#my dog was watching our neighbors barbecuing... poor baby...

[theprotagonistisdead]

ich hätte bitte gerne eine wurscht

[buddyxcollyhollis]

@writervega once upon a time ago you commented on a Drabble about just how Buddy and Helene got to the aftermath of losing Colleen. This finally came to me. The ending storm came from my father’s passing, I’d like to think God sent the rain to bring him home. There’s also a side tidbit about our dear Col, she was born during a rain storm. Could be why she loves the sound so much. 

All Ends Have a Beginning { When I’m gone verse } 

“Ruth…you seen my gloves?”

Humming softly to herself behind the morning paper she thought for a moment. Stretching her legs for a moment Buddy caught a glimpse of long lean dancer’s legs and he smiled. Sitting there in the morning light, hair mussed and slightly curled and back lit by early summer sunshine his wife was a vision to his eyes. 

“They should be out in the tool shed where you left’em, Bud.”

He felt her cool green eyes all but pin him to the spot. Her mind a steel trap as she took in his attire. Chaps and protective over vest and old beat up hat. He had gotten a call from his older brother  last night about helping him to break a bronco and maybe putting his name back in the hat. One last ride as it were before closing that chapter on the book of his life. His life could be exponentially shorted  judging by the looks his beloved bride was shooting his way. She was off like a shot towards the mounted phone on the wall before Buddy could even blink. 

“Clyde Nemual Hollis I’m just about fixing to come on down there and castrate you myself. Did you get Boaz to out his name into the hat?”

Boaz. She very rarely used his given name unless they were intimate or he found himself in a whole heaping helping of trouble and seeing as there wasn’t a bed or a hay pile in sight he guessed he’d better brace himself for her wrath because it was coming. He watched as her face softened for a moment. Clyde must have told her that it was just a bronc he needed help with. It was the truth and his Ruth respected his brother and the truth. Why would Clyde lie to her? He’d never had reason to before this and she’d known damn near twenty-two years at this point. 

“He hasn’t had anything to do with broncs since I quite racin’ barrels. You promise me you’ll keep him safe. But as long as it’s just bronc busting that you need help with. He so much as even looks at that bull I’ll be on you like white on rice you hear me?”

She hung up the phone and turned to him the sleeve of her cotton night dress had slipped off one of her slender gently tanned shoulders and she studied him just as intently. 

“How badly do you want this?”

Pulling her close he smiled and didn’t hesitate to answer. 

“As bad as I want you right now. This’ll be the last time, Ruth. I swear.”

Plucking the hat from his head she kissed him gently. 

“Alright, I’ll get you a new set of gloves from Danver’s Supply. I’ve got to go into town for a few things anyway today. You’ll watch Abel today?”

It wasn’t unusual for her to venture into town on her own every now and then. It was the least he could do to keep their toddler entertained for a short amount of time. 

“ ‘Course. Cae said he’d be by with those picnic tables you wanted for the fourth. I think between the two of us along with my Clyde Abel’s going to be kept highly entertained until you get back.”

Satisfied she hugged him and took off upstairs to get ready for the day and check on a still slumbering Abel. 

The rest of the day was spent weeding the garden and repainting the chicken coop. Abel had just been fed and Colleen had just gotten off the phone with her mother when Buddy found himself with enough time to catch a second wind. 

“Looks like I’ve got to go into Wallace for a few things. Daddy’s got something going on with one of the hunting dogs and Mama can’t leave Granny at the moment. I’ve got to stop by Doc Hatcher’s the pharmacy for Granny’s medicines and then I’ll be over to Danver’s and down to the Publix. You’re sure that you’re okay to make dinner tonight? You look beat.”

It was true, all that time spent hunched over in the garden and then getting a call from their neighbor down the road to help with a calf birthing had taken it out of him but he persisted. He watched her watching the sky for any sign of rain. She had been watching weather forecasts and a drought was nearly called. Leave it his wife to worry about just about everyone and everything, even her own garden. 

“I’ll be fine ‘sides it’s only a little after one. I’ll be ready to go by the time Cae and Clyde show up and I’m just reheating what you made. I’ll make sure Abe’s cleaned up afterward. Drive safe and I’ll see you ‘bout…”

“Shouldn’t be any later than five or five thirty. Unless Mama needs help getting Granny cleaned up. I’ll call you either way.” 

In a flurry of movement she did the usual little swing dance with Abel around the kitchen before depositing a kiss on the toddler’s chubby little cheek and putting him down to scamper off in search of the family dog. The song on the radio changed and before Colleen turned he grabbed her and gave her a twirl around the kitchen floor like he used to do when they went out on Friday nights. Clint had never sounded so good to their ears. 

I never liked the rain until I walked through it with you

Every thunder cloud that came was one more I might not get through

But on the darkest day there's always light, and now I see it too

But I never liked the rain until I walked through it with you

“Even the damn radio’s mockin’ me and my poor water deprived garden. Hopefully we’ll get something.”

“Your garden’ll be fine.”

“It’s not just the garden I’m worried about. I miss the sound of it at night. There’s nothing like the sound of a summer storm to help you sleep.”

He never would understand why his wife liked the rain or summer storms so much. Maybe one day he’d figure her out. 

She kissed Buddy as gently and sweetly as she always did before snagging his hat again and she was gone with a smile. 

“Love you.”

“Love you too.”

He watched as she climbed behind the wheel of her truck. She honked her usual shave and a hair cut honk and away she went.  He didn’t know that that would be the last time he’d see her. 

Two o’clock rolled around and true to his word Buddy had gotten his second wind. Clyde came by as did Caleb and between the three of them they got the picnic tables set up for the gathering of the clans as Colleen had taken to calling their annual fourth of the July barbecue.  Clyde had forgone bringing the bronc anywhere near the Hollis farm and when asked about his he just shook his head. 

“Colleen mentioned snippin’ me so Waco can wait another day. Stop on by next week, Buddy. We’ll figure somethin’ out.”

Abel had taken to situating himself atop his uncle Caleb’s shoulders while winding down for an impromptu nap. Three o’clock came and went as did four and then five.  Dinner had been warmed up and the men had eaten and just gotten Abel to eat at least three big bites until the boy had become virtually inconsolable. Buddy figured it was just a case of being overtired and got the boy into the bath and ready for bed by six forty five. By seven Helene stopped over to see Colleen and was perplexed as to why she wasn’t home yet. A phone call from Col’s mother however worried each of them as Abel was passed around from person to person each trying his or her best to get him to settle.

“What do you mean she didn’t stop by? She’s not home yet here. She said she’d be back home around 5:30 at the latest. Maybe she ran into traffic or the truck was giving her some trouble?”

An hour later a vehicle pulled up into the side driveway and footfalls could be heard on the front porch. Jim Walker, a long time friend of both Buddy and Colleen and his deputy Red Gilley were the ones to break the news before the hospital even had a chance to call. 

“There’s been a bad accident and…Buddy it’s best that you come with us.”

Clyde had offered to stay with Abel while Caleb and Helene made the drive with him to St. Gabriel’s Hospital a county over. They met her parents there and joined at her bedside.  A whirl of activity and Buddy couldn’t understand a single word spoken to him. She had been an organ donor so there were papers to sign. Her body shutting down slowly, she wouldn’t make it through the night. Her Mama and her best friend combed out her long dark hair as Caleb and her father contacted the local minister. Buddy, never left her side and instead he sang to her. Softly, quietly and without shame. 

Precious Lord, take my hand

Lead me on, help me stand

I am tired,

I am weak,

I am worn

Through the storm, through the night

Lead me on to the light

Just as he finished the first verse a thunder clap could be heard before great drops of rain pattered against the double paned glass of the hospital room. 

“You got your wish, baby. Go with the rain. I love you, Ruth.”