by T. K. Chapin
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“It’s okay. I have faith this will all work out.”
Closing my eyes, I said a prayer. God, please help me in my time of need. While fighting is not right, I pray your will be done and that includes me coming out of this mess. Please help the man who is in ICU make a recovery and not lose his life. I pray for peace for Chris and me during this time. In Your heavenly name I pray, Amen.
“Couple of disappointments you are,” our father Frank said as he came into the hospital room. There goes any chance of getting the inn after he passes on.
“There’s the father I’ve come to know and love,” Chris said with a sarcastic tone as he smirked. “I knew your kindness was a front.”
“You lack the ability to surprise me,” he replied to Chris sternly. Looking over at me, I could see the disappointment in his face. “You, though, you surprised me, Dylan. I thought you were done with this foolishness.”
“How’d you even find out about it?” I asked.
“Chattaroy’s a pretty small town; you know people talk.”
“Well you should at least hear our side of the story.”
“Your side of the story for what? The story is written all over your face and is down in ICU.”
“Dad… it wasn’t like that. I came to help Chris.”
“Yeah, and now as a result, you have a guy downstairs who could possibly die by your own hand, Dylan. Remember Ralph? Yeah, he works down at the precinct and told me everything. This blood is on your hands. I told you bad things come from fighting.”
“Why’d you even come here?” Chris asked curtly.
“To make sure you two understand that Lenny will be taking over the inn when I pass.”
“We already know that,” Chris replied. “You losing your mind, old man?”
Frank laughed lightly as he looked over at me. “Wow, you never told him. At least you honored one of my wishes, Dylan… I’m sure God’s just as disappointed in you as I am today. Ever heard of ‘turn the other cheek’?”
“What do you mean ‘never told me’?” Chris asked, trying to sit up in his bed.
“Looks like you two have some talking to do,” Frank said. “Have a nice life.” He stormed out of the hospital room.
“Dylan, what was he talking about?” Chris asked again.
I took a deep breath, and it caused a sharp pain in my side. “Dad was going to leave the inn to me or us if one or both of us stopped fighting and acting immature.”
“What?”
“He pulled me aside that day he came over and told us he was dying. He said if we got our stuff straight we could get the inn. He asked me not to tell you.”
“And you honored his wish to not tell me? After everything we’ve been through?”
“He wanted you to figure it out on your own…” I replied delicately.
“That’s stupid. If I knew I could have gotten the inn with you to run it, I would have cleaned up at least until he keeled over, we could’ve had the inn. You’re an idiot.”
“That’s the problem, Chris, you’d get clean for a couple months and then go right back to it after you got what you wanted. I wanted you to change on your own, become clean and better on your own.”
“Whatever. You’re ridiculous. That would’ve been some good motivation and it was wasted. I could’ve been clean and this never would’ve happened. You wouldn’t be a murderer.”
While I was already lying in bed, I could feel myself sink deeper into the bed. How much worse could this day get? I wondered. Chris began giving me the silent treatment, so I grabbed the remote for the TV off the stand between us and turned on the TV.
Levi came into the room shortly. Approaching my bedside, he said, “You guys look like you’ve been hit by a bus.”
“Thanks, man…” I said.
“Where’s Jess?” Chris asked.
“She’s grabbing some vending machine food with Ally and the kids down the hall. They had a hankering for some candy.”
“Ally’s here?” I asked, trying to sit up.
“Yep, she needed to come into town to find a car. She got a settlement from her divorce and needs some wheels to get around.”
“Ahh…” I replied.
“I saw Frank in the parking lot. He looked angry and didn’t say anything to me when he saw Jess and me.”
“He’s pretty upset,” I replied.
“Or he’s just back to being a jerk,” Chris added.
The nurse came in and interrupted the conversation. “The doctor said you two are free to go. Here are your instructions for the next few weeks, be sure to follow them. Your prescriptions are attached to the back of the papers.”
“Okay, thanks,” I replied. Chris said nothing and just took the paper.
Jess, Ally and the kids came into the hospital room as the nurse left. Sammy ran over to my bedside and pushed by Levi softly as he asked, “Can you show me the coin trick now?”
Ally came up behind him and put her hand on his shoulder as she pulled him back, whispering in his ear, “Not right now, Dylan’s not feeling well.”
“I’ll show you soon, I promise… Just let me get to feeling a little better,” I smiled.
“Okay,” He replied, disappointed with his head hanging low.
“Sorry,” Ally said to me. Her blue eyes were comforting to look at in the moment.
“It’s not a problem,” I replied.
“How are you getting back out to Chattaroy?” Levi asked.
“I don’t know, I didn’t even think about it,” I replied glancing at Chris.
“I’ll call Trisha, I’m sure she’d give us a ride,” Chris said.
Chris remained silent as he picked up the phone next to his bed and began dialing.
Waiting out in front of the hospital for Trisha to show, Chris and I shared the silence. We were a little bent towards one another and talking wasn’t something we were very interested in doing. Then he decided to say something stupid.
“You shouldn’t have left me at the bar.”
“Go ahead and try to blame me for your problems…” I replied glancing around in the hopes Trisha would be arriving soon.
“I’m serious. Thinking more about what Dad said and everything… You were only staying away from my fighting because you wanted the inn for yourself. You’re selfish.”
“Knock it off, Chris,” I snapped at him.
He laughed. “I thought we were tight, you and I, but after today, I really don’t think we are.”
“That could have been you in ICU, you know that, right?” I asked.
“Whatever.”
“No, don’t ‘whatever’ me. I showed up to save you and you are treating me like garbage. I saved your life! And now I could be facing murder charges!”
“You did it out of some brotherly obligation you feel for me, not because you wanted to have my back. And some brother you are, trying to get the inn without me.”
Trisha pulled up, saving me from the conversation with Chris. He was directing all his problems onto me. Sure, some of it made sense, but it was annoying that he thought I was the problem here. What happened to him saying he had a drinking problem? Was that out the door now?
Opening the back door to get in, Trisha said, “I want you up front Dylan, take a seat in the back Chris.” Standing up outside the car with a smile on my face, I gladly joined her in the front. Chris snarled at me as he got into the back. “Thank you for coming down to the Wagon Wheel and helping Chris last night.”
Glancing in the rearview mirror at my brother’s disgruntled expression, I replied to her, “You’re welcome. I felt obligated to help.”
“I know you did… Who knows what would have happened without you there.”
Leaning up to the front seat, Chris said, “Could you stop by the liquor store on our way back out to Chattaroy? I need to pick a bottle up.”
“Sure,” she replied.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I said, looking at hi
m smile in the rearview mirror.
“He’ll just drive there later if we don’t stop… might as well let him.”
I nodded as I glanced in the mirror again, this time Chris was flipping me off as he said, “Thanks, babe.”
“I’m not your babe,” she snapped at him. “We aren’t dating, dude. Get that through your skull, we’re friends.”
Chris went red in embarrassment.
Getting over to the liquor store, Chris jumped out the backseat and ran into the store. Trisha watched him as he entered the store and then turned to me.
She gave me bedroom eyes as she delicately came over the armrest between us and began kissing me gently. I was attracted to her, so it took me a moment to stop and pull back.
“Woah…” I laughed. “Really? What’s going on?”
“I’m crazy about you Dylan and I want you.” She leaned back in to me and starting kissing my neck as she began undoing my coat. Pushing her back, I shook my head.
“No! Stop it! I’m not interested.”
“Oh,” she replied softly returning back to her seat. “I thought you were into me. I caught you stealing glances my way every time you were in the Wagon Wheel… just thought this was mutual.”
“You are a very attractive woman Trisha, but I’m not really interested in you.”
“Okay, just thought I would try for it while I had a chance,” she replied smirking at me. Looking past her, I saw Chris coming back out of the store with two paper bags.
As he climbed in, he said excitedly, “They had a sale!”
Trisha and I both remained silent. I could feel the silence grow awkwardly in the car, but Chris had no idea what was going on.
I asked, “Could we stop by the pharmacy once we get back into Chattaroy? We have some scripts to drop off.”
“Sure,” Trisha said.
“Thanks,” I replied. Glancing in the back, I said, “You better not mix those painkillers and booze, Bro.”
“I might be stupid, but I’m not that stupid, dude.” He laughed.
He might have been right, but I said a quick prayer for his safety going into the rest of the day. A bad combo of pills and booze could be disastrous for my brother. After the pharmacy she drove us back to my truck at the Wagon Wheel. The car ride was a bit uncomfortable and awkward for everyone.
CHAPTER 8
February 10, 2011
With my doctor signing off on my ability to return to my normal activities, I walked out of the doctor’s office feeling like a new man. My ribs were all healed up and I could finally return to making more furniture for the inn.
Getting home that afternoon, I was surprised to find Chris wasn’t home. His car was missing out of the driveway but I knew it was his day off. That’s strange, he’s not home drinking… Maybe he decided to do something with his spare time other than drink? Shrugging it off, I went into the house and found the entire place trashed. The TV was knocked over, a lamp was smashed and the kitchen table was even flipped upside down. I was puzzled. What happened? Grabbing the phone from the kitchen wall, I began dialing the police to report a break in and then I saw Chris’ baseball glove sitting on the couch. Hanging up the phone, I walked over and picked it up. I looked around and saw a few pictures from the boxes from dad, they were all crumpled up between the recliner and the couch. My pulse began racing as I wondered was my father… dead? I pushed the thought away quickly. Maybe Chris just went to go see him at the inn.
Running back into the kitchen, I checked the voicemails. There was one from Lenny. It felt like my heart stopped as he began to speak. His voice was broken and his words were strained.
“Hey kiddos. I got some bad news about your Dad…” He paused for a moment as he sniffled. “He’s… in a better place now. He went during the night last night.” Lenny began crying into the phone.
Shaking my head as I hung up, I rubbed the bridge of my nose with my index and thumb. “Why on earth would he leave that in a voicemail?” Turning, I looked back at the baseball glove and crumpled pictures as tears swelled in my eyes. Where is my brother? I walked out onto the front porch in shock of all that had transpired. Glancing across the street at the fields of snow and ice, I couldn’t help but keep wondering where my brother could be. Sitting down on the bench up on our front porch, I ignored the wetness that was seeping through my jeans as I ran through a hundred different scenarios of my brother’s whereabouts. Dead in a ditch after swerving off the road drunk or fighting the first person that looks at him down at the Wagon Wheel.
Cupping my face into my palms, I lowered my head and prayed for God to strengthen me in my time of need. To be with my brother, to welcome dad up to heaven and know I’ll see him again one day. Tears began to fall as I concluded the prayer and took a deep breath. I ran off the porch and got into my truck, heading for the Wagon Wheel.
“What’s wrong?” Trisha asked as I walked in the front doors.
Shaking my head, I asked as I leaned to one side of her to look into the bar, “Have you seen Chris?”
“No,” she replied. “What’s going on?”
“Is Elly here?”
“No, she’s off today because of a baby shower for her friend, why? What’s up?”
She must be at Jess’s, I thought to myself as I turned to leave.
“Dylan!” Trisha shouted, startling me. “Please talk to me!”
Coming back over to her, I touched the side of her arm and said, “It’s our Dad… He died and I think Chris is not in a good frame of mind.”
“Oh,” she replied. “I’m so sorry for your loss…”
“He’s in a better place now, Trish,” I said. “Thank you, though. But can you call my house if you find Chris? And call Jess or something?”
“Sure, what’s your number?” She asked grabbing a pen and piece of paper.
“Don’t you have it because of Chris?”
“Oh yeah, I keep forgetting this place doesn’t have cell phones.”
I smiled. “Yeah, so could you do that?”
“I will for sure,” she replied.
“Thanks.”
Leaving out the door of the Wagon Wheel, I got back into my truck and headed out to Roy’s place to see if Elly knew where Chris could have possibly gone off to. If anyone could guess, she’d be the one.
Arriving to the farm, I noticed pink and blue balloons wrapped around the mailbox. An uneasy feeling set inside of me as I continued down the driveway and across the bridge. I felt bad interrupting the baby shower, but I had to find my brother.
Getting out of my truck, I jumped a little when Levi came out from the garage, startling me. “Hey Dylan... What’s wrong?”
“Chris is gone and I don’t know where. Our Dad died…”
“Oh man…” Levi said shaking his head. “I’m sorry to hear that, but sadly, Chris is not here.”
“I was thinking Elly might know where he could have run off.”
“She might know,” Levi replied. “Let’s go find out.”
Levi accompanied me up to the farmhouse and went inside to fetch Elly from the festivities. Coming out to the patio, she asked with an agitated tone, “What is it, Dylan?”
“Do you know where Chris could have gone?”
“I don’t date Chris anymore; I need to go back to the baby shower…” She paused and looked at Levi. “Thanks for dragging me out here.”
As she opened the door, I said, “Frank died.” She froze in place for a moment before turning around.
“I’m sorry to hear that…” Her words trailed off as her tone shifted to one of more understanding.
“If you can think of anywhere he might have gone… it’d be very helpful.”
She looked up as she appeared to think about it. “I’d try Sparky’s grave.” She went inside and shut the door behind her. Sparky was the dog we had when we were a couple of teenagers.
“Okay, I’m going to go check that out.”
“Take care man; give us a call when you find him,” Levi said.
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br /> “I will,” I replied. “Thanks for being such a good friend.”
Heading back out to the truck, I dug my hands into my coat pocket as I hurried my steps through the darkness. As I opened my truck door, Ally was coming out of the gate that led into the field. “What are you doing out here?” I asked confused to why she wasn’t in at the baby shower.
“Just getting some air…” she replied.
“Why aren’t you with your friend and doing the baby shower thing?”
“I don’t know… I stayed for a bit, but I had to just get out of there and go clear my head. Why are you here?”
“Chris went missing after he found out our Dad died.”
“I’m so sorry about your Dad.” Shaking her head, she continued, “This must be horrible; you don’t have any idea where he could be?”
“No. I’m heading over to a spot Elly said she might have seen him.”
“Could I go?” She asked.
I was surprised by the request. “Really?” I glanced back at the farmhouse, as I continued, “Wouldn’t your kids miss you?”
She shook her head, “They are at Floyd and Margret’s staying the night since this whole baby shower thing is going on.”
“I see,” I replied. I wanted her to go with me. The thought of having someone next to me when I found him sounded good. I wasn’t sure what I was going to find out there. “Sure, if you want to come along that’s fine. Want to go tell someone?”
She smiled. “Yeah, just hold on.”
“Okay, I’ll warm up the truck.”
Getting into the cab of my truck I turned the key over and turned the heat up a little more so that she’d be comfortable. Watching as she ran up to the farmhouse, I smiled. I didn’t know her much, but what I did know was that she wanted to come with me to find Chris, and I liked that.
We buried Sparky right next to a big boulder on the east side of the lake. The inn sat on the opposite side. It was about an hour and a half hike from the inn, or a twenty minute hike from a different access point to the lake.