Page 4 of Property of Raider
Rush and I spend the entire week getting things packed and loaded into the moving truck.On Friday morning, I wake Rush up early so we can get on the road before traffic gets heavy while I drive this monster of a truck.He grumbles and moans about how early it is for about ten minutes before he is snoring lightly against the window.I shake out my hands and start the truck, pointing in the direction of Auntie Lynn’s.
I pull down Auntie Lynn’s long driveway, breathing a sigh of relief at making it with no problems.Rusher eventually woke up and talked the rest of the ride about all the things his new school offers and how often the baseball team has won.If not for the building tension inside me, I would have laughed at his excitement.I laugh out loud when I hear him gasp as Auntie Lynn’s house comes into view.
“Her house looks like it’s from the plantation days.”His eyes are so wide.“It’s so big!”
“Well, it was originally a plantation home when they used the surrounding land as a plantation.At this point, your Auntie Lynn owns about fifteen acres.Now, know that a large part of the house has not been kept up and may be a little run down,” I tell him, parking to the side of the house.
The smile on my face is large as I look around, seeing three green houses, little reading gardens with fountains, and plants everywhere.Auntie Lynn hasn’t changed at all since I was a little girl.Things for my sister Shea and me weren’t the best.Our parents were trash and treated us badly.Auntie Lynn would step in when father would allow it.Her home became my escape.Movement on the front porch catches my attention, and shock hits me like lightning.The last time I saw Auntie Lynn, she looked great.Now though, she is holding onto a walker, and her clothes are hanging on her.
Rusher looks over at me with wide eyes.“Is Auntie Lynn okay?Ma, she doesn’t look good.”
“Your momma told me that Auntie Lynn was having some health issues.That’s one of the reasons we’re here.So I can help watch over her and make sure she doesn’t leave us anytime soon,” I tell him, trying to sound positive and upbeat.
He watches me skeptically before throwing the door open and rushing to her.Rusher wraps her up in a tight hug, talking quietly to her, making her laugh.Sliding out of the truck, I walk around it, making my way up the walkway towards the house.As I make it up the stairs, I notice how soft they feel, making a mental note to figure out what it would cost to have them replaced.This close to Auntie Lynn, I can finally take in how bad she truly looks.
“Auntie Lynn, why didn’t you tell me?”I whisper, pulling her bony frame in for a hug.
“Oh, you hush!There was nothing to damn well tell you.”She smacks my arm.
“You are nothing but skin laid over a skeleton,” I chastise her.“If you would’ve told me how bad it was, I would have come back before now.”
“Well, as wonderful as it’s going to be to have my babies back home, I didn’t want you anywhere near that sister of yours.She’s damn well up to something, and I don’t want either of you anywhere near it when it blows the hell up,” she finishes on a whisper, looking around.
“That doesn’t sound good.Makes me happier I came back, actually.”There is no way I’m going to tell Auntie Lynn what Shea really said to get me to show up.
“If you say so, child.Now let’s get in the house before we wilt away in this heat,” she tells me, turning to shuffle her way into the house.
I follow her, really taking her in, and my heart clinches because there is no way she’s as okay as she wants me to believe she is.We make it through the front door and the smell that is only her wraps around me, reminding me of digging in the gardens on hot summer nights, learning about plants, taking pictures, breezy nights laughing over sweet tea, and the dreams of my future.The sound of feet thundering down the stairs makes me smile even wider.
“Ma, there are like five rooms up there for me to choose from,” he yells.
“Pick the one that you want, and we’ll fix all up for you.Now stop running in the house!”I call back as I make it into the kitchen.I gasp.
“It’s glorious, isn’t it?”Auntie Lynn beams.
“Auntie, who did this?”I move around the oversized island, running my hands along the butcher block.“It’s exactly like we dreamed of it being.”
“The guys at Gold Wings Construction did it.I gave them everything we had talked about, all the pages you drew and clipped, and had them design it.”Auntie Lynn grins as she pulls two glasses from one of the cabinets.
“I just can’t believe it,” I whisper.
Walnut butcher countertops crown dark blue cabinets with mostly drawers.All the top cabinets are white and go all the way to the nine-foot ceiling with frosted glass cabinet doors.They put the sink in front of a large window, looking out over the backyard.It is beautiful and perfect.I feel as if the designer reached into my mind and past to pull the plans right out of my head.
“Well, believe it.They're supposed to come back in a week or so and start on the two bathrooms, whatever room Rusher wants, and your room, updating everything.”She smiles at me.
“What about the master bedroom and bathroom on the main floor that you’re using?Don’t you want those fixed first?”I question her.
“Oh love, I’ve already had most of the first floor done.Come sit and let me explain it to you.”Auntie’s sad smile makes my heart squeeze.“I have never known fully what happened and why you left, never to come back.At this point, it does not matter.What matters is that you and Rush are safe, happy, and healthy.”
“Oh, Auntie, I love you and have missed you.I just can’t explain everything,” I ramble.
“Hush, child, and let me speak.”Auntie pats my hand.“I knew there was a very real possibility you wouldn’t ever come back.When I found out about two years ago that my health was on the downturn, I decided this house would either be ready for you and Rusher to come home to, or you would be able to sell it for top dollar.Now, do not argue with Auntie and just enjoy being home.”
Tears are running down my face now.This woman has always looked out for me in her own way.She always made sure my sister and I had what we needed.I never knew why she didn’t just take us in full time.I could never have imagined that she was still taking care of me, and now Rusher.
“Thank you, Auntie,” I whisper, standing and walking over to her to wrap my arms around her shoulders and hug her tight.
“There is one condition to all of this,” she tells me sternly.
