The Last Island by James Hunt

Author:James Hunt [Hunt, James]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
ISBN: 9798807666499
Google: KggszwEACAAJ
Amazon: B09YM378C5
Publisher: Independently published
Published: 2022-04-21T00:00:00+00:00

19

Kayla did her best to help keep Jerry propped up, but he was just so big and heavy she wasn’t sure how effective she was keeping him upright.

“Sorry for weighing you down, kid,” Jerry said, grinning.

“Mom said you tried to save Benji,” Kayla said. “The kid can drive me nuts, but he’s my brother, and I’d kill anyone who would try to hurt him. And anyone who tries to save him isn’t a burden. Just don’t expect me to carry you.”

“That would be a sight, wouldn’t it?” Jerry asked. “Here, let’s see if you can do it—”

“No way!” Kayla laughed as Jerry eased more of his weight on her and nearly caused her to crumble. She knew it was only a quarter of what he really could have put on her, and it was still a lot.

The moment of levity was appreciated, but Kayla also noticed the grimaces of pain between the smiles. Jerry was in more pain than he was letting on.

“If you need to take a break, that’s fine,” Kayla said.

“No, I’m all right,” Jerry said, pushing through.

Kayla rolled her eyes. “I guess boys never grow out of the ‘I can tough it out’ phase, do they?”

“Only the smart ones,” Jerry said.

Kayla eventually convinced Jerry to take a break before they reached the church. Even though he repeatedly said it was just up the road, Kayla was afraid he was going to push himself to the point of collapse, and that wouldn’t help any of them. He was pale and sweaty, and he was incredibly stiff as if any extraneous movement would cause him to collapse.

“I noticed your family’s a little on edge,” Jerry said and then added, “even beyond the current circumstances.”

“Yeah, well, that’s what happens when your father decides to uproot your entire family to live on an island away from civilization,” Kayla said.

“Island sounds pretty nice right about now,” Jerry said.

“I think that’s what makes it so much worse,” Kayla said. “The fact that he was right.”

“Maybe take it easy on him,” Jerry said.

“How come every time someone else screws up, the other person is always supposed to be the ‘bigger person?’” Kayla asked. “It’s stupid.”

“I guess it kind of is, isn’t it?” Jerry asked. “I wish I had some better experience or wisdom to draw upon to give you, kiddo. But I had a great relationship with my dad. Sure, we butted heads a few times when I was a teenager, but that’s the case with every parent and relationship. The only thing I’m certain about is you won’t understand the truth until the two of you talk. And that’s all I’m suggesting. Just talking and listening.”

Kayla nodded. “Right. Listen.” But the problem with that advice was she’d been waiting to listen for too long. Even though she was the older sibling, her parents never had trusted to tell her the truth about what was going on. All either of them did was ensure she and Benji that despite their dad quitting his job, they were going to be okay.

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