by J. Rudolph
I think many of us were struggling to not cheer over Alexus' response. Any concerns we had about her intentions here were settled. We heard Daniel's door shut and saw her stalk down the stairs, garden gloves in hand and go off to the gardens.
"Looks like she just needs some chill out time." Daniel said, looking like he knew that look on her face all too well, but at the same time was looking like he felt rather smug that Martha had gotten what she deserved. "Later I'll go and talk to her. Just want her to be able to chill for a bit."
"Hate to bring this back up but what about the government? It couldn't have totally collapsed. Heck when threshold hit the president was on TV. They would have put him in a bunker or something wouldn't they? They had to have protected him. He has a whole crew to keep him alive!" Anna was distressed over the idea.
"Well really, if you think about it, that would be the worst place you could be. You know your guys will lay down their lives for you so you think you're safe. Your guy gets bit and you don't know it. These guys go to great lengths to not show weakness. I've known guys that were sick with pneumonia and still ran six miles right alongside the healthy guys. Until they were on the ground having their conversion seizures they wouldn't have complained, especially over some little bite. So now your inner circle has a zombie. It would be no trick for the president to be bitten. I guess I'm getting at this, don't count on it." Joey was trying to be compassionate. He knew she needed to have faith in something working out but he also didn't want to feed in to a delusion that there was a rescue on its way. It was a lovely idea that there was someone out there and trying to get to us but it felt like an improbable hope. Why hold on to this when all it would bring was certain heartbreak and disappointment? Being self reliant was a much better option.
Anna really did have faith in the idea of the magic of the government to come and take us all where loved ones were waiting. She kept waiting for the world to come back online and be able to go shopping and exist again. I had resigned myself a while ago to this life. I was happy that this meant I could be a work at home mom now.
After a bit Alexus rejoined us. She looked calmer now. She walked up to Martha to apologize. “I am sorry for striking you, Martha. It was inappropriate. I am trying to teach my girls to use their words and not their hands and for that reason I am sorry.”
Martha waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. It had not been the first time she was slapped, probably not the last. “It was good to see you have a spark of passion. Those girls need a momma who has that. Good on you.”
Martha did not have anything else to say on the matter, nor did Alexus.
Water Woes
We knew that the water pressure would not last forever. We knew that one day the pressure would fail. We knew, but that didn't seem to make it easier. I had gone in to take a shower to find that the water was coming out in a near trickle. It was time to start thinking conservation. Go figure that the water was failing in the beginning of August when the heat was getting to be miserable. Most of us used the shower to get cooler since air conditioners were a thing of the past.
I called a meeting of the Council to discuss our latest development. When everyone collected in the school unit I began the meeting. “Well guys, as you all know the water is acting up. We need to come up on a plan to make what we have last. The SpringForth water truck will definitely help our drinking water situation but now we have to be mindful of our non-drinking water use, and that is going to be a big deal. Things like laundry and showering are going to be difficult. I'd like to hear ideas on how to handle this.”
Jody started with her suggestion. “I think that first we need to get together anything that can hold water for non-drinking purposes. If we fill up all the trash cans with water for laundry that is a start. We wont have to worry about making it drinkable so not having a lid will be fine. We should set a rule up about the laundry being run. One wash load a week for each unit. That way underwear, for an example, can be clean. Right now two loads have been the average for each unit. That would greatly reduce the water consumption. I know that Anna does three loads on Friday with the kids. If that gets dropped to one then that would also help.”
I nodded in agreement. “Does that work for everyone?” Murmurs of consent echoed out. “Does anyone object to the rule of one load a week?” No one spoke up. “Awesome. Let's set up a schedule then. Mercedes' building has the lowest apartment number. We can label that one then as building one. Building one wash day is Monday. Martha's building is next so that's building two, so that would make Tuesday that building's day. My unit is the next higher so that’s building three for Wednesday wash. Joey's building then would be building four, Thursday it is. We can continue to do kids on Friday. Any questions, complaints or concerns?” No one did.
“Toilets.” Mercedes started, “Toilets are huge water guzzlers. Its not like we have a lot of option there.”
“Sure we do.” Martha said. “We can not flush urine. They said that for years. When it is solid waste then you flush. What was that saying? If it's yellow let it mellow, if its brown flush it down? If there is a bucket to add water to the bowl it will force a flush. We need to fill our own tubs now for that and for being able to wash up. We won't be able to bathe but a wet wash cloth can be used to do a wipe down. Better than nothing.” That was an excellent idea as well.
Trent looked like he was deep in thought. “Aha!” he called out. “I have a killer idea. It has risk involved but it would be helpful as heck. Many of the houses around us have pools. Those houses also have huge trash cans that they got from the city. If we take those cans and fill them up with pool water we would have laundry, wash up, and toilet water. It'll be a pain in the butt to do but its better than wasting water that could go to drinking on washing.” Joey and Tyreese looked like Trent hit the jackpot.
“Man, I had been trying to figure out how we would be able to get that water here. That is a great idea. Those cans are like 60 gallons.” Tyreese seemed genuinely impressed. “It'll be a risk going out again but not as bad as before. How close are you to finishing the drawbridge? I'd like to see that done before we go out in the community, just from a security standpoint.”
Trent grinned. “We were going to install it this morning. Once we get the bugs worked out of the up and down process I planned on connecting the trench up.”
Tyreese also was grinning. “Awesome. Hey I had a thought. The U-Haul has a motorized lift. That would be really nice to use to put the full water cans into the trailer. Picking up 60 gallons of water was not going to be a pleasant experience.”
“Is there anything else anyone needs to add to the meeting?” I asked.
Jody cleared her throat. “Uh, I do.” She was nervous about what she was about to say. “I, uh, well, I wanted everyone to know I'm pregnant.” An audible gasp went through the group. “I'm only about five weeks along but I wanted everyone to know just in case I get all hormonal.” Joey wrapped his arm around her, giving her a hug.
Joey stood up then, got in front of Jody, and got down on one knee. “Jody, I love you. I want to be with you forever. In front of all our friends I wanted to say this; Will you marry me?”
Tears sprung up in Jody's eyes. She nodded her head, unable to speak for a moment. When her mouth decided to work again she cried “Yes, of course I'll marry you!”
This definitely made the day that started off stressful by lack of water much better. Sure we still had the water problems to contend with but being able to see Jody's face glow with love and promise made it feel less like the end of the world and more like the beginning of the next phase in life. We would get through this as well. This declaration of love and life would give us strength.
Marriage
Jody and Joey decided to get married before they went out on the water run that was set up for the following day. We decided that it would be best if Tyreese were to officiate the ceremony as he was about as close to being a judge as anyone, being head of security and all. The wedding was s
cheduled for sunset.
In the meantime, there was work to be done on the drawbridge. Trent created a hinge of sorts that would be mounted to the ground on one end of the drawbridge. The other end had ropes attached to it, with the ropes run over the top of the gate. The idea was that to pull the drawbridge up the person would pull on the ropes and attach them to a car bumper to tie them off. To put the bridge down the person would untie the ropes and let the ropes slide until the bridge laid flat. That idea was replaced with having the ropes stay attached to the tie off car. That way, no one had to haul the heavy bridge by hand. The bridge itself was an interesting build. It had been constructed from a collection of closet shelves and hardwood dresser tops. Along the bottom, one of the trees that had been cut down in the beginning had been cut into a section wide enough to span the trench with just a little more hanging over. That segment was then cut in half lengthwise. The flat part attached to the top of the bridge, which made it incredibly heavy. The over hang of the bottom part of the bridge would fit into grooves that would be dug out of the other side of the trench, giving it stability. They located the keys to the car and gave the up and down process a couple tries. It looked good.
Trent went down to where the tractor had been left. The same way that he had gotten out of the tractor using a ladder as a bridge was how he got back on to it. He fired up the engine and started to drive it to the front of the complex. The sound of it was as though a dinner bell had been rung to the neighborhood zombies. I think about how often the dinner bell analogy pops in my head and it bothers me some. It's just so darn apt so I keep using it. One day in the future I bet that we will have more metaphors for life. We're in a new world trapped in old world language. We all started firing to keep the zombies away from him as he dug the hole. Once he finished connecting the trench the drawbridge was lowered and Trent drove the tractor over it into the complex. I held my breath the entire time he was on the bridge scared it would break on him. He saw my concern all over my face.
"No faith in my work, eh?" He chided. "Told you this would work, but still you doubt."
"You did. I stand corrected. If we had an iPhone I would have Siri call you rock god. Though with that voice recognition software I'd have to worry it would call you rick gourd instead." I smirked at him. "Alright, babe. We have a wedding to get set up. I'm going to check in on Jody and make sure she's set. Why don't you go see if Joey needs anything. I think he went on the roof."
"'Kay sweetie. Meet you back at our place in a couple hours then?" Trent asked.
"Sure. See you then." I replied. I stood up on my toes and kissed Trent. "Love you. Be good. No crazy bachelor parties. A zombie stripper may end in tears."
I went up the stairs to Jody's. I knocked quickly and opened the door. I wandered into her room and saw her sitting on her bed in tears.
"Jody, what's going on? Why are you crying?" I asked her. I was a little worried.
"It's my wedding day. I should be happy but it hit me, I'm getting married in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. My parents can't be here. Heck they never even met him. To make things worse I have nothing to wear. Add in I don't have a ring for him."
"Jody I have an excellent idea. We should go shopping."
Jody looked at me as though I lost my mind. "Shopping? You're proposing a walk through the mall in zombie land?"
"Not at all. What I suggest is that we go to the vacant units and find you something to wear and if we get lucky we can find him a ring."
Jody's face brightened up considerably. "I love that idea. Let's go!"
On the 3rd unit we came across Jody found just what she was looking for. It was a white sun dress with wider shoulders and was styled like a wrap around dress. It looked like it was designed for someone who was a hippie that had to grow up but still held on to a part of that spirit. I had been sifting through jewelry boxes and I found a really good ring for him. I also stumbled on a woman's ring that was pretty. I planned to give it to Joey just in case he hadn't found one.
We went back to her place where I left her to get ready. I found Trent and Joey sitting on the couch chatting. I gave Joey the ring I acquired. He was thrilled over it. He hadn't thought of the going through the units like that. Joey left, ring in pocket, to clean up.
The wedding was held in the garden with Tyreese standing between the orange trees.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Tyreese began, "we gather today to witness the marriage of two people, Joey and Jody.
"Marriage is tough. Now days we have a new threat with the zombies. However, with each struggle we find the opportunity to grow closer to each other." Almost to illustrate the point DaWayne fired an arrow from the crossbow, killing a zombie.
"So now we witness the promise to each other to love, honor and protect one another. Do we have rings to exchange?"
They both took out the rings. "These rings are symbolic of that promise to one another" Tyreese continued, "Jody, please place the ring on to Joey's left hand, and say after me; with this ring I promise to love you and to honor you."
"With this ring I promise to love you and honor you." Repeated Jody.
"Joey, your turn. With this ring I promise to love you and honor you." Tyreese said.
" With this ring I promise to love you and honor you." Repeated Joey.
Tyreese smiled, "With all said and done, and if for no other reason than we have learned that you never waste a minute when zombies are at the door, Joey, you may kiss your bride."
They kissed a kiss of passion and love. It was a kiss for the ages, one that said nothing will ever come between us, especially not death.
Applause broke out among the people, couples in attendance kissed one another. Everyone there could feel the love between those two as though it were a tangible thing.
Everyone went up to the couple to wish them the best of luck. Trent and I hung back watching this reception line. I had a twinge of sadness for just a moment. There would be no romantic honeymoon. There would be no vacation trip or even a drive off to the sunset. They would just have zombies.
Alexus came up to me and offered to take their watches, hopefully to give them a mini honeymoon that they didn't have to spend with a zombie. I hugged her and told her that was incredibly sweet and accepted her offer on their behalf. I told her to go and talk to DaWayne to set up what shifts were theirs and to get better acquainted with the crossbow.
Jody and Joey spent the night at Joey's place. Jody's kids thought it was a grand adventure to be in their apartment, Erin in charge, right next door, while their mom was there.
The next morning Joey came up to Trent. The night before, Joey and Jody thought hard about how to maximize their space. A five person, soon to be a six person household in a two bedroom apartment was a bit crowded. They had the realization that there was just a thin wall with no pipes or electricity running through it that divided their apartment in the kitchen. They asked if there was a way to knock out that wall to make it a four bedroom place.
“After the water run, we will do just that, man.” Trent replied.
Getting the Water
Water was on everyone's mind that next morning. What had been a trickle from the pipes the day before was now completely dried up. The days of water being delivered straight to us and be issue free were completely over. Every last drop mattered now.
The guys gathered up, ready to get going on this project. Houses that were known to have pools were marked on a map. Though it was already August they dressed in leather coats and thick pants. They wanted to make it more difficult for the zombies to make their bites hit home if they were ambushed. The houses that were marked on the map were believed to be free from zombies. The houses had been gated and should be fairly easy to hit. They stored their garbage cans on the outside in narrow side yards just inside the fence. The plan was get there, empty out the cans, throw them in the pool to wash them out and to fill them. They would then pull them up the pool steps and roll them to the U-Haul lift. There were a few houses on our ma
p that had three or four of those cans set out.
I had planned to be watching from the roof as this happened, providing gun cover while up there. DaWayne joined his dad for the first time on a run on this outing. It should be a relatively safe run, if there was such a thing. The other guys who went were Daniel, Trent, and Joey. The five of them were fairly optimistic over their chances of making this a successful trip.
I lowered the drawbridge for them. Tyreese carefully drove over the bridge, still feeling that this whole bridge being safe thing is a novel idea. After they cleared it I ran the bridge back up with the car. This was truly an awesome method of making that bridge going up and down. It made things much easier. As soon as that bridge was back up and secured I ran back to the roof to watch the truck. I used binoculars to see where they were.
I watched them pull up to their first house. Their guns were drawn and ready to be used should they need to protect themselves. Tyreese opened the first gate, miraculously unlocked, and they moved in. Joey stood just outside the gate to keep an eye out for trouble. He had the crossbow in his hands this time to make any zombie kills as quiet as possible. They knew this trip was on borrowed time because they were running a car though a neighborhood as though they were an ice cream truck. It was only a matter of time, really, before zombies were chasing them down. They had successfully loaded their first three cans in very short order. I felt a surge of possibility in that moment that this was going to work.
The next house was just as flawless. three large cans waited in the side yard ready to be filled. Just like the first they emptied the contents of the cans, threw them into the pool, cleaned them up, rolled it out and loaded it up. I didn't even try to disguise my excitement at this point. There was only one more house to go.