Linda Andrews - Extinction Level Event

“I’m sure that won’t be a problem.” Manny’s stomach grumbled as Henry set a plate on the table. He’d dreamt about food last night, just like he had most nights before it. Even going to bed with a full belly hadn’t silenced the cravings.

Using the end of her apron as a pot holder, Mildred slid it in front of him before removing the cover. “Tomorrow, I’ll teach you how to use the solar cooker, and you can treat us to some of those beans young Lucia was bragging about.”

Fluffy eggs, golden dry toast and the Vienna sausage he’d rescued yesterday. Manny slurped up the spit pooling in his mouth. God, it had been so long since he’d had meat, he’d almost drooled on his plate. He speared a pale round and tucked it in his mouth. His teeth masticated the bite, releasing the pork goodness and a hint of fat. Ahh, fat. He groaned. He shoveled up a forkful of egg but didn’t put it in his mouth yet. The longer it took to eat, the more food his stomach was convinced it ate.

Henry coasted back toward the door then shut it. “Mildred has been really looking forward to eating someone else’s cooking.”

“Amen to that.” Mildred patted his shoulder before returning to the kitchen. “I’ll need you to drop off the loaves to the Wilsons. Tell them, since the electricity went out so early today, I’ll be making the rest of the bread tomorrow.”

Nodding, Henry parked his chair by the table then picked up the radio. “We’ll also tell them to get ready to bug out with us.” Releasing the crank, he shoved the pad until it bumped into Manny’s plate. “Go over this, will you? It’s just a rough idea, and we’ll add more things if we find them, but we need to cover our whole tribe, Wilsons included.”

Manny picked up his toast. Crumbs littered his tee shirt and peppered his eggs. The Wilsons had been two sisters orphaned upon the death of their parents last Thanksgiving. The older folks had looked after them but hadn’t been able to convince them to move into Connie’s house. So despite the curfew, the adults had taken turns walking by their house at night. An open curtain in the front window would signal a need for help.

Irina had befriended the eleven and nine-year-old, hoping to convince them to move closer.

Manny had seen them waver, but he’d also seen the tenacious hope in their eyes. Their parents had promised family would come for them. So far, none had. But the quarantine had only been lifted the same day as the public gathering ban, not enough time for the Wilsons’ relations on the East coast to reach Arizona.

If they ever did.

Scanning the list, he finished his reconstituted eggs. The onions and chives made them palatable. He’d have to remember that. Focusing on the neatly printed words marching down the page, he made the connection to the items. “It’s mostly camping gear.”

“Yes, the sergeant-major said we might have to camp out.” Henry finished cranking the radio and set it back on the table top. He didn’t turn it on.

Mildred cleared her throat and arched an eyebrow at her husband.

Henry scratched the back of his neck. “And speaking of not wanting to eat your own cooking…” He wiggled in his chair, and then straightened. “We were thinking we’d celebrate your safe arrival by taking everyone to Burgers in a Basket.”

Manny choked on his last bite of sausage. Burgers in a Basket. The niños had so hoped to go. He’d even kind of promised them. Unfortunately, he hadn’t found any money in his shopping rounds.

Mildred set a glass of water at his elbow. “I know the fresh meat would do everyone a bit of good. And well, it might help the little ones get ready for being around others again. You know, for when school starts up in a couple of weeks.”

He gulped down the water. How was he going to tell them? “The niños …” If they’d already mentioned their plans to the niños , he was sunk.

“We didn’t mention it to them.” Henry picked up Manny’s empty plate and set it on his lap. “As their guardian, we thought you ought to make the decision.”

He swallowed the lump in his throat. They respected him when it came to the niños ? But he was just a kid, not really an adult. “I—”

Mildred stood by her husband’s chair. “I know you probably don’t have any money. But we do. Too much, in fact. The government is talking about eliminating currency altogether. We’re afraid if we don’t spend it lickety-split we might lose it.”

“So you’re doing us a favor, really.” Henry passed the plate to his wife. “The Wilsons have even agreed to go if you guys do. They haven’t come out of their house since the Redaction started.”

Manny blinked back his tears. What had he done to deserve these people and their kindness? Nothing. He’d stolen a car with his best friend, Irina’s brother that ended up getting him killed. He’d admitted his crime, been locked up in juvenile detention then released to bring the Redaction home. Entering their neighborhood, he’d witnessed a murderer disposing of a body. Because of him, they’d have to leave behind everything they built.

“Manny, honey.” Mildred stooped next to him then wrapped her arms around his shoulders, drawing his head against her apron front. “Don’t cry. You’ll get me started and I’ll never stop.”

“She’s right,” Henry grumbled. “The woman leaks more than a faucet.”

Manny sniffed and struggled for control of his emotions. “I don’t deserve your kindness. I don’t.”

“Ah, honey.” Mildred patted his back. “Of course, you do.”

He shook his head. “No.” They didn’t understand what he’d done. His guilt. He tried to push out of Mildred’s embrace, but she’d wrapped him up tighter than a chimichanga .

“It’s this way, son.” Henry rolled closer until he snared Manny’s gaze. “You can’t let survivor’s guilt eat you up or deprive you of life or happiness. Mildred and I went to visit our newest grandbaby in Michigan. We flew home just as the first cases of the Redaction were coming to light. We brought the disease home.” Henry’s voice broke and he squeezed his eyes.

Mildred’s hand found his. The knuckles shone white and they clung to each other. “We visited our children here, to catch up. They were young and healthy. They were dead before we recovered. It may have been a kiss hello or a sneeze over dinner, but we killed our children.”

Manny sank into her embrace, clutched her arms. Oh, God. They did understand. They did know.

“We did it.” Henry wrapped his arm around his wife and clutched Manny’s shirt back. “We hope that somewhere someone is taking care of our grandbaby like we’re taking care of you.”

“It’s our way of making it right with our Maker.” Mildred pressed a kiss into his hair. “Not that it will bring them back, but it does help to wake up in the morning.”

Manny wiped his nose on his sleeve. He’d have to help a lot of people to cover every one in his family who’d died of the Redaction. “I think I’d like a burger. I know the niños would love one.”

After a thump on Manny’s back, Henry wheeled to his end of the table. His cheeks glistened. “Well then as soon as we stop blubbering, we got some neighborhood shopping to do. I think we can clean out a few houses before our lunch trip.”

Manny nodded and scrubbed at his own damp cheeks. God was giving him a second chance—community service in exchange for early release. “It’ll be easier with the wagon.”

“Okay folks.” Henry eased his handicap adapted van into the parking lot. “I say we eat inside and let someone else do the dishes for a change.”

In the front passenger seat, Connie chuckled. “Just because it’s your turn to clean up, doesn’t mean we all want to eat here.”