Flight of Fancie

by Linda Rettstatt

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be coming in here without letting you know. Thank goodness Barney isn’t a great watch dog.”

  “It’s no problem. I was going to suggest that you come over here and nap whenever you want. Or if you just need a little space.”

  “Thank you for being so understanding.” She stared at him, wishing things could be different.

  ~

  Fancie found herself heading to the cottage again the next evening. And again she dozed off on the couch. Luke wakened her and sent her off to bed. And, again, she screamed herself awake and into Luke’s arms where she snuggled in and eventually drifted back to sleep. It was like having a life-sized Teddy Bear that protected her from bad dreams. The best part was that Luke was safe. He didn’t have expectations of her, press her for more intimacy, or dismiss her feelings. He was sensitive and kind and caring and, unfortunately, gay—according to Charity.

  When she woke on the third night in Luke’s arms and not shaking from a nightmare, she pressed close to him and felt the warmth of his body against hers. She leaned back and looked at his mouth. Then she stretched to press her lips to his.

  Luke’s eyes widened with surprise, but he returned the kiss tentatively.

  Fancie rolled away from him abruptly. “Oh, God, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking. I know I’m not your type.”

  His brows knit in confusion. “How do you know my type?”

  Embarrassment flooded heat to her face. “Well, I mean, I’m a…a woman.”

  “Yes, you are.”

  “And you’re not interested in women.”

  He blinked and grinned. “Where did you get that idea?”

  “Char and I did the math. I mean, you’re just so nice. You were surrounded by five women on Tybee and it didn’t seem to affect you in the least. Then there’s Kate who’s clearly interested in you, but you insist she’s just a ‘friend.’ Charity told me how she practically threw herself at you—I’m sorry about that, by the way—and you didn’t bite.” She paused. “Luke, it’s okay to be gay.”

  “I agree.”

  She smiled. “I’ve heard gay men make the best friends for women. I can say that seems to be true.”

  “It may well be.”

  “Anyway, I’m sorry about the kiss. I’m just feeling so vulnerable and alone. Lonely, I suppose. And I’ve had to deal with Graham at the hospital. I feel safe here with you. For the first time in days I haven’t had the nightmare. I woke up and you were holding me and….”

  He lowered his face to hers and kissed her again, firmly, with one hand cupping the back of her head. When they parted, his eyes locked with hers. “I’m not gay.”

  “You’re not?”

  He shook his head. “No. I’m sorry to tell you I’m just a nice guy. A straight nice guy who would never take advantage of a woman when she’s as vulnerable as you are. Regardless of how much I might want to.” He brushed a strand of hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear. “But in other circumstances….”

  Aware of the heat building between their bodies, she pushed back to the other side of the bed. “You’re not gay.”

  “Nope. But I am a decent cook and it’s nearly seven. How about breakfast?”

  Fancie was still trying to process the new realization that Luke was every bit a heterosexual male and she was falling for him, had crawled into his bed every night for the last three. As long as she believed he was gay and a sexual relationship was impossible, she could shrug off the attraction. But now? This would only complicate things further. She had enough to deal with without adding desire for Luke to the mix. “I can’t. I need to check on my dad.” She started to get up, then realized the tee shirt she’d worn for sleep revealed more than it covered.

  As if reading her thoughts, he said, “I think we’re past that particular modesty. You saw me as a bat-wielding lunatic in my boxers.”

  And what a hot bat-wielding lunatic he’d been. She reached over the side of the bed and located her jeans, pulling them on under the tee shirt. She held up her sweater and bra. “Do you mind?”

  “Not at all.” He headed for the door, but stopped and turned. “Fancie, I don’t expect anything from you. I’ll be your friend. And, if and when you want more from me, I’ll be that, too. I care about you.”

  She finished getting dressed and headed for the front door, stopping only briefly to give Barney a scratch behind his ears when he blocked her path. She heard Luke in the kitchen making breakfast. Should she just leave or was it proper to thank him? She didn’t want to face him right now.

  “Thank you,” she called out.

  “You’re welcome,” he called back. “Any time.”

  ~

  Fancie avoided Luke for the next two days. She was embarrassed by the assumptions she’d made about him and by the way she’d so easily slipped into his bed because of those assumptions. No, they were Charity’s assumptions. Still, she wasn’t sure how to face him now.

  Then the call came that her mother was being released from the hospital. Fancie was occupied by making the preparations for her mother to come home. They had already hired nursing help and made arrangements for in-home physical therapy. Her father insisted they move a futon into the room where he would sleep every night by his wife’s side. Fancie didn’t even try to argue. She’d gradually convince him to let her take a turn at staying with her mother.

  Once Alicia had been transferred to the hospital bed, Fancie followed the EMTs back to the ambulance. “Thank you for bringing her home.”

  “No problem. Hope she gets well soon,” the one EMT said.

  As she turned back toward the house, she saw Luke emerge from the cottage. He nodded and approached. “Your mom came home?”

  Fancie crossed her arms, feeling oddly self-conscious around him now. “Yes. Just now.”

  “I’d like to say hello when she’s ready for a short visit. She’s been so kind to me here.”

  “I’ll let you know.” She pressed her lips together, avoiding his gaze. “Well, I should get back inside.”

  “Sure.” He pulled his keys from his pocket, heading toward the Jeep. But he stopped and called, “Fancie?”

  “Yes?” She turned to face him.

  “Are things going to be weird between us now?”

  “For a minute at least. I embarrassed myself. Wait until I get my hands on Charity. She’s the one who planted the whole notion that you were gay.”

  He grinned. “Don’t be too hard on her. You would never have stayed with me otherwise. And I enjoyed being with you, getting to know you better. Besides, you needed the sleep.”

  “I did. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Again, any time.”

  She turned back toward the house. Luke would be leaving soon and she wasn’t sure how she felt about that. Life would be less complicated without him. It would also be empty in some ways. Sometimes being with Luke seemed so natural, as if he belonged in her life.

  In the den, her father fussed over her mother until Alicia finally said she was tired and needed to rest. Fancie stopped in the doorway and stared at the woman in the hospital bed. Her mother looked small and frail, like a baby bird. Equipment surrounded the bed—a walker, a wheelchair, a potty chair. The huge bouquet of roses her father had delivered brought the only cheer to the room.

  Her mother looked up and smiled. “There’s my girl.”

  Fancie sat on the bed and took her mother’s hand. “Hi, Mama. It’s good to have you home.”

  “It’s good to be back at home. Now what’s this I hear about you quitting your job?”

  “It’s not important. What’s important is you getting well and I intend to see that happen.”

  Her mother’s eyes filled. “Thank you. Have you heard from your brother?”

  Fancie shook her head. “No. He must be staying with Pike. I’ve tried to talk with him, but he won’t take my calls or Daddy’s. I think he feels responsible.”

  “This was an accident. Not h
is fault.” Her mother paused. “How is Ashley?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “You haven’t gone to see her or talk with her?”

  “Mama, she damn near killed my family.”

  “I know. But she’s been your friend since childhood and I’d imagine she needs a friend right now.”

  Fancie stared at her. “How can you even think that way? Her recklessness put you in this bed.”

  Her mother squeezed her hand. “What’s done is done. Holding onto anger and bitterness will serve no purpose.”

  “It’s going to take me a while to get there, Mama. My primary concern is you right now. I heard you tell Daddy you needed to rest. What can I do for you?”

  “Maybe lower the bed just a little?”

  “Sure. I’ll leave the door open and I’ll be in the kitchen. Did you see your call bell?”

  “My what?”

  Fancie picked up the sterling silver bell that sat on the bedside table within her mother’s reach. “Just ring this.” She picked up the bell and shook it. A melodic ting-a-ling sounded.

  “You and your father have thought of everything.”

  “We tried.” She bent and kissed her mother’s forehead. “You get some rest now.”

  Fancie found her father in the kitchen, seated at the table, staring at nothing. “Daddy?”

  He slowly looked up, his eyes glistening. “It just hit me again that we could have lost her.” And then he broke, shoving a fist to his mouth to stifle the sound.

  Fancie walked over, resting a hand on his shaking shoulders. “I know, but we didn’t. What time is the nurse coming?”

  “She should be here in an hour.” He sat up and pulled a cloth handkerchief from his back pocket, wiping his eyes. Then he reached up and grasped her hand. “I don’t know what I’d have done without you, honey.”

  “I’m not going anywhere, Daddy.” She signed inwardly as she thought about the job and the new life she’d begun in New Hampshire. There would be another starting over for her soon enough. “I’m going to get a casserole ready to put in the oven for dinner. I’m making Mama’s favorite chicken and rice dish.”

  “She’ll appreciate that. Is she sleeping? Or did she just want me to stop fussing over her?”

  Fancie grinned. “She’s sleeping. The move took a lot of energy.”

  He nodded. “So what happened between you and Luke?”

  Fancie busied herself at the sink rinsing the chicken breasts. “What do you mean? Nothing happened.”

  “You haven’t been out there to visit him the last few evenings.”

  “I needed to be here.”

  “He’s a good man, you know.”

  “I know.” She rinsed the same chicken breast three times to avoid facing him.

  “Fancie, all men aren’t like Graham Wellington. Luke is one of them. And, for the record, he’s not gay.”

  She whirled around. “How did you know about that?”

  He laughed. “Heard it at the men’s club. You’re cousin started that rumor.”

  “And you didn’t stop me from staying out there all night?”

  “You’re a big girl now and I trust you. I also trust Luke to do what’s right. You needed a friend and someone to comfort you. Don’t shut him out now just because your mother is back at home. We have nurses coming in. You don’t have to hover here.”

  “Look who’s talking. You were hovering the moment she came back.”

  “That’s different. She’s my wife.” He stood and hobbled to her. “All I’m saying is, don’t use your mother’s recuperation as an excuse to avoid getting on with your life.” He kissed her cheek. “I’m going out onto the porch and get some fresh air.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Fancie slipped out long enough to pay a quick visit to her grandmother in the nursing home. Bitsy smiled and was pleasant, but gave no indication she knew Fancie. As she wheeled her grandmother down the hall, Bitsy waved and nodded to other residents as if she were the Queen of England and they her subjects.

  They passed the nurses desk and Mrs. Pegram, one of the nurses, asked, “How is your Mama? We sure do miss seeing her here.”

  “She’s doing better at home, but she still has a long way to go. Thank you for asking.”

  “I’m going home,” Bitsy announced.

  “You are?” Mrs. Pegram asked, smiling.

  “This is Alicia, my daughter-in-law. She’s taking me home.”

  The nurse’s gaze lifted to Fancie. “Don’t let it upset you. It’s part of the disease.”

  “I know.” But a lump formed in her throat. Watching dementia claim her grandmother slowly was torture. “I’ll tell Mama you asked about her.”

  She settled her grandmother back in her room. “I’ll be back in a few days, Gran. Maybe I’ll come at lunch and bring us something special.”

  Bitsy smiled and stared at her, nodding.

  “Okay.” Fancie kissed her grandmother’s soft cheek. “I love you.”

  Bitsy didn’t respond, but reached up and patted her on the cheek.

  She’d stayed longer than she anticipated and hurried to the car. She wanted to be at home before the physical therapist came to work with her mother. Luke called just as she walked into the kitchen. “Hi.”

  “Hi. I wanted to stop by and see your folks for a few minutes, if that’s okay.”

  “Now?”

  “Or later.”

  “Now would be good. The physical therapist hasn’t gotten here yet.”

  “Great. I’d like to talk with you for a minute, too.”

  “Sure. Come on over.”

  She checked on her mother and, when the doorbell rang, said, “That’s probably Luke. He wanted to stop by and I told him this would be a good time.”

  “As good as any,” her mother said.

  Fancie wondered why’d he’d come to the front door. She got her answer when she opened it to find Graham standing there, his medical bag in hand.

  “Oh, it’s you.”

  “I stopped by to check on Alicia. A courtesy visit to see how she’s doing.”

  “She’s doing fine. And since when do you make courtesy house calls?”

  “Do you think I could come inside? It’s chilly out here.”

  She hesitated, thinking that letting him stand there and freeze wasn’t such a bad idea. “Come in. I’ll ask Mama if she wants to see you.”

  On her way to her mother’s room a knock sounded on the back door. She veered through the kitchen and opened it to admit Luke. “Hi. Uh….” She glanced back through the living room to where Graham stood, staring. “Would you give me one minute?”

  Hustling into her mother’s room, she closed the door. “Mama, Luke’s here to see you. Graham’s also here to check on you. Who do you want to see first or at all?”

  “Oh, well, how about Luke first if Graham can wait? I’m sure Luke just stopped by to say goodbye since he’s leaving tomorrow.”

  Great. That left her to entertain Graham. Luke’s leaving tomorrow? The week had gotten away from her. “Okay. I’ll show him in.”

  She returned to the kitchen where Luke and Graham both now stood sizing each other up. “Luke, Mama will see you now. Graham, she asked if you could wait just a minute.”

  Luke glanced from Graham to Fancie. “I won’t be long.”

  Fancie watched him enter the makeshift bedroom before turning back to Graham. “If you have other appointments, I’m sure Mama will understand.”

  “No other appointments. Who’s the Yankee?”

  “He’s a professor on sabbatical. He’s been staying here while he completes some research for a book.”

  “Staying here?”

  “In Bitsy’s house.”

  He arched an eyebrow. “I didn’t realize the Hollensbys rented out their guest house.”

  “It’s not a guest house and Luke’s a friend.”

  “Ah. Well, then.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Nothing. I
understand completely.”

  Anger sent heat into her face. “I’m not so sure you do.”

  “Fancie, I’m not looking for a fight.”

  “Then stop talking.”

  They stood in silence. Finally Graham cleared his throat. “Do you think I could have a glass of water please?”

  She removed a glass from the cabinet, filled it from the tap and handed it to him.

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Why are you here?”

  “I told you, I’m checking in on your mother. She’s been home a week and doesn’t have a follow-up appointment for another week. But I wanted to see how she’s tolerating physical therapy.”

  “Oh. Well—thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” He loosened his necktie. “If you have something to do, I can wait until your friend leaves and see myself in to Alicia’s room.”

  She shook her head. “No, I don’t have a thing to do. I’ll wait.” She pulled out a chair and sat at the dinette table.

  Graham finished the water and crossed to the sink to refill his glass. “I heard you were teaching somewhere up north.”

  “I was. I came home to take care of my folks.”

  He leaned back against the sink, looking far more relaxed than he should. “Is that where you met your friend?”

  “I met him on what was supposed to be my honeymoon, if you must know.”

  “You went on a honeymoon after we broke up?”

  “I went away with my cousins and friends on what would have been my honeymoon after you broke off our wedding plans. Don’t put that on me.”

  He nodded. “You’re right. That was my doing. So are you and he…uh….”

  Luke came out of Alicia’s room and nodded to Graham. “Mrs. Hollensby asked that I send you in.”

  “Thank you.” Graham started to the door and then glanced back. “It’s good seeing you again, Francine.” He didn’t wait for her to respond.

  “That man is insufferable.”

  “So that’s Dr. Graham Wellington.”

  “Stuffed shirt and all.”