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| Scene Title | Superheroes and Dad |
|---|---|
| Synopsis | Just JR thinking thoughts… |
| Date | July 8, 2021 |
On the Road…
Ever since they had left New Chicago, JR’s father has been on edge and brooding… or more well… more than normal. It kinda reminded JR of that Batman guy in those old worn out comics Stef had in the library. It wasn’t a complete collection. In fact, JR had spent a lot of time staring at the polka dotted pages and imagining what the rest of the story was like. When he was smaller and before he could read, his sisters did it for him. He even spent a lot of time begging them to act it all out.
His favorite comic was the one with a hero named Flash. He could run so fast that he could go back in time. In fact, the character went back in time to try and save his own mom. There had been times JR thought about that… if only he could go back and save his mom… or his sisters.
But that was just fantasy, even if there were people with powers, time travel was mostly the thing of myths and legends.
R.I.P. all of it. he thinks with a sigh. His forehead resting against the glass of the school bus and his arms wrapped around his ratty pack.
They were currently stopped for a rest, though everyone was slowly filing back on. JR had already settled back into his seat and was watching his dad stare into the distance stoically, watching for trouble. The way the old man stood with shoulders hunched, he could almost picture his dad rumbling out an gravelly “I’m Batman.” The kid’s mouth quirks to one side at the thought, but it doesn’t last.
Shifting just enough to dig into his pack, JR’s fingers find an old red dry erase marker he had been hoarding. One of his prized possessions and the last of a set he had traded for a long time ago. Pulling the cap off, he runs a finger tip over it. It was almost dead. Almost.
He had gotten them for moments just like this.
Dropping his head against the window again, he amuses himself by drawing pointed peaks above his father’s head beyond. Then with a huff of amusement at himself, he adds a wavy cloak. “Defender of the weak,” he murmurs under his breath… “Wait no…” He wipes away the drawing. “That’s more Superman.” This time he draws a cape and adds an S on it.
He studies the image, before wrinkling his nose and dashing it away with a hand. One thing his dad wasn't… invincible. A hard truth that he ponders, while putting the pen. This trip really made him realize how old his dad was and how frail he was starting to look.
He felt confident his old man was regretting the decision not to turn back with the rest, but he had his reasons. And it probably had to do with the tremor that started in his dad’s left hand. He had seen it the last time they had been alone, teaching the youngest Ryans to defend himself.
JR couldn’t help but ask about why they didn’t stay with the crew. He hadn’t answered right away.
“I want you to stick close to the travellers if anything happens,” his dad rumbles after a few moments, clearly not expecting the question. Reaching down, he helps the boy off the ground again. Despite the elder Ryans being almost seventy years old, JR ended up on the ground more often than not when they sparred.
“Why?”
The old man glances around them cautiously, before answering. “They got here and they will find a way back. If Richard is anything like Harrison said he is… they will go back to their world and I want you there when they do.” He watches as JR’s brows drop into a look of confusion… or maybe thoughtfulness. Taking a step back, Ryans lifts his cane from the ground and leans on it. “My hope is they won’t leave you behind. If you make it, I want you to go and find Bradley.”
“You mean we go find Bradley,” JR counters matter of factly.
But his dad only slowly shakes his head. “My priority is you, Junior,” he rumbles softly, moving to return to the group. “There is nothing left here for you, not when you could have a better life in a different place from this shit hole of a world.”
The thought of leaving his dad or even Aunt Huruma — he missed her calming presence — behind settles like a lump in his throat. Not that JR minds leaving this world. He didn’t want to go back to his old life and had planned to sneak off if his dad insisted on going back with the crew. Back there was full of bad memories. Everyday, he was reminded of…
JR doesn’t allow that thought to finish and presses his lips tight, quickly shifting his train of thought barely avoiding the knot in his throat strangling him.
There were other reasons why he wanted to continue on… like why should Squeaks get all the fun? Everyone treated her like she was one of the crew… grown up. While he was just a kid who panicked at gunfire. His face heats up with his own embarrassment.
Some Hound he was turning out to be. The crew would laugh at him if they knew.
But, then there was also Chess. She was so cool to hang out with and she treated him like a friend… She even said she’d teach him how to use a bow. Not to mention all the bad ass people like Tay and Eve.
“Ryans!”
The shout pulls JR out of deep thought and to the old man outside. Turning toward the voice, his dad lifts a hand to acknowledge someone outside of the kids line of sight. This was followed by the sound of all the vehicles growling to life.
It was time to move on.
Before joining the other badasses in the front car, his dad turns a searching look towards the bus, no doubt looking for JR. When their eyes lock, the senior Ryans lifts a brow in an unspoken inquiry. The younger one offers a weak smile in return and nods big enough for his dad to see it. Satisfied that his son was doing well, the old man gives his own nod and walks out of JRs view.
The smile fades and JR closes his eyes, letting his mind wander. It was going to be a long time before they would stop again so a nap was in order. Maybe he’d dream of superheroes, other worlds, and big brothers. A place where maybe his father might smile again, because the kid couldn’t think of a world without his dad in it.
JR was determined to hold on to the hope that they would both go look for his big brother, Brad and eat things like real pizza.
Too bad *hope* tended to be a dangerous and disappointing thing.