Reckoning ~ Indian Hill 2 ~ A Michael Talbot Adventure Read Free Page B

sound I heard was that of the crunching ice under my tires. I slowed to a crawl when I entered my dad’s driveway. Off to my right was Mann’s pond, completely frozen solid at this time of year. I noticed one solitary figure gliding along. I couldn’t be sure from the distance, but in this remote of a location, at this time of year, it could only be one person.
    My father stopped his precision glide to look over the pond at the vehicle intruding on his land. I’m sure the sight of any military vehicle was not welcome, especially after the runaround the family received concerning my whereabouts. He slowly skated closer to the edge of the pond, perhaps to verbally accost the intruder. At the previous stop, I had changed out of my civvies and donned the Marine Corps uniform. The general knew I would take the commission and it seemed he also knew my size perfectly. I had to admit, I cut a pretty good figure with it on. I stopped the Hummer on the driveway, my father now within thirty yards, and at the edge of the pond. I knew at this distance there would be no way he could tell who I was. Especially, since the last time I saw him, I was twenty pounds lighter with long hair and more than likely wearing an Ozzy Osbourne T-shirt.
    At one hundred and eighty-five pounds, with short hair and in an officer’s uniform, it might as well have been Halloween. I began the descent down to the banks of the pond, while my father just stood there, most likely still not recognizing me. He looked warily at me under the assumption that I would be bringing him bad news about his son. And, to be honest, he didn’t look like he could handle it. This once virile man had been reduced to a shell of his former self. The stress and loss of the past year and a half had visibly taken their toll. Now, I wondered if I had the right person. From a distance, he looked like the man I called “father,” but as I approached, I saw how reality had ravaged him. Tears were welling up in his eyes. Recognition was becoming evident on his face; but he wouldn’t let his guard down until he was completely sure. The pain of false hope would be almost too much to bear. I was now within fifteen feet.
    “Mike?” he said, almost as a whisper, so unsure of his sight and mind. “Mike? Is that you?”
    “It’s me, Dad.” The voice sealed the deal. He might not have been able to trust his eyes, but his ears certified what his mind longed to hear. He fell to one knee, crying, his face buried in his gloves. Sobs racked his body. I ran the rest of the way.
    “Dad! It’s me!” I hugged him as hard as I could; then eased off, afraid that I might break him in two. He grabbed my arm with his. I think he had to touch me just to make sure.
    “Is that really you?” He didn’t let me answer. “Your mom…” And he started sobbing anew.
    “I know, Dad, I know. I’m sorry that I couldn’t be here for you and the family.” My sister had been watching the whole event unfold from the large picture window that overlooked the pond. She came running out of the cabin, not knowing who I was or why I was there.
    “Dad!” she screamed. “Are you alright?” I stood up and turned towards her with my father still clutching my arm, not wanting to let go. She had been running at a full sprint and suddenly stopped dead in her tracks as if she’d just seen a ghost. And who knows? Perhaps she had.
    “Mike, is that you?” She seemed more unwilling to accept my appearance than our dad. Perhaps she had already made peace with my passing. My dad had still not been able to let go of me and was more than eager to accept my return. My sister couldn’t move, she was rooted to the spot. She just shook her head back and forth.
    “It can’t be you. We buried you.” The general didn’t tell me that little nugget of information. I guess it’s kind of tough to tell someone he is dead and buried, when he’s standing right in front of you.
    “It’s me, sis.” She approached cautiously.