Chapter 18

Run Away

This is insane! Betzy assumed as she escaped the hospital room. Her mind sank. There was no rational excuse for Agnes's fiasco. Words were difficult. Did Bobby entice Agnes to join in this game?

Walt Senior's attorney called Betzy. He informed her the check on Little Walt's colt did not clear the bank. The account was closed before the check was processed.

Termite inspection determined Betzy's house was infested. She was advised to move out. Anna lived in a one-bedroom apartment. They hugged after the move.

Betzy gave Anna her address in Memphis. When Walt, Jr. and Betzy departed, they moved in with a friend who graduated from nursing school with her. Amber updated her of Agnes's funeral arrangements.

Walter's lawyer wanted her to sign some papers finalizing the sale of an office building Walt, Sr. owned.

The funeral began a few minutes prior to Betzy arriving at the church. Paul drove her to the graveyard. Her legs weakened and she almost collapsed. Several men helped her to the truck. Paul drove Little Walt and Betzy to her car. The two of them proceeded back to Memphis before anyone realized they were at the service. She thought.

The lawyer lingered with the buyer as Betzy signed the forms and a check was issued. They spent several nights with her friend. She should have stayed in Beverly. It was essential to clear matters with Bobby.

The Beverly Bank informed Betzy the house was sold as is. They were sorry.

Betzy recognized she had romantic sentiments toward Bobby. Anna helped her plan to procure Bobby's grace. "Here is what we will do... You feed him a couple times, and he'll follow you the same as a puppy dog with a smile."

"It is deceitful."

"You recognize what is said about love and war?"

"All's fair."

Anna encouraged Betzy to try their plan.

Her stomach was grumbling. A sour taste flooded her mouth. Her smile flopped down.

Mending Fences

Bobby went by Betzy's, but no one came to the door. Betzy and Walt Jr. did not show at the ranch all week. None of her friends or family had seen her. Anna and Amber reported they spotted her standing behind the canopy during the burial.

She left before the services were over. Anna said, Betzy did give her an address in Memphis to forward her mail. After the graveside part of the activities, Bobby found himself driving to the northside of Memphis. The address was a lockbox service.

"We are under contract not to disclose a person's street address."

Bobby asked himself, "Why am I here?" No answer to the question emerged. It was crazy to run after a woman who did not want him in her life. He had no ties to her except for an old crush. Why does she control me?

Walt, Jr. reminded Bobby of himself when he was the same age. They had a connection. Bobby recognized he was not his dad. Betzy is not thinking of him. She is selfish. He needed to set her straight.

Returning home Bobby realized his time in Memphis was wasted. If he never saw Betzy, it would be okay. He was not angry with her, really. It was himself. Nothing would happen. His mind had been focused in the wrong direction. The ranch required his presence. Paul and Lois needed him. Even Amber and Anna leaned on him like a big brother.

Betzy was standing with her arms folded when Bobby pulled into the driveway. Her face projected a scowl penetrating through him. She yelled, "Where have you been?"

"I made a stupid trip to Memphis trying to find you."

"Why?"

"I am ridiculous to consider there could be a chance for us. It helped me to gain insight in how selfish and uncaring you are. You do not even care about your son's concerns. You have to be the world's worst mother!" He was screaming loud enough for the neighbors to hear him three farms away.

A closer observation toward Betzy revealed her eyes were swelling with tears. "Why do women want to turn on the water to make a man suffer?"

"I'm sorry," she said, "I never meant to hurt anyone." The tears were rolling faster.

"You should suffer the shame of sorrow! It would be a gift not to view your face again! You give me problems. I do not need your sympathy. Why are you here?"

Help My Son

Betzy said, "I wanted to ask you a favor. Would you allow Walt Jr. to stay with you till school is out? He loves you. To him you are his favorite Uncle, not a distant cousin. He needs a male figure in his life. He misses you and Son of Pepper. Do it for him."

Bobby quietened down to a whisper, "Sorry I was loud. I am still angry with you. You infuriate me, but Walt Jr is my favorite. I love to watch him and Son of Pepper playing with each other." There was a smile on his face.

"Amber and Paul said he could stay with them, but the boy wants to stay with you."

"I want to take some courses to recertify as an RN. Then next school year apply to graduate school of nursing."

"What then?"

"I'm still working on several possibilities. I promise not to be a problem to you."

Walt Jr. rushed into driveway hollering, "Dad, I mean Uncle Bobby, can I stay with you?"

"Only if I can call you Walt and drop the Junior."

"Okay, is it alright momma?"

"Yes."

"Mrs. Mendez and Momma Davis have already made up a bed for me in my own room."

Bobby said, "It is settled then."

"Thank you."

"Betzy, where are you staying?"

"With Anna. Her apartment is just two rooms, but it should work out until we find a better place."

"I have several rental houses on the ranch. You and Anna could rent one. They are a lot nicer than the apartments where Anna lives. I promise not to bother you. Walt can live with you and be with me while you are in class."

"You wouldn't mind."

"I would not have said it, if I did." He spoke softly with gritted teeth.

"Let me talk it over with Anna. It's nice of you to offer since I have been an inconsiderate pain."

"I would not go that far, maybe a little side-tracked. We both have been shaken by Agnes' death."

Both smiled. Bobby deliberated, "Can I keep this agreement? It will be easy. Maybe, we can make it work..."

Several hours later Betzy, Anna and Walt appeared with a delivery truck driven by Paul. He told Bobby, "Hope you understand what you are doing?"

"Me too."

Paul, Carl, Steve (the foreman) and Bobby moved them into the largest rental. It had three bedrooms. After tending to Son of Pepper Walt could nap at the Davis house. Mrs. Mendez will make him a little snack. "What could go wrong?"

Walt was riding Son of Pepper. He could not understand why he was too young to race the horse. Bobby explained, "insurance rules require jockeys to be at least eighteen, but you can help the right rider to learn to love your horse."

"Thanks Uncle Bobby. I love you and Son of Pepper. I love Mommy, Mrs. Mendez and Granny Davis."

"Is there anyone else you love?"

"Yes, I love Aunt Anna, Aunt Amber and Uncle Paul. I love Mommy the most, you next most and Son of Pepper third most."

"We all love you. Son of Pepper is your buddy."

"I call him Peppy. He likes Peppy better."

"Then we'll call him Peppy."

"Thanks Uncle Bobby."

"You are my favorite nephew."

He imparted a puzzled glare, "Uncle Bobby do you have any other nephews?"

"No, but if I did you would still be my main one."

His smile electrified his face. He took a deep breath and rolled his shoulders back. He shoved his hand into Bobby's. As they walked to the stables, Walt mimicked Bobby's limp.

Bobby's chest swelled. He attempted harder to walk straight.