by Lynn Lamb
In front of the store was a coin operated newspaper vending machine that stood on its side.
I stared at it for a long moment, and then I started laughing, and I couldn’t stop. Tears started to roll down my face, and I crouched on the ground, holding my stomach. When everyone ran to me worried about my obvious mental breakdown, I pointed to the newspaper inside of the machine.
The headline from the day the world ended was “FINALLY, Hope for Downtown Monterey.”
Lizzie, Jackson and Mark all sat down with me. They started to chuckle, but it soon became a loud roar of laughter and release.
“Shh,” I put one finger to my mouth. “We will wake the dead.” And, funny or not, that made them laugh even harder.
I walked into the store through the broken glass door, grabbed a box of wine, and then I went around until I found the paper cups. I rejoined them as they were just finishing up their group laugh.
I poured everyone a glass and held up my cup. “Here is to the hope for downtown Monterey.” We all toasted with our paper cups. We suddenly looked at each other and became quiet.
As soon as Jackson took a sip, he turned his head and spit it out on the sidewalk. I hit him on the arm, and he said, “What? Like it matters now? I’m glad I have my wine cellar still. Some of the bottles survived.”
“Phillip,” said Lizzie. “I sure hope you are planning to share the wealth.”
“I might be convinced,” said Jackson.
I smiled, relieved at their flirtation. I put my head on Mark’s shoulder and downed what was in my cup.
“Wait, was that stealing?” I asked, glowing red with embarrassment at my transgression.
Everyone but me laughed again.
Later, we went back to the Town Hall to share some of what happened in the various committee meetings. Ours was the only one that contained alcohol.
~~~
That evening, Mark, Hershey and I continued to walk the buckled streets. It felt good to get out and walk. I stopped when I saw the sign; the first thing I remembered seeing as a child when we moved here.
It was slanted and partially off its hinges, and it simply read: Monte Vista Village.
August 10
While Annie had the Food Committee over for a meeting, I got ready for my day out on the golf cart. It’s ironic, I always wanted to drive one, but I dreaded it today.
Mark and I had an argument about him not coming with us on today’s outing. I told him that he could go in my place, but he didn’t want to spend time with Jackson alone. I think he just wanted to pout.
Jackson came with our “sweet ride,” as he called it, to pick me up. We met Shelby, Matt, Carrie and Samantha in the Town Hall parking lot. I handed them the new scripts, and we passed out the bullhorns.
“Matt and Sam, you will have to drive slowly; almost coasting. Shelby, Carrie and Laura, you will have to speak very clearly into the horns so you will be understandable,” Jackson said.
“And I would like to add something,” I interrupted. “If people are in these homes, they are probably scared and distrusting. The way we speak will also impact whether or not people decide to come out. Your tone should be as soothing as possible, even while you try to speak over the noise of the motorcycles.”
Everyone looked ready to go. I was surprised at how eager they were to begin. These were good people, and I knew that Shelby and Matt wanted to give back after what Jackson had done for them. In fact, I think that Matt has a bit of a man crush on him; a little “bromance” as they used to say before the war.
We set off for our designated streets and began.
“Hello neighbors,” I read. “My name is Laura, and I live on Ocean View Drive. There are families who survived the war. We are gathering our strengths and resources right now. We have people who are experienced at checking the air quality, and they say that it is alright to come out of our houses now. We have some food and water to share. We also have medical people who can help you with your sick loved ones. Please come out and let us all help you.”
And then I saw something move in an elegant two-story home that was built into a hill side. The window didn’t seem to have been boarded. A door slowly opened, and a small, blonde head poked out of the narrow crack. Finally, the door opened, and a very pale woman made her way, painfully, out on to the front steps of her house. I lowered the bullhorn, and Jackson stopped the golf cart.
“I’m sick,” she said in a low voice, although it looked like she was straining to speak as loudly as she could. Her face was pale, and I could see the veins in her neck, struggling against her voice.
“I’m sorry, hon,” I said. “What are your symptoms?”
“I’m vomiting, fever, some coughing,” she said. As if to demonstrate, she broke into a coughing fit.
“We have doctors in our group. I would like to have one come and check you, if that’s alright. How many live there with you? Are there anymore sick?” I questioned. As she spoke, I took down the address and information she provided.
“It’s just my boy and me. My husband…” She started to weep. “He was out hunting for supplies when the attacks hit. He never came back. My son isn’t sick that I can tell. He really needs food and water, though.”
I got on the walkie and set it to the channel we designated for food and water runners. Parnav answered the call and was ready to bring some packaged food and water bottles to where ever it was needed. At that moment, my heart filled without warning, and tears spilled from my eyes at the pure goodness of my neighbors.
Jackson looked at me and continued. “Ma’am, a neighbor is on his way with food and water, but we need you to go back into the house. They will leave a package of supplies on the steps. We need a doctor to check you over and get you well.” I was glad that Jackson remembered my request to refer to us as “neighbors.” I thought that was a good way to instill some trust.
“My son, Jared, isn’t sick. Can you please take care of him while I sleep? I just need to sleep,” she pleaded with us.
I wasn’t sure if that was alright. I got on the walkie medical channel and called Malcom.
“Malcom, there is a very sick lady here who wants us to care for her son. Should we take him with us?” I asked.
“No, Laura. Wait until I make a medical assessment. We can’t afford getting you or any of the others sick. Give me the address, and I will be right over on my bike,” he said.
I took a deep breath and looked at the begging face of the very sick woman. “Ma’am, what’s your name?” I asked.
“I’m Crystal,” she said.
“Crystal, a doctor is on his way. He will check you and Jared, and he will let you know how we can take care of you both after that,” I said.
That seemed to satisfy her, and she tried to smile and wave. She looked grateful.
Then, I heard Shelby on the medical line. Doc picked up and started to direct another medic to deal with her call. I was, and am, fearful that we will not have enough doctors, nurses and medicine to help everyone.
~~~
Jackson and I continued on our quest to find more of the living.
As I resumed my prepared speech, something out of the corner of my eye caught my attention. A line of people were walking in unison toward the Town Hall, and they carried what would have seemed like an insanely odd assortment of items a month ago. Some had boxes, and others carried items freely in their arms. I saw Christmas lights, paint cans, two by fours, pots and pans, large bags of flour and rice, toys, books, and a man and a woman were even pulling a plastic swing set and slide down the hill. It scraped along the now uneven pavement.
They were the cavalry, coming to help gather our assets in front of the Town Hall. These people, who I knew were worried about starving to death themselves, brought food for those who might need it even more. I humbly lowered my head and shed a silent tear.
“You are one emotional female,” Jackson said, looking at me and shaking his head.
“Oh, shut up, Jackson, you jacka
ss,” I said. I sniffled as he started to drive off.
~~~
Within one hour, Jackson and I alone had found seven dwellings of people willing to believe us enough to cautiously come out of their homes. Some looked sick; others were just weak from thirst and hunger. Between our three groups of searchers, we had to call for reinforcements to help distribute goods to homes that had not seen sustenance in some time. Their needs were great.
Malcom called an emergency medical meeting at the Town Hall, and he said that my presence was required. I radioed for Mark to come and take my place. He was the only one left who knew the plan for the bullhorn calls.
We met inside the Town Hall as dozens of people outside were organizing the donated supplies.
When I arrived, a physician’s assistant named Tabitha was speaking to the groups of medics, i.e. anyone within the medical profession.
“We need antibiotics immediately. We have already depleted our supply and the day is just starting,” she said with urgency. “If we don’t find some, most of our sick will be dead within a few days.”
Malcom took over. “I have arranged for our neighbors with camping gear and tents to bring them to the far side of the parking lot and to start setting up a makeshift medical area. We need to start to triage the patients, immediately. Everyone who goes in or out of that area must be wearing full protective gear.”
Sitting next to Malcolm was none other than the little boy I saw this morning with his mother. He looked scared, but it was great to see that he must have cleared the medical check.
I went over and whispered into the Doc’s ear, and he nodded his head in agreement with my suggestion. As the medics went on with their meeting, I lowered myself to one knee so that I was eye level with the small boy. “Hey, do you want to get out of here and see what’s going on outside?”
Jared nodded and took my hand. When we got outside, I saw Annie was pulling a large bag of rice with her one good hand. I ran over, with Jared, and grabbed one end of the bag and helped her into the kitchen with it.
“Hey, Annie, this is Jared. His mommy isn’t feeling well today, but he is healthy. Do you think he could hang with you while I join the meeting with Doc Malcom?” I asked. “He looks like a good helper to me. Maybe we have something tasty from the market stash we could give him.”
Again, I bent down beside the frightened child and softened my voice even more. “Jared, this is my mother. She used to teach kids like you, and she’s really nice. Would you mind staying with her for a few minutes?” He didn’t reply. “I think that those nice men over there are almost done putting together that play set. When they are done, would you like to play on it?”
He nodded his head. I looked up at Annie who gave me a knowing smile. She would take care of it.
I returned to the meeting where the medics were still trying to make plans for our new outdoor emergency medical tents.
I heard Malcom talking still. “We need vitamins. People are badly malnourished, and they have no immune system to fight with. All of our immune systems are badly compromised, and it’s going to be an uphill battle fighting off whatever toxins are in the air. I don’t know how we could get fresh fruits and vegetables now, so vitamins are the next best thing. And don’t get me started on water.”
“I have an idea,” I interjected. Everyone became quiet and turned my way. I suddenly felt my old shyness sending heat to my face, but I pushed past it. “We have about a dozen men and women out there helping with the donations. I would like to send some of them to the pharmacy and the health and wellness store that used to be in the shopping center. They can start to sift through the rubble to see if they can rescue some of the prescription and non-prescription meds, homeopathics and all of the vitamins that they can find.
“Tabitha, could you please write a list of everything you need and have someone help make a duplicate. I will send that up to the hospital and see how they are faring. Last night I heard on the walkies that part of the hospital survived. I need a doctor to help coordinate with them. See if they can take some of our sickest people. Also, we have some water at my house. I’ll find someone who will bring it down. As we know, the road to the hospital is gone, but you can get there through the forest right near my house. Does anyone know the way?”
“I do,” said a young woman in her late twenties. “I am, was, doing my residency at the hospital, and I know the forest route. I used to walk it to work all of the time. I went up there earlier, and they were not in great shape, but they were starting to pull it together. I told them all about what Laura has done down here, and they are excited. Some have already begun to talk about moving in down here, if possible. I have to warn you that not everyone up there who made it is a medical professional. Some are cooks from the cafeteria, security, and admissions.”
“What’s your name?” I asked her.
“Alexis Riley,” she replied.
Thinking that Jackson would be livid at me for saying this, I said, “Alexis, please tell them that everyone is welcome here in the Monte Vista Village.”
And thus, our community had its name.
~~~
After sending a half dozen men and women to hunt for medical supplies and drugs, I called Mark and asked him to continue with Jackson while I stayed and worked to help organize our triage hospital.
“Colonel, could you pull over for a moment while I talk to my wife,” I heard him ask over the low rumble of the golf cart.
“Laura, let’s change to channel thirteen,” he ordered.
Uh oh. I knew what moving to the private channel meant.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to have me and my accent trying to get people out of their homes,” he fibbed.
“Fine, have Jackson do it. Just make sure he sticks to the script,” I said, removing his excuse.
He was stuck for a moment and then came clean. “I am not happy with this. Why do I have to be with this jerk?” he asked me.
I was ready to defend my decision. “That’s why I need you with him. He isn’t great talking to people, and I need someone with tact to be gentle to the traumatized. Honey, compared to these people, we were on a vacation at the Ritz for the last month.
“I need to be here at Town Hall. It’s a madhouse,” I continued, a bit frustrated with Mark’s lack of support. “There are just too many fluid parts to bring this thing together. Someone has to lead.”
“Fine, I’ll talk to you later,” he huffed.
~~~
I looked out over the playground to see little Jared sitting on the top of the slide, watching all of the people hustle by. I could not imagine what he might be thinking. Up until just yesterday, there wasn’t a peep to be heard outside, and now everything was a whirlwind of people talking, planning and, to my disbelief, laughing.
I tugged one of the chains that held a swing. I pushed it forward, and unhurriedly walked toward him. He looked like a deer watching someone with distrust, ready to run at any sudden movement.
“Jared, I could use a good helper. Would you like to walk around with me and check on people? We can see what they are doing and how we can help them,” I coaxed, hoping he was still the age where kids like to feel like they are contributing.
He nodded his head, and this time he looked like he was really saying yes rather than just going along with whatever anyone said.
He followed me into the kitchen, where one of the people who joined us only yesterday was finishing installing a generator.
“Hi,” said the stranger, as he offered a hand. “I’m Billy Young, and this is one of my generators.”
Hmm, just “one” of his generators, I mused. We shall see, I thought.
“Hi, I’m Laura, and this is my assistant, Jared.”
“Nice to meet you both. I sure hope that this generator is useful to the cause,” he motioned to my mother. “Annie has been telling me that we are going to hopefully get together here for at least one meal a day.”
I looked proudly at Annie. This was
the first I had heard of this. Then I snickered, realizing Old Billy Young didn’t know we were mother and daughter, yet.
“Good work, don’t you think, Jared?” I asked. He smiled. “Carry on,” I said as I and my small charge walked out the door toward the donation staging area.
I gestured to the group of people busily going about their work. “So, Jared. What do you think of all this?” I asked, genuinely curious.
His voice was small, “It’s scary.”
“I bet,” I said. My heart bled for him. I lifted his underweight body into my arms. “How about I ask the doctor about your mommy?”
He nodded, and I left him at the play set. He went back to the top of the slide to perch himself.
I got lost in the middle of the hub of activity looking for Malcom. I finally found him directing the mattresses and cots that had been donated.
“Hey, Doc. I was wondering if you know how Jared’s mother, Crystal, is doing,” I asked. His concentration was definitely not on conversation, but he turned to me, thought for a second and said, “They brought her up to the hospital on the cart. She is not good. Whatever chemical she breathed is in her lungs. She has pneumonia.”
I approached Jared, and somehow he seemed to already know that I wasn’t going to come back with his mommy or good news. I decided that I would not lie to him. “She’s at the hospital now where the doctors can take care of her.”
He nodded, and turned his attention back on the Monte Vista Villagers who were now a large group of people moving in tune with one another.
“How about you stay with me until I’m done here and come home with me tonight? I am not sure how long your mom is going to be in the hospital, but Annie, my husband Mark and I can take care of you for as long as it takes. Did you know that I have a dog? His name is Hershey, and if he likes you, do you know what he does?” I waited for him to shake his head. “He gives you Hershey’s Kisses.” He giggled. It felt good getting through to him.
“Now, I need you to help me get everyone’s attention. I saw a microphone in the office, and that nice man gave us electricity. Do you know what that means,” I didn’t wait for another head shake. “Everyone will be able to hear me, and I won’t have to scream. And that’s good, because I don’t like screaming. It gives me a headache.”
