Read Online The Homecoming: Countdown to Armageddon: Book 5 by Darrell Maloney - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Darrell Maloney
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to be any good at it. Can you teach me how to be better at it?”
“I sense that you have a personal stake in this.”
“Jordan’s girlfriend, Sara. She’s the sweetest young thing in the world. Since she came to the compound to stay with us, we’ve all fallen in love with her. I’d do anything in the world not to cause her pain or distress. But I’ve found out her parents didn’t make it. Mutual suicide. I know it’s going to destroy her world, but she has to know. Is there a way to soften the pain for her?”
“No. I mean, you can use pretty words and tell her they died quickly and felt no pain and all that. But no matter what words you use, the pain will be the same. And I know from my own experience with Johnny and the kids that there is no greater pain in the world. Would you like for me to tell her? I’m more detached since I don’t know her, and I’ve been sharing bad news for years.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I can’t shirk the responsibility. I wouldn’t be much of a man, or a father, if I abdicated the hard jobs to others. I just want to know how to tell her without hurting her any more than I have to.”
“My best advice is to be direct. Be gentle, but don’t sugarcoat it. If she’s Jordan’s girlfriend, then she’s old enough to know that the odds of her parents both surviving were pretty slim. I mean, let’s face it. Only ten percent of the city has survived, and no family I’ve heard about has come through unscathed. I’d be willing to bet that she expects the bad news already. She just needs for you to confirm her suspicions.”
“Should I wait until after the all-clear, so I can tell her in person?”
“Are Linda and Jordan there with her?”
“Yes, and Hannah Castro and a whole bunch of other people who love her.”
“I know Hannah. She’s a midwife. She’s had to deliver bad news herself on occasion. It’s good that she’ll be there.
“I’d advise against waiting. It’ll serve no purpose, other than dragging out her suspense. It’s best that you apologize up front, tell her you love her, and then share the news. It’ll suck big time, and you’ll feel like dirt. But on the other end, there are others who can hold her and comfort her and do the things you’ll want to do yourself.
“So I’d advise you not to wait. Do it now, get it over with, and then when you go back to the compound, do whatever you can to let her know you love her and that you’re there for her.”
“Will you be there for me to lean on?”
“Sure. When are you going to call her?”
“Tonight. But that’s not what I was talking about.”
Becky looked at him, puzzled.
“When I get back to the compound. Are you going to be by my side to help me comfort her?”
“Well, we’ve expressed our love for each other. And I’m not willing to let you get away from me. So that leaves two options. Either you stay here with me or I go there with you. And there are a lot more reasons to be there than here. Will your family accept me?”
“My family will love you. How could they possibly not?”
-13-
Scott cracked open the door of John Castro’s house and stuck his head inside. He’d moved in with John right after his release from the hospital. John also shared space with Robbie and Randy, two other San Antonio police officers.
“Hey, you guys make sure you’re decent! I’m bringing a woman in.”
From her position on the front porch, next to Scott, Becky would hear scrambling inside.
“Not to be nosy or anything, but are those guys in the habit of running around the house naked?”
“Naked? No. But sometimes to get comfortable, they’ll walk around in their underwear
“I sense that you have a personal stake in this.”
“Jordan’s girlfriend, Sara. She’s the sweetest young thing in the world. Since she came to the compound to stay with us, we’ve all fallen in love with her. I’d do anything in the world not to cause her pain or distress. But I’ve found out her parents didn’t make it. Mutual suicide. I know it’s going to destroy her world, but she has to know. Is there a way to soften the pain for her?”
“No. I mean, you can use pretty words and tell her they died quickly and felt no pain and all that. But no matter what words you use, the pain will be the same. And I know from my own experience with Johnny and the kids that there is no greater pain in the world. Would you like for me to tell her? I’m more detached since I don’t know her, and I’ve been sharing bad news for years.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I can’t shirk the responsibility. I wouldn’t be much of a man, or a father, if I abdicated the hard jobs to others. I just want to know how to tell her without hurting her any more than I have to.”
“My best advice is to be direct. Be gentle, but don’t sugarcoat it. If she’s Jordan’s girlfriend, then she’s old enough to know that the odds of her parents both surviving were pretty slim. I mean, let’s face it. Only ten percent of the city has survived, and no family I’ve heard about has come through unscathed. I’d be willing to bet that she expects the bad news already. She just needs for you to confirm her suspicions.”
“Should I wait until after the all-clear, so I can tell her in person?”
“Are Linda and Jordan there with her?”
“Yes, and Hannah Castro and a whole bunch of other people who love her.”
“I know Hannah. She’s a midwife. She’s had to deliver bad news herself on occasion. It’s good that she’ll be there.
“I’d advise against waiting. It’ll serve no purpose, other than dragging out her suspense. It’s best that you apologize up front, tell her you love her, and then share the news. It’ll suck big time, and you’ll feel like dirt. But on the other end, there are others who can hold her and comfort her and do the things you’ll want to do yourself.
“So I’d advise you not to wait. Do it now, get it over with, and then when you go back to the compound, do whatever you can to let her know you love her and that you’re there for her.”
“Will you be there for me to lean on?”
“Sure. When are you going to call her?”
“Tonight. But that’s not what I was talking about.”
Becky looked at him, puzzled.
“When I get back to the compound. Are you going to be by my side to help me comfort her?”
“Well, we’ve expressed our love for each other. And I’m not willing to let you get away from me. So that leaves two options. Either you stay here with me or I go there with you. And there are a lot more reasons to be there than here. Will your family accept me?”
“My family will love you. How could they possibly not?”
-13-
Scott cracked open the door of John Castro’s house and stuck his head inside. He’d moved in with John right after his release from the hospital. John also shared space with Robbie and Randy, two other San Antonio police officers.
“Hey, you guys make sure you’re decent! I’m bringing a woman in.”
From her position on the front porch, next to Scott, Becky would hear scrambling inside.
“Not to be nosy or anything, but are those guys in the habit of running around the house naked?”
“Naked? No. But sometimes to get comfortable, they’ll walk around in their underwear
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