Chapter Eleven

"So you're going to stay here through Easter and go to Sunday lunch at Aunt Jean's?" Calvin asked him as they ate dinner at a McDonald's back in Milwaukee.

"I guess that's the plan," Woody replied as he doused his French fries in ketchup.

Calvin grunted. "Guess that means I'm going to be dragged into this, too, seeing that I'm your main source of transportation."

"I could get a rental."

"Nah. I don't mind. It's been kind of nice…besides I owe you." Cal looked over at his brother…Woody had taken care of him for so long, it felt good to return the favor. He looked better than he did when he landed in Wisconsin a few days ago. He wasn't as pale and the dark circles were receding from around his eyes. He was more peaceful…resting better at night. Cal knew he was still taking his Prozac at least once a day and now he was beginning to understand why Woody had been on the drug for so long. Woody had never felt like he was wanted. He never had felt like he could please his father – the one person in the world that he wanted to be proud of him. He had felt that Uncle Lloyd and Aunt Jean really never really wanted him for anything other than just another farm hand. Woody had never realized that Uncle Lloyd had loved him. Then Annie's father…and that rejection. No wonder he had been on the Prozac for so long. It's a wonder he had emotionally survived at all.

"Umm, excuse me, Woody…need a bathroom break. I'll be right back." Cal got up and made for the restroom in the back of the restaurant. Going inside, he flipped open his cell phone and pulled Jordan's number from his wallet. He had no idea what she was doing now, but he needed to talk to the ME.

"Cavanaugh," she said into her phone.

"Jordan, it's Cal. Got a minute?"

He had her total attention immediately. "How's Woody? What's wrong?"

Cal chuckled at the concern in her voice. "Your Farm Boy is fine, Buttercup. He's doing better than expected, actually. I need to talk to you about what's going on in his head. I don't have much time to talk. He thinks I'm on a bathroom break in McD's, so listen quick."

"What is it with you, bathrooms, and phone calls?" Jordan teased.

"Just listen and learn…." He replied. He gave her a brief synopsis of what had gone the last two days. "He's dealing with what he thinks is constant rejection in his life," Cal concluded. "No wonder he works so hard in Boston…no wonder he needs the Prozac."

Jordan let out a soft sigh. "And I haven't helped things by constantly holding him at arms length the last couple of years. No wonder he turned to Devin…she accepted him and wanted to be with him…anytime anywhere. Then the Oxycontin helped ease the pain after she was killed…he felt like he didn't have anyone…even me. I blew it Cal. I really blew it with him, didn't I?"

"No. I don't think so. Let me ask you something…do you love my brother, Jordan?" He heard her sharp intake of breath before she answered.

"Yes." She had crossed the line. There was no turning back now…even if she wanted to.

"Good. Because I know he feels the same way about you. He hasn't said it in so many words, but I can tell. He's going to call you tonight and ask you to come to Wisconsin for Easter. I suggest you strongly consider it."

"I will… I still have the time off. I can fly out tomorrow, if need be. Did he tell you he was going to ask me?"

"No…let's just say little brother is getting ready to play Cupid." He chuckled as he flipped his cell phone shut. In Boston, Jordan just stared at hers wondering what on earth Woody's sibling was up to.

"You know, if I were you, I wouldn't stay here for Easter," Cal said as he and Woody got ready for bed that night.

"I've already committed, so I have to…but why wouldn't you?" Woody replied, curious as to what his brother was thinking.

"Why put yourself through a family gathering when you could go back to Boston and cuddle up with that hot, little ME? Why stay here with Aunt Jean, Amy, Michelle, and Robin…and all their assorted husbands and/or boyfriends, and kids? Can you even begin to imagine the chaos? And the talk that will be going around the church when you show up for Good Friday services and Easter Mass? Why make yourself go through all that when you don't have to?"

Woody groaned. He hadn't thought about the consequences of his promise. He had just wanted to see his aunt smile. But he couldn't go back on his word now. "I'll live…."

Cal continued. "At least I wouldn't go through it by myself. I'd call Jordan and ask her to come up for Easter. She said told me the other night she still had a week and a half off plus the holidays."

"I don't know…she may have plans."

"It never hurts to ask. Besides, if you need to tell her about your past…and why you had the problems you did, what better place to do that in than Kewuanne…the main portal to your problems?"

Cal had a point…and Woody knew it. But he didn't know if he could handle it if she said no. They hadn't talked this week at all…except for the first night he had arrived in Milwaukee when he called to let her know he was okay. Had he battled his demons enough that he could face her now? Or maybe she was the key to banishing them completely…

"Go ahead and call Buttercup, Farm Boy. I dare you," Cal said, waving Woody's cell phone in front of his face.

Woody grabbed it and swallowed hard. He punched one on speed dial. A few seconds later he heard her soft voice…

"Cavanaugh…"

"Jordan…it's me….it's Woody."