Ray Gorham - 77 Days in September

Kyle kicked feebly at Hector, who was standing close by after the last blow, and managed to connect weakly with his thigh.

“Get him on his knees,” Hector demanded as he stepped back and wiped blood from the corner of his mouth. “I’ll show you how a kick is supposed to feel. I wasn’t planning on getting this rough with you, but you don’t know how the game works.”

The men holding Kyle forced him down on his knees, laughing at Kyle’s vain attempts to resist. Kyle saw movement to his left; a fourth man running towards them. He didn’t want to die five days into his journey on the streets of Lubbock, but he resigned himself to his fate.

A boot connected with Kyle’s cheek and everything around him began to spin. His head rolled forward limply, and the bright afternoon sunlight dissolved to black as the hands holding him let go, and he collapsed forward onto the blistering street.

Deer Creek, Montana

“I don’t think he thought about how it would come across,” said Grace. “Guys don’t clue in on those things.”

Jennifer had left Doug’s and gone straight to the Anderson’s house. During the past week and a half, now that phone calls to her mother and sister weren’t an option and her social network had been disrupted, Jennifer had found herself at her neighbors’ quite often, and Grace had become her sounding board.

“I know he probably didn’t mean for it to sound like it did, but the way he said it hit me hard….Do you think Kyle’s dead?”

Grace smiled in her grandmotherly way. “Does it matter what anyone else thinks?” she asked.

“No, but maybe it would help me know what to expect when I talk to people. I think Kyle’s alive, and I’ve just assumed everyone else thinks the same. Does that make people think I’m in denial?”

“Of course not, dear. There’s no reason not to think he’s alive. That would be far worse than holding out hope. I think he’s alive. And one of these days, when you aren’t expecting it, he’ll come walking through your door and wrap you up in his arms. Trust me.”

Jennifer smiled. “I hope you’re right. I wish he’d get here soon, because I really need that right now.”

“Just you be patient, sweetie,” said Chuck from the other room. Jennifer looked at Chuck, who had been reading. “I don’t mean to listen in on your conversation, but it was more interesting than my book.”

Jennifer laughed.

“Well, like I said,” he continued, “you just be patient. For all we know, he’s going to have to walk here from Texas. That’s a long way and a tough journey, but any man worth his salt would do it for his family. I don’t know your husband very well, just spoke to him a couple of times, but if he’s smart enough to marry a woman like you, I’m sure he’s smart enough to figure out a way to get home. He’s probably on his way, and I bet he can’t wait to get here.”

“Thanks, Chuck,” Jennifer said as she wiped her nose. “Kyle is a good man. I’m not going to give up.”

“Now another thing,” Chuck said as he leaned forward. “Watch out for that Doug fellow. I don’t trust him.”

“What do you mean? Doug? He’s harmless. He was just trying to be nice.”

Chuck got up and came into the room. “Maybe, but you still need to be careful. I’ve worked with too many guys who are just like him. They act all nice and stuff but are after one thing, and once they get it, they brag about it like they’ve conquered Everest. It used to make me sick.”

“I’ll be careful, Dad,” said Jennifer. “Thanks for worrying about me.”

“I think he misses his daughters,” Grace said to Jennifer. “Before the event, he called them up every Sunday to check on them. It was sweet when they were young and single, but they’re over forty now, and he’s still doing it. Calls his granddaughters too, and they’re starting to have kids. He’s got a soft spot for his girls, and it looks like you’ve been adopted into the family.” Grace gave Chuck a look and a knowing tilt of the head, like a mother would a child she was gently reprimanding.

Chuck grinned proudly. “Guilty as charged. It’s just the way I’m wired. You should be used to it by now. We’ve been married for fifty years.”

“Oh, I’m used to it, and you know I appreciate it,” said Grace. “I’m just warning Jennifer about what she’s in for if you start treating her like a daughter.”

“Don’t worry about it, Chuck,” Jennifer said. “I’m flattered that you’re concerned.”

Lubbock, Texas

Kyle felt something cold and wet wipe across his face. His head throbbed, along with the rest of his body, but at least with the pain he knew he wasn’t dead. A chair scraped loudly and unexpectedly on the floor, and he swung his arms up to shield himself.

“It’s okay. You can relax,” a woman said in a soothing voice. “We’re not going to hurt you.”

Kyle cautiously lowered his arms and tried to open his eyes, the swelling in his face making it difficult. His left eye was stuck shut, but his right opened a crack and, in the darkness, he could faintly make out a figure on a chair near where he lay.

The last thing he remembered was being beaten by three men in the street, but that was around noon, and now it was dark. He tried to piece the day together but drew blanks.

He attempted to sit up, until a hand on his shoulder gently pushed him down. “Don’t get up,” the woman said. “You need to rest. You’ve had a rough day. In the morning you’ll feel a little better.”

Kyle relaxed and lay back on the bed. “Where am I?” he asked, his voice barely audible.

“You’re safe,” the woman answered. “My dad brought you home, and we’re going take care of you.”

“What about my stuff? Did he get my stuff?”

“I think so, but I’m not sure. I’ll ask him in the morning. It’s almost midnight and he’s asleep. You go back to sleep. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

Kyle inhaled deeply and felt sharp pains in his ribs. He slowly exhaled and closed his eyes. “Thank you,” he said. “Thank you for helping me.”

Monday, September 12 th

Deer Creek, Montana

Jennifer lay in her bed, drifting between sleep and consciousness, the sunlight warming her face as she lay there thinking about the new day. The house was cool, and with nothing on the schedule until later, she resisted getting out of her cozy bed.

Hearing a faint noise at her front door, she sat up and listened. Again she heard the noise, a soft, but distinct, knock. Jennifer quickly put on her robe and ran to the door. Looking through the peephole, she saw Doug standing on her porch.

“Doug, what are you doing here?” she asked as she opened the door. “Is something wrong?”

“Hi, Jennifer. No, nothing’s wrong. I was thinking about what I said yesterday, and I know I made you upset. I just wanted to apologize. I seem to be doing a lot of that lately.”

“Don’t worry about it, Doug. I know you didn’t mean anything by it.”

“Do you mind if I come in a minute? I don’t want to let your warm air out.”

Jennifer hesitated. “I guess,” she stammered, “but just for a minute. The kids are still sleeping.”

Doug stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

“You’ve got a nice house,” he said, looking around.

“Thanks. I’d offer you some coffee, but I can’t seem to get the machine to work,” she said in a half-hearted attempt at humor.

“That’s fine. I’m learning to live without it. That and donuts, you know how cops are.”

Jennifer laughed. “Guess we’re all making sacrifices, aren’t we?”

Doug nodded. “I also wanted to see how your family is doing. You’ve got, what, four kids to take care of?”