Short chapter
Johnny yawned softly not too sure what to even do. He'd seen his mother give birth to a sister and from the looks of things his father was actually nice to her. He was a bit jealous that she had an actual dad to look after her but what's done is done.
The boy went wandering down a path and by pure accident ran into a woman. She was older looking and had a husband in a wheelchair. "Oh sorry Mame." Johnny said apologetically. The lady looked at him and then she smiled. "You're Rosemary's boy." The woman said almost sadly and happily at the same time. "Uh yeah I'm Johnny Cade. Who who are you?" Johnny asked genuinely confused.
"I'm mrs Veloz your grandmother." The woman said still smiling. "My grandmother." Johnny said softly trying to process what he was even hearing. "Yes Johnny. Oh look at you. You have your mama's eyes." Mrs veloz ssid warmly brining her grandson close for a hug.
"Let's get you to the house then." Mrs veloz said pleaded. "Uh House? I didn't know that…." "child this place is like any other city. If the city were run by saints and Angels and other deities that is. Now come along sure you'd like a bed to sleep in and not the ground." Mrs veloz said softly making Johnny nod his head slowly unsure.
"Well it's not like I'm not use to sleeping on the ground. Use to all the time when I was….was alive." Johnny said saying the A word was rather hard for him to do still.
"Just What do you mean by that. No daughter of mine would allow that." "She did though. Dad was well...abusive." Johnny said rubbing the back of his neck some. "But I made nice friends. Real swell folks in fact. I even met the Curtis Mrs and Mr Curtis were real nice folks. You should meet them." Johnny suggested softly.
"I'd love to. I'm sure they are very nice folks." Mrs veloz said warmly. "They are. Real nice folks." Johnny said seriously. "Well come on then." Mrs veloz said wheeling her husband along. He didn't talk much given his vocal cords went when he died. It was a way of punishment for smoking. Lucky his wife didn't smoke too otherwise she'd never been able to tell Johnny she's his grandma.
Mrs. Veloz helped her husband to bed and then set off with Johnny to find these Curtis.
"Why Yes May I help you?" An Angel asked politely enough. "Uh yeah I was wondering if you know the where about of Darrel Shane Curtis Sr and his wife." Johnny asked timidly. "Ah the Curtis. Nice folks. They are just down that way. Small home with a black roof and yellow paint. That all you need for now Johnny Cade?" The angel asked softly.
"Uh yes thanks." Johnny said walking back over to his grandmother and walking with her to the curtis' Home here. "Johnny. Oh honey your too young to be here." Mrs Curtis said sadly rushing over to hug the boy. "Yeah sorry. I Uh. I died in a church fire. Saving pony and some kids." Johnny said shyly. "So you're a hero then. Good on you. And who's this?" Mrs Curtis said smiling proudly then turned to Mrs veloz.
"I'm Mrs veloz Johnny's grandmother." Mrs veloz said smiling at the young mother. "Pleasure." Mrs Curtis said gently. "Won't you two come in. I've made some cookies if you'd like some." Mrs Curtis offered like she had use to when she had been alive. "That'd be lovely." Mrs veloz said smiling.
"So have you been checking in on the others and such?" Mr Curtis asked Johnny. "Uh yeah. My folks have a little girl now. Emily Marie. Also dad's stopped drinking. He's changed." Johnny said almost in shock still about it. "I'll believe it when I see it. I take it you forgave them then." Mr Curtis asked already knowing the answer.
"I did. They deserve that much at least." Johnny said softly.
"You know there is a program here where you can become someone's guardian angel." Mrs Curtis Told Johnny as she handed him a plate of cookies. "I'll have to look into that." Johnny said smiling some. It was nice to be able to talk to both Mrs Curtis and mr Curtis.
"Well we best get going. Nice to meet you both again. Maybe next time I can get my husband to come with us." Mrs veloz suggested. "Can't wait." Mrs Curtis said waving to them as they headed back for their home.
"Poor boy. Too young to die." Mrs Curtis said softly sounding heartbroken about it. "At least he died among friends love." Mr Curtis said gently to his wife. "I know. But still. Sixteen isn't old enough." Mrs Curtis said sadly.