Their world would have little extravagances, and that reminded him to hit the grocery stores for coffee, which in turn had him looking for a camp coffee pot or two. Getting more than one item was essential. One was good, two was better, three, what the hell, why not? Once more, these items would have to last them a lifetime or more.
He’d also pick up books, games and other educational items. He’d swing by the local Walmart on the way back to the park and pick up paper, pens, pencils and whatever else. Also, he’d take all the toilet paper and paper towels he could stuff into the trailer. His heart began to race and his mouth dried. It was almost too much. So much to get and do before he could no longer leave the park. His legs felt weak, and he knew it was a panic attack. He’d pushed all the fear and sorrow down, having to deal with the everyday living. Now, it was catching up to him. He sat down hard on the inside of the trailer.
Holding his hands in front of his face, he saw they were trembling wildly. He took a deep breath and held it. Then, slowly, he blew it out. Tears stung his eyes and he wiped at them.
“Don’t lose your shit buddy, not now.” He whispered to himself.
“Daddy?” Cooper called; his voice sleepy. Brian got up and went around the truck.
“I’m here tiger. You ready to get out?”
“I gotta go potty.”
“Okay, let me get you out of there. I’ll see if this place has a bathroom.” He lifted Cooper out of the truck and walked back into the store. He pulled out a small LED flashlight from his back pocket. He found the bathroom in the back and lifted the lid to the tank. There was water in it, so a flush was possible.
“Do you need my help Cooper?”
“I just gotta pee pee.”
“Okay, I’ll be out in the store, come find me when you’re finished. I’ll leave the door open, so it isn’t dark. I’ll put the flashlight on the floor for you. Bring it with you okay?”
“Okay daddy.” He chirped sleepily.
Brian wedged the door open. The store’s large windows ensure that there was plenty of light in the store, but the late day shadows made the store dim. A few minutes later Cooper came out and found Brian. Looking over at the counter, he saw a box of small hand sanitizers. He picked up a bottle and washed Cooper’s hands, then tucked the bottle in the boy’s front pocket. He stuck a few bottles in his own pockets.
“We’re going to get some chickens; how does that sound?”
“Really?” Cooper squeaked happily.
“Sure are. In fact, we can head out in a few minutes. I’ll build something to hold them, and we’ll come back tomorrow and make them a proper coop.” He smiled down at the child.
He picked up a few more things and then finished loading the trailer. He was closing it up when he felt a presence behind him. He turned, his hand going to the small of his back, where his Glock rested. An older woman stood ten feet away, watching him, her head cocked to the side.
“Coop, come here.” He called, and Cooper walked out of the store, a small bottle of juice in his hand. The boy saw the woman and walked quickly to Brian, standing behind him, his small hand seeking the larger man’s hand.
“Hi, can I help you?” He asked politely.
“You robbing this place?” She asked.
“No mam, I’m getting things that I need. Are you the owner?”
“No, I ain’t. Bobby died. Everyone died. What you doin with that boy?”
“Daddy?” Cooper said nervously.
“It’s okay Coop.” Brian said and picked the child up, holding him close. Cooper’s arms linked tightly around Brian’s neck. He could feel the small body shaking slightly.
“You need to leave that boy here, with his own kind.” The old woman croaked. Something about her made the hair on Brian’s arms raise. She was crazy, insane, perhaps by all the deaths around her. She was also thin, wiry. Her clothing was dirty, dirtier that what Brian thought was normal. His eyes went to her hands, which were knotted with arthritis. They were roped with heavy blue veins and her nails were chipped and dirty.
“What do you mean, his own kind?” Brian asked, though he knew what she meant.
“That boy ain’t yours, he’s white and you ain’t. You need to leave him with me. He don’t need to learn your dirty ways.” She said in a nasty voice.
Yeah, batshit crazy, he thought. Brian didn’t say a word, but turned and put Cooper back in his car seat. He kept the old woman in his peripheral and his hands shook but he managed to get Cooper buckled in. He hurried around the truck as the woman began to walk closer. Hoping up into the truck, he locked the doors and then started the truck.
“You need to leave that boy here, he don’t belong to you. He ain’t your kind.” She yelled at him.
Brian hit the windows until they shut
