sis.”
Annie softened her features. A tear welled up. “I know, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have bitten off your face like that. It’s been a trying few hours.” She pulled Mary back into her embrace. “I think I could use a stiff drink to mellow out.”
“Grandmother and Auntie are having a great time. They love Jack’s grandparents.”
Annie nodded. “Have you heard any news about the downtown area? I was wondering about the bakery.”
“Annie,” Milly shouted, rushing to her side and taking Ashton out of her arms, interrupting the sisters’ conversation. “My little Ashton,” she said, nuzzling his neck and blowing raspberries.
Mary stepped around Milly and placed her arm on Annie’s shoulder. “Just some flooding, but I think it’s minimal. We should be able to go check things out tomorrow. Milly is setting us all up here for the night. You’re staying the night, too, right?”
Annie nodded. “Yes, I guess so. I promised to pick up Jack tomorrow. I guess I’ll figure out all the logistics tomorrow. But right now, someone fix me a margarita. And make it a large one!”
Annie grew tired of repeating the story about how she found Jack at the bottom of the hill, lifeless and bleeding. She’d just as soon forget about it. Ashton began to act fussy, so after feeding him and giving him a warm bath, Annie set him up in the portable crib that had belonged to Jack and his sister way back when, in Jack’s old bedroom, which was now turned into a guest room. She bid the group good night, and then taking a nice long shower, she slipped into one of Jack’s tee shirts she found in his old dresser and climbed into bed. The two large margaritas rimmed with salt relaxed her, and soon her eyes grew heavy with sleep, sweeping her away into dreamland.
She woke to a little someone screeching at the top of his lungs. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and focused on Ashton, who held on to the side of the crib, bouncing up and down, drooling all over the side, and laughing.
“Okay, little guy, give me a moment to clear my head.” Annie stretched and yawned and then rolled her head to the side to see the time on the clock radio that was
on the side table. She pushed off the covers, and placing one foot on the floor and then the other, she made her way over to Ashton. She reached in and pulled him into her arms. She kissed his forehead. “Ready to eat breakfast?” He cooed in her arms in response.
Annie searched the closet for something to put on over her skimpy tee shirt. She found an oversize sweatshirt from Jack’s football days and a pair of even baggier sweatpants. A quick look in the mirror attached to the door caused her to scowl. “Yikes, I’m a sight for sore eyes.” She brushed her ratty hair down, and the two exited the bedroom, making their way to the kitchen.
As she approached the alcove into the kitchen area, she could hear Grandmother, Auntie, and Milly talking.
“Good morning, everyone,” she said cheerfully, making eye contact with each of them.
“Good morning, dear,” Patty said.
“How’d you sleep?” Milly asked.
Annie pulled a coffee cup off of the cup tree and poured herself a cup of coffee. With Ashton on her hip, she pulled the refrigerator door open and searched for cream and something to give him for breakfast.
“I slept well. Ashton is hungry,” she peered over the top of the refrigerator door and made eye contact with Milly.
“How about some scrambled eggs?” Milly rose from her chair and crossed over to where Annie stood.
“I can make them. That sounds good.” Annie dropped her head back inside and grabbed the carton of eggs.
“Here, let me hold him, then,” Milly said, opening her arms to accept Ashton.
Annie passed him over to his grandma and proceeded to make bacon, eggs, and cheese grits. The smell of the sizzling bacon soon had everyone up.
The lively conversation around the table brought a small secret smile to Annie’s face. Being part of this large family brought such joy, to not only her, but to Grandmother and Auntie.
Annie pulled the cup close to her lips, about to draw a sip of coffee, when the house phone rang. Robert answered it with a deep, “Hello.” Annie watched as Robert carried on a conversation with the party on the line. He then motioned for her to get the phone. “It’s Jack. He’s chomping at the bit to come home,” he said, laughing in exhilaration as he handed her the phone.