The Way Back: Chapter 10

It took several minutes to get Todd off the floor and over to the sofa. Leaning on her, he was able to get his feet to cooperate enough to reach the couch. She helped lower him and he plopped onto it with a grunt. She went into the kitchen and retrieved a cold cloth, and gently placed it on his forehead, then wiped away his sweat and tears.

She was very cautious about what to say next, so she let him do the talking. "I knew that cooking would have some ill effect."

Despite the situation, she laughed, and fell onto him, her giggles turning to tears on his chest. His hand found her head and cradled it, stroking her silken tresses. "I'm sorry," was all he could say at that point, in a small, weak voice. She knew he was, deeply, and needed to sleep.

"You know what I think?" She started, looking up to his face, "I think you need some well-deserved rest. Do you want to sleep here, or do you think you can make it up the stairs?"

He looked at her, and took in every inch of her face. Great job, Manning. You've scared her to death. Be ready for her to run to the hills, or to that artistic spy-pianist she knows. I can make it up there. I can show her I am okay. "I can make it. No problem. Just needed a few minutes to rest before going, that's all. Can I have a drink of water?"

"Sure." She went to the kitchen and obliged. He sat, breathing deeply, his hair tousled and his face lined with sweaty strands; his shirt was soaked through in places, his hands were trembling. Just what did happen to you just then, Manning?
She returned with the water and he drank it down. Then, he pushed himself up off the sofa and began to walk toward the staircase. It loomed in front of him, seemingly as high as the mountain they had climbed a portion of earlier. He stopped and looked back to her, and she was already coming to his aid. Putting an arm around her shoulders, he was able to make it up the stairs. So tired. Why am I so tired?

"Well, I made it. I'm really tired, Blair," he said after sitting at the edge of the bed. His head slumped to the left. She turned his legs onto the bed, and removed his shoes. Covering him with the comforter, she sat, holding his hand and caressing his forehead and face through her tears.

He was already sleeping, before she had gotten his legs onto the bed. In her fear, she searched the dark for the light switch and flicked on a low-light lamp nearby. Hastily, she drew out her cell phone. What if something else happens? She dialed a long distance call. "Hello, Dorian?"

"Blair, my dear, so good to hear from you," her aunt's voice sounded so small through the phone. Blair could barely speak. In trying to get her voice back, she uttered some small sounds of despair. Dorian knew those sounds quite well. "My dear, what's wrong?"

As Blair composed herself, she readied for the I-told-you-so responses and the barrage of comments against the man she always loved. But, she had no choice. She began to relay to Dorian all of the events of the last two days, including the premier, the reveal of his being alive, the events that followed, her decision to come to the cabin and what she had just witnessed Todd go through. After she finished speaking, during which Dorian was unusually quiet except for her occasional comments of shock at his return, Dorian said, "Oh dear. The poor man," at which Blair was both astounded and moved.

Dorian continued, "Blair, you're right about your own diagnosis. But don't be alarmed, he's not in any major medical duress, most likely. It sounds as though he is suffering from PTSD, just as you thought. Was he lucid?"

"Before he fell asleep, yes. He even made a snide remark to me."

Dorian let a small laugh escape her, "That's Todd. And that is a good sign, dear. Just stay with him. He will probably sleep a long time. It's physically and mentally exhausting, what he has been through. Blair, just what went on during those eight years?"

Blair didn't know what to say to that. "I'm not sure. I can't really ask him details, and not sure when or if he will tell me more. But whatever it was, it was horrible," her voice cracked.

"Yes, indeed it was. Do you want me to try and get some sources on this?"

"I don't know, Dorian. What if he is still a target, or in danger? I don't know yet. I appreciate the offer but please, for now, just keep this quiet and between us."

"I will do that, but you protect yourself also, young lady. Don't go getting into anything dangerous with those children depending on you."

"Dorian, the love of my life is here with me, again, against all odds and all hopes. Can you expect me to leave his side, now?"

Regardless of how she felt about Todd Manning, Dorian could not answer that. Instead, "Then just take care of you and him both. I love you, my darling. He will be all right. Let it all take its course."

And with that, she hung up. It was very dark and a little cold. Afraid to leave him, she paced for a while, before realizing if she did not get downstairs to the lower level and turn on the generator for heat, they would likely be too cold to get warm soon. The fire would not be enough to warm them on the second level. Afraid to leave his side, she ran down the stairs as fast as she could, with flashlight in hand, turned the switches that she needed to, and raced back to him. Cramer, you're acting foolish. Dorian said he would sleep for a long time. After staring at his resting body for a few minutes, and tracing lines along his face, mouth and eyes, she climbed into the bed next to him, and gently resting her head on his chest, she lay there, in the dark, eyes wide with concern. At times, she cried, softly, thinking of the lost years, of him without his children as they grew, of her without him, and of what he had endured. It was not going to be easy to sleep, but she realized she'd be no good to anyone if she did not rest a little. She drifted off into a shallow doze.

As soon as light poured into the room through the window, Blair stirred. Careful not to disturb him, she got up and went to the lower level to make some plans. Her first order of business was to make coffee and then let Viki know what was going on with her brother. Looking at him before departing the bedroom, she noticed his breathing was deep and regular and he appeared to be very tranquil. If he needs you, you'll definitely hear him.

Downstairs in the cabin were the remains of the previous night. The candles had burned themselves into pools of wax; the dinner dishes were still stacked where they had left them; one photo book was still open on the coffee table; the popcorn bowl was where they left it. The fire had nothing but softly glowing embers and the tongs, which had sent him into a waking nightmare, were perched where she left them, with a log in the clamp. It was a warm morning, so she didn't feel the need to start another fire. Instead, she puttered in the kitchen, made the coffee, got herself some fruit, and sat with the phone thinking how she would tell Viki the events of the evening.

"Blair dear, how was the evening? Did you get a lot accomplished in your talks?" Viki greeted her. The older woman's voice faltered when she heard the details of what had befallen Todd the evening before. In fact, at one point, she had to excuse herself to get a tissue and maintain composure. She finally said, "My dear brother, as difficult as he is at times, he never deserved such pain."

Blair continued, "I am going to see this through. He has to know I am going to be here for him, no matter what."

"Are you sure you don't want to return to Llanfair? Are you absolutely certain that you can handle all of this, Blair?"

She hesitated, but only for a moment. "I'm sure. He's not going to hurt me. And we have so much to talk about. We got shortchanged last night because of what happened."

"Then you are welcome to stay there as long as you need. You are the best medicine for him. Honestly, the cabin is yours to utilize as long as you like. Promise to call me with an update and definitely if you need anything. I am willing to help. I'd not trust him to many but I do trust him with you. I love my brother very much, Blair, please tell him, will you?"

"I know you do, and I will make sure I tell him, even though he knows. Thank you, Viki." Blair hung up, feeling more secure. If Viki had faith in her, then it couldn't be all bad. Now to wait for him to wake up and see what was in store for them.

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

Our writers like to hear your feedback. Please leave a comment when you read.