“What happened?”
“We heard the soldiers talking about how anyone who stepped out of line was being beaten.” Reema stares hard at the horizon. “So, we picked our moment and…three didn’t make it. But we got out of there. We got the child away from them.”
“They were willing to hurt you rather than let you go?”
Reema nods again. “It’s hard to trust people now. We know that better than anyone. All we want is a place where we can contribute in the way we’re best suited for a fair share of resources and equal say in how things are done. As for what we have to offer…Avan is a paramedic.”
And with those words, our population doubles.
“You’re not my real mother,” says Sophie with tears in her eyes before running into the house.
“Oof,” I mumble.
Dean sighs. “They’re not having a sleepover tonight. It’s too soon. Let me talk to her. She’s overtired. It’s been a big day for everyone.”
“Go for it.”
No idea how people manage being single parents. Talk about superheroes. I am already slightly scared of the teenage years ahead of us.
Everyone else is gathered around the firepit in our backyard for the welcome party. We ate potatoes and corn baked in the fire, along with an assortment of canned foods. Soda and beer were cooled care of the creek. Things seem almost normal. Just a group of people hanging out. Naomi plays guitar while Leon and Avan trade first responder stories. Ones not too gruesome for the girls to hear.
Natalia took one look at Hazel and agreed on the new group staying. But it took some time to convince Leon and Dean. The lure of someone with medical training won out, however. And after half a day spent together, the two girls are firm friends. There’s no way Dean could separate them now. Sophie would start a war.
The sky is full of stars and it’s a beautiful show. Adirondack chairs, fancy cushions, and an assortment of throws are gathered around the firepit. Single-malt scotch and top-shelf silver tequila are being passed around. Leon smokes some fancy cigar. Life can be so bougie when money doesn’t matter.
Seems Avan and Hazel were immune. The rest of the group managed to avoid catching the virus. The apocalypse really is the great leveler in a lot of ways. Reema was a partner in a law firm. Naomi a tattoo artist. And Charlie did road maintenance. Now we’re all survivors.
Avan and Charlie sit together, holding hands. Like Leon and Natalia, they seem to have found love amidst the horror. Imagine experiencing beauty and euphoria in the midst of such terror and loss. None of them might have even met otherwise. Life is such a strange thing. It really doesn’t make sense on even the best of days.
“She yours?” asks Naomi, intercepting me halfway back to the fire pit. She’s like a kick-ass Anne of Green Gables with her long red hair, botanical tattoos, and the knife on her hip. I want to be her when I grow up.
“Sophie? You could say she chose us.”
“Did you have children before?”
I shake my head. “This is all new to me, can’t you tell? How about you?”
“No, I didn’t have any. But I think you’re doing really well.” She gives me a small smile. “Reema lost two sons. She mostly handles Hazel due to her experience with kids. I think they’re helping to heal each other, you know?”
“Yeah.”
Hazel is curled up, lying on a blanket with her head in Reema’s lap. I really hope having this group join us works out. Having more people around feels right. We still need to get to know one another and feel safe around each other, though. They need to pick out a house to live in, and we need to work out how we all fit into this small community and how we move forward with our life here.
“And isheyours?” asks Naomi with a disarming smile.
“Huh?” It takes me a moment to work out what she’s asking. Sophie isn’t the only one who’s overtired. Or maybe I just don’t want to hear this particular question. “You mean Dean?”
“Yeah. Not to stick my nose in…but is it more of a friend thing or…” The woman actually blushes and looks away.
“You’re interested in Dean?”
“He’s an attractive guy who doesn’t seem to be a criminal. They’re kind of thin on the ground these days.”
“No. He doesn’tseemto be a criminal,” I agree, with much awkwardness. “Um. I don’t know what to say. It’s complicated.”
“Guess I’ll just wait and see.” Naomi heads back to the fire with a hint of a smile on her face. Which is fine. It’s perfectly fine.
CHAPTER TEN
