Page 71 of Saddles

“April, I’m Mason, this is Lori.” The shorter man with a kind smile gestures to his bundled wife.

“Hi. Ford told me all about you.” My lip starts to tremble.

He seems so far away now.

I might not be as mad as I thought, I just wish he was here.

Lori moves closer, then pulls me into a tight hug. “You’re safe. Let’s get you inside.”

The other couple follows us in, with the intimidating one with a dark mustache holding back.

“I’m Dr. Dixon McCullough, Mason’s brother. I’ll be taking you to the clinic. This is Char, my wife.” He acts like he doesn’t want to let her go when he takes her coat, but she rushes to me and wraps her arms around me next.

“I’m here to hang out, I know you’ll want a buddy at the hospital.” She turns and winks at Dixon. “He’s scary as hell, but he’ll take care of you.”

Their overwhelming affection makes tears well, then spill down my cheeks. “Thank you. It’s nice to put faces to names.”

I didn’t expect they’d just take me in.

“I made some lunch. Let’s sit and eat, that way you aren’t rushed.” Lori gestures to a huge oak table in the middle of a giant room.

This must be the main house Ford was telling me about.

It’s bigger than I expected. More like a ski lodge, or a hotel.

Char threads her arm through my elbow, tugging me with her. “You sit next to me and tell me what you need. I have a list, butcould use some details like what kind of shampoo you like and stuff.”

I’m still in Ford’s coat and thermals.

It felt like a complete outfit this morning when it was just he and I.

Now it doesn’t seem to cover me enough.

When I pull the lapel tighter, I nearly drop the note he gave me.

I almost forgot about it.

“Can I, um, is there a bathroom I can use to get cleaned up?” I just need a minute, my head is spinning.

“Of course! I’m sorry, I didn’t even think about it.” Char redirects me towards the nearest hall, then flips on the lights. Her blue eyes shine and her mouth tilts. “I want you to know, I’ve been there. You’re not alone. I hope Ford was nice to you? He’s pretty quiet here, I don’t know him as well as the others do.” She sweeps her hand behind her.

I nod, fighting the knot that’s reformed in my throat. “Yes, he was…amazing. And thank you.”

When the door closes, I sit on the toilet lid.

With shaky hands, I peel open the crinkled paper.

April,

I ain’t a poet like Mason, so I apologize.

You gave me a taste of life again, a breath of air after I felt like I’ve been drowning.

My house, my truck, anything you need, it’s yours.

The code to unlock my cell phone is 1031.

It’s the same for the safe in the bedroom.

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