Page 34 of Something More

“Well, don’t get upset if that doesn’t work. I know you, and I know you aren’t going to give up here.” He pressed a kiss to the top of my head.

“What do you mean? She’s my sister.” I sat up and stared at him.

“I’m just sayin’, she’s not the teenager she was when you moved away. You came home what, like two times, one of those for her wedding? People change as they grow, and she might have grown more than you realize.”

“She’s still my sister though, and I know that something is off.” I shook my head.

We spent the remainder of the night aimlessly flipping through the stations, trying to find something to watch. Hank went back to the bunkhouse late. I’d wanted him to stay, but we also agreed that we’d just talked to Jack about this and didn’t want to rush things. Hank would be able to spend more time with us soon. The Harvest Festival was next month, and then things would slow down around here until spring planting. “I’ll come over in the morning and we can have breakfast together,” he murmured as he pressed a kiss to my cheek. “I love you.” He stepped outside and into the darkness. I watched as he turned toward the bunkhouse and followed his dark figure until he slipped inside. When I came back in, I turned the lights off and made my way to bed. I was tired and the thought of slipping between the cool sheets sounded heavenly.

After changing into my PJs, I laid down and closed my eyes. It took no time for sleep to claim me, and the sounds of the crickets were a welcomed lullaby.

I was deep in sleep when I heard a banging on what sounded like the door. My eyes flew open and it took me a moment to get my bearings. The banging sounded again, and I sat up and rushed down the hall. I rubbed my eyes to clear the sleep when the banging started back up. “I’m coming!” I called, hoping not to wake Jack. When I flipped the porch light on, my sister was standing there. “What’s going on?” I flung the door open. Amy was clinging to Lou and a suitcase was on the ground beside them.

“I didn’t know where else I could go.” She looked at me, wide-eyed. A bruise was starting to form on her cheek. “Can we come in?”

“Of course.” I stepped back and let them in. I stuck my head out to see if anyone else was out there before closing and locking the door.

Lou stood in the kitchen; Amy had gone to lay on the couch. “What happened?” I looked around. “Where’s Charlie?”

“Charlie is at home. We can’t go back there tonight. Do you think we could sleep here?” She wrapped her arms around herself as if giving herself a hug.

“Sure. There’s more room in the big house, though.” I rushed down the hall to grab some pillows.

“I can’t tell Mom and Dad about this yet. I just need a place for tonight. I’ll go home tomorrow. He’ll be better by then.” She tried to smile.

“This is a pull-out.” I pointed to the couch. Amy got up, and we opened the sofa into a bed.

“Thanks. Really, I’ll be gone tomorrow.” Lou hugged me.

“You wanna talk about this?” I offered. “Did Charlie hit you?”

“It’s nothing. I just want to go to bed. I’m really tired.” She sat down on the pull-out.

“I’m just down the hall if you need me.” I waved as I turned to attempt to go back to sleep. I knew I’d be thinking about this the remainder of the night, but Lou made it clear that she didn’t want to talk about it. I could hear soft whispers coming from the two of them as they settled in, and then it was quiet again.

*****

When I woke the next morning, Lou and Amy were gone. The couch was made back up and ‘Thank you’ was written on a small scrap of paper on the counter. Other than the note, there was no sign that they’d even been there. I tapped out a quick text to Lou.

Are you ok?

She responded that she was fine and not to worry. I don’t know how she thought I wouldn’t worry. When Jack woke up later that morning, I asked him if Amy said anything to him about her dad. He said no, and I didn’t push. I wondered if this was a one-time thing, or if Lou had just been hiding it and if so, for how long?

Chapter 18

Dakota

This morning was a whirlwind of chaos at its finest. It was the first day of school for Jack, and he was equally nervous and excited. I heard him talking to himself last night after he went to bed. I don’t know if he was trying to calm himself or convince himself that everything would be great, or what. It’s a big year for him, and I’m both happy and sad. He’s finishing up elementary school this year, and although I’m happy for him to be big man on campus, I’m also sad that things like picnics with Mom and field days will be ending. Going off to middle school is a big change, and even though he's ready, this momma is not so much.

When the alarm went off this morning, I got up and cooked Jack breakfast. Hank came down to wish him luck, and after hugs at the door, he walked down the long drive to wait for the bus. He made me promise that I’d stay inside until after he left, but he did give me a wave when he climbed on.

“You gonna be ok?” Hank wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

“I’m fine. I do this every year.” I laughed as I wiped the tears from my eyes. “I just need to stay busy for a bit, and then the time will fly by.” I gave a half smile as I started to move into the kitchen. I started wiping the counters, when Hank stepped up behind me.

“I can think of other ways to pass the time.” He kissed my neck. “I’m off today.” His arms wrapped around my middle, and he pressed his chest to my back.

“How’d you manage that?” I shivered as he moved to the top of my shoulder.

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