Linda Warren - Texas Bluff

“Have been all my life.”

“Good. I’ll go talk to Lucy.”

Luke paced as he waited. About twenty minutes later, Becky came out. “Did Mom talk to you?” he asked anxiously.

“Yes.”

“So what’s wrong besides the obvious?”

“Henry’s not able to do a lot of the things he used to.”

“I know that.”

Becky shoved her hands into the pockets of her top. “I don’t think you do.”

He frowned. “What do you mean?”

“It’s sexual.”

Luke swung away. “Oh God. I don’t need to hear this.”

“Grow up, for heaven’s sake. They’re your parents but they’re also husband and wife. Henry’s not able to do what he used to and he thinks it matters to Lucy, but it doesn’t. He bellows orders at her because in his mind every time she waits on him that means she still cares for him. But a woman can only take so much yelling and insensitivity.”

“Oh.” Luke finally understood. “How’s Mom now?”

“She’s soaking in a hot bath. That’ll help to relax her. She called Angela Carrick and they’re going to San Antonio to get their hair done and to shop. Lucy needs to do something for herself for a change.”

“She’s going to be out all day?” That didn’t come out the way Luke had intended, but he couldn’t take the words back.

“Yes, and I know you’ll take care of your father.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Really? An insensitive clod like me?”

She pushed her bangs from her forehead. “I overreacted last night. I’m sorry about that, and you’re right. We need to put the past behind us. We’ve both moved on.”

“Yeah.” He held her gaze. “So why are you still so angry?”

She glanced at her watch. “I’ve got to go. I’m going to be late for work.”

“We’re going to have that conversation one of these days, Becky,” he called to her retreating back.

With her hand on the doorknob, she turned to look at him, her eyes dark. “You might not like my answer.”

“I’ll take my chances. I’m a gambler.”

She nodded and was gone. Luke went to deal with his parents, but he wasn’t so angry now. Becky was talking to him.

THE DAY PROVED to be stressful. Henry barked orders at Hank until he was hoarse. Luke couldn’t get him to go back to the house to rest and give them all a break. By late afternoon Henry ran out of steam. All day his dad had not once mentioned Lucy’s name.

As Luke drove to the house, he saw his mom maneuver her Cadillac into the garage. She got out smiling. Her hair was done in a new style and hung like a bell around her face. Lucy gathered shopping bags out of the car and still Henry didn’t say a word.

Luke sensed a blue norther gathering force, and it was fixing to blow through Great Oaks.

Becky’s Tahoe stopped behind them. She got out with a long package. Evidently she’d been in contact with his mother during the day. He didn’t know whether to feel good about that or not.

Becky helped Lucy with her bags while Luke got his dad’s walker from the back of his truck. Silently they made their way into the house. Henry sank into his chair. His mom and Becky continued down the hall. Luke heard voices coming from his mother’s room, happy voices. His dad stared at a blank TV screen, not one flicker of emotion on his set face.

Becky came into the den carrying a cane. “Henry, I have something for you.”

Henry looked at her and his eyes went wide at the cane. “I talked to your therapist the other day and he felt you were ready for a cane. Want to try it?”

Without one objection, Henry rose and reached for the cane. Luke watched in wonder.

“Try to pick up your left leg,” Becky said. “Great. You’re doing great.”

“I am, aren’t I?” Henry asked, slowly making a circle around the room.

“Yes, you are,” Becky answered. “And let me tell you, you look awfully handsome with that cane.”

“You think so?”

“Oh, my, yes.”

Henry stopped walking and Luke saw a smile on his face, the first one in days. “You are such a liar, Becky Lynn, but you’re so sweet I’m going to believe you.”

Becky smiled and Luke felt his heart race. “Will you do me a favor, Henry?”

“Anything.”

“Apologize to Lucy.”

Luke waited for the stubborn attitude to return, but it didn’t. Henry nodded and made his way with the cane down the hall to the bedroom.

“Thank you, Becky,” Luke said when the door closed. “I don’t think he would have done that for Hank or me.”

“You’re welcome.” She glanced at her watch and he was beginning to see she did that when she was nervous. “I’ve got to run.”

“Becky. You don’t really believe I’d brag to my friends about what happened between you and me?”

Her eyes caught his, but she didn’t say anything.

“I wouldn’t. I would never intentionally hurt you.”

Those teenage years and all that emotion hung between them. “I know,” she murmured. “You put such a dent in my confidence, though, it’s hard to remember that.”

She walked out the door before he could gather his thoughts, but he felt a whole lot better about the situation than he had last night.

He heard a sound and listened closely. Was his mother giggling? Yes, he heard it again. When his dad had apologized, he must have done it in style. Luke needed to ask for pointers.

Lucy came into the den, all smiles, wearing a beige linen pantsuit. In makeup and high heels, she didn’t even resemble the distraught woman of the morning.

“Where’s Clover?” she asked.

“In the kitchen, I suppose.”

“Tell her that Henry and I are having dinner in our room tonight.”

“Oh. Okay. Does this mean you’re staying?”

“What?” She shook her head. “Don’t be silly, Luke.”

She kissed his cheek and Luke knew his mother was back. That was good in more ways than one. Tonight was the weekly poker game. Now he could leave the house without a guilty conscience. Maybe things would return to normal, or whatever constituted normal in the Chisum house.

Tonight Luke needed to razz and bullshit with his friends—friends he’d known all his life. It was a release for him, just as it had been in high school, to deal with his crazy dysfunctional family.

Today had been a little crazier than most.

BECKY DROVE INTO HER YARD and parked beside Danny’s car. He’d picked up Shane from basketball practice. Shane had called and told his father he didn’t want to come for the weekend. Danny didn’t like it and wanted to talk to Shane in person.

She got out and watched Danny walk toward her. He was a kind, patient man with thinning blond hair and green eyes. After the divorce, they remained good friends. He tried with Shane but they had nothing in common. Shane loved sports and the outdoors. Danny was a CPA, and going to the movies was his favorite pastime. He knew every movie that had ever been made. His favorites filled a room lined with shelves from top to bottom.

“Did you talk to him?” Becky asked as he reached her.

Danny waved a hand. He did that a lot when he talked. “He says he has to help Hub with the four wheeler. It’s just an excuse. He doesn’t want to visit us anymore.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I know he feels left out, but I have two other kids.”

“I’ll talk to him again.”

Danny looked into her eyes. “Luke is back.”

A sliver of fear ran up her back and she didn’t know why. “Yes.”

“How do you feel about that?”

Becky shrugged. “I see him all the time. It’s hard.”

There was silence for a moment, then Danny said, “It’s time, Becky.”

She glanced off to the blue sky and the puffy white cotton clouds. Any minute a cloud was going to split open and dump a whole lot of reality on her. More than she was ready to face.