Ready or Not (Aggie's Inheritance) (53 page)

Luke smiled down at the girl and gave her shoulder another squeeze.
“
Sweetheart, why don
’
t you go lay down with a good book, and maybe take a Tylenol while you are at it.
”
Vannie sniffed and nodded. Luke, noting how she seemed to walk slowly and listlessly, prayed.

Two hours later, Luke called the children in to wash up for lunch. Halfway through making sandwiches, he heard Vannie crying from upstairs and calling for Aggie. He started towards the stairs when Aggie came rushing in.

Aggie heard Vannie upstairs and ran up three steps at a time calling,
“
What
’
s wrong? Where
’
s Vannie? Why
’
s she crying?
”
Luke smiled, despite his concern, and went back to praying and making sandwiches.

Aggie
’
s cry brought him running to the stairs.
“
Luke, I
’
m taking her in. Something is terribly wrong.
”
Sending Vannie out to the car, Aggie turned to Luke and whispered,
“
Please check the bathroom and make sure it
’
s, well, clean. I don
’
t want to frighten the children, but she has to be seen immediately. Something
’
s wrong, Luke, the girl is
--
”
Aggie
’
s voice dropped to a low whisper in order to avoid frightening the nearby children,
“
she
’
s bleeding!
”

Turning away, Aggie grabbed her purse from the table where she
’
d dropped it and headed back out the door. Understanding dawned on Luke
’
s face, and he called to Aggie.
“
Aggie,
think
!
”
but she just shook her head and rushed out the door. Luke
’
s repetitive admonition to,
“
Think, Aggie
”
angered her, but she kept running. Just as she started to climb into the van, she looked up to see Luke shaking his head and calling again,
“
Aggie, think
!
”

Exasperation finally got the better of her, and she yelled as she tried to start the van,
“
I don
’
t have
time
to
think
! I have to get her to the
clinic
!
”
With that, she started the van and tore down the driveway and onto the highway. Luke stood on the porch still shaking his head and wondering how long it would take for Aggie to realize the trouble.

Aggie tried to be calm and rational. Driving with one hand, she held Vannie
’
s hand and prayed with the girl and then tried reassuring her.
“
I
’
m not a wise mother with lots of experience. You are probably just sick, and this is completely normal. For all I know, I have had some similar illness and just can
’
t think of it right now. I just need to have you checked out in case it is serious, because….
”

Sudden understanding hit Aggie like the proverbial ton of bricks.
“
Ohhhhhhhh,
”
was all that she managed to say. Vannie
’
s silent sobs ceased, as she watched Aggie struggle between embarrassment and laughter.

“
Vannie, honey, I think you are just fine. Um, well, this is pretty normal. Did your mother ever tell you about this happening sometime?
”

The girl
’
s clueless look answered Aggie before Vannie could speak.
“
Well, let
’
s just go on to the clinic so that nurse that was so nice to Tavish can help me explain it. You
’
ll be fine. Really.
”

Aggie
’
s sudden calm manner seemed to reassure Vannie, and an hour later they enjoyed sundaes at the local ice cream shop, giggling like old friends. The nurse had been helpful, and Aggie showed her appreciation almost effusively. Vannie was just relieved to discover that she wasn
’
t going to die of some horrible disease.

At the end of the day, Aggie realized that she and Vannie had broken some invisible barrier that had seemed to pervade their relationship from the beginning. They shared a secret, and it was a pretty special one. Vannie seemed to have forgotten that Luke was aware of it, and Aggie decided not to spoil things by reminding her.

She called her mother that night and recounted the story step-by-step. Mrs. Milliken laughed, until her husband had to take the phone, while she used her inhaler to breathe again. When she finally was able to come back to the phone, Aggie asked the one question that was on her mind.
“
Mom, Vannie
’
s twelve, why didn
’
t Allie tell her before now?
”

“
Well, honey, you and Allie were almost sixteen when you guys started, so Allie decided to make this a special turning thirteen kind of thing.
”
Knowing Allie, Aggie knew this was not only likely but logical as well.

“
What about school? I thought they taught this stuff in health classes!
”

“
It still requires parental consent. Allie preferred to handle these things herself.
”

Aggie said goodnight and decided to go have a chat with Tina. Before she could boot the computer, the phone rang. Aggie debated not answering. The idea that it could be William with exclusive details to Vannie
’
s situation was discouraging. With a sigh, fear, and trepidation, Aggie answered.

“
Aggie? It
’
s Luke.
”
Aggie said hello and waited. She knew he
’
d have to talk eventually.
“
How
’
s Vannie? She doing all right? I just wanted to see how she
’
s doing before I go to bed.
”
Aggie smiled and sent a quick thank you via p-mail.

“
She
’
s sleeping well with ibuprofen and a heavy dose of chocolate. I told her that she could have all the chocolate she wants this week, and she didn
’
t have to ask.
”
Aggie smiled at the memory of Vannie
’
s pleased face when she
’
d heard the news.

Luke sounded nervous as he spoke again.
“
Aggie, would you mind if I tell my mother what happened? With four daughters, somehow I think she
’
d relate.
”
Aggie thought about it before agreeing.

“
I just don
’
t want it to get back to Vannie that you shared with anyone. She looks up to you, and I
’
d hate to break that trust. Please ask your mother to be discreet.
”
Luke assured Aggie that his mother would understand and said goodnight.

Aggie says:
Hey, you won
’
t believe what I did today.

Tina says:
Coming! Give me a second to pay the pizza guy.

Aggie says:
Pizza again!

Aggie says:
I
’
m talkin
’
to myself. How are you today, Aggie? Fine,
Aggie, how are you? I
’
m doing great, thanks. Hey, did you hear wha
t
you did today, Aggie? No, I didn
’
t. Well, your niece started her period, and you flipped out like she was dying and rushed her off to the clinic, praying that they could help her. No way, Aggie how could you be so blind. Oh, I don
’
t know, maybe because I
’
m sleep deprived. Luke kept telling you to think as if that does any good when you
’
re in full panic mode. The good news is, she seems to have opened up a bit.*twiddles thumbs* *contemplates the meaning of life* *finds lint in her belly button* *gags*

Tina says:
You didn
’
t. Tell me you didn
’
t. That poor girl!

Aggie says:
I know. It was awful. I think I was so relieved that she was fine that I forgot to apologize too.

Tina says:
Well, she
’
ll understand even more, later.

Tina says:
Did you say that she seemed to open up?

Aggie says:
Not only that, but
somehow,
I think she almost likes it. That nurse said something right!

Tina says:
Just think you only have to go through this, four more times.

Aggie says:
:P Don
’
t remind me.

Aggie says:
I still have to apologize to William. He hasn
’
t returned my call yet.

Tina says:
Really? Hope he
’
s not too upset!

Aggie says:
I don
’
t think so. He sent Mrs. Dyke over this morning to break the ice and invite me to dinner on Friday.

Tina says:
REALLY? WOW. The FIRST DATE… oh, wait… it
’
ll be your first date EVER won
’
t it?