Page 91 of Lone Star Longing
“I think it was ten years, but I’m not sure,” Lacey said. “I’ll ask my dad. I’m surprised he didn't say anything about Austin coming home.”
“So we need to do something nice to welcome him home, since you know he doesn't really want to be here,” Poppy said.
“Like what?”
“Maybe a picnic in the park, or a party at The Wheel House.”
“Do they have showers for doctors who are just starting out? You know? To get them the supplies they need?” Hailey asked.
“I don't know, but that’s a great idea,” Poppy said, pulling out her phone. “No internet connection.”
“How would we even know what he needs?” Lacey asked reasonably. “And whatever he needs, we probably couldn't afford, anyway.”
“Unless we all pitch in, take up a collection, maybe?”
“I don't know if the town will want to pitch in after they paid for med school, but I think we should definitely invite everyone to the party. He’s not going to be happy about coming back here.”
“Why not?” Hailey asked. “He’s too Big City now?”
“Honestly, I don't know, but he didn't leave under the best of circumstances,” Lacey said. “I don't know if you ever heard the story about the bus accident?”
“The one you all were in?” Hailey circled her finger to include all of them.
“Well.” Lacey glanced at Beck, then at Con, uneasy. “Yeah. Austin’s mom was the bus driver, and the town blamed her for the accident. It was really terrible, because she died in the accident, and then Austin had to deal with his grief and with all the things the people in town said about her.”
“Why did he agree to come back, then?”
“I think it was too late for him to back out, or something. There was a contract, from the minute they paid for his first semester.”
“But wow, to get out of college with no debt, just to have to serve ten years?”
“I know, it’s a big deal, but it’s not going to be easy for him to come back. We’re going to have to make sure we make him feel welcome.”
The girls got to work planning the party for next Saturday. Even though they were excited he was returning, Lacey was right. He couldn't be too excited about it. He had not left under the best circumstances and he had to carry some resentment.
Add to that, no one in town appeared to have kept up with him. That couldn't make the transition easier.
Beck wondered, though, if Austin’s welcome home party might be the best time to talk to Lacey about his plans.
