Ah, there it was. He was swallowing his pride and admitting he was wrong, turning his focus on the people who mattered most to him. That was admirable, but in these times, money meant nothing, and Garrett had his own family to take care of.
“I appreciate you saying I was right, but I have to decline. I have a very large family to take care of and I’m sure you’ve noticed Alice is pregnant. I’m sorry but I can’t.” John’s face contorted in anger, and Garrett saw him force his face to remain calm.
“I’ll pay you three times what it’s worth.” The staccato of his voice was sharp, and put Garrett a little on edge himself.
“Don’t you get it? Money means nothing anymore. The only thing I have to ensure the safety and survival of my family is the food and protection I can offer them. I’m sorry, John, but I can’t give you anything.” With those words, John swore and stormed off the porch. Garrett almost felt bad for him, but that was the truth. He wouldn’t deplete his stash of supplies, only add to it.
Garrett and Jenny were in the garden, harvesting as many vegetables as they could when Kayleigh popped her head over the top of the fence. Steeling himself for another argument, Garrett sent Jenny into the house. He went over to the gate and unlocked it. Kayleigh had tears in her eyes, and that immediately had Garrett on high alert. He was glad he’d sent Jenny into the house.
“What’s wrong, Kayleigh?” She sniffled before answering him, and he put an arm around her for comfort.
“John went to the store, but he’s in such a rage that I’m dreading him coming home. I’m scared he might take it out on me. He’s hit me before, and it’s been a little while since he has, but he’s so angry now I almost can guarantee he’ll do something when he gets home.”
Anger and panic filled Garrett. He felt guilty that this was happening because of him. He felt as though it wouldn’t be if only he’d agreed to let John buy the food earlier. As much as he wanted to protect Kayleigh, he knew he couldn’t reconsider. His family had to come first now, and he already could feel the harshness of the disaster settling in on humanity.
“I wish there was something I could do to help.” Kayleigh looked up into his eyes with a ray of hope shining from her face.
“Can you reconsider? It might save me.” Garrett looked down at the ground and drew away from her a little.
“I’m sorry, Kayleigh, but I can’t. I have to take care of my family first. I really wish I could do something, but I can’t.”
Kayleigh hardened her face and left the garden without a word. Her appeal had fallen on deaf ears, and she wasn’t going to beg. Garrett locked the garden gate behind her with a heavy heart. He needed to think about all of this, so he decided he would go in the house and do it where he did it best…the lounge. He just couldn’t get involved in a family argument that he didn’t quite understand. Before he could get into the lounge, however, a shadow crossed his path. Looking up, he saw it was Brooke.
“Hey. Where are you going?” At first Brooke pretended like she couldn’t hear him at all.
“Brooke.” The tone in his voice made her stop, but she didn’t turn around to face him.
“Where are you going?” This time it wasn’t a question.
“Out.” She started walking toward the front door again.
“Out where exactly?” She finally whirled around and spit out the words she’d been holding in.
“I’m going to see Nat! He’s the only one I can talk to right now. I don’t want anything to do with your theory, but it seems like we’re going to be cooped up here for the rest of our lives, or at least until this gets figured out. He’s the only one who understands me right now.” Brooke turned around again and lunged at the door, turning the knob and throwing herself out.
“I don’t want you going over there. Something is going on over there right now, and I don’t want you to get hurt because you’re over there.”
Brooke didn’t say a word, just left anyway, chin up and head held high in defiance. Garrett felt he was losing his daughter. He could understand she needed someone her own age to talk to about what was going on, but if John laid a hand on her, then there was no telling what he would do.
An hour or so later, Brooke came wandering back in the front door. Garrett did his best to give her a cursory once over as she walked by without her noticing he was inspecting her for any damage. She seemed her usual self, and even offered up some conversation that night at dinner. Once everything was finished, Austin started doing the dishes, asking the girls to help. Garrett expected Brooke to blow him off like she had done to him, but she got up without a word and helped Jenny clear the table while Austin started washing the dishes. Then the two girls took turns drying and putting them away. That was a low blow to him, and he just had to get away. He was thinking about going up to the balcony of his room to get some fresh air and do some recon on the street. As he passed his music room, he was aware that Alice was sitting on the little bench in front of his piano. The look on her face was serene and beautiful, and he watched her for a moment. She became aware of his presence and turned to face him.
“Why do you still have this piano?”
Her voice was choked with emotion, and Garrett didn’t know what was going through her mind. The piano had been a wedding gift from him to her, and she seemed really surprised he’d kept it after she’d left.
“It reminds me of you. I just felt like it belonged here. I didn’t have the heart to get rid of it after you left. It was a memory I wanted to keep.”
Garrett joined her at the bench, and his fingers slid softly over the ivory keys before he played a chord. Both of them sat in silence for a moment as the last notes of the music faded away. Memories were strong in both of them because this was part of the Blue Danube Waltz. It was the song they played together all the time while they were married. Suddenly, Alice’s hands flew over the keys on her side, bringing the music to life with strong, sure strokes. Garrett played his part again and again, doing what he could to hide the smile on his face. Once the song was finished, they looked at each other in tandem. Both had a softness to their gaze that the other hadn’t seen since Austin had come into the picture. Alice’s throat moved like she was trying to swallow a lump in it.
“Why didn’t you come after me when I left? Why didn’t you fight to get me back?” Her voice quavered a little, and Garrett wanted to hold her. Fighting his urges, he swallowed the beginnings of his own lump and focused on answering her questions.
“You left me because you were unhappy. All I wanted for you was to be happy. If that wasn’t with me, then I wasn’t going to ruin whatever it was that did. All I wanted was for you to be as happy as you deserved.” He still loved her as much as the day he’d married her, but he didn’t want to complicate things.
“If you would have fought for me, just showed me you cared, I might have stayed. That was all I wanted from you. I just wanted to know you loved me and you wanted me to stay.” Before Garrett could say another word, Alice let the tears in her eyes fall, and Austin came into the open doorway. He immediately saw she was in tears and adopted a hard tone to his voice.
“What did you say to her? Why is she upset? What did you do, Garrett?” Alice got to her feet clumsily, steadying herself on the piano.
“He didn’t say anything.”
Breezing by both men, she made it clear that now she just wanted to be alone. Garrett felt like his heart was breaking all over again. If he just would have gone after her, maybe he still would have her here with him, as his wife. He looked up into Austin’s eyes with raw anger, but let his emotions show. He couldn’t help still being in love with Alice, and he wasn’t going to hide that fact. He wasn’t going make any moves to cause problems between them, but he wasn’t going to lie and say that he didn’t care. Finally, Austin stormed out of the room to find and comfort Alice. Garrett turned back to the piano and stared at it, not really seeing anything that was in front of him. All he could see was the wedding reception where the two of them had sat,
side by side, playing that song for their guests after he’d done the big reveal and given the Baby Grand to her. A lonely tear slid down his cheek.
Chapter Eight
“Austin? Do you have a minute?”
Garrett’s voice was leaden when he made the request. He didn’t like the man, and after the events that had transpired and the words that had been exchanged between him and Alice, he really didn’t want anything to do with the man. Austin was strong, and he had an air about him that made people listen, so this was more of a security measure than anything else. Austin looked up at him, and Garrett could taste the dislike that emanated from the man.
“Depends. What do you want?” His tone matched Garrett’s, and he was starting to think this was a bad idea after all.
“I was thinking maybe I should head down to the sheriff’s office and try helping as much as I can. I would like you to come with me.” A lot of the tension went out of Austin’s face. It was obvious he was relieved that this had nothing to do with Alice.
“Yeah. I guess I can do that.” He stood up and stretched. Then he stared at Garrett.
“I want to move back home with Alice and the girls. I don’t want to stay here where I can’t protect them.” The bottom fell out of Garrett’s heart. He couldn’t bear having the girls he loved far away when the world was on the verge of going crazy.
“I really would advise against that, Austin. I think you all would be better off living here with me. I have supplies, both food, and for Alice to give birth. I have weapons in case any riots break out. I think it would be better for all of you to stay here.”
There was some firmness in his tone, but now Austin set his face in a relentless manner. Garrett knew he wouldn’t win this argument, and part of him hurt because he knew they all wanted to be in the house that was their home now, and that he wasn’t exactly part of that family anymore.
“I don’t care what you would advise. I can’t breathe in your house. The longer I stay there, the more I realize you are suffocating my relationship with Alice, and I won’t stand for that anymore.” Garrett froze. It wasn’t him who had brought up Alice this time, it was Austin. That meant he couldn’t start a fight, because he was the one who had started it himself.
“I’m not doing anything to suffocate your relationship. I’m just trying to protect my children and their mother. You are part of their family now, so I have to protect you, too. If you want to take Alice back home and put her life in danger when your child comes, then so be it. I’m just doing what I can to keep everyone safe. Can you say the same?” Austin glared at him.
“Look. I’ll keep her here, but only because she thinks she’s safe with you. I don’t know what you’ve told her, or what she thinks you can do, but you’re no superhero, and I just want you to know that. I’m doing it for her because I love her. Not for you.” Now that the pissing contest was over, maybe they could get something done together.
“Let’s just go. I want to get there and back before everyone loses their minds.”
Garrett dropped everything and headed out to the garage for the bicycles. They jumped on and headed toward the sheriff’s station. As they drew closer, a mess of raised voices caught their attention. As they rounded the last corner, they could see the station was swarmed with people, and the few deputies outside were doing their best to keep people from pushing their way inside. Garrett’s hackles rose as he noticed John Prichard was in the crowd. Parking their bicycles, Garrett and Austin got close enough to hear exactly what was being said. John was at the forefront, shouting that the sheriff needed to give them answers. Austin joined in the chanting, and it immediately made Garrett regret bringing him along. Deciding it would be better to hang back and just watch the proceedings, Garrett let himself get lost in the crowd.
“Every single one of these people is an idiot. Some more so than others. You want a smoke?”
An older lady had found him and now was chatting him up. She had short brunette hair which matched her short height and skinny appearance. Garrett smiled at her candor. It was good to know there still were people out there who believed nothing really had changed and were looking at this like it was an inconvenience.
“Sure. It couldn’t hurt.” He took a cigarette from her and she lit it for him. Shaking the lighter when she finished, she gave him the once over.
“I’m Wren. Wren Olsen. Boy, did I ever pick the wrong place to be for the apocalypse to happen.” Garrett raised an eyebrow at her and she laughed.
“I was breaking up a journey to Nashville to visit my family. Thought I’d stop here and see the sights. Now the trains aren’t running, so I guess that makes me as stranded as a beached whale.”
“I wouldn’t go that far. You’re quite a bit smaller than a whale.” She laughed a great belly laugh and took a drag on her cigarette.
“Thanks, Garrett.” He looked at her in surprise.
“Oh, I know who you are. You’re the one with the crazy EMP theory. It’s a little hard to stay in this town and not know about it. To be honest with you, I don’t think it’s all that crazy. What I find crazy is the damn hotel downtown kicked me out because now I don’t have money to pay them.”
“What do you mean they kicked you out?”
“I don’t understand it, but I guess what it boils down to is they don’t realize money isn’t worth anything now, and they can’t run a credit card. So now I need to find somewhere else to stay. You wouldn’t happen to know a place?” She looked at him meaningfully. “Or an extra room?” Garrett could tell she was asking him to take her in.
“I don’t know too many people around here who would be willing to do me a favor. Not since this started anyway. And I’m not sure I could offer you a room. I have a family to protect, and I barely know you.” The woman started to unbuckle something, and with a start, Garrett realized it was a gun belt. Had he said the wrong thing? Was he about to get shot for it?
“Relax, cowboy. I’m not going to hurt you. I’m a good shot, and I can offer protection in return. The barter system is the only way to make things work around here now.”
“Do I really look like I need that much protection?” He was trying to be funny, but she looked him up and down in a serious manner.
“Maybe.” She was teasing him. That made him smile. This woman knew what was going on, and she wasn’t going to run around with her hands in the air, waiting for someone to save her.
“It also looks like you’ve been up every night keeping watch and haven’t slept in a week. Wouldn’t you like someone who takes you seriously to help you keep watch? You know you can’t protect your family unless you take care of yourself first. It’s that whole airplane thing, you know? If the masks fall out of the ceiling, put your own mask on before helping someone else.” He looked at her for a moment, considering.
“Alright. You can stay for one night, then I’ll discuss it further with my family and see what they say. Let’s go.” He turned to leave but Wren cleared her throat.
“What about your friend?” She jerked her thumb in Austin’s direction. Garrett followed it with his gaze and saw Austin now was really into chanting and throwing out questions. He shrugged.
“He knows where I live. He has his bike. He can find his own way home.” When they got back to Garrett’s house, Alice was sitting on the front porch. She was startled when she saw Garrett had someone else with him.
“Who’s this? And where’s Austin?” Panic crept into her voice, and she looked like a deer in the headlights.
“This is Wren. She’s got nowhere to go, so I told her she could stay with us for tonight. Then we’ll discuss any further moves in the morning as a family. Austin is still at the sheriff’s station, getting into the riot going on.” Alice looked at the woman and noticed the gun on her hip.
“So you brought someone home who you barely even know, and she has a gun? Forgive me but I’m a little suspicious.”
“If it makes you feel safer, I’ll give you my gun.” Wren’s voice was soothi
ng and gentle, and though she had made the offer of handing it over, she made no move to touch the gun. It was almost like she was a police officer playing the role of hostage negotiator. Before Alice got the chance to say anything, Brooke burst through the door, storm clouds in her face.
“You brought someone home who we don’t even know? What’s wrong with you? You’re such an idiot!” Alice recovered first.
“If you want to make your opinion known, you can stay right here and be an adult about it.”
There was anger and embarrassment in her voice, since Brooke wasn’t acting at all like she’d been raised. Brooke just rolled her eyes and stormed off down the steps to go see Nat. Alice lumbered after her to try following.
“Trouble in paradise, huh?” Wren was smirking now, and Garrett was too bummed out to see. He never would make friends with Brooke, and the more she went to Nat, the more Garrett felt like he was losing her. He also worried about her being over there because of the way John acted around his family. If the man ever touched his daughter, he’d kill him.
“Trust me, you have no idea. This is just the tip of the iceberg.”
Garrett felt as though he could talk to Wren for some reason, but before he had a chance to do so, Alice stomped up the stairs, wearing an expression oddly similar to the one Brooke had had before she left.
“Give me the gun.”
There was a fierceness in the demand, and Wren did as she was asked, showing that she slowly was complying with the demand, rather than trying to pull a fast one. Wren held out the gun, as well as the two extra magazines that had hung next to it. Alice grabbed it from her then stormed into the house, leaving both of them staring after her. Garrett sighed.
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