I’m not sure how far we made it before coming across a rundown house. Luke ushers us inside, and it’s only a few minutes later he notices the pout on my lips and decides he better explain.
“We haven’t really had any issues in the last few years with the Titans, but that probably all changed with Lord Mateo choosing not to attack the compound with them. Maybe not, it’s hard to know for sure, but I’m just not willing to take that chance. Their headquarters is east of here. So most likely those are the members who attacked the compound and they’re just headed home. We just need to wait it out. If they move as fast as I think they will, we should be able to move out pretty quick. Tommy is out keeping an eye on their progress.” He crosses over to where I sit on an old wooden bench seat next to a kitchen table, and his next words are whispered, meant only for me. “If we keep up our current pace, we could make it to my friend’s place around dark. Which means we’ll have a warm bed to sleep in tonight, and I promise we we’ll finally get to finish our conversation.”
A blush sweeps across my cheeks, and he leans in to brush a peck to my temple. The two of us stay seated, hand in hand for just short of an hour before Tommy gives us the all clear and we continue on our journey.
About midafternoon we come to an elevated highway, collapsed and crumbled in some areas, while in others it stands completely intact. Luke tells us the loop circled around what use to be Paris, Texas. From the number of burned out and rotting structures, it looks like it was a pretty good sized town at one point, but I’m disappointed that I don’t immediately see an Eiffel Tower looming over the destruction. How awesome would that have looked?
It’s a hard trek maneuvering around all the destroyed homes and businesses, and it takes longer than Luke at hoped, but just as we get to the far side of town, a massive faded black metal structures comes into view up ahead.
“Oh my God,” I let out a squeal when I realize what it is and take off at a sprint, hearing Luke and the rest following close behind.
When I hear Chase whisper, “Geez, that’s the fastest she’s moved all day.” I shoot an evil eye over my shoulder, holding it to make sure he knows it was for him. That’s right, just because you’re my BFF’s BF does not me I won’t cut you.
The metal tower has definitely seen better days, leaning on its side, surrounded by chunks of concrete. The first chunk of concrete says something on it, but its faded and I can’t make it out. The second however, says Veteran’s Memorial. It makes me sad that a piece of our people’s history is left to fade to dust in a field. That people cared so little for this monument they destroyed it as soon as the government collapsed.
Our group makes our way to the top of the tower, but there isn’t a cowboy hat on top, just a few jagged edges. Clearly the last few weeks has made me unreasonably emotional because I have to actively work to keep the tears at bay over a missing cowboy hat on a dang Eiffel Tower.
While I continue to search through the pile of metal and concrete, the guys decide this is a good time for bathroom breaks and a quick snack. Everyone breaks off on their own while I remain standing still, emotional.
When I hear Easton yell, my gut instinct is to panic, but he doesn’t sound scared.
“Guys, over here!”
Our group makes our way over to where Easton stands over a large pile of concrete, and waits for him to fill us in, but I don’t need him to because I see it.
“It’s the cowboy hat,” I squeak with emotion. My emotion over a big faded red metal hat doesn’t make sense, but I’m a girl. I don’t have to make sense. Just look away.
And when I tell the guys I know we shouldn’t be wasting time but this is important, and every one of them starts digging away the debris before dragging the hat over to its rightful place, I most definitely can’t hold back the tears anymore.
When it’s done, we each admire our handy-work, taking a moment to breathe. I don’t know why this was so important, but it served more than one purpose. We’ve added some new members to our team in the last couple days. This gave us a chance to work together, to do something right and good, even if we didn’t have time for it.
Before we leave, I take one last look at the toppled Eiffel Tower with the faded cowboy hat rested against it, and I pray one day our world can be beautiful again.
chapter 5 - Get Your Popcorn Ready
ANNA
After we left behind all our hard work in Paris, Texas, the next few hours of the trip seemed relaxed, albeit exhausting. Maybe it wasn’t smart to waste our energy on something so trivial, but it sure felt good. It had lightened everyone’s mood, removing the metaphorical grey cloud over our heads, if only for a short time.
When the sun set and Luke said we had to keep going, no one was happy about that. We were only an hour away from Luke’s friend’s ranch, and he wasn’t about to sleep outside if he didn’t have to. My mind agrees, but my calves want to rip Luke’s face off. The only thing getting me through is the thought of a warm bed and Luke potentially finally professing his undying love for me.
