For Keeps (Aggie's Inheritance) (10 page)

The force wasn’t strong enough to trip her, but trying to avoid it sent Aggie’s feet stumbling for balance. Her attempts to right herself were futile, and she went down hard on her ankle. Eyes smarting, she tried to pull herself up but failed.
“
Aaak. I think I need some ice.
”

Tina groaned.
“
That’s your weak one, isn’t it?
”

“
That was three months ago!
”
she gasped, trying to swallow the tears of pain that threatened.
“
It’s been fine for ages.
”

“
They’re always weaker after they’ve been sprained, Aggie.
”
Tina sent
Ellene signals requesting back
up and added in her firmest schoolteacher voice,
“
You’ll need to get it checked.
”

“
Come on, it’s not that big of a deal, right Ellene? I just go to bed, sleep it off, and it’ll be fine. Right?
”

“
Even if you put ice on it,
”
Ellene began, examining Aggie’s foot gently,
“
it’s swelling fast. It’s probably just a mild sprain, but you could have broken something.
”
The woman’s eyes clouded with concern.
“
I’m so sorry, Aggie.
”

“
It wasn’t your fault. Accidents happen.
”

While Tina ran for a bag of frozen veggies to double as an ice pack, Ellene whipped out her cell phone and dialed the clinic. An impudent grin accompanied her voice as she spoke to the person on the other end.
“
Hello? This is Murphy Howard over on Last Street, and we have a woman with an ankle injury. We’re bringing her in, but I wanted to make sure someone who can run the x-ray is on hand.
”
A few nods, an
“
mmm hmm
”
followed and then she spoke again.
“
She twisted it in a killer pillow fight. Yes, that’s correct, a pillow fight. Murphy Howard. H-o-w-a-r-d.
”
Ellene gave an exaggerated roll of her eyes and covered her mouth to stifle giggles.
“
I think you might know me better as Ellene.
”

Fresh tears smarted as Aggie tried not to laugh and failed. Each shake of her shoulders seemed to travel through her torso, into her leg, and jostle her ankle. Even with the pain she felt, it was obvious to her that this sprain wasn’t nearly as severe as the last one. She didn’t feel faint, sick, the blackness didn’t even threaten to appear
--
nope. It just hurt and would for a day or two.

Luke says:
Aggie? Is it you?

Aggie says:
No, it’s Tina. Aggie is asleep on the couch.

Luke says:
Uncle Zeke listens to the police scanner and heard that Aggie went to the clinic with an injury. Is she ok?

Aggie says:
Argh! I have to change the settings on this thing.

Aggie says:
I can’t be Aggie. It just doesn’t work.

Luke says:
I can understand that.

Tina says
: Aaah… now that’s better.

Luke says:
Well, hello Tina. So, can you tell me what happened? Is she ok? Did they send her home?

Luke says
: Of course they sent her home if she’s sleeping on the couch. I assume that means it isn’t very serious.

Tina says:
Whoa, boy. Hold on.

Tina says:
Ok, we were having a pillow fight, and she fell and twisted her ankle. The doctor said it isn’t too bad. He thinks she’ll be walking normally in a few days.

Luke says:
That’s good to know. But it looked bad, right? I mean, that’s why you took her in. He’s sure it isn’t serious?

Tina says:
We were just over cautious. She sprained it terribly a few months ago.

Luke says:
Ouch! That sounds painful. I remember that time.


Tina says:
You do? That was before she moved here. I thought you met her when Zeke sent you to fix the electrical nightmare.

Luke says:
I did. But, when she lived in Rockland, Uncle Zeke had me install an intercom system for her. She slept through it, but I remember how she winced, even in her sleep, if she shifted at all.

Tina says:
You were Mr. Sandwich!? I didn’t know that!

Luke says:
Well, come to think of it, I don’t know if Aggie does. It all depends on if Uncle Zeke ever said anything.

Tina says:
I’ll have to ask. How funny is that?

Luke says:
Do you think she’ll have trouble sleeping this time? The last thing she needs is a bad case of sleep deprivation.

Tina says:
Well, she’s resting right now. That doctor was a little over-zealous and loaded her up on Vicodin. She’s out.

Luke says:
Well, it’s late, and I should be getting home.

Tina says:
You’re not home?

Luke says:
I’m at my mother’s house helping her with a few things.

Tina says:
I’m very tempted to don my matchmaker’s shawl.

Luke says
: Why?

Tina says:
I just can’t help wonder what your
“
intentions
”
are concerning my friend.

Luke says:
I haven’t figured those out for myself yet.

Tina says:
Is that a polite way of telling me to mind my own business?

Luke says:
No. I just don’t know…

Luke says:
What I mean is that I haven’t given enough thought to it.

Tina says:
Hee hee.

Tina says:
Ok, ok. Don’t kill yourself. I didn’t expect an in depth answer. I have what I need to know.

Luke says:
Uh, oh. I think I just stuck my neck out there. Are you going to put it in a noose?

Tina says:
Nah. Aggie would loop one over MY head if I tried.

Luke says:
Well, that’s a relief. You know what they say… no noose is good noose.

Tina says:
Good one.

Luke says:
It’s not mine. I got it from one of those old musicals.

Luke says:
Mom says to tell you she’s making a pot of soup and some bread to bring over tomorrow.

Tina says:
That’ll help a lot. Thank her for us. I know the kids love it when they get what Laird calls
“
real food.
”

Luke says:
That boy is a riot sometimes.

Tina says:
Well, it’s time to check on Aggie again. I’d better go.

Luke says:
The whole Sullivan family is praying for her. Will you tell her that? Oh, and tell her to feel free to send us back home tomorrow if it’s too much to have us there.

Tina says:
Sure thing! I think it’ll be a welcome distraction to have your mom there teaching her how to ruin fabric, notions, and trims.

Luke says:
Thank you, Tina. I know how much it means to Aggie that you’re here. We would have helped, but an old friend is much better.

Tina says:
I see your point, but I’m not sure how much I like being called old. I guess it’s just one more proof that the Lord knows what He’s doing
--
especially when we don’t.

Tina says:
Ok, gotta go. Nighters, Luke. You’re a good friend to her too.

Luke says:
Goodnight, Tina and thanks.

Sew What?

Thursday, August 7
^th

Aggie awoke cotton-headed and exhausted
--
a great contrast to Tina’s chipper exuberance, despite getting up in the middle of the night to wake Aggie for her pain medication. The sun shone through the living room window, the birds sang outside, and even the geraniums hanging in their pots from the porch railing fluttered their petals in the wind as if to greet her. The scent of freshly baked blueberry muffins lingered in the air, making her stomach growl.

“
How did you have time to bake muffins? The kids aren’t even awake yet!
”

“
I got up to get you your medication, so I decided to bake while there weren’t any fingers to lick the bowl clean. Around here, if you give anyone a lick or two, there isn’t enough left to bake!
”

Tina arrived with orange juice, a buttered muffin, and another Vicodin.
“
Time for the next dose.
”

“
Are you sure? It seems like you just woke me up for the last one.
”

“
The bottle says,
”
Tina began, hands on her hips and a stubborn expression on her face,
“
to take one tablet every six hours as needed for pain. You’re in pain, so take the tablet.
”

“
But it’s not that bad.
”
Even as she spoke, Aggie knew she’d lose the battle. Her foot was aching already. It wasn’t unbearable, but if the full force of the medication wore off, it would probably become nightmarish again.

A squeal and then a screech pierced the morning air. Without another word, Aggie reached for the tablet and the glass of juice Tina offered.
“
You’re right. My head is starting to throb.
”

Aggie despised how fuzzy-headed the pills made her feel, but fuzz trumped pain any day.
If she hadn’t yet convinced herself of the wisdom in taking the medication, the sight of Ian making a beeline for her would have. The child squealed at the sight of
“
Gaggie
”
and tried to rush her, but Tina scooped him up before he could attack the ankle.