CHAPTER FOURTEEN: Stories Told

Virgil stood on the edge of the wharf. He was waiting for Adelaide to meet him. Gordon didn't know about his little visit, and he preferred to keep it that way. He had a few things to discuss with her.

Eventually he saw her running to join him, her hair pulled back into a ponytail and her dangly earrings flapping. She reached his side, out of breath.

"Sorry, Virgil, I've only this moment been able to get away. I've only got an hour. This had better be good. Can we sit down? I'm all out of breath. Gosh what a great day it is today! Don't you think?" Virgil smiled, recognising his brother's habit of talking non-stop was in her too. They walked together to a bench overlooking the harbour. "So, what's this about anyway?" Virgil looked out at the moody waves. Addie may think today was good, but she was wrong, in Virgil's opinion anyway.

"I want to talk to you about Gordon," he said.

"Oh yeah, what about him?" Addie seemed to have caught her breath already. Of course she was in good shape, having to be a Liutenant Captain in WASP.

"About his accident. The hydrofoil one."

"Ah."

"I know he doesn't like to talk about it, so I thought I'd tell you incase he didn't," Virgil said, turning his head to look at her. She looked interested.

"He's told me what happened, but I suppose there's stuff he left out. I'd like to hear it."

Virgil nodded. "Well, where should I start?"

"Wherever you like."

"Well, I know the weather was beautiful that day. I was working at my desk. The radio was on, and I heard a news bulletin about the crash. My heart froze. I knew Gordon was on it. Then the message from father came, telling me to drop everything and come. I did of course. I tell you, seeing him lying there- it freaked me out." He smiled wryly. "None of us thought of you, I'm afraid. We were too wrapped up in our own misery. Our mother two years before, now our brother. We were devastated. He was comatose for weeks." He sighed, gathering his thoughts. Addie waited patiently.

"It was about one week in that the doctors said one way or another. He hadn't improved, and they were all worried for him. Father was so unhappy, worried for Gordon's life and about his wasted future. He had so much promise. You'd know that."

"Yes, I know."

"Well, we were all standing around, looking sad. The doctor came in. He checked all the monitors. Then he shook his head. He said our brother was going to die, like everyone else involved had. And then- I'll never forget it." He laughed.

"What?" asked Addie, smiling slightly. Virgil looked back to her.

"Gordon opened his eyes, looked around at us, and said, clear as day, "Ha! You're not getting rid of me that easily!" I tell you, we were all so surprised, and the doctor immediately changed his diagnosis, I'll tell you that!" Addie laughed.

"So like Gordon! He didn't tell me that!"

"He probably doesn't remember. Ah yes, and then there was the day he woke for good. John was scared senseless. Poor John."

"Hah, Gordon did tell me that."

"Yep, right next to his ear. Screamed loud enough to wake the dead. John insisted that Gordon made him seek therapy. He says even to this day that that scream is why he spends so long-" Virgil cut off, remembering Addie didn't know. She frowned.

"What? Oh. It's part of the Big Secret isn't it."

"No. I was going to say so long with his nose in books, but he spends longer with his head in the stars," Virgil lied deftly. "Anyway, that was the only time he let everyone see his frustration. After that he restricted it to petty whining. It got tiresome. John had no patience with it anyway. But when he made up his mind, that was it. He didn't whine or cry or anything. There was only one moment when I felt he was releasing some of his tension. He was lying there, and I was about to head home, and he looked at me with resigned fear in his face and said, "Do you think I'm going to walk again?" I told him, straight out-"

"Yes?"

"No, I said no. I said the doctors didn't believe he would. And you know how perverse he is. Right then he decided to prove them wrong. He worked at it so hard, I swear. But he had more operations. Has he shown you the scars?" Addie flushed slightly and shook her head.

"No," she said. "But I've felt them. He doesn't like me to touch them."

"Of course not! He's a Tracy and Tracy's are tough!" exclaimed Virgil, a slightly ironic tone to his voice. He didn't tell Addie that he'd heard those same words told to him many times though his childhood. "He's a little sensitive about them, like my father is sensitive about my mother. This is part of the reason I'm here. To warn you."

"Family curse?" Addie laughed.

"No. Just the things to be careful about. But I think you should get Gordon to let you look after his back. It still troubles him, though he thinks we don't know."

"What should I do? It's not like we live together or anything."

"I know. But still. He might ask you to join him. Perhaps you could massage him or something. He'd enjoy that, coming from you. He thinks of it differently coming from one of us, excepting maybe John or me, because he says our hands are gentler."

"Oh really? Perhaps you could give me a preview sometime."

"Okay, when Gordon isn't looking. He might get jealous."

"True." They sat in silence for a little while, then Addie sighed.

"I love him, you know." Virgil nodded.

"Yes, I know. And he loves you. He just has to work through a couple or things. He misses you like crazy."

"Course he does!" Addie snorted. "I can't believe you guys live like you do, alone on that island, completely celibate! It's despicable!"

"Well, not completely..." Virgil demurred.

"Oh yeah, Alan and his girl."

"And Scott gets out a bit when he can..."

"Which leaves you and John. I'm sure I can hook you boys up with someone-"

"No! No no, it's fine. One thing at a time!" Virgil laughed. "We'll deal with Gordon's love life before we deal with mine, thank you very much! But thanks for the offer," he ended, his ingrained manners coming out. "I'll be sure to think it over." Addie laughed too.

"Okay okay, I get the message." She checked her watch. "Oh gosh! Is that the time? I have to go."

"Okay." They both rose to their feet. "Just don't try to box Gordon in, okay?"

"I won't if he doesn't box me in."

"Good." Addie gave Virgil a hug and kiss on the cheek.

"It was nice seeing you."

"You too." They parted then, and Virgil watched her leave, and sighed. She understood a lot more than she let on. He smiled. She was the woman of Gordon's dreams and he was going to make sure his father knew it, too.