by J. B. Craig
At that moment, Greg and Maria came running out of the wood line, laughing out loud.
“About damn time, dear Brother!”, Maria yelled between sobs, and hit her brother at full speed, both of them spinning around before landing on the ground, laughing. Greg walked to his children and kneeled as they laughed and talked twin-speak, their own language that evolved since their days in the crib.
Finally, his son Jared got back to his feet, and helped his father to his feet. When both men looked at each other, the son snapped to attention. He saluted his father until he got a return salute. “Lieutenant Creighton, presumed, reporting for duty, Dad. I have two squads of life takers and heartbreakers here to serve as you deem fit.” One of the men stepped out of line, as Este walked up to him, and placed his huge hand on the man’s shoulder. While Este was dealing with the strayer, a woman in line set down her rifle, and walked over to watch Jared meet his family, with love and tears in her eyes.
From back by Este, Bannon heard “It’s all good big guy.” The wandering man said to Este. “I know Mr. C, and would never hurt him.” He looked at Jared’s dad, “How you doing, Sir?”
Greg looked at the raggedy man from the back of the line. “Is that you, Wayne? You’ve lost some weight. The Apocalypse diet seems to be working for both of us.”
Wayne laughed, and said, “It was a long road here, Mr. C. I’m looking forward to putting on some weight. I’m wrestling too many weight classes down. ”
Este, the Giant, said, “He’s Jefe, not Mr. C.”
Wayne looked waaaay up at Este’s face, and said, “I’ve known him longer, big dude. How about you let go of my shoulder now, because you seem like a good guy, and I don’t want to hurt you.”
Este looked at the young man, feeling his shoulders tense under his iron grip, and a look passed over his face that seemed to respect the balls on this Wayne person.
Greg waved off both men, diffusing the situation with, “Este – Wayne here is Georgia’s state wrestling champion at the 220-lb.weight class. Wayne, Este has saved my life many times, and I’m afraid of him, too.” Both men nodded at Greg and seemed to back off of each other just a little bit.
“You guys just settle down. We’re on the same team here.”, said Jared. Greg hugged his son, and the two embraced long enough to catch up on almost a full year apart. Both were sobbing. Finally, they separated. Greg looked in his son’s face, and asked with great difficulty, “Um, Your mom?”
“That’s a long story, Dad. Can you get my platoon some food? I’m a little tired, too.” Then, Jared’s eyes rolled up into his head, and he passed out, with his father catching him just before he hit the ground. Wayne and the woman ran up and briefed Greg on the situation.
The girl looked anxious. “Sir, he’s been giving up his rations for the team and driving himself too hard for too long. He had this as his goal and must be wrecked.” She parted Jared’s sweaty hair and wiped it to the sides lovingly. Her tears dripped onto his face as she kissed him. Then she looked up at Greg and said, “I’m Lucia, and he’s with me.”
Greg nodded at her. “Pleased to meet you. Jared is a very lucky man.”
Wayne politely moved everyone out of the way, then said, “I’ll carry him, you show the way.” With that, Wayne reached down and slung Jared over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry.” He and Lucia were hurried off to a house near Greg’s where Jared was tucked into nearby bed with a view of the Rock Harbor Sandbar and the Potomac behind it. Ethyl the cook provided them with food that would last the night.
That evening at the community center, Gunny had a run for her money regarding her “Giving orders voice”. It started with Maria and her ordering around the men, trying to clear the way for Jared and Wayne while getting his platoon safely through the minefield and into a house. Back at the center, they got started on getting them all fed and settled in with Ethyl and Leilani running the kitchen efficiently, despite the timing delivering a good snack, with promises of introductions at breakfast. Gunny gained an appreciation for Maria’s management style, and Maria learned that you don’t mess with a Marine.
By the time the sun was coming up and everyone had at least a short nap, everyone was settled in at the community center, looking forward to an amazing breakfast by Esther and Leilani at the Rock Harbor Apocalypse kitchen.
Author’s Note
Wow, you readers rock! I published the first book way too early after a ‘motivating event’ pushed me to finally just hit PUBLISH and not give a damn about the torpedoes. I really apologize for all of the SPAG (spelling and grammar) errors, as well as some continuity problems. I did edit it four times, but many authors can’t edit their own stuff and pick out things that are clear in our head, but don’t make it to the paper. Now I have an editor (thanks, Kricket!)
This has been the job I’ve ever had (aside from husband and father), and I wouldn’t still be writing if you, friend, weren’t helping me with your purchase, or pages read on Kindle (Half-Million of them in March ’18) – the loaner program is the real deal, financially. With your support, how could I not keep the world of Rock Harbor alive with this book, the next one (Jared’s Journey), and the next one – You haven’t seen the end of Reid, Jonah, and the rest of the Dragons, I promise!
Book five – That’s yet to be determined. There’s one more family member who might still make an entrance… That is harder to get my head around, but I may try.
To all of you who give the honest reviews… Thank you! You’re telling me all the things I kept thinking “I need to fix that crap” before publishing. The second edition of each book will look a lot better, thanks to y’all. I’m glad that most reviewers do like the story. There will be fewer descriptions of guns and fishing tackle going forward, I promise. ☺
Aloha, Lads and Lassies! I’ll catch your mind next story time. Be well until then.
* * *
[1]Good story to come.
[2]Are we going by Peters or Perry most of the time? Should probably pick one as not to confuse your readers.
[3]Below needs resolution/decisions, then we move on and finish. Would suggest part 2 with Greg seeing his daughter gets two different versions; a contest submission end and an end that tails into telling Maria about his adventures, situation with Jen, etc.