The Crash Box Set, page 140
part #1 of EMP Crash Series
“He hasn't left, has he?” Mack asked.
“He's walking around, doing what he can to comfort those who are in distress,” Maggie said.
Mack craned his neck, and in the dim light he could see Hank's figure moving through the crowd, purposefully avoiding the group. Mack called out to him, and Hank was unable to avoid the group any longer. He walked over sheepishly, and dared not look any of them in the eye.
“I'm sorry for everything, and I wish that you hadn’t found out this way. I wanted to tell you in my own time but--”
“But nothing,” Mack said, “Like I said earlier, it doesn't matter what you've been through. You're our friend, and as far as I'm concerned, you're the best preacher out there. You are a vital piece of this community, Hank, and we don't want to see that change.” The others echoed Mack's sentiment, and all welcomed Hank back into the fold. He was smiling widely, overwhelmed with the love that he felt from them.
“Thank you all so kindly. You are the most wonderful people, and I shall spend the rest of my days trying to make up for the mistakes I made in the past. I never can repay the debt you have given me, and I hope that you can understand the depths of my friendship for each of you,” he said.
“I think you've helped us all at one point or another,” Grace said, “and all of us have things in our past that we'd like to forget. I've changed as much as anyone around here, if not more, and I know that I'm a different person, just like you. Mack has given us the opportunity to be better people, and I like to think we've all become a little better since we've known each other.”
“I know I certainly have,” Luis said, and kissed Grace on the cheek. Then Luis stepped forward.
“I'd like to make a toast to Saul as well. The big lug and I never really saw eye to eye, but he proved himself, and I'm really going to miss him. I'm sorry I never got a chance to say goodbye. It feels like ages ago since we were walking through the forest together, and more has happened in my life since the world ended than in all the years before. When I left home to backpack across the country, I never imagined that my life would lead me here, and I wouldn't want it to have led anywhere else,” Luis said.
“I'm going to miss him, too,” Maggie added, “and you're right, Grace. We all have become better people since we've known each other. Before this started I was a cop who worked too many hours and a mom who never saw her son enough. Then the world ended, and all I wanted to do was find Tristan alive. I found him, thanks to you, Mack. Without you being there, I probably would have died during that search, and I didn't just find my son, I found all of you as well. I know I was a little difficult when we first met, but I'm glad that our paths have crossed. We've all lost a lot of people, both in this world and the one before it, but it's important we remember we have each other, and we're going to make this place into the best place it can be.”
“Since it seems everyone is taking a turn at speaking their peace, I suppose I'm next,” Freddie said, “although I do have to rain on your parade a little bit, Maggie. I do have some news. It's been something I've been thinking about for a while, and it may come as a surprise to some of you. I understand that we all want to make New Haven into a wonderful place, but it feels as though all of you have some special skill to accomplish that. I talk to people, and I help them with their problems, but even before this world ended, I thought I could be doing more. I used to spend my time learning about things and indulging my curiosity, and I always told myself that one day I would go traveling around the country and escape the city, but it was one of things I never got around to doing. Some of my fondest memories are when we were traveling through the forest, not knowing what was going to happen day after day, and I miss that feeling. I don't want to my life to be looked back on with regret. After tonight especially, it's clear that if we want to do something, we have to do it, because we might not see tomorrow. So, I'm going to be leaving you all to go explore the unknown.”
“We'll be sorry to see you go, Freddie, but I understand, and be sure to take a good supply of food with you. If one day you want to return, we'll be here waiting with open arms,” Mack said.
“You can be sure I'll come back one day,” Freddie said, eyes twinkling, glad that all his friends were supportive of his dream. There was only one person left to speak, and that was Anna, although she looked at Grace and clasped the younger girl's hand.
“We actually have the same announcement to make, and this seems like the right time to tell you all. We're both pregnant,” Anna said.
There was a moment of disbelief among the group, but then they all rushed in for a huge hug. Mack and Luis were so happy, and kissed their loves. The happiness on their faces was pure, and they all were overjoyed. “We've got the future leaders of New Haven here,” Anna joked, and everyone laughed.
Nobody slept that night. Everyone was in too good of a mood to sleep, so they stayed up until daybreak, and watched the morning sun rise over the horizon. Hank went to Mindy to make amends to her as well. The winter still was cold, but it no longer held the same fear it once did. They all helped get Freddie ready to leave, and walked him to the gate, where they said their farewells and watched him walk away into the city, hoping that one day they would see him again. Then Mack turned back and looked at the settlement that was blossoming before him. He saw his friends together, Sharon and Tristan overcoming their problems to have found love, and people including Hugo, Alison, Mindy, Daisy, Deborah, and Tash, who all looked comfortable in New Haven, like they belonged.
Mack clasped Anna's hand and placed his hand over her belly. He kissed her tenderly on the lips and told her he loved her. Then he breathed in happily and sighed. “You know, I don't know what's going to happen in the future, but I know it's going to be good. This place is going to be something really special,” he said. Then he looked down at her belly again, “And you know what? I'm not so sure this has been the end of the world. I think it's only the beginning.”
To find out when Kip Nelson has new books available and to get exclusive free ebooks sign up here: http://bit.ly/2f5vcyN
Kip Nelson, The Crash Box Set
