Saving Us

by Ashley Johnson

  “Let’s get going Mr. T,” I say climbing into the truck.

  The drive begins to one of his favorite fishing holes. It’s set back in the woods so not many people know where it is. Once the truck is parked, I help him unload the poles and we bait the lines before setting our chairs up on the bank. It’s the perfect day. The sun is out but there are just enough clouds around to keep the sun from beating down on us.

  I cast my line out just before he does. Satisfied with the perfect spot, it’s now time to sit and wait for something to bite. I’m in my own little world until Mr. Thomas breaks the silence.

  “So, how are things going with you and Sybil? I’m assuming you two haven’t killed each other yet.”

  I chuckle, if he only knew about this morning. “We’re both still alive, still have all our limbs. I wasn’t sure I’d live this morning though. She was a bit hormonal and bit my freaking head off.”

  “Women,” he laughs shaking his head. “They drive us crazy but we can’t live without them.”

  “You are very right about that. I know the one year is coming up and that’s bothering her. Hell, it bothers me and I just hope she doesn’t push me away.”

  “It’s very tough on all of us son, but having each other is all we can do. She may push you away but all you can do is be there for her and she’ll find her way back to you. Caleb would be happy to know you’re taking care of her.”

  “Would he really? I love her David. I’m in love with her but I haven’t told her and I won’t until I know she’s truly ready. With everything she’s been through, she’s not ready. I may not even be ready. I just can’t help but sometimes think that this wasn’t supposed to happen. Would he honestly be happy?” I feel like a pansy for admitting all this to my best friend’s dad but he shows no signs of judgment as he listens to me talk.

  “Cory, I’ve watched you grow up alongside Caleb. You two were inseparable. In life, we can never tell what’s going to happen. If you love her like you say you do, you don’t have to come out and tell her, afraid it will scare her. No one knows what you’re going through besides the two of you. All you can do is show her through your actions and hopefully she reciprocates. Unfortunately, we will never know what Caleb would really be ok with, but he didn’t really leave us a choice in the matter did he? That was my only son and I miss him every day and if I could, I would have fixed this for him.”

  “So, it’s not wrong to love her?” I ask timidly.

  “You can’t help who you love.” He replies. “How’s her self-defense classes going?”

  I nearly choke trying not to laugh when he asks that. Once my throat is cleared, I respond, “She’s getting tough, I seem to become her practice dummy when she gets home. I’d hate to be the person who pisses her off.”

  He chuckles before suddenly staring at his line. “Come to daddy,” he beckons quietly. He continues to watch his line and suddenly begins to reel his line in. He smiles at his victory, “Game on son, I just caught the first fish and you have nothing.”

  I laugh as I reel my line in. The bait is gone so I put more bait on the hook and send it back out into the water.

  ***

  Sybil

  I haven’t been to the mall in weeks, not since Blaine showed back up. Thankfully, he hasn’t since. Lillian and I walk around store to store feeding our shopping addiction like its candy. We stop and walk to the food court to grab a drink. Shopping really brings out the thirst in me. We’re standing in line in front of The Great American Cookie Company, when she turns to me.

  “How are things with Cory?”

  This was a conversation I knew was coming but hoped it would wait until later. I can’t avoid it though, so I turn to face her.

  “It’s going really good. He asked me to be his girlfriend this morning.” I smile.

  “He did? I’m assuming you said yes?” she asks.

  My face flushes a little, it still feels odd to talk about this with her but then she is the only person I have to talk to. “I did. It feels weird sometimes to think about it but he makes me happy. He takes care of me and I couldn’t imagine going through any of this without him. Sometimes, it feels wrong but I’m trying to believe it’s right.”

  We each order a cookie and a drink and walk to sit at a table. “All I want is for you to be happy, Sybil. It’s ok to want it to be right. You and I have had this talk before. It’s so good to see you actually smiling again.”

  “It feels great to smile.” I say taking a bite of my cookie.

  She doesn’t pry anymore and I don’t sit there and swoon about Cory. No matter how giddy he makes me, I just don’t. My mind wanders to Cory though and I wonder if he’s having a good time fishing. The thought of the sun against his skin sends shivers up my spine. I find myself grinning like a fool and I can’t help it.

  “You’re thinking about him aren’t you?” Caleb’s mom interrupts with a smile on her face.

  “Am I that obvious?”

  “Just a little but it’s a good thing. Come on let’s go spend some more money.”

  I stand happily to my feet and we continue our trip. We walk out with more than we can carry and my arms are relieved when we set the bags in the trunk of her car.

  ***

  A smile instantly forms on my face when I see the truck is back home before us. I can’t wait to see Cory, although I know we won’t show any form of emotional attachment around Caleb’s parents out of nothing more than utter respect. His truck is unlocked so I grab my bags and transfer them to the cab. His arm snaking itself around my waist nearly causes me to jump. Turning to face him, I can’t help but smile.

  “Hey gorgeous, I missed you,” he whispers against my ear. My body lights up just by this small gesture.

  “You smell like fish, but I missed you too.”

  He leans in planting a soft kiss on my lips. “We caught enough for dinner, you ok with eating here?” He searches my eyes to make sure I’m going to be honest.

  “Yeah,” I sigh. “Its fine. I’m good.”

  “You’re not going to try to cut me with a knife in there are you?” He says jokingly.

  My hand sits on my hip and my head cocks to the side. I know I went a little postal this morning on him and said things I shouldn’t have. My mind tends to overdo itself sometimes and it doesn’t help that the one year anniversary of Caleb’s death is quickly approaching. Not wanting to admit the guilt that began to course through my veins this morning, I did what I knew to do best, take it out by being a bitch. Cory didn’t deserve that though. He still hurts too, I know he does. He’s going through his own shit so for me to have behaved the way I did, hormonal or not, is no excuse.

  “Cory, really? I would have cut you back at the apartment if I were going to.” I smirk.

  He shakes his head smiling and looks into the cab of the truck. “What the hell did you do? Buy out the entire mall?”

  “Something like that,” I say before walking towards the front door.

  Walking inside never gets easier, even after almost a year. The same pictures sit in the same places and my eyes still roam to them. Cory’s hand reaches for mine and my eyes look up to his. His eyes are glassy and I know this is hurting him too. An awkward feeling rushes through me, almost telling me not to hold Cory’s hand, but I remember that the past is the past. Caleb is dead and Cory and I are now….together. Confidently, I smile at Caleb’s picture and draw in a deep breath. It’s about time I felt ok about this.

  Chapter 35

  Cory

  Time is supposed to make things easier, but being inside this house, staring at the pictures of my best friend while I’m reaching for Sybil’s hand, almost feels wrong. It takes everything in me to convince myself that it’s ok. Everything is ok. She places her hand in mine and a small smile tugs at my lips. As we near the living room, Mr. Thomas smiles and her hand slowly begins to pull away from mine. One squeeze of assurance is all I need to give her and she instantly relaxes. The TV is on a local news channel and the wea
ther man is discussing a tropical system that has formed in the Gulf. As of right now, there is no sure track. These storms can change paths at any given moment. Sybil moves closer to the couch pulling me with her as she studies the screen. The weatherman predicts wherever the storm decides to make landfall, it may be as strong as a category four storm.

  “I hope that thing stays away from here.” She whispers.

  “Me too.”

  “We all hope it does,” Mr. Thomas says. “But if it does come here, we plan on staying. This house is very sturdy and we have a generator ready. I’d expect you two to be here.”

  “Yes, sir. We’ll just have to keep an eye on this one.”

  “You ready to get some of this fish frying?” he asks smiling.

  I release Sybil’s hand and follow him out back. It doesn’t take long to clean the fish and soon we batter the first batch and set it in the fryer. Thirty minutes later, dinner is ready and we are all sitting around the table.

  Sybil steps away to help clean the kitchen after eating and I can’t help but feel that slight tugging at my heart. There are so many things I want to say to her but it’s not the right time. Scaring her away isn’t an option.

  “I’m glad you two came over today.” Mrs. Thomas says pulling me in for a hug. “We love you two so much.”

  “We love you too.”

  “There’s plenty of leftovers, I’ll fix you a plate to take home.”

  “That would be great, thank you.”

  “So tell me, who caught more fish today?” she smiles.

  “It was all me, scouts honor.” I say placing my hand on my heart. Immediately, I begin grinning like a fool and she laughs as she grabs a plate walking it into the kitchen.

  Sybil is standing on her toes trying to set a plate in the cabinet. She’s so small, I can’t help but smile. “Here, let me help you.”

  She turns around, her face red from trying. “Thanks, I’m feeling a little vertically challenged today.”

  “You’re so damn cute,” I chuckle.

  Her face turns a deeper shade of red and I can’t help but smile at the effect I have on her. She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear as she tries to play it off but she’s failing miserably. I turn my head looking to make sure the coast is clear and lean in lightly brushing my lips against her cheek. Her skin is so soft and when my lips pull away, her eyes meet mine. There’s a slight sparkle in her beautiful eyes. She completely owns my heart and doesn’t even know it.

  With ease, I set the plate in the cabinet. “See that was easy, maybe next time I can put you on my shoulders so you can reach.”

  She sticks her tongue out at me and laughs. “You’re so funny, you know that? I think I’ll sleep in my own room tonight.”

  “Damn girl, you play rough.”

  “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

  My dick twitches at her words, I shouldn’t be thinking like that in this house of all places but I can’t help it. She laughs brushing past me walking back into the living room. It takes a moment to adjust myself before I can join her and all eyes are once again on the TV. In a matter of minutes, the storm has been upgraded and now has a name. Hurricane Aaron is born and is gaining strength rapidly.

  Sybil yawns and I know it’s time to get her home. It’s getting late and if we sit here, she’ll stare at the TV and worry herself to death.

  “I think we’re going to go ahead and head home.” I tell Mr. and Mrs. Thomas. “Thank you for today, it means a lot.”

  “You two are welcome here anytime, you know that. We’ll all keep an eye on this storm and see what happens.”

  “Yes sir, sounds like a plan.”

  We walk to the truck and the minute the front door shuts, I scoop Sybil into my arms. She squeals trying to be quiet but it’s no use. My lips crush feverishly with hers, kissing her long and hard. “Let’s get home.”

  ***

  Sybil

  It’s been two days since we were at Caleb’s parent’s house. Two days since that stupid hurricane formed in the Gulf and it’s all I can pay attention to. The storm is slowly inching closer and closer but no exact path is known. Hurricane Aaron looks like it could go a few different paths but it’s menacingly heading this way. Every fiber in me prays it will change its path and come nowhere near us. I hate to imagine another place getting hit but it doesn’t have to be us. Cory comes walking in with bags of groceries and laughs when he sees me on the edge of the couch staring mindlessly at the TV screen.

  “Are you still watching that?” he asks.

  Turning to face him, a smile spreads across my face. “No. Ok, yes I am. I’m worried about this one. I want to go to the store tomorrow to beat the panicked crowd before it gets too late.”

  “It’s all taken care of. I have a few cases of water in the backseat of the truck and some things we can eat if all else fails. We aren’t staying here anyway if it comes and Caleb’s parents have a gas stove so we’re good.”

  Cory is so thoughtful. He thinks of everything. “I really don’t know what I would do without you.”

  My hand wants to fly up to my mouth because I can’t believe I just said that. He sets the bags on the counter and walks up to me. Standing to meet him, his arm wraps around my waist and he pulls me closer to him. Our chests are touching, I’m almost positive he can feel my heart beating.

  He leans in and whispers huskily in my ear, “I will do anything and everything possible to take care of you. There isn’t a single thing in this world I wouldn’t do for you, Sybil.”

  His words take my breath away and if his arm wasn’t around my waist, my knees would probably buckle. His lips brush lightly against my ear causing my breath to hitch. Oh the things he does to me. My eyes close taking this moment in for all its worth. His lips move from my ear as he kisses a trail to my lips. Eagerly my lips meet his and my arms wrap around him. I kiss him with everything I have. He makes me feel safe and that is all I need.

  He breaks the kiss and smiles at me. “You hungry? I picked up some stuff to make spaghetti.”

  “I don’t have an appetite,” I admit.

  “And why not?” he asks in a sexy voice.

  I can hear myself gulp. Good lord, what is going on? “I, uh. I’m just not hungry.”

  “Sybil, you’re worrying yourself sick over this storm aren’t you.” Weakly, I nod my head yes. Cory shakes his head and laughs, “Babe, you have to eat. I’m cooking so sit down and relax.”

  “Let me help you.” I offer.

  “Yeah? Ok well let’s see, get the pasta boiling and I’ll make the meatballs.”

  “I can do that.”

  I open the bottom cabinet and bend over to look for the pot. I almost hit my head on the cabinet when I hear Cory start choking. “What’s wrong? Are you ok Cory?”

  “Yeah, the uh water went down the wrong way.”

  “You aren’t drinking water.” I eyeball him suspiciously.

  “You’re right I’m not. You really shouldn’t bend over like that or we may not be eating dinner at all tonight.”

  “You are a mess Cory. Here fill this up with water. I’d hate to turn you on when I turn the faucet on.”

  He doubles over laughing as he takes the pot from my hands. He places it on the stove and I turn the burner on to begin boiling the water. Cory grabs two beers out of the fridge and hands one to me. He continues cooking our dinner and it smells amazing. After we eat, we lay on the couch and Cory is quick to turn the weather off. The weatherman just said he had a recent update but Cory won’t have it. He turns on Netflix and we begin watching episodes of American Horror Story from season one. My head rests on his chest and he holds me close when I jump a few times. I’m a bit of a coward but he doesn’t seem to mind. My eyes feel heavy, but I manage to stay awake. The show is pretty addicting and I couldn’t stop watching if I tried. Four episodes in, I hear Cory lightly snoring. Slowly, I raise my head to look at him. He looks so peaceful and beautiful at the same time. The thought to wake him crosses my mind,
but instead I grab the remote and turn Netflix off.

  I turn the weather back on and my eyes grow wide. Hurricane Aaron has intensified and our area is now under a hurricane watch. Aaron is looking to make landfall in the next three days and my worst fear is coming true. He’s coming here and he’s not looking to be slowing down. A lump forms in my throat and panic fills me. This year has been unforgiving and completely brutal in every aspect. First Caleb, then Megan and now a damn hurricane is coming.

  Chapter 36

  Cory

  Three days ago while sleeping on the couch, Sybil woke me freaking out. She could hardly speak, but her eyes were filled with tears. All she could do was point at the TV. I could have fussed at her for turning the damn weather on and stressing about it, but all I knew she needed me to hold her and tell her everything would be ok. The next day we made final preparations to the apartment and packed a bag to take with us to David and Lillian’s house. I hate that we’ve gone through so much this year.

  Hurricane Aaron is going to hit land as a category four and even though we are inland, the threat is still quite dangerous for us. The entire city is in panic mode, although everyone has known about the storm for a while now. Yesterday morning I went behind Sybil double checking everything she packed to make sure she wasn’t forgetting anything. Once the truck was loaded, we headed over to David and Lillian’s.

  Sybil is sitting by the window staring at the tree in the front yard. Aaron hasn’t fully hit yet, but the outer rain bands are beginning to come in. The local news is saying that the brunt of the storm will hit in the next few hours. I walk over to her and kiss her cheek. She turns to look at me and gives a faint smile.

  “Cory, can you come give me a hand with this generator? I just want to double check it and make sure it’s all good to go.”