by Brad Manuel
“I saw some restaurants down the street. Maybe I can get a big pot or something to cook these in.” He pointed to the cooler. “You stay here and keep the fire going. Get warm.”
“You will get no argument from me.” Solange pulled her chair close to the fire.
It did not take John long to find a restaurant, a pot, tongs, and a pan. He snagged a few bottles of white wine, a package of pasta, a jar of minced garlic, olive oil, and a case of Pellegrino sparkling water. He carried everything inside the big pot. He was excited to make lobster pasta, saving a few of the crustaceans for breakfast.
He strode into the church in a great mood. He had a beautiful woman, lobster, wine, and fire. What could go wrong?
“Dan radioed.” Solange said solemnly. “Lucinda jumped off the porch. She is dead. Ryan stole their truck and fled. Dan and Karen would like to leave. We need to go back to the house.”
“Damn.” John lowered his head. “Damn, damn, damn.”
They loaded the Hummer and drove to the house. Dan was standing by the back door. He had several boxes stacked, ready to move into the Hummer.
“It’s not your fault, it’s not our fault, she had issues.” Dan said immediately. “I should have known. She hadn’t left the house in five months. When you arrived, she panicked, and when you left? She got worse. She was pacing.” Dan stopped to give Solange a quick hug. “Ryan went berserk, yelling and ranting, I don’t know why, he was making less sense than she was. Anyway, he storms out, says he’s taking the truck to Florida. Karen and I follow him into his room where he starts throwing things in a duffel, then he storms down the back stairs. Lucy is just saying ‘no, no’ over and over again, her hand on her mouth. Karen tells her it’s okay, we’re all fine. I’m trying to keep Ryan from taking my truck, not that I cared about the truck, but it was our best vehicle, and well, I did kind of like the truck. He tries to shove me, he’s yelling, I’m yelling, Karen is yelling, we heard a thud.” Dan stopped. “Karen and I ran back upstairs, Ryan jumped in the truck and bolted.” He dropped his head, shaking it slowly from side to side. “She didn’t want to deal with it, you know, the new world, the way things are.“
“I’m sorry.” John offered. “I’m truly sorry.”
“Karen and I spoke, and we decided we can’t stay here. I mean, Lucy’s body is sitting in the road out front. We have to get out of here.” He bent down and picked up two boxes. “Do we have room in your truck for our stuff and us?”
“Yeah, here.” John walked around the back and opened the tailgate. He pushed the blue cooler to the side. The salt air smell poured out of the trunk.
“You found the lobster.” Dan noted, his voice flat.
Karen was in a fog, moving listlessly through the second floor. She did not have anything to bring other than clothes and a few pictures, but she seemed to be looking for something to pack. “Let’s go Karen. This wasn’t our house, it wasn’t even our home, it was just some place we shared for a little while.” Dan waved her over. “You have your pictures? Clothes?”
She nodded.
“Let’s go.” He put his arm around her and gave a squeeze. John thought he saw her wince. “Come on. There’s nothing we can do here.”
John felt odd asking, but he did anyway. “Do you have a big cooler? Maybe a few of them?”
“Sure, downstairs.” Dan nodded. “What’s up?”
“I know this is going to sound crass, thinking about food, but I want to stop and empty the lobster traps, bring the food to Hanover for dinner. We shouldn’t waste it. The least we should do is let them all go.”
“We can do that. I’ll drive us over. It will be faster. I know a shortcut.” Dan let go of Karen, picked up two more duffels, and walked down the stairs.
Solange followed him out. “Do we need gas? “ Dan’s hands were occupied with duffels, but he motioned with his head. “That SUV is full. Maybe we can siphon it over.”
“Dan, are you okay? You are leaving very quickly.” Solange showed concern for her new friends.
He threw the duffels in the back and looked at her. “Solange, I buried five children, my wife, and all of my family. I lost friends and teammates I’ve known for 15 to 20 years. That is loss, and I mourned when it happened. I’m still grieving. This place? I have no problem walking away. It’s a thing, a place that kept me warm. Karen and I made our peace with Lucinda before we called you. I made this decision. I want to move.” His eyes brightened. “But thank you for asking. You and John are good people, I can tell.” He exhaled a quick sigh. “I can work with anyone, it’s something I’ve had to do my entire life, work with whoever is put on my team, good person or bad, asshole or friend. I look forward to working with the two of you.”
He pointed to the SUV. “I’ll bring it next to the Hummer, gas tank to gas tank.”
As Dan moved the SUV, Solange retrieved a tool from the backseat. It was a modified hand bailer from a boat. Matt called it ‘the siphoner.’ Tubes were used to extend both ends of the device, allowing the sucking tube to go to the bottom of the SUV’s tank, and the bailing tube to go into the Hummer. Solange pulled the pump handled up and down, and watched the fuel flow from one vehicle to the other.
“You guys have done this before.” The man from Seattle commented.
The Hummer was loaded and refueled, the lobsters were retrieved or freed, and the four survivors left for Hanover, N.H. at 3:30. Karen wept with Solange in the backseat. She lived in Boston her entire life, receiving her nursing degree from Simmons College, and working for Boston Children’s. Boston was her home, and she never planned to leave. Solange kept an arm around her. Dan and John sat quietly.
“You driving fast enough?” Dan eyed the speedometer needle touching the 100 m.p.h. “Are we in a hurry or something?”
“No,” John stammered. “I guess not.” He dropped the speed to 75 and set the cruise. “You’re right, as it gets closer to dark there might be deer. I’m used to driving as fast as I want. Sorry.”
Dan sat comfortably in his seat. Solange and Karen chatted in the back, mostly about Lucinda. Dan put his arm on the seat back to look at them before turning to John. “So, John, tell me about yourself.”
Maybe it was the fact that Lucinda’s death was one more among the billions, or that Karen and Dan knew she was not destined to last very long in the new world, but whatever the reason, they moved on from Lucinda’s suicide quickly. Dan talked about the nights he heard her pacing in her room, and the mumbling he could hear through his wall or vent. Karen brought up the days, usually several in a row, Lucinda would stay in her room, crying loudly and screaming if anyone tried to come inside. Lucinda was a mystery, a woman found sitting on their back porch one day like a stray cat, her thick Texas accent asking if they had seen her tour bus or cruise ship. Neither Dan nor Karen knew where she was from or anything about her. They admitted neither could recall Lucinda’s last name. A woman they lived with for six months, and they did not know anything other than she was scared. Dan admitted he felt horrible, but relieved that Lucinda found peace. It was a hard peace, but not unexpected for a woman so troubled and sad.
John brought up Ryan. Neither Dan nor Karen would discuss him. “If he comes to his senses and shows up in Hanover? Well, we can figure out how to handle the situation. He helped me find fuel, food, and water. Everything else? He was probably one of the worst people I’ve met in my life.”
Karen nodded. “If I never hear his name again, that will be fine with me. He was a misogynistic, mean, petty jerk, and I’m glad he’s gone. He knew Dan loved that truck, but did he take the SUV or any of the other cars? Whatever, he’s gone.”
Ryan was dropped. Solange changed the subject and gave a rundown of the people in camp. She also discussed their plans to fly to Hawaii.
“You have a pilot?” Karen asked.
“We do.” Solange told her.
“You think I can make chowdah with coconut milk, Dan?” She laughed.
“I bet you can.” He told her. “I bet y
ou can.”
They pulled within radio distance of Hanover by 5:00. John called the house and asked if they had dinner made. When he was told “planned but not made,” he asked them to get as many pots of water going as possible, and to prepare for two more mouths for dinner.
“Just two people?” Todd asked back.
“What do you mean ‘just.’ We found two people. That’s great news. One is a nurse. Tell Melanie we don’t need her anymore.” John smiled in the rearview at Karen.
“Yeah, she heard you, thanks for that, John.” The radio clicked. “What about the other person?”
“He was a team leader, quarterback type.” John laughed.
“Great, tell him we welcome another chief to our ever growing tribe of chiefs. We’ll start the water boiling. You better not have forgotten tha steamuhs.” The radio went off.
“Todd and his damn steamers. No, I did not get him steamers. Unbelievable. We have, what? Thirty lobsters and he’s going to bitch about not having clams.”
“I take it that’s your brother.” Karen asked. “He does a horrible New England accent.”
“I know, and he’s from Hanover.” John continued to shake his head. “Steamers. That’s going to burn my ass for the rest of our drive.”
The mood in the car turned jovial as the somber events of the afternoon were put to rest. Karen’s and Dan’s relief and excitement were palpable. Locked up with a mentally unstable woman and a jerk for six months, they were starved for normal people and the bright future this new tribe offered.
John took the Lebanon exit to avoid the steep hill on Wheelock Street. He felt he needed to say something to Dan. “So, uh, you’re probably used to people acting strange around you, right?”
“Yes, I get it. Don’t worry.” Dan was distracted by the carnage on the streets of Lebanon.
“Oh, don’t worry, this looting is localized, it didn’t get to Hanover.” John assured the two of them. “So, anyway, please forgive my family and friends if it gets weird. I mean, we grew up in New England.”
“I get it. Believe me, I get it.” Dan looked at Karen. “Go ahead, tell them.”
Karen blushed. “I had Dan’s poster up in my bedroom.” She turned to Solange and mouthed “ten posters” holding up all of her fingers. “I fainted when he and Ryan found me. Honestly, I fainted, and then I woke up, and fainted again. I couldn’t stop smiling for like a week, and I giggled all the time. I don’t think I said anything to Dan for the first month. I just giggled and blushed”
“See? I get it. It won’t be worse that Karen, not a chance it’s worse than Karen.”
Solange did not understand. She sat in the backseat with a curious look on her face. She glanced at Dan and tilted her head. “Crazy Americans” she thought to herself.
They pulled down Main Street in Hanover. Dan was relieved to see the town was intact. He pointed to a restaurant. “I’ve eaten there. I came up and did a session with some medical group at Dartmouth. It was low key. No one knew I was in town. It’s a nice place, but too landlocked for me. I need the ocean.”
John turned left on Choate Road. There was still some daylight. Karen saw the kids running around the front yard of the big house. “Oh my gawd, you do have children! I didn’t believe you, well I did, but I didn’t. It’s been half a year, maybe more, since I saw a child.” She put her hands to her mouth and began to cry. “Dan, this is life again. Do you see it? It’s life!”
The adults were in jackets standing next to the grill. Steam rose from a large silver pot on the fire. Todd waved, and everyone walked towards the Hummer. John put the car in park and got out.
“We’ve had a good trip. Some bad things happened, but some great things too.” John announced.
“We thought you were staying another night.” Emily asked, coming up from behind Todd.
The passenger door opened and Dan got out. The back doors opened too, but no one noticed. The men stopped talking. Emily, who was not much of a football fan, walked over to the tall stranger. “Hello, Emily Dixon. This is my husband, Todd.” She turned, assuming Todd followed her to the new person. Todd had a look of wonder on his face. Emily ignored him and extended her hand.
“Hello, Dan Couples, very nice to meet you.” He waved to the other people.
Emily moved to Karen. “Welcome, Emily Dixon.”
“Karen Walker” Karen’s bubbly personality emerged the further from her former living conditions she went. “I was a nurse at Children’s, but I haven’t seen a child in, well, you know.” She admired the kids playing tag. “Are any of the little ones yours?”
“Yes, two,” Emily cupped her hands around her mouth. “Jay, Brian, come over here! I want you to meet someone.” The boys came over, as did the rest of the kids. “Hey everyone, this is Karen.”
“Hello Karen!” The kids replied in unison. Jay walked up and touched her on the arm.
“You’re it.” He smiled.
“Oh no you didn’t.” Karen jumped into a squat, bending her knees and sticking her hands up. “It is on!” She yelled, giving the kids a head start before chasing a little girl. The kids screamed with excitement.
John waved Dan over to the group of men. “Hey, everyone, this is Dan.”
Ahmed shot forward. “I had you and Randel in 2008, won my league.”
“Glad I could help.” Dan told him, shaking his hand. It had been a while since anyone had spoken about fantasy football with him.
“Seriously, I had no one else, but it didn’t matter. Other than a bye week, I crushed everyone.”
Dan nodded and smiled. He knew the excitement of meeting ‘Dan Couples’ would pass after a few days.
Melanie walked over. Jacob stood next to her. He was in ‘timeout’ for pushing his sister during the game of tag. Melanie gave Dan a hug. “I have no idea what Ahmed is talking about, but it is very nice to meet you.” She turned to Jacob, elbowing him.
“Very nice to meet you sir.” The young boy said. Dan towered over both of them.
“Very nice to meet both of you.” He shook Jacob’s hand, smiling at Melanie. “Do you like lobster Jacob?” He asked. “We brought a cooler full of lobster for dinner tonight.”
“I like crab. Is it like crab? I’m from Maryland. I ate a lot of crab.”
“Not as sweet, but there is more in each one, and it’s not as much work to eat.”
“Yeah, I’ll try them.” He looked at Melanie. “Can I go back? I won’t push anyone, I promise.”
“Go ahead.” She said, smiling as Jacob ran to the kids and Karen.
“Let’s get those lobsters going.” Todd said, snapping out of his amazement. He stuck his hand out towards Dan. “Todd Dixon.” They shook hands. “Let me help you get those puppies in the water.” He stopped walking. “Butter! We should have tried to make butter. Damn it, we don’t have any.”
“We can do without.” Dan consoled him. “I’m burned out on lobster, but the first few months I was eating it? I didn’t miss the butter. You’ll get through.” They went to the back of the Hummer, each grabbing an end of the cooler.
“I enjoyed watching you play.” Todd was not as rabid a football fan as his brothers, but he did enjoy watching Dan.
Kelly pulled up in an old red pickup truck as the last lobsters were dropped in the water. She had great news about the health of the cows, two of which were already strong enough to transport. She welcomed the new members. “How long was I gone?” She joked.
Everyone enjoyed the lobsters. Some dipped the pieces in garlic olive oil and salt, others used cocktail sauce, and three little kids made most of the adults gag by using ketchup.
Hank tried to take the lobster away when he saw them dipping it in ketchup, but he was talked down. “I’ll make them burgers.” He pleaded.
Dan and Karen were treated to moose burgers instead of lobsters.
At the end of the meal, Hank asked people to dump their lobster shells into a pot of water on the grill. He boiled the shells with a jar of minced garlic. “T
his is going to make the best lobster risotto tomorrow.” There was a lot of lobster meat left. Hank put it in a bag and walked down to the moose meat locker. The room had a few feet of shoveled snow on the floor, and made a fantastic refrigerator.
People rolled into their already establish routines, leaving the dinner circle to start their fires and warm their bedrooms. Children were tucked into their beds. Todd and Ahmed spent an hour prepping bread dough for the next day.
Dan, Greg, and Rebecca sat in chairs next to fire pits. Rebecca was wrapped in a plaid cashmere blanket with frilly ends, her only visible appendage was an arm, sticking out of the chair to hold Greg’s hand. The teens were on a folding loveseat. Dan sat in a green camp chair. He was fascinated by their story.
“If you had come south, you would have found me.” He told Greg. “But it sounds like you did better going north.”
John was exhausted. It had been a long day. He found Matt and asked him for a moment.
“Matt,” he began, too serious for what he wanted to tell his son.
“Jesus, Dad, what is it?” Matt looked worried.
“No, no, well, this is going to sound weird, but Solange and I are going to start seeing each other.” He put his hand on Matt’s shoulder. “I wanted to tell you, because, well,”
“Seriously? She wants to date an old guy like you?” Matt could not keep a straight face.
“Now, wait a second.”
“Dad, it’s great. She’s great. I hope you are happy. We all need to be happy, because I think our lives are going to be filled with a lot of work.” He gave his dad a soft punch in the stomach. “Way to go. You are shooting well below your handicap with her.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” John knew what it meant.
“I’m just kidding, well, not really, but you know. Hey, it’s great. If Craig is upset, I’ll set him straight.” He gave his dad a hug. “Now go get some sleep, you look like hell.”
“It’s been a great day, but there were some lows as well. I will tell you it was long, very, very long. If you could make sure your brother doesn’t stay up too late, I’m going to hit it.” John slapped Matt on the back and walked up the road. Matt expected him to turn and go into the big house, sleeping in the study with Hank and Paul. His father walked two houses up and went into the one Solange was using.
