Tomahawk'd Part 15

Erin shook her hand. "It is very nice to meet you."

"You too, Erin. The way these two talk about you, I feel like I already know you," she said with a wink to Jackson, causing a blush to color her face and throat.

"And she was just leaving."

Jackson playfully nudged her with her shoulder. Erin caught the familiarity between them and wondered if there was anything more to their relations.h.i.+p. Jack didn't mention a girlfriend. Oh, this could be awkward. "Can I go see Jackie or..."

Cindy chimed in, "Actually she's resting right now. I'd let her sleep a little bit before we get her all excited. She's been coughing pretty badly today."

Erin nodded in sympathy. "Okay, I'll eat Jackson's poison and go in after dinner."

"Hey, I'll have you know I'm a great cook. I can fry anything with fins," she stated proudly.

"I just bet you can, Jacques Cousteau," Cindy ribbed.

"Enough out of you, Nurse Ratchet."

"That line's getting old, Jack. You need to find some new material."

Erin followed them like a tennis match in play. She enjoyed the banter. She looked at Jackson who'd started to go back into the kitchen. "Can I help with anything?"

"Yeah. Find something to gag that one with, will ya?" Jackson joked, pointing her cooking tongs at Cindy.

"I meant with dinner." Erin sent a smirk to Cindy, which made her shake her head.

"Oh, that-nah, I got it. Take a seat at the table. Food'll be done shortly."

Erin did as she was told and sat down at the perfectly set, small round wooden table. Each plate had a red placemat beneath it and silverware neatly placed next to it. A fluffed cloth napkin was next to the forks. Finis.h.i.+ng off the setting, a fresh gla.s.s of water was at the top.

"This is great, Jack. You've turned into quite the hostess."

"Only the best for friends, Hawk." She winked and pulled the last of the fish out of the fryer.

Jackson grabbed their plates and began filling them with fish, steamed fresh broccoli, and wild rice. When the plates were returned to the table, Erin took a deep breath, inhaling the wonderful aromas. "This looks fantastic. Thank you so much for cooking me dinner."

Jackson smiled. "Don't thank me yet, you haven't tasted it."

"True." Erin cut a piece of fish and blew at it when the steam poured out. "Here goes nothing." She put it in her mouth and chewed.

Her eyes suddenly closed and she made a sound that hit Jackson right in her southern parts. G.o.d, please don't do that again. You're a married woman, you're a married woman...

Erin's eyes opened and she swallowed. "This is better than Bosaki's, Jack. d.a.m.n, that's really fantastic!" She held up her water gla.s.s and toasted, "To the chef."

"To me!" Jackson said happily, clinking their gla.s.ses together.

They ate their dinner quietly, sharing some small talk about their professions. When the plates were empty, Erin offered to clean the kitchen. Jackson immediately declined. "No way, Hawk. I haven't seen you in ages and I'm certainly not gonna let you spend the time here cleaning my kitchen. You're my guest. I'll get it before I go to bed." At Erin's doubtful glance, she rea.s.sured her. "Really, it's not a big deal." Erin acquiesced gracefully and went to sit in the front room.

Cindy came in from Jackie's room. "She's awake, and she'd like to see you, Erin."

Erin swallowed hard and smiled at Cindy. "Great." She looked to Jackson. "Are you coming?"

Jackson shook her head. "I'll let you have a moment of privacy with her, if you'd like."

Erin was grateful. "Thank you."

Cindy and Erin walked into Jackie's room. With a barely audible gasp, Erin took in the machines scattered around the room and the tubes that were in most of Jackie's orifices. A small, clear mask rested over her face, but her eyes were s.h.i.+ning and looking right at her. With a beckoning hand, she called Erin over to her.

Erin smiled when she heard a soft, "Hey, stranger." She took Jackie's hand and sat down next to her. "Hi, Jackie." Erin tried to push the memories of her father out of her mind. It was difficult. "How are you feeling?"

Jackie whispered, "I'm feeling pretty good today. I'm so glad you could come, honey. It's so good to see you again."

Tears started to well up in her eyes. "I wish..." Erin swallowed and had to take a deep breath. "I wish..."

Jackie stopped her by squeezing her hand. "I know, Erin. You were going through a hard time with your mother. Believe me, we all were." They shared a chuckle, which broke the tension.

"She's a peach, that one. If I could turn back the hands of time, Jackie..."

"Don't do that to yourself, kid. You'll make yourself crazy. Trust me. I used those same words with Jack the other day."

Erin shook her head. "I'm so sorry you're sick, Jackie. If I could fix it, G.o.d, I'd die trying."

Jackie looked sternly at her. "No. Jack needs you more than me right now."

"Jackie, you are her, well, basically, her mother. How can you say that?"

"Because I've watched her live the last several years and without you in her life, her eyes don't sparkle anymore. ... When she came in last night after talking to you, that sparkle was back. ... I wouldn't have her lose that for anything in the world." Jackie smiled at Erin, but frowned when a small coughing fit began.

Cindy came in at the sound of the coughing and Erin let her take over. Erin watched as Cindy gently maneuvered the bed so it was upright then double-checked Jackie's oxygen flow. When everything checked out and Jackie was settled again, Erin went back to her seat. "Are you okay? I can come back tomorrow after you've rested," she offered.

"G.o.d, I don't want to sleep anymore. That's all I've been doing. I just wish my body listened to me more. I can nod off in the middle of a sentence these days."

"I understand." Erin gave her a small smile, thinking about her father.

"So tell me about things. ... How's your dad?"

A look of sadness washed over Erin before she could censor it. When Jackie saw it she knew she had to fill her in. "My dad died several years ago. Lung cancer."

Jackie's eyes filled with tears. "I wondered why Joe had stopped coming up here. Erin, I'm so sorry. I know how much you two loved each other."

"Thanks. He was one of the good ones." Like you. "So, I guess Billy Joel was right after all, the good do die young."

Jackie nodded, understanding the reference. "So seeing me like this can't be too easy for you, can it? ... You didn't have to come, honey."

"Yes, I did. G.o.d, for so many reasons." She sniffed back more tears. "I know I hurt Jack and I've tried to think of a way to call her to apologize for things that happened so long ago. I was the one who asked her not to call me, so how could I possibly just call her? I wanted to believe she'd moved on with her life and was happy. I had to believe that." Tears streamed down her face. "I knew she'd tell you about us and the thought of disappointing you both has been killing me, Jackie. You were my family away from home. I've loved you forever and you have to know how sorry I am...for everything..." Erin began to cry uncontrollably.

"Come here." Jackie pulled Erin's head down to her chest and she rested her hand on top of it, stroking the auburn hair gently while she let her cry. "It's okay, I forgive you. But most of all, you have to know that Jack will too. Just make sure you explain everything to her. I know your mother must have put some serious curse on you for you to walk away like you did. Just tell her."

Erin nodded against the cloth of Jackie's nightgown. "I will, I promise I will."

They stayed that way until Erin heard the deep breathing that comes with sleep. When she looked up, she saw Jackie's eyes were closed. She gently lifted the hand from her head and sat up. She placed a soft kiss on Jackie's bruises, put her hand under the covers, took one last look at the frail, pallid woman in the bed, then got up and quietly left the room.

When Erin entered the family room, she was met by two sets of compa.s.sionate eyes. Cindy stood up and Erin said, "She's gone back to sleep. She seems to be comfortable."

Cindy went into Jackie's room to check on her and Jackson stood up from her recliner. When their eyes met, Jackson saw how red and puffy Erin's were and she immediately opened her arms. Erin practically ran to her and fell easily into the widespread invitation. She wept for the pain she knew Jackson was feeling, for Jackie being so sick. She wept for all the wrongs that she could've prevented-if she'd just been strong enough. The tears were endless, but Jackson kept her in a warm, comforting embrace and gently kissed the top of her head. When Erin pulled back, Jackson cupped her face and gently wiped her tears with her thumbs.

"Are you okay? I know that must have been so hard for you."

Erin's head bobbed up and down. "It was, but I'm so, so glad I came." She grasped Jackson's hands. "Thank you so much for calling me."

"You're welcome."

"Do you think you're up for a walk outside? I haven't been here in so long, I just want to visit it again." Erin's eyes were filled with hope.

"Sure. It's kinda chilly out, do you want a sweats.h.i.+rt?" Jackson offered.

"Thanks. That would be great."

When Jackson returned with a sweats.h.i.+rt, Erin pulled it over her head and breathed in Jackson's scent. The delicate balance of Jackson's lotion, laundry soap and Jackson herself was overwhelming. She took a deep breath and smiled. "Thanks."

Jackson poked her head into Jackie's room. "Cindy, we're gonna take a walk, but we'll be back later, okay?" Cindy nodded.

Walking back to the front door, Jackson held open the screen door for Erin.

Since Erin had last been there, they had added more outdoor lights to the grounds. She also noticed several of the cabins had been upgraded or rebuilt completely. "You guys must be doing well. I don't remember that big cabin over there." She pointed to the lakefront, which sported a large duplex.

"Things have been pretty good. Word is starting to spread about this place. I guess that huge ad you took out in that national paper is finally paying off. Thanks, by the way; you shouldn't have." She nudged Erin's shoulder, surprised when the smaller woman didn't nudge back. The ease between them was unmistakable even though so much was still left unsaid. Jackson would be patient. She knew her friend wouldn't be able to keep it in forever. That's not the person she was. Especially not with her.

Erin turned abruptly to face Jackson. "Why are you being so nice to me?"

Taken aback, Jackson asked her to repeat herself. "Excuse me?"

"I said, why are you being so nice to me? You should be throwing me into the lake, Jack, not coddling me." Erin's emotions were running high.

"Hawk, honey, look..." Jackson, not really knowing how far she wanted this to go, took a deep breath and gently held Erin's shoulders. "I know there's a lot we need to talk about, but I also know that you're hurting inside. Until we're ready to hash all of that out, let's just focus on Jackie, okay? If you let me care for you and try to help you through this, it'll help me as well, I swear." When Erin looked at her dumbly, she added, "Please?"

Erin exhaled, exasperated at Jack's never-ending compa.s.sion. "You really are one in a million, Jack." She gazed into the warm eyes of her best friend. "I promise you, before I leave here, I'll tell you everything."

"I can live with that."

The two walked around for nearly an hour with Jackson telling Erin all about Jackie's infirmity-from when they discovered the cancer down to the present. Erin cried now and then, throwing in a few memories of her father and his suffering. Jackson was deeply saddened by Erin's recounting of Joe's illness, knowing his last years had been extremely hard on her.

Chapter Ten.

1995 The NorthwoodsIslandCity Jackson sat on top of the boathouse roof playing her recorder. Eyes closed, she let the music of her instrument carry her into a zone of complete peace. It had been a wonderful summer for her being back at the resort. Jackson missed Michigan, but this was her home and she'd rather spend her time here. She'd gotten letters from the kids she'd taught and those who she'd just bonded with. The connection they shared through their talents would always be there. Of that she was certain.

Lilting melodies were flowing through the polished wood, and her fingers moved gracefully into different positions creating her own special magic. As she played, she heard the footsteps of her dearest friend, whom she'd not seen for five years, which brought a smile to her lips. The footfalls got louder and soon the top of a red head could be seen.

"That wouldn't be the famous painter, Erin Hawkins, coming up my ladder, would it?" Jackson stood to greet her friend.

As Erin climbed over the top rung of the ladder, her breath caught at the sight of the woman before her. Jackson, the skinny teenaged girl, was nowhere to be seen. Erin saw a beautiful woman who had filled into her body perfectly.

Jackson was having similar thoughts as she took in the beautiful woman Erin had become.

Both girls realized they were staring and started to talk at the same time.

"Look at you!" Erin exclaimed.

"You look fantastic!" Jackson cried out.

Finally, they just did what came naturally for them and went to each other for a warm embrace. They both sighed softly at the renewal of the connection that had been missing for several summers.

Pulling back, Erin looked up into different colored eyes and smiled widely. "Heterochromia."

"Gesundheit," Jackson joked.

Erin eyed her accusingly. "Do you know how long it took me to figure out that the story you told me about your eyes was a tall tale?" she said, pointing at Jackson's eyes. "Until I took biology, I was telling everyone about the magical eyes of my best friend, Jackson Thomas. All she did was go to sleep and they magically changed colors. They'd read about it one day, she'd be so famous."

Jackson laughed heartily.

"Then all of my dreams were shattered when I learned that it can happen from a trauma in the womb or just genetics. Man...I was played. And at such an impressionable age, too! You should be ashamed of yourself."

Jackson put out her wrists. "Dear lady, I am ready when you are for my punishment."

"Bend over, this one will cost you."

Jackson did as she was told and gladly accepted the smack on her a.s.s. "Thank you, Mistress, can I have another?"

"Oh, you!" Erin cried out goodnaturedly.

Jackson rose from her bent position and pouted. "I get one? That's it?"

"When you rate another one, I'll let you know."

Jackson bounced and clapped. "I'll be on pins and needles waiting."

Erin changed the subject quickly. "I heard you playing. You have gotten incredibly good, Jack. I'm so proud of you."

Jackson blushed under the praise. "Thanks, Hawk. It really means a lot coming from you." She motioned to the blanket. "Have a seat. Tell me how you've been, since I know you look amazing." Jack b.u.mped her shoulder into Erin's.

"Things are really great. I'm looking forward to my second year at the Art Inst.i.tute. I have to leave a week early, though, to move into my dorm room. I'm kinda sad about that, but I promised myself that we'd just have to make three weeks feel like forever."

Jackson agreed. "I can definitely help with that. I'll make sure to fill your days with witty repartee and exciting adventures that will make you want to run back to Chicago by the time I'm all finished."