I heard Henry’s heavy footsteps come into the kitchen. I glanced his way. His face was relaxed, and his eyes, his beautiful emerald eyes, sparkled. I ran to him and wrapped my arms around his neck. He pulled away, and I could feel that he was uncomfortable being in the same room as Claire.
“Henry, I would like to apologize to you.” He just looked at her with a blank stare. “I shouldn’t have punched you like that. I was just upset, and felt you were taking everyone’s life for granted so you could be the hero…yet again.”
“Well, that was a backhanded apology,” I mumbled.
“I don’t want to be a hero. I didn’t ask for this. It’s a burden that I carry, and I want to help Addie. It’s the least I can do for her since she has helped us with a place to stay and food. It’s my job, as the leader of this crew, to help when I see fit.”
“You barely know her!”
“Umm, Claire, she’s standing right in the room with us.” Addie grabbed the bowl with the eggs in it and walked out the back door.
“Why are you so resistant?” Henry asked, trying to control his temper. His good hand was clenched to the point that it was shaking.
“Have you forgotten what’s happened over the last couple months? You can’t save the world, Henry!”
“Yes, he can,” I murmured.
“Really, Elaina? Do you really think Henry can save the world?” I whipped around and glared at her. I swallowed hard, trying to push away the tongue lashing that I wanted to give her. I was unsuccessful.
“How dare you!” I glowered at her. “If it wasn’t for this man right here, we would be dead. Do you not understand that?!” I tried to keep my voice even. “If you don’t want to keep going then, by all means, go back. I have my doubts and my worries, but he’s what keeps me going. I want to marry him. I want to have a stable life with him. And I want a family with him.”
That made Claire pull in a sharp breath. “Do you think it’s easy, knowing that I could be bringing a baby into this fucked up world? Do you think I’m excited to be playing house with someone?” We heard the screen door close. Nick was standing there, and the hurt in his face was evident. He looked at Claire for a long moment, then stormed out of the kitchen. “Nick, wait! I didn’t mean it like that!”
He turned around when he got to the door and faced Henry. “I’m ready whenever you are.” Henry nodded, and Nick stormed off out front.
“Nick, please! Wait!” Claire stopped when the front door slammed before she could get to it. She began crying. I wanted to run to her and comfort her, but she had been a royal hormonal bitch to everyone. I was having trouble forgiving her for being the hypocrite that she was. My heart was breaking for my brother.
“I better go talk to him,” I said to Henry.
“Okay. Be careful.” He brushed my cheek with his lips. Claire was sitting on the floor in front of the door with her head in her lap, sobbing. Thomas was sitting on the couch, looking unsure as to what he should be doing, or where he should be looking. As I opened the door to the outside, he got up and guided Claire to the couch.
***
Nick was sitting on the dilapidated front steps, picking up tiny pebbles and throwing them haphazardly toward the old country road. I sat down beside him. There was nothing across the road from Addie’s house but an empty wheat field.
“Mind if I join in?”
“It’s of your choosing,” he mumbled. I began searching for some pebbles to throw. We were silent for a few minutes. I didn’t want to push the conversation. I wanted him to lead it.
“Elaina, where have I gone wrong with her? I don’t understand.” He sounded heartbroken.
“I think she’s just scared, and sometimes when that happens, shit flies out of her mouth.”
He shook his head, fighting the ache that was filling him. “When Jenna died, I was crushed. But interacting with Claire made me realize that what I truly wanted had been in front of me for years. I thought my insecurities were put to rest when she came back with my guitar. She risked her life just to see me smile! I don’t understand where I went wrong.” He was beating himself up for no reason.
“I don’t know what’s going on with her. I think she’s scared to death. She’s subconsciously pushing us all away. Her hormones are probably all out of whack or something.”
Nick smiled and shook his head a little. “You have a way with words, Elaina. What am I going to do? Am I ready to be a father in this madness?”
“You’re going to be an excellent father. I can’t imagine it any other way. I’ve never seen you in so deep with someone. You can’t let her push you away. She needs you.”