Page 44 of More Than Anything

“Yes, Mom. Can we just not discuss it? I’m trying to stop thinking about it for a while,” he said, unable to keep the exasperation out of his voice.

Beverly gave him a sympathetic smile. “Well, uh, sure, honey. Lydia, would you like another brownie and more coffee?”

When Avery took a glance at Lydia, her eyes met his and she smiled. “You know, I think I’m gonna, um, go on. But thanks for offering.”

“You’re welcome! Hope you’ll come back while I’m here. It was a pleasure meeting you,” Beverly gushed.

“Same here. Goodnight. Bye, Avery,” Lydia said, turning to the door.

“Wait! I’ll walk you out,” he offered.

“You don’t have to…” she started.

“No. But I want to,” he insisted, and he closed the door behind them as they stepped out onto the porch.

Down the stairs and into the darkness, Avery walked silently behind Lydia as she made her way to her BMW. She turned and smiled. “Well, I’d say I’ve enjoyed it, but I’m sad.”

“Me too. Otherwise, thanks. It was a good evening until that.”

“Yeah.” Lydia opened her car door. “Well, I guess I’ll see you around. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Lydia. I’m glad we… Thanks. For the brownies and, you know,” he said, scraping the toe of his boot back and forth in the dirt and gravel.

“You’re welcome. Bye.” She started the car and drove away, her taillights growing dimmer in the distance until they were gone.

For reasons he couldn’t explain, Avery missed her as soon as she was out of sight. That seemed weird, and yet he’d seen a kinder, gentler side of her that evening than he’d ever seen before. As soon as the front door closed behind him on his return, his mother turned and smiled. “She’s a delightful young woman.”

“Yes. She is.” Avery’s brain was humming. Of all the horrible events that evening, the one thing that kept coming back to him was that brief time spent driving across the fields on the four-wheeler, her arms wrapped around him, her body pressed against his back. It had given him something he hadn’t felt in a long time.

Peace.

* * *

He’d takenhis mom to dinner in Texarkana the next evening when his phone rang, and he was surprised to see it was Lydia. “Hello!”

“Hi! How’re you doing?”

“I’m okay.” His mother stared at him until he finally excused himself from the table. “Sorry. Mom was staring at me. I had to excuse myself.”

“Oh, god, I’m sorry! Are you busy? We should hang up.”

“Oh, no! It’s okay. I brought her to Texarkana for dinner. Thought I’d show her a good time. What’s up?”

“I just wondered if the rest of the cows were okay?”

Avery hesitated for just a second. “Actually, no. I had to put two more down this morning and another one late this afternoon.”

“Oh, god, Avery, I’m so sorry!” He could tell from the tone of her voice that she was being sincere. “That’s horrible. Any signs of any of the rest of them being infected?”

“Not yet. I’m hoping that’s all. But he said two weeks. I could lose more yet.”

“Did you have them insured?”

He shook his head as though she could see it. “What? No. Didn’t know I could.”

“I’m surprised Cletus didn’t suggest that to you. Just like crop insurance. Get sixteen days out and then talk to someone about insuring the rest of them.”

“Thanks. I had no idea I could do that. All I’m hoping right now is that I don’t lose more than your great-grandpa left here when he sold me the place. As long as I can keep that balance, I’ll feel like it’s more than I could’ve asked for,” he explained, wishing he hadn’t mentioned her great-grandfather or the purchase of the farm.

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