44: Book Three Page 14
“Give it a little time, Abby,” he said, when I told him about my latest nightmare. Nathaniel was whispering something in my ear, but I couldn’t hear what he was saying.
“You’ve been through a lot, but you’ll come out of it. Just like last time,” Ty said.
I nodded, hoping he was right.
We held steaming cups of coffee as we watched the TV news station’s morning weatherman walk by, smiling and waving at the crowd with vacant eyes.
“Thanks for being here, Ty,” I said, leaning over and kissing him on the cheek.
I breathed in the sharp air, the scent of pine and juniper strong.
I was damaged, but happy.
It was good to be home.
CHAPTER 56
I pulled the Jeep into the icy lot and parked, leaving the stereo on and turning it up as Metallica did their best to blow out the speakers.
Jesse started playing air drums.
“There’s nobody like Lars, man,” he said as he rocked his solo.
“No argument here,” I said, starting a guitar riff.
“Hey, you could use a little practice there, Kirk,” he said, smiling. “Or are you trying to be James?”
I punched him in the arm.
“I’m glad you’re back home, Craigers,” he said. “Glad you’re safe.”
“Thanks for your help, Jesse.”
He nodded, watching a car pass by on the street.
“This place looks exactly the same from when I was a kid,” he said, staring at the garage. “He hasn’t even lifted a paint brush or changed the sign. It could use a little updating, don’t you think?”
I smiled.
“I don’t know, Jesse. It’s a motorcycle garage. I don’t think anyone really cares how pretty it looks.”
Jesse turned around again and looked at the street.
“I’m glad we’re here,” I said, touching his hand.
He nodded.
“Hey, I have a question,” I said.
He gave me a weird look as I reached over and turned down the radio.
“Always with the questions,” he said. “Okay, shoot.”
“So, do you ever see my mom?” I asked. “I’ve been meaning to ask for a while. It’s just that, well, I’ve never seen her. I see you and I’ve seen some other ghosts. But I’ve never seen her. I’m not sure why.”
It was a heavy question, but it had been on my mind a lot lately.
“She’s always around you, Craigers,” he said. “You just don’t hear her. You doubt yourself too much.”
I nodded, even though I didn’t completely understand it.
“Is your sister doing okay?” he asked. “Now that Dr. Mort has left town?”
“Yeah,” I said. “He quit his job at the hospital and is traveling, trying to sort things out. But I think he’ll come back. He loves her.”
“He might stay away because he loves her, Craigers,” Jesse said. “Things aren’t always so clear cut.”
The Def Leppard song suddenly cut out and an opera started playing.
I gasped.
“Hey, what the—” Jesse said.
A moment later we were back listening to Joe Elliott singing about sugar.
“What was that about?” Jesse said. “You’ve got to get that fixed, Craigers. Your stereo be ailin’.”
“Too much rocking, I guess,” I said, wondering if that was really it.
We sat quiet for a few minutes listening, my heart still pounding hard in my chest.
“So what about you? Are you planning on staying around for a while or what?”
He looked at me for a second too long, then turned away quickly.
“Yeah, I’ll be around for a little while longer. As long as I can. I need to be sure that you’re safe.”
“I can take care of myself now, Jesse. I’ll be okay. I don’t want to keep you here anymore. It’s not the right thing. I see that now.”
“Look, I’m sticking around for a little longer. But I promise to stay out of your way.”
I hadn’t asked him about Nathaniel, if he had seen his ghost or spirit, if they walked in the same worlds. I didn’t want to know. But Jesse saying he was staying around told me something.
He smiled, but I could see it in his face.
“For as long as I can, anyway,” he said. “I’m just not able to get back here like I used to. I’m not really sure what’s going on.”
I squeezed his hand.
“I’m glad you’re here now,” I said.
He looked back at the street again.
“Where the hell is that old man?” he said. “I guess I forgot about those six-hour lunches he likes to take.”
He pushed up his hat.
“Relax,” I said. “He’ll be here soon. The sign on the door says that he opens again at two. He’s only a few minutes late.”
Jesse let out a long sigh.
“Just know that I’m not expecting anything to come out of this, Craigers. I’m doing this for you mostly. If it works, that’s great, but don’t get your hopes up.”
“I’m just happy that you’re willing to give it a try.”
Jesse opened up the Jeep door and slid out, walking to the front and sitting up on the hood.
In another minute, I heard the roar behind us and watched as the Harley pulled in.
It was Jesse’s dad, his gray beard blowing in the wind, the sun bright on his face. He killed the engine and got off his bike. He turned around and looked over at me as I got out of the car.
“Abby Craig,” he said, smiling and walking slowly toward us. “What a wonderful surprise. So good to see you.”
“Hey, Mr. Stone,” I said as I reached in the back seat grabbing the package. “I baked you some cookies.”
He gave me a hug. Jesse stood close by, watching with large, sad eyes.
“Well, that was awfully sweet of you,” he said.
“So, do you have a few minutes?” I asked, shoving my hands in my pockets. “There’s something I want to talk to you about.”
“Of course,” he said. “Give me a minute to open up and then I’m all ears. We’ll catch up. Hey, I got some new tools since the last time you were here.”
“I’ll be right in,” I said. “Let me just grab something from the Jeep.”
We watched as he slowly limped to the door of the shop.
I took Jesse’s hand.
“Let’s go,” I whispered.
Jesse smiled, his face catching bits of the winter sun, as we walked together and followed his dad inside.
THE END
The adventure continues…
44 Book Four
now available at Amazon.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Like her main character, Jools Sinclair lives in Bend, Oregon. She is currently working on 44 Book Four, scheduled for release in Spring 2012.
Learn more about Jools Sinclair
and the 44 series at…
JoolsSinclair44