Duncan scowled. “Why? There’s nobody here. Don’t matter what the sign said.”
I pointed to the chimney. “Then who lit the fire? Zombie’s don’t feel the cold.”
That changed the equation. Duncan and Tommy went to alert and Charlie started a slow recon around the house, stopping when I held out a hand. “Wait here.”
I walked toward the small dwelling, taking off my hat and gloves. I started whistling, and was rewarded with a moaning from out back. I looked back at Tommy, and he and Duncan circled around the garage, guns at the ready.
I continued walking towards the house, and when I was about fifteen feet away, spoke out.
“Hello the house! Anyone in there?” I didn’t want to yell too loudly, but I didn’t want to get shot by mistake, either.
The door opened and a woman stepped out. She was roughly fifty years old, wearing a big flannel jacket and work boots. Her hair was curly red, and she had calloused, work-hardened hands. A big smile lit up her face when she saw us, and she set aside the rifle she had been carrying.
“Hello yourself. Now who might you folks be?” Her voice had a slight Irish lilt to it, and her eyes twinkled a bit as she spoke, like she was the only one who was going to get the joke. I liked her immediately.
I introduced myself and the rest. “I’m John Talon, and that serious-looking gent over there is Charlie, those two coming around the corner would be Tommy and Duncan, and there’s about six more of us in the cars behind us.”
“Quite a group. I’m Dot. You all headed south for the winter?” She asked, putting her hands in her pockets. I thought I caught the outline of a handgun in there, but I couldn’t be sure.
“No, ma’am, we’re heading to a safe place for the winter.” I replied
“Ain’t no such place, son, you know that. But by the looks of you, I bet you could make near anyplace safe if you put your mind to it.” Dot said, cocking her head to the side and seeming to look through me.
I looked down briefly and shifted my feet. “That may be true. Listen, we’re just looking for a spot to rest for a spell before we push on. Do you mind if we stop here a bit? We just managed to wiggle out of a tough spot, and could use a little regroup.”
Dot smiled. “No problem. Haven’t had company in a while, and George ain’t much for conversation.” She picked up her rifle and came out to the cars to meet the rest of the crew. She spent the most time with Jake, who waved his hands at her. I took him out of the car seat and carried him towards the house.
“Would you mind if I borrow a chair? Jake needs his bottle and he’s getting too heavy to carry while he eats.” I asked.
Dot smiled again. “Help yourself. The green one is a good feeding chair.”
We went inside and I saw the house was neat and tidy. Mementos lined the fireplace, which crackled with a warm fire. One wall of the small living room was lined with shelves overflowing with books, and a quick glance showed a variety of interests. The kitchen was lit by hurricane lamps, and the whole house just exuded warmth. If it wasn’t for the need to move on, this would be a nice place to stay for a while.
Dot sat down to watch Jakey eat. “Been a while since I saw a baby. He’s a beautiful boy.” She said.
“Takes after his mother.” I said, smiling at my son.
“You’re a good man for remembering her like that.” Dot said, reading me like a book.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“What I mean is anyone with a good eye can see he looks like you, but you carry a good memory of your dead wife with you, so you see her in him. Nothing wrong with that, just shows you loved your wife and miss her. But it will pass. All things do.” Dot said, reaching out and stroking Jake’s hair, casting a knowing eye at Sarah, who looked away.
I didn’t say anything, just committing every part of the scene to memory. Jake feeding quietly, the fire popping occasionally, my close friends relaxing nearby. I nearly jumped when Dot spoke again.
“Eventually I will have to kill George, but for now it’s just too hard.” She said.
I burst out of my reflections. “Wh-what?” I stammered.
“George. My husband. He’s out back. He took the sickness that killed everyone else. When he turned I moved him outside.” Dot said this as calmly as if she had said it was Tuesday.
Duncan spoke up. “No kidding. There’s a zombie chained to the shed out back. He’s pretty secured. Tommy got close enough to see his bridgework, and there was no danger.”
Dot smiled at my reaction. “No, I ain’t crazy. George and I had been married since I was seventeen, and it’s hard to let go after so long. I’ve dug his grave and made his marker, but I just can’t finish him.”
As nutty as it sounds, I was actually sympathetic. I could see how someone would be hesitant to kill a family member, and in all likelihood, that reluctance got a lot of people killed or infected.
I finished with Jake, and gently burped him. He wiggled a bit and then leaned towards Dot. She smiled and asked to hold him. I didn’t see a problem so I let him go. He immediately started playing with her hair, and her smile made him laugh. It was good to see Jake happy, and it was good to see him making someone else happy.
After a little while, I figured it was time to go. We had been here long enough, and if we had attracted the attention of local zombies, I didn’t want to put Dot at risk.
I rallied the group and they headed out to the cars. Charlie asked me a question with his eyes and I put the question to Dot.
“Dot? I can’t thank you enough for letting us remember what hospitality is like. Would you like to come with us? We’re going to the office condos on 131 ^ st street.” I asked, taking Jake back from her.
Dot smiled wistfully as Jake went back to is daddy. “No, I’ve lived in this house for thirty years, I’m not going anywhere soon.”
“Is there anything we can do for you, before we go?” I hinted heavily in my question, and Dot picked it up immediately.
“If you’re asking if you want me to let you finish off George, the answer…,” Dot sighed, “…is yes. But, please, you can’t shoot him. I don’t want a gunshot to be my last memory of my husband.”
“Will do. Thanks for everything, Dot.” I said, heading for the door.
“John?”
“Yes, Dot?”
“Finish what you started.” Dot looked at me seriously.
“What do you mean?” I asked, shifting Jake to my other arm.
Dot pointed to Jake and then to the window. “You got two things to do before you’re done. Finish them both.”
I only half understood what she meant. “Will do.” I said, closing the door behind me.
Charlie stood before me and I nodded. He headed off to the back shed, and returned a minute later, wiping off one of his tomahawks with a bit of rag. I put Jakey back into his car seat and he promptly fell asleep.
We moved the cars out of the driveway and I waved a hand at the house. Dot did not come out to see us off, and I didn’t blame her. I could see a still form lying out in the yard in the back, and another kneeling nearby, and I just shook my head. I thought about what she had said to me and slowly began to realize what she had meant. I did have things to do.
22
We headed out again, stopping when the road finally ran out of North. Charlie looked at me and I told him to head West. We were nearly there, and I was getting anxious. I did not want to have to do anything in the dark. We passed another subdivision. God, there was enough of the stupid things. This one had huge homes, any of them could pass for a fortress if the people had sense enough to barricade the first floorwindows. As I looked, I saw the inevitable white flags decorating several expensive mailboxes. We would have passed by if it hadn’t been for a person standing on a second floor porch waving a pillowcase at us. Here we go.
“Are we stopping?” Charlie asked, slowing down the car. He had seen the pillowcase, too.
“Have to.” I said.
