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Her parents refused to face reality, so it was left to Birdie to do so, and work three jobs to ensure they had enough money to pay off the medical bills and ensure there was money if her father needed further treatment.
When they’d taken him to Rummer for testing, it had turned out he’d had skin cancer—a malignant tumor that needed to be removed urgently. That, and the stay in hospital had cost a lot of money, which they were still repaying.
She and her siblings were repaying, Birdie added silently. Her parents were waiting for the universe to step in and settle up.
Chapter4
“Look. I know you think the world will provide, but as we’re stuck in a small town on the road to nowhere, I’m not entirely sure how that’s going to happen. We need to pay those medical bills and put some money aside for if Dad requires more treatment. The others will help, are helping, but we have to stick to the budget, or we’ll lose this place. Do you understand that?”
Inhale and exhale, Birdie.
She loved her parents, really. They were the best. But their refusal to see how dire their situation was infuriated her. Their beliefs had never wavered. The world would provide, or as it turned out, their children. She had to admire them for that even while she wanted to strangle them. Grinding her teeth, she pushed the frustration back down inside her.
“We have the roadside stall, and the bees have been so happy this year they are supplying plenty of honey. The chickens are laying too,” her mother said in the same tone she always used. Birdie often thought the world could be ending and Meadow McAllister would find a positive.
Remember, Birdie, the next people to inhabit earth will have the knowledge to start their civilization from what we’ve left behind.
“People are more understanding about the benefits of free-range and the need for honey in their lives,” her mother said.
Birdie had loved growing up here. Okay, there were a few moments when wearing homespun clothing had her rebelling, but for the most, she’d been happy, even if she’d been one of the odd McAllisters.
That all changed when their dad had fallen ill. The surgery removed the tumor and lymph nodes, and so far he was in remission, but the debts and worry would last longer.
“It will be all right, little bird,” her father said, then rose and hugged her.
She swallowed back the sob at the thought of this gentle man with an enthusiasm for life Birdie often envied being taken from her.
“Dad.” Birdie sighed. “I just want to be prepared if you need more treatment.”
“He won’t. Every day Hamish is eating herbs and dark green leafy vegetables. They have lots of fiber, folate, and carotenoids, Birdie. His aura is yellow again and no longer gray.”
“Good, that’s great, Mom. But we still need to be prepared if anything changes with Dad.”
“It won’t,” her mother said. “Now, your aura, Birdie, needs cleansing. I can see that. I’ll come over later with my white sage for smudging.”
“I’m fine. Great in fact.”
She wanted to yell. Wanted to make them see reason. She couldn’t do either because she’d tried many times and failed. Balling her hands into fists, she exhaled slowly. Birdie understood the benefits of a healthy lifestyle more than most, because it had been her existence since she was old enough to learn her parents’ favorite words: reduce, reuse, and recycle.
But no amount of sustainable living would help their father if the cancer came back.
“I’m well, little bird. The tumor has not returned, and I’m living in the fresh open air right here in Lyntacky. What more could I need to heal?”
Hamish McAllister had been born in Scotland to strict, hardy farming parents. Realizing young that his mindset was different and animal farming was not something he could get on board with, he’d left to travel the world and find himself. He’d found Birdie’s mother instead. They were a match made in heaven, as they had the same values and outlook on life.
The McAllister children were realists. Their parents were not.
“Don’t order more stuff until we get your bills paid off,” she muttered.
“I promise to ask you before I do,” he said and likely believed it until a good deal on something came up that he couldn’t refuse.
“We’re thinking of putting in a Swedish sauna and making people pay to use it. Sweating is cleansing for your pores and glands becauseit flushes out any toxins or impurities you may have in your body. It will be excellent for your father,” Meadow McAllister said as if they had not just talked about spending more money.
Birdie opened her mouth, but her mother cut her off.
“We have everything we need right here to build it, you’ll see.”
“If you say so.” Birdie sighed. “I need to go to work now. Have a good day and don’t give stuff away in the stall. Make sure people pay for it.”
