by Nella Tyler
I stretched out in my starfish impression again, closed my eyes, and sighed. It felt as though this was truly the first time I had had a moment’s peace since receiving that phone call.
I knew that was kind of selfish, but I couldn’t help but finally enjoy a deep breath of relief. For the moment, my house was quiet and the tension that was brought about by the fire had lessened some.
I had no idea if this was going to work, but at least we had a plan – a purpose that might lead us to a better situation than my poor sister and her family currently had. Once I had my moment of peace, I rolled over to get my computer.
About that time, Kassie came barreling down the hall and leapt into my arms. “Good morning! How did you sleep, my little sea monkey?” I teased.
“Momma said I was a starfish…” She giggled. “Not a sea monkey.” After which, she paused, visibly thought about what I had said and squinted her eyes in wonderment. “Monkeys live underwater?”
I laughed. “No. They don’t live underwater. It’s a different kind of monkey…” I tried to explain it, but realized I couldn’t, so I simply added, “You know what, never mind,” and laughed it off.
“Are we gonna make flyers?” she asked, which was obviously more pressing to her than trying to talk about sea monkeys.
“Yes. We’re going to ask the community to help you guys rebuild your house.”
“Cool!” she exclaimed as her eyes lit up. “I’ll get the glitter!”
“Kassie…” Michelle started, but I interrupted her.
“Don’t worry about it, Michelle. She can make some of her flyers and we’ll make the majority of them. Just let her have some fun.”
By this point, we could hear Kassie in the kitchen, rummaging around for some glitter, glue and other art supplies. I returned my attention to my laptop and started to create a professional flyer.
Michelle wanted to put the whole story on the flyer, but I assured her that the whole town already knew what happened. A simple plea for help would suffice.
She still didn’t seem all that convinced, but between the three of us, we came up with a nice, succinct, to-the-point flyer that asked for any assistance the community was able to give. It took us about an hour, with ten special flyers from Kassie and the rest emailed to the local office supply store to have them printed in bulk. When we had sent them off, we got dressed, grabbed a quick bowl of cereal, and headed off to start our day.
When Kassie asked what the plan was, we had to convince her that asking people if we could put the flyers in their shop was much better than throwing them off buildings. Her reach would certainly be more immediate, but it was likely that even her cuteness couldn’t get us all out of trouble for that one.
So, instead, we picked up the stack of flyers, separated them in half, went to the center of town and started walking from one business to the next.
One of my first businesses was Hayden’s hardware store. I didn’t know him personally, but everyone knew that he had taken over when his daddy died and was known to be a good man. When I walked into the store, it was only him working there and a few customers.
He greeted me warmly and even though I hadn’t had use for a hardware store in years, I instantly recognized him through the resemblance to his father.
“What have you got there?” he asked with a big grin on his face.
“As you probably know, my sister’s house burned down and she has to rebuild. We’re going around town, asking local businesses if it is all right to post these flyers.” While I spoke, I pulled a flyer from the pile and handed it to Hayden.
“Yeah. It’s a damn shame. I heard about that the other day.” He shook his head. “Terrible. Your family has always been such a blessing to this community, especially with all you’ve been doin’ in the hospital. I’d love to help. Let me see exactly what I can do, and I’ll give you a call. In the meantime, put a whole stack of ‘em over there and I’ll give them out with purchases. Is this your number?”
“Yes. The second one. The first is my sister.”
“Okay, great!”
“Thank you!” I grinned, feeling a warmth from him that gave me the encouragement to know we weren’t wasting our time.
“Of course, Dr. Barnes. I’ll be in touch soon.”
After dropping off some flyers, I went to different businesses. Everyone was receptive and most went above and beyond to get the word out. By noon, both Michelle and I were already receiving calls from neighbors, asking how they could help.
Even Gavin was receiving calls, gifts, and questions about what we were doing. It was a funny conversation, listening to Michelle explain what seemed to be unbelievable. At first, it seemed like they were arguing, as if Gavin thought it was some kind of sick joke, but by the end, they were both crying with relief, touched by the town’s generosity.
However, the more time that passed, the more word spread. By late afternoon, what seemed like a shot in the dark that morning had turned into something that seemed doable. Eventually, it got to the point where we had enough volunteers that we could start putting a date together.
Unanimously, we decided on Saturday, with a lot of the hospital staff even giving up their time to help out, either between their shifts, or their entire day off.
In a matter of hours, this situation was turning around and becoming a memory that we would all cherish forever. From the literal ashes of tragedy, we witnessed the rising of not only a new house, but the hope for humanity. It was beautiful.
Later on that evening, we were eating pizza at Kassie’s request when Michelle received a phone call. She didn’t recognize the number, but with all of the calls she was receiving throughout the day, that had become the norm. So, she went into the other room to answer it.
She was speaking low, but Kassie, Gavin, and I were curious as to what the issue could be. At least, we assumed it was an issue and therefore, strained to hear, but we couldn’t make out what Michelle was saying or even who she was talking to. At one point, Gavin looked at me, with an unspoken question about what the hell was going on, but I responded with the same amount of bewilderment as he had.
After another minute, Michelle came out of the room and at first, we pretended to continue eating as though we weren’t spying, but when she looked as though she was going to cry, Gavin ran over to comfort her.
“Who was that?” I demanded. “Are you okay? What happened?”
“Yes…no. Everything is fine…” When she looked back up at us again, there was a wide grin of disbelief shining through the burst of tears. “That…that was Hayden, who owns the hardware store.” She looked at me as she continued, “He said you went there today?”
“Yes. He was really nice—”
“Jenna, you have no idea!” she blurted out before I had a chance to finish. She looked at Gavin and to Kassie before she continued. “He’s donating all of the materials we’ll need to rebuild the house. The wood, the sheetrock, the pipes, the shingles – everything!”
“Oh, my God…are you serious?” Gavin asked in disbelief.
“Yeah,” she replied, wide-eyed. “That’s what he said. Everything.” At that, she burst with raw, unbridled emotion; finally, happy tears streamed down her cheeks.
“I can’t believe this,” I replied. “I am so happy to live in such a wonderful town.”
“There is such a sense of love and family,” she agreed. “I couldn't imagine being anywhere else.”
Chapter 23
Tim
I woke up to the same monotony of the days before. Though, my father seemed better today. He woke up at his normal time and seemed to be in less pain. I was relieved for that.
I told him what the doctor had said. He didn’t say anything, but I hoped that he shared in my relief. I knew he wouldn’t be thrilled about me talking to the doctor behind his back. Hell, he was mad at me about everything else. Yet, since the idea that it was expected for him to have good days and bad days throughout his recovery was good news to me, I felt that he
would also find it encouraging.
After breakfast, I settled him into his recliner and was about to leave, when I heard him clear his throat. I turned around, prepared to be shocked if he was actually going to say something to me, but nothing could’ve prepared me for what he said.
“Hey, Tim…do you ever think about your mother?”
I stopped, wondering if I was dreaming this. After all, the tedium between asleep and awake was fairly even. However, if I was dreaming, I would have no idea what to say.
Immediately, I started to sweat as my heart palpitations increased severely. For a long moment, I stared back at him, trying to figure out if I had heard him correctly. He held my gaze, without saying anything more.
Talk about a conversation starter, I thought somewhere in the recesses in my mind as I tried to think of something serious to say. At the moment, I would have settled for any appropriate response, but nothing came.
I felt my jaw hinge as my breath released heavily. My chest heaved inward and my stomach constricted, churning unmercifully. I knew that this much distress couldn’t come from a conversation with my father, no matter what the subject matter, but this one knocked me clean on my ass. When I couldn’t think of anything to say, I walked back across the room and took a seat on the couch, nearest to my father.
“Yes. Of course I do,” I finally answered, realizing that was the only response I could voice at the moment.
“Good,” he huffed. I knew that if I didn’t say something else, the conversation would die. I didn’t want that, not again, so I sat back and stared around the room, hoping her spirit or something would help me find something engaging to say.
“I mean, coming back here, there isn’t a picture on the wall or a cup in the cabinet that doesn’t hold a memory of her. Nothing has changed.”
“Why would I change it?” he asked, sitting back and glancing around the room, almost as if following my lead. “Your momma was a good decorator, and I think the stuff she left behind is the good Lord giving me reminders of her…everywhere. It’s all I have left of her.”
He looked back at me, his eyes glazed over with fresh emotion that was rare. “That and you.” He gave a weak grin and I returned the beam, instantly and without thought.
“I guess that’s why you have no interest in moving…” I said. “All the memories? And here I thought you weren’t sentimental.”
“I ain't…about most things, but your mother and I spent thirty years building this home. She took her last breath here and as her husband, in her honor, I want to do the same.” He thought for a moment while his arm raised and lowered in thought. “Which is part of the reason I was pleased the Lord didn’t take me in that damn accident.”
I felt a wad of emotion clog my throat. I closed my eyes and looked away from him, trying to compose myself. “Yeah…she was a great woman. Dedicated to her family to the end.”
“Indeed, she was,” he agreed. “She hated when we fought. She would tell me that we were so much alike, that we couldn’t stand to be in the same room as one another. I never believed it, until recently. As always, she was right…even proving that to me from the grave.” He chuckled, but the humor was lost in his despair.
“Yeah, I could never prove her wrong, either.” I shook my head. “Even as an ornery teenager, I never understood how she put up with the two of us, kept us from killing one another, and kept a house, all while doing everything she could for the community.”
“She was amazing. Best woman I ever had the pleasure to meet.”
“Her and I were close…I think closer than I was with anyone. When I left, I hated to do it because I didn’t want to leave her.” I looked at my father and realized how that might have sounded. “Don’t get me wrong, it was all me. She was the only one in this town I felt connected with.”
“She wanted you to go,” my father insisted. “Even though it killed her to watch you pack up and leave, she knew it was the best thing for you.” His shoulders rose and fell in a lamenting fashion. “That was pro’lly the worst fight we ever had. I wanted to drag your ass back here and teach you to be a man, while she was busy convincing me that you were becoming your own man.”
He laughed, this time in a more jovial nature. “She didn’t understand a lick of what you were doing, but she knew it was important to you in a way I’m still not sure I understand. She knew what was best for you, even before you did.”
“She had a knack for that,” I agreed and looked away as I admitted, “You know, when I left and even after she died, I missed you…both of you, right? I didn’t just forget about my life and for as much as I bitch about it, I did enjoy my childhood.”
“You mean, you weren’t as miserable as you always claimed you were?”
“No,” I chuckled. “Not even close.”
“Well, that’s good to know. It might have been nice to know a little sooner,” he teased, “But it does my heart good to know you were truly following your heart instead of runnin’ away from your hell.”
“No, Dad. This isn’t Hell. I might not prefer this life, but I don’t regret my childhood, or my family life. Everything that happened to me made me into the man I am.”
“Are you happy with your life? With the way it all turned out?”
“Yeah…” I answered honestly, after a few moments of thought. “I don’t think it’s over, or cresting into decline quite yet, but if I got hit by a bus tomorrow, I wouldn’t have any major regrets.”
“That’s good.”
With that, the conversation died. I wasn’t quite sure I wanted to leave it on the thought of me getting hit by a bus, for my own wellbeing, but I couldn’t think of anything more to say. This was the first time we had ever spoken about my mother after she passed away and probably one of the most honest conversations we had ever had.
I didn’t want to ruin it by forcing it to continue.
Therefore, I packed up my computer and headed to the coffee shop without another word. I returned to my quiet corner next to a cork board, filled with different announcements and business cards. While setting up my computer, I happened to look up and see the name Jenna Barnes on the bottom of one of the flyers.
At first, I tried not to be curious, but after a moment, I couldn’t help it. I tried to read the flyer, but couldn’t make everything out from where I was, so I stood up and walked closer. I read about the support they were asking for and could see from the notes that surrounded it that the community had gotten behind them hastily. One of the notes indicated the date for the rebuild was set for Saturday.
I grinned, knowing that I would be able to do one better. I would be able to have the house built and paid for. That has to get Jenna to talk to me, I thought, turning back to my computer with the intention of packing it up and heading over to Jenna’s house.
Halfway over there, I wondered what the hell I was doing. I didn’t want to seem desperate but at the same time, I genuinely wanted to help. I knew, pathetically, that I would probably do anything for Jenna, regardless of whether or not she ever spoke to me again. I knew that was weird and I didn’t particularly want to feel that way, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized I couldn’t help it.
Dammit! I thought, rolling my eyes and sighing. I bit my lip as I parked in front of her house, shook my head, and massaged my temple. Why am I so stressed about this?
I knew that buying women things was a surefire way to get in their pants…at least most of them. But Jenna wasn’t like most women. If she were, this whole thing would be a hell of a lot easier. The other unfortunate part was, as much as I tried to deny it to myself, I wasn’t simply out for a good fuck. All of this wasn’t gearing up to get me in bed with her. I genuinely wanted to help her. I wanted her to talk to me.
I wanted to get to know her.
What is wrong with me? I thought, glancing over at the house. I rubbed my hand down my face and let out a deep breath that ended in a groan.
“Shit…” I grumbled. “Just get this over with, T
im.”
Finally, I threw open the car door and walked up the driveway. I didn’t look back, sure that if I did, I would lose my nerve. I was sure that once I did this, if I screwed it up, it would be over, but if I delayed it, there was always the possibility of success.
Still, I knew that in order to return a sense of normalcy to my thought process, I needed to get this over with. Good or bad, I needed to do something to get the thought of her out of my head. I needed to move forward or move on. Remaining stagnant wasn’t an option anymore.
Before I fully comprehended where I was going and what I was going to do, I found myself at the door. I looked up, stared at it for a moment, and knocked before I lost my nerve. I heard the strange sound of tiny feet barreling toward the door.
I was confused for a moment, sure that if she had a kid, Hayden would’ve warned me, but before I could fully wade through the shock, the door opened.
“Hi! This is Aunt Jenna’s residence. Can I take a message?” the girl exclaimed, beaming up at me brightly.
Aunt Jenna? I let out a sigh of relief. Oh, thank God!
“Hi…” I replied, not quite sure what to say to her. Thankfully, I was saved from the awkwardness by the sound of Jenna laughing.
“Kassie! That’s not what you say when you answer a door. That’s for answering the phone.”
The little girl turned and laughed in a silly manner. “Is this your friend? I think he wants to play another game.”
I felt my breath catch in my throat. I swallowed hard and hoped no one noticed.
Jenna grinned and shook her head. “Go help your momma, please.” The girl took off back down the hall. When Jenna turned back to me, her eyes were wide. “I’m sorry, she has a habit of answering doors, phones…emails, if we’d let her. She’s a social butterfly, but sometimes she gets confused.”
I chuckled. “There’s no apology necessary. Is that your niece?”
“Yes,” Jenna replied, her eyes fluttering back toward the little girl. “That’s Kassie.”
