Chapter 43 – Back On The Farm
Rick came out of his coma two days after the angel encounter. Minor brain damage left him with half his face paralyzed, a weak left leg, and a left hand that seemed to have a mind its own, but the doctors told them that with therapy those would improve, maybe to the point of being barely noticeable.
When Rick, then Matt, were released from the hospital they were still bedridden and needed round-the-clock care. Harriet’s contractor had come through ahead of time and had the house ready for them. There were hospital beds in the two bedrooms, so they could be beside their women at night. At first a visiting nurse had to come by twice a day to change bandages and put up new drip bags – Rick’s to transfuse blood plasma into him and Matt’s to drain the continuing flow of fluids from his body.
When the time came physical therapists were brought in to help them get their bodies working again and eventually get them back on their feet and walking. That’s where Lynn and Matt were this morning, taking his three laps around the house. At first it took over an hour, but over the weeks he had cut the time in half.
Rick was taking to his walking regimen at a faster pace and by this time was up to ten laps. He told Harriet that he was going to ask the doctor when he could start jogging, but they both knew that wouldn’t be anytime soon, if at all. But, on the plus side, he had almost full control over his hand and his face didn’t sag so much anymore.
Three months later both Rick and Matt were almost fully operational. Matt worked out daily on a stationary bike and did 30 push ups and sit ups a day. Rick was as close to normal as he was going to get.
At breakfast one day Matt asked Lynn if they could go up to the cabin for a few days. Lynn’s face lit up as she asked, “When do we leave?”
Rick added “Maybe we can all go.” but when Harriet kicked him in the ankle and gave him ‘the look’ he retracted his suggestion.
That afternoon the two of them were heading up into the West Virginia hills with the Miata top down and smiles on their faces. She and Matt had been very close since he came out of the hospital – taking walks, snuggling under a blanket on the deck swing, and doing what their generation called ‘making out.” But it wasn’t the same as being alone together. They were really looking forward to some days together; just the two of them.
They had stopped in Mill Creek and bought all the groceries the Miata had room for, mostly frozen meals, They didn’t plan on spending a lot of time cooking. It wasn’t much, but enough for three or four days.
Lynn popped a couple of chicken pot pies into the oven while Matt poured them a glass of wine, which they took out to the front porch. The blue sky was fading fast, but there was enough left to take in the splendor of the mountain forest and lake. They sat side-by-side quietly, neither wanting to interrupt the moment. Lynn knew there were some things they needed to talk about, but she chose to put them off for a day . . . or two. She knew they might interrupt the closeness between them.
Matt pointed out over the lake. “Look, the fish are jumping. Maybe we can get some fishing in while we’re here. What are they, trout?”
“Yes. Jack fished often. He didn’t care if he caught anything. He used the time for what he called his heavy duty thinking. He left us a freezer full of fish if you don’t want to go to the trouble of catching them.”
“I used to fish as a boy, but the thrill of the catch is probably gone at my age.”
“I think dinner is about ready. Let’s go in and feast on the special of the day.” They held hands and laughed as they walked back inside.
After dinner they cuddled and watched some news programs on the satellite TV, just to see if anything had changed in the world. “Same stuff, different day,” Matt commented. “I’m about ready to turn in, how about you?”
“This sure feels good, but I guess I’m ready,” Lynn replied.
The morning of the fourth day they were sitting together on the porch snuggled together under a blanket. “This time together has been unbelievably enjoyable, Matt. Can we sleep together when we get back to The Farm?”
Matt gave her a pretend shocked look. “Whatever will Harriet and Rick think of us?”
“What they’re most likely already thinking, dear.”
Matt was silent for a minute. “You know, that bothers me a little – them thinking we’re doing more than sleeping together. Do you think you could let Harriet know we’re almost there, but have decided to wait? Would that embarrass you?”
“Heavens no. That’s how Jack and I played it before we were married, and Harriet knows it.”
They sat silently for a few minutes, then Lynn got up the courage to speak. “What do you think our future will be, Matt?”
“Well, I . . . I don’t want to be apart from you, but I have to go back to the detective division in Philadelphia.”
“Why? You can be an investigator for Revenge, Inc. Then we can live at The Farm full time, even work from the cabin whenever we feel like it.”
“I don’t know, Lynn. . . . It’s like I have to prove I’m back at a hundred per cent – show them that I’m not crippled by my injuries. I had the doctor forward my latest medical results to the department. Before I can return to duty, the department medical staff will have to study them and pronounce me fit for duty.”
There was silence between them for a minute or two, then Lynn said solemnly, “Okay. I understand that. . . . I’ll look into to moving the business back to the city.”
“No, don’t do that, Lynn. You love it out at The Farm, and you need Rick and Harriet to help with the business. I’ll come back every Friday night and stay ‘til early Monday morning. And I’ll spend all my holidays and vacation here with you.”
After another longer silence Lynn asked, “When do you leave?”
He paused, knowing she wouldn’t like the answer. “After the weekend. On Monday morning.”
Lynn thought for a bit, then pulled his head down for a long kiss. “It is what it is. I can live with it. I’ll take every minute with you I can get.”
She saw a smile of relief pass briefly on Matt’s face. “Well, we have three more days – and nights. Let’s get back to The Farm and start enjoying them.”
Lynn got up early Monday morning to see Jack off. “I’ll call you tonight, sweetheart, and every night.”
“I’ll look forward to it.”
As Matt’s car went down the driveway a single tear formed in her eye.
When Matt pulled into the police parking garage he headed for his assigned spot, but found another car in it – and a new name painted on the wall in front of it. Well, I guess I couldn’t expect them to hold it for that long he thought. But he did feel a twinge of disappointment.
As he walked into the detective department, someone looked up from a desk – his desk – and yelled “Murdoch is back!” Everyone stood and clapped as they gathered around him to shake his hand. A couple of his best friends even hugged him – hard to do in a room full of men. Matt felt a lump in his throat as he told one after another, “Yeah. I’m fine. In as good a shape as ever. Ready to get to work.” A couple of them looked down when he said this, and he wondered about it until he realized why they were doing that. They couldn’t look him in the eye. What’s going on here? I don’t understand.
Then the Captain was standing beside him with an arm around his shoulder. “Welcome back, Matt. Come on in my office and let’s talk.” He opened the door and let Matt go in ahead of him.
“Have a seat. Damn you’re looking good! I expected . . . I, uh . . . . Hell, it’s good to see you.”
The Captain sat behind his desk and pulled out a tan folder. “I have the report from the medical review board here, Matt, and I have good news. They have authorized a medical retirement – with full pay. You won’t have to keep working to get your twenty-five years in.”
Matt sat there unmoving. Shocked. He couldn’t speak.
“Well, don’t just sit there. Say something.”
“I never e
xpected this, Captain . . . I . . . I thought . . . I planned to . . .”
Then Lynn’s words came back to him. It is what it is. I can live with it.
He looked up and said, “I don’t know what to think, Captain Whittaker. This is great.”
“Well, you earned every bit of it. You were the best detective we had back in the day.”
I’m already history here. I may as well leave gracefully.
“We have a full dress retirement ceremony set up the day after tomorrow, with the band and everything.”
“You know me, Captain. I never liked those things – Christmas parties, Friday afternoon beer call, social gatherings. I really don’t want a retirement ceremony. I hope you understand.”
“I thought you might feel that way. It will be no problem to cancel it.” He reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a blue case. He opened it and turned it toward Matt. “This is the Philadelphia Police Department Medal for Bravery. If you did the ceremony the mayor would have pinned it on your uniform. But this way all you get is me and a handshake.”
As they shook hands Matt said, “I’d rather have it from you any day, Captain.”
Matt thought about calling Lynn, but decided to surprise her. On the trip back to The Farm he wrestled with conflicting feelings – disappointed that he was being put out to pasture, but eager to get home and start a new life with Lynn. As he rolled up the driveway and got out of the car Lynn came out the door with a concerned look on her face. “What’s wrong?”
Matt pulled her into his arms and answered “Nothing’s wrong. Everything’s just the way it should be.”
THE END
Author’s Notes
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About the Author
J. D. German retired from a 40-year career as a scientist to a lake home in south-western Georgia. His career focused on the development of laser and optical devices for the Department of Defense and other Government agencies. Some of these devices have been patented, and show up as the “gadgets” Jack Preston uses in the novels.
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