Jacqueline Druga - The Flu

Lars slapped Mick’s back. “Gonna look empty out there.”

“I thought you said there’s a lot of people left.”

“There are,” Lars replied. “But it’s gonna look empty with almost eighty percent gone.”

“Emptiness might be good.” Mick gave a firm shake to Lars’ hand.

After lifting a wave to Rose and Tom, Lars walked off.

Tom exhaled as he stepped to Mick. “Take care.”

“I will.” Mick looked into the vehicle and tapped in the window. “Chris, buckle up. And get Tigger buckled tighter.”

“All right, all right,” Chris whined.

Mick looked back to Tom. “They’re in good hands with me, Tom. Are you sure you don’t want to come?” Mick asked.

“No. You guys need this.”

Mick nodded and embraced Tom. “Watch my mom.”

Tom smiled at the ridiculous notion of anyone having to watch Rose, then he gave a tap to the window, a wave to his grandsons and stepped back.

Mick walked to the driver’s side and opened the door, glancing at Rose. “You aren’t saying goodbye.”

“I don’t agree with this,” Rose said, approaching the door. “You know that.”

“It’s not for long,” Mick said and opened his door. “I’ll be back.”

“Mick, I know you feel you have to do this. It’s a big empty world right now—”

“And me and the boys need that.” Mick kissed his mother on the cheek. “We have to get away from Lodi, get our heads together. It’s too painful here. We’ll be back.”

“But are you staying?”

“Don’t know. Does it matter?”

“Yes,” Rose argued. “Yes, it does. These people need you, Mick.”

“And these boys need me more.”

Rose exhaled. “The boys can have you here in Lodi. You are the lead—”

“Right now,” Mick cut her off, “I can’t deal with leading anyone but these kids. I can’t. I have to concentrate on being a father. I want to concentrate on being a father. That’s all that matters to me.” Sliding into the truck and closing the door, Mick gave a ‘ready’ nod and smile to Chris and Tigger. When he got their agreement, he smiled again in nervous excitement and wound down the window as he turned over the ignition. “Mom, think about this. People in Lodi, they’re in good hands. Lars can handle things I got started. Tom’s here, too.”

“Yeah, they can handle it until you return. But the people here, they have to know you’re coming back. And for good. They need that. They need you,” Rose spoke soft. “ You are the hero around here.”

“Good.” He smiled a little with upbeat arrogance. “And like the hero always does, I’m gonna…” Mick shifted gears and pointed at the windshield, “I’m gonna ride off into the sunset, right now.”

And Mick did.

Jacqueline Druga is a native of Pittsburgh, Pa. She is a prolific writer and filmmaker. Her published works include genres of all types, but favors post-apocalypse and apocalypse writing. Currently she is in production of her third full-length feature film in which she has written and is producing.

A single mother of four, Jacqueline is also a musician. She resides in a small town outside of Pittsburgh with her family. Of all her accomplishments, Jacqueline is most proud of being a grandmother. Her grandchildren reside with her and are the light of her life.

Jacqueline welcomes emails. You can reach her through her Author Services at greatoneas@gmail.com

The Flu

Jacqueline Druga

Published by Permuted Press at Smashwords.

Copyright 2012 Jacqueline Druga.

www.PermutedPress.com