Page 129 of Praying for Thunder

She growled through gritted teeth, “That’s not fair.”

“Did you use me?”

“I could ask the same.”

“When I was a kid?” You bitch. “Or now, as a man who you can’t control.”

She gasped. “Thunder—”

“Don’t you fucking dare call me that. I’m only Hellion to you.” I walked out.

“Bullshit!” She chased. “I’m your fucking Old Lady!”

“Nah.” Keys in hand, I faced her while walking backward to the front door. “Just some club whore I was duped by.” I turned away and opened the front door. I’m going to my Old Lady right now.

I knew right where she’d be.

⚡⚡⚡

Driving my motorcycle down 74 felt like old times. Me, a young buck, searching for his girl.

Too much time spent without her… I wanted to make up every lost second.

What if she’s with someone else?

I had been with Tabi but never considered Rya doing the same. I started to doubt whether or not I should even go to her.

Is she being comforted by someone else?

That’s when a light shone in the dark sky. It was small, like a bird, its golden wings magnificent and flying.

My mind flashed to one of my drawings… The eagle.

When the eagle, which I was sure no one else could see, picked up speed, so did I. My Harley gave no complaints as I demanded he carry me to Rya.

Before I knew it, I was passing Grandma’s. Like a wave of truth, I thought about her calling Onus every time I went to Rya.

Holy shit. They both wanted me away from her.

But… why?

I had no answers, but it was clear they knew something about me and Rya.

I looked to the burnt remains of her home. “You were never a grandmother to me. May you rot in Hell.”

My Harley picked up speed so I could follow the eagle.

When my bike became useless in the brush, I parked it and ran.

The eagle soared bright enough for me to see through the branches above me. Then, as I broke the clearing, I saw the glow of candles through the windows of the church.

The eagle kept flying…

Above the church, it did a spin in the air, tucked its wings tight, then dove headfirst.

As it mystically flew through the roof to disappear, the candles brightened, lighting the whole church, until fading back to their normal light.

Rya…