Apocalypse Cowboy

“There’s nothing to say.”

“Oh really.” Hannah felt the ire from seeing her sister mauling Brody all over again. “How about we start with your behavior with Brody?”

“That’s none of your damn business,” said her sister, whirling around. “You’ve made it pretty clear you don’t want him. And I meant what I said. I want out of here, and he’s the only person who can do that ‘cause you sure as hell aren’t in any hurry.”

“It’s dangerous out there, Bethie.” Hannah wondered if they’d done the right thing hiding the violence she’d faced from her sister. Perhaps if Beth knew what Hannah had been through she would understand that they just couldn’t leave the safety of their home without preparation.

“You’re just saying that ‘cause you’re scared to leave.”

“Listen, I want you to find someone you can be happy with, but we need to plan this and not go off halfcocked.”

“Blah, blah, blah,” said Beth, rolling her eyes. “Fine. You want to wait, then wait. But in the meantime, if I want to flirt with Brody, I will. Just because you don’t want him, doesn’t mean I do.”

“You can’t have Brody.” The words and their possessive tone slipped out without volition.

Beth opened her mouth to reply, then her eyes widened. “Oh my god, you’re fucking him, aren’t you?”

“Watch your language, young lady.”

“Stuff it. You’re not my mother. And you didn’t answer me. Are you sleeping with Brody?”

Hannah could see the storm brewing in her sister’s eyes, but she nodded anyway.

“Unfucking believable. No wonder you didn’t want me to hit on him. You’re already banging him. When were you going to tell me? Huh?” Beth raged and Hannah let her, knowing she had a right. “God, I am so fucking stupid.”

Beth’s foul language sounded so crude, and Hannah winced. She might be used to her sister’s temper, but she’d never seen her lose it like this.

“I’m sorry, Beth. I promise, we’re going to take a road trip as soon as we can find a way for all of us to-”

“Like I’ll believe you. You and this stupid house and town. We should have left as soon as we realized everyone was dead. But no, Hannah’s afraid of the big wide world.” Beth’s tone and words mocked her. Hannah cringed at the pent-up bitterness her sister spewed. “Let’s hide here in the house we grew up in because god fucking forbid you should leave your safety blanket.”

Hannah couldn’t help herself. She flinched. I am not afraid to leave. I happen to like it here. Why is it I’m the only one who does? “I’m sorry you feel that way. I promise we’ll find somewhere with people for you. I want you to be happy, Beth.” Hannah’s voice broke.

“Don’t bother. I don’t want your help.” Beth pushed past Hannah, almost running into Fred in his wheelchair.

“Whoa girl, where you going so fast?” asked their uncle.

“Nowhere apparently,” Beth said bitterly before disappearing from sight.

Fred turned to look at Hannah with his brows raised. “What the heck was that about?”

“Beth found out Brody and I are involved and freaked. I don’t blame her.” She ducked her head in sorrow, waiting for Fred’s rebuke.

“About time you and Brody patched things up. As for Beth, she’ll get over it. You always did coddle her too much. You’ve done the best you could, Hannah girl, and don’t you forget it.”

“She just wants someone to love. I can’t blame her. And I want to give her what she wants. She’s right. I am chicken to leave home. I don’t know anything else.”

Fred snorted. “Beth’s just impatient. She doesn’t understand that some things have to be taken slowly. The girl is young yet. A few more weeks or months ain’t gonna kill her. Don’t you let what she says bother you none. There’s nothing wrong with loving one’s home. Don’t forget, just because we go on a trip or even if we find somewhere that’s better for us, doesn’t mean we can’t come back.”

Hannah smiled at her uncle. He always had the right words. “Yeah, I know. I love you, Uncle Fred.”

“I love you too. Now stop this pity business and hold yourself straight. Beth will get over it.”

I sure hope so. I’ve never seen her this mad.

But Beth didn’t get over it. She acted impulsively as usual, something Hannah only realized when they couldn’t find Beth the next morning and discovered Brody’s bike missing.

Chapter Eight

“Calm down, kitten. I’ll find her.” Brody lied, not knowing what else to say with Hannah so crazed with worry over her sister’s disappearance.

“How?” wailed Hannah. “She could be anywhere. What if she’s hurt? Oh god. This is all my fault.” She collapsed on the couch, her face buried in her hands while her shoulders shook.

Brody wanted to shake Beth ‘til her teeth rattled for doing this to her sister. Ungrateful, little brat. “I am pretty sure she’ll have headed to that Amish settlement. I’ll hunt around for another bike and go looking for her. I’ll bring her back, I promise.”

Brody rode Hannah’s pedal bike into town, glad no one could see him on the pink bike. He had a vague idea about who might own a motorcycle and headed straight for Joe Franton’s home with its large two-car garage. Brody remembered Joe had talked about getting himself a Harley.

Bingo!

Opening the garage door with a noisy creak, Brody sent up a quick amen. Covered by a tarp, he found a motorcycle and not just any bike: a Harley Ultra Classic. He ran his hand over the fat tank and shook his head at the oversized seat for the driver and the just as comfortable one for a passenger replete with arm and backrests.

Brody couldn’t help grinning. While he loved his Harley Sportster, the Ultra Classic was a motorcycle made for two, and he knew who he’d like sitting behind him.

Grabbing a gas jug, he jogged down the road to the gas station only to find the pumps dry. But he had learned a trick or two on his cross-country trip, and he quickly found a length of hose he used to siphon the derelict cars that littered the town. Pouring the gas into the tank, Brody then faced a new dilemma.

Keys?

Bracing himself, he entered the tomblike home, dust motes floating in the air. Luck on his side, Brody found the bike keys on a peg board along with others. On the way out, he noticed a framed image of Joe, straddling the very same motorcycle in his garage, a big grin on his face. He felt a moment’s pang for Joe who hadn’t gotten to enjoy much of a retirement.

So many people had found their lives cut short and even now the world was not a safe place, something he should have stressed more to Beth. But, given her headstrong, spoiled nature, he doubted it would have had an impact.

The bike of course didn’t start when he turned the key, the battery long dead. Wheeling it out into the sunshine, Brody rolled it a few blocks to the one incline in town. He pedaled the ground with his feet, Flintstone style. When the bike gained some forward momentum, he pulled in the clutch and popped it into second.

With a coughing stutter, the engine roared to life, and Brody cranked the throttle, clearing dust from its workings. The growling sound of the bike brought Hannah running out of the house, and Brody’s groin tightened looking at her. He loved her so much even with her tear-streaked face.

“I’ve packed some food and clothes,” she said gesturing to some bundles behind her.

“You should go with him,” said Fred wheeling out onto the porch.

“What?” Hannah’s face creased in puzzlement. “I can’t. I’ve got to stay with you.”

“Oh for Christ sake girl, I been taking care of myself a lot longer than you’ve been born. Go with him. Find your fool sister and that Amish village. I can take care of myself for a week or so. Besides, if you stay here, you’ll just drive me nuts.”

“Are you sure?”

Brody could see Hannah’s need to care for her uncle warring with that of seeing her sister safe.