Chris Mills [Mills - Kodon

Kodon

Chris Mills

Copyright 2018 Author Name

All rights reserved.

Dedication

For my wife, Sarah. In the darkest of times, she always believed in me. Without her support, Kodon would have never made it this far.

Contents

Chapter One

When the ladder caves and you find yourself falling, time doesnt slow, nor after you land. You are left to deal in real time. They say things will get better. They say it will be like normal again. The fact is, no, it wont be close. Things have shifted and no matter how much you pretend things are normal, you are left with reminders. You cant escape what happened or what all is to come. You will walk the path. You cannot turn back.

The sky lit once more. The ground shook from the fear above. The awning swayed in the wind. The rain streamed over like a waterfall. A sensor dared not let it extend further. Once more the sky grew bright. Stephen Jones found peace outside his parents home - feeling the anger of nature itself. Could it be more than his own?

The sky lit. Stephen couldnt count a second before the thunder shook the area. Lexville, Ohio, had a few terrible storms year-round, excluding the snows of winter. His ears caught the generators humming steadily. A propane tank in the yard had been installed along with the generator two weeks after a terrible storm when Stephen was in high school.

The patio door slid only a little. A woman in her mid-thirties leaned her head outside. Her eyes caught another bolt. You need to come inside, she said. Theres an alert for

I know, Stephen snapped.

I must

A little longer, Stephen said sternly. Trina nodded her head. The soothing coolness faded with that. His father had always kept the house a steady 71 degrees, and Stephen hadnt thought to mess with the original programming when he arrived.

Stephen was twenty-five, fresh from obtaining his Masters degree. He had hoped to be close to his new school. The full ride had been gracious. All he had to do was teach a couple courses. The more he thought on it, it felt like he was holding the ashes of that contract to that signed future.

Crash! Stephens somewhat good hand tightened on the wheel of his chair. His dark blue eyes caught another bolt. Jeez. Wind whipped through his black hair. It had come to a mess of curls and twists. His hair used to look good wild. He could now probably pass for a bum on the street.

Thats enough, Trina said. Stephens hand barely could resist the turning wheel. Cool air covered him. His chair neared his fathers throne. He gritted his teeth. His foot finally left the ground. The cushion felt nice. Why did it have to be this chair?

Could I get some water? Stephen asked.

Sure, Trina said. Ice?

Yeah, Stephen said. He rested his head back. The home had an unusual silence to it, unlike in the past when he alone visited. He had never had the luxury of a brother or sister, nor cousins to come and visit. It still felt warm back then.

The home was only a bit older than Stephen, built by his father a few years before Stephens birth. It was to be the home his father took his bride their first night before their journey to Hawaii the next day. He did well. His father had several friends that knew more about the means to construct a home, as well as a professional contractor who was one of his best friends before meeting his fate in a motorcycle accident years back.

I can do it, Stephen spoke quick. His struggle was short. Why couldnt his hand do as he told it? Trina, his caregiver, held the straw for him to sip.

Its good to see you determined, Trina said with a smile. She had darker skin and a full heart. Keep positive.

It was day one here, and Stephen hoped Trina wouldnt have a different side to her. The idea she brought of him sleeping in the master had really irritated him earlier. Have they called? he asked.

When we spoke before, Trina said. I sent Gabe a text again. I dont think - Something outside didnt sound like thunder. Trina was quick to the window. They should have waited it out.

Its nine-thirty, Stephen said. They wouldnt have waited till tomorrow.

Trina sighed. Bless their hearts, she said. Its nice to come see you at home.

This isnt my home.

Dont keep saying that.

Knock, knock; quickly they came and once more. Rain blew into the home. A woman rushed inside, closely followed by two men, a hand on the other shoulder. Stephen hadnt expected his friend Andy to be here tonight.

Jeez, the weather, Kim said. She brought her hands back through her ash brown hair. A glob of water joined the tiny puddle beneath her feet. Still beautiful and Gabe was lucky she had said yes to him. She was pencil thin with little bust which took nothing from her beauty. Her ocean blue eyes lit at the sight of Stephen.

Man, what a mess this is making of your driveway, Gabe called. He kicked off his shoes in the entryway. Paved and still a mess when it pours.

Or snows, Andy added. Gabe led Andy to the couch in the living room. Andys hand felt over the armrest slight before he sunk down. How are you, Stephen? He is in here, right? Dont make me look stupid again, Gabe.

Very funny, Gabe said. Yes. How are you, Stephen?

How does it look? Stephen said.

I wouldnt know, Andy said with a grin. It faded quickly. He leaned forward. Hows the home treating you? Too many cobwebs?

No, Trina assured. I cleaned only a little. Stephen, Ill be in the study if you need me. She had taken the futon in his old fathers study. It was comfy, and she had a nice size TV for her entertainment, when she wasnt with him.

Thank you for being here, Kim said. Trina nodded. It wasnt like Trina really minded. She got a paycheck. How are you?

Disabled, Stephen said.

Please be serious, Kim said. How is it being home?

Like it has been since my senior year, Stephen said.

Oh.

Kim pulled at her hair lightly. She found a seat by Gabe on the small love seat by the fire. The furniture was old yet well kept. It helped when no one sat on it much for the years past. Even the TV, which was a plasma and an early generation, looked great. His father had bought it and spent a good deal to have such an entertainment space.

The silence crept on. Stephen suddenly groaned. He tried to hold his left wrist through the brace. Pain pills didnt help it much right now. He found Kim at his side. He quickly shook his head. Im fine, he assured. I deal.

I dont like to see you in pain, Kim said.

Then you surely didnt want to see me back then.

Stephen, Gabe spoke, shes trying to help.

Stephen sighed. Im fine, he assured. Thank you. Kims hand came close to his, only to retreat. She sat back beside her fianc.

Your leg, Gabe said. Uh, you never told me what they said.

I dont know what they are going to do, Stephen said. A lie - yet not. He knew but didnt want to be certain. Its how I landed. I am surprised they sent me home.

They cant keep you there.

The university was paying, Stephen said. They - He dare not say another word against the school that had given him much. I dont want to be here.

Your dad would be pleased to know youre here, Andy said. This home is his way of still being here for you since

I was seventeen, Stephen reminded. It was a long time ago. Somehow, he still felt like he came back from the hospital with his grandmother when he recalled those painful memories.

Stephens father, Caleb, was a strong man. A portrait of him and Stephen above the fireplace mantle showed him in his prime. It had been back when Stephen was 16 and before the pain. They had gone on their own vacation. Up the portrait went to replace the one that had his mother when he was younger. She too had passed but not like his father who suffered for longer. The collision - hopefully - was a quick death for her.