Frank
Police sirens wail as Dad makes a sharp turn into the cemetery. I see my black BMW parked by Iola's grave. Joe stands a few feet away at Iola's grave. I look at my watch. Twenty seconds before the bomb explodes.
"Joe!" I shout though Dad's car window. "Run!"
I'm on my feet running to Joe. Halfway there my car explodes into a ball of burning metal and flames.
I run to the flames. Joe is gone.
Hands pull me back inches from the flames. I struggle to breathe through the heat and smoke.
"Frank, it's too late!" Dad shouts.
"No!" I scream. "Joe! Hang on!"
I aim a wild punch. It connects with Dad's nose. Sam loses his grip on me. I'm almost to the burning car when Edward and Con tackle me.
They drag me behind Dad's car.
A second explosion rocks my car. Nothing's left. A shell of burning metal and fire taunts me. No way Joe survived.
"I want this scene secured!" Con shouts.
My adrenaline rush is over. I collapse to the ground. Empty. Alone. Guilt-ridden.
Joe, I didn't want another partner. You knew that, right? When Iola died did you feel this way? How did you carry the pain and guilt? Did you ever get over it? No. Or you wouldn't have been here today.
I don't believe in aliens, Big Foot or God. Logic is my god. Until now.
I sit in a heap on the ground. Fire trucks pull in to put out the car fire. Dad's puts his hand on my shoulder. Blood flows out of Dad's nose. How did that happen?
Dad's lips move, but I have no idea what he's saying.
Time has stopped. I'm lost.
I pray for the first time in my life.
God, don't take Joe. Please.
"Hey, over here!" Sam shouts. "I need a medic!"
Sam stands in the woods next to the cemetery.
I run over. Joe is sprawled on the ground. Blood stains his hair. An inch thick branch sticks out of his chest.
"Easy," I say and touch Joe's forehead.
Joe's blue eyes focus on me through the pain. A medic straps an oxygen mask over Joe's face.
Joe's eyes close.
I put my hand on Joe's chest and feel him breathe. Joe takes 137 breaths before they load the stretcher into the ambulance.