by Tim Mettey
**
“Jim, I got back as soon as I could.”
“Is he okay?”
“He’ll be fine.”
“Dave, what’s going on out there? It’s been too quiet here.”
“The quake leveled the city like we thought it did, and most of the neighboring towns, too. Most of the buildings in town are destroyed or are on fire. There are people searching frantically for friends and family in what is left of the town. Some of the firefighters are trying to fight the fire. I saw Jacob, Mason, and Lear from the department, but that was it. Isn’t the boy’s dad a firefighter?”
“I think he is, but I’m not positive.”
“Oh yeah, the National Guard has arrived. They have set up several temporary hospitals to get any survivors with critical injuries stable enough for transport.”
“Did you find your parents when you were in town?”
“No, I wasn’t able to find them at what was left of the post office, and I couldn’t get them on the phone. Whenever I call, I get the same message over and over. ‘I’m sorry. All circuits are busy. Please try back later.’ I’m pretty sure they are with my aunt on her farm. At least that is where they were heading this morning. This was their day off. That’s where I’m heading next. Did you get a hold of your folks?”
“One of my parents’ neighbors was here and said my mom was okay, but my dad punctured his lung and broke a couple ribs. They have taken him to Christ Hospital in Cincinnati. I guess they weren’t hit too hard by the quake, so that’s where people have been instructed to go if they can get there.”
“So what are you going to do with the boy? You should leave him with someone.”
“I’m friends with his aunt. She will be here any time. When I talked to her earlier, I told her I would wait with him here until she arrives.”
“You should have sent him with the rest of the kids so you could be with your dad in Cincinnati.”
“No, I need to stay with him and watch after him, especially after everything he’s done.”
“What has he done?”
“He has given us hope.”