Gibson
A month had passed since Marvil's fall, and he was still using crutches but otherwise back to his ornery old self. I made it a habit now to check on him every time I passed on my way to town, to see if he needed anything and to bring in firewood. He insisted he didn't need me "hovering like a damned hen," but the smile that tugged at his lips when he didn't know I was watching told me he appreciated my efforts.
One morning I pulled up to Marvil's cabin just as Edna, the home health aid worker, arrived. She was about Marvil's age, perhaps a bit younger. The bags under her eyes that indicated many long workdays didn't detract from her shy smile, which she gave me in lieu of a greeting. Using the key she had been given, she opened the front door after a quick knock and preceded me into the cabin.
Marvil looked up from his spot on the sofa and frowned at Edna, but his eyes had a spark of interest. "You again? I keep telling them to send someone more attractive. If I have to look at you all day, my eyes will go crossed."
Edna rolled her eyes, ignoring the insult, so I answered.
"Hey, I've been working out. And you're not exactly a catch, old man."
Marvil simply snorted and tossed off the blanket, which had covered his lap. Edna's first order of business was to examine his leg, as per her usual routine. She stood over him and motioned for him to move into place. Her voice had the same teasing tone as Marvil's.
"Stop complaining and assume the position. And you're not exactly Robert Redford, ya know."
They had been bantering like this for days. As gruff as he was, it was evident Marvil enjoyed being fussed over.
I watched as Edna's deft hands worked, unhooking the soft cast while taking care not to touch the still swollen and slightly discolored leg. Still, he flinched as she removed the cast and placed it aside.
"Ow! Take it easy, Sergeant."
A look passed between them, and I smiled. For all his fuss, it seemed Marvil actually liked this one. From her smile, I could tell she might like him too. As I worked to rebuild the fire in the fireplace, I couldn't help teasing.
"Careful, man. You've already run off two other caregivers. Three strikes and you're out."
"Hmmmpf" was all I heard in response.
The fire finally caught and was warming the place nicely. I'd taken out the trash and watered the few plants lining the kitchen windowsill. Edna was now replacing the soft cast, and she looked up as I approached.
"Sir, would you be able to refill his prescription today? It's already been called in. We'll be doing some therapy starting tomorrow, and he may need some pain relievers."
Marvil made a face. "May need? You can bet your ass I'll need them, if Sergeant Edna's in charge."
I saw the wink he gave Edna and knew my buddy was in good hands.
"Sure, I'll stop by the drugstore on my way home."
As I left, I couldn't help but laugh. It would be funny if Marvil and Edna actually got together. I hoped they would, not so I wouldn't have to take care of him, but because it would make him happy. Make them happy.
It was strange how fate worked sometimes. Who knew when something bad happening might actually lead to something good, which never would have happened otherwise?
~*~
My first stop that day was an old, run-down house at the end of a gravel road. A woman lived there, a single mother with four young kids. Someone else I worked for had referred me, and I was happy to help. It was clear when I drove up to the house, she had no one to help her with the upkeep. Besides toys spread all over the yard, and the general disrepair of the place, it was her home. There was a time when I probably would have looked on in distaste and drove away. I was coming to learn there was more to people and their lives than the appearance of their possessions.
During a recent storm, a tree had fallen on her side deck and smashed the railing. I was here to clear it away and repair the deck.
I knocked on the door, and she opened it while holding a baby on her hip. She couldn't have been more than twenty-seven or so. Another child cried in the background, and she barked a sharp reprimand before turning back to address me. Gratitude showed on her face, and there was relief in her voice.
"Oh, thank the Lord. I was hoping you'd show today. I'm Tammie. These kids are 'bout to drive me crazy. They're used to playing on the deck all day."
I extended a hand, and she shook it. "I'm Gibson. Of course. I'll get started right away, if that's okay with you, ma'am."
"Help yourself."
It took a few hours to cut up the tree, drag it off into the nearby woods, and repair the deck railing. It was obvious where the wood was new, but the only way to hide that was to re-stain the whole deck. She had asked me to do the repair with minimal cost, so I doubted she was ready to take on that project now.
When I informed her the work was done, she came to inspect. All four kids looked it over, the youngest barely toddling along after his brother and sisters. My heart flipped over at the sight of them, so excited over having their play area restored.
I handed Tammie a receipt, and she looked at me in shock. "This is way less than you quoted."
I was packing up the tools in my truck. Over my shoulder, I smiled.
"It was no trouble, so I'm only charging you for the materials."
She stuck her hand out toward me, trying to give me back the receipt. "No. No way. A deal is a deal."
I faced her then looked at the kids playing on the deck, running back and forth. I looked back at her face, full of pride and determination.
"I tell you what. Next time I come to fix something, you can pay me a little extra to catch up."
Her skeptical look turned into one of gratitude. "Well, okay. Next time. Thank you, Mr. Gibson."
I didn't bother to tell her that was my first name. She paid me, and I drove away, feeling better than I had in a long time.