OF ROSES AND TILE
a fiction by Cella
“I don't know if I can do this, Judd,” Clayton said from the back seat of the sage-green '79 Buick. He could see his uncle's eyes roll in the rearview mirror.
“Well, it's a little late to be telling me now – we're already here. You're just gonna have to, kid.” Judd pulled into a far parking spot on the top level of the airport's short-term lot. “Damn, I forgot just how hard it is to maneuver this boat.”
Clayton's mind wandered. “Huh? Yeah, she's not the easiest to steer, but I guess I'm getting used to it.” He watched a few people enter the sliding glass door into the airport.
“You're better off. It'll develop those scrawny arms of yours. Leave the pantywaist power steering for the women.”
“That's not a very nice thing to say!”
“About you or about women?” Judd replied.
Clayton's tone was incredulous. “Either one!”
Judd stared back and chuckled. “No, it's not. Just seeing if you're listening to me. Loosen up, kid, everything's gonna be fine!”
“How do you know that, Unk?” he cried out, his hands flailing. “How do you know that?”
“Because I know these things! I've been around a lot longer than you. Come on, you two just had a little fight.”
“Little? It wasn't little - and it wasn't pretty. We said stuff...I can't even repeat the things we said to each other.”
“Believe me, nephew-of-mine, this is just a bump in the road. One of many bumps for the both of you.”
Clayton's head dropped. “I don't know about that,” he said, quiet and serious. “I think it'll be a miracle if she's still even speaking to me.” He stared at the airport door again.
“It's been a week. You've both had time to cool off.”
“Maybe so. But I'm beginning to think that this wasn't such a good idea, Judd. Maybe I should've called her and had her make other arrangements.”
“That is not an option. You told her you'd pick her up, and by God, you're picking her up. Aiken men are known for three things: being tall and skinny, having red hair, and never going back on our word.”
“That's four," he retorted. "Tall and skinny are two things.”
Judd rolled his eyes. “Don't be a smartass.”
A small chuckle made its way out of him. “I think that makes five things.”
Judd wagged a long finger at him. “Keep that up, kid, and I'll toss you and those crutches out the door and you can hobble your way home.”
The side of Clayton's mouth pulled upward, belieing the respectful salute he gave to his uncle. “Yes, sir. No, sir. No more snark, sir.” He slid his long, cast-clad leg off the back seat.
“That's better,” Judd replied. “Ok, well, I'll go in and get her.”
“What?” His brow knitted just as his heel touched the floormat. “But you just said I shouldn't ever go back on my word!”
“And you're not. You just got out of the hospital and I'll be damned if I'm gonna let you get out of this car, walk all over the airport, fall on your ass and break the other leg. You're incapacitated and I'm offering to get her, so technically, you're still keeping your word – I'm just helping with that.”
Clayton sat back, relieved. “I really appreciate you helping me out with this.”
Judd waved it off. “You just promise me one thing. Whatever happens, do not – I repeat, do not – pick up where you left off with her. If you can't say anything nice, then keep your trap shut.”
“I promise...but it may be a really quiet ride home.”
Judd grabbed for the metal doorhandle. “Well, before the entire Earth opens up and sucks you into the abyss, let's just see how she's doing.”
Clayton watched Judd make the short hike through three rows of cars, then disappear into the airport. For the next 20 minutes, he stared toward the door -- waiting, wondering, and growing more worried.
She hates me. I just know it.
He hates me. I just know he hates me, Veronica's brain rattled as she made the trek up the long concourse. Despite her relief at finally being home after a long, hard business trip, the "unfinished business" with Clayton left the homecoming bittersweet. She had no idea what he'd say or how he'd feel when they finally saw each other. In the area beyond Security, she spotted Judd – and only Judd – standing in front of a bench. She scanned the area as she walked toward him, her heart aching a bit.
“Hi Old Man,” she said as she hugged Judd. “I didn't expect you here. Where's...”
“Well, that's a long story.”
Her eyes welled up. “He didn't come. He still doesn't want to see me. He's still mad. Oh God, Judd, what have we done?”
“Woah, don't get the waterworks started! He's out in the car.”
She sniffled a bit. “He's in the car? That doesn't make me feel much better. Why is he out there?”
“That is the long story, or so he tells me. He had a little accident.”
She felt her heart stop. “He did? What happened?”
“Well, that's the thing,” Judd replied as he rubbed the greying stubble on his face. “He won't tell me what happened. All I know is that I got a call from him at the hospital three days ago, and he told me he broke his leg.”
“He did what? How bad is it?”
“Ah, could've been worse. He said it's a hairline fracture. He's actually pretty lucky – the doctor said another inch up and he could've shattered his kneecap. He has a few bruises, too, but nothing serious.”
She shook her head in amazement. “Well, I guess, yeah, it could be worse. And he won't tell you how it happened?”
“He won't! I don't know why. Maybe you can pry it out of him.”
“Maybe. I guess we'd better head for the car. I wish he would've called me to tell me...”
“Hold on now - before I forget.” Judd picked up three red roses from the bench. “Since he couldn't meet you here to give you these himself, he asked me to.”
Her eyes turned tender, looking at the pretty red buds. She reached out for them.
“Now hold on a sec. He asked me to give these to you in a particular way. I can't believe he convinced me to do this, but here goes. And he was adamant I get this right, so I better not screw this up.” Judd rolled his eyes, cleared his throat, then handed her the first rose. “This one is for Today.”
She smiled as she accepted the first rose.
Judd held out the second. “This one is for Tomorrow.”
Her eyes turned misty as he presented the third. “And this one...is for Always.”
A couple tears dropped onto the buds she held, touched deeply by the words, then reached out and gave Judd a good, tight hug. “It was such a stupid fight and it got way out of hand. I'm so glad he doesn't hate me.”
“Hate you? He'd never hate you. Good grief, that boy loves you like crazy! He's sitting in that car feeling exactly the same way about you – hoping you don't hate him!”
“God, I could never hate him, Judd.”
He grabbed the handle of her rolling suitcase. “Don't tell me. Go on out to the car and tell him! Make up, already! We're parked on the top of the stucture, north door, like usual. Last row straight out.”
With the roses in her hand, she hustled across the terminal, up the escalators and through the glass door. It only took one more moment to spot the Buick. The closer she got to the car, the more she could see his face peeking out – his eyes still full of concern about the unknown. Just as she passed the last row of cars, their eyes met, and she smiled. Suddenly, his worry disappeared. He smiled a toothy, crooky grin right back. Their looks – and smiles – never wavered until she squeezed in next to him in the back seat. They held each other tight.
“Oh God, I'm so sorry.”
“No, I'm sorry, Vonnie. I love you so much.”
“I love you, too, Sweets,” she whispered, then lifted herself to press a kiss to his forehead.
“Today...”
Then to the tip of his nose.
“Tomorrow...”
And then a slow, tender kiss to his lips.
“And always.”
“I'm so glad you're back,” he whispered in return. They got in a few long, lovely kisses before Judd finally returned to the car.
“Is everyone happy now?" he asked from the driver's seat. "Is the earth back in alignment?”
“Of course it, Unk!” Clayton quipped. “Why wouldn't it be?”
Judd laughed as he drove out of the area and the back seat was quiet the rest of the way home. From the rearview mirror, he saw Clayton and Veronica savoring the simple pleasure of holding each other close.
About half an hour later, Judd pulled Veronica's suitcase from the front seat as she looked for the keys to her condo.
“I'll be right over just as soon as I clean up and check my e-mail,” she said as she leaned against Clayton's window. “I'll bring over some Chinese food for dinner.”
“Take your time," he smiled. "Don't worry about dinner, we'll take care of it.”
"You sure?"
"He's sure," Judd replied.
She stood up to give Judd a kiss on the cheek, then a bear hug. "Bye Old Man."
“Bye, Chickadee. See, I told you he's crazy about you.”
Once the Buick was back on the road, Judd didn't have to wait long to hear his dear nephew from the back seat.
“Ok, just what miracle happened in the airport," Clayton asked. "And just where did those roses come from?”
“No miracles. And the roses were from you, don't you remember?”
“No, I certainly don't.” His eyes widened. “What did you do?”
“Nothing! I just told her you were hurt and I gave her the roses you asked me to give her and say those sickeningly-sweet words you asked me to say.”
“I didn't ask you to do all that.”
Judd sighed heavily, then looked at him through the rearview mirror. “Yes. You did!” Three red roses – for Today, Tomorrow and Always.”
Clayton startled. “She said that to me!”
“Of course she did, because 'you' said it first! Man, next time you two have a big fight, you're on your own making up with her.”
He sat in the backseat and watched the passing scenery while comprehension finally sunk in.
“Thanks Unk. I owe you one.”
“Like I said, no problem, kid. There is one thing I need you to do, though.”
“So fast," Clayton chuckled. “Ok, name it.”
“You can never repeat what happened to your Aunt Maggie. It'll...sound a little familiar to her.
His jaw dropped. “You didn't.”
Judd smiled. “Yup. And it still works.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Veronica handed Clayton a hot mug of tea, then relaxed next to him on his big sofa with her own cup. They stared at the glow from the fireplace.
"So..." Veronica started, gently knocking on his cast.
Uh oh. “So," he replied, knowing what was coming next. "How, uh...was your trip?"
"Long. Boring."
The silence stretched like a waking cat. "Aren't you going to tell me how you got this?”
He stared into his cup. "No."
"What do you mean no?"
"No, as in never. Maybe longer.”
“Yeah, Judd said you wouldn't tell him, either.”
“I'm not telling anybody what happened. I'm goin' to my grave with it.”
She moved closer to him, her finger reaching for his chin so her dark eyes could look deep into his. “Not even me?” she purred.
“Don't even try that. Especially not you, Vonnie.”
She sat back. “Oh. Especially not me?” The tone in her voice worried him. He saw gears turning behind those eyes. Suddenly, he knew...that she knew. A cold chill went up his spine.
“You fell in the bathroom, didn't you?”
His face grew pale. “Um. No, I didn't.” He couldn't look at her, but she looked straight at him.
“Yes, you did! You slipped and fell on that new tile you installed, just like I told you would happen. I told you it was too slick for floor tile, but no, you wouldn't listen to me!”
“Yes...yes, you're right," Clayton grumbled. "I slipped on the tile! There, are you happy now?!? You were right about the tile. I was wrong and you were right!” He let out a frustrated sigh. “Good God. I feel bad enough already, but if you want to keep rubbing it in, go right ahead.”
Veronica grew quiet and stared at the fire, remembering their horrible fight before she left on her trip. How it escalated from an argument into, basically, a venom-spitting contest. She remembered, too, how she swore to herself all the way up the airport concourse that, Godwilling, if they managed to stay together, she'd never fight with him like that again. She touched his cast.
“Does it hurt much?” she quietly asked.
“Some,” he replied in kind. “They gave me some pills if it gets bad.”
“How long 'til you get it off?”
“Four to six weeks.”
They stared at each other. Tears welled in her eyes. “I'm so sorry you got hurt. I didn't want that to happen. And I'm sorry for all the things I said.”
He reached out for her and held her tight. “I'm sorry, too, Vonnie. Boy, am I sorry. Four-to-six-weeks sorry.”
She chuckled a bit, then looked into his jade eyes.
“I love you,” he whispered.
"I love you, too, Sweets." Their lips met for three little kisses, then they settled back into each other's arms and listened to the crackling fire.
“So,” she dared to again broach. “What happened exactly?”
“You can't make me tell.”
“You slipped in the bathroom.”
Clayton reluctantly nodded his head.
“People generally slip when floors are wet.”
“They do. They sure do.”
“Bathroom floors are generally wet because...one...takes a shower?”
He winced.
“I guess I'm getting warmer?”
“You must be. My leg's beginning to throb.”
A little chuckle escaped her. “So, you...were getting out of the shower and slipped?”
Clayton touched the cast and made a pained sound. “My leg went out from under me and my shin hit the toilet hard on the way down.”
Veronica put her hand over his. “Poor thing. Lying there on the floor in all that pain.”
“Oh, the pain wasn't the half of it. I figured I messed up my leg pretty bad, so I had to kinda...scoot...my way to the phone to call 911.”
“Oh my God, that's right. You were here all alone!”
“I was. Anyway, the paramedics showed up pretty quick. So quick, in fact, that...I didn't have time to...remember to...um...”
“What? Unlock the door?”
“Well, I managed to scoot across the living room and unlock the door, but I...well...I...”
Veronica saw Clayton's flushed face and realized what happened, then tried hard to stifle a laugh. “Oh no. You didn't have on...”
“Not a towel. Not a blanket. Not even a pillow," he sighed. "Just me...sitting on the floor next to the front door...with my hands locked in a death grip over my lap.”
She tried her best to keep her composure for his sake, but was so grateful when he finally erupted into peals of laughter. Veronica held him lovingly as Clayton wiped his eyes.
“I guess...I guess it is pretty funny.”
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~ Posted 10.9.2005 ~
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