Free True Heroes by Myles Gann Page B

standing up and leading the answer. Introductions were over before Caleb managed to gather his mind and lift himself from his deep seat. He wondered, out of a need for a distracting thought, ‘How did Carol develop into the devout Catholic she is without coming to church but a few times in her life?’ His feet made padded noises as he walked and continued to wonder. ‘I mean, she isn’t exactly a nun, but her devotion to such an establishment in this day and age is inspiring. I know every Lent is a guaranteed forty days away from whatever she pledges, even as everyone else topples to temptation. Those forty days and nights are hers to glow over a majority of humanity, or at least even more so than she already does. I’ve never seen her give up on anything once she starts, especially not during that endurance test.’
                  “Caleb has talked about you on more than one occasion. Nothing but good things, of course.”
                  ‘That devotion really solidifies my fuzzy feeling around her. It’s that kind of thing that lets me know that taking our relationship to this level is an incredible idea. Smile and nod. Home clear. Anyways, old age will be a hoot with her. I know I’ll never let myself be bed ridden, and I’m sure all of her fancy doctor money will have us living in whatever country we want. I could swim in this fantasy to cool my confusion forever, but why would I want to when I have the real thing right next to me? It would take one heck of a screw-up for either of us to walk away from what we feel for one another.’
                  “Did he climb out through the window?” His mom’s voice came from behind Carol as she stood to the side and let the two older friends embrace in a hug. “Father.”
                  “Hello, Audrey. How have you been lately?”
                  “Your mom and I were talking….” Carol’s voice had an unnatural ability to overlap and drown out the voices and actions of other people. ‘What are the old people talking about? Can’t even hear them with this little, beautiful parrot on my shoulder.’ “She knows about us, and approves.”
                  “That all you two talked about?”
                  Carol smiled playfully. “Well, we couldn’t say much between prayers, what with God listening in on us and all.” ‘Ah wonderful sarcasm.’
                  “Are we doing anything tonight? I’d like to hear the rest of my mother’s insights.”
                  Lips parted, piercing white teeth shown through her faded, red lips as she inched her mouth closer to his ear. “Funny thing is your mom asked me the same question and even offered a suggestion. Movie, your place, while I do homework?”
                  “Am I worthy of your gracious company?”
                  He rose from his mock bow to a slight slap across the face from one of her cloud-soft hands. “Watch that tongue, mister. Besides, you know I always have five minutes for you.”
                  Caleb just smiled and conceded to this game of insult tag. ‘This is our relationship now: calm, but not careless; relaxed, but vibrant; sarcastic, but straight-forward. I’ve seen other couples notice our hands and the envy in their eyes only excited the twinkles and sparks between us. This is about us, as one. This has to last forever. I can’t survive without her.’
                  Father Lawrence waved his hand towards Caleb and averted his eyes and ears back to him. “Well, this boy of yours has quite a head on his shoulders. Where’s he going to college next year?”
                  “You’ll have to ask him about that one. As far as I know, the only step we’ve taken towards college is a packet of ACT test scores without a home.”
                  Caleb smiled. “I sent them off to a few