Rustle, Oklahoma

I didn’t actually have anything to read. Richard’s prickly attitude was there since before I came. His grumpiness since the accident is nothing new to me. I didn’t want to ruin his baseball game by him having to go up those stairs with his tired legs. I could wait outside until seven. I needed a little rest after all the work I’ve been doing this week after all. So, I sat on the wicker chair they have outside. I stretched out my long legs. Placed my hands behind my head and stared off at the empty field soon to be a sea of corn by June.

I stared at the empty field. At the rustling tree line in the distance but not viewing any of it. Hearing the chirping, wind, and leaves but not paying attention. It’s odd, the little things that would set off a whole wealth of emotions. I have been to this house multiple times. Even after the divorce, when Carla still lived in town, I came to this home. Lisa and Richard were as much my friend as hers. Yet, not until right now, while all alone on the patio has being here ever made me feel this mellow.

Truthfully, I had not been over to Lisa and Richard’s home for a while. The fall’s painful shadow of remembrance does not just shade Richard. The shadow covers the home and has flooded in. Often, I only visit once every one-to-two weeks. And when I am over now, I’m either beside their bed talking to Richard, or in the kitchen or living room speaking with Lisa. The accident had turned this home into a lair of despair.

But maybe today it’ll be different, I thought. A day to recharge for Lisa and Richard. Maybe after today the two’s path will brighten, even if just a little. Such nice thoughts can only be attributed to the calmness that overcame me. Being out here, alone after so long, I’m reminded of the days spent having fun on this patio. Lisa and Carla’s sweet breakfasts. Richard’s famous roast beef. That time Henry came over with Mary when Lenny was only a couple of months old. By then Carla was gone…

“Ruined it,” I said sighing and suddenly everything came inward. The sounds of nature and the view finally came through. “I ruined it,” I whispered while rubbing my face with both my hands. I pulled away from them as I heard the solid door opened.

“I thought you were reading?” Richard was behind the wicker door, then opened it with a creak, and put one foot outside. Richard was staring down at me. One hand held the cane, the other gripped the knob of the door.

“Hey Rich, how’s the game?” I asked, ignoring his question, and sitting back in the chair.

“Well, it only started, looks like it’ll be a good one. It’s going into the second inning. What are you doing? Don’t feel like reading?”

“No, I…” I sat up, coughed, and waved my hand at the empty field. “I just wanted to relax and enjoy the day.”

Richard nodded and took a look at the view. “We have a portable radio. Want me to bring it out?”

“That’d be great, but I can get it. How are your legs?”

“Good. Heh, the trip to the restroom warmed them up. I’ll get you the radio,” Richard turned to leave but stopped to ask another question, “Water? Lemonade?”

“Geez, Rich, I can grab—”

“I’ll be back,” Richard stated, rolling his eyes, and closed the door before I could protest. He came not long after with a small radio tucked under an armpit, a water bottle in one hand and a glass of lemonade in the other. “Here. Lisa’s lemonade came out real good this time. You’ll like it.” Richard placed the drinks and radio on a small, round brown table that is beside the wicker chair.

“Thank you, Rich,” I pulled the glass of lemonade closer to me and grabbed the water bottle.

“No problem. I’ll call you in if the game gets interesting.”

“Sure,” I took a sip of water and Richard went back inside. I then grabbed the portable radio, extended the antenna, and turned it on. Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Have You Ever Seen the Rain was playing on the rock station. Richard had just pulled me from my own thoughts. Saved me, really. I was going into a dark place. Sadly, I couldn’t go back to that brief moment of happiness. Luckily, I now have music to tune me out.

Taking in the view this time, I thought back to Richard’s fall. More with intrigue than sorrow. The doctor’s explained that Richard had landed right on his feet. Fracturing the bones in his feet. The force and his age, led to hair-line fractures in the left fibula and tibia and a fractured right tibia. There were some oddities with the fall.

Richard had rolled down a hill and off a ledge, fell ten feet, and somehow landed on his feet. Also, he only sustained damaged to his legs and back. His back somehow ended a bit cut up but the rest of him didn’t have a single bruise. Richard was also not the one who told the story of his fall. It was a conclusion made based on where Richard was found and from the testimonies of those that had found him. Richard had no idea how he ended down where he did. He doesn’t remember rolling down the hill or moments before the fall. There was no damage to his head either, external or internal.

Thoughts come and go. I took a sip from the sweet lemonade and turned the radio up just a smidge. I stretched my legs out. Placed my hands on the arm rests and closed my eyes. Opening them when taking a drink or to check the time.

Finally, close to seven in the evening, I left the patio. The sky turned into a color palette of red orange. I entered the house, it now smelled like butter popcorn, Richard was still on the couch watching some police TV show instead of baseball. He held a glass half full of lemonade in one hand. Laying against his left lap is a bag of popcorn. “Hey Rich,” I spoke as I sat down on the same chair I was on earlier. “What happened to the game?”

“The Cub’s won, five-to-zero- against the Cardinals. The Red Sox are going to be playing the Royals soon,” Richard looked over at me. “Lisa’s almost back, right?”

I pulled my flip phone out of my pocket. “She should be on her way. It just turned seven.”

Richard nodded and turned back to the screen. We sat there watching some show Richard had put on. A show following a police officer who was currently pulling someone over. We didn’t speak, I had the glass of lemonade on the ground next to me and the water bottle beside it. Some time passed and the door swung open.

“Richard. Billy,” it was Lisa, sounding cheerful.

“We’re still here!” Richard shouted, standing to greet his wife.

Lisa came into the living room with a yellow-stained, toothy smile. Her upper body was slowly rocking side-to-side. “Richard, I brought ribs,” she held up a foam plate wrapped in tinfoil. The smell coming from it were indeed Henry’s grilled ribs. The smell of the sauce intertwined with the cooked ribs seemed to come straight my way. Causing my stomach to rumble and mouth to water.

“We can eat them here while watching the game,” Richard’s face was bright.

“Noooo,” Lisa drawled, “let’s eat them in bed and watch the game there.” Lisa beckoned Richard over.

“Alright,” Richard turned off the television and walked towards Lisa. He carried the cane in one hand, not using it. “Thank you, Billy,” Richard said stopping before me. I was watching the scene unfold with amusement and a stupid smile on my face.

“Yeah, no problem. You two enjoy the food,” I chuckled and stood. Richard shook my hand, patted me on the shoulder, and then he went over to Lisa. He wrapped his right arm around her waist and Lisa threw her left arm over Richard’s shoulder.

“Take care Billy!” Richard yelled gleefully over his shoulder.

“Yes, thank you Billy! Go enjoy the party!” Lisa giggled.

“I will,” I waved goodbye, but they were focused on going up the stairs. “Bye!” I called out as I shut the door. I entered the car. The sky above was darkening but it seemed to me that the home of the Rush’s was brightening. As I drove down the dirt road, I pulled my necklace out from underneath my shirt. A silver necklace, given to me by my father. I caressed the round coin on the chain, excited for the party.