“Why don’t you stay here? We’ve got a guest room and the boys can always go back to the dorm, so that makes another room,” Jett said.
“We wouldn’t want to put you out,” Maggie said, looking at Dan.
“It’s no problem - really,” Dan said.
Alicia looked at Maggie who appeared to be in agreement. “Okay, that sounds nice. It’s been a while since I slept under this roof,” she said.
“Dan, give me a hand in bringing their bags in out of the car,” Jett said.
“No need. I can help him Uncle Jett — there’s really not much,” Maggie said as she bounced to her feet. “Besides, I want to move around a little after cooped up in that car for so long.”
“After we get the bags in, would you like to go for a walk? I’ll give you the two-dollar tour of Crystal Springs and SKU,” Dan said.
“Sounds fun,” Maggie said smiling, as they headed outside.
“Hmmmm,” Alicia said.
“Yep, I was thinking the same thing,” Jett said.
They both laughed.
“He looks like Rose but he has your personality. She better watch out,” Alicia said.
Jett could only smile.
“I don’t think she has anything to worry about. Dan doesn’t date much. He’s really shy.”
“If I recall, you weren’t exactly a social butterfly. Until you started dating Rose, I didn’t know you could talk,” Alicia said.
“She brought it out of me,” Jett said.
Alicia leaned back on the couch and her mood took a more serious turn.
“Are we free to talk?” Alicia asked.
“I just want to be careful not to say anything in front of the boys – at least not right now and Matt could barge in any second,” Jett said.
“Maggie suspects something’s going on but I haven’t told her anything,” Alicia said.
“Good. The fewer people that think we’re crazy the better,” he said.
“When you hear I have to tell you, you might think the same of me,” she said.
Jett raised one eyebrow. “Considering what we’ve been experiencing, it must be a bombshell.”
Alicia reached for her bag and produced a tablet computer.
“How did you sleep last night?” Jett asked.
She looked over at him and offered a faint smile. “If you can’t tell, I didn’t. I had a brief nap on the way down.”
“No dreams then,” Jett said.
“Not that I can recall. How about you?” Alicia asked.
“Last night I had one. But Rose wasn’t in it,” he hesitated before he continued. “But J.D. was.”
Her eyes widened. “Did you talk to him? What did he say?” She asked.
“He said to tell you and Maggie he loves you both very much,” Jett said.
Alicia’s eyes welled with tears.
“Give me all the details that you can remember,” she said as she started typing away on the computer.
“We were in our dorm room and it was 1985. I saw myself walk in - I was coming back from my first date with Rose. It was a replay of our conversation that night – at least as best I can remember,” he said. “Then it was just me and him – my present appearance and he looked like he did the last time I saw him.”
With tears now slowly rolling down her cheeks, Alicia spoke again.
“Anything else?”
“He told me that Rose is a lot more special than I could imagine and I will see her again and possibly soon,” Jett said.
“He didn’t elaborate?” She asked.
“No. He said there’s things he can’t tell me,” Jett said.
Alicia stopped typing.
“How did he...what...did he appear to be at peace?” She asked.
Jett nodded. “He actually looked to be very happy. He smiled a lot – the way J.D. always did.”
Alicia paused and considered his words.
“Any other details?” She asked.
“Not so much within the dream itself. It seemed like it like I was only asleep for a few minutes but I woke and about six hours had passed,” he said.
Her face contorted as he gave her that piece of information and she entered it on her computer.
Alicia started to speak but a noise drew her attention as Matt walked down the stairs.
He stopped in surprise when he saw Alicia.
“Good morning,” he said with a grin.
Even unshaven and his hair a mess from a night’s sleep, Matt bore an uncanny resemblance to his father at the same age, she thought.
“Good morning,” Alicia said. “Come down here give me a hug. I haven’t seen you in forever.”
“It’s about time you were getting up. Your brother and I have been up for hours,” Jett said as Matt approached Alicia and embraced her.
“I didn’t know you were coming for a visit. I’m so glad to see you,” Matt said.
“We wanted to spend a couple of days in Crystal Springs,” Alicia said.
“We?” Matt asked as he stepped back and looked around.
“Maggie came down with me,” she said.
“Great! I’d love to see her!” Matt said as he looked around. “Where is she?”
“She went for a walk with your brother. Maggie wanted to stretch her legs after the trip. I don’t think they’ll be gone long,” Jett said.
Matt nodded, yawned, and scratched his the back of his head. “Think I’ll have some breakfast. Would either of you like anything?” He asked.
They declined and Matt walked toward the kitchen.
“Let me grab some cereal and I’ll be right back,” he said.
Alicia started putting her tablet back in its case. “Maybe we should talk about this later,” she said.
“You’re probably right. We might have to start coming up with answers for more than just us,” Jett said.
“And I’m not sure we can even do that,” Alicia said.
***
Bud rolled over and looked at the clock. He usually slept late on Saturday mornings. He thought about getting out of bed. A shave and shower might work wonders for him but he opted to lie in bed a little longer.
The pressure in his bladder told him he would have roll out and hit the floor soon enough. “Getting’ old sucks,” Bud muttered under his breath.
He reached over to the nightstand and got his glasses. He put them on and allowed his eyes to focus on the clock beside the bed – 9:36. He slept a little longer than he normally did on Saturday morning.
Bud was also up a little later than normal. First, was the evening at Jett’s and then the trip back home. He couldn’t help but smile. It wasn’t so much the trip as it was the arrival.
Bud really wasn’t surprised to find a visitor waiting in his driveway. As the owner and publisher of a small town newspaper it was not uncommon for him to have visitors at his house. Sometimes he got happy visitors and sometimes he got unhappy visitors – unhappy to the point of borderline crazy.
Bud wasn’t really surprised as to whom his visitor was or even the purpose of the visit. He did however manage to surprise himself with his response.
He rolled over and took a look at Mallorie sleeping soundly. She earned a good rest, Bud thought – come to think of it, so did he. He could not resist the temptation of raising the covers and taking a good, long look. It was an impressive sight to behold; almost awe-inspiring, he thought.
It was good to know he could still surprise himself. Sooner than he would have liked, nature called and he had to answer immediately. Sighing, he placed the covers back over Mallorie and eased out of bed.
A few minutes later, Bud stood in the shower enjoying the hot water. He replayed last night’s (and this morning’s) events in his mind. Semi-retirement might have its good points after all.
A passing thought went through his mind – the fragment of a dream. Now that he thought about it, the fragments of an increasingly more recurring dream.
It was so vivid. He had never seen Rose or Jett look
happier or more in love. They were holding babies but Matt and Dan – fully grown – were there as well.
Such a strange dream. He supposed with Jett’s return it stirred memories in his subconscious.
Bud suddenly became aware of a growing nauseous feeling in his stomach. He knew that the pizza was a bad idea after all.
Bud returned to his earlier thoughts and remembered the courtship of Jett and Rose as well as their engagement clearly. When the boys were born it was as though his grandchildren were born. They were, and remained, a big part of his life. Bud guessed it was only natural that he dream of them. And he missed Rose terribly. Perhaps only Jett understood how powerfully her death affected him. He missed talking to her and hearing her laugh at his jokes. No, Rose wasn’t his daughter but no father could have ever been more proud of the woman she became.
The nausea was coming in waves now but Bud still thought he could shake it.
He shook his head briskly under the water. About that time, he heard the shower curtain slide back.
“Can I join you?” Mallorie asked softly as she stepped onto the shower.
Bud took a look at her as the water cascaded over her body. Yes, it was a nice surprise to find out what he was still capable of doing.
As he turned to face her, everything started spinning. He heard Mallorie scream and then, Bud’s world went black.
***
Matt sat in the living room talking with Jett and Alicia. They discussed football, classes, and post-graduate plans.
Alicia glanced at Jett and offered a quick wink.
“So Matt is there anyone special in your life these days?” She asked.
He laughed and Jett smiled. Had she asked Dan the same question he might have died from embarrassment?
“Yeah, there is,” Matt admitted.
“Would that be the yet-to-be introduced Linda Sue Banks?” Jett asked with a slight smile.
At first, Matt looked surprised and then he sported the same dimpled smile as his dad – remarkably eerie in fact, Alicia thought.
“I see you’ve been talking to Dan,” Matt said.
“Relax. He said nothing but good things about her and family. You know your brother – he wants you to be happy,” Jett said.
“And people call him the quiet one,” Matt said as Alicia laughed.
“You know, I really would like to meet her if she’s someone you’re interested in,” Jett said. “I won’t embarrass you much.”
“That’s a perk of being a parent. As you get older, there’s so little we have to look forward to,” Alicia said, still laughing.
The door opened and Maggie walked in first followed by Dan.
“Matt!” She exclaimed as she rushed toward him. He met her halfway and they embraced.
“Hi Maggie. I wondered how long the big mouth there would keep you away,” Matt said.
Dan gave Jett a pained look.
“I just want to meet the girl,” Jett said.
“Girl? What girl?” Maggie asked looking at Dan wide eyed.
“Matt’s girlfriend. Is it fair to call her that?” Alicia asked.
Maggie flashed a look of relief and then looked back to Matt.
“They’ve dated for some time so I’d say that qualifies,” Jett said.
“You just had to talk,” Matt said to Dan.
“I never said anything about how long you two have been dating,” Dan shot back.
“Wow. How long have you been dating – Linda Sue I believe is her name?” Alicia asked as Matt spun around looking confused.
“How could you possibly know that?” Dan asked his father.
“Son, I ask people questions for a living. I’ve done it for years. Sometimes the best answers are the ones not given. Besides, I know my sons,” Jett said.
Both Dan and Matt looked stunned while Alicia and Maggie looked amused.
“Well?” Maggie asked.
“Well what?” Matt asked.
“I know it’s none of my business, but I’m curious. How long have you two been dating?” She asked.
“Uh...well...uh...since Christmas,” he answered, wincing as he looked at Jett who looked surprised.
“Christmas? Yeah, I’d like to meet this young lady son,” he said.
Alicia bit her lip and looked at the floor as Maggie and Dan just fidgeted awkwardly and remained silent.
“Uh...okay...I can see if she’s free tonight if you want,” Matt said as Maggie found a seat next to her mom.
The telephone rang and Dan moved to answer it.
“I think that might be a good idea,” Jett said as he patted his son on the shoulder to let him know he wasn’t angry.
“Dad? It’s for you,” Dan said as he handed him the cordless telephone.
Jett took it and answered with his back to everyone but Dan.
“Mallorie? Wait, wait. Slow down. I can’t understand you. Please, take a deep breath and –” his next words were cut off as the color drained from his face.
Dan noticed the expression immediately and felt a knot in the pit of his stomach. He remembered another time, 10 years earlier in fact, when his dad had the same look on his face.
“Stay right there. I’m on my way,” Jett said.
“What’s wrong?” Dan asked as Matt closed in on his dad.
“It’s Bud. He collapsed at home. From what I can gather, Mallorie found him. She thinks he’s had a heart attack,” Jett said as he grabbed his keys. “The ambulance is taking him to the ER at Fuson County General,” he said as he jogged toward the door.
“We’re going too,” Matt said.
Jett stopped and thought for a second.
“No, stay here and I’ll call you as soon as I find something out,” he said.
“But what if it’s bad?” Dan asked.
“Please boys. We’d only be tripping over each other at the hospital. I promise I’ll call as soon as I hear something,” Jett said slowly waving his cell phone.
“Go. I’ll be here with them,” Alicia said.
They reluctantly agreed as Jett hurried out the door.
***
The last thing Bud remembered was being in the shower and feeling himself falling – well that and the feel of Mallorie’s arms around him. He vaguely recalled hearing her scream.
Suddenly he felt normal – actually better than normal but very confused. It reminded him of his drinking heyday. He was sitting behind his desk but things looked very different in his office. The computer was gone. An old manual typewriter sat in its place. The tape deck was back as well looking used but in good condition as it played Roy Orbison’s version of “Love Hurts.”
Bud looked to the wall to the right of his desk and looked at the Hickman Funeral Home calendar. Above the picture of the little blonde haired girl with hands clasped in prayer was the month and year: May 1985. Bewildered, a noise to the left drew his attention. The sight he beheld startled him at first.
“Rosie?” He asked in disbelief as he gaped at his late niece.
Smiling, radiant, and looking like she did as a college student, she spoke.
“Hi Uncle Bud. It’s so good to see you again.”
“Likewise darlin’,” he said getting over his shock.
She walked toward him and instinctively he stood to meet her. They embraced and it felt good to hold his pseudo-daughter once more. It felt so real to him.
“I’ve missed you sweetie,” Bud said.
“And I’ve missed you,” she said, squeezing him in her arms.
“I know this may sound nutty, but am I dead?” He asked.
She laughed and stepped back.
“No, but you should be. You have got to start taking better care of yourself. You’re not a 40-year old kid anymore. You should know better,” Rose scolded.
“I agree but you know how I am. I’m too old to change and I’m still too young to give a sh...to care,” Bud said.
“Maybe you’re right but at least use some common sense,” she said.
“
Not that I’m complaining, but if I’m not dead, why are we talking? And are we talking?” He asked.
“I wanted to see you again – it’s been far too long. And I wanted to thank you for bringing Jett home to be with the boys,” Rose said.
“You’re welcome but I’m not sure how much I had to do with it,” Bud said.
“He and the boys are together. You have no idea how important that is to me,” she said as she turned to walk away.
“Where are you going? Let’s talk some more. I’m enjoying this,” Bud said.
“You’ve got to get going. I’ll see you soon,” Rose said.
“What does that mean? Where am I going? Where are you going?” He asked.
“Tell Jett I love him and I’ll talk to him soon,” Rose said as faded away and Bud realized he was waking up.
***
When Jett got to the ER he found Mallorie alone in the corner of the waiting room with her head down, sobbing uncontrollably. He immediately went to her. Before he could ask a question, she leaped off of the hard plastic green chair and hugged him.
“I didn’t know what else to do or who to call,” she sobbed.
Jett gently embraced her. It was at that point that he noticed she wasn’t wearing a bra – perhaps a crass observation but one that he could not ignore given her obvious assets.
“You did the right thing. Have they told you anything yet?” He asked.
“The doctor said he would be let me know about Bud as soon as he can,” she said.
Jett looked at her. Normally Mallorie wore make up and every hair on her head was in place. Not only was she not wearing makeup, her hair was damp and unbrushed. Given the hairstyles worn by so many people her age, Mallorie really didn’t stand out. All things considered, she was still stunning.
As he led her back to her chair, Jett said, “Why don’t you tell me exactly what happened. Start at the beginning.”
He saw her hesitate; oddly enough reminding him of the same hesitation he saw earlier when Matt was talking about his girlfriend.
“I...I was...uh...visiting Bud...and, well,” Mallorie was clearly struggling with how to explain what was now obvious to Jett.
“You’re an adult. Him? I’m not so sure about, but it’s your business whatever it is. Just tell me about what happened with him,” Jett said, regretting his statement as soon as she started explaining.
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