TWO SOULS: INTO THE FIRE
58th installment
warning...adult content
Steve went out to tell Kinsey and Terry; he said they could leave, and he'd let them know when to come get them.
They'd given Ghost pain medication and a sedative, so he was pretty much out of it, almost asleep again. Steve told him what was going on. Ghost nodded, but was talking gibberish. Steve hugged him, then lay on the small couch, by the hospital bed. He was remembering the time he'd been in this hospital, after his wreck. Well, he got fixed up, and so would Ghost. They'd be back home soon.
The surgery went well the next morning. Ghost came out with a big cast on his hand and wrist; all the bones had been put back together, as much as possible. He was told he would probably have a crooked place or two in his fingers, but mainly, he'd heal pretty quick. His fever and the infection were going away now, and after two days, he was released to go home. Terry and Kinsey both came to get them.
~
Kinsey had gotten the extra room ready for them, too, so that's where the went. But, after a few days, both Steve and Ghost were getting restless. They were eager to start fixing up the house. Kinsey was getting anxious to have everything back to normal, too. He wasn't used to having house guests, but it would be quite awhile before the house would be ready to live in again.
Steve and Kinsey had hired a guy to remove the big tree that had fallen on the house. Ghost hadn't been back to the house, yet, so he badgered Steve to take him out there.
"You have to get your car, anyway," Ghost said.
"I know, and Kinsey said the guys got the tree out today. I'll get Kinsey to drive us out there in the morning, ok?"
"Yeah, but Steve, how are we gonna fix the house? We never fixed a house before."
"I don't know, Ghost, but guess we'll start by going through everything, and keeping what we can, then...then...well, we'll figure it out." He thought about his guitar...it was still out there in his car. He listened as Ghost sang some of their songs; Ghost made his own music. He sang a bit too, not liking how he sounded, though.
Kinsey came in, then, from the club, and Steve told him of their plans for the day.
"Sure, I'll drive you out there...and I've been talking about y'all's situation to some of the guys in town. Over at the hardware store, they all want to help y'all out...you know, with building supplies. I heard them say they knew some carpenters and roofers, and they're on board, too, soon as y'all are ready."
Steve was looking down at the floor, overcome. "I don't deserve anybody's help, Kinsey - especially from them. They still hate me, and it'd be awkward."
"Steve, they offered. I guess they don't hate you anymore, so I'd let them help, if they want to, or they may get offended."
Steve thought about it. "Yeah, guess we do need somebody's help, since me and Ghost don't know how to do it. But, we're paying them. We won't take charity."
"Fine, Steve, y'all offer, but if they refuse, then drop it, ok?"
"Yeah, ok," Steve said.
Ghost was quiet during all this, but now said, "I want to do something too, but what?" he pointed to his cast.
Steve jokingly said, "You can be the boss. You can tell everybody what you want done to the house...you own it, after all."
Ghost smiled. He liked that idea.
~
The next morning they all drove out there. Poking around in the mess was hard work, physically picking up broken and water-logged items, and emotionally, at what all was lost. Anything they could use was set aside. The rest went into garbage bags. By early evening, everyone was tired and ready to go get a cold beer, back in town.
"I didn't like doing that," said Ghost. "The house feels sad that it got hurt...that things are different, now."
Steve figured Ghost was really talking about how he felt. "Well, we'll repair it, and put other stuff in there."
"I know, but almost all of my grandmother's potions got broke. They were probably important. What if I need to take something...what will I do if I can't find any more? I don't know how to mix that stuff up."
"We'll figure it out, Ghost. Your friend, Miz Caitlin, probably has all of that at her place, anyway." But, what he really thought to himself, was good riddance. It was creepy old stuff, anyway. Ghost can just take pills, like everyone else.
"I guess so," said Ghost, "but, it's not the same."
~
Back at the Sacred Yew, everyone had a few beers and sandwiches, and turned in early. The next few days were going to be busy. The men were going out there to start the rebuilding, the next day.
As they prepared to leave, the next morning, there was a knocking at the club door. Kinsey opened it, to find quite a few young men and women on his doorstep. They all had on t-shirts and jeans, and were fresh-faced, and eager to tell him something.
Who are these kids, he wondered...then it dawned on him...these are my club kids. He hadn't recognized them at first, without their black, goth clothes and jewelry, and without their dark lined eyes, and spray painted hair. They looked so different.
One of them held out a large stack of money. "This is to help Ghost and Steve fix their house," the girl said. "We took up a collection, 'cause we love them, and don't want them to ever leave. We also have a bunch of stuff gathered up for them...like dishes, and sheets, and a couch, and tables, and an old bed...just lots of stuff...and clothes, too." She smiled, and then an older boy said they had tools and boards and lots of supplies, to help rebuild the old house. They were there to help, to do all they could to help out their hometown band, Lost Souls?"
Kinsey was speechless. He always knew these Missing Mile kids were truly good kids, no matter how they dressed. "Thank you all so much. Y'all are amazing. We can use all of your help...we're heading out there now, if you want to follow us," he finally said.
Ghost and Steve came downstairs to see what was going on. Everyone talked at once, all excited. It was beginning to seem like a big 'ol party. One by one, the loaded cars left the club, and caravanned out to Burnt Church Road. Kinsey had made sandwiches for an army, and Steve had his guitar along. Convening at the house, everyone got busy doing something.
There were deliveries of boards for walls, roofing materials, flooring, and of course, everything the kids had collected. Steve did whatever was asked of him, from nailing boards, to holding up wall panels. Whenever he wasn't needed for something, he played his guitar, and Ghost would sing to everyone.
Kinsey was proud of his little community - how they all came together to help someone in need. It took only three days to complete the repairs. Steve tried to pay the workers, but they brushed it off, just saying that they help their own citizens in need, and to just pay it forward someday. Steve was humbled and grateful, and Ghost was so happy and excited, he danced around hugging anyone who'd stand still for it.
Next installment coming soon!
Peace, Love, & Writing
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