“The meet point with Martin was still further out of
town, so I needed a car. With all of the confusion, I knew it
wouldn’t be hard to steal one.” I ignore their shocked expressions. “The car lots were pretty empty. There wasn’t
a large run on people getting new vehicles today,” I joke,
trying to lighten the mood. “I took the oldest truck on the
lot and drove to meet Martin.”
“How did you not get caught?” Jessica sputters. “I
would have been such a nervous wreck that I’d have the
police following me.”
“If you act like you should be driving it, a police car
won’t look at you twice, but they were overwhelmed with
calls yesterday so I wasn’t at the top of their list. I stopped a few blocks after I got the truck and traded the plates out
with another truck that was similar, so if they did run it
through the system, it wouldn’t ding as stolen.”
“Wow, you’ve thought this through,” Trish exclaims at
my ingenuity.
“When things get sticky, you do what you have to, and
this situation definitely qualifies. Also, since it’s an older truck, the car lot isn’t as likely to notice it’s missing for
several days, and when things have calmed down and the
police are on the alert, the plates won’t tell them anything.”
“So you think it’s going to get worse?” Jessica keeps
glancing toward the kid’s rooms where all the children are
still asleep.
“From what Martin and I discussed, these guys planned
to cause a panic so they could steal our top-secret program.
What they didn’t plan for was the real thing happening at
the same time. The looks on their faces when that group of
zombies headed toward them looked real to me. I think
they paid actors to be zombies for the day and somehow they were infected with a real virus.”
“Is that even possible?” Trish asks, worry lacing her
voice.
“Why would they just let the sick out of the hospital to
walk around?” Jessica can’t understand how this could
happen in such a modern world.
“The word that is being passed around on the
government channels is that there was a virus from
overseas that was deadly. The virus mutated and the dead
started reviving into these undead people who attacked any
living thing around them. They’re certain that only a
handful of people are the carriers, but when something
happens to them, it’s triggering this virus so at the moment,
most of the incidents are isolated.” I don’t want to give
them more than they can process at the moment.
“The infected carriers are coming from only a small
number of countries that have been put on lockdown. The
only problem is that there is no way to know who might be
a carrier and left those areas before the quarantines went
into effect. Most of the hospitals and medical centers have
no idea that this even exists, much less how to prepare for
the fallout.”
“Did Martin have any suggestions for how to deal with
this?” Trish bites her lip.
“What we’re the most worried about is what the people
stealing our program could do with it, especially if our
country is on the edge of collapse from a zombie panic. In
just the time from when I called him until we met at the
twenty-four-hour diner, there were two other cities that had
outbreaks. The military is headed out to contain it and kill as many of the undead as possible, but once it hits the
suburbs instead of the empty buildings of downtown, it’ll
spread quickly.”
“Won’t they be able to kill them all before they infect
more people?” Trish asks as she crossed over to the
doorway and looks down the hall, checking for any
movement from the children.
“If someone doesn’t know they have it and they die, it
can start just about anywhere. There are several private labs
that have been contracted to work on only this virus. I’ll be
able to stay here a few days at the most, but someone is
going to have to make the trip to our main headquarters in
Nevada. Martin is checking with a few others that on the
safe list to see what the next procedure is. He doesn’t know
where I am, so he can’t give my location away since I have
it all uploaded with the only version offline.”
“So, we prepare and work hard for the next two days
and hope that you don’t have to go anywhere.” Trish tries
to have an upbeat outlook on the situation.
“He can’t go anywhere. We haven’t gotten to see him
yet,” Joy cries from the doorway.
“I’m not going anywhere, munchkin. At least, not
today, but don’t wake your siblings up, okay?” I had barely
spoken the words when Trevor comes toddling out of the
bedroom and toward the kitchen.
“Guess I’ll finish the story later, but you both know the
main points so no need to worry. We’ll face this and do
whatever it takes to survive.” I hug Joy then pick Trevor
up, tossing him in the air.
“I’m just glad that you made it safely here.” Trish comes over and takes Trevor from me.
“That reminds me, we’re going to need more supplies if
this goes on for too long, and everyone else is going to start hoarding and we don’t want to run out of things,” Jessica
says.
“I’ll get right on that as soon as I get some sleep and
rest for a few hours.” I smile through the exhaustion that
has suddenly hit my system.
“Joy, why don’t you show your dad where Aunt
Jessica’s room is so he can get some rest? He can get some
sleep while we make breakfast.”
Our children are going to face worse in the near future,
and I know they could handle it, but Trish will try to keep
the worst parts of our situation from them for as long as she
can. I don’t blame her. If I wasn’t so exhausted, I would be
worried about nightmares, but at this point, I don’t expect
to dream about anything except drifting somewhere on a
soft pillow.
Chapter 6
Trish
While I make breakfast, Jessica goes to feed the
animals and make a few phone calls to close friends and
neighbors.
I don’t want to act differently, but I know that the
information Cooper had brought with him means scary
times ahead.
Joy doesn’t mind telling the late sleepers about seeing
Dad, and that makes Nicole jealous.
“All right! Enough! Carson, you and Nicole go and
open the door. Peek in and come back to the kitchen.”
The eggs will burn if I stop to take them to the
bedroom, but I’m envious as well. I would like nothing
more than to curl up by myself with my hubby and block
out the reality of the world.
While Cooper is really talented, he exudes this attitude
that he’s got the world handled, and right now I find that
really comforting.
The front door bangs as Drew and Roxanne proceed
Jessica.
�
�Mom said to tell you she’ll be in shortly,” Drew
informs me as he places a basket of fresh eggs onto the
counter.
“I’m adding the cheese now, so she timed it just right.”
I hadn’t noticed Roxanne until she dropped the empty milk
bucket onto the ground.
“What on earth are you doing?” I question my niece,
partly curious, but confused because she’s dumped the milk
into a large tub over a separate burner.
“Pasteurizing the milk so it’s safe to drink,” Roxanne
tosses back over her shoulder at me.
“We have a small one to do the process for our personal
use, but we have a larger one in the barn to take care of the
stuff we deliver locally,” Drew chimes in as he finishes
putting the eggs into the extra refrigerator in the laundry
room, off the back of the kitchen.
“I had no idea when Jessica said, “working farm” that
she meant just that, a small farm.”
“Haha, I heard that, big sis. We don’t have a full farm,
but there are some ways that we’re able to make money.
We take the produce and extras out to the farmer’s market
on the highway and it helps keep the lights on.” Jessica
walks over to the big sink next to the pasteurizer and steps
on the petal for the water to come on.
“I’m afraid I didn’t pay much attention yesterday to the
details, but I may need to take the tour after breakfast.” I
turn the burner off and pull the eggs over to the side so I
can check on the bacon.
“We have a few more chores that will need to be done,
but I think your kids will love it the first few times we have them do it.” Jessica finishes washing her hands and arms,
and dries them on the towel.
“Did your friends agree to a meeting?” I carry the hot food to the large kitchen table as the kids scramble around
to take their seats.
“They did, but they want to meet this afternoon at the
community center so that the kids can use the park across
the street while we have the meeting.”
“Well, let’s eat and take a tour of the farm. How does
that sound, kids?” I try to make it sound fun and upbeat.
“We did that yesterday, Mom,” Nicole mumbles.
“Today you’ll get to help your cousins with their chores
and there won’t be any grumbling.”
A chorus of halfhearted, “Yes, ma’am’s” fill the room.
I’ll take it, even if they’re not completely thrilled about
it.
-----------
Jessica’s farm stretches over ten acres, filled with
several types of vegetables, and even a small fruit orchard.
“Not trying to be rude, sis, but this place is huge. I had
no idea the scope of what you meant.” I look around at the
neatly plowed fields and know that Cooper will never want
to leave.
“I inherited it from my grandparents. Well, I should say
my adopted grandparents.”
I stop Jessica. “They were your grandparents, and just
because we’ve found each other doesn’t mean that they
were any less part of your family growing up. So, don’t try
to change the past. Let’s just go with what the future has
for us.”
Jessica’s face brightens and I know it was the right thing to say.
“I think the thought of being a rich farmer is what
appealed to Billie, but when he realized the amount of work
that went with it, he really gave up trying.” Jessica keeps
her voice low since the bigger kids are on the other golf
cart in hearing range.
She stretches an arm out to encompass the surrounding
view. “It might take a lot of work, but it’s what I’ve always
known. We aren’t poor, but I don’t foresee any vacation
home purchases in my future either.”
I giggle as Trevor becomes excited at the horse running
along the fence separating the orchard from the rest of the
field.
“Can we go pet the horse?” I ask, as holding Trevor has
become more difficult.
“Absolutely.” She turns toward the gate that leads from
the field to the orchard.
Drew and Carson have the gate open for us as we pull
up, driving through easily.
“Have your kids ever been close to a horse before?”
Jessica asks curiously, because the children all have
varying reactions.
Trevor can’t wait to pet the horse, while Joy is shaking
her head about getting off the cart, and Nicole is already
next to the horse with a treat in her hand.
“I’ve never taken them horseback riding, but I think
after they hang out for a bit, it won’t be such a big deal.”
Jessica parks and takes the squirming Trevor from my arms as I gingerly get out into the grass.
“Now I know where they get their city ways from.”
Jessica laughingly calls back to me as I try to watch every
step I take so that I don’t end up stepping in a pile of horse manure.
“You wouldn’t fare any better in the city with all the
noise and traffic,” I mumble under my breath, cursing the
idea of taking a tour through the farm.
My kids shouldn’t see their mother afraid of anything,
so I trudge on until I’m standing next to the horse, only to
have it try to rub its nose on my face in greeting.
The unexpected action sends me backing up and
tripping over a rock so that I land on my hiney.
The sound of childish laughter rings out through the air
at my expense.
“Seriously, if the horse had tried to kiss you, you’d
have done the same thing.” I stick my tongue out at my
kids, making no attempt to get up.
“Are you going to stay there all day?” Drew innocently
asks, unsure of what to do with his citified Aunt.
“I’m very comfortable down here, thank you very
much. I’m in no hurry to get up.” The little dignity I have
left can’t handle another round of kissy with the horse.
Jessica gently places Trevor on the back of the horse.
“Old Betsy wouldn’t hurt a fly.” Drew pats the horse on
his neck, letting it nuzzle next to his face.
The horse doesn’t even flinch in Drew’s direction as Trevor bounces excitedly on his back.
I push myself up, dusting anything I can from my pants.
Ugh! I’m so not an outdoor girl.
“Can we head back to the house now?” I watch all the
children’s heads swivel around like a bad horror film.
“Really, Mom?” Joy whines. “We just got out here.”
“They can stay out here and Trevor can go back to the
house and watch cartoons. What do you say, buddy?”
Jessica asks.
“Horsy!” Trevor squeales.
“We can come visit the horsy later. Your favorite show
is on, Sesame Street.”
“Bird! Wanna see Bird.” Trevor holds out his arms to
Jessica. “Bye horsy.”
“Watch out for each other and listen to your cousins.
They know what’s safe so make sure you obey their rules,”
I admonish my three children.
“Did you get enough baskets, Roxanne?” Jessica<
br />
questions her as she walks to the golf cart with Trevor on
her hip.
“Uh-huh. We’ll take them over to the berry patch.”
Roxanne pulls on her cousin, Nicole’s, hand. “Let’s go.”
We watch as the new cousins race to see who will be
the driver.
“At least they’re getting along with each other.” Jessica
smiles as we pull away toward the house, going the long
way so that I can see a few more things from the comfort of my seat.
-----------
With lunch over, I go to wake Cooper up so that he’ll
have a few minutes to get ready before the meeting.
He’s lying on his stomach and lets out a loud snore as
the door closes to keep the kids’ noise down.
The white of his skin is almost too much. He needs to
get a little more sun and less desk time, but with four
children it’s a hard task to stay in great shape or spend time outdoors. I can’t lay any blame on him because my body’s
certainly not any more either.
“Are you going to stand there and stare at me all day?”
Cooper’s brown eyes sparkle with mischief. “I don’t see
any children. Does that mean we can have some alone
time?”
“Afraid not. We have a town meeting to go to in a few
minutes.” I sigh in regret as I walk over to the edge of the
bed. I’m not surprised when he moves over enough for me
to lay down and snuggle up. Kid free moments are rare in
our home.
“So Jessica explained to enough people that they’re
ready to prepare?” Cooper asks as he props his head on his
arm.
“They’re convinced enough to come. You get to do the
rest, but they’re worried and hoping that you can explain
what’s going out there.” I lean over to place a kiss on his
lips, savoring the sensation.
The door bursts open and four little people are standing in the doorway.
“Yuck, they’re kissing again,” Joy groans and turns to
leave, but with the two cousins right behind them, she can’t
get away like she’d wanted to.
“It’s safe, kids. No more kissing,” Cooper says with a
wink in my direction.
“Uh, is it okay with Jessica if I wear these clothes?” he
asks, pulling on the white muscle shirt, unsure of the
modesty level needed in front of his new niece and nephew.
“You can wear anything from this box. It’s the last of
Moms Against Zombies Page 7
