The Choosing by Jeremy Laszlo, Ronnell Porter Read Free Book Online

an attempt at fighting back the tears, he then continued.  “You look out for each other, and keep each other safe.”  The twins nodded as he continued.  “You’re all I have, and as much as I wish I could, I can’t come with you.  From here on all you have is each other, that’s more than some have, and more still than many deserve.  Don’t you go worrying about me, I’ll be fine, Emily and Rose will see to that.  You just worry about yourselves and each other.  Dammit keep safe and don’t do anything stupid.  Don’t go trying to be a Hero and get yourself hurt.  You bring yourselves back in one piece, whenever that may be, and I will be here waiting.”
    All three of them, tears streaming again, gave each other one last hug.  Wiping the tears from his cheeks James continued.
    “Now you boys get going, Ashton’s waiting for you just down the path there.”   He pointed down the small path leading into the woods to the south.  Sure enough Ashton was there just down the trail sitting on a tree stump, again reading his book.  The twins both nodded to him, wiping the tears from their cheeks, turned to head down the trail.  James grabbed each of his sons’ shoulders, nodded once as if in farewell, turned and began walking back towards the inn.
    Garret and Seth watched him trudge, shoulders slumped, up the steps to the inn.  James got to the door and paused as if to turn around for one last good bye, his shoulders sagging a bit more, he heaved the door open and walked inside, never looking back.  The twins watched the inn for a moment longer, then with a shared look of pain and remorse, put on as best they could a pair of determined faces and slowly walked to where Ashton was waiting for them. 
    The twins walked down the path to where Ashton sat waiting patiently.  They paused briefly, just long enough for him to put away his book and grab his things, then started off back down the trail, Ashton falling in alongside them.  An hour passed with them walking in silence, the twins dwelling on their home, their father, their past.  Ashton had inhaled loudly several times in this hour as if to say something, then thinking better of it decided to let the twins brood in silence.  Again Ashton took a deep breath, hesitated, and tired of the gloomy silence continued.
    “You guys have a very nice father.” Ashton stated whole-heartedly, and continued.
    “He didn’t charge me a single copper to stay last night, nor did he charge me for my food or drink.”
    Both Seth and Garret were looking at Ashton now, each with a small grin on their faces.
    “You know...” Ashton continued.  “You guys are really lucky.”  Again the twins waited for Ashton to continue, looking at him with questioning glances.  Ashton noted their looks and again continued. 
    “Twins are really rare.  So it occurred to me that sure sometimes a kid might go to The Choosing with a neighbor, or a cousin, or even a good friend, but how often does anyone get to go with their brother or sister?  It just seems to me that you guys are lucky kind of like you get to take a little bit of home, of normal everyday life with you.”
    Garret thought on this a moment and nodded in response, his mood lifted a bit.  Seth too pondered Ashton’s statement and realized that indeed he was quite lucky having his Garret along with him.  Seth imagined what Ashton must have felt leaving home alone, traveling two days through the mountain passes alone until he reached Vineleaf.
    “You know Ashton.” Seth began breaking his silence for the first time.  “You are absolutely correct; we are indeed blessed to be twins.  However, when I say it’s nice to not be going to The Choosing alone, I say it meaning not only am I glad to have Garret along as my brother, but to have you along as well as a friend.”
    “That goes for me too Ashton.”  Garret added.
    Ashton smiled at them both, glad the silence was over.  He had had enough silence traveling