He stood up and came over to stand beside her and rub her good shoulder as they heard a knock at her screen door. Luke poked his head in and was just about to say something when he saw her tears and quietly came inside and approached the table. He didn’t say anything, just looked from one to the other of them. After a minute Charlie tried to smile through her tears and Fo said, “I’m glad you’re here, Luke.” Fo glanced down at Charlie and squeezed her shoulder again. “If I go out tonight, would you watch over her for me? It might be best if she had some company.” He looked down at Charlie and asked, “Should I break my date? Do you need me to stay here with you tonight?”
Shaking her head, she tried to shut off her tears and smile. “Heavens no! Once you’ve finally asked someone out, I’m not going to be the one to break it! I’m fine. Maybe a little emotional. Go have fun. When do we get to meet this girl?”
He was watching her like a hawk and then finally seemed to decide she would indeed, be okay. “Soon. I definitely need your opinion. I’m just waiting long enough that she doesn’t assume you and I are an item the way everyone else does.” He put a hand on her head and ruffled her wild, tousled curls. “Take care of yourself. Call me if you need to.” He looked up and met Luke’s eyes. “Take care of her for me, Luke. She’s my main life organizer. I can’t be having her out of commission.”
Luke smiled down at her. “I’ll babysit her for you. Go on your date. But I want to meet your girl too.”
“Forget it, dude. She wouldn’t even look at me again. You stay here and babysit and keep your distance.” With that, he walked out the door and let it cheerfully slam behind him. Luke pulled out the same chair Fo had been sitting in and sat down.
For a second or two he only watched her and she self-consciously wiped at her eyes again with the napkin. “Sorry. I’m not sure where these tears are coming from. How has your day gone? Did you get a nap after your short night?”
He shook his head. “Not yet, but I’m working on it. How’s the shoulder? Are you staying ahead of the pain?”
“Yes and no, I take the pills and then fall asleep and then don’t wake up until it’s bad again, but I’m okay. Have you already eaten? Do you want to share mine?”
“I ate.” He paused again and then said quietly, “Madge thinks we need to get you some counseling after last night. What do you think? She said this might be a big thing to deal with psychologically. Do you want me to find you someone?”
At his question, the tears filled her eyes again and she covered them with her napkin and took several deep breaths. “Sorry.” After a minute or two, she shook her head and ran a hand through her hair. “I think I’m okay. If I can just get a handle on the pesky nightmares. Or maybe they’re daymares, when I’m napping. Which is it?” He didn’t answer her lame attempt to joke. He was still watching her and she had to softly admit the same thing to him she had said to Fo, “He was so strong I didn’t think I could get away and…I was scared.” After another uncomfortable minute he got up and came to stand beside her just as Fo had done.
He put a hand on her shoulder and gently asked, “Would it help to talk about it? Or would it help to completely try to get your mind off of it?”
“Get my mind off of it. Definitely. Let’s change the subject. Tell me what went on around here today.”
For the next few minutes he told her about the little ones reaction to the museum and how they had taken care of the piggies without her and even how Tuckett had been the model of a perfect teenager all day and she finally honestly smiled. Having the pain pill start to take effect helped her heart almost as much as his conversation did.
When he went back to his chair and sat down again, she asked, “Do you think we could watch a movie? I’m too looped to do much, but I’m sick of sleeping. Are you still working or are you done for the night?”
“I’m done. I’ll feed the little pig late, but other than that I’m through. Sure, we could watch something. What are you in the mood for?”
“You pick. Just nothing rated R. Something that will keep me from thinking.”
“I don’t watch Rs. Are you thinking action, comedy or chick flick?”
She yawned and got up to rinse her plate. “Surprise me. Can we watch in the bunkhouse?”
“Absolutely. Bring your pillow and we’ll find you a blankie.”
****
When Fo showed up at eleven thirty, he had to smile at the two of them there on the cowhide couch. Their movie was still rolling, but both of them were dead to the world. Luke was leaning against the end of the couch and she was snuggled over against his chest with her feet curled up beside her and her pillow had fallen to the floor in front of them. Fo sat down in the recliner and watched the last part of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, wondering if his best friend hadn’t finally found her prince charming. Luke was strong enough to deal with her all powerful family and keep her from getting squished by them quite nicely. Still, knowing her, she would be hesitant to acknowledge she’d found him.
As the credits began to roll, he woke the two of them up and as he looked at her tired eyes, he said, “I’ve been thinking about you tonight, Chuck. Would you like a blessing? Would that help you?”
She sighed and nodded her head gratefully. “I would love that. Would you guys mind?”
Luke gave her a gentle, tired smile. “Anything for you, Charlie.”
****
All the next day she lay around trying to fight either the pain or the snockeredness. By the following day she was absolutely stir crazy and showed up in the Langston’s kitchen bright and early, determined to do her best to pull her weight. Luke watched her quietly as he told her good morning and she wondered for a minute if he was going to send her back to bed. He must have understood that she needed to be up and going because he only took the platter she was carrying one handed and set it on the table without commenting.
Richard did try to talk her into taking at least another day, but he too must have understood she needed to get busy so that she didn’t have so much time on her hands to think. He finally said, “Well, welcome back. We’ve missed you terribly. Haven’t we kids?” The little ones all answered enthusiastically and Jamie gave her a hug around her leg that nearly tripped her as Richard went on to his children, “Charlie still isn’t feeling so great. And she isn’t supposed to be using her arm yet. Can you guys take good care of her for us today?”
Evie said, “Well take good care of her, Daddy. And we’ll even feed Wilbur all by ourselves.”
At this Luke interjected, “No, you won’t Evie. Don’t you go up there without an adult. You know the rules. That mother pig could hurt you. I’ll help you. Or Tuckett will.”
The kids were disappointed, but didn’t question him as Richard asked, “Who’s Wilbur?”
Madge answered, “Wilbur is their piglet, Richard.”
Relieved, Richard said, “Oh, good. For a minute there I thought we’d gotten yet another dog.”
Placidly, Madge assured him, “No, thank goodness. Six is plenty. It’s only a stinky little porker that I understand likes to dance.”
For a second Richard looked around the table perplexed. “Likes to dance? Do I dare ask what you mean, Madge?”
At his question Charlie and Luke exchanged a look as Elsa said innocently, “Oh, he does like to dance, Daddy! He loves it when I twirl him when I’m giving him his bottle!”
Without skipping a beat, Richard replied, “Yes, I imagine he does.” He turned to Luke and asked, “Do pigs get motion sick, do you suppose?”
Luke met Charlie’s eyes with a smile. “I believe Charlie was concerned about that as well. Did you ever call the vet, Charlie? What did he say?”
Smiling, she assured him, “You thought I was nuts when I wondered and there was no way I was asking someone else. At any rate, the piggies seem fine in spite of twirling. It’s the ballet outfits I worry about. They haven’t looked the same since the pigs were born.”
Jamie pitched in from his high chair, “Can
I get a twirly skirt, daddy? Evie and Elsa won’t share wif me. They’re mean.”
Richard took him out of his high chair and wiped his face with his napkin as he said soberly, “This is just one of the great injustices of life you’re going to have to face I’m afraid, Son. Girls never share their twirly skirts with their brothers.”
Jamie wasn’t mollified by Richard’s air of hopelessness. “Aw, daddy. Can’t you make ‘em share? I can twirl good as bof of ‘em.”
“I’ll bet you can. How is your little pig doing anyway? Is he getting along okay?”
At this Jamie beamed. “He’s jus great! He’s never gonna die now. We maked him heowfy!”
Richard looked at Madge and asked, “Heowfy?”
The housekeeper answered placidly, “Healthy, Richard. The piggie is now healthy.”
Nodding, Richard turned back to Jamie. “Of course. I’m so glad he’s healthy.”
Everyone smiled at Jamie’s cuteness until Elsa told him matter-of-factly, “Yes, he is too gonna die. What do you think pigs are for? He’s going to grow up and be turned into meat. That’s why we raise pigs for. Just like our cows.”
Jamie was horrified and burst into tears. Richard hugged him as he grimaced at Elsa. “Elsa, that’s enough. Don’t.” He turned back to Jamie. “Jamie, she’s right, but you know we raise animals to help feed people. That’s why we have them. People need food. It’s okay, don’t cry.”
Tears ran down his little cheeks as he sobbed. “I don’t want to kill Wilbur! He’s my fren. I don’t want to kill Wilbur!”
Richard got up and put the devastated little boy over his shoulder and said gently but firmly, “That’s enough, Jamie. Stop. You’re too big a boy to behave like this. Remember how big you are getting?”
Jamie lifted his head and perked up. “I am big now, amn’t I, daddy?” Then he remembered what Elsa had said and his face fell into tears again. “But I don’t want to kill Wilbur!”
Rolling his eyes behind Jamie’s head, Richard said, “Maybe Wilbur won’t be made into meat. Maybe he’ll be one of the daddy pigs. Settle down.” Heading for the front door, Richard said, “Excuse us. We’re going to see if there are any trucks in the sand pile.” As soon as he said that, Evie and Elsa got up from their chairs and Charlie was thrilled to see them pick up their plates and take them to the sink before they too headed for the front door.
With all three of the little ones gone, the table became remarkably peaceful and Tuckett smiled and said, “I’m being really quiet now, amn’t I Luke?”
They all laughed as Charlie began to get up and one handedly clear the table. “I think I’d like to keep him little forever. He’s so adorable.”
Chase headed for the stairwell and Luke nudged Tuckett as he went past. “Yeah, Tuckett was that adorable when he was that size too and now look at him. His hair grew into a poof ball.”
Charlie put her one good arm around Tuckett’s waist. “He’s still adorable. In a Shetland pony kind of way. What are you doing today, Tuck? Are you free to help me grocery shop? Or are you working with your dad?”
“I’m working with Dad in the morning, but I could help you this afternoon if you need.”
“Good. Plan on that then please. Until I get my other arm back, I need all the help I can get. In fact, if it’s all right with you, let’s go have lunch with Fo at the hospital while we’re in town. Can you be ready a little before noon?”
“Sure, whatever.” Tuckett took his own plate to the sink and then went out the door and Luke picked up what was left of the breakfast and followed Madge and Charlie to the kitchen.
Standing beside Charlie at the sink he asked, “Do I detect an ulterior motive in taking Tuckett grocery shopping?”
“Am I that transparent? I thought I’d run him through the cancer wing and let him see up close and personal what will happen to him if he smokes. If the patients don’t mind, that is. Maybe we can scare the need to ever light up again right out of him.”
“That’s a very good idea. Are you sure you’re up to it?”
“No, but I get the easy part. You get to help him research what pot does to the male reproductive organs.” She smiled up at him as she began to load the dishwasher.
He looked shocked at that. “I do?”
“You do. We need to scare the drugs out of him, too.”
“Do I know what pot does to the male reproductive organs?”
She smiled again. “If you don’t now, you will.”
He turned toward the door. “How do you know so much about pot?” He paused and then added. “Or male reproductive organs?”
“I simply listened in health, Luke. I promise, I’ve never dabbled in either. There are some great websites about medical stuff.” She grinned at him. “Good luck!”
He went on out the door shaking his head and Madge laughed with Charlie when he was gone. “Tuckett was the one you wanted to scare, but right now I think Luke’s the one worried.”
“Ah, it’ll help him practice for being a good father.”
Madge sighed. “He get’s plenty of that around here I’m afraid. Sometimes I wonder if he’ll ever be able to get married and settle down with a wife without having to still be the other parent to these little ones.”
Charlie considered that for a minute. “You may be right, Madge, but life brings all kinds of issues to everyone. Hopefully, when Luke finally does marry, his wife will understand and help him through what’s on his plate.”
The older woman looked at Charlie for a long moment before she went on, “I ‘magine things will work out all right eventually. Luke’s a good man. The best. I expect that he’ll end up with a great woman to work beside him, come what may.” With that, Madge went back to wiping down the counter as Charlie thoughtfully went in search of the little ones to get them ready for their swim lesson.
Chapter 7
Charlie had known that the trip to the hospital would bring some surprises, but she didn’t realize she would be the one surprised. As she and Tuckett walked into the hospital cafeteria, where she had arranged to meet Fo for lunch, she was nonplussed when a brown haired doctor in scrubs, looking to be in his early thirties stood up from Fo’s table as well and greeted her warmly, “Charlie! It’s so good to see you again. How is that shoulder coming along?”
Charlie glanced at Fo in confusion before noticing the name on the doctor’s staff ID tag that hung around his neck. Dr. Greg Nichols. She tried to smile and act nonchalant as she began to worry again. Luke had joked about her making a pass at a Dr. Nichols. She could feel her face flush as she tried to tell herself making passes wasn’t her style, even when she was a little drugged. She had to qualify that thought though. How did she know how she acted when she was under a chemical influence? She smiled bravely and stuck out her hand to meet his. Oh, well. What was done was done and all she could do now was her best to rectify things, if in fact there was something to rectify.
This Dr. Nichols was apparently well acquainted with Fo. He joined them for lunch, making no secret of the fact he wanted to further his friendship with Charlie. She knew Fo could sense her hesitation and was grateful for her and Fo’s ability to almost read each others thoughts, when he communicated that this guy was relatively okay. She’d have to pick Fo’s brain later and see if he had any idea just what she’d done that night at the hospital.
She made it through the lunch and then her foray into the scary world of lung cancer was a resounding success. They’d stopped at the nurse’s station and when Charlie explained what she had in mind; one of the nurses nodded her head and said, “I’ll bet Mr. Nelson would be more than happy to meet with Tuckett here. Come with me.”
She had set off with Charlie and a very tentative Tuckett behind her. This Mr. Nelson had indeed, been more than willing to try to discourage Tuckett from ever inhaling anything. He was in the advanced stages of lung cancer and was basically being kept comfortable until he passed away in a mere handful of days from what his doctors expected.
He looked as if he was dying and breathed through a device implanted in his neck because his throat and mouth had been so damaged as well. It was all Tuckett and Charlie could do to understand him as he struggled to speak. If Charlie had wanted a graphic example of why Tuckett should obey the Word of Wisdom, she couldn’t have asked for anyone more convincing. For more than half an hour this kind and regretful man struggled to talk with them before he finally closed his eyes in exhaustion and they headed back to the Taco Rocket. It was a much wiser and more sober Tuckett that held the door for Charlie as she climbed into the driver’s seat.
Charlie was tired and had had no pain medication in too long and the drive to the grocery store was quiet after what they’d just seen. When she pulled into the lot they sat for a minute and then, finally, she simply looked over at Tuckett and he met her gaze evenly without saying a word. Nothing needed to be said after that.
She swiveled to open her driver’s side door with her right hand and Tuckett asked, “Are you sure you’re up to this, Charlie? You don’t look so good.”
She gave him a weak smile. “No, I’m not sure, but we need groceries. We’ll hurry and get only what we need for a day or two and go home and I’ll take something. I can’t take anything when I’m driving. That would be as dangerous as driving drunk.” Finally, she got the door open and they hurriedly shopped. But she still wished that Tuckett had his license by the time they got loaded in and headed for home. The shoulder was positively miserable.
For the first time, she was totally disgusted when the Taco Rocket stalled on the gravel road long before they got near the ranch house. She put her head right down on the steering wheel and wanted to cuss the little car that had been her symbol of rebellion against her parents’ power for so long. She hated to admit it, but it was long past time she got more dependable transportation.
The Outer Edge of Heaven Page 9