Page 97 of From the Ashes
Charlie burst out laughing and I followed quickly behind. With the fire safely behind us and our lives still intact, the world seemed brighter and lighter than it had in years. Eventually we turned away from the fire and began walking through the creek toward the mountain road and the rescue team waiting for us. I knew my parents would be inconsolable and Tony would be pissed at me for being so reckless. But I didn’t care. It was worth it. If I hadn’t raced into Creekside, I wouldn’t havemyCharlie at my side. My best friend in the entire world.
And that day we did rise from the ashes as one to walk through life hand in hand. Just like I always knew we would.
And I couldn’t have been happier.
Epilogue: Phoenix
“This house really is beautiful,” my mother said as I walked her and Ted out to their minivan. “I still can’t believe you designed it all yourself.”
“Charlie did most of it,” I smiled. “If he hadn’t stepped in, we’d be living in a giant box with a kitchen on one side and a bed on the other. All my creativity was used up for writing. But he added a lot of comfort to this place.”
“Well, youbothdid a good job,” Ted cut in. “And we’re very proud of you.”
“And it’s nice to have you nearby,” my mother reminded me. “So, we can expect you for dinner every Sunday.”
I pushed her toward the car gently. “Let’s make it every other Sunday until we get settled in. Charlie needs some time to adjust.”
“How is he doing with all this?”
Both of them turned to look at me, the question burning in their eyes.
“We worry about him, you know. It’s a big change. And after the fire and all that upheaval… well–”
“He’s doing fine, Mom,” I smiled, putting my hand on her shoulder. “Better than ever, actually. It seems all this change has been good for him. It’s still hard some days, but most of the time he’s just like he was back in high school, ready to go exploring with a bag of marshmallows in hand.”
She grinned, hearing the happiness in my words. “He does look like he’s put a little weight back on. I’m glad. He was way too skinny.”
“Mom, do me a favor,” I said, giving her a hug. “Don’t ever say those words to a gay man as long as you live.”
She opened her mouth to retort, but Ted cut her off.
“Alright, Laura. Let’s let these boys get back to their lives.” He nodded toward the house sitting at the top of the mountain, the rest of the valley splayed out below it like a map. “I can already see the smoke from the bonfire Charlie has going. They have plans tonight and we’re holding them up.” He held out his hand to me. “It was good to see you, Phoenix. And we’re very proud of you.”
I ignored his hand and pulled him into a hug. “Thanks, Dad.”
Ted shuddered slightly at my words. He was prone to being emotional when I called him that. As he pulled away, he gave me a nod, helped my mother into the car like a gentleman, and the pair of them drove back down the mountain toward town.
I waved as they went, glancing down to thenewCreekside far below. It was much shinier and well-constructed than the old one, but it was still the same town. After the fire most of the townspeople decided to rebuild. Only a few took their insurance money and moved away. Even Charlie had his old house rebuilt. Then, as soon as it was done, he sold it, hoping some new family would come to that sweet littletown in the valley and build a life like we had together. He said that house deserved new memories to wash away the past.
All of Creekside rose from the ashes, as Charlie liked to remind me. He never let me forget those words I’d said so long ago, never knowing how much they’d come to mean to us in the future.
Grinning, I headed back toward the house. Instead of going inside, I went around the back, stepping onto the large patio where a fire ring had been placed in the center. All around it were Adirondack chairs, only one of them currently occupied. He looked up at me, those brown eyes flickering in the firelight as he smiled. I never got tired of seeing him like that, happy without a care in the world. It was the most beautiful sight I’d ever seen.
“Why are you so handsome?” Charlie asked as I came up beside him.
“I was just about to ask you the same thing.” I leaned down, giving him a kiss before I plopped myself into his lap. He wrapped his arms around me, squeezing me tightly, his body heat driving away the chill in the autumn air. “Sorry my parents were so full of questions tonight. I don’t know what got into them.”
“It’s a new house,” he shrugged. “I figured they’d want to know a few things.”
“Afew?” I scoffed. “My mother yacked your ear off for an entire hour.”
“It’s fine.” He smiled, kissing me on the forehead. “It’s nice to have a mom again, even if she can be a bit much sometimes.”
There was a twinge of melancholy before my heart filled with warmth. It was nice to hear Charlie talk about my family like that. Granted, we’d practically grown up in each other’s houses, but it was nice, nonetheless. Having a united family like ours wasn’t something a lot of people my age got. I counted myself lucky for what I had.
“So,” I said, snuggling against his chest and looking up at him. “Are we roasting marshmallows tonight in the new fire pit?”
“We can.” He glanced down at me, his grin turning mischievous. “Or, if you like… we could break in the house.”