Chapter 7 - Sunrise Over the Dashboard
Three days later, the storm had finally passed.
The morning sun broke over the horizon, painting the sky over Pine Ridge in brilliant shades of gold and violet. The air was crisp, clean, and smelled of wet earth and pine.
Roger sat on the steps of the battered front porch, holding a hot mug of coffee.
The yard was quiet now. The police tape had been removed. The Vargas syndicate had been decimated; Arthur’s flash drive contained enough evidence to put the entire leadership behind bars for life.
The front door creaked open behind him.
Arthur stepped out, leaning heavily on a cane, but his color had returned. Elena followed, carrying Mia, who was babbling happily, her fever entirely gone. Little Leo ran out, holding a toy truck he had found in a dusty box in the attic.
"The FBI agent called," Arthur said, taking a seat on the steps next to Roger. "We're officially in witness protection. But they said we have a choice of where we want to be relocated. They can set us up anywhere in the country."
Roger stared down at his coffee. The familiar ache of loneliness began to creep back into his chest. His job was done. It was time for them to leave, and time for him to climb back into the cab of his truck and disappear onto the highway.
"Anywhere, huh?" Roger mumbled. "Well. Florida is nice this time of year."
Arthur exchanged a look with Elena. Elena smiled, a warm, genuine expression that brought tears to her eyes.
"We don't want to go to Florida, Roger," Elena said softly.
Roger looked up.
"We talked about it," Arthur continued, clearing his throat. "This house... it's a big place. Too big for one man. It needs repairs. It needs life. And... we need a home. We need someone we can trust."
Leo ran up to Roger and leaned against his knee. "Can we stay, Mr. Malloy? Can you be our grandpa?"
Roger Malloy, the hardened trucker who hadn't shed a tear in five years, felt his chest crack wide open. The tears came, hot and fast, spilling down into his gray beard. He didn't try to wipe them away.
He looked at the house. He didn't see ghosts anymore. He saw a future.
He looked at his massive Kenworth, parked in the driveway, scarred and battered, but still strong.
"I have a rule," Roger choked out, a massive smile breaking across his weathered face. "I don't pick up strangers."
He reached out and pulled Leo into a tight hug, resting his other hand on Arthur’s shoulder.
May you like
"Good thing you folks are family," Roger whispered.
The sun rose higher, washing the old farmhouse in warm, golden light. For the first time in his life, Roger Malloy knew exactly where he was going, and he never had to drive in the dark again.
