Page 2 of Longest Ride

Tammy nodded and dried her eyes. “I feel better now that my family is here.”

“Why didn’t you take the black pickup at the kidnappers’ trailer and drive straight home?” asked Virge. The question he’d been asking ever since he saw the black pickup sitting at the trailer.

“I had my reasons, Virgie.”

“I want to know what the reasons were,” Virge snapped at her. “You could’ve come home, and we wouldn’t have been worried out of our fuckin heads all this fuckin time, girl. Tell me why you didn’t do that.”

Travis stared at Tammy. Seemed like he was interested in what the reasons were too.

“After I got raped, I figured I couldn’t go home ever again. Didn’t want to tell y’all and decided I’d never let y’all find out what happened to me. Now y’all know. Besides, I killed those guys and I’m a murderer.”

Travis shook his head. “You were fighting for your life, Tam. You’re not a murderer.”

“Felt like I was, and it made me run. I just wanted to run and keep on running until the day I died. Eldon picked me up and took care of me. I owe him.”

“Uh huh,” said Travis. “We’ll stay long enough to make sure he’s going to be okay, then I’m taking you home.”

Tammy shook her head. “No, Daddy. I’m an adult now and Eldon and I are getting married. He’s going to get our license—supposed to be tomorrow—but now it won’t be until he gets out of the hospital.”

“What?” Travis shook his head. “For damned sure that ain’t happening.”

“Yes, it is. We already decided.”

I listened to the marriage stuff and the look on Dad’s face told me that it was the worst fuckin idea he ever heard, and I agreed with him. I wanted to find the closest men’s room and heave up my turkey sandwich.

I don’t want my sister to get married to a gut-shot long-hauler…or anybody.

Being the calmest voice in the storm, Annie said, “Let’s put all of our plans for the future on hold until we hear what the prognosis is for Eldon. Once he’s fully recovered, we can decide what’s best for Tammy and for Eldon.”

Travis nodded and seemed to agree with what Annie was saying. To me, it sounded like she was being vague on purpose to steer Tammy away from the wedding talk. Annie knew how to get around Travis and calm him down better than me and Virge did.

Another half hour before the doctor entered the waiting area, his green scrubs splattered with smears of blood. “Who’s here for Eldon Fontana?”

“All of us,” said Annie. “What can you tell us, Doctor?” She stood up and walked toward him.

“I removed the bullet from Mister Fontana’s stomach and luckily for him, no other organs were involved. It will take a lot of rest and it will be a long healing period, but he seems strong, and I think he can do it.”

“Thank you,” said Annie. “That’s good news. Do you have an estimate of how long he’ll be in the hospital?”

“Between one and two weeks before he can be moved. Then he’ll be able to rest at home if he has a caregiver.”

Tammy nodded. “I’ll take care of him at home in our cabin.”

Dad rolled his eyes at that one.

“Mister Fontana won’t be awake until sometime tomorrow. If you wish to visit him, come around two o’clock tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” said Annie. She turned to us and said, “Come on. We’ll take Tammy back to the cabin and make a plan. Let’s go, boys and girls.”

Lucy held Tammy’s hand as we looked for our truck in the parking lot.

“Eldon’s truck is over here,” said Tammy. “I’ll drive it home.”

“Me and Virge will come with you, Tam. Want me to drive? You’re kinda shaky.”

“Thanks, Harlan. That’s nice of you.”

I laughed at my sister. “I can be nice once in a while, Tammy.”

---