All Is Silence - Deserted Lands #1

Chapter 21 - Part III

Charley had found the Reverends; he was animated, pleading his case. Lizzie watched the “parents” bemused looks as they listened to him.

Reverend John said, “Charles, I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

Charley’s face fell. Lizzie watched him fighting back the tears. She saw John see it, too. John took a deep breath. Josie stepped forward and put her hand on Charley’s shoulder.

“Charley, we,” John said, his head motioned to Josie and Lizzie, “the adults, will talk about it.”

Charley nodded, his countenance serious.

Oh, God, I’m an adult now? Lizzie’s eyes followed Charley as he trudged away.

Josie moved close in to Lizzie. “He seems to connect to you. That’s more words than he’s spoken here in the last three weeks.”

Lizzie nodded, “Yeah. He just opened up.”

“Nevaeh said you were meeting your father in Salt Lake City?” John asked. “That’s not New Mexico.”

“I know.” Lizzie bit her tongue to keep the tang from her voice. “And his grandfather might not even be alive.”

There was sadness in John and Josie’s eyes. They meant well. She could see why Nevaeh wanted to leave and why she wanted to come back by. Her thought from earlier returned in a new context. The shepherds don’t know what to do for their flock.

“My father is from Texas. Once we meet him we’ll make sure Charles gets to his family.” What the hell am I promising? “If we can’t find them, he’ll be part of ours.”

She observed the interplay of unspoken words between the Reverends. Living with Jerkwad and Mama had given her skills at sensing others feelings and intentions.

John turned to her, smiling. “We will allow you to take him. If you promise to keep him safe and get him to his grandfather.”

“And let us know where he is,” Josie added. “Nevaeh knows how to reach us.”

“Thank you,” Lizzie said with sincerity. Taking Charley felt like relief for them. Do they really have Charley’s best interests in mind if they’ll let him go with me? She wondered if her intentions were any better. At least she wanted to help him get what he wanted.

“I’ll tell Charley and help him pack.” Josie hurried off.

Nev and Zach stepped into the room, looking happy and sedated by the turkey. Zach fixed his eyes on Lizzie. “What’s up?”

“We’ve got another passenger south,” Lizzie said.

Zach shrugged with the same look he’d given her when she found Saj and brought Spike home.

“Who?” Nev asked.

Charley burst into the room, nearly knocking Lizzie over with a hug. Then as quick, he pulled away. “Where do I put my stuff?”

Nev smiled. “Charley. You going with us?”

He nodded, grinning.

Lizzie felt her own smile growing. She knew she’d made the right choice. “You’ll have to ride in the back with Spike, the dog-man.”

“That’ll be fine. I used to have a big dog myself. Got hit by a truck. We had to put him down.” He hugged the Reverends.

“Go with God, Charles,” John said.

But John was looking at Lizzie when he said it. A chill passed through her. So help me, God. She hoped she had the strength to follow through.

After all the goodbyes they headed out to the Tank with Charley and Spike following. The Reverend Josie handed Nev a box of food, leftovers for the trip.

They finished Thanksgiving driving toward Portland.

When they reached the Columbia River in Vancouver, Zach slammed his hands on the dashboard. “We weren’t supposed to get to Portland. Must have missed the turn off.”

“It’s okay, Zach.” Nev placed her hand on his shoulder. “We can’t be far off track. You’re tired. It’s been a long day. Let’s find someplace to sleep.”

“Nev’s right,” Lizzie said. “Go until there’s a hotel.”

Zach took a deep breath. “Okay.” Then he jerked the tank onto an off-ramp. “It says East, let’s go until we hit 205 or a hotel.” The off-ramp wound in a tight loop. The Tank tipped.

“Zach,” Lizzie said, her voice tight, “You can slow down.”

“Okay,” he said again.

Lizzie could hear the stress in his voice. Chill out, Zach. She dared not say it out loud. Too much testosterone.

The Tank slowed through the turn and then Zach accelerated on the straightway.

Nev put her hand back on Zach’s shoulder and squeezed it. “Relax, buddy. We’re so glad you’re driving, right Lizzie?”

“Yeah, Zach.”

Zach released his hands one at a time flexing them to get out the tightness.

In a couple minutes Zach pointed to a Holiday Inn Express sign. “How’s that?”

“Looks great.” Lizzie said.

Zach pulled into the parking lot, drove up to the front door, and came to a hard stop. The doors opened. “Your rest for the night, folks.” He yawned, stretched his arms and got out.

“Thanks, Zach,” Lizzie said. “Let’s get inside. Nev and I will scope out rooms. Charley, can you help Zach and Spike bring stuff inside?”

“Hey, it’s got a pool and a hot tub.” Nev pointed at a sign with people cavorting in the water. “We should hit the hot tub.”

Zach lugged in the duffel bags. “Sounds awesome.”

“Go ahead,” Lizzie said. “I’m beat.”

They got into three rooms in a row, propped open for cleaning. The beds had already been made and the only setup was rolling the maid’s cart out.

Lizzie ushered Charley and Spike into the first room. “You two,” she motioned to them, “can sleep over there in the far double bed.” She put Saj’s car seat on the other double.

Charley led Spike to the bed and pulled the covers back. “Shoes off.” He pulled Spike’s big size 13 shoes off. “You sleep here. I’ll be right next to you, Spike.” Charley tucked Spike in, ran around the bed, snuggled in and pulled the blankets up.

Lizzie, Zach and Nev unloaded duffels.

Zach came up beside Lizzie and put his hand on her shoulder. “So cute. Gives new meaning to the term ‘a boy and his dog.’”

“I thought Charley was a dog-person, too,” Nev said. “He never spoke.”

“Guess you can’t judge a book…”

“Yeah.” Nev hugged Lizzie, “You sure you don’t want some time in the hot tub or pool?”

“Nah. I’m going to follow the boys’ example.”

“All right, we’ll check on you before we head to our rooms,” Zach said.

“Yeah,” Nev said. “Night.”

Lizzie’s heart twisted as she watched Zach take Nev’s hand. She threw her stuff on the other bed. Well, they’re both lovely people. Logic said she had nothing to be upset about. Logic didn’t help. Saj fussed and wiggled in his car seat. “Hey, don’t cry.”