"How do you know Clay? Are you another victim?" the man spoke in a tenor voice, almost laughing.
"I don't know who you are," she said, her arms crossing in front of her chest with no thought, "but I am nobody's victim. Clay and I met last summer at the Circle M."
The stranger continued staring, as if he wanted to ask another question, but did not know the words. Minutes passed as the sky darkened. The crowds settled in, ready for the fireworks show. Though anxious to see the show, Megan was not ready to leave this situation, yet. Not without answers.
"Do you have a name?" she asked.
"Colby Jackson."
"The infamous heartbreaker," she muttered. No wonder I thought I knew him. They are definitely brothers with the same eyes and bone structure. When she stepped backwards, his hand reached towards her.
"Please, I have a question to ask," he said. "How is my grandfather?"
Many thoughts ran through her mind as she considered the words she needed to speak. The last thing she wanted was to divulge too much and break her trust with Gray Cloud. Yet she needed Colby to understand what Gray Cloud was experiencing. "Your grandfather is fine, health-wise, but his spirit is broken. Why won't you talk with him?"
"His ways are out-dated. His beliefs have no place in today's world."
Clay's voice resonated in her head as she listened to Colby. "Why do they take family for granted? Does it matter if you don't agree? Don't they understand there may not be a tomorrow? Where's the difficulty in saying 'I love you,' or giving someone a hug? What I wouldn't do to have my parents back. Why doesn't anyone understand that once they are gone, that's it?" Megan asked herself.
"Do me a favor, Megan. Tell my grandfather I am fine. Leave it at that." He stepped away, but she grabbed his arm.
"How do you know my name?" He didn't answer, but she already knew. She licked her lips and then said, "I'm curious about something. You told your grandparents you were not coming home. Yet here you are. Why?"
He shrugged and looked away.
"Why are you here?"
"You wouldn't understand."
"Try me."
"No." Within seconds Colby said, "If I visit, my grandfather will never let me leave."
"Yes, he will. He understands your life is not here. Despite your differences, you can be a family and talk to each other."