15
“Honey, leave that poor dog alone. He’s not feeling well and he doesn’t really know you. Come over here and sit by me,” Elizabeth said.
Hanley’s granddaughter launched an old tennis ball which struck Weed on the nose and rolled under the couch in Rocky’s den. Weed blinked hard and squeezed his eyes shut, hoping the little girl would go away. The sound of Elizabeth’s voice was reassuring, but Weed would not relax until the child was somewhere else.
“Carrie, come over here and let me see your new outfit. Your momma says today’s the first day you’ve worn it. I’d love to see it,” Rocky said, patting the couch beside where she sat, smiling at Hanley’s granddaughter. Carrie ignored her.
Rocky was trying to rescue Weed. Hanley’s absence had been difficult for both of them but harder, it seemed, on the dog. Weed stuck to his rug most of the time and did not have an interest in much else. The usual enthusiasm for walks was dwindling. Weed’s internal clock had told him that the normal cycle of Hanley’s absence had passed some time ago. He missed his best friend and waited each minute for the sound of his truck to announce the cycle was complete for a while. He was lonely and even Rocky could not help.
Hanley had been in Africa for just over four months. From his letters, Elizabeth knew he was safe and into a routine of flying doctors and supplies to and from the mission.
Carrie huffed in exasperation at the old dog’s unwillingness to take an interest in her. Playing was not what she sought. That was too inclusive. When Weed could not be motivated as she hoped, Carrie turned to her mother and Rocky for attention. Not before she nailed the dog’s nose with the ball.
“Have you heard from your father this week?” Rocky asked.
“Yes, he called from Khartoum just before returning to the mission. He was about to meet a doctor from Germany and take him to Mapuordit. He seems glad the trips and his routine have fallen into a cycle of sorts. Dad asked if I’d talked to you. I told him we talked once or twice a week. He didn’t have much time to talk. He did say he would try to call from Mapuordit when he could find a way to do that. God, I already hate that name. Did he call you?”
“He called from Kenya two weeks ago. He did sound tired. I can imagine why. The stress of these trips and just knowing where you’re going would be enough. He will handle it. You can imagine how he misses everyone. Sitting in that plane for hours alone has given him enough time to think about this decision and what he’s facing. He’s there now and we can only count the days. I think Weed has already started.” A visit to her mother had given Elizabeth the opportunity to drive north to Kokomo on her way back to Ohio and see Rocky. It also afforded her the chance to look at her father’s house.
The thought of leaving her husband grew in her mind each day. She knew there would be no return to any sort of normal relationship. After her father had left for Africa, her husband Gary had gone to the West Coast. He returned after a few days and then left immediately for New York. Since his return, they had hardly spoken; only brief, harsh exchanges in passing. For the most part, her husband stayed away. She knew it was only a matter of time before they would start the discussion she was dreading. None of it would be easy, not now. Something was substantially different. It had the feel of permanence.
“I’m sorry you’re the one left taking care of Dad’s stuff after he decided to fly off to that godforsaken hole. You know, if he had decided to stay, it would have been because of you and not me or Carrie. I wish he had. The only time I’ve seen him happy for years has been just in the last year or two. You were the reason.” Elizabeth said.
“No, sweetheart, that’s not really right. If your father had stayed it would have been for you. Not me. Maybe Carrie or his parents. I think Weed may have been third or fourth. You were first. You’ve always been first. That’s been the case since I’ve known you and always will be.” Rocky said.
“Did you know that Mr Weekley sold Dad’s truck and sent me the money? Why would he do that? I mean, is he not coming back? When the check came in the mail last week with a note attached, it scared me to death. I called Mr Weekley. He said that it was his idea. That it wasn’t right for the truck just to sit there, that Dad could certainly afford a new one when he returned. Dad agreed and he sold the truck two weeks ago.”
The dog began to snore and both women stopped talking. Carrie had also fallen asleep between them, her face, now angelic, was all rosy cheeks and long eyelashes. Rocky knew that if Hanley were here, he would melt. Despite behaving much like her grandmother at times, he still adored Carrie.
“I’ll make some lunch, after that we’ll look at your father’s house. Stay with me tonight and I’ll send you off early in the morning. We can talk things over if you like. Oh, don’t shake your head just yet. I’d love it. Weed would too. Just stay and tomorrow you’ll be fresh and ready for the drive. Besides, my seed catalogues came this week. It will be fun.” Rocky said.
“All right, but I’ll need to call mother and tell her. I’ll leave a message on Gary’s service. I’d like to stay. I’ve been
