What They Left Behind

By Karen Teagarden

Ben and Gennie are orphans who are beaten by their older brother and then left for dead in a town a thousand miles away from their home. With the help of a middle aged couple who live in a remote cabin, they are adopted by a young couple and make their way to San Francisco.

Years later, Ben realizes his dream of owning a restaurant, but still yearns for the love he has lost. Not only is he keeping secrets, he soon discovers his family has been also hiding things from him.

Gennie, ever the tomboy, has to fight tooth and nail in her male dominated profession. Eventually strikes out on her own. Little does she know that her biggest heartache leads to a new career and a new love.

While trying to bring their parents' bodies to California, they uncover something so unexpected it turns their world upside down. Will they ever be able to reconcile the past and rebuild something new from it? Or will it leave them shattered like their city after the earthquake?

Note: This author has previously published this book under a different name. Check your ereader to ensure this book hasn't already been downloaded.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Karen Teagarden
• Release date: Jan 28, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310929328

Karen Teagarden

Karen Teagarden is a freelance writer. She lives near Burlington, Vermont with her two pugs, Cookie and Chips.

Book preview

Chapter 1: March 6, 1963 Willow, Alaska

It was a week before Genevieve Joy’s and Benjamin Roy Perrin’s fifteenth birthday. Gennie, with her chestnut brown hair in a messy ponytail, was fixing her snowmobile in the garage and Ben was cooking supper. It was pasta something or other. Bryan, their twenty-seven year old brother, had been working all day. He was supposed to move to Washington last fall but changed his mind the day before he was scheduled to leave. However, at least he had a job now. He worked for Western Electric, adding to and maintaining the telephone system for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. A friend of a friend who worked there told his employer that Bryan was very smart and very good with his hands. Gennie didn’t quite understand exactly what Bryan did, but he seemed to like it. He never talked much about it, but he was happier than he had been before. He actually stopped calling Ben names, replacing homo, loser and retard with the milder Hey You. He didn’t talk back quite as much either, which was good considering their father’s condition.

Their dad, Jimmy, wasn’t doing very well. He tired out very easily and occasionally he would have chest pains and have to lie down. Gennie begged him to see a doctor but he refused. Even Bryan noticed his change in behavior. What the hell is wrong with him? was his version of expressing concern.

They took over more of their father’s duties. Jimmy managed to go to work every day in the gold mine, but when he came home, he was usually unable to do anything else. Gennie totally took over cutting the wood. She was a pro at using a chainsaw and it didn’t take her very long to do. Sometimes Ben would help her though he wasn’t very good at it. At night, she would keep the wood stove fed. Their father expected Bryan to help and wanted him to contribute a part of his paycheck to support the family, but he refused. Most of his money was either spent at CJ’s, a pub in Willow, or Kitty’s, which was a strip club in downtown Anchorage. Gennie heard through a friend that Bryan’s girlfriend Juliann worked there, but Bryan denied it. The night before, as they lay in their beds, Gennie and Ben discussed what kind of girl would be attracted to Bryan.

I don’t know what she sees in him, do you? Gennie asked. I mean, he’s got bad posture, greasy hair and giant bug eyes. And he’s even uglier inside.

Maybe she needs glasses, Ben replied, and he probably treats her a lot better than he treats us. You told me he throws his money around at that club, maybe she’s getting most of it.

I guess so.

He might be like the way he is because of our mom.

Oh. How?

Well, Ben paused, his blue eyes looking down solemnly, he remembers when she died.

Gennie recalled her father telling her that Bryan was the one who found her. Their mother had to walk to the grocery store to buy formula for the both of them. It was a bitterly cold day with a snowstorm soon approaching. When she didn’t come back three hours later, Bryan went out to look for her. He found her face down in the snow, covered with a thin layer of frost. An ambulance was called but by the time they were able to get there, she had died. Gennie always felt guilty about that. If they hadn’t needed formula, she would be alive right now.

Ben put a hand through his sandy brown hair.

He probably thinks we’re to blame for that. The only reason she went out is because of us.

Yeah, that’s true.

I don’t think he’s ever going to change, Ben said. Actually, I know it.

Gennie didn’t think Bryan was going to change either, though she still kept hoping one day he would wake up and be concerned about something other than himself. She wasn’t holding her breath though.

Ben opened the door leading to the house, interrupting Gennie’s thoughts. He stepped inside.

Five minute warning, Handy Girl.

I’ll be there in a second, Gennie said. Just let me wash my hands and wake up Dad.

Sure, Ben replied. He closed the door behind him.

Gennie went into the half bath inside the garage and washed the grease from her hands and underneath her fingernails. She wiped her hands on a tattered hand towel. Then she went down the hallway connecting the garage to the house and into her father’s bedroom.

His bedroom was always colder than the rest of the house but that night it seemed doubly so. Gennie always thought it was odd he had a vanity, with a pink handled hairbrush and makeup strewn about. There was also a large blue jewelry box with hand painted pink roses. Pearl necklaces stuck out of it as if it was a newly opened treasure chest. The fact was that stuff had been lying around for years. Her father left everything exactly the way it was the day her mother died. It was as if she was coming back someday and he wanted everything to be there for her. Her clothes were even in her bureau drawer, waiting to be worn again. Gennie thought the whole situation was sad and hoped when she grew up she would never end up like her dad.

Her father was face down, one pale, veiny arm hanging on the side of the bed. Gennie thought it was weird he wasn’t snoring, but it didn’t alarm her.

Hey Dad, she said, time to get up, supper’s ready.

He didn’t respond.

Dad, she said louder, shaking him. You have to get up now. You don’t want to starve to death.

Gennie was annoyed. He wasn’t even stirring.

She smacked him lightly in the face. The stubble felt rough on her hand. Still nothing.

Dad! This isn’t funny. Get up!

She noticed he looked very pallid. She touched his face again. He was as cold as the room was.

Dad… she said, her hazel eyes peering down at him, you’re okay, aren’t you?

She turned him slightly and opened one of his eyelids with her fingers. She wished she hadn’t. His eyes were very glassy.

Panic rose to her chest and her breath quickened.

You’re not dead, are you? Please say you’re not dead. She shook him very hard. You’re not dead! Oh god no! Don’t be dead!

Hey supper’s ready, Ben said as he entered the room. He looked concerned when he saw her face. What’s wrong?

Gennie sobbed. It’s Dad. He’s not waking up…and his eyes are really weird. They don’t look real.

Ben stiffened up, obviously frightened. I’m going to call for an ambulance.

Thirty minutes later, the ambulance arrived. Gennie and Ben had to leave the bedroom while the paramedics worked to revive their father. Then a gurney was brought in. He was lifted onto it and taken to the hospital. They were in the ambulance with him while the paramedics continued to try to get their father’s heart working again by injecting a huge needle into his chest. Gennie kept her eyes covered. She didn’t want to see what was happening to him.

They waited for three hours in the hospital’s emergency room. Gennie was so upset all she could do was stare into space. She noticed out of the corner of her eye Ben was trying to read some magazines, especially one called Gourmet, but every ten seconds he would put it down and sigh deeply.

A nurse asked them if there were any other relatives they wanted to contact. Ben gave her Bryan’s work number. The nurse told them a few minutes later Bryan would be there but he didn’t know when. Gennie and Ben kept waiting.

Finally, the emergency room doctor came out from behind the swinging doors. Gennie hoped he would have good news, but when she looked at his face, she knew it was very unlikely.

Well…, the doctor said, not looking them directly in the eyes. He put his hands in the pockets of his white overcoat. I’m really very sorry.

Neither Ben nor Gennie said anything.

We did what we could to save your father.

He’s dead? Gennie whispered.

The doctor nodded.

Tears fell from Gennie’s face. She looked over at Ben. He appeared stunned, as if he was told the world was ending.

Is there anything I can do for either of you? the doctor asked.

Gennie shook her head.

No, there’s nothing, Ben replied, his voice hollow.

The doctor shifted his feet and backed away from them. All right then. If there’s anything you do need, don’t hesitate to let me or anyone else on staff know. Then he walked away, retreating to the other side of the swinging doors again.

Gennie was relieved he left them alone. Now she could bawl all she wanted. She put her head on Ben’s shoulder and sobbed. He let her, not saying a word.

They stayed that way for at least an hour, until Bryan casually strolled into the emergency room.

Just looking at him filled Gennie with rage.

Where the hell were you? she spit out.

Geez, thanks for the friendly greeting, Little Sis. Well, you see, I do something people call work and when you work you have to have a really good reason to get out with no notice.

You had a good reason! Gennie yelled, not caring who heard her. You just don’t give a shit and couldn’t be bothered.

Hey, watch your mouth. For your information, I have work backed up to the yin-yang. We had a guy that left us in the ditch two days ago and since he screwed up everything he touched, I have to do his work and mine. There was no way I could have gotten out sooner.

Neither of them said anything else to Bryan, only giving him empty and tired glares. Bryan chuckled nervously.

So…how’s dad doing?

He died a little over an hour ago, Ben replied wearily.

Bryan looked at Ben like he had gone insane.

What! You’re kidding me, right?

Ben shook his head.

Why didn’t the nurse tell me that on the phone?

Because you were supposed to be here! Gennie yelled. Why didn’t you come sooner?

I told you, I had to work!

Are you going to take us home? Ben asked. We’ve been here for four hours.

Gennie could see Bryan had to think about this.

Okay, I’ll bring you home, he said, not sounding particularly thrilled with the idea.

When they arrived home, Gennie went upstairs and straight to bed. Ben followed her a few minutes later. He turned on the light mounted above his headboard and opened the latest issue of his vast collection of Superman comic books. Gennie tried to sleep but she couldn’t. Images of her father dead in the emergency room flashed through her mind, along with her mother lying frozen on the side of the road. Gennie felt she was to blame for both of their deaths. If she hadn’t demanded so much from her parents, maybe they would be okay now.

Gennie cried into her pillow. She soon felt Ben’s hand rubbing her back.

Ben…do you think Dad’s death was my fault?

No, Ben replied, sounding puzzled, Why would it be?

I don’t know….maybe if I took over all of his chores sooner he would be okay now.

Come on! You know how hard it was for him to let us do stuff. He felt like he was supposed to take care of you, not the other way around. I mean, you saw what it was like for me to convince him that I should cook. He told me he was the one who was supposed to be doing that, even though the only thing he knew how to make were TV dinners.

Gennie laughed. He burnt them all the time too.

He was the only one I know who could turn the cherry pie dessert as hard as a stone.

Thank god for Tommy’s Diner.

And Chinese take-out.

He was a lot better at riding snowmobiles. Remember when we were kids, he used to take us riding way out into the woods?

Yeah, I remember, Ben said. And we’d always see deer and rabbits and sometimes a fox.

Yeah, that was fun, Gennie replied. I liked looking through his binoculars. Remember that time we saw a grizzly bear way way out?

Weren’t we about six or seven then?

I think we were seven. I wish we could have done that stuff more often.

Maybe next winter we can.

I don’t know if it’ll be the same without Dad, Gennie said.

Probably not, but it’ll still be fun.

Ben, do you think Dad is with our Mom now?

I don’t know. He paused. I hope so.

Do you believe there’s a heaven and a God and all that?

I try to believe, but…sometimes it’s hard.

What do you mean?

Well, life is so unfair, you know? We shouldn’t have to live without a mother and father. We shouldn’t have a brother that’s a total jerk and doesn’t give a damn about us. We haven’t done anything wrong, so why is this happening to us?

Gennie didn’t have any answers for Ben. She thought it was unfair too. Maybe it’ll get better someday.

When? We’re practically grown-ups.

Gennie giggled.

You, a grown-up? Oh please!

Hey, I have armpit hair now. Wanna see?

No thank you. So you finally have hair under there, huh? I’ve had it for about two years now.

Do you shave it?

No, do you?

I’m a guy. You’re supposed to shave yours.

Why? I wear long sleeve shirts all the time. No one’s going to see it. Besides, who made that stupid rule up anyway?

I don’t know, but that’s the way it is. It looks weird for girls to have hair under their arms.

I don’t think it’s weird at all. You know what? Let’s make a deal. If you shave your pits, I’ll shave mine.

Ben shook his head. I’m not doing anything like that.

Fine then. So I’ll be hairy too.

Boy, you’re one kooky girl. I don’t know what I’m going to do with you.

You’re not going to do nothing, Gennie said. I’m making all my own decisions.

Oh god!

Gennie gave him a playful shove. Don’t ‘oh god’ me, you creep. I can do what I want.

"Really? So what are you going to do?"

I don’t know yet, Gennie said. Maybe I’ll get into fixing cars or something. Or I’ll work at a place that does paint jobs or body work. That would be fun.

You’re more of a son to Dad than Bryan and me are. Do you know he was constantly bugging me to be a mechanic? He said he was afraid people would beat me up if I didn’t get into something manly. I’m lucky that’s never happened.

That’s because you have me to beat them up for you. Nobody messes with Gen.

I wish we were still in the same school, Ben said. I hate being in middle school while everyone else my age is in high school.

Oh, high school isn’t all what it’s cracked up to be, Gennie replied. Actually, I wish I were in eighth grade again. All my friends are too busy making out with their boyfriends to have any time for me. And when we do get together, it’s always, ‘Bobby and me did this…blah, blah, blah.’ I’m so sick of it I could just die. You know, our being in different grades isn’t going to make much difference in the end. The only thing that I don’t like is that we’re not going to graduate together. I was hoping we would do that.

Me too, Ben said. Now we can’t unless you’re willing to flunk all your classes like I did.

Gennie chuckled. You know that wouldn’t be a bad idea.

You wouldn’t be able to go to college though.

I wasn’t planning on going to college. Are you?

Uh, no. I want to get a job and leave here as soon as I can.

They talked for a little while longer then played a couple of games of Scrabble, which Gennie won. Then they played Go Fish, and the winnings were divided evenly among them. Finally they were both tired enough to go to bed. Before she fell asleep, Gennie tried to imagine what it was going to be like to wake up and not have her father around. Now they were completely dependent on Bryan. One word popped into her head when she thought of Bryan being their provider and that was scary.

Chapter 2: March 14

Bryan seemed to be behaving himself the week after their father died. For the most part, he came home right away after work and cleaned up after himself. Two days before the funeral they went to a thrift store in Palmer because neither Bryan nor Ben owned a suit and there was not a single dress in Gennie’s closet.

The only thing good about the day of the funeral was the weather was perfect. It was sunny and about forty-five degrees out. Other than that, it was one of the most horrible days in Gennie’s life. It was only a day after her fifteenth birthday, which was not celebrated at all. She cried on and off during the wake. She refused to look at her father lying in the casket. Ben sat next to her, only leaving to look at his father one last time. Bryan, on the other hand, was ignoring what was going on up front, preferring to chat with his friends and snuggle up to his girlfriend in back. Normally, Gennie would have introduced herself in order to check out Bryan’s new girlfriend, but she was too upset to care about that.

During the church service, she put her head in her hands while the pastor talked. She couldn’t stand the thought of her father being put into the ground. Ben had his arm around her the whole time. Bryan, who was sitting next to them, did and said nothing. He was probably disgusted with her outpouring of grief. Maybe in his own way he was mourning their father, but he hated people who were crybabies. He told her once that was the reason girls couldn’t get anywhere in life.

Gennie thought after the funeral she would feel better, but she didn’t. When they arrived home, she went upstairs and cried even more. Ben came up later, after all the guests, mostly his dad’s co-workers, had left. He tried to distract her by playing some of their favorite songs on the turntable they shared. Elvis Presley’s, then Bobby Vinton’s voices cut through the oppressive air. He then read her some of the stories they enjoyed as younger kids, like Bunny Hopewell’s First Spring.

Hey, he finally said, there’s a lot of left overs. And I have a surprise for you.

Since Gennie hadn’t eaten all day, she dragged herself downstairs where she filled up a plate with canapés, pigs-in-a-blanket, club crackers and cheese.

You didn’t ask about your surprise, Ben said.

What is it? Gennie asked joylessly. She took another bite out of a piece of cheese.

Ben went into the pantry and brought out a milk glass cake tray with a matching white dome. It was one of those things their mother left behind when she died, and it hadn’t been used since then. He took off the cover. There was a round cake with white frosting and five candles on top of it.

It’s lemon, Ben said. I’ve got some ice cream to go with it too. Want some?

Thanks, Gennie replied. That was really sweet of you. Yeah, I guess I’ll have a piece with some ice cream since you went to all that trouble, but I feel bad because Dad isn’t around to enjoy it too.

Well, Ben replied, think of it this way. Dad probably would like you to enjoy the food, even without him. He wouldn’t want you to starve to death because of grief.

Don’t worry. I doubt that’s going to happen.

Later that night, while Gennie was preparing for bed, Ben came into the upstairs bathroom.

I’ve got something to tell you, Ben said. He was rubbing his hands together, which he always did when he was anxious.

What? Gennie said while brushing her teeth. Ben waited until she rinsed her mouth out with a cup of water before continuing.

I’m leaving tomorrow at five o’clock.

Huh? Where are you going?

Well, uh…I was talking to Eva Dougherty. That’s Dick Dougherty’s wife. I guess she originally comes from Seward, and her mom is still there.

Gennie had no idea what he was talking about. What does that have to do with us?

Uh, Eva’s mom is old, you know. She doesn’t have anyone around, sort of like us. The problem is, she needs help and they can’t move back to Seward, because of Dick’s job and putting all their kids in new schools. I told her I was moving out soon and asked if Eva’s mom would be okay with me going down there to help her. Well, she thought that was a great idea and called her mom while she was here. Her mom wanted me to come as soon as possible. I said I would be able to go tomorrow. So Dick got a train ticket for me. They’re picking me up here and driving me to the train station.

Gennie couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She just stared at him blankly.

Ben balled his hands into two tight fists. He was extremely nervous now.

So, anyway…I have a question for you. I was wondering…you would like to come with me too?

Gennie was surprised to hear that. She knew Ben was itching to leave but she thought it was still at least a year away.

Gennie put her toothbrush back into the medicine cabinet.

I’ll have to think about it.

Ben raised his eyebrows in shock. You want us to be apart? You want to stay with him?

It’s not that. I just don’t want to leave school right now.

Who cares! Ben yelled. This is our chance to get away from Bryan!

I’d have to repeat this year at a new school. I really don’t want to do that.

Ben’s face reddened with anger. I can’t believe you! ‘I’ll think about it.’ That always means no. Now what am I supposed to do?

I don’t know. You said you were going to leave, right?

I’m not leaving without you!

Why not?

I don’t trust Bryan at all. What if he beats you up while I’m gone?

He won’t if I beat him up first.

You can’t beat Bryan up.

Well, I know all the right places to squeeze. He won’t be doing anything except laying in a fetal position and moaning after I get through with him.

I don’t want you staying here with him, Ben said. If we have the chance to leave, I think we should go.

It’s too fast for me, Ben, Gennie said. Like I said, I need to think about it. If you really want to go to Seward and go through eighth grade a third time, then you’re welcome to.

I can’t!

Why not?

I just told you I’m not going to leave you here. Remember that promise we made?

Never to be apart? Oh Ben, we were five years old then!

So what? A promise is a promise.

Gennie sighed. All Bryan is going to do to me is yell and call me names when he’s home, which probably won’t be much. If Bryan’s girlfriend comes to live here, which will probably happen soon, he won’t be as bad, since he wouldn’t want to give her a bad impression right away. So, if you want to go, then go.

Ben huffed. I guess I’ll have to stay in this hellhole with Bryan.

Gennie pushed past him and opened their bedroom door. You can be totally unreasonable sometimes.

Chapter 3: June 21

They tried to get along as best they could without their father, but it was hard. They were basically taking care of themselves. Bryan’s schedule became more unpredictable. Sometimes he would come home and sometimes he wouldn’t. When he came home, it was usually late and he was never exactly sober.

One night in June, Gennie woke up to open the window and let the cool summer air waft into their bedroom. She looked over at Ben. He was fast asleep; his arms sprawled out with a small puddle of drool on his pillow.

Ugh, Gennie said, chuckling. Then she heard a truck with a bad muffler coming down their road. When she saw the headlights of a rusty 1952 Chevy pick-up, she jumped back into bed. She didn’t want Bryan to catch her still awake.

She heard the truck’s engine idling, then the garage door opening. The engine became louder as Bryan drove into the garage.

The garage door closed but the engine was still on. He’s drunk, she thought. She prayed he would fall asleep and suffocate on the fumes. She felt guilty for thinking that, but at least then they would have a chance of going to a foster home with decent parents.

A minute later, the engine switched off and Gennie heard nothing. She soon fell asleep.

Get the hell up! Bryan shouted in their room some time later.

Why? Ben replied groggily.

I need dinner! Bryan’s words were so slurred they were barely understandable.

There’s leftovers. Just go heat them up. It doesn’t exactly take an Einstein to do that.

Gennie opened her eyes just in time to see Bryan flying into a rage. He grabbed Ben by the collar of his shirt and slammed him into the wall. Then he smacked him hard across the face several times.

At first, Gennie was stunned, but then her instincts kicked in. She took out her Dad’s Smith & Wesson revolver she hid under her pillow and pointed it directly at Bryan’s greasy blond head.

He stopped as soon as he heard the safety click off.

You don’t know how to use that, he said.

Try me, Gennie replied.

He let go of Ben’s shirt.

I guess I’ll heat up those leftovers, whatever they are.

Good idea, Gennie replied.

Bryan left the room as quietly as he came in. Gennie had the gun pointed at him until he closed the door.

She looked at Ben. His face was red and he was gasping for air.

Are you okay? she asked.

Yeah, he whispered. He brushed the tears falling down his cheeks.

Do you want a hug?

No, he replied. Without looking at her, he returned to his bed.

Gennie went to bed too, feeling an enormous amount of remorse. She was sure Ben blamed this whole incident on her. She was the one who didn’t want to go to Seward.

The next day was their last day of school. Their final report cards were horrible. Gennie barely passed the last quarter, getting mostly D’s and a few F’s. Ben failed everything, and his teacher wrote in her precise script that he would have to repeat eighth grade again. Gennie knew the best decision for them would be to leave.

That night Bryan was gone again. They went to bed at one o’ clock in the morning but were unable to sleep. Gennie tried to read a book but she couldn’t concentrate on it.

Ben, she finally said, I have something to tell you.

What? he replied, his eyes closed.

I think you were right. It would probably be best to go to Seward.

He opened his eyes and frowned.

Finally came to your senses, huh?

What happened yesterday was the last straw. I didn’t know Bryan was going to be such a jerk.

You’re okay with switching schools and making all new friends?

Yeah, what about you?

Well, I’m going to drop out.

What! You can’t do that!

It’s the best thing, Gen. I don’t want to be the oldest middle schooler in history. It’s embarrassing. And that way I can take care of Eva’s mom during the day.

We only have a couple more years of school. Why don’t you just finish them up?

No, Ben said, I’ve decided already. No more school after this.

I know you’ll change your mind when we move out to Seward.

Ben said nothing. He just turned away from her and fell asleep.

The next day Ben called the Dougherty’s and said he would take them up on their offer after all. Dick was thrilled and said his family was going to visit his mother-in-law next week. They would pick them up and take them to Seward on Monday.

Bryan usually spent the entire day with his girlfriend on Saturday, but today he came home around three o’clock. Gennie was adjusting the rabbit ears on their TV and Ben was upstairs taking a nap.

Hello, she said cheerfully.

Hi, he mumbled. He sounded drunk again.

I’ve got good news.

Bryan plopped down on the plush pink sofa, one of the few things from their mother they actually used. He looked at the TV listlessly.

Don’t you want to know what it is?

No, he said flatly. I don’t care about girly crap.

It’s not girly crap. Ben and I are leaving.

His eyes widened and he sat up a little straighter. You mean leaving as in moving out?

She sat in the matching chair across from the sofa. Yep.

Bryan looked surprised at first, but then his light blue eyes darkened.

Who’s going to make my supper, then? he demanded.

Gennie stood up in front of him, blocking the TV.

You are going to make your own supper, she said, pointing a finger at his chest. We’re getting out of here, whether you like it or not.

Bryan stood up. He was easily a foot taller than she was. You’re not going anywhere, he said calmly.

Gennie wasn’t intimidated. She laughed. Oh, yes we are. Monday morning the Dougherty’s are going to be picking us up and there isn’t a thing you can do about it.

He frowned slightly. You think so, huh? he said without emotion. Before Gennie knew it, he punched her in the face so hard she fell to the floor. Before she realized what was happening, he was on sitting on top of her, hitting her face repeatedly. She tried to cry out to Ben, but because of the blood in her mouth, all she could make was a few garbled yelps.

Hey, what’s going on down there? she heard Ben say. His feet were running down the stairway steps. She hoped he had the gun with him.

Bryan lunged at Ben while he was still on the stairs. He had the gun with him, but when he tried to fire it, it simply made a clicking sound. Bryan grabbed hold of the gun and they struggled with it. Gennie tried to yell stop but nothing came out of her throat. Bryan snatched the gun away from Ben and in one swift movement hit him over the head with the butt end of it. He curled up in a ball at the foot of the stairs, his arms covering his head. That was the last thing Gennie saw before she slipped into unconsciousness.

Chapter 4: June 23

When Gennie became aware of her surroundings once again, she felt as if there was something weighing down on her. She was finding it very difficult to breathe. It took her several minutes to realize it was because Ben was on top of her. She tried to push him off, but couldn’t. She attempted to shake him awake, but he wasn’t responding. She panicked when it occurred to her that he might be dead, and she hit him a few times. She was relieved when she heard a soft moan coming from him.

Ben, she said. She was surprised at how slurred her speech was. You have to get off me. I can’t breathe here.

Oh, he said, in a garbled voice. He slid off her onto the ground below.

Gennie heard some birds chirping and could smell and feel the mossy ground below her. They were outside, somewhere in the woods. Even though her head felt like a pile of bricks had hit it, she managed to sit up. She felt light-headed at first, but after a few minutes, it went away. The woods weren’t too dense, being mostly made up of scrawny looking pine trees and brush. Gennie could see the sun’s rays peeking through the forest. They were coming from the east and the sun was only about halfway up in the sky, so that meant it was morning. Gennie remembered it was about three o’clock in the afternoon when she confronted Bryan. They could have been here all night. She imagined Bryan thought they were dead, which was why they were probably dumped here. If it was the next day, that meant it was Sunday. They would have to find out where they were and get to the Dougherty’s so they could go on to Seward. Gennie wasn’t too worried. They both knew their way around the woods and she imagined they weren’t far from home. Bryan wasn’t known for thinking very far ahead. They could probably walk back to Willow in half a day at the very most.

Gennie looked over at her brother. He was still lying helplessly on the ground. She didn’t realize how bad his condition was. His face was covered in purple bruises, one of his eyes was badly swollen and he was only able to open it halfway. His lower lip was split and a thin trickle of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

She scooted over to him and lifted up his head. She wiped the blood off his mouth with her shirt.

Do I look as bad as you do? she asked him.

I don’t think so, Ben replied, though I haven’t seen myself in a mirror lately. Do I look as shitty as I feel?

Gennie chuckled. Probably.

We should find a road or something, Ben said. Get to a hospital.

Do you think you can walk? Gennie asked.

I don’t know. I’ll have to try.

I’ll help you sit up, Gennie said. She put one of her arms underneath him. His head looked a little wobbly and he put one of his hands to his forehead in order to stabilize it.

Dizzy? she asked.

Yeah, he replied. I think this is going to take a while.

I’ll try to get up first, Gennie said. Leaning on a nearby rock for support, she managed to lift herself up into a standing position.

That wasn’t too bad, she said. I’ll help you up now.

She took one of his arms. With her help, he pushed himself up until he was standing.

My head’s not liking this, he said. He leaned on her slightly for about a minute or so.

Doing better? she asked him.

I guess so, he said. Does this place look familiar to you?

Gennie looked around. Not at all.

What direction should we go in?

Your guess is as good as mine.

I wish we had a compass or something, Ben said.

Well, the sun’s facing east, so maybe we could go in that direction and just see what we hit.

Usually east means more wilderness, Ben said, but since we have no idea where we are anyway, I guess it wouldn’t hurt.

They trekked through the woods. Through the ground was muddy and they didn’t have shoes on, it wasn’t difficult for either for him. They went barefoot outside quite often in summertime and they had been through thicker brush than this. They walked for an hour and still there was nothing. They were both getting hungry and thirsty but there was nothing to