The Recluse of Ocado Cove

Chapter 10

We ended up using the boat to get to the family houses, several minutes away on the river. They welcomed us warmly, even though they weren't expecting our arrival and there were a few unfamiliar faces. They trusted us, especially abuela, whom Lisa had called before we left the house earlier this evening. She was always so goddamn smart.

We sat outside for a while, by a campfire that Henry had helped my uncles make. They seemed to be getting along pretty well. It made me smile for a second.

Sally was laid down on a bed inside one of the houses; his father would go check up on him once in a while. Or more like every minute. It was nice to see him care so much for his son. As I had heard, alcoholism and loss had made Henry a lot more distant towards Sally. But now, it seemed like he was considering to change. We all were, I think.

Speaking of that, Malina came to talk to me during the evening; she had heard about the situation from abuela. When she admitted to me that she was worried about us, I was surprised, but I couldn't say I wasn't happy. It was about time that we try to get along.

Dave, along with tía Lucy, was staying by Sally's side, making sure his wound was healing nicely. Thankfully, he was shot on the side of his lower abdomen, where it could heal and left the possibility of him to stay alive. I could say all the shit that I wanted about tía Lucy, but she did make a great nurse.

As for me, well... I contemplated a lot, alone by the campfire. With the help of my family and my friends, I had just destroyed a cult that was threatening to overthrow the world. It's a weird sentence to say. Sometimes I found myself thinking this was all a dream, that I would wake up tomorrow, in my house, with my mom and my dad. Safe and sound.

But it would never happen. I knew all of this was real because of the scars on my skin, the migraine in my head. I wished so badly that Jim could be here to see me actually do something right in my life, for once. I told myself he would have been proud. Then maybe I cried a little.

I was only brought out of my thoughts when Henry, who was sitting on the porch, had stood up and rushed into the house that Sally was in. I stood from my chair as well.

Walking in, I saw, from afar, that Sally was sitting up in the bed, a pile of pillows behind him to keep him from wasting energy. A lot of people were gathered around him. Lisa seemed emotional, she went to hug him and everything. Dave and him exchanged a comprehensive nod; they hadn't had the best introductions to each other, but now it was certain that they would be on good terms.

Then, Sally turned his head towards the door, hearing someone walking in. He froze immediately, staring back at Henry, completely in shock.

"... Dad ?..." he murmured, almost uncertain of himself.

Henry gave him a nod. They both seemed on the verge of tears. Sally sat back in the bed, a hand going to his mouth.

"Dad..." he repeated, his voice breaking from emotion. The tears were now running down his face.

Henry went to hug him right at that moment. Sally sobbed in his arms... I had to wipe a tear in the corner of my eye, but I was smiling; I was truly happy for him. It was what he had always deserved, after all of this time waiting and suffering.

At some point, he opened his eyes, as his dad was still holding him. His irises flickered to me, and he smiled back at me.

I was supposed to be fine. As the rest of the family ended the night by the campfire, I went to take a shower, in the same house that Sally was in not so long ago. My cousins let us borrow some of their clothes for the time being; ours were practically ripped all over, dirty from mud and smoke stains from the house fire. I was thankful: for my family, for my life, for everything. But my brain wouldn't shut up.