When We Go (Part 2) Massa Godbold

When We Go (Part 2)

Massa Godbold

Ronia ran to the wreckage. The car was still burning, so she couldn't get very close, but it didn't matter. Her grief weighed down on her, forcing her to drop part of the way. "Jay! Jayce!" she yelled, "Jay! Jayce!" Not hearing an answer, she cried, her head in her hands. Maybe they're still alive, she thought, but it was weak, barely supported by hope. On hands and knees, she crawled as close to the wreck as she dared, still calling for her children. A black Honda civic screeched around the corner, pulling into the driveway. Without waiting to come to a complete stop, the driver flung himself out of the car.

"Ronia!" he screamed, eyes landing on his wife crouched beside the flaming car. He assumed the worst. Hearing her name, Ronia turned, stood, and ran to her husband. They met in the middle, both crying . . . but for two different reasons. "You're alive, I . . . I thought . . ." Aaron pulled back, eyes roaming over his wife’s face, reassuring himself that she was all there. "Jayce . . . Jay . . ." was all she could whisper in response, tears streaming down her face. Aaron stood stock still, understanding dawning in his eyes. "They . . ."

Ronia nodded, sobbing. "I'll kill 'em," Aaron decided, a fierce finality in his voice.

Jay and Jayce lay on the floor, still shook by the force of the explosion. Jayce's arms were wrapped protectively over his sister. She cuddled close to him, hands over her head. "Is it over?" she whispered, voice shaking, ears ringing. Jayce, though he could barely hear her, nodded. Jay cried. He pulled her into a hug. "I'm scared," Jay wrapped her arms around her brother, holding on tightly. Jayce bit his lip, holding in tears for the sake of his sister. "W-we should find Mommy," Jayce decided, his voice quivering. He felt Jay nod under his arm. The twins helped each other up. The ringing in their ears dulled ever so slightly. Jay turned, looking to see how far they'd run. They'd gotten a respectable distance; a ways into the woods across from their house. They'd been shielded by the thick brush and several trees. She stood there, holding her brother's hand, looking at the flaming car in front of them. Sirens wailed in the distance. Jayce pulled his sister forward.

"Come on. Don't you wanna get to Mommy?" Jayce gently pulled Jay along. They waded through tall grass and under hanging branches. After a few minutes, the twins emerged from the woods. The firetrucks had arrived along with one police car, the officer questioning their sobbing mother. Their father stood with her, holding her close. Jay's eyes brimmed with tears. Jayce couldn't hold them in either. He cried with his sister. "MOMMY! DADDY!" they screamed, running full throttle at their parents.

Ronia let out a joyous shout of her own and, with Aaron close behind, ran to Jay and Jayce, crushing them into hugs. Ronia cried, tears of relief flooding from her eyes. Aaron was bleary-eyed too, overjoyed at the sight of his unharmed children. The officer and firefighter looked at each other, unsure in the midst of the reunion. Finally, the officer walked towards the family. He stood awkwardly nearby, not wanting to interrupt. The officer cleared his throat, earning a bone chilling glare from Aaron. The officer stepped back. Aaron gently tapped his wife and jerked his head in the direction of the officer. She turned towards him, still grasping Jay and Jayce tightly. "S-sorry ma'am . . . I just would like to ask a few questions . . ." he was clearly still uncomfortable with his interruption. Ronia nodded. "Jayda, Jayce, go with your Daddy for a sec. But stay outside . . . please." Jay and Jayce glanced at each other. Neither could remember the last time their mother had called Jay by her full name: Jayda. Jay shrugged it off, pretending she didn’t notice. She hugged her mother one more time, and they walked a little ways off with their father. "So . . ." the officer began. "What exactly happened here? I understand there was a car bomb, what I don't understand . . . is everything else."

Ronia nodded. "Honestly, officer, neither do I. Someone broke into my home, but they ran when I got inside. As I was checking to see what was stolen, I felt the explosion. I-" she paused for a moment, "I thought . . . I thought my children were in the car when the bomb went off. That's all I know." She wiped a stray tear away, looking the officer directly in the eye.

The officer nodded. "Do you have any . . . enemies?" Ronia paused for a moment. "Maybe a few, but none who would have access to a car bomb of that caliber. I don’t think any would want to kill my family. No, none like that." The officer raised an eyebrow. "None who'd have access? Are you implying that you know people who would have access to this type of explosive power?" "I know people who work with the government. I assume they would know a thing or two about this kind of thing, but none of them are people I'd consider my . . . enemies." The officer nodded slowly, suspicious, but not enough to press for answers he clearly wasn't going to get.

Hours later, after the car debris was cleared, the police and firefighters had gone, and people had come in and out to ask what the commotion was and if everyone was okay, the family sat in the living room eating cake for the twins birthday. The Bee Movie played on the TV. There was tension in the room, but not enough to completely ruin the happy mood. It was a surprising ending to the eventful day. Jay and Jayce looked back and forth from their parents, who spoke to each other, conveying coded messages through their eyes. "Kids," Ronia began. Though she was talking to Jay and Jayce, her eyes never left her husbands'. "We have something to tell you." "We wanted to wait, but. . ." "There's no more time."

"Mommy, Daddy? What's wrong," Jay asked. She looked scared. Ronia reached over and patted her on the head. "Don't worry, Jayda." Jay and Jayce made immediate eye contact, both sporting a look of worry.