Gathering Roses

6.

"Cass, you should eat." Tucker implored, passing her a can of soup. She cautiously slurped a noodle, much to Emmy's enjoyment. The sunlight that had lit the room was fading fast, and Tucker moved to find a lantern. Cass shivered. She had seen a wood pile outside when they arrived. 

"C'mon, honey. Let's go get some wood for a fire." She took the girl's hand.

"'Kay, Mama." Cass' heart panged. This was not how any little girl should grow up. They found the wood stacked solidly against the house and Cass handed Emmy a few small pieces to carry then gathered an armload herself. They followed the path back to the door. Emmy stomped her feet as she carried her sticks. Cass couldn't help but smile. Emmy brought her so much joy. 

"Hey. See you found the wood pile." She looked up at Tucker's words, the light from the lantern flickering across his face. Emmy dropped her sticks by his feet. 

"Here go, Tuck." She said, then smiled up at him. His features softened and he smiled back at her. 

"Thanks." He patted her head. Cass piled her pieces next to the fireplace. Tucker picked up Emmy's sticks and began prepping the fireplace. Cass and Emmy chased each other outside for another load, Emmy giggling all the way. 

Tucker had a flame burning in the fireplace by the time they returned. Emmy rubbed her eyes and yawned as she put her sticks down. 

"Uh oh. Someone's ready for bed." Cass smiled, reaching for her daughter. Emmy snuggled her head into Cass' shoulder and yawned again. 

"There's a bed in the loft. I'll sleep down here on the couch and fight the monsters." Tucker said, his mouth quirking as he finished. Cass grinned and began to carry Emmy up the stairs. The loft was open to the downstairs, separated only by a railing. Cass pulled back the dusty covers and laid Emmy on the bed. She stripped the covers off and found some new ones on a shelf near the stairs. The little girl had already closed her eyes when Cass returned, her thumb coming up to her mouth. Cass smiled ruefully. That habit was one Cass had been trying to break for months, but Emmy always tried to sneak her thumb at bedtime. She covered the girl up and kissed her head.

"I love you. Sleep good." She whispered, and Emmy smiled sleepily. 

Cass climbed back downstairs and helped Tucker bring in one last load of wood. He locked and bolted the front door, then placed one of the kitchen chairs under the handle. Cass drew the curtains closed over the sink and the well-used rocking chair in the living room. 

"Hey." She touched Tucker's arm as she turned to go upstairs. "Thank you for all you did today. I know you didn't ask to be involved, and Emmy and I owe you our lives." He shook his head. 

"Anyone else would have done the same thing. Glad I could help." They shared a smile.

"Good night, Tucker." Cass said as she headed up to bed. 

"Good night, Cass." 

                    ~          ~          ~         ~

Flashback

Cass picked away on her guitar in her dorm room one Friday night after class. The rest of the student body was partying it up at some frat house after the football team had won the homecoming game. Cass' roommate Ruby had tried to convince her to go, as this was the first time in a decade that Illinois State had won the homecoming game, but Cass had declined, mumbling something about midterms. Ruby had given her a look that said she didn't believe her, but let the excuse slide. Cass knew there would be drinking and all the other stuff college kids did at parties, and she for one was not interested. She did have some calculus homework she could do, but for now she let her fingers pluck the familiar notes and stared out the window. 

BANG BANG. Two heavy knocks sounded at Cass' door, startling her out of her trance. She placed the guitar to the side and tread cautiously to the door. When she peeked through the peephole, she flung the door open in surprise. 

"Maya!" Cass said in disbelief. "What are you doing here?" The drive from their hometown was at least six hours. She moved in to give Maya a hug. 

Maya didn't say anything. She didn't even hug Cass back. Cass pulled away, now a little uncertain. 

"Come in!" She ushered Maya into her dorm and closed the door. "You must be exhausted. Do you want something to eat? Drink?" Cass mad her way to the small kitchenette (the glamorous life of college students), but Maya's voice stopped her. 

"Cass." Her voice sounded worn out, tired, and years older. Cass spun around and took a better look at her old friend. 

The baggy sweatshirt and leggings were old favorites, nothing concerning there. But when Cass met Maya's eyes, her heart dropped. Maya's skin was deathly pale, dark circles rimming her eyes. Lines creased her forehead and her hair hung limp at her shoulders. This was not the Maya that Cass had left—full of life and love, ready for adventure. This Maya looked like she had been crying for hours. 

"Oh my gosh, Maya, what happened?" She led Maya to the couch and they sat. A single tear escaped Maya's eyes and ran down Maya's face. 

"Jed left me." Cass drew in her breath sharply. 

"He wouldn't!" Cass protested, but the morose look in Maya's eyes told her that he indeed would. The prick. Cass moved to hug Maya, and the next sentence stopped Cass' heart. 

"I'm pregnant." Maya whispered, the little energy she had leaving her body as she slumped into Cass and began to sob in earnest. Cass held her best friend, mind racing to find something to say. Coming up with nothing, she simply rocked Maya back and forth until her sobs quieted down. 

"Hey. Look at me." She quietly ordered Maya, brushing her tears away. "We got this, you and me. Jed is an idiot for leaving you. He was definitely intimidated by how tough you are. Remember when Davey Jones said there was no way a girl could beat him up? You did, no problem. That left hook was legendary. Remember when my dad was going through his worst drinking spell? Who stood up to him and took me out of there when I didn't have the strength? You did." Cass poked her gently in the shoulder. "Maya Faith Gunderson, you are the strongest person I know, and you can do this. I will be right there to help you." Maya hugged her again tightly. 

"My parents would never forgive me. I can't go back, Cass. I won't." Cass just held her close and stroked her hair. Maya continued tearfully. "I'm so sorry I was such a jerk to you. I really am. You're the only one who is always there for me. I don't deserve you." She sniffled. 

"Hey. Don't say that. We'll get through this. Who is going to be the best mom? You are." Maya finally gave Cass a weak smile, and the girls hugged once more. Cass took a deep breath. She thought she had problems. She set her shoulders and resolved to help Maya unconditionally, no matter the cost. What were friends for, after all?