“We stand here talking and we’ll die anyway.”
“Hang on.” I leaned over and kissed her. “Okay, let’s do this.”
She pointed to a spot, and we started shooting. We probably shot six or seven before we started running. And we had to step over the bodies that had just fallen. The sack I was carrying was torn, and most of the contents fell out. I felt the scratches on my arm, and I saw one of them biting at Tasha, but I shot it before it did much damage.
And then we were through. We ran for a couple of blocks before stopping to catch our breath. I looked at Tasha’s injuries, she looked at mine, we decided we made it through okay.
“I lost most of my snacks.” I said, showing her the sack.
“Everyone can share.”
“Do you have any idea how much I love you?”
“Well, you came all the way across the country alone looking for me, then practically got shot trying to get my attention, I think I believe you love me.”
And she left her family for me. Forever. She can never see them again. So she loves me. That’s the important thing. But I'm not sure it was right to pull her away from them. No, this is right. This has to be right.
We handed out snacks when we got home. The kids all took their snacks and ran off to play. All of them except Chanel. She sat down between me and Tasha and slowly chewed her cupcake. She’s so cute.
“Don’t you want to go play, Chanel?” I asked.
“No.” She looked at me, then over at Tasha. “Do I have to?”
“You don’t have to, but why don’t you want to?” Tasha asked. “Don’t you like the other kids?”
“They’re okay.” she said.
“Oh. Okay.”
“Well Chanel, when you’re done with your snack you can help us take the school books downstairs.” I told her.
We spent the rest of the day setting up rooms to be used for classes. Caroline came to Tasha and my bedroom late that evening. She brought us fresh hot cocoa.
“So who got all these lanterns?” I asked her.
“That was something Amber did just after we got here. Her and Craig went on a trip and brought back a whole bunch of these things and a huge box of batteries.”
“I haven’t been giving her enough credit.” Tasha said.
“So Rebecca,” Caroline said. She paused and stared at me for a moment. “You’re so young. It’s hard to believe how in charge you really are. It’s so evident.”
“Um... thanks.” Well this is awkward. And I don't really feel in charge most of the time.
“Anyway, I came in here tonight so we can discuss the school setup. I was thinking we should begin with just a few classes at first, get everyone back into the swing of things. What do you think?”
“That’s probably best.”
“Can we start tomorrow?”
“Um, if you want.”
“We need to figure out who is teaching what.”
“Who do you think should be teaching?” I asked her. “What do you want to teach?”
“Actually, I’d rather not right now. I would rather help out with other things. I can watch the kids during their play time, keep them out of everyone’s hair when the older kids are in class, but I don’t really want to teach anything. And Mrs. Banfield needs my help a lot. She’s not very well.”
“Right. So... Um, Who does that leave? Elena could maybe take care of teaching some stuff to the younger kids, don’t you think?”
“Maybe her and Mena?” Caroline said. “Mena is great with kids.”
“Okay. I mean if that’s okay with them.”
“The older kids need someone else. Someone they respect.”
“I can ask my dad, I guess. Maybe he’s up to it.”
“I was hoping you two would do it.”
“I... we... I mean I’ve never taught anything.”
“Angel, you’ll be great.” Tasha said.
“But we’re barely older than them.”
“The books have everything in them, you just have to help make sense of it.” Caroline said.
“But... I mean... Tasha?”
“We can try it, honey. It might be fun. Plus there’s a lot we could still learn in the process.”
Oh great, I’m being drafted. I get to be a teacher. Woohoo, just what I always wanted. My gosh, I’m going to screw this up so badly.
“When do we start?” I asked.
“Tomorrow?” Caroline asked.
“I never thought I'd have to go to school in the middle of the summer.”
“I think it would be good to get some stability back in their lives. Don’t you?”
“Yeah, I think so.”
There was a tiny knock at the door. I went over and opened it up and there was Chanel, standing there with a huge teddy bear in her arms, staring up at me. Her eyes were wide and she looked scared.
“Hey Chanel.” I bent down. “Who you got there?”
“This is Fuzzy.”
“Well hi Fuzzy.” I said, rubbing the bear.
“Me and Fuzzy are tired.”
“Oh.” Okay. And? “Well it probably is past your bedtime, isn’t it?”
“Uh-huh.” she said, nodding her head in the most adorable way.
And then she stood there, staring at me. So what’s she doing? She should go lay down. Oh. She’s looking at the bed in here now. She wants to stay with us. Yay.
“So,” I said. I stepped a little to the side. “You want to sleep in here tonight?” She nodded up at me. “Go hop in the bed over by the bathroom, okay?”
She ran in and jumped up into the bed and bounced. She was laughing then. I love her laugh. I’ve missed hearing real joy and real laughter the past few weeks.
“We’ve got a guest tonight.” I told Tasha.
“And such a cute guest, too.” she replied.
“Get lots of sleep, Chanel, you start school tomorrow.” Caroline told her. “I’ll talk to Mena and Elena before I go to sleep. I’m sure they’ll agree to it.”
“Yeah, okay. Um... I guess I’ll see you in the morning.”
Friday, June 3rd
We got up early and bathed Chanel and changed her into some new clothes for her first
day of school. And of course Tasha and I had to get cleaned up and looking decent, also, because after lunch we’re making our debut as teachers. Yay.
“Here you go, Squirt.” I said, stopping at the doorway.
Chanel went inside and sat in a chair. We’ve removed the beds and dragged extra tables in here for them, so there’s plenty of seating. Most of the other kids are already sitting.
“Hi.” Mena said. “So, um, Taylor is going to help out. Elena didn’t want to do it.”
“Oh. Well that’s good that someone else volunteered, though.” Tasha said.
“Yeah. So, um, this probably will work best if you’re not standing here distracting them.”
“Oh, yes, of course we’ll leave.” I said.
“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be rude or... I’m not telling you what to do, of course.” she said, laughing nervously and blushing.
“No, Mena, that’s fine. You’re right, we’ll go. Good luck.”
“I think we’re going to spend most of the day just figuring out what everyone knows and what we can start with. But thanks.”
“Let us know if you need anything.” Tasha told her.
Tasha and I took a turn watching the front door. The place is locked down tight enough we really don’t need to, but it’s probably best if we don’t let a crowd of the infected gather. Even if they can’t get in. It would make it hard for us to get out.
After lunch Tasha and I made our way to our classroom. I was so nervous, but Tasha was humming and smiling. She’s enjoying this. That’s sort of sadistic. But soon everyone was there. Mena, Taylor, Elena, Bridget, Amber, Craig and Sara.
“Okay, um, hi everyone.” I said. Everyone said hello. “So what’s the last thing you studied in math?”
Everyone tried to answe
r at once, and they were trying to talk over each other. I couldn’t understand anything they said. I looked over at Tasha and she was holding her hands up, trying to shush them.
“Hey, hey, HEY!” Tasha shouted. Everyone suddenly shut up.
“Mrs. Johnson?” Mena said. I was waiting for Tasha to answer, but when I looked up she was staring at me. It’s nice being called that.
“Mena?”
“In our class this morning it worked really well if we made everyone raise their hand and wait to be called on to talk.”
“Yes, that’s probably best.” I agreed.
And that’s kind of how it went the rest of the day. Craig was embarrassed because all of the fourteen year olds, Bridget, Mena and Amber, are further along in math than he is. We started with some pre-algebra, just sort of a review for everyone. It made it an easy transition into learning again. We went two hours before quitting for the day.
Tuesday, June 28th
Mrs. Banfield died in the night. We skipped school today to have a funeral for her.
Caroline is saying a prayer right now. We’re going to take her body to the morgue and lock her in one of the metal vaults they have there. We thought of burying her, but it seemed too risky to stand out there in the open that long. It’s going to be hard enough to drag her ten blocks to the hospital. The morgue is in the basement, I guess.
“Mena, will you keep an eye on Chanel while Becca and I help take Mrs. Banfield?” Tasha asked.
“Sure, no problem.”
“Craig, are you ready to go?” I asked.
“Let me get a quick drink first and I will be.”
Tasha, Craig, Caroline and I are taking her down there. She’s not heavy, but you ever try to lug a dead body ten blocks? This way we can all take turns pushing her. It sounds kind of gross, but we have a shopping cart we’re going to put her in to make it easier.
“Chanel, you be good, okay.” Tasha said. She bent down and hugged Chanel.
“I will.”
“What about me?” I said, holding my arms out. She ran over and hugged me. “We’ll be back before bed.”
Chanel has sort of moved in with us. We didn’t exactly plan it, but ever since she showed up that first time she just stayed. And honestly, I don’t know if I could deal with it if she went to stay in someone else’s room at this point. I worry about her. I kind of think I love that little girl.
Craig was pushing the cart, Tasha and I were walking out front with our guns at the ready. Caroline was keeping an eye on the road behind us, just in case.
“Becca, can I talk to you?” Caroline yelled out.
“Will you be okay up here by yourself?” I asked Tasha.
“Yeah, I’ll be fine.” She reached over and gave my hand a quick squeeze.
I dropped back beside Caroline. She was looking around, watching for any threat. Or maybe trying to figure out what to say. She looks nervous.
“I’m thinking of leaving.” she said.
“What? Why?”
“It’s great here, you’ve all got something going that is very positive. I just feel like I could do some good if I went out and found more people. More individuals who need our help. I was thinking I could bring them back here.”
“Caroline, it’s dangerous. Are you sure you want to do that?”
“Yes, I think so. If that’s okay with you.”
“It’s not my call. You’re free to leave any time you want.”
“I know. But I think most of the people I brought will be staying behind. I’m sure Elena will come with me, and I think Sara. The rest will probably stay.” She nodded ahead at Craig, but didn’t say anything.
“They’re all welcome to.”
“God willing, we’ll be back some day. I don’t plan to stay gone forever, I just feel like there’s good I could do out there.”
“We’re going to miss you.”
“You are an amazing young woman, Rebecca. What you’ve created is an inspiration, and I want to go find others and help them get here. I think you could build a real community here.”
“When will you leave?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
When we got back to the hotel it was late. I needed a shower, badly. I just felt so nasty after handling Mrs. Banfield’s body. She was wrapped, but it still just feels icky.
“Chanel,” I said. She was playing with Cherry and Leon. “Time for bed, hon. You have school in the morning.”
“We have to go tomorrow?” Leon whined.
“I’m afraid so.” Tasha said.
“Bye Leon.” Chanel told him. She gave him a hug. She’s so sweet.
“Your moms are mean.” he said. “I don’t want to go to school tomorrow.”
“They’re not mean!” she said.
She turned and stomped out of the room in a huff. Mena was watching them, and she smiled at the little scene. I just kind of stood there, stunned. Tasha nudged me.
“Becca?”
“Did you hear that?” I whispered.
“He’s just mad about going to school, he didn’t mean anything by it.”
“No.” I said. “He called us her moms.”
“You kind of are.” Mena said. She stepped next to me. “But you’re good with her.”
“We’re moms.” I said to Tasha. She nodded and hugged me. “I never thought we’d get that.”
“Yeah, but should we talk to Chanel about that? Sort of actually adopt her, kind of? At least as much as we can.”
“You don’t think it would bother the other kids, do you?” I asked Mena.
“They kind of already think of you two as Chanel’s moms.”
I couldn’t stop smiling. I’m a mom. Or sort of. Maybe. We have to see how Chanel feels about that. Me and Tasha have a kid! Dad was worried over nothing when he was talking about Tasha maybe wanting a child some day.
“Chanel honey,” I said. I sat next to her, and I was just too choked up to continue. I was fighting back tears, but they were sneaking out anyway. I looked up at Tasha, hoping she’d say something.
“Listen, sweetie,” she said. She pulled the blanket up over Chanel. “Do you remember your mom and dad very well?” Chanel nodded and her face looked sort of sad. “You understand that they’re never coming back, don’t you sweetie?”
“I miss them.” Chanel said. A tear rolled down her cheek.
“We know you do, honey.” I said. I kissed her forehead.
“But you know sometimes when a kid doesn’t have any parents anymore, well sometimes they can be adopted and have new parents. And that doesn’t mean they have to forget their first mom and dad, it just means they get to have new people who love them and take care of them.”
“My friend Bailey was adopted.” she said.
“Sweetie, would you like it if Becca and I adopted you? We’d be your new mommies.”
“Really?” she asked. She sounded excited.
“Do you want that?” I asked her. “Because we do, honey. But if you don’t, it’s okay. We’re still going to take care of you.”
“So it’s up to you.” Tasha said. “Do you want us to be your mommies?”
“Okay.” Chanel said.
“Okay?” Tasha asked, making sure.
“Do I get to stay here forever then?”
“Always.” I told her. “We love you. Of course you can stay here. Even if you didn’t want us to be your mommies.”
“Does that mean I can stop calling you Becca and Tasha?”
“You can call us Mom.”
“Okay.”
“Goodnight Chanel. I love you.” Tasha said.
“I love you, Mom.” she replied. We all laughed a little.
“What about me?” I asked.
“I love you too, Mom.”
I'm a mom! Oh wow, I just... I remember when Dad was worried Tasha would want kids someday and I wouldn't be able to give her that. Well I guess Chanel is just our little miracle, then. Our child.
Five Years Later
Dad d
ied last night. He’s been bad the past six months, since Mom passed. Bridget is pretty torn up. I’ve been expecting it for a long time now, though. Chanel won’t stop crying.
We have collected quite a crowd here over the past few years. There are one hundred and twenty three of us now. And I’m still the one in charge. I can’t seem to shake the responsibility, for some reason. I don’t know, I’m getting used to it. At least I have a big say in how things go.
Caroline visits every few months. She comes back and stays for a few weeks before setting out to find more people to send back here. We’re considering expanding to a second building because she has sent so many.
At least the number of infected seems to be dropping. Finally. For the longest time we would see them everywhere. And I don't know if they were drawn to us by smell or what, but we started finding large groups surrounding our hotel. It made it very difficult to get in or out, but we managed. We just had to shoot a lot of infected people. I hope God is merciful to those poor people.
Bridget is getting pretty serious with Gregory. He showed up about a year ago, I guess. Anyway, I’m sort of worried about that. He’s a nice guy and all, but I’m worried Chanel is going to have a cousin before long if Bridget and Gregory are as serious as I think. In fact, I think Bridget may already be a few months pregnant. I can’t exactly yell at her about it, she’s old enough to decide who she sleeps with on her own. I sort of wish they would have married first.
Amber finally found someone who she likes who likes her back. Strangely, the other girl is also named Amber. They seem happy together. And at least she’s over me now. Is it wrong that I feel a little jealous? I have the greatest woman alive as my wife, but I miss being worshiped by Amber. It’s weird.
Becca Page 15
