need to start yet, anyway."
"Withdrawing? Why?"
"To spend the rest of the summer home with
you, helping you to recuperate," he said, smiling. "Oh, Luke, you shouldn't." The chair came to a
halt at the bottom and I slid over into the awaiting
wheelchair.
"There's no sense arguing about it, Annie. My
mind's made up," he said with a stern, determined air. I knew it was selfish of me, but I was happy,
thrilled that he had made that decision.
"And what does Aunt Fanny have to say about
it?"
"She's happy I'm going to be around awhile
longer. My mother's different, Annie. You'll see. The
tragedy has turned her into a responsible person. I'm
really proud of her."
"I'm glad, Luke."
"Miss Annie," someone called, and we paused
at the front door. It was Rye Whiskey coming from
the kitchen.
"Rye. It's Rye Whiskey, Luke. The cook." "Y'all goin' home, Miss Annie?"
"Yes, Rye. This is my aunt Fanny and my
cousin Luke. They've come to fetch me."
"Tha's good, Miss Annie," he said without
hesitation. Aunt Fanny nodded because someone else
confirmed her suspicions and decisions. "I wasn't able
ta make ya anythin' special no ways with that nurse
hoverin' over my shoulder while she was here, and
now . ."
"I know, Rye. Fm sorry."
"Tha's all right. Y'all come back when yer fixed