As he enters the Uber driver’s car, he brings his wife’s wedding dress, a rose, a hundred dollar bill, and a bottle of champagne. It was the last day of October, Halloween, mid-afternoon. The expensive ride went on to the western part of Massachusetts, near the apple orchards. There he asked the Uber driver to let him off. It is near the spot where he proposed to his wife. The Uber driver looked confused. The drunk said, “It’s all right.” Although a tip was already calculated in the fare, the drunk gave him a crisp one-hundred-dollar bill. He just said thanks as the drunk walked into an open field.
It is near the spot where he asked his wife to marry him. The air is chilly on this late Halloween afternoon. The drunk stops and strips to his underwear. He carefully folded the wedding dress and put it on the ground. He popped open the bottle of champagne and took a few swigs. Next he took his wallet out and put it on his folded clothes. They say hypothermia is really a kind way to die; certainly kinder than many other ways. On this Halloween night, the drunk is giving himself a treat. He lies down with the wedding dress under his head. With a rose on his chest, he looks skyward and mutters, “Honey, I’m coming to you.” He passes on with contentment and a smile on his face.
A notable mention: the lawyer at the end of the collaborative put up a sign. His office building in downtown Boston will take months to be ready. He has a sign on the edge of his lawn: Is it Time to Sue? Walk-ins Welcomed.
Ben and Alice are now empty-nesters. After a few visits with a marriage counselor, they have decided to make a change. Selling their suburban home, Ben and Alice bought a new condo near his work. He wants to be within biking distance. Many doctors enjoy biking to work, why not a microbiologist? When he gets his new car, it will be parked under a Faraday cage in the garage.
There you have it! Folks and accounting of our collaborative members. I hope you have enjoyed—what? You’re talking to me? Really! Talking to me? I look to the left, then to the right. Hmmm. Nobody else is here. You want to know about Steven and Vivian? Is that right? Okay!
Steven and his brother have taken over their father’s business. Mr. Henderson has decided to retire. The business is really going well; this will give Mr. Henderson a nice weekly check. In the 1800s, the saying was “Go west, young man. There is gold in them there hills.” The rush was on, and dreams of getting rich permeated the air. Fast forward to post–EMP blast. There is a new saying: “Go east, young person (politically correct)! There is gold in the suburbs.” Steven is working seven days a week. His younger brother is engaged. It is approaching Christmas.
He is too busy to join a dating service or to find a new love online. He has been turned down twice (Jessica and Sarah). Every once in a while, he would text Vivian to see how she is doing. He did not want to do it too much. After all, he is busy and does not want to lose her friendship. Although he is busy, it is the holidays and he does feel sad. With his mom and dad retiring and his brother engaged, It is a lonely time to go through the holidays.
Vivian is finally breaking the family tradition. Instead of living her life in the projects and living off of government help, she is in the big apple. Vivian is enrolled in a four-year degree program. With her mother’s help (financially), she is taking a course in forensic studies. She is certain she will get a job with the FBI or NYPD. Vivian loves her independence. She is meeting new people from all over the world. Many different men have been courting her. There are potential lawyers, med students, and future Wall Street tycoons. Vivian is in cloud nine with all the attention she is receiving. Still, there is an emptiness inside her. Confused, she does not have a handle on it. What she knows is when she receives a text from Steven, her heart beats fast. She quickly looks for a private spot where she can read and respond to him. During these brief exchanges, she is another world—a world of fulfillment.
She is going home for the Christmas holidays. Her mom and sisters will be there. Her sisters are married or have their mates. Vivian must concentrate on school first, and love will come in time. As she travels on the train, she receives a text from Steven. “How are you doing? Will you be around during the holidays?
Would you be interested in getting together and going for a ride?”
Vivian is thrilled. Her schedule is tight. After many texts, they agreed to meet on a Sunday afternoon right after Christmas. Steven arrives at Camille’s new house. He is impressed. Camille is happy to see him; it’s been a while and Steven will always be a part of her memory during those troubling times. Camille lets her daughter know that Steven is here. It took a while; Vivian is not always a fast mover. At least she shows up on time to her classes.
After a few minutes, Vivian and Steven went outside. Steven has bought a new 350 4x4 pickup truck with a fitted Faraday grill over the hood. Steven was wearing expensive boots from Bob’s store. Both of them wore informal clothes. After all, it is not a date, but just two good friends going for a ride, right? Many of Vivian’s new girlfriends would be disappointed with a man in a pickup truck. Some of her new and rich girlfriends might even refuse. To Vivian, it was perfect.
Steven loaded up his transponder with enough funds to take a trip. It seems the politicians on Beacon Hill have put new tolls on most highways in Massachusetts. The politicians have a saying: “Never let a good crisis go to waste.” Steven asked Vivian if they could take a ride to some of the seaport towns on the north shore. It is a two-hour drive. During the summer, Rockport and Marblehead are real tourist attractions to thousands of people.
For the first hour and a half, Vivian and Steven laughed. They talked about their experiences surviving the EMP blast. They especially laughed at the time they visited the junkyard. Vivian was so nervous she had to pee twice. Both of them forget their everyday lives and enjoyed the moment. During the last half hour, they were quiet. Vivian put her left hand on the car seat; Steven put his over hers. She responded by clinching his hand with a gentle squeeze. They were both in harmony.
They reached the seaport town. Even though it was chilly, both walked hand in hand. Neither one put their gloves on. Feeling the warmth of each other gave them both a glow that has been missing in their lives. Finally they reached a special tourist spot. Out in the bay is the famous Red Lobster Hut. Painters from all over the world try their hand to capture its ambiance.
Still, with no gloves on, Steven grabs a railing.
Vivian, still resisting to put her gloves on, glances at Steven. She sees a tall solidly build man. Not as tall as the Patriots’ Rob Gronkowski (they call him “the Gronk”) but pretty tall. He is the father and boyfriend image that has been missing her whole life. She knows his character is structured by high morals and that they have a solid family structure together. It is something she has pined for her whole life. Steven notices her glancing at him, but still stares at the Red Lobster Hut.
“Vivian,” Steven spurted out.
“Yes Steven,” Vivian answered as she blew on her hands to warm them.
“Do you ever hope to have children?” Steven said as he still looked forward.
Vivian is stunned. A tear flows from her eyes. She composes herself and wipes the tears from her face with the back of her hands. She slowly turns left toward Steven and faces him. With her two hands, she grabs Steven’s right hand. Steven now turns and faces Vivian.
“Yes Steven, and to your next question, yes,” Vivian said with joy. She knew Steven was a little gun-shy from being turned down twice before. She just wanted to help him a little. “But first, can we go to the restaurant.”
“Of course! Is there anything wrong?” Steven said with a puzzled look.
“No, I just have to Pee,” Vivian said with utmost happiness.
They held hands for a few moments longer. On this chilly New England night, two hearts beat as one: Karma.”
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EMP Causality Page 22