Free Shattered Lives by Joseph Lewis

Jon and I want to give you something to remember us by,” Bert said handing George the wrapped package.
    It felt light, and it wasn’t very big. 
                  “Thank you, but you didn’t have to,” George said to both.
                  Jon said, “It’s not much, but it’s something we wanted to do.”
                  “Well, go on . . . open it up,” Billy said, giving George a playful elbow.
                  George took off the ribbon and bow and then slid his forefinger under one of the flaps that had been taped down and lifted it up without ripping it.  Then he did the same to the other side.
                  “You need some serious lessons on opening presents,” Billy laughed. “Just tear it.”
                  George smiled but ignored him and slid his finger under another taped flap, which was the last of the flaps.  He opened up the paper the entire way, slicking the tape to the inside of the paper leaving it completely intact.
                  “My mother told us to save the paper and bows for another day,” George said quietly.
                  “Sounds like a smart lady,” Jon said with a laugh.  “I think I heard that a time or two myself.”
    Bert gave him one of her looks but laughed along with the rest of them.
                  George then proceeded with the box and opened the white tissue paper to reveal a small photo album.  Randy got up from the recliner and leaned over the back of George’s chair to view it, resting his chin on George’s shoulder.  Billy leaned over to get a better look.
                  The first photo was of the three boys, smiling, mugging for the camera with their arms around each others’ shoulders.  George remembered the morning they posed for Jon, and the photo brought a smile to his face and a laugh from Billy and Randy. 
    Billy added, “I’m the best looking.”
    “Not on your best day,” Randy replied with a laugh.
    The second photo was of Jeremy and George sitting on the back step talking.  George remembered the day but didn’t know they had been photographed.  And page after page the photos went: Randy and Billy; Jon, Bert and George on the Lane Front step; Billy and George planting flowers; a similar photo of George helping Bert plant flowers; a group photo of George, Jeremy, Randy and Billy; and the last photo of Jon and Bert with George in their backyard.
                  “We know you’re faced with a difficult decision, and we know we might not see you for a while,” Jon said, “but we wanted you to know you’re very special to us.”
                  George had tears in his eyes, and he blinked rapidly to control them.
                  “We know what took place the other night, George,” Bert said. “It showed tremendous courage, love and selflessness.”
                  George could not raise his eyes to look at them, but instead, he flipped to the photo of Jeremy, the twins and him, and stared at it, touching it gently with his fingers.  Billy turned a bit to the side and away.  Randy gave George’s shoulder a squeeze. 
                  At last, George stood up and embraced first Bert, getting a kiss on his cheek, and then Jon, who kissed the side of George’s head.
                  “Don’t forget us,” Jon said, “and make sure you visit us from time to time, okay?”
                  George nodded.
     
     

CHAPTER TWELVE
     
    Suburb of Indianapolis, Indiana
     
    The man was naked except for the towel wrapped around his waist, and he stood in front of the sink staring at his reflection in the bathroom mirror.  He had showered, but hadn’t shaved, thinking that facial hair would help him blend in and disappear.  As tall and built as he was, blending in would be difficult, and disappearing nearly impossible.
    He had had a