by Urban, Tony
She didn’t care if he wasn’t eloquent or that there was nothing poetic about his plain, just the facts ma’am, manner of speaking. It was what was behind the words that mattered and she knew that, when Wim said something, it was the truth and that was all that mattered. But then he surprised her.
“I didn’t think it was possible to love someone the way I love her. And I don’t intend to ever let that go.”
Ramey grabbed hold of his arm and pulled herself into him. She wanted to kiss him but knew doing so in front of Emory and Mina would make him uncomfortable, so she stopped herself. That’s okay. There will be time for that, and more, later.
“I must say, that’s the best news I’ve heard in nearly forever,” Emory said and Ramey saw his eyes shining, wet with tears. She thought he looked equal parts happy and proud and then came a pang in her chest because she thought this man who had been such a father figure to her during their time on the road, was far happier over this news than her real father would ever be. She pushed that thought out of her head as quick as possible, not wanting to ruin the moment.
“Is there a time-line that we’re dealing with? Christmas nuptials, perhaps?”
Ramey hadn’t given that part any thought and when she looked to Wim she saw he was equally clueless. “What do you think?” He asked.
“I don’t like waiting. I’d marry you this very second if Emory’s up for it.”
“Oh no. No, no, no,” Emory said as he stood up. “I’m going to need some time to prepare. To write something worthy of two of the best people I’ve ever known committing themselves to one another.” He grabbed a notebook off the counter.
Ramey thought she could almost see the gears spinning in his head. “When then?” She asked.
“Would two days be sufficient?”
“Do we have a choice?”
“Of course not.”
“Then two days it is.”
Emory extended his long, thin arms and wrapped them around her, the notebook clanging awkwardly against her back. She was shocked at the strength in his embrace. Over his shoulder, she saw Mina pat Wim on the forearm and try to smile. Ramey suddenly felt guilty for being so happy while Mina was still adrift in a sea of depression over losing the man she had loved.
When Emory let go, Ramey went to her. She had never gotten to know Mina as good as some of the others, but she couldn’t imagine the pain she had endured.
Mina gave a tight smile. “Congratulations.”
Ramey put her arms around the frail woman and felt her go as stiff as a board. She put her lips close to Mina’s ear and whispered, “I’m sorry you didn’t get to be happy too.”
Mina softened. Just a bit. So slight that Ramey might have missed it if she hadn’t been paying attention. “I was. It just didn’t take.”
Ramey released her and their eyes met for a flitting moment before each looked away.
Wim spoke up and broke the strange silence that had momentarily overtaken the trailer. “I want you there, Mina, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course. You’re my friends.”
“Who else will be attending? Emory asked. “I don’t imagine your father.”
Ramey lost her smile. Her father was the last person she intended to tell, let alone invite. The very idea made her feel ill. “No. Not him. The four of us came here together. That’s enough for me.”
“There’s someone else I’d like to be there,” Wim said. “If you don’t mind.”
“Who, Wim?” Ramey asked.
“Delphine. She saved my life. And she’s not like the others here.”
“Indeed, she is not.” Emory said.
“Is that all right with you?” Wim asked.
“Of course. You don’t have to ask for permission.”
“Very well then. Now, I must get to work.” Emory slipped out of the kitchen, to his bedroom.
“Will you both have some tea?” Mina asked. “It’s generic, nothing fancy, but I make it sweet.”
“That sounds good to me,” Ramey said.
As Mina took a pot from the stove, Ramey thought her life was almost as perfect as could be under the circumstances.
Chapter 33
The snow came down fast in big, fat flakes that took a full three seconds to melt after landing on Wim’s face. He didn’t mind the snow. He suspected his heart was beating so quick and pushing so much blood through his body that it could have been negative twenty degrees and he still wouldn’t have felt the cold.
Emory stood to his left and Mina and Delphine waited a few feet to the right. There was no music but that didn’t matter. Emory had picked out this spot, a little bluff overlooking the lake at the north end of the Ark, one of the few borders unmarred by a fence or wall.
The water, which would have normally been lapping at the rocks, was mostly frozen, leaving just a sea of white ice stretching out as far as he could see. Wim had never imagined a wedding day that required him to be the groom, but he doubted he could have dreamed up anything more perfect.
He caught Emory staring at him and wondered if he’d done something dumb like forget to comb his hair or buttoned his shirt unevenly.
“How do I look?”
“Like one of the happiest men I’ve ever seen.” Emory placed his hand on Wim’s freshly shaved cheek and caressed it with his thumb. “I couldn’t be any prouder if you were my own son. Thank you, Wim.”
Wim furrowed his brow. “For what?”
“Never mind. You might want to look the other way.”
Wim turned to look down what passed as an aisle. Ramey appeared through the blowing snow, slowly at first like a TV signal on a stormy day, and he could only make out bits and pieces of her. As she neared him, he saw more clearly. She wore a white sweater and blue jeans. She didn’t carry any flowers - it was December, after all - and she kept her hands clasped in front herself while she walked to him. When she got close enough, Wim saw she was crying. Her cheeks glistened with frozen tears.
“You’re so gorgeous, it took my breath away,” Wim said to her and he meant it. He took her hands in his own and hoped his weren’t sweating from the nerves that threatened to overtake him.
“And you look so handsome. You even have your shirt buttoned up all the way,” she said, squeezing his hands and grinning.
Wim turned from her to Emory. “Now what?”
Emory unfolded a piece of notebook paper. “I’ve prepared a few remarks. If I would have had more time, I suspect I could have been more eloquent, but hopefully I did a satisfactory job.”
“I’m sure you’ll do fine,” Wim said.
“Alright then. Without further ado.” Emory turned is face downward, toward his notes. “I met Wim almost seven months ago as I sat on a park bench and contemplated whether there was a point to going on in this new world. I was leaning toward the answer being no when Wim pulled up in his Bronco.”
“I still miss that truck,” Wim said and everyone chuckled.
“As do I,” Emory said and continued. “That very first day, Wim told me about Ramey. How she was the person who made him leave his farm and venture out into the world with the rest of us. As we traveled south, I felt the odds of locating her were slim, but he kept going on and on about her and I sensed there was something very special about her. I could tell how important she was to Wim and I was more than willing to go along for the ride. In the end, it was Ramey that found us. And as soon as I saw them together, I had a feeling it would be permanent.”
“This is the part where I’d usually talk about the future and ups and downs, trials and tribulations, and leaning on each other rather than letting the hardships in life tear you apart, but I suspect that, for the most part, those missives are not necessary. The two of you have been through enough challenges for several marriages and even though there are bound to be more, I believe you’ll be even stronger together.”
Emory pulled out a crimson, silk handkerchief and held it up. Wim thought it looked vaguely familiar and he seemed to recall Emory
holding it once or twice in the past.
“Grant gave me this many decades ago.” Emory unfolded it and reveled white embroidery at the bottom. It read, ‘And now two become one.’
“I’ve had this in my pocket every day since. It’s been on every continent on the planet and more countries than my tired old brain can quite remember. When Grant gave it to me he said, ‘I chose red, because red is the symbolic color of love. But I decided on a handkerchief because I know life is never as perfect as we’d hope and sometimes the need to wipe away our tears arises. When that happens, even if you’re in pain or lonesome or angry, remember that you have my heart.”
Emory’s eyes glistened. Wim saw him swallow hard and then he continued. “Ramey, Wim is my very best friend. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit a part of me is reluctant to hand him over to you, but I know you’ll take good care of him.”
“I will.” She looked at Wim as she said it.
“And Wim, I know you frequently lament the age difference between the two of you. But as an octogenarian I can assure you that age is only a number. One thing I learned through my life is that it is meant to be shared. Both in the good times and the bad. Having someone at your side with whom you can experience the highs and lows is God’s greatest gift. I suspect that is even more true now. And the fact that you two managed to find each other not once, but twice, like you each held magnets pulling you toward the other, well that my friends is the very definition of kismet. So, I’m giving you this handkerchief to remind you to always share not only your hearts, but your tears.”
He extended the cloth to Wim. Wim took his hand, the old dark skin feeling as soft and fragile as velvet, and gave it a light squeeze.
“Thank you.”
Emory nodded but Wim thought he seemed ready to change the subject.
And that’s what he did. “Ramey, would you like to say anything?”
Ramey nodded. She pulled an index card from her pocket but rarely needed to look at it while she spoke. “Wim, I was a total shit to you the last few months. I’m using the excuse that I’m young and dumb but that doesn’t make it alright. Because you’ve been nothing but good to me since the day we met. You saved me then. In more ways than one. And you keep saving me. I hope you never get tired of me being me, because I don’t know how to stop.”
“And I don’t want you too.”
“That’s good. Because you’re stuck with me now. At least, you will be in a few minutes. And when we can get out of this place and really start our lives together, I have a feeling that I’m going to be happier than I ever thought possible. I want to be your wife because you’re the best man I’ve ever known. A better man than I might deserve, but I’m glad you’re mine.”
She grabbed his belt buckle and pulled him in close. He shivered as she looked up at him, smiling big and looking like the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen in his life.
“Wim, do you have a few words to say?” Emory said.
“Only a couple. I’m not as good with them as you,” Wim said to Ramey as he took her hands. He thought they felt so soft and warm and perfect in his own. “I spent the last ten or so years of my life all alone. It never bothered me all that much, and I grew accustomed to it. But now that I know what it’s like to love you, I can’t imagine my life without you. And I promise you, Ramey, that I’ll love you every day for the rest of my life.”
He saw a tear slide down Ramey’s cheek and wiped it away with the back of his hand. Then he looked to Emory. “That’s all I got.”
Emory was crying too, more than Ramey even. “That’s more than enough, Wim.” He took a moment to compose himself.
“With that, I think it’s time to wrap up this ceremony so these two amazing people can begin their lives together. I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Wim watched him. A second passed. Then two. Then three.
Emory leaned in to him. “Now is when you kiss her.”
“Oh.” Wim grinned, a little embarrassed. He put one hand on Ramey’s waist and the other on her neck and pulled her in to him. He thought her mouth tasted sweeter than honey and he felt her hands in his hair as she held on to him. He half hoped the moment would never end and, for once, didn’t even mind being the center of attention.
When they separated, he whispered in her ear. “Promise me you’ll never leave me. That we’ll always be together.”
“There’s nothing I want more.”
That wasn’t really a promise. He realized that later on, but in the moment, it was what he needed to hear.
They laid in bed, pressed together, almost melded into one form. Ramey could feel Wim’s heart beating as his chest pressed against her. It was fast. Strong. He held on to her so tight that she thought she might break but she’d never imagined anything could feel that good.
Their bodies were drenched in sweat from the recent consummation of their marriage and now the cool night air felt even colder. Ramey shivered.
“Are you all right?” Wim asked, his voice full of concern.
Ramey turned her face up toward his, smiling. More than smiling. Glowing. “I’m not alright, Wim. I’m wonderful.”
“You still want to leave here in the spring, right?”
There was almost nothing she wanted more. “Of course.”
“Is there somewhere you want to go? Because I’ll follow you anywhere.”
She hadn’t given it much thought. “Not really. Just far away from here.”
“I was thinking about finding us a little cabin somewhere. Maybe in North Carolina or Tennessee. Where the winters aren’t so long, but you still get the change of seasons.”
“That sounds nice.”
“It won’t always be easy. But I have faith we can get through anything that gets tossed our way as long as we’ve got each other.”
She felt him give her another squeeze, and wasn’t sure if he’d realized he’d done it or if it was his subconscious way of saying he’d never let her go.
“We could clear off a section of land for a garden. Take in any livestock we come across and raise them up. Not for eating, just for the noise and company”
She thought that sounded good. She’d grown skeptical of people after her time here and had no great desire to live amongst them again. Animals would be nice though.
“I can picture it in my head already. You’ll be running around, chasing the chickens back into their pens when they get out, because they always do. Gathering eggs for a late breakfast because I got distracted talking to the cows while I milked them. You’re wearing a pretty little dress— “
“I’m not really the dress type, Wim,” she said with a lazy, contented grin.
“That’s all right. You’d be beautiful in anything. Even one of those old flour sacks. But I can see you sitting on the porch of our very own home and me sitting beside you. Maybe I’ll make us some of those tilted back chairs, Adirondack’s, I think they’re called. Or maybe a swing. Yep, it’ll be a swing so we can sit side by side. And because it’ll be up in the mountains we’ll get to see the prettiest sunsets ever.”
Ramey could picture it too. It sounded perfect.
“And afterward, we’ll look up at the stars and there’ll be so many and they’ll be so bright, that it won’t even feel like we’re on the same planet anymore. It’ll be like we found ourselves a whole new world. A better one.”
Until that day, Ramey never thought it was possible to love someone so much. She laid her head against Wim’s chest, her ear over his thudding heart, and thought they should leave the Ark at that very moment. That the two of them could disappear into the night. Run away and find a new place where they could be happy together forever. And later, when she looked back, she realized that maybe they should have done just that and avoided the carnage that was to come, but instead they made love again and dreamed about a future.
Part IV
Chapter 34
Saw loved watching Yukie dress after they fucked. She wasn’t much to look at, a right mun
ter really, but the bird had a way about her that he found almost irresistible. And she was fun in the sack too. He hadn’t had his balls drained so often since he was a lad.
“What are you staring at?” She asked.
“I like the way you jiggle.”
A lesser woman might have been offended, but Yukie grinned. She held her arms out at her sides and shook her body, sending her flesh shaking like a mild earthquake was taking place.
Saw went to her and grabbed her flabby belly in his hands. Then he kissed her.
Yukie’s hand squeezed his crotch which was swollen, eager. “Again already, big man?”
Saw pushed himself against her. “Saves you the trouble of getting dressed.”
“That’s true.”
Yukie rolled his balls in her hand like they were two big marbles and kissed him back.
Yeah, he liked this one. He liked her a lot.
About the only thing of interest Saw could find in London, Kentucky was a huge banner spanning Main Street which read “World Chicken Festival.” Nonetheless, he found it far preferable to London, England and all its toffee-nosed wankers.
Paramount on his mind now was finding a hospital. It wasn’t a life and death situation, but for the last few days, every time he pissed he felt like his cock had been doused in petrol and set aflame. In between pisses, oily white goo seeped out his dick hole almost constantly. He was no doctor but he knew a dose of the clap when he saw it. And even though they’d assembled a small arsenal of firearms and enough food to last for weeks, they were woefully unprepared for medical issues that didn’t involve slapping a bandage on it. It was time to fix that.
He sent the men off to search the town for anything of interest. He didn’t want them to be aware of his plumbing issues so he didn’t tell them why he and Yukie were headed to the hospital.
Getting inside was easy enough. The sliding double-doors were wide open. In the lobby, a zombie with a cast extending from its foot to above its knee flopped on the floor. When it saw them, he grabbed at the tile, trying to crawl toward them. Its bloody fingers were worn down, allowing the glistening, white bone to poke free of the destroyed skin. The bones could gain no traction on the floor, clawing across the tile with a sickening screech. Unable to make any forward progress, it gasped at them.
