by T M Morris
“Bull shit.” Miss Hazel exclaimed again as she flipped a few pages over in the photo album. “Otter, you are a dad blamed fool. Take a good look at the child. She is a photocopy of Stella. Look at her. Look at her. Look at her.” She pointed to the photo then to Lilly and back again to the photo. Her voice rose as she repeated, “I don’t know what you think you saw but Lilly’s your daughter. You were wrong about your mother. I’m willing to bet my life you were wrong about Addie.”
Dusty cleared his throat. “We also have DNA proof that Lilly is your daughter. Miss Addie wanted me to ask her doctor if they would to a paternity test with some of your leftover blood samples. He said she’d have to make the request and she did. There is no doubt, Mr. Otter. Lilly is yours.”
Otter sat staring at a photo then at Lilly. It was as if he never saw her before. His face reddened as huge tears welled up in his eyes and overflowed. “Oh my God. Oh my God, forgive me. Lilly, can you ever forgive me?”
She rushed around the table and enveloped him in a hug, her tears soaking his shirt. “I’ve always loved you, Dad. I just couldn’t understand why you were so mean to me. I used to think it was because I’m a girl.”
“But can you forgive me? I’ve been so very blind I refused to believe Miss Addie. She was and still is everything to me. I’ve hated myself for being weak and not throwing her out, but she was the mother of my sons. They needed her.
“And then there was you. You were a precious little thing. I loved you, but I couldn’t help resenting you too. I took out all my hurt on you. Please, Lilly, forgive me.”
“It all makes sense to me now, but I’m not the one who needs to forgive you. You need to forgive yourself. Maybe you should talk to Mama.” She lifted her head to see his face.
Tears still trailed down his cheeks. He sniffed and wiped his nose on the back of his hand. “Yeah, I reckon I need to. Miss Hazel, thank you. Thank you for everything.” He hobbled to her and hugged her as he sniffed.
Miss Hazel, shaking her head, handed him a paper napkin and waved him off. “Get out of here and go make things right with Addie, you knucklehead. I can’t believe all these years…you knucklehead.”
The door closed behind Otter and seconds after they heard the engine of his truck come to life the tires squealed down the road. Lilly turned on Dusty. “You knew he didn’t believe I was his daughter and you never said anything to me? Don’t you think I would have liked to have known?” As she stood, she turned to Miss Hazel. “Thank you, Miss Hazel, for the wonderful meal. I have to go.” She could barely hold back the tears that threatened to return.
Miss Hazel didn’t bother to stand up from her seat at the head of the table. She looked tired as if the years had finally caught up with her. She said, “You’re not going anywhere, child, not when you’re in such a state. Sit down. Dusty, you have some explaining to do. But first, go make us some coffee.”
Without a word, Dusty stood and went into the kitchen. Miss Hazel reached over and covered Lilly’s hand with her own bony, bruising hand. “Lilly. Don’t be angry with Dusty for not telling you what Addie asked him to do. I guess Addie never intended for you to know what Otter thought. She probably thought it was a good time to prove to him once and for all before she died that she never cheated on him and you are his daughter. But for the life of me, I can’t see how he could think you aren’t his child. You look so much like Stella. I miss her so much and to think she went to her grave not knowing how Otter felt about her or why.”
Lilly sniffed. “I guess if you don’t know, you can’t be hurt by it. Is that what you mean? Mom knew I would be devastated to find out Dad thought I didn’t belong to him.”
“That’s what I’m saying. Here, blow your nose. You don’t need to suck that stuff back into your head. That’s how you get sinus infections. Later on, when you get home you snort some salt water up in there and clear out all that mess, you hear?”
“Yes, ma’am.” She took a tissue from Miss Hazel and blew.
Dusty walked in carrying a decanter of coffee in one hand and three cups in the other. “I’ll be right back with the cream and sugar.”
Lilly blew her nose again. Miss Hazel scoffed, “You call that blowing your nose? Do it again, this time like you mean it.”
Lilly blew her nose harder sounding like a clogged trumpet. Miss Hazel nodded. “That’s better.”
Dusty stood in the doorway between the kitchen and the dining room. “Wow. Did you blow your brains out with that one?”
Lilly glared at him. Miss Hazel looked exasperated. “How do you suppose she’s to get the snot out if she doesn’t blow? These girls these days trying to be dainty, you gotta clear that mess out, I’m telling you.”
Dusty raised his hands in surrender still holding the cream pitcher and the sugar bowl. “Okay, okay, enough joking.” He set the containers on the table and sat down. “I’m sorry Lilly, I—“
“Don’t worry about it. Miss Hazel helped me see why you probably kept the truth from me. Did Mama think that if I never knew, Dad thought I was someone else’s I wouldn’t be hurt?”
Dusty nodded. “Something like that. I didn’t agree with her, but now that I see how it did hurt you, I wished you’d never found out.”
Lilly sadly nodded as she reached for the decanter. “Shall I pour?” With their agreement, Lilly poured each a cup of coffee and passed it to them so they could add their cream and sugar. She sniffed again.
Miss Hazel frowned. “What did I tell you about that sniffing?”
Otter barged into Addie’s room not caring if someone was in there with her but relieved to find her alone watching television while she crocheted. “Is it true, Addie?”
Her face went from looking pleasantly surprised to confused. “Is what true? Otter are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Miss Addie. I just need to know if it’s true.”
Addie looked closely at Otter’s face. “Have you been crying?”
Otter ignored her question. “Just tell me, Addie.”
She pursed her lips in confusion. “I might if I knew what it is you’re talking about, Otter. You haven’t said. Is what true?”
“That you went behind my back and had a paternity test done? That Lilly is my daughter?”
Addie rested her crocheting in her lap and sighed. “Yes. But, I wanted to be the one to tell. Did Dusty spill the beans?”
Nodding Otter sat on the side of the bed and hugged her to him as he cried into the crook of her neck. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’ve put you through hell for last twenty-seven years, and you put up with me. I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”
Miss Addie wrapped her arms around him and stroked his stubbly head. “Oh, Otter. Thank you.”
He raised his head in disbelief. “Why are you thanking me? I’m the one who should be thanking you for not leaving me.”
Wiping the tears from his face and hers she gave him a watery smile. “All I ever wanted was for you to admit you were wrong. I knew you were hurting because you thought I wasn’t faithful. I knew in my heart that if I could prove it to you you’d see the light and I would never leave the father of my children. I love you. I always have since the first time I saw you. Do you remember coming to our house with my brother Davy to work on some school project? I knew then that I was going to marry you.”
Otter frowned. “You weren’t but what, twelve?”
She shrugged. “I always made a point to look my best when I knew you were coming over. It took you long enough to notice me. I was going on eighteen.”
‘Miss Addie, I noticed you long before then. Remember the salty lemonade? I had it bad for you, but you were too young then. I had to wait for you to turn eighteen so that I wouldn’t get shot by your dad or Davy.” He grinned. It had been so long since he told her he loved her. “Miss Addie, I do love you. I always have, even while I thought you didn’t love me. I nearly died with fear that you were going to leave me, especially once I accused you of trying to put someone else’s baby on me. Please for
give me for being so wrong for so long.”
Addie shook her head. “Otter I can’t forgive what—“
Otter sucked in a painful breath. Hurt washed over him. “That’s okay, Miss Addie, I understand.” He got up to leave.
Addie called after him in a tone of voice she’d never used with him before in all the forty years he had known her. “Otter. Don’t you dare walk out that door until I’ve finished what I have to say? If you would just wait until I’ve finished saying it, you wouldn’t be dragging your heart behind you on the floor.” She waited for him to turn around. She patted the bed, indicating she wanted him to sit where he’d been sitting.
“Otter I have nothing to forgive. I forgave you a long, long time ago.”
“Why?”
“Because, I love you. I’m just so happy that we got to get this all aired out before—”
“Don’t say it Miss Addie.”
“You and I both know that if we can’t find a match for me, it’s not going to turn out well.”
“She’s going to be a match. She has to be a match. If she’s not, maybe we can get a private investigator or something and find Lucy.”
“We’ll see. The results from the DNA should be back anytime now. It’s been what four or five weeks?”
“I’m not exactly sure. Breaking my leg made me lose track of time.”
There was a short knock on the door, and Addie’s doctor came in to check on her. “Well, hello, Miss Addie. How are you doing this afternoon?”
“I’m as right as rain, doctor. Otter and I were just wondering when the results from Lilly’s DNA test would come back.”
The doctor frowned. “I thought they should be back by now. Let me check through your chart.”
They waited in silent expectation for the answer they wanted. After a few minutes of flipping through the thick stack of paper. The doctor said, “It looks like we should have the results by now. I’ll have someone in the office find out where they are in the morning and then we’ll go from there, okay? Is there any other concerns you might have?” When they both said no, he reached out and shook Otter’s hand, and then Addie’s saying, “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
Chapter Twenty Eight
Lilly rolled over in her bed and blinked several times. Can’t a girl get some sleep? What did she hear? She yawned. There it was again. The telephone was ringing. She called, “Dad. Dad the phone’s ringing.” Then she remembered he had returned to the hospital from Miss Hazel’s after lunch and stayed with her mother all night.
Jumping out of bed, she raced out into the hall. She nearly fell down the stairs as she tried to take them two at a time. She never understood why her parents hadn’t bothered to install an upstairs line. And now ten years later she wondered why they still had one at all. She grabbed at the receiver afraid whoever was calling would hang up before she answered. “Hello.”
“Good morning. Is this Mrs. Caldwell?”
“I’m Miss Caldwell, her daughter. My mother is in the hospital. What can I do for you?”
“Ma’am, I’m Henry Thompson, a chaplain with the United States Army—”
“What’s happened to my brother?”
“Two days ago your brother, Sargent Eric Caldwell was severely wounded when he along with four others were ambushed during a security detail. He—”
“Wounded? Is he still alive then? Oh, thank God.”
“Yes, ma’am. We never call with—with other news. Sargent Caldwell was driving and sadly he was the only one to survive the explosion. His injuries, however, are severe. He’s been stabilized and is en route to Ramstein Air Base in Germany. He will get transferred to Lamstul Regional Medical Center where he will receive the best care available. There is a very high likelihood that he will survive. But, like I said, his injuries are severe.”
“I’m just glad he’s alive.”
“Yes, ma’am. Your family will be kept posted on his recovery and when he will be returning stateside.
“Thank you. I know my parents will be grateful for the news. We haven’t heard from him in quite a while. Not since I’ve been home. My mother needs a bone marrow transplant, and we’re running out of options. Maybe Eric will be a match if I’m not.”
“Perhaps. We thank you for your brother’s service.”
“And I thank you for yours. I can’t tell you how relieved I am to hear Erik is going to be okay. I feel so badly for the other families.”
“Ma’am, so that you know, he’s going to suffer from PTSD and survivor’s guilt. He will need both physical and psychological therapy.”
“Of course. Thank you for letting us know. Goodbye.” She set the phone in its charger and began to dance around with joy. Eric was coming home even if he was severely injured. She stopped dancing and walked to the kitchen wondering just how badly he was hurt. She opened the refrigerator and stared into it. She would make a small breakfast for herself before going out to take care of the horses. Then she would get cleaned up and get to the hospital to tell her parents the good news.
“At least Eric is alive.” She said to the empty house. “I have to get to the hospital and tell Mom. She’ll be so excited.”
Chapter Twenty Nine
Lilly raced down the hall and burst through the door of Addie’s room. “Mom. Dad. I have the most wonderful news. Erik’s coming home.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful. When?” Addie clapped her hands together under her chin.
“When? When did you hear from him? Why didn’t he call me?” Otter asked.
“Well,” Lilly drawled as she sat down. “That’s the thing. He didn’t call. An Army Chaplain, I forgot his name, called this morning—”
“What’s happened to Erik?” Otter grew agitated as he sat up straight.
“He was in an ambush and was hurt badly. He’s stabilized, and they’re taking him to Germany to take care of him. When he’s well enough, he’ll be home.”
“I wonder what happened,” Addie said barely above a whisper.
“I’m sure he’ll be just fine, Miss Addie. Don’t worry any. Why don’t you tell Lilly our news?”
“Oh, yes. We have wonderful news, Lilly.” Addie beamed. “We have the most wonderful news.”
Before Lilly could ask Otter declared, “You’re a match. As soon as every last little detail is taken care of, you will be donating bone marrow to your mother. Isn’t it the best thing you’ve heard?”
Lilly smiled at her parents’ exuberance and chuckled. “Yes, that is the most wonderful news. When did you find out? The doctor never called me.”
“We just found out. The doctor was just in here this morning. Things are turning out just like I prayed. You’re a match. Eric’s coming home. Now if I could just get you all married off and Jep too; well it would all work out then. Wouldn’t it?”
Lilly’s smile faltered. “I’m not so sure that’s going to happen for me anytime soon.”
Otter snorted. “I’ll have to have a talk with that boy.”
“Dad. Just leave it well enough alone. It’ll work out if it’s supposed to,” she turned her attention back to her mother, “Do I need to call the doctor?”
“I don’t know. Otter, do you? I was so excited to hear that Lilly’s a match I don’t remember him saying anything else.”
Otter looked up at the ceiling to think back to the morning. “I think he said his office would call Lilly and set up the tests and everything to get her ready.”
“This is exciting,” Lilly bounced in her chair. “I can’t wait to get this all out of the way and have you back home.”
“What’s this I hear?” Dusty walked in with a bouquet in hand.
“I’m a match for Mom. I’ll be donating my marrow and then…” she frowned, “And then I don’t know what will happen.”
“I do,” Addie smiled, “I get out here, and I get some decent food. They’ll starve you to death in here.”
There was a knock on the door and Addie’s doctor walked in. “Oh, good. You’re here to
o, Lilly. Briefing all of you will be much easier. I won’t have to go through this once.” He went on to explain what would happen over the next few days and what to expect before, during and after the procedure. “Any questions?”
‘I don’t think so. You were very thorough.” Lucy shook her head.
“What about recovery time for Lilly? Will she be outpatient?” Dusty asked.
“It is an outpatient procedure. Lilly, you will be able to resume normal activities within a week. Most can return to work one to seven days afterward.” The doctor said. He patted Addie’s hand and continued, “We’ll get moving on this immediately, Miss Addie. I’m afraid we’re going to have to quarantine you while we ramp up your chemotherapy.”
Otter cleared his throat. “Doctor? About how long is this whole thing going to take?”
“Well,” the doctor looked down at the file in his hands, “if we can get Lilly’s blood work and physical done this week, I don’t see any reason why we can’t plan on harvesting and transplanting later next week at the earliest.”
Addie clapped her hands and bounced on the bed with excitement. “I can’t wait to get home.”
“All in due time, Miss Addie,” the doctor prepared to leave. “My office will be in touch with you, Lilly.”
“Thank you, doctor.” Lilly stood and shook his hand after he had shaken Otter’s. “I’ll be waiting.”
The door closed, and Lilly and Addie squealed and hugged each other. “I’m so excited, Mama.”
“Me too, hon.” Addie leaned back and gently brushed a wayward lock of Lilly’s hair behind her ear. “Me too. I can’t wait to get home. And Erik’s coming home too. I don’t think this day can get any better.”
Dusty looked up from the flowers he was fiddling with, trying to arrange them in the vase. “Erik’s coming home?”
