Chuck returned to Libby’s side, trying to console her. She was curled into a ball as she cried softly into her pillow. Not knowing how to help, Chuck stroked her hair. “Libby, can we please get you to a hospital and have ‘em check you out?”
Libby shook her head in the pillow, “I’ll be alright. I just want to lie here a while.”
“How about some…ibuprofen or something?”
Libby pointed to the bedside table drawer. Chuck took aspirin from the bottle and handed them to her. He grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator and returned, making sure she took the pills. As he stroked her hair and rubbed her back, she fell asleep. He closed the bedroom door behind him and sat on the sofa watching through the door for Joe’s return.
An hour later, Joe jogged across the parking lot. Chuck met him just outside the door. “We need to talk.” Chuck stopped Joe. “She didn’t want me to tell you, but...”
Joe saw Chuck was serious. He looked into the RV and pushed past Chuck.
Chuck grabbed his arm to stop him. “Wait a minute...” Joe stopped, looking sternly into Chuck’s face. “Someone attacked Libby as she was on her way to the stage. Joe’s face hardened: his back bristled. “She said she’s okay, but she doesn’t look well. I tried to get her to go to the hospital. She’s asleep now,” Chuck was speaking in hushed tones.
“She didn’t want me to tell you.” Chuck hesitated. Joe pushed past Chuck and stepped into the RV without touching the steps.
He quietly opened the door to the bedroom and saw Libby, white as a sheet through her tear-stained cheeks, asleep on the bed. He walked to her bedside and knelt on the floor, pushing a loose whisper of hair away from her face.
Joe sat beside her for over an hour. He watched her chest rise and fall with each breath. He could see her pulse beating rapidly in her neck.
* * *
Chuck was waiting in the RV doorway as Rick arrived with the last of their equipment. Joe heard mumbling but couldn’t understand what was being discussed. When he no longer heard conversation, looked out the window. The brothers were loading a car, trying to squeeze everything they possibly could into the trunk. As they contemplated the puzzle, another vehicle drove up beside them. Chuck saw Joe in the window.
“Is everything alright?” he yelled.
Joe appeared in the doorway of the motorhome. He walked down and sat on the step.
“So, what did they do with the guy, did they catch him? What’d he look like?”
Chuck recounted the events to Joe, as he knew them. He gave Joe the police officer’s business card.
“Larry said he’s driving down to Dallas tonight, so I’ve made arrangements to take the rest of our equipment back to Mom and Dads with him. He doesn’t mind and has the room.”
Joe nodded, “What about Rick?”
“He’s good.” Chuck added, “I put pappy inside the door there.”
Again, Joe nodded, then stood quickly, sliding the business card in his shirt pocket, and returned to Libby’s side.
Joe sat on the floor beside her bed for another hour as she slept. The brothers waited outside, not knowing what to do next. Chuck finally approached Joe, tapping on the door facing and motioning for Joe to follow.
In the den, Chuck said, “I’m gonna stay with you guys. I’ll take a bus or hitch a ride or something once we get everything worked out. With all you’ve got goin’ on…I wanna be here to help.”
Joe nodded, then put his hand on Chuck’s shoulder. “Thanks, man. I appreciate it. I really do.” Walking over to Rick, he extended his hand and gave him a half-hug. “Rick, thanks for helpin’ us out on such short notice.”
“Hey, no big thang. Wish there was something I could do. Is she okay?”
“Yeah, I don’t know. I’m not sure what to do, myself, to be honest. You take off. I got this.” Joe handed him some cash.
“Yeah, thanks. Give me a call and let me know how things are goin’,” Rick looked worried.
“You bet,” Joe offered, slapping Rick’s shoulder.
He turned and passed Chuck some cash as well. Chuck nodded and stuffed it into his pocket. Joe returned to Libby’s bedroom floor, laying his hand over hers.
Chuck crawled behind the wheel and drove the RV out the gate and to the end of the fair’s parking lot. Chuck returned to his perch on the sofa and waited for Joe to clue him as to their next move.
Joe lay his head on Libby’s hand, wishing she would wake.
The afternoon faded into night before Libby awoke. Joe was sitting on the floor, leaning against the dresser drawers. As soon as she stirred, he was on his knee beside the bed. He took her by the hand and smoothed her hair. She had dark circles under her eyes and was still pale.
“Hey, you!” She smiled, trying to appear as if everything were normal.
“Libby, I think we need to take you to the hospital.” Joe said softly.
Libby struggled to sit up, “No, I’m fine,” she smiled. “Just too much excitement.”
Joe studied her face carefully. He reached around to flip on a lamp and get a good look at her. Libby tried to stand normally and grabbed the wall. Joe was beside her in an instant. Hearing the commotion, Chuck rose to his feet and bolted toward the bedroom door. Libby laughed as she met him on her way to the bathroom. Within seconds, they heard her regurgitating.
“I’m coming in,” Joe said sternly. He helped Libby recover, handing her a wet cloth while flushing for her benefit.
“I’m okay,” she said weakly. “Just give me a few minutes.”
Joe let out a frustrated sigh and stepped out of the door. A few minutes later, Libby walked out into the den and sat on the sofa. Both men stood, studying her.
She weakly smiled, “Hey, mind gettin’ me a glass of water?” Joe quickly grabbed a bottle from the refrigerator, cracked open the lid and handed it to her. She put the cold bottle against her face for a few minutes, then took a slow swallow. Again, smiling weakly, she added, “I’m good, really!”
Chuck’s phone rang sharply, causing the group to jump. After a series of “uh-huh’s,” Chuck ended the call. “The cops...the guy’s been in surgery. They didn’t get anything out of him, but said they aren’t giving up.”
Libby glared at Chuck for a second.
“He knows...I had to tell him,” he answered her glare.
Joe took her hand.
“I just want to go to bed,” Libby said flatly. “This’ll all be better in the morning.” Joe helped Libby to the bedroom and covered her with a blanket.
“Please…Libby, let us take you to…”
“No, I’m fine. Just tired. I’ll be fine.”
After making sure she was alright, he returned to the den, closing the door behind him. She heard murmurings between the brothers, but couldn’t make out what they were saying. Shortly thereafter, she drifted back to sleep.
* * *
“I’m torn. We were driving to South Dakota this evening. I need to cancel tomorrow. I can’t leave her here alone. That’s just not an option. She sure doesn’t look up to a road trip. Maybe if she rests for a while, she’ll be okay. I’ll just tell ‘em…I’ll be there later in the week.”
“I’ll stay with her. You go on.”
“I can’t ask you to do that, man,” Joe shook his head. He was a bit surprised that Chuck would even offer.
“Go. It’s done. Is there a flight out tonight?”
“Seriously? What have you done with my brother?” Joe looked sarcastically at Chuck.
Both laughed, then set about finding an RV site and booking a plane ticket to South Dakota. Joe protested a few times during the process, but deep down he knew Chuck was right. Once all arrangements were made, Joe joined Libby in the bedroom as Chuck drove the RV to a campsite. Chuck setup the RV and returned to the sofa for the night.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Day 14 - M
onday
Joe watched Libby all through the night. She seemed to be in a deep sleep, occasionally shuddering from what he assumed were nightmares. Several times he found her severely perspiring and dampened a cloth for her head.
At 5:00 a.m, Joe woke Chuck. “Maybe I should blow this thing off...because if anything happened, I’d never forgive myself,” Joe looked worried.
“You’re contractually obligated Joe. It would damage your reputation…don’t piss ‘em off. Man, I got your back. I’ve got her covered,” Chuck urged.
Joe took a deep breath and rubbed his stubbled chin. Looking toward the bedroom door, he clenched his teeth, then took out his phone.
“Yeah, I need a cab as soon as possible. I’m at the Springs RV Park off I-44. Yeah, that’s it. Tell the driver not to blow the horn, just wait at the gate. I’ll watch for him.” His forced words ripped him apart.
Joe opened the RV door to watch for the cab. He hurriedly packed his suitcase and overnight bag.
“I can’t take this on the plane,” he reached into his overnight bag and pulled out his pistol and ammo. “You’d better take it.” Chuck took the gun and stuck it in the cabinet next to the DVDs.
Seeing the cab pull into the RV park, Joe waved him over with his flashlight.
“Let me know...if there’s any change. Or if it looks worse, just get her to a hospital whether she wants to go or not.” He looked back at the bedroom with pursed lips and a hard sigh.
“No worries, man, I’ll take care of it.”
Chuck took Joe’s bags to the cab while he returned to the bedroom and kissed Libby on the forehead. Her eyes fluttered open, she looked weak. Seeing his face, she managed a smile.
“Hey you.” She tried to sound casual.
“Libby, the cab’s here...look, if you tell me to stay, I’ll stay. I don’t want to leave you like this.”
Libby struggled to prop up on an elbow. “No...you have to go. I’ll be good as new in a day or so. I guess everything’s just knocked me down a peg. I’ll be fine. I feel better already.”
He didn’t believe her. He hugged her, laid her head back on the pillow, and kissed her on the forehead again. “I told Chuck he should call an ambulance if you get worse. I told him it didn’t matter what you said...he knows I can kick his ass if he doesn’t listen to me,” Joe managed a smile. “See you soon...right?”
Libby nodded, smiling back at him. Joe held her hand on his cheek for a long moment before a long kiss goodbye.
“Be safe,” Libby whispered, “I’ll see you soon.”
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Day 15 - Tuesday
Chuck watched Libby closely. Several times he put cold compresses on her forehead as she profusely perspired and tossed in her sleep. Every few hours he woke her to give her aspirin—which was all he could find in the RV. By late afternoon, she awoke peaceful and calm. Some color had returned to her face, and Chuck hoped she was finally over the shock of her attack.
Libby slowly made her way to join Chuck on the sofa.
“Where’s Joe?” she asked.
“You hungry?” Chuck asked.
“Yeah, I could eat. Where’s Joe?”
“How’s some chicken soup sound?”
Libby looked sternly at Chuck. When she didn’t respond, he noticed her glare.
“South Dakota. He wanted to be here, but he had to go. ‘Bout killed him to leave. If he weren’t under contract...”
Libby nodded, “No, right. It’s alright...I understand. He should go....what day is it?”
“Tuesday,” Chuck replied, opening the can of soup into a mug and heating it in the microwave.
Libby seemed dazed, trying to grasp the idea of losing days. Chuck blew on the constituted soup he’d slightly overheated and brought her the bowl. “It’s hot...don’t burn yourself.” She held the warm mug in her hands, then carefully placed it against her forehead.
“I don’t suppose I could convince you to let me take you to a doctor?” Chuck asked sheepishly.
“Nah, I’m good. I really do feel better.” The dark circles under her eyes told a different story. “Where are we?”
“Oklahoma City.”
She nodded. After eating a spoonful, she set the mug on the side table and lay on the sofa. “Wanna watch a movie?” she asked, trying to be brave and sound normal.
“I would if you had something worth watching,” Chuck laughed, raising an eyebrow. “Seriously, don’t you have anything but Joe’s movies?”
Libby smiled. “Maybe I’ll just go back to bed. You can watch the TV though, it won’t bother me.” Chuck jumped to his feet as Libby slowly rose from the sofa. He helped her back to the bed and pulled the door behind him.
“Just call if you need me,” he said. “I still can’t talk you into...”
“NO! I’m fine.”
Chuck closed the door and walked back to the den. “Well, she sounds stronger,” he mumbled to himself as he made his way back to the sofa and finished her mug of soup.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Day 16 - Wednesday
Libby awoke early and sat up in the bed. Her head was clearer than it had been in days; but she still felt tired and her back ached as she slowly stretched out the kinks. She realized her hand felt burned, but there was a gooey ointment on it.
She wasn’t sure where she was, but it was very quiet. She crawled out of bed onto shaky legs. As she moved toward the bathroom, she found Chuck asleep on the sofa. She glanced around the living room for Joe, but guessed he must be out. A quick shower and change of clothes later, she picked a yogurt from the almost empty fridge. She took her laptop off the dining table, then went back into the bedroom so she wouldn’t wake Chuck.
“Sure could use a coffee,” Libby said softly, but she was afraid it might wake up Chuck.
While she hoped the shower would bring her around, her body felt as if it belonged to someone else. Her movement was slow and deliberate, the pain in her back was excruciating at times. She opened her laptop to check her email and to send a lighthearted message to Megan.
“I sure hope nobody told you what happened, Muggs,” Libby said, as she sent the email. “I’d hate it if you worried about me.” For a moment, she remembered the nightmare at the fairgrounds and shuttered. Taking a deep breath, she noticed a screen full of new emails, some from Laura and some from Megan, but it was an email from Joe that lifted her spirits the most. He missed her and wanted to know how she was feeling.
I called a couple of times. Chuck said you’ve been sleeping. I really wish you’d have someone check you out. You’ve got a helluva stubborn streak in ya, girl! Please think about it. Was hoping you’d be here with me first day on set…feels like something’s missing. You. Later...xoxo, J.
Libby nodded at the realization that Joe was in South Dakota. She glanced at the date on the computer’s calendar, realizing that three days had passed.
“Wow! I’ve really been out of it!”
Another email from this morning: Hey, call me ASAP. Need to hear your voice. Soon! XOXO J.
Libby looked around for her phone and couldn’t find it. She slipped into the den, trying not to wake Chuck. Just as she saw her phone on the table next to him, he stirred.
“I’m sorry, Chuck, I tried not to wake you.”
“No,” he said sleepily, “It’s alright...you okay? Need something?”
She smiled at his attempt to be helpful. That really didn’t seem his nature.
“Nah, go back to sleep. I was just looking for my phone.”
Chuck laid his head on the pillow and watched her, looking for any clue of her current condition. When he seemed content that she seemed well, he closed his eyes again.
Libby returned to the bedroom. The phone battery was low, so she grabbed a charger from the drawer, then quickly dialed Joe. It felt as if she waited an eternity before he answered.
; “Talk to me!” he answered the phone quickly.
“Now that’s what every girl wants to hear,” she responded.
“Hey, you!” Joe’s voice was suddenly animated.
His excitement made her smile.
“I was expecting Chuck. He lost his charger...so his phone died. Hey! How are you feeling? You sound so good! I hope you’re feeling better. Oh, hope you don’t mind Chuck was using your phone to keep tabs for me.”
She laughed, “Why would I mind about that? I’m just sorry I’m such an inconvenience. I know he probably had plans, and now I’ve ruined ‘em. I’m also sorry I’m not there. Guess I’ve been kinda outta it.”
“Inconvenience! Ha! You’re nuts, girl. Hey, I’m worried about you. I really wish you’d...”
“Stop! I’m okay! Just sore, probably from the fall; but I’ll be fine. I hope to see you soon. I’m not sure how yet, Chuck’s asleep so when he gets up we’ll discuss it. Don’t you worry about me...I’ll be fine.”
“Did you hear from the police?” he asked.
“No. You?”
“Chuck said you’re a pretty good shot with hot coffee, the guy that tried to grab you had third degree burns on his face. Cops wanted to know what kind of coffeemaker you’ve got there, said they want one.” Joe laughed again.
Libby smiled. “Maybe I should send them one. But they can’t have mine!” There was a momentary pause as Libby’s mind struggled to remember the horrible event. Her voice choked a little as she said, “I guess I need to check in with Megan.”
“Okay,” Joe said softly. “Call me later—I have a call-time around 7 tonight, and I think we’ll be done around 11 or 12. Call me after that, if you’re up.”
“Okay,” Libby’s voice was soft. Another pause in the conversation, and Libby said “Bye, Joe.”
“Talk to you soon, Babe,” he replied.
Libby waited a bit before calling Megan. She didn’t want to give any indication there were problems. The pain in her back took a bit out of her. She lay across the bed and fell asleep.
Sometime later, Chuck’s stirring around the cabin woke Libby. She walked out of the bedroom and slumped onto the chair. He was making coffee, “want some?”
Whirlwind Love: Libby's Journey Page 20