Steeling My Haart Read Online Free PDF Page B

begin writing the hardest letter he was ever going to write and one that
he was going to regret for the rest of his life. He kept a close eye on the
shelter in case Emma had woken and was wondered what was happening or where he
was. He couldn’t bring himself to go back in there, but if she woke and came
searching for him right then, he didn’t know how it was going to play out.
             After
over an hour of pouring over the letter, he finally felt he had adequately put
into words what he wanted to say. Just as he folded up the paper and sealed it
into an envelope, a state police department vehicle drove up the road and
stopped short of him. The middle-aged officer cut the motor and stepped out of
the vehicle. Charlie had been crying as he wrote the words that he knew would
break Emma’s heart. He tried to compose himself as the officer approached and
put a strong reassuring hand on his shoulder and asked, “Son, are you okay? We have
been sent out to see what we can do for anyone in need. Do you know if anyone
else has survived the storm in these local houses or needs immediate
assistance, son?”
             Charlie
looked up, tears streaking down his face and he nodded. “Yes, Officer, I’m okay.
I’m not hurt. I found the sole occupant of that house, and we headed for the
shelter that you can find in the yard over there. The large house that was
behind us here was empty. I have to leave now but could you please check on the
beautiful young lady who is currently asleep in the shelter? It’s just over in
the grounds there. It is important to me that you make sure she is safe?” he
said, the tone in his voice insistent.    “Her
house was destroyed and she will need to contact her parents as soon as
possible.” He pointed out the various locations to the officer.
             “Are
you sure you don’t need help, son? You look like you could do with a hand as
well. The storms last night have practically wiped out the entire town. It’s a
mess out there. The biggest tornado took out an entire three-block slice out
from Main Street through West Avenue. All the houses and businesses have gone.
And a second big tornado took out the trailer park to the north of town.
Practically every trailer is gone too. Thankfully, most of the occupants had
shelters or ones they could use, but there are still a few who have been
unaccounted for at this stage and they sure could do with some help searching.
I can offer you a ride back into town to the emergency center and there are
places set up at the gymnasium to freshen up,” the officer droned on.
             He
was only half-listening because it dawned on him, from what the officer just
described that included his home and Uncle Hank’s garage. They were gone, too.
He had never been as glad for his mom to be out of town.
             “Son?
Are you sure you are okay? Are you sure you have somewhere to go?” the officer
persisted.
             Sighing
and wiping a shaky hand through his messy hair then down his lightly-stubbled
face, he replied, “Yes, sorry, Officer, I’m sure. I’m physically sound, sir. I
don’t know where I’m heading right now except out of this town and away from
all of this,” he replied, gesturing with his hands all around. “Thank you for
your assistance, sir, but I can’t stay. But could I just ask one favor of you
before you leave? I have something for the lady in the shelter? She is called
Emma and she is likely to be scared and alone. Could you please make sure she
gets to safety as soon as you can? And can you give her this letter from me,
please? And if you could tell her that Charlie is safe? I’d be much obliged,
Officer.”
             “Sure,
son, but don’t you want to take care of her and make sure she is okay?”
             “No.
It’s best I don’t. I need to be on my way. Thank you, Officer”  
             And
with that, he handed over the letter to a puzzled