Sadie stood. “Why don’t I get you each spaghetti and meatballs?”
Wilson smiled. “Saving the good ones for later.”
Sadie used Russell’s words. “Yeah, something like that.”
While they were heating the spaghetti and meatballs, the others joined them. They grabbed more meals and discussed the events of the day. Sadie hadn’t been comfortable with the monitors but wouldn’t have wanted to trade places with any of them.
Wilson shook his head. “I could have sworn the jogger was a Jane.”
Gary nodded his agreement to the others. “Wilson showed him to me, and I’d have thought the same thing.”
Sadie held her tongue with difficulty. Those two were almost always in agreement. She looked over at Marjie and Jennifer who were exchanging vegetables from their meals. She had seen them through the monitors, bravely walking beside Gary for hours as they combed the property. “You two, along with Gary, logged on miles worth of walking today.”
Jennifer groaned. “I think my blisters have blisters.”
Marjie grimaced. “Thank goodness Russell is well supplied in bandages.”
Wilson threw an arm around her. “I’m a blister expert. I’ll have you patched up in no time.”
Sadie shook her head. “A blister expert? Is there anything you’re not good at, Wilson?”
“Let me think about that and get back to you.”
Everyone laughed. Sadie smiled but her thoughts turned back to Russell alone up at the house. The day seemed to have been worse on him than anyone. Her next words surprised even herself. “I’m going to grab a shovel and bury Curtis.” It was well beyond her comfort zone, but it was something she wanted to do.
Everyone stopped talking. Wilson was the first to respond.
“Gary and I have to feed Jane, but I’d be glad to help after.”
Gary nodded. “Me too.”
Marjie stood. “I saw some nice rocks around the house. We could put them on top. I’ll check with Russell.”
“It’s fine.” Russell’s voice over the intercom surprised no one. “Thanks, Sadie.”
She turned to the camera. “I’m glad to help, Russell.”
Jennifer offered to help Marjie. Fred said he’d grab the wheelbarrow to transport the rocks.
Sadie went behind the tank to grab a shovel and found Riley beside her.
“That was good thinking, Sadie.”
“It was the least I could do. Everyone else has had such a hard day.”
“Being alone up at the house, keeping track of everything is stressful in itself.”
“I appreciate that. But, it’s not the same as being out there.”
“It seems nothing is easy when it comes to the dead.”
Together, they trekked out to the jeep. Curtis’s body was just feet away. Sadie averted her eyes and focused on the immediate area. Close by, there was a small tree with almost no brush around it. “Let’s start digging next to that tree, but not too close so we can avoid the roots.”
Riley nodded. “Looks good.” He outlined the length and width of the hole, and they started digging.
****
Marjie and Jennifer began removing white stones that were in ample supply in front of Russell’s house.
Jennifer hefted one into the wheelbarrow Fred had found for them. “This certainly is a fitting end for a terrible day.”
Marjie looked up and grimaced. “I didn’t think I had any energy left, but I liked Sadie’s idea.” She glanced back at the house and spoke in a low voice. “Poor Russell. Knowing how much he likes to maintain control over his property, this has to be such a shock for him.”
Jennifer nodded. “He’s handled it much better than I expected. And he’s kept us safe. His job’s the hardest.” She smiled. “He’s lucky to have Wilson for a friend.”
Marjie stacked another rock into the rapidly filling wheelbarrow. “So am I. I never met anyone like him.”
Jennifer refrained from agreeing, afraid it could be taken the wrong way. She shifted the topic. “You two are great together.”
Marjie sighed. “I still can’t believe it took an apocalypse to meet the man of my dreams.”
Jennifer laughed. “It’s the same with Fred and me.” She balanced a stone on the now near full wheel barrel. “I don’t think we’re going to be able to move this. It’s too full.”
Marjie set the stone she’d been holding down. “I’ll give it a try just to see.” She lifted the handles and was pulled forward by the weight of it, then watched helplessly as it toppled to the side. “You’re right, it’s too heavy.”
Jennifer held a smile and helped Marjie restack half the rocks. “There, that should do it. We can take turns wheeling it over there. I’ll take the first shift.” Marjie followed closely behind though her blistered feet put up quite a protest.
Their progress was slow as they crossed the property. Jennifer took the last shift and was breathing hard as she dumped the rocks beside the hole Riley and Sadie had begun to dig. It was a grim site.
Sadie stopped digging long enough to express her thanks for the stones.
Jennifer smiled. “We’re all too glad to help. How many more would you like?”
“I think three or four loads should do it.”
Jennifer’s mouth dropped open, but Marjie grabbed her arm. “No problem.”
They had just started back when Fred jogged up, relieving Marjie of the wheelbarrow. “You two look like you need some help.”
Both women smiled at him. Jennifer gave his arm a squeeze. “You certainly are a sight for sore eyes.”
Marjie had to quicken her pace to keep up with him. “We just found out we need four more loads.”
Jennifer nodded. “Yes, your timing is perfect.”
Fred winked at her. “Perfect for you two, but bad for me.”
Jennifer shook her head. “What else have you got to do? Nothing is quite as exciting as hauling rocks.”
Fred shrugged his shoulders. “Actually, I don’t think I want any more excitement today. I just took over feeding Jane for Wilson. She’s not a shy eater.”
Jennifer made a face. “I’m surprised Wilson asked you to help.”
“He wanted to check on Russell.”
Marjie had fallen behind again but caught the last comment. “We were wondering about Russell. I hope he’s all right.”
They climbed a short rise and were almost back to the house. Fred spotted Wilson on his way to the tank. “There’s Wilson now. We can ask him.”
Wilson saw them approaching and met them halfway. “How’s the grave coming along?”
Jennifer shook her head. “Slow. We were wondering about Russell.”
Marjie grasped his arm. “Yeah, is he all right?”
Wilson glanced back at the house, then spoke in a low voice. “Russell’s all right. He has degrees of quiet. He’s not nearly as quiet as I’ve seen him in the past.”
“Degrees of quiet?” Fred’s voice was whisper soft.
“Yeah, I’ve seen him in stealth mode. It’s much uglier than this. He’ll be sending beer down to the dig site. In Russell lingo, that means he’s very pleased with us.”
They were back at the house and took turns placing rocks in the wheelbarrow.
Marjie smiled. “Wilson, you certainly are a good friend.”
Wilson smiled back. “Russell’s the best friend I ever had. I’m glad I can help.”
As a team, they were able to make quick work of the rocks. Once the rocks were unloaded, Fred, Wilson and Gary took over digging for Sadie and Riley. It took hours and the moon had risen by the time they’d stacked white rocks on top of the grave. Wilson passed around beers and bottled water. They were all speculating about what their chances were of surviving whatever the next wave sent their way.
Riley shook his head. “Makes you wonder just how long we have till we become what we fought against today.”
Russell’s voice came over the nearby speaker like the voice of God. “In the gran
d scheme of things and when you think about the age of the universe, what difference does it make whether you die today or fifty years from now?”
Gary turned toward the camera. “God, that’s depressing, Russell.”
Everyone laughed, breaking the tension.
Russell cleared his throat. “All I’m saying is make the most of each day while you can. God, my ex would be proud of that one.”
Wilson stood. “A toast to Russell, a lifesaver and a prognosticator.”
They all laughed raising their bottles. “To Russell.”
Another battle had been won. Where they were in the war was something for another day.
Situation Z Page 18