by Bale, Sarah
My eyes watered again. “I know. Like I said, I guess I’m just feeling sorry.”
“I get that. Norm always freaks out when I cry. I think people see it as a weakness.” She gave me another hug. “It’s not. It means you’re human.”
I nodded. “You’re right.”
She asked, “How did it go today?”
I filled her in on what’d happened.
She said, “I agree with you. I’m glad Bobby died. We don’t need that hanging over our heads.”
“Hopefully that’s the end of it.”
She said, “Time will tell. You ready to get out of here?”
I replied, “Yeah. I’m going to step outside. Let the cold air cool my face.”
She gave me a smile. “I’ll be in the cafeteria if you need me.”
I nodded and went out the back doors. The sky was already darkening and everything felt so still. But, the cold air made my puffy face feel better. Closing my eyes, I tilted my head back. There was a loud sound from the side of the building. I rushed around the corner, gun drawn. What if the fence had collapsed? Or worse, what if someone from Bobby’s group was seeking revenge?
Norm held up his hands, motioning for me to stop.
“Don’t move.”
My heart pounded, but I did as he said. He crouched down in front of some crates.
“It’s okay, fella. Come here.”
There was a soft meow from the depths of the crates.
I whispered, “Did Percy get out?”
Norm shook his head. “It’s not Percy. I spotted this fella the other day and I’ve been trying to get him to come out, but he’s shy.” He tried again. “Come on, kitty-kitty.”
My lips twitched. It was kind of adorable seeing a grown man on his hands and knees, sweet talking a cat. He kept calling until a small black kitten peeked its head out from the crates.
“That’s a good kitty. Come here.”
He opened his palm revealing some chicken scraps. The cat sniffed the air and walked tentatively toward Norm. I held my breath in anticipation as the cat leaned forward, eating a bit of the meat. Norm moved his other hand over the cat, petting it.
“That’s a good kitty-boy.”
The cat arched it’s back as Norm petted it until it was purring loudly.
Norm grinned at me and said, “Percy’s going to be mad when I get this cat to come inside.”
I replied, “Maybe. He might be glad to have the company.”
Norm continued to pet the cat until it was rubbing against his legs.
“Moment of truth,” he said.
He picked the cat up, petting under the chin. The cat’s eyes widened, but then it settled into his arms. It was the cutest damn thing I’d ever seen in my life.
“What are you going to call him?”
“I’ve always liked the name Beau.” Norm replied. He tilted his arm, looking under the cat’s tail. “Except this little thing is a girl.”
I grinned. “What’s your other name choice?”
“Lucy.”
“Percy and Lucy. I like it.”
He took a step toward the doors and said, “Good kitty. Lucy is a good kitty.” To me, he said, “Jo’s going to be so mad.”
I laughed. “I think she’ll understand. She’s in the cafeteria right now, so you’ve got some time to come up with a plan.”
He grinned and went inside, talking softly to his new pet. I was glad he’d found her. It was wonderful to find a small piece of how things used to be, like having a pet. Just then, something wet hit my cheek and then my nose. Lifting my head, I realized it was snowing.
Elijah came outside, wiping his hands on a rag. He asked, “What’s that smile for?”
I told him about Norm finding Lucy. “It just made me really happy.”
He kissed me. “I’m glad.”
Snow continued to fall around us and the wind picked up. I shivered.
“How’s Kat?”
He replied, “I think it’s Braxton Hicks, like she suspected. Told her to take it easy for a few days.”
“Hopefully she listens.”
He smiled at me. “Let’s go to bed.”
My heart fluttered and I nodded. Arm-in-arm, we went inside.
When we in our room, I turned to him. “Do you think we’re safe here?”
“I don’t think anyone from Bobby’s group is going to come after us, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Maybe. I don’t know.”
Sighing, I sat on the bed.
“What’s going on?” he asked as he sat next to me.
“We weren’t safe here before and we definitely weren’t safe in Texas. I guess I’m just trying to figure out if we’re ever going to be able to stop running.”
Because I was tired of running. And, as much as I hoped things would change, it didn’t seem like it was. In fact, the world seemed to get darker every day. The Dead outnumbered the living and nothing we did could change it. It took us at least a decade and a half to be ready to reproduce, whereas it only took them one bite.
I rubbed my face, feeling the emotions from before returning. Clenching my hand into a fist, I dug my fingernails into my palms. I wouldn’t cry in front of him. It would only worry him.
“Daisy, I promise we’re safe here. The watchtowers are nearly finished and, with all the extra help from the people who returned, we’re going to be able to plant a good crop in the spring.”
The wind howled at that moment as if to remind us that Mother Nature still had a say in how things worked out.
“With more people comes more mouths to feed.”
He rubbed my back. “We’ll figure it out.”
“How can you be so sure?”
He was about to reply when Grey burst into our room.
“It’s not just Braxton Hicks! Kat’s water just broke.” His eyes were wild. “It’s too soon, isn’t it?”
The look on Elijah’s face confirmed that this wasn’t good. Elijah grabbed his bag and we followed Grey to his room. Kat stood, bracing herself against the wall. She rocked back and forth, moaning.
“Kat, how far apart are the contractions?” Elijah asked.
Sweat beaded on her forehead. She shook her head, breathing loudly.
I went to her side, rubbing her lower back. “Kat, breathe with me.”
Together, we did the breathing techniques I’d read in one of the old pamphlets from the front lobby. The breathing seemed to help her.
She panted out, “They’re about two minutes apart. Thought it was just indigestion until it felt like I pissed my pants.”
“This might not be the real deal. You were fine earlier.” Elijah said, “I need to check and see if you’re dilated.”
She moaned, but nodded. Elijah went to the sink, washing his hands. He went to Kat’s side, reaching between her legs.
“I can feel the baby’s head. It has a full head of hair, too.”
Kat swayed again, crying out. When the contraction had passed she said, “It’s too early. I’ve been keeping track.” Her voice broke.
I could tell that Elijah was worried, too, but he didn’t voice his thoughts.
Instead he said, “Kat, it’s time to lie down and push. Grey, help her onto the bed. Daisy, make sure there’s a blanket ready.”
I went to the closet in the hallway, grabbing a small blanket. When I returned Kat was on the bed, Grey at her head. He held onto her hands as she tried to breathe through another contraction.
I placed the blanket next to Elijah and said, “Kat, remember to count. In..2..3..4..5.. Out..2..3..4..5..”
Kat nodded and began breathing to my words.
Elijah raised an eyebrow.
I grinned. “The pamphlets in the lobby were super helpful. I also can tell a person how to determine if a mole might have melanoma skin cancer.”
He replied, “We’ll make a doctor out of you yet.” To Kat, he said, “Kat, I’m going to check the baby’s positioning. You’re going to feel some pressure, bu
t that’s it. Now I need you to bend your legs.”
She did as he said, spreading her legs wide. Elijah checked the baby’s positioning. He smiled to me, nodding.
“Everything feels good and the baby is already lower. On your next contraction I want you to push.”
She nodded. Her body tensed and she pushed until she was screaming. The top of the baby’s head was visible and it had bright red hair, just like Kat. Elijah felt the baby again and then his face paled.
“Kat, don’t push. The cord is wrapped around the baby’s neck.”
Kat screamed, “I need to push.”
Grey said, “I know you need to push, honey, but don’t do it.”
Using both hands, Elijah worked until sweat ran down his back. Kat moaned again as she had another contraction. Finally, he removed his hands.
“Did you get it?” I asked.
He ignored me and said, “Kat, the next time you need to push, push with all your might!”
She nodded. A moment later she groaned as she pushed. The baby’s head came out. The cord was still around its neck. Elijah grabbed a clamp and put it on the cord and then cut it. The shoulders came out next.
Elijah said, “One more big push, Kat.”
She cried out as she gave it her all. The tiny baby slipped out into Elijah’s hands. Its skin was light blue and it wasn’t moving. Elijah met my gaze. Fuck! This wasn’t good. Elijah turned the baby onto its back, rubbing it in small circles. Finally, the baby cried out. I exhaled in relief.
Elijah said, “Congratulations, Mom and Dad. It’s a girl.”
Grey’s eyes watered. “A girl? Is she okay?”
“She’s a bit small, but she’s a fighter.”
The baby squirmed in Elijah’s hand as he wiped her eyes, nose, and mouth. I reached over, taking her into my arms. She was the tiniest baby I’d ever held in my life. I swaddled her in the blanket I’d grabbed from the hallway and handed her back to Elijah.
He checked her over one last time before taking her to Kat and Grey.
“Meet your daughter.”
Kat sobbed as she held out her arms. “I can’t believe I’m a Mom!”
Grey kissed the top of her head. “Best damn mom in the world!”
Elijah said, “Now that you’ve seen her, it’s time to do the rest.” To me, he said, “Will you take Grey and the baby to the kitchen? I think she’s small enough that we can weight her on the scale down there.”
Grey seemed hesitant to leave Kat, but she said, “Get out of here. I don’t want you to see me giving birth to a bunch of muck. And, I might poop myself, if I haven’t already.”
That was enough to get Grey moving. He carefully walked from the room with the baby in his arms.
As we walked I asked, “Have you thought of any names?”
He grinned. “We mostly talked about boy names. Guess we’ll have to get creative.”
When we got to the kitchen Jo and Cooper rushed over to see the baby.
Jo cooed at the baby. “Oh my gosh, look at that hair! She’s the spitting image of Kat!”
Cooper said, “I’m going to kill a few chickens for dinner tomorrow to celebrate the arrival of our newest member.”
Grey dabbed his eyes. “You sure know how to make a man feel special.”
“Let’s weigh her. I’m sure Kat will be itching to hold her before too long.”
We went to the scale that was normally used to weigh meats. Grey put her onto the tray and the scale moved.
“Four pounds, six ounces,” I read. “You’re a little dove, aren’t you?”
The baby’s face scrunched up as she began to wail. Grey looked worried for a moment.
“She’s just hungry. Let’s get her back to Mom.”
I picked her up, handing her to Grey. By the time we got back to the room, Kat was cleaned up and the bedding had been changed. Elijah wasn’t there, but Kat told us he’d take the linen and afterbirth out to burn.
Grey put the baby in Kat’s arm. She freed a breast and situated the baby. Her eyes widened as the baby latched on.
“Oh! That feels different.”
Grey sniffled. “Damn beautiful if you ask me.”
Elijah came back into the room. “She’s nursing. That’s good.”
I went to his side, wrapping my arms around his waist. “You delivered the first baby in our new world.”
He grinned. “I did, didn’t I?”
It wasn’t anything that anyone else would remember in the future. And, I’m sure it wasn’t even the first baby born in the apocalypse, but it meant something to our group. Life would go on and that was one hell of an inspiring notion.
13
Elijah
I checked on Kat and the baby a few times throughout the night. Each time I went in there, Grey watched with a mixture of fear and pride. By morning he looked exhausted.
I patted his shoulder. “There’s a rule with new babies.”
“Oh?”
I grinned. “Sleep when they sleep.”
He gave me a sheepish smile. “I know I should, but she’s just so damn cute.”
Shaking my head, I closed the door silently behind me and headed toward the front door. I wanted to talk the people who had come back yesterday. And, with any luck, we’d finish the watchtowers and barn by the end of the week.
Andrews waited for me outside his house, standing in the light snow that had fallen overnight. The end of a cigarette glowed from his lips. When he exhaled, the smoke mixed with the fog the cold air made.
“Morning, Boss.”
“Morning. How’d it go last night?”
He took another puff. “Nancy took care of the ladies. They’re all thankful to be here. Everyone seemed to settle in just fine.”
“Nothing suspicious?”
He shook his head. “No, sir. They’re all glad to be back home. A few of the couples were reunited. Guess that prick, Bobby, was keeping them apart.”
I replied, “I’m sure they told you that he’s no longer an issue.”
“They mentioned it.” He grinned. “Glad you took care of the problem before it got out of hand.”
“Learned my lesson the first time. But he took care of the problem himself.”
He said, “Saw a fire last night. Everything okay at the hospital?”
“Kat had her baby. We burned the linen after the birth.”
His eyes lit up. “That so? I’ll have to let Nancy know. She used to make baby blankets before…” He paused. “Well, it’ll give her something to look forward to.”
“I’m sure Kat will appreciate that.”
Andrews finished his cigarette. “Not as good as the ones I used to get from the store, but it’ll do. Ready to talk to the group?”
“Let’s do this.”
He led me to his house. I was surprised to see everyone crammed into his living room, kitchen, and dining room. People talked amongst themselves, but grew quiet when I entered.
Andrews said, “Boss just told me some good news. Kat had a baby last night.”
Nancy bounced in her seat. “What did she have?”
“A little girl.”
Nancy replied, “Oh, this is great news! I’ll start on a blanket today!”
I smiled. “I’m sure she’ll like that. How did everyone sleep last night?”
Amos said, “I can’t answer for the others, but it felt damn good to be home.”
“Thank you for letting us come back,” Marianne said. “You don’t know how much it means.”
I replied, “There’s no need to thank me. But I do need to talk to everyone.”
I explained the rules of our community and how everyone was expected to help out where they could. Everyone agreed it was more than fair.
“You all have a clean slate. But this is the only chance you’ll get.”
Amos asked, “What can we do to help?”
“Our goal is to finish the watchtowers and barn before we get more snow. We were able to dig a new well, so there’s runni
ng water now.”
One of the men said, “I can get us electricity if I can salvage enough of the solar panels from before. That’s what I used to do before the outbreak.”
I replied, “Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”
He smiled. “Boss, you saved us from Bobby. That’s more than enough.”
I cleared my throat. “That’s another thing. You don’t have to call me Boss. My name is Elijah.”
Amos grinned. “Can’t call you that, Boss. It ain’t right.”
I replied, “That’s up to you, I suppose.”
Andrews said, “Everyone finish your coffee. We have some towers to build.”
I stood to the side watching the people interact with each other. This really felt like a community. Marianne came to my side. For a moment I felt dread.
She laughed. “You can get that look off your face, Boss. I only wanted to see if the ladies at the hospital needed any help. There’s a group of us looking for something to do.”
“Old habit, sorry.” Then I said, “You’ll have to talk to Daisy to see if anything needs to be done.”
She nodded. “I’ll do that. Thank you.”
I went to Andrews side. “I’m going to the barn. I’ll meet you at the watchtowers by noon.”
When I reached the barn, I was surprised to see Grey working.
“Thought I told you to get some rest.”
He grinned from the ladder. “Can’t do that when there’s a barn to build.”
Grey had helped build the first barn before, so I was thankful for his knowledge. I climbed the other ladder.
“Kat’s going to come after me when she finds out you’re not in the room.”
“Daisy and Jo were with her, helping with the baby. I should be good for a while.”
I smiled. “Let’s get to work then.”
Grey and I worked until noon. Cooper sent out basket with easy-to-eat foods and we were able to join the other men at the watchtowers. My heart swelled with pride as everyone worked together.
Amos came to my side. “Boss, these towers are something else. I can’t believe we didn’t have them before.”
I told him about Daisy’s old home in Texas.
“That’s where we got the idea. The towers worked out well for them. Figure it was something to use here.”
