Page 74 of Concluded
Although the bungalow was bigger than the cabin, it was still modest: two bedrooms, a 1950s-vintage kitchen, and a cozy living room.Also a lot of books, stashed just about everywhere.And there was a big bathtub, large enough for a half-sasquatch, in fact.
“Do you think Jerry’d mind if I had a soak?”Achilles asked.
“I doubt it very much.”
That was enough encouragement for Achilles.Within moments he had his clothing off and the tub filling with steamy water.Dee stood fully clothed, hands on hips, apparently supervising.“How’s your shoulder?”
“Fine.”
“Your feet?”
“They’ll be okay after a soak.”
“Your other bumps and scrapes and gouges?”
Achilles had never had anyone who cared about his condition, aside from assessing whether he was healed enough to return to work.“Tolerable.”
“You could wish yourself healed.”
“It’s not worth wasting your juice on.It’ll happen naturally soon enough.”Achilles glanced down at his midsection.“Unless the scars gross you out?”
Dee stepped closer and trailed a finger along some of the larger ones, making Achilles shiver.“They don’t.”
“Good.”
“But I don’t want you to get any more, if we can help it.”
Achilles took Dee’s hand and kissed the knuckles.“Agreed.”
The bath was lovely.Achilles dozed off, in fact, and by the time he roused himself, the water had cooled, Jerry was back from his shopping, and Achilles’ clothes had disappeared.He remained in the bathroom for a bit, listening to the quiet rumble of Jerry and Dee’s conversation in the living room, before venturing out with a towel tied around his waist.
“Uh, hi?”Achilles crept into the living room, feeling ridiculous.
“New clothing and toiletries in there,” Dee said, pointing at a bedroom.“Your other stuff’s in the dryer.Jerry and Art truly do have all the modern conveniences here.”
Hoping his dignity remained intact, Achilles hurried to dress.When he returned, Jerry was standing up.“Food’s in the kitchen and Dee has your phone.Stay as long as you want; just take out the trash and lock up when you go.I’m gonna head back.”
Achilles blinked.“But it’s getting dark out.”
“I see better in the dark than you do at noon.Art’s always been a little envious of that.”
“Well, thank you for… gods, for everything.You guys have literally been lifesavers.I don’t know how long it’ll be before Charles can get Ish?—”
“Aw, he’s welcome as long as he needs it.And we’re happy to help.Nice to know we can still contribute to the cause.Oh!I almost forgot this.”He dumped some keys and a wad of rubber-banded cash on the coffee table.“Take it.It’s parked out front.”
“Yourcar?”
“Ya gotta get to Portland somehow, right?It’s nothing fancy, but it runs.We hardly use it, and it’s really more fuss than it’s worth.Hard to keep the battery charged when it sits there for weeks.”
There really were no words to properly express his gratitude, so Achilles instead gave him a hug.Jerry happily—enthusiastically—hugged back, leaving Achilles slightly breathless and convinced thatsasquatch hugwould be a better phrase thanbear hug.
“I can grant you a wish,” Dee offered.
“Aw, that’s real nice.Thank you.But I already have everything I want.I hope you guys get there someday too.”After a final wave, Jerry was gone.
CHAPTER30
Dee didn’t pay much attention to Achilles’ phone conversation with Charles, but he got the gist of it.Charles was relieved that Ish was safe, slightly astounded that Dee had been able to teleport them successfully, and cautiously approving of their new plan.He did try to give warnings about the likely outcomes, but Achilles overrode him, saying he’d already considered them.Charles wished them luck and asked them to report in regularly.
