Sudden Independents

Molly hopped off the back of the big bike. Hunter swung his leg over and removed his Ray-Bans with the scratched up lenses. The scratches were worse on the left side, but the eye was no longer there to make a difference.

Hunter walked over to the tree and threw his arms around it, pressing his cheek against the bark. “Hello, tree.”

Molly giggled. Her boyfriend had been changed by the events in Denver. She felt blessed for everyday they were together.

Catherine seemed very pleased. She hugged Hunter. “Thank you so much for bringing me here. I’ve missed my tree an awful lot.”

“I know. You’ve told me.” His face tightened and he hissed in a breath. “Be careful, I’m still not a hundred percent.”

Catherine released him and placed her tiny fists on her hips. “I wish you’d let me finish?”

“The pain helps me remember. I want to remember.”

Catherine wasn’t able to save his eye or the teeth that he lost in the fight. She did bring Hunter back from Death’s door and Molly was grateful for that. Nothing else really mattered, except for the price that Jimmy had paid a mile away in the front seat of the Escalade with Ginger in his arms. Hunter didn’t need the pain to remember. Molly guessed he wanted it so he didn’t feel the guilt. Jimmy wouldn’t have wanted that either, but Molly was having an impossible time convincing her stubborn boyfriend.

Ginger waddled over with Billy holding her hand, helping her on the uneven terrain. “Catherine, how many times do I have to tell you to wait until we come to a complete stop and I turn off the car before you unbuckle?” Ginger’s maternal instincts had shifted into overdrive when she found out she was pregnant.

Catherine sidled closer to Hunter. “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.” Ginger held out her free hand and Catherine hopped over and took it.

Molly grabbed Hunter’s hand and tugged. He pulled her close and smiled brightly at her. Her cheeks warmed all over. She loved his smile even more now. He was quite beautiful with those couple of missing teeth.

“Tree,” Catherine said, “You remember Hunter. These are my other friends Billy, Molly, and my roommate Ginger. Ginger’s pregnant and it’s a boy!”

“Catherine! I didn’t want to know that!”

“You didn’t?”

“No,” Ginger said, placing her hands protectively over her stomach. She looked down and the corners of a smile twisted up. “Is my baby really a boy?”

Catherine stared at her with her lips pressed tightly shut. A squirrel chattered at them from a branch high above.

Ginger looked up. “Well?”

Catherine mumbled as she gripped the green grass between her toes.

“Speak up. I can’t understand what you’re saying?”

“You said you didn’t want to know.”

Ginger glared, which was kind of funny seeing Ginger glare. She’s as threatening as a basket full of puppies.

Billy smiled up at her. He had assigned himself her personal protector after they buried Jimmy in the corner of the cabbage field outside of Independents.

Molly pressed her face against the tree’s rough bark. “Hello, tree.” She was submerged in happiness like she just slid into joy’s bathtub. Hunter gave her a hug when she let go and a big kiss followed.

“You sillies sure do kiss a lot.”

They smiled at Catherine and she looked at Billy with a giant grin on her face. Billy scooted around Ginger and hid.

They ate lunch and talked to the tree, sharing all the news that had happened in Independents since their flight from that awful place. Two months after their return, Vanessa turned eighteen and survived. Catherine was on hand just in case, but she said that Vanessa would be okay because she was touched. Molly was thankful that she was also touched, but worried for her brother and Samuel and the others in the world. Maybe it had been selfish of Jimmy to get up and walk away just to save Hunter. Or maybe everyone followed a larger plan without knowing why.

Scout now preached sermons every Sunday in the newly renovated church with the fresh coat of white paint. His services maintained a steady attendance that included Hunter and Molly in the front pew.

Catherine and Billy always sat together in the balcony writing notes to each other. Billy loved to write. Hunter taught Billy how to ride a motorbike, but the boy was more excited about what Vanessa taught him at school.

The warm sun checked into afternoon and it was time for them to leave. Everyone hugged the tree and said their goodbyes. Catherine promised to visit again real soon, with a hopeful glance at Hunter who nodded and smiled.

Hunter started his motorbike with the blaring echo bouncing around the valley. Molly climbed up behind him and squeezed. It would be a long trip back to Independents, but she knew they would survive.

Hunter teetered on the edge of teeth-gnashing insanity from the pain in his shoulder. Most of the time his shoulder felt numb and he was able to cope. Other times, like this one, he wanted to rip his arm right out of its socket and beat the pain to death.