The gym was filled with what looked to be quite an impressive cache. Shelley first noticed the large pile of stuff that seemed to include cots against the far wall, and a big pile of bedding lying beside it.
At least we won’t be sleeping on the ground.
She looked over and saw the pallet with the large container of water that had been mentioned before, and quickly counted seven other pallets, containing various sizes of boxes. Shelley could see the curiosity on everybody’s faces.
“What is all this stuff?” Joe Collins gave voice to everybody’s thoughts.
“Captain Matheson had that manifest!” Jack reminded them of the clipboard Matheson had held up to the group earlier. It had been left behind on the stage in the cafeteria.
They heard the other group coming back up the stairs, so they exited the gym and headed back. All-in-all it had taken only a few minutes to secure the two levels.
Not bad for a disorganized bunch. Thanks to that Craig, anyways. Shelley watched the lanky man walk in front of her.
THEY ALL GOT TO THE cafeteria at the same time, and people started to take seats. The benches provided plenty of seating. Shelley made her way to the elderly couple and sat down with them.
Craig and Sarah went into the kitchen and came back out shortly after with a couple of cases of water. They started to distribute bottles. Craig spoke up to the gathering as he handed out the last few bottles.
“Hey, this might be a good opportunity to get people acquainted. Maybe we can get some introductions going?” Nobody rejected his idea, so Craig started with himself.
“Ok, I’ll start. I think you all heard, but my name is Craig Van Gilze. I am... uh, I was, a project manager at State Engineering here in town.
Ah, a project manager. That made sense to Shelley.
Next, his wife, Sarah introduced herself. With a wink to Shelley, she stated that she was a housewife ‘And proud of it!’
Craig next introduced their seventeen-year-old son Jack, who was a student in grade 12. The slender young man had the blonde hair of his mother, and the sharp facial features of his father.
Shelley couldn’t help thinking that Jack’s college prospects had just taken a turn for the worse.
Patrick Bentley was the next to introduce himself and his wife Rosa. Although they didn’t introduce themselves as a rich couple, most people seemed aware that these folks had been rich before the world went to shit. That mansion that they had been picked up from was easily as big as this school. Patrick had owned an internet business and called himself ‘extremely lucky’.
Your luck just ran out, bub. Shelley berated herself for that thought immediately.
Rosa didn’t say much. The shapely beauty merely called herself ‘Patrick’s wife, Rosa.’
Shelley noted a distinct Latino accent though.
Maria sat next to Rosa. The young girl simply said ‘Maria’ and dared anybody to comment with an angry expression. Shelley was impressed with her. The young Hispanic girl carried herself with undeniable pride. Shelley got the sense from looking at her that she was the type of girl that everybody cared for, but also the type of girl that could take care of herself.
But she is still a little girl. Maybe twelve years old? She had obviously been through a lot. How is she going to cope with all of this?
For that matter, how are any of us going to cope...
Bill Moyers was next. Most of the group already knew the injured and unlucky soldier. He appeared shy in the group setting. Shelley guessed that he was still struggling with his tragic role in the events earlier that day.
Bill had a twang in his voice, and Shelley figured he originated from the south somewhere. Missouri maybe. Or possibly Tennessee.
“Name’s Bill. Bill Moyers. I’m National Guard Reserve.”
“What do you do when you’re not on guardsman duty, Bill?” Craig encouraged.
“Farmer.” He quickly looked around, as if embarrassed with the admission. “I grew up on my parents’ farm and was runnin’ the farm. Until...” He shrugged. He was clearly done talking then as he dropped his face to intently study the table-top in front of him.
Poor guy. The guilt will eat him up. Shelley had the strong urge to sit with him and comfort him somehow.
Everybody already knew Ern. He looked like a curmudgeonly old man, but Shelley suspected that he was actually quite charismatic. Ern’s wife’s name was Nancy. The large older woman had matriarch written all over her. Shelley had the feeling that Nancy would be handing out hugs and hot cacao soon.
It was Shelley’s turn next. “Hi. I’m Michelle. Call me Shelley. I am... I was. A nurse.” She said with a shy smile.
“You still are a nurse, Shelley.” Craig said. “We will definitely need your expertise.”
It was meant to be a reassuring gesture, but instead it filled Shelley with dread and fear.
The Collins clan went next. It was the woman of the household that did all of the talking. The African American woman stood at their table and addressed the group. “I’m Rachel Collins, a proud housewife also,” She said with a quick smile towards Sarah. “and here we have my beautiful nineteen-year-old daughter Christine and my handsome sixteen-year-old son Ethan.” She said as she tapped each of her kids on the shoulder as she introduced them. The kids looked appropriately embarrassed.
Those kids are indeed handsome. Shelley had to admit. She’s a bit full of herself but she’s right about that.
Shelley took a closer look at Rachel. She looked the part of the doting mother and housewife. Her long black hair was straightened and styled with bangs. She had the warm and experienced face of a mother. She wore comfortable yet fashionable clothing. Shelley could almost imagine the busybody home maker keeping the house tidy but making the time for morning spin or yoga classes, afternoon coffee dates with the hen club, and a mountainous stack of junk romance novels to fill the evenings with.
She probably has one
