Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
George
For the most part, I’m able to compartmentalize Madison and the brief times we were together. After our first week apart, I get up the nerve to text her.
I had a hard time this week because I missed you.
Within a few seconds, my phone rings.
“Hello?”
“Hey.” Madison’s voice is breathy, her one-word greeting coming out in a tired sigh.
“Hey.” I immediately perk up, all of my senses on high alert. Is her tone a sign she’s working too hard? Or is she irritated I called her, interrupting her during business hours?
Shaking off my wayward thoughts, I forge ahead. “How are you?”
“I’m okay. This week has been a whirlwind, for sure.”
“A whirlwind?” I grip the phone tighter in my hand and concentrate on her words. Tone or not, I’m thrilled to hear her voice.
“Yes. I should’ve called you sooner, but my boss had me fly to Memphis after my epic meeting in Savannah.”
Madison tells me all about her week. How, after she left the farm, she attended an emergency meeting at the Global Dynamics Savannah headquarters.
How disappointed they were the sale hadn’t gone through but relieved she’d caught the surveyor’s major mistake regarding the underground spring.
She was hailed a hero in Kevin’s eyes and given a promotion on the spot, her caseload doubling overnight with two new contract negotiations to oversee.
Between her driving all over the state of Georgia and flying out to other cities, the poor woman barely had any time to sleep, let alone call me in the middle of the day.
“I’m so sorry I haven’t been in touch. I swear, whenever I try and send you a simple text, I’m interrupted by someone at the office who needs me. It’s been crazy.”
“It sounds like it,” I agree. “When do you think you’ll be back in Heartsboro?” I hold my breath.
“I really don’t know. Maybe in a week or two, if I’m lucky?
I’ve been assigned as an overseer on a couple of contracts.
The one in Memphis is almost complete and shouldn’t take long.
But you never know what might come up. We’ve also found a potential area in South Georgia for the expansion of Global Dynamics. After Memphis, I fly to Chicago.”
“Chicago?” I frown. Chicago sounded like the other side of the world to me.
“I know. I told you it’s been crazy. But you have to know something.”
“What?” I bow my head, fearing the worst.
“I miss you too.”
Warmth spreads across my face, and I press my lips together to thwart an exploding smile. “You do?”
“Yes. I think about you when I’m not bombarded with work. I think about you when I go to bed at night. It might only be for a few minutes before I completely pass out,” she laughs. “But I swear, I do think about you. You need to know that.”
Now it’s my turn to sigh. “Thank you. Where are you now?”
“I’m at the airport about to board my flight in Memphis to head back to Atlanta.
It’s a quick turnaround before I fly out to Chicago.
Hopefully, there won’t be a lot of back and forth with this one.
But get this, if it does go on for a couple of weeks, my schedule might coincide with my mom’s. How wild is that?”
“What do you mean?” I vaguely remember Madison telling me about her free-spirited mother who works in theater.
“If I’m still working in Chicago when my mom’s touring show comes through town, I’ll get to see her. You know, two birds with one stone?”
I frown, unsure of what she's saying. “Well, it’s good you might get to see your mom. But I’m not so sure y’all should be throwing any stones at the birds in a big city like Chicago. You might wind up in jail.”
Madison’s laugh over the phone makes me chuckle.
I love it when I’m able to make her laugh.
I miss it. I miss her smile. I miss her syrupy eyes and her pomegranate lips.
I’m glad she didn’t lose her job. Happy but sad, because now she doesn’t seem to have any time for me, especially with her new work schedule.
But I meant it when I said I was happy she might get to see her mom.
“I promise I’ll try and stay in touch better, okay?”
“Okay.”
“I’ve gotta go, George. They’re boarding the plane. It was so great to hear your voice.”
“Yours too.”
I can hear the background noise of a gate agent over a loudspeaker as Madison utters, “Goodbye.”
The line goes dead before I can reply. “Bye.” I hold the phone in my hand and look at it, disappointment washing over me.
“Love you,” I add in a gravelly whisper.
Madison stayed in touch for the next few weeks. She sent me sweet text messages and called me from airports. She even sent me a gorgeous selfie, her beautiful expression turning my insides into a twirling mix of lust and longing.
But after another month of not seeing her in person, the texts and phone calls seemed to fizzle, becoming fewer and far between.
Worried, I texted her again.
I’m doing better this month, but I still miss you.
Her response came in the form of a sad face emoji and two words, I’m sorry.
I have no idea what that means. Is she sorry she’s so busy? Or is she sorry she made a promise she can’t keep?
Whatever her excuse this time, I know deep down I’m not equipped to continue a relationship like this.
I need to know if she’s in or out. I need to stop thinking about her laugh, her lips, and her eyes.
I need to move on with my life and concentrate on my grandfather, who is now housebound and being taken care of by Betty Lou and a team of part-time nurses.
I don’t dare tell Madison that I feel like the end is near for poor Pop. It seems like she’d be too busy to care anyway. She certainly doesn’t act like she cares about me, so why would she be concerned about my grandfather?
Feeling bold and needing closure, I gathered the courage to send her a final text:
I don’t know what tomorrow will bring. But I know for sure I’ll always miss you.
I mute her number after my last text, ready to move on without the possibility of her return. I’m prepared to focus on the here and now, giving my full attention to my dying grandfather.
I need to stop pining for the city girl who holds my heart hostage.
***
My mind remains blank with indifference as I hoist a heavy bundle of lavender into my truck, my gait slow and grueling. I’m tired.
The summer season is officially over, and the only remnants of the once-lush fields are drying out in the rafters of the old barn. And isn’t that what my heart is now? Dried out?
I glance at the tree line along Pine Mountain Ridge, the leaves starting to ever so slightly show early signs of fall. Grandma Rosie always loved this time of year. I can almost hear her gentle words in the breeze, how autumn teaches us that change can be beautiful.
And I am changing. Or maybe I’ve already changed. My heart has hardened, leaving me in a state of emotional distance. My walls are up, protecting myself from further pain and disappointment.
I will myself to stop caring about Madison. She once said she would help me. But with or without her, I know it’s time to make some major decisions and help myself.
I’ve decided to make a go of my life on my own terms. Alone.
In the evening, I sit next to my grandfather’s bedside.
His old dog, Earl, sleeps soundly on the braided rug next to the bed, never leaving his side.
I keep quiet and watch him sleep. The drugs administered earlier by the night nurse did what they were supposed to, keeping him comfortable and allowing him to rest.
He’s lost a ton of weight in the last few weeks, his gnarly fingers spread limply on top of the quilt my grandmother made. Farmer’s hands, which once held me as an infant, carried me as a toddler and taught me how to plant, fish, and hammer as a boy.
I know it’s almost time to let go of my grandfather’s hands—to break free and find my way without him to hold on to anymore. To be a man on my own. With my decision made, I’m determined to make him proud.
“What time is it?” Pop’s voice is laced with grogginess, the sky out the window darkening after a dramatic sunset during standard time above the fields.
“It’s not that late. Did I wake you?” I shift in my seat and gently pat his hand.
“No. I’m just surprised to see you here this time of day. Still thinking about our talk from last week?” He motions for his water bottle.
I’m quick with the straw to his lips and watch as he takes a long pull of spring water.
“Yes. I’ve made a decision.”
“Oh?”
“Yes.” I hesitate for the briefest of seconds before I allow the words to leave my mouth. “I’ve decided I’m going to sell part of the farm.”
He presses his eyes closed as if he’s sad. “That is a very brave thing to do.”
“I’m not brave, Pop.”
“Yes, you are. You’re daring to imagine your life could be different.”
“Life will be different, especially without you.”
He sighs. “I’m sorry, son. I never meant for it to end this way. But look on the bright side. You’ll still have the flower fields, the barn, and your cottage. You’re happiest in those places.”
“Yes.”
“So tell me, what made you come to your decision?”
I scratch at the scraggly beard covering my face, another layer to keep people at bay.
“Well, I did what you suggested and wrote down my options. There were really only two to choose from, and both have risks and rewards.”
“Very true.”
“I feel like I’ve been stuck at a big fork in the road. If I try to run the farm alone, I know I’ll set myself up for failure. But keeping the parts I know I can handle won’t be too terrible.”
My grandfather laces his fingers together on top of the quilt and nods. “The stakes are high; you don’t want to get this wrong. But I don’t want you to have any regrets.”
“I know.” I bow my head. “But a decision has to be made. If I do nothing, I may end up losing… everything.”
“Well, you know you have an entire community of folks who aren’t going to let that happen.
My first priority has always been to make sure your basic needs are met.
Miss Simpkins is ready and willing to be your advisor.
She’s agreed to oversee your financial portfolio.
You’ve known her for a long time. She’s trustworthy. ”
“I know.”
Pop’s eyes narrow as he stares up at me. “And you still haven’t heard back from Madison?”
I keep quiet and shake my head. I confided with my grandfather about my feelings for her and how disappointed I was when she ghosted me. Pop seemed upset too, but hasn’t said much about it.
“And you’re sure you want to sell the other half of the farm to Kip Johnson?”
I stand and pace at the foot of my grandfather’s bed. “I know he’s chomping at the bit to own this house and part of the land. He’s even offered top dollar. And I know I’ll still be able to sell him the lavender and other flowers to make a profit. He fully agreed to that stipulation.”
“Then what’s wrong?”
I stand tall with my hands firmly planted on my hips. “I just don’t want to be neighbors with a jerk like him.”
A low rumble starts deep in my grandfather’s chest before his hearty laughter pings the air.
“Why are you laughing?” I ask, perplexed.
He swipes at his teary eyes with his skinny fingers. “I’m laughing because I’ve never heard you use a derogatory name for anyone in your entire life. Especially a name as appropriate as ‘jerk’ for that jackass.”
I exhale a laugh of my own. Coming around to the edge of the bed, I sit close to him and link my fingers through his. “Pop, please tell me I’m doing the right thing.”
“I can’t tell you what to do. But you know, you don’t have to sell to him. You could wait for another offer.”
“I know.” I swallow hard.
The old man squeezes my hand. “Only you can make this decision. And remember, you haven’t done anything yet.
You don’t have to do anything at all if you decide not to.
When and if the time is right, you’ll know it.
I’ve made some arrangements and some provisions for you in my will.
You have great strengths, my boy. I’m ensuring you’re properly supported, even after I’m gone. You’re not going to be all alone.”
“Thank you.”
His slight smile induces a subtle tear to roll down his weathered face. “My greatest hope is that when I leave this earth, and you begin life on your own, you’ll always know that you were the greatest thing me and Rosie ever did. You’re my blood. You are and always will be my son. Do you hear me?”
“Yes, sir.” My voice comes out in a soft whisper. “I love you, Pop.”
“I love you too.” He sighs and closes his eyes. “Whew, I’m feeling tired again. I might have to take a little cat nap if you don’t mind.”
“Go ahead, Pop. I’ll be right here. I’ve got nowhere else to be.”
“Good. But before I drift off, I want you to get something from the bedside table for me. Would ya?”
I stand and open the antique drawer. “It’s in here?”
“Yes. It’s a folded piece of pink paper. You can’t miss it.”
I fumble with a few items, including a familiar leather-bound Bible that once belonged to my Grandma Rosie. The folded piece of paper catches my eye, and I pluck it from the drawer.
“I’ve got it. What is it?” I hold it up for my grandfather to see.
He closes his eyes and smiles. “Madison gave it to me on the night we first met. She slid it across the table at the Wild Daisy Café while we were having supper. I assumed it was the official offer from her company. I only looked at it yesterday. I thought you might want a look-see for yourself. Maybe it will help you make your final decision.”
“I don’t understand. I thought Global Dynamics couldn’t build on our land because of the underground spring?”
“Just open it, son. From day one, our girl knew all along…" His words peter out as he drifts off with a smile on his face.
I frown, unsure of what Pop means. Carefully, I unfold the slip of pink paper, my eyes scrolling the handwritten message Madison presented to my grandfather many moons ago.
My throat thickens, and I blink in disbelief.
Please don’t sell your beautiful farm to my company. We’ll figure something out.