As Time Goes By (The Californians 2) (17 page)

neck, ear, and then the pillow.

"Is this your room?"

Bobbie glanced up in surprise to see that Jeff's eyes were both open.

"Yes, it's mine. Is the bed all right?"

"The bed is wonderful, maybe a little short, but what can I expect when it belongs to a little person like yourself?" The words were said with a tired sort of tenderness that Bobbie found oddly touching. He had made the words "little person" sound like an endearment.

Jeff was drifting off again and wasn't aware of Rigg arriving to spell Bobbie. Bobbie took herself off to the shipping office with plans to check back at lunch. Business was quite heavy that morning so Bobbie didn't return home until almost 1:00. Her mother was sitting at Jeff's sidewith some mending when Bobbie appeared in the door. Maryanne set her work aside and joined her daughter in the hall.

"How are things going?"

"Good. Are you home for the day or do you need to go back to the office?"

"Bill was going to come in at 2:00 so I can stay here if I'm needed. What did Dr. Grade say?"

"He wants Jeff to keep still until he gives word otherwise. It could be a week."

"So he's pretty bad?" Bobbie's eyes showed her concern and Maryanne reached out to hug her.

"He's not in any kind of danger, but then he's not going to do any strenuous work for a few weeks either."

Maryanne went to the kitchen to prepare some soup for Jeff and Bobbie took the chair by the bed. Jeff didn't move for over an hour, so by the time he awoke Marynne was back upstairs with a tray.

She helped him with the soup bowl and spoon and Bobbie went to answer a knock at the door. It was May, and she looked like a new woman.

"'Hi, Bobbie," she said as she slipped out of her coat. "How's Jeff?"

"Morn is helping him with some soup."

"'Okay, I'll head up and see if I can be of some help." Bobbie followed May up the stairs, but only to tell her mother that she was going to go back to the office for the rest of the afternoon. Jeff was awake and grinned at her.

"You need to take some lessons from your mother, Bobbie; she hasn't spilled a drop!"

Bobbie laughed. 'ctually I didn't
spill
anything. You

looked a little hot and I was trying to cool you off." Jeff chuckled and then winced.

"You better go, Bobbie," her mother told her. "You're going to hurt this poor boy if you get him to laughing."

When Bill found out from Bobbie that Jeff was awake and having something to eat, he immediately left for the Bradford home. Gil, who had been holding down the fort but was just as concerned as everyone else, questioned Bobbie about Jeff's health.

"He was pretty pale last night. How did he seem today?"

"He's still pale but he's talking and even making jokes."

"Did he say anything about how it happened?"

158

"No. And I have a feeling that's why your dad went to my house. It does make you wonder what Santa Rosa is coming to, doesn't it?"

"Yeah, I thought of that, but I also can't help wondering what Jeff was doing in that area of town when he was supposed to be having supper with Sylvia."

The two stared at each other, their thoughts running in speculative veins. It was almost a relief to have someone come in with a box he wanted shipped. Bobbie found her mind wandering in between customers so she was thankful for a busy afternoon.

The lone shipping clerks walked to the Bradfords' after closing up for the night. There was quite a crowd there to greet them, but they were all family. Word had gotten out that Jeff was hurt and staying at the Brad-fords, so someone from the church had brought over supper. Nate, May, Bill, Jake, and Maryanne were all sitting down to eat. Kate and Rigg bid their hellos and goodbyes, as they were just headed home. Marcail was upstairs with Jeff. Bobbie decided to eat but Gil climbed the stairs to see his brother.

'9,re you thirsty, Jeff?"

"No, I'm fine, Marc."

"Will the (toctor be back tonight?" the petite child asked from the edge of her seat.

"No, Marc, he won't come again until tomorrow." Marcail was nodding with relief as Gil came in the room. Gilbert scooped the little girl up and took her chair. He resettled Marcail on his knee and then smiled at his brother, who was regarding them with half-closed lids.

As Time Goes By
159

"Your color is better; how do you feel?"

"Sore."

"Has Dad reported this yet?"

"'Yeah.
Just a little while ago."

Gil wanted to ask details but was very mindful of the little girl in his lap.

"Would you like me to read to you, Jeff?"

"Thanks,
Marc, but I don't think I can stay awake."

"Did you have supper, Marcail?" Gilbert wanted to know.

"No I told Kate I'd eat later."

"Why don't you run down now? I can stay with Jeff." Marcail complied and Gilbert settled back in the chair. He reached for a book he spied on Bobbie's nightstand but replaced it as soon as he saw it was her journal.

Jeff had fallen back to sleep and Gil was left alone with his thoughts. He wasn't usually a nosy person, but what had happened to Jeff was really bothering him. He prayed about how to handle the idea forming in his mind.

He made his decision before his father came to give him a break. After he'd had a bite to eat he walked Marcail home and headed to see Sylvia Weber.

160

twenty-three

Someone is here to see you."

"Is it Jeff?" Sylvia stood up quickly from her place on the bed.

"No, it's his brother Gilbert."

Sylvia looked at her sister to see if she was teasing, but

Sandra's face was completely serious.

"Tell him I'll be right down."

Gilbert had not taken a seat and he knew that Carl Boggs was eyeing him strangely. Gil spoke the moment Sylvia came into the room.

"'Is
there some place I can talk to you, Sylvia?"

"Sure," she answered uncertainly.
"'We
can go in the kitchen."

Gilbert followed her to the kitchen and spoke as they sat at the table. His voice was kind and Sylvia responded to that kindness.

"Did you and Jeff have a date last night?"

She nodded. "We went to supper at the hotel. Why, Gil, why do you ask?"

Gil explained briefly. Sylvia looked almost faint when he was done. He opened his mouth to comfort her when

/ Tirae Goe By
161

she burst into tears and told Gil the whole story. He knew his face showed his surprise over the way Sylvia tried to manipulate Jeff, but Sylvia was too wrapped up in her tears to notice.

"Maybe I'm out of line to say this, Sylvia, but I don't care how angry you were. You had no business leaving Jeff out there by himself"

"I know that now, but I was incensed." The tears went on and so did more confessions. Gil wondered how he had ever envied his brother the fact that Sylvia had fallen for him. The thought of being such an obsession for this woman was a little frightening.

"I must go to him right away.'"

"Not tonight," Gilbert spoke firmly. "He'll be sleeping now. You could go by the house tomorrow. By the way, he's at the Bradfords'."

"The Bradfords'? What's he doing there?" Sylvia looked uncertain and Gilbert rushed to assure her.

"Don't hesitate to go there, Sylvia. They've been just wonderful."

"But why is he there?"

"Because it was Troy who found him and took him home." Gilbert's explanation seemed to put her at ease and he took his leave a short while later.

Gil was seen out the door by Sandra, who upon his exit went immediately to the kitchen. Both Sandra and Carl had heard Sylvia's crying.

"What's happened, Sylvia?" Her sister asked with genuine concern.

The younger woman was quiet for a moment before bursting into tears once again. "Oh Sandra," she sobbed. "I've done something awful."

164

Jeff had a fairly decent night, with his mother again at his side. Gilbert was there first thing in the morning with his father. Bill again took May home and Gil stayed this time to sit with his brother. Bobbie, along with Nate, who had taken the day off from school, opened the shipping office.

Dr. Grade came by a little after 9:00 and said that Jeff no longer needed someone to sit with him around the clock. He also said he could sit up and even walk if he felt like it, but unless Santa Rosa experienced a heat wave, he was not to leave the Bradford home.

An hour later the house was empty except for Jeff and Gil, who was helping his older brother shave and clean up.

"I went to see Sylvia last night, Jeff."

"You did?" Jeff wiped the remaining soap from his face and looked at his brother in surprise. The simple act of cleaning up seemed to exhaust him, but he perked up at Gil's words.

"You might be angry with me, but I was worried about how you came to be in that part of town, so I went over to the Boggs' to get some answers." Jeff's eyebrows nearly rose to his hairline, but he kept silent.

"I couldn't figure out how you happened to be where Troy found you if you were on a date with Sylvia, so I

went to see her and she told me everything." "Everything?"

"I think so, and probably some you don't know. She said she practically threw herself at you to get you to propose."

"There was nothing
practically
about it, Gil," Jeff said softly and with regret. "She pulled my head down and kissed me." This time it was Gilbert's brows that rose as he gave a long, slow whistle.

As Time Goes By 163

"But you're right," Jeff continued. "I didn't know she did it to get me to propose."

"There's one more thing you should know. She's corn ing to see you today." As if on cue, the men heard a knock downstairs at the front door.

"If that's Sylvia she's going to want to se6 me alone, but I want you fairly close by because I don't think it looks right."

'Tkre you sure you're up to this? I can tell her you need to sleep."

"No, I'll see whoever it is."

"You're angry."

"No, Sylvia. Honestly, I'm not."

"Then I still don't understand why we can't see each other anymore."

Jeff was nearly drained, but Sylvia seemed oblivious to that fact. He took a breath and tried again.

"Sylvia, I'm not going to be seeing anyone. I think my priorities have been messed up for a long time and I want to cut back on some of my social activities and rethink my purpose on this earth."

"So all I am to you is a social activity!"

Jeff's eyes slid shut in defeat, an action that Sylvia didn't miss.

"I'm sorry, Jeff, I didn't mean that." This time she was sincerely contrite. "I told myself all the way over here that I was never going to get mad again, but it happens so easily."

Jeff nodded and managed a compassionate smile. Syl via reached and touched his arm briefly before pulling on her gloves.

165

164LoHWick

"Well, I'll see you around," Sylvia said with a false cheerfulness.

"I'm sure we'll see each other at church. Take care of yourself."

"You too. And Jeff, I'm really sorry."

"Thanks, Sylvia."

Gilbert let a very quiet Sylvia out the front door. She had smiled and thanked him for telling her about Jeff, but the usual sparkle was gone from her eyes.

Gil stepped quietly up the stairs to check on his brother, but just as he expected, Jeff was sound asleep.

twenty-four

Jeffwas remarkably improved by Friday morning and Dr. Grade said he could go home anytime. The problem was that only Maryanne was present and she had no way of getting him there. Jeff wasn't too concerned because he knew someone in his family would be by to see him and he would bum a ride home then.

Jeff navigated the stairs carefully and without assis tance, nearly scaring a year off Maryanne's life when he walked slowly into the kitchen.

'are you sure you should have done that?" Maryanne eyed him with concern when her heartbeat returned to normal.

"Yeah. I didn't try to gather my gear, but I figured you'd forgive me for that."

"I'll think about it." Maryanne teased him and Jeff saw instantly from whom Bobbie inherited her sense of humor.

"Speaking of forgiveness," Jeff said softly, "have you ever forgiven me for Bobbie's being away from home for five years?"

167 166 Lori Wick
As Time
Goes By 167

Maryanne turned slowly from the stove. She looked at the young man at her table and felt something stir inside her. When Bobbie first returned, Maryanne had known some very real fear that he would somehow hurt her again. Suddenly she knew better.