She Only Speaks to Butterflies (20 page)

“Them doctors’ll jump all over ya if they see money these days. ‘Specially with kids ‘cause they can’t defend ‘emselves, ya know?” Gertrude added.

“Now, momma, I thought y’all would be supportive. The hospital’s in Texas.”

“Maybe your daddy’ll think different, but it don’t make no diff’rence to me. Texas or Toronto, a doctor’s a doctor.”

Sherry thought about that as she took a bite of pie.

“So who else ya gonna talk to about this before comin’ to a decision?” Gertrude asked.

“Actually, I thought I’d talk to Doug. After all, he’s known Denise and I longest. He’ll know what’s best.”

“He’ll be home later tomorrow. I’ll let him know yer lookin’ to speak to him.”

“Thanks, Kate.”

Kate peered out the window, seeing Ned and Denise walking up to the barn. “Now, are you gonna let that little girl come to the barn sleepover this year?” Taking Sherry’s hand in hers Kate looked at her earnestly. “It’d make Ned so happy.”

Sherry exhaled, avoiding eye contact. “I don’t know Kate, there’ll be so many kids, she may feel overwhelmed.”

“Now that’s where ya ain’t got no worry anymore,” Kate said proudly. “Ned’s separatin’ the little ones from the bigger ones this year. He made a hay bunk special.”

Gertrude sensed her daughter’s hesitation. “And where’s it at?”

“In the loft, just before the entrance to the conservatory. They’ll be bunkin’ with the cows and pigs. Denise can even bunk with Luke, Marsha said he could come this year.”

Gertrude cocked her head at Sherry. “Denise’d sure love havin’ a sleepover with Luke. It’d be good for ‘em.”

“You think about it, love.” Kate patted her hand. “Ain’t no pressure.”

Chapter 15

Kenny sat on the couch reading the paper while Gertrude knitted on the armchair beside him. Sherry was in the kitchen making lunches while Denise was making charm bracelets with spare beads and a length of old twine. Kenny looked up from the paper as he saw a figure coming up the walkway.

“Looks like we got company,” he grunted, rising from his chair.

“Hello there, son.” Kenny shook Lee’s hand as he opened the door. “Come on in. Can I get ya some coffee or tea?”

Sherry was in the kitchen preparing her lunch. She sealed up her sandwich bags and smiled, looking his way. “Hi, Lee, how y’all doin’ tonight?”

“I’m well, thanks.” He smiled at all the attention, feeling his cheeks burn. “I brought somethin’ over for Denise.”

Gertrude entered the kitchen. “Lee, ya want some tea?”

“Naw, thanks. I just had my supper.”

“I’m makin’ some anyway. Sherry, you want some?”

Sherry shook her head, calling Denise over from the living room. “There’s someone here to see ya, darlin’.”

Denise rose as she saw Lee standing in the kitchen. She beamed. Sherry caught the expression and her heart melted.

Lee bent down on one knee, handing her the music box that he and Sherry found under his stairs. “I got a present for ya. It ain’t new of course, but I thought you’d like it all the same.”

Part of Sherry wanted to keep it for herself. It was sort of a memento of the first time she’d kissed a man since Chris died. But she knew Lee’s heart was swelling seeing Denise wind it up and watching the ballerina dance around.

“I used to have somethin’ like that when I was a girl,” Gertrude observed. “Where’d you find one of those?”

“It was somethin’ Jinny Marx left,” Sherry supplied. “It’s a shame Mandy didn’t want it. It’s beautiful.”

Denise waited for the music to finish and hugged Lee. Sherry put her hand to her mouth as she felt Gertrude squeeze her arm.

“Time’s a wonderful thang,” Gertrude murmured as Sherry rested her head on her mother’s shoulder.

Denise released Lee and raced upstairs to find a place for her new treasure. Lee glanced at Sherry, nervously running a hand through his hair. “I hate to ask, and if yer busy it’s okay, but um…do ya mind helpin’ me fix a coupla them hinges in my kitchen? One of ‘em broke right off and is just hangin’ there.”

“Sure, I’ll go get my toolbox,” Kenny said. Gertrude quickly elbowed him in the ribs. “Err…and Sherry can show ya how to fix ‘em,” Kenny corrected.

“Yeah, I can definitely give ya a hand. I was just fixin’ lunches for tomorrow.” Sherry peeled off her apron and hung it on the hook by the stove.

Kenny returned a minute later with a red metal box, holding it by its shiny handle. He gave it to Lee and winked.

“Momma, I won’t be late.”

“Don’t worry, hun. I’ll give Denise a bath.”

“Yer folks sure are lovely people,” Lee said as they walked down the street.

“I’m very lucky,” Sherry agreed. “So yer hinge broke right off, did it?”

“I think it can be re-attached. That’s why I need yer help.”

When they reached his house, he opened the door for her as they went right to the kitchen.

“Ooo. Yep. It came off alright.” Sherry inspected it. “Hand me the screwdriver. The flat- headed one.”

Lee opened the toolbox, removing a black-handled screwdriver. He handed it to her. “There ya go,” he said warmly. Their fingers brushed as they looked at each other briefly.

“Here.” Lee rose, grabbing the opposite end of the cupboard door so it was level, offering Sherry better access. He watched her probe the screwdriver in between the metal parts of the hinge, lift at a specific angle and whack the screwdriver handle with the heel of her hand. Suddenly the cupboard door shifted into place and was righted.

“There.” Sherry was satisfied. “Got anymore?”

“Not in here, but the bathroom has some loose.”

“So I guess Reverend Telly got in touch with Mandy, then?” Sherry asked as they walked upstairs.

“As far as I know. He just said she wasn’t interested in travelin’ back here to pick up some old clunky piece of garbage.”

“One man’s junk is another man’s treasure I s’pose,” Sherry murmured. “Thanks for givin’ it to Denise. Did ya see the face she gave you?”

“Yeah,” Lee smiled proudly. “She loved it. I’m glad.”

They fixed the hinge on the bathroom cupboard and then Lee made some tea while they sat in the kitchen.

“Ya know, Denise has never given such a reaction like that to anybody since…well, anyway, not even with me has she been so happy for somethin’.”

Lee placed his hand on Sherry’s hand as he took a seat beside her. “I’ll save ya the explanation Sherry,” he said solemnly. “Ned told me what happened to Denise. I’m real sorry.”

His gaze was so sincere; his eyes were rounded and soft, his mouth was relaxed.

Sherry was slightly embarrassed. “That Ned.” She feigned a chuckle. “He didn’t have to tell you. But I s’pose it makes sense that he did.”

“It was more of a warnin’,” Lee admitted, smiling. “He loves you and Denise to bits.”

“You know he don’t trust ya,” she said matter-of-factly.

“I figured that’s what the call was for the mornin’ after the lodge dance.”

“He’s got quite the imagination.” She sipped her tea. “He thinks ya drugged me and took advantage. But I set him straight.”

Lee nodded with pursed lips. “Seems you’ve got yerself two fathers.”

“Daddy adores you, hell, he ain’t got an enemy in the world,” Sherry stated.

“He’s very sweet. Seems he’s rubbed off on his granddaughter.”

Before she could stop herself, Sherry blurted. “He’s real worried about her. Just like Ned is. They won’t be pleased if she goes to Texas.”

“Texas? Why Texas?” Lee sat up straight.

“Research hospital.”

Lee’s eyes widened. “Are ya serious?”

Sherry nodded. “I’ve gotta speak with Doug…err…Ned and Kate’s son, who’s our family doctor, and I got some thinkin’ to do, but I think it might work out for her.”

Lee was quiet for several minutes. They sipped their tea in silence.

Suddenly he rested his right foot on his left knee and leaned back contemplatively. He sniffed and began talking casually. “A long time ago. I’m talkin’ like…ten or eleven years ago, my gramma was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour.” He gestured to his head and glanced at Sherry as she nodded. “The doctor wanted to send her away to a research hospital…I forget where, but anyway, it’s not important. My folks thought about it and thought about it, but gramma didn’t want to go anywhere. The doctors gave her about two months to live.” Lee pivoted his hand in both directions as if to say so-so.

“So we decided not to send her and just lived like normal.” He paused. “We kept doin’ Christmas at her place like always, and birthdays. I mean, she needed extra help and all, which nobody minded. We kept wonderin’ when she was gonna go and the doctors kept testin’ her and testin’ her.” He glanced at her, making sure she understood. “My youngest brother; the baby in the family, was plannin’ his weddin’, and my wife was expectin’ Leeanne and all.” Lee paused at the mention of her name, swallowed, sniffed and continued.

“Gramma lived to see her last grandson, the baby, get married. She started gettin’ pain and stuff but still hangin’ on, ya see?” Sherry knew what was coming next so she gently grabbed his hand. “Leeanne was born also, so she got to see her first great-grandchild arrive.” Sherry squeezed his hand and he rubbed his finger down her palm, blinking softly at her. “Ya see, she lived another two years when the doctors said she’d only have two months.”

Sherry whispered. “That’s incredible.”

Lee held both her hands in his. “What I’m trying to say is.” He hesitated for emphasis and then stared pointedly into her eyes. “Sometimes it ain’t science we need to survive somethin’.” He pushed his chair in closer and raised her hands to his lips, kissing the backs of her hands softly. “Sometimes all’s we need is love and a little faith.”

…

The sun was setting on the mid-July evening, and Sherry just finished supper with her family. She brought her dishes up to the sink and addressed her parents. “You guys comin’ to the meetin’ tonight?”

Gertrude looked down, sipping her tea. “There’s no need. Besides, we’ll stay here and watch Denise. You can fill us in when ya get home.”

“Are ya sure?” Sherry felt guilty, her parents were always watching Denise and hardly got a chance to go out.

Kenny chuckled. “Of course, darlin’, you go on ahead. We’ll take Denise for a walk and read her some stories.”

“You two never get out.” Sherry was concerned. “Why don’t ya go out for supper tomorrow night, my treat?”

Gertrude looked up. “Well as a matter-of-fact we booked ourselves a spot in the new line-dancin’ studio. Starts next month.”

“Really? Where is it? I didn’t hear nothin’.”

“Lina Groves told us about it. We run into her the other day at the bakery,” Gertrude explained. “It’s not far. You wanna come too? They got kid’s dancin’.”

“Wow. That’s great! I’d love to,” Sherry smiled. “When does the program end?”

“Whenever ya like,” Kenny said. “They got new classes startin’ up each month.”

“Well I’ll be,” Sherry beamed.

“You better get ready, darlin’. You drivin’ over yerself?” Gertrude asked.

“Yeah. Henry’s sick so Martha’s sittin’ this one out.”

“How’s Sarah doin’? We ain’t seen her in a coupla days,” Kenny inquired.

“She’s fine. Doctor told her to stay off her feet at night so Mark’s been babysittin’ her. Y’all know how she is.”

Gertrude and Kenny exchanged a knowing glance. “We do.”

Sherry went upstairs to change clothes, deciding on a casual summer dress her mother made for her. It was robin’s egg blue with thick shoulder straps. Her sandals clicked on the floor as she headed for the door.

“Bye, baby.” Sherry kissed Denise on the cheek. “Be good for gramma and grampa.”

Sherry grabbed her purse off the kitchen table. “Ned said the meetin’ will be short like the last one, so I won’t be late.”

“Okay, love, have fun.” Sherry kissed her mother on the cheek.

Sherry drove with the windows open, the breeze was refreshing. Her hair blew freely as her brown curls bounced. When she passed Lee’s house she noticed his car was not in the driveway.
He must be already at the meeting
.

As she arrived, Lee stood out front, talking to Alan.

“Evenin’.” Lee and Alan tipped their heads simultaneously. “Are ya all by yerself tonight?” Lee asked.

“Yep. Mind if I sit with ya?”

He opened the door for her. “Not at all.”

The usual suspects were already in the room, and Ned was manning the entrance to the meeting room.

“Evenin’ Sherry. Evenin’ Lee,” Ned said. They both nodded hello.

Sherry saw Reggie Maxwell, Ruben and Tom Johnson in the corner of her eye, sitting in the back row. Half the fire hall was there, plus Wade Thomas, Jenny Martin, Leon and Steven. Practically the whole town was there save for the few she knew weren’t attending.

Lee and Sherry sat in the back since they arrived almost last. “My kitchen and bathroom look much better thanks to you.” Lee squeezed her hand.

“No problem.” She smiled as William Greensman, the executive chairman of the town committee, took his seat at the front of the room. He was followed by his brother Bob, the chairman, Robert Decker, the head chairman, and Cynthia Moore, the secretary.

As they all took their seats, Alan rose from his seat next to Lee and walked up to the front, sitting beside Robert Decker.

“Does Alan have more stuff to report about the fires?” Sherry whispered.

“Nothin’ much,” Lee answered. They were practically nose to nose as Sherry stared into his deep blue eyes a moment too long. He was wearing blue jeans and a white short-sleeved linen shirt, just long enough to hide the tattoo of his little girl. His arms were muscular and tanned and his leg was just brushing up against hers since the chairs were so close together. When she inhaled she could smell his aftershave, feeling a pull deep in her belly that she tried to ignore. Her concentration was broken by a voice coming from the front of the room.

“This meetin’ will come to order,” William announced.

Bob leaned into the microphone. “I know y’all have been stressin’ over where the new hospital is goin’ to be built. A decision’s been made.”

There was shuffling all around. Sherry noticed Ned staring at his fingers, avoiding eye contact. It felt like a rock landed in the pit of her stomach. She glanced up at Lee, who was watching the front of the room intently.

Robert Decker came to the microphone and unnecessarily adjusted it. He cleared his throat and looked up, holding a piece of paper in his hand.

“The new hospital, name yet to be determined, will be built on the parcel of land by the highway.”

The room immediately exploded into mayhem. Men bolted up out of their chairs, throwing curses, women chided their husbands, ordering them to sit down and control themselves.

Bob thumped his hand on the table, speaking loudly into the microphone.

“This meetin’ will come to order! One at a time PLEASE!”

Some calmed themselves but remained standing. Cynthia Moore was mercilessly typing the minutes, her fingers were moving so fast you would swear there was smoke coming from them.

“Ya see? I knew they’d favour that land! As if the Bakers ain’t made enough money from this town!” One man shouted.

“Order!” Bob shouted back. “Please! If we can all sit and raise our hands y’all will have yer say!”

“To hell with that!” Reggie Maxwell chimed in. He was noticed first for his signature bright red hunter’s cap floating above the flood of waving hands. “How’re we s’posed to get to the hospital? Half of this town ain’t got cars!”

“Reggie, calm yerself! Sit down!” Robert Decker ordered. “Y’all will have yer say!”

“We didn’t have our say the last time and look what happened!” another man yelled.

“Tom you’ll have your turn, too! If you could all just sit down!” Bob bellowed.

Alan rose, walking over to where Reggie and a couple of the other town drunks were sitting. “Now can y’all just calm down? They’ve got more to say,” he spoke over the rest of the yelling.

“What the hell are ya doin’ here, anyway? Ain’t you s’posed to be investigatin’ all the damn fires?” John from Tidy Motors asked. “I see yer new guy’s here, too. Who the hell’s keepin’ watch at the fire hall?”

“We’ve got plenty of men over there, John,” Alan assured. “Now can y’all just calm down so we can get through this meetin’?”

Robert Decker rose, assisting Alan. He approached Ruben Johnson who glared when he saw Robert near him. “Ya best keep yer damn paws offa me if y’all know what’s good fer ya,” he warned.

Deputy Sheriff Tracy Bowers was standing by the entrance door. He looked at William Greensman, who nodded assent. Tracy unfolded his arms, walking calmly over to the row that was causing trouble. “I’m gonna have to ask y’all to leave this meetin’,” he announced in an authoritative tone.

All eyes were on him as he patted his gun in the holster, giving them a knowing look. Reggie Maxwell grunted something inaudible and they all walked in front of him towards the doorway. Ned kept his head lowered as they passed him. When the men left, Tracy returned, closing the doors behind him. He looked at William and nodded again.

“Anyone else gives any trouble and you’ll join the others,” William warned. “It’s unfortunate that we have to have these meetin’s guarded with security now, but desperate times call for desperate measures.”

William gestured to Robert, who took the microphone. “Now this decision’s been made already by the township. If y’all have any issues with it, you’ll have to put together a petition and submit it to us.”

Robert continued. “I don’t know what’s happened to this town, but we all need to come together. We’ll get a lot further if we work with each other rather than against. In light of the fires, Alan’s got more to say on that. Alan?”