The Last Tribe

by Brad Manuel

  “Well, she seems nice enough, and we can always use another pair of hands. I agree, she’s popped a gasket. I hope she snaps out of it.” Emily paused. “Has anyone figured out the deal with this Sal character? Are we leaving him? Is he dangerous? Is he even going to show?”

  They looked at each other. Melanie shrugged her shoulders. “Hey, I just met all these people. Now there’s someone else?”

  “You just take another nap, we will wake you up if anything happens.” Solange teased.

  “You’re funny, Ms. Tough Girl. You going to slap me in the face too?”

  “If you need to be put in your place.” Solange gave Melanie a steely eyed stare.

  “Okay, that’s enough from you two comedians.” Todd stood between them. “You know what? I’m going to enjoy the day. Tomorrow is tomorrow, let’s round up the group and see some landmarks.”

  He stepped out of the RV into the sunlight. It was shaping up to be a beautiful day. The air was warming to the mid-fifties. Avery had the kids outside playing games, kicking the soccer ball or playing hopscotch on grids she drew with sidewalk chalk. “I volunteered at the elementary school as my junior volunteer credit. I know how to entertain this age group.” She explained to Todd. “Brian said you are going to see the city, may I join you? I’d love to see New York one last time. I haven’t been to the Statue in like five years, and I don’t remember Ellis Island. I went there once on a field trip in fourth grade.”

  “I went last year. It’s pretty fun. I can show people around.” Meredith volunteered. “If I get to go too.”

  Kelly listened, “you girls can make your own decisions, especially you, Avery. This is your life. If you want to stay in New York with Bernie, speak up, if you want to go to New Hampshire and join the new group, it’s up to you.”

  “I just wanted to go to Ellis Island today.” Meredith responded, “I didn’t know it was part of a bigger choice.”

  “It’s not, honey, I’m just saying, you two are old enough to start making some of your own decisions, or decide as a team. I’m going today and I’m leaving tomorrow. I’m taking Bridget, Wendy, and Cameron with me, today and tomorrow.” Kelly turned to Todd, who watched the conversation with interest. “We might need to take some breaks, my kids are not as strong as yours. They haven’t been eating as regularly.”

  “Absolutely. I’m bringing plenty of snacks, as well as bread, peanut butter, and jelly. I might even bring along a jar of fluff for fluffer nutters.”

  “What’s a fluffer nutter?” Meredith asked.

  “Peanut butter and marshmallow fluff mixed together in sugary brown goodness.” Todd offered. “If you grew up in New England, it was a regular in your lunch.”

  “Sounds kind of sugary and caloric.” Avery told her friend, “I’d stick with the pb&j’s.”

  “I’ll be honest with you, Avery. Our new life? Don’t worry about calories too much. You want to take in calories, as many as possible. Video games, television, sedentary activities? Those are a thing of the past. If you don’t like fluffer nutters, well, that’s another story, but don’t worry about what you eat. We are going to run out of processed food and be eating fish, fruits, and vegetables for the rest of our lives.” Todd smiled. “So if you see a jar of fluff? Take two fingers and swipe a big mouthful!”

  Meredith laughed. “Okay, I’ll try it.”

  “Let’s have some fun today, okay? It’s probably been a while since anyone in your group had a fun day, a good old day of not worrying about food or work. Just kick back, enjoy this beautiful spring day in New York, and see it one more time.” Todd clapped his hands. “Okay kids!” He called to the younger ones. “We are going to get together for a day out, how does that sound?”

  Todd turned to Kelly, “We are short of convenient vehicles, any chance we can use the van?”

  “Let’s put the little ones on our laps and head out. Antonio?” She turned to the teen who was out of the RV. “What’s our best shot at finding a boat that is big enough for all of us and in working condition?”

  “If we start at Chelsea we can work our way down until we find a good boat, but there is probably one at the piers. We have to find keys to the boats, maybe hope the dock master’s office keeps a set.” He walked towards the van. “If we get to a good boat, I can get it started, probably without the keys.” He smiled at her as he said the last line.

  “Peter? Jamie? Bernie? Would you like to join us?” Emily stood at the van, moving the line of kids in by touching their shoulders.

  “Peter has challenged me to a day of cards and walking around the park. I’ve seen Lady Liberty enough, and said my goodbyes to the City. One day I’ll tell you my story, but I haven’t lived in New York for over thirty years, left when I was in my twenties. I was on a trip and got stuck. I’ll be glad to depart tomorrow morning. Enjoy yourselves.” Jamie sat in a folding chair Peter set outside of the RV. He plunked down in a second chair next to her. He gave Emily a ‘thumbs up.’

  “We’ll hold down the fort, Emily, you show the kids a good time.”

  Todd was packing a second backpack, “Ahmed, you can stay here or get dropped off at your home. We can handle this. Enjoy a day of rest. If you stay here, have dinner ready when we get back.” Todd smiled at the investment banker turned fry cook.

  “Are you kidding me? I’ve never been to Ellis Island. I worked 80 hours a week, minimum. I never got to see the sites. If I wasn’t at work, I was playing big shot at Yankee Stadium or the Meadowlands. This will be a real treat.” He waited for Todd to zip up the backpack before grabbing the handle to sling on his back. “I had a three year old son. I talked about taking days like this, showing him New York. Now I’ll do that for these kids, and dream I’m with him.” He gave Todd a pat on the back. “I didn’t live the way I should have, always working so that someday I could take my family places. Someday was stolen from me. I’m going to enjoy today.”

  “I’m sorry about your family.” Todd replied solemnly.

  “I’ve cried for seven months. I am ready to start living again. I think it’s what held a lot of us back, the memories of our families here in New York. I will never forget, but I have to move forward. I have to learn from my mistakes.” Ahmed paused, “This day is about fun. Let’s have some fun. I want my last memories of New York to be happy.”

  Bernie sat in the passenger’s seat. Todd and Ahmed were the last to get into the van. The rows were packed with people and kids. Kelly put the van into gear and headed down 5th Ave towards Chelsea. There was still snow on the ground, but the tire tracks from the multiple trips melted exposed black pavement.

  The van was abuzz with conversation. What were people’s favorite cartoon characters, the last great sandwich they ate, the last vacation they took. Everyone wanted to get to know each other. They made a quick stop by the Empire State Building and St. Patrick’s. Todd lit a candle for Peter’s wife and for the world.

  Bernie engaged a little, talking about St. Patrick’s as she went inside to say a prayer, but she was withdrawn from the group as she sat quietly in the front seat.

  Kelly turned down 21st and towards the piers. They were still talking and laughing when the van pulled up to the seminary. Bernie asked Kelly to drop her off. “I want to collect some things, get prepared for tomorrow.”

  Antonio pointed to the chimney. “There’s a fire going. Sal’s back. I bet he’s freaked out right now.”

  “I’ll talk to Sal. We’ll get up to your camp on our own. Enjoy your day. Peace be with you all.” Bernie opened the door and got out.

  “Shotgun!” Antonio called from the back row. “I got shotgun, gimme that seat!” He struggled past Avery and Jacob to move up in the van. Once he sat down he turned to Kelly, “Let’s go, before that dude comes out and ruins the day.”

  “To the piers!” Kelly yelled.

  “To the piers!” The van shouted back. Even Antonio was excited and involved. He wanted to get on a boat, and be reminded of his father.

  Bernie waved a
s they pulled away from the curb.

  37

  The smile fell from Bernie’s face as she watched the van pull away towards the Hudson River. She was deeply troubled and conflicted. She did not want to leave her seminary. It was her sanctuary, her place of solitude, the center of her spiritual universe. She prayed for understanding in the chapel too many times to walk away. Her daughter was baptized in the chapel. Her husband held her child’s head as Bernie administered the rite. She had fond memories that she did not want to lose.

  Bernie had bad memories too. She delivered her daughter’s last rites in the chapel followed by her husband’s five days later. She gave last rites to hundreds of people, maybe thousands of people who stood in line outside the chapel to receive their dying peace. She worked tirelessly to give solace to the sick as she remained healthy. She believed that her purpose was to carry on the word of God, to be His lone soldier left on earth. Like many times in the Bible, she was being tested. Her family was taken from her so she could focus on the Word.

  But where was the rainbow? Where was the dove? If the rapture was the great flood, washing away humanity, where was her sign that it was time to start anew? Was she supposed to go with these new people? Was she supposed to find a new place to spread the Word? Had her chapel been painted in so much innocent blood, the blood of her own daughter and husband, as a sign to walk away and find a new sanctuary?

  Bernie did not know, and her prayers went unanswered. She had one night to decide.

  It was cold on 21st street. The sun had not climbed over the buildings, and the night air hung over the shaded street. Bernie shivered and walked through the courtyard into the seminary lobby. She saw a large figure hunched by the fireplace sitting on the hearth. She opened the door to the cloak room, hung up her coat and removed her boots. Before she could finish unlacing her second boot the door to the main room opened. After five months of people telling him not to hold the door open to let the warm air out, Sal still did what he wanted.

  “Hey Bernie, where is everyone?” Sal wore dirty khaki pants and a large flannel shirt. His clothes no longer fit, draping off his large frame. His drug addiction ravaged his once hulking frame. He was still an intimidating man, but he was withering away.

  “Sal, where have you been?” Bernie tried to push passed him into the warmer room. “I’m cold. May I warm up by the fire?”

  Sal moved from the door as Bernie walked through. He followed her, answering her question and repeating his. “You know, I was out looking for food for the group.” He seldom if ever returned from his sojourns with food. “Where is everyone? Did we move?”

  Bernie sat on the large brick hearth. She did not like being in the small cloak room with Sal. She needed space to handle him. He smelled, and could be erratic in his moods. She looked at him, his pupils were dilated, and his hands were calm and not shaking. Sal was medicated.

  “There is a lot of news to share.” Bernie waited for Sal to sit down. “Did you find any food?”

  He shook his head.

  Bernie smelled peanut butter on his breath. She looked at the fire. Sal used almost the entire pile of wood. No matter how many times they asked him to keep the fire small, to conserve their fuel when he was home, Sal made a large fire with all of their wood, and left without replacing the pile. Bernie grew more annoyed, but swallowed her feelings.

  “A group of people pulled into town yesterday, survivors from up and down the east coast. They have food and supplies.”

  “Are you serious? That’s fantastic.” Sal recognized an opportunity to freeload.

  “Yes, they are wonderful people, with children and adults and teens. It is a perfect match for our group.” Bernie paused, “but they are leaving tomorrow morning after my services. There is a second group up north, there is a plan to meet and form one big tribe.”

  “North? They want to leave the City?” Sal calculated his options. He might find a few drugstores scattered outside of New York, but unless they were in a larger city, his supplies would run out quickly. “Are we voting on this? I don’t know if I like that plan, Bernie. I think we need to talk about it.”

  “It’s done, Sal. Everyone has decided to go. I am the only one who is not sure what to do. I don’t know if I can leave the seminary. I have to pray and hope for guidance.” She bowed her head, not to pray, but to think. “You can go. These are good people. They know a hard life awaits, but starting a colony outside of New York is the best option for all of us. I know you aren’t afraid of hard work, and they can use a strong man like you, Sal.”

  Sal hated hard work. His whole life had been work, building things for other people and getting paid barely enough to cover his bills, not even enough to pay his bills. The rapture took his wife and children, but it set him free. He could sleep until noon, he could nap every day, he could take food from other people. He could enjoy the buzz and calm his pills brought to him. New York provided an endless supply of pills. ‘North’ would not provide pills and it would bring work back into Sal’s life.

  Sal became agitated as the gears of his mind turned. “We should have voted on this, I didn’t get to vote or say nuthin’. This ain’t fair. I know what’s fair, this ain’t fair.”

  “We didn’t vote, Sal. Everyone just decided to go. The new people have young kids, they have food. How could we vote and stop people from going? This isn’t a prison. If Kelly wants to leave, Kelly is going to leave.”

  “This ain’t right.” Sal stood up. His world was changing, just when he had found a huge supply of pills, and was getting ready for summer and warmer temperatures, and sending all the people out to find him food, it was all ending. In the current group, Sal was the biggest, the strongest, no one had the courage to stand up to him. He could dominate and take what he needed. That’s the way it should always have been. He was always strong, but the old life did not work that way. In the old life he was on the bottom. Now he was on top, and he was not going to be taken down because of new people.

  “Sal, calm down. Can’t you see the shape we’re all in? We’re starving. We’ve been given a chance to live and be with other people. This is a good thing.” Bernie listened to her own advice, and she realized it was a good thing the new people arrived. She was starving. She was dying. Now she had a chance to live.

  “We’re all going.” Bernie put her hand on Sal’s arm. “We have to go.”

  He looked down at her, towering over the diminutive chaplain like she was a child. Sal was a lot of things, drug addict, con artist, thief, but he was not stupid. If the winds of change had already blown through his group, he needed to conform and create the best situation for himself.

  He was still stoned, and he let the calm spread over his body. “Tomorrow?” He asked, feigning a bit of anger.

  “After I enjoy one last service.”

  “You wanna stick around here, or you wanna head to their camp for the day?” Sal ate a jar of peanut butter with crackers for breakfast, but if there was more food, particularly if someone else had already found it for him, Sal would eat.

  “Well, almost everyone has gone to Ellis Island for the day, but we could go up and meet Jamie and her new friend Peter.”

  Sal was confused. Ellis Island? Why would they go to Ellis Island? Was this a tourist stop for these people? If he was dealing with a group of southerners who decided to sightsee on their way to the frozen northeast, Sal’s position in the group was looking better.

  “What do they have up there?” Sal wanted to look around their camp while they were gone.

  “They have two RV’s, a U-Haul trailer full of tables, fire pits, that kind of thing. They are stocked with food, staples like flour and sugar. I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary, just food, clothes, things like that.” Bernie was thinking about what she would pack. She was not paying attention to Sal’s questions, and answered them absently.

  “Sure, let’s go and meet Jamie and her new friend, but I betta’ pack some things first, ya know, get ready to leave tomorrow.�
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  “Okay, Sal, that works. Let’s meet back here in a half hour or so? We can use one of the little cars. The snow is melting on the streets where the sun hits, and there are thawed tire tracks on 5th Ave.”

  “Where are they anyway?” He still did not know where ‘there’ was.

  “They’re at 59th and 5th Ave. At the bottom of the park.”

  “The Plaza? Are you kiddin’ me?” Sal was now certain he could dominate the new group. He walked down the hall and went to the second floor. Sal had taken the last room down the hall from the stairs to keep his privacy. The room had the last radiator before the warm water went back down the side of the chimney to re-heat, and Sal received the least amount of heat, but he preferred the solitude to warmth. He also believed it made him look magnanimous to the group.

  Sal did not keep much in the seminary. He had an apartment on the upper west side, a pre-war building with fireplaces in each room. It was a tiny studio where the fireplace heated the entire space. Sal had food, water, and drugs stashed in his real home. He would go there for days. It was much more comfortable than living in squalor at the seminary. Every few days he would get lonely and wander back down to Chelsea. If he cared, he would have told them about the building. It was easier to heat, and closer to places where he could find food, but he did not care about these people.

  Sal’s problem was that all of his drugs were at the other apartment. He had cases of pills there and only a small bottle in his pocket. He had to get up to the other apartment before they left.

  Sal’s bigger problem, and one he did not know about, Antonio was aware of Sal’s other place, and was at that very moment telling the adults about Sal’s lies, and how he hoarded food and stole from the group.

  Sal sat down on his cot, ran his hands through his dirty thick hair. “Think, Sal, think. You either gotta sneak out tonight, or run up there first thing in the mornin’, when Bernie’s doin’ the church thing. That’ll work, first thing, just say you gotta go somewhere’s, say goodbye to Shea Stadium or something like that. No one will care, they’ll be busy packing.” He would sneak out, take a car, a duffel, pack up his stuff, and meet them back at the Plaza.