She continued to whimper while clinging to the nurse. Shelley could feel the young girl’s tears soaking into her shirt. Eventually, Maria stopped. She twisted slightly so that she could look up into Shelley’s face.
Shelley looked down at Maria. She wasn’t sure what to say. “Hey ... Are you OK?”
It sounded lame coming out of her mouth, and she instantly berated herself. Of course she is not OK, you idiot!
“I just really miss her...”
Shelley nodded. She knew who she meant. Her mother. Her mama.
“She was so good to us. She was the best person I knew!” Maria pushed her face into Shelley’s chest as she started to cry again.
Shelley let her cry and stroked her hair. Maria seemed to compose herself shortly after that. The girl took a few deep breaths and smiled up at Shelley. “Thanks. I guess all those people dying yesterday just reminded me—”
“I understand. Hey, why don’t you tell me a bit more about your mom? What was she like?”
Maria liked that idea. She spoke about her mother and her family for the next few minutes. Talking about them seemed to help her. She spoke of her mother’s infinite patience with her and her baby brother. Of how she never really got mad at them, and how it was so much worse for Maria when her mom got “disappointed” with her.
“That’s a special gift that moms have, Maria.” Shelley had a small smile of recollection on her face. “My mom did exactly the same to me.” She laughed. “Yeah. Way worse than her getting angry was that look on her face.”
Ultimately, the conversation turned to the most recent memories and the end of her family.
“Now they’re all gone. My hermanito. My papá and mamá. I feel alone.” Tears sparkled in Maria’s eyes again.
“No, Maria.” Shelley also had tears in her eyes. “You’re wrong. You’re not alone.” The first tear rolled down her cheek. “You’ve got me. We’ve got each other.”
They hugged for a few seconds. Maria looked up at Shelley again, and some of the determination was back in her face.
“And Claire. And poor Jack. And the rest, too. We’ve all lost family.”
“And now we’ve gained new family.” Shelley finished for her.
The young girl really was wise beyond her years. They smiled at each other and got up from the ground. Shelley stood in front of Maria and placed her hands on the young girl’s shoulders.
“You are just like your mom. She is so proud of you. We all are.”
Maria bit her bottom lip to fight the tears. Once Shelley was sure that Maria was all right, she took the girl’s hand in hers and they left the office.
Chapter 24
Jack
November 7, 10:30 A.M.
Jack wished that he had something nicer to wear. He’d packed just one button-up shirt on that fateful day just over a week ago, and it happened to be a colourful shirt with text all over it. It was something more appropriate for a party than a funeral. He tossed the shirt onto his cot in frustration.
“Jack.”
He looked up to see his mom. Her face was still ravaged by grief, but her eyes were full of tenderness for his struggle.
“Come here.”
She choked on the words. Jack felt the tears form in his eyes once again as he rushed to her and into her arms. They held each other for long moments. Jack could feel his mom’s tears roll down his neck.
Jack forced the words out. “I ... I can’t find a decent shirt to wear.”
“Oh, my boy.” She held him at arms length. “My son.” She smiled, and for the first time her expression wasn’t sad. “Here.”
She turned away for a moment and picked up a duffel bag. She dumped the contents on the bed. Craig’s clothes were mixed with her own. She quickly reached in and picked up a dress shirt.
“I have no idea why he packed this. It’s one of his work shirts. Here, why don’t you try it on?”
When Jack hesitated, she put the shirt in his hands. “Your dad would love it if you wore his shirt.”
She nodded knowingly. Jack had to agree. This would be very much like his dad. He’d come home countless times from some business trip with an article of clothing for his son. Jack had no interest at all in wearing any of them, but his dad never gave up. He would just bring another item next time.
So, Jack put on the shirt and turned to his mom with a smile of his own.
“It smells like him.”
His mom smiled, then raised her hand to her mouth as she fought back the tears.
Chapter 25
November 7, 11:30 A.M.
The back door to the gym opened, and people started filing out. Once the group had left the gym, they stood aside to wait for Jack and his mom. The only ones not present were BB and Abi, who were on the lookout for zombies. The occasional shot could be heard from the other side of the school.
Sarah came out first, then turned and locked arms with her son as he stepped out. They both drew a deep breath of fresh air as they took in the sunny afternoon. They passed the group and headed towards the field which would be Craig’s resting place. The rest of the group followed them in a somber procession.
Ern stood in the field, in front of a freshly dug up grave. The old man had laboured intensely on that grave, and he had somehow even fashioned a rudimentary cross. The group formed a semi-circle around the hole. A few feet over, a slight mound marked Patrick’s grave. Ern had placed a cross there as well.
They turned back to
