Chapter 21 #2
“Who knows?” Audrey took a step back and shrugged.
“If she was really having a heart attack, she wouldn’t argue with me or have the breath to pray like she did as they wheeled her out of the church.
But, hey, I could be wrong, and that’s what’s scary.
She is ninety, so maybe a cardiac arrest affects people her age different than it does anyone else. ”
“I need to move my truck, but I’ll be inside as fast as I can,” Brodie said.
She tiptoed and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you for coming.”
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” he said.
She wasn’t surprised to see Bitsy already in the waiting room, but she was shocked when the older woman patted the chair beside her. “Sit down. We need to talk.”
Audrey slid down in the chair. “Do you know what is going on?”
“I told her that she should move to Wichita Falls with me when I left Spanish Fort years ago. She kept saying that Walter needed her. Then her excuse was that you needed her,” Bitsy said.
“She hasn’t been happy since Amos died and she moved to the farm, but honey, I do not believe there’s a thing wrong with her today.
Other than the fact that she wants to leave the farm, but she needs”—she reached over, patted Audrey on the knee and then went on—“she needs someone to be the blame, and she really doesn’t like Bernie or the people at the Paradise, so she can’t let them think that they are running her off.
I intend to take her home with me today for a week or two.
She’s going to try to make you feel guilty, but don’t let her.
A little cottage right next to mine is empty, and I’ve put in a good word with the folks who run the place.
I’m hoping that she’ll take it, and we can spend our last years together. ”
Brodie came into the room and sat down beside Audrey. “Any news yet?”
Audrey shook her head. “It’ll take a while, I’m sure. They’ll run tests to be sure, and that doesn’t happen in an hour.”
“How about I go into town and get some burgers? I know you must be starving,” he offered.
“First let me introduce you to Bitsy, Aunt Hettie’s friend. Bitsy, this is my boyfriend, Brodie Callahan. Brodie, this is Bitsy.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Miz Bitsy,” he said.
“Same,” Bitsy said, “and yes, I could use something to eat. I left services at the chapel in our village before they ended and came straight over here. I’d like a cheeseburger, no onions, and an order of fries.”
Brodie stood up. “Something to drink?”
She held up a bottle of root beer. “Got plenty of that right here.”
“You know what I want,” Audrey said.
“Yes, ma’am,” Brodie said with a smile.
Bitsy pushed her glasses up on her nose and watched him walk away.
“Hettie hates him, but I’m going to reserve judgment.
He’s a handsome feller and seems like he’s got a good heart, but that can be deceiving.
But back to Hettie. I’ll take her back to Spanish Fort to gather up a few of her things, but don’t try to talk her out of going with me. She needs this, and so do you.”
Bitsy had always reminded Audrey of Marie on the television show about Raymond. Except for her curly hair and her stout body shape, she and Hettie were alike in the fact that they had no filter on their mouths.
“Yes, ma’am,” Audrey agreed. “And I’ve got broad shoulders if she needs to blame me for moving out. I love her and want her to be happy.”
“She can’t let Bernie win any other way,” Bitsy said with a long sigh. “If you happen to marry that sexy hunk of a man, just run off to Las Vegas. That way she won’t have to come back to Spanish Fort for the wedding.”
“I’m not in a hurry to take that big of a step,” Audrey said.
“Meals in a bag is here,” Brodie said as he came into the waiting room. “Any news yet?”
“Not a peep, but me and Audrey have had us a good talk,” Bitsy answered.
Audrey smiled at Brodie. “Thank you for the food. I really was getting hungry. Maybe we’ll know something soon.”
“I’m here for as long as it takes,” he promised.
She had taken the last bite of her burger when a nurse came out and asked for Bitsy instead of her.
“Hettie Morris wants me to tell you that she didn’t have a heart attack, but she had a really bad case of indigestion that can present as the first signs of a heart attack.
She’s been released, and as soon as the papers are signed she will be ready to go home with you—in about half an hour.
She was adamant in saying that she would only leave with you and not someone named Callahan. ”
“When you wheel her out, I’ll get my car and bring it up to the doors, and thank you,” Bitsy said.
“It was all that picante sauce that she piled on her eggs this morning. She probably did this just so she would have heart attack symptoms,” Audrey groaned.
“You are most likely right.” Bitsy grinned and focused on Brodie. “I’d like to give you some advice.”
“Which is?” Brodie asked.
“Y’all go on to Spanish Fort, but stay out of sight until you are sure my car is gone from in front of your house, Audrey,” she said. “She’ll gripe and complain about no one caring enough to beg her not to go, but she really wants to leave, and this will make it easier on both of you.”
Brodie shook his head. “Audrey, I’m not so sure about this. She needs to know that you love her, and I sure don’t want to come between you and family. We can take a step back and let things cool down. I don’t want to put you in a position to choose either me or your aunt.”
“She won’t stay even if Audrey gets down on her knees and begs her—or if she offers to never see you again,” Bitsy informed them.
“Are you sure about that?” Audrey asked.
“Absolutely,” Bitsy said. “Give her until tonight and call her. Tell her you love her and that you want her to live with you, but you aren’t going to bend to her will.”
“I’ll feel guilty if she moves out and dies in a month,” Audrey said.
“Honey, we all are born with an expiration date,” Bitsy said.
“It’s not stamped on our bare butts or tattooed on the bottom of our foot, but it’s there.
When it’s my time to go, there’s nothing anyone can do to prevent it, just like when it’s Hettie’s turn.
Let her do this her way and then move on with your life. ”
“Yes, ma’am, but—”
Bitsy shook her head and put up a palm to stop her. “There are no buts in real love. You are showing that you love her by taking the blame onto yourself for her doing what she’s wanted to do for years.”
Audrey took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay, then, we’ll do it your way, Bitsy. Take good care of her.”
“Always,” Bitsy said. “That’s what good friends do for each other.”