Read The Rockin' Chair for Free Online Page B

know that one. I tried calling her but her latest number has been disconnected. I guess she and the baby are doing fine, but I’ll have to wait until she decides to pick up a phone to know for sure.”
    John smiled. “I’m sure they’re all fine … just finding their own way in that big world out there.”
    She nodded once and then turned to leave.
    Stopping her one last time, John gestured toward the bed. “Thank you, sweetheart. From the both of us … thank you for all you’ve done.”
    His voice cracked just enough that Elle’s eyes welled up. For fear of her own voice breaking into pieces, she nodded her welcome and hurried out of the room.
    John sat at the foot of the bed and sucked in a few deep breaths. Glancing down, he took notice of the quilt that secured Alice like a baby. At one time not so long ago, it was new and quite beautiful. Alice had prided herself on the long, tedious hours she put into it. Now that same cozy quilt was worn and tattered. Threadbare in some spots, it was actually starting to unravel at the seams. He tucked it under her chin, looked into her face and was shocked to find a faint glimmer of his wife somewhere in her tired eyes. For that one moment, he swore, It’s her! It’s Alice . Unwilling to waste this precious time with her, he leaned into her ear and spoke. “Squaw, we had a wonderful life together, you and me. I can see you’ve about had your fill of me, but before you set your mind on leavin’ for good, I need to thank you for …” He touched his forehead to hers and whispered, “Thank you for givin’ me such a good life, Alice.”
    He pulled away just enough to catch her smile. Though it only lasted a moment, it was the same smile he had fallen in love with and spent every day of his adult life trying to catch. It started in the corners of her mouth and worked its way up to her eyes where a sparkle of mischief made him lose his breath. Then, as quickly as it had appeared, it vanished and Alice’s face was returned to the woman no one knew. She was gone, perhaps forever. He kissed her softly, whispered, “Good-bye, my love,” and silently prayed that the Lord would shroud her in His angels.
    Turning out the lights, John lit a candle and placed it on the small table near the window. He was happy to remain a student of the old school, where there were no such things as cell phones or the Internet. He grabbed for a sharp pencil and searched his mind for the proper words to start. It’s time to call my three injuns home. Alice’s hourglass is about empty and Georgey, Evan and Tara should say their good-byes.
    The purple hue of dusk had faded to black hours before. Hank could hear crushed stone crunch under the weight of car tires and knew that Elle was home. Meeting her out on the porch, he watched as her exhausted body strained to climb the stairs. “How is she?” he asked, giving her a pathetic hug so as not to spill his beer.
    â€œShe’s not good, Hank … but it’s not her I’m worried about.”
    His brow rose in confusion. “How’s that?”
    Elle shook her head with years of frustration, but smiled compassionately—as if trying to reach his heart one more time. “It’s your pa, babe. He really needs you now.” Ignoring his shaking head, she grabbed his shoulders and finished. “I think you should go to him, Hank. He looks so tired … and so old.”
    Hank continued to shake his head but set his eyes on the face of the moon. For a second, his Adam’s apple bounced like he wanted to say something but couldn’t.
    â€œYour pa is such a wonderful man,” she added. “How you can think the way you do about him is beyond me.”
    With a pain Hank had always known, he pushed Elle away and mumbled, “That wonderful man never needed me, Elle … and he don’t need me now!” The