“I got nothing else to do, Thad. You go back home to Mary. If I had a pretty woman at home waiting on me, I’d want to be there.”
Thad smiled. “If you’re sure.”
Cecil stepped around the table, wiping his hands on a rag. “I’m sure. Besides,” he pointed at Perez sleeping on top of a picnic table moved under the covered walkway, “you need to get him home.”
Thad shook his head. “He’s somethin’ else.”
Without lifting his head, Perez shuffled through a pocket and fished out a pack of smokes. Shaking one out, he replied, “I can hear you.” He lit the cigarette and let it dangle from his lips.
“See?” Thad said with a laugh.
“Oh, I recognize the type,” Cecil laughed.
Jess came walking out of the gym with Doc in tow. They were holding hands as they walked towards the smoker. “How’s things in there?” Cecil asked.
“I think all the ones that were going to die have. The rest will need a lot of help and time. But they should make it,” Doc replied.
“That’s good. Chris need anything in there?”
“No. He’s in good shape now. There are fewer people to take care of. They’re actually able to get some sleep at night now. Only one person is on shift at night. So, things are improving.”
“You two ready to go home?” Thad asked.
“Yes, we are,” Jess replied.
Mike and Crystal sat on the dock with their feet in the water. Crystal made lazy circles in the water with her toe. “How’d you get down here?” Mike asked.
She sighed, “Mother sent me down here. Said I needed to get away from the city for a while. I think she just wanted to get her kink on and wanted me out of the way to do it.”
Mike pulled his shirt off and lay back on the dock. “You’re lucky she did. Being stuck up north wouldn’t be good.”
“Maybe. But now I’m stuck in this Godforsaken swamp. It’s so damn hot here.”
Mike quickly sat up, “Oh, sorry, I’ll put my shirt back on.” He was smiling devilishly as he said it.
Crystal raised her eyebrows, “No, you’re fine.” She turned and lay down alongside him. “You’re the best-looking thing I’ve seen in a long time.”
“So, what are you going to do?”
Crystal traced a finger along his chest. “I don’t know. Just wait and see. That’s all I’ve been doing, waiting to see. I want out of here though. I’m bored.”
“You should come over for dinner. Kind of like a date.”
She laughed, “Janet will not let me leave here.” She rolled onto her back and looked up into the clear sky, “it’s like a prison.”
“It could be worse,” Mike replied. “At least here you’ve got food and people looking out for you. You’re safe. And trust me, there’s a lot to be said for that.”
“Maybe.”
Ted and Janet sat on the porch overlooking the lake. “They’re getting kind of cozy with one another,” Janet said.
“Good for them,” Ted replied.
Janet sat up in her chair and looked at him. “Why do you say that? I’m trying to keep her out of trouble.”
“Why? You worried about her reputation? Someone going to talk about her?” He looked over at her, “Those days are gone. Everyone needs to find a little happiness and it’s in short supply at the moment. Let ‘em have fun.”
She sat back in her chair. “I suppose you’re right. It’s been rough, being stuck on the ranch. Worst of all for her. She’s young and used to traveling and being in cities. She’s had a hard time adapting to this.”
“Shit, we’ve all had a hard time adapting to this. I’m bored out of my mind too. But this is life now, so I’m trying to make the best of it.”
Janet’s eyes flickered towards him, “That why you’re here today? Trying to make it better?”
Ted looked at her for a moment. “It’s nice here. A change of scenery is good. You and Crystal should come over for dinner. You can stay the night. We have plenty of room.”
“Slow down, cowboy,” she replied. “I’m not looking to be bedded yet.”
Ted was flustered. “That’s not what I meant. We have a house where Miss Kay cooks and we all hang out. You can stay there. It’s Danny’s house and he has the kids there. I don’t stay there.”
“Keeping up appearances, is that the idea?”
“Not that. Just no expectations. It would just be nice to hang out a little. Get to know you better.”
“And what’s the end game to that? We going to play house in some little trailer?”
Ted shrugged, “Doesn’t have to be a trailer. Jus sayin’.”
Janet laughed and stared out at the lake. After a moment, without looking over, she reached over and took Ted’s hand. He didn’t say anything, nor did he look over. He simply took the small gesture and the two sat rocking together.
CHAPTER 10
It only took one trip to get Mom and Dad’s stuff to the boat. We used Dad’s surf cart to move it all to the river; there really wasn’t much. Many of their neighbors gathered at the ramp to wish them well and say their goodbyes. Mom was pretty upset. She had a lot of friends here and would miss them terribly. But they all insisted she go. That it would be better to be with family during these times.
As they said their goodbyes, we waited at the boat, to give them the room and time. Once the hugs and handshakes were done, they walked down the ramp to the boat. I helped Mom in and Dad quickly stepped in as well. Danny held the boat as I got in and the old man followed me. He gave the boat a shove and hopped over the side as it drifted out into the small marina.
The ramp was full of people waving and wishing well. I made my way to the stern and started the motor. In a moment, the little community on
