of the story: shit happens.”
Travis grinned. He couldn’t help it. It was totally inappropriate, but he couldn’t stop himself. As hard as he tried to hold it back, he began to laugh. Then he looked at Malachi and apologized, “I’m so sorry. That was really rude of me.”
Malachi waved his hand. “Laughter is good for the soul and it’s never rude to me. Travis, I was angry for so many years. Ugly angry. Festering deep in my soul, spiteful mad.” He leaned in close. “I know all too well what it feels like to hold that kind of anger inside. When it comes out, it rages, sometimes uncontrollably. I get it.”
With a reassuring grin, he said, “I also feel like this is a second chance in some strange way. Lukas was taken from me at that spot on Witch’s Bend and tonight, there was a very good chance that you would also lose your freedom, because of a stupid mistake.” Shaking his head vehemently, he scowled and said, “Not on my watch. I just can’t allow that to happen. Let’s be smart now and use this to our advantage. Learn from your mistakes and be wise, Travis. You have your entire life ahead of you. Don’t waste it on something stupid, like Junior Barnett.”
Travis extended his hand to Malachi. “Thank you. I can never repay you for all you’ve done for me. I’ll try my best not to let you down.”
Malachi shook his hand firmly and smiled. “That’s all anyone can ask, son. Now, let’s get you on home.”
The drive into Canal Fulton was solemn. Both men were deep in thought as the events from the day played and replayed in their minds. Malachi parked out front of the apartment building. It was very late and cold, no one was left loitering outside. Malachi nodded at Travis. “Remember what I said. Use your head, Travis. This too shall pass, just lay low and think before you speak.”
“Thanks, Malachi. I appreciate the ride and everything else, too.”
“No problem, son. I’ll see you soon.”
As he watched Travis make his way up the staircase and unlock the door, his heart grew heavy. Could they make this work? Would they get away with it? Even though it was Travis who’d done the killing, Malachi was now an accomplice. He had to do everything in his power to protect Travis. It wasn’t his fault, he just snapped. Malachi knew that feeling. When the pain and anger rages inside you for that long, as soon as the doorway opens just a crack, it can burst wide open in an uncontrollable surge that no one could have predicted.
In some odd way, Malachi felt like he’d been given his son back. He knew that Travis wasn’t technically his son, but he could still get a second chance and help the young man. He could be a part of his life. Malachi had a lot to teach and Travis had a lot to learn. Life is hard, maybe somehow, they could help each other.
Nine
T wo weeks went by and Travis never came to visit. Malachi had grown accustomed to seeing him almost every day. He sat out front of his store in an old rocking chair watching his angel plant flourish in the sunlight. Although he understood why Travis might be keeping his distance, he still missed the kid terribly.
What a shame. How could life take such a horrible turn like this? They’d had so much fun setting up the cryptics to scare Junior. It was a perfect plan. Malachi beat himself up, he should have anticipated that an inexperienced driver might react that way. They didn’t take into account the high rate of speed at which he was traveling or the amount of alcohol in his system. These were all factors that Malachi felt he should have been prepared for.
He read the paper and watched the news everyday. The coverage didn’t last long. The reporters said, “Local teen was killed in a single vehicle accident Saturday night. He was traveling at a high rate of speed and alcohol is believed to be a factor.” It appeared to be all Junior’s fault and nothing more was ever said, publicly anyway.
The funeral had been
Travis grinned. He couldn’t help it. It was totally inappropriate, but he couldn’t stop himself. As hard as he tried to hold it back, he began to laugh. Then he looked at Malachi and apologized, “I’m so sorry. That was really rude of me.”
Malachi waved his hand. “Laughter is good for the soul and it’s never rude to me. Travis, I was angry for so many years. Ugly angry. Festering deep in my soul, spiteful mad.” He leaned in close. “I know all too well what it feels like to hold that kind of anger inside. When it comes out, it rages, sometimes uncontrollably. I get it.”
With a reassuring grin, he said, “I also feel like this is a second chance in some strange way. Lukas was taken from me at that spot on Witch’s Bend and tonight, there was a very good chance that you would also lose your freedom, because of a stupid mistake.” Shaking his head vehemently, he scowled and said, “Not on my watch. I just can’t allow that to happen. Let’s be smart now and use this to our advantage. Learn from your mistakes and be wise, Travis. You have your entire life ahead of you. Don’t waste it on something stupid, like Junior Barnett.”
Travis extended his hand to Malachi. “Thank you. I can never repay you for all you’ve done for me. I’ll try my best not to let you down.”
Malachi shook his hand firmly and smiled. “That’s all anyone can ask, son. Now, let’s get you on home.”
The drive into Canal Fulton was solemn. Both men were deep in thought as the events from the day played and replayed in their minds. Malachi parked out front of the apartment building. It was very late and cold, no one was left loitering outside. Malachi nodded at Travis. “Remember what I said. Use your head, Travis. This too shall pass, just lay low and think before you speak.”
“Thanks, Malachi. I appreciate the ride and everything else, too.”
“No problem, son. I’ll see you soon.”
As he watched Travis make his way up the staircase and unlock the door, his heart grew heavy. Could they make this work? Would they get away with it? Even though it was Travis who’d done the killing, Malachi was now an accomplice. He had to do everything in his power to protect Travis. It wasn’t his fault, he just snapped. Malachi knew that feeling. When the pain and anger rages inside you for that long, as soon as the doorway opens just a crack, it can burst wide open in an uncontrollable surge that no one could have predicted.
In some odd way, Malachi felt like he’d been given his son back. He knew that Travis wasn’t technically his son, but he could still get a second chance and help the young man. He could be a part of his life. Malachi had a lot to teach and Travis had a lot to learn. Life is hard, maybe somehow, they could help each other.
Nine
T wo weeks went by and Travis never came to visit. Malachi had grown accustomed to seeing him almost every day. He sat out front of his store in an old rocking chair watching his angel plant flourish in the sunlight. Although he understood why Travis might be keeping his distance, he still missed the kid terribly.
What a shame. How could life take such a horrible turn like this? They’d had so much fun setting up the cryptics to scare Junior. It was a perfect plan. Malachi beat himself up, he should have anticipated that an inexperienced driver might react that way. They didn’t take into account the high rate of speed at which he was traveling or the amount of alcohol in his system. These were all factors that Malachi felt he should have been prepared for.
He read the paper and watched the news everyday. The coverage didn’t last long. The reporters said, “Local teen was killed in a single vehicle accident Saturday night. He was traveling at a high rate of speed and alcohol is believed to be a factor.” It appeared to be all Junior’s fault and nothing more was ever said, publicly anyway.
The funeral had been
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