One Blink From Oblivion
Page 31
“Max, you don’t have to do this. Let’s just get out of here. No one should have to do such a thing. We’ll leave this hell, get out of the Valley.”
After a prolonged silence, “If you leave again Maxy sweetheart this time you’re gonna’ have to take Big Mama with you,” Big Mama’s voice is tired and older then he recalls but the essence of love remains, “now help me out this here tub boy. I must have passed out from the smell of that god-awful man on top of me. He caught me by surprise while I was filing my nails. We wrestled a bit and he fell on top of me in the tub. By the grace of the good Lord Jesus, my nail file found its way into his eye during our fall. A few other loonies came poking around soon after, so I just laid real still and figured I’d wait ‘em out. I guess it worked, but I can’t say I remember much after that. Did they take anything Maxy?”
Big Mama is now sitting upright and reaching for Max’s hand. Max and Brooke share a look of joy that neither would have thought ever again possible only a moment ago. Max takes hold of Big Mama’s hand and Brooke pitches in from his side.
“Hey there Brooke sweetie. Would you be a doll and bring me my cell phone so I can call the authorities about this hooligan?”
Brooke shifts her weight to gain better leverage for the lift, “Mrs. Mills, a lot has happened that you should know about before you leave this room.”
“Okay sugar you can tell me all about it as long as you promise to call me Big Mama, Mrs. Mills makes me feel like an old lady.”
So far, Max has stood silent, content just to hear the velvety melodious sounds of Big Mama’s voice. She now stands fully upright and he helps her step out of the tub and onto the more sure footing of the bedroom carpet. He draws her in close and hugs her with his heart and soul as well as his good arm. He still says nothing. He has too much to be thankful for and too much to express to know where he should even begin.
Over the next thirty-plus minutes, Brooke recounts the impossible events of the night and the world outside that will be forever changed. Big Mama never doubts a single word of the amazing and horrific story she is told. The two ladies cry together and find solace in each other’s words of support and comfort. Max says nothing.
With all in agreement that it is time to leave, Max grabs the keys to his grandmother’s car and after convincing her to keep her eyes closed, walks her down the stairs and out of the house. They step onto the front porch and breathe deeply of the fresh morning air.
Lounging upon the dew laced grass of the font yard and looking right at home is Max’s lost companion. The amazing animal lifts Max’s spirits even higher. Brooke turns to him with a look of confusion and amazement. As Max, Brooke and Big Mama stand on the front porch feeling the first light of a day that none of them thought they would ever live to see, Max takes Brooke’s hand in his own. Whatever comes next they will face it together -he, his girls and apparently his new dog. He looks lovingly into Brooke’s eyes… she smiles up at him. He leans in to give her a kiss and just before their lips meet, he makes one last silent prayer… that the yellow gleam he just saw in her eyes was merely a reflection of the sunrise over his right shoulder.
The End