If you ever saw something that you were sure you imagined or heard a sound that no one else did - then you know what it's like to attend a show starring the Novaks.
"A magical act so spectacular, it had to be real."
An oh so common statement after...
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Luke,
I know we were just reunited. However, I have bad news. My family and I need to leav
"June!" Anna yanked June's arm away from the piece of paper she was feverishly writing on. "We do not have time for this! Get your things. We need to go."
"But I need to let Luke know we are leaving," June shouted back at her mom.
Anna relinquished June's arm. "Now!"
June knew her mom was right, and the family needed to get far away from the chaos they just endured, but she couldn't muster up the energy to move with urgency. She was nothing but sad and drained.
Josef came stumbling down the stairs with a handful of suitcases. "I got what you asked for."
"Did you find the keys to the Volkswagen?" Anna asked.
Josef immediately turned around and hustled back up the stairs. "They're somewhere in dad's room."
Dad, June thought. My dad's dad is dead. The reminder that Grandpa Novak's body was lying lifeless just outside the front door made June's stomach turn into a thousand knots. June walked to the backdoor of the farmhouse. She looked out at the porch where she and Kora would chat, the canoe she slept in when she was angry at her family, Kora's horse Nadear trotting around the horse corral and all the little spots on the farm she made a memory with Luke. Henry and Maria joined June. She didn't even hear them approach, and they didn't say a word, but she knew what they were thinking. It was their first proper home together, and it was time to leave. And leave with one less Novak to boot.
Josef came stumbling down the stairs again. This time with keys to the Volkswagen Microbus. "I found them!"
Anna snatched the keys. "We need to get your grandpa and go. Kids, c'mon. June, your stuff?"
"I'm good. Let's just go. I don't need anything else," June mumbled.
Josef watched his family file out the door onto their next journey, having to pass by his dead father on the way. The guilt he felt was indescribable. He was the father of this family. Look at them, he thought. Running, pain, fear. It ate him up inside. Josef looked at Anna's cast that was still on the kitchen counter where he left it. Maria's outline of a dove looking back at him. Josef grabbed the cast and slammed it into the trash can. "So much for our streak of good luck."
###
The smell of Grandpa Novak's body permeated through the microbus. A sick reminder of what took place back at the Millstreet Bar. The family was quiet as Josef drove through the night. A growling sound that stemmed from a few bad wheel bearings filled the void of discussion.
Josef blocked out the loud growling sound and the painful silence coming from his family so he could think through their next move. When he finally came to a determination, he immediately knew Anna would not like it. Regardless, he felt it was his job to offer direction. "We'll find a place to hunker down for a bit. Motel or maybe a bed-and-breakfast off the grid. Once we do, we'll need to get your grandpa's funeral arranged."
