Second Chances: Growing Past The Fear
Trapped and awaiting rescue from a fierce electrical storm, Laurie Simon and her daughter rely on a story from the past to help them survive. Thanks to Garretelliot for her encouragement.
(This is a fictional story, and no money is being made from it. The characters from Simon & Simon and Six Million Dollar Man are owned by Universal Studios and are only being borrowed for a little while, I promise to put them back when I'm done.)
"Rex, you bad dog, how did you get that in here?" Rick tried not to laugh at the woebegone dog, head between his paws.
"Rick, he's Mike's son all right. Only Rex would sneak his steak bone into our files, at least we didn't get ants!" A.J. chuckled, then ducked Rick's attempt at a head slap.
"A.J., you think it funny, now we'll have to have our report recopied, sans eau de spoiled steak!" the older Simon growled. His brother just shook his head.
"Come on, you sound like I did about ten years ago, don't be so serious! We can take it over to Abby's office; she'll let us reprint it. Robbie might even be able to deliver for us, so we can finish planning for Valentine's Day."
Rick grinned at him. "Good idea, A.J.. Fooled you there for a minute, didn't I?" Now it was A.J.'s turn to groan.
"Yeah, yeah. All right, Rex, you're off the hook. But you are persona not wanted in the office from now on. Laurie!" he called, then smiled as her face peered around the corner.
"You called, little brother?" she teased, then came in the office and gave him a good morning hug.
"Yes, princess." Rick picked up the wagging dog and placed him in her arms, then dropped a kiss on her lips. "Rex needs to stay out of here, he's started putting his bones in the cabinet, and one of our reports now smells to high heaven."
"Rex, shame on you, messing up your daddy's work. Sorry, guys." Laurie cast a concerned eye at the stained folder in Rick's hand, then sighed. Rick didn't like to see her upset, so he put his arms around her.
"It's okay, it's only paper, sweetheart." She smiled again, then leaned against her husband.
"I'll keep the door of the office closed from now on. In the meantime, I've made biscuits and bacon, do you guys want to take a break?"
Rick perked up quickly. "Sure, sweetheart. Come on, A.J., we'll take a break and then go to town." Taking his wife's hand, he followed her back to the kitchen, as his brother needled, "And I thought you married Laurie because you loved her, you just wanted her biscuits!"
Rick laughed, "Can I help it Laurie makes the best breakfasts in town, next to", he pulled out a chair for her, "Robin."
As they sat down to breakfast, the subject of their conversation was having a problem of her own.
"Ian, I don't want to talk about it. I'm perfectly all right."
Robin Whitecloud's voice caused her husband to wince; he'd never heard this tone out of her before. This was the third time this week she had made a dash to the bathroom before breakfast.
"I'm sorry, Robin. I just, I'm worried, you're never sick, and …"
Ian stopped as he saw her eyes darken, then a look reminiscent of her mother came across her face.
"I'm sorry, too, honey. I don't like feeling helpless, and when my stomach goes off like this…well, thank you for the crackers." She replied, taking the package from his hand, then leaned over and gave him a kiss.
Taking advantage of Robin's proximity, Ian pulled her to him and embraced her tightly. "I love you, Robin. Don't ever shut me out when you're sick, please."
Touched, his wife kissed him again. "I promise, Ian, love. Now go on ahead to work, I'm going to Uncle A.J.'s to drop the kids then I'll be at Mom's."
As her husband went out the door, the young wife sighed, she hated not telling Ian her fears, but she needed to talk to her mother first. Ian tended to get so emotional when she didn't feel well, and she loved him for worrying the way he did.
But …this was important. Against her better judgment she'd resisted confiding in her husband the anxiety she felt.
As Ian's car disappeared down the street, she could almost hear her father's voice.
"Keeping secrets from each other is not the way to stay married, honey. You didn't like it when Ian did it, did you?"
No I didn't, Robin thought. I'll talk to Mom, then Ian tonight…
Just as she went back into the house, the phone rang. As she reached the kitchen, Petey already had the receiver in his hand. "Gramma, we're going to play with Robin and Ceci."
"Petey, let Mama talk to Grandma." Robin smiled at her son, then took the phone from him.
"Hi Mom, are we still on for this morning?"
"Yes, honey. Thank you for letting Petey answer the phone, it's so cute to hear his voice." Laurie answered, then frowned when the young mother said, "I've got something I need to talk to you about, Mama. I'm going to drop the kids off at Uncle A.J.'s then I should be there by ten."
"All right, Robin, I'll see you when you get here, drive careful." Laurie replied, then hung up the phone.
"We need to go, sweetheart." Rick's voice came from his and A.J. 's little office. A little niggling worry about the way her daughter sounded made her stop for a moment, then Laurie decided to deal with it after the guys left.
"Except for the calendar, you wouldn't know it was February, Rick. Look at that blue sky." Laurie exclaimed, following the two brothers out to their cars.
"Just another day in paradise, darlin'." Rick teased, taking the sack of sandwiches his wife had prepared for their lunch. Climbing in his truck, he leaned out to kiss Laurie.
"Well, paradise is on hold until you come home, Rick." She murmured, encircling his neck with her embrace. Only the groan of her brother-in-law interrupted them. "Laurie….don't spoil him. Come on, he'll be home this afternoon, I promise." A.J. leaned out the window of his sports car.
"Spoilsport", Rick groused, then laughed as Laurie retorted to A.J., "Yes, that goes for you, too. Linda wants to look at the new condos on the other edge of the complex. Robbie already called and said he'll deliver the report for you guys."
"Yes, sis." A.J. pretended to sigh, then waved his hand as he drove down the driveway. Rick blew a kiss at his wife then followed his brother down the road.
When the brothers reached the new complex that housed their friend Abby Johnson's office, they were pleased to see her husband Ron helping move a new chair in.
"Always knew you'd come in handy around here, Ron." Rick ragged him. The chief of detectives pretended to take offense.
"Like you never help Laurie move things around, huh."
"Yes he does, you complainer." Abby came out of the building, giving Rick and A.J. each a hug.
"Complainer, my foot." Ron groused, then caught his wife by the arm and gave her a kiss.
"Now that's better." She smiled. "See what a good influence you are, pal?"
"I aim to please." Rick smirked, then swatted A.J. as he went past him to the office.
While A.J. re-copied their client's report, Rick helped put Abby's new office chair and desk in their rightful places.
"There, that looks much better, thanks pal." She offered gratefully, then produced fresh coffee for her friends. "Thanks Abby, that sunlight is just like a flashlight today." A.J. said, sipping the hot beverage.
"Well, you're welcome. So what's Linda and my buddy doing today?"
Rick snickered as A.J. replied, "Linda's playing Romper Room with Petey and Katie while Robin went to visit Laurie."
"That's my Bird, I know Laurie can take care of herself, but I still worry…. at least my girls have a nice day to go riding."
As if in answer, a faint rumble sounded in the distance. "What the….." Abby pulled open her office drape to show heavy thunderclouds coming over the mountain.
"Would you look at that? Ten minutes ago not a cloud in the sky, and now ….I bet neither of you have an umbrella. Why don't you two stay for lunch, I'm going to make pepper bellies and salad. When Robbie stops by, he can have some too."
"Now that's a good idea, Abby. You go ahead and start and I'll run get Joey, he has half day today." Ron reminded his wife.
As their friend dashed for his car, Rick shook his head at the darkening horizon. "And here we thought we might have an early spring. Oh well," he sighed. "Laurie'll know not to go out if the weather's bad."
"Especially if there's thunder and lightening." A.J. added, helping pack up all the shipping materials for the office furniture.
As the younger Simon spoke, Laurie and Robin were busy saddling up their horses. In between laughing at Rex's antics, Laurie had been focusing on her daughter's pale face and the dark circles under her eyes.
"Sweet, are you sure you're up for a ride? You look really peaked." She finally said, as Robin put their picnic lunch in her saddlebag.
"Mom, I'm fine, I just need some fresh air. This winter's been so hectic, I feel really stifled, not being able to work or get out much." Her daughter replied, sounding frustrated.
"I know, Robin. Being a mom is hard when you're used to working outside the home, being with people you can talk to. What you need is a break now and then, like today." Laurie offered, then relaxed when Robin gave her a smile. "I'm sorry for being so grouchy, Mom. I love Petey and Katie so much, and Ian tries to help but now…." Her voice trailed off.
"It'll be all right, honey. Let's find that place I told you about, then I want you to tell me what's worrying you so much, promise?" Laurie asked.
"I promise, Mom." Robin answered, then the two women laughed when Rex jumped into Laurie's arms.
"Oh, all right, silly. You can come picnic with us. " Laurie chuckled, handing the wriggling dog to her daughter while she got on her horse, then taking Rex and putting him in her saddlebag.
As they rode through the back section of the ranch, then up into the foothills, Robin pointed out a series of clouds coming over the mountains. "Looks like we're going to get some weather later on, Mom. I'll be glad when Ian gets the trainer job at the new Knights show, then he won't have to drive in the rain all the way to Vegas."
"Me too. I don't like that we hardly get to see you during the week, let alone on weekends." Laurie added, then noticed something missing on Robin's arm.
"Sweet, where's your watch?" she asked, then sighed as Robin guiltily admitted "I forgot to put it on this morning, Mom. I won't forget it again."
"I know you won't, honey. It makes your father and I feel better that we can reach you and the children when you're traveling. Now look over there, see the pink and grey rocks." Laurie pointed out some of the landmarks from her stories, then led the way to the small clearing underneath Eagle Point.
Within minutes Laurie had set out the basket of sandwiches and salads, then pulled out some dog food and a bone for Rex. "Here you go, big boy!" Laurie fed the little dog, then was relieved to see her daughter smiling at Rex's antics. As they relaxed, she told how her great-grandmother had also picnicked and played with her half-sister Rainbird in that very canyon. Rex trotted off to chase a bird, then came back and fell asleep in the picnic basket.
"Better, honey?" Laurie asked as they finished eating, then saw with a sinking heart Robin's eyes full of tears. "Oh, Mama, I can't take this, what am I going to do?"
Laurie opened her arms and gathered Robin into her embrace. "I'm here, Robin. I want you to tell me what's hurting you."
For a long moment, there was no sound but her daughter's tears and the wind blowing through the canyon.
"Mama, I think I might be pregnant." Robin finally blurted, then Laurie took a deep breath. "No. Are you sure? You know what Rudy said."
"I keep getting sick in the mornings, and my "time" of the month hasn't shown up." Robin answered, her voice a little calmer.
"That doesn't necessarily mean you're pregnant, Robin. You could have a virus, have you told Ian what you think?" Laurie started, then saw her shake her head slowly.
"I'm sorry, Mama. I couldn't, especially when he started saying how much he loves the children and how he wouldn't mind if we had a couple more."
"Oh, sweet. You know how Ian is; he probably forgot what Rudy said about waiting a year or two. Do you think your husband would risk your health like that?" Laurie added emphatically, knowing she had to treat her daughter as an adult and not take sides.
There was a moment of silence, then Robin hung her head, an ashamed look on her face.
"No, Mama. He loves me, he wouldn't make me go through with ….he would support me if I couldn't have another baby."
"Then you know you have to be honest with him, honey. I know it's hard, but you and Ian are supposed to trust and care for each other. You worry about him, right?" Laurie saw Robin give a rueful smile.
"All the time, Mama. And today I was irritated with him because he was upset I felt sick. He does try to make sure I'm not over-burdened… but sometimes…"
"Sometimes you want to run away, not have to think about two o'clock feedings and diapers and skinned knees. It's natural to feel this way, Robin. But you need to let Ian in and tell him how you feel." She saw that her daughter was really listening, then abruptly a loud yawn came from the basket next to them, and both of them laughed at the sight of a sleepy Rex.
"I love you, sweet. Whatever happens, your father and I will be there for you and Ian." Laurie told her, giving Robin a hug.
Suddenly a loud rumble sounded, and both women looked up to see dark clouds overhead.
"Oh, great, where'd this come from?" Laurie groaned, then a vivid bolt of lightening cracked over their heads. "Robin, we have to get out of here, I'll grab Rex, we'll come back for everything else later."
As rain began to fall, Laurie scooped up Rex as they ran toward their horses, only for a loud boom of thunder to reverberate against the canyon walls. As Robin started to climb on her horse Poorboy, he was spooked and reared up, throwing her to the ground. The terrified horse raced out of the clearing as Laurie went to her daughter.
"Robin, honey are you all right?"
"I think so, Mama, help me up, oh!" the young woman sank back to the ground, holding her ankle. "I think I sprained my foot, you'll have to go for help."
"No, I won't leave you, honey. Brick can hold us both. No!" A bolt of lightening struck the hillside above them, scaring Laurie's horse and sending him dashing madly out of the canyon.
Laurie tried to stay calm, "Robin, look, here's a cave, let's get out of the rain and I'll call your father."
As she pointed out an opening at the entrance of the canyon, another rumble of thunder shook a shower of rocks down towards them. Desperate, both women made it to the entrance, then Laurie produced a miniature flashlight and checked out the interior of the cavern.
"This is strange, honey, it looks like this might have been someone's storage place or home at one time, there's a couple of old cabinets and a table and chair in here."
Shining the small but powerful light along the walls, Laurie went to one of the drawers and carefully opened it. Only a few small books and a short stack of letters was inside, but it was the name on the outside of one of the leather bound journals that caused her to gasp.
"Robin, you're not going to believe this, it's Grandmother Kasey's journals from the 1930's, and…. this one has an account of her last year as a sheriff." Laurie quickly gathered them together then stuffed them in her jacket pockets.
Another rumble, even louder, crashed over their heads, then Laurie saw dust start to drift from the cave ceiling.
"Robin, get out of here, the entrance is starting to crumble"
As if in answer to her words, the walls began to shake.
Limping, Robin managed to make it outside of the cavern, just missing being hit by several large rocks. Laurie tried to follow her out, only to have to jump back as a boulder crashed down in front of her, then she heard Rex whimper as the opening disappeared in a cloud of dust.