Chapter 3 #2
That term, new normal, had come up a lot in therapy.
For a time, Lexi had expected to return to the life she’d been leading when disaster struck.
But then two years became four and four became six and her college friends graduated and got married and started families, while she cycled in and out of the hospital while waiting for a stem cell transplant with her mom as the donor.
It had taken two more years until she was stable enough to have the procedure.
Then it was postponed again while she battled a massive infection from the grueling chemo regimen that preceded the transplant.
After the transplant, she’d developed graft vs. host disease and several other life-threatening complications that had dragged out her time in the hospital by months.
The roller-coaster ride had been breathtakingly stressful, and then…
She’d lived.
The ending of the story was far less dramatic than the earlier chapters had been, which was why she and her family were still spinning as they lifted their heads up to see what’d been going on for everyone else while they were waging war against cancer.
Everything else had faded to the background during those years.
Once, during a particularly harrowing time in her illness, her dad had been shocked to realize a new president had been elected two weeks earlier and he hadn’t noticed.
That’s how all-consuming it had been. They’d lost track of everything and everyone who wasn’t the doctors and nurses keeping her alive.
Lexi typed a reply to her mom. It was great to see Max, and the same old sparks as always were still there, for me anyway, but I expected that.
Not sure how he felt to see me, but he was shocked to hear where I’ve been and why I dropped off the map.
I think he was hurt that I didn’t tell him what was going on.
Maybe I should have, but I would’ve hated for him to see me down and out like I was so often during treatment—and you know he would’ve wanted to come.
I’m looking forward to seeing him again this weekend and meeting his son.
He absolutely glows when he talks about Caden, which is very sweet.
It’s nice to be back in Butler. I forgot how beautiful it is—and how cold!
It’s only twenty-eight this morning, and snow is threatening.
I hope it snows like crazy. I’ve missed snow.
Give Dad, Gram and Gramps a smooch from me and try to have a great weekend. Everything is GOOD—now go live. That’s an order. Love you. Lex
After a shower, she got dressed in more of the warm clothes she’d bought for this weekend.
Some of them had been acquired through the Green Mountain Country Store’s catalog, which she’d looked forward to receiving every quarter while she was away.
It was like getting a piece of home in the mail—and seeing Max’s handsome face in the pages of the catalog was an added extra.
Lexi was eager to get out in town and see everything and everyone who’d once made up her carefree childhood days.
Her first stop was the diner, which had been vastly expanded in her absence.
When she stepped inside, a million memories assailed her in one fell swoop that left her breathless.
The scents of coffee, bacon and maple syrup along with the low hum of chatter and laughter took her right back to countless mornings there with her parents and grandparents.
“Come in and grab a seat at the bar,” a smiling blonde said as she circulated with a pot of coffee. “I’m Megan Abbott. What brings you to Butler?”
“I’m Lexi Bradshaw. I grew up here and am visiting for the weekend.”
“Welcome home.”
Lexi took a seat at the bar. “Thank you.”
An older man sitting next to her leaned in to whisper to her. “If you turn the mug over, Megan will fill it for you.”
Lexi turned over the mug. “Thanks for the insider info.” Then she did a double take. “Mr. Stillman? Is that you?”
“It is, but I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage, young lady.”
“Lexi Bradshaw. Max’s friend.”
His eyes widened with recognition. “Oh, so you are. I see it now. You’re all grown up since the last time we saw you.”
“It’s been ten years since I was here, but it’s a relief that it’s mostly still the same. Except I’d have thought y’all would’ve gotten cell service by now.”
“That’s never gonna happen. People here like being off the grid.”
“Y’all are weird.”
“Where’d you pick up that Southern twang?”
“Houston. Been there awhile.”
“I heard,” he said, his gaze softening. “I’m really sorry for what you’ve been through, sweetheart.”
“Thanks,” she said, encouraged to realize Max had already updated his family on where she’d been and why. She wondered what else he’d told them. “I’m better now and thinking about the future for the first time in years.”
Megan came by with the coffee and filled Lexi’s mug. “What can I get you to eat?”
“Do you still have the best pancakes in Vermont?”
“We sure do.”
“That sounds good, with a side of hash browns and fruit, please.”
“Coming right up.”
“Are the hash browns still to die for?” Lexi asked Mr. Stillman.
“They sure are. I only eat them once a week because I have to watch my waistline. Megan is always trying to fatten me up.”
“How is she related to the Abbotts?”
“She’s Hunter’s wife.”
Lexi smiled. “I like her for him. He was always tightly wound, as I recall.”
Elmer’s bark of laughter made her laugh, too.
“That he was, but Megan has smoothed out his rough edges.” He pulled out an iPhone.
“I only use this for pictures and when I got the Wi-Fi.” After scrolling through some photos, he held one up to her.
“That’s Hunter and Megan’s family. Carson, Cory and Claire. ”
“I love the C names.”
“A lot of Molly’s grandchildren have C names.”
“That’s cute, and so are your great-grandchildren.”
“Here’s one of all the greats. Forty-one of them now. Izzy managed to get a photo of them all recently. What a circus that was.”
“Wow.” In the photo, forty-one children surrounded their smiling great-grandfather. “That’s a mob.”
“Sure is, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Seems like every day, there’s a game, a practice, a recital, a birthday. I swear they’re keeping me young.”
While Lexi ate the delicious breakfast, Mr. Stillman kept her entertained with funny stories about his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was intrigued to hear that Hunter was now the CEO at the store, that Lucas and Landon had grown into mature, responsible fathers, and that Colton was still living on the mountaintop with his wife and children.
And Max… To hear Elmer tell it, he was a wonderful, doting father to his beloved son, but she’d already seen that for herself.
“He lights up when he talks about Caden,” Lexi said, sipping her coffee. “I can’t wait to meet him.”
“I heard you’re coming to the party tomorrow. You may want to take a preventative headache tablet before you venture into that madness.”
She laughed. “Thank you for the advice.”
“I couldn’t help but note that our Max also lit up a bit earlier this morning when he talked about seeing you again.”
“Did he?” She eyed him over her mug while hoping her face wasn’t turning bright red. That was a post-chemo development that drove her crazy.
“He did. He was very happy to see you again. He’d wondered what’d become of you.”
“And now he knows.”
“Yes, he does.”
“I was so hoping to see him again. I’ve never forgotten him.”
“I think it’s safe to say he never forgot you either.”
“That’s nice to hear. I sure as heck didn’t expect to be gone so long.”
“Life is funny that way, isn’t it? You think you’ve got a plan and then, nope. That’s not happening, but this is.”
“That’s exactly how it went for me. I may never plan anything again after this.”
“It’s probably safe to make some plans now, right? You’re doing better?”
“I’m in remission, and the doctors tell me I have as much chance as the general population does of getting it again. I have a whole new immune system after the transplant. But I won’t be considered ‘cured’ for four more years.”
“Then you ought to spend that time doing exactly what you want. None of us ever know what’s coming round the next bend. You gotta make the best of every day. That’s my philosophy.”
“It’s a good one. Let me ask you this… Is Dude still fostering dogs and other animals?”
“She is, and she’s married now to Skeeter.”
Lexi gasped. “Skeeter-from-Nolan’s-garage-who-had-the-dead-cat-in-his-freezer-for-ten-years Skeeter?”
Elmer cackled with laughter. “The one and only. The two of them are happier than pigs in crap.”
“Wow. That’s a couple I didn’t see coming.”
“No one did, sweetheart. But the heart wants what the heart wants, and their hearts are firmly committed to each other.”
“I’m happy for them. Dude was so good to me when I was a kid and in love with all the animals. I thought I’d have at least three dogs by now.”
“If you’re looking for a furry friend, she’s the gal to see.”
“I’m not sure I’m ready for that kind of responsibility, but it’s nice to dream.”
“I’m heading back to the barn after this. Be glad to drop you at Dude’s if you need a lift.”
“That’s very sweet of you, but I have a rental car, and I remember the way.”
He handed her a business card with the words justice of the peace, notary public, free advice printed on it. “My phone number is on the back. If you need anything while you’re in town, especially in the free advice department, you give me a call, you hear?”
Could he be any more adorable? Lexi leaned in to kiss his cheek. “I’ll do that. It was such a pleasure to see you again.”
“You as well, my friend. I’ll see you at the party tomorrow.”
“I’ll look forward to that.”
He tossed some bills on the counter. “Megan, I’ve got Lexi’s breakfast, too.”
“You got it, Elmer.” To Lexi, who was about to protest, Megan said, “Don’t bother. He won’t take no for an answer.”
“Thanks, Mr. Stillman.”
“Call me Elmer, honey. You’re all grown up now.” He left with a smile and a jaunty wave for her and Megan.
“He hasn’t changed at all,” Lexi said.
“He’s the most delightful human being I’ve ever known,” Megan said. “He owns the diner now, and I’m his partner in crime. I don’t know what I’ll ever do without him someday, hopefully in the distant future. I tell him all the time I need him to live forever.”
“I can see why. So, you’re married to Hunter.”
“That I am. Going on six years now.”
“That’s awesome. Congratulations. I used to date Max in high school.”
“Is that right? Were you here for the reunion?”
Lexi nodded.
“How was it? Those things can be so awkward.”
“It wasn’t bad. I was really hoping to see Max again, and we had a nice time.”
Megan’s eyes lit up when she heard that. “Will you be sticking around in Butler?”
“I’m not sure yet. I’m here for the weekend, but I may come back to stay for a while.”
“If you do, you know where to come for pancakes.”
“Absolutely, and truth be told, they’re even better than they used to be.”
“I quite agree. Butch is cranky, but he’s a great cook.”
“I heard that,” Butch yelled from the kitchen.
Megan smiled as she walked away to tend to other customers.
Feeling as if she’d made a new friend, Lexi couldn’t wait to come back to the diner for more pancakes.