51: The Series

51: Monsters Chapter 6 Part 1

Lindsay awoke to feel a weight on the side of her face and head. She reached up and touched one of the cold packs she and Wren kept in their freezer. Lindsay had felt Wren place fresh, cold ones on her face a few times during the night. Anytime she had stirred, Wren had asked if she needed something and how she felt.

She moved the cold pack and sat up in bed. She was pleasantly surprised that she was not in pain or dizzy from being hit in the forehead the day before. She was still sitting in bed, covered by the many blankets piled on her, when Wren walked in carrying her coffee cup.

“Good morning, beautiful. How are you feeling?” Wren asked Lindsay as he sat beside her on the bed, handing her the cup and kissing her.

“I feel surprisingly well. I don’t have any pain, and it doesn’t feel like there is much swelling,” she answered.

“That’s good news. I called John earlier and told him you were hurt yesterday after we left his house. He thinks you should rest today instead of going over to see him. I also told him that I would not be over because of my mother, and he gave me his condolences,” Wren told her as he carefully took the adhesive bandage off the cut and gently touched her forehead where she had been hit the day before. “It looks like your cut was bleeding a little all night, and the bruise is bad. Does it hurt when I push on it?”

“A little, but it’s not much,” she answered. “I’m sure that you took my phone, so have you heard from Dillon this morning?”

“I did, and he wants to spend the day and come home this evening. He said Nim would drive him home if he could stay. I told him it was fine; I figured you could use the rest before my mother gets here,” Wren said.

“You had to remind me about that,” Lindsay said as she rolled her eyes, leaned back against the headboard, and took a sip of her coffee.

“If you don’t feel well, I’ll put her in a hotel, so you don’t have to deal with her,” Wren told her.

For some reason, his mother had never felt like Lindsay had been good enough for him. Because of that, his mother hated her and did not attempt to hide it. Lindsay did her best to make Wren’s mother happy, but that had never been enough and most likely never would be.

Lindsay sighed, “Don’t do that unless she is worse than normal. She is your mother, and I don’t want her to think that I am trying to keep her away from you. She hates me enough as it is.”

“I made breakfast for us, and I want to make sure that you eat before I go to the airport. I thought she was going to take the flight from St. Louis to the base, but she won’t. So now I have to drive up and get her,” Wren said, letting out a long sigh.

“Oh, what fun for you? You get to spend almost three hours in a car with your mother. I hope you aren’t stuck in traffic on the way back. That could add at least another hour or two,” Lindsay said sarcastically, with a big smile.

“I love you, but you can be mean sometimes,” Wren laughed, then kissed her. “Let’s go eat breakfast while it’s still hot.”

When they left the bedroom, Lindsay could smell the food Wren had cooked for them. In the kitchen, she saw that he had made some of her favorites, including eggs and chicken fried steak. She also saw their dog Crook sitting beside the table, waiting for them with his stubby tail wagging, anticipating that they would share their breakfast with him. Crook was right; they shared with him as they sat and ate, discussing the plans for the day.

Lindsay’s plan was relatively simple. They included rest and hoping the injury to her face improved and the bruise would fade by Monday. Wren’s plans included ensuring that the guest room was ready for his mother and then driving to St Louis to pick up his mother at the airport. Lindsay did not envy him for his plans for the day.

When they finished breakfast, Wren tucked Lindsay in on the couch with the dog and quickly did what he needed to do before he left for St. Louis. Before he left the house, he checked on her one last time. Wren knew she was not seriously injured by what had happened the day before. He still wanted to take care of her, especially knowing what his mother would most likely do when she arrived. Wren gave her one final kiss and walked out to his car to start the long drive.

-

Wren had been driving for about an hour when his phone rang. “Hello,” he answered.

“Wren, my boy, I’m sure you are on the road by now, but I have a question for you. Would you mind if I went to see Lindsay a little later in the day and checked on her since the two of you can’t come to see me today?” John Lingerfelt asked.

“Of course, I don’t mind. I would appreciate it because that would keep me from worrying about her as much while I’m gone. I know she isn’t seriously injured, but I still worry,” Wren told him.

“Your wife is probably tougher and stronger than both of us combined, but I do understand. I know you are driving, so I will see you later, and I will go see Lindsay in a bit,” John said and hung up the phone before Wren could say anything else.

Wren smiled. He was happy that John also watched after Lindsay. He knew John was right about how tough and strong she was. He had seen her go through a lot, and she always fought more than anyone he had ever met. The one person she never fought was his mother, and now she had to deal with her while she was hurt.

He wanted to call his mother and tell her to get back on the plane and fly home, but he knew that even if he did, it would not matter. His mother would always do what she wanted when she wanted, and it did not matter who it bothered as long as it was not her. To make matters worse, his mother had not said how long she would be staying, and he was hoping she would not decide to stay longer to try to make Lindsay even more uncomfortable since she was hurt. His mother had made it very clear over the years that she would do everything in her power to make his wife miserable, and for the life of him, he could not understand why.