The Emerald Virus

by Patrick Shea

Maiya laughed and her father smiled and said, “I understand you have a lot to tell me. First let’s go meet my better half. By the way please call me Ed; I think it’s too late for normal formalities.”

  Both young men said, “Thank you sir” and they followed Ed and Maiya through the garage and into the kitchen.

  Ed turned and said “George, Andy I’d like you to meet Bethamie, Maiya’s mother, everyone calls her Beth and you should also.”

  As George shook Beth’s hand he said, “Ma’am, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Maiya has told me a lot about you.”

  Beth smiled and said, “I haven’t been as fortunate, but I intend to catch up quickly. I can’t tell you how much we appreciate the two of you escorting Maiya all the way to Dallas. I hope the drive was okay.”

  The three young people exchanged glances and Ed said, “It looks like you have some things to tell us. Let’s go into the other room and sit down where we can talk comfortably.”

  Beth said, “Ed, let these guys unwind for a minute. Boys, the bathroom is down the hall if you need it. I’ve made a salad and sandwiches for you, and I have plenty of coffee, tea and soda. I thought after such a long drive something light would be better than a big meal. The dining room is through that door. We’ll meet there in a couple of minutes and you can tell us what happened on the drive, and Maiya you can tell me why you can’t seem to keep your eyes off of George.” This last line was said with a soft smile and a twinkle in her eye.

  Maiya blushed and said, “Okay, Mom.”

  A few minutes later they had all gathered in the dining room. It was a comfortable room furnished with a large table with ten padded chairs around it, and a fireplace at one end. George and Andy were both impressed with how cozy it was for such a large room.

  Ed started the conversation by saying, “First, tell me what happened to you. I walked out to look at the truck and there is a scratch across the back bumper and something that looks a lot like a bullet hole in the tailgate.”

  George spoke up and told them everything he could remember about the incident; except for the fact that he was sure Maiya had fatally wounded the driver. When he finished he looked at Maiya and Andy and asked them if he had missed anything.

  Andy said, “These guys were terrific. I know they both had to be as afraid as I was, but they did what they had to do. I don’t think we had any choice in the matter at all. Those men for some reason decided to attack us and we defended ourselves. I was very proud of both George and Maiya for how level headed they stayed.”

  Ed said, “I know how hard it is to stay calm in those circumstances. I can’t tell you how thankful I am for the two of you being there for our girl. I feel her mother and I taught her well, but we didn’t teach her how to survive a running gun battle. I’m proud of all three of you for what you did.”

  Beth, who had been quiet up until now said, “I don’t know what to say. I’m quaking inside even though I know the danger is past. I can’t imagine how scary that must have been.” She looked at George and Maiya who were sitting side by side and had been holding hands throughout the story and continued, “But it looks like other things have been happening as well. Maiya perhaps you can talk to your father and I about you and George.”

  Maiya looked at her mother and then her father and smiled and said, “George and I have known each other since I took that job in Atlanta last year. George was already working there. On the drive we discovered that we had both been attracted to each other but because of our differences, and because of work, we didn’t pursue a relationship. We realized after spending the last couple of days together, that we had made a mistake. I don’t think we have time to do anything about it except enjoy each other’s company. But I feel very strongly about George and I think he feels the same about me, so I’m going to hold onto him while he’s here.”

  George said, “I wish we had more time, and I wish we could have let you know before we got here how we feel about each other. This isn’t the right time for surprises, but this caught us by surprise also, so the best we can do is ask you to understand. It’s important for me to say that nothing has happened between us. I have too much respect for your daughter to rush into the physical side of things, and I have no intention of disrespecting the two of you while I’m here.

  “The three of us talked before we got here and if it is okay with you I would like to spend tomorrow here with Maiya and leave for home on Saturday. Andy has agreed to stay until then and I think my parents will agree as well. But Andy and I do need to call them to make sure they’ll understand. That will give Maiya and me one last day together. If I was by myself I might consider staying longer, but Andy is here also and it would be unfair to our parents to have both of us away for too long.

  “However, I know this is a surprise to you so, if it doesn’t work for you, Andy and I can leave in the morning as we had originally planned.”

  Beth looked at Maiya and said, “You told me on the phone that he was impressive and I see that you weren’t exaggerating at all.”

  Maiya smiled and said, “Does that mean George and Andy can stay the extra day?”

  Ed spoke up and said, “The boys can stay for as long as they’d like.”

  After dinner George and Andy called their parents to let them know they would be home a day later than they had planned. While not excited about the prospects of the boys being gone for another day, they understood the reason.

  Maiya’s parents and the three young folks spent the evening in the living room sitting around and talking about anything and everything, but mostly the virus. George and Andy were both surprised about how comfortable they felt with Maiya’s parents. George realized they were just really nice people. Her father was a retired Dallas police officer who now ran his own security business while her mother taught nursing at a local college. They were both down to earth; there was nothing theoretical about their world.

  At one point in the evening both Maiya and Beth went to the kitchen to make popcorn for the group and Ed looked at the boys and said, “I have an extra 9mm handgun and plenty of ammunition for your trip home. I have a friend who has stocked his basement in preparation for the next war. I’m going to visit him tomorrow and see if I can talk him out of one or two items that might prove helpful if you get in another skirmish.”

  Ed went on to say, “I’ve enjoyed meeting the two of you this evening. I always knew Maiya had a lot of common sense, but as a parent you always worry about your children, and with whom they might fall in love. Maybe I’ve worried too much. George, you seem perfectly suited for Maiya, and if you can make her happy during these last few weeks I’ll be grateful.

  I want you to know that her mother and I understand that all of the normal rules won’t work as we approach the end days. I think the two of you should take whatever advantage you can from what’s left of life. You can do so with my blessings. All I ask is that you protect her as best you can, and you’ve already proven you can do that.”

  George said, “Thank you sir. I don’t know what to expect to tell you the truth. I’ve never fallen in love before, and I’ve never prepared to die before. I’m just thankful I’ve met a person like your daughter. Maiya and I will have to work things out somehow.”

  As he finished saying this Maiya and Beth came into the living room carrying bowls of popcorn. Beth was smiling and said, “Alright, what have you men been talking about without us?”

  Ed said, “Actually we’ve been talking about George and Maiya. Sweetheart, I’ve been telling George how happy I am that you and he will have at least a little time to spend together. It isn’t much, but the two of you seem so happy together that I’m glad you’ll have some time.”

  Maiya beamed and said, “Thank you Daddy that means the world to me”. She then grew very serious and continued, “I’m really happy with George, and at the same time I’m really sad for all of us. It seems so unfair that I just want to scream, but I can’t even do that. “

  Beth added, “I know what you mean,
but all we can really do is try to keep our lives together during these last couple of weeks. I’ll be with the people I love the most and that will sustain me I think. Ed and I don’t have any other decisions to make; we’ll be here until the end. But I think the two of you have a choice and I think we need to discuss it openly.”

  Ed said, “Your mother’s right of course. These kids have some talking to do. Should we leave them alone for that?”

  George looked perplexed and Maiya said, “Dad and Mom, I don’t think George can stay here until the end. That would mean that Andy would have to drive back alone and that isn’t fair to Andy.”

  Andy said, “I’m perfectly willing to make the trip alone. I think what happened on the way here was so abnormal that the odds of it happening again are very small.”

  George looked at Maiya and her parents and said, “I wish I hadn’t asked Andy to come along on the drive. That would give me more options. On the other hand if Andy had not been with us we might not be here at all. But, I can’t let Andy drive back alone. If something happened to him I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself for what I had done to him, and to our parents.”

  Ed said, “I think both Beth and I understand that. There are really only two options. One is for you and Andy to leave together and the other is for you and Andy and Maiya to leave together.”

  George said, “I don’t think I can ask Maiya to do that for me. I know how much she loves the two of you, and now I know why. I can’t be that selfish.”

  Beth now had tears welling up in her eyes and said, “George, it isn’t just a matter of you being selfish, or of you asking Maiya to abandon us. We know she wouldn’t do that unless we all talked about this. Ed and I talked before you arrived about what was going to happen. We are both starting to feel a little sick, like we are coming down with colds. I can feel my face starting to flush just a little and by morning I think the two of us will have those terrible symptoms.” Beth and Maiya were both crying now. Beth found she was choked up to the point where she couldn’t talk.

  She looked at Ed who continued, “We talked about how Maiya had described you George, and we understood she thought highly of you. We understand the kind of person you are and why our daughter has fallen for you. We realized if we liked you as Maiya does that we would have this choice. So you can see that we were sort of hoping you would be some kind of an idiot or something that would make this easier.

  “If we did not agree with Maiya’s choice, we simply would not be having this conversation. But we do agree and we do like you, and we do want our daughter to be happy these last few weeks. It’s all any of us can hope for.

  “But there is more to it than just that. We are coming down with this virus now, so we’ll be amongst the first in the family to die. I don’t think it’s necessary for Maiya to have to see us go through that. I also don’t think I need to see my baby go through this virus.

  “Maiya, I’m not saying I want you to go. Your mother and I would be pleased if you stayed. But I am saying there are other considerations and we think you and George should talk privately and decide what’s best for the two of you.”

  By now even Ed had tears in his eyes, and George was dumbstruck. He didn’t know what to think, let alone what to say. He looked at Maiya who was crying freely and he wrapped his arms around her.

  She held him until she got herself a little under control and looked at her parents and said, “We’ll talk. I love you two so much I can’t believe it. I never thought there was a choice; I had accepted the fact that George and I were just out of luck. You’ve given me more than I have a right to expect and I don’t know what to say except thank you.”

  George looked at them and said, “Ed, when my father talked with you on the phone he turned to us and said you were a good man. I don’t know how he knew, but I know he has good intuition and once again he’s right. The two of you are wonderful to have made this offer. I don’t know what will happen but I can only thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

  Andy sat back in his chair and knew this was not the time for him to say anything. He did realize though that he was watching something extraordinary that had been brought about by the love of Maiya’s parents.

  Maiya stood up and said, “I have to move around, I think I’m going to load the dishwasher. Beth said, “I’ll help you.”

  In the kitchen Beth said, “I know you need time to think and I don’t want you to talk yet. But I did want to tell you that if you want to sleep with George tonight it will be okay with your father and me.”

  Maiya replied, “I would like him to be with me, but the same way we spent the night at his house. I’m still a virgin mom and I want to talk to George before we rush into anything. I know he’ll be okay with that.”

  Beth looked at her and said, “I always thought you would talk to me when you were ready for sex, but somewhere along the line I decided that you didn’t want that. I’m glad to know I was wrong.”

  “That’s funny. I always knew I would talk to you when it came time. But then it never seemed like the right time. I’ve come close once or twice with guys I really liked, but I always knew I didn’t love them. I’ve even started to worry lately that there was something wrong with me. As it turns out I just hadn’t met the right man yet. He’s great isn’t he?”

  “Yes he is. He reminds me of your father as a young man, very capable and very confident and very thoughtful. Your father never made a decision that favored the short term if he thought it would create a long term problem. He always had to think through everything first. Once in a while that was maddening, especially when we were young. Now I understand that he simply found wisdom early. It’s why I love him so much.”

  “He and Andy look the same age, which one is older?”

  “George is a year older than Andy, which makes Andy two years older than me.”

  “It’s too bad Andy doesn’t have anyone. But on the other hand if he did he might not have been able to make the trip, so I guess it all worked out okay.”

  Beth continued “Let’s go get the men to bed. We’re all tired and we can continue talking in the morning. Show Andy to Brian’s room please. You and George are in your room. I would guess the small bed won’t bother either of you too much.” Both she and Maiya were smiling as they walked back to the living room.

  The next day was spent quietly. Maiya and George walked around the neighborhood a couple of times, although Ed insisted that George carry a small pistol in his waistband whenever they left the house.

  Andy joined Ed when he walked down the street to his friend’s house and talked about what weapons they might use for the trip home. His friend supplied them with two boxes of shells for the shotgun, and two boxes of ammunition for the .45, plus a couple of extra clips. He also offered additional 9mm ammunition but Ed said he had plenty for them. The only other thing he thought would help were four hand grenades he had acquired about a year ago. He wouldn’t say where they had come from and Ed didn’t press. They thanked him and walked back home.

  Ed said, “I’ve known him most of my adult life and he has never ceased to amaze me. If he wasn’t a cop I’d worry about him.

  Ed asked “Do you have any idea what Maiya and George are thinking?”

  “No I don’t. Neither of them has said a word to me. I can’t think of a more difficult choice to have to make. I think you and Beth are great for making the offer, but I don’t envy the two of them the decision.”

  “I don’t either. We want Maiya to be happy these last couple of weeks but we aren’t entirely sure what she wants. We thought offering the choice to the two of them was the fair thing to do. I can’t tell you how torn I am about this. Half the time I wish I hadn’t said anything and the other half I’m unsure about what I wish.”

  When they walked in the kitchen Beth said, “The kids are in the living room waiting for us.”

  Andy said, I think I’ll wait upstairs while the four of you talk.”

  Beth said, “Andy, come with u
s. This is a family decision and we’re all family at this point.”

  Andy said, “Beth, thank you. I really did want to be there but I wasn’t sure if I should be. I like being considered part of the family.”

  They walked into the living room and took the same seats they had last night. George and Maiya were on the love seat holding hands and looking tense. Andy took the armchair and Ed and Beth sat on the sofa.

  Maiya looked at her parents and said, “This is the hardest decision either of us has had to make. We’ve talked about every angle we can think of and it comes down to the same thing. No matter what we do it is going to hurt someone we love. We both hate that part of it.”

  “Mom and Dad, I’d like to go back home with George. I’m falling in love with him, and his folks are like you guys. I know they’ll love me for these last couple of weeks, and of course I know Andy as well. We would like to stay until Saturday so I can say goodbye to the rest of the family. I love you guys and I hope you aren’t disappointed in me. I will love you until the moment I die.”

  Beth said, “Baby, we thought this would be your choice. You only get one first love and it is controlling. It was the same for your father and I. We know you love us. The two of you only have a short time together; you should take advantage of it. We’ll talk everyday as long as the phones are working, and when they don’t work we have email.

  “The most important thing is that you get to be happy during these most difficult times. We know that’s a mixed blessing right now but it’s what the two of you have and you should make the best of it.”

  Chapter Twelve: Bunker Life

  Saturday: The High Rockies

  Jack sat in his office on Saturday and thought about his team’s accomplishments since their arrival.

  He was both surprised and thankful over the number of suggestions they had received from the public and from businesses. All of the emails had been filtered in D.C. by the team that Gene had put together last week. The workable ideas had been sent on to Jack and the bunker team.