Considerable Destruction Series (Book 1): Evasion (

by Hernandez, Erica

  “Okay, other way now,” She says and we rock Jonathan towards us, tucking the sheet under his other side. I can feel his feverish heat radiating right through the sheet. “I’ll sit with him for a while if you want to go?”

  “Okay,” I agree. “Thanks, Katie. I really appreciate all your help.” I head back in to the couch to sit with Alex, who is groaning, groggily.

  “Mooom…”

  “Alex, I’m right here,” I say, fizzling with excitement which tingles down my arms. I can’t believe he’s talking again. He starts to open his eyes, then closes them again.

  “Oh! Fucking shit! It hurts like hell.”

  “Do you want some pain medicine?”

  “Do you have any CBD?”

  “Hold on.” I go into the kitchen, getting my CBD oil and a dropper. “Here let this dissolve under your tongue.”

  His face relaxes visibly as the CBD enters his bloodstream.

  “Is there anything to eat? I’m starving.”

  “Gracie, could you make Alex some broth? I’ll rub you with salve. Maybe it will help.” I get up to get the salve.

  “I’m making tea. Can’t Eli do it?”

  “I’ll help,” Dixie pipes up. It’s a good thing, because Eli has gone back outside with Rob and Jose to work on the fence. They’ve gotten half way around the front yard by moving side pieces.

  I sit next to Alex and rub his head with salve, then massage the back of his head.

  “Thanks, Mom. This is fucking awful. Yeah, right there.”

  “Here’s a water bottle, Alex, you need some hydration! I hope you feel better.” Dixie is remarkably calm for her.

  I put it in Alex’s hand. “Can you handle this? I want to look in on Jonathan. Hydrate first, then we’ll talk food.”

  “Okay, thanks.”

  I head back outside to Jonathan’s bedroom and things don’t look good. He’s sweating and mumbling. I’m so glad we got him wrapped in the sheet. I pick up the thermometer, reset it, and put it gently under his tongue. He doesn’t respond.

  When it beeps, I look at it. “104. It’s coming down.”

  “Holy shit! He knows how to have a fever, doesn’t he?!” She actually looks impressed.

  “Yeah. A fever doesn’t have to be bad.” I state. “Let’s try to get a little of this tea in him, even if it’s only a teaspoon at a time, we need to watch for dehydration. I’m gonna rub this salve on his neck and chest again, okay?”

  “Sure…” Katie sighs. “I think I’d like to give him some Ibuprophen too. Don’t we have some?”

  “Yeah.” I put a couple in his mouth and he eats them, seemingly unaware of the nasty taste. I offer him a drink, which he accepts before his head falls back in exhaustion. “I’m going back in. Alex woke up!”

  “That’s wonderful!” Katie high fives me. “I’ll come soon and check his head.”

  I return, sitting with Alex, giving him a hug, then he drinks some broth. I go get my homeopathic guide off the shelf and read through the flu guide. I’m concerned I’m not giving Jonathan the right treatment. I take the book back outside after suiting up again. “How long did he have the scratchy, almost laryngitic voice?”

  “About 24 hours?” She tells me.

  “And he had a fever last night?” I ask.

  “Yeah.” Katie looks lost in the distance. “He said he thought it was coming on the last couple hours of his shift, but he seemed fine in the morning.”

  “Were there any other signs while he was at work?”

  “His throat hurt a little and I think his shoulders ached.” She scrunches up her forehead, trying to remember. “He had a headache, now that I think about it, and he was dizzy.”

  “I think we should give him this one.” I pass her the book. “What do you think?”

  She reads the section I’m pointing to. “Oh! That does sound like this, with the fever coming on suddenly. Definitely.”

  I go back to the house for the remedy. I admire my collection and find the one I’m looking for. Returning outside, I hand it to Katie.

  “They’re small enough that he’ll likely keep them in his mouth until they’re dissolved. He can have some, every 4-5 hours. Then we’ll see if there is any change in the morning. If not, we’ll have to switch remedies again.”

  “Sounds good.” She stands up and we hug. She’s beginning to feel like family already. “I can handle it from here if you just want to take care of Alex.” I squeeze her hand, then head back inside to the couch. The bag of medicine has partly been picked up but there’s still a bottle of hydrocodone on the table.

  “You want one of these?” I ask him.

  “Is that the codeine?”

  “Yep.”

  “I’m gonna try to wait and just listen to the music awhile,” Alex says in a strained voice. “It’s a little better since the oil and your massage. I’d rather have weed than codeine,” he says quietly.

  “I have some edibles,” I offer. “I could bring some near you in case you need more during the night.”

  “The tea’s ready. Who wants some?” asks Gracie from the kitchen.

  I find edibles I made last month, bringing them back to Alex.

  “Here. I’ll put this right here, okay?” I set them on the coffee table, while he nods.

  It isn’t long before we’re all seated around the table and in the living room eating spaghetti and salad.

  “Thanks girls, for a wonderful meal!” I exclaim, digging in.

  “Do you mind if we hold hands and say grace?” Jose asks. Nobody minds. “Thanks God for keeping us safe, bringing us together, and giving us enough food. Amen.”

  “So, the fence is looking good!” I admire the fence, beginning to close off the front yard.

  “If a group want to go disinfect the house next door, we could start spreading out if everyone is comfortable,” Rob offers. “Also, we added rain barrels to her down spouts to collect rain water.”

  “Personally, I would rather sleep next door than on the floor. My back hurts,” Faith says sarcastically.

  “If you want to sleep there, you’re going to have to help clean it,” Sam points out. “The whole house needs to be completely disinfected.” She looks at Rob, rolling her eyes, “We could consider moving.”

  “Let’s talk about it,” Rob says. “I have mixed feelings. I’d still rather wait a day or two. Give the place more time to air out and get thoroughly cleaned. It’ll be freezing until then. She does have a nice wood stove and a gas stove in the kitchen.” Faith groans rudely while Rob is talking.

  “How’d the planting go?” I change the subject since people are struggling with this idea, not wanting anyone to feel like they have to move. I’m getting a little impatient with Faith’s attitude and am thinking of talking to Morgan about it. “Faith, you’re welcome to move next door if you like. You should start the cleaning right away.” I’m ready for her to move.

  “I went with Rob and Papá next door, we found more seeds,” Eli says, animatedly. “They made a bunch of boxes which we filled and planted. We’ve got the green house packed with them.”

  Morgan brightens, “I marked them all carefully so we’ll know what we planted and when we planted it. There’s a huge variety of vegetables. How’d it go inside the house?” She says enthusiastically.

  “We canned apple butter, salsa, and pear butter. We dried some stuff too,” Gracie shares. She and Morgan seem to be hitting it off.

  “There’s lots still to do,” I remind everyone. “A good portion of stuff should keep in the cellar. Tomorrow we should get to Nadir’s and see if he’s alive. We were going to do that before but too much was going on.” A shadow crosses my heart, concerned about Nadir. He’s been a friend for decades.

  After dinner, Katie and I make the rounds, treating the guys dressings, and taking care of Jonathan. Alex, having gone back to sleep, rouses briefly to drink tea, take medicine, and eat. The edibles seem to be working so he sticks with it. Jonathan’s fever has reduced a little.


  I go say goodnight to Eli. “How are you doing, cutie pie?”

  “I’m okay.”

  “Are you glad to be away from school?” I’m wondering what this is like for him and his sister, barely adults.

  “Kind of. It’s weird, that’s for sure. I’m glad Papá and Rob are here. Is it okay for you?” He asks, wisely.

  “Yeah. I’m glad he’s here. Sueña con los angelitos. I love you. Have a good chat with God or Rhasheen,” I whisper in Eli’s ear while hugging him as he stands in his doorway.

  “I love you, too, Mom.”

  I head to bed to find Gracie. “Good night, sweetie.” I hug her and kiss her. “Sueña con los angelitos.” I say, again, sleep with angels. “I love you.” I whisper in her ear.

  I’m exhausted, ready to relax and read. I climb in bed on the other side, leaning over, caressing her cheek. She doesn’t say anything, never having been the verbally expressive type.

  Eleven

  Eliana

  Out of the Woodwork

  When I wake up late in the morning, refreshed after a good night’s sleep, I go through my self-care routine. Most of the family is already at the dining room table.

  “Good morning.” There is a chorus of responses. I see Katie walk in. “How is Jon?”

  “He might be a little better. He cries out from time to time. Last night his fever was still nearly 103, but it’s coming down.” she sounds uplifted. We still might save him.

  I catch a flash out of the corner of my eye and look out the big picture windows. I see the top of my neighbor’s head over the fence, running around, yelling. He races across the street in a haphazard fashion, a crash of shattered glass erupting.

  “Jose, Rob, get weapons!” I run to get my knife. “Eli, everyone, strap on a knife, in case. There’s a crazy man outside.” Sheba starts barking madly. I start towards the door.

  “Cariña, wait.” Jose is concerned. But he called me darling! I feel a little flutter inside. There’s a mad dash of our community people behind me, strapping on weapons.

  “I’ll get the gun,” Eli says.

  “Let me,” Jose insists. Rob shows up with his shotgun. I have my knife attached to my belt.

  “I’m going out. I’ll try to calm him, going in slow. If he doesn’t respond well, I’ll come back.” I don’t wait for Jose to argue. Sheba is close by my side.

  “Stay close, Sheba. Leave it.” I approach the neighbor, keeping a safe distance, “Bud, what’s wrong?”

  “Don’t come close. They’re coming out of the woodwork. They’re coming out of my pores!”

  “What, Bud, what is coming out?” I’m staying about twenty feet away. He runs one way, then stops, running the other way, erratically.

  “Bugs, huge bugs, they’re ripping me up!”

  “Bud, I think I know what will help. Wait here, okay?” He begins to run around in a ragged circle. I go back in the house, realizing too late that Sheba didn’t follow.

  “What’s going on?” It’s Jose.

  “Let Sheba in. He’s psychotic, needs Seroquel. I have some in the cupboard. It’s old, but it may work.” I grab the pills and a cup of water. Sheba’s in, right behind me. “Let’s go, Sheba, stay close.” She follows me back out the door. “Bud!” He’s still running up and down the street.

  “Stay back. They’ll get you.”

  “Bud, I have something that will help. It’s special medicine. It will kill the bugs and mend your skin at the same time. I won’t get close to you. I’ll set it here on this leaf with water and you swallow them, okay? They’ll help you feel better soon. You can keep running around, the exercise may help too.”

  “Stay away!” he hollers repeatedly as I slowly walk to the edge of the yard, Sheba at my heels, and set the pills on a leaf I’ve dried on my pants. I place a plastic cup of water next to it.

  “I’m setting them right here. Come take the medicine.” I walk backwards, watching him.

  “Come get them, Bud. The sooner you take them, the sooner you get control of your body again.” He starts to come closer, then runs haphazardly again. Suddenly, he begins to swing the hammer.

  “Don’t hurt yourself, Bud, come try the medicine first.” I’m trying to keep my voice calm, but I have to talk loud enough for him to hear me. He comes towards the yard, as Sheba growls. “Come on, Bud, come take the pills. They’ll help.” He inches closer.

  “There, Bud, right on the wall. Do you see them?” He scoops them up, stuffs them in his mouth and downs them, no water necessary. I start praying. He gives a strangled cry.

  “They’re eating my insides!”

  “If you keep moving, they can’t hurt you.” I’m making up stories, but I know exercise will help calm his paranoid delusions. He starts running up and down the street again. I go inside, locking the gate behind me, and check the time. It shouldn’t take more than an hour to calm him down if it’s going to work. It’s 8:15 a.m. Sheba’s still growling softly as she sits at the window, keeping an eye on our front yard.

  “He took them, left the cup. Maybe we can get it later.”

  I walk out back to check on Jonathan and find Katie there. “How is he?”

  “He’s still hot, but not burning up.”

  Suddenly I remember some natural methods to reduce fever. “Wait. I have an idea.” I rush back inside and grab a pair of Eli’s socks. Then I run to the kitchen, grab a cloth and soak it in apple cider vinegar. Mixing a cup of lemon water to submerge the socks in, I start back outside.

  “Here you put this cloth on his head. I’m changing his socks. Supposedly this helps, it surely won’t hurt. Then we can see about breakfast. Maybe Faith and Morgan will start it, or Eli.” I change Jonathan’s socks to ones soaked with lemon water, while Katie lays the vinegar cloth on his forehead.

  “I’ll be back in a while.” I return to the kitchen, finding the rest of the kids in there. Gracie has made tea while Eli is grating cheese, Morgan is chopping things, and Faith is whipping the eggs. “Wow, guys, thanks. This is great team work.” I reach for tortillas and bread.

  “How’s Jonathan?” Eli asks.

  “Better than he was. He still has a high fever, but it’s starting to come down. He’s been unconscious but seems to be making some sounds now, so hopefully that’s a good sign. Katie and I have been spoon feeding him tea and elderberry syrup. We’ve been giving him homeopaths, but I’m not sure if they’re helping.”

  “What were you rushing around doing?” Faith inquires.

  “I figured it wouldn’t hurt to try lemon socks and vinegar cloths.”

  When the food is ready, Eli goes to get Katie. “I think he looks a little better,” Eli reports.

  “God, it’s so nice to have someone else cook for a change!” I clear my plate listening to everyone discuss the current situation, which seems to be getting worse daily. We’re recognizing that the infrastructure may not hold up.

  “Don’t we have a transistor radio somewhere?” Jose asks.

  “I think we did. Will you look for it?” I go check on Jonathan, while Katie visits for a while with the others, lingering over coffee.

  “Jonathan…” I sit next to hm.

  “Mom…” I almost fall off the bed. It’s just a croak, but it’s Jonathan.

  “Jonathan, you’re awake!” I feel his forehead. I wonder if it’s cooler or just my imagination. “How do you feel?”

  “Awful,” he croaks again. “Thirsty.”

  I pick up the tea on the table. “Can you sit up? I have tea here.” I realize that the heaviness I’ve been walking around with is lifting.

  He tries to sit up but isn’t successful. “Heavy.”

  I grab some spare pillows from a chair, stuffing them behind Jonathan to prop up his head. I put the tea to his lips. “Try this now.” He takes a sip, then several more. “I’ll be right back.” I’m bouncing with excitement. “I’m going to get some people you might like to see!”

  I run back inside. “Katie, Eli, Simon,” I yell. “I need your
help. Wear masks! Gracie, if you want to see Jonathan, come too!” They troop out with me after suiting up, white masks covering their mouths and noses.

  “Wow, you’re awake.” Katie is floored. Jonathan looks at her, smiling.

  “Hey, man, look what the cat dragged in!” Simon harasses Jonathan.

  “Shut up!” Jon croaks out.

  Eli is right there helping him sit up. “Tea!” Jon demands and Eli complies. Jon is gulping tea down.

  “How about some broth?” I ask.

  “Anything,” he agrees. The croak is fading already. He takes a spoonful. Then another.

  “I want your temperature,” I tell him. I feel his forehead again, convinced it’s decreased.

  “I didn’t think you were going to make it.” Katie is crying quietly with relief. For the first time I’m aware of a spark between them! I had no idea. I put the thermometer under Jon’s tongue. Katie sits on his bed as Simon and Eli leave the room.

  A minute later, Gracie pokes her head in. “Jonny, you’re awake!”

  I pluck the thermometer out of his mouth. “101.8! How do you like that?!” It’s lower than yesterday morning, out of the danger zone, I think. Gracie comes to hug him, wearing a mask for protection, while I head back inside to the living room, looking out the window for Bud. I don’t see him.

  “I’m going to get that cup,” I tell the group.

  “Oh, cariña, let me,” Jose reaches the door ahead of me. He touches my cheek before he heads out the door. We’ve been married for twenty years and he’s never touched me like that. I can hardly believe how sweet he’s being! We struggled a lot after Rasheen died. It was hard to tell if I just couldn’t love anymore, or if I wasn’t willing to tolerate being hurt.

  “Did you see any sign of Bud?”

  “Actually, he’s lying in the grass in his front yard. I’m not sure if he’s asleep or just really sedated.”

  “Good to know that was more than enough. We’re going to have to keep on high alert to find more antipsychotics.”

  “I put mine in with the rest,” Katie informs me. “There are a dozen bottles but they won’t last forever if we keep doling them out.”