by Nelson, Kip
Chapter Twenty
During the following few days Tillman told them all to keep up pretenses in case the mercenaries had scouts watching. Tillman sent out his own scouts to canvas the surrounding area and to get a better lay of the land. None of them came across any spies or scouts, and the charade came to an end. Tillman had watched the mercenaries fighting with themselves as they left, checking each other for symptoms. It would drive a wedge between them and he doubted they would return.
The neighborhood had managed to drive off another threat, and they had done so without picking up a weapon. Tillman hoped this showed all of them there was another way to succeed rather besides lashing out in anger.
And now that the mercenaries had left there was much to discuss. The best place to meet was still outside, for it was the only area that could hold all the residents of the neighborhood. Tillman had seen so much occur in such a short space of time here, but the most astounding thing was how everyone had come together and worked with each other. He looked up at the sky and saw the clouds setting in. The temperature was dropping. He’d felt it while he had been skulking around at night, and knew it only was going to get worse. These people had faced so many challenges, and another one was going to present itself.
Tillman had long believed that nothing worth having comes easily, and that was true in the case of life as with anything else. They would have to fight tooth and nail for survival, and many more would die.
“That was a genius plan, Tillman. You surely had those folks’ number. They bought what you were selling hook, line, and sinker. I am glad you are on our side. For a moment, I almost believed everyone was falling down dying, even though I knew it was a ruse,” Mr. Fox said. The council had gathered for its first meeting after the mercenaries had left. Tillman stood with Mr. Fox, Fernando, Jack, and Annabelle. They had yet to bring in a replacement for Simon.
“I’m just glad the plan worked, but now we have something even more important to do. We have to work together and think about the future of this community. We have to focus on what we’re going to do to build ourselves a life here. We’ve been distracted by so many threats we haven’t really had a chance to sit down and come up with a plan. There are so many things we need to discuss, and winter is coming. We have to start making more efforts to store food and stockpile wood so we can keep ourselves warm and fed through winter. We’ve lost a lot of people already, and I don’t want more people to die from something that we can prevent if we just work hard enough,” Tillman said.
“With all due respect, shouldn’t we keep an eye out for the mercenaries as well? I’m not convinced they’re going to stay away. Once they realize they’re not sick they might come back to see if there really was anything wrong with us in the first place,” Jack said.
“I understand. We will remain vigilant, of course. Jack, I hope you will train the members of this community so we can defend ourselves properly. Mr. Fox, I want you to resume work on the water distribution system. It has been sorely neglected over the past few days. Let’s finish repairing the damage Ben and Jeff did, and then start work on the next project. I want us to push each other hard and make sure we don’t leave anything to chance. Annabelle, I love what you’re doing with the food. Keep on finding new ways to store things. Use whatever you have to. We need to make sure we have enough to last us through winter. Don’t forget that hunting is going to be more difficult as well since a lot of animals will be going into hibernation or moving to different areas.”
Tillman spoke with great authority. He felt the power flow through his blood and inspire him. It felt right to be giving orders, to lead this community into a new era of prosperity.
“You all know what you have to do. Anything you need, you can come to me for help. Tell everyone to gather in the neighborhood at sunset, and I will talk to them,” Tillman said before he left.
He returned home to find Tony and Tanya sitting in the kitchen, enjoying the company of Ana, Morelle, Greg, Penelope, and Jessica and Anthony. Major leaped up when he saw Tillman, and the dog took great delight in greeting him.
Tillman shook Tony’s hand.
“Your family has been telling me everything that’s happened here. You’ve sure had your hands full,” Tony said.
“Yes, and we’ve lost a lot of good people in the process as well. I just was meeting with the council and talking to them about winter. It’s going to be a challenging few months ahead. We’re going to be right up against it and it’s going to be a challenge to pull ourselves through,” Tillman said.
“I’m sure you can make it. You seem to be able to work miracles.”
“I don’t know about that,” Tillman replied sheepishly.
“You saved my life. Without you I would have died out there, and Tanya would have been at the mercy of those soldiers. I owe you everything, Tillman, and I want to do everything I can to repay you,” Tony said, a serious expression on his face.
“I’m glad you said that because I was hoping you’d stick around. We can use people like you and your daughter,” Tillman said. He noticed out of the corner of his eye that Jessica gripped onto Tanya excitedly.
“I think even if I had a home to go back to, I’d still choose to stay here. From what I’ve been hearing, you’re building something pretty special here, and anyone would be a fool to turn away from it.”
Tillman shook Tony’s hand warmly again, welcoming him into the neighborhood. He proceeded to tell them he would be addressing the community at sunset. Then Greg and Morelle asked to speak to him in private. Tillman walked them to the study and closed the door behind them.
“We actually were hoping you would do something else tonight, perhaps after you’ve spoken to everyone?” Morelle said.
“What did you have in mind?” Tillman asked.
Greg and Morelle looked at each other and smiled. One glance at them was enough for Tillman to know they were truly, deeply in love. It reminded him of the way he and Angela used to look at each other. For a moment he felt a pang of regret, but it passed quickly.
“We were hoping you would marry us,” Greg said. “I know it might seem out of the blue, and that we haven’t really known each other that long in the grand scheme of things, but we both know we have something special here. Plus, with the way the world is, none of us know how much time we’re going to have left. It seems as though we should make the most of every moment. Even though it’s not going to be legal, well, we just thought we’d like you to marry us. It seems like it’s something you should do.”
The words rushed out of Greg’s mouth. Tillman wasn’t sure he’d ever seen Greg this nervous before, or Morelle this excited.
“And you both want this?” Tillman asked.
“More than anything,” Morelle said.
“Then, of course I will,” Tillman said.
Morelle flung her arms around him and he could feel the wetness of her tears. It had been a long time since she had been herself. Javier had taken so much from her. Tillman was glad to see Morelle taking it back. She and Greg went to tell the others and to make plans. Tillman sauntered out after them, hearing the excited giggles from the kitchen. He turned to go into the living room and was surprised to see his father standing there.
“You’re not in the kitchen?” Tillman asked.
“I already know the news. Greg came to me and asked for permission. It was a nice gesture, although I told him I trusted my daughter’s judgment. There was a time when I never thought I’d see her happy again,” Fernando said.
“This world is a place for miracles. Let’s face it, not too long ago I wasn’t sure I’d ever be standing here in front of you again,” Tillman admitted.
“Let’s never let that happen again. I wouldn’t wish the end of the world on anyone, but I’m glad that it brought you back here. I’ve really missed you, Son, and I’m glad you’re home again.”
“I am too, Dad. I just wish I had come back sooner.”
“We all wish we could have done things di
fferently, but it’s important not to get caught up in what could have been. Let’s focus on the present and the future. Like you said, we still have a lot to do to make this community thrive,” Fernando said.
“We do indeed. Do you think they’re up to it?”
“You know they are, and I know you are too. We like this idea of the council, Tillman. But for all intents and purposes, you are our leader, and people like you for that. Do you know what you’re going to say to them?”
“I have some idea,” Tillman said.
Fernando then embraced him in a tight hug. Gestures like these weren’t common from his father. Tillman closed his eyes and let the warmth wash over him. He almost didn’t want the embrace to end, and then all of a sudden it was over. Fernando turned around and wiped his eyes. Tillman didn’t embarrass him by mentioning it. It was easy to focus on all the time they had lost with each other, but that didn’t seem to matter now.
The rest of the day passed quietly. The people of the neighborhood were in a buoyant mood after their scheme to drive off the mercenaries had worked. It was only tinged by the sorrow for those who had lost their lives, but most people weren’t letting that dampen their mood too much.
Any doubt about Tillman’s ability to make decisions on behalf of the neighborhood had disappeared as well. His most vocal critics were dead, and he had proven he was a trustworthy leader. As the sun began setting and the sky had a purplish hue, Tillman walked out into the middle of the neighborhood, where everyone was gathered.
“It’s been a crazy time. We’ve had to deal with a lot of things that we never could have imagined, but I hope you take pride in the fact that we’ve dealt with everything that’s come our way. I know you’ve all been working hard today and you’re looking forward to relaxing this evening. So, I promise I won’t keep you too long. I just wanted to talk to you and tell you how proud I am of you. And that I’m grateful to all of you for helping each other make this neighborhood proud.
“Of course, I can’t speak without talking about the people who have lost their lives. It’s important to mourn even those who disagreed with us, and we will have a proper memorial service to honor all of them. But I think the best way we can pay tribute to those who have passed is to make sure we make this place everything it can be. We can build this neighborhood with our blood, sweat, and tears, just like the first Americans built this country. One day I am sure we will be able to live like we used to, but those who come after us will know our strength and determination. This is a land of prosperity. It always has been, and we will see this tradition continue. Our descendents will know that through hard work and determination anything is possible. We all are architects of the future, and the building begins right here.”
A round of applause rippled through the crowd. There were a few cheers and whistles as well, and Tillman was glad people shared his vision.
“But there is one other aspect that is going to be important as well, and that is love. Love for this community, our country, and love for each other. That is why I am honored to be officiating the first wedding of this neighborhood, of this new world. Will my sister Morelle and my long time and good friend Greg please step forward?”
The announcement came as a surprise for many people, who turned and saw Morelle start walking down from the house, escorted by Fernando. She was wearing her mother’s wedding dress, as she had at her first wedding. But this time it seemed more fitting, and she looked happier and more beautiful than she had on that day. Jessica was her bridesmaid, walking down the aisle with Anthony. Greg came out of the crowd to stand by Tillman. He was flanked by Penelope, who was acting as best man.
Morelle came up and kissed Tillman on the cheeks before she took Greg’s hands in her own.
“It’s not going to be a surprise to anyone here to learn that I haven’t done this before, but it’s important that we carry on these traditions. I am honored to be the one to join this couple in matrimony. This coupling is a sign that love and hope can rise from the ashes of an apocalypse. We shall not let these dark days defeat us. We shall shine brightly, and we shall turn the darkness away.
Greg and Morelle, do you take each other as husband and wife, and promise to love and cherish each other, to honor and remain true to the vows you speak here today?”
Both of them replied, “I do.”
“Then I pronounce you husband and wife. Live a life filled with love and be a reminder to us all that some good can come out of the greatest disasters.”
Greg and Morelle didn’t need to wait for Tillman’s permission to kiss, and when they did they were met with rapturous applause. Everyone was jubilant, and the evening turned into a party where everyone celebrated the future.
Tillman slunk off to be by himself and reflected on the events of his life. For so long he had lived a life of solitude and his greatest pride had been as a champion of video game tournaments. Now that seemed so far away. Now he was the leader of a group of people. They trusted him, and he realized he was prouder of that accomplishment than anything else he ever had done in his life, even winning Angela’s heart.
On that first night, when he had seen planes falling from the sky, Tillman had been scared. Not just for himself, but for the entire human race. It seemed like the end of everything. But after seeing these people like this, hearing them declare they were going to work together, he actually had hope for the future. Leading these people was a great privilege. Tillman smiled up at the stars, then lost himself in the crowd.
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