by Maira Dawn
The little jackass in the grocery store could go. Anyone who would take advantage of those around him—they can go.
Dylan had no choice but to stop him. If the fool got away with that, then others would try it. People helped each other here—that’s what they did. The way he’d helped Skye.
Dylan shook his head at himself. It always comes back around to her anymore.
Unsure why, Dylan nevertheless felt the weight within him lighten as it always did whenever his mind turned to her.
She's a good woman, ready to plunk that kinda of money down for her friend.
The wind blew a little harder, lifting his dark hair off the back of his neck as he let his mind linger on her.
Ten
A Sigh of Relief
Tom sighed as he set down the receiver of the orange phone hanging on the wall of their kitchen. He turned to his wife. Tom had known from Skye’s blank face when he left the coffee shop, she hadn’t grasped the immediate threat of the situation. He and Tricia had been ready weeks ago. In his opinion, Skye dragged her feet at his every instruction.
Skye had drunk in every word of his advice when she had moved to Colton, West Virginia from Ohio for a fresh start. He'd been happy to provide it and taken pride in using his connections to help her get a practice up and running.
Tom and Tricia were born and raised in this town, and if they had nothing else, they had connections. Tricia's tender heart and whimsical nature drew people to her like bees to honey. She often gave Skye the answers she needed to the history of the townsfolk. And Tom, in his capacity as Sheriff, often worked with Skye through official channels.
Tom's practical, no-nonsense nature was offended by Skye's inability to see what was right in front of her. Whether it was her anxiety or the famous Jackson stubbornness, he felt like he wasn't getting anywhere.
It's like slapping a brick wall. Like Skye doesn't hear me anymore, or I'm the one that's lost all good sense. How am I supposed to help her if she won't listen to a lick of what I say?
Tom looked back at his wife. "Skye still isn't getting it. She thinks there's gonna be a cure."
"She ain't the only one. There's plenty more like her." Tricia’s accent was more colorful than Tom’s. She'd grown up on the mountain, not far from the Coles and the Baileys. At least, not far in mountain terms.
At home, she could be herself even if she had begrudgingly suppressed her musical way of speaking while at college, and during her business endeavors to avoid some harsh teasing.
Tricia took her husband's hand in hers. “Sugar, you know she can’t help herself. She's afeared. Her anxiety's always got her running from where she needs to be looking. She got the things you told her to get. Skye's done what you said needed doin. She’ll get it when she needs to get it. Push comes to shove, the girl always womans up, don't you worry yourself none.”
"Barely! She does just enough so as I won't be after her is all, not cause she sees the need. On top of that, she's still got clients! Skye's in her office, breathing the same air as people that could be Sick or Infected." Tom shook his head and ran his hand through his hair. "She's takin too much risk."
"Skye's worried about them." Tricia's voice was calm as she explained, "Those young'uns depend on her, and she don't want to let them down. You know how bad off some of them are. She's the only sane thing they've got."
As Tom's anxiety rose his voice became sterner. "I know, but she needs to stop. She can't help anyone if she gets sick." He grimaced at the thought of Skye with the AgFlu.
"I'm gonna see her tomorrow. I'll ask her to take a little break 'til we see how this all sorts out. I'll let her know you're worried about her." Tricia gave Tom's hand a little squeeze as she said, "Right now, I need to get some dinner on." She patted his hand, then let go.
As Tricia turned to the stove, the long, red hair cascading down her back shifted. It caught the light and glowed, a sight Tom never tired of. His heart constricted. He worried that the horrors he witnessed outside this house would one day invade it. He prayed the love of his life would survive when it happened.
The next day, Tricia stirred a large pot of soup as she waited for Skye to arrive. On a normal day, the two women met for lunch at one of the local restaurants, but Tom had nixed all public appearances for Tricia for the near future. So instead, Tricia asked Skye over for a homemade lunch.
Tricia hadn’t taken offense at Tom’s orders for her to stay put. She was happy to stay safe and sound in her house. Tom let her know what was going on outside these walls, and she wasn't in any hurry to see it herself. The thought of Sick people on every corner not only saddened but also frightened her.
A few days ago, Tricia closed the doors to all three of her successful Appalachian Gift Shops, hoping it wouldn't be permanent. While she was still trying to run the online store, the AgFlu had brought sales to a standstill. She worried that the business she built from the ground up would never again open.
Focusing on today, Tricia hummed to herself and tasted the steaming soup she cooked. When she shook in a little more spice, the deep scent of thyme, basil and oregano filled the room. Technically soup, she added so many extra root vegetables, it bordered on, if not crossed the line to a stew. Just right. Skye's gonna want the recipe for this one.
A sniff of the baking biscuits and a quick glance into the oven told her they were coming right along too. She'd already laid out the table, now she added farm fresh butter and her own homemade strawberry jam.
Tricia brightened when she heard Skye's car coming up the drive and hurried to wash her hands before greeting her.
Skye walked in and gave Tricia a smile and a tight hug. The delicious aroma from the kitchen enveloped her. Not only was Tricia an excellent cook, but to Skye's taste, her kitchen was almost perfect.
The restful room made her feel as if she'd stepped back in time 100 years, not in a cheap, phony way, but in a real wood and stone way and with updated appliances. On three of the walls, stained medium-grained wood cabinets spanned almost floor to ceiling against a beige painted background. Some cupboard doors were solid wood while others were thick-paned glass. The fourth wall, made of large rocks, held a large fireplace that Tom helped build. From the beamed ceiling in one corner, Tricia had even hung the obligatory herbs that dried on strings.
"It smells amazing, Tricia! And I am starving," Skye said after walking over to the bubbling soup pot and giving it a stir, "Mm-mm."
Tricia lit up and thanked her. Both women finished carrying the food over to the table, and after serving, Tricia sat and asked how Skye's day had gone so far.
Skye had sunk her teeth into one of Tricia's extra fluffy Angel Biscuits loaded with butter. She nodded and took a minute to enjoy the golden goodness, closing her eyes and sighing in pleasure before answering Tricia.
"Pretty good until now. I planned on a long lunch with you, then going back to work at my office in town. But my afternoon appointments have all canceled." Skye fretted as she picked at her nails. "I'm worried they are Sick."
"Have there been a lot of cancelations from AgFlu?"
Skye rolled her eyes. AgFlu short for Aggressive Influenza. "I hate the stupid name the Disease Control has given it! Like it is just another contagious strain of flu, so they don't panic people.”
"Tom says they're technically doin everything right with all their announcements. They tell us about precautions and what to do if you catch it, but they sure don't get to the point," Tricia said. "The point being your family's gonna die if you don't get medical help. And medical help being quarantine away from your family." She waved her hand in irritation. "They're so afraid of a media backlash over a real quarantine they give a weak message. That may be helpin the panic, but it sure isn't helpin to slow the disease."
"The news talked about a cure again as I was driving over here."
"Pfft. From Atlantis? People have gone plum crazy."
"I don't think it is literally Atlantis. It's just a name they use. But it's a cure."
"Maybe," Skye swallowed a spoonful of soup. "I noticed most people are still out and about almost as much as before." She frowned, realizing it hadn't stopped her from her daily routine. "But some are staying in. Perhaps that's where my kids are."
"Better that then being sick with the AgFlu."
"If they are, I only hope they're getting the medical attention they need. Some families have little money, and some are, well, rather private about their business. I hope they're at least keeping the Sick away from the healthy. I've tried calling them all, some I got through to and others I didn't."
"Some reckon they or their young'uns will get exposed to the sickness in the Doc's office if they don't already have it."
Skye grimaced and nodded. "I'd feel the same way, but it's a necessary risk."
"I saw a line out the door of the Doc's last week. It’s overflowed his office, so Tom and his men have been helping move all the AgFlu patients into the school gym. Hopefully, more are going to Doc than we know." Tricia shot a look at Skye. "Tom said you went to the grocery store last night?"
Skye threw up her hands. "Yes, it was crazy! Someone took all the Bengay and wanted to sell me one for sixty dollars."
Tricia’s brow creased. "You use Bengay?"
Skye laughed. "No. Mrs. McCleary was there, and she needed it. I was helping her out."
"That's why everyone takes a liking to you, Skye.”
Skye blushed and put a hand to her cheek. "Oh, stop. It wasn't that big of a deal, besides helping others is part of my job. What kind of person would I be if I only helped people when I was on the clock? Anyway, I enjoy it. And I would like to help you by saying," Skye laughed and wagged her finger at Tricia, "get to the store sooner rather than later."
Tricia giggled. Then became serious as she leaned forward and took a deep breath before beginning her appeal. If she was going to say something to her cousin-in-law, now was the time to do it. "Skye, Tom's so worried about you keeping on with your sessions. Things are gettin crazy. Look at all our friends getting ill. Any of those young'uns could be ill and then where would you be?"
"But Tricia, my kids need me," Skye leaned back in her chair. "Some of them count so much on their treatment. I can't disappoint them."
Tricia hunted for the right words then kept it plain and simple. "It's just so dangerous."
"Tricia, I can't stop the appointments, not yet. There will be a vaccine soon, right? I mean, there has to be. And the number of people getting Infected has leveled off."
"I hope so, but Tom says they’re lying, that it's gettin worse. We want you safe, Skye. You're family." Tricia gave her a warm smile and reached forward to touch Skye on the forearm.
"I know, you're right. I'll figure out something." Skye made a face. I guess it's time to wear the medical masks during consultations. Tom's head would probably pop right off if he knew I wasn't.
Tricia changed the subject. "I saw Jesse a few days ago in town. He seemed on his way to school."
Now Tricia had Skye's attention. With the threat of the AgFlu, Jesse's case had been, and his court-mandated sessions had ended. Skye had done everything she could, but against her advice, the court had sent Jesse home to his father.
Skye often worried about him and wondered how the boy was faring. She'd asked Tricia several times if she knew anything about Jesse since he and his dad lived close to her parents. They had always tried to keep an eye out for Jesse when possible.
Skye let out a sigh of relief at Tricia’s news. "Oh, good! How did he look?"
"Okay. Coulda used a bit more spit and polish, but he seemed okay," Tricia said.
Some of the tension left Skye's shoulders. "Have you heard anything? Or your parents?"
Tricia shook her head. "Not too much. If anything untoward is going on, Frankie and Jesse are keeping it quiet. Maybe Frankie is trying to make a go of it this time."
She let the news sink in. Skye would be so happy if Frankie made some progress, any kind of progress. "I hope so, I really do."
Eleven
A Good Day after All
Jesse whistled as he walked the shortcut home from a friend's house. He was happy that school was closed for a while even if it was because of the AgFlu. He spied the white clapboard of his house as it became visible through the thicket of trees. His eyes darted around the yard looking for any sign of his father. Nothing but grass and trees. He tried to shrug off his worry.
Things have been kinda good lately. Jesse thought kinda because he knew he didn't want to get his hopes up. Though he was young, he already knew life could go bad very easily. Jesse pressed his lips together. That was one important lesson he'd learned at an early age. Don't plan on a good day; it's more likely it won't be.
But Ms. Jackson said if you do the steps, they work. I been doin the steps and things been working. Maybe, just maybe...
He lifted his chin as he came through the woods into the clearing where his house stood. It was a shack, and he knew it. That's why he had no friends over to his house.
As if I would bring any friends around before with Dad like he was.
Jesse kicked through the garbage sitting in the yard, unsure of how long it had been there. The food had rotted away, but there were still cans and plastic lying around that he had to weave his way through. He started up what once may have been a sidewalk. It had somehow disappeared and was now little more than a dirt-covered trail leading to the house.
Mid-step, a heavy bang sounded as if someone hit something. Like a startled deer, Jesse’s muscles tensed. His heart raced as fast as a rabbit he'd once caught in the woods. He came to a sudden halt. Loud noises were not good in his world. They meant anger and trouble, very probably, waiting for him.
The boy crouched. He waited a minute or two before he took small, cautious steps forward and stopped. He heard another bang, a few rattling sounds, and a few choice curse words. A bead of sweat slid along the side of his face.
Next, the grinding, rattle of a glass bottle as it bumped across the uneven, wooden floor inside his house. Then silence.
In an instant, his whole body drew inward, an automatic gesture preparing him for what was to come. A roar of anger, the slurring words of a drunk father.
But there was nothing, no sound at all.
I hope he passed out.
Jesse debated running for it. Instead, he crept closer to the half-opened front door to see what he was in for if he came home at all today. If he was careful enough, he could peek through without being seen.
Almost there. One more step was all Jesse had left. Moving without a sound became his only thought. Quiet as he could, Jesse lifted his foot and set it down to the ground. At last, he was where he needed to be, at the beat-up front entry.
Inch by inch, Jesse tipped his head forward to peer around the corner. His mouth dropped open in surprise.
Is he... cleaning?
Jesse watched his dad load a garbage bag with stuff, junk really, from the floor. It was something he’d never seen him do.
Frankie turned and saw Jesse peeking through the door. He grimaced at the sight of his frightened son and rubbed his shirt sleeve over his misty eyes. "Quit skulkin around, boy. Come over here and help your old man out. We need to sort through this stuff and see what I should be keeping."
Jesse sagged against the door frame in relief. If he is callin me boy, instead of something else, he's in a good mood.
His father's request was every bit as surprising, if not more so, than his high spirits. Jesse had always thought of the floor junk as garbage. He’d never considered that someone might actually want to keep any of it.
The boy gave a ghost of a smile and headed over to help his father. As Jesse got close, Frankie reached out a hand and clamped it on Jesse's shoulder. Jesse froze and held his breath.
Frankie's voice broke when he said, "This kinda life isn't what I wanted for you, Jess
e. I’m stayin off the liquor for sure this time.
Jesse looked at the floor and nodded his head hoping for the best. But at least today is good, a good day after all.
Twelve
The Sick
Skye ripped off her white surgical mask and threw it on her desk before her client was out the door. Two weeks now using these stupid masks for sessions, I hate them and so do the kids! Not that I have that many patients still coming to therapy anymore.
Even though the number of new Sick continued to slow, things got worse. People were out of control, Sick or not, with the police force stretched to its limits. Skye wondered if it would ever stop spinning out of control. She always put her trust in the system, told her kids to do so and their parents as well. Sure, it was flawed, but it was the best hope they had, the only hope really.
So that's what she'd been trying to do as the chaos raged around her. Believe the bulletins meant to calm the public, accept that things might get worse before they got better, and wait for a cure.
There was always a cure. There is a scare and then a cure, just in time. In movies and real life. How many times has the news warned its viewers about the latest medical alarm, only to have it end up being nothing? This one is taking longer, but it will be the same as the rest, I’m sure of it.
At least that's what she told herself when she wasn't worrying that most of what the Disease Control was spouting was propaganda. But just like the kids she treated, there was only one lifeboat in which to jump. She had jumped, and she was hanging on tight.
Still, Skye was dreading tomorrow's trip to her city office. Though there were more clients there, the hour commute to Fenton was getting more and more dangerous. On her last visit, the traffic appeared lighter than usual, but more of the Sick had been wandering along the highway.