Cries Of The World
Page 11
The gun barked and bucked just as she thought it would, and she changed targets, making sure that Blake was clear when she fired on him. He dropped, never even suspecting there was someone behind him until the man to his left fell.
Her vision narrowed on the last man holding Sandra and she’d hesitated. It was a tight shot, and she wasn’t confident. Then came the helicopter, the explosion and the crash. She let her body fall forwards as Blake took the shot. The man holding Sandra had started to slump in slow motion, and she was able to roll close and take Sandra’s weight as the man collapsed.
Sandra’s hot breath and warm body told her she was still alive, but it had been a close thing. After the APC arrived and Duncan loaded them all up, it took them back, clearing a path through the forest as the armored vehicle literally pushed small trees and obstacles out of the way. Duncan was more than a little disturbed and ranting in a way Melissa had never seen from a preacher, but she understood the anger. His sons in law, his only daughter, his grandchild…
She’d gotten back to find her Father and Mother standing there, their faces full of shock, hurt.
“Why’d you run out on us like that?” Curt, her father, demanded.
“They had Bobby,” she’d told him shortly.
“You’re not some soldier, you’re just…” Curt began.
“She is a soldier,” Curt’s wife spoke up, pushing out of his arms, “For months now, she’s trained, she’s fought, she’s learned. Don’t you try to take her hard work away from her!”
“But she could have been killed, or hurt! Over some boy who keeps—“
“Daddy, I love him,” Melissa said, stepping into Bobby’s arms.
“And I love her too. I was going to ask your permission to marry her, now that she’s old enough, but maybe you and I won’t ever see eye to eye.” Bobby said, his voice cold and emotionless.
“Excuse me?” Curt blurted, not quite covering up the gasp his wife let slip out.
“If you dislike me so much sir, then I’ll marry her without your permission. We’re both adults now and you’re more than a little bit over-protective,” Bobby said, taking Melissa by the hand and starting to leave.
“Wait!” Curt yelled, his face red.
“Yes?” Bobby and Melissa asked.
“Melissa, I’m sorry. Bobby is a nice… Oh shit, fine. Yes, Bobby, you have my permission,” Curt thrust out his hand, and, with a grin, Bobby walked up and tried not to wince as Curt crushed his hand in a very firm shake and whispered to him.
“Someday when you are a father,” Curt whispered, “and you have a daughter or two, you’ll understand why it’s so hard to let go. Don’t hurt her.”
“I won’t. Thanks Curt,” Bobby said, smiling despite the pain.
* * *
Weeks had gone by, and the only excitement was Sgt. Silverman sending out three of his best mechanics to the Homestead. Farm equipment isn’t a whole lot different than other diesel powered equipment, and, with the tractor dealerships nearby, they were able to cobble enough together to get a couple combines and various tractors started. Crewing them and putting the food up would be for the homestead to decide. Blake’s crew would get what they needed, and the newly formed militia guard co-ran by Silverman and Sandra would help distribute it. Things would get back to normal somehow, or they would deal with things as it came.
“Hey, Blake, Chris?” Sandra called softly, knowing it was time for Rebel Radio.
“Yeah?” Blake asked from the other room.
“Come quick,” Sandra said, but her voice didn’t sound distressed, she had been relaxing in the bedroom.
Blake came in with a handset, but he’d already asked Patty and David to sit in if there was something specific shot his way during the Q&A.
“Hey Mommy, me and grandma were making cookies,” Chris said, crawling up on the bed next to Sandra.
His little body molded it to her side and he smiled and rubbed her stomach, something that had almost become iconic. Blake sat down next to her, still concerned. Sandra rarely was sick, but she hadn’t wanted to get out of bed that day. She assured them all she was fine, but Blake couldn’t imagine what it was that she was calling them in for.
“Right here,” she said, taking both of their hands and pushing them against her stomach.
“Tickles!” Chris giggled.
“Oh wow,” Blake said, his face lighting up, “Hey there little dude,” a grin tugging at his face.
“Or dudette!” Chris said.
They laughed. It could be a girl! They were all relieved to be able to feel the baby for themselves. The tranquilizer hadn’t hurt the baby after all.
“Blake, honey?” Sandra asked, her eyes moist with unshed tears.
“Yeah? He asked, running his free hand through her hair.
“I love you.”
“I love you too,” Blake smiled and Chris grinned.
They felt the baby play parkour in Sandra’s stomach and everything was all right in the world for them in that moment.
--The End --
About the Author
Boyd Craven III was born and raised in Michigan, an avid outdoorsman who’s always loved to read and write from a young age. When he isn’t working outside on the farm, or chasing a household of kids, he’s sitting in his Lazy Boy, typing away.
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