Page 37 of JoyRide

Tammy and I were first to see Travis in the unit, but he wasn’t awake. Hooked up to a bunch of machines. Lying still. Pale shade of white and sleeping. Couldn’t hear him breathing and I listened close.

“He’ll continue sleeping until tomorrow afternoon, at least,” said the nurse. “You come back after lunch tomorrow and he may be awake enough to talk to you.”

“Okay, thanks,” I said. “Let’s go home, Tam. We’ve got chores to do.”

“Right. We have to go home.”

My sister was still pretty shaky, but she held on.

Wild Stallion Ranch.

We were both so fuckin tired, it was tough getting through the chores at the barn. We got the horses squared away and locked them in for the night.

We drank a beer while Tammy made us soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. She wasn’t too hungry.

“I don’t like it here without Travis and Billy,” she said. “It’s way too quiet.”

“The dogs are whining,” I said. “They know Travis isn’t here.”

“Let’s feed them and go to bed,” said Tammy. “I am so goddamned tired, Harlan. It’s like I never slept for a week.”

“Yeah, I’m beat too, and I can smell the blood on me. I’ll grab a quick shower, so I don’t get any on my sheets.”

“Can I sleep with you, Harlan? I can’t sleep alone in my own bed.”

“You think that’s a good idea, Tam?”

“Yeah, best idea I’ve got for tonight.”

“Okay. I don’t have a better one.”

Chapter Seven

Saturday, July 27th.

Wild Stallion Ranch.

I woke up drenched in sweat with Tammy hanging onto me like she was going to fall off the fuckin bed. It was a bad idea for us to sleep together and I figured I’d feel funny about it for the rest of my fuckin life.

When Travis came home from the hospital, would he be able to tell by looking at the two of us? For sure, he would. That was the part I was already dreading.

Tammy opened her eyes and teared up right away. “What if Travis died during the night?”

“He didn’t. The hospital would’ve called my cell.”

“Did you check for messages?”

“Just opened my eyes.”

She cuddled closer to me and kissed me.

“Shouldn’t be doing that, Tam. Not when I’m naked and under the same quilts as you. I’m getting up. We never should’ve slept together. We gotta shake this off.”

“Okay. I’ll pretend it didn’t happen and I take the blame. I made you do it because I was a cry baby and a wussy.”

“You didn’tmakeme have sex with you, Tam. I managed that part all on my own. Remember that?”

She smiled. “Yeah, I do. I’ll take half the blame.”

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