by Chris Pike
Kate nodded.
“Look at him now. He’s sleeping.” Nico reached across the bar and invited Kate to take his hands. She took his hands and he held them tight. “You did this all on your own. Don’t you realize that?”
“I guess I didn’t.”
“Reload would have come to you if you needed him.”
“He’s never let me down.”
“I’ll never let you down, Kate. Never. I promise.”
Kate straightened up, took a paper napkin, and patted her face dry. With a renewed sparkle in her eye she said, “I’m going to hold you to that.”
“You can hold me to that for a lifetime,” Nico said sincerely.
Kate hopped up on the bar, swung her legs over and planted them down on the floor. “There was one thing you promised you’d do for me when you came back.”
“What?”
“You said you’d make me a steak.”
“Ah, yes, I do remember saying I would.” Nico diverted his gaze, thinking.
“Well?” Kate asked.
“Since I said I’ll make you a steak, I will.”
“How? The grocery stores are empty and any meat we have here at the hotel has spoiled.”
“Do you like pork?”
“I do. Are you making pork chops? I’ll eat one of those instead of a steak.” Kate was suddenly aware of her growling stomach.
“I’m not exactly making a pork chop.”
“Then what are you making?”
Nico didn’t answer Kate’s question. “Can you start a fire in the grill—the one on the patio?”
“Of course.”
“Good. Get one going and I’ll meet you on the patio in about an hour. Bring a bottle of wine and two glasses.”
“Okay,” Kate replied, suspicious of what Nico was planning.
“I’ll be in the kitchen.”
They walked out of the bar and when Nico opened the door, Kate said, “What about Reload?”
“He can come too. There’ll be a little extra for him.”
* * *
An hour later, coals in the grill had formed and were glowing red. Rain from the cold front had blown through leaving puddles of water pooled in the low lying sections of the patio. The sky was clear and cold.
Kate was sitting on a lawn chair on the patio, a rectangular green space located in the middle of the hotel grounds. There was no access to it from the street, and the landscaping still looked good. Hedges had been trimmed prior to the electrical grid going down, fall flowers had been planted, and the bird bath had water in it.
Kate shivered in the chilly night air, rose, and went to the fire to warm her hands. She looked skyward at a bright star twinkling in the dark sky. Without lights from the city, the stars shined brightly. She thought it might be one of the planets. Jupiter was a likely guess, but she wasn’t sure since she wasn’t familiar with the planets.
She pulled the collar of her jacket up around her neck and fluffed her hair to cover her ears in the chilly night air. She took a sip of wine then placed the glass on the patio table situated between the two chairs. Reload sat quietly by her side.
The door to the patio opened and Nico stepped out.
“I was beginning to worry. What took you so long?” Kate asked.
“It took me a while to find the cast iron skillet and a spatula that wouldn’t melt on the grill, and,” Nico paused, “I had to prepare the food.”
“Would you like a glass of wine?”
“I sure would.”
Kate poured a glass of wine for Nico while he put two covered pots on the grill.
“What’s on the menu?” Kate asked. “I’m starving.”
“Green beans with almonds and thyme, mashed potatoes—”
“Real mashed potatoes?”
“Sort of. They are from a real box.”
“Good enough,” Kate said.
“I also found some rolls, but they’re on the stale side so you may not want to eat them. For the main entrée we have a delicious and moist steak, cooked medium well, which is how you like it if I recall correctly.”
Kate smiled. “You remembered.”
Nico removed the lid from the cast iron skillet and presented it to Kate. She suspiciously eyed the rectangular, breaded slices of some type of mystery meat. “What exactly is that?”
“May I present to you Spam steak.”
A big smile spread across Kate’s face. “Spam steak?” A laugh escaped her lips. “I didn’t know there was such a thing.”
“Spam can be eaten in many ways,” Nico said. “In fact, Hawaii consumes more Spam than any other state.”
“Why?” Kate asked.
“During WWII, the GIs ate a lot of Spam because it didn’t require refrigeration. Surplus Spam made its way into the native diets of Pacific Islanders. Even to this day, it’s a favorite.”
“What exactly is Spam?” Kate asked.
“Mostly pork and ham.”
“Well, when someone cooks for me, I am grateful. Thank you.”
“My pleasure. Dinner will be served in about ten minutes.”
Nico removed the breaded Spam to another plate then placed the cast iron skillet on the grill. Once it was heated, he spread a thin coating of oil in the bottom. He spooned each piece onto the skillet, waited a few minutes, then flipped the pieces over. Kate sat to the side and sipped on wine, dubious of how the Spam would taste. She had seen ads on TV when the economy had tanked, but had never eaten Spam.
“The steaks are done,” Nico said. “Green beans and potatoes are hot too.”
Nico placed two plates on the patio table then spooned food onto them. He sat down for the first time in days. It had been a long time since he had sat down for a proper meal. Normally he ate on the run or in his government issued vehicle. Tonight was different, and it deserved to be honored.
“Let’s bow our heads.” Nico cleared his throat. “Come, Lord Jesus, and be our guest, and let this food to us be blessed. Amen.”
“Amen,” Kate said softly. She lifted her chin. “That was very nice.”
Nico nodded. “It was my dad’s favorite. Dig in.”
Kate speared a piece of Spam, cut off a tiny bite, and tasted it. She chewed it slowly, mulling over the salty flavor diluted by the breading. She took another bite then a sip of wine. “It’s actually quite good. It’s been a while since I had a hot meal. This is perfect.”
Reload, who had been sitting quietly, had drool dripping from his jaw. He eagerly watched Kate take every bite. She slipped him several pieces of Spam, which the big dog scarfed down.
After she had her fill, she dabbed the corners of her mouth with a paper napkin, folded it, and placed it by the side of the plate. “The meal was delicious.”
“Thanks,” Nico said.
Kate scraped a few leftovers into a pile and offered the scraps to Reload. He greedily gobbled the tidbits. She stacked the plates and put the silverware on top. “What’s for dessert?”
Nico cracked a sly smile. He put his hands around her waist and brought her close. “Whatever you want.”
Kate dropped her gaze and grinned. She knew exactly what she wanted. “Let’s take the wine and go upstairs. We can sit on the balcony and watch the stars. Or the clouds.”
“Have I ever told you I stargaze?”
“I would have never guessed. There’s a lot I don’t know about you, Nico Bell.”
“What do you want to know?”
Kate thought a moment before asking, “Why did you come back?”
“I came back for you, Kate. I knew from the moment I saw you that you were the one for me.”
“I knew it too,” Kate said. “I didn’t want to admit it because I wasn’t ready. I’m ready now though.”
“Come on,” Nico said, “Let’s go watch the stars.”
* * *
Nico and Kate left the patio and walked hand in hand back to the second floor where the guest rooms were.
Reload was on the patio, sitting on his haunch
es, tail thumping, waiting for Kate to instruct him. With growing apprehension Reload watched them leave, torn whether or not to go to Kate to comfort her like he always had. He waited eagerly for her to turn around, pat her thighs indicating he was to go to her.
Earlier, in the bar, Reload had listened to the conversation and had been keenly attuned to Kate’s every sniffle, cough, shuffle, moving arms, growling stomach, and even her wobbly knees at one point. Then the man reached over to her and took her hands in his big warm hands, never lashing out in anger at Kate, and who looked at Kate with a longing Reload had noticed before. Whatever it was they were communicating about, Reload was satisfied in knowing the man would protect her.
During dinner on the patio, the conversation had been relaxed and Reload sensed the attraction between the two, noticing it in body posture, a smile, a laugh, or how Kate reacted when Nico put his hand on her shoulder. She, in turn, put her hand on his. It was a natural movement, not forced like some humans did.
Reload stood poised, ready to bolt at a moment’s notice to be by Kate’s side. When Nico and Kate disappeared around the corner, Reload instinctively wanted to go to her, but he held back. Kate was now a pair with the man, and she was safe with him.
Reload put his nose in the air, sniffing. Various aromas wafted in the air. There was the distinctive odor of meat, some type of vegetable which didn’t interest him, and two rolls left on the table.
He sat on his haunches, waiting for Kate to reappear. After a few minutes, Reload’s interest turned to the table and the uneaten food. The aroma was too enticing and he did what he had been taught not to do. He went to the table, put his paws on the sides, and if he turned his snout just right, he could reach the food. He licked the plates clean, including the leftover Spam. He pawed the rolls until they fell off the table and onto the ground. He greedily gobbled them down, then sniffed the ground, searching for anything he missed. Satisfied the food was all gone, Reload padded to the door, nosed it open, and followed the direction Kate and Nico went.
He put his nose to the ground to follow Kate’s scent, taking him past sofas and chairs in the foyer, the grand piano, and glass-encased shelves holding knickknacks and various other memorabilia of a bygone time. Reload padded to the next space, a cavernous and dark room, loped across the worn rug past the elevators until he came to the stairs. He scampered up the stairs and followed the scent trail to the room where Kate and Nico were.
Reload stopped and canted his head, listening to the laughter coming from inside the room. He put his nose to the door and sniffed, taking in the smells of the room in which Kate’s scent now mingled with the man’s.
He stepped back from the door and sniffed the carpet for any signs of other people. Satisfied they were alone, Reload scratched the carpet, twirled a couple of times, then pillowed into it.
He let out a big breath and put his snout on his paws. There would be more to do, and tomorrow would be a new day.
He closed his eyes and sleep soon came to him. He would wait for the sun to rise. He would wait to walk by the side of Kate and Nico.
That’s what a service dog did.
That’s what he would do.
The End (almost)
Dark Water (a bonus scene)
The winter months passed without incident. There was something comforting about living in the city with people all around, the noises, chatter, the energy. Even though a city could have a million people, it was still easy to become lonely, to be invisible. Since the grid had been down and people had thinned out, it wasn’t as lonely. Community had come together to survive and Kate and Nico traded whatever they had at the Minor Hotel in order to be comfortable. They had made friends and alliances with the neighboring Crocketts, and they passed the winter peacefully. Leaving it would be more difficult than she thought.
Spring showed herself by warming the land and brightening the dull colors with splashes of vibrant hues. Dandelions showcased a bright yellow flower which grew to full height since lawns and freeway embankments had ceased to be mowed. Trees sprouted new growth.
The air was lively with flitting butterflies while songbirds sang their melodies.
The swimming pool at the Minor was filled halfway with water that had turned brown, and a bullfrog had taken residence in the shallow end, croaking long and lonely during the warm nights. Somehow a goldfish entered the scene and darted among the soggy brown leaves.
Nico had made the rounds during the morning making sure the hotel was secured while Kate inventoried their remaining food in the bar.
“Nico,” Kate said, “we’re getting low on food.”
He shut the door to the bar and walked over to where Kate was standing. “How much is left?”
Kate’s eye’s roamed over the remaining cans of spaghetti sauce, green beans, ranch style beans, canned tuna, bags of chips, packages of noodles, and a plethora of other canned goods she swore she’d never eat again if things ever got back to normal.
“About two weeks, possibly three if we ration carefully. We’re running low on dog food too,” Kate added. “The extra dog food the hotel had for the pets is almost gone.”
“You know as well as I do it’s time for us to leave.”
“Where would we go?”
“Kate, I promised you I’d get you back home. Let me take you there.”
“My parents have probably forgotten about me by now. I left on such bad terms I’m not sure my mom wants to see me again.”
“I doubt it.”
“How would we get there? Walk?” Kate thought about the daunting prospect of walking from San Antonio to the west side of Austin. “I don’t want to walk a hundred miles.”
Nico moved closer to Kate. “Who said anything about walking?”
Now that got Kate’s attention.
Reload perked up his ears at the intonation of Nico’s voice. The man was up to something.
“Do you have a bathing suit?”
“I do.”
“Pack your suit and whatever items you can fit into a duffle bag. I’ll pack my gear and a few days worth of food for us and Reload. We’re going to the beach. We’ll need a couple of towels and—”
“Huh? The beach?” Kate was dumbfounded. “The beach is farther from here than Austin is. How are we going to get there?”
“I’m going to steal a helicopter.”
“If you know how to steal a helicopter, why didn’t we leave during the winter?” Kate put her hands on her hips in a show of displeasure.
“I only learned the other day a nearby small airport has a few helicopters stored in hangers. The owners must have left them.”
“Oh. So is stealing a helicopter like stealing a car?”
“It’s a whole lot easier.” Nico spied the inventory of liquor on the shelves behind Kate. “Bring a couple of bottles of wine.” He looked at Kate’s hair. “And be sure to wear several bobby pins in your hair.”
“What for?”
“Just do it, please.”
“Okay,” Kate said, curious why Nico wanted her to wear bobby pins in her hair, although not asking questions. “When do we leave?”
“In one hour.”
“We’re going to the beach then to Austin?”
“You got it.”
“On what? Fumes?”
“You can leave the logistics to me. I’ve got it all planned out.”
* * *
By late afternoon, and after several hours of walking, Nico, Kate, and Reload stood outside the barbed wire rimmed fence protecting one of San Antonio’s privately owned public use airports.
Thick woods surrounded the airport, and Nico had guided them to a place in the woods where he could study the layout and not be observed.
Standing in the shade of a large tree, Nico swung his backpack on the ground, retrieved a bottle of water, and chugged down half of it. He poured the rest into a plastic bowl for Reload. The dog drank thirstily.
Kate surveyed the airport containing hangers, a VIP lounge, airplane co
vers, and the two story terminal building. Nico said the airport had a radio shop, and was an FAA license repair and Cessna repair facility. There was also an upholstery shop for aircraft interiors.
“What’s the plan?” Kate asked.
“See the helicopter over there?” Nico said, pointing to a Bell Jet Ranger helicopter.
“Yes.”
“I’m going to steal it.”
“It looks old.”
“It probably is,” Nico confirmed. “It could date from 1966. But if I know pilots, and since I’m a pilot too, I’m betting the chopper is in better shape than most of the newer ones. And it wouldn’t have been affected by the EMP.”
Kate was skeptical. “How are we going to get in?” She was looking at the razor sharp barbed wire which topped the high fence.
“I brought bolt cutters. Found them in the utility room at the hotel,” Nico said. “Stay here. Once I finish cutting a hole large enough for us, you and Reload hightail it over to me.”
“Then what?”
“You’ll see.”
Holding the bolt cutter in one hand, Nico slung his backpack over his shoulder, tentatively emerged from the woods, and bolted to the fence. He worked quickly and expertly, cutting the links starting at the bottom and working his way up. Kate winced each time the bolt cutter clanged though a link. In the quiet of the woods, the sound might as well have been a locomotive barreling along a railroad line.
Nico cut across the links at the bottom, then up and over, leaving one side intact until he had made a rectangle big enough to squeeze through. He held the piece of chain link fence then waved to Kate it was time to hoof it.
Holding Reload by the leash, Kate sprinted toward Nico. When she reached him, he motioned for her to squat down.
“Go on through,” Nico said hastily. He checked in both directions making sure no one had seen them. After Kate and Reload were on the other side, he heaved his backpack through the hole, crouched over, and slipped through himself. Once inside, he leaned back through the hole and positioned the piece of chain link fence loosely in the cut out space.
