Chapter Five
Jack pulled into his driveway just after midnight. The house was dark. He hadn't even called Lureen to tell her he was on his way home. He was tempted to just go to a motel for the night and come back in the morning, but that wouldn't make it any easier. He grabbed his bag and went inside.
He decided immediately that he was not getting in bed with Lureen. It didn't feel right, not when he was planning on asking for a divorce, and not after what he had promised to Ennis. He took off his shirt and jeans and lay on the couch in his t-shirt and boxers. He covered up with the blanket that had been left at the end of the couch.
Jack woke up early, took a shower, and shaved before Lureen and Bobby were even up. When he was done, he went in Bobby's room and sat on the edge of his bed. Bobby was sleeping on his back, his blankets in a tangle. Jack brushed the hair back from Bobby's forehead and he stirred, opened his eyes partway.
"Hey, little man. It's time t'get up fer school."
Bobby's eyes opened wider. "Daddy?"
"Yeah, son, it's me. You gonna get up?"
Bobby seemed to think about it for a minute, then tossed his covers off, and threw himself into Jack's arms. "I missed you, Daddy."
"I missed you, too, son." Jack held him close, then stood up, putting Bobby back on the bed. "You gotta get ready fer school. Need any help?"
"Nah."
"Okay. I'll go make ya some breakfast. Want some eggs? Toast?"
"Cereal and toast . . . please."
Jack smiled and left the room as Bobby went to his dresser. He met Lureen in the hallway.
"Jack! You're home! When did you get here?"
"Late last night."
"You get Bobby up?"
"Yeah, I was just goin' t'make him some breakfast."
"Oh, okay. Well, I'm gonna take a shower and get ready for work." She paused, then kissed him on the cheek, almost as an afterthought.
Jack found Bobby's backpack and set it by the door, then got him a bowl and spoon, the cereal and milk, and started the toast. Bobby came running into the kitchen as Jack was buttering it. He slammed into Jack's legs and nearly knocked him over. "Hey! Slow down!" Jack laughed.
"Sorry, Daddy," Bobby said, hopping up into a chair and pouring some cereal.
Jack sat with him while he ate, then cleaned up while Bobby went to brush his teeth. He helped him put his backpack on and gave him a hug before sending him out the door to catch the bus. He watched as Bobby turned and waved to him, his wavy dark hair shining in the sun, his bright eyes, as blue as Jack's, his smile wide and beautiful like his momma's, and then he was gone.
Jack went back inside and poured another cup of coffee. Lureen came in the kitchen, so he poured her one, too. "Lureen, you got a busy day today?"
"Not really, why?"
"We need t'talk."
She turned from the counter where she'd been spooning cream and sugar into her coffee, her cup in her hands, held before her like a shield. He could see that her normally pale face had turned even more pale and her eyes were wide.
"Are you happy? Bein' married t'me, I mean?"
"Jack, what the hell are you talking about? O' course I'm happy." He raised his eyebrows at her. "Well, mostly I am."
"Lureen. Honey. I'm sorry, but I ain't happy. I ain't been happy fer a long time. I'm askin' ya fer a divorce."
"What? No!" She set her cup down, shaking her head. "No, Jack. I don't want no divorce." He could see tears in her eyes.
"Lureen . . . " he stood and went to her. She put up her hands and backed away, shaking her head. This was not the reaction Jack expected. Well, what didja expect, asshole? That she'd be happy about it? he thought, and knew in his heart that's exactly what he expected. "Lureen, do you love me? Are you really happy?" He stopped in front of her as she stopped backing away.
"Of course I love you. Why d'ya think I married you?" the tears finally spilled from her eyes and she looked away, said more softly, "I can't get a divorce. I can't." She wiped her eyes and looked back to him. Jack could see the bit of wildness that had come into her eyes. "Who is she, Jack? Who is she! Who are you leavin' me for?"
"Lureen, there ain't no other woman," he started.
"I don't believe you!" she screamed.
"Honey, calm down." Jack tried to put his arms around her, but she flailed at him and pushed him away.
"Don't tell me to calm down, you bastard!" The tears were streaming down her face now, her eyes wild.
"Honey, please. Please calm down."
"I hate you, Jack Twist. I hate you! D'you hear me? I hate you!" She put her face in her hands and started to sob. Jack put his arms around her and she didn't resist this time.
"Shh . . . darlin', it's all right. It'll be all right." He continued to make soothing noises as she calmed down and finally stopped crying. She let him hold her for a few more moments, sniffing occasionally, then pulled away.
"I'm going to lie down. I can't talk to you right now." She walked away, down the hallway, into their bedroom, and shut the door.
"Fuck," Jack said, scrubbing his hand down his face and taking a deep breath.
Jack woke up and looked at his watch. Two-thirty. Lureen hadn't come out of the bedroom all day and he'd fallen asleep on the couch waiting for her. He got up and stretched, heard some movement at the other end of the house. Lureen came into the living room, dressed to go out. Her eyes were still a little puffy, but she'd tried to cover it with a little extra makeup. "I'm goin' out fer a drink."
"When will you be back?"
"I don't know. Why d'you care?"
"Honey, please, we still need t'talk."
"I don't feel like talkin' right now, Jack. What I need right now is a drink and to be away from you. Bobby'll be home soon. I called Maria and told her to just send him home–that you were home today." Bobby usually went to their neighbors home after school, until Jack or Lureen got home from work.
"Okay. I think I'll take him out to supper tonight. Down to Dave's Steakhouse. D'you wanna come with us?"
"No. You gonna tell him we're gettin' divorced?"
Jack blinked, startled at her sudden acceptance of the divorce. He thought about telling Bobby. "No, not yet. I still think we got more t'talk about, Lureen. Maybe tonight we can talk some more?"
She just shrugged and walked out.
Bang. Bang. Bang. Jack shot up, disoriented. He'd fallen asleep in the chair in front of the tv, which now buzzed with snow. The banging came again. What the hell? He went to the door and tore it open. A sheriff deputy was standing on the porch, his arm raised to knock again. "Danny? What's goin' on?" he asked, recognizing the deputy.
"Jack, can I come in?"
"Sure," Jack stepped back and opened the door wider. Danny stepped inside, went to the table and took a seat, so Jack followed.
"Jack, I'm real sorry t'be the one havin' t'tell ya this, but . . ." he hesitated, "Lureen's been in an accident. It seems she'd been drinkin' an' she got in Rod Feldman's truck t'get a ride home, but he'd been drinkin' too. They hit a tree."
Jack just stared at him like he was speaking another language.
"I'm sorry, Jack, real sorry. Lureen's in a bad way. She's at the hospital. They don't expect her t'make it."
"No. No. No." Jack shook his head. My fault. This is all my fault. Tears sprang to his eyes and spilled over. "Lureen . . ." he whispered.
Danny stood. "Another deputy went to tell Lureen's parents."
Jack thanked Danny and showed him to the door. He picked up the phone and called Maria, explained what happened, asked if he could bring Bobby over. Maria said of course he could and started to cry. He picked Bobby up in his blankets, not even bothering to wake him, and put him on the front seat of his truck. He drove to Maria's and settled Bobby on the couch, gave Maria a hug, and drove to the hospital.
Once there, he went in and met a furious L.D. Newsome in the hallway. L.D. flew at him, his face red and blotchy, "What happened? What the hell was goin' on with you two? First, Lureen doesn't show up fer work and then she's out drinkin' in the middle of the week! What'd you do, you son of a bitch?" L.D. pulled his fist back and slugged Jack in the face. Jack fell back and hit the floor, stunned.
"Hey! Knock it off or you'll have to leave!" he heard a female voice shouting.
"Come on, you son of a bitch. Get up. Get up!" L.D. stood over him, screaming, his face now turning purple. Jack just laid there. Whatever he gives, me it ain't near what I deserve, Jack thought, even as he saw a security guard approach L.D.
"Sir, if you don't settle down, you're gonna have to leave," the guard said, putting his hand on L.D.'s arm and forcing him to back up.
L.D. shook his arm free. "Fine, but," he pointed at Jack, "I don't want you anywhere near me, ya hear?"
Jack just nodded as he got up and went to the nurses station. "I'm Jack Twist. My wife, Lureen was brought in earlier. I'd like t'see her," he said quietly, rubbing his cheek and eye, which were now throbbing from L.D.'s punch.
"Mr. Twist, I'm sorry, but she's still in surgery. You can wait in the waiting room and someone will let you know as soon as she's out," the nurse gave him a sympathetic smile, "You want some ice for that?" she nodded to his eye.
"Sure, thanks." She got him an ice pack and he sat in a chair, leaned back, and held the pack to his eye. It wasn't long before he heard someone approach his chair and sit down. He looked up.
"Mr. Twist? I'm Dr. Goodell. I operated on your wife when she was brought in." He hesitated, "We did everything we could, but her injuries were too severe. She didn't make it."
Jack put his head down and covered his face with his hands for a moment. "Did ya tell her parents?"
"Not yet."
"Can I see her? Say good-bye?"
"Sure. I'll take you to her."
"Thanks, doc." Jack followed him and he went into the room. A nurse was in with her, but left when Jack entered the room. Lureen was surrounded by machines. A blanket was pulled up under her chin and there was a bandage across her forehead. Jack could see a wetness in her dark hair, but he tried not to think what that might be. She was so still and pale, still so young and beautiful. He stood next to her, touched her cheek, her lips. His tears spilled down his face. He bent and kissed her lips and saw his tears hit her and roll down her cheek. It almost looked like she was crying.
"Lureen," he whispered, "I did love you, honey. I do love you. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, baby. I'm so fuckin' sorry. I didn't want somethin' like this t'happen . . ." he trailed off, took a deep breath. "I'll take care of Bobby an' I'll make sure he remembers his momma." He stood next to her a while longer, then walked out of the room. He knew L.D. and Faye would want to say good-bye to their daughter.
Jack left Bobby at Maria's for the rest of the night. He went home, had a drink, and crawled into the bed he'd shared with Lureen for ten years. He didn't cry–just laid there for a long time, not thinking, not sleeping. Later, he got up and went to Maria's. The kids were just getting on the bus and waved at Jack. He found Maria in the kitchen with Bobby. Bobby jumped into his arms.
"Daddy, how come ya brought me t'Maria's last night? An' how come I ain't goin' t'school today?" Bobby knew something was wrong.
"Bobby, why don't you go get in the truck an' I'll bring you home. I gotta talk to Maria fer a minute, okay? Grab yer blanket before ya go."
Bobby got his blanket, took a piece of toast off his plate, and went outside.
Jack turned to Maria. She was a good friend of Lureen's. "She's gone," he said.
Tears were falling from Maria's dark eyes. "Oh, Jack, I'm so sorry." He just nodded. "You let me know if I can do anything for you. Anything at all. You bring Bobby over whenever you need to. I'll bring you guys some supper tonight. Don't worry about anything like that."
"Thanks, darlin'." She gave him a quick hug before he went out the door.
Telling Bobby that his momma was gone and never coming back was the hardest thing Jack had ever had to do. Bobby had cried for a long time, choking sobs that broke Jack's heart. His sobs finally turned to sniffles, and then he fell asleep, curled in Jack's lap. Jack held him for a long time before putting him in his bed.
The next few days were a haze of grief. Jack let L.D. and Faye plan the funeral. It seemed to bring them some small amount of comfort to be in control, so he let them. He and L.D. declared an unspoken truce, which mainly consisted of avoiding each other and saying as little as possible, when it became necessary to discuss something. After the funeral, everyone came out to the house for a bite to eat. Jack talked and smiled and shook hands, counting the minutes when everyone would finally leave and leave him alone.
By early evening, everyone except her parents had gone. Faye was cleaning up and L.D. was at the table, smoking and having a drink of whiskey. Jack stood by the window, watching Bobby swing on the swingset in the backyard.
"Well, I s'pose the best thing fer everyone is fer Bobby t'come an' live with us," he heard L.D. say, "so we'll come by tomorrow and pack up all o' his stuff."
Jack turned to him, "What the hell are you talking about?"
L.D. met his eyes defiantly, "I think Lureen woulda wanted us t'raise her son. Not a no-good son of a bitch like you."
"I'm his father an' I'm the one who's gonna raise him. I think that is what Lureen would've wanted."
"Now, Jack," Faye said, "how're you gonna raise a little boy all alone. He needs a woman. Needs a momma."
"His momma's gone. He's stayin' with me," he said coldly.
"It's yer fault she's gone!" L.D. shouted.
Jack had had enough. His guilt was eating him inside, but he sure didn't need L.D. adding to it. "Get out. Get the fuck out of my house!" he shouted. "Bobby is stayin' with me an' I'm movin' to Minnesota. Got a farm up there. You can come up an' see him whenever ya want, but he's not stayin' here with you."
L.D. and Faye looked stunned. "What're you talkin' about, boy?" L.D. squinted his eyes at Jack.
"You heard me. I'm selling the house an' movin' t'Minnesota. I'll leave ya the address and phone number. Anything of Lureen's you want, take it, 'cause what I don't keep fer Bobby is goin' ta charity."
Faye had her hand to her mouth, shaking her head, tears falling. Jack felt bad. Faye had always been nice to him. He knew she was grieving and didn't want to make it worse for her, but he wanted to leave as soon as possible, so they might as well know it now.
L.D. stood up. "You can't do that. I'm callin' a lawyer. I'll get custody of that boy."
"Go ahead an' call a lawyer. You can't do nothin' about it. I'm his daddy."
"Come on, Faye," L.D. said, heading for the door.
"Faye, why don't you come back tomorrow and take what you want of Lureen's things." Jack told her, adding softly, "I'm sorry."
Jack spent the rest of that night and the next day packing. He hooked a trailer to his truck so he could take all of Bobby's belongings. Faye came to the house in the afternoon, knocked hesitantly. Jack let her in and watched her wander aimlessly, touching a few things. Finally, she stopped, turned to Jack. "I don't know what to do. My daughter, my little girl. Gone." She broke down and Jack took her in his arms.
"I know. I'm sorry."
"An' now you're takin' Bobby, too."
"Faye, you can come an' see him anytime you want. I'll send you a ticket, even. When Bobby's older, he can come an' visit you–maybe spend a few weeks in the summer."
That seemed to make her feel a little better. She stood and looked around. She settled on taking some of Lureen's childhood possessions and the silver-plated brush and mirror set she and L.D. had given her a few years ago. She gave Bobby a hug before she left and made Jack promise he wouldn't leave without saying good-bye.
Jack packed his belongings, all of the pictures, some mementos of Lureen's for Bobby, and all of Bobby's things. All the household items, the furniture, and Lureen's clothing were going to the Goodwill. He had movers come and take it all away, met with the realtor to put the house on the market, and then called the farm for the first time.
"Hello?" he heard a singsong female voice answer.
"Hi, Kelly? This is Jack. Is Ennis there yet?"
"Sure. I'll go get him. Hold on."
A minute later Ennis picked up, "Lo? Jack?"
"Hi."
"Hi. What's up, bud? How are you? I expected ya ta call afore this."
"I know. Sorry. I got some news." He hesitated, breathed deeply before going on. "Lureen was in an accident. Happened right after I got here."
"I'm sorry, Jack."
"She didn't make it. We had the funeral a few days ago."
"Oh, Jack. I'm so sorry, darlin'."
"Yeah, well, I got Bobby t'take care of now." Pause. "You still want me t'come up there with you?"
"Jack. What the fuck kinda question is that? Of course I want you to come here. You and Bobby. You think I wouldn't want ya just 'cause of that? What kinda man d'you think I am?" Jack heard the hurt in Ennis's voice.
"I'm sorry. I ain't thinkin' straight. I'm plannin' on leavin' in the mornin'. We'll be there in a coupla days."
"Alright. Drive careful, okay, bud?" Pause. "I cain't wait t'see ya, Jack. I miss you."
"I miss you, too, baby. See ya soon. Real soon."
