Chapter Text
It never failed to surprise Bucky just how friendly some of the residents were at the assisted living facility his sister resided at. They always wanted him to stop and chat for a few minutes, especially some of the veterans. The ones from his era were far and few in-between and that bothered him more and more.
Even though he would be in the building or sometimes just on the grounds near the parking lot, it would sometimes take Bucky 20 minutes to make it from the lobby to Becca’s hall. He gave a polite nod to the receptionist as he passed by her. She made brief eye contact with him as she signed for a package from the UPS driver.
“Oh! Mr. Barnes, Mrs. Proctor isn't in right now,” she relayed.
Bucky stopped walking. Becca was in her 90’s. She didn't go anywhere very fast so how had he missed her?
“Where is she?”
The receptionist gave a small shrug. “She didn't say, she just signed out and said “with friends”. She left about 30 minutes ago.”
Bucky rolled his eyes, not at the receptionist doing her job, but the fact his sister was still being an annoying little sister even now. “Did she say when she'll be back?”
The young lady shook her head. “I'm sorry.”
Bucky just shook his head and turned around giving her a wave as he left. This was the second time this had happened this week. She was always out with friends. Would it kill her to text him or call? He knew she knew how. She was always sending him memes that her grandchildren sent her.
“Hey, Jim!” A man's voice called from behind him.
Bucky stopped and turned around. “Hey Nate, how's it going?”
“Still alive,” Nate said with a small shrug as he shook Bucky’s hand. “My niece is taking me out for lunch, want to join us?” he asked, gesturing to the woman behind his wheelchair.
Bucky paused to think about Becca and her “out with friends”. “I don't want to be a burden on your day out…” The first time Bucky had met Nate's niece, you, Bucky had thought you were a picture. He nearly beat himself up over that thought too. A picture. Like this was 1930 and his mom was talking to him about cute girls.
“You won't be a burden, it'll be fun,” you said to reassure him. While you enjoyed visiting with your uncle, it would be nice to have something to look at in the form of Bucky. “We planned on lunch and then maybe the mall. Uncle Nate wants new clothes.”
“Alright, sure, let's go.”
Lunch with you and Nate had been nice. Bucky was much more relaxed than he anticipated he'd be for such a last minute thing.
“Y'know, Jim, your sister is just the kindest person on the planet. I've been around a long time, I would know.” Nate turned to you. “She gets these cookies from …” he paused trying to recall the name. “David's! She orders them from Davids and they are fantastic. She'll give me a cookie here and there. But she's not kind just because of the cookies, no, she's just a good person. Always talking with folks and making people feel heard. She's just a great lady.”
Bucky listened intently to the praise. He knew his sister was an amazing person, even if he missed most of her accomplishments.
You watched Bucky as he heard the words your uncle was saying and saw Bucky’s face change slightly. His face got softer; he clearly loved his sister very much.
A few days later, Bucky tried again. The same receptionist was on duty and he raised an eyebrow as he passed. She gave him a nod; she was too busy to talk to Bucky today, Mr. UPS was back with more packages, Bucky thought he saw a David's Cookies box in the mix. That had to be for Becca. At least Becca could make time in her busy schedule for him today.
As Bucky was walking up the hall, he saw one of the nurses exiting Becca's room. “Alright, Mrs. Proctor, I'll quit taking up so much of your time today. We can get together later to discuss Goncharov more. Have you seen the extended version?” He asked as he stepped more into the hall. “Oh you haven't? That has got to change. I'll swing by later. Thanks again for the cookie.” He shut the door and nodded at Bucky. Hello Mr. Barnes, Mrs. Proctor has been looking forward to seeing you.”
Bucky nodded and he turned to stare at the nurse as he walked on. Something felt…off. He knocked on Rebecca's door. “Open up, I know you've got the goods.”
It took a few minutes but finally the door opened, “You're late. You said 2 o clock. I gave those cookies away.”
“Liar,” Bucky said, stepping into the room, and once in the door was shut, gave his sister a hug and a kiss on the top of her head. Becca didn't have a means of cooking, but she could buy the cookies Bucky loved. “Besides it's only” - he checked his watch - “2:25. Tell your neighbors to stop talking when I visit and maybe I'll be on time.”
“You could always get here early so you're on time,” she said and went back to her chair, gesturing for him to join her. “There's a container on the table. Grab a pop from the fridge.”
Bucky grabbed the container off the table and sat near to her. “So what's this I hear about you going out with friends all hours of the night?” He was exaggerating slightly.
“What I do on my own time is my own business. Who snitched?”
Bucky put the container on his lap and held up his hands. “I'm not revealing my sources.”
Becca tsked. “I bet it's Holly at the desk. She's sweet on you. You should ask her to go out dancing.”
Bucky chuckled and shook his head. “I'm pretty sure she's barely 18. That is not my thing. Besides, I think she's into a delivery driver.”
Becca gave a non-committal noise but seemed a bit surprised. “Was it Ross?”
Bucky shrugged off her question. “I didn't get his name. You got a sweetheart, sis? You going out dancing?”
Becca just scoffed. “Do I look like I could go out dancing? I'd break a hip if I tried.”
He shook his head. “I think you're stronger than what you let on. You've been doing those exercise classes, haven't you?”
“Yeah…”
“We should go out dancing sometime. Be like old times. We go together and then ditch the other once we meet someone.”
Becca just laughed, “I don't think so, Jim.”
“So where are you and this gang of roaming seniors going off to?”
“If you must know, I found a group of people who play pickleball seated. It's fun.”
Bucky frowned. “Why didn't you tell me? I can take you.”
Becca just gave him a look that was reminiscent of their ma when she was annoyed. “No, thank you. I can go out with friends on my own. I have a life alert and my phone which has you as a contact should I need it. I'm fully capable.”
Bucky looked at the floor, “yes ma'am, alright, message received. You do know that I'm connected to lots of people and can find out information,” he was absolutely trying to rile her up. He wouldn't violate her privacy.
“James Barnes. You will not. I'm not a child.”
“No, but you're still my little sister.”
“You're still a pain in my ass. Do you want to go downstairs and play Phase 10?”
He just nodded “sure, sure, lead the way. You'll be glad to know that Alpine jumped me in the bathroom the other night…”
“Good. Someone else needs to keep you in line. Which is why you need to find someone to marry. Get you a good woman - or man, I don't care - and settle down. I'd like to be someone's aunt before I'm dead. It's taken you long enough as it is.”
“Sorry, sis, I didn't mean to hold up your plans for my life,” he said as he held out his arm for her to take as they walked out the room.