A Walk In The Wilderness

by Nancy Hopper

  “You’re welcome to stay here and sleep, if you’d like.” David offered worriedly.

  “Thank you, David. But Skyler would be just as likely to find me here, as he would in my own room.”

  He sighed and nodded. “I suppose so.” he admitted.

  “I’ll see you both later. David, thank you so much for all you’ve done. You’ve been very kind to me.” Caitlin said shyly.

  He smiled in reply; and the two men watched her walk away, with obvious worry. “Do you think she’s going to be all right?” William asked.

  “I don’t know. I’m very concerned about her, actually.” David answered quietly. “She seems to be shutting down a bit. Or does she usually not eat?”

  William shrugged. “I’ve never known her to avoid meals. We’ll just have to see what happens as things calm down. She’s a strong girl, really. Went through losing her parents with hardly a word, or a tear. I’d hear her crying in her room sometimes at night, but never when she thought anyone would see or know. Got a lot of backbone for a young lady.”

  David smiled. “I can see that. I just wonder how much she can take, though.”

  They went to the restaurant and enjoyed a fine breakfast together. By the time it was over, they’d become friends.

  Caitlin spent the rest of the day in her room, studying. She found that she still had trouble concentrating. She ended up taking a nap for a good part of the afternoon, but she didn’t rest particularly well, either. When she awoke, she found a good movie on television, and just stayed curled up in bed. She wasn’t even slightly interested in food.

  She had to work the graveyard shift that night again, as a fill-in. She was actually quite glad to be working. She knew that she’d be awake all night, anyway. Still, she went in feeling a bit nervous. What if Skyler called – or came in? What if Connie got out of jail?

  David Majors was going to be out as late as Skyler, and when he did come in, he’d be dog tired. Besides, he wasn’t going to be around to protect her, forever.

  As she sat down at the front desk for the night, fears began to invade her soul, and take hold. She felt so defenseless -- completely helpless. She was not a fighter! She was just an introverted, only child. She didn’t have anyone but her uncle William; and even that security was coming to an end, very soon.

  It started her to thinking. What was she going to do? How was she going to support herself? Could she find an adequate position? How would she fund her relocation? Should she try to enroll in further schooling, instead? If she did that, how would she afford it?

  She sighed. There were too many questions and uncertainties, just now. She knew that Skyler’s tantrums had set off this spat of nervousness, but just the same, it was difficult to cope.

  Uncle William came out to check on her at twelve-thirty, and looked at her closely. “Child, are you all right?”

  “Fine. Just a bit tired.” she assured him.

  “Have you had something to eat? I haven’t seen you all day.”

  She smiled and shook her head negatively. “No. I really haven’t wanted anything, yet. I took a good, long nap, and watched some movies. What I needed was simply to have some quiet time.”

  “You look a bit peaked. Give me a ring if you don’t feel well enough to finish the shift.”

  She smiled, and assured him that she would. She had no customers that evening. She just listened to music, and watched television.

  David came in at about one-thirty, and smiled when he saw her sitting at the desk. “I didn’t know you were on duty tonight. How are you?”

  She smiled back at him. “Fine. Someone called in sick, or I wouldn’t be working. How was your evening?”

  David sighed and raised an eyebrow. “A little bit touchy, but it was all right.”

  “What happened?” she asked tightly.

  “Skyler’s just throwing his usual tantrums.” he explained. “He’s threatening to dump his tour unless Connie is released from jail. He doesn’t seem to care, much less even understand that he’s asking for something that’s beyond his manager’s control.”

  Caitlin paled. “So, it’s not over between them. If it were, he’d be glad that she’s in jail.” she said slowly. All of a sudden, she felt dizzy and clammy. Her vision began to swim. “He lied to me!”

  David looked at her worriedly. “Of course he lied.” he agreed. Then he saw her face. “Caitlin, are you all right?” he asked softly.

  She didn’t answer. She grabbed the edge of the desk. She was so dizzy that she almost fell over.

  David came right over the counter in a heartbeat’s time. He took her upper arms and steadied her. “Sit down.” he commanded. When she had obeyed, he took her pulse and found it to be racing. “Caitlin?” he asked worriedly.

  She looked up at him, and tried to focus. She couldn’t seem to make it happen. She just shook her head. She was too dizzy and ill to respond.

  David picked up the phone, and dialed Uncle William. Once he’d explained the situation, he hung up and picked Caitlin up in his arms. When Caitlin tried to weakly object, he hushed her and told her to behave. Uncle William met them at Caitlin’s front door, and unlocked it for David.

  Once he had her in bed, David took her shoes off and looked at her appraisingly. “Where do you keep your nightgown?” he asked. When she answered, he got it for her and put in on the bed beside her.

  “Shall I call a doctor?” Uncle William asked, as he hovered worriedly.

  “If you can get one to come, I think it would be a good idea.” David agreed. “I think she’s just reacting severely to the stress she’s been under, but there’s no way to know for sure.” He took her pulse again and found it to be much slower, though a bit erratic. “I would feel better if she were looked over.”

  “No. No, really. I’m fine.” she objected. She looked and sounded terribly distraught. “I just … can't quite believe that he would say these things so glibly, and be completely lying...who would lie about such important things?”

  David lowered his eyes.

  Uncle William sighed. “Caitlin, for heaven’s sake. He's nothing but a worthless snake. Let me get you something to eat.”

  “No. No, I can’t – not just now.” she objected. “David, they aren’t going to let her out of jail, are they?”

  He shook his head. “I don’t know, Cait. At some point, of course, they will. You’ll have to decide if you want to press charges, and all.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t want to go through a big mess. I just want both of them to leave me alone.”

  He nodded. “I know. Listen, it’s going to be all right. You’re making yourself sick with worry, Cait. You’ve got to stop it, now. Things will look brighter, soon. You’ve just gone through too much, in a short time. As time goes by, this will dim, and life will go on. You can go to sleep now, knowing that everything will be fine.”

  She nodded, and smiled shakily.

  David smoothed a hand over her head in comfort, and smiled. “A bit of beef tea is in order, though. Please, Caitlin.”

  She shuddered. “Not tonight. Truly, I’ll be all right. I’ll eat something tomorrow. If I tried now, I couldn’t keep it down.”

  David sighed, and shook his head worriedly. “All right. If you change your mind, don’t hesitate to ring me. I’ll take care of it.” he promised.

  Caitlin had to promise, before he and Uncle William left her alone.

  William walked David to his room. “Do you really think she’s all right?” he asked hesitantly.

  David shook his head. “I don’t know. I really don’t know.” he answered honestly. “I think she’ll pull out of it, but we’d be wise to watch her closely for the next few days. I honestly think she’s just terrified. She’s no match for those two. She’s no doubt been traumatized.”

  William growled.

  “I’m very concerned about her, William; but I don’t think that insisting on a doctor is the answer. We’ll have to watch her for shock, but I’m afraid that if we s
hove a doctor down her throat, she’s going to get worse yet. She doesn’t want any attention called to herself.”

  “But my heavens -- she’s not dealing with this realistically! She’s already had more attention called to her than she wants. What’s the difference now?”

  David shrugged. “She wants to hide. She’s trying to run away. That’s all. I’m not sure it’s harmful to let her. She’s obviously very private and introverted. Let her have her way for awhile. Tell you what, I’ll stay up and watch her for a few hours. Leave me a key, and I’ll check her every half hour to be sure she’s all right. If her pulse and breathing don’t even out, we’ll call a doctor.”

  “You don’t think you’ll frighten her if you wake her up?”

  David shook his head. “No. No, she already knows me better than that.”

  “I suppose that’s true.” William hedged. He looked at David just a bit suspiciously. "You seem to be a trustworthy man.”

  David chuckled. “I think I can behave myself.” he assured the concerned uncle. His smile showed amusement, and there was obviously no offense taken.

  William blushed a bit. “Well, I wasn’t trying to insinuate anything.” he blustered.

  David smiled. “I wouldn’t blame you a bit if you were. She’s a lovely girl, and you’re right to be protective. But believe me; all that I’m interested in tonight, is her medical condition.”

  “Tonight?” William asked hopefully. He would not mind at all, actually, to see this man interested in Caitlin. “She’s a lovely thing, really. I’ve often wondered why some man hasn’t snatched her up long ago.” he hinted lightly.

  David looked him squarely in the eyes. “She’s very pretty, but she’s not an easy mark. Too withdrawn, and smart for that.” he assured him. “Don’t worry about her. She’ll be all right.”

  William was disappointed in David’s apparent lack of enthusiasm. He was flattering to Cait, but there surely didn’t seem to be any romantic overtures coming. “I’m sure you’re right. Well; I’ll talk to you in the morning, then. Don’t hesitate to call, if you need me.”

  Cait was sound asleep when David let himself into her room. He was glad to see that she’d changed into her nightgown, and was snuggled deep in her bed. He carefully checked her pulse, and was gratified to find that it seemed entirely normal. She was sleeping peacefully, her breathing deep and even.

  He sat in the recliner, and listened for a few minutes. Soon, he was lost in thought. A plan began to form in his mind. As he considered it, he dropped his head back and laughed quietly. It was ideal; the perfect solution to a difficult dilemma. Caitlin was heaven-sent!

  Caitlin awakened the following morning to find herself feeling almost normal. She rolled out of bed, but then froze when she spotted the figure of a man in her recliner. Her heart hammered, until she realized that it was David, sound asleep. She shook her head quizzically as she realized that he’d been there all night, keeping watch while she slept.

  She vaguely recalled gentle fingers on her wrist. What an uncommon man he was, to be so concerned about someone like her. She stood up and tiptoed her way into the bath. David continued sawing logs. He was still sound asleep when she’d finished her shower.

  She covered him with a blanket, and sat down at her desk to study for her finals. She didn’t have the heart to wake him. Looking at the long, dark lashes fanned over his cheeks and the air of rest and peace about him, she smiled.

  Finally, after noon, he stretched. Looking at his watch, he groaned.

  “Hello, sleepyhead.” she taunted with a smile. “Came to keep an eye on me, did you?” she teased.

  David ran a hand over his eyes. “I thought I did.” he growled. “I remember checking on you at four, and then it appears, I lost it.”

  She chuckled. “Well, you need your sleep as much as I do.” she accused. “Do you have a performance tonight?”

  “No. This is my day off.” he confirmed. “When’s the last time you ate a good meal?” he asked pointedly.

  “Oh. Not long ago.” she evaded.

  He walked over, and towered over her with his hands on his hips and a thunderstorm brewing on his brow. “You’ll have to do a little bit better than that if you want to get me off your case.” he warned.

  She gave him a nice view of the top of her head.

  “All right,” he warned. “Then I’ll just have to take matters in hand. Come with me.”

  “No. Really, David, I’m fine. I have work to do, and I’m not …”

  She broke off her excuses as warm arms lifted her bodily out of her chair. She grasped David’s neck with a gasp. “David, I’m fine.” she insisted, stiff and uncomfortable, snuggled in his arms.

  He looked down at her with a long, steady, look burning in his eyes. “Is it that distasteful to think of going somewhere with me?” he challenged softly.

  “No! No, you know it’s not that.” she denied immediately. He’d embarrassed her.

  “Then don’t refuse. It upsets me to think that you don’t like my company.”

  “Oh, David. You know better. It’s just that when I even think about eating, I get this lump in my throat. Nothing would go down, I am quite certain.”

  “Then, you’ll eat soup.” he informed her. “But you will eat. I know for a fact that you haven’t eaten a thing since sometime Friday. Now, I am quite capable of carrying you, if that’s the way it’s got to be.”

  “No.” she insisted. “No. That would not be appropriate, and you know it.” she evaded uneasily.

  “But it could get to be enjoyable, so perhaps you’d better cooperate with me in this.” he warned.

  Caitlin looked sharply into his steady, challenging eyes. She couldn’t begin to tell what he might have meant by that remark, but he appeared quite prepared to follow through. As a matter of fact, he made no move to put her down. His eyes were calm and cool, but challenging. She had no doubt that he’d prove difficult to defy.

  “Very well. I will try.” she conceded.

  “Thank you.” he said graciously. He lightly set her on her feet. “Where do you suggest that we go?”

  “There is a place just down the block, if you don’t mind walking.”

  “Fine.” he agreed. “I hope it's all right, I used your shower this morning.” he mentioned on the way out.

  Caitlin grabbed her coat and purse, blushing, and assured him it was fine.

  When they got to the sidewalk, David moved her to the side away from the street, and put an arm around her shoulders. He felt her trembling under his fingers. Her walk was tentative and shaky, her face like chalk.

  “Eh, Caitlin! Catch yourself a handsome fellow, did you?” a teasing voice called from a window above and behind them.

  Caitlin looked up, blushing brilliantly. “Dodi, stop it. He’s just my dear friend!” she scolded.

  “Too bad fer you!” the woman retorted. “I’d love to get my hands on that handsome piece of real estate.” The voice howled down the street after them.

  Caitlin was mortified. She didn’t look at David, but she heard him chuckle. His arm around her shoulders tightened, but he kept quiet.

  “David, I am so sorry! They do love to tease me.” she apologized. “She didn’t mean it to sound that way, I’m sure. So disrespectful to you, I mean.”

  “I can see why she loves to tease you. You’d have to learn how not to blush, to stop it.” he warned.

  “You know I can’t do that.” She groused, completely embarrassed.

  “Good. Don’t even try.” he advised with a grin. She looked up at him uncertainly, and he winked.

  They were soon sitting in a comfortable cafe window with hearty bowls of vegetable barley beef soup, and a loaf of fresh sourdough between them. David picked up his spoon and tasted the soup. It was out of this world. He looked at Caitlin and put his spoon down, as he saw her staring at the bowl as though something horrible might crawl out of it.

  He pinned her to her chair with a very expectant stare.

 
“David,” she begged. “I can’t. I’m sorry. I just can’t.”

  “Taste it.” he insisted softly.

  “I’ll throw it up.”

  “Then you’ll start over.”

  She closed her eyes wearily, and sighed. She picked up her spoon.

  “Start with broth. Half a spoon.” he offered more gently. “Try to relax your throat, and let it go down.”

  Caitlin obeyed, and found that she was able to swallow it when she followed his suggestion. She sighed, and waited for the lump to settle in her throat again, so she could try a second time. As long as she kept the spoonful scant and limited it to the broth, she was able to manage a bit of it.

  She looked up at David after a few moments’ silence. “David. What is the matter with me?” she asked quietly.

  He raised his eyebrows, and smiled at her encouragingly. “Nothing that won’t go away, given some time. You’ve just been badly frightened, Cait, and you’re reacting the only way you know how. It’s really going to be all right.”

  “I’m not sure. I do feel afraid all the time, now. And there’s this lump in my throat. It’s like I can’t swallow past it. Sometimes I can’t seem to get enough air.”

  David’s expression conveyed that he understood. “I think it’s simply panic, Cait. Really. When you know that the danger is past, I believe you’ll begin to unwind. I think I have an idea that might help. It’s a bit out of the blue for you, perhaps, but it would help us both, if it worked out.”

  “What might that be?” she asked curiously.

  “I've been thinking about offering you a job.” His eyes told her that he was serious.

  She simply could not process what he was saying. “Me? Why?”

  David smiled. “It would be a great favor to me, and it would give you a safe hiding place from Skyler, for awhile. And, a change of scenery might be good for you, too. If you don’t like it, you only have to let me know. I’ll understand, and buy you a ticket home again. No questions asked.”

  “What kind of job is it?” she asked hesitantly.

  “My mother has been ill. Since my father died, she’s begun to waste away. Since I've begun to travel again, she’s become very lonely. You wouldn’t have to do much. She’s not demanding at all, she’s most pleasant. She just needs someone in the house to talk to, every now and then. A companion.”