Sumter Point

by K. G. MacGregor

  “They’re gone.” This afternoon’s inadvertent cleansing now seemed like a sign from God. She pulled over to the shoulder of the road, squinting at the brightness of the flashing blue lights. As she rolled down her window, she mentally ticked off and dismissed all of the potential problems. Moments later, a flashlight blinded her. “Is there a problem, officer?”

  He ignored her and shined the light into Dennis’s face next, then all around the interior of the Xterra.

  “License and registration.”

  Audie pulled her wallet from her hip pocket and her registration from her console. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Dennis’s knees bouncing with anxiety. As she handed over the documents, she asked again, “Did I do something wrong?”

  And again, he ignored her as he read the information. Finally, he spoke. “Miss Pippin, I’ve been following you since you left a drinking establishment on Capital Drive. Have you had anything to drink this evening?”

  “No, officer,” she answered, letting out a small breath of relief.

  “I’m the designated driver tonight.”

  Clearly, he was unimpressed by her declaration. “I observed that you failed to come to a complete stop before executing a right turn onto Sumter Pike.”

  Audie recalled that the light on Sumter Pike turned green as she was braking, but she knew it was pointless to disagree. The officer was obviously disappointed that she wasn’t drunk, and he wasn’t going away empty-handed. Still, a bogus traffic ticket was better than a drug charge for one stupid popper.

  “Remain in the car, please.”

  They watched him walk back to his vehicle, presumably to verify her license and registration and confirm she was not wanted in a dozen states.

  “He’s being a real asshole,” Dennis said, his knees still shaking.

  “He sure is. But we’re going to kiss that asshole, aren’t we?” As she ran her tongue over her teeth to free up the loose specks of marijuana, she made a mental note to always carry a bottle of water in the car.

  “Hell, I’ll give him a blowjob if it keeps us from getting arrested.”

  “You’d do that anyway.”

  In the side view mirror, Audie watched as a second car pulled in behind the first. That officer emerged from the vehicle with a German shepherd on a short leash.

  “Shit. They’re going to search us.”

  Dennis rolled down his window and dug the vial from his pocket.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Do you have any idea what they do to guys like me in jail?”

  “You’d probably like it. Put that back in your pocket before somebody sees it.”

  The officers were approaching her side of the car in tandem. “Is that you, Audie?” The officer with the dog was addressing her.

  “Matt! Is that Rocky?”

  “Sure is.”

  She started to open the door but stopped. “Is it okay for me to get out?”

  The first officer nodded and stepped back.

  Audie hopped out and went straight for the shepherd. “He looks great. How’s he doing?”

  “He’s spoiled rotten.” Matt turned to the other officer. “Audie works at the animal shelter. I told her I was looking for a dog to train and she called me when Rocky came in.”

  They conferred for a moment in voices too low for Audie to hear.

  “I’ll let you take it from here then.” He handed Matt Audie’s documents and returned to his car.

  Audie breathed a heavy sigh of relief and looked back at Dennis, who appeared to be mumbling a prayer in the front seat.

  Matt handed her the driver’s license and registration. “When Officer Mazil learned you hadn’t been drinking, he became concerned that you might be in possession of some type of illegal substance. That’s why he radioed for Rocky and me.”

  Audie looked at him somberly. She couldn’t lie. Her only hope was that he wouldn’t come right out and ask.

  “I just explained to him that we were friends and I doubted you would ever be involved in something like that. He said he patrols this area regularly and…”

  Despite the reassuring words coming from Matt’s lips, Audie was reading another message loud and clear. Officer Mazil would be watching them. Matt was going to bat for her this time because of Rocky, but he was staking his reputation with the other officer that she wasn’t going to do anything in the future to break the law.

  “Thanks for understanding, Matt. We won’t ever give you any trouble. I promise.” She stooped again to scratch Rocky, then got back into the driver’s seat. A few minutes later, they were back on the road to Sumter.

  “I think we better go to church on Sunday,” Dennis said.

  “You heard Matt. We can’t get in trouble again, and I bet this Officer Mazil is going to be watching. That means no more stuff in the car.”

  “Shit.”

  “It ain’t worth going to jail, man. You’d have to take another blood test.”

  “Funny. I bet you’d be hot stuff in jail too.”

  “We’d probably be on our way there right now if it wasn’t for Beth Hester.”

  “What the hell does she have to do with anything?”

  “She told me my car was a mess so I cleaned it out. If I hadn’t, that cop would’ve seen all that shit in the ashtray.”

  “What’s Beth Hester doing in your car? Isn’t she like… forty?”

  “No, shithead! She’s thirty-three. And she might come out with us to the Gallery one night.”

  “Isn’t she like… ?” He covered a mock yawn. Audie knew it was a mock yawn because Dennis would never have covered a real one.

  “You’re such a dick. Ever since you met David, the shoe’s on the other foot. Now you’re giving me shit about going out with somebody for something other than sex.”

  “I never said you had to forget about sex. All I said was you had to have feelings for somebody other than just, ‘That feels good. Give me another finger.’”

  “Turd.”

  “So do you?”

  “Do I what?”

  “Do you have feelings for Beth Hester?”

  Audie thought again about whether or not she really wanted to have this conversation with Dennis. Since he was drunk, he would give her more shit. But he would probably forget it all tomorrow.

  “I like Beth. She’s nice, and I think she looks good.”

  “For an old lady.”

  “She’s not an old lady!”

  “She acts like one.”

  “Just because she thinks killing your brain with tequila and pot is a big fucking waste of time doesn’t mean she’s an old lady.” That was enough, Audie realized. She was getting pissed and Dennis was too drunk to know when to drop it. “Just forget I said anything.”

  “You can do better than her.”

  “And you’re a fuckhead. Just drop it.”

  Audie crumbled up the last of the dried leaves into a folded rolling paper on her kitchen table. She had meant to give Dennis some money for more, but the encounter with Officer Mazil made that seem like a bad idea tonight. The whole incident had set her on edge.

  On top of that was her exchange with Dennis. He could go fuck himself for all she cared. Going out with Beth to the Gallery wasn’t all that big a deal until he made a federal case out of it. It was just dancing and drinking, for crying out loud.

  She ran her tongue along the edge of the paper and sealed it.

  Then she scooped up the remaining seeds and stems and dropped them down the garbage disposal.

  Beth had looked totally relaxed this evening in her T-shirt and sweatpants. When she had bent over to pick up her purse, it was hard not to notice the curve of her rear—without panty lines.

  Audie tried to imagine what her thong might have looked like, or if she had been wearing anything at all. Either was nice to think about. If she had hung out with Beth tonight, the whole scene with the cops would never have happened.

  She still couldn’t believe how lucky she was
to be sitting at home in her kitchen instead of in a jail cell. She and Dennis had been drinking and smoking dope in the car for eight years and had never come that close to getting caught before. Tonight was a wake-up call. She wasn’t going to waste it.

  Chapter 12

  “ ’Morning, Wanda,” Beth mumbled, stifling a yawn as she started down the hall to help bring the patients into the dining room for breakfast. That five-thirty alarm was murder on Wednesday morning.

  “Hey, Beth. You awake yet?”

  “I stayed after class last night to work with some people on a group project. I feel like I haven’t even been to bed.”

  “You poor thing. You better get some coffee.”

  “I will.”

  For the next fifteen minutes, she guided her ambulatory patients down the hall and assisted those who were in wheelchairs.

  She always saved Miss Violet for last so she could spend a little extra time with her. She was surprised to find her sitting up in bed, but making no attempt to dress herself.

  “Good morning, Miss Violet. Did you sleep well?”

  The old woman didn’t answer. She seemed to be confused.

  “Miss Violet? Look at me please.” Beth studied her face carefully, noting a slight droop in the left eye. She covered the right eye with her hand. “Can you see me?”

  “Blurry.” The word was barely mumbled.

  Beth pressed the emergency call button and in seconds, Francine appeared.

  “What is it?”

  “I’m not sure. Miss Violet is having a little difficulty getting oriented, and she tells me the vision in her left eye is somewhat blurry.” As much as she could, Beth downplayed the seriousness of the symptoms so as not to alarm her patient. “I thought we might want to have her checked out at the hospital.”

  “That’s a good idea, Miss Violet. It’s probably not serious, but it’s best to be sure.” As the charge nurse, Francine quickly began taking vitals.

  Beth took Miss Violet’s right hand and squeezed gently. “I’m going to call for an ambulance to take you, and then I’ll call Audie and let her know.”

  Miss Violet’s response was incomprehensible.

  “Tell me again,” Beth said, leaning close.

  “She’ll be scared.”

  “Yes, I know. But she’ll want to be there at the hospital with you.” Beth patted her hand and left, racing down the hall to the nurses’ station. In moments, the ambulance was on the way from the hospital, which was less than half a mile away.

  Nervously, she dialed the number for Audie’s cell phone. After three rings, a sleepy voice answered.

  “Hello.”

  “Audie, it’s Beth.”

  “Hey… what is it?”

  Beth wanted to make sure Audie was wide awake before she continued. “Your grandmother woke up a little confused with some blurry vision. We’re sending her to the hospital to get checked out.” She wanted to tell Audie not to worry, that it wasn’t anything serious, but she didn’t know that for sure.

  “I’ll be right there.”

  “No, don’t come here. Go straight to the emergency room. She’ll feel better if she sees you when she gets there.”

  “Will you come with her?”

  “I can’t. They won’t let us do that. But I’ll stay with her here until she leaves.” Beth could hear Audie moving around.

  “Tell her I love her.” Audie’s voice was shaky and scared.

  “I will. And keep your phone with you, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  Beth hung up and hurried back to Miss Violet’s room.

  “They should be here any minute.”

  “Miss Violet’s already feeling a little better,” Francine said.

  “Isn’t that right?”

  “Yes,” Violet answered clearly.

  “It won’t hurt to get you checked out, though.” Beth heard the crew arrive and stepped into the hallway to wave them down.

  Then she returned and took Violet’s hand again. “I called Audie. I think I woke her up.”

  Violet tried to smile.

  “She’s going to meet you at the hospital. And she wanted me to tell you that she loves you.”

  The attendants came in and took charge. In three minutes, Miss Violet was strapped to the gurney and on her way.

  For what seemed like the twentieth time, Audie leaned over to confirm that her Grammaw was breathing normally. Dr. Hill said the oxygen tube was only a precaution, just like the IV bag of fluids. He also said he had upped the dosage of her blood thinner to ward off subsequent problems. For now, Grammaw was stable, comfortable and out of immediate danger.

  Audie checked her watch and rummaged in her backpack for her cell phone. It was a quarter to four, which meant Beth would be getting home soon. She tiptoed to the door and looked back one last time, nearly colliding with Beth as she came through the door.

  “Beth!” The sight of the familiar face flooded her with relief. Beth must have sensed the emotion, because she held out her arms to offer a hug. “I was just going to call you,” Audie said as she gave in to the embrace.

  After a day like today, it felt good to be held. Beth had become one of the few people with whom Audie felt she could let down her guard when it came to her Grammaw.

  “I came as soon as I got off work. How is she? Francine said Dr. Hill saw her.”

  Audie nodded. “He said it was something called TIAs.”

  “Transient ischemic attacks. That’s what we all thought, but we weren’t sure.”

  “He said it was like mini-strokes, but he didn’t think there was any more permanent damage. And he gave her more Coumadin… I think that’s what it’s called.”

  “It’s a blood thinner. It should improve her circulation.” They walked down the hall to the visitor area and sat beside each other on the couch. “How are you holding up?”

  “Okay, I guess. I don’t like seeing her hooked up to all that stuff again.”

  “I’m sure that’s really hard. But I don’t think this is as serious as what happened to her last time she was here. Dr. Hill told Francine to expect her back at the nursing home tomorrow, so he must not be too worried.”

  “I know, but he said…” She put her fingers to her forehead to try to compose herself. The tears would come, but not until later when she was alone. “He said this was probably caused by the same thing that caused her stroke. So that means it could happen again, and who knows how bad it could be next time?”

  Beth put her hand on Audie’s thigh. “But he upped her medication. Maybe that will keep it from happening again.”

  “She went to sleep a little while ago.”

  “I’m not surprised. We’ve trained her to go down for her nap in the afternoon.”

  She recognized and appreciated Beth’s attempt to lighten the mood. “So you guys can play poker?”

  “Don’t be silly. We watch the soaps.”

  Audie’s stomach rumbled.

  “I bet you haven’t eaten all day.”

  “I haven’t had time.”

  “We need to feed you before you fall over.” Beth lowered her voice and leaned closer. “I don’t recommend the hospital cafeteria.”

  Audie made a face. “I ate here once last time Grammaw was sick. Thought I was going to join her.”

  “I doubt it would kill you, but it wouldn’t do much for your palate. Why don’t we head out somewhere?”

  “What if Grammaw wakes up and I’m not here?”

  “Okay, you stay here and I’ll go get you something. What sounds good?”

  “I don’t know… a cheeseburger and fries, I guess.”

  Beth frowned with disapproval. “You can’t keep eating stuff like that.”

  “I was just trying to think of what was easy. I promise I’ll eat whatever you bring.” She reached for her wallet and pulled out a twenty, suddenly having second thoughts about what she had just said. “You won’t bring me a salad or something like that, will you?”

  “I know better
than that,” Beth answered with a wink. “And it’s my treat. But remember, you promised to eat whatever I brought.”

  “And you remember that I’ve already had a hard day. Too many vegetables could push me over the edge.”

  “You gave us a little scare, Miss Violet. We don’t like that.” Beth leaned one hip onto the edge of the bed and held Violet’s hand. Audie sat in the chair nearby, eating her barbecue dinner from a Styrofoam container.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be sorry. Just don’t do it again, okay? I’ve gotten used to having you around, and I miss you when you’re not there.”

  “The food is better at the nursing home,” Violet rasped. With her right hand, she pushed aside the rolling tray. Most of her dinner had gone untouched.

  “I’d offer you some of Audie’s but I think she’s eaten every bite.”

  “I have a little coleslaw left,” Audie piped up.

  “You eat it. It’s good for you,” Beth chided.

  “I warned you about the vegetables.”

  “They won’t kill you.” She turned back to Violet. “I think that’s the first one she’s eaten since you went into the hospital.”

  “I told you she doesn’t take care of herself.”

  “I’m trying to get her to eat better. What else should I work on?”

  “Uh… hello, everybody! I’m sitting in the room.” Audie looked incredulous, but neither her Grammaw nor Beth paid her any mind.

  “She should be home in bed by a decent hour,” Violet said.

  “Eating better… home in bed. Anything else?”

  “I want her to be happy.”

  By now, Audie had joined them at the edge of the bed, her good-natured smirk a sign that she was glad for these playful moments, especially after such a stressful day. “How am I supposed to be happy if I have to eat vegetables and go to bed early?”

  Beth stood up and walked toward the window so Audie could have the space beside her grandmother. She felt lucky to witness a family moment like this, maybe even a little jealous. Her own family had always been distant. Only she and Kelly openly displayed affection, and even their relationship grew strained as Kelly got older and more rebellious.