Five
He drove the old Ford into the gas station. Junior couldn’t believe the number of people he didn’t recognize in town. Five years had been way too long to be gone.
Walking into the store to pay for his fuel, he felt surprised a large store existed on the inside.
Then someone called out his name, “Matheau Mullin. I never thought I would miss such an ugly mug as yours, but I did!”
He slowly turned and found Rick Sampson, a long-time friend walking up to him. “Hey, Rick.”
“How’re you doing? I heard you were in some kind of accident.” Rick pulled him into a hug.
“Yeah, I guess I was. The SOB won.” Junior patted Rick on the back.
“Well, I see you’re standing. The last I heard you’d been sitting your ass in a wheelchair.”
“Yeah, I couldn’t take it, so I decided to stop being lazy and walk the fuck out of the hospital.” Junior pulled out his wallet and handed the girl three twenties, paying for his gas. “Here you go, honey.”
“Thank you. It’s nice to see you home, Junior.”
The cashier’s response surprised him. He raised his brow and smiled. “Sorry, I don’t—”
She held up her hand. “It’s Cassie. I was friends with your sister, Maggie.”
“When I saw you last, you were…” He held his hand by his hip. “…Just so high.”
She giggled. “That would be me.” Cassie handed him his change. “Have a good day.”
“You too, Cassie girl.” Junior stuffed the change into his pocket. He turned back to Rick who stood behind him. “It’s good to see you, man.” They shook hands. “Maybe meet at Lucky’s later. I’ll buy you a cold one?”
“Sounds good. It’s good to have you home.” Rick patted his back.
“Thanks. It’s good to be home.” Junior walked towards the door. Using his cane, he was a little slower than the rest of the customers.
Rick caught up to him halfway across the parking lot. “Junior, wait.”
He stopped walking. Holding onto his cane. “Yeah?”
“Look, I’m sorry about your accident.” Rick nodded as he carried a bag of chips and a hot sandwich. “Also, it was pretty cool how your brother helped Lucy out and bought a share in Lucky Lucy’s.”
“Really? When?”
“Shortly after Lucy’s dad died.”
Guilt crept up all the sudden. “Fuck, that’s too bad. I’ll have to stop and see her.”
“Yeah, I think it was your family that helped her out with the bank on that property. Don’t know too much, you’ll have to ask Damien. He’s the one in charge over there now.”
“I’ll do that. Hey, bud, it was great to see you.” He grabbed a napkin from the cab of his truck. Wrote his number down and handed it over to him. “Here, give me a call.”
“Sounds good. You know everyone out on the ranch will be hauling your ass into town, it is Friday.” Rick lifted his ball cap up scratching his head and slamming it back down adjusting it to fit right above his eyes.
Junior couldn’t remember a time when Rick didn’t wear one. Even back in high school, it drove the teachers nuts when he refused to take it off.
Rick turned to leave, then looked like he changed his mind and asked, “Have you seen her yet?”
Junior frowned. “Who?” He guessed who but didn’t admit it.
Rick shook his head. “You know damn well who I’m talking about, Sarah.”
“Why in the hell would I go see that crazy female before my parents? Shit, that was a long time ago and I haven’t seen her since.” Junior’s voice was soft but harsh. He wouldn’t admit, she’d broken his heart the last time he’d come home. He remembered those last words, ‘Go straight to hell.’
“Apparently, nobody has told you yet?”
“What?”
“You broke her heart dude. I think you should go and see Sarah. She’s alone and might need a friend.”
“Look, Rick, we’re friends and I appreciate the worry but that was a long time ago. Sarah doesn’t want to see me. She made it clear a long time ago. This town and its families are tight. We were all in high school together. Let it go, I know I have.”
“Yeah, maybe you’re right. Just make sure you duck when she throws something at you, she might just hit you this time.” Rick laughed as he patted the side of Junior’s pickup. “It’s good to have you home.”
“Thanks, I’ll see you.” Back in the day, he and Rick had hung around with Sarah’s brothers, Daryl and Dwayne. He knew those guys were going to kick his ass next time they saw him. Junior deserved the ass beating he’d get and welcomed it. He remembered the night they’d all been out drinking. Sarah had walked in and caught him kissing Lucy on a dare. He didn’t mean for him and Sarah’s fight to get so carried away. That night would haunt him forever, but he couldn’t change it. Junior had finally let go of his love and pain, leaving her each time he came back for a visit. “I do remember the beer bottle and how she chucked it at me.” He chuckled.
“Yeah, I don’t think anyone expected that from her.” Rick laughed with him.
“I never meant to hurt her.” The words hung between them.
“We all know that. You got everything ass backward though. She never cared that you were leaving to make a living. It was how you did it. Telling her she should just marry someone else and forget about you. That has never sat well with anyone around here. Sarah is a good woman. You need to go and talk to her.”
“Thanks, Rick, I know you didn’t mean nothing harmful. Stop jawing at me okay? It was good to see you.” He patted him on the back. “I’ll catch you later.” Junior hated the fact that he knew Rick was right. But he had nothing left to give her, besides she moved on. It was best to leave her be.
“I’ll stop, but can’t guarantee everyone else will. Maybe go see her and make things right between you all?”
“Why the fuck should I do that? She’s better off without me.”
“I don’t think so. But it’s your choice, buddy. I’ll see you maybe, later?”
“We’ll see. Thanks for the advice.” Junior struggled to get into the truck. He could hardly stand the pain. He grabbed the bottle of pain pills and shoved one in his mouth then took a swig from his soda. He bit down on his lip to stop yelling out in pain as he moved around on the seat to put his seat belt on.
Rick slammed his truck door shut. “Junior, geez, I’m sorry for sticking my nose where it didn’t belong. Welcome home, buddy.”
Between clenched lips he replied, “It was good to see you. Take care.” Junior pulled out and directed the truck home. He needed some serious sleep. It had been days since he remembered actually lying in a real bed for more than a few hours. He had one more stop to make before he could call it a day. The pharmacy up the street, he had to get his prescription picked up that his doctor had faxed over.
Sarah stepped out of the drug store. She stood very still as she watched the old familiar blue truck pull up to the curb and stop in front of the building. She quickly pushed her daughter, Emmy, behind her and whispered, “Matt.” Then she flipped back around. “Come on, Emmy, let’s use the back door. The car is out there anyways. I don’t want you out in this heat any longer than I have to.”
“Okay.” Her young daughter gripped her hand tighter.
Dammit, she’d scared her and it made her cringe. Sarah gave her a gentle smile and tried to reassure her. “Emmy, you certainly don’t look like you feel good. I’m sorry you’re sick.” Emmy Mae had a stomach virus and had been sent home from preschool today.
Emmy was too smart though. “You know I’m sick. But, who was that guy?”
“Who? Oh, let’s forget it. How do you feel now?”
“My tummy hurts.”
“I know, sweetie, as soon as I get you home, I’ll give you a glass of soda and a few crackers. That should help.”
Her mom babysat enough when Sarah had to work late or the entire weekend when she was on shift in the ER. Today though, she hadn’t been available, so she had to drag Emmy along to run her errands. She needed stuff at home to give her daughter to recover from her ailment. As a single mother, Sarah had her ups and downs. Since her mom moved into the assisted living, it made it a lot harder when things like this came up.
“Where you are going, Sarah?” the pharmacist, Suzette Miller, yelled as they rushed past the counter to the back door.
“Nothing, forgot I parked in the back.” She pointed at Emmy. “I need to keep her out of the heat as much as possible. Have a good day, Mrs. Miller.”
“You too, dearie.” Mrs. Miller yelled over the half wall, “Sarah?”
She slowed her step, turned, and looked over her shoulder. “Yeah?”
“I have a prescription for Matt Mullin here. Maybe when you see him you can tell him it’s ready.”
Sarah flinched. Everyone in town assumed she kept track of Junior’s whereabouts. In my dreams, oh get a grip, Sarah. “Yeah, okay.” She waved over her head. It was just easier to let everyone assume than it would be to explain. She wanted to let go of him, but in this little hick town, people made it impossible.
Walking to the car, Sarah opened the passenger door.
“Who was Mrs. Miller talking about? Him?” She pointed to a large horse trailer and the cowboy sitting in the truck.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about little one.”
“Mommy, I saw him when he parked. Are we hiding from him?” For only being four years old, she was too curious.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Her young daughter looked up at her with her big blue eyes.
Twenty minutes later, Sarah opened the garage door as she pulled into the drive. She couldn’t help but think about her and Junior’s relationship. He’d been her best friend and boyfriend all through high school. When he left, she’d been proud of him for following his dream.
Each time he came home, they’d spent time together, but she never imagined one day, he would stop coming back. Even his brothers and sisters had wondered why he never returned. It had been years since he last stepped foot in Winslow.
While she was in college she’d come home for the holidays he’d tried to time it, so he came home too. Then the very last time was over five years ago, when he’d told her to find someone and get married. It had hurt but she moved on, though she never did find anyone that meant anything. Now, she had Emmy and she had to worry about her.
Sarah hated to think about what happened that final night home. Junior had been so mad at her—she’d tried to push him into giving up the rodeo life. His body had taken such a beating…She shook her head. It was in the past and she wanted to leave it there.
“I’m not feeling well, Mama.” Emmy leaned over and held her stomach.
“Come on baby, girl, let’s get you inside.” She took her inside. “Go and settle yourself in on the couch.” Emmy crawled on the couch. Sarah tucked her under the blanket. “What do you want to watch on TV?”
“I don’t want to. I just want to sleep.” Emmy curled up on her side.
Sarah nodded her head, tucked the blankets around her legs, and kissed her on the forehead. “There you go, baby. Call out if you need me.”
“Okay.” The phone started ringing.
Sarah made her way into the kitchen. “Hello.”
“Hey, you.” Her best friend Kathy Sampson greeted her.
“Hi, Kathy. What’s up?”
“Um, just wanted to tell you Rick told me that Junior is home for good.”
“Yeah, I saw him in town. He’s the same as ever.” She frowned.
“Rick said he was injured severely. He has to use a cane.”
Sarah’s heart felt as if it dropped to her stomach. She wondered why he’d come home, now she had her answer. “That’s too bad. Thanks for calling. I really have to get back to Emmy, she’s not feeling well.”
“Oh dear. Kisses to her from me.”
Sarah nodded. “Okay, Kathy, I’ll see you soon.”
“Mommy, I’m not feeling so well!” Emmy yelled from the living room.
“I’ll be right there, honey. Kathy, I’ll call you back if you like?” Sarah walked towards the living room to check on Emmy.
“Nah, don’t worry about it. I just thought you would want to know.” Sarah was exhausted. So far, since Matt arrived back to town, she’d had his brother stop at work, and her best friend call her and talk to her about him. What the fuck. I can’t keep doing this shit.
“Look as far as Matt Mullin goes I just don’t want to talk about him. If you call to check on me, or Emmy, fine, but this conversation is over and I don’t want you to bring it back up. Okay?”
“Sure, look I’m sorry about that. I’ll talk to you later?”
Kathy didn’t deserve her wrath, but she needed to set up boundaries. “Have a great night, I’ll talk to you soon.” They disconnected the call.
After taking care of her daughter, Sarah called her mom.
“Hello,” her mom answered.
“Hi, Mom, can you maybe come over and spend the night tonight? Emmy is feeling sick. I hate to drag her out again, in this heat.” Sarah had to work at the hospital and couldn’t get someone to cover her shift.
“Oh sure, let me get ready. I’ll be there in a bit.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
Getting ready for work, Sarah put on her scrubs and pulled her hair back into a ponytail. She still had a few hours before leaving for work. After her father passed, she’d taken over his clinic. That was a full-time job. But picking up entire weekends a few times a month at the hospital helped her give Emmy the things she needed.
She heard a knock on the door before her mom walked in. “Hey, Mom, thanks for coming over here.”
“Oh, you’re welcome, sweetie.” Her mom kissed her on the cheek.
“I’m going in early to get all my charting done. It’s been a crazy week.” She followed her mom through the house.
“I used to worry about your father, the same way I worry about you, Sarah. Make sure you take time for yourself.”
“I do, Mom, no worries.” Sarah went back into her bedroom to finish getting ready.
She tucked her daughter in for the night. “Night sweetie, happy dreams.”
“Love you, Mommy.”
“Love you too, Emmy. You let Nana know if you feel sick. I have to work the entire weekend, but I’ll come home on breaks and check on you guys, okay?”
She nodded. “I would like that.”
If Sarah didn’t have her mom, she wouldn’t have been able to take over the clinic. After her father’s death from cancer, nobody else would have done the job she did. All of his patients had transitioned to her easily enough. The arrangement she’d made with her mom years ago, had always worked out for the best. She noticed her mom looked uneasy when she had come in earlier. “Hey, Mom? You okay?”
“I’m fine, honey, why do you ask?”
“You seemed quiet tonight.”
“I’m good. I heard from Avis Mullin today.”
Sarah’s throat tightened she had to swallow back her fear. “And?”
“They were preparing for Junior’s homecoming today.”
Sarah knew her mother was aware she had kept the truth to herself. It was none of their business what she did after he’d left her. “We’ve been over this a million times, Mom. He left me. I’m not going to talk about this.”
“I disagree with you. You’re pining away over this man and you won’t even admit it to yourself.” She hated lying to her mom. She’d been sad when Matt left her. She hadn’t dated much, and when she had she always compared the guys to him. It was frustrating and demeaning to her to always go back to their relationship.
“Mom, please. I have to go.” Sarah rushed toward the door to head to work. The subject of Junior Mullin was over as far as she was concerned in her head. The weekend was upon her and she better get her head out of her butt and on the job.
“I spoke to your brothers. They’ve agreed to let you handle talking to Matt. They’re not happy over it but I made it clear this is your business. But, they know about Emmy, I think it’s time to tell him about her.”
“Mom, I’ll think about it. You’re the third person that has spoken to me about Matt. He hasn’t even been home a day and everyone is hitting me with his homecoming. Leave it alone, please.”
“Okay. But, we’re just all worried about you.”
“Don’t be. I’m fine. I’ll deal with it just not this weekend.” Sarah kissed her mom’s cheek and walked out the door.