“Does it hurt?” Develyn asked.
“No. I didn't even cry. Mama cried, but I didn't cry.”
Develyn glanced up at the mom. “And Daddy will cry when he gets the hospital bill. Come on, Captain Jack.”
When they made it through the automatic doors, Develyn turned to Cooper. “Captain Jack?”
“I believe that mama will be back here again.”
“We were talking of golden years.”
“Yes, when were your golden years, Dev?”
“Not counting this summer?”
He stared at her until she turned away. “You too?”
“It's been a good summer, Coop. I can't remember so many days in a row when I enjoyed being me. I don't want to sound too negative. I've had a lot of good times…good months…good years. I loved college. It was my first time on my own. I was out from under my mother's constant supervision. Taking courses I enjoyed. Trying out new things.”
“What new things?”
“Diet Coke and disco dancing,” Develyn giggled. “Mother was sure diet soda would cause cancer. And dancing, well, needless to say, it was not acceptable behavior for an Upton girl.”
He shook his head, then grinned.
“What's the matter, can't you imagine me doing disco? I was pretty good. Spencer was better. That's how I met him, at a dance at Purdue. He showed up without a date and wanted to enter the contest. My friend Beth and I hunkered in the corner, sort of dancing by ourselves and watching. He marched right over and said, ‘I guess you'll have to do.’ Then he tugged me out on the dance floor.”
“Not exactly enthusiastic?”
“I suppose that's how he always thought of me: ‘I guess you'll have to do.’”
“How did you two do in the contest?”
“We won first place. So he walked me out to the parking lot. When we got to my car, he said, ‘Looks like we'll have to go out next week and defend our title.’”
“Did you love him, Dev?”
“Of course I did.”
“Did it feel good to love him?”
She studied the tanned, deep lines on Tallon's face. “It felt good to know someone was thinking about me all day. That someone wanted to be just with me. That someone thought I was attractive.” She patted his hand. “Are you saying that you don't know what it feels like to be in love?”
He pulled off his black cowboy hat. His graying brown hair kept the hat curl. “Were your college years the only golden ones?”
“And my first trip to Wyoming, but that was only for two weeks. I enjoyed raising Delaney. I liked going back for my master's degree.”
She studied as a man rushed a very red-faced, pregnant woman across the waiting room. “Oh, dear.”
For a couple of moments, no one spoke.
Cooper broke the silence. “November 1995.”
“Are you talking about another magazine?”
“That's when the tears of my soul began.”
“Mr. Cooper, you aren't real good with transitions, are you?”
“You need to know one thing. I have already talked to you more than I've talked to any lady in my life. So, if I'm not very good at it, you'll have to school me.”
“OK, here's the first lesson. Don't leave me hanging. Tell me, right now, why the tears of your soul began in the fall of 1995.”
“I had a big contract to lay an oil line from Rock Springs south to the Utah border. It was quite a deal. About the middle of June, a guy walks up with a backpack. Says he wants a job. He'd hitchhiked down from Ethete, an Arapaho town over on the Wind River Reservation.”
“He was Native American?”
“Yeah. Miles was skin and bones. Looked like a poster image for a concentration camp. I didn't figure he could do a whole day's hard work. But he begged me for a job. Said he had a family to support and needed the work. I put him on temporary and let him bunk in the toolshed, since we didn't have any other place for him to stay.”
“Was Miles a good worker?”
“He would do anything I told him. He didn't talk much. Come payday, he asked for cashier's checks so he could send them home.”
“So you kept him on?”
“He didn't know how to operate anything more complicated than a shovel when he hiked up. But I'd teach him how the rigs worked, and he'd catch on fast. So I let him work until the job was done.”
“When was that?”
“November of ‘95. We got the job done and were packin' gear. He pulled out his sleepin' bag and duffle and said he would hitchhike back up to Ethete. I told him I was headed here to my cabin at Argenta, and I'd give him a lift.”
“Is this going to be a sad story? Are you trying to prepare me for something sad happening to him?”
“Just the opposite.”
“But you said this is where the tears of your soul began.”
“Yep, that happened when…”
“Is there a Devy here?”
Develyn glanced up to see a nurse in a pale green uniform standing in the doorway to the emergency rooms. She and Cooper both stood.
“I'm Develyn.”
The nurse motioned her toward the open door. “Your mother wants to see you.”
“Actually, I'm…”
Cooper squeezed her hand. “How is Mother Tagley?” he asked.
“We think she is past the worse part. She said her daughter brought her in, and she wanted to talk to her Devy.”
“Dear, you go on in and see your mom. I'll wait here.”
“Your husband can come too.”
“No, I'll wait here.”
“He's a little squeamish in emergency rooms. The last time he was in one, he fainted straightaway,” Develyn said.
The hallway reeked of disinfectant and medicine. Her tennis shoes squeaked on the highly polished linoleum floor. Each bed in the large room was circled in curtains. The nurse tugged some back and ushered Develyn in.
“I'll go find you a chair.”
Develyn scrutinized the gray-haired lady tucked under the covers with an IV in one arm and a breathing tube down her nose. She reached over and stroked Mrs. Tagley's age spot-covered hand.
“Hi, honey. How are you?”
One eye opened then the other. “Devy girl, do you have my purse?”
“Yes, it's out in the waiting room with Coop. Do you need something?”
“My makeup. If I'm going to meet Jesus, I want to look my best.”
“How about me getting your makeup and you postponing heaven a few more years?”
“Why?”
That's a very good question, Lord, and I'm not sure I have the answer. “Because Argenta needs you.”
“I've run a store in that town for over seventy years. I think it's time to quit.”
“You can quit the store, but you have some more good years.”
“My life is that store. I'm tired.”
“I know you are. Get some rest while you are in here, and we can talk about it when you come home. Do you want me to run the store for you?”
“I couldn't ask you to do that.”
“That's what daughters do. Didn't you tell the nurse I was your daughter?”
“She wouldn't let you bring me my makeup unless you were my daughter.”
“Well, for the next few weeks, let's just pretend I am. I can get Casey to help, and we'll keep the store open if you like.”
“I'd like that. There's a binder under the back counter. It tells you what to buy and when.”
Develyn rubbed her arms. “You always order the same amount of everything?”
“Most of the time. This summer I've had a rush on orange Popsicles.”
The emergency room nurse breezed back to the bed. “The doctor said that she's stabilized enough to move her up to CCU. If you'll stay in the waiting room, I'll come get you when we have her situated.”
“Yo
u're not moving my mother one inch until she gets some makeup on,” Develyn said.
Mrs. Tagley squeezed her hand.
Cooper Tallon stretched out his long legs in front of the chair. “So they think it was a mild heart attack?”
“They're still mulling its magnitude. She will be in the cardiac care unit for a few days.”
“And the store?”
“Casey and I will keep it open for her.”
“You are quite a lady, Ms. Worrell. You've only known Mrs. Tagley a few weeks.”
“I feel like I've known her since I was ten. Every daydream I ever had about Wyoming included Mrs. Tagley and her store. She was the one fixture in all of them. I can't remember any of the local kids we played with or anyone else. But I never forgot her. Who else does she have? Every mother should have a daughter.”
Cooper leaned back and rubbed his square jaw. “I think you are a bulldog, Ms. Worrell. I mean that as a compliment. What's the plan for the rest of the evening?”
“I want to make sure she's tucked in her new room and that the nurses have my cell phone number. Coop, if you need to get back, I can hitch a ride with Casey and Jackson when they bring Delaney to town.”
“What if your daughter doesn't come back right away?”
“She has to.” Develyn sighed. “You don't have to sit here, Coop. I'll be fine.”
“I drove you here; I'm driving you home. You take home the girl you brung to the dance. It's an old cowboy rule. And I'm an old cowboy.”
“Enough of that ‘old’ talk, Mr. Tallon. But I will accept your offer. All of this doesn't sound so confusing, having you here with me.”
A nurse scooted over to them. “Mrs. Worrell, the doctor is in with your mother. Just give them a few minutes and you can go up. She's in CCU Room 220. Mr. Worrell, it's a nice, cheery room. I believe you could go up too. Just remember if the voices grow distant or your vision starts to close in on you, put your head between your knees and breathe deep.”
He shoved his hat back on. “Yes, ma'am, I'll remember that.”
The nurse looked at Dev. “They have a few more papers for you to sign.”
She stood but motioned for Cooper to stay seated.
“What can I do to help you?”
“Wait here for Casey and Delaney. And promise you will finish your story about Miles, the Arapaho worker.”
“I'll wait here. You take care of Mama.”
Develyn had a long wait at the elevator. She folded her arms and glared at the light that seemed to be stuck on 4. Lord, I know you bring the right people into our lives at the right time, but it doesn't always seem that way. Why is Mrs. Tagley now in my life? Why is it you needed me to wait this long to meet Casey and Quint and Renny and dear Coop? And why did I call him “dear Coop”? Sometimes he seems so sad. I don't think I know all of his story. He had a lonely life isolated from people, and I have had a lonely life surrounded by people. It doesn't matter, does it? It's not the people. It's our perception. We allow loneliness to cling to us like a virus that we can never shake. It's always there, sapping our energy. Is loneliness ingratitude toward you ? It must seem that way at times. Lord, I'll be so happy to be in heaven where I finally get it all right.
“Lady, are you going up?”
Develyn stared at the uniformed maintenance man. “I certainly hope so.”
It took more than an hour to get Mrs. Tagley's makeup on and settle her into her new room.
“Mildred, it's time for me to go. Here's the remote. Your soaps will be on channels 4 and 6, and channel 26 has classic soap reruns. Your water is right over here. I told the nurse that you wanted your makeup on first thing in the morning. My cell phone number is by the telephone. You have them phone me if you need anything. I'll be back tomorrow, but I don't know what time. We'll get the store open for you. Is there anything else?”
The elderly woman held out her hand.
Develyn held it tight.
“Now I know why the good Lord had me live so long. He wanted to allow me to know what it feels like to have a daughter looking after me.”
“How does it feel?” Develyn asked.
“Wonderful. So good, in fact, I think I should stick around a while longer and enjoy it.”
“Now, Mother, that's what I like to hear. I'll see you tomorrow.”
“I know, honey. I know.”
Develyn recognized Casey's voice from the far end of the hall. When she got to the waiting room, Coop, Jackson, and Delaney sat in chairs while Casey stood in the middle of the room laughing at her arm that dangled down from her extended elbow.
“Did I miss something?” Develyn asked.
Delaney shook her head and grinned. “Casey was demonstrating what she looked like the last time she was in this emergency room.”
“I busted my arm steer wrestling.”
“You come here often?” Develyn chided.
A security guard stuck in his head. “Casey, you don't have any guns or knives this time, do you?”
“Nope. You wantin' to frisk me, Tony?”
He rested his hands on his duty belt. “No, ma'am.”
“How's Mama?” Cooper asked.
“She is resting comfortably, but she looks so tired.”
“Are we ready to go?” Casey asked.
Develyn studied the crew. “Let's see, we have my Cherokee and Cooper's truck.…”
“We came in my truck,” Jackson said.
“Why don't you and Delaney take my truck?” Cooper offered. “I can ride shotgun with these two.”
“Thanks,” Develyn replied.
“Mother, are you ticked at me for driving off?” Delaney blurted out.
“I was worried, honey. I know this is a tough time for you, and I haven't been much help. Don't you think we should talk some?”
“Yes. But I don't care if your Coop comes along too. Casey and Jackson were thinking of going to a movie.”
Develyn turned to Cree-Ryder. “I thought you went to a movie night before last.”
“Mother!” Casey faked a whine.
“You see, Mr. Tallon, if it isn't one daughter, it's the other. OK, you two go to the movie, but don't stay out too late. We have to run Mrs. Tagley's store in the morning.”
“We do?” Casey asked.
“I promised her I'd keep it open for a few days until we see how this is going.”
“I used to work at a store,” Jackson offered. “I worked at Albertson's in Sheridan in high school and junior college.”
“Jackson and I will run the store,” Casey blurted out.
“We will?”
“You're the stock boy, and I'm the cashier.”
“What? It's such a small store, we'll both be sitting around with nothing to do.”
Casey grinned. “And your point is?”
“You'll sit out on the front bench,” Develyn said.
Casey shook her head at Delaney. “Mama's on a roll tonight. See if you can soften her up. You want to tell her, or do you want me to?”
“Tell me what?”
“I'll tell her,” Delaney said.
“Tell me what?” Develyn repeated.
The five of them meandered out to the parking lot.
“Mr. Tallon, did you ever get a feeling that these ladies are saying a lot more to each other than our ears can ’cipher?” Jackson asked.
“Sometimes it's like being in a foreign country and not knowing the native language,” Coop said.
“Men,” Develyn sighed.
“Totally,” Casey concurred.
“Why do they assume communication has to be verbal?”
“Or logical?”
Cooper drove with Develyn in the middle and Delaney by the window. When they turned west off of I-25, he cleared his throat. “Ladies, if I'm in your way, I'll just pull over and hitch a ride.”
“Dee, I'm sorry about the
scene in the doctor's office this morning. I'm really ashamed about how I acted.”
The tires whined on the blacktop during the silence.
“I know you are, Mother. Why do we do that?”
“Bring out the worst in each other?”
“Yes, I don't understand.”
“Honey, I don't know. This morning I think I was as scared as you were.”
“You worried about what Grandmother Upton will say?”
“No. Mother will deal with it in her own ‘why me’ way.”
“You were worried about what people at your school will think?”
“To tell you the truth, Dee, none of that is important. I'm worried about you. Being pregnant changes your life forever. I want the changes to be for your good. I'm not the important one in this; you are.”
“No, Mom, the baby is the most important one.”
Develyn slipped her arm around her daughter. “You're right, honey. Is that what you needed to think about?”
“That's why I drove all the way to Riverton and back.”
“What did my daughter decide?”
“If I'm pregnant, it's not the baby's fault. She should get all the love she deserves.”
“Or he,” Cooper broke in.
“Isn't that just like a grandpa. They always want a grandson,” Develyn blurted out.
“Grandpa? Is there something going on here I don't know about?” Delaney pressed.
“Just a little game,” Cooper said. “The emergency room nurse called me Mr. Worrell. No offense. I'm sorry for intruding. Here, take the wheel.”
He raised his hands and grabbed the door handle. “I'll wait outside.”
Develyn clutched the black steering wheel. “No, you won't, Mr. Cooper Tallon. Not when the truck is going sixty.”
She turned back to her daughter. “You are right, honey. If you have a baby, we'll love her with everything we've got.”
“I decided that under no circumstance would I get an abortion.”
“I'm glad, Dee. You know that would break my heart.”
“It would break mine too. You know what is ironic, Mom?”
“What, Dee?”
Stephen Bly's Horse Dreams Trilogy: Memories of a Dirt Road, the Mustang Breaker, Wish I'd Known You Tears Ago Page 57