Ready or Not (Aggie's Inheritance) (60 page)

“
It appears that Mrs. Dyke is playing matchmaker. She invited me out to dinner with William. After I foolishly accepted, she then told William that he had a date with me and should consider not standing me up! Now, I thought I was really mad at her, but what really bugged me was the fact that William took his irritation at her, out on me. He sat there in this stony silence the whole time
--
like I am the one that put her up to it or something.
”
Aggie would have been mortified to hear how incoherent her rant sounded.
“
Honestly, I am telling you, the last thing I need in my life right now is some elderly woman tricking me into a romance! I still don
’
t know why I agreed to go in the first place. Wait until I tell Vannie. She
’
s going to have her romantic illusions dashed into a healthy dose of reality.
”

Luke heard Aggie nearing her emotional edge. His mother always remarked on how he could hear more in a person
’
s voice than most people could see in their actions. He knew it was a matter of moments before she would break down. Should he comfort her? Encourage her tears? It would be a perfect time to comment on how she and the children were still not dealing with their grief. Luke hated to see women cry. Most men do. But, unlike most men, he
’
d had a lifetime of helping girls and women through their tears. It was what he did best.

Aggie sniffled as the tears rose to the surface. In an odd moment of insightful personal introspection, she realized she
’
d been fighting tears for weeks
--
maybe months. Seconds later, heartbroken sobs drowned out the gentle sounds of nature at night.

The screen door opened, and Zeke stepped out onto the porch, his eyes searching Luke
’
s for insight. Moments later, a sobbing, broken Aggie wept freely in the old farmer
’
s arms. Her tears felt ridiculous, and she didn
’
t understand why something as ordinary as a failed date, especially with someone she had no romantic interest in, would cause such an intense reaction. Between sobs, she tried to speak but could only stammer. Luke
’
s
“
Shh… don
’
t talk; just cry,
”
sent her into fresh bouts of weeping.

An uncomplicated man, Zeke did things simply. He spoke little but usually had much to say. Until Aggie was in control of her emotions, the old farmer said nothing and held her, stroking her hair, much like he would a child or his favorite dog. When Aggie tried to speak and apologize for her outburst, Zeke interrupted.

“
Aggie, honey, don
’
t talk. Not yet. Luke and me, we
’
ve got something we want to talk to you about.
”
The elderly man retrieved a wrinkled old bandana handkerchief from his overalls. Embarrassed, he quickly stuffed it back in his pocket and motioned for Luke to get Aggie something.
“
Honey, listen. You know you aren
’
t just crying about a bad date. I
’
ve been talkin
’
with Luke here, and we think you all need to take time to grieve your loss.
”

Aggie
’
s stammers were hushed when Luke came back with a box of Kleenex and held one up to her face. Zeke continued as if Aggie hadn
’
t spoken.
“
Listen, hon, I know that it
’
s simple, and a little overused, but when
‘
The Preacher
’
says,
‘
There
’
s a time to mourn and a time to dance,
’
he knows what he
’
s talkin
’
about.
”

Luke read Aggie
’
s bewilderment over the reference to
“
The Preacher
”
and spoke softly.
“
Ecclesiastes, in the Old Testament, chapter three.
”
He held a swift, for him, inward debate and continued.
“
You know, you also have more to grieve than the loss of your sister and her husband. You had dreams and plans that you
’
d expected to be a part of your near future, and those are gone now.
”

The concern and care, shown in the way the two men had taken her not-so-little family under their wings, was a balm to Aggie
’
s spirit.
“
Thanks. I
--
”

Zeke stood and gave Aggie
’
s shoulder one last pat.
“
It
’
s gettin
’
too late for this old man to be gallivantin
’
around like this. I have to be at work in the mornin
’
, so I
’
ll be seeing you.
”
Zeke turned to his favorite nephew.
“
Mrs. Jenkins is looking for someone to take out that old pine that
’
s rubbing against her house. I think you might give her a call about it soon.
”
Aggie jumped up and impulsively kissed the dear old man
’
s cheek before he strolled to his truck and drove down the drive.

Aggie and Luke sat in a contented silence as Zeke
’
s old truck rattled onto the highway and toward home. Time seemed to stand still as they semi-rocked the old picnic bench and listened to the cicadas and crickets nighttime symphony.
“
Aggie?
”
Luke
’
s voice was regretful. She couldn
’
t tell if it was because he didn
’
t want to break the silence, or he didn
’
t like what he was about to say.

“
I know it
’
s none of our business.
”
Luke seemed to be struggling more than usual to put his thoughts into words.
“
I wasn
’
t going to say anything, really. But, honestly, when Uncle Zeke saw it too I
--
I
--
”
He halted his train of thought abruptly. Moments later, Luke seemed more comfortable and tried again.
“
I guess what I am trying to say is, you need to help these kids grieve. They need the freedom to express the sorrow, anger, and pain from their loss. Everyone around here is walking like tightly strung and carefully orchestrated marionettes. If you don
’
t do something, you will all begin acting out.
”
He seemed finished but continued quickly with an afterthought.
“
It
’
s not healthy, Mibs.
”

She nodded silently, acknowledging that she heard him. After a few minutes of thinking about how much the children needed her help, and realizing she had no clue where to begin, she sighed. Before she could ask Luke his opinion, he stood, helped her to her feet, and said goodnight. As he reached the bottom step of the porch, Luke turned.
“
Aggie, I can
’
t be here next week and possibly the week after. I have a few jobs that have been scheduled for months. Even though I
’
ll be busy, don
’
t hesitate to call if you need me. I
’
m not far away.
”
She tried to respond, but Luke continued.
“
Just encourage them to talk. The rest will take care of itself. See you in the morning.
”
After giving her one last wan smile, he jumped into his truck and drove off into the night.

Aggie says:
Ohhh Tiiiiiinaaaaaaaaaa… I
’
m hoooooommmeeee

Tina says:
I
’
ve been waiting!!!!!! How
’
d it go?

Tina says:
You going to go out again?

Tina says:
Where did you go, what
’
d you eat, did you apologize?

Aggie says:
WOOOOOOAAAAAAAH Do you want the story or not?

Tina says:
Ok, tell it all, I won
’
t speak. I
’
m just excited.

Aggie says:
I
’
ll give you the Reader
’
s Digest version first then you can ask for details.

Tina says:
Ok. But spit it out!!

Aggie says:
Well he picked me up. We drove to the restaurant in silence. We ate in silence. I apologized for my outburst; he forgave me. Then, later, William tells me that he
’
s sorry he
’
s so mad. Then, he apologizes for being so weird. Said that Mrs. Dyke just invited me without telling him and then he either had to go or be a jerk.

Tina says:
NO WAY

Aggie says:
hee hee… Yep! That
’
s exactly what he did.

Tina says:
So, is everything ok?

Aggie says:
Pretty much. I
’
m still kind of angry. I mean he treated me like the whole thing was my fault or something.

Tina says:
Nah… I think he was just working through his own emotions, and you got caught in the middle.

Aggie says:
I suppose. Zeke and Luke talked to me tonight. They think we aren
’
t grieving enough.