IN THE END: A Quarantine Romance

by Anders, Tarrah

  “I will be frank.”

  “Hi Frank.” I smirk and can tell immediately that he’s annoyed by me.

  “I will be frank, to curb true pandemonium, we will keep that information classified and take further action should we need to,” he says.

  “Classified,” Janelle says quietly with a roll of her eyes.

  “Please make sure that the two of you get in line for testing,” he says to us and with a turn on his heel, he leaves the break room.

  “He’s intense.” I look at her.

  She’s staring off at the floor with a solemn expression. I put my hand on her shoulder and lean my head against hers just as she did earlier.

  “Hey, you alright?” I ask.

  “Basically, he just told us that if someone here is sick, then they wouldn’t tell us. It would be like taking a dog out to the field and shooting it to tell the kid that it’s living on a farm or flushing a fish down the toilet and replacing it with a new one.”

  “Would you want to know versus being kept in the dark?” I ask.

  “Honestly, right now, I’m not even sure. I didn’t really think much of what’s going on in the world. I’ve kept my eyes forward, making sure I personally stay healthy and that I’m doing what I’m supposed to do at work. I know there are communities that are widespread about this whole virus thing, but I didn’t think that it would come here. I didn’t think that I would be dealing with something like this.” A tear slides from the corner of her eye.

  My hand rubs her upper back. I have no words. Those thoughts entered my mind as well. I didn’t think that I would come into a situation where I am confined to a single space. I wasn’t expecting this to be how my day would end up.

  I sigh.

  “This too shall pass. We do as we’re told and then we’ll get out of here.” I tell her.

  “That better be what happens. I don’t want to deal with an angry mob,” she laughs awkwardly, then straightens and her mood changes instantly. “So, which one of those fine men, do you have your eyes on?”

  4

  Levi

  I assist the doctor, since I have background in medical practices, I watch as person after person walks up to get tested. They go through the motions and I see so many different worries on all of their faces.

  I’m guilty for trying to reassure them, when it’s just a matter of time that they get sick too.

  I’ve designated one of the guys to take each person to wash their hands and give them their own bottle of hand sanitizer. I have cataloged each person’s test and within fifteen minutes, we will have results. The first batch is almost done processing, and we’ve been instructed that when we find the individual who has the high fever to place him or her in the trailer that is directly out the back doors of this facility.

  We don’t need to cause a commotion, we don’t need to direct any sort of panic to the public and we definitely do not need to alert everyone else that they may be in any sort of trouble health-wise.

  “And you are a real doctor?” A little boy asks as he steps up, then sticks his tongue out.

  “I am, went to school for it and everything.”

  The doctor shines his light into the little boy’s mouth and smiles. He places his hands on both sides of his neck, feeling his lymph nodes and then begins to look into his ears.

  “Then why are you in the military?” He asks.

  “I signed up to help those that needed it if the need came,” Doc answers.

  “Mark down fluid in right ear, no cause for concern,” the doctor looks up at the concerned mother standing closely behind the little boy.

  “Anything to worry about?” she asks.

  “Not at all. Is there a history of ear infections?” He asks her.

  “All the time, we have an appointment next month to get him tubes,” she tells him.

  “No other concerns, no fever, no cough, no gastro issues?” he asks.

  “None, just your standard little boy.”

  “I see no concerns, keep that appointment, he will definitely have less ear infections once you get him the tubes.”

  “Yes, sir.” she nods.

  “Alright, son, if you can go with Mr. James to go and wash up, I’ll take a look at your mommy and then you guys can go roaming around.” The little boy comes with me and I hand off my clip-board to one of the other guys.

  When I return, the Doc is with the next patient.

  And it’s her.

  The beautiful curious woman from the crowd.

  The doctor gives her the check-up and then hands her testing kit and label to me.

  “Ms. Jameson is ready for you Mr. James.” Doc smiles.

  “Mr. James,” she smiles.

  “Ms. Jameson,” I nod motioning to the washing area.

  I observe her with her back turned to me. She’s slender and has an ass that would fit perfectly in my palms.

  I can feel my breath quickening and my heart begins to beat fast.

  She begins humming a song that I recognize while washing her hands and once she’s satisfied, she turns around to grab the hand towels that I’m holding out for her.

  “What song was that?” I ask.

  “The Thong Song,” she replies with a tilt of her head and a smirk.

  “Interesting choice of song,” I tell her.

  “Well, you know, you gotta do what you can when things get interesting,” she says.

  “Indeed. So, Ms. Jameson. It looks like you’re done, we will call people back to go over the results.”

  “How soon do the results get back?” She asks following me back to the common area.

  “It’s a quick test, takes about fifteen minutes.”

  “Oh, that’s quick. Well, thank you, Mr. James,” she says with a small curtsey.

  She’s cute. She’s playful. And she’s freaking even more beautiful up close.

  “Anytime, Ms. Jameson.”

  I want to keep her talking, but I have a job to do. I have to continue with the task at hand.

  And that is to find the person who has the virus, as soon as possible.

  Yeah, that’s it.

  * * *

  “The doctor will read off your test results to you privately to protect your information should you have the virus.” I tell the group that I’m in front of for their results. They all look nervous and they all aren’t entirely sure if they’re ready to hear their fate.

  Name after name is called and I’ve lost count of how many people have come out. Did everyone come out, or are we missing one? I haven’t heard any commotion and each group hasn’t lingered around after their results were read. I don’t know the results of all of the people in this place.

  I know that I tested negative and that’s all that matters at this moment.

  That, and I hope that Ms. Jameson tests negative too.

  5

  Kendall

  I’m standing beside Janelle who is making a list of things to do.

  She’s good with lists. And she knows that I am too.

  She hands me the clipboard and smiles.

  “How does it look?” she asks.

  I look over everything that she’s written, and it looks like a thought-out plan. She has a list of food to grab for the dinnertime meal, a list of items needed for bedding for almost two hundred people and a list of people to be stationed in different areas.

  On the second page, she has a diagram of the whole space. She has one end being the make-shift food court and then all the way across to the other side are several different sleeping quarters in the large aisles.

  “I have a few of my stocking guys moving a lot of the boxed electronics into the stock room. Same with some of the moveable areas. We have a bunch of large tables in the back room that can be for the eating area. And luckily, our latest shipments arrived this morning and we haven’t had the chance yet to put it all out on the floor.”

  “What kind of stuff?” I ask.

  “Bedding. We don’t need large comforters, we have
thick sheets. The military guys arrived with a truck full of cots and additional blankets,” she says.

  “What do you want me to do?” I ask her.

  “I want you to call my parents, tell them we’re okay. Then, you should call your dad and let him know too. After that, I’m putting you in charge of the kitchen.” She hands me her phone and smiles.

  I nod and walk around the corner for privacy as I swipe on her screen, look through her contacts and find her parents. As expected, they freaked out a little bit, but understood the importance of the quarantine, and realized that they should likely stay where they are as well. After talking to them, I called my dad from my own phone.

  That phone call didn’t go as well. My father cried. A lot. He felt helpless and that we should escape and return to him in Texas to be together. I did what I could to assure him, and then told him that I would check in with him as much as possible.

  When I get off the phone, I turn around to return the phone back to Janelle, but Mr. James is standing in my way.

  A little startled, I step back.

  “Oh, hi.” I say.

  “I don’t know if you heard your name being called, but the results are back in for your test and we’re giving them individually.”

  “Oh, sorry. I was on the phone. Am I okay?” I ask. “I don’t feel sick, so I’m pretty sure that I’m alright,” I shrug walking beside him.

  “Asymptotic individuals could carry the virus, you never know.”

  “Have you been tested?” I look over at him.

  “I have.”

  “And? Would you tell me if you were infected?” I stop.

  He walks a few steps ahead and then stops, noticing my halting. He walks the four steps to stand in front of me and looks me in the eyes.

  “If I was positive, I guarantee you that I wouldn’t be here. And I hope to God that you aren’t as well,” he smiles and then turns around. “C’mon.”

  I follow him and eventually we’re walking side by side as I match his strides until we reach the door to the room the Doctor is sitting in looking over his notes. He turns when we enter and stands up.

  “Thank you, please leave us to it,” the man says to Mr. James.

  Nervously, I take a seat where his hand directs me to sit across from him.

  “Name?” He asks as the door shuts.

  “Kendall Jameson,” I clear my throat and answer.

  “Ah, Ms. Jameson. That’s right. I have your results right here.” He flips some pages over his clipboard and then I see his eyes scan the page. “Your results came back negative.”

  A whoosh of air releases, and my body relaxes in the chair.

  “Now, a few questions, have you felt nauseous?” I shake my head. “Have you had any gastro issues?”

  “No, sir.”

  He looks back to his clipboard. “Shortness of breath or consistent coughing?”

  “None,” I reply.

  He places the clipboard down and looks to me. “If you should witness anyone who does not look well, or you overhear any conversations pertaining to such, I ask that it is reported. The age old saying of ‘If you see something, say something,’ is what we’re putting into play here.”

  “I can do that. Is there something or someone that we should worry about? Is there someone who is infected here?”

  “I’m sorry Ms. Jameson. That is classified information which goes above my pay grade. All directions and information come from the commander and we’ve been instructed to allow information to be disseminated from him. I wish I could put you at ease, but I am only allowed to provide certain information,” he says apologetically.

  “How about this, blink once for yes and blink twice for no.” I smile.

  “Funny. Keep the positive attitude and humor.” He stands up and I follow suit.

  “Thank you, sir.” I say before exiting the room.

  Outside the door, leaning against the wall with his leg bent, and arms crossed, stands Mr. James. He sees me coming out and stands to his full height.

  Shocked, I turn to him.

  He is a handsome man.

  “Your results?” he asks stepping forward.

  “Negative,” I reply.

  He releases a sigh of relief and nods. “Thank goodness, I’m Levi.”

  “I’m Kendall. Look, I would shake your hand, but germs.” I say shoving my hands in my back pockets.

  “So, are you a local here?” he asks with a laugh.

  “No, I’m from Tempe, Arizona. I was just passing through on the way back from Texas.”

  We begin walking. “What brought you in here though? Are you here for a pit stop?”

  “Well, it could be considered as a pit stop, but my best friend is one of the managers. What about you? Are you local?”

  “We’re about an hour north of here, but local. Sounds like a shit time to make a pit stop.” He says.

  “I know, I thought that there was a little more time and that things would get bad by the time I got home. I didn’t know how serious all this was until those doors slid closed.”

  “Well, I will be honest and tell you that I am glad that you made the pit stop,” he says.

  6

  Levi

  She’s negative.

  I’m negative.

  There’s nothing wrong with talking to her, I’m still keeping my eyes open and staying alert to our surroundings. I’m still doing my job and part of my job is that I should be meeting people, so that’s what I’m doing here. I’m meeting Kendall.

  After the testing was finished for today and results were provided, I didn’t see who the infected person was, but I was informed that they have been further quarantined to the med-tent for further treatment. The word from the city and the Federal Government is that there is not a current vaccine yet, and that the virus is spreading fast. Our Army researchers are testing on something that could possibly help make the virus not attach to humans, but the jury is still out on whether not it works as they’re just now starting to test on mice. It will be a while before it’s known that it actually works since there seem to be different stages of how the virus affects people. So, researchers and medical professionals all over the world are trying to find a solution, anything that can help. All of the branches from around the world in disease control are currently working on something and I hope to God that it works out sooner rather than later.

  I feel comfortable about Kendall, If she didn’t stop to visit her friend, she wouldn’t be here. And I just admitted to her that I am glad that she is here, as selfishly as it sounds.

  We sat beside one another for over an hour going back and forth in a game of twenty questions. In that time, I learned that she and I are the same age, that her father is a Navy Vet, and that was where she was coming from, a visit with him. She works in a restaurant as the head chef and has hopes to own her own one day. She has a thing for games, but solo games such as solitaire, word searches, crossword puzzles and sudoku.

  I also noticed that right before she smiles, her eyebrow quirks. And that she has two laughs. She laughed awkwardly when we first began talking, as if she was unsure how to act. Which I understand, I’m dressed in my fatigues, I’m a big guy and I probably look scary to some. But by the end of the conversation, her laughter was relaxed and so was her body language. She leaned into me when laughing and even touched my arm on a few occasions.

  In light of the events, I felt comfortable with her and I can tell she did with me too.

  I knew that I had to report to the Colonel, so I made my way to the area where we have our briefings and wait for the Colonel to give our update.

  Several of the guys are standing around waiting for an update. After ten minutes, the Colonel clearers his throat.

  “Thank you all for being patient. I’m receiving up to date information from the Pentagon, the governor and President Nolan. Keep in mind that we are just one of many troops that have been dispatched. We have five quarantined areas within the region at the moment, each with
an increase of cases each day. People are not taking enough precaution and therefore this is harming others each and every day.”

  He stands up and crosses his arms over his chest. He looks intimidating and like someone who is royally pissed off at everything that he sees.

  “We have the individual in question quarantined. The doctor had identified three other individuals who are experiencing onset symptoms. He has not quarantined those individuals yet, however, he has independently spoken with the management and has these individuals in a separate quarter of the store which will be the isolation area. This area will be sectioned off with medical vinyl, which is being erected as we speak. We have requested additional medical personnel to monitor both the isolation area with the doctor and the quarantine space without the doctor. I am directing you guys stay away from the section by the photo department. Am I clear?”

  A resounding ‘yes, sir!’ echoes in the small space, and the Colonel looks pleased.

  “Very well. I have here a list of areas which will need to be overseen. However, during this time, to lessen any anxieties that may be present, please do not present yourselves as a threat. We’re here as support and protection. You also may remove your guns to not appear as aggressive. Talk to the people here, listen to them, pay attention. If you see someone with the symptoms of the virus, I want to know immediately,” he walks in my direction and hands me the clipboard that he picks up from the desk beside him. “Sargent First Class James will start off the tasks due to seniority, please make sure that your name is listed on this sheet, so I am aware of where you will be primarily posted in case I need to find you.”

  I take the clipboard from him and search the sheet. I put my name down on the meal duty, in hopes to be working alongside Kendall, then pass the clipboard to the private beside me.

  I walk over to the Colonel and wait for him to finish speaking to one of the younger guys. When he turns to me, he has a smile on his face, which is odd.