The fight had left both men exhausted and they opted to call it a day 2 miles from Austin. Since there was nothing but Highway 193 in both directions the two had no choice but to sleep out in the open, back to back, and take turns on watch. Before crashing Jeff offered, "Hey man it's a cold night, let's treat ourselves to a warm fire. We could both use a boost."
"Sounds good dude," Skyler chimed. They guys sat around the fire and spoke of better days.
"This reminds me of one summer in Montana when I was felling logs. Me and my buddy Josef were on this long job and our supplies had run low. It was mid-December and we got caught in a snow storm before we could make it back to base. We had to huddle at the base of this tree. We knew it was risky to start a fire, but that little bit of warmth bro made all the difference." Skyler reminisced. A look of sadness crossed Skyler's face before he cleared his throat and continued, "Anyway, the fire's a nice touch. I'm glad we have one."
"Yeah," Jeff contributed, "Hopefully this can become a routine when we reach the army outpost in Austin. Let's get some sleep."
"Hey Jeff..."
"Yeah Skyler?"
"Have you ever been in love?" quizzed Skyler with a far away sound to his voice.
"Once," mumbled Jeff, "her name was Elise. Now get some sleep buddy. I need you strong tomorrow. I don't know what I'd have done without you today."
"Good night Jeff."
"Night Skyler."
The quiet crackling of the fire affected each man in his own way. Skyler felt soothed by the whole white noise and faded into sleep. Jeff, however, found his mind racing once more with thoughts of Elise. This time it was a happier memory and so he let those piercing green eyes lull him to sleep.
He had ran into Elise only one time after the debacle that was Florida. It was fleeting, but he clung to this memory. It had been a couple of months after he had returned home. At first he had avoided Mrs. Millie and the bookstore because of the torment it had caused him. One day on his way home from work he realized he was there as his feet hit the doorstep. He hadn't planned on going to the bookstore, but his body had brought him here so he took a deep breath and climbed the flight of stairs.
Mrs. Millie smiled, "Hello Jeff. It's so nice to see your handsome face around her again. I've missed our conversations and that delicious jerky of yours. Oh and I have a good book for you about WWII as well. Come on in and warm up for a spell."
"Thank you Mrs. Millie. You're the best. I've missed seeing you, too." Jeff responded. It was true, he had missed Mrs. Millie's warmth and was remorseful he had excluded the bookstore from his routing. Just as he was feeling at home again, he saw those emerald eyes and she took his breath away once more.
Elise was gaunt and her frame was wispy and looked as if a small breeze would send her sprawling. They locked eyes and that was all he knew for a solid minute. She looked trapped and as if she dreaded seeing him. How could this hollow figure be his Elise, his green eyed beauty, his heartbeat? They sat together for only five minutes before she left him just as deflated and lost as on the beach. She had ovarian cancer. That was why she refused his proposal, that was why she fled.
"I found out I had cancer days before our trip. The doctor informed me I had only months to live and if I was able to beat the 95% chance of dying I would never be able to have children. I couldn't let that become your life. I wanted to spend our anniversary together and have one last beautiful memory of you. I couldn't bear the thought of you watching me waste away. You are meant to be a husband and a father and I couldn't give you either of those things. I could only offer you death. I left so that you might find life with someone else." Elise blurted out.
Jeff just stared at her. The words wouldn't come.
"I will always love you Jeff." Elise whispered as she kissed his forehead, tousled his hair and was gone.
It was a solid five minutes before he realized she had left. The first death creature was sighted the next day and the emptiness she had left him with helped him to survive this world now void of life and joy. It was the only kindness that she had given him in the end. He relived that last kiss and the last time she told him she loved him over and over again. Each time he thought of what he could have done, should have done. If only he had spoken. If only he had followed after her. If only. . .
A searing pain jolted Jeff awake as he rolled onto his fractured left arm. It was a new day and the day Skyler and he would scout out a route through Austin. For the first time in years there was a glimmer of hope.
(to be continued...)
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