Nick reached into his pack and grabbed his only bottle. Henry reluctantly took it and rinsed his mouth out a few times.
“Let’s head back. You don’t look so hot.” Henry nodded and turned to the steering wheel. He lay back in the seat for a moment before he started the truck. The others filed in once they got all the supplies secured in the back. Henry was still lying back in the seat.
“What happened in there?” Justin whispered.
“A fucking gory mess. That’s all I’ll say about it. I need a drink,” he mumbled.
“But what…?” Justin began.
“Just leave it!” Henry screamed, startling everyone. He put the truck into gear and headed back toward Addie’s.
***
It was near nightfall by the time Henry pulled the truck into Addie’s driveway. Claire and I ran out of the house as he slammed it into park and shut it off. Nick patted him on the shoulder and hopped out. Henry had his forehead rested against the steering wheel.
“Is he alright?” I asked Nick as he rounded the front end of the truck.
“I don’t know. He saw something in the store and refuses to speak about it. When he made it out of the store, he was vomiting. He never does that.”
I slowly walked up to the truck door and opened it. “Henry?” He didn’t turn my way. “I’m glad you’re back.” I stepped up on the side step. I brushed my fingers through his hair. He looked at me, and his eyes were blood shot. “Hey.” He swallowed hard. “Want to talk about it?” He shook his head. “Henry…it’s obvious that something is really bothering you. Please talk to me.” I waited for a few seconds before I took his hand and guided him out of the truck. I decided to just take him somewhere he could have privacy, just in case he had another one of his epic meltdowns.
We sat in the barn, watching the rest of the sunset. I was lying with my head on his lap. He played with my hair like he always did, while staring blankly off into the distance. I wondered if it comforted him as much as it did me. It was quite some time before he even said anything.
“I’ve seen a lot of shit, Elaina, but today…,” he swallowed, “today tops it.” He covered his eyes, pushing the heels of his palms into them, and his body began to shake as the silent tears poured out. I sat up and grabbed him. Holding him, rocking him, loving on him.
“Henry, tell me what you saw.”
“I can’t!” he cried. “I can’t.” His shoulders shook as his silent cries turned into sobs.
“Shh…” I ran my hands through his hair, trying to comfort him. “I’m here for you, lover. I’ve got you.” I held him tight while he sobbed into my shoulder. It was difficult for me to witness. I hated it when he was so upset that he couldn’t string more than two words together.
Eventually, he calmed down enough to look me in the eye. What a mess he was. His eyes were red and swollen. He had bits of vomit and gore on his shirt. I held his face in my hands.
“Talk to me,” I whispered, and then I took his hands. “I want to help you through whatever is going on.”
“It was the most horrific, gruesome scene that I have ever witnessed.” He looked down at our hands. I was holding both of his, gently rubbing my thumbs across them. “I’m not sure if they were related, but…” He shuddered. “Not that it matters. There were several woman, and so many children. Babies,” he whispered. “Lots of babies and itty-bitty children. All dead. Shot in the head. They were executed,” he whispered.
“Oh, god…”
“I don’t know why they were in the store, but they were piled up like livestock. The doors were locked. It was like they purposely did what they did.”
“That may be the case. They may not have seen another way around it.” I rubbed his shoulders, and he looked up at me. “I love you so much.”
He wrapped his arms around me. “I love you, too.” We quietly held one another. I needed to hold him together.
“Come on. It’s cold out here. Let’s get you inside so you can clean up.” I stood and held out my hand to help him up. He curled his lips into his mouth and accepted my help. As we were leaving the barn, Nick and Addie were heading our way.
“We were getting worried,” Addie said. “How are you doing?”
“He saw something today that really affected him.” Henry was looking around, scanning the area and trying to avoid everyone’s eyes. Addie took Henry by the shoulders, forcing herself into his field of vision.
“Anything you need to discuss?” He sucked in some air and his breath shook as he let it back out. He shook his head. “Are you sure, hon?” His eyes filled with tears. “Oh no. Please don’t. I’m sorry. I didn’t intend on making you more upset.” She hugged him and held him for a minute.