EMP Causality

by Michael Kravitz

  Like giving a performance, he was the star of the collaborative. First of all, he did procure the gas generator. All the neighbors received some electricity for an hour each other day. It is enough to keep the fridge cool, do some ironing, and use what gadgets that were not fried by the EMP strike.

  Joshua was a natural-born salesman; maybe he should have been a performer. Everyone listened as he told his tale of walking through the dangerous parts of outer Boston. He was very careful of what he said about Jessica. He did not want his words to come back and haunt him. As Joshua was talking, there must have been at least fifteen to twenty people who were there. At one point, one neighbor bought over a few bottles of wine. For a while, the neighbors were happy to get news and to be entertained. What pleased most of the neighbors was valuable information—information of hope and humanity.

  There seems to be a smile on most faces. Joshua did not degrade or dishonor Jessica at all. In fact, just the opposite. He told everyone how brave and composed she remained as danger was everywhere. Maybe someday Jessica might be his wife. He wants to have fun memories of all his actions hence forward.

  Joshua’s dad was a good thirty feet from where he was talking. His father was smiling. But when Joshua looked at him, he had to turn away. Like a cat-and-mouse game, each had to check their demeanor. When Daniel turned away, he would mutter to himself, “That’s my boy.”

  For a couple of hours, Joshua had them eating out of his hands. To be fair, there were no other tickets to be had. It was the only show around. Being fatigued and having a couple of glasses of wine, Joshua excused himself. The whole drama of Jessica, her dad, Joshua’s dad, and the trip to Tent City has stripped him of his inner soul. It is strange how when one door closes, another opens. Joshua was at the end of his rope. This impromptu performance had energized him. Joshua had gotten his mojo back. Now he must push forward walking on eggshells. No more missteps. With his confidence building, he headed for his house.

  As he opened the door, Joshua wanted to wash up and count sheep. After using the bathroom, he had to fill the back of the John. When the town water did flow, it came in with a light dirty-brown color. It could be used for the John, but not washing clothes or dishes. His mother was still on the sofa.

  Joshua usually says “Good night, Mom,” but tonight is different.

  “Mom, I know it’s early, but I am turning in. In the morning, I will be getting up early for a bike ride. I will be back by late morning. I need my exercise,” Joshua said as concisely as he could.

  “I understand, son, time to be a man,” his mother said without looking up.

  “Good night, ma,” Joshua said cheerfully.

  “Good night, Joshua,” his mother replied confidently.

  Like a sentry dog, his mother will be sleeping on the sofa all night.

  Usually Daniel sleeps in the room that Joshua sleeps in—a little dysfunctional, but it makes for coexistence. Most of the time Joshua’s mom lives alone in the house. Joshua is only home because of the EMP strike. Daniel loves the Florida heat, tango dancing, beach, and making his business calls. Joshua’s mom is more of a homebody: reading, culture events, PBS, concerts, and calling her liberal friends in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She has been a good mom to her son and daughter.

  It felt good to sleep next to a soft and beautiful creature like Jessica. At the same time, it came with a price. He had to not only be confident of his own actions, but to make sure Jessica was always protected and cared for. Tonight was for Joshua, a night of good sleep, with just one bathroom break. He slept well with his letter under the pillow. On the floor next to his pants, he kept his 9mm gun. Next to Jessica and his family, they were the two most personal items in his life.

  When morning came, the outside weather was a little drizzle. It has been days since he came back from Tent City. He quietly got dressed. Checking his 9mm, he decided to bring a few extra clips with him. Usually his father sleeps at least until 8 a.m. without any clocks. Even though it was cloudy, many of the insects and birds were aroused. It was a precursor to the beginning of the day. Without electricity, Joshua used a Bic lighter to see with. He briefly opened the fridge door. There was a brown bag with his name on it. He opened it up. It was a sandwich made of eggs, veggies, and onions. With a smile on Joshua’s face, he mumbled, “Bless you, Mom.”

  Wearing his blue jeans, boots, and a poncho, Joshua headed for his bicycle.

  By car, it is close to a half-hour drive; by bike, at least a good two hours. Checking his water bottle and 9mm, he was set. No turning back. In his mind, it was the opportune time to bike. Most gangs are night owls. With the light drizzle, even they might not venture out.

  It was a little weird to bike in the dark. He knew the roads well; his mind filled with thoughts of Jessica. It was his thoughts that kept him company. Ah, the thought of being in the jeep with Jessica. It is his ultimate goal. It is what drives him on this long and dangerous trip. Peddling for several minutes, Joshua could see the dawn of the new day. Perhaps he should be on a wharf at Key West, sipping on a Bloody Mary to welcome the sunrise with his new bride, Jessica. That is where he will suggest. What a daydream. Oh well, back to reality!

  The night did fear him a little. Dogs or a wolf could come out plunging for him.

  With daylight, Joshua felt safe with his 9mm, tucked in his pants. A bike has little more stealth than a car. He rode on mostly back roads.

  After a couple of hours, he approached Officer Ryan’s house. Joshua pulled the hood over his face, stopping a couple hundred feet before Officer Ryan’s house. He took a sip from his water bottle. With the drizzle coming down, perhaps it gave him some cover. He could walk in the woods to their house, but he decided to go for it. Joshua came to the rock. He carefully looked around. No one in sight. He kissed the plastic bag with the note and placed it under the rock.

  On the way back, it became a little more perilous. A dog started to bark. Joshua ran into the woods with his bike. Looking out for poison ivy and wet terrain, Joshua walked a good half hour. A few neighbors did step outside their homes to see what the commotion was about. Behind Officer Ryan’s house, Joshua could see the sliding glass door.

  As Joshua was walking slowly, quietly, Officer Ryan opened the sliding door. He wheeled out his old relic motorcycle. With helmet in hand, Officer Ryan looked around for a brief moment. Joshua’s heart beat fast. He did not move. With the drizzle hitting his face, Officer Ryan put on his helmet. What an omen! Best to bike under the cloak of wet weather. As Officer Ryan kick-started his motorcycle, Joshua walked on another ten minutes.

  Bringing his bike back onto the street, Joshua peddled back home. On his way, he could see the fires and heard the occasional crack of a 9mm gun. He smiled, even in this new battle-torn territory, love still conquers all.

  An EMP Causality: Part III

  Camille

  Jessica came out of the house telling her mom, Alice, that she was going for a walk with Sarah, the divorcee’s daughter. Her explanation was that she wanted to talk to Sarah about Randy. In reality, it was an attempt to deflect her mom from worrying about her. Jessica did not want to raise any more flags. Sarah is a little older and wiser than Jessica. In her mind, this is a win-win situation.

  Jessica never really bonded with her brother Randy. He is five years older than her, and secondly Randy was always a hands-on guy, not much into relationships. During the day, he was an automobile mechanic. As far as Jessica knew, his only real love relationship was working on his own classic Buick. She had always referred to him as a grease monkey. But now, she feels ashamed of her thoughts and words toward her brother. Jessica had been so occupied with Joshua that she never paid attention to Randy. Somewhere in her quiet moments, she knew Randy was a kind and talented person. So if she was going to enter womanhood with Joshua, she knew she has to do a one-eighty with Randy.

  Jessica always had a special bond with her dad, Ben. She knew her dad was hardworking and loyal to his wife, Alice. Jessica also knew her dad protecte
d and guided her toward her adult life. After the EMP strike, it was her dad, her best friend Vivian, and her who went on the road trip. It was a journey filled with fear and excitement. They ventured out in search of water and supplies. Randy stayed behind to protect their home and the collaborative. The road trip was a bonding experience that few people will ever encounter. She truly was daddy’s little girl.

  As with most family feuds, the emotional scars ran deep. Perhaps, she hoped, the trip might benefit the entire family. The EMP attack and the road trip might provide a way to allow a little light into the family dynamic.

  Sarah is a good bit taller than Jessica. She dresses modestly, is a good listener, and has many of the better qualities of her mother. She is a good cook, well-read, and her actions show a good upbringing. Her mother took her away from the inner city. As a single parent, the challenges are many. Her mother wanted to be in a good school system. She also wanted to live in the suburbs to give her daughter the best environment to succeed.

  Both Jessica and Sarah have one thing in common. That is Mr. Henderson’s son, Steven. First, Steven took a fancy to Jessica. It was difficult, but Jessica did not lead him on. Next Steven tried to take up with the Sarah. She thought well of him, but the chemistry was not right. Randy is more to her liking; he also is a hands-on guy. Difference is, Randy is more diversified and well-read. It is his looks, stature, the way he dresses, even his scent that appealed to her.

  Sarah was nervous to have this special encounter with Jessica. She had no idea that Jessica and her brother were not that close. Now Jessica has to be on her game. She really wants to go to Williams’s house to see if Joshua left her a note. He promised to leave the note under the rock, just past William’s house.

  Multitasking, Jessica really had to take an interest in this new friendship. She must take it seriously. They both started to walk slowly past the drunk’s house.

  “I’m a little nervous to be talking with you,” Sarah said, trembling.

  “Don’t be. Just be yourself. Really, my mom thinks you are a classy woman.

  When I saw you talking to Steven, I felt a little jealous. Truth is, I knew Steven was not for me. When I looked at you, I see a beautiful woman,” Jessica said with a smile.

  “Thank you,” Sarah said as she touched Jessica’s forearm. “I was hoping to understand a little about Randy. To be honest with you, I am attracted to Randy.”

  “My brother has not been dating since our move from Nebraska. When we were in Nebraska, there was one woman he liked. She was pretty and bright. She hoped Randy would go on to college, maybe to be a premed student or high-tech software type. She got accepted to a California University for nursing. My brother had great potential, but he was drawn to work with his hands. She just gave up on Randy. “Last I heard, she met someone in California,” Jessica said while her mind drifted someplace else.

  Approaching William’s house, Jessica was definitely nervous. She had to know if Joshua left a note, as he promised. Rubbing her hands with a fast-pounding heart, it was obvious that she was extremely anxious. Just then, Fred came out of the house. Fred always likes to greet any newcomers that might visit the household.

  “Morning, how are you?” Fred said with Joy.

  “We are both fine. And you?” remarked Sarah.

  “I am mad today!” Fred said with a tone of anger.

  “Oh no! Why are you mad, Fred?” asked Sarah.

  “William won’t take me to work today. I need to see my girlfriend, LuAnn. I think John is going to start talking to her. I told him to stay away from my girlfriend. She’s my girlfriend. He needs to find somebody else,” Fred said in anger. “I am going to get you, John, you just wait and see.”

  “Whew, I think William’s car is not working, Fred. I am sure LuAnn misses you too,” Sarah commented.

  “Excuse me for just two minutes. I just need to check on something.

  It will only take a couple of minutes,” Jessica said with bated breath.

  Without even looking for an answer, Jessica left Fred and her together. Like a junky who needs an immediate fix, Jessica walked fast toward the big rock still within eyesight of Sarah and Fred.

  At first, she hesitated. What if the note isn’t there? How would she act with other people? Frankly, how can she carry on? What does she have to live for? Who can she trust? Her life will be a massive dark hole, moving aimlessly down a dark canyon. Why did Joshua come into her life if he does not come through?

  Her soul and body belong to Joshua. Life without him is not life at all.

  At this moment in time, Jessica’s thoughts were not rational. Yes, Joshua did come on to Jessica. He possessed looks, charm, and some worldly experience. Many a young man might do the same thing. It is an immature act. An act of being selfish and a little bit (may I say) being egotistical. Jessica, on the other hand, could have sought the advice of someone else, an older woman with a more experienced perspective. Even without that insight, her best friend Vivian did warn her that she was over her head.

  Vivian is still her best friend. She is a tall, statuesque woman of African American descent. With her mother, Camille, she grew up in the bad sections of Boston. Living in run-down, multi-apartment dwellings. She has been exposed to a lot: drugs, crime, prostitution, and the bad sides of human nature. A constant flow of men came into their apartment complex. Most of them had the same characteristics: false promises, fast talk, and mostly just users. Many became fathers, but most did not stick around to father their child. Her mother, Camille, who always wears a big cross on her necklace, tried to shield Vivian. She did not want her daughter to become the victim of the ghetto life. She swore that she would have her daughter break the chain.

  At one point, she and her daughter, moved to Kissimmee, Florida. The surroundings there were better. A warmer weather and a different pace of life seemed to agree with both Camille and her daughter. After some time, however, complications started to arise. The cost of living was less, but finding work was difficult. One had to know someone. Employers were not as understanding as in the north. In addition, the health benefits, food assistance, and housing support were less. But mostly, family support was missing. There were no aunts, uncles, or cousins around. So when her mother needed surgery, they moved back out of necessity, in spite of the wintry weather.

  Through persistence, Camille was able to secure living accommodations in the suburbs of Boston. Vivian attended the same high school as Jessica. They were both outsiders: Jessica from Nebraska, and Vivian from the projects and Florida. Vivian was street-smart, statuesque, and just intimidating. Inside she was smart and kind. Vivian was drawn to her, as a good friend. Jessica, on the other hand, had a good family life: mother, father, brother, and a nice house. It is the missing family structure that Vivian yearned for. Yes, her mother gave her everything, but she missed not having a dad around.

  When Joshua met Jessica, Vivian was there. Jessica was totally infatuated with him. She was in a trance. Her eyes and body were melting as he was talking. Vivian, on the other hand, saw through him; she has been down that road many times. For Jessica, it was a soothing musical masterpiece. To Vivian, the soothing musical piece was sugar coating, like a belly dancer with the sound clips in her hand. As the soothing music was playing, a tall cobra came out of the basket. The snake was coiling up, higher and higher. Finally the soothing music stopped. The belly dancer faded away and the snake bent its head back just so slightly. Only Jessica was in the snake’s path. Hiss-whap.

  This is how Vivian saw Joshua. She tried to warn Jessica, but Jessica was already over the edge. She was in a trance, in desperate need of an exorcism. Vivian and her mother did still come over. They depended on Randy to pick them up. Coming to the Randals’ house was a safe place inside the collaborative. It was a timeout from the dangerous apartment building where they lived.

  At the rock, Jessica seemed to be frozen in time. The few brief seconds there seemed like an eternity to her. As Fred and Sarah were talking, Jessica blocke
d the noise. As her emotions reached a fever pitch, she bent down, her palms sweaty and heart pounding. When she put her hands under the rock, she felt a plastic bag. What? A plastic bag? Is this some kind of cruel trick? If her heart pounded any faster, she would certainly have a coronary. She picked up the bag and saw a note. Damn her emotions! This is too much to take. Now Jessica felt a mix of emotions. She was elated she received the note, but she needed to be alone. She read the first few sentences. Joshua had feelings for her. Time, she needs time for herself. She cannot blow off Sarah.

  While Sarah was talking to Fred, she kept looking at Jessica. She was puzzled. What was going on? Jessica looked and saw a bewildered Sarah. Oh Jesus, thought Jessica, I have got to pay attention to her or it will lead to problems. Jessica put the plastic bag with the letter in her front denim pocket. Hastily, Jessica walked back to Fred and Sarah. Within a few minutes, she arrived; all was calm.

  “Sorry, I was in a daze. I have been through a lot,” Jessica remarked.

  “I know, and I shouldn’t just be talking about myself,” Sarah said with a tone of empathy.

  “It’s okay, you’re a nice person, and my brother is a good soul,” Jessica cried out. “Well, Fred, it’s been nice chatting with you; we have to get back,” Jessica commented as she grabbed the divorcee’s daughter’s arm.

  As they walked back to their respected houses, Jessica stopped.

  “Listen, my brother or most men do not like to be overwhelmed. They have to think it was their idea. I could talk to him; even my mother could talk to him. Trouble is, my brother is very intuitive, and it could push him away.” Jessica spoke in a calculated manner. She was starting to grow up fast. She continued, “I feel, I do know him better than most. Go to him, and ask him for a favor. Tell him the next time he goes to the armory, you would like a few baking products. You would like to bake a casserole for the collaborative. Make sure you say it’s for the collaborative and not just for him. Hopefully, he will invite you to go for the ride. Two are always required for any rides. It is for the security of his car and that of the collaborative. Too many gangs out there.”