LITMIR.BIZ

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this is Luke. My mother would like to see you.”

      There was a noticeable pause, then she asked, “Is something wrong?”

      “Yes,” was all he could say.

      “I’ll be right there.”

      Luke didn’t allow himself to think about Becky. They were now strangers, probably what they’d been all along. He’d just been too pigheaded to admit it.

      When he reached the den, his dad was sitting in his chair, staring into space. Hank came over to Luke.

      “What happened?”

      “Mom’s leaving.”

      Hank’s eyes narrowed. “You mean going to town?”

      “No. I mean she’s packing to leave for good.”

      Hank turned a shade of gray Luke had never seen before. “But don’t panic. I talked to her and she’s lying down. She wants to talk to Becky.”

      Hank nodded. “That’s good. She talks to Becky a lot.”

      Luke glanced at their father. “I talked to Mom, now you talk to Pa.”

      “I got my hands full with this sale.” Hank headed for the kitchen. “So make yourself useful.”

      Luke wanted to shoot him the finger, but that was a younger Luke. The mature Luke walked over to Henry.

      He sat on the footstool and remembered all the times he’d sat here as a kid asking a million questions. “Pa, how do birds fly?” “Why are there stars in the sky?” “What’s a Big Dipper?” “How do men walk on the moon?” Henry had answered everything and when he hadn’t known the answer, he’d made it up. Luke had believed every word, though. There was nothing his father didn’t know. There was nothing his father couldn’t beat.

      Except being incapacitated.

      “Pa, you doing okay?”

      “I’m not a man anymore.”

      “Excuse me?” Luke wasn’t sure what his father was talking about.

      “I knew she’d leave me and it didn’t take long.”

      The doorbell rang, preventing Luke from getting an explanation. Henry wasn’t making any sense. His parents had been married forever.

      He shifted his train of thought and concentrated on the woman on the other side of the door. He took a moment, then opened it. Becky was in her work clothes—green nurse’s scrubs printed with tiny stethoscopes. Her hair bounced around her nape and her eyes were deep with concern.

      “I didn’t want to bother you,” he said, “but my mother insisted.”

      “It doesn’t matter,” she said. “Where’s Lucy?”

      “In her bedroom.”

      His parents occupied the master bedroom downstairs. Becky followed him into the den and went directly to Henry.

      “How are you this morning, Henry?”

      “Not good. Lucy’s mad at me.”

      Luke stood in complete shock. His father was talking to Becky.

      “What did you do to make her mad?”

      Henry shrugged. “Just being me, you know. And that ain’t much these days.”

      “Are you doing your exercises?”

      “Sometimes.”

      Becky rubbed his shoulder. “All the time, Henry. To get better you have to fight it, and I know you’re a fighter.”

      “Have been all my life.”

      “Good. I’ll go talk to Lucy.”

      Luke paced as he waited. About twenty minutes later, Becky came out. “Did Mom talk to you?” he asked anxiously.

      “Yes.”

      “So what’s wrong besides the obvious?”

      “Henry’s not able to do a lot of the things he used to.”

      “I know that.”

      Becky shoved her hands into the pockets of her top. “I don’t think you do.”

      He frowned. “What do you mean?”

      “It’s sexual.”

      Luke swung away. “Oh God. I don’t need to hear this.”

      “Grow up, for heaven’s sake. They’re your parents but they’re also husband and wife. Henry’s not able to do what he used to and he thinks it matters to Lucy, but it doesn’t. He bellows orders at her because in his mind every time she waits on him that means she still cares for him. But a woman can only take so much yelling and insensitivity.”

      “Oh.” Luke finally understood. “How’s Mom now?”

      “She’s soaking in a hot bath. That’ll help to relax her. She called Angela Carrick and they’re going to San Antonio to get their hair done and to shop. Lucy needs to do something for herself for a change.”

      “She’s going to be out all day?” That didn’t come out the way Luke had intended, but he couldn’t take the words back.

      “Yes, and I know you’ll take care of your father.”

      He raised an eyebrow. “Really? An insensitive clod like me?”

      She pushed her bangs from her forehead. “I overreacted last night. I’m sorry about that, and you’re right. We need to put the past behind us. We’ve both moved on.”

      “Yeah.” He held her gaze. “So why are you still so angry?”

      She glanced at her watch. “I’ve got to go. I’m going to be late for work.”

      “We’re going to have that conversation one of these days, Becky,” he called to her retreating back.

      With her hand on the doorknob, she turned to look at him, her eyes dark. “You might not like my answer.”

      “I’ll take my chances. I’m a gambler.”

      She nodded and was gone. Luke went to deal with his parents, but he wasn’t so angry now. Becky was talking to him.

      THE DAY PROVED to be stressful. Henry barked orders at Hank until he was hoarse. Luke couldn’t get him to go back to the house to rest and give them all a break. By late afternoon Henry ran out of steam. All day his dad had not once mentioned Lucy’s name.

      As Luke drove to the house, he saw his mom maneuver her Cadillac into the garage. She got out smiling. Her hair was done in a new style and hung like a bell around her face. Lucy gathered shopping bags out of the car and still Henry didn’t say a word.

      Luke sensed a blue norther gathering force, and it was fixing to blow through Great Oaks.

      Becky’s Tahoe stopped behind them. She got out with a long package. Evidently she’d been in contact with his mother during the day. He didn’t know whether to feel good about that or not.

      Becky helped Lucy with her bags while Luke got his dad’s walker from the back of his truck. Silently they made their way into the house. Henry sank into his chair. His mom and Becky continued down the hall. Luke heard voices coming from his mother’s room, happy voices. His dad stared at a blank TV screen, not one flicker of emotion on his set face.

      Becky came into the den carrying a cane. “Henry, I have something for you.”

      Henry looked at her and his eyes went wide at the cane. “I talked to your therapist the other day and he felt you were ready for a cane. Want to try it?”

      Without one objection, Henry rose and reached for the cane. Luke watched in wonder.

      “Try

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