A Wish and a Prayer (15 page)

As if they had been doing it for a lifetime, Preston's pop spread his arms wide, and Preston walked into the first real hug he'd ever experienced and it felt so damn good, he had to take in a deep breath because it filled up his heart so much. “Thanks, Pops,” he murmured.

“No, thank you, son. You've given this old jar-head a purpose.”

Preston stepped out of the embrace and extended his fist. “Semper Fi,” he whispered.

Barrett touched his knuckles to his son's and nodded. “Semper Fi.”

Later that evening, Preston sat on his bed in his silent room, reading and not minding that he had no electronics. He had family, and the surety of that almost made him start crying again, but he wiped at his eyes and bucked it up, as Tamar would say. He was having such an amazing life, he wanted to stand on the porch and shout his happiness to Alpha Centauri. A soft knock on his door made him look up from the book on meteor showers that he'd borrowed from school.

It was Mrs. Payne. “May I come in?”

“Sure.”

“How are you feeling?”

“Still up in the clouds.”

Her lips curved into a gentle smile. “I know we talked about the adoption at dinner, but I just wanted to tell you how blessed I am, having you in my life. I know young men don't like a lot of mushy talk, so I'll be brief, but as I told Barrett, I've been wishing and praying for you since the day I found out I couldn't have children of my own. You are more than I ever dreamed, Preston. Way more.”

“You can sit if you want.”

She took a seat in the old armchair. “Remember the time I caught you reading the W. E. B. Dubois biography in the middle of the night?”

He smiled. “I do.” It was during his first summer with them.

“I knew then that you were a very special child.”

“I knew you were okay too, because one, you didn't laugh at me for reading something like that, and two, you didn't make me put the book up, or say, go to bed.”

“I was too impressed.” She quieted for a moment, then added softly, “And I want to thank you for helping Barrett, too. He's been drifting since we moved here, and now I believe he's found an anchor in you.”

Preston didn't know what to say. “I think he and I are going to be tight.”

“I think so, too. I have a question.”

“Shoot.” It was a response he'd learned from the seniors in Henry Adams.

“The court will want to know what you want your legal name to be once the adoption is finalized. Do you have any idea?”

“Should I change it?”

“That's up to you.”

He thought about it for a moment. “How about Preston Mays Payne.”

There was approval in her eyes. “I like that.”

“Since I met that Crenshaw lady, I think I want to keep my biological dad's name out of respect.”

“That's a wonderful sentiment. Who knows, maybe one day you'll get to meet his family. Even though you never knew Lawrence Mays, I believe they'd be proud that you chose to honor him by keeping his name.”

He agreed, and studied the woman who'd been nothing but kind to him since the first day they met. “Now I have a question for you.”

“Shoot,” she replied, and they both grinned.

“Can I call you Mom?”

“Oh, Preston.” Tears filled her eyes. “That would be so wonderful.”

After sharing a strong heartfelt hug and a few more tears, she left his room, and he was once again alone. At that moment, it occurred to him that the kid soon to be Preston Mays Payne would never be alone ever again, emotionally or otherwise, and for him that meant more than anything in the world.

The last piece of the puzzle was Leah. He'd blown it this afternoon, but next time he'd get it right. His life was on a roll, and he wanted her to be a part of it.

Chapter 17

O
ver at the rec, the Friday-night moviegoers were arriving and finding seats. Jack chose one at the end of a row on the far side of the auditorium and sat down to wait. He had no idea if Rocky would show, but he'd saved her a seat beside him, just in case. Inviting her to join him wasn't something he'd planned—the words just sort of rolled out—but he got the sense that she was dropping her guard, and that gave him hope.

He was still wearing the sling. The docs said he could discard it in a couple days, and he was happy about that; he needed to start looking for a new vehicle to replace the one totaled in the crash. Henry Adams wasn't a big place geographically, so he'd had no trouble getting around, but he was going to need wheels at some point. Who knew, maybe he'd even look at a truck, since that seemed to be the unwritten requirement about what was appropriate to drive.

He surveyed the people entering. Eli, Crystal, and the other kids were at home on lockdown, but he spotted Trent and Lily, Bernadine and Mal, and the Paynes. Marie Jefferson and Genevieve Curry came in, waved his way, and took seats down front. He'd positioned himself about three-quarters of the way up, so he'd be able to keep an eye on the two doors and not miss Rocky's entrance.

As the arrivals became a steady flow, the buzz of visiting and conversing filled the space. For Jack it had become a familiar sound and made him appreciate more and more how special a place Henry Adams was. Life was so easy and simple that this is what the community did on Friday night. They gathered, gossiped, caught up on the lives of their friends and neighbors, and then sat down as one to enjoy the movies. After living in L.A., he thought he'd stepped into an alternate universe on his first Friday night in town last year. It amazed him that they all knew each other. In L.A., he was lucky to know the neighbors living on either side, but here they were all related, or attended school together. They were godparents and godchildren, fathers and daughters, mothers and sons. The idea that they'd been doing this for generations was what blew him away the most, and now his and Eli's lives were a part of this living history as well. The enormity of that was staggering.

He saw parents and children that he didn't recognize, and guessed they were from neighboring communities like Franklin. More and more outsiders were showing up every week to take advantage of the no-frills, laid-back entertainment.

Apparently the members of the press and the FUFAs had nothing to do on a Friday night either. Some of the crews had left for the weekend, but those still in town were drifting in, carrying their popcorn and drinks and looking around for seats to claim for themselves and their colleagues. It was going to be a packed house, and he was glad he'd gotten in early.

Trent made his way over to where he was sitting and asked, “You busy tomorrow?”

“I'm going with Rocky in the morning to pick up a bike, but I'm guessing it won't take all day. Why?”

“Really? This like a date?” Trent didn't bother hiding his grin.

“She says no.”

“Sounds like one to me.”

Jack shrugged. “All I know is she invited me, and I said yes.”

“Okay. The reason I'm asking is, I'm hoping we can get together and figure out what we want to sing for the Idol contest.”

“What time?”

“How about four? At the garage.”

“If I can't make it, I'll call you.”

“Good enough. Did she say what kind of bike?”

“No.”

“Knowing her, it's probably a motorcycle. She used to ride one when we were younger.”

“Okay. I didn't know that.”

They both saw Tamar up on the stage, ready to begin her role as the evening's mistress of ceremonies.

“Okay, Jack. Have a good time, and I'll see you tomorrow afternoon.”

He quickly headed back to his seat beside his wife. Jack turned to check the doors again. No Rocky. Disappointed, he focused his attention on Tamar.

She began the night festivities by referencing the two-page surveys everyone had been handed upon entering the auditorium. She then turned the announcement over to Gary Clark.

“I need them back ASAP,” he said, standing at his seat in the middle of the room. “If you can't complete it tonight, bring it tomorrow to the groundbreaking. Mal says you can drop them off at the Dog, too. The surveys are very important if we want to open our own grocery store.” He thanked everyone and sat down again next to his daughters.

Up on the stage, Tamar added, “Don't make me have to pay you a visit.”

Laughter followed that.

“Okay. That's it for housekeeping. We're showing
The Princess and the Frog
and
All About Eve
.”

She left the stage, the house lights went down, and the movie began.

Jack hadn't seen Disney's newest princess movie, and frankly, he wasn't sure he wanted to, but he did want to see Bette Davis work her magic in the second feature, so he sat back. About fifteen minutes in, he heard a whisper beside him in the dark. “Did you save me a seat?”

Surprise jerked him straight up. “Yes.”

He scrambled to his feet to allow Rocky to pass.

“Thanks,” she whispered.

He was grateful for the darkness, because he was grinning like a fool.

She leaned over close enough for him to smell a light perfume. “Sorry I'm late. Couldn't get the stupid FUFAs to leave so I could lock up, then I had to run home and take a shower.”

“Glad you made it.”

“Me, too.”

After that, they focused on the screen, and Jack was in heaven. About five minutes later, she leaned close and whispered, “Would you like to go for a drink after the movie?”

Somehow managing not to jump up and shout hallelujah, he replied, “Sure.”

W
hen the movies were over, Bernadine left the auditorium with Mal's arm around her waist.
All About Eve
had been as wonderful as she remembered. Bette Davis was a fabulous actress.

They were among the last group of moviegoers to exit, and as they stepped out into the chilly blustery night and headed for the solar-illuminated parking lot a few yards away, Mal stopped suddenly and tensed.

“What's the matter?”

“Smell that?”

Bernadine did; then, as a gust of wind blew by, the scent became more pronounced.

People were flowing around them on the way to their vehicles, and Mal yelled out, “Gasoline! Don't start your rides!”

The wind grabbed his words, but those people closest apparently understood and stopped. Some people could be seen at the far end of the lot who obviously couldn't hear him because of the distance, but a few people were coming back at a run.

Trent ran up. “Do you smell that gas?”

“Yeah, I'm trying to get people to hold off starting up until we figure out where it's coming from.”

The first explosion rocked the surroundings. One minute they'd been talking, and the next minute they were on the ground. A second explosion quickly followed. Red and orange flames filled the middle of the lot and rose into an undulating wall that sent fiery feelers rushing toward them over the surface of the lot.

“Run!” Mal bellowed. He grabbed Bernadine's hand, pulled her stumbling to her feet, and together they joined the panicked race back to the building. Behind them blast after blast reverberated against the night, shaking the ground so forcefully she almost went down again. Some of the older people were knocked off their feet, but friends and neighbors rushed to their aid to get them moving again. Thick black smoke burned their eyes and throats.

Scraps of flaming, spinning metal began showering down like rain, adding to the terror. Hands went up to shield heads, only to be burned. Chunks of white-hot debris slammed into shoulders and crashed into backs. Screams rang out. People fell and were helped up. She noticed Bing limping along slowly with his arm around Clay, supporting his weight.

Mal saw them too. The building was just up ahead, so Bernadine pushed him toward his friend. “Go! I'll be okay!”

He ran to assist them, and she covered the last few feet while frantically looking around for anyone else needing help. Her thoughts flew to the kids at home and prayed they were safe.

Trent, Gary, and Barrett ran by her, loaded down with fire extinguishers, but she wasn't sure that would make a difference. She turned to see. The entire lot was engulfed in walls of dancing flames. People were still running by her, jostling her as they passed, and all she could do was stare transfixed at the most surreal scene she'd ever witnessed. Camera crews were running toward the blaze.

Trent and his crew were spraying wide arcs of foam in an effort to keep the fire from jumping to the grass and eating its way up to the building. Her fear was that there would be more explosions from gas tanks igniting and they might be hurt, but she left them to their grim task, covered the last few feet to safety, and dragged herself inside.

The auditorium's interior was in chaos. Injured and dazed people were everywhere. Down by the stage Rocky was tearing open a packaged case of bottled water while Jack, with his arm in a sling, did his best to get the bottles passed out to the people lining up. Tamar was on a bullhorn, giving directions to keep the badly injured in the lobby and announcing that ambulances were on the way. Lily was on her phone. Her face and hair were streaked with black smoke. Men Bernadine knew to be reporters were carrying stacked Red Cross–type cots up the aisles to the lobby to accommodate the injured until the ambulances arrived. The water, cots, and blankets Marie and Genevieve were handing out were from the emergency supplies kept on site in case of a blizzard or tornado. No one had imagined they'd be needed for something like this.

Bernadine finally shook off the shock of the nightmarish last few minutes and hurried down the center aisle to help. Rushing in behind her were Dr. Reg Garland, carrying his doctor's bag, and Reverend Paula Grant, wearing her clerical collar.

In the end, thirty-five people were injured. Three of them had to be airlifted to Wichita to be treated for severe burns. A Franklin couple, Mike and Peggy Sanderson, who'd come to the movies to celebrate their thirtieth wedding anniversary, died when their truck caught fire.

Afterward, the weary locals and the first responders gathered at the Dog. Rocky opened up the kitchen and made coffee and sandwiches. The teens, along with Zoey and Devon, had ridden to the rec on their bikes, and after making sure their parents were okay, they were put to work in the kitchen.

Reg Garland and Reverend Grant looked dead on their feet from their ministrations to body and soul. Bernadine was sick from the death and destruction. She'd never imagined something so horrific happening in her town. Sheriff Dalton had arrived at the rec with some of the first responders. The parking lot was still too hot to do any preliminary forensics, he told her, but he admitted that a fire of such size and ferocity didn't usually happen by chance. He'd return in the morning along with ATF agents to try and get to the bottom of things.

She took the cup of coffee Mal placed in front of her. “Thanks.”

He was wearing the same grim look he'd been wearing all evening, a look mirrored on the faces of everyone sitting in the Dog. “Clay just called from the hospital. Bing's leg's broken. He'll stay there overnight, and Clay will bring him home in the morning.”

“Did he fall?” Lily asked, seated beside Trent, who reeked of smoke and extinguisher foam.

Mal shook his head. “He got hit by a flying truck door during the first explosion. He's lucky to still be with us.”

“Who would do this?” She knew no one had an answer, but felt the need to express the question anyway. Al Stillwell instantly came to mind. Could he be so angry that he'd want to hurt people he didn't even know? She understood him wanting to take revenge on her, but the Franklin couple who'd lost their lives had no connection to the lawsuit whatsoever, yet their family would be holding a funeral in the next few days. What had happened to her idyllic little piece of paradise? She supposed the ills of society were destined to catch up with them sooner or later, but parts of her wanted to hire regiments of marines and SWAT teams with dogs to keep her people safe.

Greer Parker walked over to the booth where she was seated and said somberly, “We filmed some of the fire. If law enforcement wants to view the footage, have them contact me.”

“I will.”

“So sorry about all this, Ms. Brown. Not what you expect to happen in a town like this.”

Bernadine agreed.

When everyone realized there was nothing more any of them could do, people started to head to their vehicles for the ride home, but some realized belatedly that they no longer had a vehicle. Marie had lost her old Pontiac. Mal's Ford had been parked at the Dog, and Trent's at the garage, so theirs had been spared. Lily's hadn't, and neither had Gary Clark's. Bernadine lost Baby, too.

Those without transportation were offered rides home with those who did. Once that was sorted out, Reverend Paula asked, “Bernadine, what about the groundbreaking tomorrow? Are we on or off?”

Bernadine looked around at the kids, Sheila and Barrett, Rocky and Jack, and everyone else waiting to hear her response. “We're on. If we hide under the covers, whoever started that fire wins, and I refuse!”

Applause, yells, and shouts of encouragement greeted her announcement, letting her know she'd made the right choice.

Reverend Paula smiled tiredly. “Then I'll see everybody at eleven o clock.”

Rocky gave Jack, Eli, and Eli's bike a ride home. While Eli grabbed his bike out of the bed, unlocked the door, and went inside, Jack sat silently. Rocky looked over. “You okay, Professor?”

“Who would do this?”

She shrugged. “I don't know. It's a shame those people had to die. I hope Dalton finds whoever did it and puts them away before they do something else. I can't imagine how that poor family must feel. Reverend Grant said she heard the explosions out at Tamar's.”