Generations of people who were used to instant gratification had to learn a new way of life. Entertainment, when there was time, stopped being about overpaid athletes, pop stars and movie stars. No one cared what the latest reality show star was wearing anymore. Local dances and bands filled that void, with card game parties and pot lucks replacing restaurants and movie nights. For many towns, market day was looked forward to. People came together to barter or trade what they had and it replaced hours of mindless spending at shopping malls. One of the biggest changes for many people was that they now actually got to know their neighbours instead of just waving as they drove by. Life was much simpler, but it was hard. Medicines ran out and food was scarce until it could be harvested. People died and people lived and it would never be the same.
Alex stood with Dr. Mack a few feet away from her family and friends. They watched as soldiers loaded Cooper into the back of one of the trucks on a stretcher. He was going to recover, thanks to the quick work of the army surgeon and a few blood transfusions, but it would take a long time. When he had regained consciousness and was told what had happened he had asked to go with the soldiers and be a recruit once he had healed. The army was taking quite a few people with them back to their base before continuing on their aid mission, and nothing the teens said could change Cooper’s mind. He didn’t have any family left in the town and felt he would always bear some of the blame for what his father had done.
Dr. Mack surveyed the crowds lining the street like they were waiting for a parade and sighed. Alex looked up at him, her eyebrows raised in question.
The doctor looked around them before saying quietly, “This is going to sound terrible but that gang saved a lot of lives.” At Alex’s horrified expression he held up his hand. “What they did to the people of this town was horrible and in a lot of cases, evil. But they also made everyone work and they took all the food from every house and store and rationed it out. If they hadn’t taken over, I have my doubts the town council could have gotten everyone to work together like that. There is a huge amount of food planted right now that will feed us this fall and winter. Without that gang, I don't know if that would have happened. People would have hoarded what they could until it was gone and then there would have been stealing and fighting among neighbours for any scrap they could find. Now we still have food in storage and crops in the ground. Look at all of these people, Alex. Most of them are in the best shape of their lives from the work they were forced to do. So many people in this town were overweight and unhealthy. They needed all kinds of medications because of that, but now they don’t. I’m not saying it was a good thing and if it had of continued, people would have started to starve from the low rations, but a lot of people will live longer because of what they did here.”
Alex looked away from the doctor with a frown and studied the people lined up on the sidewalks. There were some that were too skinny and gaunt but the majority looked healthy and strong. Their faces were tanned from being outside and she couldn’t see anyone with a belly hanging over their belt. They did look good. She would like to think that her town and neighbours would have come together on their own but a small part of her knew that the doctor was right.
Alex was distracted from her thoughts as a woman walked towards her and her group from the army truck. She was completely out of place with her stylish hair and beautiful clothes. The woman’s high heels snapped against the pavement as she glided towards them. Looking at the beautiful woman, Alex thought she could have come from the pages of a magazine, not the world of the past six weeks. As stunning as she looked, Alex noticed that there was no depth in her eyes as she stepped past Alex without a glance.
“There you are, Lisa. I wasn’t sure if you would still be in the area.”
Alex had turned to watch the woman and saw Lisa looking at her with no emotion. Alex realized that this woman was Lisa’s mother.
“I wanted to let you know that I will be traveling with these soldiers back to the base. I’m told they have some electricity there and I would be more comfortable.”
When Lisa didn’t answer but just stared at her mother like she was a stranger, the woman nodded.
“Well then. Take care, dear.”
She turned away and took two steps before stopping. Alex could see her face and the expression that crossed it was like something had just occurred to her. She turned back to Lisa.
“You could come with me.”
There was no pleading or love in the statement. It was an afterthought.
Lisa cocked her head to the side and looked her mother up and down and her voice was filled with disdain when she answered.
“I’m sorry, Claire, but I’m not interested in being a whore. Besides, my family is right here and I couldn’t leave them.”
Lisa used the woman’s name instead of the title of mother which she no longer deserved. Claire Kelly lifted her nose in the air and rolled her eyes just like her daughter used to do, before turning on her heel and walking back to her future customers.
Alex looked at her friends standing in a group. Quinn sent her a smile full of love, Josh winked at her and put David in a loose headlock, Dara shook her head at his antics and laughed. Emily had an arm around Lisa’s waist and their heads leaning against each other’s in support. Alex started nodding her head. They had come so far together and she realized that home might be defined by a place, but it was being surrounded by the people you loved the most that made it HOME.
The End
Home: A Stranded Novel Page 20
