Thirty-One
Bart
The drive home was much less terrifying, mostly because it turned out there was another way to go that didn’t involve that steep ass climb. Something I vowed to remind Keith of for the rest of his life.
“Oh, it’s good to get your heart going now and then. It reminds you you’re still alive,” he teased.
As soon as we were close enough to town to get a cellphone signal, both of our phones started pinging with notifications. “Holy shit, something’s going on.”
I checked my text messages and opened the one from Noah.
Noah: Asa got hurt pretty bad, I’m taking him to the hospital. Call as soon as you get this message.
“Noah? What’s going on?” I reached for Keith as he drove a little faster.
“We were out feeding and he tripped on that fucking squirrel hole by the barn and went down hard.”
“Is he okay?” We’d all noticed the hole just a few days ago, but we were keeping an eye on it to make sure it wasn’t a mother with babies. Asa had said we’d seal it once we knew for sure but apparently that hadn’t happened in time.
“He broke his arm and they’re making sure he doesn’t need surgery. He’s going to be down for the count for a while.”
“I’m on the way, where is the hospital?”
“It’s okay. I know where he is,” Keith said.
“He’s in the ER,” Noah said before hanging up.
“How far is it?”
“Thirty miles. Did you need to stop by the house on the way?”
“No, I want to make sure he’s okay,” I said and sent a text to Dad telling him what had happened and letting him know I’d fill him in once we were at the hospital.
“He’ll be fine. He might be old as Methuselah but he’s tough as steel.”
“Who’s Methuselah?”
“Some old guy in the—never mind, it doesn’t matter. All that matters is Asa is tougher than most men half his age. Even with a broken arm he’ll out work us all.” Keith drove through town and turned north.
“Is there anyone in town I should call?”
“Not that I can think of, he doesn’t have any family besides you,” Keith said.
“A while back he told me about a man in town that he had a crush on years ago.” I hoped Asa didn’t get mad at me but right now I wanted anyone who cared for him to be there.
“I asked him if he’d ever wanted to get married and he admitted he didn’t really like girls all that much but there had been a man in town who was married to another man.
He was older than Asa, but they were close.
After the guy’s husband died, he tried to be there for him. ”
“Do you mean Mr. Atkins?” Keith sounded shocked, not by the fact that Asa was gay but that he had a guy friend.
“Is his first name Don? I don’t know him, but he speaks about him all the time. They get together every Saturday to watch a movie at Don’s house. Apparently, they both love those old fucking black and white cowboy movies.”
“Yes Don Atkins. And I think every kid around here was forced to watch those at some point in their childhood,” Keith said like it was something everyone knew.
“Should I call him?” I asked, not sure how to handle it or if Asa would be mad at me for calling him.
“Yes. It can’t hurt, and if they get together every Saturday then he’ll wonder what’s happened to him. Mr. Atkins doesn’t drive so he’d be worried, I’m sure. I have his number. I can call if you’d like.”
“Would you mind? I’ve never met him. Asa always goes there.”
I dialed and the truck was so fucking old I needed to put it on speaker phone so I could hear it while I drove. “Don? Hey this is Keith Brooks.” There was a pause before he answered.
“Keith? Is everything okay? I don’t think you’ve ever called me before.” His voice had an edge of panic and worry, and I didn’t want him to think we were calling with the worst news.
“Don, this is Bart Martin.”
“Asa’s nephew, is everything okay?”
“He tripped on a squirrel hole and broke his arm. We’re heading to the hospital to make sure he’s okay. I can call you when I find out more.”
“I’d really appreciate that. Thank you so much for calling. We were supposed to watch a movie later and I’d have wondered what had happened to him if he hadn’t shown up.”
“I’m sure he’s fine but we’ll know more once we get there,” Keith said.
“Thank you, boys, so much for calling. I appreciate it and please keep me updated.”
“Will do, talk soon, Don,” Keith said before hanging up.
“I’m so glad Noah was there.” I tried not to think about if he’d been there alone but knowing him, he’d have driven himself with a sling he made from his belt.
“I think he would have been happier to have you there; Noah can get a little excitable.”
“Yeah, I’ve noticed that. I’m not going to worry until I see him and I’m not listening to the ten voicemails Noah left.”
“I’d say that’s probably for the best. Don’t worry, we’ll be there soon.” He squeezed my hand, and while he worried about Noah, I was just thankful I had him with me.