The Flu (A Novel of the Outbreak)
Page 35
“I’m glad, Mick, my boys have you. I feel so secure that they’ll be loved and all right.”
“They will be, Dylan. I’ll dedicate my life to them.”
“I know you will. And this isn’t something you want to hear right now, but...I named the baby.”
In his anguish, Mick’s eyes clenched shut.
“Harry.”
Mick’s eyes opened. “You named our baby Harry?”
“Yeah. It just popped into my mind.”
“Harry?”
Dylan smiled. “Harry. So when you talk about me and the baby, you can say, Dylan and Harry.” She exhaled. “Mick, about this time, a lot of wives will tell their husbands, if you find someone you love, you move on.”
“Dylan....”
“Not me,” Dylan said enjoying the slight chuckle Mick let out. “I don’t want another woman to have you. I’ll come back and haunt you.”
Throaty, his words filled with emotions, Mick choked out, “Please do. And Dylan, I can honestly say there will never be anyone else. Ever. Any time in the past I tried to date you ruined it.”
“True.”
“Do you realize in the past eight years you are the only woman I have been with?” Mick kissed her. “No, I’m still with you, Dylan. I’m dedicated to you one hundred percent. Here or not. You’ll be alive with me.”
“Thank you for that. Mick?” Dylan’s words dropped some. “It kind of feels right now, smooth. No pain. Comforting, like I’m getting ready to fall asleep.” She felt his hold tighten. “Kind of like that one time you and I got high, fooled around and passed out in my father’s tool shed.”
“Sam found us.”
“Yeah, Sam found us,” Dylan’s speech started to slur. “You were holding me, just like now.”
“How old were we? Eighteen?”
“Yep. Remember what we did?” Dylan asked.
“Everything.”
“Everything,” Dylan repeated. “And I pretended that it was just because I was using drugs that I slept with you. Mick? I never meant that.”
“I know.” He kissed her. “We had a full life, Dylan. A lot of years, you and I.”
“A complete history.”
“I have no regrets,” Mick whispered.
Dylan’s words were barely heard. “Neither do I, Mick. Neither do I.”
Mick felt her body relax even more. He knew. As he pressed his lips more to her face, he saw her eyes open slowly, and he watched a smile form. “Dylan?”
A small airy gasp flowed from her, and Dylan spoke peacefully as her hand slowly extended outward. “Dustin.”
Gone.
With the last beat of Dylan’s heart, Mick felt the ceasing of his own. He swore he felt her last breath, felt her spirit pass through him. In awe of the peaceful silence, with his lips to her face, his arms around her, Mick curled up his body tightly, engulfing Dylan completely. Almost merging their beings, Mick, with every ounce of himself, held on to his and Dylan’s final moment.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
October 15th
The final bag went into the back of the utility vehicle and Mick slammed the hatch. He checked the cord that held the gear on top, giving a firm tug as a double check.
Lars slapped Mick’s back. “Gonna look empty out there.”
“I thought you said there’s a lot of people left.”
“There are,” Lars replied. “But it’s gonna look empty with almost eighty percent gone.”
“Emptiness might be good.” Mick gave a firm shake to Lars’ hand.
After lifting a wave to Rose and Tom, Lars walked off.
Tom exhaled as he stepped to Mick. “Take care.”
“I will.” Mick looked into the vehicle and tapped in the window. “Chris, buckle up. And get Tigger buckled tighter.”
“All right, all right,” Chris whined.
Mick looked back to Tom. “They’re in good hands with me, Tom. Are you sure you don’t want to come?” Mick asked.
“No. You guys need this.”
Mick nodded and embraced Tom. “Watch my mom.”
Tom smiled at the ridiculous notion of anyone having to watch Rose, then he gave a tap to the window, a wave to his grandsons and stepped back.
Mick walked to the driver’s side and opened the door, glancing at Rose. “You aren’t saying goodbye.”
“I don’t agree with this,” Rose said, approaching the door. “You know that.”
“It’s not for long,” Mick said and opened his door. “I’ll be back.”
“Mick, I know you feel you have to do this. It’s a big empty world right now—”
“And me and the boys need that.” Mick kissed his mother on the cheek. “We have to get away from Lodi, get our heads together. It’s too painful here. We’ll be back.”
“But are you staying?”
“Don’t know. Does it matter?”
“Yes,” Rose argued. “Yes, it does. These people need you, Mick.”
“And these boys need me more.”
Rose exhaled. “The boys can have you here in Lodi. You are the lead—”
“Right now,” Mick cut her off, “I can’t deal with leading anyone but these kids. I can’t. I have to concentrate on being a father. I want to concentrate on being a father. That’s all that matters to me.” Sliding into the truck and closing the door, Mick gave a ‘ready’ nod and smile to Chris and Tigger. When he got their agreement, he smiled again in nervous excitement and wound down the window as he turned over the ignition. “Mom, think about this. People in Lodi, they’re in good hands. Lars can handle things I got started. Tom’s here, too.”
“Yeah, they can handle it until you return. But the people here, they have to know you’re coming back. And for good. They need that. They need you,” Rose spoke soft. “You are the hero around here.”
“Good.” He smiled a little with upbeat arrogance. “And like the hero always does, I’m gonna....” Mick shifted gears and pointed at the windshield, “I’m gonna ride off into the sunset, right now.”
And Mick did.