Page 48 of Grounded
“I reckon.”
Two orderlies entered the room in squeaking tennis shoes, white shirts and pants, with clipboards in hand. “Mrs. Beulah Campbell?” said one of the men, but even though she nodded in answer, he checked her wristband and her chart to make sure.
“We’re taking you to room 305.”
“Okay,” Beulah said. Annie smiled at her still-sleepy grandmother.
Evelyn left to fix lunch for the painters. Annie went on to the room, getting there before Beulah. The squeaking tennis shoes announced her grandmother’s arrival as two orderlies wheeled the awkward metal transport bed into the room. With tender, experienced hands, the men transferred her from one bed to another. After they left, she saw that her grandmother was comfortable, had ice water and was settled on the pillow just so.
“Why don’t you go on home, Annie? I believe I’d rather you be home seeing after things.”
“I don’t mind staying here at all. Don’t you want the company?” Annie asked.
“I’ll be fine. I’ll probably sleep most of the day. I think I’d rather you be home. I don’t like leaving the house to sit empty. And you’ve already had a long day.” Annie knew the house was anything but empty at the moment, but she didn’t want to give the secret away.
“If you’re sure … I’ll be back later tonight, anyway.”
“Betty Gibson said yesterday she would come by this evening. Pastor said he would be by tonight as well. You stay home and rest. You’ll have the full care of me soon enough.”
“I’ll leave this afternoon, but I’d like to stay for a while.” Annie leaned over and kissed her grandmother on the forehead.
After she left the hospital, Annie stopped at a department store and got a few items of clothing she could use on the farm. A grocery store had a selection of organic produce, something missing from the locally owned store in Somerville, and she stocked up on fruits and vegetables. There was a Chinese restaurant in a strip mall out on the bypass, and she picked up a carry-out for supper. She was too tired to fix anything for herself tonight. Funny, she hadn’t lifted a finger all day, but waiting in the hospital was exhausting.
It was nearing dusk when Annie passed the grove of walnuts in the driveway. As the house came into view, it looked naked with all the old paint scraped off and the primer not yet on. The men had done good work in one day.
She put away the groceries and then carried the Kung Pao chicken to the front porch, settling herself on the steps as the fading light of evening slipped away. At first it seemed so peaceful and quiet, but as she listened close, there were the bullfrogs croaking in the pond, and in the front yard, a kildeer made a terrible racket as one of the cats got too close to her nest. She feigned injury, trying to lure the cat away, squawking and holding one wing out as if it were broken. The ruse worked, and the cat went after the mama bird, who escaped with a perfectly good set of wings at just the right moment. A hoot owl called from above, adding to the evening cacophony.
Annie was finishing her dinner when a tiny greenish-yellow light floated up from the ground and blinked on and off. Then another and another floated up until the yard was full of hovering yellow beads of light, blinking signals to each other. The lightning bugs put on a mesmerizing show. Annie sat a long time and watched the magical display.
A ringing phone interrupted the wonderment. When she went in to answer it, she closed the door and locked it.
“Are you in for the night?”
“I am,” Annie said, happy to hear Jake’s voice.
“How’s Beulah?”
“Ready to come home, but the doctors are saying Wednesday or Thursday. We’ll be lucky to keep her in there long enough for the house to get painted.”
“I’ll help on Saturday if they are still painting.
“I’m hoping they’ll be finished by then. And won’t you have Camille here?” Annie asked.
“One of her staff is out sick and she has to help with a convention coming in this weekend. She’ll come in Monday and we’re both taking vacation next week to be here.”
“Good,” Annie said. “We’ll have time to get to know her.
“She’s a great girl, Annie. I think you’ll like her.”
“If you like her, I know I will,” she said.
“Do you mind staying there by yourself? You know you can stay with Mom.”
“I’ll be fine here. I know where the shotgun is,” she said, and laughed.
“But do you know how to use it?” he asked in a serious tone.
“You mean waving it around won’t be enough?” she said.
