Without by E.E. Borton Page A

speed.”
    I was cruising with my girl. Moving my hand down to hers,
she leaned over, putting her head on my shoulder. She tucked her unruly hair
behind her ear as I turned the knob, finding us a tune that would carry us down
the road. The truth is, I didn’t care about the car. I cared about the moment.
    Sam was dead and so was Eleanor. I knew that. But as the
world was dying around us, we still managed to create a brilliant memory
together that I’ll never forget. Maybe she wasn’t so dead. Maybe as long as I
stayed alive, so would she.
    “It’s getting late, baby,” said Sam. “There’s a barn up the
road. Let’s see if we can stay there.”
    “You’re staying with me tonight?”
    “I am.”
    Crackling as it cooled, the engine fell back to sleep. The
cars pinning Eleanor reappeared as Sam disappeared. She knew I had work to do
and didn’t want to distract me. I made my way across the highway to the big red
barn. The farmhouse was fifty yards away.
    Looking through my scope, I didn’t see any movement through
the windows. There were no vehicles and no signs of life. I was very much
hoping they weren’t home. No people meant no trouble. I prayed that my earlier
wish for a good day would extend into the evening. I wanted nothing more than a
silent night.
    There was no need for my key since the back door was open.
Shotgun leading the way, I moved inside. Clearing every room, I helped myself
to a little food and water. I didn’t want to take any more than I needed in
case they were on their own journey to get home. If they made it back, they’d
be tired and hungry. I thanked a photo of the family for the meal and headed
for the barn. Sam was waiting for me.
    “Come on, cowboy,” said Sam, beaming. “Let’s go roll in the
hay.”
    Opening the barn door, I saw how hard the family worked to
keep things in order. The stalls were empty but clean. I was expecting to get assaulted
by the odor of large animals. The only smell was of the hay in the loft above
Sam.
    Using blankets and pillows from the house, I made our bed in
the loft. I was pleased to see the ladder wasn’t attached. Pulling it up to
keep any trouble far below, I knew it was a safe place to be with my girl.
    Stowing the ladder, I turned to see Sam lying naked on our
bed. She took my breath away. Her perfect body was bathed in the warm glow from
the oil lamp. Opening a window, feeling the cool twilight breeze, I took off my
clothes, lying down beside her.
    She draped her arm across my chest, nestling her head into
my shoulder. I put my arm around her, pulling her in tight. Trouble was a
million miles away.
    I melted into her.
    “You took a bath today,” said Sam, kissing my cheek.
    “I did,” I said. “Not sure when that’s going to happen
again.”
    “You’re doing so good, sweetheart. I know you’ve had to do
some things, but it’s okay. I know you didn’t mean for him to get hurt.”
    “Earl.”
    “Yes,” said Sam, leaning back, putting her head on the
pillow. “I know you were just trying to protect him.”
    “He was a good man,” I said. “I only knew him for a few
hours, but I could tell. He reminded me of someone special. Maybe I should’ve
tried harder to separate him from the fight.”
    “No. You didn’t have time. He knows that.”
    “He knows?”
    “Yes, baby. He told me. He’s with me now.”
    I tried to be strong, but it overtook me. It was the second
time I cried in front of her. My tears weren’t for Earl. They were for her.
    She wiped them away, smiling at me. Swallowing the rest of
them back, I regained my composure. No sense dwelling on tough thoughts.
    “You are my sweet boy,” said Sam, touching my face. “I don’t
ever want you to think that crying makes you weak. It shows me just how strong
you are. It makes me love you even more.
    “But you need to get some rest now. We need to turn down the
lamp. You know light brings trouble in the dark.”
    “Just a few more minutes, angel. I want to see