Forlot: Thunder Will Come Down - Book Twenty-Seven

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Morning had come. Today would be an important and stressful day because Caleb's body was going to be buried. His parents did not have many stuff to trade in, and anything that was valuable kept a precious memory of Caleb. I could not thank my parents enough for trading in their possessions that held no meaning, like my dad's watch and my mom's silver necklace. They told me that they felt a wave of relief wash over them. I smiled and said that was probably Caleb giving them each a pat on the back.

The sky was purple once again. The curtains were pulled back. Purple light seeped through the window and into Kara's room. I was lit up by the light as if I were some actress in a soap opera. I yawned and stretched my arms. That is when I felt something brushing against both my hair and skin. Air. And this air was accompanied by a sound. Sniffing.

The sniffing was coming from behind me. I opened my eyes and stayed still, trying to decipher the kind of sniffing that it was. Sobbing? Was somebody sad? No. It sounded more like that this mystery person was whiffing a smell. It took me a few seconds to realize that he or she was smelling my hair. I uttered a small gasp. I was not alone in this bed.

Figuring that it was one of the kids, I laughed and said that he or she should stop at once. When the child talked, I was shocked to hear that the voice was not that of a small child. Though, it was familiar. So familiar that I thought that I was hearing things and would pass out.

"Sorry, Cindy. I thought that you like me sniffing your hair."

Holding my breath, I turned onto my other side - and all the air escaped my mouth when I saw who it was.

"Caleb?"

There must have been a mistake. I must have been dreaming. Caleb Night, my husband, was in bed with me and smiling at me. His glasses were in good condition, and his cheeks were bright red.

"You are always beautiful, Cindy," he commented. "Even when your hair is a mess."

"C-Caleb?"

I yanked the covers off the bed and examined him from top to bottom. He had on his favorite pajamas. Yes, he wears pajamas. His skin was covered with scratches and bruises when he was pulled from the wreck. But not now. No scratches or bruises. He looked healthy.

"Please tell me that witchcraft was not used," I prayed. "The last thing that I want is for my husband to be cursed."

"Cindy? You alright?"

I had so many questions to ask him. "How...how are you alive?"

Now he was confused. "Where is this coming from? I have not died."

I immediately sat up and rested a hand on his arm. To my surprise, he was solid and not cold. He was not a ghost. "You are right. Oh my gosh. I must be hallucinating. Somebody! Pinch me! Ow!" I looked at Caleb. He was now sitting up.

"I am sorry, Cindy. You said to pinch you."

Tears formed in my eyes.

"Did I hurt you? I am such a dummy. Here. Let me kiss your boo-boo."

Before he could, I wrapped my arms around his neck and slammed my lips against his. He was surprised at first, but then sank into the kiss. I pulled my lips away and smelled his hair.

"Mmm. Your hair smells like blueberries."

"I hope," he said. "I am using a new hairspray. Its favor is blueberry."

"What does my hair smell like?"

"Strawberries."

"Correct. I started using a new shampoo that smells like real strawberries." I hugged him and laid my head on his chest. "You do not know how happy I am to feel you and hold you and kiss you. The kids...the kids!" I climbed out of bed. "Could you please wake them up and take them to the kitchen? I am going to whip up a special breakfast for us all."

Caleb crawled out as well. "You sure are in a good mood this morning."

"You have no idea."

"Cindy, I have a question. Why are we not home?"

I had forgotten that we were at Kara's house and reconsidered not fixing breakfast because...well, the kitchen was not mine.

"This is Kara's house," I said. "Cal and North and Tamara and Alex and I slept here last night because we wanted to feel safe and have company."

"Why do you need to feel safe when I am here? Then again, I am not the perfect guy."

I gave him another hug. "You are perfect for me."

"That is the kindest thing that anyone has ever said to me."

Later, Kara and I were in the kitchen and preparing breakfast. Kara had beaten me to the kitchen, so she was almost done fixing Wendy's and Tris' and Wendow's and Triso's breakfast. My hands quivered as I poured cereal into four bowls. I was neither nervous nor afraid. In fact, I was the complete opposite. I was eager. Excited to see the looks on everybody's faces when they saw for themselves that my husband was alive.

Never had I felt this much joy in all my life. The Lord had given Caleb another chance at life. He had given us another chance to be the family that He wanted us to be. I was so joyful that I felt like crying.

When breakfast was served, Kara and I stomped up the stairs to wake up the rest of the house. I poked my head into Kara's bedroom and heard water from the bathroom. I crossed the room and saw Caleb. His hands were behind his back, and his eyes were trained on me. The shower was on.

"Caleb, what are you—"

He interrupted as he raised a knife. "It is time to kill you."