Tonight The World Dies (6 page)

“Oh, we couldn’t possibly.” I said. Warning Flag Number One raised its ugly red head.

“We could use the extra hands, and besides, it’d be nice to have some new people to talk to.” Steven smiled. “Come on, let’s get on up to the house where you can get all cleaned up.” He led us forward.

“I’ll bet a shower sounds real good to y’all right about now.” Brennan said as we reached the steps.

We nodded in agreement. At the word ‘shower,’ all my doubts and suspicions fell so far to the back of my mind, it was like that one word created a thought explosion, and all I could think of was warm, running water.

“Why don’t you kids get your clothes and we’ll wash them for you while you’re waiting.” Amy said, walking up behind us.

We dashed to get our bags, ecstatic at the idea of fresh clothes and a real bath. The shower in the RV, as it turned out, didn’t work. There wasn’t enough water in the reserve tank. We checked for stray weapons hiding in our bags before we gratefully handed them over to the women, me locking the doors of the RV behind us and slipping the keys into my pocket. They may seem nice, but I didn’t want to risk them getting ahold of our guns or axes or power tools. I especially didn’t want them finding the bomb supplies. I would feel rotten if one of the kids started playing with something and got their hand blown off.

One of the girls led us upstairs to the guest bathroom. “We don’t have a whole lot of hot water, but it should be warm enough for a quick shower for each of you.” She smiled.

“Your name’s Mary right?” I asked.

She nodded. “Sure is.”

“Thank you Mary, we’ll be as quick as possible.”

“I’ll just find you guys some clothes.” She said, walking off down the hall.

Billie darted in first and snapped the door behind her. It took her less than five seconds to turn the water on full blast. “Oh God, this is wonderful!” We heard her say through the door.

Mary returned a few minutes later, arms full of clean clothes, just as Billie turned the shower off.

“I’ll give Billie hers’” I said, taking the clothes with a not-so-fake smile. I couldn’t remember the last time I had clothes I didn’t wash in a creek or river.

The clothes turned out to be old shorts for us girls, jeans for the guys, and baggy shirts, but they were clean and looked like they’d be more than comfortable. Maybe these people weren’t so bad after all.

“Yo, Billie! Mary gave us some clean clothes. Open up so I can hand you yours.” I said.

The door cracked open and Billie snatched the stack out of my hand. She marched out a minute later, fully dressed, the shirt so big on her it covered her shorts. She was clean, and shining. Her face lit up like a light bulb. I couldn’t wait to get in there.

I bolted in after her and stripped in record time. The water was warm and wonderful, the five minutes I spent scrubbing and soaking was like an eternity in heaven. I dried off slowly, the fluffy towel on top of the stack on the counter was like a soft embrace. I could hear the boys outside the door, waiting for their turn, so I dressed quickly and opened the door. Sully rushed in, his hand brushing my waist and hip as he passed.

“Where’s your sister?” I asked Dean as Sully shut the door behind me.

“She went downstairs. Mary said to put our dirty clothes with the rest of our stuff outside. I guess there’s a pile by where we handed them the laundry.”

“Thanks,” I said, and trotted downstairs.

Outside, I spotted the other daughter, Elizabeth, talking to Mary and her mother.

“Just leave those here and go on back inside. There are drinks waiting for you in the kitchen.” Amy said.

I set my clothes down in the pile next to my bag. “Thank you Ma’am.” I said.

“You can leave your boots here too. I’m sure they could use an airing out.” Elizabeth pointed behind me, where Billie’s shoes lay in the sun. “We don’t mind if you walk barefoot around here. Just don’t get any mud on the carpets.”

“Thank you, you’re too kind.” I said, slipping my shoes off and placing them next to Billie’s.

I walked back inside, the warm grass beneath me tickling my feet. I didn’t know where the kitchen was, so I just followed the sound of voices coming from a few rooms over. Billie sat with some of the people we had met out front, sipping lemon-aid out of a tall glass. She was chatting animatedly with a guy I hadn’t seen before. He was closer to Brennan’s age than anyone else’s, and looked a bit softer than all the others, including the women. He reminded me of a lab technician, more the type to have his nose in a book or be studying something in a beaker than to be living on a farm.

“Jo is the most evil human being on the planet, and may, in fact, be Satan herself.” Billie laughed.

The man laughed and looked up. “Wow.” He said, spotting me.

“Wow?” I asked. “Is something wrong?” I wondered if my shirt was see-through.

“No, it’s just that the way Billie here talked about you, I could have sworn you were a demon. Horns, tail, and all.”

I laughed and sat down next to her. She winced dramatically, pretending to be afraid that I’d hit her or something.

“No, really, she’s not that bad.” She threw her arm around me, pulling me into a warm hug. “Jo, this is Bobby. He used to be a biochemist.” And that’s where warning flag number two should have popped up.

“Hi Bobby,” I waved quickly and folded both my hands together on my lap.

Sully chose that moment to walk in, deep in conversation with Andy. Brennan poured two glasses of lemon-aid for me and Sully, handing over the frosty glasses.

“Why, hello there,” Andy said, staring down at me. He looked like a wolf that just spotted a fat sheep. “You’ve got some great boobs.”

Sully’s fist tightened under the table, his leg brushing mine as he moved. I stopped him with a touch to his knee.

Brennan and Bobby glared at him. “What the hell boy?” Brennan said.

“I’m not your type, I’m not inflatable.” I smiled sweetly up at him.

Bobby, Billie, and Sully all laughed. Brennan hid a snicker.

“That’s no way to talk to a lady.” Brennan said. “Apologize to her.”

“Sorry Ma’am.” He mumbled.

“Thank you.” I sipped my lemon-aid. Billie high fived me under the table.

Dean joined us quickly, all of us squeaky clean and sipping our ice cold drinks. For a moment, I almost forgot it was the end of the world, and we just happened upon some nice people who were offering us a place to stay as we made our way across the country on vacation. Almost.

“If you’ll excuse me, there’s some work I need to attend to downstairs. Would you lend me a hand Brennan?” Bobby said, rising from his chair.

“Sure thing.” Brennan said, following him out of the room.

“So, pretty lady. You seeing anyone?” Andy asked.

“If you are asking if I am currently in a romantic relationship with someone, the answer is no.” I couldn’t help being a bit of a smartass.

“It’s the end of the world and our time here shouldn’t be wasted by being alone.”

“If you ask me to have sex, the end of your world is happening sooner than anticipated.” I said.

“Come on sweetheart, have a little fun with me. I could teach you things you’ve never even dreamed of.” He said.

“Why don’t you take a long walk off a short pier? The lady has refused your futile mating attempts, so I suggest you give it up.” Sully said.

I beamed at him. He winked back.

“Why don’t you stay out of the conversation?” Andy said.

“Why don’t you listen to my friend and stop hitting on me?” I said.

Andy looked unperturbed, but stopped the annoying comments all the same.

Dinner was wonderful. Stew made from scratch, with real corn bread, just like my mom used to make. Andy still flung the occasional flirtatious or suggestive comment at me, and I batted them away with ease. I impressed our hosts with my witty retorts and playful banter with my friends. Ok, so he shot sexual remarks at me, and I was a smartass about it, but at least I was able to keep Sully and Dean from starting a fight. I can image a better situation if I want to.

“My husband and I have talked it over, and we would love for you to live with us. Young people such as yourselves should have a place to call home, one that you don’t have to worry about finding gas for. We could use the extra hands around here, and I’m sure you’d love to start having home cooked meals again.” Amy said after dinner, when all the plates had been cleared away.

“We appreciate your offer, but I think we need time to think about it.” Sully answered.

“Take your time dears; you’ll still be welcome here no matter what you decide.” Amy said.

Chapter ten

Elizabeth showed us to our rooms an hour later. It was well after dark, and everyone else had gone to bed when we gathered in Billie’s room to discuss what we wanted to do.

“I say we take them up on their offer. I want a place to live out the rest of my life that isn’t the inside of a vehicle.” Billie said.

“And if it turns out we don’t like it here, we can always leave.” Dean added.

“What do you think, Jo?” Sully asked.

I thought for a moment. “I don’t know. I’m hesitant to say yes, but I miss having a home and hot food. Do you realize tonight was the first night we’ve had real meat in over a month?”

They nodded.

“So why don’t we give them a try? We’ll stay for a few days and see how we like it here. If we don’t all agree to stay, then we leave without argument from those who don’t want to go.” Sully said.

We talked for a little longer, unwilling to separate at night after we had spent so long sleeping together in cramped quarters. I was the first to stand, stretching, and head to my new room. I was petrified of waking up wrapped around Sully, like I wanted to. Billie and Dean would never let me live it down.

“Good night, all.” I said.

“Good night.” They said, Dean and Sully following me out into the hall.

“Hey there, sweet thing.” Said a voice out of the darkness. Andy sidled up to me, reaching toward me as if to put his arm around my shoulder.

I jumped and slid away from him. “Any part of you that touches me, you’re not getting back.”

“Now that hurts! I’m just trying to have a little fun here, propagate the species and all that.”

“Ooh, propagate. That’s a pretty big word for you. Did someone have to write the definition on your juice box with crayon?”

“You are a little firecracker, aren’t you?” He said, laughing.

“There is nothing I can say or do that will make you leave me alone, is there?” I frowned.

“Not a thing.” He said, still smiling. I swear, I was two seconds from smacking that damned grin off his face.

I ducked into my room and locked the door; sliding a chair under the knob for good measure. I was not about to let that creep sneak up on me while I’m sleeping.

Early morning sunlight filtered in through lacy white curtains, hitting me square in the face. I had slept better than I had in a long time, uninterrupted by confusing or horrific dreams. I strapped my hunting knife to my belt and tucked my pistol into an ankle holster. It weighed heavily against my leg, just out of sight halfway down my boot, the rest of it covered by my jeans. It was an unusually warm morning, so I bit the bullet and yanked on a tank top, despite already hearing Andy’s suggestive comments in my head. Another round of commentary in his voice resounded in my head, and I pulled a sheer, net-like top over it.

I walked quietly downstairs, not knowing if anyone else was awake yet. No one seemed to be, so I made my way to the front porch and settled into one of the wicker chairs to watch the sun’s slow progress through the sky. It was peaceful here, and reminded me of the hunting cabin. I could be happy here, I thought, until Andy swaggered out of the front door and sat next to me.

“Good morning!” He said.

I just nodded.

“Not a morning person, are you?”

I ignored him. I knew I should be nice to him, but he was just so irritating.

“I put a pot of coffee on. How do you like yours?” He asked.

“Black.” I said.

He laughed a little. “Black like your soul?”

I looked at him straight faced, completely serious. “No, black like my coffee, now go get it.”

“Yes Ma’am!” He said happily.

He was so freaking strange. As much as I despised him, I was grateful for the steaming cup he handed me. It was the first cup of bean juice I’d had in who knows how long, and it was amazing. Brennan came out soon after, sipping from his own cup.

“Looks like we’re going to need to send someone on a supply run soon.” He nodded to Andy.

“Yes, Sir.” Andy said.

“Brennan?” I said.

“Hmm?”

“My friends and I decided we would like to stay with you for a while. I would be more than happy to go on a supply run, to help out. I’m sure the others would be willing to go as well.”