Marie embraced her daughter.
“But that’s not our fault. She was just evil. Never blame yourself. I spent enough of my eternity doing that. Don’t waste your life on bitterness,” Marie said.
“When this is over, will you really have to leave?” Mallorie asked.
Marie nodded.
“I’m afraid so. I know it’s not fair. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you growing up. I was always watching. I felt the same pain and confusion you felt and I know how cruel Edna was to you. Please believe me, I tried for years to get back so I could watch over you myself,” Marie said.
“I always thought it was my imagination but somehow I always knew you were there,” Mallorie said.
Marie smiled.
“No matter what I’ll be watching – just like always,” Marie said.
“Can I ask you a question? What was my dad like?” Mallorie asked.
“Charming, impulsive, intelligent, and obviously reckless,” Marie said.
“Did you love him?” Mallorie asked.
Marie offered a faint smile.
“I thought I did once. But what I came to realize was that he was my way out of here, away from Edna and her cruelty. When I realized that Edna killed him to keep me here, I couldn’t stand the guilt. I wanted to kill myself and strongly considered it a couple of times. Then I found out I was pregnant. It was about me anymore and it gave me a reason to want to live. It also thrilled dad. He hoped a grandchild would change mom,” Marie said.
“I guess that was too much to hope for,” Mallorie said.
“I think dad’s happiness is what finally pushed her over the edge and made her act on her jealousy and need for power,” Marie said.
“I just wish we had more time. I have so many more questions,” Mallorie said.
“I wish we did too,” Marie said.
“Speaking of questions, I have at least one good question for you about an old guy,” Marie said.
“He cares about me. Besides, he makes me laugh,” Mallorie said.
Marie nodded.
“He does care, I’ll give you that,” she said.
“It’s time isn’t it?” Mallorie asked as Bud walked into the room.
“I’m afraid so,” Marie said as she turned to Bud. “Thank you – for everything you’ve done for me and for Mallorie. I’ll miss seeing you on a regular basis.”
She hugged him and kissed him on the cheek.
“I’m glad I could help. And I’ll miss you too,” he said.
Marie turned to her daughter.
“Just when we were getting to know each other,” Mallorie said.
Marie nodded.
“I know. But the day will come when we can sit and not have to worry about time. We’ll have lots more to talk about then,” she said.
“I look forward to it mom,” Mallorie said.
“Until then, I’ve asked Rose to check in on you from time to time. She has some experience in that you know,” Marie said.
Mallorie laughed.
“Yeah, so I’m told.”
Marie touched Mallorie’s face.
“Goodbye sweetie,” she said as she faded away into a bright swirl of light.
Mallorie stood and stared at the space where Marie stood just seconds before.
“I lost her – again,” she said.
“You didn’t lose her. As long as you know where she is, she’s not lost,” Bud said, hugging her gently.
***
Jett and Al stood in the living room. Everyone else had already cleared out.
“For what it’s worth, I am sorry about your family,” Jett said.
Al looked at him stoically and slowly nodded.
“Nobody will ever know how much it meant to me to see one more time,” he said.
“I have some idea,” Jett said.
“Yeah, I guess you do,” Al said as he sat down on the couch and looked at the bodies strewn across the floor of the room. “Lord, what a mess – and I don’t just mean the house,” Al said.
“How are you going to handle this?” Jett asked.
“Are you asking as a friend or as the editor of the paper?” Al asked.
“Let’s say as a concerned citizen. I think the friendship boat sailed when you tried to kill me and my family,” Jett said.
“Fair enough,” Al said.
Bud and Mallorie walked back into the living room.
“Where’s Marie?” Jett asked.
“She...went back,” Mallorie said.
Jett’s face registered the sadness he felt for her.
“I’m sorry Mallorie. I didn’t know it would be so soon,” he said.
“In the meantime, she’s left me in pretty good hands for advice. Would it bother you if Rose and I talked from time to time?” She asked.
Jett grinned.
“Not at all.”
Bud broke the warm moment with a question.
“So what’s your next move Al?”
Al smiled sardonically.
“Another concerned citizen,” he stood up and rubbed the bruise on his jaw and walked over and picked up a folder. He handed it to Jett. It was the full autopsy report and investigation file on Marie’s death.
“Do what you want with that. Leave the rest to me. I want you to go home. I’ll fix this. I’m asking you to trust me one last time. Please,” Al said.
Jett started to question him but Bud grabbed his left arm and shook his head. Jett hesitated.
“One last chance at redemption,” Al said.
“Alright. One last chance,” Jett said. “Let’s get out of here,” he said to Bud and Mallorie.
“Thank you,” Al said as they walked out the ruined front door.
***
Moments later the three of them gathered with Alicia and the younger members of the family at Jett’s house.
The mood was relaxed and relieved.
“I almost hate to go home tonight,” Linda Sue said.
Jett laughed.
“You’re always welcome. I want you to consider this your home too. The same goes for you and Maggie,” he said to Alicia.
In the distance a loud boom echoed.
Dan looked up.
“What was that?” He asked with alarm.
“Explosion – a big one,” Bud said as Jett quickly dialed his cell phone.
“Ken? Any traffic on the scanner?” He asked. “Where?” He paused. “Who called dispatch?” Another pause, this one much longer, while waited for an answer. “You’re sure? No, I believe you. Y-yeah, get over there and let me know as soon as you know something. Thanks Ken.” He said.
“Well?” Bud asked.
Jett looked a little shaken. He looked at Mallorie.
“Your grandparent’s house just blew up,” he said.
“What?” She and Bud asked at the same time.
“Ken heard it on the scanner. Al called dispatch and reported he was there as part of a welfare check and there was a strong scent of natural gas outside the house. He asked that the utility and fire departments be notified. In the middle of his next transmission the explosion took place. That’s all they know right now. Ken’s on his way there,” Jett said.
“He took care of it – tied up a whole bunch of loose ends at once in a nice little bundle,” Bud said to Jett.
“But at what price?” Jett asked.
“The one he felt he had to pay,” Mallorie said.
“At least he’s reunited with his family,” Jett said.
“How do you know that?” Matt asked.
“When the flames came for Edna, Bill, and Rex, why didn’t they take Al? No, if he was going to be separated from his family forever it would have been then,” Jett said as Mallorie nodded.
***
Several hours later, Jett was so tired he almost fell into the bed. His whole body ached but his back and shoulders felt like a series of knots. He closed his eyes and felt sleep overtake him.
He woke up to someone
straddling his back and hands massaging his shoulders.
“Mmmmm. That’s nice. I’ll give you three days to stop,” he said.
“You earned it,” Rose leaned and said softly into his ear.
Her breath tickled and he smiled. He extended his right arm and patted the side of the bed.
“Lay next to me,” he said.
Rose stretched out next to him.
“Happy?” She asked.
“Very. You?” he asked.
She smiled. Her eyes twinkled.
“The same,” Rose said.
Jett leaned over and kissed her.
“I love you more now than I ever have,” he said.
She caressed his cheek.
“Looks like you’re stuck with me,” she said.
Jett smiled.
“More like the other way around. But I’ll be here as long as you’ll have me,” he said.
“I’ll love you forever and always,” Rose said as she leaned forward and kissed him again.
“I’m curious. Is there a chance we’ll have more visitors from that side somewhere in the future?” Jett asked.
Her smile faded.
“I don’t know. It’s possible,” Rose said.
Jett looked into her face.
She had that look in her eyes.
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Only When I Dream
About the Author
Richard Allen Evans is a professional sports journalist and Kentucky native now living in his East Tennessee with his wife and two girls.
Only When I Dream Page 43