In Search of Lucy (15 page)

It sounded like it was coming from a faraway place in the corner of her mind. “Lucy, wake up.” The voice was echoey and somewhat familiar. “Lucy, can you hear me?” She felt a hand on hers as she lay in a bed, and the voice came again. This time she knew. “Lucy, how do you feel?” Kyle said softly.

Is it over?
her mind thought, but her voice would not cooperate. She felt tired, but whole. Not like someone who had just been cut open. She forced her eyes to open halfway.

“You did it…you saved your sister.” He brushed the hair away from her face and stroked her cheek. Kyle’s face looked warm and glowing. He was smiling with his mouth and his eyes. Lucy could see beyond his shoulder another bed in the room with someone lying next to her. She turned her head and instantly knew that it was Katie. Her eyes were closed, but Lucy noticed the rise and fall of her body beneath the blankets. It was almost as though she could hear Katie’s heart beating, a reassuring tempo that meant she was going to make it.

Kyle picked up Lucy’s hand in both of his and kissed her fingertips.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” she whispered.

“I had to come. I couldn’t stand being away from you…not knowing what was going on, or if you were going to be okay.”

She started to smile, but it faded instantly when confusion finally set in and questions began to well up inside of her. She didn’t understand what was happening, how she got there, or when Kyle got there. She could still hear what she thought was Katie’s heartbeat, only it sounded as if it was getting faster. Lucy looked over at Katie. Her breathing was increasing with the pace of the heartbeat. The monitors on each side of Katie’s bed began to hum and beep. She felt her hand slip from Kyle’s.

“What’s happening? Kyle—” When she looked back at Kyle, he was gone. The door opened, and a doctor and two nurses rushed in to Katie’s bedside. It was at that moment that she noticed the little girl. She was standing against the wall in the corner by the door. It didn’t make sense to her. “It couldn’t be,” she said to herself. It was little Katie, just like in her dream. And she was wearing the same dress-up dress. Again, there was something different about her, but Lucy still couldn’t figure it out. While the doctor looked at Katie, the nurses were pressing buttons to quiet the machines. The little girl sank to the ground and hugged her knees. Her eyes were puddled with tears of fear. The nurses’ lips were moving rapidly but without any sound coming out. Lucy suddenly felt as if she was slipping away and fought to keep her eyes focused on Katie. When one of the nurses turned to face Lucy, she could have sworn it was Anne. The nurse walked over and put her hand on Lucy’s arm.

“It’s okay, Lucy.” This time Lucy could hear her voice, but she could no longer keep her eyes open. She felt like she was slipping away, dying, and everything was fading.

“Lucy!” Anne’s voice got louder. “Lucy, c’mon wake up!”

“Yo, Lucita,
despertarse
!” Benny yelled from the front seat, jolting Lucy from her dream. “Now that’s the way to do it.”

“What?” Lucy looked around the car to find Anne, Chad, and Benny all looking at her. She couldn’t believe something so real could only be a dream. Part of her was relieved, but another part of her was upset. She would have been just fine to have the whole thing over with.

“That’s mean, Benny! Sorry, Lucy,” Anne offered. “I tried to wake you up gently, but you wouldn’t budge. You were really out of it.”

“What’s going on?” Lucy was still trying to get her bearings and bring herself back to reality. “Are we almost there?”

“Yep, ’bout forty-five more minutes. I’m pulling off to get gas though, and I figured you may want to get out too.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

In the bathroom at the gas station, Anne and Lucy took turns in the one stall that was decent enough to use, and then they adjusted their hair and makeup while trying not to touch anything inside.

“I know this sounds stupid,” Anne said from inside the stall, “but I’m kind of nervous.”

“It’s not stupid,” Lucy reassured. “You’re going to a stay with a house full of people you don’t know and be put in a pretty weird situation.” Lucy looked for somewhere to set her bag down and decided to balance it between her legs while she washed her hands. “I know I should have said this a while ago, but…thanks for coming with me.”

“I was glad to. I want to help you, Lucy.” Anne flushed the toilet with her foot and came out. “Aside from being in this place, it’s actually been kind of fun.” Anne jumped back just in time to avoid getting hit with the door as it swung open. “Whoa.”

“Excuse me,” a dumpy looking woman said, ushering her little boy through the door. He was about seven or eight and had a big chocolate stain on the front of his shirt. “Now let’s go,” she ordered, shoving him into the stall. Anne and Lucy exchanged looks of sympathy for the boy, who looked very embarrassed to still have to be going in the women’s restroom. Lucy held on to her paper towels and opened the door with them in her hand.

“I always do that too.” Anne walked out as Lucy held the door open with her foot, tossed the towels in the trash, and scooted out the door. They could hear the woman nagging her son to hurry up as the door closed behind them. “I guess that’s what kids will do to ya?” Anne shrugged. Lucy didn’t answer, so Anne added, “I still can’t wait to be a mom though.”

“Oh yeah, with who? Chad?” Lucy teased as they walked through the minimart that housed the bathroom. Chad was at the register buying an energy drink. He flicked his hair back and counted out quarters to make up the rest after his two dollar bills.

“Lucy!” Anne shushed her and pointed ahead at Chad like a schoolgirl at lunchtime.

“Well?” Lucy asked.

“Well what?” Anne answered. She stared at Chad as they walked past and out the door.

They stood in the shade watching Benny pump gas and waiting for Chad to come out.

“He’ll be legal and free by the time we get back…”

“Chad’s cute…and I do really like him, but he doesn’t really go with my plan.”

Lucy folded her arms and gave Anne an inquiring look. “What plan would that be?”

Anne peeked in and could see that Chad was headed toward the door, so she motioned with her head for them to start walking to the car. “Well, when I become a nurse, I’ll be in my mid to late twenties. Then I’ll meet a lawyer or some type of businessman who’s a couple years older than me. We’ll date for a while, then have a quaint little wedding, then start a family…after two or three years of blissful marriage, of course.”

“Blissful marriage?” Benny shouted from the other side of the car. “Who’s getting married?”

“Never mind, it’s just girl talk.” Anne elbowed Lucy and gave her a look that said
conversation over
.

“That sounds like quite a plan…and you are just the girl to pull it off.” They both climbed in followed closely by Chad, who was already gulping down his drink.

After twenty minutes of laboring through traffic in the city streets, they finally came to the point where they would enter the residential neighborhoods that led to Katie and Rick’s home. Lucy had called the house phone when they got off the freeway, but there was no answer. She spoke to Katie briefly that morning and told her they would arrive somewhere between four and six in the afternoon. It was almost four thirty, so it was possible they hadn’t gotten home yet.

Just a few blocks away, Lucy relayed left and right turns to Benny. The homes in their neighborhood looked pretty new to Lucy. She figured they were only about five years old and probably had some type of home owners’ association. The trees and other landscaping were beautifully manicured, the sidewalks were clean, and there were minimal cars on the streets. It’s not like she thought they were living in the slums, but seeing what a pleasant and nice community Katie lived in was comforting to Lucy.

“That’s their street, Coyote Lane. Turn right there.”

About six houses down on the right, Benny pulled alongside the curb next to a one-story green and tan house.

“You think they’re home?” Anne asked, craning her neck to look out the window.

“There are no cars in the driveway,” Lucy answered.

“Maybe they park in the garage,” Benny offered.

Chad just sat quietly, looking around the neighborhood like he wished he and his mother could escape together and find their way to one of the beautiful homes surrounding him. He was probably picturing himself arriving home after school, her waiting inside to see how his day went. No chance of that now.

“I dunno. I guess we’ll go see.” Lucy unbuckled her seatbelt and started to get out. Anne scooted over to get out, following Lucy.

“Wait, I’ll help you get your stuff and walk you up,” Benny offered. Unlike the small overnight bags they had brought into the hotel rooms, this time the girls each had a suitcase as well.

“I’ll wait here.” For the first time, Chad seemed to feel uncomfortable, out of place, like he didn’t want to intrude even though Benny and Anne weren’t family either. He did roll down his window so he could see better and hear what was going on.

At the door the three of them stood there while Lucy rang the doorbell several times, then knocked. A ceramic tile hung above the doorbell. It was decorated in lavender and yellow, and “The Moores” was written in flowing cursive with flowers surrounding it. The space at the front door provided some shade, but the heat still penetrated the area, and Lucy was starting to sweat.

“Maybe you should try her cell,” Anne finally said to break the silence.

Lucy realized that she would have to do something. She couldn’t just stand outside forever and avoid the awkward reunion that was bound to take place. “Okay.” She had started to rummage through her purse when a car pulled into the driveway.

It was a blue Ford F150 with a man in the driver’s seat who appeared to be alone. The man noticed the three of them standing there and gave a nod and a quick wave after halting the truck in front of the garage. He climbed out holding a briefcase-style bag he picked up from the passenger seat. “Hey, guys!” he shouted as he slammed the door. “Sorry about that…hope you haven’t been waiting long.”

“No, we just got here.” Lucy tried to sound casual and friendly.

Rick immediately walked up to Lucy and gave her a hug with his free arm. He obviously knew which one was her. “We’re so glad you’re here.” Before Lucy had a chance to say anything, he turned to the others and said, “And you must be Anne.” He gave her a hug. “And Benny.” This time he held out his hand for Benny to shake.

“Well, you got all the names right, man. Nice to meet you,” Benny said with a laugh.

“Looks like you got one more over there,” Rick wondered aloud as he gestured towards Benny’s car.

They all looked over to see Chad bobbing his head listening to the car stereo, and Lucy jumped in first with, “That’s a new friend of ours, Chad.”

“Well, let’s get inside where it’s cool.” Rick went for the door with his keys. “What about Chad, is he coming in?” He opened the front door and stood to the side so the girls could walk in to the tiled entryway. Benny stayed on the porch.

“Actually,” Benny interjected, “we should really get going, try to beat some of the traffic.”

“Oh.” Lucy suddenly felt like an insecure child being dropped off at kindergarten on the first day of school. She was aware of the fact that they weren’t staying, but she didn’t think it would all happen so quickly. She wanted a chance to say good-bye to Benny.

“I’m just gonna give Katie a call, let her know you’re here, and give you guys some time to say good-bye.”

Taking turns hugging each other, all three seemed to be sharing the same mixed feelings. The girls knew they’d eventually separate from Benny, but both were already feeling that separation anxiety.

“You guys better call or text me every day and let me know what’s going on.” Benny held one of each of their hands in his. “We’ll probably only be at my cousin’s until Monday, and then we’re back on the road.”

“Be careful!” Anne warned like a mother hen. “We’ve had enough adventure on this trip.”

Reaching out for another hug from Anne first and then Lucy, Benny added, “You take care of yourself, Lucita. And if you need anything, you better call me.”

Over Benny’s shoulder Lucy saw Chad getting out of the car. He flashed a cute shy smile as he swaggered over. Anne met him halfway, and they said their good-byes first.

“I’m glad you came with us,” Anne said, apparently not worrying about how it would sound.

“Me too.”

They gave a quick hug and confirmed that each had the other’s number in their cell. Chad added that he may not have that number long since his mom would probably, eventually, cancel his service. He was surprised his stepdad hadn’t thought to make her do it already.

“Do me a favor,” Lucy said when it was her turn with Chad. “Call your mom…let her know what’s going on.” She surprised herself at what she was saying to him. “She at least deserves to know you’re okay.”

“I will,” he promised. When Lucy started to walk away, he added, “Thanks for taking a chance on me. I appreciate everything you guys have done.”

“Don’t worry, you can work it off when we get back,” Benny chimed in, walking up behind them.

“It wasn’t too risky, Chad.” Lucy smiled and walked back up toward the house. She turned and gave a final wave as Chad and Benny got back in the car. Behind them Rick appeared in the doorway and picked up their bags.

“Ready?”

Walking in gave Lucy a strange feeling. This was not just a house, it was a home. Of course she should have expected that, but the reality of her sister having this whole separate life and family finally came through. The walls of the hallway were covered with various combinations of photos of the three of them, and a few included a friendly-looking older man. Inside, Rick led them to a family room with a matching beige couch and loveseat along with a huge bookshelf in the corner. She could tell the bottom two shelves belonged to Carly. The books were all shapes and sizes, and some were sticking out here and there.

They all sat down, and Rick explained that Katie went to pick up Carly at a friend’s house and that they should be arriving home soon. He showed them to their room in the back of the house right next to Carly’s room. There were two twin beds, which relieved them both, but they could tell that one matched the room and the other was added in for their visit. There was also a tall dresser and a closet with sliding doors.

“I hope this is okay for you girls. I know it’s a little cramped—” Rick gestured around the room.

“It’s fine,” Lucy reassured him, although she did feel a bit like she was in a dorm room. The two beds were separated by a small nightstand that carried a lamp and an alarm clock.

“Yes, thanks Rick,” Anne added. “And thanks for letting me come along.”

“Sure, we thought it was great that you were coming. Katie and I are just really glad you’re here…both of you. We also have a fold-out futon in the den if you decide you need more space.”

“Thanks,” they both said.

“I’ll let you two get settled, and I’m going to go start dinner. It’s my turn to cook tonight.” Rick walked out and gave a last, “Let me know if you need anything.”

Anne instantly jumped up and opened her suitcase. There were empty hangers in the closet, and she started to hang up a few blouses. On the shelf above the closet, there were two boxes that looked like storage items, a couple of photo albums, and a stack of folded clothes. The pile looked like a child’s clothes, probably things that Carly had outgrown. Lucy sat down on one of the beds and appeared to be watching Anne, but her gaze was going right through her.

“Don’t you want to unpack?”

“I will later. I don’t really feel like it right now.”

Anne stopped, with a look of guilt about her happy vacation mood. “You’re nervous about being here, aren’t you? About seeing your sister?”

“I don’t know, maybe. It feels weird being here. I’m sure I’ll get used to it.”

“Lucy, what you should be feeling is proud. I’m proud of you. And I know Rick and Katie are so thankful to have this chance with you. Everything’s going to be okay…you’ll see.” Anne tossed the shirt in her hand back into her suitcase. “Let’s just unpack later.”

Lucy got up and mumbled to herself as she walked toward the door. “I think I’d see a lot better if I had a drink right now.”

“Yes, you did say that out loud,” Anne laughed.

Back in the kitchen, Rick made good progress on the dinner. He had two big pots of water on the stove, a large one and a smaller one that had already started to boil. There were various plates and bowls lined up on the counter, and the table, which was in a small dining room off to the side of the kitchen, had been set with glasses and silverware only. Lucy noticed right away that one of the seats had a small yellow plastic cup in front of it while all the rest had glass. It was obviously Carly’s seat, but she was taken aback at the reality of being around a child again. So much of her energy had been focused on the anxiety of seeing her sister again that she hadn’t given much thought to what it would be like to meet her only niece for the very first time.

“If you don’t think it’s too rude of me, why don’t you girls show yourself around while I make dinner.”

“Not at all,” Lucy offered first.

“If you’re sure you don’t need any help,” Anne added.

“Naw, go ahead. There’s not much to see, though.”

The girls walked around together as if they were attending an open house, examining rooms and eyeing the photos and knickknacks scattered throughout the house. When they got to Rick and Katie’s room, they barely stepped in and glanced around. Neither felt comfortable enough yet to invade their personal space. But as they turned to walk away, something caught Lucy’s eye and she did a double take. They had one of those attached bathrooms with no door, just a walkway. Lucy could see through to the counter and noticed various medical supplies crowded up into the corner of the counter. She couldn’t make out specifically what it was, but it obviously was not hair-spray and makeup. It gave Lucy a feeling of guilt, almost like it was her fault that Katie was sick. She shook the thought from her brain like a just-bathed puppy.

In the outside bathroom, the one that they would probably use, they smiled at the ocean décor. The shower curtain had shells and starfish on it, and the toothbrush holder was a little umbrella on a stand.

The last room they came to was Carly’s, with her pink and purple walls and butterfly bedspread. Her name was written with wooden blocks painted different colors and hung on the wall in an arch. Stuffed animals of every variety covered every inch of the room. Her bed was lined top to bottom with the little creatures, just barely giving enough space for her little body. There was a wooden shelf hanging on the wall crammed with about twenty miniature stuffed bears and bunnies. There were even animals along the walls on the floor and piled up in her walk-in closet. Lucy delighted in how wonderful it must be to grow up in such a cuddly room.

“Look at this cute painting,” Anne said, pointing at a wall next to a window. It was held up by a piece of tape and was obviously Carly’s depiction of her family. Katie was holding a flower in one hand and held Carly’s hand with the other. Her scale of sizes was a little off, and Rick towered over both of them. His arm was around Katie, and there was a huge sun shining above them all.

Lucy felt a bit of pride zap through her as if she had handed down her artistic talents to her niece. “Hey, that’s pretty good.”

“Thanks, Aunt Lucy!”

In the doorway Carly stood watching them looking at her painting. When they saw her, she immediately ran over and wrapped her arms around Lucy, which caught her off guard. She wasn’t used to little kids.

“Hi, Carly,” Lucy said. She gave her back a little pat.

Not willing to let go yet, Carly said, “You’re finally here…I’ve been waiting and waiting.”

Lucy pried Carly’s arms from her waist and bent down towards her face. “This is my friend, Anne.”

“I know,” she said, smiling and looking up at Anne. “You’re a nurse, right? Maybe you can help my mommy.”

“Well, I’m not a nurse yet. It’s nice to meet you, Carly,” Anne said.

Just then Katie appeared in the doorway of the room, and all eyes turned her way. Her hair was dishwater blonde, lighter than Lucy remembered. She wore loose capri pants and a baggy T-shirt. It was difficult to tell if she just wanted to be comfortable or if she had lost weight.

Carly ran over and grabbed her mother’s hand.

“Look, Mommy! They’re here!”

“I see that, sweetie.”

They all stood frozen for what seemed like an eternity, but was only a few seconds, waiting for someone to do or say something. Lucy couldn’t believe how different Katie looked. She’d expected change, but she wasn’t quite prepared to see her sister was now a woman. After all, it had been almost seven years since they had seen each other. But her face looked older than she expected, more aged. She figured it was most likely from being a parent, combined with her illness. “It’s good to see you, Katie,” Lucy said, walking toward her sister.

“I’m so glad you came, Lucy.” Her voice was soft and quiet.

The two embraced, and Lucy couldn’t help feeling strange, like she was hugging a casual acquaintance. She pulled away first and took a few steps back, but before she could give the introduction, Katie said, “Hi, Anne, how are you?”

“I’m great, Katie. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

“Mmm, I smell something good. Let’s go!” Carly smiled and ran out of the room, assuming they were going to follow her.

“It’s nice to meet you too, Anne. Why don’t we go into the living room. Otherwise she’ll just come back for us.” Katie laughed and exchanged a smile with Lucy as they walked out of the room.