________________________________________
And just cause ya'll are being so nice to me and encouraging me about the FJ this weekend, here's a twofer for ya. But I'm warnin' ya...I don't want to hear any crap about not posting anything on Friday.


Chapter 11.

Back in the house, Ann and Carol finished cleaning up and settled back down at the table to visit like only ladies can visit. Ann started with gentle questions: Tell me about Billy. What about your work? Etc. Then went deeper: Are you divorced? Where is your Ex-husband? Etc. She managed, as only Ann could, to get a deep understanding with only a few questions and let Carol fill in the blanks. Ann was so easy to talk to and Carol had so little time to really talk to another woman since her Mother had died 5 years ago that Carol poured out like a tea pitcher before she knew it. Before it was over, Carol has relayed her entire history, the struggles she had to make ends meet and the exhaustion she felt trying to keep them tied together. And on top of it all, there was the ‘man stuff’ that need to be done. The A/C was on the fritz and the leaking faucet and just about the time she managed to fix one thing, another would break. When Carol had talked herself to the point where it started to make her sad, Ann jumped in and changed the subject to her and Mr. Baker.

“Carol, I’ve got to tell you something. The reason we moved here is William. We don’t think he has long.” Ann went on to recount the entire story all the way to the point of his pending PET Scan Thursday. Carol sat quietly listening. Embarrassed that she had been so caught up in her own troubles. “Carol, I need your help” “Anything,” Ann said. And she meant it. “William thinks that I don’t know, but he’s given up on getting better. He’s convinced himself that he’s going to die and he’s going to do it soon. Truth is, maybe he will, but I don’t want him to give up before it’s time. He’s always needed something to work towards and up till now, I’ve been able to provide it for him. The last 6 months, it’s been this move. But now that we’re settled in, he thinks he’s finished. That everything is done and I’m taken care of and that he can just lie down and die. I’m not going to have it.” She paused and cleared her throat and wiped a soft tear. “What can I do to help Ann? Just tell me”. “Well, it’s Billy. He needs something or someone to focus on. He likes Billy too. And he doesn’t like many kids these days. If you will, would you please let Billy spend some time with William? I mean, just let Billy come over and visit and let them piddle in that garage. And I’ll make sure that Billy is always safe and where he’s supposed to be when you need him. I can help look after him and help you when you need to work too.” Carol held up a hand to stop Ann before she went any further. “Of course Ann, I’ll make sure Billy stops by any chance he gets and I’ll let him know that he can come over any time he wants. To tell the truth, you and William are Godsends. Billy’s at an age where it won’t take much to get him going in the wrong direction and without his Dad around.....” She let that last sentence trail off without finishing it. Deep down, she wasn’t sure that having him around right now would be such a good thing if she stopped to think about it. “Ann, you have my word, we’ll put these two together as much as possible and if things don’t go well with William, it won’t be from our lack of trying”.

Ann hugged Carol and tried not to break down. “Ann, I’m sorry, but I have to leave for work now. Thank you so much for lunch and for everything.” “No, Thank you Carol. Thank you.” The two hugged and headed out through the garage. The boys were deep in discussion over the merits of solid body tubes verses hollow body tubes when the girls stepped through the door. “Billy, I have to leave for work now, but you can stay here with Mr. Baker and Mrs. Ann as long as you don’t get in there way. You’ve got leftovers in the frig and I expect you to be bathed and in the bed no latter than 9 tonight. We’ve got to get up early and do the grocery shopping.” Ann paused to let Billy do is normal whining about taking a bath and the early bed time. “Yes Ma’am and I’ll be sure not to leave a mess in the bathroom again”. Carol’s eyes went wide. She half smiled and cut a glance at Ann. “Well…….oh….Ok then, I love you and I’ll check in on you when I get home” “Love you too Mom”. Carol blinked again. Really hard. She had to leave 5 minutes ago and she’d cry about it on the way to work when she had the time. “Mr. Baker, thank you for lunch. And please don’t let Billy get in your way.” “Oh, he’s not trouble at all Carol, I’m happy to have him around.” “Mom, did you really say Mr. Baker could really give me this fishing stuff”. “Yes Billy, but it sure is a lot, are you sure it’s OK Mr. Baker?” “Oh sure, it’s just some stuff I was going to throw away anyhow” That wasn’t true of course, but a little fib wouldn’t hurt anyone he thought to himself. “Well, if you’re sure then. Yes, you can keep it Billy, just be sure to take care of it.” “Yes Ma’am” There was the Ma’am again. Good thing is was a full 30 minutes to work. Ann and William watched Carol leave.

“William, Billy, ya’ll put that stuff away for now. William, go grab your tools, I’ve got some things I need you to do. Billy, would you mind helping William with some chores?” “I’d be happy to Mrs. Ann”. Good, I’ll make a list and you go change into some clothes that you can get dirty in. “Yes Ma’am” and Billy lit out for his house. “We’ve got to be at the doctor at 10 AM in the morning so I want you to go over and check on Carol’s air conditioner and get Billy to show you which one of their sinks is leaking. Now, don’t do anything to strenuous, but see what needs to be done to that A/C and go ahead and fix that sink. She flashed a smile at William and planted a big kiss on his cheek while she hugged him. Then spun on her heels and left William standing there not even giving him a chance to say yes, no, huh, wait a minute or anything.

Wannabe...
___________________________________________