Unlike many of the roads we’d traversed to get to Colorado, I saw not one hitchhiker on the drive today. The disorder had settled, for now. Almost three weeks had elapsed since the eruption. The big dig had begun. People were now transitioning from shock to relief efforts and cleanup. Much to everyone’s relief, the panic that had pressed our country to the brink of anarchy had not resulted in a complete breakdown of the country. Our government, our military, and the goodness of mankind had held it together. Stories filled the newscasts. Stories of hope and humanity. Together, we would rise from it all.
A long stretch of open highway lay ahead. Completeness radiated through me.
Before long, I spotted a lone person traveling along the road, walking. His gray and red plaid long-sleeved shirt was unmistakable. His pack looked lighter. He, too, had unloaded his burdens in Colorado.
“Mom! Look!” said Will, his voice light and happy. “How great is that? We have his bike!”
I slammed on the brakes without hesitation, the gravel spitting beneath the tires. Luck, hope, my keen navigating skills, or fate…I don’t know which it was. I found him. My heart thumped. I rolled down the passenger window. “Hi,” was all I could manage. How could I convey my apologies for my own unkind ways?
His richly colored eyes smiled at me. I’d once heard Susie tell Will that his eyes smiled. I smiled myself.
“Hi,” Reid said.
Will leaned through his opened window. “Don’t you live in Colorado?”
Finn said, “Hi! Got any of those lollipops?”
Reid pulled two from his upper pocket. “Last two, buddy. I was saving them for you guys.” He handed them to Will, who then gave one to Finn. He added, his look upon me, “If I ever saw you again.” His face shone with hope, with regret, and with his natural sincerity I had grown to appreciate. And I had missed it. It said what neither of us could say with words.
A swaying voice danced in my ears. It was a voice I had not heard since before finding Finn, for I had finally let him go, for my own good. Love again. It’s time. Make a new home.
Yes, Harrison, I will. Thank you.
“Are you going home?” Will asked.
“Yes,” I answered for Reid, leaning over to open the passenger door.
A word about the author…
Jean is a scientist and a mom to two active sons. She currently resides in Massachusetts and draws from her interests in history, science, the outdoors, and her family for inspiration. She writes historical and contemporary romances and women's fiction.
She enjoys writing nonfiction articles for family-oriented travel magazines, and aspires to write children’s books while continuing to write novels.
Jean enjoys working in her flower gardens, tackling the biggest mountains in New England with her husband, and playing with her sons, while daydreaming about the next hero and heroine to write about…
Find out more about her books by visiting her website:
http://www.jeanmgrant.com
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Will Rise from Ashes Page 32