Page 98 of Homestead

One leg of his jeans is entirely soaked in blood, and there’s more on the side of his head.

I climb up, almost crying again. “Jimmy! Jimmy!”

With effort, he manages to open his eyes a slit. “I’m okay.”

“No, you’re not! What kind of thing is that to say? Did you get shot again?” I’m leaning over him now, trying to examine the wound on his head.

“Piece of metal ricocheted. Nothin’ to worry ’bout there. Just my damn leg.” He blinks up at me, his face softening when his eyes focus on my face. “Was that a fuckin’ grenade? Seems like you brought back a whole army to save me.”

“I did! Of course I did!”

“Musta run like the devil to get back to me so quick. You’re pregnant. Shouldn’t’ve had to do all that.” He sounds so weak, but he’s still smiling. So tender.

“Well, I shouldn’t have had to leave you at all, but I did. Are you really okay? You must have lost so much blood.”

“Think I did lose a lot, but don’t think the leg wound is as bad as it coulda been. If the damn thing’ll stop bleeding, I’ll be okay.”

I don’t know if he believes that or if he’s simply trying to make me feel better, but it works. I hug my arms to my chest and cry in relief.

He groans as he hefts himself up to a sitting position, leaning against one side. Then he says, “Come here, girlie.”

“I don’t want to hurt you more.”

“You’re not gonna hurt me. I need to hold you right now.”

I move closer, and he puts an arm around me. I burrow into his shirt and finally, finally feel safe.

Safe.

And home.

* * *

It’s a few minutes before I can focus on anything except Jimmy, but eventually I peer out to see what’s happening.

Jimmy’s parents come over to see how he is as soon as they can. His dad starts wrapping his leg with bandages we brought with us.

The others are checking on the bad guys and collecting their weapons. One of them must not have been dead yet because a scowling Cal shoots him in the head. Cal has blood all over one shoulder, but it must not be too serious because he’s up and moving around.

Eventually I focus on Mack, who’s now heading behind the boulder to where he threw the grenade. After a minute, I straighten up, leaning out more to see better.

“What is it?” Jimmy asks, turning away from the work his father is doing on his leg.

“I don’t know. Something’s wrong with Mack.”

He’s just standing there now, staring down at the ground. Unmoving.

But something has changed about his demeanor. I can see it although I can’t explain it.

“Did he get shot?” Jimmy asks.

“I don’t think so,” Greta says, turning to peer at Mack too. “It’s a miracle we all made it out of this alive.”

“Cal got winged,” Ben says. “And Cy got grazed in the side. But nothing else.”

I’m still staring at Mack. Something is definitely wrong. I glance over at Jimmy. “Are you okay for now?”

“Yeah. Dad’s got this leg. Go check on him if you want.” He glances between Mack’s back and my face.

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