Free All That I See - 02 by Shane Gregory Page A

we’re done?”
    I knew why she was asking, and I figured it was time to go ahead and talk about it.
    “Yeah,” I said. “The Somervilles will come back here when they’re able, so we should be here when they get here….and if you want to stay here, I’m up for it.”
    “What about—“
    “Jen is gone,” I said, interrupting. “You’re right, and I’m sorry for how I’ ve been acting. You are also right about her still being out there…not that I’d ever want to see her again, not like that.”
    She reached across the table and took my hand.
    “We can still be on the l ookout for a new place,” I said, “but only if it’s better, not because of Jen.”
    She nodded but didn’t speak.
    “We have about two or three weeks before the last frost when we can plant the garden , so we don’t need to get really serious about a new place just yet . I’m okay here .”
    I picked up my glass and downed the rum in two swallows. It burned, making my insides feel raw.
    “Jen’s gone,” I whispered.
    Sara picked up her own glass, stuck her nose in it, and then pulled away when she got a whiff of the alcohol. She took a sip then went back to her spaghetti.
    “I’m going to build a fire,” I said, finally. “It’ll probably get cool again tonight.”
    “We need to change the dressing on you r head, too,” she said. “ How’s it feeling?”
    I reached up and touched the spot above my left ear where Corndog had hit me with the bat.
    “It’s still tender,” I said. “I probably needed stitches.”
    Then her gaze shifted to something behind me. I turned to see what she was looking at . Through the window, I could see two dark SUVs coming up the driveway. We sat motionless at the small kitchen table, both of us holding our breath. The trucks pulled in behind the moving van and stopped. Doors opened on the first vehicle and two men got out . They motioned to the occupants of the second vehicle to stay where they were. I didn’t see any weapons.
    “We must have been followed,” I said. “You need to hide.”
    Sara stood and walked over to the window.
    “Sara,” I whispered loudly, “Go before they see you.”
    “No,” she said, softly. “Is that who I think it is?”
    I joined her at the window. “Who?”
    “The man in the tan cap … I think it might be….It is!” She pushed past me and ran to the front door.
    “Sara, no!” I shouted, but it was too late; she was already out on the porch.

 
    CHAPTER 11
     
    I ran after her. By t he time I got out the door, she and the two men had met next to the moving van . She hugged the man in the tan cap. The three of them were smiling and laughing as I walked out to them. Then the man in the tan cap raised his hands and frowned. Sara looked at me.
    “Put that away,” she said.
    I looked down, and realized I was holding the revolver. I stuffed it into my pants.
    “This is Mr. Parks,” Sara said, pa tting the man on the chest. “He’s the shop teacher over at Clayfield High . I used to be in his class .”
    He extended his hand.
    “Ben Parks,” he said.
    I shook his hand , “Nice to meet you.”
    He was in his mid to late 30s , broad, with a thoughtful face and a new , but heavy , beard. He kind o f reminded me of a bear.
    Sara touched his whiskers. “When did you grow all this?”
    “During the apocalypse,” he said, matter-of-factly then smiled.
    He turned to his companion.
    “This is R on Meyer ,” he said.
    Ron was shorter and wiry with dark hair and sharp features . He had a laid- ba ck, easy-going way about him.
    “Ron and I have been friends forever,” Ben Parks said, keeping his eyes on me like he was sizing me up.
    I shook Ron’s hand and looked out at the other SUV. I could see the dark shape of a person behind the wheel and the shape of a child in the passenger seat, but because of the shadows on the windshield I couldn’t make out their features.
    “Don’t worry,” Ron said. “They’re friendly.”
    “We’ve been