The Mother Road Conclusion
Date: 2/15/98
From: marcos1

A Roadside Camp In Oklahoma February 14, 1933

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Quentin was sleeping beside the small campfire. He was suddenly stirred from his sleep by Magda, who threw a small paperbag in his face.

"Quentin, I lied to you before," Magda said, as she stared deeply into his eyes. "I ain't ever completely loss contact with her. I still talk with Beth. But most of the time, I write to her. She says our friendship, helps keep a part of her humanity alive. In that bag is some paper, and a pen. Write to her. Open your heart, and maybe she will listen. For she still loves you. That is one thing that I know for sure."

Quentin sat under the full moon, surrounded by the sleeping Okies, families driven to desperation by a terrible act of nature, and of man, the dustbowl. He began to write the letter.

**********

My Darling Beth:

I write to you with joy in my heart. For the hope of freedom is near. For I've been a prisoner for far too long. A prisoner of my love for you. A love that I could never realize, because I thought we were separated by the dark curtain, that divides the living from the dead. It is with much hope and anticipation that I write this letter.

Sometimes a person is the most afraid of his wildest dreams realized. That is what happened with you. Amanda Harris was a simple escape for me. For the love that I felt for her was but a small stirring of the waters of my heart. My love for you was a tidal wave of emotion, longing, and need, which overwhelmed my very soul. Its force was so great that I feared it. I feared how it would change me. I feared that it could ever be lost. I must apologise for my cowardice. It will never happen again. Of this, I promise.

In the great war, I was a pilot for the Royal Canadian Airforce. I fought many missions against the Hun. I fought ruthlessly, taking countless chances. Everyone thought that I was brave. In truth, I was not. I was afraid, very afraid, of what a life without you would mean. The great irony of it all, when I received the Victoria Cross from King George V, for my bravery, it was my fear that motivated me. My life means nothing without you.

Magda has spoken of the curse that afflicts you. Of this, my darling Beth, please don't worry. I understand the nature of a curse. I remember those countless nights where you stood watch over me. The full moon was my foe. The werewolf curse drove me to madness. I did things for which I will always regret. But I've realized over time, that it was the curse, and not myself, which hurt. This is something that you must understand. You can't hold yourself responsible for actions committed under a curse sent from the depths of Hell. It just isn't your fault. I promise that we will find a cure for your affliction. Even if we had to bring Charles Delaware Tate back from his sleep of death. We will find a cure. Of this, I also promise.

A woman is many things, a source of great comfort, and pleasure. But you are everything to me. You are what completes my very soul. Please allow me to join you, and become one again, with your love, and everything that goes with it.

I love you.
Quentin

**********

Quentin waited for weeks for a reply. He kept busy telling stories to the children in the camp. Tales of the great war. The adults in the camp merely smiled, for they were sure that this young man, simply wasn't old enough, to have been in the war. They listened with great amusement, as he talked of the great air battles against the dreaded Huns. When he told the tales, he thought of Jamison, as he looked into the eyes of the children, which glowed with excitement. He helped them forget, how hungry they were.

But then one night, he had a visitor. He was sleeping around the glowing embers of a fading campfire, under a dark starry sky, when he was stirred by a familiar voice. It was a voice he often heard in his dreams.

"Quentin...oh Quentin," Beth said, as she walked close to him. "I've so long to see you. But I was afraid. Afraid that I would hurt you. For I've become something hideous, and ugly, a creature that is both alive, and dead. I need you so..." Her words were interrupted, when Quentin embraced her, and kissed her deeply.

"Beth, you will always be beautiful to me," Quentin said, as he held her hand. "Now, let's work together to make you well. I know that there must be a way. If we have to travel around this planet a hundred times. I know that there is a way. For love is many things. But true love never gives up...never."

The End