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homerfreak2011

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At the door of her old home, Julia’s stomach knotted. Ben put his arm gently around her waist, trying to comfort her. “Hone--”

“Don’t,” She knocked his arm down. “Don’t touch me…”

“Juli--”

“Just… just leave me alone, okay?” She walked into the kitchen on the other side of the front door, leaving Ben behind on the porch.

He didn’t argue, just silently followed her through the house. Julia glanced around the living room sadly, seeing her parents on the couch. The two were huddled together, obviously distraught by their two losses. Julia swallowed the pain in her throat and glanced up the stairs. Her bedroom door was closed, but Kyle’s was open, and quiet sobs could be heard from inside it.

Without hesitation, Julia ran up the stairs. Ben ran after her. “Julia! Julia, what are you doing?!” His voice was only a stern whisper, but it was loud enough for Julia to hear.

Ignoring him, she continued up the stairs, running to her little brothers room. On the bottom bunk of his bed was Kyle, all curled up in a feeble position, crying. “Kyle?!” She slid into the bunk next to him, wrapping her arms around him.

He turned toward her, his face suddenly lighting up. “Julia!” He threw his arms around her, hugging her.

“Kyle…” She hugged him tighter, feeling her own tears burn her cheeks. “Oh God, Kyle…”

The 8-year-old boy slid into her lap, snuggling against her. Julia didn’t care. She has missed him terribly and wasn’t about to just let him go.

Ben walked through the doorway, into the small bedroom. He paused, then slowly walked over to the bed. “Julie…” Kneeling down in front of the bed, Ben took her wrist in his hand.

Julia looked at him, her eyes pleading him against his mission.

“Honey, I have to…”

She shook her head, crying a little harder, still clutching Kyle in her arms. “No, Ben, you don’t!” She winced, looking Ben in the eyes. “Benny, please… He’s my baby brother…”

Kyle pulled back from Julia’s arms, staring at the stranger next to his bed. “Julia, who is he…?”

“Kyle, baby, this is Ben. He’s here to…” She looked toward Ben, then back at Kyle. “He’s here to help you. To help us.”

Kyle looked up at his sister with tears in his eyes. “Why don’t Mom and Dad love me anymore? Why do they ignore me? Why do people keep coming over saying ‘I’m sorry you lost him’? I’m right here… they didn’t lose me…”

Julia leaned her forehead against her brother’s, silently debating on whether or not she should try to explain all of this… Death, Quarantine, his fate… “Sweetie, you can’t talk to Momma and Dad anymore.”

“W…why?”

“You just can’t.” She glanced back at Ben. Her eyes pleaded for his help.

“Um,” He picked up her signal. “Me and your sister are gonna take you to New York. To my home.”

“Really?!” Kyle jumped off the bunk. “Really?! I get to go to New York with Julie?!”

Julia nodded, seeing the excitement in Kyle’s soul. She didn’t want to ruin that.

“Sure, kid. All Julie’s talked about since I’ve met her has been you.”

Kyle smiled up at her. “Really, Jewel? Only me?”

She nodded again, smiling at him. “I love you, Kyle. What do you expect?”

Ben took Julia’s hand and brought her to her feet. “Let’s go for a walk. Just the three of us.”

* * * * * * * * * *

Walking through town, Ben and Julia held hands, with Kyle running in front. Ben squeezed her hand and kissed her cheek. “Baby?” His voice was only loud enough for her to here.

“Hmm?”

“3 days, okay?”

“What?”

“3 days… Then I have to send him away.”

Julia felt the pain in her gut return, but she only nodded. She knew Ben had to do his job, and she knew he was being extremely lenient with her. She couldn’t just be a bitch about it. “3 full days?”

Ben nodded. “Let’s leave tonight for New York. We can take him with us. At least then you’ll get time with him…”

She hugged him. “I love you, Benny… thank you so much…” As his arms wrapped around her, she looked up at him. “Are you gonna get in trouble?”

He shrugged, still holding her against him. “Maybe… probably… but not all that much.”

“Are you sure?” She kissed his Adam’s apple, wrapping her arms around his abdomen.

“Baby, you’re worth it.” He kissed her, still holding her against him.

As their kiss broke, Julia looked ahead for Kyle. He was getting further and further out of sight. She took Ben’s hand. “We better go catch him.”