The Big Ten: The First Ten Books of the Beginnings Series Page 37

  Jenny giggled. “Like with the other mothers I babysat for. They hated you, Ellen.”

  Andrea gasped. “Jenny.” She scolded in a motherly fashion. “That isn’t polite.”

  Ellen closed her eyes as she snickered. “It’s the truth, Andrea. Don’t worry about it. I was blackballed from the PTA. Well, no one liked me there so I went anyhow just to be annoying.”

  “It’s only because they were jealous of her.” Jenny said. “Ellen had money, she’s pretty and skinny. And . . . she had a husband that looked like he should have been in the movies.”

  “Really?” Andrea asked with surprise. “You failed to mention, Ellen, in all of your distaste with Peter, that he was a handsome man.”

  Ellen rolled her eyes as she bobbed her head. “Oh, yeah, Pete was hot. I guess I have to give him that one. He probably was the best-looking guy I had ever seen . . .” Ellen noticed a shadow, the big shadow of a figure that cast upon their metal collection. He just stood there and Ellen smiled, “Next to Frank.” She laughed when they all yelled, ‘what.’ “Oh sure, in my book, no one is better looking than Frank.”

  Frank squatted down with a smile as he happily dropped another bag filled with metals center of their circle. He laughed at their whining. “Thanks for the compliment, El. See, I guess all those years of being friends with me did something to you.”

  Andrea snickered in sarcasm. “Yes, it’s called brainwashing.”

  “Now see.” Frank pointed as he stood up. “And here I found something that I thought you should have.” He reached into his back pocket. “And, just to show you how nice I am, I’m still giving it to you.” He tossed Andrea a small jewelry box. “I have to run. See ya, El.” He ruffled her hair so harshly that he pulled her over as he walked away.

  Ellen picked herself up from the ground, straightening her hair. “What is it?”

  “I don’t know.” Andre looked frightened to open it.

  Maggie peered in more. “Take a look. It won’t bite. Will it, Ellen?”

  “It shouldn’t. Come on, Andrea.” Ellen waved her on.

  Andrea lifted the lid and smiled. “It’s a pin.” She pulled out the gold medical insignia pin. “But I shouldn’t have this. I’m not a doctor, Dean should have this.”

  Ellen shook her head. “You’re the town doctor now, remember?” She reached out her hand to touch it. “And . . . Dean already has one of those, he showed . . .” She slowly withdrew her hand. “Dean has one.”

  “I’ll wear it proudly.” Andrea took it from the case and began to pin it to her shirt. “I must give Frank more credit. I guess he can be nice, thinking of me when he found this.” She finished pinning it. “There. How does it look?” She looked up when she saw Joe join the circle.

  Joe smiled and pointed to the pin. “Looks good, Andrea. I’m glad you decided to take that.”

  “Yes.” Andrea smiled as she patted it. “I’m actually touched. It was a very sweet gesture.”

  “Thanks.” Joe said. “I thought you’d like it. And I thought it would be nice for you to have the minute I saw it.”

  “You?” Andrea asked. “I thought Frank . . . Frank said he found it for me.”

  Joe laughed loudly as he lit a cigarette. “And you believed him?” He laughed again, so hard he had to walk away.

  Andrea gasped as she rolled her eyes in disgust. “Forget what I said about Frank.” Trying to block out the fact that she felt like the fool, Andrea turned with the others in their conversation and in the tedious task of separating the metals.

  MONDAY, AUGUST 7

  Garfield County, MT

  Henry watched Dean for the longest time, trying to think of what to say to him. He watched through the open blinds as Dean sat in what would soon be his laboratory at the clinic in their new home. How many times, especially in the past two weeks, had Henry wandered upon Dean sitting like that, slouched on a stool staring blankly at the green countertop? Papers were spread before him and the pencil in his hand tapped slowly from the point to the eraser over and over again. Dean had not spoken much to Henry or any of them while he readied things for when they would live there.

  Taking a long breath, Henry tapped once on the door and walked in. “Hey, Dean, how’s that housing list going?”

  “Um . . .” Dean looked up. “It’s going. Almost done.”

  “Is this it?” Henry reached down.

  “Henry ...”

  Henry stared at the paper he picked up. “Everyone seems to have a home. But you forgot someone.” He laid the paper down. “Ellen. Where is she going to live, Dean? Don’t you think she’s coming?”

  “I know she’s coming.” Dean smiled. “I just don’t know where to put her. I know where I want her. But ...” Dean dropped his pencil and rubbed his eyes. “I know where she doesn’t want to be.”

  “How about . . .” Henry took the pencil. “Number 5. End unit.” He set down the paper. “There you have it. Right next to you. Now let’s go. We’re gonna eat some dinner.” He looked down at Dean, hoping his positive attitude would help. “Wanna get something to eat?”

  “Yeah.” Dean started to stand.

  “Are you all right? I mean, you seem worse.”

  “I just miss her, Henry. And she and I . . . I kind of left right in the middle of something. Now I have this big feeling that things are unresolved.”

  “Then why didn’t you go back with Joe,” Henry asked, “and resolve them?”

  “Silly, I guess. I know how she feels, basically she doesn’t feel. I thought that if I stayed out here, I’d feel differently about her. But . . . as the old tale goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. It has in my case.”

  “Hmm.” Henry folded his arms. “I never felt that to be true with me.” He shrugged and saw he’d made Dean smile. “Listen. I don’t know Ellen very well yet, but I know what she is going through. The same thing we all are going through. And none of us will know for a very long time how we are going to think or feel. We have to just go with it now. Grow with it because things are completely different. In time, all of us will learn to feel again. Some sooner than others, but it will happen in time. We just have to give it that ... time, Dean.”

  Dean looked up at the young man who spoke such logical words. “That’s very good advice, Henry. Thank you. I’ll remember that.”

  “It’s a Henry theory.”

  “A what?” Dean followed him out.

  “A Henry theory. Or that’s what my friends used to call anything I explained. Henry theories. You’ll get used to them, and then, like my friends, you’ll get annoyed by them.”

  Dean started to laugh. “I don’t see how.”

  “Oh, you will.” Henry led him down the long corridor that ended with a set of double glass doors. “Anyhow. Did I make you feel better?”

  “As a matter of fact, you did.” Dean patted him on the back. “I still miss her, but I feel a lot better.”

  “Good. Cause Dean?” Henry stopped and faced him. “Since you’re feeling better, you think you can work a little faster? We’re going back in a few days.”

  Laughing at Henry’s very true implications, Dean spun in his mind what he really had left to do—and do quickly—as he and Henry left the clinic.

  TUESDAY, AUGUST 15

  Ashtonville, CT

  The return trip into Ashtonville was a quiet one. They pulled up to Elks Drive in a minivan, unlike every other entrance where they rolled into town loudly in an eighteen wheeler. There was no need to. Any and all further remaining supplies to be brought to Garfield Project would be taken by plane.

  Their return did not go unnoticed. Like a welcoming party, everyone ran to the street from wherever they were that late afternoon to greet Dean, Henry, John, Jonas and Miguel. Their safe arrival told everyone that it was getting close to the time where they would soon leave for good.

  Miguel limped as he stepped from the driver’s seat of the van. He stretched some in irritation. He had to do most of the driving while the others slept. He w
as taken aback when he was pummeled with tightly wrapped arms around his neck. “Whoa.” He looked at Andrea who was the giver of the embrace. “What is this for?”

  “All of you boys made it back safely. We’re proud of you.” She moved on to hug Henry in the same manner.

  Dean peered around after he shook George’s hand, followed by Joe’s, but he didn’t see her anywhere. His heart raced with anticipation to look at Ellen, to speak to her, to tell her things that he needed to.

  “Welcome back.” The voice said to him.

  Smiling, Dean turned and the smiled dropped. “Andrea.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “Thanks.”

  “Even though you don’t seem happy to see me, I’m happy to see you.” She embraced him. “As I told the others, we are proud of you all.”

  “Thank you.” Dean broke from the embrace. “Andrea?” He looked around again. “Where’s Ellen. I’d like to see her.”

  “Oh.” Andrea glanced also. “I don’t know. Frank saw her last.” She saw Frank pass. “Frank.” She grabbed his arm pulling him back. “Dean’s looking for Ellen. Where is she?”

  Frank lifted his hands and shrugged “Don’t know.”

  Andrea’s eyes widened. “Yes, you do. Is she in her house? Where is she? Tell him.”

  Frank shook his head with a closed mouth. “Don’t know. Sorry, Dean.” He walked away.

  Andrea grunted.

  “Andrea, don’t worry about him. I’ll find her.” He stepped back. “I’m sure it won’t be too difficult.” Leaving the celebration of their safe arrival home, Dean quietly searched for Ellen.

  Ellen dropped her pencil and rubbed her tired eyes. She stretched outward, then reached up and turned off the computer, rose from her chair, and turned on the light switch next to the door. “That’s enough, I’m done for today.” She went back over to her work space and began to organize her notes. Uncomfortably hot, she had to get out of the lab.

  “Ellen.”

  Ellen’s heart skipped a beat when she heard the familiar voice coming from the doorway. Closing her eyes briefly with a smile, she turned to see him. “Dean.” Her voice rose in excitement as she dropped her papers and turned excitedly to go to him. She quickly stopped herself mid track. All happiness, all excitement over his return disappeared from her face. She acted as if she’d just seen him only a moment earlier.

  “How’ve you been?” He slowly entered the lab.

  “Oh, working hard. We have a lot of catching up to do. How was Montana?”

  “Good, you’ll love it. We designated a corner house for you. I know how you like your privacy. Joe wants us all together at seven tonight at his house, you know, for final plans.”

  “Good, I’ll see you there.” Ellen gathered her papers. “I’m done here for today. I have to get out of here.”

  “Ellen.” Dean closed his eyes reaching for her arm, just wanting to touch her.

  “Don’t!” Ellen jerked away. “Don’t.” She lifted her hand. “You ran. You hid from me. But worst of all, you left without saying goodbye, and I’m still pissed.” She shook her head and calmed herself. “I have to go.” She grabbed hold of her folders and walked past him, stopping at the door. “Oh, and by the way . . . you need a haircut.”

  Dean’s head lowered and he grabbed for the counter in defeat over their disastrous reunion.

  Andrea brushed a hair from Dean’s forehead as he sat in his seat at Joe’s house, waiting for the meeting to begin. “It looks good. I did a good job.” She gave him the thumbs up. “Ellen will be pleased. And speaking of which.” She motioned her head to the door as Ellen entered the room. “Last as usual. Excuse me, Dean”

  Ellen walked in and looked around. She smiled when she saw Henry talking to Joe. Slowly, she walked over to him tapping him on the shoulder. “Welcome back.”

  “Hey.” Henry smiled. “Thanks.” He accepted the kiss on the cheek. “Thanks for that too.”

  “Feel honored.” She pointed with a half smile. “You’re the only one I greeted nicely.” She backed up bumping into Andrea as she turned to find her seat.

  “Ellen, are you ok?”

  “Fine.”

  “You look a little pale.”

  “I’m fine, thanks.” She tried to smile then made her way to her seat between Frank and Dean. She hesitantly sat down. “Dean, nice hair cut.”

  “Thanks, Andrea cut it.”

  Frank reached his hand down under Ellen’s chair pulling it closer.

  “I think we should move.”

  “Frank, please.” Ellen whispered back.

  “No, I’m serious, El. I know you, it’s too crowded and ...”

  “Frank.” She brought her hand to her temple. “Not right now. All right?” She grunted and slid down in her chair, extending her feet.

  “If everyone’s ready?” Joe yelled out, and the room became silent. “This won’t take long at all. First, we want to welcome everyone back. Our Montananites have informed us that everything is ready.”

  Ellen sat up and took a deep breath. She grabbed the notebook from Frank’s hands, and began to frantically fan herself.

  “Are you all right?” Frank asked.

  Ellen nodded, fanning. “You know how I get.”

  “I know; that’s why I suggested we move.”

  Joe continued. “We also have a name for our town. Johnny and Denny have informed me that it will be called Beginnings, Montana. I think it’s very fitting. Good job, boys.”

  Everyone applauded.

  Ellen handed Frank back his notebook and leaned forward. She began to tap her foot and wished the meeting would move on.

  Frank laid his hand on her arched back as he leaned toward her. “Go get some air.”

  “I’m all right.” She spoke through her hands.

  Joe raised his hands to get everyone’s attention. “Also, everyone is to start packing up this week. Three boxes each, that’s it. We’ll load a truck up and drive to the airport where the plane is located in New Haven. George and I will have it gassed up and hopefully by Saturday . . .” Joe stopped when he noticed Ellen was moving restlessly in her seat. “Ellen, is something wrong?”

  Ellen looked up at him; her face was pale and her brow glistened with sweat. She shook her head no.

  Joe, taken aback by her appearance, walked to her. “Ellen, you don’t look well. Are you feeling all right? Do you still have that flu?”

  “No, Joe.”

  Scolding, Joe looked at Frank. “Didn’t I tell you to watch her with spoiled food?”

  “Excuse me.” Ellen sprang from her seat and ran from the meeting room. Everyone was silent until they heard the front door slam.

  Joe began to follow her, but was suddenly stopped by Frank who stood up to follow Ellen. “Let her go, Dad.”

  “Frank, something is wrong with her.”

  “Dad.” Frank held his hand out. “Just give me a minute with her. She’ll be back.”

  “But she’s sick.”

  “She’s fine.”

  “That was not fine, if something’s wrong with her. . .”

  “Dad, just ...” Frank ran his hand across his own face harshly in frustration. “Nothing’s wrong with her. She’s pregnant.”

  All faces in the room at that moment turned to Frank as he stood with his father.

  Joe smiled. “Frank?”

  Mouth closed, Frank nodded. “Yep.”

  “Son of a bitch.” Immediately, Joe embraced Frank, lifting his much larger son from his feet.

  Dean looked at Frank, put down his notebook, and walked out of the room.

  Dean walked out into the street with every intention of heading home. He ventured that way until he saw Ellen sitting on the front lawn. After a moment of debate, he quietly walked over and sat next to her. “Feeling better?”

  “Yes, I needed air. It was too hot in there.” She laid back on the grass.

  “So. Did you get like this when you were pregnant before?”

  Ellen sat up. “You know?”r />
  “Everyone does. Frank made the announcement.”

  “Frank? Oh, wait till I get him. Frank has a big mouth.”

  “They’d find out sooner or later. Were you sick like this before?”

  “Not this bad.” She looked over at Dean.

  Dean nodded a few times. “So, you got what you wanted.”

  “I … I got what I wanted.”

  “Ellen.” Dean paused and drew courage. “I need to know. I just need to know. Is this baby mine?”

  Ellen’s lips parted. She stared at him. Preparing to answer, she paused. Frank approached.

  “El?” Frank trotted to them. “You ok?”

  “I’m fine,” Ellen stood.

  Dean rose to his feet. “Frank, if you don’t mind, I am asking Ellen something.”

  “Nope, don’t mind. Ask away.” Frank said.

  “Without you here.” Dean retorted.

  Frank laughed. “Oh, I don’t think so.”

  “Frank,” Ellen snapped. “Go away, I’m pissed at you.”

  “Why are you pissed at me?”

  “Because you opened your mouth.”

  “It slipped,” Frank defended.

  “Slipped. How does it slip out?” Ellen argued.

  “It slipped.”

  “Hey!” Dean shouted holding out his hands. “Enough. Fine. Frank. Stay. Ellen.” He aced her. “Answer my question. Is this baby mine?”

  Ellen’s eyes shifted from Frank to Dean. She took on a solemn expression. “I’m sorry, Dean. The timing … the … no. The baby is Frank’s.”

  “I see.” Dean nodded once. “That’s all I wanted to know.” He turned. “Congratulations, Frank.” He said as he walked away.

  Silence.

  Only the sound of Dean’s dragging feet were heard.

  Frank looked at Ellen. Then they both looked at Dean.

  Ellen saw it, the look on Frank’s face, and she knew.

  “You’re not.” Ellen said. “What was all that talk about …”

  “Make no mistake. I am going to be the father, but he needs to know he fathered the baby. Despite how much I don’t like him, I can’t.”