HUNGRY FOR YOU
(Billy The Kid: Part 3)
****************
Going around to the passenger side, she put the pistol under his seat and helped Billy put on his blue denim shirt that only an hour before had covered her nakedness.
Chuckling at her trying to get his injured arm through the sleeve, he said, "Why bother, it looks a hell of a lot better on you."
Annie smiled at him and kissing him tenderly said, "Soon baby . . . soon . . ."
Struggling with his left hand to undo his seat belt, Annie told him, "Let me get it for you."
Reaching over and looking down to find where it unsnapped she couldn't help but notice the big bulge in his jeans.
It couldn't be helped either when she undid his seatbelt and let her hand drop to the inside of his thigh--subtly feeling his hardness.
"I thought so," she said with a laugh and a twinkle in her eye, "but don't worry I'd never take advantage of an injured man."
"That's what I was afraid of! "
"Maybe we can satisfy that hunger later--once Dr. Sueky gets these pellets out of you."
**********************
As they sat in the Dixie Saloon drinking O'Doul's in between bites of their shared burgers, they watched the passengers disembark off the ferry.
"I wish we were taking that boat to the island instead of back tracking to the airport."
"Yeah, me too Annie. They ferry will be closing down pretty soon for winter. Only way then to reach the island is by plane or snowmobile."
"I better get a new one if we're going to do that. Would hate to have it die in the middle of Straits."
"Oh, we'd probably be okay so long as the ice is thick enough. Come January, there's a path marked along the way with tens of hundreds of discarded Christmas trees--so if we got stalled--it wouldn't be long before there'd be a person come along and help us out."
"Yeah, but I'd much rather being going NOW, don't you have any veterinary friends on the island?
Eyes lighting up, Billy said, "You know what? I DO! I forgot Dr. Sueky goes there regularly this time of the year to tend to the horses and spell the island vets. After a long hard summer, they need a break."
Handing him back Dr. Sueky's card, she said, "Great, call her," and grabbed the waiter to use his cell.
"Sure, you can use it," he cracked but I'll expect a bigger tip."
"Sounds fair to me," Annie told him, I usually take phone time out in trade, but for you I will make an exception."
Shaking his head, Billy laughed and called only to get her voice mail.
"The office of Dr. Sueky is now closed, we are open Monday through Thursday 7AM to 6PM, Fridays 7AM to 12PM. We can be reached weekends at 1-800-GET-A-HORSE through November."
*****************
"We're in luck Annie, I had forgotten about the island having the big livery. Sueky worked there summers when she was at Michigan State.
Calling the 800 number he left his friend a a message.
"Hey Sueky, it's me Billy, I'm coming over to see you on the next boat out. I've got a problem and I need your help."
Annie asked the cashier for a schedule and found there was still time to catch a ferry.
"Do you know where her offices are?"
"I've been to the one in town, it's practically next door to the Beaumont Museum, where the original livery was. The other one is in the stables farther out. The taxi coachmen will know."
*************
To be on the safe side, in case by chance the man who held them by gunpoint discovered his truck, Billy called his old buddy that lived close by.
Telling him his keys would be with the manager of the Dixie Saloon, Billy asked him to get his pick-up and store it until he and Annie could return from the island.
*******************
"Well Billy, let's get out of here. We need to make our way over the water and find your Sueky; I can see blood coming through the bandages."
***************
Before going to the boat docks they walked up mainstreet where they ducked into one of the tourist traps and picked up souvenir gym bags, khaki's and hunter green sweatshirts that sported on the front, a MSU Crest.
On the back it said in small letters, "We Love To Horse Around On Mackinaw Island."
"The shirts should help us blend in and get us in where we want, it's the typical dress of visitors and veterinary interns on the island, especially this time of the year."
"Good idea and I'm picking up a couple of these travel bottles of peach brandy in case I need it to dull the pain."
"Yes," he said, "we should also make a trip to the ATM for some cash. If anyone is looking for us I don't think it's smart for us to use credit cards. From here they'll think we picked up I-75 and are headed south to Detroit."
"Good thinking Billy, better to be on the safe side now than to end up like we did earlier at the end of gun."
**************
For sometime now, Annie had longed to re-live the happy times she had with her father on the Island.
Even after years of extensive travel, for her there was still no place on earth she'd rather be.
And now with the terrifying events she and Billy had just experienced, nothing could be more true.
In the past when she felt the island calling to her, when she felt alone and afraid, she'd rent the movie "Somewhere In Time."
But it wasn't the same as being there, letting the place sink into your being--making your way about by horse and buggy
or cycling. Taking a walk along the the shores and exploring the ancient caves.
Each summer "her" Island filled up with families dipping into the simple life--loving couples strolling hand in hand, poking about in quaint and funky shops--sampling fudge and taffy made in window fronts on marble slabs--trying to figure out how to stay forever.
Yet, she knew, having spent a winter there once, come wintertime it all changed and instead of streets filled with tourist, only a rare visitor could be seen staring in wonder at the Clydesdale type draft horses carrying on the local busy work drawing wagons and sleighs through the deserted streets filled with local's stuff and for a couple of places that remained open, mostly bars.
Annie also knew that no matter what the weather, the island ghosts never went anywhere.
It didn't matter to her though, she felt in her heart, in her soul the spirits were all harmless.
Even when she had read a few weeks before that the place she loved so much, was now said to be the most haunted town in Michigan--it did not change how she felt or dampen how happy she was about once again visiting her favorite spot to find peace.
****************
The trip over to the island was rough.
Annie got scared as the boat rolled up and down from waves three breakers high. A nice woman sitting in front of them tried to calm her down .
Near hurricane force winds were whipping through the Straits of Mackinaw.
Fifteen ocean going freighters were waiting out the storm. It was a rare sight to behold.
Even the woman who was trying to calm Annie was amazed.
"I've never seen anything quite like this past week, these wind gusts gotta be at least 60 miles an hour. Not at all like we get in October, more like mid November up here . . ."
"Yeah," Billy said, "Reminds me of Gordon Lightfoot's old ballad about the Edmond Fitzgerald sinking in that awful November storm on Lake Superior off Whitefish Bay in the 1970's."
"Yes, so tragic that was. Well, don't worry, I've come through storms you wouldn't believe and made it out without a scratch, the governor has too."
"The governor?" Annie said.
The woman introduced herself and said, "Yes, my husband. I really should have said ex-governor. Sorry, I thought you knew."
Smiling, Billy whispered in Annie's ear, "Relax, sweetie, God surely wouldn't let the boat sink with the governor's wife on board."
For the next twenty minutes they were mesmerized by delightful stories of previous crossings, both good and bad.
When they disembarked they were introduced to the former Governor of Michigan who stood on the dock saying goodbye to old friends.
Annie's and Billy shook the former governor's hand and were told to be sure and stop by Sunday for a charity brunch' honoring governors who had summered at either the Cottage Guesthouse from 1935 to 1945 or at the official Governor's Cottage from 1945 to 2010.
Suddenly Billy felt himself being grabbed from behind. It was his friend Sueky. Dr. Sueky the veterinarian.
"Billy, I was so happy to get your message, to what do I owe this honor? And who's your friend?"
Laughing, Billy said, "This is Annie. I told her about you being here and she dragged me over."
As Billy went to hug her--he winced--the blood was visible now through his shirt and his pain was obvious from the scowl on his brow."
"Billy, what in hecks happened to you?"
"I need your help Sueky, can you get me somewhere fast where you can take a look at this?"
Annie echoed Billy's concern.
"We'll explain it later Sueky. Please help him."
"Come on you two," Sueky let out a loud whistle that'd do a truck driver justice to stop a passing high-spirited horse drawn taxi."
Once they got Billy in the carriage they sat with him sandwiched between them to help support his weakening body.
The coachman said, "Hi, Doc. Where we going?"
"Please take us to the stables and check back with me as soon as you can."
*******************
Clippty-Clopping at a faster pace than normal, they were whisked off to the home of 100 Percheron and 300 Hackney horses who lived in the world's largest continually operating horse and buggy livery.
"I figured we'd have more privacy out here," said Dr. Sueky, "I've got an office in town but that place is mainly for the convenience of the coachman and helpers."
*************************
An hour later after digging out pellets, dressing wounds and a shot of morphine, Dr. Sueky had Billy patched up and wrapped in a clean horse blanket.
With that done, she took them into her studio apartment at the end of the stables and insisted Billy lay down in her old brown cowhide recliner.
She told Annie that despite his pain and dizzyness, that he'd be good now that his wounds had been dressed and he had antibiotics in him.
After making coffee and sandwiches she said, "Now tell me Billy, WHAT is going on."
Feeling no pain at this point, Billy gave her the whole load, sparing no detail about what he and Annie had been going through since early morning.
"I can see why you were afraid to go to the hospital. It's not the safest place to be for many reasons. If this masked man who held you and Annie at gun point IS the son of the guy who stiffed you . . . well guess what? He works at the hospital disposing surgical waste from the operating rooms."
"Not sure we wanted to know that Sueky," Billy told her.
"Sorry but every Halloween I've heard it rumored he plays pranks on people--ones he has it in for--he's thought of as a nut case. An odd ball. His nick name is Freddie after Freddie Kruegger."
"Oh pul-eeze! Annie said, tears rolling down her face."
"Don't worry Annie, no one knows if he's ever actually hurt anyone. It's said that the neighbors have seen him walking through the woods late at night ranting--by lantern light--but know one could really make out anything he said, they figured he had brain damage, then a few years ago, they discovered he'd been tongue tied since birth. "
"Amazing, how could something like that go on for so long and never be discovered?"
"Well, I heard his dad didn't believe in going to doctor's so maybe that was a factor. Don't know, but once he was operated on, he learned to speak quickly and now talks all the time, but mostly to himself Still it creeps a lot of folks out by the way he acts."
"Don't worry Annie, you and Billy are staying here tonight and will be safe. He will have no idea you are here. Then come Sunday the two of you can join my hubby and me for brunch at the governors cottage--meet my attorney."
"Yes," Annie said, "we were invited to it, and had looked forward to going."
"Wonderful. Afterwards the attorney is coming out here to check on the horses he boards here in the stables, in this all, there should be time to tell your story to him--what you've been through. He can at least give us an idea of how to proceed from this point, and what if anything you should do about Freddy."
"That's so good of you Sueky,
at this point, that takes a load off and besides that, we are at this point, we need rest."
"Happy to help Billy. My husband and I are staying at the Ye Old 1899 Blacksmith Shop--McIntire's--you guys can sit right here--have the whole place to yourself."
"That's wonderful," Annie said,
"Are you sure?"
"Of course, actually this is working out perfect. You can be a big help--check on the horses for me--that way in the morning, my sweetie and I can sleep in."
"Happy to help Sueky, in any way we can. Just tell me what you want and it's done."
"Great. I will be as close as the phone and come out in the afternoon to check on you, give you another shot if you're needing it."
*****************
After showing Annie where everything was at--the well stocked wine rack, pantry and refrigerator--Sueky showed her the two rustic bedrooms that sported log beds.
"Annie, feel free to use them both rooms if you like, just keep checking on Billy through the night and call me if there are any problems."
With that, Dr. Sueky signaled her coachman and left saying, "Call me at the Iroquois in two hours--I'm meeting my husband for dinner in the Water's Edge Dinning Room."
**************
Walking back inside the stables, Annie found Billy sound asleep in the recliner.
Pulling the blanket up around him she kissed him on the forehead and thanked her guardian angel for Dr. Sueky rescuing them and providing the wonderful little hide away.
******************
Looking at the clock she decided she should try and whip up something for a late night dinner for her and Billy--surprise him when he woke up.
In Sueky's wine rack there was a nice selection of Merlot and Pinot Noir--she put one of each in galvanized wine pails
with ice to cool and made up a pan of her prize winning lasagna plus bread, more for the smell than anything. Looking ahead, she took the left over dough and made cinnamon rolls for breakfast.
***************
Hearing Billy groan a few hours later she woke from her nap in the kitchen and ran to him."
"How are you doing Billy?"
"Boy something sure smells good."
"It's our dinner Billy. Stay put, I'll bring appetizers and a glass of wine for you."
"Sounds wonderful but I need you to help me into one of the bedrooms first, I want to loosen up these clothes and clean up in the bathroom best I can."
In the bedroom Annie helped him loosen up his clothes and started to leave when Billy
pointed downward to the bulge in his pants.
"See what you are doing to me. Shame on you!"
"You are pretty frisky for an injured man."
"Can't keep a good man down Annie."
Blushing she said, "I can see that Billy," and walked into the hallway to give him privacy.
When he came out of the bedroom he was wearing a big terry cloth robe that she'd seen behind the bathroom door.
"I'm getting stronger every moment," he said, "just wait until I eat and have some wine."
"Billy, behave yourself or I will call Dr. Sueky and tell on you."
Feeling no pain from the morphine, he said, "Come here woman and kiss me, it's all part of the healing process you know."
Tucking the blanket back around him after he sat back down in the chair, she kissed him softly on the lips and said, "Stay put. I'm bringing your dinner to you."
Before long Annie wheeled in a cart fit for a king. On top of a floor length red and white gingham table cloth was dinner for two and wine in galvanized ice buckets.
"Where did you find that great cart?"
"In the living room. It looks like a converted table a blacksmith added carriage wheels to a long time ago."
"Whatever it is Annie, it's beautiful, everything looks wonderful and smells so good too. I think I am in love."
"Billy, are you saying a way to a man's heart is through his stomach or are you just horsing around again."
**************
After dinner they sipped on their wine by the fireplace and talked for a long time until Billy took Annie's hand in his own.
"Annie, I'm going to have to get out of this chair and lay down, but I don't want to be alone, I want you in my arms as long as possible, at least as long as I can without pain in my shoulder--I want to do it right here in this room in front of the fireplace with soft music playing and you in my arms."
"I want that too Billy. How about if get some pillows and blankets for the sofa. It's wide enough for both of us."
"Yes. I'm so hungry for you my darling. Let's make it our appetizer for tomorow night."
****************
To Be Continued: Billy The Kid (Part 4)
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Babe
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