Dead Living by Glenn Bullion Read Free Book Online

pair of shorts.
Her nightgown rode up her legs a little, and Joe caught himself
trying to steal a look at them.
    “I couldn't sleep,” he said.
    Denise had the hint of a smile. “Yeah, we
heard.”
    “Sorry if I kept you up.”
    “Look Joe. If you want we can take turns on
the couch. I don't mind at all.”
    “No, I'm fine. But thank you.”
    They were quiet for a moment. Joe enjoyed
watching the moonlight bounce off the ripples in the lake. He
enjoyed spending time with Denise, more than he admitted. He owed
her a lot. Not just for saving his life, but Aaron wouldn't be who
he was without her.
    “It's gonna get cold soon. I'll start working
on some wood tomorrow.”
    She nodded. “We might have to head to town
soon too. Some of our blankets are falling apart.”
    Denise scooted an inch closer and carefully
leaned her head on his shoulder. The closeness made Joe's heart
pound just a little harder.
    She wasn't sure when she
fell in love with him. She had long arguments with herself that it
even was love.
    It was only when Joe and Frank returned home
two days late from a trip into town that she realized she couldn't
live without him.
    It was Frank's house they were living in. He
also taught everyone how to fire and care for a gun. But it was Joe
who was their leader. It was just something about him, his calm
manner in which he approached everything. He had a quiet leadership
that Denise didn't think he was aware of. Everyone was in a panic
those first few days after the dead rose. Joe pulled them through,
all while looking after Aaron.
    He somehow made everyone laugh. There was a
time Denise thought she'd never laugh again.
    I love
you , Denise thought. She had that thought
so many times. Now if only I had the guts
to say it .
    “I, uh, think Frank and Margie are having
sex.”
    “What?” He turned toward the house. “Right
now?”
    “No, not now , nutball. Just, you
know, having sex.”
    Joe suspected as much. The other day, while
getting the cooking fire ready, Frank had to get more wood. Nothing
unusual about that, until Margie went with him. Joe thought maybe
there was something going on there.
    “Maybe you'll get your own room soon, after
all.”
    They shared a laugh and she moved her head
more onto his shoulder. She ran a hand through his hair.
    “You're gonna have to let me cut your hair
tomorrow,” she said. That was as good an excuse to touch him as
any. “It's getting long.”
    “Maybe I'll just cut it all off like Frank
and Aaron.”
    Frank had decided he had enough of his thick
head of hair years ago, and Aaron just had to look like his Uncle
Frank. They were both completely bald.
    “No, you can't do that. I like your
hair.”
    “Why thank you.”
    This is it. Make a
move .
    “Hey Dad!” Aaron called from the porch. “A
possum got in the house. Uncle Frank and Aunt Margie are both
screaming in here. He says he'll kill it with his gun if you don't
get rid of it.”
    “Let's go save the day,” Joe said.
    Denise smiled. “Yeah, we're heroes.”
    He helped her to her feet. Her smile faded
when she realized he was watching her, looking at her face. She
could barely make out his features due to the darkness. He didn't
let go of her hands, just rubbed them gently.
    He likes me
too .
    They walked back to the house. Joe held her
hand the whole way.
    *****
    The sun had only been up a little while.
After catching six large-mouth bass, Joe was cleaning the outhouse,
not his favorite job. Denise and Margie were in the house
straightening up. Frank was chopping logs with an ax. Aaron was out
in the woods practicing with a compound bow, a gift from Joe he'd
found on their last trip to town. Archery was a talent Aaron was
getting dangerously good at.
    “Hey everybody!” a voice came from the woods.
“Check this out!”
    Joe and Frank looked up. Aaron walked toward
them. The first thing Joe noticed was his son covered in blood. He
panicked for a moment, then saw the huge deer Aaron was carrying on
his