by Sarah Hill
“Not yet. I’ll wash our dishes before I leave. I’m assuming you’re not finished with your glass?” he asked.
“No, I’ll keep it,” she said, standing up and taking her plate to the sink. “Let me get these Mayse. You brought dinner. The dishes are mine.” She looked up and met his gaze. He was staring at her with a smile on his face. “What?”
“Nobody’s called me Mayse in a long time. It sounded nice.”
“Oh.” Looking away she turned on the tap and dropped a bit of dish soap on her plate. She felt his eyes on her as she washed and rinsed the plate. When she went to place it in the dish rack her hand bumped into his.
“I’ve got it,” he said, smiling as he took the plate from her and dried it with a towel.
Rylie turned to his plate and glass. She washed them longer than needed due to the weirdness of the moment. Once she finished rinsing them, she handed them off to Maysen and gave him a crooked grin. “Thanks.”
“Anytime. So, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow?” he asked, a hint of hope trailing in his voice.
“Uhm, yeah. Probably.”
“I’m not trying to force anything, but I can pick you up if you want. We can keep each other company on the drive.”
Rylie stuck her hands into her back pockets and looked through the living room entry. “I don’t know.”
“I promise to keep my hands to myself,” he said, raising his hands in the air.
Rylie couldn’t hold back her smile and said, “Okay.”
“Awesome. I’ll pick you up around eight.”
“Let’s say nine,” she answered, thinking she would have talked to Spencer and Alex by then.
“Great, I’ll see you then.” He took a step closer to her and acted as if he were going in for a hug, but seemed to realize what he was doing and awkwardly stuck out his hand instead.
Rylie allowed her mouth to fall open. “You want to shake my hand?” she asked, as a laugh burst from her lips.
Maysen jerked his hand up and took off his baseball hat, running his other hand through his hair. “I still don’t know how to act around you.”
“I know. We have some time, though, we’ll get there.” She smiled and walked to the door. “I enjoyed tonight. I didn’t expect that,” she said, opening the door for him.
“I’m full of surprises, I guess. See you tomorrow.” He squeezed past her, his arm grazing hers. He headed out the door and down the sidewalk.
Rylie waved at his back and went into the house, shutting the door behind her.
October 12, 2010 ~ Morning
Rylie woke up to her alarm at seven the next morning. She hurried into the bathroom to take a shower. As she grabbed a towel from the linen closet, she had the sudden urge to peek inside Norm and Del’s room. The bathroom separated their room from the one Rylie used. Inching the door open, she peeked in. She’d been in their room a time or two, helping Del fold laundry or sitting on their bed getting advice from her. The room looked the same. She walked over to the bed and turned around so she could fall backwards on it like she used to. As she landed, the impact was a bit harder than she’d expected. Looked like they’d gotten rid of their water bed. She should have known. There wasn’t one person she knew who still owned one. Sadness encircled her heart again as yet another childhood memory drifted through her mind. Sulking, she got up and went back to the bathroom to shower.
After showering, she blew her hair dry and applied some makeup. When she was ready for the day, she called Spencer.
“There you are. How did you sleep, sweetheart?” he asked, as soon as he answered the phone.
“I slept pretty good for not being at home. How about you? Are you still sharing a bed with that little angel of ours?”
“I am. He sure does move around a lot.”
“He takes after his father,” she said, laughing.
“Hmmm,” he replied. “I guess that may be true. How’s Del doing?”
“I don’t know yet. I assume all is well or I would have heard from Norm. You were my first call this morning.”
“I’m honored. When are you heading back to the hospital?”
“Soon. I’m actually riding with a friend today,” she said, trying to keep her voice neutral.
“A friend? What friend?” he asked, his voice full of curiosity.
“Just the boy I grew up with on the ranch. His family owns the land I lived on. We ran into each other at the hospital yesterday.”
“Huh.”
“What? Does that bother you? I can take the rental if it does,” she said, the words coming out in a jumble.
“No. I mean it does a little. Why didn’t you tell me about him yesterday when we talked?”
“You’d been sleeping and I felt bad for waking you up. Seeing him didn’t even cross my mind.”
“Well, if he isn’t someone who even crosses your mind, I guess there’s no need to worry,” Spencer said. “To be honest, I’m glad you won’t be driving all that way alone. When is he picking you up?”
“He said he’d be here by nine, but I have no idea if he’s punctual or not. I guess I’ll see,” she said, looking out at the driveway through the kitchen window.
“Once you have an update, text me or call if you can.”
“I will. You aren’t hanging up, are you?” she asked, her stomach in knots.
“No, Alex wants to talk to you, though. He keeps grabbing my phone. It’s a little hard wrestling an eight-year-old away from your phone,’ he said, sounding a bit out of breath. “I’m giving in, here he is.” Spencer’s voice echoed as if he were yelling from a distance.
“Mom?” Alex’s voice rang through the phone.
“Hey there my sweet boy! How are you?”
“Guess how many chapters we read last night?” he asked, ignoring her question.
“Three?”
“Nope, we read four before dad fell asleep. I was hoping we could keep going because the sorting hat chapter is next, but,” Alex paused and then whispered, “dad isn’t as good a reader as you are.”
“I heard that!” Spencer’s voice echoed in the background.
Rylie laughed. “Hey, go easy on your dad. Books aren’t his thing, so reading to you shows how much he loves you.”
“I know. I’m glad he’s learning about Harry’s adventures. I wish you were here to see it. I think he actually likes it.”
“I’m sure he does, how could he not?”
“We had doughnuts this morning,” Alex said, in a rushed voice.
“Okay, that’s it. Give me back the phone,” Spencer said, his voice sounding close by.
Rylie heard Alex squeal with laughter and the sound of the phone dropping. A muffled noise and a few beeps gave her the impression the phone was being fought over, causing her to start laughing.
“Go finish your breakfast,” Spencer’s voice came back on the phone.
“So, doughnuts, huh?” she asked, letting out a giggle.
“It was supposed to be our secret. I know I can’t trust him to keep one.”
“What was the special occasion?” she asked. They only ate doughnuts if something special was happening. Otherwise, Rylie had a strict rule of only eating a home cooked breakfast. Del taught her how important a well-balanced breakfast was.
“A good night?” he said. “Alex was so good last night I guess it put me in a good mood this morning. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize, my love! It’s fine. It makes my heart happy for you two to keep secrets together. He likes being your buddy, even if he can’t keep a secret,” she said, laughing again.
“Huh. We’re going to have to look up the definition of what keeping a secret means tonight.”
“I hear you’re enjoying Harry’s journey,” she said, smirking.
“That should have been a secret too, but I’ll let it slide since I didn’t tell him that,” Spencer said, his deep laugh rolling through the phone. “Although, I expect you to keep it quiet!”
“I’m keeping that one fil
ed in my back pocket,” she said, laughing.
“Sneak attack?”
“Something like that, I suppose,” she replied.
“Okay, sweetheart. I better let you go so I can get the day started.”
“Alright. I love you, Spence,” she said, feeling a squeeze around her heart.
“Love you too. Talk to you later.”
Rylie hung up and looked out the window. True to his word, Maysen pulled into the driveway at nine o’clock in a shiny black pickup. Rylie grabbed her purse just before she went out the door and locked it behind her. She jogged up the sidewalk and through the gate, waving at Maysen through his windshield. The truck was a little higher off the ground than she realized, making it so she had to hop to get inside. “I see you’ve upgraded,” she said shutting the door.
“I did. Still driving a stick though,” he said, a cheesy grin on his face.
Rylie rolled her eyes and laughed. “Country boys.”
“Damn straight,” he said, backing out of the driveway.
Rylie snorted and whatever had been dwelling in the pit of her stomach disappeared. It felt good to be back. How she hadn’t realized she needed this sooner was beyond her. Maybe the time had come to start visiting Del and Norm on the ranch with Spencer and Alex. It would do their souls some good. She could imagine Alex’s’ excitement as he followed Norm around the yard and although Norm was retired, she knew he’d take Alex around the ranch too.
“You have that faraway look you used to get when you were dreaming up stories,” Maysen said as his voice interrupted her thoughts. “Do you have another story forming or adding to one?”
“Neither,” she said, looking over at him. “I was just thinking how I should’ve come back sooner. I needed this and Spencer and Alex would enjoy it.”
Maysen bobbed his head up and down and said, “I bet they would.”
“I feel so relaxed here. It doesn’t make sense.”
“Sure, it does. There are so many people in New York, you have no room to breathe or think. I can imagine the release you feel leaving that big city and coming to this small community. It’s quiet. You can enjoy nature. Heck, the nighttime sky alone is enough to help you breathe deeper. All those stars,” he paused, and looked over at her. “You must miss star gazing. I always knew where to find you at those high school parties when you wandered off. Sitting up on that hill.”
“Does Kevin’s family still own that place?”
“They do. As a matter of fact, Kevin and Maddie are the proud owners. His parents live in a retirement community in Florida.”
“Seriously?” Rylie asked, not expecting that answer.
“Which part surprises you?”
“Kevin’s parents moving to Florida! That’s crazy! I thought they were lifers for sure!”
“They probably would have been if Kevin and Maddie moved away. Once they realized the property would stay with the Motzy family, they knew they could retire where it’s warmer.”
“Good for them and for Kevin and Maddie,” Rylie said, looking out the window to absorb this bit of info.
“You okay?” Maysen asked.
“Yeah, totally. I’ve just missed so much.”
Maysen shrugged and said, “We all have to make choices we can live with and that’s what you did.”
“Yeah,” she replied. Rylie didn’t feel any regret for the life she’d lived, but she couldn’t help but feel some for missing out on her friend’s dreams and accomplishments.
They rode the rest of the way to the hospital in silence. Rylie was grateful Maysen could still read the way she was feeling and allowed her that time to herself. She was starting to realize she did have a bit of regret for not sharing the place she loved so much with her husband and son.
Inside the elevator, Maysen started laughing and said, “I bet Del won’t be as entertaining today as she was yesterday.”
“She would die if she knew what she was saying,” Rylie said, giggling.
“Shall we tell her?” Maysen asked, a menacing grin on his face.
“If the opportunity presents itself, absolutely!”
They got off the elevator laughing and headed down the hallway to Del’s room. Norm was sitting outside at the nurse’s station. “What’s so amusing, you two?” he asked, his eyebrows knitting together.
“Hey Norm,” Rylie said, as she bent down and hugged him. “How’d you sleep?”
“Terrible,” he grumbled. “What’s so funny?”
“We were just talking about Del’s performance last night,” Maysen said, pressing his lips together to keep from laughing.
“Hmmm.” Norm shook his head, not as amused as they were.
“What are you doing out here?” Rylie asked.
“They’re changing her dressings.”
“Oh.” Rylie sat in the chair next to him. “Rough night?”
“You could say that. Those reclining chair things they give you are far from comfortable, but listening to Del’s cries of pain throughout the night are worse.” Norm looked down at his hands.
Rylie’s heart sank. She hated to think of either her adoptive parents hurting. Wrapping her arms around Norm she said, “I’m so sorry! Why don’t you go home and sleep for a while? I’m here. You need your rest.”
“I’m not leaving her,” Norm said, shaking his head. “For better or worse, that was our promise.”
“I know,” she said, placing her hand on his arm. “Would you like me to stay with you tonight? Maybe you’d sleep better knowing someone else was here to comfort her?”
“No, they’ll only provide one of those reclining things. I appreciate the offer, sweet girl.”
The door to Del’s room opened and a nurse exited. She looked at Norm and said, “You’re free to go back in, Mr. Green.”
“Thank you,” he said, standing and heading towards the door.
Maysen, who had been leaning against the wall by Del’s room, swept his arms towards the door and said, “After you.”
Rylie followed Norm into the room. He was already leaning over Del and kissing her forehead. It was easy to see it hurt him to see her in so much pain. She walked over to the other side of the bed and gently took Del’s hand in hers. “Hey Del, how are you feeling this morning?”
“Like shit,” she mumbled, sounding worn out.
Remembering the first time she’d met Del, she whispered, “Well, now. I don’t think those are words that should ever come from a lady’s mouth.”
Del opened her eyes wider and looked at her. “You trying to be funny?” As hard as she tried to keep her face serious, she couldn’t do it and burst out laughing, immediately followed by cries of pain.
“What’s wrong?” Rylie asked, alarmed.
“Her incisions. They’re deep ones. Too much movement sends her into some unbearable pain,” Norm answered, holding Del’s hand and allowing her to crush his fingers between hers.
“I’m so sorry! I didn’t realize,” Rylie started, but Norm shook his head.
“Don’t apologize. You made her laugh. That’s not a bad thing.”
Del finally relaxed and opened her eyes again, looking at Rylie. “No. Don’t apologize, sweetie. That’s the first bit of sunshine I’ve received since I came out of surgery.”
“Can’t they give you something for the pain?” Maysen asked, standing next to Rylie, his face full of anguish.
“Oh, they have. I can’t have another dose for another hour,” she said, turning her attention to him. “It sure is nice to see the two of you in the same room again.”
Rylie grimaced and looked over at Maysen. “A long time coming. I’m ashamed of myself for not coming back sooner.”
“Everything happens for a reason,” Del said. “Dwelling on the past isn’t going to do anybody a lick of good. Hopefully you both have the peace you were looking for.”
“I’m sorry for being so stubborn. The hurt I must’ve caused all of you was heartless. I wish I could make up for it.” Rylie stared at the linoleum,
too ashamed to look at any of them.
“You were always a tenacious little girl,” Del said, with fondness. “I knew you’d come around. I’m just glad you did before I died.”
“Oh, Del, don’t say that. You’re going to live forever!” Rylie leaned over and kissed her cheek.
“I’m not, but I appreciate the wish,” she said, winking.
Rylie and Maysen stayed at the hospital through the early afternoon. They talked and played games with Norm as Del went in and out of sleep. They talked about things that had gone on in their lives during the years they’d been apart while trying to avoid the delicate nature of the past. Del was in a restless sleep most the day, waking when the pain started to burn through her body. This usually happened when there was about an hour to go before she could get more of the pain medicine. When lunch rolled around, they took turns going to the cafeteria to make sure there was always someone sitting with Del.
Shortly after two o’clock, Maysen and Norm needed to stretch and left to go for a walk. Rylie volunteered to stay and sit with Del. She held Del’s hand and prayed that God heal her body and ease her pain. Although she didn’t pray a lot these days, she knew He was always listening.
“My sweet girl,” Del whispered, her voice raspy.
Rylie looked up to find Del watching her with a smile on her face. “You’re awake. Do you hurt?”
“Not too bad. You look tired. You should head home, honey.”
“We were waiting for you to wake up so we could say goodnight.”
“How long did I sleep?” Del asked.
“It’s been just over three hours since the last time you woke up. You got some good slumber this time. Norm and Maysen went to stretch a bit. They’ll be back soon.”
“That Maysen has had his trials in life. I’m glad you’ve made up and can be friends again,” Del said, patting her hand. “He deserves some happiness.
“Trials with his wife? Do you know her well?” Rylie asked.
“Not really. She never enjoyed being on the farm and wasn’t much for conversation. I think she convinced herself she could make it work to be with Maysen. In the beginning, I thought she was the miracle he needed to heal.”
Rylie bowed her head, her heart breaking.
