Chapter 6
There was much commotion at the Bandy house this morning.
Today was Abel and Lilith’s twenty-first wedding anniversary, and last week, at Tate’s insistence, he’d talked his dad into taking off at his job a couple of days and taking his mom out of this town to celebrate at someplace special.
Abel frowned at the idea. “I don’t know, son. The boss might not go for me being gone that long.”
“Then insist,” Tate said. “You never take off. Not even when you don’t feel good.
Mama is sad, Daddy. Every day of her life here is like being in prison.
I know. I feel it and it hurts my heart that I’m the reason this discord is even happening.
And before you argue…I know it’s not my fault.
It’s other people’s ignorance, but it hasn’t changed the level of hurt that she suffered, and is still suffering.
I also know you didn’t leave years ago because of me and Briar.
I know way more stuff than you imagine. And you owe this to Mama.
I’ll be fine here. I’ll look after the house and myself just like I always do.
You never have to doubt my word or my promise. ”
Abel blinked. His son had outgrown him by two inches, and some days he felt like he was being guided by an elder, not a nineteen-year-old boy.
“Okay, I’ll talk to Curly. But don’t say anything to your mama in case this doesn’t fly.”
“It will fly, Dad. Remind Curly that he owes me a favor,” Tate said.
“I’d almost forgotten about that big mess when Curly came asking you about the lost will. If he balks, I will tell him what you said.” And then he winked. “Now go on with yourself, and quit worrying about us.”
* * *
As it turned out, Abel didn’t have to play that debt card. Curly readily agreed, and he even gave Abel a five-hundred-dollar bonus and called it an anniversary present to both of them. After that, Abel went home with the news.
He walked in that evening after work with a smile on his face, went straight to the kitchen where Lilith was making crust for a pie, put his arms around her, and danced her around the kitchen island until her cheeks were pink and she was laughing without restraint.
“What was all of that about?” she asked, when Abel finally stopped.
He cupped her face and kissed her soundly on the lips. “It’s about us going to St. Louis for two nights at the River City Casino, seeing a music show, and playing the slots, and celebrating our anniversary!”
She gasped, her eyes suddenly alight with a joy he hadn’t seen in years. “Can we do that?”
“We not only can, but we already are. Tate has already made reservations for us online and got us tickets for the show. All we have to do is arrive. We are leaving the day after tomorrow before daylight. Call it an anniversary trip. Call it a second honeymoon.”
“What about Tate?” she said.
Abel rolled his eyes. “Woman…think what you just said. He’s been taking care of us for the better part of two years without even being asked.
That boy is an old soul. He is the most honest, responsible man I have ever known.
He’ll be fine, and he’s promised to take good care of the house and see to all that needs doing while we’re gone. ”
Her smile grew, as did the tears welling in her eyes. “We may live in a hateful town, but the two best men in it are my husband and my son. The downside is that I don’t have a thing to wear to a place like that.”
Abel handed her the envelope Curly had given him. “Yes, you do. Curly gave me a bonus today and said to call it our anniversary present. There’s five hundred dollars in it. We’ll buy you whatever you need when we get to St. Louis.”
* * *
When Tate came home from work that evening, he knew when he opened the door that his dad had told her about the trip. The whole energy in the house was different. He could hear his mom in the kitchen, laughing, and both of them talking with animated voices.
He smiled. Mission accomplished.
Lilith heard his footsteps, wiped her hands on her apron, and met him with open arms. “You are the best son a woman could have. Thank you, a thousand times.”
“I didn’t do anything but help Dad get reservations. This is all him. We love you, Mama. So much. I fully expect you both to come back blushing.”
Lilith blinked, then poked a finger in his chest and laughed. “You are so bad.”
“Well, I know you didn’t find me in the cabbage patch, which is the story someone tried to sell me when I was little.
And you two deserve a break from the bullshit in this place.
Just hold onto the thought that I’ll graduate before Christmas.
I expect you to start packing up your things during Christmas break so I can help.
And you two need to tell everybody you’re coming home.
You can put your stuff in storage and stay with your parents until this house sells, and you find your own place back in Tennessee. ”
Lilith’s head was spinning. “How did you know we—”
He grinned and kissed the top of her head. “Mama…did you go and forget the unnatural child you gave birth to? That’s why I’ve been studying so many subjects, so I can graduate early. It’s also why I’m so tall. I’ve been trying to grow fast so you and Dad can leave sooner.”
She just laughed and hugged him, then in true Tate fashion, he shifted the subject to food.
“What kind of pie are you making, and is there anything here I can taste test before supper? I’m starving.”
“It’s those damn long legs,” Abel said, as he walked in the room. “Your mama can’t cook fast enough to fill them up.”
Lilith pointed at a plate on the counter covered in foil. “Consider that your own personal charcuterie plate.”
Tate’s eyes widened. “You are one awesome mother.”
“I know,” she said. “Now get. I can’t have two Bandy men in the kitchen with me at the same time. I’ll never get anything done.”
“Heard and obeyed,” Tate said, then scooped up the plate, got a cold bottle of pop from the fridge, and headed out the back door.
* * *
Two days later, Abel and Lilith left Star Ridge before daylight. The town was quiet. Streetlights were still on, and lights were just beginning to come on in the houses as Tate helped load up their luggage. He got goodbye hugs and kisses from both, then watched them driving away.
“Please God, protect them and let this be the best two days of their lives,” he said quietly, then went back inside to take a shower. At least he had his dad’s truck to drive today, so he wouldn’t be walking to work.
* * *
Tate arrived at work on time, greeted the two cashiers, and, as he passed the office, spoke to Andy.
“Morning, boss. Did that shipment from the warehouse come in yet?” he said.
Andy was surprised Tate remembered shipment dates. “Yes, it did. The meat boxes and produce are already in the cooler. Grab a dolly cart, load up some of the boxes, and start shelving the canned goods.”
“Yes, sir, on it!” Tate said, and headed to the break room to grab a work apron.
As he was working, he thought about how summer jobs had changed his freedom to spend time with Briar, and with her helping her dad in his office, the same went for her, but he did send her a text when he went on break.
Mom and Dad went to St. Louis this a.m. It’s their twenty-first wedding anniversary. I’m at work all day. I love you. I miss you.
A short while later she responded.
I’m at work with Dad. His secretary is still out of town. Mom’s still gone. Dad doesn’t talk about it. I know nothing. I love you more. Miss you too.
When he read her message, he sighed, thinking how different their family dynamics were. Her family lived in a fine house on a street lined with fine houses. Her parents lived in discord, and Briar was treated more like their possession than a beloved daughter.
His family lived on the other side of Main Street, in a tree-lined neighborhood closer to the river. A less desirable place for many, yet a place of great beauty for others. His parents loved each other and in turn, he knew that he was loved.
Sorry for the turmoil, darlin’. But I’m here for you. Always.
He heard nothing more from her after that, and they got busy at the store. By the time closing time rolled around, Tate was ready for the day to be over.
The last customer had just walked out the door.
Employees were leaving, and the janitor was on his way out the back door. Andy had already locked up the front entrance, picked up the bag with the daily deposit from the desk in his office, and was headed toward the employee parking behind the store.
Tate had purchased some food from the deli section for his supper and went to get it from the cooler. He came running as Andy was waiting to lock up.
“Good job today, Tate. Have a good evening,” Andy said.
Tate smiled. “Thank you, Mr. Sparks. You too,” he said, and walked out in front of him.
Andy turned to lock the door, and as he did, the night deposit bag slipped out of his grasp.
Tate heard it hit the street, stopped to pick it up for him, and, the moment he touched the bag, felt his surroundings fading.
Instead of the back parking lot and his dad’s truck, he saw two men—strangers—in wait near the bank drive-through.
He knew the bank was already closed, and he also knew that Mr. Sparks would be taking the store’s deposit to the night depository beside the teller’s window.
Tate’s heart was pounding as he gave the bag back to Andy, but he knew what it meant.
“Mr. Sparks, I need to tell you something. There are two men hiding near the night deposit at the bank. They’re going to rob you.”
Andy shivered, despite his disbelief. “Now Tate, I don’t see how you—”