Sleepers (Book 7): Sleepers 7

by Druga, Jacqueline

  I nodded. “A little bit. She could look at us and say she knows us, but doesn’t know how we met.”

  Javier nodded. “Exactly. We can tell her the world ended and she’ll say the same thing. It won’t be as horrendous for her as if, say, it’s a blank slate. None of that will be known until she wakes up.”

  Beck asked, “When will that be?”

  “I’m gonna keep her sedated another day,” Javier said.

  Hearing that told me that I wouldn’t miss anything or her wakening up if I went back to our block and handled the kids. Beck said he’d stay for a while. I knew Danny wanted the night shift.

  After kissing Mera on the forehead, I left the room.

  I was hungry and had missed dinner. I didn’t count on Beck or Danny saving me food so I headed to the cafeteria to see if there was any food remaining from the dinner round for men without families.

  Usually, a plate or two was tucked in the fridge.

  I didn’t expect anyone to be there, considering it was after eight, yet the smell of something sweet baking filled the air as soon as I opened the door.

  Renee was in the kitchen, and sure enough, on the counter was a tray of freshly baked cupcakes, next to a bowl of frosting.

  Perfect timing.

  I leaned over the pan, taking in the scent.

  “Don’t touch them, they’re for Sonny.”

  “Sonny? Why?”

  “Um, it’s his birthday tomorrow,” she said, her tone snippy.

  “It was my birthday last month and no one made me cupcakes.”

  “You aren’t Sonny.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “I think it’s self-explanatory.”

  “Hmm…” I extended my finger to the bowl just to get a taste of icing.

  Smack.

  “I’m serious, don’t touch,” Renee scolded me.

  “My hands are clean.”

  “I don’t give a shit if Mr. Clean sealed and approved them hands, that is Sonny’s frosting.”

  “What the hell? Is there any food left from dinner?” I asked.

  “Yes, there are four plates left in the ice box.”

  “Ice box,” I chuckled. “No one calls them that.” I reached for the handle and she pushed it shut. “What now?”

  “Those meals are for men without family rations. You have a family.”

  “They don’t save me food.”

  “Maybe you should be nicer to them. I’m letting you have a plate so the least you can do, Alex, is not make fun of me.”

  “Fine. Fine. I’m sorry.” I opened the fridge. There were four plates of some sort of casserole and two pot pie looking items. “Oh, wow. Pot pie.”

  “They’re for Sonny. Don’t touch. Eat the mash pash.”

  “Mash pash? Is that a made up name?”

  “It is. I made it up. Pot pies are for Sonny.”

  “Why the hell is Sonny so special all of a sudden?”

  “He’s always been special, only no one shows it. And,” Renee said, “he had a traumatic experience.”

  “You mean with the Sleeper? Oh, please, it was nothing.”

  “You would say that, you coldhearted prick.”

  “Geez. Fine, I’ll take my plate and leave you to your cupcake making. I hope Randy Bear gets jealous with all this attention you’re giving Sonny.”

  I didn’t wait for a response. Being in that kitchen with a Sonny worshiping Renee was like a bad Twilight Zone episode. I’d eat back at our block.

  Leaving the kitchen, I passed Randy.

  “Hey, how’s Mera?” he asked.

  “Stable. Sleeping,” I replied. “We believe she’ll get better, but it’ll be a tough road. Speaking of tough road, Renee is in a mood.”

  “She’s upset. I’ll stop in and see Mera tomorrow.”

  “Thanks, that would be nice.”

  “Oh, Alex, did you sign the card?”

  “What card?”

  “For Sonny,” Randy said. “Renee made him a huge birthday card and wants everyone to sign it.”

  “She didn’t mention it.”

  “She’s probably busy with those cupcakes. That’s a lot to make. Everyone who signs gets one.”

  “Aw, now see that’s just not right. She didn’t tell me on purpose.”

  “I’m sure it was an oversight,” said Randy. “Just don’t mention it to Sonny. The card, cupcakes, pot pie and new shirt are all a surprise.”

  “New shirt?” I asked, surprised.

  “Yes, she made him a new shirt. A designer t-shirt.”

  “Yeah. Whatever. Okay, go deal with her, I’m going home.” Clutching my plate, I left the main building and headed across the yard. I almost reached our building and had Renee completely out of my mind when I ran into Miles.

  “Aw, please don’t tell me you took the last plate,” Miles said. “I’m starving.”

  “No there’s more.”

  “Good. Oh, is Renee there? I want to sign the card and get my cupcake. I heard she had to make another batch.”

  “Are you shitting me? She didn’t even tell…” I stopped myself from bitching. “Yes, she’s there making more cupcakes.”

  “Excellent. Thanks.” Miles walked by me and I reached for the door to our building.

  As I pulled it open Michael stumbled out. “Whoa, Padre, you okay?”

  “Yes, yes.” Michael regained his composure. “I was hurrying. My fault.”

  “You going to see Mera?”

  “I will. I was just with the kids. I want to hurry and catch Renee before she leaves.”

  “The birthday card and cupcake?”

  “Absolutely. You didn’t take the last one did you?” Michael smiled.

  “No. Do you see one on my plate?”

  “Good thinking, eating it before Sonny could see. It’s a surprise.”

  “So I heard,” I snapped. I walked in the building and to our block. Was it always so busy at eight at night?

  Danny was coming from our block.

  “Going to see your mom?” I asked.

  “Yeah, I thought I’d pop in for a few before I hang out there all night. How’s she doing?” Danny asked.

  “Sleeping. She’s doing better.”

  “Good. I’ll see you in a bit and check back to see if you need help with the kids.”

  That made me laugh. Of course, I didn’t. I started to walk then stopped. “Hey, Danny. Did you sign the card?”

  “For Sonny?” he asked. “Yeah, didn’t everyone?”

  “Not yet.”

  “They better hurry or they’ll miss the cupcakes,” Danny said, walking backwards. “Enjoy the mash pash, it’s awesome.” He turned and walked away.

  I entered our block. Sonny and Ed were seated at the table with a large map between them.

  “Hey, Alex,” Sonny said. “You stopped and got a plate? I saved you dinner.”

  “That’s nice of you, Sonny,” I said. “No wonder Renee made you pot pie, baked you cupcakes, has a huge card, and made a special shirt for your birthday tomorrow.”

  His mouth dropped open.

  “Alex,” Ed barked. “That was supposed to be a surprise.”

  “Whoops. My bad.” I sat down at the table.

  “For real?” Sonny asked. “That is so nice of everyone.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Seems you’re the swell guy this week all because some Sleeper copped a feel.”

  “It was traumatic,” Sonny said.

  “Apparently so,” I said and unwrapped my plate. “Now, what are we doing with the map? Where are the kids? They’re quiet.”

  “Kids are in the sleeping room,” Ed replied. “I gave them an assignment to draw a picture of a home where they wanted to live. We’re going over the map.”

&nb
sp; “I see that.”

  “Marking places for me to check in my search for a new home,” Sonny said.

  I leaned in to look at the map. “Let me ask you a question, Ed. You said Vermont was Sleeper free. Why aren’t we looking there?”

  “Two reasons,” Ed answered. “One, we don’t know where to look, and the other reason is that those guys who broke in here mentioned Vermont. I think because it’s so far away distance wise, we should settle somewhere and then send a couple people out looking.”

  “We?” I asked. “You’re staying?”

  “No. I’ll leave once you guys leave.”

  I looked at Sonny. “When are you going house hunting?”

  “A couple of days from now. Once I know Mera is good and the fences are secure. I also wanna try to get a good radio connection.”

  “Where I’m sending him isn’t too far,” Ed said. “There’s a place in Virginia, one in Kentucky, and another in North Carolina. I’m hoping one of those will work.”

  “How are you picking these places?” I asked.

  “Memory,” Ed said. “Places we went that were Sleeper free when we got there. Everywhere we went was relatively Sleeper free until they found us. We moved a lot. We’d get comfortable, get attacked, and move again. At each point there’s not hundreds of people only a couple dozen. Smaller groups attract fewer Sleepers.”

  “But we aren’t cloaked in your time,” I said. “Also, Beck didn’t do the Beckoning.”

  “We weren’t cloaked and he didn’t do the Reckoning,” said Ed. “All things I think play into a change.”

  “Why do you think Vermont is Sleeper free?” I asked. “You said they never get Sleepers.”

  “They don’t. I think because of the cold. They can’t survive the winters like they do here,” Ed said.

  “Which one of these places do you think holds the best hope?”

  Ed sighed. “Kentucky. You have to remember these are places we moved to when I was old enough to form memories, so it’s hard to say. I do know we need to eventually get to Vermont. We need to find a good, solid, temporary home and then focus on Vermont.”

  “But if the Beckoning works,” I sat up straight, “we won’t need to. Okay, I’m gonna go pester the kids and let you guys hash out a plan, and Sonny, don’t tell Renee I told you about her surprises.”

  “I won’t,” Sonny said.

  As I walked away, Ed told Sonny. “You should.”

  “I heard that!” I hollered and went into the sleeping room. The kids were occupied, but what surprised me was that not only had Beck set up a cradle near Mera’s bed for Hope’s homecoming, his jacket was on the bed as well. He had moved right back to his spot.

  I wasn’t going to let it bother me. I was already irritated over Renee favoring Sonny. Getting upset over Beck was showing insecurities.

  My life was good. I had my family. My focus had to be on that and keeping them safe.

  12. Sonny

  Happy birthday to me.

  I wasn’t all that thrilled or excited about it. The past couple of years’ birthdays for everyone were a nod. Except the kids, we tried to do something nice for them. But for adults it was just another day. Admittedly, I was excited about what Alex told me. Renee had a big day planned for me, but the more I thought about it the more I realized Alex was more than likely joking.

  Before doing anything I wanted to stop and see Mera. I didn’t expect any change considering that Javier told Alex they were keeping her sedated. Alex and Beck were still getting the kids fed and ready for school. It was pretty funny considering Mera was always the main person to do that. All of us knew the routine, but we were her sidekicks. Watching Beck and Alex was like watching two Robins without a Batman. They’d get in the swing of things, we would all have to.

  It was nice when I stepped from my cell room and Phoenix hugged my legs and said, “Happy birthday.” After, Keller mimicked his brother and the seven other kids all joined in. If nothing else happened the rest of the day, that moment in the morning was worth it. I felt special.

  When I got to Mera’s room, Danny was in the chair staring out the window.

  “Happy birthday, Sonny,” he said.

  “Aw, thanks, Danny. Thank you very much.”

  “How old are you today?”

  “Um…” I actually had to think about it, “thirty-seven. Thirty-eight.”

  Danny laughed.

  Then I heard Levi’s unmistakable sarcastic voice. “Hardly. I believe you’re forty, maybe older.”

  “What? No,” I argued. “I don’t look that bad.”

  “I can tell by the rings on your neck. Like a tree. Four lines, ten years each. You are at least forty.”

  Danny peered up at me. “Maybe you’re forty, dude, and forgot.”

  “Maybe, I forget,” I said. “How’s your mom?”

  “Same.”

  “We’re gonna let her come out of the sedation,” Levi said. “We’ll know more a little later. She’s had two transfusions from Beck and her count looks much better.”

  I exhaled. “Oh, that’s good. That’s really good.”

  “She won’t be leaving here yet,” Levi said. “But the baby can be released. I suggest you folks get your home all ready for the infant and set up your schedules.”

  “We’re on it,” I said. “Well, Beck is on it. I know he wants to come back in a bit so you can get rest, Danny.”

  “Actually,” Levi said, “I’m going to put a hold on visitors for right now. Mera doesn’t need around the clock chair sitters. In all honesty, if Ed’s prediction of her memory failure is correct, I’d rather no one be here when she wakes up. If she doesn’t know anyone that will add to the confusion. It’s just best. She received her last sedative two hours ago so she could wake at any time.”

  “I guess that’s our cue to go,” I said to Danny. “Will you keep us posted, Levi?”

  “Yes, the moment she wakes, I will contact Danny.”

  It did surprise me that Levi was giving more credence to Ed’s words than he wanted to admit.

  After saying goodbye to Mera and Danny I headed over to the dining area. I was hungry and I promised Beck I would work on some ‘law’ ideas before starting my plan to head east and find a home.

  The walk to the dining area was cool. Everyone wished me a happy birthday and I wondered if it was a new thing we were going to be doing. If so, I liked it.

  I stopped by my little work area and checked the charging battery on the tablet I’d snagged from Walmart electronics. I had to open the tablet and work on the battery, it was beyond dead. Whatever I did was working. I was at twenty percent. Once it hit full charge it would be good to go again. Then I would be the cool guy walking around with a tablet. Then again, Randy carried a tablet computer with him.

  In the meantime, I got a pen and notepad and headed for breakfast, hoping I hadn’t missed all the food.

  Placing my pen and pad on the table I started to head for coffee when Renee came flying out.

  “No. No. Sit down, birthday boy.”

  I sat back down.

  “Did you want coffee?”

  “You don’t have to serve me,” I said.

  “Oh, it’s your birthday. Sit still. I have your special birthday breakfast waiting.”

  “Okay.” I smiled. “Thanks.”

  Wow. It was awesome, and even more so when Renee returned. She set down a plate and cup. The food smelled awesome.

  “Is this an omelet?” I asked.

  “It is. Birthday special. Be right back.” She turned, and stopped when she saw Alex approaching.

  “Hey, is that an omelet?” Alex asked. “Can I have one?”

  “No,” Renee snapped. “Why would you ask?

  “Well, he has one,” Alex said. “Obviously if we’re making omelets the egg ration is lifte
d and the ducks are shooting out eggs.”

  “The ducks are not shooting out eggs. This is a special occasion. Sonny’s birthday. He deserves it.” She walked away.

  “Man, she’s rough,” Alex said. “That looks good.”

  “Wanna bite?” I handed Alex my fork.

  “Thanks, yeah, before Attila comes back.” He stuffed his fork into my food, taking only a small bite. “Wow, that’s good.”

  “Stop eating his food,” Renee scolded when she returned. She set down another plate. “This is your lunch. I know you don’t come in here. Pot pie.”

  “Thank you.”

  Renee was holding her hand behind her back. Alex kept trying to peek and she kept turning. “Randy and I made a special present for you, Sonny. I’m hoping you’ll wear it today. I designed it. I’m an artist, you know.”

  “I didn’t know that,” I said.

  She handed me a folded t-shirt. “We found that silk screen and I couldn’t resist. Go on, take a look. I know how much you love him.”

  I unfolded the light gray t-shirt and held it up so I could get a good look at the design she had silk screened on it. Renee actually did a good job with the silk screen layout. Then again, she and Randy did do the Beck Jack-o-lantern. She was talented with stencils. At first I didn’t know how to react when I saw the black ink silk screen of Tom Selleck, but the words offset it, making it a cool shirt. “This is awesome,” I said.

  “I know you like him,” Renee said. “I came up with the slogan myself.”

  “Sonny,” Alex barked. “You gonna gawk at that or let me see?”

  I turned it around for Alex.

  “Is that Tom Selleck?” he asked.

  “It is,” Renee answered.

  “Good job.” Alex then read the words on the t-shirt with a snicker: “I’m bringing macho back.”

  “Something funny?” Renee asked.