“Listen.” Craig raised his voice, so more people could hear. “You and I know that Jack is hurting because he got exposed to gluten. It’s not the first time this has happened.”
He lowered his voice as he continued. “If Jack gets worse by this time tomorrow, then the three of us will pack up and leave.” He put his hand under her chin and lifted her face so their eyes could meet. “Sarah, I promise you: I’m not going to let them kill our son.”
This seemed to take the fight out of her.
Claire had gotten up and walked over to the group, followed by a concerned Nancy. She glided over to the couple and placed a hand on Sarah’s back. When Sarah faced her, Claire smiled encouragingly at the other woman. “Come. I’ll help you gather some things for Jack and your husband.”
Sarah blinked her tears away. She took a deep breath and composed herself. “Ok.”
The two women left, followed by Nancy. Maria got up from her seat at a bench nearby. “Wait! I want to help, too.” Christine watched the girl limp off after the women.
Jack and his dad were to be locked up in one of the rooms downstairs. The reason for picking one of these rooms was because the doors did not have windows set into them. It would be an inconvenience because nobody could look in on Craig and his son, but not having a window made sense for security reasons.
Cots were shuffled around, and supplies were placed in the room. Craig and Jack would have a place to sleep and enough water and food to last them twenty-four hours.
The quarantine was made official with the closing and locking of the classroom door. Sarah watched her husband and son disappear and couldn’t keep herself from uttering a heartbroken groan. Nancy guided the stricken woman away, leaving John standing guard at the door.
MOST MEMBERS OF THE group were sitting around in the cafeteria later that evening. The mood was somber. Christine was hanging out with her family at one of the benches. Her family members were bantering and shooting the shit like Christine remembered they usually did. Attempting to create some semblance of normalcy.
The rich couple was sitting at the next table over, with the oriental guy. The rich guy was trying to carry the conversation, but it was obvious that nobody was interested in talking.
Christine looked around and noticed Jack’s mom was sitting at another table with Claire, Ern and Nancy. They were talking quietly amongst themselves. Sarah was a mess.
Christine remembered how Claire was inconsolable on the remainder of that bus ride, and practically catatonic since arriving at the school. Not sure how much Claire can lift your spirits. She’s practically a zombie herself.
Emily was sitting together with Bill, track suit girl and John’s wife. Christine guessed they were talking about guns. She didn’t figure that they would have much else in common.
Christine wondered how Bill was going to use a gun, with his wrist and hand all banged up like that. She supposed that he could handle a gun with either hand.
Finally, she looked at the last occupied table. Maria was sitting by herself. Her eyes were on the glass of water resting on the table in front of her. She looked sad. Christine suddenly had the strong impulse to go and talk to the teenage girl.
After all, I’m the closest girl to her age. We should have some things in common. She walked over and put on her most winning smile. “Mind if I join you?”
Maria looked at her and shrugged.
Not the best start...
Christine sat down across from Maria and smiled at her again. “How’s your ankle feeling?”
Maria pondered for a moment. “Ok, I guess.”
Christine nodded and sat in silence for a moment. “Pretty crazy, that stuff with Jack. I sure hope he is not infected...” Maria looked at her and did not respond. Christine was about to give up on the conversation when she spoke.
“You don’t get it.”
“What do you mean? Of course, I get it!”
“You’ve got your whole family over there.” Maria said with a wave. “Craig and Sarah are going through hell right now. While you guys just sit around, joking, like there is nothing wrong.”
This got Christine’s temperature up.
“That’s a fucking ignorant thing to say! You don’t know what we went through!” Both girls were ready for a fight.
“Oh yeah? Well why don’t you tell me who you’ve lost?” Maria challenged the older girl.
“I’ve lost. ... I ...” Confusion clouded Christine’s face.
A smug smile crossed Maria’s face. “Yeah. Who did you lose?”
She was sure she had won the argument.
“... Matt.” Christine looked down, then slowly locked eyes with Maria. “... I’ve lost Matt.”
Maria was silent.
“We had been together since last spring. We met at the horse track, of all places.” Christine smiled as she remembered.
“He treated me so good. Better than all the others. ... I was sure he was the one.” Christine brought her hand up to her mouth.
“The last time I saw him, he was leaving for Rochester, to go to his parents. They were both sick. He begged me to go with him.”
Maria expression turned rueful. She waited for the older girl to continue.
“He called four days ago. His parents were very sick, and he couldn’t get any help for them. The worst part was that he was getting sick as well. He knew that he was infected. He sounded so relieved when I told him I was feeling fine.” Christine fumbled for something in her pocket.
“After that he sent me a few texts.” Christine pulled out her cell phone, selected her text, and held out the phone to allow Maria to read.
‘Mom died a few minutes ago. OMG she is dead.’
‘Things r crazy! mom attack dad. She bit his throat. I think he’s dead. then she attack me! Locked her in bedroom.’
‘Mom pounding on door.
