Chapter 15: Best Friends
The grey haze of the morning had already started to burn off. Some of the frosts remained on the evergreen needles and the lawns. She drove her German SUV along the road that follows the river.
Haley Scott looked down the road. She saw his Ford SUV, it's seen hard used and is time-worn, sitting there, she nodded, right where she expected him to be.
"Every year, the same place, like clockwork," Haley said and parked behind his Ford, "Oh, Luke when will you get over it and move on."
She got out of her car and shivered under the bite of the frigid winter wind. Pulling her jacket closer to her body, she grabbed the bag with the food and the travel mugs of coffee. Confidently, while fighting the wind, she walked over to the lone figure leaning against the Ford.
"You're running late," Lucas Scott said, without looking away from the river.
"The Grandkids were restless this morning," Haley said and put what she carried on the hood of the Ford.
Lucas nodded, "They are Brian's Kids," he said.
"Well it's crazy," Haley said and reached into the bag of the sandwiches. She handed one to Lucas, "Eat before it gets cold."
Lucas took the sandwich, "How do you know I didn't eat breakfast already?" he asked.
"Luke, you do this for almost, God I forget how long," Haley said.
Lucas laughed and opened the foil around the egg sandwich, "It hadn't been that long," he said and took a bite of his sandwich.
Haley nodded and unwrapped her sandwich and joined him in eating it.
"Thanks for the sandwich," Lucas said, in-between bites.
"You're welcome," Haley said in-between bites.
They stood there for the next few minutes, eating their egg sandwiches, and watching the river, in the bitter cold. After a few minutes, they finished their sandwiches and went back to drinking coffee. Together the two best friends stood there staring off at the river. Every so often the steam from the coffee or one of their breath would break the stillness.
"Luke," Haley said, breaking the stillness.
"Yes Hales," Luke said.
"Why do you come out here every New Year's Day?" Haley asked.
Lucas shrugged, "I don't know, maybe because there is something poetic about it," he said.
"Poetic Luke? Maybe you've been an English Teacher, or an author too long," Haley replied.
Lucas shook his head, "Maybe," he said.
Haley snorted, "Maybe means yes," she said.
"So, you say," Lucas replied.
"I do say," Haley answered, "It's a rule."
Lucas laughed, "What do you want to know?" he asked.
"What is so poetic about coming to this spot every New Year's Day?" Haley asked.
"Why do you want to know, now?" Lucas countered.
Haley sighed, "I want to know why, my best friend and brother-in-law braves the cold to come out here, the middle of no-where, every New Year's Day," she said.
"Maybe, I like to start each year, where it all began," Lucas said.
Haley nodded, "Luke, you can't dwell on it," she said.
Lucas sighed, "I'll get over it," he said, "In my own time."
"It was four years ago," Haley said.
"Kay is still recovering from that year," Lucas said.
"It's called surgery, she keeps re-injuring herself, Luke," Haley said.
"Yeah, I guess," Lucas said.
Haley sighed, "You still have to get Sawyer through this all," she said.
"Haley, I've been there every step of the way," Lucas said, and uncontrollably threw his half-filled cup of coffee into the river, "I've done nothing for the last four, hell, eight years, for myself. Everything I've done has been for mine and our family, for the family. Christ, I've done everything I can think of and it still doesn't seem to help."
Haley nodded and waited a few minutes. Once Lucas' panting slowed down, she spoke. "Are you done?" she asked.
Lucas nodded, puffing a little too hard for someone that kept himself in shape, "For now," he said.
Haley nodded and handed him a new cup of coffee, "One, aren't you glad I brought another cup of coffee. It's in a Yeti so don't throw it into the river as well," she said.
"I won't throw your cup into the river," Lucas said.
Haley nodded, appreciating his thoughtfulness, "Two, I think you need to see someone. Think of it as self-healing," Haley added.
Lucas shook his head, "It's not that, Hales," he said.
"What is it then?" Haley asked.
"The Doctors have been running tests and checking on me," Lucas said.
"Yeah, I know. Ever since high school, they have been doing it for you. Hell, most of my adult life I have doctors worried about something falling off me," Haley said.
"The medicine isn't responding as it should anymore. They have tried everything and different meds. Just before Christmas, they talked to me about some possibilities," Lucas said.
"Like?" Haley asked.
"Surgery," Lucas said.
Haley put a hand to her mouth, "Luke, my God," she said.
"I didn't want to ruin Christmas for everyone," Lucas said, "Considering."
"What did they say?" Haley asked.
"The Doctors and I talked, and I've been able to discuss a little about how long I can wait. I want to do the surgery over the summer," Lucas said.
"It's that bad?" Haley asked.
Lucas nodded, "It seems that way," he said, "But they are watching me and making sure I can hold off."
"Do your kids know?" Haley asked.
"Sawyer knows," Lucas said.
"You have four other kids, and the rest of the family has the right to know," Haley said.
"I told Sawyer a few days ago. I've not told Keith for obvious reasons," Lucas said.
"What about Candi and the twins? You really need to talk to Candi," Haley said.
"I couldn't get a hold of the twins, and Candi has had a busy schedule," Lucas said.
"That sounds like excuses, Luke. I know Candi always answers her voicemails and texts. Am I going to have to push you on this?" Haley asked.
"No, I'll get it all done," Lucas said.
"Good, I swear, am I going to have to keep this family functioning," Haley said.
"We love you for it, Hales," Lucas said.
"Yeah, you're not raising three of your grandkids," Haley said.
"I've been very involved with Nomi and Ellis, considering," Lucas said.
"I know. But they behave compared to Lennon, Lacy, and Darren," Haley said.
Lucas smiled and nodded, "You do have a point there," he said.
"What are you doing for the rest of the day?" Haley asked.
"I've got some running around to do, and some papers I have to finish grading," Lucas said.
Haley smiled, "Staying busy help, but it also allows you to hide," she said.
Lucas nodded, "Yes it does," he said, "But I do deal with it."
"Right," Haley said with a laugh, "Oh and Lucas."
"Yes?" Lucas asked.
"Three, it's cold as hell out here, let's get to someplace inside and warm," Haley said.
Lucas laughed at her last statement.
