Saving Grapes - Madeline Kirby Page 0,49
Ben recognized his father’s voice.
“Hey, it’s Ben,” he answered.
“Ben! Any news? How is Thom?”
“Still unconscious, but the doctor says it’s nothing to worry about. Everything else looks pretty good. Chuck has driven up to Portland to pick up Thom’s grandfather at the airport.”
“Yes, Lorraine told me. She and everyone but Mindy have headed home. It looks like the worst of the rain is over and the danger of flooding has passed.”
“Why is Mindy still there?”
Jon lowered his voice, “Lorraine says she’s the most responsible and volunteered her to stay and help out.”
“Help out with what?”
“So far she’s gotten both of the guest rooms ready, for her and me. We moved your stuff into the master. Right now she’s making a grocery list and a hardware list so I can go shopping while she finishes getting the house ready. She’s like a general, drill sergeant, and quartermaster all in one. I’m a little intimidated, actually.”
“Getting the house ready for what?”
“Well, if it’s alright with you I’m planning to stay here and help out as long as you need me. Also, we’ll need to retrofit the ground floor bathroom with grip bars and make it accessible. It’ll probably be a while before Thom can handle the stairs, so we’ll need to fix up a place for him on the ground floor while he recovers. We figured we’d make room in the dining room for Thom and Steve, since Steve can’t handle the stairs either. Ben? You still there?”
“Yeah, sorry. Just a little overwhelmed. I hadn’t thought that far ahead. Thanks. I should probably get out there to help.”
“No, you stay there with Thom. You should be there when he wakes up.”
“That’s pretty much what Chuck said. But there’s so much to do, I can’t ask you to do it all yourself.”
“I’m not – Mindy’s here. It feels good to be doing something useful, anyway.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I am. How are you doing?”
“Tired, but okay. Better after talking to the doctor and you. I think the thing I’m freaking out about the most right now is the damage in the vineyard. Has anyone from the fire department or insurance company called the house?”
“I don’t know. Let me check with Mindy; just a second.”
Ben heard muffled voices and a minute later his cousin was on the line.
“Ben?”
“Yeah, hi Mindy. You okay? Aunt Lorraine didn’t bully you into anything did she?”
“No, it’s fine. You know me, I like to organize things.”
“I really appreciate it – I’ll owe you big after this. I guess someone called?”
“The fire marshal called this morning after you left. I gave him the contact information you left for the insurance company and he was going to coordinate with them to do an inspection. He couldn’t say for sure when it would be, but sometime in the next few days.”
“Did he say whether anyone needed to be there?”
“He said they might have some questions. I told him Thom was in the hospital, but that his grandfather would be here after today, and that you had been here full time for several months and would be able to answer any questions. I gave him your cell phone number, but told him you might not be able to answer if you were at the hospital.”
“Thanks, Mindy. For everything.”
“No problem. You need to talk to Jon again?”
“No, I need to get back to Thom. Thank Jon for me and I’ll see y’all tonight.”
Thom ended the call and headed back to Thom’s room. The orderlies had finished their work and Ben resumed his vigil at Thom’s side. He held Thom’s hand and started speaking to him softly, telling him about the preparations going on at the house, Mindy putting his dad to work, and that Chuck would be back later with Thom’s grandfather. It wasn’t long before Ben’s sleepless night caught up with him and he drifted off to sleep, resting his head on the bed next to Thom’s hand.
Ben woke to a stiff back and the smell of antiseptic. It took him a moment to remember where he was and groaned when he realized the last thirty hours hadn’t been a horrible dream.
“Wakey-wakey, rise and shine,” he could hear his uncle saying as he shook Ben’s shoulder.
“Ow. I’m awake,” Ben grumbled, straightening slowly and rubbing his eyes. He stood and leaned over to check on Thom.
“Still asleep, son,” Chuck said.
“Yeah.” Ben turned to face his uncle and saw that he wasn’t alone. The old man leaning on a cane next to his uncle had to be