CHAPTER SIX
The Spencers, Nikolas, Elizabeth and Earl and Emily were all
gathered at Kelly’s, having been called by Lucky. No one knew what this was
about. They all talk among themselves until Lucky comes through the door.
He stops as he steps in and looks at the group. He sighs sadly;
everyone he’s ever loved was in this room. It was going to be hell saying
good-bye. Reminding himself that this was only temporary and he’ll come back as
soon as possible was the only thing giving his strength right now.
"Lucky," Elizabeth rushed into his arms and kisses him
tenderly. "What is all this about?"
Lucky keeps her in his arms and looks at his family and friends,
all looking at him curiously. He was having more trouble then he thought with
this. Lucky swallows and speaks. "I came to tell everyone good-bye."
"What?" Elizabeth asked. "I don’t understand."
"I’m going back with the McCoys. I know what you’re going to
say dad, but this is the right thing to do. I have to get that little girl out
of that house."
"But Cowboy, there’s other ways to do that. You don’t have to
leave home to do it," Luke stares at his son in disbelief.
"Lucky please think about this," Laura begged.
"I have mom. I’ve thought about it long and hard and this is
the only solution I can come up with. Listen, this is only temporary. Okay. I’m
just going to go get the girl out of that house then head back here. This isn’t
a permanent situation."
Elizabeth couldn’t control her sobs anymore. She breaks away from
Lucky and runs out of the diner.
"I’ll take care of things here Lucky," Nikolas nods
towards the door. "Go after her."
"Thanks Nikolas," Lucky nods and goes after Elizabeth.
He finds her at the old church where they had said vows to each other on
Valentine’s Day. "Elizabeth?"
"How could you Lucky? How can you go back on our promise to
one another," Elizabeth sobbed.
"Elizabeth, I’m not going back on anything. Those vows still
stand good today then it did Valentine’s Day. Elizabeth, try to understand.
She’s just a little girl, she shouldn’t have to be subjected to that."
"But do you have to leave to help her? How about the rest of
us Lucky? Don’t we matter?"
"Of course you do sweetie. I love you all so much. That’s why
I have to do this. It could be Lulu taking their beatings like that. I can’t
just turn away. I’ll come back Elizabeth. This isn’t good-bye forever. Just for
a little while. That’s all. We’ll still do all the stuff we were planning.
We’ll go to New York and you’ll become a famous artist and I’ll support us by
playing guitar on the street and in clubs," Lucky smiles stroking her
hair.
"But Lucky…I don’t want you to go. I want you right here safe
and sound with us…the people who love you. I know that it’s selfish…"
"But it’s how you feel. Believe me, it’s breaking my heart
too, but I have to do it. I have to save her from them."
Elizabeth sighs in defeat. "Nothing I say or do will make you
change your mind will it?"
Lucky shakes his head. "I’m sorry."
"Well…at least we still have today don’t we? Or do the McCoys
want to steal you away as soon as possible?"
Lucky laughed, and kissed her tenderly. "We have all day
today and all night tonight. I leave at seven tomorrow morning."
"Still not enough time, but I guess it’ll have to do,"
Elizabeth kissed him and gets to her feet. "Let’s get back to Kelly’s
before everyone has a search party out for us."
When Lucky and Elizabeth returned, everyone was still inside
Kelly’s. Laura is in a chair, her head on a table sobbing, Luke looked like
death has come to call, and Nikolas looked as if he had lost his best friend.
This only made Lucky feel incredibly guilty for leaving them like this, but
something had to be done.
"Mom," Lucky goes to Laura and squeezes her shoulder.
"Please understand why I have to do this. She’s Lulu’s age. Each time I
look at that picture I see Lulu’s face. I can’t let it continue."
Laura looked up at Lucky, pure love shining in her eyes. "I
understand Lucky. It’s just breaking my heart. I thought when you were mad at
us was bad, but this is heart wrenching. I’m losing my baby."
"Dad?"
"You know I understand Cowboy. I just hate to see you leave
when we’ve started all over," Luke sighed.
"Well it looks like you’re going to be the hero this time
around," Nikolas smiled half-heartedly.
"Listen, I’m not leaving until tomorrow morning. We have
plenty of time to spend together between now and then. What do you want to
do?" Lucky puts on a cheerful face and looks around at the crowded diner.
That day, the Spencers, Nikolas and Elizabeth took Lucky to Eli’s
for lunch and made a pot of Ruby’s chili for dinner. In between they looked at
old photographs of the family. The day was a wonderful occasion that none of
them would ever forget.