The
church is crowded for the funeral. The brothers aren't sure if it's
because they want to show respect, or if they want to make sure that
Big Earl is really dead.
The
service passed in a blur. The heat of the building and press of
bodies made Luke weak. He was dizzy and sweating when they rose for
the final hymn. He swayed slightly, but Will supported him, holding
his elbow until his knees gave out. Sitting conspicuously, he bowed
his head as if praying. In reality, it was the only way he could keep
from vomiting.
Moments
later, Doc Starbuck stood at the end of their pew, eyes full of
concern. He and Will helped Luke to the room where the minister
changed into his vestments. Pushing him gently onto a seat, the
doctor examined him.
"I
had a feeling this would be too much for you, Lucius. But I couldn't
keep you from your pa's funeral. Will, I got this. You go on back to
your mama. She'll need you for the graveside. Send Miss Belloit back,
if you would."
"Yes,
sir." Nodding, he half bowed and left.
Moments
later, Dollie stood framed in the doorway. She rushed to Luke's side.
"Is
he all right? Did he relapse?" She felt of his forehead and
checked his pulse.
"Too
much heat and not enough air," the doctor replied. "He'll
be fine once he cools down. Start by taking off that jacket, son."
He helped Luke take off his jacket, loosen his tie and roll up his
sleeves.
Dollie
got a towel from the cupboard and dampened it at the sink in the
corner. Squatting by his side, she bathed Luke's face and neck with
it. The doctor found a Communion goblet in the cabinet and got him a
drink of water. Luke smiled when he saw the vessel.
"Reckon
I'm doubly blessed now, Doc?"
"Got
to be, boy. You sure recovered faster than I anticipated. It's that
constitution of yours. The Henrys have always been a hardy bunch.
Must have been quite a virulent microbe to get you down."
"Don't
quite know what that means, sir," Luke answered, somewhat
embarrassed by his ignorance.
"Means
it was a hell of a bug," the doctor replied. He took Luke's
pulse, frowning. "You're to take it easily tonight. I don't want
you up that mountain. If you have to, stay with me and the wife."
"We've
got dozens of beds going begging," Dollie replied. "Patty
and I can keep an eye on him tonight."
"You'd
be my choice of nurses," Doc Starbuck replied. "I never met
two women more attuned to illness and healing than you two."
"Our
mother is a nurse," Dollie replied, dabbing at Luke's face once
more. "His color's better." She settled back on her heels,
smiling.
Doctor
Starbuck encouraged her to sit on a chair. She didn't move until he
lifted her, seating her.
"The
chapel's cleared out now. We'll head back to my place. I've got my
car."
"Leave
that for Mrs. Starbuck," Dollie said. "I've got mine. Will
and Patty can ride back with your wife."
The
doctor agreed this was a good plan. They found his wife and Patty
waiting by the front door. Sharing that information, they went up to
the girls' dorm. Dollie made up one of the beds in the dormitory and
Luke gladly sat on it.
"Don't
have my pajamas," he said to the doctor.
"Nonsense,
you don't need 'em. Strip down to your nickers and undershirt. It's
too damn hot for such fripperies as pajamas," Doc Starbuck said.
Luke
had to admit that it was warm in the room. Dollie opened the large,
low windows. This side of the building was mostly surrounded by
mountain laurel bushes. Their fragrance filtered through the screens,
wafting over them on the gentle breeze. It wasn't much movement of
air, but it helped. Dollie left to find a fan to move the air more.
While she was gone, the doctor helped him undress and put him to bed
with just a sheet over him.
Dollie
set up the fan so it would blow across him. It felt marvelous. She
brought him some broth and a cold drink. He drank both and fell into
a light sleep. He could hear Dollie talking to the doctor. Soon,
their voices blended into the droning of the bees in the bushes
outside. His sleep deepened and he suspected Dollie had slipped
something in his drink. He was past caring as the sound of the bees
lulled him.
Luke
sat up in bed, listening. It was dark, but a light shown in the
hallway. The door was ajar and he could hear voices down the
corridor. Putting on his pants, he walked barefoot to Dollie and
Patty's apartment. Their happy voices met his ears. Their laughter
was joined by the deeper tones of his brother. He tapped on the door
which was slightly open.
Dollie
called to him, opening the door. "You look much better! Come on
in. I was just about to wake you. We're ready to eat."
Will
helped him sit as if he were a woman. It embarrassed him slightly,
but he had to admit he didn't think he could have scooted the heavy
chair in himself.
"You
ain't up at the house with Ma?"
"She
told me come look after you. She's got more family than she knows to
do with. The girls are there to help her. Plus all our aunts and
cousins. She'll be fine. I'm just as glad not to be there. Hard for
me to be sad. That man may have been good once...."
©
2019 Dellani Oakes
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