Jackson by Leigh Talbert Moore Read Free Book Online Page B

and they’re preparing her for burial. It’s like something out of the Bible.”
    I sat up and looked at him. “You believe in that again?”
    He shrugged. “I’m thinking maybe it’s like you said. Just because we didn’t know about aliens, doesn’t mean everything’s a lie. We still have hope.”
    I bit my lip. Gallatin had done what I’d asked. He’d restored my brother’s hope. Still, I was so hurt, so betrayed.
    “What if I told you it’s all a lie? Us being here. There are no chips, and we can just leave any time we want.”
    “We can’t do that,” he shook his head.
    “But we can! I’ve been to their cabins. There’s more of us than them here now.”
    “What about Cleve?”
    In a flash of shame, I realized I’d never asked about him. Or the boxes.
    “Besides,” my brother continued. “They’ve got powers. They can do things with their minds. I saw one of them cut through a rope without even touching it.”
    “Right,” I sighed as my insides crumbled. “I heard.”
    “But it’s going to work out. My faith has been renewed like the eagle!”
    I nodded. “That’s good. What time is the service?”
    “D’Lo’s preparing a place for her now. I was thinking as soon as he’s done.”
    The thought of D’Lo out digging a hole in the rain made me cold, even in the warm air and my thick coveralls. I couldn’t shake the mounting heaviness, and as the hiss of falling rain grew louder outside the screens, I knew I had to go to Flora. I couldn’t bear the thought of her lying on that cold metal counter alone, with only aliens by her side.
    “I’m going to sit with her.”
    My brother nodded, and I walked back to the door. As I passed Yolanda’s bed, she and Roxie gave me pitying looks.
    “I’m sorry about your friend,” Roxie said. “She seemed real sweet.”
    “She always tried her best when we were in school,” Yolanda said. “I guess her heart just couldn’t do it any more.”
    For a moment, I stood there staring at Yolanda. I couldn’t believe it was that simple. Just like that, she didn’t remember this morning. The stomach pumping, me crying, the dry heaving, the drugs. She’d stood there with me and witnessed the whole awful thing, and as far as I could tell, all of it was gone.
    It made me both fearful and sad. This was my future.
    “I guess,” was all I could manage in reply. I pushed through the door into the damp air.
    * * *
    F lora’s body was wrapped like a mummy in a clean, white sheet and lay on the same metal counter where she’d been that morning. Someone had put tiny purple flowers all around the folds and a small bouquet of Black-Eyed Susans was placed across her chest where her heart would be. The gesture should’ve made me feel better, but it didn’t.
    If they hadn’t come, this never would’ve happened. She’d still be alive, and I wouldn’t be feeling this pain. I’d still have my best friend. I sat on a stool beside the counter and ran my finger down the side of the linen.
    “I’m so sorry I let you down.” My voice cracked. “I’d give anything if I could make it right again.”
    I remembered how we’d been friends back in school, and how I’d looked out for her and helped her when she got tired. Maybe her life would’ve always been cut short, but it wouldn’t have been because of something like this. Her last days would’ve been happier. She would’ve been free, not a prisoner and afraid.
    The screen door creaked open behind me, and I heard someone easing it closed to prevent the bang that usually followed. I looked up to see D’Lo crossing the empty space to where I sat.
    “Why does it always rain at funerals?” I asked quietly.
    “And weddings.”
    “It’s actually supposed to be good luck at weddings.”
    “You doing okay?” he asked, pulling my head into his side. We were quiet a moment. “Braxton says he’s ready. You going to say something?”
    “I don’t know what to say. Except that it’s my fault, and I’m so