Dead Living by Glenn Bullion Read Free Book Online Page B

pit. They looked like they were
having a serious conversation.
    He knew it was one of two things. They were
either doing some serious planning about their lifestyle, gathering
food, the upcoming winter, that sort of thing. Or they were talking
about him.
    Ah man , Aaron thought. Have I done
anything wrong lately?
    He grabbed a book from his room and sat on
the porch, although he wasn't really reading. He just studied his
family. Aaron liked to just study and watch things. It wasn't like
he had a huge option of other hobbies. He couldn't shoot a bow or
read all day long.
    He noticed Dad and Aunt
Denise holding hands. Nothing major, just by the fingertips. Aaron
shook his head. Come on, Dad. When are you
gonna tell her? It's obvious how she feels.
    He loved his father and knew him better than
anyone. But Aaron was clueless as to why he held in his feelings
for Denise. Whenever Dad just walked in the room, Denise would
change. She would sit up straighter, puff her breasts out just a
little more, smile a little brighter.
    Is it possible Dad doesn't know?
    Now Uncle Frank and Aunt Margie, on the other
hand.
    There wasn't much of a secret there at all.
Sneaking off in the woods together, late night swims in the lake.
Aaron wasn't completely sure, but he thought he heard footsteps
late one night going from his aunt's room to Frank's. He was quite
sure it wasn't to play Scrabble.
    He laughed to himself. He saw their mood
lighten a little. Frank and Dad shared a joke, then Frank gave him
a playful slug in the shoulder. His aunts hugged.
    Hmmm. I wonder if Frank and Margie finally
said something?
    The women passed Aaron on the porch to go
inside and change clothes. Frank picked up the deer and slung it
over his shoulder. He looked at Joe, who was taking a seat next to
Aaron.
    “I'll get this deer skinned. You got the
bikes covered, right?”
    “Yeah, I got 'em. Just give me a few
minutes.”
    “Alright, I'll be around back.”
    Aaron looked at his father. “Bikes?”
    “Yeah. We're all gonna head to town together
today, get some supplies.”
    “Okay. What was the laughing and playing
around about?”
    He smiled and shook his head. “Well, Frank
and Margie just wanted to tell us they're a couple now.”
    “About time.”
    “Yeah, that's what Denise said.”
    They were quiet for a moment. Aaron could see
his father had something else to say.
    “Look, Aaron. Today, when we get to town,
Frank wants to teach you how to shoot a corpse.”
    He winced. “With a gun?”
    Joe nodded.
    Aaron didn't know what it was about guns that
unnerved him so much. He didn't even like holding one. It was no
different than trying to get an answer out of Margie about why she
was afraid of spiders. That's why he took up the bow, so he would
never have to fire a gun.
    “Dad, I don't like guns.”
    “I know, I know. I don't either. But there is
a lot of danger out there, and you should be prepared for it.”
    “I can hunt, fish, cook my own food, read a
map, use the sun to get a good idea of time. Heck, give me a needle
and thread and I'll fix my own clothes.”
    “Who taught you how to sew?”
    “I read it.”
    Joe laughed. His son truly was amazing. Sarah
would be proud.
    “I'm gonna get the bikes ready,” Joe said.
“Don't worry, you'll do fine.”
    A mischievous smiled crossed Aaron's face as
Joe stood up. “Okay, Dad. I won't give you a hard time on one
condition.”
    “What's that?”
    “You tell Aunt Denise that you love her.”
    He sat back down. “What?”
    “Tell her you love her. Don't worry, she
loves you too.”
    Joe shook his head in
amusement. “And what do you think love is?”
    Aaron thought a moment. “Love is when it
hurts when the person is gone. They like, can't be apart, you know
what I mean? They try to make each other happy. Oh, and they have
sex a lot.”
    “Aaron!”
    “Hey, I didn't make it up.”
    Joe looked through the living room window. He
could see Margie and Denise in the kitchen. They didn't use it