Amber by Dan-Dwayne Spencer (e book reader .TXT) 📕

“Exactly like that,” She replied.

Roger started to say something when Jimmy focused his JD stare on him. “And as for you, Reynolds,” Jimmy thundered. “You knew all along we’d only get this far. You’ve been so all-fired eager to get to this place, I bet you knew this commune was here all along. You probably have some special shit going on, too.”

Roger exclaimed, “Jimmy, you’re talking crazy. Say the word and we’ll get to the concert for the last hoo-rah. A hippie here told me there’s lots of free drugs being passed around there.”

Jimmy retorted, “Numbnuts, you can’t drive and I can’t do it all myself. Nobody can drive from Texas to New York without sleeping. We need Arland to give up all this spiritualistic crap. He’s got to stop thinking he’s better than us and remember why he got this trip started in the first place.”

I screamed at the top of my lungs. “Hey!” It was time for complete transparency. Jimmy and I still had one connection bonding us. “Jimmy, I had to leave. Don’t you get it? I was nothing but a dumping ground for all my parent’s crap. Any more would have killed me. I…I felt like I was dying. Leaving was my only hope. When I realized we were the same, suddenly I saw a light at the end of my depressing tunnel. I saw a way to escape.”

“Cut out the we business, Loveless, you and I are nothing alike. You didn’t have to stay there, you could have left at any time.”

“Could I? I’m only fifteen. You’re the one with the car. I knew you had to decide to join me. Man, you ditched your old man and ran away, all of your own free will. I didn’t make you do it. Don’t you see? We did this, Jimmy—both of us. We freed ourselves from the pain and suffering inflicted on us by adults who claim to love us. That’s what we did.”

Rose suddenly understood. Jimmy still lived with his dad. “Jimmy, are you underage?” Concern creased her brow. “How old are you?”

Jimmy stopped the bluster and locked his eyes on his shoes. “Sixteen, won’t be seventeen until November.”

Rose confessed, “Never dated anyone younger than me before. It’s only a year.” Jimmy looked up, surprise written on his face. “I lie about my age to get jobs and stay on my own. These guys here are all so smart, they’ve made a home out of some dirt and a few trees. I’m not smart like they are, but I can work to pay my way.” She glanced shyly at him. “I turn eighteen in December. Up to now, it’s been my big secret. You’re the first person I’ve told since I’ve been here. I don’t want to get anyone in any trouble. In three months it won’t matter. The thing is that we all have baggage and crap best not brought out for everyone to know. Just hang loose and let the pieces of your life fall where they will.”

“I guess you’re right, but I can’t stay here.” Worry and stress brought Jimmy’s eyebrows down until they almost met in the middle. “All this gifted shit freaks me out.”

“It’s not so bad. You get used to Flower’s gift, and she has a way of making everything so right with the world. Everyone else here is just smart.” She shrugged and admitted, “Well, there’s at least one genius among us. This one guy, an ex-professor, wanted to find a simpler way to live. I ain’t kidding, he’s a freaking genius or something. He and Flower got this place started. They planned to make the perfect community, and they’ve come damn close.”

Jimmy’s smile returned. “Is it seriously all so good?”

“Yeah, if the fuzz, County Sheriff, Randy Briggs—You met him back at the wreck—if he’ll stay out of our business it’ll be better. He calls himself the DLE, Director of Law Enforcement, and bosses all the other fuzzies around—even the state ones. I never heard of a DLE before. He probably made it up. Anyway, he sends his officers out here, doesn’t come himself. I think he’s afraid of us. But he undermines the commune at every opportunity, and he advertises the fact he hates hippies.”

“Sounds to me like he’s the one with the problem.” Jimmy couldn’t help but smile, after all, he was talking to Rose. “A very smart person told me to hang loose and let the pieces of my life fall where they will. What do you think? Sound like friendly advice?”

“Yeah, great advice.” She shook her head and pulled him closer. “You’re only sixteen?” Disbelief dripped from her words. “You’re the most mature sixteen-year-old I’ve ever seen.”

Returning her embrace, he beamed with delighted satisfaction.

“You don’t need Arland. You have me. I can drive for you.”

“I guess, this means we are going to see the hippies with the drugs.” Roger cheered.

“That settles it.” I said, “You three go on to Woodstock, but I can’t. I have to stay here and learn more about what’s happening to me.”

“Your loss, Loveless,” Jimmy called over to me as he planted a wet kiss on Rose.

Flower said, “Arland, if you want to stay, the council of elders will consider your petition at tomorrow’s meeting and decide if you are suitable for residency. You must understand, even though you’re gifted, it doesn’t mean they will vote you in.” She turned to Rose. “Sister, is this what you want? You only met this man tonight. It seems impulsive.”

Never taking her eyes off Jimmy, Rose answered, “It is. I’ve never been happier than I am with Jimmy.”

“Then leave with my blessings. Love isn’t always found in the everlasting; sometimes it’s in the fleeting moments between hellos and goodbyes.” She faced Roger and nodded toward the eastern treehouse. “Before you go, the least we