“We’re finishin’ this later!”
Elation filling her, her face glowing, Rosaline smiles.
“Damn right we are!”
Rosaline leads Sweetie to the door, their grasp never breaking, then outside onto the porch. Mikey, Rad, and Outlaw are still stomping about, jumping in the few puddles that have formed in the front yard. The rain isn’t heavy, and the sun still shines from beyond the lightly shaded clouds above. A spring rain, one Rosaline imagines children of the old world enjoyed without a care.
Sweetie moves them to the longer, cushioned, patio lounge on the deck. It’s old, and stained, but The Family cleaned it up as best they could. The smitten women plop down on the ragged lounge, their hands still linked. Sweetie rests a leg in between Rosaline’s, hanging over one of the short warrior’s slender thighs, and resting up against her other. Rosaline leans her head against Sweetie, resting it on her romantic partner’s shoulder. Sweetie kisses the top of Rosaline’s head, then lays her cheek against it.
They watch as the two youngest members of the family, and the tallest, most brutish member, frolic in the rain, allowing the worry of their daily struggles to escape them. In this moment the farm feels like a paradise. The brutality of the wild fades away, the ruthless nature of the land they inhabit slipping from their minds. In a rare moment they’re able to experience a level of peace they never thought they would.
Mikey peers over to the porch. Rosaline smiles at him, waves, and he waves back. An extra bit of happiness rises forth upon seeing the woman who has become a mother to him being embraced by someone she cares about. Even though he doesn’t quite understand the bond the two women have formed, he sees the joy it brings his caretaker, and she deserves to be happy, to experience something good.
A splash of water drenches his face, soaking his hair. His mouth drops in surprise. Rad and Outlaw laugh wildly. Rad scoops him up off the ground, holding him horizontally, his legs over one of Rad’s arms, and his upper body over the other. Rad spins him around, picking up speed with each rotation. Mikey throws his arms out in front of him, closes his eyes, and soars like the birds he sees way above the trees and buildings.
“He looks so happy out there.”
A voice breaks the loving trance the two enchanted women have been caught up in. Rosaline turns her head to see Zee standing by the front door, her effervescent glow as present as always. She had fallen so deeply into serenity that she didn’t even hear the door open.
“I wish it could be like this all the time for him, you know?” Zee says.
“Me too, but at least he’s free today. That’s more than he’s ever had before.”
Zee takes a sip of water from the mug she’s holding, with both of her hands. Rosaline turns to face her again.
“Thank you, by the way.”
“For what?”
“Without all of you, and the farm, this moment wouldn’t be possible for him.”
“We’re glad to have you.”
Sweetie puts her arm over Rosaline’s shoulders.
“Yeah, we are.”
Zee’s brow raises, curiosity overtaking her. She moves to the small chair opposite the lounge, a sly expression engulfing her face. Her finger weaves back and forth, pointing at each of them.
“So, this is new?”
Rosaline’s gaze slides from Zee to the woman embracing her.
“New, but good.” she says, biting her bottom lip.
“Real good.” Sweetie replies, not able, or wanting, to hide her exuberance.
“This is unexpected, but great, I think. You two deserve to be happy, you’ve earned it, we all have.”
Their attention not breaking from each other, the lovers share the same cheerful expression.
“Just, you know, be careful.”
Zee’s statement brings a curious glance from both of them.
“What do you mean?” Rosaline asks.
“It’s great you two have found feelings for each other. I’m happy that you have, really, I couldn’t be happier about it.”
“Aaaaand?” Sweetie interjects.
“Well, just that, relationships aren’t easy. In the beginning it’s all butterflies and sex every chance you get, but maintaining that kind of connection takes effort. Hawaii and I love each other, and that makes all the tough times worth it. All I’m saying is, just remember that.”
Sweetie gives a gesture of understanding, but neither her nor Rosaline say anything. Zee relaxes in her chair, her back resting against the porch railing. She peers over her shoulder at the three care free members of their family.
“Graceful delights, bound by stars, flowing in rivers of sunshine, basking in elegant embraces.”
Rosaline’s brow furrows, her mouth scrunches, a puzzled look glimmers on her face. Sweetie giggles at her reaction.
“What’s that now?” the bewildered warrior inquires.
Zee's gaze doesn't move, staying fixed on the playful boys in the yard.
“Just...a feeling of the moment.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Karo drags Jack’s heavy, but loose, infected body across the muddy earth. Norman, full of fright and worry, follows behind, agonizing over the trauma his lover is enduring. Karo props the moaning man against the side of the trailer, in a seated position.
Daisy, trying her hardest to grasp the reality of the situation, while also maintaining some semblance of sanity, rolls Patrick over to his back. She wipes away the stray patches of wet dirt sticking to his cheeks and forehead. She retrieves the canteen holstered to the side of her leg and gently pours water over his face.
The languished teen coughs to life, a fit of wheezing accompanying his resumed cognizance. His eyelids flutter, their corners glossy and damp. His pupils race back and forth, searching for the memory of what drove him to this state of confusion. Suddenly, his hand comes up to his chin, his chest quivers, and his heart skips.
"J-Jack." the skittish boy mutters.
Daisy's eyes well, her cheeks
