Vigilante Angels Trilogy
Page 43
With that, they stood and said their goodbyes. Tara and Micco watched the couple ride down the road, the music resuming as they waved and disappeared into the distance.
“YOU READY?” MICCO ASKED Tara.
“Ready as ever. Let’s do this.”
They walked to the shoreline and placed their bags into a dugout canoe with outriggers on both sides. The sides were painted with bright Seminole glyphs, and under the back lip in red letters read ‘Domingo.’ Micco and Tara pulled it into the light surf and hopped on board. They paddled quickly to move beyond the surf line, and then slowed their pace to catch their breath.
“I never thought this old pet project of mine would have such a reverent purpose,” Micco said.
“It all comes back to karma,” Tara responded. “I think everything has a purpose, and you were guided to this one, Micco. Tommy would absolutely love this.”
She opened her bag, produced the box and sat it next to her. “I saved just a little of him to keep with me always,” she said.
Micco looked at her, confused, and she patted a silver teardrop pendant that hung from her neck.
They moved out further, waiting as the tide provided a lull in the sea. Micco used his paddle to spin the boat to face a bungalow in the distance, sitting on a small private key.
Tara pulled the box onto her lap and kissed it. She then lifted the box over her head.
“Be well on your journey, Tommy,” Micco said solemnly.
“Goodbye again, Just Tommy. You were the one I’d always searched for. Our time together was short, but perfect. I’ll always love you, and I’ll see you when my time here is finished as well.”
She opened the box and tipped it slightly forward. The ocean breeze seemed to pick up on command, and the contents of the wooden box were swept out slowly, curling into the wind and then scattering until they were no longer visible.
When it was empty, she closed it and placed it again by her side. They wordlessly paddled back to shore, the sun setting in a large orange glow on the horizon behind them.
Epilogue/Letters
Nurse Carmen,
By now you know the news. I wanted to thank you for caring for me and tolerating my nonsense. You got this old Marine through some pretty tough times. I’m sure Moses would say the same. In fact, by the time you read this, he’ll be right here next to me, and he says hello. The dynamic duo will be together again. Hopefully in a place that’s heavenly and not hell.
I had a lot of insurance—it was supposed to be for my boy. When he passed, I sat down and tried to think of the people that make a difference for others. Those are the kind I want to help. People like you.
I remember you telling me the story about the Barbie camper you had wanted so badly for Christmas, and that you still had it, much worse for wear and tear.
I took the liberty of purchasing a new one for you, which you should find outside the hospital on the day you receive this letter. A beautiful, shiny camper van of your own. Find someone nice, as nice as you, and take it and explore this beautiful country. Don’t work so hard!
I also established a fund for you to continue your education and become a doctor, as you wanted to. The amount there should be plenty to live on until you complete your studies. You are a natural caregiver. Please take advantage of this and go on helping the sick. Make me proud and find a cure for this horrible disease.
Love, Tommy
Lukas,
I know that all your Uncle Moses wanted was the best for you. The Black Eagles bailed me out of a jam and may have saved my life that day at the cemetery. For that, I owe you. On the day you receive this, you should find a set of brand-new bikes parked outside the apartments. The Eagles will now fly in style, which means less time fixing the bikes, and more time riding.
I also left you and Tass a nice sum of money to begin your new lives together. Congratulations if you’re already married by the time you receive this, and sorry I haven’t been able to keep in touch.
Stay true to your oath to be a force for goodness. We don’t have enough of that in this world.
Love, Tommy
Margie,
I’m sorry I had to go in the direction I did. After our son’s death, I was empty, and all I could look forward to was being with him. Hopefully, that’s where I am as you read this letter. We had so many wonderful years together, Margie, and I want you to know that you will always be a part of me, even where I am now.
If you can do anything for Bobby and me, you know what it is. Put the bottle away and be as healthy and happy as you can. We’ll be cheering you on—just look skyward if you ever need encouragement.
Love, Tommy
Dearest Tara,
As you read this, it’s over, and hopefully I died in your arms. It’s all I wanted. You gave me the most beautiful days and nights of my life. You are a beautiful soul, and if the entire world were made in your image, we’d have no hatred.
It was excruciating to leave you after our little vacation, especially after those beautiful days we had together on the private key. But I had to do what I did, for reasons you are well aware of now. When I discovered that I was sick and my time was limited, I decided to leave the world a better place than I found it. I think I’ve done that.
Please care for Whitey as I would. I left you a sum of money for him and for yourself, in case you want to give up the fruits and veggies business someday. Love him and apologize to him for me. I hope we can have dogs in heaven. If so, I look forward very much to the three of us reuniting someday.
Hopefully, I got that one last kiss. I left instructions to Lukas to bring me back to you one more time. I hope that was alright, and I trust that you will know what to do.
Love eternally,
Just Tommy
The End
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Badass Vigilante Angels T-Shirts!
All the cool vigilantes are wearing these high-quality comfortable long-sleeve and short-sleeve t-shirts https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=w_bl_sl_s_ap_web_7141123011?ie=UTF8&node=7141123011&field-brandtextbin=DeCarlo+Merch
Other books by Billy DeCarlo :
DroidMesh Trilogy Book 1: Sped-Bot
The remnants of civilization create utopia on an alien planet. A robotic scientist breaks the rules to try to make his impaired son whole. Meshing android and human minds is considered impossible, a societal taboo, and illegal. Can love, sorrow, and a technical challenge motivate a man beyond ethical boundaries? What happens when it all goes wrong? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CRG5SLK
DroidMesh Trilogy Book 2: Love-Bot
Because of a firmware flaw and an overly ambitious project to mesh android and human brains, the android population on Novae Terrae now have human emotions—and human flaws. Robotics scientist Harley Harris wants a peaceful coexistence between androids and humans on a planet that humans have escaped to during the apocalypse on Earth. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CRN6M98
DroidMesh Trilogy Book 3: War-Bot
The humans and newly awakened, self-aware androids of Novae Terrae have come to an uneasy truce. Robotics scientist Harley Harris has sorted out his relationship issues, leaving behind a scorned and angry former partner. Will the peace hold after the androids come to the AI-driven logical conclusion that humans are inferior and unnecessary?Will Harley’s former partner be driven by revenge or virtue? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CTD5VRS
Billy DeCarlo
Billy DeCarlo is an American author of novels and short stories.
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