Hanging Stars On Big Willow Creek: A Novel

by Sarah Hill

  “Don’t you duck your head with shame. You had a rough start to life. If I had been in your shoes, I probably would have thought along the same lines as you. We all make mistakes, sweetie,” Del said, squeezing Rylie’s hand. “Look at me.”

  Rylie looked up and met the eyes of the woman who had given her a life. A tear rolled down her cheek. “I acted so terribly and the worst part is, there is no way to make it up to him.”

  “You’re doing it right now. Don’t you understand? What he needs right now is a friend. When Elizabeth cheated on him, the light all but went out in those beautiful blue eyes of his.”

  Rylie gasped. “Cheated on him?”

  “I thought he told you?”

  “No. All he said was they had drifted apart and he took the blame for not giving her enough attention. He said they were trying to work things out.”

  “He is so brave. No, there’s no working things out. She moved in with the other man. She told him she was sick of being his field hand and getting nothing in return. I’m sure he blames himself like you said and I guarantee he’s suffering. He may not have loved her the way he loved you, but he did love her.”

  October 12, 2010 – Afternoon

  Rylie and Maysen left the hospital shortly after three o’clock so they could beat rush hour. Rylie was going over the conversation she had with Del in her head and wanted to talk to Maysen about it, but wasn’t sure how to start the conversation. “So, you said Elizabeth lives with her parents in Boise?”

  “Yep,” Maysen said, nodding, keeping his eyes on the road.

  “It must be hard.”

  Frowning, he looked over at her and asked, “What must be hard?”

  “Trying to work things out when you live an hour away from each other. Does she ever stay with you when the girls do?”

  “We aren’t doing this, Rylie,” Maysen replied, his jaw stiffening as he looked back at the road.

  “Doing what? I was just trying to be a friend. I thought maybe you might like someone to talk to-,”

  “Stop.” He looked at her like she was crazy and said, “You left, Rylie. You’ve been gone way too long for me to spill my private stuff. You and I have become strangers and I don’t share personal stuff with strangers. So, please. Don’t pry.”

  Rylie opened her mouth, but wasn’t sure what to say. She looked out the window and whispered, “Sorry.” He was right, they were strangers and she made them that way.

  After a few minutes of silence passed, Rylie felt the warmth of Maysen’s hand on her shoulder. “Hey, I get you’re trying to help. I didn’t mean to sound so harsh. Can we just get to know each other

  again? Without all the sad stuff?”

  Turning to look at him she nodded. “Yeah, I’d like that.”

  They were back in New Plymouth and driving down the gravel road to the Green’s house just before four o’ clock. As they neared the driveway, Maysen broke the silence. “I’d like to show you something if you aren’t too tired. I know it’s been a long day.”

  “It’s still early. I think I can muster up the energy.” She smiled.

  “Great,” he said, parking and jumping out of the truck.

  Confused, Rylie opened her door as Maysen appeared next to it. “Is it close by?” she asked, wondering what was within walking distance.

  Maysen held out his hand to help her down and said, “Right down the road.”

  As her feet touched the ground, she looked up at him and took her hand away from his. “Down the road? To the old trailer?”

  “Don’t worry. We won’t be going inside. Unless you want to of course. I won’t stop you from looking inside your old home. Nobody has lived there for the last eight years though, so I’m sure it won’t look pretty. I should see what it would take to haul it off.”

  Rylie let out a hollow laugh and said, “When was it ever pretty, Maysen?”

  He shrugged. “It’s seen better days. At least you made it a home. After you left, dad moved in a couple different hired hands, but they didn’t stay long. Then a ranch hand, named Bill moved in with his family. They were the last ones to live there. They stayed there for a good twelve years and then dad had a new home built down the road for him. He said Bill had proved his loyalty and deserved a better place to live. They moved out and the trailer has been empty ever since.”

  They started walking down the familiar gravel road. Del’s chicken coop sat empty now. “No chickens?” Rylie asked.

  “No, they stopped raising them a few years back. Del’s body wouldn’t allow her to do as much as she used to. When Norm retired, he didn’t want to have to take care of animals anymore.”

  “So, they actually buy eggs from a store now?” she asked, raising her eyebrows.

  “Yeah.” Maysen chuckled.

  “Don’t laugh,” she said, softly hitting his shoulder. “Del swore she’d never buy eggs from a store. This is big news!”

  Shaking his head, he laughed and asked, “Hey, you still run?”

  “Run? When did I ever run?”

  “Last one to the gate buys ice cream tomorrow.”

  Rylie frowned up at him. “You want to race?”

  “Like old times.”

  “Maysen, I don’t have the right shoes and… GO!” she yelled, as she took off down the road.

  “You cheated!” Maysen called after her.

  She heard gravel crunching behind her, so she knew he was coming for her. Pushing her feet faster, she saw the gate coming into view. She was going to do it! She was finally going to win!

  With only a few yards to go, Rylie stretched out her hand as Maysen sailed by, knocking her arm out of the way and grabbing onto the gate. “Just like old times,” he said, breathing hard and smiling.

  “You suck,” she said, leaning over with her hands on her knees to catch her breath.

  “I run every morning. It helps when I need to sort the thoughts going through my head.” He shrugged, as he unlatched the gate and walked towards the back of the trailer.

  Rylie slowly followed him, taking in the wrecked look of her old home. The trailer was overgrown with weeds and vines and there were boards over some of the windows. It looked so gloomy and it filled her with sadness as she stood there staring at the place she once called home.

  “Did you want to go inside?” Maysen asked.

  “No, I’m good,” she said, shaking her head.

  “Okay. If you change your mind while you’re here, let me know.”

  Rylie nodded. “Thanks. So, what amazing thing do you have going on back here? A new treehouse?” she asked, assuming he was going to show her he’d built a new one after she left.

  “No. I could never bring myself to build another one. Come on,” he said, grabbing her hand and pulling her towards the tree line.

  Around the back of the trailer, in the same spot their treehouse used to stand was a huge fire pit, complete with cement rock benches. The benches were booth-style, molded together with large creek rock and cement. They had been erected in a circle around a beautiful fire pit. The pit itself mimicked the benches, standing about two feet above the ground and made up of smaller creek rock. Rylie pulled her hand from his and walked towards it, in awe. She ran her hands over the smooth rocks as she went through one of the openings and sat down.

  “Maysen!” she exclaimed. “This is beautiful! Did you do this?”

  “With help from some friends, of course,” he said, leaning over the back and smiling.

  “Looks like you use it,” she said, noticing a few chunks of burnt wood in the pit.

  “Almost every weekend. Kevin said I needed an outlet after Elizabeth and the girls left. I think he just wanted a new hangout where his own kids weren’t always present.” Maysen heaved himself over the top of the bench and sat next to Rylie. “The trunk of our treehouse used to be where the fire pit is now. Fire took this spot away from me. I figured why not make a memorial where a fire always burns. Plus, if I was going to be star gazing back here again, it might as well be
from the same vantage point I used to view them when I was young.”

  Rylie’s heart swelled. “What a beautiful idea, Maysen. I love it.”

  “I’m glad you approve.”

  “You don’t need my approval,” she sighed.

  “I know I don’t. It’s nice to have, though. This spot used to be important to you too.”

  “It still is,” she said, looking over at him. “I never forgot our magic.”

  Maysen leaned back against the booth and smiled. “Damn, I miss you girl.”

  Rylie closed her eyes as she felt her heart tear.

  “Anyway,” Maysen said, clearing his throat. “We usually hang out here on Saturday nights. To unwind after a long week, have a couple beers and shoot the breeze. You’re welcome to join us if you like.”

  “That’s tomorrow.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Who is, we, exactly?” she asked, looking over at him.

  “Usually Kevin and Maddie are here. Unless they can’t find a babysitter. A few of the guys that stuck around after high school and their wives or current girlfriends make it out every so often. Travis, he’s one of the hands on the ranch, comes out for a few. That’s pretty much it. Just a small group and it’s rare that we all make it out every Saturday.”

  “I’m not sure anyone would want to see me, Mayse,” she said, dragging the toe of her shoe in the dirt, creating circles.

  “They do.”

  Rylie looked up in surprise.

  “I told them you were here. Maddie wanted to drive out as soon as she heard, but I asked her to wait. I still hadn’t talked to you and I wasn’t sure how you’d react.”

  “So, they’ll be here tomorrow night?”

  Maysen nodded. “Yeah, you shouldn’t feel obligated. Like I said, they’re here most Saturdays anyway. So, it’s not like they’re making a special trip out.”

  “We’ll see how tomorrow goes with Del. If I’m not too worn out, maybe I’ll walk down and say hey.”

  “Sounds good. I won’t be able to go see Del until Sunday. I spent a little more time away from the ranch than I planned today.”

  “I’m sorry. I should’ve realized you might need to be back sooner. I could have driven myself.”

  Maysen shook his head and said, “No. I wasn’t insinuating it was your fault. I wanted to ride with you. I wanted that time. I knew my day would be away from the farm.”

  Rylie looked away. Maysen’s eyes looked so intense. She didn’t want to know what feelings he was holding behind them. Maybe a small part of her did want to know, she thought to herself. “I have to go,” she said, standing abruptly.

  “Did I say something wrong?”

  “No. I just… I just need to call Spencer and give him an update on Del and check in on Alex. You know, just see how things are going.” She started walking towards the trailer.

  “I’ll stop by tomorrow,” Maysen said, standing up.

  “No. it’s okay. I’ll come by here if I’m not tired,” she said, waving at him.

  “Rylie,” Maysen called.

  She turned and looked at him.

  “You owe me an ice cream!”

  Laughter bubbled up from her and she rolled her eyes. “Yeah, okay. I owe you. See ya.”

  When she got back to the house, Rylie made herself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and added a handful of barbeque chips to her plate for dinner. When she was finished and as she began to wash the dishes she dirtied, she noticed Maysen’s truck was still in the driveway. He must’ve decided to hang out down by the creek. Turning from the window, she grabbed her phone and headed to the living room to call Spencer.

  “Hey you. We just finished cleaning up dinner,” Spencer said, as soon as he picked up.

  “We must be tuned in to each other then, because that’s what I just did too.”

  Spencer’s deep laugh rolled through the phone, wrapping her in comfort. “We had spaghetti and meatballs. What was on your menu?”

  “PB&J with a side of chips. Jealous?” she asked, giggling.

  “You know what? I am, a little. You had less clean up.”

  They laughed and all the pent-up emotions she’d been carrying were released, making her feel lighter than she had in days. “Oh, Spence, I miss you so much!”

  “The feeling is mutual, sweetheart. I know it hasn’t been that long, but it feels like it’s been weeks.”

  “I think we’ll find out tomorrow when Del gets to come home.”

  “Have you decided when you’re coming home?” he asked.

  “I’d like to come home as soon as she is released, but I think I should stay a few more days after that happens. I want to help Norm get set up for whatever care she may need when she gets home.”

  “I think that’s a good idea. Although, if you’re away from us too much longer, we may show up at their doorstep.”

  “I think I’d be okay with that.”

  “Just a second. I must have something in my ear. It sounded like you said you’d be okay if we came to see you,” Spencer said, his voice full of surprise.

  “No ear cleaning necessary, love. Things aren’t as bad as I thought they’d be. I should have come back sooner.”

  “Hmmm, this is a change. The friend you rode to the hospital with wouldn’t have anything to do with your change of heart, would he?”

  “His name is Maysen and he isn’t the reason I want to start visiting,” she said, taking a deep breath. “He is a big part of why I didn’t want to come back, though. We used to date.”

  Spencer didn’t respond. The silence made her stomach sick.

  “Spence?”

  “I’m here.”

  “Are you mad?” she asked, afraid of the answer.

  “Rylie, we met in college. I knew there had to be old boyfriends hiding out there somewhere. I figured I wasn’t your first kiss.”

  “So, you’re not mad?”

  “I’m disappointed you didn’t tell me,” he said, his voice barely audible.

  “I think that’s worse than you being mad,” she said, feeling a stab in her chest.

  “I knew there was something you didn’t want to tell me. The fact that you had a boyfriend doesn’t bother me, Rye. It’s that you felt you needed to keep it a secret.”

  Rylie sucked in a sharp breath. “No, Spencer. I wasn’t trying to keep him a secret. It just ended so badly and I didn’t want to dredge up the past. It’s the reason I’ve refused to go back all these years. Del and Norm live on his family’s land. It would have made running into him during a visit inevitable.”

  “I’m glad you’ve been able to work out your fears, Rye. I am. I wish I was the one who helped you get over them, but I’m glad you’re at peace.”

  “I am and I can’t wait for you to see all the places I loved as a child.”

  “Me too. Hey, I’m going to let Alex say hi really quick. He’s been dancing beside me since you called.”

  “Okay. Hey Spence?”

  “Yeah?” He sounded tired, causing her heart to drop.

  “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  “Mommy!” Alex’s excited voice blared through the phone, causing her to pull her phone away from her ear.

  “Whoa! Hey there, my love! How was your day?”

  “Good. It’s Friday, so we had pizza at school and Daddy made spaghetti for dinner and now I think I’m half Italian.” His voice was so animated and fast she could barely keep up and burst out laughing.

  “How much coffee have you been drinking, love?”

  “I don’t drink coffee,” he replied, his voice riddled with confusion.

  Another laugh filled the air around her. “I know you don’t, Mr. Tompkins. I was teasing you.”

  Alex’s giggle rang through the phone. “What have you been doing?” he asked.

  “Well, my day wasn’t quite as fun as yours was. I sat in the hospital with grandma and grandpa for most of the day.”

  “That doesn’t sound fun at all.”

/>   “No, but we played board games. It helped,” she replied.

  “What board games?”

  “Monopoly and The Farming Game.”

  “I never heard of that one. Is it fun?” he asked.

  “It was one of my favorites growing up. I’ll have to teach you when you come visit.”

  “I’m coming? When?” he asked, his excited voice sounding breathless.

  “I’m not sure, but soon.”

  Alex must have dropped the phone because Rylie could hear him celebrating in the background.

  “Alex? Sweetheart, are you still there?”

  “You must’ve told him we were coming to visit.” Spencer’s voice came through the phone. He sounded like his usual self again and relief spread through her body.

  “I did. I think he liked the idea.”

  “He’s not the only one. It’s not the same here without you.”

  “Ditto. I’ll have more information tomorrow. Once we get Del home and settled, we can get your flights booked.”

  “That sounds like an amazing plan,” Spencer said, his voice soft.

  Rylie ended the call and walked back to the kitchen window. Maysen’s truck was gone and to her surprise, her heart sank, though she wasn’t sure why.

  October 13, 2010 ~ Morning

  Rylie drove back to Boise early Saturday morning. She was there before the doctor came in with an update and ate breakfast with Del and Norm. The doctor explained that everything looked good, but they wanted to keep an eye on her incision. Del would have to stay for another two or three days, depending on how her wound looked.

  “I don’t need to stay. It’s not as sore as it was. I can handle the pain that’s left.”

  “I’m afraid it’s not the pain I’m worried about, Delphia,” the doctor replied, writing in his notes.

  “What’s the holdup then?” she asked, unable to hide the irritation.

  “Well, the incision isn’t healing as fast as I’d like. I’m going to leave the pump in while you are here. We don’t want you getting an infection.”

  Del had a hose attached to the inside of her wound. It was connected to a pump which was supposed to keep the incision clean and infection out.

  Del heaved a sigh and crossed her arms. “The nurse told me I had to take the pump home with me. What’s it matter if I’m here or at home?”