The Hunter, The Dragon And The Smokey Mountain Angel
Chapter 21

Julia went to the mall and bought new clothes, better makeup, a robot vacuum and kitchenware. She kept the hat and glasses on everywhere she went, attracting odd looks but no one noticed who she was behind the disguise.

On the way home, her phone rang. She looked at the caller ID and answered, “Hi Andrew.”

Andrew said, “High my fly girl. You doing okay?”

“I’m great. A detective came by today and we talked about my son but so far they have nothing. You want to come by tonight?”

“I’d love to, but I’m still at work and I have to finish a project for school. Why don’t you come and see me. I’ll cook you that overstuffed omelet you love so much.”

“You know the way into a girl’s heart.”

“I’m also cleaner than you are.”

“Hey, don’t get cocky! I’ve been trained to be neat and organized.”

“Right, and you’re a trained killer who can fly... I can believe that part but I’ve seen your sleeping quarters.”

“Not fair. I could barely move and–”

Andrew laughed and said, “Relax baby. I’ll keep things clean for us.”

Julia scoffed, “You just worry about finishing that college degree of yours for now and I’ll take care of keeping the living room in order.”

“Ha, didn’t take you to be the stay at home type.”

“I’m not and I’ll come by tomorrow night. Just don’t tell anyone I’m coming.”

“Don’t worry, no one here wants to work that much in one day again for a long time.”

“So, you’re on your way home now?”

“Yes my sweet man, I’ll call you later. Goodnight.”

“Night,” he said and the phone clicked off.

Julia turned down her road. The crowd of spectators had thinned a lot more but now there were balloons tacked to her mailbox and smoke was rising off her property.

The police moved calmly as they removed the barrier and let her pass. She stopped for a moment and thanked the officers for watching her home then continued down the driveway.

Julia felt better when she realized that her house wasn’t on fire; the smoke was coming from the chimney. It was starting to get dark and all the lights were on in her house giving it a warm feel. She loved her little log cabin and decided to rent Rand an apartment when she found him. This was her dream home not his.

When she pulled up to the front porch Andrew, Jerry and Frank said, “Surprise!”

“Andrew!” Julia said but she just shook her head. They were all smiles as they opened her car door and took the items she had bought inside the house.

She pretended to be angry as she punched Andrew in the arm, “What about your lame excuse for not seeing me tonight. I thought you had to study all night and work?”

Andrew laughed, “Just learning from the best babe. You’ve given me some real doozies.” He wobbled his head as he pitched his voice higher and said, “Oh sorry I didn’t call you, I ran into something.”

Jerry interrupted, he said, “Now Andrew, I’m not trying to steal your girl, so don’t take this the wrong way.” Andrew chuckled then Jerry took Julia by the hand and began showing her around the front of the house. It was starting to get dark but the lights from the front porch were bright enough that she could see all the details Jerry pointed out.

Julia held back tears as she said, “”You guys replaced the broken swing on the front porch! The whole house is transformed.”

“We’re not done yet,” Andrew said, as he took her free hand and pulled her to the back yard.

“A white picket fence!” Julia shouted, “And all the shutters are mended and painted.”

The sound of several people speaking in a hushed tone came from a large tent near the edge of the back yard. “Never mind that for now,” Jerry commanded.

Andrew guided her to the rear of the property. Multicolored LED lights turned on automatically when she approached the greenhouse and the owl hooted. Julia laughed again. A fresh stack of cut wood lay partially uncovered next to the greenhouse.

Frank said, “Andrew cut every piece of wood stacked over there and he told us about the well.” He walked her over to the well and pointed to the new electric pump, “I saw the repair you did, not bad especially considering the state of mind you were in at the time but I think this will be easier.” He pressed a button on the side of the stainless steel wellhead and a humming and then gurgling noise began. Seconds later a steady stream of fresh water poured into a plastic bottle. When the water had filled the bottle, Frank released the button, capped the bottle and said, “You can use the lever if the power goes out too. So what ya think about that?”

Julia just hugged him. She was at a loss for words.

Jerry took her up the back porch and she noticed that they replaced the door. Jerry looked at the doorknob and said, “I think this repair is more suited for a person like you. You’re going to have a harder time breaking in this door.” He tapped on the door and a thick metal sound reported.

Julia smiled, “Yeah gotta make sure I don’t lose those keys.”

Jerry opened the door and Julia followed him to her son’s room. Andrew smoothed out the last wrinkle in the comforter and stepped to the side, so she could see the whole room. Tears of joy started flowing. Dozens of new toys and a new bunk bed with a slide filled her son’s room.

Andrew walked over to a blue bookshelf that looked like a small house with a red roof and he opened the doors. Children’s books filled the shelves. He said, “Most of these stories are exciting some even tragic but I checked every one of them and guess what I found. They all end happily ever after.” Then he walked to Julia. Her hands covered her face and tears dripped between her fingers. He wrapped his arms around her then whispered, “We will replace your little boy.”

Julia put her arms around him and rested her head on his chest as she looked at the books. The room was silent for a long moment and then she stopped, wiped her face dry and said, “Yes we will.”

Minutes later, they stepped onto the back porch. The smell of country cooking was in the air. The walls around the tent were gone and everyone that had been working on the house was waiting around a long picnic table. Betty lit the candles and Julia laughed aloud when she saw Barney drop a match into the fire pit and it whooshed into a blaze!

Julia said, “I don’t know how I will ever repay you guys.”

Frank handed Julia a glass of white wine and raised his glass. He said, “Here’s to a real hero. May all our boys and girls come home from the war as noble a soul as she; to Julia!”

“To Julia!” the group of people said as one then they waited in silence.

Julia said, “I’m not good with speeches. I’ve never been this emotional my whole life. Since I was a little girl, I’ve always had to be tough. From a young age, I was taught to rely on myself. It was a great lesson given to me by a wonderful man.” Julia looked at Jerry and said, “But from the moment I stepped off that bus strangers have welcomed me home and shown me love,” she paused, “I’ve still had to be tough but thanks to you and everyone that was simply kind to someone in need, I have hope again.”

Jerry hugged her and took her to sit next to Anna and Andrew. Dinner was already cooked and the table set. Jerry dipped his head and everyone did the same. Then Frank said the blessing and everyone started eating.