Candice stared at her feet the entire trip she didn’t notice when she switched back to her human form and was startled when the stewardess tapped her on the back.
STEWARDESS
Excuse me, Miss Bloodgoode?
She craned her head upward, drying tears from her bloodshot eyes.
CANDICE
Yes?
STEWARDESS
Would you please go with me to the storage locker?
The back of all space shuttles was a massive storage space, set up into four sections. Section A was for the transport of criminals from the earth to the moon who had been infected, Section B was transport, all of the used or totaled cars on Earth were shipped, restored and retrofitted on the Moon and Section C was all medical, supplies as well as the injured or in Jesse’s case, the dead.
Candice thought it would be best if she had Jesse’s body sent to Earth so he could be buried where he came from. Having her father as the Mayor and her brother who was the prime D.A. made it easier to get through the red tape. The entire trip to earth had been an emotional turmoil for Candice who walked into the storage locker solemnly expecting the worst; she rounded the corner and there he was, Jesse, shivering on a stool, covered in a navy blue blanket sipping coffee. She ran to him.
CANDICE
Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God…how…just…what!?
JESSE
This is the best hug I’ve ever had in my life, you’re so warm.
STEWARDESS
When we entered Earth’s atmosphere he started banging from the inside of his stasis pod. Do you know why he was marked as a cadaver?
CANDICE
He was, I mean you were!
JESSE
I thought you were dead!
They cried and laughed together she rubbed her hands through his hair, staring into each other’s eyes finally kissed.
When she told him of her plan to take his body back to California, Jesse agreed that he should still go. He had no idea what he was going to say or what he should expect but his near death experience made him greatly miss his brother Skip.
The four-hour flight went by fast as did the trip to the car rental service and getting to Fontana. When he got to their street Jesse and Candice saw that the neighborhood was packed with cars. It took them three tries to finally find a parking lot just up the street from the shabby white house at the end of the cul-de-sac.
CANDICE
That’s your home?
JESSE
All my life.
CANDICE
Its…quaint.
JESSE
I know its pretty rundown, nothing like your fancy Moon houses.
CANDICE
Are you ready?
JESSE
Not at all, but I have to see him before I go back to the Moon. I need to say goodbye.
Candice gave him a firm nod.
JESSE
You don’t have to go with me.
CANDICE
There’s no way I’m missing this.
JESSE
Well all right.
Reaching the front door Jesse gave the “shave and a haircut knock” that he and Skippy would use when they were children and one of the other was home alone. When the door opened it wasn’t his brother but instead…
JESSE
Mrs. Hill!?
She was thirteen years older and donning a glittery purple sweater that said “CONGRATULATONS” but it was his ex-kindergarten teacher, this time one hundred percent real.
MRS. HILL
Jesse…wow! Certainly a surprise to see you.
JESSE
Likewise, uh, this is my friend Candice.
The girl with the bright red pixie hair cut smiled and waved at her, Ms. Hill smiled back with the piercing thought “he has a lot of nerve coming back here and with a new girl already, so shameful”.
JESSE
S’alright if we step on in?
MRS. HILL
Of course!
The house was packed, Jesse and Candice had their thoughts confirmed over where all the drivers of those cars parked outside had gone. He noticed everyone there; they were either customers of their delivery service, former teachers or Laura’s friends and family. Seeing that he was perplexed, Candice tapped Jesse on the shoulder then pointed upward where they averted their eyes to the banner that said “ We’re getting Married”. The same flood of confused emotions that hit him for what now seemed like a lifetime earlier came over them, but instead of shutting down he was turned all the way up.
JESSE
WHAT THE F-
Skip wheeled into the room with Laura by his side, the crowd parted around them.
SKIP
Huh, the prodigal brother returns.
JESSE
I was gone a week and you’re already getting married!?
LAURA
What else was I supposed to do after you abandoned me?
JESSE
I abandoned you!?
SKIP
You abandoned us, and you better brought back that delivery van.
JESSE
This is such horseshit!
Gasps and hushed whispers rang out from the guests.
JESSE
The last time I saw you two you were dry humping on a hospital bed. My older brother and my fiancé for cryin out loud!
A middle-aged man called out from the crowd.
MR. WILLOUGHBY
Excuse me sir, I’m Laura’s father, who are you?
JESSE
Oh hey Mr. Willoughby, I was your daughters boyfriend for two and a half years. I would have loved to have met you but I was told you were in a coma!
LAURA
I said Arizona.
JESSE
YOU SAID COMA!
MR. WILLOUGHBY
It might as well have been a coma.
SKIP
Why do you even care, you showed up with a rebound chick.
CANDICE
This rebound chick has a name!
JESSE
Damn right!
CANDICE
It’s Candice!
JESSE
Yeah!
SKIP
Why are you here Jesse, what do you want?
JESSE
I have to go for a while. I’ve got…a condition and I’m going to have to leave to a hospital far away that can take care of me. Skip, I just wanted to come back and say I forgive you-
SKIP
You forgive me?
JESSE
You’re right, that is crazy because I didn’t do anything wrong. My whole life you’ve just used me or took whatever I wanted.
SKIP
That’s rich.
JESSE
I’m sorry you’ll never change but I’m glad I can.
SKIP
Oh-brav-freaking-oh Lucas. All you do is talk.
JESSE
Excuse me?
SKIP
Quit whining and lets settle this man to man!
JESSE
I’m not hitting you bro.
SKIP
Why not?
JESSE
You’re in a wheelchair recovering from chemotherapy!
Skip stood abruptly kicking the wheelchair behind him then stepped to Jesse.
SKIP
What about now pus-
Before he could say anything Skip was dazed from over exertion, he fell to his knees and started vomiting in front of the crowd.
JESSE
Candice and I are gonna head to my room, pack up my stuff then head on out. I wish you two well, you’re made for each other. Good seeing you Mrs. Hill you too Mr. North don’t think I can’t spot you in the back there. Have a good’n.
They were back on the Space Shuttle, moments away from the Moon’s orbit. Jesse held Candice’s hand as she slept beside him, he noticed the fur had grown on the back of her hand but his had not.
JESSE
That’s kind of weird.
He looked around to see the other Pierce passengers fully transformed; he heard the usual screams that came from the Bakers and Wilson’s during their metamorphosis.
JESSE
Hey Candice, wake up!
She opened her slowly then they went wide at the sight of Jesse still in his human form.
CANDICE
Oh no, you’re still human!
JESSE
What happened!?
CANDICE
I guess when you died it got rid of the wolf.
JESSE
Bite me.
CANDICE
Are you serious!?
JESSE
Last time it wasn’t my choice, this time it is.
The two Pierce wolves exited the Spaceport arm in arm. Jesse looked out on Aldrinia with his glowing red eyes and smiled.
JESSE
Home sweet home.
The Drewniverse 44 