Uprising by Shelly Crane Read Free Book Online

that’s the story. We left when we realized what was happening. I found Josh there in Missouri, that’s as far as my wife and I got by ourselves. He was in a convenience store, stealing power bars. I figured he must be in a bad way, just like we were. We got to talking and sure enough, he took us to the rest of them. And here we are.”
    “Yep. He was one scary dude,” Josh said, animated. “I thought he was coming to accost me for stealing and instead he says, “Bog into the peanut butter ones mate. Those are the best”. He scared the crap out of me.”
    Josh did a perfect Australian accent for Miguel’s quote and we all laughed some more as they bantered back and forth on how it was.
    We continued on.
    Max’s body was from here actually, as was Trudy and Phillip. Jeff had gotten his body from Kentucky, where Bobby had been from. Marissa said she was originally from Tennessee and had traveled this way with her Keeper.
    She had been a high school counselor before this. I found that a little hard to see but, if the shoe fits. Pap, Maggie and Cain are from the town here. Cain moved away to live with his dad in middle school and moved back after he got out of the Marines. His mom passed away and his dad left.
    Danny told everyone our little story. He told them all about how our parents were hippies, about how we grew up and all the funny stuff we were forced to do but left most of the recent details out, for which I was grateful for. Everyone laughed hysterically, but it was hard not to with Danny telling the story.
    I’d see Merrick nod or smile or frown at certain parts. Reliving them with us.
    Trudy was fascinated that I had worked at a tabloid magazine. I tried to explain that it wasn’t but she then claimed that she had heard about it and actually read a few copies that she got at the grocery. There was no more denying it. The proof is in the pages.
     
    A little bit later on, Lily sat in my lap on the floor with Calvin to my left and Merrick to my right, coffee in his hand and he actually brought it to his lips to sip it. I turned and smiled at him.
     
    Yeah... It’s growing on me.
     
    I chuckle a little and turn back to the movie we are watching in the corner in the second room on our newly acquired portable five inch DVD player, courtesy of the newbies. We’re watching a cartoon with toys that talk and are chasing their beloved child across the country.
    The kids think it’s hilarious and burst out laughing on more than one occasion. I’m just thankful to have even this small sense of normalcy for them.
    Calvin got up to take a quick bathroom break and when he returned he sat next to Merrick instead. Mimicking Merrick’s folded arms and crossed legged position. Merrick and I exchanged an amused glance. I’ve never asked nor heard anything about Calvin’s father. I imagine that it wasn’t something they wanted to talk about or they would have so I don’t bring it up now either.
    Later, as the credits rolled, Merrick takes Lily from me as even with her small weight it’s nearly impossible for me to lift myself off the floor with her. She had fallen asleep at the very end.
    He held her, his arm under her bottom and the other hand behind her head on his shoulder. Swaying back and forth. Calvin attempts to help me up in true gentlemanly fashion with a hand out. I swing my arm over his shoulders as we retreat to the commons room. Clock says 8:45pm.
    Calvin heads to go find Frank after thanking me for watching a movie with him. I watch Merrick as he eases back carefully out of the Lily’s room after laying her down, slightly leaving the door cracked.
    I sit by Danny who is rubbing his neck as Merrick went to grab another cup of coffee.
    I turn Danny by his shoulders and he already knows what I’m doing and smiles gratefully. As I begin to squeeze my hands on his neck and massage his shoulder he drops his head forward. It’s been too long since I’ve done this for him. Danny was always my biggest