“What? She’s awake?” Grabbing Elizabeth, James hugged her tightly, then spun her around the room. “She couldn’t have gone far. I’ll go find her,” he said, as he hopped on one foot, pulling on his pants. He ran out the door shortly thereafter.
Mary and Elizabeth followed, close on his heels.
“Hey, Shep. Did Belle let you out? Take me to her, boy. Let’s go.” James moved quickly off the porch and scanned the horizon.
“Liz, quiet… Listen… Do you hear what I hear?”
The noise grew louder by the second. A child’s laughter could be heard in the distance, coupled with the sound of running feet, like someone being chased.
“C’mon. She’s close.” The three exchanged a silent, hopeful glance, then ran around the corner in unison, coming face-to-face with Belle.
“Belle, it’s you! Talk to me, sweetheart,” Elizabeth begged.
“You’re outta breath,” James said, as a frown furrowed his brow.
“So glad you’re feeling better,” Mary added, all three now speaking at once.
“A course I’m running. He’s chasing me,” she said, giggling, looking over her shoulder.
“Who’s chasing you?” James said, the lines on his forehead deepening, as he became more concerned.
“Thomas, silly. Who’d you think?” Belle answered.
James looked wide-eyed in the distance, following the path Belle had taken, his mouth opening to speak, but the words died on his lips. Instead he fell to his knees, raising his hands in silent prayer as he saw his son coming toward him.
“He’s home,” Elizabeth screamed, reaching down to her husband, who enveloped her in a giant hug. Her eyes filled with tears, and she choked, whispering to her husband, “I’d almost lost hope.”
Mary ran to meet him, and Thomas pulled her into his arms. “Where have you been? We’ve been worried sick.”
“That…will take a while to explain,” Thomas said.
“You best get started then,” James replied, turning to face his son, his gaze falling to rest on the braces attached to his legs. “We sure have missed you,” he said, as he paused, coughing and clearing his throat. James moved in closer, and his penetrating stare focused on his son. Neither looked away.
Thomas met him head-on, not wavering.
James desperately searched for answers as he combed the face he thought he knew so well. “Son,” he said, as he grasped Thomas’s shoulders, his voice quivering, “you’ve changed. I can see it in you. A man’s eyes don’t lie.”
“Pa, I…I don’t know what to say.”
“You’re home, son, and that’s all that matters. We’ll work through the rest.”
“You know, you were with me when I was gone. Well, sort of.” He chuckled. “I tricked myself into believing you were.” Thomas’s fingers rustled in his pants pocket; he closed them around the object, then pulled it out, exposing the compass in his palm.
Elizabeth gasped. Transfixed, James stared at the gift that instantly took him back to that special day—that wonderful day—followed by the awful time in the hospital. He blinked, then focused back on his son.
“Pa,” Thomas began, “this compass kept me anchored…when I wasn’t sure if I’d make it home.” Thomas leveled his gaze at his father. “It made it seem like you were with me somehow… Sounds silly, I know,” he said, with a nod of his head.
“No, no, it doesn’t. Not at all, son,” James said, his voice shaking.
“We’ve had an adventure,” Belle said, poking her face in, as she hugged Thomas’s waist.
He picked her up, and Belle’s arms squeezed him hard.
“This is one amazing little lady,” Thomas said, turning to his little sister, who beamed from the attention. “Let’s go inside. You all need to sit down for this.”
They entered the house as the radio sparked to life. “And in national news…government officials report isolated sightings of UFOs, coming in to us since early July. The US Air Force confirmed reports of a surveillance balloon crashing near Roswell, New Mexico, which began the rumors of an extraterrestrial spaceship. Even amid growing concerns, experts state there is no cause for alarm, and they continue to maintain there is no such thing as a flying saucer.”
Thomas and Belle exchanged a knowing glance.
Elizabeth surveyed their silent communication.
“All right, you two, spill it,” she demanded.
“Ma, Pa, can this wait a few more minutes? I’ve been envisioning the motorcycle out in the barn for weeks, hoping for another ride. It won’t take long.”
James looked at his wife, her face covered with tears, then saw the wistful look on his son’s face. He nodded silently to her as he grasped her hand.
“Go, son. We’ll be here.”
“Thanks, Pa, Ma,” Thomas said, adding, “I won’t be long.” He rose and left with a loud clatter that echoed through the house. The screen door banged shut behind him.
STEPHEN, ARE YOU there?
I’m here, Arista. Come on a ride with me. You’ll love it. Thomas cleared the Harley from the barn. He paused just outside the door, grinning from ear to ear. This is incredible. I can feel you in my head. It’s like you’re here with me.
I am there with you. When do we start? I can’t wait!
Now. The engine roared to life with a rumble, and Thomas let out the throttle. There’s nothing else like this. You feel it?
It’s amazing. Where are we going?
Thomas tilted his head back and laughed, invigorated as the air rushed passed him. Hold on tight. You’ll see. You’re the one going on a trip this time.
My mother who has been my mentor, my most ardent fan and believed in me every step of the way, my husband who loves and supports me in all things, and my sisters and children. They have all been with me through every stage of the incredible journey of crafting this book, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Denise Barker—Thank you for your dedication to your craft. You do amazing work!
BHC Press—Thanks to the team at BHC Press! You are a joy to work with in making Remeon’s Destiny a reality.
I had so much fun creating this world, and I hope you enjoyed Remeon’s Destiny as much as I did writing it.
I would love to hear from you! Please consider leaving a book review at your favorite site, or feel free to drop me a note at my website at: www.jwgarrett.com.
Until next time,
J.W. Garrett
J.W. Garrett has been writing in one form or another since she was a teenager. She currently lives in Florida with her family, but loves the mountains of Virginia where she was born. Her writings include poetry, short stories, and since putting the final touches on her young adult fantasy novel, she has been hard at work on a sequel. When she’s not hanging out with her characters, her favorite activities are reading, running and spending time with family.
Visit the author at:
www.jwgarrett.com
and
www.bhcpress.com
Remeon's Destiny Page 23