Jerry sighed, and Frank looked over to Brett who nodded, “Ok, I’ll be right up,” he hollered back.
Brett grabbed his drink, slung it back and downed it, said his goodbyes to Frank, and headed up the stairs.
He wasn’t entirely out of earshot when he heard Frank say, “So… how long’s Brett been in love with my daughter-in-law?”
He heard Jerry laugh humorlessly and reply with, “Hell, I reckon for as long as he’s known her.”
CHAPTER ONE
“No, Momma, I already told you I don’t want it! Please don’t argue with me,” Madi whined as Brett came through the door. He watched as she pushed the pill and water glass away.
“Madi, you are the one arguing with me.”
“Brett!” Madi stated, relieved. She turned her back on her mother as she crawled under the covers.
Amelia huffed in annoyance and walked away from the bed. She pulled Brett back out of the room and closed the doors, making sure Madi was out of earshot.
“She has to sleep! She hasn’t slept in three days,” Amelia whispered and put her arms up in defeat.
“I know, Millie, I’ll handle it. Don’t worry.”
Amelia handed over the pill and glass, shaking her head. “I don’t understand why she’s acting like this. I mean, I guess I really can’t understand, can I?”
“It’s alright. Y’all go on home and get some rest. I got Madi.”
She looked relieved. “Thank you, Brett. I can’t thank you enough. I don’t know what we would’ve done without you.” She reached up on her tip-toes and kissed his cheek.
“You know I wouldn’t be anywhere else,” he confirmed.
“Well, we love you. Let us know if you need anything, alright?”
“Yes, ma’am. I sure will.” He nodded as Amelia fetched Brooke, who was cuddled up against Madi whispering something into her ear. She kissed the back of her sister’s head and rubbed her back, then hopped up to join her mother.
“Bye, Brett,” Brooke said, kissing his cheek as her mother had. “I know you’ll take good care of her.” She winked, and Brett rolled his eyes playfully.
“Shut up, Brooke,” Madi yelled from the bed. “You’re such a perv.”
“Me?” Brooke feigned ignorance. “I didn’t say anything!” She smiled like the cat that ate the canary.
“Yeah, sure. I know what you meant…jerk.” Madi turned over and slanted her eyes at her younger sister. “I love you, Momma.”
“I love you too, baby. Please get some rest.” She came back over to kiss her daughter.
It was another few minutes before everyone got their things, said their goodbyes, and headed out.
Finally, Brett was in the house, alone with Madi.
“God, can you believe my mother is trying to shove pills down my throat?” Madison sat up in protest, crossing her arms over her chest. “I wish she would stop treating me like I’m a child! And, before you say anything, I know; she just means well. But you know how I feel about that crap.”
“Yes, I know. I’m not going to argue with you about it. I’m just going to crumble it up in your food and not tell you.”
She opened her mouth in shock. “You wouldn’t dare!”
“Wanna bet?” He arched his eyebrow. They had a hard stare-off for what seemed like an eternity. Finally she narrowed her eyes.
“Fine.” She reached her hand out. “Give me the stupid pill! But I’m only taking it this one time so don’t even think of asking me again.” He didn’t mention the fact that he didn’t even ask the first time. He just let it slide and handed it over, watching her swallow the pill. “What? Yes, it’s gone, I took it.” She opened her mouth to show him. He wanted so badly to laugh, but he didn’t have the energy to do so. She flipped back over on her side, her back to him, and pulled the covers up to her chin.
“Are you hungry?” he asked.
“Nope.”
“Madi,” he groaned.
“What? I’m not hungry.”
“What if you just tried to eat a little something?”
“Like what?”
“Hell, I don’t know; the fridge is full of all kinds of foods: good food, church food—the stuff that you and I don’t get to eat often. Chicken casserole, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese—”
“Stop. You had me at church food.”
“Ok, so you’ll eat?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you. Now was that so hard?” He came over on the other side of the bed and kissed her cheek. “I’ll be back up in a few minutes.” She had a pout on her face as he walked away, but he still didn’t feel as if he’d won. He might heat up the food, but that didn’t mean she would actually eat it.
Brett headed down the stairs, noticing how empty and barren the large foyer felt; its cathedral ceiling echoed the lonely sound of his footfalls. He entered the vast kitchen and turned all the lights on, as much to fill the bleak space as for the necessity of the light itself.
He pulled several dishes out of the fridge, plated the feast, and started the microwave. The smell of hearty food warming up hit his nostrils, and suddenly, he was hungry too. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d eaten.
The last several days were kind of a blur. He remembered getting Madi home from the ER, then everyone and their brother being there in the house. So many people, so many tears—so much food being brought in. That was the southern way. Someone died and they brought you fried chicken, casseroles, and pies.
Then there was the funeral home and even more food. Brett sure wasn’t going to complain.
Once dinner was to temperature, he grabbed the plates and headed upstairs. When he entered the room, Madi was sitting up in bed with a photograph in her hand. He stopped, taken aback by the look on her face.
“I can’t believe he’s really gone.” She gazed at the photo, a single tear streaming down her cheek. “It’s all like a bad dream. I keep waiting for him to just walk through the door at any minute.”
He sighed and set
