“Thank you.”
“See you for breakfast.” Ellen leaned forward, and gently laid her lips to my cheek then slid closer to my ear and whispered, “I am so grateful you are still in my life. So grateful.”
Before she could leave, I closed my eyes, brought my hand to her head, holding her closer, returning the whisper in her ear. “So am I.”
She pulled back, smiled, then stepped away. “I enjoyed this, Hal.” She opened the door. “Can we do this again?”
“Any time.”
“Tomorrow night then?”
“We can make it a routine, if you like.”
“I’d like,” she said.
“Me, too.”
“Goodnight, Hal.”
“Night, Ellen.”
I watched the door close. The moment absorbed into me and I turned my chair to face the words on my computer. My story. It was going to be hard to write, to get back into it. My mind raced. I was basking. I truly was. The evening was peaceful, and sharing it with Ellen along with my writing was rewarding and fulfilling. How long had it been since I felt that? Every night I prayed for my family. Every night I fell asleep with worry in my heart. A sick feeling I couldn’t shake over the losses I knew I suffered but was unsure of. And sleep wasn’t restful; there were the nightmares I didn’t share. Then, I realized why I felt so good in the moments following Ellen’s departure. The day’s end. A new day. A new future. My God, I hadn’t just been given the gift of having my family reunited, but a burden of worry had been lifted from me and a pocket of emptiness had been filled.
For the first time in months, I would welcome sleep.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
The days seemed to be going smoother. At first I wondered if it was my imagination, but then I realized it wasn’t. And it wasn’t just the arrival of my family. Construction was clicking. The daily agenda started moving like a fine piece of machinery. People knew what they were going to do when they woke up and how their day was going to go.
I believed the crucial adjustment phase was ending for everyone.
We were adapting.
In the five days since my family had arrived, I had also been more prolific as a writer. I finished another short story, updated my log regularly, and began a novel.
The people in the camp needed entertainment. That was evident by much they watched the bank disk of my father.
It was always being played on the DVD player. Marcus had burned me a copy for myself, since I was never able to get it.
In fact, I had the disk on my hand, waiting for a opportunity to return it to my room. Twirling it on my finger, lost and shuffling in thought between listening to my father speak to Ray, and a new scene I wanted to share with Ellen.
“Hal, are you listening?” my father caught my attention.
“Yes,” I replied then cleared my throat.
“What did I say then?”
My mouth dropped open. “Are you ... are you quizzing me?”
“As a matter of fact, I am. What did I say?”
I paused. Cleared my throat again and replied, “I don’t know.”
Ray laughed. “This is great.”
“Where are you, Hal?” my father asked.
“Thinking, that’s all.”
“Well, put those thoughts on hold. Pay attention here.”
I nodded.
“I went up to the resort this morning. Looks like we’ve been having some intruders up there,” my father said.
“Nonsense, we haven’t picked up anything on the monitors.”
Ray shook his head. “Doesn’t mean anything, Captain, they aren’t coming down here.”
My father said, “This is where my concern lies. The resort is pretty far out. Why are they coming here? Unless they know about us. And are waiting and planning to get in. We’re a gold mine in a poor country. We have to protect the gold mind. We’ve heard stories about what’s out there. You need to assign and train some men for security.”
“Our men are on construction.”
“They can do both. You have twenty two men. Thirty two women. You got about sixteen able bodied men. This isn’t good.” My father said.
“How many?” I asked.
“Five or six should suffice. Give your camp a once over and see who you come up with, then we’ll figure out a training schedule and shifts. I think you should have men on guard 24/7.”
I agreed. “I’ll get on that.”
“Hal, I don’t want you to think I’m taking over or anything.”
I shook my head. “No, I appreciate the help and the break.”
Ray added. “It’s been a lot of pressure on the Captain and me. We’re glad to have someone else. Glad you’re helping, Mr. Slagel.”
My father gave Ray that look I love, that closed mouth, assured look.
“Well,” My father looked at his watch. “I’m head on down to my little project and help with construction. Ray?”
“Right behind you. Break’s over.” Ray stood up.
“Hal?”
“I’ll be there shortly I want to check the clinic, the school, and make my rounds.” My focus returned to the shiny disk as my father and Ray departed.
I did have my rounds to make, check to see if everything was fine, if anyone needed anything. I also had to work on that security team. And with what I had to work with as far as capable men, I was a bit worried. But I wouldn’t fret too much.
First stop for me was the clinic.
There were three people in the clinic. One was our residential radiation patient and the other two were ailing with some sort of chest cold. I truly believed Mary Agnes and Margot were so bored, if you had a sniffle they admitted you. Look out when a woman gave birth. Odds were, we’d revert back to the days before insurance companies decided a woman should go home in forty-eight hours.
The clinic smelled disinfectant fresh when I stepped inside.
“Captain,” Margot said pleasantly and with smile. “How are you?’
“Very good. How are things here?” I asked.
“Smooth.” She tucked her hair behind her ear.
“Where’s Mary Agnes?”
Margot pointed to the window. I could see Mary Agnes sitting at her desk. Mary Agnes lifted a ‘hold on’ finger to me and I nodded my acknowledgement.
“Is there anything you need?” I questioned.
“I would like to say more patients but that would be awful.” She snickered. “So your father says The Fallout is done.”
“Excuse me?”
“The Fallout?” she asked. “The camp bar?”
It took me a second and it dawned on me. My father for his first order of business decided to take one of the smaller meeting rooms and make it into a camp lounge. He and Ray fished all the alcohol from the basement of the resort and secured it. They stole the bar, the juke box, dart board, and tables. It looked good. The idea was a good one, too. A place for people to relax and kick back. I just forgot that my demented father named it, ‘The Fallout.”
“Ah, yes,” I said. “It is. Grand opening tonight.”
“I hear he has karaoke.”
I fluttered a laugh. “I didn’t hear that, but I wouldn’t doubt it.”
“Are you going?” she asked.
“Yes, I suppose I’ll have to. Seeing how it’s my father’s baby.”
“I was wondering, if you’d like, we could go get a drink together?”
I gave a closed mouth nod. “I’m sure I’ll see you there.”
“I mean …. I mean we can have drinks together. Talk. Hang out.”
“Well, seeing how we are a small community, how can we not?” I smiled.
She returned the smile. “I’m not sure where you are in your progress. But know Captain, under the circumstances, it is all right to move forward. To want to have that company.”
“I’m not quite sure …” My eyes shifted when Mary Agnes approached us.
She cleared her throat. “Margot, the RR is semi awake, can you see if he ne
eds anything.”
“Really? He’s awake?” she said with some excitement.
Mary Agnes nodded.
“Great. Thanks. Captain, I’ll see you tonight.”
I nodded to Margot as she left the main room and noticed the look Mary Agnes gave me.
She stood, arms crossed, staring at me so motherly.
“What?” I asked.
“Are you that naive or are you being that nice?” she asked.
“I’m always nice.”
“Hmm,” she said. “I mean about Margot.”
“What about her?”
“Christ. She was trying to tell you that it is all right to move on. To enjoy the company of someone else.”
“I realize that now. I really don’t feel hindered in moving on. I know Jade has just passed, but under the circumstances.”
Mary Agnes raised her eyebrows. “So continuing, in case you didn’t get it. She was saying it was all right to enjoy company. Maybe share that company at The Fallout.”
“A date?” I asked.
Mary Agnes nodded.
“You know, not that I would call it a date …” my mind immediately lit up. “But to go there with someone and share it with someone would be nice.”
“That’s what Margot was saying.”
I smiled. “Isn’t that nice of her to look out for my interest.”
Mary Agnes huffed. “You are naive. She was asking you out on a date, Captain.”
My eyes widened. “She was?”
Mary Agnes. “She’s attracted to you. Why I don’t know.”
I gasped.
She laughed. “But if you aren’t interested in her, that would explain why you didn’t pick up her subtleties.”
“She’s a lovely woman. Very nice. But …”
Mary Agnes winked. “Not interested?”
“Sorry.”
“Why are you here?” she asked.
“I was checking on things and … I see it’s fine.” My eyes shifted about.
Mary Agnes gave a peaceful smile. “She’s not here.”
“Excuse me.”
“Ellen is not here. She’s at the class room. She’s working second shift.”
The smile dropped from my face. “Tonight?”
“Only till ten. Still enough time to enjoy... The Fallout.”
“I wasn’t thinking of asking Ellen to…”
“Oh, your ass is itchy.”
I mocked a silent, “My ass is itchy?’
“You were thinking it. Go ask her. She’s someone you know and are comfortable with. You’re lucky.”
I wanted to say I was, but I refrained. I only gave a look of gratitude for her advice, and turned.
“Oh, Captain, before I forget. Can you make a note that I could sure use one more volunteer in the clinic here, just in case?”
I pulled out my notepad from my back pocket and lifted the pen from the spiral. “Noted.” Writing, I turned and left the clinic.
It was weird, the sound of it as I made my way down the corridor to the classroom.
The senate room was its original purpose, but it had been converted.
I could hear laughter from the class room. I could also distinguish it. Brad, Jimmy, Johnny … Ellen.
At the doorway I paused to watch, staying out of sight. They were laughing about a book called Of Mice and Men. In fact from what I picked up, they were casting the book with people from the shelter.
Ellen had said my father would be the perfect George. I couldn’t agree more, and chuckled at her rendition.
Marcus instructed the class to move onto Chapter two. “Now you have a good pictorial of George,” he said.
Ellen added, “And as you guys move on more into the story, you’ll see how George-like Joe is. Especially with him opening the Fallout.”
The class of eight teens opened the books, and I saw my chance to enter. Ellen moved from the front of the class, and I took a step forward.
“Speaking of which,” Marcus said, approaching her. “Ellen you going?”
“After my shift.”
“Wanna meet up there?”
“Sure. Sounds great.”
It was then I stopped. I felt a rush of something. Multitudes of emotions over that. I don’t know exactly what I felt, but I could have sworn I felt jealous. Jealous? Good God why? That was absurd.
Seeing how I really had no point in being in the class other than to make sure things were fine—and they were—I tucked my notebook back in my pocket and moved on.
***
Dear God, they had karaoke.
My father has The Fallout scheduled to open at eight PM, and people were lined up in the hallway waiting.
I had checked the progress of the finishing touches, and to my surprise they were sampling moonshine.
I didn’t try any. Stan had created that still he had spoken about and had it in the East Tunnel. I could see it. When we ran out of ‘stocked’ booze, the entire camp would get wasted on homemade and potent moonshine.
Barry ran the karaoke. He claimed he wasn’t really sure exactly what he was doing, but he’d guess. He set everything up and I was certain in time he’d have it down pat.
The small meeting room transformed to look like a neighborhood bar was packed.
My father had a ‘Joe Seat’, marked and reserved for him and there was one for Stan. No one questioned the saved seats.
Both men were there when I walked in.
Ray was bartending.
“Don’t get too used to this, Captain,” Ray said. “I’m not doing this all the time.”
He poured me a drink.
“Kick one up, Raybie.” Mary Agnes put a glass forward. “I’m perched.”
“Mary Agnes you lush,” Ray joked and filled her glass.
“Waiting?” Mary Agnes asked me.
“Excuse me?” I questioned.
“Are you waiting for Ellen?” she repeated, clarified.
Before I could answer, Marcus did.
“I am,” he said. “She’s meeting me here.”
Mary Agnes turned to him. “Why?”
“Why?” Marcus chuckled. “Um, I don’t know. Thought it would be nice to share this with someone. Hang out. She’s nice.”
“Yeah,” Mary Agnes nodded. “She already has someone to share this with. The Captain.”
I winced. “Good Lord, Mary Agnes.”
She hushed me.
Marcus looked around her. “Captain, I’m not meaning to stop on your toes or to interfere, I didn’t know.”
I started to wave my hand in a don’t worry manner, but Mary Agnes intervened.
“He didn’t know until recently either,” she said. “But don’t it make sense? They’ve known each other twenty years.”
Marcus nodded. “Captain, I just wanted to hang out. But if you had plans …”
“He had plans,” Mary Agnes said,
I huffed. “Mary Agnes. It’s fine. Have another drink. You seem to be on a roll.”
“Are you saying I’m drunk?” she asked.
“Yes.” I finished my drink. “Marcus, you are not interfering. Hang out with Ellen. She’s a good woman.” I handed my glass to Ray. “Can you set this behind the bar; I don’t want to cause any more washing.”
“Sure thing, Cap.” He took the glass.
“Where you going?” Mary Agnes asked.
“To check on the boys. I’ll be back.” Pivoting my body, Margot stood there.
“Are you leaving?”
“For a moment,” I replied. “I want to check on my boys.”
“See you in a bit?”
I nodded, and side stepped to get out. As I did, I paused when I heard Mary Agnes say, “Hey Marg, ever really get to know Marcus here?”
That made me chuckle. In leaving I took in the view. Everyone having a good time, music playing, people looking in karaoke books. It may have been a bomb shelter. We all may have been living an end of the world existence. Loss of life, happiness, and hopes. But for the
time being, for the evenings, right there in The Fallout, life was thriving again. People smiled.
It was all worthwhile.
***
The boys were fine. Johnny was reading out loud while Brad and Jimmy played a video game. Even though Johnny told me he was reading to them so they all could take it in for their assignment, I highly doubted Brad or Jimmy were paying much attention.
Marcus was showing the film in a few days, I knew they’d enjoy it.
I decided to make my way back to The Fallout, but I did so via the clinic.
The door was open; I slowed down my pace just a little, and saw Ellen walk by.
She stopped, back tracked, and waved.
I stepped inside.
“Hey, Hal,” she said brightly. “Visiting?”
“Actually, yes.”
“Who? It’s not the rad patient is it?” she asked.
“The rad patient?”
“Yeah, the sick guy with no name?”
I chuckled. “No actually ….” I didn’t finish my response Henry emerged from the back. “Henry?”
“Oh, hey, Hal. How’s it going?” he waved.
“Good. Good. You aren’t at The Fallout tonight?” I asked.
“Not yet,” Henry replied. “I don’t want to drink too much. Plus, I’m training.”
“Training?” I questioned.
Henry nodded. “You posted for a clinic volunteer, I’m it.”
“You are our new volunteer?”
“Yep. I’ll do pretty good. I’m very compassionate. Aren’t I El?”
“Yeah, you are Henry. But you gag.”
“I do.” Henry nodded. “Pretty easily.”
“Very easily,” Ellen added. “So we have to watch him with gross patients. Like the Rad guy.”
“Uh.” Henry grunted, “The Rad guy is gross. I did gag.”
“But you didn’t throw up.”
I blinked at the back and forth. “So are you going to the Fallout after your training?”
Henry nodded. “Yeah, El and I are going.”
I asked. “Ellen what about Marcus. He’s meeting you there.”
“Oh, shoot.” Ellen cringed. “I forgot.”
“El?” Henry asked. “It isn’t a date is it? You aren’t dating are you? I don’t know about this Marcus guy.”
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