No Justice For Jeremy Chapter Fifteen
"Oh, Jeremy! No! Sweetheart, you can't do that!" Candy was shocked.
"Candy, I have to, or the children will be killed! What choice do I have? I can't let the children die." Jeremy was frightened.
"Jeremy, there is no guarantee of the children's safe return even if the kidnapper's demands are met." Jason gulped.
"You can't turn yourself in, Jeremy! You just can't! I won't let you!" Joshua shouted.
"You can't stop me, Joshua! I can't let the children die! Or do you think my daughter is an Injun baby too?!" Jeremy screamed.
"Jeremy!" Joshua put his face in his hands and cried.
The youngest Bolt brother was hurt to see Joshua cry.
"Josh, I'm sorry. I was wrong to say that to you. I know you don't feel that way about Lilliana Jewel. Please forgive me. I'm scared out of my mind that the children will be murdered. They might be dead already." Jeremy raked his fingers through his hair.
Jeremy walked over to his blond brother and put his hand on his shoulder. "Josh, please forgive me. I love you, brother. I need you. I'm scared for myself too. I don't want to die. I want to grow old with Candy and watch my children grow up. I want to stay around and harass my big brothers. What do you say, Josh?"
Joshua looked at Jeremy. "I forgive you, Jeremy. I love you."
"Thank you, Josh." Jeremy told him.
"We need to report the kidnapping to Matt." Jason said.
"Yes, and I have to tell Whispering Dove and Sapphire Beauty. Jason, please ask Matt to send a wire to Lottie about her grandson." Jeremy said.
"Alright, Jeremy, I'll do that." Jason frowned.
Jeremy got dressed and went to talk to Whispering Dove and her mother about Lilliana Jewel and Little Josh being kidnapped. He told them about the note and the demands. Jeremy explained that he planned to meet the demands. The ladies were aghast. They tried unsuccessfully to get him to change his mind.
Jason reported the crime to Matt. Marshall Dillon began investigating immediately He could not find a clue as to who had taken the children.
After talking to Marshall Dillon, Jason returned to Jeremy's wagon. Jeremy was there.
"Jason, I'm going to Cheyenne to buy train tickets for tomorrow. Will you and Josh and Biddie go back home with Candy and me, please? I'm willing to die to save the kids, but I'm terrified! I need you and Josh to help me, please." Jeremy looked much younger than his twenty years.
"Of course, we will go with you, Jeremy." Jason wrapped his arms around his brother. They sobbed.
When their crying stopped, they left for Cheyenne along with Candy, Joshua, and Biddie.
When they arrived at the train depot, Jason purchased the tickets. The train for Olympia was scheduled to leave at 8 am. Tuesday morning which was the next day. The train would arrive in Olympia Thursday at noon. The Bolts would arrive in Seattle by stagecoach on Friday morning at 10 am.
The family returned to the wagon train. They spent the afternoon packing and saying goodbye to their friends. Their friends tried to think of another way to get the children back. They couldn't come up with any solution.
The next day, the Bolt family left on the train. Jeremy didn't talk much except to comfort Candy when she cried.
The first night on the train, Jason and Joshua went to the dining car late to get a cup of coffee. Jeremy and Candy didn't want any coffee. Biddie said she was going to bed.
The two oldest brothers stared at their cups for a few minutes.
"Joshua, I can't do this. I can't watch Jeremy die." Jason's voice trembled.
Joshua sighed. "I know, Jason. I'm terrified. It feels like we are betraying Jeremy because we can't fix this!"
"Joshua, did you ever feel as if I slighted you because there were so many times that Jeremy needed more attention when you were kids?" Jason looked at his brother.
"No, I really didn't feel cheated, Jason. Even though Jeremy needed more help, I always got help or attention when I needed it." Joshua smiled. "Do you remember when Jeremy and I had pneumonia at the same time? He was crying burning up with fever and I was grouchy as heck vomiting every five minutes. You were about to cry yourself. Finally, you loaded us in the buckboard and took us to Lottie's. She took care of us while you slept for two days straight. Jason, you wore yourself out taking care of both of us." Joshua patted him on the back.
"Well, you and Jeremy are my brothers. It was my responsibility and my pleasure to take care of you. I love both of you dearly." Jason put his arm around Joshua.
"I know you, Jason and so does Jeremy. You think it's your job to find a way out of this execution for him." Joshua looked serious.
"Yes, I do, Josh. And I'm failing miserably at it. I can't run to Lottie and get her to fix it this time." Jason said sadly.
"Jason! Joshua! Help! Jeremy is choking! Help!" Candy screamed.
The two Bolts sprinted to the passenger car.
Jeremy was pulling frantically at his tie trying to loosen it. He couldn't get the knot out. Jeremy's face and neck were both swollen and blood red. He could not draw any air into his lungs.
"Jeremy, let me do it!" Jason grabbed the tie.
Jeremy's eyes were wide with panic.
Jason hurriedly tried to untie the knot in his brother's tie. He couldn't loosen it. "How the hell did this knot get so tight?"
"The swelling in Jeremy's neck is making it too tight." Joshua said. "Here use my knife!"
Joshua handed Jason his open pocketknife. Jason immediately cut the tie off of Jeremy's neck. Jeremy gasped and coughed for a few minutes. Jason kept his arms loosely around Jeremy until he began breathing normally.
"Jeremy, what in the world happened?" Jason asked.
"I was having a nightmare that I was at my hanging. They put the noose around my neck, but they forgot to tie my hands behind my back. When they cut the rope and I fell through the gallows floor, I started grabbing the noose trying to pull it away from my neck because of course it was choking me. I couldn't pull it away. I guess the nightmare caused one of my anxiety spells which led to the swelling in my face and my neck." Jeremy explained.
Candy was in the corner of her seat sobbing. Jeremy put his arm around her drawing her close to him.
"I'm sorry, Candy. I know all of this is very frightening to you. It scares me too, sweetheart." He gave her a kiss in her hair.
The next night on the train, Jeremy found Joshua in the dining car late.
"Joshua, may I talk to you, please?" Jeremy asked.
"Sure, Jeremy, sit down. Where's Candy?" Joshua inquired.
"She is with Biddie in your compartment." Jeremy answered as he sat down at the table.
"Joshua, I tried to talk to Jason, but he couldn't handle it. He cried. He told me to talk to you." Jeremy looked worried.
"What do you want to talk about, Jeremy? I will do my best to help you. Joshua responded.
"I want to make sure that Candy, my children, and Whispering Dove will be taken care of when I'm gone. I want Candy to have something from my part of the mountain and my part of the logging business even after she remarries." Jeremy replied.
"I will take care of it, Jeremy. Your children and their mothers won't ever be without. I promise." Joshua's eyes were closed.
"Thank you, Joshua. I need you to take care of someone else for me too." Jeremy lamented.
"Who?" Joshua asked.
"Jason." Jeremy responded nodding toward the door.
Jason was walking into the dining car. He saw his brothers sitting together. He chose to sit alone.
Jeremy stared at his oldest brother for a minute. Jason would not look at him.
Jeremy looked at Joshua. "You see what I mean, Joshua? Jason won't even look at me!"
"He feels like he's letting you down because he can't stop the hanging." Joshua replied.
"I don't blame him for that, Josh. It's not his fault. I need him and you to help me face it. I need both of you to love me while I'm still here." Jeremy pleaded.
"We love you, Jeremy. We always will. Our hearts are broken. You know Jason doesn't cope with broken very well. If he can't fix something that is wrong, it drives him crazy. Go talk to him." Joshua told him.
"That's just it, Josh. He won't talk to me. I have tried." Jeremy frowned.
"Try again. I'm going to bed. Goodnight." Joshua got up and left the dining car.
"Goodnight." Jeremy replied as he got up from the table.
He walked toward his oldest brother. "Jason! Please talk to me."
Jason did not speak or look at Jeremy.
"Jason, please! I need you! I can't do this alone!" Jeremy's voice quivered.
"You are very needy, Jeremy." Jason said somberly.
"Yes, I am, Jason. That's why God gave me two older brothers to help me." Jeremy was trembling.
"Too bad God didn't give you an older brother who could keep you from being hanged." Jason said.
"Maybe God thought it was more important to give me brothers who would l-l-love m-m-me b-b-before I d-d-die." Jeremy sobbed.
"Oh, my God! Jeremy!" In one swift motion, Jason got up from the table and had his brother clutched to his chest. Jeremy cried like a wounded animal.
"I'm sorry, Jeremy! I'm sorry! The main thing I never wanted to do was to make you or Josh feel as though I don't love you. Because that's just not true. You know that don't you, Jeremy? Even if my actions don't always seem to be loving, you know that I love you, don't you?" Jason asked.
"I know you love me, Jason. But now I need you to tell me and show me because I don't have much longer to be loved. I'm so scared Jason! I want to be brave, but I'm not." Jeremy said with a ragged breath.
"Jeremy, you are one of the bravest people I have ever known. Giving your life to save your daughter and Lottie's grandson. Being scared doesn't mean you're not brave. That means you're human." Jason told him.
Jason gave Jeremy one more tight squeeze. They broke the embrace and went to their compartments.
Thursday went by fast.
Friday at 10 am, the Bolt family arrived in Seattle by stagecoach.
Jeremy went right to Aaron's office and turned himself in for the murder of Walter Phelps.
Jeremy was arrested and taken to the jail. Candy and his brothers went with him.
Aaron sent a wire to Judge Terry. The judge replied quickly that he would be in Seattle later today to set a date for the hanging.
When Judge Terry arrived late that afternoon, he came to the sheriff's office. He reviewed the case file for a few minutes.
Jeremy was brought out of the jail cell to stand before the Judge.
Judge Terry looked at Jeremy. "Jeremy Bolt, you have been found guilty of the murder of Walter Phelps. The punishment for this crime is death by hanging. Your punishment will be carried out tomorrow morning at 5am. At such time, you will be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May God have mercy on your soul." Judge Terry slammed the gavel on the desk. "This hearing is ended."
Jeremy gasped and dropped his head. Candy screamed and almost fainted. Joshua caught her and helped her to a chair.
Jason stood next to Jeremy with his arm around him rubbing circles on his back. Jeremy tried to take a step to move in front of Jason. His feet felt like stone. They would not move. Jason stepped in front of his youngest brother.
Jeremy threw his arms around Jason. He held on tight as he wept silent heartbroken tears. Jason clung to Jeremy and cried with him.
Later that night, Ben came by the jail. He had a telegram for Jason.
This is what the wire said:
From: Matt Dillon
To: Jason Bolt
Children have been located alive and well. I am in pursuit of them. They were kidnapped by Catherine and Jake Harmon after they escaped jail. Bertram Rollins helped them. Freddie Connors was taking money from Elijah Harmon to delay wagon train. Will transport children to Seattle when I rescue them from kidnappers.
"Well, that's good news." Ben said.
"Yes, it is Ben, provided that Matt can rescue the children before the kidnappers hurt them." Jason told him.
"That's true. But Marshall Dillon has a good reputation for catching criminals. I've got to get home. Good night." Ben said.
"Good night, Ben." Jason told him.
Jason and Joshua went to Lottie's for a while so Jeremy and Candy could have some time alone.
Candy was sitting inside the cell on the cot with Jeremy.
"Candy, I want you to promise me that you will marry again. Don't spend the rest of your life grieving for me. Find a nice man and raise lots of children and have a good life. Do you promise?" Jeremy asked as he held her close.
"Jeremy, I can't think about the future now. When I do, all I see is a big empty place where you are supposed to be!" She cried.
"Shush, sweetheart, shush." Jeremy whispered in her ear. "Don't cry, sweetheart." Jeremy kissed her on the side of her head.
"I can't help it, Jeremy! How am I ever going to live without you?" Candy held him close.
"You're strong, Candy. You will be fine after a while." Jeremy coughed.
"No! Nothing will ever be fine again after you're gone, Jeremy! Ouch!" Candy grabbed her belly on one side.
Jeremy was alarmed. "Candy! Are you alright? Is something wrong with the baby?"
"The baby is fine, Jeremy. I'm okay. The baby just kicked me very hard." Candy told him.
Candy took her husband's hand and placed it on her belly. The baby kicked again.
"Wow!" Jeremy exclaimed. "I can't wait to…
Reality slapped Jeremy in the face. He broke down sobbing.
"I knew since the other day that I wasn't ever going to see the baby, but it's like it just hit me now when I felt the baby kick." Jeremy cried.
Candy placed his head on her shoulder. "I am so sorry, Jeremy. This is so unfair!"
Jeremy cried a few more minutes. "Candy," he said with a ragged breath. "You won't forget me, will you? Please don't forget me!"
"Forget you? Jeremy, you are my husband, the father of my baby, and the love of my life. How could I ever forget you?" Candy asked him softly.
"I know it sounds crazy. But that's one of the things that worries me the most. I'm afraid I'll be forgotten." Jeremy whispered.
"I promise. I won't ever forget you. I will tell the baby about you every day. Oh, this hurts me to my soul! I shouldn't have to talk about life without you, Jeremy! We should be at home looking forward to the birth of our first child!" Candy teared up.
Jason and Joshua came to the door of the sheriff's office.
"Is it alright for us to come in?" Joshua asked.
"Certainly." Candy said as she wiped her eyes with her sleeve.
The two brothers came in. Jason reached through the bars to give Candy his handkerchief. She took it and wiped Jeremy's eyes. Then she used it on her eyes as well.
Jason looked at his youngest brother. "Jeremy, tomorrow, I'm going to ask Judge Everett to allow me to take your place."
"Take my place where?" Jeremy was puzzled.
"At the hanging, Jeremy. I'm going to ask to be hanged in your place." Jason looked at him solemnly.
Jeremy stood up from the cot. He walked up to the cell door.
"No! Absolutely not, Jason! I'm the one who was convicted. I'm the one who has to hang!" Jeremy was furious.
"Now, look here, boy!" Jason bellowed.
"Don't call me, boy!" Jeremy bellowed right back.
"Both of you shut up!" Joshua joined in on the shouting.
Jason and Jeremy got quiet. Candy shook her head.
"We are not going to spend tonight arguing." Joshua said calmly.
"Well, Joshua, if we don't argue, what will we talk about?" Jeremy asked.
"Yeah, Josh, a lot of our conversations start out as arguments." Jason said.
"I don't know. Surely, we can find something to talk about without fighting." Joshua told them.
"I want to be sure I tell both of you how much I love you. A man couldn't have two finer brothers. A frightened overly sensitive stuttering kid couldn't have had two better brothers either. I wouldn't have made it this long in life without you two. Thank you for everything you have done for me. I love you, Jason. I love you, Joshua. Please don't forget me." Jeremy had tears rolling down his face.
The two older brothers locked eyes and gulped. They hugged their youngest brother the best they could with the bars between them.
"Jeremy, this is not up for debate. If the Judge will allow it, I'm going to take your place tomorrow. You have a wife and children to take care of. I don't. I willingly and gladly give my life in your place." Jason said emphatically. "That's how much I love you."
"Oh, so now we are having a contest to see which brother loves the other two the most and the one who is hanged, wins?" Jeremy smirked.
"No, you little arse. It's like I said. You have obligations that I don't have and I love you enough to take your place. What's wrong with that?" Jason asked.
"What's wrong with it, is that I don't want you to die. So that's it. That's a dying man's last request so it must be honored. So, I win, big brother! I love you and Joshua the most!" Jeremy fell apart crying uncontrollably.
Jason got the key out of the desk drawer and unlocked the cell door. Candy came out of the cell. Jason and Joshua went into the cell.
The two older brothers sat down on the cot with Jeremy between them. They held him as he cried trying to console him even though they knew it was impossible.
When Jeremy stopped crying, he was so exhausted, he went to sleep in just a few minutes.
After they got Jeremy settled on his cot, Jason and Joshua came out of the cell. They looked at the clock. It was after midnight. The day of Jeremy's hanging had arrived.
At 4:30 am, Jason shook Jeremy gently by the shoulder. "Jeremy, it's time to get up."
"Today is the day, isn't it?" Jeremy whispered.
"Yes, it is, brother." Jason looked him in the eye.
Jeremy took a deep breath and sat up on the side of the looked at Candy asleep in a rocking chair.
"Did she get much sleep?" Jeremy asked.
"Not much, Jeremy. She stayed awake crying and praying after you went to sleep." Joshua said.
"Take care of her and the baby. Take care of Whispering Dove and Lilliana Jewel too, please." Jeremy told his brothers.
Jeremy got dressed in his regular work clothes.
Clancy and Lottie came in. There were tears, hugs, kisses, thank you's and goodbyes. As they were leaving, they told Jeremy they would be there. He thanked them.
Five minutes later, Aaron came in. He told Jason that Judge Terry had arrived. He was at Lottie's having coffee.
Jason and Jeremy exchanged a look. They didn't say a word.
Jason left the jail heading to Lottie's.
When Jason arrived at Lottie's, he got a cup of coffee and went into the back room. Judge Terry was sitting at the table drinking his coffee.
"Everett, I want to talk to you, please. It is urgent. I want you to let me hang instead of Jeremy. I will sign a confession. I will say that I'm scum and I framed my own brother. Anything, Everett, to save Jeremy's life! Please, Everett, you know Jeremy is innocent. He has a wife who is expecting a child next month. He recently learned that he has a three year old daughter with his first love. For goodness sake, say something, Judge!" Jason pleaded.
"Jason, I understand that you love Jeremy very much. But this is a legal procedure, Jason. It isn't a baseball game where I can swap players or positions. My answer has to be no." Judge Terry looked at him sadly.
"A legal procedure? Judge, this procedure may be considered legal in a court of law because of that farce of a trial, but out there, Judge,"Jason waved his arm in the direction of the gallows. "Out there where my innocent baby brother is going to die for a crime he didn't commit, out there, Judge, it's murder!" Jason screamed at the top of his lungs.
"I'm sorry, Jason. There is nothing I can do." Judge Terry replied.
Jason stormed out of the back room and out of Lottie's.
Jason ran back to the jail. Joshua and Jeremy looked at him. He shook his head.
"It's time, Jeremy." Aaron said.
Candy sobbed. Biddie put her arm around her.
Biddie and Candy walked out of the sheriff's office first. They went to the front row of people in front of the gallows.
Aaron and Jeremy came out of the sheriff's office next followed by Jason and Joshua.
When they got to the gallows steps, Aaron and Jeremy stopped. Aaron motioned for Jeremy to put his hands behind his back. Jeremy did so.
All at once, Jason grabbed Jeremy by his arm whirling him around to face him. Jason yanked Jeremy to his chest clutching him in a death grip.
"You can't have him! You can't kill my baby brother! I won't let you! He's innocent! If you kill him, it will be murder! Murder, do you hear me?!" Jason wailed.
"J-J-Jason, this is the way it has to b-b-be. It was decided by the c-c-court. Even though, it's not r-r-right. This is the w-w-way things are." Jeremy patted Jason on the back.
"Jason. Jason." Joshua whispered in his brother's ear as he rubbed circles on his back.
Aaron had his head tilted back; He was looking up at the sky trying to control the tears that were streaming down his face.
Biddie and Candy were hugging and sobbing. Lottie and Clancy were holding each other as they sobbed as well.
Jason regained his composure somewhat and let go of Jeremy.
Aaron tied Jeremy's hands behind his back. They proceeded to climb the gallows steps with Jason and Joshua following.
When they got to the hangman's noose, they were standing to the side of it. Jeremy looked at the noose. He swallowed hard.
Jeremy was standing between his brothers. He looked at Jason. "I love you, Jason."
Jeremy turned his head to look at Joshua. "I love you, Joshua."
"We love you, Jeremy." His brothers replied.
Jeremy looked out at Candy in the crowd. "I love you, Candy, always and forever."
"I love you, Jeremy, always and forever." Candy replied.
"Are you ready, Jeremy?" Aaron asked quietly.
"Yes." Jeremy whispered.
Aaron motioned for Jeremy to step in front of the hangman's noose. As Jeremy did so, Jason and Joshua put their hands on his shoulders. All three Bolt brothers took a deep breath.
As Aaron was reaching to place the hangman's noose around Jeremy's neck, there was a scream heard down the street.
"Stop! Stop! Stop! Jeremy is innocent! Stop! Stop! Stop!" came the loud cry along with the sound of a horse galloping at a mad pace.
"Aaron, stop!" Jason shouted taking the noose out of his hand.
"Gladly, Jason, gladly!" Aaron replied.
As the horse ran into view, the crowd parted to let him through. The large silver horse came to a halt in front of the gallows.
There was a young Native American warrior riding the horse. "My name is Grey Wolf. I am 18 years old. Red Wolf was my grandfather. Last year when he was on his journey to his Last Winter, I wanted to go with him to make sure he made it there safely. He refused to let me go. I followed him in secret to be sure he was safe. My grandfather never knew that I followed him. No one ever knew until now." Grey Wolf paused for a few moments.
Grey Wolf continued. "When I was following Grandfather, I also witnessed the murder of trapper Phelps. Jeremy Bolt did not kill him. The one who accused Jeremy, he is the murderer. He is called Junior Oates."
There was a shout of jubilation from the crowd.
Jason grabbed Jeremy in a bear hug. "Oh, thank God! Thank God! I have never been so terrified in my life! I love you, baby brother! I love you!"
"Hey! He's my baby brother too!" Joshua grabbed Jeremy away from Jason. Joshua gave him a tight squeeze.
"Boys, the Judge is motioning for us to come meet with him. Let's go." Jason said.
The Bolt brothers ran down the steps of the gallows. They went into Lottie's. Grey Wolf, Candy, and Biddie also went into the saloon. Lottie and Clancy were close behind.
Jeremy stood before Judge Everett Terry once again.
"Mr. Bolt, in light of the new evidence in the case of the murder of Walter Phelps, this court finds you innocent of said murder. Your sentence is hereby vacated. Jeremy Bolt, you are free to go!" Judge Terry slammed the gavel on the bar.
Judge Terry shook Jeremy's hand. "I know you and your family went through hell, son. Saying I'm sorry doesn't mean squat, but I apologize anyway. I'm glad the truth came out in time."
"So am I, sir!" Jeremy shook the Judge's hand.
"Jeremy! Come here to me! Oh, Jeremy! I am so very very happy!" Candy was beaming.
Jeremy wrapped his arms around his wife. "You feel so good! I love you with all of my heart!"
"Jeremy! Jeremy! Let's all get something to eat! I'm starving!" Jason exclaimed.
Jeremy and Candy sat down at the table with his brothers, Biddie, and Grey Wolf.
"Grey Wolf, you gave my life back to me. Thank you for saving me. I am forever in your debt." Jeremy told him.
"You are welcome, Jeremy. I am honored that I could help you." Grey Wolf replied.
Lottie cooked a huge breakfast for them. All of the Bolts ate until they had their fill. Grey Wolf ate heartily as well.
"Grey Wolf, we are eternally grateful to you. We owe a debt we can never repay. May I ask a question? Why didn't you come forward at the trial?" Jason asked.
"I was afraid I would be murdered as my grandfather was murdered." Grey Wolf answered.
"We can certainly understand that." Jason responded. "I'm very sorry that your grandfather was killed. I tried my best to save him."
"I am thankful for your efforts, Jason." Grey Wolf told him. "I must return to my home now. Goodbye to all of you."
Grey Wolf left on his way home to his village.
Ben came rushing into Lottie's "Jason, this telegram just came for you."
Jason took the telegram and read it. "Oh, Jeremy! Lottie! Matt has rescued the children. They are and Kitty will be bringing them to Seattle in a few days. Jacob and Catherine Harmon have been arrested again along with Bertram Rollins and Freddie Connors."
Jeremy, Candy, and Lottie were ecstatic that the children were found safe and that they would be home soon.
Since the two young Bolt couples did not have cabins, they decided to rent rooms at Lottie's until their homes were built. After they rented their rooms, each couple decided to go to their rooms for naps.
Jason went to the cabin to take a nap.
Later in the evening, the Bolt family met at Lottie's again.
They had supper. The men had a few drinks. The family talked for a long time. The brothers decided they would wait a few days before returning to work.
Jason suggested that they go to the old family home place tomorrow.
"That's a great idea, Jason!" Jeremy said. "Candy, do you and Biddie want to come with us tomorrow? It will be fun!"
"No thank you, Jeremy. Maybe another day. Biddie and I have to unpack and do the wash tomorrow, don't we, Biddie?"
"Why, yes, indeedy! So, you boys just go on up there tomorrow and have a good time." Biddie answered.
The next day, Jason, Joshua, and Jeremy began walking up Bridal Veil Mountain. Before they went too far, they stopped to look at their mountain.
"Hello, Bridal Veil Mountain, our wonderful home. We missed you. We are back." Joshua said.
"Hello, Dad. We missed you. We love you. We are back." Jason said.
"Hello, Mama. We missed you. We love you. We are back." Jeremy said.
The three brothers walked on up the mountain.
Suddenly, Jeremy felt something on his cheek. "Cut it out, Josh!"
Joshua looked at Jeremy. "What do you mean, cut it out? I haven't touched you!"
"Yes, you did, Joshua! You kissed my cheek." Jeremy retorted.
"Kissed your cheek!?" Joshua laughed.
Jason laughed too. "Jeremy, I have to side with Josh on this one. I assure you; he did not kiss your cheek."
"You must have been daydreaming about when Candy kissed you this morning. You still have lip rouge on your face." Joshua grinned.
"What?" Jeremy touched his cheek with his fingertips.
Candy wasn't wearing lip rouge this morning. He thought.
Jeremy looked at his fingertips. There was a reddish brown colored lip
rouge on his fingers. It was still moist.
Suddenly a breeze blew through the pines. Jeremy heard the whisper of a familiar voice.
"I love you, Jeremy. Mama has missed you. Welcome home."
The End