by Brad Manuel
As they walked down the road John asked his brothers. “So, Rebecca, what’s her story?”
“I’m pretty sure she’s your new daughter in law.” Paul smiled. “It was basically blue lagoon in Hanover when Hank and I arrived.”
Hank agreed, and gave an endorsement. “Greg says she saved his life. She’s about to save all of our lives with her intelligence and abilities. She’s a great kid, just fantastic. You’re lucky Greg bumped into her. We’re all lucky.”
“Being thirteen and having the burden of her intelligence, she had it pretty rough before the rapture. I’m not saying this was a good thing that happened to her, losing her parents was not a good thing, but her new start on life, meeting Greg, finding someone her age that likes her, being able to fit in for the first time in a long time. She’s incredible.” Paul opened the door to the house. It was pitch black except for their flashlights and lantern beams.
“Her intelligence?” John asked. “Just how smart is she?”
“Pretty damn smart.” Paul assured him.
The house was freezing. Hank lit the fire, and their tiny bedroom warmed.
“You said there is a priest in New York? A person of faith who still has faith?” Hank asked.
“The reason I left? She wants one last service in her chapel. She is a strong believer. I’m as surprised as you are, but I respect it.”
Paul stared at the ceiling. “21 people, that’s a lot of mouths, children or not. We have to get near the ocean quickly. Our current supplies and anything we can scavenge will last a few years, but we can’t build a future roaming from town to town for rotten canned food. We have to get somewhere and build a colony. We have to learn to plant, hunt, and fish.” He sat up. “Son of a bitch, this all just got very real to me.”
“It just got real to you?” John asked him. “Seriously? Everyone in the world died seven months ago, and you’re just feeling it getting real?”
“Well, yeah. You know, it’s been a whirlwind. I got food and stayed in my house, I biked to Hank’s, we rode to Rutland, took snowmobiles to here, lived with Greg. It’s been a fluid timeline. I’ve never had to worry about food. I am very worried about food now. 21 people can burn through food quickly. We won’t even see it coming, and poof, we’ll be out of food. Damn, we have to get somewhere other than the frozen tundra of Hanover, and we have to get there this summer.” Paul rolled onto his side. “It’s great to see you, John. It really is. I’m going to get some sleep. We have a long day and a long week ahead of us.”
“It’s great to be up here, finally.” John turned to Hank. “So, Hank, how much weight have you lost? Were you this thin before?”
Hank and Paul laughed, “Wait until you hear the story of caveman Hank, living in a hole for two months. It’s a classic.” Paul started, “when I rolled up on him in Dayton? Oh man, it was like finding Tom Hanks in Castaway. He was filthy. He smelled. Wow.”
“I can laugh a little now, but this is what really happened.” They told stories well into the night, sometimes laughing, sometimes quiet as they absorbed the impact of the last eight months. They cried when the talked about their wives’ last days, and the decisions each of them had to make. They were only asleep for a few hours when the sun came up over Balch Hill the next morning.
Hank was the last to wake, his eyes opening to the noise of Paul and John getting dressed. “So let me get this straight. It was Todd’s idea to meet up here, and to live in our old house, and he’s the only one who’s not here. We’re stuck sleeping on mattresses in a tiny room, and he’s at the Plaza?”
36
The kids were inside eating breakfast when the church van rolled to a stop next to the RV. Todd, Emily, Melanie, Peter, and Solange stood at the front door of the RV, drinking coffee and eating French toast out of a pan. The van door slid open, and the three youngest jumped out with Avery and Meredith.
“Good morning!” Emily said enthusiastically, over emphasizing her excitement to see the group of kids. “How is everyone this morning?”
Kelly slipped out of the passenger side with a smile. “We are well. I hope we’re not intruding.”
“Not at all,” Emily continued. “Kids, take the rest of this French toast, and you can join our crew in the RV. It’s warmer inside.” She handed Meredith the tray filled with Todd’s cinnamon goodness.
Peter stepped forward to assist Bernie and Jamie out of the van. He was already talking to Jamie, taking advantage of meeting someone his own age.
“Is it a dumb question to ask if you already ate?” Todd asked Kelly.
“We have not.” She replied, hanging her head, knowing she was asking for a handout.
“Alright, but no freeloading this morning. Kelly, you come with me to help make the eggs, and the rest of you are on cleanup duty after breakfast. We share the food, and we share the work. Sound good?”
“I’d love to help make breakfast.” Ahmed said, stepping out of the van after the two women. “I put myself through college as a short order cook. I can fry a mean egg.”
Todd turned to Kelly, “I guess that means you’re on cleanup. Grab some coffee, and we’ll be out in a few. Em’? Can you take orders? We have twenty eggs left. I can do two any style or we can scramble them all. Let me know if there is a consensus. Ahmed and I will go to work on the hash browns and sausage.” Todd motioned his new co-chef into the RV. “So, you were a cook, that’s great. Funny, that’s a better skill than anything else you learned in college, huh?”
Emily assumed hostess duties, pouring cups of coffee and offering people their selection of eggs. To make sure everyone ate expediently, the order for ‘all scrambled’ was sent into the kitchen. Avery came outside to talk to the adults.
“Did Matt leave? I don’t see him here.” Avery turned to Melanie. “I’m sorry, I don’t think I met you last night. My name is Avery.”
Melanie shook her hand, “Matt left this morning with his father and younger brother. They went ahead to New Hampshire to find Matt’s other brother. My name is Melanie. I joined the group in D.C. via Baltimore. Very nice to meet you, Avery.” She went on to explain that Casey, Jaclyn, and Jacob were under her care. Melanie turned to meet Bernie and Jamie.
“Is there someone still in the van?” Melanie asked. She saw a solitary figure in the back row, knit cap on, leaning against the window.
“That is Antonio. He wanted to come, but has decided to stay in the van. I think he is afraid of being alone if Sal returns to the seminary, but he doesn’t want to mingle either.” Jamie liked Antonio. She defended him often. “He’s a good kid. He has a good heart, he’s just a little mixed up. I don’t know how he grew up, but it wasn’t good. I know his family was nice, but his neighborhood was not. He’ll work it out.” Jamie smiled politely. “So you’re from Baltimore? I used to date an old Baltimore Orioles pitcher back in the day. He grew up outside of New York, and we went to high school together. He and I stayed a couple for a little while, but the distance was too much. Back then you had to take the train to and from New York, and it was just too much.”
Emily walked to the church van and opened the sliding door. “Antonio, would you like some coffee?” He did not reply. “We’ll have breakfast ready in a minute. Are you going to join us?” She heard music coming from the headphones dangling from his ears. “Well, if you would like some food, it’s here, fresh eggs, hash browns and sausage. It’s not real sausage. It’s these little Vienna sausages from a can, but they still taste great with eggs. Anyway, it’s out here.” She slid the door shut and left him alone.
Emily made her way through the people, talking and getting acquainted. The kids were eating and socializing at the table in the RV. Todd placed warm sausages in front of them. Casey was in a deep discussion with the three young newcomers about her role in the group. Meredith was joking with Jackie and Jacob. Everyone appeared to be getting along as they drank Tang and told stories.
Ahmed and Todd discussed New York restaurants. Emily put her hand on Todd’s back. “A
bout how long?”
“We’re good. Ahmed knows how to sling the hash. Do we want to set up on plates and have you walk it out to people?” He turned to his cooking partner. “Ahmed, please, grab a plate and eat. I had some toast before you came.”
The thin man accepted happily. “I was hoping you’d say that. Standing over fresh eggs? I’m starved. I’ll take a plate out with me when I go.” He spooned eggs, potatoes, and sausage on two plates, and headed towards the door. “Jamie? Come and grab this plate and eat the eggs fast, before they get cold.”
Todd served the food, and Emily walked two at a time out to the adults. There was a mountain of eggs, and once the adults were eating, Todd offered seconds to the children. The new kids raised their hands.
“Don’t be shy, come over, we have plenty.” He handed them new plates with the fresh food. Todd made a small plate for himself and went to talk to the group. He saw the adults standing in a circle, eating and talking. Antonio sat in the open van door with his feet on the ground. He ate his food in silence. Todd walked over and asked if he could sit down.
“Whatever.” The young man replied, not moving to give him space. Antonio muttered something under his breath in Spanish.
Solange walked over to the van.
She stared at Antonio before turning to Todd. “Bernie is having second thoughts about leaving tomorrow. She would like to stay until Easter Sunday next week.”
“That crazy bitch won’t learn.” Antonio muttered.
“Excuse me?” Todd asked, annoyed at his tone and word choice.
“You know why we got stuck in New York City? You know why we almost starved? She won’t leave her seminary. I said to all of them, we have to leave, we have to go to Queens or Connecticut or someplace with houses, find another church, we can’t stay. Crazy reverend Bernie wouldn’t leave, came up with every excuse to stay in her chapel. ‘We have heat here’ or ‘we know the area’ or ‘someone will be coming for us in New York.’ Always the same shit.” Antonio did not lower his voice, he spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. The adults were quiet, looking at Antonio or the ground uncomfortably. Bernie hung her head.
“I think she’s waiting for Jesus to come riding through on a horse and take her to Candyland or something.” Antonio laughed.
“That’s enough.” Todd said quietly to him. “We get the point.”
The young man stood and faced Todd. “Did you just tell me to shut up?”
“No, I asked you to stop talking about Bernie. We understand, you made your point, saying any more would be mean, and I know you aren’t trying to be mean.” Todd stood his ground, though he was not comfortable with the confrontation.
Antonio muttered something in Spanish under his breath, smiling to himself as he did it. Solange stepped between the two men. She slapped Antonio hard across the face.
“What the hell, bitch?” The boy screamed, rubbing his cheek.
Solange slapped him again. “If you are a man, say what you said to his face in English.” Antonio looked at Todd and then to the other adults. He lowered his face in shame.
“The breakfast that we made for you is still on your breath, it is still hot in your belly, and you disrespect him and us like that?” She was inches from his face.
“If you are a man, do what you said. Walk. Survive on your own. We do not need another mouth to feed, and we will not feed a disrespectful child like you. If I ever hear you speaking Spanish again, you will wish all I do is slap you across the face.” Solange reached out and put her hand under his chin. She lifted his face to meet hers.
“Whatever you did before el encantado, it’s over. You are not a punk anymore. Be a man. Step up and help us. Do not disrespect people by speaking insults in another language. Be a role model to the kids we know you love. Grow up.” She squinted her eyes to look deep into Antonio’s face, trying to read his thoughts. A tear rolled down his cheek.
“Do not be a boy. If you do not want to come with us, walk away. That is a choice, but acting like you are is not an option.”
Antonio sniffed as more tears rolled down his face. He nodded. He pulled the blue banana off his head.
“I am sorry, sir. It will not happen again.” He said to Todd. “Thank you for the food.”
Solange put her arm around him and whispered Spanish in his ear. Antonio chuckled.
Todd was interested in what she said, but Solange let him know it was her secret. “I can speak Spanish as much as I want. I have earned it.” She patted Antonio on the head, and walked back to the breakfast table.
“Well, that was exciting.” Jamie blurted out. “You grew up more in those 30 seconds than you have your entire life kid.” The older woman said encouragingly to Antonio. “And Bernie?” She turned to her friend. “The kid’s right. We have to leave, and we have to leave tomorrow. I love you, and I hope you make the right decision for yourself, but I’m leaving with these people. Your selfishness, your need to stay in that chapel, has already separated three of them from the big group. If anything happens to them while they are alone, I hope your conscience can handle it. Take your last service, pray on what you want to do, but I’m out.”
Jamie walked to Antonio and put her hand on his shoulder. He sat back down on the van’s floor, wiping his tears away. “You spoke the truth, Antonio, as mean as it sounds to the new people, you spoke the truth. Now, I have a little surprise for you all. Antonio?” He picked his head up to look at her when she said his name, “his father was a ferry boat operator. He knows how to pilot and more importantly fix most of the boats down in the harbor. He’s your ticket to Ellis Island.”
“Huh?” Antonio said, confused by the request.
Emily clapped her hands and jumped up and down in excitement. “Incredible, I knew we could find someone to get us over there.” She walked to the van and sat next to Antonio, explaining their plans for the day, the Statue of Liberty tour and the Ellis Island visit.
“Yeah, uh, I can do that, if we can find a boat that I can get to work. They’ve been sitting in water for a long time.” Antonio looked at Emily as if she was crazy. “I guess we can try.”
“Great!” Emily said back, rubbing his shoulders. “Thank you!”
Antonio scrunched his shoulders, twisting uncomfortably at her touch. He was not used to so much physical contact or gestures of kindness. “Yeah, uh, can I ask a favor too?”
A stunned Emily managed to reply. “What may I do for you?”
“Can I pet your dog? I really love dogs, and I miss mine. Do you mind?” Antonio stood in hopes she would say yes, and he could find and pet Hubba.
“You don’t have to ask again, please, pet away. Take him for a walk if you can. Please, Antonio, consider him your dog too. I’d love the help taking care of him, if you decide to stay with us.”
“Cool.” He said back, in a somewhat return to his stoic and distant mannerisms. He thought about his reply for a second and continued. “Thank you, that’s real cool of you, I’d like that a lot.” He strode past the group, stopping to give Jamie a high five. “You got fire, Jamie. You got fire.” Antonio slipped inside the RV to find the dog.
Kelly stood next to Bernie. The reverend looked sad and distant. Kelly turned to her. “I’m going too. Avery, Meredith, and the kids will come with me. We can’t stay here, Bernie. It’s over. This place is dead, and if we stay, we’ll all die too. The kids need you as their mother, but not if you want to stay in New York. I won’t let you do that to them.”
“I know.” Bernie replied, her voice hollow. “I know. I’ll decide tomorrow.” Her head dropped. “I’ll know what to do tomorrow.”
“Did everyone get enough?” Ahmed, uncomfortable with the conversation, changed the subject and mood of the group. “Is there anything left, Todd?”
“Absolutely, please don’t let it go to waste. Everyone should eat more if they can.” Todd turned to go into the RV. “I’ll bring the rest out so people can take what they would like.” He went inside and saw the kids playing nicely. J
ackie and Jacob had Legos out for the little kids. Meredith and the twins were helping them make things. Antonio sat on the floor next to Hubba’s bed. Jay sat on the opposite side of the bed, talking nonstop to the older boy. Antonio looked at Jay, nodding and maintaining respectful eye contact. Antonio looked at Todd when he walked into the trailer, flipping his head up with a ‘hey’ gesture.
“We’re going to the Statue of Liberty in about an hour. If you want anymore breakfast, now is the time to get it.”
Cameron stood. He held an airplane made from a multitude of red, blue, yellow, white, and black legos. “May I have some more potatoes and sausage, please?” He was a cute kid, thin and tiny from a winter with no food. Todd got him a new plate and spooned more breakfast for him.
“Here you go, champ.”
Before he could ask, Todd put more food on a plate and gave it to Antonio. “Jay will talk to you all day. Let me know if you need a break.”
“He’s cool.” Antonio nodded. “I had a little brother. He was six. He didn’t make it. It’s why I like the little kids. They remind me of him.” He gestured at the plate. “Thanks, we’re all good in here. I’ll be ready to help with the boat in an hour.”
“Thank you.” Todd put his hand on Antonio’s shoulder. “Welcome to the group.” Todd did not want to make a big deal out of it. He turned and left the RV with the remaining food to pass out to the adults.
“I’ll take cleanup duty.” Jamie stepped forward. “Show me where I can clean the pots and pans, and if you have a trash bag.” Peter and Kelly assisted.
Todd and Emily went to the other RV to get ready for their day. The door opened and Melanie came through with Solange. “What’s the deal with Bernie? Is she seriously considering staying here? Why would she do that?” Melanie questioned.
“There is not logic to her thinking.” Solange commented. “She has gone crazy. I am surprised more of us did not lose our minds with all of the death.”