Free The Homecoming: Countdown to Armageddon: Book 5 by Darrell Maloney Page B

were buried in mass graves south of the city. Other crews thought it more dignified to take the bones and let the wind and the rains scatter the ashes. It really depends on which crew worked the street.”
         Sara grew silent again.
         When he could stand the silence no longer, Scott offered, “If you still want to, as soon as they announce the all clear I’ll take a day off and come and get you. We’ll make a day of it, just you and I. I’ll take you to the house, you can pay your respects, and I’ll help you gather whatever you want to take back to the compound. It’ll give us a chance to catch up a bit.”
         “I think I’d like that.”
         “Okay, it’s a date. Do you think Jordan is capable of taking care of little Chris for a day?”
         Sara managed a laugh.
         “Well, I don’t think he’ll be able to produce enough breast milk to satisfy the baby, but I’ll leave some behind for him. Other than that, he’s an excellent father. Changes diapers and everything.”
         “Okay, then, it’s a date. The first day after the all- clear, just you and me.”
         “Thank you, Scott.”
         “You’re welcome, honey. Oh, wait. I forgot. I gathered a few of your things to bring back. Pom poms and photos from your dresser and those kinds of things. Would you like for me to take them back, so you can see your room as it was?
         “No, go ahead and bring them when you come. I’d like to save them, and they’re things I probably would have grabbed myself when we go back there to visit. And thank you for thinking enough to gather them.”
         The pair said their goodbyes and Scott got off the radio. While Sara was softly sobbing into Linda’s shoulder on the other end, Becky was holding Scott’s hand.
         “You did a great job. I don’t know what you were worried about.”
         “I was worried because even if I did well, I still just destroyed a young girl’s world.”
         He paused a moment before asking, “Do you think it’s odd that she’d want to go back into that house, knowing that her parents died there?”
         “Scott, people grieve in different ways. There is no right or wrong way to mourn. Some people would be horrified at the thought of going there. Others, like Sara, may want to see how her parents spent their last days. She may have some things to say to them, to say her last goodbyes and pay her last respects. It only makes sense to her that the best place to do that would be the place where their spirits departed their bodies. It takes a hearty soul, I think, to want to see the place her parents died. Sara sounds like a tough cookie, and I look forward to meeting her.
         “Just prepare yourself for the possibility that it may be harder than she thinks. Especially when she sees the blood stains. If I were you, I’d try to get back there before her visit and clean it up the best you can. And to be prepared to whisk her away from the house if she gets overwhelmed.”
         “I suppose you’re right.”
         “I’m always right.”
         “Believe it or not, I’m finding that you are. At least when it comes to the art of grieving and such.”
         “I’ve seen a lot of it lately. And by the way, what did you say Sara’s mother’s name was again?”
         “Stacey McAllister. Why?”
         “It’s probably nothing. It just had a ring of familiarity when you mentioned it earlier. But I can’t say why. That’s all.”
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    -15-
     
         Little Misty was taking her turn at the security console on the afternoon Tom returned. She had just remarked to Hannah how much she missed the old codger when his familiar voice came rumbling over the airwaves.
         “Hey, whoever’s on the desk, this is Tom. Is Linda around?”
         “Hi, Tom.”
         “Well, hello,