Chapter 33
33
Honey
By the time Honey drove CT home from the hospital several days after his accident, she knew that he’d suffered a broken hip, shattered an ankle, and had an injured knee, which would be looked into more later. She also knew that CT, probably thanks to pain pills and sedatives, did surprisingly well in the hospital by himself. She’d spent the first night with him, but seeing that he’d slept pretty soundly, she only stayed through the surgery the following morning, then went home that afternoon, exhausted.
While CT had been undergoing surgery to put some pins into his ankle, a hospital social worker named Barb met with Honey. After answering some routine albeit intrusive questions about CT’s living conditions and whether it was a safe environment, which Honey could neither confirm nor deny, Barb began to talk about his recovery. Her first recommendation was nursing home care. Naturally Honey balked at the idea, and Barb switched gears ever so slightly. Showing more concern for Honey’s health and well-being, she described various options for CT’s care ... later on. Things like home nurses and physical therapists who made home visits and finally hospice for those last days. Honey pretended she was listening, then reassured Barb that they’d all know when they were ready for that. Not that she ever would be...
Once again, Barb had changed routes, suggesting some practical ways to make CT’s home recovery easier for everyone. From that point on, Honey wrote down everything Barb told her, then texted the list to Jewel, asking her to round these things up. But the last nugget of wisdom the social worker had shared, Honey had written down for herself. Barb said to practice detached amusement . At first Honey was confused. What did that mean? Barb reminded her that little could be done to change the outcome for CT. He would continue to decline, doing the unexplainable, getting lost and confused, probably falling more. But if Honey could step back and see the humor in it, perhaps even laugh, it would be easier on everyone. She remembered times they had laughed.
Just last week, they’d laughed uncontrollably in bed after she’d made the simple remark that the wind wasn’t blowing. It’d been blustery all day, and the nighttime peace and quiet was lovely. But with his hearing aids out and his mind scrambled, CT kept mishearing her. “Not snowing?” he asked. “Need mowing? Sowing?” After several repeats, she was shouting at him—so much for peace and quiet—and finally she told him never mind. Of course, he misheard that too and more tries only made it worse until his guesses were so nutty, she cracked up laughing, and he did too. Sure, he didn’t know why he was laughing. Maybe she didn’t either, but it lightened the moment. Detached amusement.
It seemed miraculous, but somehow Jewel had gotten Barb’s recommended supply list together. Just last night, Jewel had assured Honey the equipment would be delivered and in place before Honey and CT got home from the hospital today. Not only that, but Miguel had built a ramp on the front deck. Did this mean caring for CT would be easy? She doubted it, but with Jewel and Cooper’s promised help, she wasn’t too worried. And the prescribed tranquilizers and pain pills they’d picked up at the hospital pharmacy on their way out would probably help too.
“Have you missed home?” she asked CT as she turned into the driveway, pausing a moment to text Jewel they were here.
“Home?” He was clearly confused. Earlier today, he hadn’t even recognized her. Probably due to all the medical workers that had been in and out to assist him. He thought she was his nurse. But after some conversation, and a kiss, he got it. She was his Honey.
“Home is Honeymoon Cottage,” she said cheerfully.
“Home ... Honeymoon Cottage,” he echoed in a pleasant tone.
She spotted Jewel and Cooper in front of the cottage, waving a warm welcome. “Look, it’s Jewel and Cooper.”
“Huh?”
She suspected he didn’t recognize those names at the moment, but it didn’t matter. As she parked as close as she could get to the house, Jewel pushed out a wheelchair and then, like a three-ring circus, they attempted to get CT into the chair, over the gravel, and up into the house. Fortunately, probably thanks to the pain pills, he didn’t complain too much. And when he saw the welcome home sign and balloons, he was as delighted as could be.
“Birthday?” He clapped his hands.
“Sure, why not,” Jewel said, and she broke into the happy birthday song, with Cooper and Honey joining in. “Come see your room,” Jewel said to her dad. “It’s all fixed up for you.”
Honey had been a little worried that CT would resent being in a hospital bed in the spare room, instead of with her in their big bed, but to her relief, he seemed oblivious as Jewel showed him everything. She’d done all she could to make the room attractive and homey, and CT seemed pleased. Or else he was just enjoying the attention of three females catering to him. Eventually, with all three of them helping, they got him into the bed without dumping him on the floor.
“A nurse’s aide is coming tomorrow,” Honey told them. “To remove his catheter and give us some tips for how to safely care for him.” She tucked the blanket up around him and smiled. “Ready for that peanut butter and honey sandwich I promised you?”
His eyes lit up, and he nodded. Whether it was silly or not, Honey thought this might not be as hard as the social worker had described. And if it was, at least she wasn’t alone. The three of them clustered in the kitchen while Honey made CT’s sandwich.
“I can’t believe how you pulled this all together,” Honey told Jewel. “Getting all those medical supplies here before we got home.”
“He seemed to like the room,” Jewel said.
“Does he need someone in there with him all the time?” Cooper asked. “I mean, I can go sit with him if you think I should.”
“I think having that bedrail, plus his injuries, should keep him in place for a while.” Honey poured a glass of milk. “But you know your grandpa.”
“For all we know, he might be crawling out on his belly to check on his bees by now.” Jewel laughed, then glanced over to the spare room door.
But CT was still in the bed and glad to see his lunch being wheeled in front of him. He hadn’t been a fan of the hospital’s peanut butter sandwiches from the kids’ menu since they didn’t have honey, but he smiled after his first bite, proclaiming it good!
Jewel
Helping Dad recover at home took more time and energy than any of them expected, but after a few days, they established a routine of sorts, sharing shifts and being on call in case he fell down. Thankfully, that’d only happened a few times, and thanks to the helpful tips from the nurse’s aide, they knew how to get him up with just two people, but that meant two people needed to remain on duty. Not in the house together, but within running distance with a phone handy. Thanks to this schedule, no one felt particularly put upon. And they all enjoyed breaks of time without any caregiving responsibilities. Mostly, Jewel was grateful that Mom didn’t seem too overwhelmed.
Of course, their happy routine came to a screeching halt when Cooper begged to go with Anna to the fair for a few days. Ap parently, 4-H families exhibiting livestock enjoyed camping at the fairgrounds. It was a social thing, and Cooper was dying to go with the Oroscos and experience life at the fair. Jewel wanted her to go, but that meant she and Mom would now split CT duty two ways instead of three.
With her dad feeling better and more energetic, instead of sketching and painting like Jewel had been doing on her regular morning shift, she was now wheeling him around the farm, checking on the pumpkins and the bees and whatever else suited his fancy. He called it his exercise, but she was the one who got sweaty. They were just embarking on a morning stroll when Miguel strolled over. “Can I help?”
“Sure.” She gladly surrendered the wheelchair. Then, walking beside him, she asked how the county fair was going.
“Anna won a blue ribbon,” he said proudly.
“Wow. Good for her.”
“It’s not the highest award, but it’s the best she’s ever done in the four years she’s been showing.”
“What’s higher than a blue ribbon?”
“A purple ribbon. It’s like the grand prize. I’m sort of glad she didn’t get it though. It gives her something to keep working toward. Anyway, her calf gets auctioned tomorrow morning. I’ll bring them all home after that’s done.”
“I’m so glad Cooper got to go and experience all this. Thanks so much for including her.”
“She seems to have really enjoyed it. And it sounds like she’s pretty serious about raising her own calf next year.”
“That’s so amazing. But I doubt I’ll be much help. Even though Dad had cattle when I was a kid, I didn’t join 4-H or get very involved.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll help her.”
“Dad will probably like being included.” She leaned down to tell CT that Cooper might raise a calf next year, then instantly regretted it since he immediately asked to see the calf, like it was out in the barn right now. Hopefully he’d forget soon.
“I wondered if you’d like to go with me back to the fair this afternoon,” Miguel asked as they turned back toward the house. “My mom even offered to come over and hang with your mom while you’re gone. I mean, if you want to go. We thought that might help free you up.”
“That’s so sweet, but I hate to ask her to leave the fair if she’s enjoying it.”
He chuckled. “I actually think she’d like a good excuse to get out of there. It’s fun at first, but after a couple of days, it can wear on you.”
“Well, I’d love to go to the fair.” And as incredible as it sounded, and something she would’ve laughed off a year ago, she truly would love it. Partly for a chance to get off the farm, partly because it just sounded fun ... and mostly because she’d be with Miguel. “I haven’t been to a county fair since I was about Cooper’s age.”
“All right. And if you want an authentic taste of being a real 4-H family, you can even spend the night with us.”
She blinked. “Spend the night?”
“Sure. In the camp trailer with the girls and me. You and Cooper can have the bedroom in back, and Anna and I will bunk in front. There’s plenty of room.”
She considered this. “That actually sounds like fun, but I have to be on call with my mom at night.” She lowered her voice and nodded toward her dad. “You know, in case he should fall or anything.”
“What if my mom is on call?” he suggested. “I’m sure she wouldn’t mind spending the night over here if necessary.”
“Really? Or she could sleep in the farmhouse and just keep her phone handy,” Jewel suggested. “Then she could pop over if needed.”
“What do you think?” he asked hopefully.
“I think that sounds wonderful.” She actually clapped her hands like a little kid and then, feeling embarrassed, she laughed. “Does the fair still have a Ferris wheel?”
He laughed too. “You bet. And if you’re a good girl and don’t make yourself sick on cotton candy and elephant ears, I’ll take you up on it.”
“Okay. I’ll do my best.” She felt her cheeks warm, suddenly imagining a romantic moonlit ride on the Ferris wheel with Miguel.
“Then it’s a date.” He wheeled her dad’s chair up the deck ramp, then bent down to shake his hand and tell him goodbye. “I need to go tend my cows,” he told him, then stood up and looked at Jewel. “So I’ll let Mom know she’s needed here. She’s got her car there so she can leave and be back here before we even head for the fairgrounds. I’ve got some chores to do, but I expect to be done by midafternoon. Can I pick you up around two?”
“I’ll be ready,” she assured him, still feeling slightly giddy. She was going to the fair with Miguel! What could be more fun?
Both girls seemed happy that Jewel was joining them, but as quickly as they said hello, they said goodbye. Apparently they had big plans for the afternoon, but they promised to meet back at the trailer for dinner around six.
“Not that they’ll be hungry,” Miguel said after the girls scurried off. “My poor mama had all these meals planned, but the girls have been so full of fair food by dinnertime each night.” He grinned. “She’s made some generous donations to the pigs.”
Jewel laughed. “Well, if you like, I could fix our dinner tonight.”
“Nope. On the last fair night, we usually go out to eat at the barbecued rib place. It’s not fancy, but it’s sure good.”
“No arguments here.” She looked around his camp trailer. She’d noticed it on his property before, but it was bigger than she’d imagined. “This is a cute camper,” she told him.
“Thanks.” He explained how the couch and dining area transformed into beds for him and Anna. “Let me show you to your suite, ma’am.” He picked up her bag, then opened a door beyond the kitchenette. “Here you go.” He set her bag on the neatly made queen-size bed. “Unfortunately, we have no room service.”
“Aw, too bad. But I guess I can rough it for one night,” she teased back.
“So, how would you like a tour of the livestock barns to start out with? It’s cool and shady in there during the heat of the day.”
“Cool sounds good.” She was glad she’d worn a sleeveless snap shirt, one she’d borrowed from Mom in the hopes she’d look more like a farm girl today. And to complete her look, she had on blue jeans with a rodeo belt she’d borrowed from her dad’s younger, skinnier cowboy days, plus a straw cowboy hat that no one ever seemed to lay claim to. As they walked toward the barns, she tried not to wrinkle her nose at the strong smells that she associated with the livestock barns—smells she used to make fun of as a teenager. But to her surprise, other than the manure pile out back, the barn smell was not that bad. And having Miguel as her tour guide with all the animals made the whole thing fun and interesting.
When they were done, he checked his watch. “There’s a pretty good concert in a few minutes. I already got tickets, so if you happen to like country music.” His brows arched as he studied her.
“I pretty much like all kinds of music. Well, not heavy metal so much.” She didn’t mention that country would be near the bottom of her “like” list.
“Then let’s see how you like the Flannigan Family Band. They’re a local group. Sort of country meets bluegrass.”
As it turned out, she did like the Flannigans. A dad with six sons, between the ages of twelve and twenty, with more musical talent than seemed fair for just one family to share. “That was delightful,” she told Miguel as they were leaving. “Thank you.”
“It’s almost time to meet the girls at the trailer and then we’ll go to dinner, assuming they have appetites. Can you smell that?”
She sniffed and nodded. “The barbecued ribs?”
“Yep. I didn’t have lunch, so I’m starving.”
The girls were already in the back room changing their clothes when Miguel and Jewel returned. When they emerged looking more fashionable and cleaner than earlier, Anna explained that they wanted to go to an evening concert geared for teens. “So, we’ll just eat here if that’s okay, Dad.” Anna ran a brush through her hair. “Abuela left lots of food.”
“Abuela?” Jewel asked.
“Spanish for grandma ,” Cooper told her.
Jewel gave an amused nod, enjoying how Coop was trying to fit into Anna’s world. So delightfully different from Coop’s old friends in San Jose. The girls chattered to themselves as they foraged through the small but well-stocked fridge. Miguel turned to Jewel. “Need to freshen up before we go? You might want something warmer if we decide to walk around after dinner.”
“Good thinking.” She went to the back room and opened her overnight bag. She’d packed a lightweight cotton cardigan and impulsively slipped in a sundress as well. But she suddenly felt silly at the thought of dressing up for a county fair. She shook out the pretty dress. It was white rayon with a Navajo-inspired border around the hem of the full skirt and looked perfect with the turquoise-and-silver necklace Mom had given her during their recent sort-and-move process. She knew the dress looked good on her, but if everyone else was walking around in blue jeans and shorts, would she look out of place? Did she even care?
She brushed her hair and refreshed her lip gloss. When she emerged, wearing the pretty sundress with the cardigan looped over one arm, the girls were gone, and Miguel’s eyes widened. “Sorry to keep you waiting,” she told him.
“No problem.” He set down the soda he’d been drinking and stood. “You look ... beautiful.”
She smiled and thanked him. As he took her hand to lead her down the trailer steps, she felt her cheeks warming. Hopefully she didn’t appear too presumptuous, but after all, he’d been the one to say they had a “date.” Still, as they strolled through the fairgrounds, quieter now that the crowd had thinned, she was glad she’d gone to the extra effort. “It’s cooling off nicely,” she told him as they got in line for the barbecue place.
Before long, they were seated at a table covered in a red gingham tablecloth. And then a waiter who looked to be about Cooper’s age appeared to take their order from the very limited menu on the table. Fortunately, plenty of napkins and several moist towelettes were provided with the ribs, and somehow Jewel managed to keep herself from looking too messy by the time they were done. “You’re right, Miguel,” she told him as they left. “Their ribs are amazing.”
After dinner, they wandered around the fairgrounds, looking at quilts, art exhibits, and food stands. Finally they came to the hall that displayed the “latest” products—goofy items that Jewel couldn’t imagine anyone would really want, as well as the old standbys of “new and improved” cookware, nutrients promising ageless youthfulness, “time-saving” appliances, and a few items whose purpose they couldn’t even figure out. “Well, that was educational,” she said as they left the exhibit hall.
“Now how about the Ferris wheel ride?” Miguel asked as they strolled past another food stand. “Unless you’d rather have some dessert first.” His brows arched. “Because before we’re done tonight, I plan to indulge in an elephant ear.”
“Ferris wheel first,” she told him. “I don’t want you eating so much that you toss your cookies up there.”
“No worries.” He laughed and, linking his arm in hers, led her through the carnival area. While he bought tickets, she just looked around. It was all so festive in the twilight. There were colorful balloons and flags and graphic signs, with a background of cheerful music and the sound of hawkers trying to lure unsuspecting folks to their booths. It was like a real time warp, and Jewel was so grateful to get to experience it.
“I’d like to paint something that captures all this,” she told Miguel as they got into the surprisingly short Ferris wheel line. She noticed the younger crowd stood in long lines for the wilder rides. “It’s all so magical.”
“It is.” Miguel greeted the muscular young ticket taker who motioned them forward, and then, ever the gentleman, Miguel helped her get into the Ferris wheel car. She felt a rush of childlike excitement as the young man locked them in, and soon they were going around and around.
“It’s like a giant living kaleidoscope,” she said as she looked at the colorfully lit fairgrounds whirling around down below them. “I hate acting like a tourist with my phone, but would you mind if I took a couple pics? You know, to inspire me for painting later?”
“No, of course not.” He chuckled. “I’m used to Anna taking photos of everything, including her food sometimes.”
“Well, I try not to be addicted to taking pictures.” She reached in her small shoulder bag, slipping out her phone and even doing a quick check to make sure neither Mom nor Coop had texted. Then she took a few pics of the wonderland below from several angles. And when Miguel wasn’t looking, she snatched a couple of him. As she leaned forward to slip her phone back into her bag, she felt Miguel’s arm slide around her shoulders. She smiled happily as she zipped her bag closed, then leaned back. “This is all so perfectly beautiful,” she said quietly.
“It sure is.” He turned to her. “All of it. Including you.”
That warm, nervous rush went through her again, and now they were stopped at the very top of the wheel, the car just rocking gently back and forth with the motion, as new passengers boarded below. Jewel felt slightly breathless as they continued to look at each other, and then Miguel leaned forward and gently kissed her. Looking almost surprised at himself, he leaned away. “I, uh, I hope that was okay with you.”
Jewel felt dizzy, and it wasn’t from the height of the Ferris wheel. “No, Miguel, that was not okay.” She firmly shook her head, holding back a smile. “It was way better than okay.” She laughed and he kissed her again!