by June Kramin
“He’ll kick my ass for checking on him, but all right.” Bix pushed his chair back. “No cheating to you, either.”
She said, “I promise,” and then crossed her fingers so he could see then pretended to hide it behind her back.
“Goofball. I’ll be right back.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Almost fifteen minutes passed. Ellie didn’t know what to think. She didn’t want to seem silly and worry. Dinner could wait. Two men could easily lose track of time grunting over tools. It just didn’t seem like Gramps to let dinner burn, though. Maybe something had broken. Maybe they needed help. She tossed the idea around for five more minutes and was about to climb the stairs when she heard the door close. Breathing a sigh of relief, she felt silly for thinking the worst then climbed up to greet them.
Seeing that it was just Bix surprised her. “How is he doing out there? Must be something major to keep him from tending to dinner.” Studying his face, she didn’t like what she saw. “What is it?”
“He’s gone.”
“Gone? What do you mean gone? He’s not out there?”
He walked over and took her hand. She looked from one eye to the next, trying to understand. His eyes were red and she was afraid they were saying something he could not.
“What do you mean ‘gone,’ Bix?” she asked again. Her heart raced.
“He’s gone,” was all he could say.
He dropped his head to her shoulder and held her tight. All of his weight seemed to be on her. She didn’t understand or just didn’t want to. Pushing him away and taking a step back, she screamed, “No! Where is he? Tell me, damnit, Bix!”
He swallowed hard, trying desperately to blink away the tears. The stare she gave him encouraged him to talk.
“I found him in the shop. He was already…gone.”
“No!” she ran past him and over to the door, stopping only long enough to pull her snow boots on over her socks. She ran for the shop without a coat on. It was about fifty yards there, but she didn’t even notice the cold. Flying through the shop door she shouted, “Gramps!” when she saw him on the floor.
She put her head to his chest and couldn’t hear or feel anything. That didn’t stop her from starting CPR. She did chest compressions then tried giving him some breaths. Bix came in the door as she was starting chest compressions again.
“Ellie, stop,” Bix said as he rushed to her with a coat. “He’s been gone too long.” He tried pulling her back, but she just shook him free.
“Why didn’t you come get me?” she demanded, listening at his chest. She started compressions again and Bix clutched her hands and pulled her to her feet. “He’s gone, babe.”
“No!” she cried as she pounded her hands into his chest. “No!” She cried hard and her knees went weak. No longer being able to stand, she slid to the ground and Bix followed her. He held her tight and finally allowed his own tears to fall.
As the ambulance left, Ellie and Bix could only hold each other. Bix had his feelings of “What if I…” and “I should have…” He knew it was pointless to think that way and took more comfort in Ellie’s embrace than she could possibly know. He was sure her thoughts went to the same place. He hated that she had to see Gramps like that and loved her even more for trying so hard to bring his grandfather back, even when she had to know it was hopeless. He had tried the same thing himself before giving up and calling 911. Then he had found strength to return to the house, wanting to get there before the ambulance showed up and really scared Ellie.
They walked in and got their coats hung. Miss Kitty came running over to them and Ellie picked her up.
“It’s okay, ol’ girl. We’ll look after you now.” Ellie kissed the cat on the head.
Bix gave her a few pats as well. “I need to call Mom.”
“I’ll leave you alone. I’ll wait downstairs.” She put the cat down and walked away.
“Stay with me. Please?” Bix asked as he took her hand. She curled herself against his chest and they stayed like that for a while again. Bix took his cell phone off his belt clip and walked backwards to the couch. He sat, bringing Ellie with him. She settled on his lap, resting her head on a shoulder while he called his mother.
He was grateful to have Ellie to comfort, otherwise he would have been much worse. Bix felt like a big baby, but he never did death well. In the few short weeks he was here, he had gotten very attached to the grandfather he had hardly known. Watching how he interacted with Ellie was probably a big factor. He wanted to sit and wallow and be sad and miss Gramps desperately, but he couldn’t help to think how happy he had been in his last few days. That thought was enough to help get his through the call.
He stroked Ellie’s back with his fingernails as he talked to his mother. He explained what the EMTs told him and begged her not to rush over there tonight.
“There’s nothing you can do, Mom. Just come out tomorrow.”
“I don’t want you to have to be alone, honey.”
“I’m not alone. Ellie’s here.”
“Gramps told me about her when I called there the other day. I’m glad you have someone there with you. I’ll leave first thing in the morning. Do you know where he keeps things? Have you been there long enough to know? I assume he’ll want to be buried at his old church, but I’d like to see the will to be sure before I make arrangements.”
“The office is kind of a mess, Mom. I’ll dig around tomorrow. I can’t do this now.”
“That’s all right. I’ll be there and help tomorrow. Have you called your father yet?”
“What for?”
“I thought he might want to know that his father died.”
“Why? So he can hurry out and sell of what’s left of the land? You call him. I don’t need that right now. I have to go, Mom.”
“All right,” she said with a sigh, clearly not wanting to get him any more upset. “Good night, dear. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
He dropped the phone to the couch and wrapped his other arm around Ellie as well. She switched positions and gave his neck a gentle kiss.
“You never mentioned your parents being split up.”
“Dad’s an asswipe. I don’t bring it up. I don’t want to do this now, babe.”
“Shhhh.” She kissed his neck again then held him tight. “It’s okay. We don’t have to do it now.” She leaned back. “Can I get you to eat something?”
“I’m not very hungry.”
“Neither am I, but we should eat something then I’ll get it put away.”
“How are you anyway?” he asked, placing his hand on her forehead. “You were out there for too long again without a coat.”
“It was only a minute. I feel fine.” She climbed off of him and held her hands out to help him up. “Let’s eat something and turn in.”
“No arguments here.”
They lay in bed facing each other, neither one knowing what to say.
“I’m really going to miss the old coot,” Ellie finally said, snuggling further into Bix’s chest. She was long since cried out, but the sadness hung heavy.
“Me too. I feel so robbed. I just got to know him and he was taken away.”
“I heard you say your dad will sell off the house. What will you do?” Ellie asked.
“I’m not worried about that right now. I can’t even think that far ahead. I hate funerals and can’t stand the thought of all the family bullshit that goes along with it.”
“You want to talk about it?”
“No. I’m tired, babe. Can we talk later?”
“Sure, Slick.” They both feigned sleep long before it finally settled in.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Ellie woke to an empty bed. She couldn’t find Bix’s robe so she picked up the sweatshirt she had worn before and put in on over her pajamas. After a quick scan of the living area, she went up the stairs to look for him. She found him in the office, digging through the desk drawer.
“Hey,” she said, leaning on the doorjamb
.
“Mornin’, beautiful.”
“You told me to wake you up when I left, but you won’t do the same for me?” She crossed her arms playfully.
“I’m sorry.” He got up and walked over to her. “I’ve been up for a while. I couldn’t sleep.”
“Find anything?”
“Nothing useful in the desk. I found a wall safe.” He pointed to a picture behind him. “But not the key. I imagine the will is in there.”
“You’ll find it. Did you make coffee?”
“Not yet. Sorry.” He turned to walk to the kitchen, but she stopped him.
“I’ll do it. Go finish what you’re doing.”
“But it’s your day off.”
“So? I can make us coffee. I’ll be right back.” She gave him a quick parting kiss then walked to the kitchen.
He seemed a lot better today, Ellie was glad for that. She felt the same as he did about funerals, even before what she had been through with her fiancé and parents. Another funeral was not on her list of things she wanted to do, but she’d go for Bix because in just that short time, she really had grown to love Gramps.
After the coffee was ready, she walked into the office with cups for herself and Bix.
“Thanks,” he said when she offered it to him. She turned to walk out, but he caught her hand. “Sit with me for a while?”
She sat on his lap while they sipped their coffee. “Damn, Ellie. I don’t know what you do. Why is it so much better when you make it?”
“Like anything else. It’s because someone else made it.”
“Nope. You have the magic touch. Must be that fancy coffee school.”
“Hardly for pre-ground coffee. You should start buying decent beans and a small grinder.”
“Well, I will. As soon as I know where I’ll move it to.”
“You really think your dad will sell the house? Even if you’ve just moved in?”
“He doesn’t care about anything, least of all me.”
“I’m sure that’s not true.” She placed her hand on his cheek. “Tell me.”
“He up and left when I was eight. Didn’t give a damn about anyone or anything. He never sent money for Mom and she never fought him for it. It’s an old story, Ellie. Shit happens. We got by all right, though. I’m just glad Mom pulled through it and didn’t pine away for him.”
“That’s nice she still kept in touch with your grandfather.”
“She believed in family ties and he was a good man. She loved him like you did.” He gently touched the tip of her nose. “Dad stayed here for a while so we didn’t come out here much when I was younger, but she stayed in touch with school pictures and stuff.”
“Were you always angry with him?”
“Of course. He left my mom to fend for herself. I couldn’t stand him. I still haven’t forgiven him.”
“What’s he like with you?”
“He’s only tried to make contact since I moved back here. Said he wants to get to know me. It’s too little too late. He can have the damn house. I don’t want anything to do with him.”
She gave his cheek a gentle kiss. “I don’t want to upset you, I was just wondering.”
“Sorry. I guess I’ll warn you when he’s coming so you can high-tail it out of here to avoid the scene.”
“No way. I’m staying with you.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “If the house gets to be too much confusion, we should stay at my place.”
“That’s an excellent idea. There will be a lot of family showing up. You sure you want to — shit, babe!” He looked at the clock.
“What?”
“We have to get you into the hospital.”
“I didn’t forget, Bix. We have an hour. I’m sorry. The timing sucks. I should have driven my car over.”
“No. I’m still going with you. Mom can let herself in if I’m not here.” He stroked her hair. “You still want to go through with this?”
“You don’t need to ask anymore. The answer isn’t changing.”
“I just thought maybe you’d want to put it off.”
“I can’t. She’s really pushing things along. If she’s at the point where she needs the transplant, you can’t put it off for long.”
“She doesn’t seem bedridden and desperate.”
“Not yet. I still don’t know the details, but my guess is it’ll happen soon. Waiting for results will be a while. I’ll be able to make the funeral as long as it’s in a couple days.”
“I’m sorry for all the drama so soon in the relationship.”
“Mine or yours?” She gave the corner of his mouth a kiss then stood up. “I’m going to shower.”
“Want company?”
“I would but…”
“But what?”
“What would I do with the other fifty minutes?” She laughed and ran off.
“Oh, you are so gonna get it.” He ran after her and caught up to her at the end of the hall and gave her a kiss.
“It’s good to see you smile again.”
“You too. I didn’t think these words would ever come out of my mouth, but I’m not in the mood for sex just yet.”
“Ditto, Slick. I think it’s your turn to whip up some breakfast anyway.”
“I’m on it.”
Ellie drove to town so Bix could call his mother and fill her in on his findings so far. After he hung up, Bix filled Ellie in on the side of the conversation that she couldn’t hear.
“She thinks she’ll know a hiding spot or two and look for the key. They lived in the house for a few months when they first got married. She’s still two hours away so she’ll probably be there when we get back.”
“I really hate for you to just wait at the hospital, Bix. You sure you don’t want me to get my car? I’ll be perfectly capable of driving when it’s over.”
“I can entertain myself. I downloaded a bunch of new cell phone games last week.”
“You are a techno junkie.”
“And you love it.”
“Yeah,” she admitted. “I do.”
Her phone rang and she gave it to Bix. “You answer it. I won’t when I’m driving.”
“Is that how — ”
“It’s just my rule,” she said, cutting him off. Tony hadn’t been on a cell phone when the accident happened, but they suspected the truck driver was.
He could see it was the hospital number on the caller ID. Ellie glanced between him and the road as he talked. Whatever it was, it didn’t sound good.
“What it is?” she asked when he hung up. “Something wrong?”
“Your sister is in ICU. Her kidneys are shutting down.”
“She on dialysis?”
“Yes. She arrived there early this morning. Pull over.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re shaking. I want to drive.”
“I’m okay. We’re almost there.”
“No you’re not. I’m not even arguing with you about it. Pull over, Ellie.”
She pulled over. Bix walked around the front of the car an Ellie climbed over the center console.
“What else?” she asked when they were on their way.
“He wants you to go to the ER entrance.” Bix took her hand. “They’re still going to do a few final tests, but he’s rushing it. Apparently she looks bad. As soon as she’s stable, they’ll push the transplant. From the tests he already has and the fact that you’re identical twins, he’s confident they can move ahead. He said there are some tests they can’t skip but…they need to proceed as soon as they can. It’s best if you were there waiting.”
“I guess it doesn’t matter for me. I’d just assume get it over — shit!” Her eyes became sad as she looked at Bix. He gave her hand a squeeze then brought it to his lips for a kiss.
“That’s okay, Ellie,” Bix said, obviously knowing where her mind had gone. “You don’t need the added stress of going to a funeral for someone you hardly knew with all of this going on. You do the procedure and rest up.”
> “Don’t you dare belittle how much I loved him, Bix.”
“I’m just saying it’s okay, Ellie. I love that you want to be there for me, but I don’t want to put you through it even under the best of circumstances.”
“I want to be there for me, Bix. Not just you. And it’ll be fine. This is better, actually. You heard, Doc. I’ll be out in two days tops. I can still go.”
“Out of the hospital, but bed rest, babe.”
“This is not even open for discussion, Bix.” He had parked the car by that point and she climbed out. He met up with her and took her hand, hurrying through the doors with her. Doctor Platt was there at the counter.
“Follow me.” He motioned to both of them so Bix knew he could come with her. “I’m sorry for all the haste, Ellie. She’s stable for now on the dialysis, but I would like to hurry things along. Are you sure you’re ready for this?”
“Absolutely.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Ellie’s eyes opened slowly. The room was dark and she was thirsty. She tried to pick up her arm, but it felt like it weighed a hundred pounds. Slowly the memories came back. She had some more blood taken and had a CT scan, then barely had time to blink before she was being wheeled into surgery. She put her hand to her side and closed her eyes again and let out a slight moan.
“Ellie?” She opened her eyes again to see Bix next to her.
“Hey,” she said softly. Even that took a lot of effort.
“Hey. Can I get you anything?”
“Water.”
The nurse had left a cup with a straw on the table next to her. He reached for it and held it for her to drink. “The nurse said just small sips. Are you feeling okay?”
“I guess so. Just tired,” she whispered.
“Let me get the nurse. They said to get them when you got up.”
“Kiss me first.”
He did.
Opening her eyes again later, Ellie couldn’t see Bix. She didn’t recall falling asleep again or the nurse coming in. It was dark so she felt around for the call button.
“Hey, Ellie,” the nurse said with a smile as she walked in.
