The Storm
I Don't Care
It was almost two in the morning before Lucy crawled into her small twin size bed. The severe weather had finally passed and she felt confident she could go to sleep without worry. Only problem was, she was worried but for a totally different reason. Her home, for the first time in over ten years, had another living being within its walls. Had he not been here she would have gone to sleep hours ago not caring if severe weather threatened. But now because Gerard was here her routine was being disrupted and that bothered her.
“Damn” she muttered punching her pillow, that wasn’t quite true. What was bothering her, while she hated to admit it, was she liked having someone to talk to. Definitely not a good thing in her mind.
“He’ll leave soon enough” She whispered into the darkness, “Then things will go back to normal.”
____________________________________________________
Gerard’s eyes popped open when he felt a tongue run up his bare leg. Almost immediately memories from last night filled his brain causing his heart to race. He sat up trying to blink away the bright sunlight flooding through the windows.
“Rex” He laughed spotting the intruder beside the bed.
Rex wagged his tail then moved to nudge Gerard’s hand. It was obvious he was tried of waiting patiently for some attention.
“Guess Lucy didn’t close the door tightly.” He said as he scratched the dogs head. He had no idea she’d left it open when checking in on him before going to bed.
_________________________________________________________
Lucy turned from the small propane cook stove when she heard Gerard enter the kitchen. “Good morning.”
He inhaled the smell of the sizzling bacon then smiled “Wow I wasn’t expecting a breakfast like this.”
Not missing a beat she answered, “Oh this isn’t for you. I’m making Rex his breakfast.”
“Funny.” Gerard grinned, “You mean my alarm clock?”
“What?” Then it hit her. “Rex did you wake him up?”
Rex barked while wagging his tail.
“Sorry about that.” Lucy said turning back to the small frying pan.
“Hey looks like he had perfect timing. So what can I do to help?”
She nodded towards a nearby cabinet, “Grab a plate, please. Oh and lay a piece of paper towel on it first.”
As he was doing so he asked, “So guess we still don’t have power?”
“Nope and probably won’t for some time. The reports this morning say the storms did a lot of damage a bit further south from here.”
He glanced at his watch. “Uh is there still local news on?” He wanted to see the damage.
Lucy lifted the bacon off the pan placing it onto the paper towel. “Uh, did you get hit on the head during the storm?”
“What?” Then it hit him. “Oh, no power so no TV. That was stupid.”
Lucy tried not to laugh. “I know we only had candlelight last night but you’re not very observant.”
Gerard frowned, “What?”
This time she did laugh, “Well you’ve pretty much seen the whole house. Tell me, did you see a TV anywhere?”
“Are you serious? You don’t have a TV?”
“She carefully poured most of the bacon dripping out of the pan then grabbed two eggs. “I’m afraid it gets worse, no TV, no phone, no air conditioning and…wait for it…no computer.”
Gerard was speechless. “What are you like a Mormon or something?”
Again Lucy laughed, “Nope. Don’t forget you saw me smoking and drinking last night.”
“So what’s the deal?”
She shrugged, “I don’t know. I used to have a TV but then that whole “Oh you gotta buy a box or have cable” thing came around. It just irritated me so I decided just to say to hell with it and not have one.”
“And no computer?”
“Don’t like them.” She answered. “How do you want your eggs?”
“Over easy, please.” He said before getting back to the subject, “And the phone?”
She cracked the first egg, “Don’t want to talk to anyone.”
Before her voice had carried a trace of humor but now it was gone.
“Coffee?” She held up the old time peculator she’d used on the cook stove before staring the bacon.
He nodded, “Please”
She cracked the second egg then poured him a cup while refilling her own. “So looked outside yet?”
He walked over to the kitchen door. “Wow” She’d been right seeing the destruction in the bright daylight made it a lot worse. All over there were downed trees and debris. “I had no idea it was this bad.”
“Well the hail last night didn’t help.” She sighed while continuing to work on their breakfast. “The girl’s temporary roof now has large holes in it.”
He turned away from the door to face her, “Uh, so I guess I should thank the girls for breakfast too?”
Lucy walked over to the table with his plate. “Yep, farm fresh eggs complements of my girls. Went out and gathered them this morning.”
Taking a seat at the table he asked, “So how long have you been awake?”
“Crack of dawn.” She said as she returned with her plate. “Already been outside surveying damage. It’s bad but not as bad as it could have been” She sat down then continued “Got to put a roof on the chicken coop, repair the roof on the barn, oh and I lost a few shingles off the roof.” She pointed up.
He took a bit of bacon, “Uh, you could see that from the ground?”
She laughed, “I don’t know, maybe, but it was just easier to climb out on the roof.”
Since she’d mentioned it last night the idea of her climbing out on the roof bothered him. “That’s dangerous. What if you’d fallen?”
She shrugged, “Been climbing out there for years. I already told you I sleep out there occasionally.”
He tried to choose his words carefully because he didn’t want to anger her. Since the startling facts he’d learned last night about her great grandmother he knew there was a reason he was here so it was important to keep on Lucy’s good side. “Just sayin’ it is sorta dangerous. Shit, you don’t even have a phone to call for help.”
At first she was annoyed but looking into his eyes she saw he was genuinely concerned. That fact annoyed her more than anything. “Hey, pretty sure if I fall off the roof I won’t be in any condition to make a phone call anyway.” She added with a laugh, “And Rex has never made a phone call in his life.”
He knew she was kidding but damn it, he worried. “But you’ve got neighbors right?”
“Well the nearest neighbors are miles away. I met them once.”
He took a sip of his coffee slowly to allow himself to study her over the rim of his cup.
“What?”
He sighed, “I don’t know. Just seems like a bad idea you’re so isolated out here.”
“I’m not isolated.” She said rolling her eyes. “God, you’d think I was in the middle of the Alaskan wilderness.”
He knew she was losing her patience. “I didn’t say that.”
“There is nothing wrong with living alone.” Lucy said lifting her cup of coffee. “I like living alone, it’s peaceful.”
Gerard knew not to push the issue any further. “Uh so what do we fix first?”
She was surprised he’d dropped the subject so quickly. “Hey, I meant what I said last night, I’ll take you into Iola today.”
“Nope.” Gerard said before finishing off his bacon. “I told you I’m gonna help you get things back to normal. But first I was going to wander out to my car and see if my bag is still in the backseat.”
“Really, Gerard.” She said softly, “It’s a nice gesture but I’m sure you need to contact your insurance company and your family to let them know you’re okay.”
He looked down at his plate. “Don’t care about the car and I ain’t got anyone to call.” As soon as he said the words he felt terrible. He did have friends and family that would worry but as far as he knew chances were good they hadn’t even noticed he had left LA yet.
Lucy sighed, “So you’re just independently wealthy?”
“What?”
“Mighty expensive sports car that’s out squished in my field. So either you’re independently wealthy or maybe you’re a famous author.”
He wanted to get her off this train of thought because he was beginning to feel trapped by his lies, “It’s paid for and I bought it used.” That was the truth about the car.
“Well eventually you’re gonna need a car.”
“More coffee?” He asked getting to his feet to move towards the cook stove.
Lucy laughed, “Nice way to change the conversation.”
Gerard brought the pot to the table then carefully refilled both cups. As he was walking back to replace it on the cook stove he asked, “So this is pretty convenient to have when the power goes out.”
“Yep it is but if the power doesn’t come on in a few days I’m gotta have to buy a couple more containers of propane and some ice.”
“Where to you go for that?”
“Iola, it’s only about twenty five miles. It’s not a huge town but they have a beautiful downtown square.”
He smiled, “Well then if the power doesn’t come back on we’ll go there.”
Lucy sighed, “Just wait, after today and all the work we have to do you’ll be begging me to drive you to Iola tonight.”
He finished off his coffee then smiled. “Nope you’re wrong.”
“We’ll see.” Lucy said slowly, “We’ll see.”
_____________________________________________________________
Since Lucy refused to let him help with the breakfast clean up Gerard decided to walk out across the field to where his car had been deposited by the twister. As he neared the automobile a chill ran down his spine. The wreck barely resembled the vehicle he’d been driving. It was lying upside down and all the windows and been blown out.
“Fuck” He muttered walking around it slowly.
Beside him Rex was also surveying the damage by poking his nose through the passenger side window.
“Careful, boy.” Gerard said softly not wanting the dog to be cut by any remaining shards of glass. He squatted down trying to get a look inside. His heart sank when he saw his duffle bag was gone.
“Well, shit.” He said standing back up while wiping the mud off his hands. In that bag were not only his clothes but almost six thousand dollars he’d hidden in the bottom. He knew he only had about a thousand dollars left in his wallet. He’d have to figure out a way to get more money but feared doing so would leave a paper trail. “Like it matters.” He muttered.
Rex was sitting at his side wagging his tail.
Gerard looked out across the ruined field. “What am I doing here?” He said softly. “I should just go back.” Right now in the light of day things seemed hopeless.
He barely noticed when Rex got up and wandered back over to the car but when he saw the dog shimmy through the back window he called out fearing once again he’d be injured. A moment later Rex backed out of the window but now had something in his mouth.
“Oh, shit.” Gerard’s voice shook. In the dog’s mouth was the yellow piece of paper. His mind was frantically trying to make sense of what he was seeing. How could the duffle be gone but a paper buried deep inside it still remain?
“Come here, boy.” Gerard said softly. Rex bounded over to him. Carefully Gerard took the paper from his mouth. As his eyes fell onto the words he’d written a cloud suddenly covered the sun. Gazing up he noticed storm clouds were gathering again. He folded the paper then shoved it into his pocket. For now he didn’t have time to think about this, he had to help Lucy get things in order before another storm hit.
However as he and Rex walked back towards the house his mind was on the paper in his pocket and the words written on that paper. It was like having a box of puzzle pieces but having no picture of what those pieces were to form.
Lucy saw them walking back across the field. When they neared she asked, “So I guess it’s gone?”
Gerard nodded, “Yeah, all the windows were blown out.”
“Sorry. I do have more clothes for you though.”
He decided now was the time to ask, “Uh, that’s good. Good thing whoever owns these is my size.”
Lucy knew there was an unanswered question. “They belonged to my husband.” There was no emotion in her voice.
“Oh” Gerard had thought that was a possibility but now wasn’t sure what to say.
“Hope you’re not creeped out wearing a dead man’s clothing.”
While her face held no emotion he could see the pain in her eyes. “Of course not. I’m glad to have them.”
Lucy nodded then turned, “Well I’m going to start on the chicken coop.”
“We are going to start on the chicken coop.” He said hurrying his steps to follow her. “Besides I have to thank the ladies for breakfast.” He was pleased to see a small smile appear on her face.
_________________________________________________________
By noon they had the roof of the chicken coop almost done. Luckily Lucy had a large supply of salvaged wood in the large barn that had come in very handy. Gerard was amazed at how quickly and efficiently she works cutting boards to size then putting them in place. He’d offered to help with the sawing but she’d shooed him away. He was amazed at how strong this woman was and now watching as she lifted another heavy board without help he sighed.
“Uh, you’re not letting me help all that much.”
Lucy glanced over at him. “Sorry, I’m just so used to doing things myself.” She grinned, “Besides I’m betting you’ve never used a hand saw before.”
While that was the truth he didn’t want her to think he couldn’t do manual labor. “Yes, I have.”
Her eyes narrowed, “Oh really?”
“Okay so I haven’t but that doesn’t mean I couldn’t”
It was then she realized how her actions were making him feel. “That’s true. But don’t worry there is a lot more sawing to be done.” She pointed to all the fallen trees. “And as soon as I get this last board into place we have to put the large plywood up and I’ll definitely need your help for that.”
He wiped sweat off his forehead, it was noon and already the temperature was in the 90’s. “Shit, it’s hot.” He muttered.
Lucy laughed, “Yep, and it’s gonna get worse.”
He waited until she had the board nailed into place then asked, “So should we take a break?”
Her first response had been to tell him a storm was coming and they didn’t have time but looking at him she realized he was hot and tired. “Sure. Some ice water would be nice. I’ll go grab us a couple of glasses and we’ll sit on the porch.”
“I’ll go grab the ice water.” He said, “You go sit down.”
Again she wanted to disagree but forced herself to nod.
When he walked out with the glasses he saw she’d taken off her shirt and was now only wearing a tank top.
“Thanks” She said reaching for the glass.
He sat down but noticed she moved slightly away.
“Hey, sorry, I know I reek.” He laughed.
Lucy laughed, “Hey, I moved because I know I reek.”
“You’ve been doing most of the work.” He reminded her.
“Guess I have” She said softly. “It’s just...well I’m used to doing everything by myself. But hey, I promise to work you hard after our break.”
Her words, while not meant to have another meaning, still caused an unwanted response. In his mind he told himself to remember he was a married man and this woman, although sexy as hell in her tank top, was off limits.
“What?” She wondered why he had a strange look on his face.
He shrugged, “Nothing, just thinking about how much we still need to do.” He hoped that excuse sounded reasonable.
Lucy took a long drink of water then nodded, “Yep, there is still a lot of be done. But the coop is almost completed, we’re making good time.”
Again he wanted to point out that she was the one making good time but he kept that thought to himself. Looking out across the gravel road to the field where he’d first spotted the tornado he sighed, “Shit, that field is really torn up.”
“That field is part of my property.”
“It is?”
She nodded, “Yep, I’m surprised John hasn’t been out to survey the damage.”
“That’s the guy who farms it?”
“Yep, he’s not gonna be pleased when he sees what happened.”
Gerard wiped the beads of sweat off his forehead, “Shit, how hot to you think it is?”
“Probably upper nineties. It’s gonna get hotter.” She smiled, “Sorry about the no air conditioning thing.”
While he definitely would have preferred her house to have air conditioning he wasn’t about to complain. “No big deal.”
“But you’ve never stayed anywhere that didn’t have one, right?”
He thought a minute, “Well no, but I’ll live.”
Lucy finished off her glass of ice water then stood.
“Time to get back to work?”
“Hey, if you want to sit here awhile that’s okay.”
Did the woman think he wasn’t capable or just lazy? “I’m gonna help you.” He said standing. “I really do mean that wither you believe it or not.”
She realized again she was hurting his pride. “Good, then let’s go. We have hours of work to do before the storms come.”
He looked out at the sky. “You sure they’re gonna come? I mean earlier I heard thunder and saw some clouds but it don’t look so bad now.”
“They’re coming.” Lucy said softly, “I can feel it.”
If anyone else would have said that he’d laughed but looking at her face he believed she did indeed know a storm was coming. “Think they’ll be bad?”
She shrugged, “Not sure, I hope not but if it starts to look bad we’ll turn on the weather radio.”
They both walked back through the house to leave their glasses in the sink. As they walked out the back door Gerard asked, “So, I know you sell eggs and rent out your property to be farmed…”
She nodded, “Yeah?”
“I was just wondering if you do anything else.”
Having someone pry into her business bothered her. “What? That doesn’t seem like enough? You think I should have another job?”
He realized he’d upset her. “No, I didn’t mean that. I’m just trying to get to know you better.”
Lucy stopped dead in her tracks, “Why?”
He could see the anger in her eyes. “Because...well just because.”
She sighed knowing she was being prickly. “Sorry, that really sounded cranky, didn’t it?”
Gerard smiled, “A little but I understand. Here I am traveling across country, using a fake name all because I want to get away. I don’t want people questioning me either.”
She stared at him a moment. “Yeah, I know you don’t and that’s why I’ve not asked you too many questions.” She turned and started walking again, “But believe me I have lots of questions.”
Now he was very sorry he’d brought up this subject because he didn’t want her asking too many questions, he didn’t want to lie to her.
Lucy glanced over at him then laughed.
“What?”
“You” She giggled, “I swear I’ve never met a man who wears his emotions in his eyes so damn much.”
She was once again confusing him. “I wear my emotions in my eyes?”
“Yep, you sure do. You don’t want me asking you any question, I get that. But at the same time you want to ask me questions. Well, since neither of us want to answer certain questions I think it’s best we just change the subject.”
Damn she was right but damn it he wanted to know more about her. He moved quickly to catch up with her. “Okay, deal.” He said.
They worked side by side finishing the roof of the chicken coop. It wasn’t until they were almost done Lucy surprised him.
“I sometime sell my pictures.”
He stopped hammering, shaded his eyes, then gave her a confused look “What?”
She grinned, “You wanted to know if I did anything else to supplement my income.”
He nodded, “Yeah…oh, you sell pictures. You’re a photographer?” He guessed.
“Yep” She hammered in the last nail then looked over at him. “Old school photographer. I take 35mm black and white photos.”
Gerard was intrigued, “Cool, what subjects?”
“A lot of rural America, old barns, abandoned farm houses, stuff like that.” She started to move down the ladder but stopped, “Some of my photos have been published in books.”
“Wow I’m impressed.” Gerard smiled, “I’d love to see your work.”
Lucy was proud of her photographs but still tried to downplay her accomplishments. “Well I have a copy of Ghost Towns of Kansas. There are several in there.”
Gerard smiled, “Ghost Towns of Kansas?”
“Yeah, uh, you drove through the one I took the photos of.”
“Neosho Falls” Gerard said softly.
She shrugged, “Hey, if you live in a ghost town might as well take photos.”
“And you develop them yourself?”
“Yep, I have a large closet I use. There is a store in Iola that orders me my film, paper and chemicals.” Suddenly she found herself wanting to talk about her work. “I took my first photos not long after we moved here.” Sadly as soon as she said “we” her face lost its smile.
Gerard realized immediately what had happened. “Tonight you’ll show me the book, okay?’
She was thankful he seemed to understand, “Yeah you can look at it by candlelight. But now we better get a move on.” She pointed across the horizon were a bank of angry black clouds were edging their way closer.
“Yes ma’am.” Gerard smiled, “The big barn now?”
Lucy had to admit he was really working hard. “Yep.” She added softly, “And I’m really thankful for your help.”
Gerard smiled, “I’m thankful you’re letting me help.” He watched her crawl down the ladder but saw she was smiling. Even in the brutal heat that smile was a breath of fresh air.
____________________________________________________________
Hours later they had the roof of the large barn repaired just as the first drop of rain hit the earth. They ducked inside the barn moments before the rain began to fall in sheets.
“Damn we timed that just right.” Gerard said standing in the doorway enjoying the cooling breeze the rain had brought.
Lucy moved to stand beside him. “Yeah but now we have to get to the house.”
“The clouds don’t look so bad.” He said looking up into the sky.
“But there is hail in the storm.” She explained, “Feel how much cooler it suddenly is? Remember what happened last night?”
“That means hail”
She nodded, “Yep, that means hail. So far the weather this year has been brutal. I just hope it stops soon I’m getting tired of repairing shit.”
He knew the chances of her getting angry again ran high but he had to know. “Don’t you have any family to help out?’
She answered without looking over at him. “I told you, I’m a widow.”
“But last night you mentioned a sister.”
Lucy began to tap her toe on the earthen floor of the barn, “Yes, I did have a sister. I had parents too.” When she turned to him he could see she was angry. “But they’re all gone. My parents died when I was eighteen. My sister died a few years ago.”
“Shit, I’m sorry.” Gerard said softly.
For the first time in a very long time Lucy found herself wanting to talk about something she tried to forget. “My parents dying was tragic. It was a car crash but my sister’s death… that was just...” Her mouth snapped shut.
“Was what?” He asked reaching out to gently touch her arm. “Tell me, please.”
“It was such a fuckin’ waste.” Lucy said releasing her pent up anger. “My sister always made bad choices where men were concerned. It was like she purposely went out and found the absolute worse excuse for a man she could then decided she’d change him for the better but it never worked.”
Gerard remained silent knowing she needed time.
“The last one she hooked up with was a drug dealer out in LA. God, I tried so hard to tell her she was making a mistake but she didn’t listen.” She paused, “She was with him when a drug deal went south. Connie was caught in the crossfire she died on the scene. Her boyfriend survived” Her eyes narrowed, “That piece of shit my sister was trying to help is still living and she’s dead.”
“Fuck, I’m sorry.” Gerard said knowing there was really nothing he could say that would ease her pain.
Lucy moved away slightly to lean on the door jam. “Piece of shit showed up here a few months after Connie died. He assumed that since I was her sister I was like her, that I’d help him.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah, he really did. When I told him to get the hell of my property he threatened me with a knife.”
Gerard’s eyes grew wide. “He threatened you with a knife? What the fuck did you do?”
Lucy pushed away from the door jam. “Rain has let up we should make a run for the house.”
He wasn’t about to let her drop this. “What happened?”
She glared at him. “I told you already, I’m not afraid of anything.” She paused, “But he was definitely afraid of my shotgun.”
Gerard stood in shock as she ran out of the barn towards the house. A moment later he made himself follow her. She was already in the kitchen taking off her shoes when he came through the back door.
In the kitchen, through the early evening shadows, he watched her a moment then asked, “Why did you tell me that story?”
Lucy had been wondering the same thing. “See, I was right it’s better we don’t know much about each other.”
Her answer surprised him. “No, that’s not what I was thinking.”
She shook her head, “No you’re thinking now that maybe it’s not such a good idea staying here.”
Again he was shocked, “What? I’m not thinking that at all.”
“Well why not? I just told you I threatened a guy with a shotgun and I did.”
Gerard smiled, “Okay maybe in a way you were telling me the story so I’d understand you’re not a woman to fuck with. I sorta get that but if that’s what you were doing it didn’t work.”
Lucy stood, “What?”
“I’m not scared of you Lucy.” Gerard said softly. “Telling me that story didn’t scare me. The only thing is did was make me admire you. You’re tough, and I think that’s admirable.”
She stared at him for several moments. When she spoke her voice was so soft he almost didn’t catch all her words. “There is nothing about me to admire. I’m tough only because I don’t care if I live or die.” She rushed out of the room leaving him standing in the kitchen as the hail began to hit the ground.
“Damn” she muttered punching her pillow, that wasn’t quite true. What was bothering her, while she hated to admit it, was she liked having someone to talk to. Definitely not a good thing in her mind.
“He’ll leave soon enough” She whispered into the darkness, “Then things will go back to normal.”
____________________________________________________
Gerard’s eyes popped open when he felt a tongue run up his bare leg. Almost immediately memories from last night filled his brain causing his heart to race. He sat up trying to blink away the bright sunlight flooding through the windows.
“Rex” He laughed spotting the intruder beside the bed.
Rex wagged his tail then moved to nudge Gerard’s hand. It was obvious he was tried of waiting patiently for some attention.
“Guess Lucy didn’t close the door tightly.” He said as he scratched the dogs head. He had no idea she’d left it open when checking in on him before going to bed.
_________________________________________________________
Lucy turned from the small propane cook stove when she heard Gerard enter the kitchen. “Good morning.”
He inhaled the smell of the sizzling bacon then smiled “Wow I wasn’t expecting a breakfast like this.”
Not missing a beat she answered, “Oh this isn’t for you. I’m making Rex his breakfast.”
“Funny.” Gerard grinned, “You mean my alarm clock?”
“What?” Then it hit her. “Rex did you wake him up?”
Rex barked while wagging his tail.
“Sorry about that.” Lucy said turning back to the small frying pan.
“Hey looks like he had perfect timing. So what can I do to help?”
She nodded towards a nearby cabinet, “Grab a plate, please. Oh and lay a piece of paper towel on it first.”
As he was doing so he asked, “So guess we still don’t have power?”
“Nope and probably won’t for some time. The reports this morning say the storms did a lot of damage a bit further south from here.”
He glanced at his watch. “Uh is there still local news on?” He wanted to see the damage.
Lucy lifted the bacon off the pan placing it onto the paper towel. “Uh, did you get hit on the head during the storm?”
“What?” Then it hit him. “Oh, no power so no TV. That was stupid.”
Lucy tried not to laugh. “I know we only had candlelight last night but you’re not very observant.”
Gerard frowned, “What?”
This time she did laugh, “Well you’ve pretty much seen the whole house. Tell me, did you see a TV anywhere?”
“Are you serious? You don’t have a TV?”
“She carefully poured most of the bacon dripping out of the pan then grabbed two eggs. “I’m afraid it gets worse, no TV, no phone, no air conditioning and…wait for it…no computer.”
Gerard was speechless. “What are you like a Mormon or something?”
Again Lucy laughed, “Nope. Don’t forget you saw me smoking and drinking last night.”
“So what’s the deal?”
She shrugged, “I don’t know. I used to have a TV but then that whole “Oh you gotta buy a box or have cable” thing came around. It just irritated me so I decided just to say to hell with it and not have one.”
“And no computer?”
“Don’t like them.” She answered. “How do you want your eggs?”
“Over easy, please.” He said before getting back to the subject, “And the phone?”
She cracked the first egg, “Don’t want to talk to anyone.”
Before her voice had carried a trace of humor but now it was gone.
“Coffee?” She held up the old time peculator she’d used on the cook stove before staring the bacon.
He nodded, “Please”
She cracked the second egg then poured him a cup while refilling her own. “So looked outside yet?”
He walked over to the kitchen door. “Wow” She’d been right seeing the destruction in the bright daylight made it a lot worse. All over there were downed trees and debris. “I had no idea it was this bad.”
“Well the hail last night didn’t help.” She sighed while continuing to work on their breakfast. “The girl’s temporary roof now has large holes in it.”
He turned away from the door to face her, “Uh, so I guess I should thank the girls for breakfast too?”
Lucy walked over to the table with his plate. “Yep, farm fresh eggs complements of my girls. Went out and gathered them this morning.”
Taking a seat at the table he asked, “So how long have you been awake?”
“Crack of dawn.” She said as she returned with her plate. “Already been outside surveying damage. It’s bad but not as bad as it could have been” She sat down then continued “Got to put a roof on the chicken coop, repair the roof on the barn, oh and I lost a few shingles off the roof.” She pointed up.
He took a bit of bacon, “Uh, you could see that from the ground?”
She laughed, “I don’t know, maybe, but it was just easier to climb out on the roof.”
Since she’d mentioned it last night the idea of her climbing out on the roof bothered him. “That’s dangerous. What if you’d fallen?”
She shrugged, “Been climbing out there for years. I already told you I sleep out there occasionally.”
He tried to choose his words carefully because he didn’t want to anger her. Since the startling facts he’d learned last night about her great grandmother he knew there was a reason he was here so it was important to keep on Lucy’s good side. “Just sayin’ it is sorta dangerous. Shit, you don’t even have a phone to call for help.”
At first she was annoyed but looking into his eyes she saw he was genuinely concerned. That fact annoyed her more than anything. “Hey, pretty sure if I fall off the roof I won’t be in any condition to make a phone call anyway.” She added with a laugh, “And Rex has never made a phone call in his life.”
He knew she was kidding but damn it, he worried. “But you’ve got neighbors right?”
“Well the nearest neighbors are miles away. I met them once.”
He took a sip of his coffee slowly to allow himself to study her over the rim of his cup.
“What?”
He sighed, “I don’t know. Just seems like a bad idea you’re so isolated out here.”
“I’m not isolated.” She said rolling her eyes. “God, you’d think I was in the middle of the Alaskan wilderness.”
He knew she was losing her patience. “I didn’t say that.”
“There is nothing wrong with living alone.” Lucy said lifting her cup of coffee. “I like living alone, it’s peaceful.”
Gerard knew not to push the issue any further. “Uh so what do we fix first?”
She was surprised he’d dropped the subject so quickly. “Hey, I meant what I said last night, I’ll take you into Iola today.”
“Nope.” Gerard said before finishing off his bacon. “I told you I’m gonna help you get things back to normal. But first I was going to wander out to my car and see if my bag is still in the backseat.”
“Really, Gerard.” She said softly, “It’s a nice gesture but I’m sure you need to contact your insurance company and your family to let them know you’re okay.”
He looked down at his plate. “Don’t care about the car and I ain’t got anyone to call.” As soon as he said the words he felt terrible. He did have friends and family that would worry but as far as he knew chances were good they hadn’t even noticed he had left LA yet.
Lucy sighed, “So you’re just independently wealthy?”
“What?”
“Mighty expensive sports car that’s out squished in my field. So either you’re independently wealthy or maybe you’re a famous author.”
He wanted to get her off this train of thought because he was beginning to feel trapped by his lies, “It’s paid for and I bought it used.” That was the truth about the car.
“Well eventually you’re gonna need a car.”
“More coffee?” He asked getting to his feet to move towards the cook stove.
Lucy laughed, “Nice way to change the conversation.”
Gerard brought the pot to the table then carefully refilled both cups. As he was walking back to replace it on the cook stove he asked, “So this is pretty convenient to have when the power goes out.”
“Yep it is but if the power doesn’t come on in a few days I’m gotta have to buy a couple more containers of propane and some ice.”
“Where to you go for that?”
“Iola, it’s only about twenty five miles. It’s not a huge town but they have a beautiful downtown square.”
He smiled, “Well then if the power doesn’t come back on we’ll go there.”
Lucy sighed, “Just wait, after today and all the work we have to do you’ll be begging me to drive you to Iola tonight.”
He finished off his coffee then smiled. “Nope you’re wrong.”
“We’ll see.” Lucy said slowly, “We’ll see.”
_____________________________________________________________
Since Lucy refused to let him help with the breakfast clean up Gerard decided to walk out across the field to where his car had been deposited by the twister. As he neared the automobile a chill ran down his spine. The wreck barely resembled the vehicle he’d been driving. It was lying upside down and all the windows and been blown out.
“Fuck” He muttered walking around it slowly.
Beside him Rex was also surveying the damage by poking his nose through the passenger side window.
“Careful, boy.” Gerard said softly not wanting the dog to be cut by any remaining shards of glass. He squatted down trying to get a look inside. His heart sank when he saw his duffle bag was gone.
“Well, shit.” He said standing back up while wiping the mud off his hands. In that bag were not only his clothes but almost six thousand dollars he’d hidden in the bottom. He knew he only had about a thousand dollars left in his wallet. He’d have to figure out a way to get more money but feared doing so would leave a paper trail. “Like it matters.” He muttered.
Rex was sitting at his side wagging his tail.
Gerard looked out across the ruined field. “What am I doing here?” He said softly. “I should just go back.” Right now in the light of day things seemed hopeless.
He barely noticed when Rex got up and wandered back over to the car but when he saw the dog shimmy through the back window he called out fearing once again he’d be injured. A moment later Rex backed out of the window but now had something in his mouth.
“Oh, shit.” Gerard’s voice shook. In the dog’s mouth was the yellow piece of paper. His mind was frantically trying to make sense of what he was seeing. How could the duffle be gone but a paper buried deep inside it still remain?
“Come here, boy.” Gerard said softly. Rex bounded over to him. Carefully Gerard took the paper from his mouth. As his eyes fell onto the words he’d written a cloud suddenly covered the sun. Gazing up he noticed storm clouds were gathering again. He folded the paper then shoved it into his pocket. For now he didn’t have time to think about this, he had to help Lucy get things in order before another storm hit.
However as he and Rex walked back towards the house his mind was on the paper in his pocket and the words written on that paper. It was like having a box of puzzle pieces but having no picture of what those pieces were to form.
Lucy saw them walking back across the field. When they neared she asked, “So I guess it’s gone?”
Gerard nodded, “Yeah, all the windows were blown out.”
“Sorry. I do have more clothes for you though.”
He decided now was the time to ask, “Uh, that’s good. Good thing whoever owns these is my size.”
Lucy knew there was an unanswered question. “They belonged to my husband.” There was no emotion in her voice.
“Oh” Gerard had thought that was a possibility but now wasn’t sure what to say.
“Hope you’re not creeped out wearing a dead man’s clothing.”
While her face held no emotion he could see the pain in her eyes. “Of course not. I’m glad to have them.”
Lucy nodded then turned, “Well I’m going to start on the chicken coop.”
“We are going to start on the chicken coop.” He said hurrying his steps to follow her. “Besides I have to thank the ladies for breakfast.” He was pleased to see a small smile appear on her face.
_________________________________________________________
By noon they had the roof of the chicken coop almost done. Luckily Lucy had a large supply of salvaged wood in the large barn that had come in very handy. Gerard was amazed at how quickly and efficiently she works cutting boards to size then putting them in place. He’d offered to help with the sawing but she’d shooed him away. He was amazed at how strong this woman was and now watching as she lifted another heavy board without help he sighed.
“Uh, you’re not letting me help all that much.”
Lucy glanced over at him. “Sorry, I’m just so used to doing things myself.” She grinned, “Besides I’m betting you’ve never used a hand saw before.”
While that was the truth he didn’t want her to think he couldn’t do manual labor. “Yes, I have.”
Her eyes narrowed, “Oh really?”
“Okay so I haven’t but that doesn’t mean I couldn’t”
It was then she realized how her actions were making him feel. “That’s true. But don’t worry there is a lot more sawing to be done.” She pointed to all the fallen trees. “And as soon as I get this last board into place we have to put the large plywood up and I’ll definitely need your help for that.”
He wiped sweat off his forehead, it was noon and already the temperature was in the 90’s. “Shit, it’s hot.” He muttered.
Lucy laughed, “Yep, and it’s gonna get worse.”
He waited until she had the board nailed into place then asked, “So should we take a break?”
Her first response had been to tell him a storm was coming and they didn’t have time but looking at him she realized he was hot and tired. “Sure. Some ice water would be nice. I’ll go grab us a couple of glasses and we’ll sit on the porch.”
“I’ll go grab the ice water.” He said, “You go sit down.”
Again she wanted to disagree but forced herself to nod.
When he walked out with the glasses he saw she’d taken off her shirt and was now only wearing a tank top.
“Thanks” She said reaching for the glass.
He sat down but noticed she moved slightly away.
“Hey, sorry, I know I reek.” He laughed.
Lucy laughed, “Hey, I moved because I know I reek.”
“You’ve been doing most of the work.” He reminded her.
“Guess I have” She said softly. “It’s just...well I’m used to doing everything by myself. But hey, I promise to work you hard after our break.”
Her words, while not meant to have another meaning, still caused an unwanted response. In his mind he told himself to remember he was a married man and this woman, although sexy as hell in her tank top, was off limits.
“What?” She wondered why he had a strange look on his face.
He shrugged, “Nothing, just thinking about how much we still need to do.” He hoped that excuse sounded reasonable.
Lucy took a long drink of water then nodded, “Yep, there is still a lot of be done. But the coop is almost completed, we’re making good time.”
Again he wanted to point out that she was the one making good time but he kept that thought to himself. Looking out across the gravel road to the field where he’d first spotted the tornado he sighed, “Shit, that field is really torn up.”
“That field is part of my property.”
“It is?”
She nodded, “Yep, I’m surprised John hasn’t been out to survey the damage.”
“That’s the guy who farms it?”
“Yep, he’s not gonna be pleased when he sees what happened.”
Gerard wiped the beads of sweat off his forehead, “Shit, how hot to you think it is?”
“Probably upper nineties. It’s gonna get hotter.” She smiled, “Sorry about the no air conditioning thing.”
While he definitely would have preferred her house to have air conditioning he wasn’t about to complain. “No big deal.”
“But you’ve never stayed anywhere that didn’t have one, right?”
He thought a minute, “Well no, but I’ll live.”
Lucy finished off her glass of ice water then stood.
“Time to get back to work?”
“Hey, if you want to sit here awhile that’s okay.”
Did the woman think he wasn’t capable or just lazy? “I’m gonna help you.” He said standing. “I really do mean that wither you believe it or not.”
She realized again she was hurting his pride. “Good, then let’s go. We have hours of work to do before the storms come.”
He looked out at the sky. “You sure they’re gonna come? I mean earlier I heard thunder and saw some clouds but it don’t look so bad now.”
“They’re coming.” Lucy said softly, “I can feel it.”
If anyone else would have said that he’d laughed but looking at her face he believed she did indeed know a storm was coming. “Think they’ll be bad?”
She shrugged, “Not sure, I hope not but if it starts to look bad we’ll turn on the weather radio.”
They both walked back through the house to leave their glasses in the sink. As they walked out the back door Gerard asked, “So, I know you sell eggs and rent out your property to be farmed…”
She nodded, “Yeah?”
“I was just wondering if you do anything else.”
Having someone pry into her business bothered her. “What? That doesn’t seem like enough? You think I should have another job?”
He realized he’d upset her. “No, I didn’t mean that. I’m just trying to get to know you better.”
Lucy stopped dead in her tracks, “Why?”
He could see the anger in her eyes. “Because...well just because.”
She sighed knowing she was being prickly. “Sorry, that really sounded cranky, didn’t it?”
Gerard smiled, “A little but I understand. Here I am traveling across country, using a fake name all because I want to get away. I don’t want people questioning me either.”
She stared at him a moment. “Yeah, I know you don’t and that’s why I’ve not asked you too many questions.” She turned and started walking again, “But believe me I have lots of questions.”
Now he was very sorry he’d brought up this subject because he didn’t want her asking too many questions, he didn’t want to lie to her.
Lucy glanced over at him then laughed.
“What?”
“You” She giggled, “I swear I’ve never met a man who wears his emotions in his eyes so damn much.”
She was once again confusing him. “I wear my emotions in my eyes?”
“Yep, you sure do. You don’t want me asking you any question, I get that. But at the same time you want to ask me questions. Well, since neither of us want to answer certain questions I think it’s best we just change the subject.”
Damn she was right but damn it he wanted to know more about her. He moved quickly to catch up with her. “Okay, deal.” He said.
They worked side by side finishing the roof of the chicken coop. It wasn’t until they were almost done Lucy surprised him.
“I sometime sell my pictures.”
He stopped hammering, shaded his eyes, then gave her a confused look “What?”
She grinned, “You wanted to know if I did anything else to supplement my income.”
He nodded, “Yeah…oh, you sell pictures. You’re a photographer?” He guessed.
“Yep” She hammered in the last nail then looked over at him. “Old school photographer. I take 35mm black and white photos.”
Gerard was intrigued, “Cool, what subjects?”
“A lot of rural America, old barns, abandoned farm houses, stuff like that.” She started to move down the ladder but stopped, “Some of my photos have been published in books.”
“Wow I’m impressed.” Gerard smiled, “I’d love to see your work.”
Lucy was proud of her photographs but still tried to downplay her accomplishments. “Well I have a copy of Ghost Towns of Kansas. There are several in there.”
Gerard smiled, “Ghost Towns of Kansas?”
“Yeah, uh, you drove through the one I took the photos of.”
“Neosho Falls” Gerard said softly.
She shrugged, “Hey, if you live in a ghost town might as well take photos.”
“And you develop them yourself?”
“Yep, I have a large closet I use. There is a store in Iola that orders me my film, paper and chemicals.” Suddenly she found herself wanting to talk about her work. “I took my first photos not long after we moved here.” Sadly as soon as she said “we” her face lost its smile.
Gerard realized immediately what had happened. “Tonight you’ll show me the book, okay?’
She was thankful he seemed to understand, “Yeah you can look at it by candlelight. But now we better get a move on.” She pointed across the horizon were a bank of angry black clouds were edging their way closer.
“Yes ma’am.” Gerard smiled, “The big barn now?”
Lucy had to admit he was really working hard. “Yep.” She added softly, “And I’m really thankful for your help.”
Gerard smiled, “I’m thankful you’re letting me help.” He watched her crawl down the ladder but saw she was smiling. Even in the brutal heat that smile was a breath of fresh air.
____________________________________________________________
Hours later they had the roof of the large barn repaired just as the first drop of rain hit the earth. They ducked inside the barn moments before the rain began to fall in sheets.
“Damn we timed that just right.” Gerard said standing in the doorway enjoying the cooling breeze the rain had brought.
Lucy moved to stand beside him. “Yeah but now we have to get to the house.”
“The clouds don’t look so bad.” He said looking up into the sky.
“But there is hail in the storm.” She explained, “Feel how much cooler it suddenly is? Remember what happened last night?”
“That means hail”
She nodded, “Yep, that means hail. So far the weather this year has been brutal. I just hope it stops soon I’m getting tired of repairing shit.”
He knew the chances of her getting angry again ran high but he had to know. “Don’t you have any family to help out?’
She answered without looking over at him. “I told you, I’m a widow.”
“But last night you mentioned a sister.”
Lucy began to tap her toe on the earthen floor of the barn, “Yes, I did have a sister. I had parents too.” When she turned to him he could see she was angry. “But they’re all gone. My parents died when I was eighteen. My sister died a few years ago.”
“Shit, I’m sorry.” Gerard said softly.
For the first time in a very long time Lucy found herself wanting to talk about something she tried to forget. “My parents dying was tragic. It was a car crash but my sister’s death… that was just...” Her mouth snapped shut.
“Was what?” He asked reaching out to gently touch her arm. “Tell me, please.”
“It was such a fuckin’ waste.” Lucy said releasing her pent up anger. “My sister always made bad choices where men were concerned. It was like she purposely went out and found the absolute worse excuse for a man she could then decided she’d change him for the better but it never worked.”
Gerard remained silent knowing she needed time.
“The last one she hooked up with was a drug dealer out in LA. God, I tried so hard to tell her she was making a mistake but she didn’t listen.” She paused, “She was with him when a drug deal went south. Connie was caught in the crossfire she died on the scene. Her boyfriend survived” Her eyes narrowed, “That piece of shit my sister was trying to help is still living and she’s dead.”
“Fuck, I’m sorry.” Gerard said knowing there was really nothing he could say that would ease her pain.
Lucy moved away slightly to lean on the door jam. “Piece of shit showed up here a few months after Connie died. He assumed that since I was her sister I was like her, that I’d help him.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah, he really did. When I told him to get the hell of my property he threatened me with a knife.”
Gerard’s eyes grew wide. “He threatened you with a knife? What the fuck did you do?”
Lucy pushed away from the door jam. “Rain has let up we should make a run for the house.”
He wasn’t about to let her drop this. “What happened?”
She glared at him. “I told you already, I’m not afraid of anything.” She paused, “But he was definitely afraid of my shotgun.”
Gerard stood in shock as she ran out of the barn towards the house. A moment later he made himself follow her. She was already in the kitchen taking off her shoes when he came through the back door.
In the kitchen, through the early evening shadows, he watched her a moment then asked, “Why did you tell me that story?”
Lucy had been wondering the same thing. “See, I was right it’s better we don’t know much about each other.”
Her answer surprised him. “No, that’s not what I was thinking.”
She shook her head, “No you’re thinking now that maybe it’s not such a good idea staying here.”
Again he was shocked, “What? I’m not thinking that at all.”
“Well why not? I just told you I threatened a guy with a shotgun and I did.”
Gerard smiled, “Okay maybe in a way you were telling me the story so I’d understand you’re not a woman to fuck with. I sorta get that but if that’s what you were doing it didn’t work.”
Lucy stood, “What?”
“I’m not scared of you Lucy.” Gerard said softly. “Telling me that story didn’t scare me. The only thing is did was make me admire you. You’re tough, and I think that’s admirable.”
She stared at him for several moments. When she spoke her voice was so soft he almost didn’t catch all her words. “There is nothing about me to admire. I’m tough only because I don’t care if I live or die.” She rushed out of the room leaving him standing in the kitchen as the hail began to hit the ground.
I absolutely loved this story! You are a very gifted writer & I
hope to find & read your other stories. I also look forward to reading Gerard’s book. Thank you!
1/4/18