The Price of Trust

by Amanda Stephan

  "I think I will," Penny said gratefully as she got up from the table.

  Carly finished cleaning up and went upstairs to check on Joe. Noticing Todd's door was open, she glanced in and saw Penny sitting by his bed taking his temperature.

  "Do you need anything?" Carly asked quietly.

  "No, I think they'll be fine," she said, getting up and closing the door partway behind her. "I'll be downstairs in the living room, so when you're done, come on down."

  "I'll be down in a little bit."

  She tapped gently on Joe's slightly open door and tiptoed in when there was no answer. Joe was lying on his side, sleeping fitfully. She moved the desk chair over to the bed and sat down quietly, brushing a lock of hair out of his face. He woke.

  "Carly," he said softly, trying to smile. "I didn't know you were going to be here this early."

  "It's past one in the afternoon." Carly smiled, running her finger down his jaw. "How are you feeling?"

  "Not too well," he mumbled, closing his eyes and rolling onto his back.

  "Do you want me to leave you alone?" Carly asked quietly, getting up to leave.

  He reached for her hand. "No."

  She massaged his hand and sat back down. "Can I get you anything?"

  He moaned, clutching his stomach. "No, I'm fine."

  Carly sat next to him, wiping his forehead periodically with a damp cloth she had gotten from the bathroom. She waited until she was sure he was sleeping before she got up and went downstairs in search of Penny.

  "There you are," Penny said kindly. "Come have a seat for a little while." She patted the couch beside her. Carly sat down where she indicated and pulled a throw pillow onto her lap.

  "Well, how's Joe doing?" Penny asked, seeming to feel much better.

  "He doesn't look so good." Carly grimaced, pulling distractedly at the tassel on the pillow. "I just wish there was something I could do for him."

  She patted her hand. "He'll be fine."

  "I just remember my dad and how he took care of my mom in her last days, and I feel that I should be doing something to make him feel better."

  "You being here will make him feel better than anything else right now. He'll be up before you know it, wait and see. Do you want to watch a movie? I've got a little time before I start dinner," she asked hopefully.

  "I haven't watched a movie in a really long time; I don't know if I know how to sit through one!" Carly laughed.

  Penny went over to the movie cabinet and opened the doors. "What do you want to see?" She poked her head up, looking expectantly at Carly.

  "You pick," she said, unsure of what Penny liked.

  "The men all hate it when I pick movies," she said apologetically. "I like the old movies the best."

  "So do I!" Carly said excitedly. "Bing Crosby, Audrey Hepburn…"

  "Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers!" Penny finished, laughing. "We'll get along great then. Let me see; are you in the mood for a Christmas movie?" She asked hopefully. Carly nodded, grinning from ear to ear.

  "White Christmas sound good to you?" Carly beamed with pleasure. "That was the one my dad and I watched every year after Mom died. It's one of my favorites!"

  "Good!" Penny popped the movie into the DVD player and started it, sitting down eagerly. They were completely absorbed with the movie when they heard a commotion in the bathroom. They jumped up simultaneously and ran to help whoever it was. They arrived just in time to see Joe emerge, grabbing onto the doorframe to support himself.

  "Joe!" Penny said, surprised.

  "Let us help you," Carly said softly, helping him on one side while Penny helped him on the other. They managed to help him slowly up the stairs to his bedroom, sitting him down on his bed.

  "Will you stay with me?" he asked Carly, lying down, shivering as though he were about to freeze to death.

  She pulled the covers up to his chin and gave him a sweet smile. "Of course I'll stay," she whispered, running her fingers through his hair.

  "It's about time to start dinner anyway," Penny said, checking the clock. "You're more than welcome to stay and eat."

  "Thank you," Carly said thankfully, pulling the chair close to the bed.

  "I'll let you know when dinner's done." Carly heard her check on Todd just before she went downstairs, closing his door softly. She turned her attention back to Joe.

  "I'm glad you came by today," he said weakly, watching her. "I'm sorry you have to see me like this."

  "I'm glad I was able to be here. Try to go to sleep."

  "Talk to me," he whispered, closing his eyes. "I like to hear you talk."

  "Well, let me see," she said, trying to think of something to say.

  "What do you want to hear about?"

  "You and your parents," he said softly, eyes still closed.

  "Wow. Where do I start? Well, before my mom died," she began, running her fingers through his hair again. "She would talk to me and tell me how wonderful God was, and that even if I didn't understand why he allowed bad things to happen to me, that I could always trust him to do what was best. At first I didn't want to believe her. Don't get me wrong, I was saved when I was young, but I couldn't understand why he was taking my mom away from me."

  She stopped and took his hand in hers, tracing his fingers with her own. "But I loved him because she had taught me to love him, even though it was tough sometimes. I remember I would lie on the end of her bed right before she died and listen to my dad read the Bible to her. She loved to hear the Psalms, and he never seemed to get tired of reading them to her." She smiled sadly, wishing she could have spent just a little more time with both of them. "When she'd get really bad pains, Dad would take her into his arms and rock her gently and sing to her until she'd go to sleep. He was holding her and singing to her the night she died.

  "That was the only time I remember seeing him cry. I asked him once why he didn't cry at the funeral, and he told me that even though he missed her so much, he was happy for her because all of her pain was gone, and one day, he'd get to see her again. I think that's when heaven became a real place to me. When Dad showed me in the Bible what God had to say about one of his children dying, how the angels rejoice, I was finally at peace, knowing that she was where she had longed to go." She paused, looking tenderly at Joe, wondering if she should stop talking and leave him alone.

  "Keep going," he said faintly, keeping his eyes closed.

  "After she died, I was afraid to trust God to take care of me. I was afraid that he was going to take everyone I cared about away. So I clung to my dad, not liking to let him out of my sight. Poor Dad." She sighed. "He didn't really have a clue how to raise a daughter, but we sure were close. We did everything together. After Dad got sick and I started dating Ian, I clung to Ian for my security instead of trusting in the Lord. You know, it's a whole lot easier to say that I need to trust in him than to actually do it. I didn't want to be alone, so I thought Ian was the one God wanted me to be with for the rest of my life. But looking back, I can see that all the real trouble started when I depended on a person instead of God."

  She stopped, listening to his even breathing, and watched him sleep for a little while, loving him all the more for needing her. She bent down and softly kissed his cheek. She pulled up his covers and turned off his light, leaving him to rest.

  "Dinner's ready," Penny said cheerfully as Carly came into the kitchen.

  Carly took a deep breath, appreciating the enticing aroma. "Smells wonderful!"

  Penny placed the steaming pan on the table. "Have a seat. Tom and Kelly will be here any minute."

  "Kelly's here?" Carly asked in surprise. "I didn't hear her come in."

  "She came over after she got out of work to check on Todd. Here." Penny handed her a plate piled high with delicious roast and vegetables.

  "Hello," Kelly said happily, seating herself next to Carly.

  She smiled brightly at her friend. "Hi. I didn't hear you come in."

  "You and Joe were talking, so I didn't want to di
sturb you. Boy, does Todd look rough!" she said, shaking her head. "I didn't know the flu could be that bad. He looks almost green. How's Joe look?" she asked, turning to Carly.

  "He looks a little green too." Carly chuckled. "I thought he'd probably be better off sleeping, but he wanted me to talk to him. I was lucky to get out of there to eat!"

  "Well, this is odd. I know we had two boys, but there are two girls here instead!" said Tom as he came into the kitchen and sat down. "Glad you both are here. Makes it a little easier on Penny." He winked at her as she sat next to him. "She doesn't have to do as much babysitting."

  "Babysitting is right!" Penny laughed. "I always thought men were supposed to be big and strong, but when they get a little case of the flu, they're nothing but big babies."

  Tom laughed heartily. "That's right! And if you have helpers, you can spend all your time babysitting me when I catch it!" He took her hand and blessed the food before continuing. "That's our job. We need to be babied every once in a while. Just think when those two boys are out, you can give me all your attention."

  "I'll miss them when they're gone." Penny sighed wistfully. "When you two start having kids, be sure to enjoy every minute you've got with them, because they grow up way too fast! There are too many people out there that just don't take the time to enjoy their kids until it's too late. You blink, and wham. They're getting married and moving out."

  "Uh oh, I think I hit a sore spot!"

  Penny elbowed him in the ribs. "I just meant to enjoy them while you've got them." She smiled weakly, her eyes wet with unshed tears.

  "What are you planning on doing tomorrow, Carly?" Tom asked, changing the subject so Penny could regain her self-control.

  "I'm planning on coming back out here in the morning to check on Joe and help you both if you need me to," she said helpfully.

  "I'm sure we'll find you something to do." Penny winked at her. "Joe will be glad to see you. I'm pretty sure he'll be feeling a lot better in the morning though, so if something comes up and you can't make it, don't worry about it."

  "I hope he's feeling better." Carly sighed. "I miss him."

  Tom laughed. "What do you mean you miss him? You've been with him almost all afternoon!"

  "I know what you mean," Kelly interjected, patting Carly's hand. "It's just not the same without them joking around and fussing like they do. I'll be glad when Todd's up and doing better too."

  Penny started clearing away dishes. "You're both welcome to come over tomorrow and see them."

  "I'll help," Carly said, getting up.

  She smiled warmly at Carly. "No, you go on up and see Joe for a little while. I can handle the clean up tonight."

  "Are you sure?" she asked doubtfully. "I don't mind helping."

  "I've noticed, but you go on. You've done enough for one day," she said, taking the dishes out of Carly's hands.

  "Thanks," she said gratefully, dashing up the stairs to Joe's room. She poked her head quietly around his door, checking to see if he was awake. He hadn't moved since she'd left for dinner. She sat down at his desk and rested her head on her arms, watching him sleep for a few minutes.

  "Carly," Kelly whispered loudly, shaking her shoulder.

  She woke with a start. "Was I sleeping?" she mumbled, rubbing her eyes and trying to focus on the clock.

  "You were snoring." Kelly giggled. "I could hear you all the way in Todd's room."

  "What time is it?"

  Kelly smiled. "It's eleven. I'm getting ready to leave, so I just came in to say good-bye."

  "Eleven?" Carly said, surprised. "I better leave too, or they're going to think that I moved in." She stood up, stretched, and kissed Joe's cheek. "Do you mind if I follow you into town? I got kind of tired sitting here."

  Kelly grinned as she got her coat. "Sounds great. I'll keep an eye on you to make sure you're not driving erratically!"

  "Are you leaving already?" Tom asked as they walked into the living room.

  Kelly gave Penny a good-bye hug. "Yes, we're going to get on home before it gets late. Thanks for dinner."

  "You leaving too?" Penny asked Carly as she shrugged on her coat.

  She laughed. "I figured I better or you were going to think I moved in here!"

  "By the way," Tom asked as he and Penny walked them to the door. "Who was that snoring upstairs?"

  Carly gave him and innocent look. "Snoring? I didn't hear any snoring. Penny, I think you need to have his hearing checked."

  "There's not a thing wrong with my hearing!" Tom said, grinning.

  "You know, I've thought his hearing must be going. He says I snore too. I've tried and tried to tell him that ladies don't snore, but he doesn't believe me." Penny shrugged helplessly as Tom grabbed her to him in a bear hug. "You two be careful driving home, you hear?"

  "We will," they said over their shoulders as they hurried out the door into the icy night.

  Chapter 22

  Carly was miserable the next morning. She pulled the blankets around her tightly, trying to warm up, while every muscle protested loudly with even the smallest movement. She pulled her knees up closer to her chin and started rocking herself slightly. The pain in her stomach was almost unbearable.

  "Oh," she groaned miserably as she looked at the clock. She shut her eyes tightly and concentrated on feeling better. Finally, she gave up. There was no way she was going to make it out to Joe's house that day. She had the flu. She knew she should probably call and let Penny and Tom know that she wasn't going to be able to make it, but the mere thought of getting out of bed and walking somewhere other than her bathroom was too overwhelming. The pain in her stomach worsened.

  "Oh," she moaned again, clutching her stomach in misery. She jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom, reaching the toilet just in time. When she was finished, she sat shaking on the cold floor, unable to stand up. She lay her feverish forehead against the cool porcelain sink pedestal, tears streaming down her face, wishing she had someone to take care of her.

  She sat for a moment longer, waiting to make sure the worst was over, washed her face, clumsily brushed her teeth, and wobbled back to her bed on legs that felt like rubber. She fell into bed and pulled the covers up to her chin, anxious for the day to be over.

  "I thought Carly was supposed to be here this morning," Penny said as she and Tom sat at the breakfast table, sipping their coffee and preparing to start the day.

  "Maybe she's sick."

  "I hope not. Who's going to take care of her?" Penny asked with concern. "I wish I had a key. Maybe I should call," she said, going toward the phone.

  "Call who?" Joe asked faintly as he walked into the kitchen.

  "Joe! What are you doing up?" Penny asked, holding the phone in mid-air.

  He sank slowly into a chair. "I'm getting ready to help with the chores."

  "Are you feeling better already?" Tom asked with a doubtful glance.

  "I'm feeling better," he said a little shakily. "I'm a little weak, but I'm good to go. Really."

  "I don't think so," Penny said, hanging the phone back up to take care of the situation at hand. "I think you should take at least another day to rest. What do you think?" she asked, looking at Tom for his approval.

  He finished his coffee and stood to his feet. "I think it's really up to Joe."

  "I'll help as much as I can today, and if I start to feel worse, I'll stop and rest, okay?" he said soothingly. "I'm doing pretty good actually. Todd's still up in his room moaning."

  "Maybe Carly's just late," Tom said, putting his arms around Penny and giving her a kiss. "She'll be all right."

  "I hope so," she murmured, kissing him back.

  "Where's Carly?" Joe asked as he, Tom, and Penny took care of the chores together. "I thought she was here yesterday, but I was so out of it, I can't really be sure."

  "She sat by your side almost all day after she helped us around the farm. We didn't think we were going to get her to eat without you, but we managed," Tom said heartily, slapping him on the ba
ck.

  Penny grinned broadly at him. "She's a good girl. I'm glad that you two met."

  "I know. I can't even think of why I was ever interested in Amy now," he said, shaking his head in bewilderment. "I hope she's okay."

  "Maybe you should go give her a call," Tom said, noticing his worried expression.

  "I think I will," he said gratefully, setting down the brimming milk pails he was carrying. "I'll be right back," he said, jogging up to the house. He was back in just a few minutes, his expression glum.

  "I take it she didn't answer," Penny asked kindly.

  "No," he answered miserably, going about his work with much less vigor than usual.

  "She'll be okay, son," Tom said, trying to make him feel better. "She knows how to take care of herself. She's had to for a few years now."

  "I know, I just don't like her being by herself all the time. I'm afraid for her. I wish that house was done so we could get married. Then I wouldn't have so much to worry about."

  "Are you worried about that Ian guy?" Penny asked, concerned.

  "Do you think he'll come all the way out here?"

  "I hope he doesn't," Joe said anxiously. "I don't know what would happen if he did."

  "Well, whatever did happen, we'd be right there with you," Tom said confidently. "I'll take you into town later on to check on her, if you want."

  "I'd appreciate it," Joe said thankfully, glad he had such understanding parents.

  Carly tossed and turned, trying to get as comfortable as possible. Between her frequent bathroom trips and her bed sheets getting all tangled up, she hadn't been able to get to sleep. The phone rang downstairs. Moaning, she pulled the blankets up over her head, trying to drown out the offending noise. Whoever it was didn't give up easily, the reverberations going around and around in her head. Resolutely, Carly flung the blankets off and slowly made her way downstairs to the offending instrument. Restraining an urge to throw it across the room, she picked up the receiver.

  "Hello?" she whispered feverishly, trying to keep her voice steady.

  Dial tone.

  Unsteadily, she punched in Joe's home number and waited for someone to answer.